Happy Halloween

October 31, 2012
Celebration

Happy Halloween to all the moms who stay up late finishing the costumes for their goblins!  I have to say,  It is a little sad that my boys are to old to dress up and trick or treat.  Although my 16 year old thinks he is going to score a mother load of candy tonight!  Ha!  I remember making spider costumes, peter pan, for two years in a row, and the every simple but dumb costume scream the boys loved.  we were football players, pirates, and my oldest was even an army soldier one year!  Imagine that!  I  use to  go thru the candy, (you know, for safety reasons) and sort out all my favorites!  Banana laffy taffys among the top picks for me!  Then put it in a bowl for each of them and place on the counter and try my best to ration it out!  

Yes, I am sad those days are over, but at the same time,  I'm glad I don't have to walk the streets tonight either!  On a side note, I won't even be handing out candy tonight, The BF was put in the hospital yesterday, apparently the pneumonia is stubborn and won't go away! 

What are your goblins dressing up as tonight?

Chevrons and Boots

October 30, 2012
Ann Taylor
Gabi, Jennifer and I took these photos a while back when it was still nice outside.  The weather has started to turn cold, and very late fall ish here in Kansas.  The weather is suppose to be sunny for a few more days, then turning colder again!  True fall in Kansas! 



This chevron blouse is a favorite of mine.  I picked it up in a small boutique that has since closed up.  I layered it with a tank from Ann Taylor, and my skirt is  new from Ann Taylor as well.  I love the details of the front zipper up the middle with a faux leather panel.  My handbag is from Angela Roi.  My necklace is a one of a kind handmade that I will be sharing with you later this week!! Bracelets are the fabulous Claudia Rowe skull bangle, and the wonderful Alexandra Beth topaz bangles.  Sunnies are Chanel, and my watch by Michele! 

 And to all my friends on the East coast, I hope you are safe today after the terrible Sandy made her way across the coastline.  My BF is a native New Yorker transplanted to the midwest 18 years ago and still has sisters and cousins on Long Island, and his best friend from high school who still lives there.  My prayers are with you today for a short displacement of life, and a safe environment! 

Photos by Gabi

My Weekend

October 29, 2012
Fall


I went shopping this weekend.  Not in the fashion sense, but rather in healthy foods!  I made a visit to Trader Joe's and Whole foods for a little"inspiration" if you will for a better menu.  What I found was nothing shocking to me.  Eating healthy is expensive!! Well at least it would appear that way.  You can pay for it now, or pay for later in poor health. It's your choice when you want to pay for it!  

I did everything correctly!  I shopped when I wasn't hungry, no distractions, and with a little research to a few foods.  I made it home with lots of veggies, some nuts for salads, and a few new items to tryout.  I made kale chips again, and the BF even tried them, and I roasted brussels sprouts!  I intend to use more of my crock pot this fall for simple soups and stews loaded with veggies.  If you have a favorite receipe send it my way!

It was cold over the weekend and we had our annual halloween party with the neighbor/friends with one minor change.  We did not get to attend.  Remember last week when I said the BF was sick?  well that sick turned into pneumonia and my costumes changed into nurse nancy!  He is on the mend, but slowly.  I am hoping for a better week for him since his birthday is coming up! 

I hope all my friends on the East coast stay safe! 

 What did you do this weekend?

Aziza Jewelry

October 26, 2012
fashion

Today is an exciting day as I am sharing with you Aziza Jewelry.  Handcrafted, and custom made, she creates the most beautiful and intricite pieces of jewelry.  When I contacted her to be a Friday's feature I knew you would love her.  She made for me a sterling name necklace of my blog!  I love it!  What a great way to share my love of blogging!  Isn't it fabulous? 


Aziza and I have teamed up to offer one lucky follower their very own personalized sterling wire necklace, in their choice of words!  Do you want your blog name? Maybe your child's name? or how about your initials?  There are so many choices to select from.   You may even just simply have the word LOVE!  Aziza has been an entrepreneur from an early age.  Read what she has to share about her love for what she does and her passion for jewelry in her own words.
"I Love making jewelry. There's something about it that soothes my heart and calms my soul and when I am in the moment, I know I am fulfilling my purpose. Hours can go by and I am so involved in what I'm doing, designing and making jewelry, that time seems irrelevant.


I have been making jewelry since I was a little girl and not only do I love making it, I also love wearing it! I've always loved making beads and began making beads from polymer clay and designing jewelry with those first few clay beads when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I think I've always been a bit of an entrepreneur first selling my jewelry to friends and family at the age of 10. Fast forward several years...



After studying Fine Art in college and receiving a BFA, I decided to continue my education further and pursue my dream of learning how to work with glass on a flamework torch. I fell in Love immediately! It was scary, fun, and exhilarating. And after taking several classes in lampworking, and fusing glass, and mastering it, I began using it in my own personal jewelry and wearing it. Once friends, family, co-workers and even passerby's on the street wanted what I was wearing, I knew I had to make it available for sale, and so Aziza Jewelry was born.



Along the way...I've had so many wonderful opportunities, including working for a very large international luxury jewelry company, and a spiritually inspired NYC based jewelry company and to also be in a position to learn the ins and outs of the business. After deciding to get special training in lampworking and metal-smithing, pmc, and glass fuseworking, I ventured out on my own and began creating and selling my jewelry at craft shows in Brooklyn, NY and when the demand picked up, I started selling online. And here I am!



But thats not just who I am. I am also someone who is very interested in empowering other creative people to become fully and powerfully self expressed whether thats by expressing themselves through personal style or accessories or by creating art themselves.



Besides being a glass artist and jewelry designer, I also teach jewelry making and glass bead-making here in the 5 Boroughs. I enjoy teaching and creating jewelry equally but above all I'm honored to be able to share my gifts with the world." 


Thanks Aziza for sharing! 

So you are an impatient person? Don't want to wait to win? I can relate to that!  Aziza is offering a 15% discount for any orders placed until November 15th!  And, with every $40 or more purchase until November 15th she will add a pair of studs for free!  What a deal!  Just enter the code ABJ367 at checkout.  So get to it and enter, and order up!!  


Enter below using the rafflecopter form.  Don't forget to follow the instructions to make sure your entry counts.  


Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Pink Pony

October 25, 2012
Events
October is Breast Cancer awareness month.  What better way to show your support than with a Pink Pony.  Ralph Lauren's trademark pony in pink!  For a limited time you can customize a polo with your name on the back.  Super cute!  Ralph Lauren is donating 10%  of all pink pony purchase price to the Pink Pony fund of the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation for support of initiatives for cancer cares and prevention. 

Breast cancer knows no boundaries.  I lost my great Grandmother to it before I was born, and last year my sister was diagnosed with it and under went a double masectomy.  That my dear friends, is hitting close to home.  I wrote about our team in the Susan G. Komen race for the cure here.  Where I use to not worry of it often as it was a few generations removed, I now think of it frequently.  Have you had your girls checked? Please don't put it off.  Oh, and put a pink pony on them too! 



Snow Leopard skirt

October 24, 2012
Ann Taylor
I broke out the boots finally and could not be happier!  I am an animal print lover so when I saw this skirt at Ann Taylor there was no stopping me!  And not to be too matchy matchy, but my new Fine and Funky cuff went perfectly with the outfit!  I love how the scarf pops!



Skirt Ann Taylor, Snow Leopard cuff Fine and Funky c/o,  Sweater Target, Scarf gift, sunglasses Chanel, bag Louis Vuitton, boots Anne Klein
Photos by Gabi

The Liebster Award

October 23, 2012
Events
Liebster: German in origin, the word translates in English meaning sweetheart, darling, or beloved!   The Liebster Award is awarded to new bloggers that have less than 200 followers.  Jessica from My Life, My Loves & Me nominated me!  Thanks Jessica! In order to accept the award and display the badge on your blog, you have to follow these rules.  
Post 11 things about yourself.
Answer the 11 questions the blogger who nominated you asked.
Create 11 questions of your own to pose to your nominees.
Chose 11 bloggers to nominate that have less than 200 followers and notify them.
There are no tag backs!
Ok….. Here we go!
1.     I am the 5th of 6 kids, one of 5 girls!
2.    I love sweets.
3.    I have been to every state, including the capitals of them all, except 5, and every national park. (All via road trips)
4.    I have a fear of heights.
5.    I do not have any tattoos, and that okay with me!
6.    I want to live within walking distance of the beach someday.
7.    I love a good rain, but am afraid of heavy winds and storms.
8.    I am a hopeless romantic.
9.    My favorite concert of all time was Queen. RIP Freddie Mercury!
10. I love road trips.
11. I have an obsession with shoes and handbags.
So here are the questions from the blogger who tagged me, Jessica:
1: what made you start blogging?
I was drawn to the socializing and meeting great people, and having a place to share my own perspective and thoughts!  I love all things fashions and what better way to share.  
2: who is your favorite musician/band?
Well Queen if you include all time, but alive I would have to say Peter Gabriel.
3: If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have three things what would they be and why?
Chap stick, because who wants dry lips.
Sunglasses to protect my eyes from all the sun.

A water bottle, so I could at least fill it up and have water with me no matter where I was on the island! 
4: what is your favorite social media site?
I love Twitter!
5: what is your favorite makeup brand and why?
Mary Kay has fabulous cleansers and skin care products and that is a key element to having a great completion. I also use Clinique.
6: name 5 of your most treasured possessions.
My Tanzanite ring from the BF

A pink Wedgewood bowl.  It was the last gift my sister gave me before she passed away.
My peridot ring from my Great Aunt

My Mac Book

My scrapbooks of when the boys were little

7: what is your favorite thing to blog about?
Oh gosh, handbags and shoes for sure, but I really love sharing a DIY post too.
8: if you could describe yourself in two words what would they be?
Outgoing and sarcastic!
9: what's your favorite song right now?

I don't have a favorite right now.

10: what's your favorite food?
Mexican
11: what's your favorite tv show?
I don’t really have a single favorite but I do like to watch the Real Housewives of OC, and BH. I like King of Queens, and Everybody loves Raymond.
the 11 bloggers I tag are:

South On Broadway

Chicago Prepster

Pencil Stitches

Edit-KC

Isshounoyakusoku

 The White Ruffle

The Chic Arts

Tres Michelle

Blue 11 Interiors

The Flare

Le Petit Monde

Ok so here are the question for the blogs I tagged!
  • What are the 5 most popular songs on your iPod?
  • What is your favorite board game?
  • What is the last movie you cried at?
  • Are you a morning or night person?
  • What inspired the name of your blog?
  • What's your biggest pet peeve?
  • Do you prefer flats of heels?
  • What is your favorite season?
  • Which Disney princess are you?
  • What beauty product can you not live without?
  • Are you a coffee or tea girl?
Have fun girls!

My Weekend

October 22, 2012
Decorating
Happy Monday lovelies!! How was your weekend?  I had the best weekend!  It started with my hair appointment early Saturday morning, and then I did a little shopping for a few things I have had my eye on. 
 I ordered from amazon a while back a wireless remote for my camera in hopes that I would be able to not need a photographer all the time I wanted to take outfit pics.  The BF has a cold and is convinced he is dying, (oy, the drama)  So Saturday afternoon, I tried my hand at solo outfit pics.  I felt a smidge weird, but it became a little easier after I got the hang of it.  The only thing I didn't like was I don't feel the pictures are a sharp as when someone else takes them.  I will be posting them soon and we will see what you think!! 
 I worked on a few DIY and a little fall decorating for the porch on Sunday, we grilled salmon for dinner, and made dark chocolate brownies!  Yum!! The weather was certainly fall, but still warm enough to enjoy outside. I caught up on my blogs,  and just loved being home.   The letter M in my wreath was fun to make.  I just bought a plain wood initial from Hobby Lobby and a spool af twine and wrapped the letter!  I think it turned out awesome.  I wired it to the wreath so it can be changed out for another season too!

 This coming Tuesday some local bloggers friends and myself are getting together for a fun evening of shopping and a DIY project, I can't wait! 


What did you do this weekend?  

Fine and Funky Giveaway

October 19, 2012
arm party
You know when you stumble across a design and it speaks to you?  Well this screamed at me!!!  I love my Fine and Funky custom cuff.  Made of leather printed snow leopard and adorned with a hugh black and gold piece of agate, it is my new favorite cuff!  The creative minds behind the designs are Margaret and Kara.    My favorite qualities to a piece of jewelry is the uniqueness to it, and this definetely is unique!


Margaret and Kara opened Fine and Funky in April 2010.  They handmake all of the items in their shop in the heart of Texas just north of Dallas!  Every detail goes past both their sets of hands from buying, cutting, soldering, to designing!  There are so many cuffs I want from their shop!

Some of the perks to running your own design business with a fabulous partner is staff meetings include wine or margaritas, and even in your pajamas!! These ladies sound like someone I could hang with! If you live in or around the Dallas area, you should check out the list of locations they travel to shows.  Check their etsy shop page for a complete list of locations and dates.

Want to add one of these to your wardrobe?  I know you do!  Enter below using the rafflecopter form for a chance to win a credit to Fine and Funky for a cuff of your liking! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fur Vest

October 18, 2012
Fall
Ok, Let me start by saying I like the fur vest.  I think it adds great texture and depth to your outfit.  You can really dress it up or down.  I could see this with a t-shirt and jeans and heels, tights boots and cute shirt, and all the way to belted with a dress.   The three in the top row really have great visual texture, but what is bad for me is the length of the vest.  It would hit right at the top of my hips and cut me off appearing even shorter than I am.  But the bottom row has just enough added length to fall below the hips and carry the eye down to elongate the body.  I love the bottom row middle vest.  I could see myself putting it to good use. It gets pretty cold and windy in Kansas.

What do you think about the whole fur vest?  Is it too trendy? Would I look like a wooly mammoth in the midwest?  I just can't decide if it is for me.
Top row~Madewell   Michael Kors   H&M  Bottom Row~ Calypso St Barth  DKNY   Calypso St Barth

Peek at J Crew

October 17, 2012
Colors
I feel a little bit bad.  I have been a little late getting my post up this week, and to tell you the truth it really does bother me.  Life has been hectic and stressful recently, and I have over extended myself (again).  The bf and I are having serious conversations now about where to travel!  Thats a good thing!  When I think of relaxing, I remember this place.  I think a vacation is in order when you find yourself actually online shopping for a destination and available dates (stay tune for it). I am hoping to get my groove back soon!  In the mean time, J Crew has a few fabulous new items coming soon and I am in love!! Hello polka dot sweater,  Get in my closet!





Do you J Crew?

A Barclay

October 15, 2012
Colors
I love scarves, and by love, I mean I wear them all fall and winter. My collection is growing, and I have a few lightweight scarves that I wear in the spring months too.  I am always on the lookout for well made scarves that are of substantial size.  So when I came across A. Barclay, I knew I would be adding at least one, if not two to my wardrobe.  I love the size of her scarves, which translates to me as very versatile. 

  Here are a few of my favorites, and these beauties would be year round for sure for me!!  That green and white zebra is so gorgeous.  The scarves are handcrafted by Italian artisans out of 100% natural fabric.  In cashmere, cotton, and linen, they are the perfect accessory and they are massive in size!  3.5' x 6.5'  and that detail right there means you can literally tie them a million ways! 

You know how I admire a giveback company, for every scarf that is purchased,  A. Barclay buys an item of need from a Tanzanian company for a Tanzanian in need focusing on orphanages.  That makes me feel good! 





Just a few of my favorites! Now get over to A. Barclay and fall in love for yourself!

Glitter and Pearls

October 12, 2012
arm party

Just in time for the scariest month of the year!  It's a Glitter and Pearls fabulous skull bracelet!  If you can actually say that skulls are cute..... these are cute!!  They are multi colored skulls in gold, black, and silver all tied together for a fabulously scary arm party!  I love mine and several people have commented on how appropriate it is for this month too!  The ever so sweet Lexi, the creative mind behind Glitter and Pearls and Glitter Weddings,  has teamed up with me to offer to one lucky follower their own skull bracelet!  Did you know she is a part time lawyer, and a part time blogger?  Talk about ambitious! She is super and sweet, and you really should check out her blog, and Etsy shop!!  It is a great bracelet to stack too!  I just love mine!
I have admired her bracelets for some time and was excited when we set a date to offer a lucky follower their own!  Isn't it fun with the pumpkins?  Hop over to her etsy shop and see for yourself what I am talking about! 
So ready to win?  You know the drill.........Follow the instructions in the rafflecopter form below, and good luck! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Pumpkin DIY decorating

October 11, 2012
Celebration
My sister and I got together this past weekend to fancy up a few pumpkins for the season!  I love to decorate with pumpkins and mums.  We gathered up our supplies of a fun filled afternoon of glueing, mod podging, and all around fun!  I love to decorate for fall around the house and this was the perfect start to the decorating! 


First up is the gold foil pumpkin adventure!  I say adventure because it was a sticky experience!  I can honestly say I love the way it turned out, but the spray adhesive was a challenge! I purchased a package of gold foil at Hobby Lobby.  I already had a can of leafing spray adhesive from another project.  We sprayed the pumpkins with the adhesive and proceeded to place the sheets of foil on the pumpkins.  As you can see, my fingers must of had some adhesive residue, because my fingers were covered with flecks of gold by the time this pumpkin was done! 


Next up, was the mod podge pumpkins.  We gathered leaves and pressed them in a book the weekend before thinking that they would be nice and flat ready to stick to our pumpkins....... wrong!  They were dry and flat, but not not really adhering to our pumpkins well.  Thats when we changed it up.  We gathered new leaves off of my sisters flaming maple tree she planted in honor of our sister Donna. They were beautiful in oranges, reds, and greens.  We sprayed the backs of the leaves with spray adhesive and randomly placed them on our white pumpkins.  We then sealed the leaves with our mod podge.  



And finally, a bowl full of baby pumpkins!  We used dot adhesive, you know the kind you scrapbook with, and decorated these little babies with ribbon!  



We are having Thanksgiving in Kansas City this year with all our family from Oklahoma, and my sister Mary and I couldn't be more excited to be hosting it in our city!  We will be decorating our tables with these for sure.   So what do you think?  Have you started any fall DIY projects?  

Photos by Lisa

Winning in Green

October 09, 2012
Celebration
Nothing goes better with a blonde than green!  That was the answer to the question The Pioneer woman posed for you to enter into her closet cleanout!  As you can see, I won!  Not only is this beauty in my closet, but she also autographed her cookbook and sent it to me as well!  Double treat! I wore this last week with the BF on an afternoon at the Plaza.    The weather was still warm and sunny so we decided to stop by Loose Park and take some photographs.  Have you won anything lately?  Do you consider yourself lucky?  I know I do!   Thanks Pioneer Woman.  I love my new Hale Bob top!  







There are some yummy recipes I cannot wait to try out in this cookbook! 
Photos by the BF

Sweater Weather

October 08, 2012
Fall

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 Do you just want to curl up in these all day?  We have woken up the past few days to the morning temps in the 30's.  I was not ready for such a drastic change of temperatures just yet.  But with these cozy sweaters calling my name, it's easier to adjust don't you think?  Are you ready for sweater weather where you are?

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