Nine {9} Whole Days

May 30, 2014

I haven’t posted any of my favorites in quite a while. Life got super busy for me in April and some of that lingered on into May. Which meant that I didn’t have too much time for blog reading, facebooking, recipe reading or really much of anything in that vein. But that has changed in the last few days. Glorious non-working days!

When Sunday rolls around, it will be nine whole days that I have not had to set the alarm to get up for work. As I said before, glorious days! My husband has been off work as well and we have just enjoyed being around home and hanging out. I should clarify that statement because my husband has been really busy with many projects. They weren’t honey dos either. He came up with every.single.project. on this own.

Me, well, I haven’t been working on those projects with him but I’ve been getting some other things done. I’m happy to report that I have purged the closet down…way down. I have hit about six different resale stores and made a little money in the process. I found out that some of my things couldn’t be purchased because tags were missing. {I am notorious for cutting them out}. All the items that didn’t sell, I just donated, except for a few of good pants from The Limited. I’m debating on having them altered vs. saving them for the fall when they might just sell. No commitment from me in that area yet.

I have been doing a little pampering too. Got a haircut {trim} and had a microderm treatment done. Cannot even believe how much better my skin looks. Amazing!! I painted my toenails. I want to go and have a pedi but I have lost one of my big toenails two years in a row. Then I had to have a little toenail removal at the Dr.’s office {not fun} and so I am a little apprehensive to let anyone work on my toes. I also bought a new purse because all of my purses are casual and cross-body types {which are my favorite}.

On Thursday, I wore this little summer outfit. Shorts and sandals = love!

Thursday evening the hubby and I ventured to our little town square to listen to some music. Every Thursday in May and June different bands play on the courthouse lawn. Twilight Tunes is always a blast. We grabbed a little Subway and found a spot in the shade to kick back, relax and enjoy the renditions of Herb Albert and the Tijuana Band.

Monday, the new job begins. I’m so thankful for these days that I have had to relax. The time off has made me ready to go back to work.

By the way, please stop by on Monday for a surprise. You’ll be glad you did!

Linking up: Two Thirty Five Designs. Style Elixir. Simple Sequins.

Memorial Day & Military

May 27, 2014

Happy Memorial Day! For many Americans this weekend is all about time off from work, the lake, grilling out and the ushering in of summer. All of those things are truly fantastic but Memorial Day is a time to remember those thousands of patriots who have stood the line to protect and defend freedom for us and many others. They have faced danger and stood up against evil in the world. As the wife of an Army infantryman this is something that hits close to home. Yes, my husband was deployed to a combat zone(s). We have spent many months apart and made sacrifices but not near as many as countless others. Please thank a vet, if not today then some day because they really don’t ask for much but are grateful to hear that their fellow Americans appreciate their service. In honor or Memorial Day, I thought I would post a picture of my honey in uniform. This my Infantry/Airborne man and of him I am ever so proud!

I’m also linking up with Caitlin at Greater than Rubies for Remix Rewear Restyle today. Since I am keeping that little blue dress from last week {everyone said it was a keeper}, I thought I would post a new way of wearing it. At Greater this week, the challenge is to give life to an old piece. I went to my closet and found a blouse that I thought would make this dress office appropriate. Thankful for yet another outfit that I found right in front of me.

And, finally….since it is Memorial Day, I thought I would share a few photos of my hubby and me. When he returned home after his first deployment we decided to renew our marriage vows. We were celebrating 15 years together and thought this would be a great thing to do after being separated for so many months. Here’s a few highlights. Hope you enjoy!

The fabulous cake!

Our vows in our own words.

We did it…again!

Linking up today. Linking up: Greater than Rubies. More Pieces of Me. On the Daily Express. Still Being Molly. Basic Training Corporate Style. Style Elixir. Life’s a Party Dress Like It. Curly Crafty Mom.

The Rules:

1. Link up ANY post and link back here.

2. Follow Keep Calm and Blog On and your co-hosts.

3. Visit at least three other bloggers and say hello.

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Host: Keep Calm and Blog On // Co-Host: New York Cut //
Co-Host: Treats and Travels // Co-Host: A Lovely Little Wardrobe

Summertime & Shorts!

May 21, 2014

Summertime! It’s almost here. I am so ready for warm weather, shorts and eating the fantastic food my hubby prepares on the grill {insert BIG smiley face}. I’m also excited for summer dresses and sandals. AND what I’m getting really stoked about is the Style Me Pretty Summer Challenge. Please read about it here and really, truly SIGN UP! Mention my name and get a good seat, so to speak. If you have been following along with me then you know I had a blast during the Spring Style Me Challenge. I loved having someone style me each day, posting pics and meeting great ladies in the Facebook group. Remember we even had a Girls Night Out.

Why am I going to participate in the summer challenge? For all the reasons above + I need some styling with shorts. Typically, I will resort to this kind of look.

Laugh {I am} because I will wear gym wear instead of cute shorts way too many times. Really, I won’t go out in public with the medal and race tag but it was the only picture I had with me in my gym clothes. So you see, I need a little assistance in the “I want to be cute in shorts this summer department.” I know Alison at Get Your Pretty On will not disappoint me. Look at what she’s put together already in regards to cute summer shorts.

I also love summer dresses. I posted this picture before of a dress I purchased in 2013. It’s a great summer dress but I’m wondering if it’s a keeper. Would love some input on this, please blogger friends.

2013 purchase - blue strapless from Old Navy. — 2013 purchase - blue strapeless from Old Navy.

Linking up: The Pleated Poppy. Get Your Pretty On. Tucker Up. Because Shanna Said So. Cute and Little.

Vodka Infused Lemonade. Simply Just Lovely. Perfectly Coutured. Mix and Match Fashion. I’m Perfectly Human.

Remix.Rewear.Restyle & Redress: Reconstruction

May 19, 2014

It’s Monday! You know the drill, on Monday I link up with Greater than Rubies. The challenge today is part of Redress {Reconstruction}. When I did a little research on this, I quickly realized I have nothing {not a thing} that I have reconstructed. Do I have a sewing machine {yes}, scissors {yes}, hot glue {yes}, various items with which I could experiment with {yes}. So what is my hang up? Creativity, courage and time to take on the challenge. And here’s why…

The month of April was extremely busy for me and I have thus been feeling a little wiped out. For me, that means I am not at my height of creativity but I am able to put a little spin on things. Today is my spin day!

Here’s my spin. My life is going under a little “reconstruction” of sorts. I just accepted a new position at a new place of employment. The reconstruction aspect has to do with my wardrobe, of course. For the last two and a half years at my current job {and two years before that job} I have basically worn denim and casual wear every day. For me, that has been a challenge. I enjoy getting dressed each morning in office attire/professional clothing. Now, I will have the opportunity to do that again. The “reconstruction” of my wardrobe, as you know began several months ago as I began to discover my style type and purge my closet of unnecessary clothing items. Now, I’m in the process of creating that classic wardrobe and will be able to dress the part five days each week. I am excited on so many levels!

You may remember that I am supposed to be on a no shopping sabbatical for clothing in 2014. But I have had a few buying opportunities with gift cards and reward dollars. On those excursions I have tried to stick to my style and purchase an item that fit into a capsule wardrobe. Well, I confess that I made a purchase outside the perimeters of gifts cards and reward dollars this weekend. I bought a black pencil skirt for my new job. Ironically, I have never owned a pencil skirt and I’m sure this is due to the fact that they fit snuggly on the body {body issues}. But there is nothing more versatile and classic than this type of skirt. Not feeling guilty but instead celebrating the blessings of a new job and a skirt that will be an important addition in my wardrobe for a loooooonng time. Hubby agreed it was a good choice and gave his blessing {of course he would}!

Styling it with a cream blouse, nude pumps and pearls. Is there anything more classic than this combo? {Oh, had to add a little red lipstick & aviators to complete the look}.

Linking up: Greater than Rubies. Not Dead Yet Style. Fizz and Frosting. More Pieces of Me. On the Daily Express. Still Being Molly. DC in Style. Basic Training Corporate Style. Style Elixir. Life’s a Party Dress Like It. Keep Calm and Blog On.

Vodka Infused Lemonade. Simply Just Lovely. Perfectly Coutured. Mix and Match Fashion. I’m Perfectly Human.

Stripes - Florals - Leopard Print & Co-Host

May 14, 2014

Last week the Spring Style Me Challenge hosted by Alison with Get Your Pretty On finished up. It was a great three weeks and I learned much that I am taking with me on my fashion journey. Today I’m highlighting a few items that were the most impactful to me as I remix my wardrobe. Hence the title of the post {stripes, florals and leopard print} have made their way into a prominent part of my wardrobe. I have discovered new ways to wear them and even wear them together. Who knew? Not me {yet again}! I’m just posting a few pictures of some little favorites that are easy go to outfits.

I also discovered multiple ways to wear those skinny jeans {that I now love} and boyfriend jeans {which I’m in like with at the moment}.

These are just a few of the ways I can wear those striped tees with jeans. I cannot imagine why I have gone for so long without having anything striped in my wardrobe. Stripes are very versatile and they add the pattern to a solid colored cardigan. Can I say {LOVE}!

Linking up: The Pleated Poppy. Get Your Pretty On. Mix and Match Fashion. Vodka Infused Lemonade. Simple Just Lovely. Perfectly Coutured. I’m Perfectly Human.

Today I’m also co-hosting with Kileen at Cute and Little. Have you been to her blog? If not, you are truly missing great style. She has fabulous taste and beautiful clothing. Her style is classic and elegant. I would totally wear any and every piece that I see on her blog. Check her out!

Here’s the banner code to include in the post as well: