Older

So I did it. I got another year older. I also felt real special as my friends threw me a little fête (above – day & night) and my sweetheart helped me move (pictures to come).

{Birthday Dress}

The first day of the weekend

Hello there. Doesn’t Thursday always feel like the beginning of the weekend? No matter how much you must accomplish before Friday evening, when it officially commences? It’s always a wash of relief to wake up and know it’s Thursday. There are four full days before Monday comes round again.

This weekend is particularly exciting for me because Saturday is my birthday. It’s always lovely when your birthday falls on the weekend, particularly Saturday. You can compel your friends and loved ones to celebrate Thurs. night straight through Sunday morning. That’s what I plan to do…per usual. I still get very excited about birthdays. What’s not to love about an occasion to celebrate, where everyone you care about feels obliged to make you feel special?

Fortunately, I already feel special. Hope you do too…on your birthday and always.

Image Credits: one, two, three, four

Best of the best

I have to brag. I’m feeling like a proud mother hen today. Two of my best gal-pals are taking the bar tomorrow. One of my friends just got the job she’s been holding out for for six months, another friend finally found work in the industry she wants to be in. One of our other friends works weekends just to do what she loves. They are all beautiful and talented and have sweet, loving hearts. It’s such a blissful thing to see the people you love succeed.

Dressed to Impress

We all have those occasions where we know we will see and be seen by many. Some we admire, some who admire us, others we don’t care for and a select few that may not care for us. We go to these occasions with the knowledge that opinions will be formed about us and there’s nothing we can do to stop that, save not going. These are the type of events that inspire some of us to lose weight, chop our hair or simply buy a new dress. We require ourselves to look fierce at these affairs. We either look our best or we don’t go. So…what does that entail?

You can make a statement by staying simple. Simple is classic, classic is chic. But, it has to be done right. When you choose a simple sheath, you may seize the opportunity to showcase jewelry, shoes or make-up/hair. When you choose an elaborate or complex ensemble, your accessories must be toned down. You don’t want everyone at the party to know you’ve been planning your outfit for weeks. You want to look effortlessly chic, don’t you?

I have put together 9 options for such an event based on three pairs of shoes. I decided to start with shoes because I found a pair at Bakers, which comes in a plethora of colors and look quite similar to the Louboutins every it-girl is rocking these days. Case-in-point Diane Kruger.

On to the outfits…

Three paths from which to start

Blue Suede Shoes

1st Option – The shoes & dress make the statement: Blue suede shoes with Dress #1 in a different/bright shade of blue that is sure to impress. Pair with minimal jewelry (earrings), bright eyes and simple hair.

I Saw the Cyan DressI Saw the Cyan Dress

Hip-notic Earrings

2nd Option – The dress makes the statement: Blue suede shoes with the girlyish Dress #2 should be accented with big hair and simple earrings.

Scavenger Hunt DressScavenger Hunt Dress

Edie Earrings in Muse

3rd Option – The shoes make the statement: Blue suede shoes with Dress #3 should be paired with hair up (to accent the back) and statement earrings like these, these or these.

The Poise is Back in Town DressThe Poise is Back in Town Dress

Spectacular Clip-onsAnimal Print Mesh Earring

Blush Patent Shoes

1st Option – The dress makes the statement:  Blush Patent Shoes with Dress #1, sleek hair, perhaps a cuff or some bangles and of course…red lips.

It's Getting Haute in Here DressIt's Getting Haute in Here Dress

2nd Option – Understated makes the statement:  Blush Patent Shoes and Dress #2 with sweet accessories (like this necklace or these earrings) & soft hair.

First Dance DressFirst Dance Dress

Herring-bow-ne NecklaceBead and Suede Dusters

3rd Option – The dress & the jewelry make the statement:  Blush Patent Shoes with Dress #3 and bold earrings (like these, these or these).

Aurora Skies DressAurora Skies Dress

Jeweled Feathers EarringsStone & Dagger ChandelierOnly Room For One Cowgirl Earrings

Black Patent Shoes

1st Option – The dress makes the statement: Black Patent Shoes with Dress #1 and lots of jewels (this ring, this necklace and these earrings).

Parade Watching DressParade Watching Dress

Rock Around the Block RingFuture Reflections NecklaceMixed Media Pleat Drop Earrings

2nd Option – The whole look makes the statement: Black Patent Shoes and the glammed up Dress #2 only need a little more black & gold to be golden. Try earrings like these, these or these. *Side note* This is totally what I would wear to a party at Drew Brees’ house!

Sweet Little Lines DressSweet Little Lines Dress

For Star-ters EarringsStark Raven Mod Earrings

3rd Option – The dress makes the statement: Black Patent Shoes + Dress #3 will make everyone turn canary yellow with envy. Try with a headband, some poof at your crown and smoky eyes.

Look on the Sunny Side DressLook on the Sunny Side Dress

Where to find it:

The three shoe options

Blue Suede:  I saw the cyan dress, Hypnotic earrings, Scavenger Hunt dressEdie EarringsThe Poise is back in town dress, Spectacular clip-ons, Painted Flower earrings. Animal print mesh earrings

Blush PatentIt’s getting haute in here dress, Laquered wings cuff, High polish bangle set, First dance dress, Herring-bow-ne necklace, Bead and Suede dustersAurora skies dress, Jeweled feathers earrings, Stone and dagger chandelier, Only room for one cowgirl earrings

Black Patent: Parade watching dress, Rock around the block ring, Future reflections necklaceMixed media pleat drop earrings, Sweet little lines dress, For star-ters earrings, Tassel drop earrings, Stark raven mod earrings, Look on the sunny side dress, Woven satin headband

For more outfit guides, look here (for blush) here (for wedding) here (for red/white/blue) here (for LBD)

Sun-drenched weekend

Plans fell through/changed and I couldn’t be happier. In a mere 5 hours I will be settling into a four day sun-drenched weekend. I am thrilled to be at home with my bests, my beau and my puppies for 4 days that have a glittering forecast of mid-eighties and plenty of sun.

I’m banking on sitting by the pool, taking the Bird to the farmer’s market, cruising around the lake, staying out and sleeping in, walking in the park and possibly getting my dance on!

san mateo: may 22 + 23

san mateo: may 22 + 23

Photobucket

The snuggle puppy

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happy weekend!

Float trip update

We didn’t tip once! R & I did surprisingly well under pressure/high water on the Mulberry this weekend (mentioned here). Not surprising to most who know him as the picture you see when you look up “patient” in the dictionary. It was a fabulous time had by all and although my suspicion that I am not ready for swimsuit-season was confirmed, I’m so pleased it’s summer.

The whole group at Bucksnort. Note my flame shorts…

Birdie and Wiggs bonding Sunday night when we got back

More from the beautiful backyard wedding

I must share these photos from the wedding in the delta, mentioned here and here. It was lovely and fun and seemed so effortless, although I’m sure it wasn’t! It all took place on Lake Chicot in Robert’s hometown of Lake Village. There are so many dying towns in South Arkansas but this doesn’t feel like one of them. The people are friendly, they know how to throw a party and they eat hella good.

The backyard, tables, flowers and lake.

The extended dock

The bride’s father, Mr. Paul, fished out a hat that had gone astray.

The partaaay

Flip-flop basket, best idea ever!

The cake

Bride & Groom

Amazing music

More amazing music…The revivalists, straight from NOLA.

Me, Robert and his lovely mom

Bliss

The other day I was looking at the lovely blog Apartment34. While Erin, the owner of the blog, is off getting hitched she asked some of her favorite bloggers to share the things that bring them joy. Sometimes it’s really good to look at your life and recognize the things that truly bliss you out.

Here mine goes! (In no particular order)

Warm Weather

costarica 001sunshine

Sun-drenched afternoons, midnight swims, baseball games, picnics, sundresses. This girl loves summer.

Girlfriends

My girlfriends mean everything to me.

Food

blackbean3.jpg

Food and the dining experience. Long conversations over dessert and wine. Meals that make you appreciate being alive. Trying a new recipe and knocking it out of the park. Fresh fruit. I believe in eating for sustenance of the soul.

Being a girl

hb mwm

Makeup. Tulle. Smoky Eyes. Sky-high heels. Baubles and bangles and berets and belts. Hair -curly or teased or straight or up. I love being a girl because of all the wonderful things a girl can be.

Reading/Learning

Becoming more aware of the world through the words of those capable of expressing amazing, insightful things.

Everyday Luxuries

ldv-gp-dresser[1]

Fresh flowers, laughs, puppies…

Winding down

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Crawling into a clean bed, lounging on a rainy afternoon, sleeping in, the few moments before you drift off to sleep…

Adventure

I’m talking travel, music festivals, float trips, a new thrift shop or restaurant. I try to go on adventures often and whenever possible. It keeps life fresh, exciting and provides great photo opps!

Music

On Deck: The Dead Weather, Department of Eagles, Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket listen

Music feeds my soul. Discovering a new band or song can make my whole day turn around. Concerts, instruments, singing…I couldn’t live without it.

Merriment

Whether it’s a holiday, a birthday party, a  job well-done or just the weekend. I love to celebrate, drink champagne and enjoy life’s happy moments.

Love



The love of my sweet-as-pie beau, my family, my puppies…love is the thing, you know?

Just like home

Don’t you love having friends that are like family? When you go to their house, you feel like you’re home? My friend’s parents’ house is like that for me. We had dinner over there last night and I couldn’t help daydreaming about the sunny afternoons and warm nights of the upcoming summer.

Beautiful weather +

Lots of friends and sunshine +

Champagne +

Pretty clothes +

Gorgeous surroundings +

Laughs +

More laughs & big hair +

Yummy food & crystal +

= Bliss

Images from Apartment34, Plush Palate and {this is glamorous}

Monday!

Daylight Savings is one of my favorite days of the year. Yesterday didn’t disappoint, there is a new frozen yogurt place that just opened, we tried it, and my life is changed! While I love the later sunsets, the later sunrises are hard for the first week. This beautiful photo reminded me of my besties Lo & Katie, as our hair represents the spectrum. Hope you have a wonderful week!

image: {this is glamorous} via lolita via US Glamour