Happy President's Day

Enjoy the day off (if you are so lucky) to spend with family & friends, honoring our past presidents.

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Fashionista Friday: Spring Getaway Swimming Suits

I have a girls trip approaching to south Florida and I think a new swimming suit needs to accompany me.  So many cute ones I'm going to have a difficult time choosing just one!  That green one is calling my name, favorite color and all.

Nautical / Green / Fringe / Embroidered / Palm /  Ruffle

I haven't worn a one-piece suit since I attempted being on the diving team in high school (didn't go well - the reverse dive killed the sport for me), but always admire a sexy full coverage suit.

All Nordstrom

And I really love this tankini!  Perfect for those recently post-baby or just feeling a gross bloated day.  Great color combo.

Tankini


P.S. I can't believe I posted everyday this week.  I haven't done that since pre-baby.  Correlation?  I think so.

Kiss! the One You Love

A few images from around our house today.

Hopefully the husb appreciates my 4-hour project yesterday when he gets home from work soon.  It's like mistletoe for Valentine's Day!

Couldn't resist this onesie at Nordstrom's.

The planter on our front porch is slowly, but surely getting filled with pink and white flowers.  Love this bright entrance!

Refresh Wednesday

Wednesdays are quickly becoming my favorite day of the week.  It's a day for just Everett and me to piddle around the house working on projects.  Monday and Tuesday I work at my internship, which I enjoy immensely.  I have learned so much in a short amount of time and the experience has confirmed my decision on pursuing my advanced degree in Speech-Language Pathology.  It feels rewarding to work with our caseload of children improving their communication skills.  Mondays and Thursdays are typically when I have on-line class.  

Thus, Wednesdays are a day with no obligations and I can regroup, catch up, and not have to look at the clock.  The babes and me spend a lot of time in our backyard (picture above) on a large quilt playing with toys and reading stories.  The locally-owned garden shop, Apenberry's, is also a frequent Wednesday outing for us.

The past couple weeks I have started growing flowers from seeds.  I have never done this before and always just bought a couple 20-packs of flowers from the garden store to plant in our landscape.  However, our new house has a lot more land to scape so I figure by growing my flowers from seeds I will save a few hundred dollars when all is said and done.  I even went super cheap with the Wal-Mart brand, Jiffy, and not the line carried at Lowes and Target, Burbee.  Plus, it's kind of fun to see the progress!  I feel like a 7th-grade science fair kid.

 Sprouts after about 10 days gradually exposing them to full sunlight.

Bring the plants in at night.  This is after cutting back all plants except the strongest one.

And here's my little helper...

Images via me

Fashion to Room: Sequined Stripes Doing Alright

 I'm so in love with this skirt; the colors, the fit, the glitz.  I just wish I had an extra $750 laying around for frivolous purchases like this one.

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I may try to use it as inspiration for a room in our home though...like our tiled room on the back of the house.  I haven't decided what to call it; lounge room (shooting for this), fun room (too kiddish), Florida room (too dated), back room (too easy).

I just purchased two Christian Chaize prints similar to the one below that I'm ready to get framed and hung on the wall.  Pretty sure I could lay back with a drink in my hand and imagine I'm sunning on the southern coast of Portugal any day in my lounge room.

Ceiling color is Pure Paris Green -- gotta love that name!

Rug / Sectional / Chandelier / Glassware / Art / Lamp / Table / Chair / Bar Cart

Red Carpet Rundown: 2013 Grammys

I can't finish a full review tonight since I have an early morning tomorrow, but wanted to share my favorites.  I was surprised by several women! Rihanna, Adele, and Beyonce all changed it up from what I was expecting.

I have a big love of green.  It's always been my favorite color so the following three dresses struck a high note with me.

Florence Welch in Givenchy - this is a horrible picture, but I thought the dress was outstanding.  The studs on a large scale made it Grammy-worthy and less Oscar/Golden Globe-style.

Katy Perry looked hot!  This dress is not forgiving and she looks amazing.  Great color and just enough skin (even if it doesn't follow "the memo" guidelines).

Solange Knowles wears kelly green very well.  I am a big fan of girls rocking their 'fros.  It just shows confidence and a little attitude.  I don't think I would have picked those shoes, but I also don't have a close up look of them which could change my opinion possibly.

Rihanna looks so glamorous...and conservative!  What a nice change.  This natural hair style is so pretty to see on her and the make-up and dress were spot-on.

Adele wears black pretty much all the time to these events so I thought this a fun change-up for her.  It's obviously not as slimming as solid black, but whatever.  She has such a great personality and voice she can rock it.

Usually Beyonce drives me bananas on the red carpet, because of her dress choices and her Barbie doll poses.  However, she is on a roll with me and this outfit totally killed it.  The lips, the heels, the cuffs, the pants - loved it all.

 

There wasn't a lot of va-va-voom with Giuliana Rancic's dress, but I just thought the design and texture was really cool.

Girls were sporting the cut-outs big:

Taylor Swift stepped it up big for me!  Aside from the heavy bangs and neutral lip I liked this overall look a lot.  

Kelly Rowland will definitely be written up for her "side boob" showing.  This dress is too cool for it not to have been worn though.  Her bangs look almost identical to Taylor's above, but for some reason I like them on Kelly.

 Alicia Keys looks very glam in her gown, but I was not into her hair.  It was too severe and boy-ish.

I could be a lone ranger liking Estelle's outfit, but I just really like a rib-drift right now.  She totally needs help from the neck up; make-up, hair stylist, hello?  You're at the GRAMMYS.

Images via msn.com

Fashionista Friday: Beach Wedding Flats

A good friend getting married this summer in Mexico asked me to round up a few ideas for her to wear with her wedding gown.  I don't know if she wants sandals, slippers, sparkles, or simple so thought I would try to get a full spectrum for her to preview.  Maybe once she's narrowed down the choice a little I could do another post once the big day is closer.  She mentioned that she would entertain the idea of wearing Alexander McQueen since that is one of her favorites, Kate Middleton, favorite designer.  Unfortunately, I could only locate one pair of white flats that would be beach appropriate, but maybe the brand will release more summer-style flats in the spring.

I really love both #11 and #12.  The Emanuela Caruso sandals are gorgeous at $370 (click on the link below and see how they look on the model's foot for verification).  Of course, the Swarovski crystal-embellished Rene Caovilla sandals are a little more steep at $1,075, but aren't they fabulous??  I love some pizazz peeking out under a long white gown.

1. Gucci

2. Miu Miu
3. Miu Miu
4. Miu Miu
5. DV by Dolce Vita
6. Bloch
7. TOMS
8. Alexander McQueen
9. Puma
10. Lanvin
11. Emanuela Caruso
12. Rene Caovilla