My Week in Shoes

Repeat offender this week! It will happen from time to time. I will repeat shoes! This week has been a pretty laid back week for work and shoe wear. It started out strong and ended in a flop...flip flop that is!

Happy Friday!

 

Shoes:

Top Left: Ann Taylor; Top Right: Jimmy Choo

Middle: Tory Burch

Bottom Left: Anne Klein; Bottom Right: Banana Republic

In honor of the Fourth, I changed out my polish. This week I'm wearing Sephora by O.P.I in Personal Shopper!

Baking, Baking, Baking

Yes, it's a baking 100 degrees plus here in Kansas and I must be mad for making our house hotter, but I have really enjoyed my time in the kitchen over the last several weeks. I haven't done this much baking, well ever! I just keep seeing more and more things I want to make and I've loved putting my own spin on decorating. We may be 10 pounds heavier, but who cares! Life is short, eat dessert first!

Here is just a sampling of things I've been working on lately.

Cake Pops:
Who knows how much longer the craze will continue, but I am crazy for these little bites of heaven. Sure they take forever to make, but it is so much fun figure out how! As you know, I made some for my friends bridal shower, my husbands non-birthday party and just for fun to practice. I can't wait to decorate for Halloween! So many ideas!! (No worries though. I will be decorating beforet that!)

 

Cakes and Cupcakes:
With the Fourth of July holiday earlier in the week, I was inspired by the colors of our flag and some recipes I found. I was super nervous about how the cake would turn out, but I was pleasantly surprised! I add pinwheels to decorate the cake. I had seriously thought of adding sparkles, but it wasn't dark enough to show off the light when we cut into the cake.

 
 

What's next for this baker? Sugar cookie cutouts decorated with royal icing! I love the idea of themed cookies taking on a more 3-D appearance once decorated. Now, what theme shall I go with? Summer has so many options! Off to the kitchen....

Short and to the Point

They are everywhere right now. The dress short, as they are referred to these days. And, they come in all shapes and sizes, mainly short! So why the current obsession of something that has always been seen as the casual summer essential? Because now they are considered work appropriate as well.

There is the short suit. You know, blazer and short set. No longer a skirt or pant, shorts have replaced the skirt work attire for women! And, in the mid 90s, I owned a short suit. I remember it fondly. It was from The Limited. Chocolate brown, olive green and black checked. I wore it the first day of my senior year! And, I think it was one of my senior year photo options. It was an outfit I wore ALL the time. Just ask my mom!

As you can see below, celebs are taking the look to the street and to the red carpet. Because of that, I had to jump on this trendy bandwagon! Below is my take on the dressy short.

 Top: Ann Taylor; Shorts: Ann Taylor;

Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Jewelry: Silpada;

Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs

 I was a total rebel in the dress code department at work on Tuesday. I'm not sure if shorts are considered work attire appropriate, but I decided that with heels and classic jewels, they were dressier than what most people wear on a daily basis! And, its a short week. And, it was over 100 degrees! I'm pretty sure dressy shorts were totally legit! 

And, I loved that random strangers complimented me all day! I felt somewhat self-conscious most of the day. Were the shorts too short? Were my legs too heavy for how short the shorts were? The compliments helped, but I do believe I need to tone a little more to feel better about myself!

Celebrities wearing short suits photo courtesy of Fabsugar.

Let Freedom Ring

Happy Fourth of July!

Here is a look at some of my favorite takes on the ole red, white and blue!

Some delicious treats that may or may not be left over!

 

And he truly is the All American Boy!!

Let Freedom Ring!

After Hours...

Dress: McCall's Pattern M55512 (2007); Shoes:  Ann Taylor;

Jewelry: Silpada; Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs

After getting dressed my husband told me that I seemed really dressy for work. I asked him if it was too dressy and he said, "not for you." Later in the day, a co-worker said the dress was perfect for a day to night look. And they were both right! Its dressy but not too dress for work and perfect for transitioning from day to night! Going to happy hour? Throw on a bright lipstick and take a clutch with you to move your essentials around. 

This dress is actually a Hilary Duff McCall's pattern from several years ago. A friend of my mom's made it for me. She also made the 3/4 sleeve version but I gave that dress to my little cousin. I thought it would be super cute for her paired with tights and little Mary Janes. Even tall, flat boots would be adorable. I wonder if she's ever worn it?

 

Photo of McCall's Pattern courtesy of Erica Bunker.

We Have a Walker!

It is official! After months of walking with the assistance of a wall, couch, coffee table or our hands, McKinley is walking on his own!! It all started last Thursday. We were on day four of our swimming lesson and all the babies were "jumping" off the side of the pool. McKinley "jumped" in a few times, but decided he wanted to hang out by the ladder. That's when it happened. He let go and just started walking. He took maybe five or six unassisted steps, however we realized that while walking he was holding on to his orange swim ring. We assume that he thought he was holding on to a wall or an object to help him along. When we got home, he was back to crawling.

Friday was much the same. Give him an orange swim ring and he was off. Get him home and he was back to crawling. I was determined to purchase swim rings that evening! It wasn't until Saturday afternoon that something seemed to click. We took him to Wonderscope, a hands on, interactive children's museum where kids can move from room to room and explore science, art and literacy. He played in several exhibits, but loved the two years and under room. It was in here that he walked like mad! Up and down ramps, up and down stairs and, down and back over hills! Some with the help of the hand rails, others without.

It wasn't until we hit the "Farm to Market" exhibit that McKinley let go and walked. As he left the garden, he walked to the egg bins with a rake and made a small stop. As you can see, he wanted his basket, and upon daddy clearing out the contents, he took said basket and walked it over to the chair. That was it! That's all he needed. As soon as we got home, he walked everywhere and has continued to do so every since! We've had two falls, a few wobbling moments where he falls on his bottom and moments of going entirely too fast and we have to intervene. Other than that, he's moving like a champ! Its as though he's been walking for months!

Way to go McKinley!!!

Sparkles

 

Top: Ann Taylor; Skirt: Loft; Belt: Ann Taylor;

Shoes: Burberry Prorsum; Jewelry: Silpada;

Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs 

I love when you can make two pieces look like one. This skirt is perfect for that! I've made it look like a dress by pairing it with simple tops on two occasions now and it seems the options are endless! This is how you work your wardrobe!

I remember pairing this top last season with gray cropped pants but I'm assuming photos were never captured as I can't find them! I wore my gray J.Crew pants, left the top un-tucked and paired them with my silver Banana Republic heels. The skirt was originally paired with a cream/black striped sweater, tucked in, and paired with the same belt below. See, I do repeat pieces!!

Check out the sweet details of the top below. I love the delicate lace dotted with tiny sparkles and how it ties at the neck in the back. Such a feminine feel!

 

 

How I've worn the skirt before: