fun with accessories!

ring, c/o Tobias Designs; nail polish, Sally Hansen "Wet Cement"

It is my fashion belief that there are two things every girl must have fun with regardless of age: jewelry and nail polish. This weekend I had a blast with both (more details later this week!), and it all started on Friday with some Silly Bandz. Yes, I know my age. I got enough crap from my husband that evening when I wore them to dinner with his family. However, my Silly Bandz wound up being a hit with everyone, when after two pitchers of margaritas we ended up playing "guess what animal this Silly Band is" before shooting them at each other! 

Then, on Saturday this beautiful little ring became the newest piece in my collection. I love how the pops of colors look like they are bursting out of the ring! It makes me think of balloons or confetti... or maybe popcorn (that was actually my BFF's interpretation). Either way, I had fun. Oh yeah, and I painted my nails grey :) 

So, tell me dear readers, what did you do for fun this weekend?

rompin' around

It has taken me a couple of seasons to get warmed up to the idea of a romper.  My husband likes to refer to these as onesies and my BFF's opinion is that only toddlers wear them. Regardless, however, of the way the men in my life feel, this is one item that has been high on my "Must Buy" list this summer. You can probably then imagine my esteem joy when I picked this one up at TJ Maxx for only $12! 


Last weekend we went to my in-laws house for a cookout, and it took me only 30 seconds to get dressed as I knew exactly what I wanted to wear. Before we left, I snapped these photos in our backyard and I was fortunate enough to have two guests join me!  In the bottom photo you'll see the tops of two heads that haven't made an appearance recently. 

Going to a Summer Party?

Summer Party by gleighb featuring Miss Selfridge tops

Wear this outfit! The summer is all about grilling out and sipping margaritas with friends (so far this summer I've done both so many times I've lost count!).  I would really love to wear this outfit to a summer party. The flat sandals make it casual and the skirt is both cute and festive (4th of July, anyone?)!  The small clutch means you can still carry your phone, while also holding onto your drink. 

Speaking of drinks and grilling out, we did a little of both on Sunday in honor of Father's day.  Pictures and menu to post later in the week! 

PS - Belated Happy Father's Day to my Dad, the best Dad I could ever want!

My Roots

my uncle, my grandmother and my dad (from l to r)

This photo was meant for my Monday post.  But, I was so tired when we finally got home from the airport Sunday night that I forgot to include it.  Then, last night I was browsing some vintage photos from The Sartorialist and so decided that instead of my scheduled outfit post for today, I just had to share!  

I love looking at this photo.  That could be because I know very little about my family during this point in their lives, early 1950s, so I get to use my imagination.  Instead of the uncle and father I now know, I see two sweet little boys who are both deeply loved by their mother.  I see not my grandmother, but a beautiful woman and mother, who slightly resembles Betty Davis.  I imagine her to be dressed in wonderfully tailored clothes and surrounded with all the finest things, but still slightly distracted with life.  She looks distantly into the future as if she's trying to find more for her boys and her self, but is not sure where to go or how to get there.  Regardless of what life really was like then or what I like to imagine it to be like, I love this photo because it is my family.  These are my roots. 

Home Grown

{hubbie & grandfather fishing}

Each time I go home, I become just a little more proud of where I come from.  This weekend's trip was amazing.  Between getting to hold my best friend's first born child (born last Friday) and watching my husband spend quality time fishing with my grandfather, I am leaving North Carolina completely content and at peace with life. 

Happy Monday, dear readers! I hope you all had an amazing weekend also!

{the beautiful little feet of my "nephew"}

{delicious North Carolina wine}

{one of five fish that my husband caught over the weekend}

{a teary-eyed, proud auntie!}

so ready!

image via Flickr

...for our next cruise! A couple of weeks back we booked our room for a cruise next February with our parents and a few family members and we couldn't be more excited!  Except for the fact that it is the better part of a year away.  I guess for now I'll drool over these adorable huts sitting in the water.  How amazing would it be to spend a week in one of these?

Happy Monday!

Shop It To Me!

You might have noticed a new addition to the right hand side of my blog. I am proud to announce that I am one of the newest Trendsetters featured on Shop It To Me!

Shop It To Me is one of the best kept secrets of online shopping. I've been a subscriber and huge fan for nearly two years now.  Some sites give you a short time period during which to buy products from only a handful of designers.  But, Shop It To Me allows you to choose the designers and then you make the purchase on your own terms.  Select your sizes, your favorite designers, and Shop It To Me will email you all of the best deals on the web according to your personal settings.  Simple as that!  Now, go on... go register and start enjoying some great steals and deals.

**On a side note: I have to send a very Happy Birthday out to my dad today - Love you Daddy!

Inspired by: Asian Fusion

The Inspiration

Marc Jacobs Brocade Jacket

My Version

Last week I was browsing one of my all-time favorite fashion blogs - Who What Wear -when I saw something that got me really excited: Asian influenced clothing.  You see, about a month ago the hubbie and I spent several days in DC with his aunt and uncle.  During our visit, his aunt was generous enough to let me peruse her closet for items that I might like.  That was when she introduced me to this beautiful jacket that she purchased while they were living in Japan.  I love the beautiful detailing, and the quality is surperb.  Not that the Marc Jacobs Brocade Jacket above isn't gorgeous... but I like to think mine has a special "umph" that you can't purchase from a store.

"The Hostest with the Mostest"

Wow! What a week we've had!  My apologies, dear readers, for leaving you in the dark on why my absence of posts.  Cory and I made an escape last Wednesday evening for the Baltimore/DC area.  We spent three wonderful nights and two days with Cory's aunt and uncle.  I will try to get a few pictures posted before too long.  Unfortunately, I did not take many as it was very cold, so the time that we did spend sightseeing my hands were planted firmly in the pockets of my fleece coat.  Nonetheless, it was a wonderful trip and we couldn't have enjoyed it more. 

Thank you, Ron and Glenda, for having us and for being such great hosts! 

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I'm not sure how anyone else feels, but this weekend could not come fast enough for me.  I think a combination of my parents being here and the insurmountable mountain of snow in my yard has made me crawl out of bed every morning with a little tear in my eye.  So, to celebrate the weekend's arrival Mom & I enjoyed a girl's night in last night (yes in, because it's -10 degrees outside).  Call us crazy, but neither one of us is interested in the Monster Truck Rally and beer in which our husbands find entertaining. 

We put several logs on the fire, poured a couple of huge glasses of Merlot and curled up on my couch in our comfies to enjoy the start of the weekend.  Therefore, In honor of our night in, here's my fav list of things that really channel a proper girl's night. 

Best chic-flick of all time, Steel Magnolias.  I believe every woman should watch it, and every southern woman should own it.  Yes, it's in my DVD collection.

Painting your nails.  Seen above: my newest fav color Essie's Mint Candy Apple

Every girl's night has to have a big bottle of wine.  Two of my favorite brands of wine come from vineyards near the area I grew up - Hinnant Family Vineyards & Duplin Winery.  Both wineries make their wines from muscadine grapes and they are phenomenal!

And last but not least, chocolate chip cookies (or, maybe just the dough)! Cookies are probably one of my favorite snacks of all time.  Besides, what else are you going to use to wash down the wine? Try this recipe, it looks like so much fun!

Have a wonderful Saturday, dear readers!

Sending Love to the 'Rents & Uggs

My parents pre-marriage (Circa 1969ish)

My first little bit 'o love needs to go out to the 'rents. I was so excited to write about our date night in my last blog entry, that I completely forgot to mention that my parents came into town yesterday! It is so good to see them. This was the first Christmas I didn't spend with my family, so having them here now is going to be so much fun! I'll make sure to fill you in on all the details! And, PS, I left up my Christmas decorations a little bit longer so that we could exchange gifts and still feel like it was Christmas. I'm not a huge fan of doing so, but at least I'm not alone.

My beautiful parents' first Christmas Card (circa 1971)

Our Christmas Card (circa 2004)

Another little bit 'o love needs to go out to my newest shopping acquisition. I decided to get out of the house on Sunday, as a major 'bout of cabin fever was setting in, and felt that some retail therapy was in order. Side note: it is still snowing in Kansas! While this southern girl does love snow, she does not love the high for the day being 0 degrees. I'm just sayin'.

So, back to my afternoon of shopping - it goes without saying that I found my way quite easily to the shoe department. And, I just managed to pick up these cuties. Living in the Midwest I have found it essential to have at least one pair of Uggs in the shoe closet. Now, I love my Classic Short Boots from two years ago and still wear them religiously; however, in a foot of snow you need something a little taller and little more water resistant. That's when I found the motorcycle boot-inspired Kensington. They are seriously like wearing gloves/socks/slippers on your feet all day. Plus, I think they are a little more stylish and little less Ugg-like therefore are more appropriate for the office. I'm in love and I may not take them off my feet for the remainder of winter.

Love sent, now I'm gonna go lay by the fire.