Wednesday Wants: All Things Blue and White

As I look at this week's Wednesday Wants, it's apparent that I'm having a minor obsession with all things blue and white. I think it's a hold over for all things Mexico related from the summer collection of Stella & Dot. It all started with the tunic from Urban Outfitters and Gaucho's from Joe's Jeans. From there, I just continued to find blue and white pieces I have to have for summer! And I'm totally into basic tees. Especially ones made of linen. Remember this one from Target that I wear all the time? 

So with all that being said, I bring you this week's Wednesday Wants!

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

Wednesday Wants - Fourth of July Looks

Can you believe this weekend is the Fourth of July? Summer is simply flying by! We don't have huge plans, but that doesn't mean I don't want to look cute and festive. And when I think of festive looks, I'm not always looking for the obvious. Instead, I incorporate red, white, and blue into my look without screaming American flag!

Here are my six picks for some cute holiday looks!

One/Two/Three/Four/Five/Six

And, as luck would have it, most of these pieces are currently on sale! Time to shop for the weekend!! I think I'm heading to Target today for the hankie inspired maxi dress!

Have big plans for the weekend? Let us know what you're up to!

The Royals

No, I'm not talking about the new E show. I'm talking about the Kansas City Royals!! Today is Opening Day and we are headed out to The K! We are die hard Royals fans and Opening Day is our annual thing! And, it just happens to be our sons fourth birthday. How amazing is today going to be!!

In honor of our boys in blue and Opening Day, I've picked my royal blue looks that I love! Can't go to the game, but want to support our hometown team, dress the part for work or play!

 

  

Happy Monday, Fashionista's! And go Royals!!

You Say Cookie Monster.....

 Coat: Michael by Michael Kors (gift/fun option here); Sweater: Ann Taylor; Jeans: Loft (BOGO!!)

Boots: Sole Society (c/o/ similar here & 50% off); Necklace: Ann Taylor

Last weekend we took advantage of a gorgeous February afternoon and headed down to the Plaza for a Fountain Tour. A Fountain Tour is where I take McKinley for a walk around the Plaza, look at the pretty fountains, maybe have a cookie, and just spend time together. This time we took Dada along, had lunch, strolled along at a casual pace, and just enjoyed each others company.

It wasn't quite warm enough to not wear a coat, thankfully! I was finally able to wear this amazing faux fur coat I received for Christmas! You know how I love my faux fur and this one is so unique! My husband told me I looked like Cookie Monster, but based on the amount of compliments I received that day, I think otherwise. If you're going to make a statement, make it. Right?!

 

 Coat: Michael by Michael Kors (gift/fun option here); Sweater: Ann Taylor; Jeans: Loft (BOGO!!)

Boots: Sole Society (c/o/ similar here & 50% off); Necklace: Ann Taylor

 I can't wait to wear it again just so I can style it differently. That's the thing about a coat like this. Finding new ways to wear it so it always feel fresh and new. Love my styling challenges!

Hope you're having a wonderful week! Freezing temps in these parts. So ready for it all to be over! Well, on the other hand, maybe not. I need to wear this coat again STAT!

As always, see something you like? Need it now? Shop the links!

I Adore this Look - Especially the Shoes!

 Sweater: Target (on sale under $10!!); Denim Shirt: J.Crew Factory; Pants: H&M (similar);

Shoes: Nordstrom (gift/ fun options here and here); Earrings: Janna Conner Designs (on loan)

I'm bringing you my last Valentine's Day inspired look. A look that was also centered around those amazing Janna Conner earrings. I've really been into hot pink versus red this year. It kind of shocked me as red is my favorite color, but I felt like veering away from the traditional color this year. And, I had those awesome earrings to play around with which were inspiration enough!

I had a mama meeting, that's what I tell McKinley when I need to run errands without him, and I wanted to feel a little more dressy without going full fledged skirt or dress. And I've loved playing with shoes this week! The hot pink and chocolate from Tuesday's post have been in my closet for a while, but I've been hesitant to wear them. I haven't a clue why! And these blue suede shoes have been waiting to make their appearance as well. I think this was the perfect look to introduce them!

The Pants: Before and After

Sweater: Target (on sale under $10!!); Denim Shirt: J.Crew Factory; Pants: H&M (similar);

Shoes: Nordstrom (gift/ fun options here and here); Earrings: Janna Conner Designs (on loan)

I hope I've inspired some lovely Valentine's Day looks for you this week. The big day is right around the corner! Will you try to recreate any of the ones I've worn? Let's discuss!

As always, see something you like? Need it now? Shop the links!

World Series Game One - A Royal Work Look

 Sweater: H&M (fun option); Skirt: Piperlime; Heels: ShoeDazzle (similar); 

Handbag: J.Crew (similar) Necklaces: Ann Taylor (similar)/Tori Spelling (similar); 

Shades: LOFT ($15!!!!); Bracelets: Jessica Simpson/J.Crew/Fossil

How exciting and amazing is it that the Kansas City Royals are heading to World Series?? And when I say heading, I mean they are playing tonight! I have been glued to my TV since the Wild Card game and I've been rotating my royal blue/Royals pieces for game days. Which got me thinking. What would I wear to work in order to root on the Royals without wearing a sweatshirt or tee every day?

I immediately thought of this skirt, but it's so hard to style blues. Well, well, well...how well does this chunky knit go? I love it! Pairing neutrals, such as a gray bag and and shoes, kept all the focus on the main event. 

 

The Skirt: Before and After

 

For the accessories, I loaded up on the jewels! I love the tortoise shell mixed with the blue and orange. And that spike necklace is my fav layering piece!

  

I think this is a royal look for the work place. What are you wearing this week while showing your support for our Boys in Blue? I can't wait for Game One!

Aqua = Aquarium

Top: Anthropologie (similar); Jeans: LOFT; Sandals: Sam & Libby via Target (similar);

Shades: Prada (similar); Necklaces: The Zoe Collective/Stella & Dot/Gorjana (gift/similar);

 Bracelets: J.Crew (gift)/Stella & Dot; Ring: Gorjana (similar);

 Nail Color: Essie Smokin' Hot

A couple of weeks ago we took McKinley to the Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium to meet the Octonauts. And what else would one wear to the aquarium but aqua? I have to admit that I was this close to wear this anchor top, but I stopped myself! I went with white crops because I freeze in air conditioned spaces and I haven't really given them that much love this summer. I just got them in under the wire!  

 

 

The Top: Before and After

 

Orientation, Stripes, and Summer Endings

Dress: Tommy Hilfiger (similar); Sandals: Tory Burch (similar); Handbag: Kooba (similar); 

Shades: Prada; Necklaces: The Zoe Collective/Stella & Dot (1/2)

Last week we took McKinley to his preschool orientation. We thought it was a 45 minute meet and greet with the teacher, parents, and other children in his classroom. Boy were we wrong! Instead, it was a 45 minute introduction for just him! We dropped him off and had no idea what to do with our time! So to take my mind off of it, and to try and stop the tears, I suggested blog photos. Hey, a mama's gotta do what a mama's gotta do, right?

We picked up him a little later and he was so excited about his time spent at school! We were so thankful!

 

As a side note to this post, yesterday was the official first day and it was an emotional day and night. I'm hoping that orientation excitement will return in the coming weeks. Here's to Kleenox and wine!

Oh, and I'm loving this nautical print dress! A perfect look as the sun starts to set on a summer of fun looks!

DIY Nail Art - Baseball Inspired Pedi

As most of you know, and for those of you who don't, I am a huge baseball fan and I am serious Kansas City Royals fan! We moved to Kansas in 1982 and started attending games during the summer of 1983. We cheered the Royals to victory during the 1985 World Series, and even after we moved away for numerous years, we remained die hard fans. I've been back in Kansas City for seventeen years and continue to head to The K as often as I can.

So when I was approached by Julep to participate in their "summer DIY pedi competition", I didn't have to hesitate with my answer. I am a fool for contests, I love to paint my nails, I'm totally into nail art, and I'm all about saving some money these days by doing my own. With so many amazing products on the market, you don't need a nail tech. You just need these awesome tips from Julep, a steady hand, and plenty of time to create! Also, check out their newest nail polish color page!!

 This past weekend, we attended a Sunday afternoon game, and since my toes needed a fresh coat of paint, I decided to go for a baseball theme. The Royals logo above was my inspiration, and since the All Star game takes place tonight, it's only appropriate that I post this DIY tutorial today! Below are the colors I used:

Base/Top Coat: Sally Hansen

OPI: OPI Red

Essie: Butler Please

Revlon: Night and Degas

My own paintbrush

You will also need nail polish remover and something to clean your brush with like a cotton ball or piece of tissue. Remember this post?

I painted all of my toes with Butler Please, which is the perfect royal blue. And I love that it's Butler Please. We really need Billy Butler to step up to the plate in the coming weeks....PLEASE! 

Obviously the next step is to let them dry! Once that's done, I needed something to help me outline a circle for the baseball. I originally thought of using a piece of three ring binder paper. That circle would have been perfect. Or the reinforcer we used to use when that piece of paper ripped. Please tell me you remember those? Then I found this awesome stencil.

I made sure the circle was centered on my toe and then....

 

 I used the Degas white and put just enough color on the brush to help make the outline of the circle. And don't worry if your circle isn't perfect. You can go back in and clean up the lines with the Butler Please and your thin paintbrush. Trust me, I did just that with this one!

 While I let the circle dry, I moved over to the other foot and worked out the design for the KC. Let me tell you, creating the letters backward was tough! But, I thought they turned out pretty well. Again, I used the Revlon Degas, the thin brush is perfect for this kind of project, and simply took my time. And, once I had the letter down, I really tried not to go back in and mess with it. That can just make it worse.

 

 

Whenever I think of the letters K and C, I'm always reminded of the line from FRIENDS where Ross is taking a message for Rachel. "Is that like Casey at the bat or and the Sunshine Band?" Again, another baseball reference...

 

 

So while the KC and circle continued to dry, I just started designing each toe with a different pattern. I went with polka dots, chevron stripes, and stripes that were horizontal and vertical. And once the circle was dry, I went in on the stitches of the baseball. Those were a lot harder than I expected! Again, I made a few minor mistakes, but was able to easily clean them up with the tiny brush in the Revlon bottle.  

Instead of using the giant brush that came with the OPI bottle, I went for the very thin paintbrush. And I used tiny amounts of polish as I didn't want it to run or drip all over everything I had done so far. And again, take your time. Be patient and try not to go back over it too many times. 

 

And there you have it! The finished product post game. And my post game relaxation, while my son napped and my husband mowed, was putting my feet up, drinking an iced cafe mocha, and diving into my new Danielle Steel novel! It was a prefect end to a perfect Sunday afternoon.

What do you think of my DIY pedi? I am so happy with how it turned out. I'm having such a great time with this competition, and I'm already scheming on my next nail art creation. Stay tuned! I can't wait to show you what I've done and how you too can create it at home!

And in the words of my son, "Royals, clap clap. Royals, clap clap!" A die hard fan at three. I love it!