Color Crush

April 30, 2014


Happy Wednesday!  So glad the week is half over.  I am ready for a pretty weekend!  If you haven't noticed lately… I have a crush, and it's with blues!!!  I never would have thought a year ago I would have incorporated so much blue into my wardrobe but I have.   With spring finally her it's maxi dress season and this Maxi  is fabulous.  I am in love with the tie dye and that slit? Wow!! 

 I have been looking for the perfect size cross body.  One that will hold just enough essentials but not weigh you down or be bulky. This  Cross body is perfect for weekend errands, or maybe a trip to the farmers market or zoo.  I don't like to carry my big bag when it gets warmer out.  It is to much to keep up with when you're out with the kiddos too.  Speaking of out with the kiddos… we are planning a trip to the zoo soon and I always… I mean always wear sandals in the summer but sometimes things call for better protection for your feet.  These Chucks  have been on my radar and I am ready to get them.  I remember all three of my boys having high top chucks when they were little. Man those were hard to get little feet into, but they were cool!  I can't decide between white or these fun blue.  Which do you think I should get?    Bringing up the rear of my blue crush is of course a piece of jewelry.  This statement Necklace is not too blingy and I could definitely get a lot of use out of it.  So what color are you crushing for this spring?  

Linking up my four favorites today, you should too!  

Linking up here, and here too! 

Jewels in Blue

April 29, 2014
Sometimes I feel like I don't put enough effort into my daily outfits at the office.  It is easy to become complacent with your  surroundings and those around you.  Sure, there are those few ladies at my office who every single day put it together professionally.  I am talking a suit skirt and or jacket, a pair of modest heels and a minimal amount of bling.  Then there is the other 3/4 of the office population that  have pulled together whatever they thought was comfortable, and by no means tipping the cute meter on the outfit either.  We fall somewhere in between.  Safely I might add.  I say we because there are the handful of girls, (you now who you are) that look cute dang near every day.    


To be honest I really do have a fear of wearing a perfectly good outfit on a insignificant day.  What is an insignificant day you ask?  Yucky weather, no meetings or outside appointments, or maybe just a day you wake up and don't feel on your game.  You know we all have them.  Another confession…. I will sometime wait to wear something new for one of those fab days rather than wear at my first chance!! I have several new things hanging in my closet just waiting for a significant day!!  Crazy I know.   Today's outfit was a day I was on my game.  I pulled this new Blouse Karen Kane sent me out of the box and loved it at first sight.  I tend to shy away from blouses that have front buttons or no stretch thru the chest.  This shirt just barely makes it for me and I am so glad it did.   Today's outfit was one of those days that you just feel fab in!  It was a significant day!   You ever have those days? 







Blouse ~ Karen Kane c/o, Leggings ~ Target, Tote ~ Gigi New York c/o,  Shoes ~ Sam Edelman,  Sunnies ~ Ray Ban, Bangles ~ Alexandra Beth Designs

Linking up here, here, and here today. 




Weekend Recap

April 28, 2014
Happy Monday lovelies!  How was your weekend?  Mine was a perfect blend of busy and relaxing.  I was up super early Saturday morning to met a bunch of blogger friends at Homegoods for a private shopping event.  Angela had arranged for this event to shop before the store opened and what better time to pick up a few goodies for the home.  We made it there before the first of many downpours of the weekend.  I went straight from there to my hair appt.  Two and half hours there, then on to another private beauty event for a full facial.  I picked up a few new beauty essentials and makeup tips and love this new line I was introduced to and more on that to come this week. Pretty exciting stuff!  Saturday evening Joe and I grabbed a bite out to eat, picked up a  few fresh fruits and veggies, and settled into a quiet evening at home with a frozen yogurt treat.  Perfect day if you ask me! 
 
Sunday was a bit wild with the weather.  We went from sunny to green skies to dark as night  in a matter of 20 minutes, followed by a thunderstorm of straight line rain. It would clear up only to pummel us again.  We were lucky and the hail missed us but there were some area of town with hail the size of half dollars.  I decided what better time to start cleaning out my closet.  You know it is on this list to be completed.    This process is going slower than I imagined it would and is quite messy.  Clothes and shoes stacked everywhere.  I really think once it's finished I will be happy with all the effort.  I made the dreaded mistake of taking a nap Sunday afternoon.  It is dreaded because it takes forever to wake up from a nap for me and now I was going to be awake late for a Sunday evening.  I must of had some major sleep debt because I napped for almost two hours.  It all worked out in the end because we rented American Hustle which was long, but good.  If you grew up during the 70's you must see this moving.  It was depicted so accurately to the era and the soundtrack was good!   Oh, and the winners of the Rustic Cuff giveaway were selected.  Three of you should Look for an email from me today! 
 
 So there ya have it!  My weekend in a nutshell.  Good...busy enough...a little shopping... and beauty involved!  What did you do this weekend? 

Floral and Leopard

April 24, 2014
Sometimes your outfit speaks for itself.  Are you a pattern mixing fool like me? All I can say about this is I loved it!  I thought for sure when I walked out of the bedroom wearing this Joe was going to turn me around and tell me I had lost it!  But I received rave remarks about how much both he and Trevor like this combo!  ME too!!!






Pants Ann Taylor (similar) ~ Sweater Joie (no longer available) ~ Tee By Luciana c/o ~  Black and gold bracelet Rustic Cuff  (similar) c/o ~ Love and skull bangles Claudia Rowe c/o ~ Topaz bangles Alexandra Beth Designs ~ Bag Vintage LV ~ Necklace Stella Dot ~ Sunnies Ray Ban



Four Favorites

April 23, 2014



Happy Wednesday friends!  This weeks favorites are random but fun.  You know I love of  a fun Tote  and this is no exception.  Perfect for weekend errands and the farmers market.  Speaking of perfect…. this Glass gem terrarium is exactly what I need for my office! I wish it came in green glass to look like a peridot stone. This Tee has been blowing up my instagram feed and for good reason.  It's darling.  I am going to have to order this for sure!!!!!  The perfect late night snack for one is this  Zoku  shake and slushy maker.  Oh yeah! My boys would each love one of these!  So what are you loving this week? 


Check out this post of fabulous woman that I am Beyond thrilled to be featured with  here  today.

Linking up here and here too! 

Spring Tips

April 22, 2014
DIY

Happy Earth day.  With the weather finally nice and the days growing longer, it is time for a little spring tips and tricks to help your season transition go smoothly. 

Take a few ice cube trays and fill them up with coffee.  Freeze the tray and once frozen pop them in a baggie or container to store until the next time you're craving an iced latte!  When the cubes melt they won't dilute your drink. They were melting pretty darn quick on my marble. 



Do the same with ice tea, and for you water drinkers... add a few berries to your trays with water and freeze.  Toss the colorful slightly fruity cubes in your glass and enjoy!



Rainy season is here and that means shooting pictures in between rain drops.  Protect your camera and place a plastic shopping bag  around the camera with an opening for the lens and hold it in place with a rubber band to keep your camera dry and protected! It looks a bit crazy I know but I wouldn't want my camera to get wet! 







Turn the hangers in your closet backwards.  Every time you wear something hang it up the correct direction.  When the season is over and time to transition to fall again you will be able to see what you didn't wear because the hangers will be backwards still.  Time to clean out the closet with everything hanging backwards still!  Hey... how did that crazy orange hanger get in there? 




So now it's your turn… share a few tricks that help you transition into spring! What do you do to transition into spring? 

V beaute'

April 21, 2014
I had the pleasure of meeting Julie Macklowe and a preview of V beaute', a new skincare line at Soft Surroundings on the Plaza last week.  Let me start my saying, this is not a sponsored post.  I have used the same skincare for 30 years.  I do not like to change things up where my skin care is concerned.  I like this product!  Let me introduce you to V beaute'.  Upon first arriving at Soft Surroundings I was curious to explore their styles.  As I have posted here, finding a store that is trendy an fashionable for women are far and few between.  Wouldn't you know the first thing I laid eyes on I had to have!! I styled my new top in this post.  I didn't have time to shop the entire store completely, and there were a few things that were not my style, but rest assured I will be going back to shop some more.  SO back to Julie... Dynamic, smart, spunky and super tiny!  I don't care who you are she will make you look three times larger and I wore stripes!!!! eek!



I received a sample of a few of the products to try out.  I generally don't like to try something new in skincare but I did, and It was light on my face and left my skin feeling refreshed.  See that sparkle on my lips? That is her lip spread and it is not like any other lip gloss I have ever tried.  It is hydrating with a silky and non tacky feel.  She actually gave me my own tube of lip spread because I loved it so much.  Vbeaute' is a luxe line of sensitive-skin friendly products born out of Julie's own needs.  Julie refers to Vbeate' as "serious skin care simplified." I have to agree.  Traveling to Geneva for ingredients for this anti aging process with her star ingredient... the alpine rose.  This small pink blossom grows in the Swiss alps adapting to the high altitude environment.   With the ever changing climate and the exposure to UV rays it has to protect itself, the Alpine rose is no delicate flower.   Combining stem cells from the plant with a collagen-stimulating, cell energizing peptide rich in antioxidants, this complex is at the heart of all Vbeaute' products.  


Traveling across the country one day, Julie had her entire toiletry bag confiscated at JFK.  Now that has to put a damper in your trip!  On her flight she sketched out a few ideas on  napkins and realized she was onto a great idea.  This travel size companion below is perfect to toss in your bag and travel with without having to worry about meeting the liquid limit at the check in gate.  The line was first launched in 2010 exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, but is now available in over 30 specialty stores and boutiques as well as online at Soft Surroundings and Vbeaute'.  The line is vegan, gluten free, paraben free, fragrance free, and nut free. 






And for your bathroom vanity at home... full size jars of Vbeaute' skin care.  With a very friendly price point it is worth it to give this a try. The most expensive item is $53.  


You have to try this lip spread.  It really is the best gloss I have ever tried. The entire line can be purchased at Soft Surrounding, or online.  I am not sure if you can find the lip spread online, but call the store and I bet they can ship it out to you.  Let me know if you try it.  I would love to hear your take on the line! 



Rustic Cuff

April 18, 2014

A little bit of steel cable added with a mesh buckle and you have a pretty pair of bracelets to add to your arm.  Did you know Rustic Cuff does more than just cuffs? If you have been a follower for any amount of time then you know my love for Jill and Rustic Cuff.  If your new to Peridot Skys, welcome and I am glad you're here.  Be prepared to fall in love with her designs.  These bracelets are great to mix and match with your other bracelets or wear them just with each other.  I personally love the cable bracelet and the mesh buckle is an understated piece to add  a gold or silver tone to your arm. She also personalizes the Hazel bracelet with your initials! What a great gift that would make. 







Want to add one of these to your arm?  I know I wish I could keep a set for myself, but I would rather share them with you.  Can't decide between black, gold or silver?  I can help you out!  Enter to win one of set of Rustic Cuff bracelets by using the rafflecopter form below and I will choose three winners.  One will receive the gold set, another the silver set, and another winner will receive the black set....

Easy peasy for you!  Don't forget to follow the instruction in the rafflecopter below and Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Blues for Spring

April 17, 2014
Its time for the winter blues to disappear once and for all.  This past weekend the farmers market opened for the season and I was ready for it!  We headed out for a quick breakfast then off to the market with my tote in hand. We had never been to the farmers market on opening day and my expectations were a bit different that reality.  I expected to stroll thru making tough choices between fresh beans, or red potatoes.  Maybe pick up some berries and a cantaloupe.  Ha!  So lets just say the first day of the Farmers market is for people who are looking for starter plants to grow their own garden.  The crops have not flourished yet!  I have to admit, I did wonder what would be available as it didn't seem anything would be in season quite yet! So, we will wait a few more weeks to go back, but we plan on making it a habit for the weekends thru the season. 





With the farmers market a bust, we headed to Whole Foods and Sprouts to get fresh fruits and veges.  I picked up these gorgeous yellow tulips complimenting my outfit and added them to my tote.  Love the blue and yellow!  Gigi NY sent me this tote.  I have been eyeing it for sometime.  I cannot tell you how beautiful the blue is in person.  There was a part of me that leaned towards choosing the white or black tote... staying well in the comfort zone of course, but the blue was so fun, and is a bit out of my comfort zone.  I am so glad I did it!  Monogramming it was a no brainer for me... the gold letters on the blue make a subtle statement.  I like that.  I have to admit, when I posted last year that I wanted to add more blue to my wardrobe I honestly didn't think I would add as much, as often, and love it the way I do.  I still don't have navy shoes, or slacks and I don't have any skirts with blue, but there time for that!  Are you a blue person?  What color do you feel is your comfort color? 


Bracelet stack ~ Accessory Mercado c/o / Top ~ Soft Surroundings / Tank ~ Ann Taylor / Tote ~ Gigi NewYork c/o / Jeans ~ Karen Kane c/o / Loafers ~ Nordstrom / Bracelet ~ Loren Hope /



Easter Favorites

April 16, 2014
DIY


Happy Wednesday lovelies!  I am traveling home this weekend to see family and celebrate Easter.  When my kids were little, one of my favorite things for Easter was decorating eggs.  Now that they are all grown I have started looking for other methods to decorate them.  These  Eggs  are the cutest and I love the polka dots of course!  Filled Easter baskets with candy is a dangerous thing, so a few nibble of ears off this dark chocolate fella may be all the  Bunny and  my diet can handle with a few handfuls of  Jelly Beans!

Easter is always a time to show off your new spring outfits when your a kid and as an adult that tradition should continue with this perfectly spring  Dress, and don't forget your Easter Hat !


 
Linking up here and here too!

National Pecan Day

April 14, 2014
Whether you say pee-can or peh-kahn, I'm pronouncing these pecan recipes as some taste treats indeed. Today is National Pecan day and I am sharing a few of my favorites with you.  I love pecans to snack on, and even better in a salad,  added to a dessert, or sugar coat them and they are so good!   Enjoy! 


Apple Pear Salad with Pecans

I like to use spring mix for my salad base but you can use whatever you enjoy
1 gala apple diced
1 Anjou pear diced
1/2 C sugar pecans
Crumbled blue cheese (Add this to taste)
1/3 C dried cherry's or cranberry's
Balsamic dressing to taste

Dice up your apple and pear and toss it in your bowl with your greens.  Add the sugar pecans, blue cheese, and dried fruit.  Toss with the dressing and serves 3.  Delish!




Banana Pecan Smoothie



  • 1 1/2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • 2 large ripe bananas, frozen  
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1/2 cup sugar pecans
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions

Add all your ingredients in your blender in the listed order and blend until smooth.  I use a Vitamix and it gets pretty darn smooth.  I'm not sure how smooth a regular blender will get so you may have to blend it a little longer to chop the ice and pecans.  If using a regular blender I suggest using pecan pieces to help out with the chopping in the blender. 


While it's not big on color... it's big on taste!  




A favorite snack of mine is Sugar Coated Pecans




1 egg white
1 Tbsp. water
1 lb. pecan halves
1C white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon   

Directions

 Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease your baking sheet.  In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.




Add pecans to frothy egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Be careful to not break the pecans when stirring.


Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. I just poured the sugar mixture on top of my nuts in the same bowl.  Again... gently toss to not break the pecans.  I  know they taste better when not broken!  haha!

Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.  

 
Let them cool.  Then hide them from your kids!  
Store in an airtight container... if they last that long.  Seriously, they are addicting!
What are some of your favorite pecan recipes? 

      Wish List

      April 10, 2014


       
      You didn't for one hot minute think I wouldn't be wishing for something pink this spring did you?  Lets start with this dahhhhling  pink tunic/dress.  I slash it because depending on your age and height it would fall in both categories. For me I would wear it as a dress maybe with flats, and as a tunic with leggings.  I want to add a few colorful blazers to my spring line up and although this one is a bit to fuchsia or orchid  for me I love the cut of it and would snag it up in a brighter pink and perhaps a coral!  Yes please, to a good boyfriend jean.  Where have you had the best luck finding a good pair? I don't want a bunch of distressing on them either and pairing them with this graphic tee sounds like a perfect running errands kinda day!   Just about anything snakeskin is a go in my book... now this my friends is a backpack!!!  I have loved this statement necklace for a while... I think its time to snag it!  
       
      You know my stand on glitter!  But let me break this down for you.... these are trimmed in pink, pretty silver, stacked heel, and limited edition Miss Piggy Del Toro slippers!  Nuff said 'bout these... other than get in my closet!
       
       
      What are you wishing for this spring?   What are you wanting to add to your wardrobe?



      Four Favorites

      April 08, 2014


      Happy Wednesday lovelies!  It certainly is April and the showers have arrived.  You know what they say... April showers brings May flowers!   

      The only thing I can truly say I dislike about showers is the humidity.  I have thick hair and it tends to get full in humid weather.  This Bando Twist Scarf is perfect for taming your locks!!  I always have a twist tie handy in my bag, on my desk, and I can even whip my hair up with a pencil!  Yea... I'm old school!  

      I don't own a pair of rain boots, but if I did these  Welly's would certainly be the ones I would want.  With the darling bow at the back what's not to love!   

      Getting caught in the rain when you weren't expecting it is always a bummer.  This  Umbrella is a compact and super cute perfect for keeping in your car.  I keep two under my car seat.  I'm not about to share mine so I always keep two!!! 

      I mentioned in my wardrobe Investment  post hereTrench is something to invest in.  Now this one is a big investment, but I know you can find more affordable versions.  They are a classic item and I own a black and a white trench.  

      What are your April Favorites? 
      Linking up here, and here today too! 








      Turquoise and Leopard

      April 08, 2014
      Smiling... not smiling!  Sometimes you think your smiling when in fact you look at the pictures to find it's not quite there!  I promise I thought I smiled in all these pictures but when I got home there was only a half smile in a couple of them.  I have no idea what I was thinking other than I was trying to not get blown away with the high winds. Ha!  We enjoyed lunch on the Plaza  last Sunday afternoon and this is what I wore.  It was sunny but the winds brought a chill still.  I am so glad I opted for the long sleeve sweater.  The nice weather brought out a lot of people and the sidewalks and patios were full.  It is so good to see life form again after the winter that would never end. 




       
      Sweater Ann Taylor ~ Scarf Target ~ Jeans Target ~ Belt Nordstrom ~ Shoes Tory Burch ~ Bag LV Leather wrap bracelet Rustic Cuff c/o ~

      Oh finally... a smile!!!  Creature of habit that I am... we enjoyed sushi again.  I promise we are switching it up next time and we are going to try a new to me restaurant so I can mark this of my list here!  I think it's more lazy than wanting to try a new place. Either way we are definitely making a change...promise!  Speaking of change, I am giving a lot of thought to moving.  I know it takes a lot of planning, and there is so much that has to happen before there can even be a sign in my yard.  But in reality the time is drawing closer for us to finally take the next move... Kinfolk said "Jed move away from there"
      Said "Californy is the place you ought to be"
      So they loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly.

      Hills, that is. Swimmin pools, movie stars.

       
      Ha, sorry, my love of corny 70's shows flashed thru right there!  No California isn't where we want to be, but we don't think the Midwest is either.  Its a process and it will take time, but I have to start vocalizing it to really grasp it I think.  I remember moving to Kansas 9 years ago and building my home.  It was stressful but I am so thankful I did it.  So if you hear me mention moving a few more times and start asking a few questions about certain locations... bear with me!  I'm not leaving ya, heavens no, I have grown to love you and appreciate you all way too much for that.   we're moving together!



      Linking up here

      About Peridot Skies

      Popular Posts

      Fierce 50 Member

      Fierce 50 Member

      Partners

      Midwest Style Bloggers
      IFB