K is for Karma!

My brother and I give my mom a hard time because she is queen of cliche's. She was always throwing them at us when we were kids..."don't get your panties in a wad", "Kill them with kindness", "Don't let that money burn a hole in your pocket", "it's raining cats and dogs".

My all time favorite cliche, and one to live by is "What goes around comes around". Dogeared  makes a really great line of jewelry that is centered around this cliche and the idea of good Karma. Symbolized with a circle and using that as a "reminder to keep the circle positive", I wear this style everyday. It certainly doesn't hurt to be reminded to " do unto others as you would want them to do to you". Who doesn't want to live their life being surrounded by good Karma?

Gold Filled 18" chain $74

I also love their new gold wrapped single bead wire wrapped necklace...

Karma Luxe necklace $78

or their bracelet

Karma Bracelet $70

Or the BIG circle might be  my new favorite

18" $108

J is for....JEANS!

I really have a love/hate relationship with Denim. When you find a pair that fit PERFECT, it's like love at first sight! BUT, there is nothing worse than trying on 20 pairs to find that glorious pair of made-for-you jeans.

I was even a denim buyer for a few years, you would think that I have the inside scoop on the best jean. Really, when it comes down to it jeans are kind of like makeup. Everyone looks so different in them, it really depends on your body type. With that being said, I do have some tried and true favorites. And, as a buyer there were certain pairs that stood the test of time, and generally appealed to many women. Here are just a few that I personally love!

JOES HONEY JEAN

They call this the "booty fit". It is made to fit a girl with curves (which most women have) and they actually are smaller in the waist and a bit higher in the back. I have these in multiple colors and they now even make a straight leg in this style. They are probably my favorite jean. 7" Rise and around $180

CITIZENS OF HUMANITY AVA STRAIGHT

This is by far my favorite skinny jean. They are 8" in the rise, which isn't SUPER low and over the years they haven't stretched out so much that I am constantly pulling them up. Around $150 on shopbop.com

CITIZENS OF HUMANITY KELLY BOOTCUT

If you like a good, clean boot cut jean, this is the one for you. 8" in the rise and they always have an amazing range of washes to choose from. They don't have too much "whiskering" which can make you look bigger in the thigh or butt. Around $150 on shopbop.com

HUE SKINNY JEANZ LEGGING

Ok, now don't laugh. The picture looks terrible (they aren't that faded on the front!), but these are honestly the  most amazing denim legging. Amy from The Huntress Lives turned me on to them and they are SPECTACULAR. They look like a true jean, with 5 pocket styling and everything, but they are a legging! Best part, they are $34!!!!! ON HUE.COM

PAIGE HIDDEN HILLS

I do not own these, but they are next on my list to try. For those of you SICK AND TIRED of low rise jeans, but don't want a "mom" jean, apparently these are the one to get. They have a 9" rise (hurray!) and Paige has a great selection of washes and their fit is tried and true. $190 on Paigepremiumdenim.com

What is your favorite jean?

I is for...Instant Gratification!

How many times have you read about something on a blog, and you just knew you needed it. Wanted it. Had to have it? Well, I am now part of a project that can help you fulfill that need almost instantly!

You may have heard of it, it is called the OpenSky Project . A few of my other favorite bloggers (Project Nursery, The Party Dress, Pure Style Home) are a part of the team, and I am so thrilled to be one of their newest Shopkeepers!

I am working with Open Sky to develop my own “shop” filled with all of the items that I love and adore and they will now be available to YOU with just one click. I am so excited, because already, we have some of my FAVORITE items. Remember the Blind Mice socks I mentioned…they are now in my shop just ready for you to purchase.

I am working hard to source out some great products to bring to you, and I hope that you will stop by often to see my latest additions.

Happy Shopping!

Wrapped up, in love...

I have mentioned Lauren Alexandra, the beautiful baby store here in KC that I often frequent and work at occasionally. Well, this past fall they carried the MOST  unique scarves...I decided that I may want to treat myself to one after the holidays and was so bummed to see that they had sold out! I did a little research online and finally found them. First off they are beautiful, but I never knew the touching story behind the scarves. Grab a tissue... this is under their "inspiration" part of their site

So, with a wonderful talent of creating beautiful scarves, and the memory of her father as her inspiration, Donni Charm was born. They are spectacular...so unique, I just love them!

You can choose from the Donni Forever...a continuous Jersey scarf with a charm $85. Or the Donni Together for $85, which is a two cotton jersey scarf made of complementary colors. I really think they are both stunning...

 

My mother and I have always loved working on various fashion projects together. Earlier this year we decided to try our hands at scarves, it never occurred to us that the scarves we had created would grow into so much more.



I gave my best friend, Dana, the first scarf we had made. From the moment we both put them on, the compliments didn’t stop coming. I realized that we had really created something unique, and our fashion accoutrement had taken on a whol
Our goals are motivated by the true meaning behind donni charmscarves – remaining unique and sophisticated, but always with a dash of fun, as my father Donny lived every day of his l

H is for...those freaking AMAZING Hermes enamel bangles.

Yeah, I have been coveting one of these bad boys for a LONG time.  Every year when we are in Naples, we go into the beautiful Hermes store there. They have them stacked in their windows like little pieces of candy good enough to eat. One thing I also love about them is that you don't see them on everyone...not as rare as say a Birkin Bag, but you don't see them on every wrist in town. Every year they come out with some new styles and colors, and they range in size too, which make them pretty to stack. That is if you can afford to stack them...geesh, I just would like 1!!! They start at around $450!

image courtesy of jewelrysnob.com

image courtesy of agoramagazine.it

image courtesy of sharonrosepixie.blogspot.com 

Can I get a redo?

OK, so, last week was a haze for me. With the Flu, a teething son, husband out of town for 2 days...I wasn't quite "with it", if you know what I mean. So, I would like a do-over for my letter "F" last week.  The "Flu" doesn't deserve it's own post, so I am going to rewind and do a lovely post on FABRIC instead.

Fabric is slowly turning into a new obsession. It's my new "paper", so to speak. I never realized how many fabulous resources there are for fabric until I started snooping around on Etsy. I stumbled upon Butter Cuppity Fabric's shop and I swear she was speaking to me. Every fabric choice she had was an interesting pattern or unique mixing and matching of colors. I am not super traditional and not so much modern either. I guess I would say my taste is more eclectic, and that is how I would categorize her fabric choices.

I think any of these fabric choices would be great to incorporate into a Nursery, whether it be the crib bedding or even pillows for your glider. It's nice to see some fresh looking fabrics, instead of the same ones that are often used in Nursery Decor....

I have a new found love for Amy Butler Fabrics...

All by Amy Butler on Butter Cuppity Fabric

If I ever have a girl, this WILL be incorporated into the Nursery...

and this...

By Tonya Whelan on Butter Cuppity Fabric

So sweet for a boys room...

By Heather Bailey on Butter Cuppity Fabric

LOVE the Pet Deer print!

By Michael Miller on Butter Cuppity Fabric

Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller on Butter Cuppity Fabric

G is for...Gwyneth

I remember seeing Great Expectations my senior year of college and ABSOLUTELY falling in love with Gwyneth Paltrow. She looked so fabulous throughout that entire movie, I think if I could have stolen "Estelle's" look for life, I would have! She wore these amazing shades of green, and I remember she had the most perfect shade of lipstick. From then on I definitely incorporated a dark lip into my beauty routine. Her style has evolved over the years, but it has never wavered from simple and sophisticated. Here are just a few of the reasons why I adore her so much...

angelic beauty...

This KIND OF makes me want to cut my hair short....

simple, but beautiful. Again, that perfect dark lip...

one of my favorite photos of her ever. Sun kissed and casual.

She was perfect in the Tod's campaign. I am really, really LOVING those shoes!

Scarlett's "Tu-Tu" Sweet 2nd Birthday!

A Scout reader came to me with a challenge. To come up with a "theme" for her daughter's 2nd Birthday. She is a working mom, with 3 little ones (her littlest is only a few months). I wanted to give her something easy, cost-efficient and something that would tie in with her daughter's Feb 10th (close to Valentine's day) Birthday! My theme for her is a "Tu-Tu" Sweet Birthday! A mix of tulle, a candy bar, and lots of pink and red!

If you are somewhat computer savvy, there are many vendors on Etsy that make printable invites. You can save yourself a ton of money this way!

$10 for the print template!!!! By Parties by Hardie on Etsy

I think that a candy table is the new "centerpiece". It has a little something for everyone, and it can be the focus of your party. How darling is this red and pink bonanza?

image courtesy of partywishescv.blogspot.com

If you don't want to do the boards behind the table, you could just simply hang a cute banner...

$23 by the Crafty Boutique on Etsy

I really do love cupcake toppers, I would use these party dress toppers to tie in with the "tu-tu" theme...

$7 for a set of 6 by Jean Knee on Etsy

And of course, the party girl needs her very OWN Tu-Tu!

$35.99 for the whole outfit!

2nd Birthday Pink cupcake tutu outfit by Tutu Cute for Cadence on Etsy

$25 Pink/Red Sweetheart Tutu by my Posh Baby Couture on Etsy

$26 Be My Valentine Tutu by Little Fortune Cookie on Etsy

AND...the icing on the cake? The perfect hair accessory...

$15 Wool/Felt Flower Posy headband by Pink Little Posies on Etsy

$9.95 by Ribbon Candy Hair Bows on Etsy

and a shameless plug...

$6 By Mel-Belles on Etsy

F is for...The Flu!

Ugh...sorry guys, I have been under the weather for the past 2 days. On top of it all, my husband left for a trip today. So I am on full mom duty while not feeling quite up to speed yet. Hoping that by the end of the weekend I will be feeling better and ready to bring you guys some great posts next week.

Have a good weekend everyone!

E is for...Everest!

One thing that I haven't talked about yet on my blog is FOOD! It's a subject that I truly enjoy talking about, and a "hobby" if you can call it that...

When my husband and I lived in Chicago, we were afforded the opportunity to try so many wonderful restaurants. Chicago may not have as MANY places to eat as say, NYC, but let me tell you, some of the best meals we have had were right there in the windy city. On the very tip top of my list (of anywhere I have been) would have to be Everest.

City View

Dining Room

Beautifully plated Amuse Bouche: courtesy of Yummy in the Tummy Blog

This highly acclaimed Relais &Chateau Restaurant is Located on the 40th Floor of the Chicago stock exchange, Chef J.Joho delivers exquisite French cuisine in an immaculate dining room that is reminiscent of a different era. My in-laws brought us the first time, and the second time was for my 29th Birthday with my parents. My dad still jokes that he is to this day "paying off the bill". Sorry Dad...but it IS one of the best meals I have ever had. That's worth it, right?

Although some may call it "stuffy", I find it elegant and charming and something different than the typical hot spot or modern dining experience. It is one that I promise you, you will never forget. From the beautiful presentation of each course, to the phenomenal wine list to the romantic view of the city. The bill is steep, BUT, it is truly a one of a kind meal.

Now I am going to go eat my Turkey Burger (sigh....)

Deluz Dresses!

My dear friend Jill is one of those amazing people that just has creativity oozing out of her pores. The girl is just crazy talented, I am constantly in awe of her work. Whether it be her graphic design skills...

Her gorgeous and innovative Deluz Dresses...

And she just recently did a wedding dress...STUNNING!

Or her Photography...

There really isn't much that she can't do! I have had the pleasure and honor of getting to know this beautiful friend for the past 10 years. She is the most generous, warm hearted and funny woman in the world. She is a gift as a friend and a gift to the world with all of her talent.

I love you Jillian, can't wait to be a part of all of your new "adventures" in 2010!