stuck in the middle with you

Thankfully the snow from the weekend is melting quickly, and since the sun is back to making an appearance in the mornings, I finally get to wear something other than sweater dresses and scarves to work. However, I will admit that being stuck in between seasons can be sartorially challenging for me - especially during this time of year. I find myself hesitant of bearing open toes without tights. And, I am still restraining myself from wearing too many sheer fabrics for fear of Mother Nature reverting back to cooler temperatures at some point in the day. Yesterday, layering was the perfect solution which meant I was able to go without my trench between work and class. A shirt dress and cardigan paired with leggings and boots (because let's face it - it was 30 degrees in the morning) was appropriate attire for both morning and afternoon. The only thing I would have liked better was a little more color. Maybe next week my goal should be pastels…

funk.

shades, Payless sample; jacket, Kohls $13; scarf, Payless sample;

shirt, TJ Maxx $5; jeans, Kohls $6; boots, Payless $15

Ever have those days when the motivation to crawl out of bed doesn't come so easy? I call those my funk days. Well, today I had a funk day. Maybe my funk is due to the fact that we received yet another snow storm over the weekend.  Did you catch that in the background?  Dear Mother Nature, it's me Gracie.  Did you forget that it's almost April?!

Regardless of the reason, on funk days I spend a little more time than usual thinking about my clothing choice. I knew that in order to crawl my way out of my funk today I needed to have fun with my outfit.

And, look at that... I think its working! I see a hint of a smile after all...

"These Boots Were Made For Walkin'..."

Scarf, Payless sample; Cardigan, Old Navy $10; Pants,

Ann Taylor Loft $15; Boots, Dolce Vita $110; Trench, Target gift

We all have that one article of clothing in our closet that makes us feel good. You know the one I'm talking about.  Just thinking about wearing it makes you feel a little more confident.  You can and do make it fit with just about everything you wear.  Well, these boots have become that article of clothing for me.  I fell in love with them when I found them on sale on Nordstroms.com.  They have been and still are the one thing that makes the lingering snow and cold weather not so bad.

Winter Blues... & Pinks... & Yellows...

I am in love with these leather wrap bracelets from Nordstroms. They make me think of Spring…

 

::sigh:: Oh, how I long for you, Spring.

Unfortunately, Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow today, so it looks like I get to enjoy another 6 weeks of winter. I guess that means that in order to make it through, I should buy this bracelet in every color :)

Currently Browsing: Flat Black Boots

With the weather we've been dealing with in the midwest this winter, I've decided that a girl can never have enough boots.  So it should go without saying that black flat boots have been showing up heavily on my radar.  Mid-calf, knee high, over the knee... I don't discriminate, I love them all.  But, then again that didn't surprise you, did it?

These over the knee boots from Chinese Laundry look quite fantastic

with the buttons at the knee and come in gray and black

Foldover boots have been everywhere this season 

and I think the huge cuff on these from Aldo are just awesome

okay, so I might be a bit late grabbing onto the moccasin trend, blame it on all the snow,

but I think these would look super cute with a sweater dress and textured tights

I'm already a huge fan of the riding boot, 

but I really like these from Colin Stuart - I would buy all three colors

currently way out of my price range,

but I really like the patchwork on these Frye boots

Alrighty dearies, that's enough online drooling for tonight.  Gotta hit the hay so that I can get up and go to work in the morning.  Have a happy hump day!

Frosty

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

As for my last two days, they actually were pretty fantastic! We enjoyed a lovely dinner with both sets of parents and my brother-in-law last night. I sweet talked Mom and Dad into making their delicious lasagne - it's been a fav of mine since childhood. I forgot to take pics of that and the sangria (darn it!). However, we were fortunate enough to have them there to capture our fun in the snow. The hubby came home with a little bit of a kid spirit and the end result was this wintery lawn decoration.

rolling the base

and... rolling a little bit more

making the body and putting it on

putting on the eyes and nose

hard at work

dressing our snowman, complete with shoes, too (would you expect anything less?!)

And, after several minutes of hard work...the end result!

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.

White Christmas

Earlier this month I shared my fascination and long time love of snow with you.  So, it should come as no surprise that I am an extremely happy girl right now as we, in the midwest, were fortunate enough to receive 8-10 inches of snow over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Receiving this much snow has left us virtually home-ridden for the last couple of days - which I have not minded at all.  The farthest we have been in the last 72 hours is to the in-law's house, 15 minutes away.  Gasp!  No Starbucks since Wednesday!  Even with the snow shoveling (my first time), lack of Starbucks, and wearing ski apparel everywhere, I will say that Christmas felt just a wee bit more magical with the snow all around.  

I hope everyone had a very happy holidays and spent it with the ones you love.  Here's some highlights from our first Christmas. 

We loaded up all of our gifts for the fam and headed over on Christmas Eve to open presents with Cory's family.  Opening presents on Christmas Eve has been a family tradition for them for a long time.

Look at that wrap job.  What talent! 

When we got home that night, everyone at our house got to open one present, too.  That has been a long standing family tradition for my family. 

Our first  gift exchange.  We set a $50 limit on gifts for each other this year since we have received so many wedding presents in the last 3 months.  For Cory: a card game, Battle of the Sexes.  For me:  nail polish remover (there is a funny story behind that but I just don't have the time)

We even gave the dogs a present.  But, they had to open it first.

 

One was a bit more persistent than the other. 

But, in the end... success for both!

So with the snow still gently falling and everyone satisfied with their one gift, we decided to hit the sack so that Santa could come and leave a few more.  On Christmas morning, however, instead of opening presents right away we decided to first prepare a feast of a breakfast for everyone in the house.  And, you're right if you guessed that the dogs didn't miss out on this either.  Even our cat decided to join in on the action. 

Gourmet pet feast a la Mitchell kitchen for the dogs & cat

And bacon, egg & cheese on a baguette for us! YUM!

So, with full bellies and gifts galore...

We left the dogs to nap while we journeyed back out into the snow to the 'rents house to spread some Christmas cheer!

All in all, I'd have to give this Christmas an A+.  The perfect combination of time spent with the ones that I love, good food, and of course, the snow!