Vacay via Instagram...

I didn't have enough room to bring my good camera, so I was snapping with my phone all weekend. As you can tell...we did a whole lot of nothing. Which is just how I like my vacations to be!

Palm outside my parents house...

The token poolside feet shot. Had to do it :)

My sweet cousin who was celebrating her Sweet 16 that night! Complete with Karaoke and a Chocolate Fountain. Ahhhh, to be that young again!

Our daily lunch spot.

Modeling my favorite new Ray Ban Cat-eye sunnies! And you can't really see them, but these enormous new faux-Turq earrings from Forever 21 that I am obsessed with ($3.80)

A west coast favorite...and a major craving for me, In-N-Out Burger!

For our little guy...

I am back! Rested, tanned, and rejuvenated. It's amazing what some Vitamin D can do! My parents are the best and super easy to travel with. It was go-with-the-flow all weekend with no real set in stone plans. We went to the pool everyday for a few hours, my mom and I got a spa treatment (prenatal massage for me!) and we had the chance to see my Aunt and Uncle and Cousin who live nearby. Overall it was the perfect getaway and now it's time to get ready for baby!

While I was gone, my husband did some shopping with our little guy. Sometimes what he comes back with can be questionable (superhero logo tees?!). But this time he did good! He picked up these adorable Chambray Toms which will be perfect this summer. I love how they kind of look like a boat shoe with the leather details.

Thank goodness we finally found a Crocs replacement!!!! Toms are SO much cuter :)

Better late than never...

I am so behind on this, I am almost embarrassed to write about it. But, I just had to share! I had my first Shellac Manicure and I have to confess...I am in love! Why in the world did I wait so long to try this fantastic nail treatment?

I am heading to Arizona tomorrow, so I wanted to pick a fun color that will look good poolside. I chose a great Tangerine shade that looks appropriate now and will be great going into summer.

The lovely Kimberly at Beauty Brands on the County Club Plaza did a FANTASTIC job. She is incredibly detail oriented and you will not leave the salon until your nails are perfect. Even though it took an hour it was well worth the time. At the end of the manicure your nails are perfectly dried and you don't have to worry about messing them up on the drive home. For any lady on the go, this is the best invention.

It's been almost a week since my Shellac manicure and I don't have any chipping or peeling. And for me, this is miraculous. I am so hard on my hands! I am always doing some craft project, I wash my  hands constantly and I obviously am typing on my computer quite frequently which can take a toll on your nails.

I am not sure I will ever do a regular manicure ever again. Even though they run you about $35, it is a much better investment to have a long lasting, chip free manicure. What do you all think? Do you love Shellac too?

To view more spa services and the Beauty Brands nearest you, click HERE

Sutton's Sanctuary...

My friend Tiffany is expecting her first baby any day now. What baby Sutton doesn't realize is what a lucky little guy he will be. Not only does he have the best parents, but he will also be coming home to a gorgeous room that any child would love. The room is bright and cheerful with some fantastic unique pieces.

The focal point of the room is definitely this chandelier which was custom made for her by Whimsical Collection on Etsy. Tiffany sent the designer a picture of her bedding and they were able to coordinate the colors. It's hard to tell, but the center part of the chandelier is hand painted with orange and aqua to match the bedding. It's a fantastic piece and it really ties the room together!

The adorable Giraffe floor lamp was a gift from Tiffany's Mother in law. It's so adorable and ties in the animal theme from the bedding.

The artwork is Oopsy Daisy from Lauren Alexandra in Kansas City

Glider is the Penelope by Oilo

Poof is also by Oilo

Wall color is Paddleboat Blue by Serena & Lily

Rug is Pumpkin Frame Rug by Serena & Lily

Tiffany took basic white onesies and had them monogrammed for baby Sutton. Such a cute (and inexpensive) way to personalize clothing for your little one.

Our friend Rachel made the artwork that is on either side of the windows

Bedding is The Ben by Serena & Lily

And I couldn't resist taking a picture of Tiffany's first "baby" Lola. She loves the room too!!!

We love you Tiffany and we can't WAIT to meet baby Sutton!

You are perfect.

If you know me, you know I have a love affair with handbags. I saw this new Chloe bag in the most recent Nordstrom catalog and my heart skipped a beat. I am just in love with the Classic Navy with the camel strap...and guess what, it also comes in Camel with a navy strap! Ahhhhhh, complete perfection!

I was so giddy that sent my husband a "hint" email entitled: "push prize/anniversary/mother's day/35th birthday gift?" I am not going to even tell you his response. He wasn't so keen on the $2300 price tag. I have to agree, it's pretty over the top. I mean, you can get a Goyard hand painted with your monogram for that price! But something about this classic bag has me smitten. What do you think? Worth the price tag or is it just way overpriced?

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Obsessing over baby bubbles

Only 11 weeks and our baby girl will be here! We've bought onesies and sleepers, but I have had my eye on a few "bubbles" for her. They will be perfect for hot summer weather in Kansas City. And really, is there anything cuter than baby legs sticking out of one of these?

Pink Seersucker Bubble by CPC Designs $50

Vintage Sunsuit by Haute Diggity on Etsy $45

White Seersucker Bubble on Orientexpressed.com $46

Monogrammed Dot Bubble by The Uptown Baby on Etsy $32

Grandparents are the best...

My Mom is a devoted pinner on Pinterest (you can follow her too HERE) It's been so fun to see what she has pinned. It's no surprise we are mother and daughter, we definitely love a lot of the same things! For Valentine's day she put some treats together for our son that she had seen on pinterest.

She found this inspiration on pinterest and sewed this adorable "take along" car holder. My son was so excited when he opened it up. Instead of numbers she spelled out his name. It's precious and will be great for travel or dinner out...

Source: homemadebyjill.blogspot.com via Melanie on Pinterest

And he got a cute treat bag that says "I dig you" with a shovel. What an adorable idea!

Source: inplaceofhercrown.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Thanks Noni and Pappy, you did good! We love you too! xoxoxo

Strawberries and Cupcakes

I work part time at the most adorable baby store you have ever seen, called Lauren Alexandra. This past week we received a shipment of a new line called Jelly The Pug. Their sweet designs remind me of items my mom would have put me in when I was little. It definitely has a bit of a vintage feel to it.

Part of the Spring line is an apron dress and a baby bubble with the sweetest cupcake and strawberry print. It got me thinking...wouldn't this make for an adorable Birthday theme? Especially if you have a little girl with a summer birthday...this would be PERFECT!

(pictured)
Apron Dress $52
Baby ruffle bottom Bubble $38.50
Both available at Lauren Alexandra Bebe Boutique Brookside location, in Kansas City

My next adventure...

It's amazing how in life when one door closes another opens. I feel so blessed to have experienced so many great things in my career from buying for a fantastic specialty store chain, to writing a daily shopping column for kansascity.com and now I am on to my next adventure...

I am flattered and utterly excited to be joining an innovative new company called Style Spies. Style Spies was started by 2 Kansas City natives, Mollie and Erin. These busy Mom's wanted to start something that combined all the things they love and are passionate about, and still be able to do it from home and be with their kids. This is how Style Spies was born! Mollie and Erin have an extensive background fashion and have had the opportunity to work for some of the best companies in the nation.

Mollie was a buyer for uber successful retailer ShopBop and also manager of the storefront Bop which is located in Madison Wisconsin. Mollie now lives in the suburbs of Chicago and is the apparel buyer for the high-end Children's store Wonder. On top of her multi-faceted career she is also a fun-loving Mom to a toddler girl and boy.

Erin spent years working for top modeling agencies like Ford, Elite and Arlene Wilson. She also went on to do celebrity styling in L.A. After having 2 daughters, Erin began repping the ever-popular line children's line, Mini Boden. She now resides in Houston with her family.

And then there is me! Kansas City's very own Style Spy! I will be doing everything from individual closet consultations, personal shopping, styling news segments, fashion shows,  public speaking engagements...you name it! If it involves fashion, we want to be a part of it!

If you are interested in using our services, you can email me at melanie@stylespies.com, or visit our website www.stylespies.com for more information on what we do!

The go-to shoe

I saw these shoes on Glitter Guide's Instagram and I immediately fell in love. A flat with a bow, and a pointy toe? Just perfect in my opinion!

The Patty Flat By Me Too at Nordstrom $88.95

Dressing the bump: Week 28

I can hardly believe I am heading into my last trimester. Where has the time gone? I am definitely feeling very pregnant...the bump is now more like a bowling ball. Which my husband affectionately calls the "Buddha belly" :)

I felt a little bit like Tori Spelling in this top. It's definitely more Bohemian than I typically dress. But, it's super comfy and perfect for this growing belly. It's OOOOOLD H&M that I have not been able to part with after all these years!



Top: H&M

Leggings: Hue Wide Waistband

Boots: Brown Suede, purchased years ago in NYC

Handbag: Club Monaco

Necklace: Alexis Bittar

From nude to blush: Summer Wedding Inspiration

Source: stylemepretty.com via Melanie on Pinterest

My cousin is getting married this summer and has chosen the most GORGEOUS palette for her bridesmaids (inspired by the Pinterest photo). Isn't this just stunning? Oh how I would have loved something like pinterest when I was getting married!

I love that the girls get to choose their own dresses. I think this is definitely the modern way for bridesmaids to be dressed. Also, every girl has a different body type, so this allows them to buy something that is the most flattering to their figure.

The only thing the bride has requested is that there the color is in the range from nude to a light pink, it cannot be strapless and must be above the knee.

Nordstrom Lace Illusion Dress $68

Asos Grecian Dress with Bubble Hem $80.57

Asos Skater Dress with Crochet Bodice $79

Asos Party Dress in Mesh $98

Tibi Sleeveless Dress $675

Forever 21 Beaded Halter Dress $29.80

Tibi Ruffle Dress $475

Donna Morgan $158

Amsale $240

Source: macys.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Macy's $79

And for the shoes, she has asked the girls to do a neutral shoe. Bridesmaids need to think about comfort, since you will be standing and then dancing all night long. Most of my faves are a lower heel with subtle details...

 

Glint Milly Shoe $99.95

Vince Camuto Lively Shoe $128.00

Colorrifics Ava $53.95

Bouquets Candra $49.99

Nina Eterna $99.95

Great gold shoe at a great price...Nine West Accolia $49.95

I can't wait to see how the wedding turns out! Good luck to Natalie and her girls, I can't wait to see photos!

Frugal Friday...

Transitioning seasons can be a total pain to dress for. That's why I like to find a few budget friendly items to get me through early spring. I was perusing Forever 21 and found some really great items, all under $30. My favorite are these tomato red skinnies with zipper detail! So cute, no?

Zip Skinny Pants by Love 21 $27.80

Assymetrical Hem Tunic by Love 21 $29.80

Casual Button Up  by Love 21 $22.80

Beaded Feather Necklace $7.80

                                                         crinkled Maxi by Love 21 $29.80

Zip Twill Pants $24.80 by Love 21

Chain Strap Cross body $19.80

 

Leaves Overlay Dress $22.80

Leopard Thong Sandals $7.50