Take two and call me in the morning

November 28, 2012
I have been missing.  But not without good cause.  The flu has me and It sucks!  Today is day three and I am exhausted.   So excuse me while I recover and I hope to be back soon.  I miss you guys! 

Today I am grateful for.......

November 22, 2012
via
As I reflect on the year and all that has gone on in the world, I have to stop and truly appreciate what is good and what I am thankful for.  I have come along way since starting this blog this past January.  I have made many new friends, and discovered so much about the world that I am amazed sometimes.  I am blessed to have the ability to  write, meet so many new people who love to do the same thing I do, and for you the readers that faithfully read, follow, and comment!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I am also thankful for..........

  • My healthy family
  • girlfriends that are hilarious
  • of course the BF
  • my job
  • Three adorable grandsons
  • A roof over my head
  • the love and support from the readers of my blog


Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 

The Boyfriend's shirt

November 21, 2012
Thats right.... I "borrowed" this shirt form the BF right out of his closet!  What a mix of patterns too!  This is one of his favorite Robert Graham shirts and I decided to put it too the print combo test one day!    I walked out of the bedroom wearing this combo and he looked a bit puzzled at me.... then says "is that my shirt?"  Haha!  I said, "yup!"  
 What do you think?  Would you ever "borrow" a shirt of your guys?



Shirt Robert Graham (similar), Sweater Old Navy (similar), leggings WHBM, Boots Anne Klein,  Watch Michele, bracelets Tiffanys 

Photos by Gabbi

2012 Party Season

November 20, 2012
This past weekend was a bit crazy and hectic!  I spent the majority of the day Friday helping set up for Friday evenings gala.  It was my first holiday party of the year.  The event was a fundraiser, so there were many items donated for the silent action.  There was a raffle for a mini iPad, and a surprise box giveaway with items such as a fur coat, Silpada jewelry, 2 iPads, a flat screen, Kate Spade items, and tons of gift cards!  It was a fun evening to say the least! 

The event was held at Studio Dan Meiners in downtown Kansas City.  I could easily spend hours there shopping.  He has The ~ Coolest ~ Store!!! But don't take my word for it, see for yourself!!

The perfect venue for a wedding


I absolutely loved these little fellas

These are just a few of the items up for grabs at the silent auction.  The wall of gift boxes were a big hit.  Your donation, and luck at picking out your favorite numbered box could win you a iPad, flat screen, jewerly, and even some fun Kate Spade items!  The angel tree topper was handmade and a party favorite item. 
Let me tell you..... I wanted this tree pretty bad.  I loved the MacKenzie-Childs bowl it was situated in, and the square faux boxwood with and the pretty frames just made it.  My office would have gladly welcomed it!  Unfortunately, My Christmas shopping list for everyone is rather long this year, and a gift to me like this one would have set me back!  The iron tree is a favorite every year.  Bonnie Kelly one of the Co founders of  Silpada Designs,  is a regular attendee at our event.  Silpada home offices are located here locally!  So every year, she has a iron tree made, and small holes in the ends of the "branches" are adorned with none other than jewery.  LOTS of jewelry.  Can you imagine being the high bidder on this little diddy? 
I had a break in the afternoon to get ready for the event, and the lovely Madeline at Halls on the Plaza did my makeup for me.  I also picked up a little something for myself while I was there too!!  Who doesn't love a treat from the Chanel counter?
Saturday was spent running errands and catching up on a few things before I headed back downtown for my second event of the weekend.  This time I ended up at the Downtown Marriott for the Children Center for the Visually Impaired 60th anniversary party.  The room was magnificently decorated, and the stories of the students, both young and old who have benefited from such a wonderful organization touched my heart.  It would be hard to say the best part of the evening was the entertainment, but it was a mighty fine concert thanks to the Commodores.  It was a throwback to my high school days for sure! 


And what would any party weekend be without party pics!  

What did you do over the weekend?  Have your holiday parties started?

All photos by Lisa

Halls Crown Center

November 19, 2012
Happy Monday! Hope you had a restful weekend.  Mine was jam packed!!   I attended two parties, did some holiday shopping, and started preparing for all the family to arrive this week. Oh yeah, and I saw the Commodores at one of the parties!!  Can't wait to share the photos from this weekend, hopefully tomorrow if I don't collapse tonight!  But I do want to share with you a fun event I attended the week before.  If you get a chance and live close, or visit KC you  must check out this store!  

Last week I was invited to a private shopping experience at Halls Crown Center.  Now if you are familiar with Halls of Kansas City, you know that it is an upscale shopping experience on the plaza.  You also know that the Halls family,  better know to about everyone else around the country as Hallmark is a wonderful place to shop.  What I didn't know, was that the Crown Center Halls location is a completely different store than the Plaza.  The plaza is high end designers, and exclusive.  The Halls Crown Center location is a much friendly price point with the same excellent customer service, experience, but nicer on your budget.   What a nice little surprise!! 
 There were about 30 attendees and they treated us to sips and snacks before a tour of all the many little stores there that make up Halls of Crown Center. This is a pic of just a few of us!   There is Halls for woman, Halls for Men, A shop exclusively for the little ones,  Kid Oh!, and what would a Halls be without a Ornament shop!!   It was fun meeting all the friendly staff, and oh yeah,  This little yorkie is Tinker-bell who comes everyday with her owner Ann, and yes, those are real pearls she is wearing!
Blazers from the Mens Shop,  currently trending Fur vest, One of the many ornaments from the christmas store, dino backpacks for the little ones, and shoes!!  

We met in the shoe department on the third floor, before touring the other shops.  Once the tour was complete they turned us loose in the store to shop!  Each blogger was gifted a gift card to shop with, and shop we all did!  There were girls in the shoe department, dresses, jewelry, and cosmetics. They carry Kate Spade, Tory Burch, B Dakota, and Kensie, just to name a few.   It was so fun to shop with these girls....again!  We shop together a lot! 
Several ensembles of the latest styles, a few party dresses for the holidays, a set of antlers full of ties, and signature ornaments! 

 I have to say, the entire evening was wonderful.  I alway enjoy hanging out with these girls, and I always love to shop.  But the best part is finding a new place shop with the same standards you appreciate in your favorite shops.  Thanks Halls, and I will definitely be shopping there again soon!  

These were some of the goodies in the gift bags we each received!  Polka dots, jewels, and a fun bag!  Woohoo!  All opinions and views of Halls are my own.  Even though I received a gift from Halls, This is not a sponsored post.  

Nico & Lala

November 16, 2012
Old fashion, snail mail, or good ol' pen to paper.  However you refer to it, it never looses the sentiment to the recipient.  I love handwriten notes, and I love pretty stationary!  So when I saw these lovely cards by Nico and Lala I had to add them to my collection of stationary.  The girls were kind enough to send me a set of notecards and I cannot wait to use them.  They are the perfect size to tuck in a gift bag, or even under a pillow for that special someone with a little love note!  They would be a great stocking stuffer too!  


 Are these not the cutest little zebras you have ever seen?    Presenting the lovely Ladies better know as Nico and Lala!  Have you heard of them? They have lovely cards, stationary, and even lucite trays!! Based out of Chicago, these two friends launched a fun, colorful, and personalized line of paper goods and accessories! 






 They have the cutest shop and so many fun styles, and prints.  And if christmas cards are on your to do list, well they can help you with that as well!  From weddings, to parties, and even branding, these ladies can assist you in making sure your event or occasion is down in style.  



So would you like to own your own set of personalized zebra note cards?  All you need to do is enter below using  rafflecopter and your in!  The winner will get to choose from these three colors!  Get excited! 


Good luck!  



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Styling My Michele Watch

November 15, 2012
I need a favor.  Not just any favor, but a minute of your time kinda favor.  If you have been following my blog for a while now, you know I love my Michele Watch.  My BF gave it to me for our first christmas together, and I cherish it!  I have styled it here, here, and here along with several other outfit post and arm party post!   Michele Watches on Facebook  is having a contest this week and I entered for a chance to win this beautiful limited edition watch. 

Isn't it pretty?   I know you all understand the thrill of entering a giveaway because I host one almost every week!  I know its Thursday, and Your probably wondering why I didn't ask on Monday?   To be honest, I didn't know if it was right to ask you all, but then I got to thinking about it and I know that if I read a post on a blog I follow and she asked me to help her out, I for sure would do it!  So there you have it!   

So here is where I need a favor from you!  Please follow this link to facebook and vote for my pics to hopefully win!  The picture with the most "likes" wins!!  You can vote every day too!! And while your there your more than welcome to friend request me too!  

Here are the deets to make it as easy as possible for you to help me out!! Go to the Michele Watches page on Facebook, like their page, then click on the link to the How do you wear your Michele.  I am on page three.  My name is under all three pics, you can vote for all three, and you get a sneak peek at a few outfit post I haven't published yet!  I would really appreciate your help and wish me luck to win!  Just imagine all the outfit post I could do with this lovely addition!!  Fingers crossed!! 
xo

Glove Love

November 14, 2012


1 * 2 * 3 * 4 * 5 * 6 * 7 * 8

The weather is turning colder everyday here and I actually had to wear my Northface jacket the other morning.  I felt a little weird at first stepping out in it, Like the thermometer was wrong saying 27 degrees!  I didn't feel so weird after I accepted the temperature was accurate!  Goodbye fall, and well if you leave me no choice.... hello winter!  These bright little gloves and mittens warm my heart and my finger tips.  I have alway been a fan of drivers, but something about a pair of mittens always makes me think of sipping hot chocolate in the snow!! I tried out a pair of the tech gloves, you know the kind with the special finger tip so you don't have to take them off to use your iPhone, yeah, ....those aren't for me!

Are you ready for winter to arrive where you are?  Maybe your one of the lucky ones that lives by the beach and these are not even on your radar!  Either way, winter is knocking! 

Currently Crushing

November 13, 2012


I love everything about this!  From the black wool pea coat, to the spotted shopper, and don't get me started on the leopard heels! Pure love!  Have you checked out Emerson Fry lately?  I would hate to think you are missing out.  

Peplums and Sparkles

November 12, 2012
Happy Monday!!  I had a fabulous weekend with my sweet grandson.  Can you believe he is already 2 months old?  They grow up so fast!   He has started to coo and smile and he is such an easy baby!  I remember just exactly how much work a newborn is and it makes me grateful for my time! 

A little peplum, animal print, and sparkly toes!!  What a perfect combo I think!  I purchased this peplum jacket last year at Marshalls and boy have I gotten alot of use out of it!  It is so fun!  I love the turned up cuffs with a splash of magenta too!  My favorite go to jeans are Joe's Jeans, and my new Tory Burch eddie bow flats I lusted over since last year!  So glad I was able to find them this year.  Layer up a few bracelets, and this was a perfect outfit for a casual afternoon! 




 Joes Jeans  ~ Peplum jacket Marshalls (old) ~ Eddie Flats Tory Burch ~ Wide silver bracelet Liquid silver(old) ~ Watch Michele gift from the BF ~ bracelets Bali (old), Tiffanys

How was your weekend?

Plum Paper Designs

November 09, 2012
Ok, so we are rapidly approaching 2013, and that means time to start thinking about the changing of your organizer and calendars.  Enter Plum Paper Designs.  Have you heard of them?  They have an extensive selection of planners, journals, and even a menu planner.  I ordered a new planner for the new year and cannot wait to start putting it to use. (Not that I am in a hurry to rush thru the holidays though).

I ordered the weekly planner.  I love the design of the pages so that at a glance I can see my schedule broken down into sections of the day.  It also has a handy pocket in the back of the planner for any scraps of paper, or loose items you need to keep track of.   




Plum Paper Designs is offering a 10% discount on any planner you order for the next month!  We all need a new planner, so what are you waiting on?  Hurry and place your order with the discount code PERIDOTSKYS10 at checkout! 

Have a great weekend! 

Day to Night

November 08, 2012


Night~ Leggings  Blouse  spike cuff  wrap bracket  shoes  bag  

Traditionally, in my single days, Thursday night was a great night to meet the girls out for happy hour.  If you wanted a good spot at the bar you had better plan on arriving early.  That meant a little day to night transitional outfit. These leather trimmed leggings would easily transition into the evening with a few change ups and voila! Although today is Thursday, and I am meeting the girls out tonight, it is a completely different set of plans.  No early arrival at the bar for a good seat.   Just an early arrival for some private shopping.  What do your Thursday evening plans look like?  
   

Fair Isle

November 07, 2012
I remember wearing Fair Isle sweaters in the 80's and at that time they were considered preppy.  Today they are not only preppy but lean more towards trendy.  Not that preppy is not trendy, I think preppy is timeless, and these sweaters have been in and out of fashion, and now back in. 

They have always evoked warmth, cozy, and thoughts of snow to me!  Doesn't it just make you think of wrapping your hands around a mug of hot cocoa and strolling the streets of Vail after a long day of hitting the slopes?  I grew up skiing  several times every winter, and these bring back great memories for me.  I love the price of the Gap gray and pink too!  
Left top to right ~ J Crew   Gap   J crew(Sold Out)   Neiman marcus   Asos   Asos


Are you thinking of purchasing a fair isle, or do you have a favorite Fair Isle sweater?

Election Day

November 06, 2012
Today is the day some of us have been waiting for, and some dreading.  Its election day!!  I remember the first president I voted for.  I was so excited the moment I cast my ballot, and proud to be an American.  I am not going to talk politics, but I will say, please go out and exercise your right to vote today!  I know I will!  

But more importantly to me, today is my guy's birthday!  Happy Birthday to my best friend, partner, shopping buddy, biggest supporter, soft shoulder, confidant, and all around great guy!  We will spend some of the day together doing what you do with your best friend, standing in line to vote!!   1.4.3
Photo by Lisa


Jean Vest

November 05, 2012






Vest thrifted, striped shirt old, jeans Joes Jeans, shoes Tory Burch, bag Louis Vuitton, watch Michele, leather bracelet  and white tube bracelet here, skull and love bangle Claudia Rowe c/o, pearls old, monogram necklace gift from the BF

Happy Monday!  I had a list of errands for Saturday and the weather was perfect for this jean vest!  It is an old Levi's jacket that my son cut the arms off of to make a vest.  He found it in a pile of clothes in a friend's garage they were getting rid of and she gave it to him.  So, I would clearly classify it as vintage and thrifted!!  Now if he could just find a bag of vintage Chanel I would be super happy!

 I have to say it was pretty fun to sport around town on Saturday.  I don't think I would ever cut the arms off of any of my jackets, but hey.... its not mine!  I just get to wear it and..... I may just keep it!  
How was your weekend?

Jill Swanberg

November 02, 2012

There is a story behind this designer.  I first saw her work when a friend and co worker wore a necklace of hers into the office.  Mind you this was two years ago.  I immediately fell in love with it.  The uniqueness stood out.  I knew I would have to have one. So I made a trip to ARTichokes, an art store here in Kansas city that displays and sells art from various artist around the area.  Jill had a display case of her designs there for sale.  Unfortunate for me, there were none there that were either long enough to suit me, or the right color combination I had my heart set on.  I did however find two shorter strands, and purchased one for my daughter in law, and on for my niece Katie.  They loved their gifts, and I adore their necklaces every time they wear them.    Time passed, and on occasion I would remember that I wanted to get back over to the art store to look for a piece for me.  It never seemed to be a good time!  So that brings me to today!
ARTichokes
I sat down with Jill last month to hear her story of creation, designing, and love of trinkets!  You see, I  always wanted to own one of these unique one of a kind necklaces, so one afternoon while waiting on my sons at the orthodontist, I picked up the phone and called ARTichokes and asked if they would share her information with me.  I explained I wanted to feature her on my blog celebrating her as a local designer.  They were more than happy to assist, and now I get to share her story with you!

Jill Swanberg lives her in the Kansas City area with her husband and 3 children.  Along with two adorable dogs, a labradoodle, and a maltipoo!  Her designing started out as an act of love for her husband's family.  When a loved one passed away 7+ years ago, and the jewelry was placed before them, Jill wanted to do something special for the women in the family, so she used pieces form several different items and created keepsake bracelets for each one of them...... how touching!
Jill now finds her unique accessories everywhere from garage sales, to vintage shops, and even her friends occasionally gift her pieces they have found amongst their own jewelry boxes!  I could feel her true passion and love for what she makes while sitting with her in her home.  She uses freshwater pearls in several colors, and even coral and turquoise.  Then she adds a showcase item to hang from the strand and a few complimentary stones, coins, and other gems!   She graciously let me choose my showcase piece, and strand, and then I let her take over with her magic and add what she wanted to compliment my piece with!  I. LOVE. IT!

Jill designed for one lucky follower their very own original strand.  Isn't it beautiful?  It is a strand of brown freshwater pearls with a sterling tibetan square pendant hanging from it.  She then added a carnelian briolette, a faceted rectangular turquoise piece, and a raw piece of amethyst.  The sterling S hook can adjust between any two pearls to make the necklace hang in several lengths.

Enter to win by using the rafflecopter form below.  Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Time Keeper

November 01, 2012
Michael Kors    Toy Watch      Michele     Michele 

It seems like I just put the christmas decorations up from last year and here we are at the gates of the holiday season again!  I look forward to the holiday season, but I do not jump the gun and decorate prior to Thanksgiving.   I may shop, talk, and plan for Christmas, but not a stitch of santa arrives until the first weekend in December!  But I sure would like my Santa to bring me a new watch!  I love my Michele watch.  The BF gave it to me for our first Christmas, and it is still the best. 

 I would like to have a round watch, and maybe even two tone!  Either one of these little Michele watches would do just fine!  The Michael Kors is ever so popular, and is a great everyday watch.  So many bloggers have it!  I have an all white Toy Watch and it is a great summer time accessory.  But oh Michele,  you are my first love!  

How do you keep time?

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