So Thankful

My sweet family on McKinley's second birthday!

This year I am thankful for so many things! I turned 40 and thankful to say that I did. I spent time celebrating over a wonderful weekend with family and friends, just the way I had hoped I would. I was able to take my son to the Happiest Place on Earth. We spent the day with Mickey and all of friends, and few of our favorites as well. It was joy to watch him among the characters he loves and to think for a moment he was standing next to Mater and Lightening! A trip I will never forget.

Is that really Mater?

A Birthday Cheers with my little guy!

How I love to be at the beach!

I am thankful for friends. I have a very small but amazing circle of friends who bring me joy even when they don't they are! I am thankful for their patience while I raise a child instead of performing or socializing. I am thankful for the guidance when sought. I am thankful for memories that get me through rough days and the unheard laugher it brings. You are not just my friends, you are my family.

 

Laura, Julie and I

Me and Curt on our amazing NY adventure!

Me and Kipp after one of the best summer party photo sessions ever!!

I am thankful for my family! Not just Joel and McKinley, but my parents who give and love so unconditionally. Sometimes I feel guilty!

My amazing mother!

My incredible father! (We never seem to be photographed together!)

I have an amazing aunt who took vacation, and then some, to travel to the other end of the country just because I wanted her to! (She also sat with me and watched the sun come up on summer morning for a boy that never showed.) For a grandmother who is spitfire and makes me jealous of her unending energy. And, for family across the miles that I don't see often, but are always in my heart!

My mom, me, and my awesome aunt!

The Fleenor Family

The Lawson/Helton Family

I have a husband who, to put it mildly, endures entirely too much from his wife. I am a wife who is constantly changing her mind. I make requests for gardens, a new patio, paint schemes, remodeled bathrooms, playroom designs, and so much more! And, he does it all. I help of course, but he is always there with a shovel, paint brush, or tape measure. Thankful!

Hard at working building the vegetable garden!

Lastly, I am simply thankful for a baby boy who brings such joy to my life. He is a love I have never known and a love that I will treasure forever. He brings light when my day is dark. He brings imagination to a world that can seem too real. He gives pats and hugs at just the right time. And smiles a smile that melts my heart. He is everything and more!

My and the sweetest baby boy I've ever met! I love him!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I am thankful for your constant support of this little blog! Happy Thanksgiving!

Autumnal Colors

Jacket: Alfani; Sweater: L.L. Bean Signature (gift); Jeans: LOFT; Boots: Steven by Steve Madden;

Scarf: Gift; Shades: Prada: Earrings: Gorjana

 

Before we head into the holidays, I am trying to get all my fall colors in for the Thanksgiving weekend! Browns, golds, rusts, and cream are the colors I associate with the season of giving thanks. Even my dinner table will be full of all those rich, wonderful tones.

 

I love this tobacco colored leather jacket and often forget about it. It blends so well with this t-neck and the chocolate scarf add layers of colors and textures. But what I really needed was a wool coat, hat, and gloves! It was a blustery, blistery cold afternoon! Thankful for the warmth of colors and pieces I'm wearing!

 

 

 

The Sweater: Before and After

 

 



Hats Off

Sweater: Banana Republic (last season); T-Neck: H&M; Pants: Ann Taylor; Booties: Ann Taylor;

Hat: Coldwater Creek (gift); Shades: Marc Jacobs: Earrings: Silpada: Lip Color: MAC Dark Side

 

I tried two times over the weekend to get photos of this sweater. That's right, I've worn this sweater twice since Friday! Friday and Saturday were very similar looks. A cream t-neck, slim boyfriend jeans tucked into boots and a hat. Friday, I wore more of a bucket hat. Saturday, I wore this one. Neither day resulted in pics! For Monday, I decided to dress up the sweater. I love gray and winter white. It's such a chic color combination. The hat just adds a pop of sophistication.

 

I love hats. Love them! You should see the collection. I know, I know, what don't I collect. But hats just finish off a look that a coat or jewelry can't. I shied away from hats last year, not sure why, but I am definitely bringing them back into the mix! Hats off to hats!

 

 

 

 

 

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Leggings...Honestly, I Don't Hate Them!

Sweater: Target; T-Neck: Target; Leggins: INC. via Macy's; Boots: Enzo Angiolini;

Scarf: Gift

 

Like the post title says, I honestly don't hate leggings. I hate how some people wear them, but I actually love them for casual days. Like a Sunday for instance! Or for work when I don't feel like wearing super dressy pants! And, I ALWAYS pair them with long sweaters or tops! Actually, the only time I wear leggings is in the fall and winter months because I only pair them with long sweaters. And tall boots! Gotta wear the tall boots!

 

Speaking of casual days, I'm loving the no fuss hair I'm sporting on the weekends as well. This is another au natural photo. No product in my hair and I'm wearing only mascara, bronzer and lipgloss. I kinda like this girl!

 

 

Happy Monday and Cheers to the beginning of a short week!



Dream to Reality - Tricia's Sweater Dress

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about how I've styled a simple sweater dress for my friend Tricia who was debating purchasing one for herself. She wanted to make sure she had enough pieces already existing in her wardrobe to restyle the dress for multiple occassions. This is the dress she was looking to buy.

 

 

It's a darling dress! I love the mix of black and brown, two colors I've always loved separately and only recently started accepting paired together! I immedietly invisioned it belted with denim jacket, a black or leopard print scarf, a statement necklace, tights and boots(ies), and the always chic moto jacket! These are all the ideas I provided to Tricia. What I loved was her response. "I hadn't thought of a scarf or my denim jacket. See, THIS is why you can't ever stop your blog - you are way too good at styling!" That last part was super sweet of her to say. I LOVE styling people, when asked of course.

 

Tricia decided to take the plunge and make this dress her Dream to Reality! I can't say it's because I offered her brilliant advice. I would like to say that's why, but I'm pretty sure she realized it was a great investment piece, something I constantly preach, and a dress that she can wear all winter long! When she bought the dress, she also purchased a belt and a statement necklace. She already had the perfect scarf and the must-have denim jacket in her wardrobe. Tricia and Josh just celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary and she wanted to wear the dress to dinner. I asked that she take a photo so that everyone could see how she styled it! Here is her look!

 

Doesn't she look great! I love the sass! Hands on the hips, one leg out, great smile! Tricia, you are rockin' this look! I can't wait to see all the other looks she comes up with. As I've alway said, fill your closet with the staples and you have a wardrobe for life!

 

Having trouble figuring out if you're making the right purchase? Can't decide all the different ways to pair an item? Let me know! I would love to help and feature you on the blog! Everyone needs their Dream to Reality!

 

Happy Friday!



I'm a Sweater Girl!

As I was getting dressed this morning, I pondered which sweater I might wear. Today is officially the first real sweater day and I couldn't wait to snuggle up in one. To me, a sweater is as close to a warm, cozy blanket as one can get. And, I have a lot to chose from! I even told my son as much when he helped me get out the "big bins" this morning. (Yes, there is more than one big bin of sweaters in my room!) Anthropologie is actually one of my favorite go-to stores for sweaters! And here are some of my favorites for the winter ahead!

There are so many reasons why I love this sweater! First off, it's also a jacket. I love a two-in-one piece! Second, I love the floral design. I am a sucker for a great design in sweaters and Anthropologie never disappoints! I would pair this with jeans and different pants and skirts for work! Super versatile!

 

   
This pullover comes in three different colors; neutral, turquoise and lavender (shown). But all so soft in tone! Would you say this is lavendar? I personally love the neutral, which makes total sense, but do I need yet another creamish sweater to my collection?! I love how they have paired this one with the on-trend winter white denim, something I need to add to my jean collection. I would also pair this with winter white pants, skinny jeans and tall boots, and black anything! I love winter white and black together!
 

 

This is one of my favorite versions of sweaters! The sweater coat! So many ways to style it. Jeans, belted with leggings, and over dresses. I love the colors in this one. Very different than the current sweater coats I have! There is always room for one more!

 

Lastly, this darling floral cream sweater. Do you see a pattern here? I just happen to have olive green pants, right? And jeans. And all other forms of bottoms that would compliment this sweet sweater.

 

Just a little close up of the amazing details of this sweater.

 

 

Check out favorites from my own collection below!