Thursday, July 28, 2011

I just can't get enough...

of this perfume! The Piece of Toast girls recommended the Bellini perfume by Calypso a while back and I have been dying to smell it. When I was in Chicago, I stopped into the Calypso store to give it a whirl. Sure enough, it was love at first smell. They had me at "coconut, Cassis, Apple and Sandalwood"...not to mention more amazing fruity and floral notes.



top notes:
apple, pineapple, grapefruit, orange
heart notes:
white peach, coconut, frangipani, cassis, freesia, jasmine, orange flower
base notes:
white musk, amber, sandalwood

yummmmm, yum, yum. love it!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

A plus.

I am slowly getting back into the swing of things. Our trip to Chicago was beyond. So much fun, I don't even know where to start. But, I am still tired and still catching up on work, so I think I will save my trip re-cap for another post...

until then I will share with you one of my favorite purchases. I have been following designer Amanda Uprichard for years. I remember her first collection were backless silk blouses ( I am still regretting not purchasing one I saw in NYC 5 years ago...). She continues to crank out great silhouettes, and is mostly known for her dresses. They are simple, but pretty, in the most gorgeous, candy colored hues.


I spotted the pink "Crystal" silhouette dress at Bloomingdale's and knew I had to try it on. It literally felt like nothing, but at the same time felt like the most amazing thing I had tried on. This time I didn't walk away, I bought it. My husband said it is the best $200 I have ever spent! ha! Guys can be so funny...

I am also loving it in this Blue/Turq color combo. Perfection! Anyone else own an Amanda dress? Or the coveted backless silk top?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Getaway...

I am heading to  one of my favorite cities in the US tomorrow.
I hope to return with great stories of our visit to the windy city...

Happy Weekend!









Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Can you say Bononobos?

Anyone else out there have a clotheshorse husband? Majority of guys are clueless, my husband on the other hand just loves to shop. He does fantastic on his own, outside of a few recent purchases. Tank tops people, tank tops. ugh.

Thank goodness he has found a new obsession and it's called Bonobos. Introduced to us by a friend, this Men's shopping site has now been bookmarked and we have already received our first purchase. I love men's clothing too, and I have to say their selection is great. The site was started on the basis of finding the perfect fitting pant.

Most men's pants are too tight or too baggy. Bonobos strives to put together the best fitting pant for men of all body types. My husband tried them on today and I can't even tell you how cute they are. Best fitting pant, by far. Slim (but not too tight), cute plaid detail on the inside of the pant and the pockets. They have tons of fabrics and colors to choose from. He got the redrums ($88)...super cute, right?

They also have a fabulous selection of shirts. Their prices are very fair too, especially for the quality. This striped oxford is $60

Nothing says summer like a seersucker sportcoat! $198

what do you think? Will your man like Bonobos too?

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Crushing on Coral





Ever since early spring I have been searching for the perfect Coral lip color. I had seen it in many runway and editorial spreads and I knew I needed something like it for Summer. As someone who mostly wears pinks, this was totally out of my comfort zone. It was going to take some major searching and trying before I found the perfect match!

My friend Maria who works for Laura Mercier introduced me to their Creme Lip Colour in Tangerine and it is PERFECT! I really love their lipsticks, they are super moisturizing and the color really lasts. This is a very vibrant color, so to lighten it I put more of a nude gloss over the top just to tone it down a bit. Overall, it was JUST what I was looking for.

And if you are more of a gloss girl, I also discovered Revlon's Super Lustrous lipgloss in Coral Reef. It's a really pretty sheer coral, which I think would look great on just about anyone. And at $6.99, if you hate it, you can give it to your best friend :)

anyone else loving this shade? Any other great suggestions?

Friday, July 15, 2011

Let the sun shine in...

Nothing says Summer like a bright and sunny Yellow!  Happy Friday everyone!!!





Source: None via Melanie on Pinterest


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Everyday pants


here they are on me

I recently tried these pants on at Forever 21 and fell in love. They look so different on the model than they did in person. They are definitely not a capri (unless you are a 6" model). They hit me right above the ankle...which is a length I don't mind. They had 3 great neutral colors that would be perfect for everyday. I picture them with a blazer or a pretty blouse. $22.80 means you could get every single color and not feel bad about it!

Monday, July 11, 2011

I am Melanie and I am addicted to Gingham...

This is what I pulled out of our closet today. Big or small, we love it all...

Gingham is such an easy print to wear and it looks quite good in home decor as well...


Source: jcrew.com via Melanie on Pinterest











What do you think of Ginghan? Do you love it too?

Super(model) Mom: Meet Lili

I have made a handful of friends through the blogging world and Lili happens to be one of them. Lili lives in Houston with her husband and gorgeous son Aston. She is a party planner extraordinaire and writes 3 BLOGS!!!! She has a family blog, The Style Spy and her very popular party blog Swanky Chic Fete. She has an impeccable eye for all things beautiful...you should see her Pinterest boards. INSPIRATION GALORE!


Lili, thanks for participating! I hope to meet you in person someday, until then I will just enjoy reading all of your beautiful blogs :)

Here is a little peek into Lili's closet and her favorite style inspiration...

1.) who most inspires you?
 
Other than the obvious answer of my family, there's one special friend that inspires me ~ Daphne { http://daphne.ph/ }. She's first and foremost a mom, wife and a very talented tv host/producer/UNICEF ambassador/. A succesful businesswoman with some of the most amazing products under her name : jewelry, fine furniture and bed linens. She does it all and still comes home and does homework with her girls!

2.) Whose celeb closet would you most like to raid?
Rachel Zoe's and Tory Burch's closets for their collection of vintage clothes and jewelry

3.) What is one thing in your closet that you love the most?
 I treasure this special custom-made glazed alligator clutch by Houston local handbag designer Alexandra Knight {its has my name engraved in a silverplate inside the clutch}. I love to carry it every chance I get on special occasions. { http://www.alexandraknightonline.com/ }

4.) What are your favorite budget buys?
All the designer for Target collaboration lines. i am super excited for the Missoni for Target coming soon! also, Old Navy sells the best leggings for like $10!

5.) What are your top 3 favorite places to shop?
 a) Target, I love that I can pick up my son's stash of his favorite Goldfish crackers & across the aisle I can pick up pillows for our home b) Abientot, a local shop that carries lovely treasures like home accessories, costume jewelry, preppy party supplies and more! {  http://shopabientot.com/ } c) i love a good a bargain so, the Saks Off 5th store close by my house is usually a regular stop shop for designer bargain finds! and oh, my fave online shopping sites is a totally whole other blogpost!

6.) What season do you most like to dress for?
 Fall/Winter or Spring/Summer and why? I would say Fall/Winter, simply because it's really hard dressing up in Houston during the summer when all you want to wear everyday is shorts, flipflops or anything linen! I love wearing comfortable luxurious cashmere cardigans and leggings during the cooler months!

7.) What is your daily "uniform" :
 During the summer, its usually a pair of shorts and a pretty blouse and a pair of Jack Rogers. For the winter, its leggings/skinny jeans and chunky cardigans.

8.) If you could splurge on one item right now, what would it be?
Hmmmm, couldnt think of anything but I would love to splurge on a week long (or 2) vacation with my family anywhere that's cooler than Houston! This summer is brutal!

9.) What are your top 3 favorite style blogs?
 there are sooo many! you should see my marked favorites!  a) I want to be her! { http://www.iwanttobeher.com/ }
 b) its not a blog but i love to follow style.com for the latest runway reports and of course
 c) scout! 

10.) Worst fashion mistake?
wearing ill-fitting clothes even if theyre the latest trends or the fanciest designer duds!

And to all of you out there, if you want to nominate someone to be featured please email me at mel.knopke@gmail.com

Friday, July 8, 2011

Shoe Splurge

I think my next shoe splurge may have to be the Pour La Victoire platform pumps. I keep seeing them on other style bloggers and I love how they go with just about anything! Being a sensible shoe kind of gal, these would be worth the investment. They are all on sale right now on Shopbop too! Maybe now is the time...


not basic, but very cool...



and how cute are the Edie pumps as seen on Erin from Ashes of Laughter?


or on Blair from Atlantic Pacific...

Too bad they are no longer available! DARN!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Closet Confidential: Hot Summer Nights...

I have looked high and low for the perfect sundresses this season. It has been so hot here, a sundress is really the coolest option. For some reason, nothing is really striking me, so I have been going back to oldies but goodies in my closet.

 This one was Gigi's from a clothing swap 2 years ago. I STILL love it. Sometimes it's my pool coverup and sometimes I belt it and try to dress it up a bit. It is super comfy with just enough detail to make it look interesting. I love the twisted straps and  the green birds that are embroidered across the bottom.

I paired it with a studded belt from J.Crew, Green T-Strap sandals from Old Navy (old).


and a close up of some of my accessories...earrings and bracelets from Forever 21. I love those peacock feathers! And the necklace is something I have had forever, and people always ask me about them. If you live in Kansas City you can find them at Lauren Alexandra, they are also on Etsy.  The designer is Michelle Rhodes and she makes unique hand-stamped jewelry. This necklace is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry I own.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Summer Brew

Apparently I am totally behind because I have never tried summer brew. Have any of you tried this tasty summer concoction? Our friend's Fred and Maria served it at a BBQ over the weekend and now I can't wait to make it myself! It's essentially a mix of Lemonade concentrate, beer and vodka served over ice. For the recipe click HERE.

and a few pics from the BBQ...thanks to Fred and Maria for a great time! Fred is a soccer coach, so there was no shortage of soccer balls to play with...


Maria and I and the kiddos

Looking at a caterpillar...and notice he has a ball AND a car in his hands...multitasking!

3 handsome boys

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend too!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Put down the potato chips...this girl is not messing around!

My sister and law and I were sitting at the pool yesterday and she started telling me about this fitness blog she has been following. I was totally intrigued from the beginning...first off she told me that the girl (Zuzana) has an incredible body. In fact, I think the words out of my SIL's mouth were "don't let your husband see the site". And when I saw it today, I knew what she was talking about! whoa. No wonder it's called Body Rock? Zuzana has probably the most rocking body I have ever seen!


The site is incredible. They have daily at home workouts you can view for free (all are mostly short interval training workouts), recipes, and inspiring video and photos from her readers who have transformed their bodies through Zuzana's workouts.

 After watching just a few of her videos, I can tell it's not going to be easy. But looking that good doesn't come without some serious effort! What do you think? Anyone out there tried any of these workouts?

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