Peach, Neon Yellow and Spots!

Sweater: J.Crew Outlet (similar/various colors);

 Belt: Target (similar);

Tank: Loft; Jeans: Loft; Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

I hated every single photo taken of this outfit, except the top one. However, I loved the entire look so I had to post something! I couldn't let this amazing color combo go to waste! I also couldn't let a good outfit go to waste. That's why I wore it Saturday and to work on Monday! Just wish I had thought to pair this earlier in the summer....

Pants: Before and After

 

 

Wrapped in Neon

Dress: Ann Taylor; Belt: Target (similar);

Shoes & Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs;

Necklaces: Banana Republic; Silpada 

& Ann Taylor (similar look)

This belt and I have had a love affair all summer! It is the perfect hue of neon yellow. Not too bright but perfectly sunny! Actually, I'm pretty sure I've paired this together before but never got a photo. Or, I dreamed about pairing it together and made it a reality this week! Either way, I like how it makes the dress pop versus how I previous wore it.

And mom, you were thinking of this dress when you asked why I'm wearing the same dress as worn the previous week!

 

The Dress: Before and After

See the belt worn here and here

Peanut Butter-Chocolate Creation

I have really gotten into baking and creating new things in the world of cupcakes! I don't know what it is about cupcakes, but I am obsessed! I watch Cupcake Wars faithfully on Food Network and buy magazines that feature cupcakes when available. I think I'm intimidated by an actual cake. Mine never bake evenly which I hate! Plus, even though I've taken the Wilton Cake Decorating classes, I'm scared to death of decorating. With a cupcake, you can be creative with your icing techniques, throw some sprinkles around and you have a cute, individual cake in your hand!

This past weekend I decided to go crazy and make a chocolate cupcake with a chocolate ganache center. I topped them with homemade peanut butter buttercream icing and a chocolate ganache drizzle! I was nervous during the whole process. Had I bitten off more than I could chew? Would they turn out okay? How do I make chocolate ganache...? 

My husband told me this weekend that all of my cupcakes are good, but that these were my best to date. I thought they were the Double Almond cupcake, but it turns out it the peanut butter-chocolate creation was a hit!

 I documented the process. Take the journey below!

Making homemade ganache from a Giada De Laurentiis recipe! Super easy too. Heavy cream, vanilla and chocolate chips!! Nothing wrong that that combo!

 

 

 

I had an amazing little helper! 

 

This is the finished product! I have to say, I love how they turned out. The icing was super creamy and I thought the icing technique was unique! And who doesn't love a ganache swirl??

Bon Appetit!

Jewelry DIY

Several years ago I had my own jewelry business called Shoe Girl Designs. Being a huge shoe girl it made sense to call my business that, right? I had a booth at the local fall arts and craft show for a couple of years and a local boutique featured my pieces in her store. I also held parties in my home. It wasn't a super successful business, but it was profitable. I really enjoyed making jewelry. I found it to be a wonderful creative outlet and I was pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. 

I closed my business in 2009. I found I was repairing pieces, that weren't mine, more than actually making pieces for people to buy. Because I love jewelry so much, I became a rep for Silpada, but I missed making pieces that were unique. 

About a month ago my mom asked if I had any anything left over, which I do, for a birthday gift for a dear friend of hers. I didn't have anything that really said "Blue Gotham" so I pulled out the ole jewelry making kit and made a one-of-a-kind necklace. My mom loved it, and so did Blue. And thus the flood gates opened.

I've been making a piece here and there over the last week or so. My mom and I stopped at Joann's last weekend for a different project and wound up in the jewelry making section. I found a few DIY projects in a fall magazine that I want to attempt and my mom happened to find some beads she liked. I had some time, alone I might add, to whip up a few things. Below is one of the necklaces I created. Along the way, I documented the process. Hope you enjoy!

The end result!

Pink...Check!

Button Down: J.Crew Factory (similar); Tank: Loft;

 Jeans: Loft (similar): Belt: J.Crew Outlet (similar); 

Thongs: Tory Burch; Necklace: J.Crew;

 Shades: Marc by Marc Jacobs

 There is nothing like a fun, casual lunch date with your husband, right? That's what happened for us recently, a lunch with just the two of us as my parents watched McKinley. But, even though it was super casual, I still needed to look cute! My pink, gingham button down hasn't been worn since April and I was so happy to pull it out again. And, my go-to boyfriends jeans in a slim cut, helped "dress" it up.

Adding little touches like my fuchsia belt and a fun necklace pulled it all together! A messy bun, shades to hide the fact that I had little to no makeup applied, a swipe of gloss and it was a date!

 

Before and After:

 The first time I wore this top, I never got a full length photo. Here is a slight glimpse. I paired it with skinny jeans and black Hunters. It was a rainy morning that of course turned into a sunny afternoon! We attended McKinley's first concert. Local KC artists who write their own children's music so we aren't forced to listen to Barnie and other dreadful music in the car! Great way to spend the day.

 

What do you wear when you get a chance to have a casual date with your mate?

Tiers of Pink

Top: Ann Taylor; Skirt: Ann Taylor;

Belt: Target; Shoes: Jimmy Choo (similar);

Necklace: Talbots (similar); Earrings: Made by Me;

Watch: Emporio Armani

I've been putting off wearing this skirt all summer and I can't believe I waited so long! It was one part fear and one part confusion on how to wear it to work. But I threw all caution to the wind and donned it on a random Wednesday work day! As for how to wear it, I took some guidance from Ann Taylor and added my own flair.

What I really wanted to do was break out in a ChaCha all day but I didn't have a dance partner. Instead, I bowled my way into the Third Round of the Wii bowling tournament going on at work. All proceeds to enter the tournament go toward United Way. Here's hoping I make it to the finals, where I might just break out into a ChaCha if I win!

 

 

 

 

Keeping It Simple

Dress: Calvin Klein (gift); Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs;

 Necklace: ?; Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs;

Ring: Tori Spellilng/HSN; Watch: Emporio Armani (gift)

Know what's great about this dress? It's simple! Clean lines, small stripes, self-belt in a pop of red and so easy to wear! And, its super comfy!! Adding classic peep toe pumps and a chunky, gold necklace kept the whole look, well, simple! Nough said!

 

Lemon Meringue

Suit: Ann Taylor (similar pants); Top: Ann Taylor (similar);

 Shoes; Kate Spade; Ring: Silpada;

Necklaces: Silpada, Banana Republic;

Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs

I've wanted to wear my white suit all summer, but who wants to wear long pants and jacket when its 100 plus degrees outside? Not this girl! You can imagine how happy I was to bring this out from the depths of my closet yesterday! I wasn't sure how to pair it. I thought about black, but that seemed to cliche. As I was looking through tops, I found this one and loved the soft color combo. And, it totally made me want lemon meringue pie all day long! 

 

How I've worn this suit before: