Favorite Product Friday: NightLight International Jewelry

On May 25, 2012May 25, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite Products, Uncategorized3 Comments

Each year Human Trafficking generates the largest volume of revenue in the world, second only to the drug trade. It is a more profitable industry than the buying and selling of illegal arms and it is estimated that more than 2.5 million people are trafficked over state lines and between coutnries around the world each year. It is a scary and horrifying pandemic that is not receiving the attention it should. But in all of this darkness, there is light-pillars of hope and organzations who are banding together to stop the buying and selling of people and give those that have fallen victim hope and a chance at a new life. One of these organizations is called NightLight International. It is a not-for-profit run by an increidlbe American woman who felt called to move her family to Thailand and dedicate her life to not only rescuing people from the sex trade but giving them an alternative way of life. Here is the mission statement from their website:

NightLight’s mission is to do “whatever it takes” to effect change within the global sex industry. Our local offices build relationships with victims of commercial sexual exploitation and those who are at-risk and provide hope, intervention, rescue, and assistance by offering alternative vocational opportunities, life-skills training, and physical, emotional, and spiritual development to those seeking freedom. NightLight builds support networks internationally to intervene and assist women, men, and children whose lives are negatively impacted by the sex industry.

One of the skills that the women learn when they become involved with NightLight is jewelry making. And it is through the selling of this beautiful jewelry that they are able to sustain this program that has helped so many. Having spent several months traveling through Thailand and seeing the hideous monster that is the sex trade firsthand, it is a cause very near and dear to my heart and one that I love to support. Below are some photos of a few of my favorite pieces of jewelry that I have picked up from NightLight. But there are many, many more gorgeous necklaces, earrings, and bracelets on their website-so plesae make sure to visit and spend some time browsing. The quality is incredible, the beads and stones used are top notch, and in purchasing this jewelry you are making it possible for someone to create and sustain a life outside of slavery.

Another great way to shop is fair trade. And there is an incredible website called Ten Thousand Villages that is chalk full of jewelry, home decor, gifts, etc. from all around the globe. Here are a few of my favorite things I have recently picked up from them…

*The bracelet and gold earrings are from Ten Thousand Villages and the shell earrings are from NightLight*

You can see me wearing this necklace here.

Memorial Day weekend is always a big shopping weekend. There are so many good sales and bargains which are seemingly impossible to pass up. But maybe this year, we should all think twice about where we are spending and consider supporting one of these incredible organizations. It might be a small gesture, but we really can make a difference.

Happy Holiday Weekend!

K.I.S.S.

On May 24, 2012May 24, 2012 By all dolled upIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Remember that old acronym from school? Keep it simple stupid (or silly, as I prefer to say)? My very favorite teacher ever (Mr. Armstrong) used to always say that to our class. He also used to say that “pressure makes diamonds” which is a saying I like a lot-and still sometimes use, particularly when I find myself in a stressful situation. But it was K.I.S.S. that popped into my head the other night when I was trying to figure out what to wear with my new pink jeans. As much as I love colored jeans, sometimes it can be easy to over think what exactly to wear with them. I tried on a multitude of options (all of which I like and will eventually share), but I was really drawn to the simplicity of a plain white henley, sky high platforms, and some simple gold earrings and bangles to complete the look.

Henley: Forever21 (recent)

Pink Skinny Jeans: The Limited

Wedges: Steve Madden Nockout

Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Bracelets: Tiffany and Forever21

Earrings: Forever21

Sunnies: Calvin Klein via Macy’s Sunglass Hut

So I have a funny story, or rather a confession, about these shoes. But first of all I should give credit and say that I discovered them only because one of my friends had them first (you can check out her cute blog here) and they looked so fantastic on her, I just couldn’t help myself!! So while these shoes are really, really tall, they are also really, really comfortable. And because I am never one to shy away from high heels, I wore them to work-knowing it was a day I would be on my feet a lot. And it also happened to be a day that my district team decided to walk to a nearby restaurant to grab some lunch on a break between meetings-all of which would have been perfectly fine had I not been talking up a storm and not paying attention which made me miss the big rock lying on the sidewalk that I, of course, stepped directly on. And let me tell you, in shoes this high, there is no chance for recovery. Not only did I fall FLAT ON MY FACE in front of 12 of my co-workers, but there were also about 10 other people in the very nearby vicinity who also witnessed my totally embarrassing debacle. Now I am a clumsy person by nature and have been known to take some rather public tumbles, but this one was particularly humiliating. Fortunately, my injuries were slight and only my knee and my pride were bruised. But despite my “incident” and the lingering embarrassment, they are still one of my favorite pairs of shoes-I just make sure to tread a little more cautiously when I wear them. 🙂

The Cold Shoulder

On May 23, 2012May 23, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Nordstrom Rack, Outfit Ideas, Steve Madden1 Comment

One thing I know for sure, I definitely did not get the cold shoulder from my friends and family on my birthday-in fact so many people in my life reached out and made such incredibly sweet gestures, that it is safe to say it was one of my best birthdays yet. I did however, choose to wear my new bright pink cold shoulder top to my birthday dinner at my favorite wine and tapas bar with our very dearest friends. It was a wonderful evening and I am so grateful to all who came out to celebrate, for the beautiful weather, the lovely gifts, and time spent with so many sweet friends that I don’t get to see nearly enough. I was a very blessed birthday girl this year!

Pink Cold Shoulder Top: RACHEL Rachel Roy via Macy’s

Skinny Jeans: Gap Jeggings

Shoes: DV by Dolce Vita Jude via Macy’s

Necklace: JCrew via eBay (again, a word of caution if you go this route-there are a lot of terrible fakes on eBay right now)

Clutch: Steve Madden via Macy’s (sold out)

Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Bracelets: Tiffany, H&M, Forever21, Macy’s, Thailand (yes, the country!)

Sunnies: Guess via TJMaxx

I love the cold shoulder trend. I think it is a great way to dress up a simple top-in fact, the other cold shoulder tops in my closet are primarily jersey and most of them seem to have stripes. I tend to gravitate towards them because they are comfy enough to make you feel like you are slipping on your favorite t-shirt, but add a few accessories and some cute shoes, and you have an outfit fit for just about any occasion-including a birthday dinner in your honor! 🙂 They also tend to be flattering on my most figures and are a great way to transition from long sleeves to tank tops. I know I never feel quite ready to show my pasty white arms in the month of May, so a cute cold shoulder top is the perfect middle ground.

Happy Hump day!!

A Little Extra Something

On May 20, 2012May 21, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Outfit Ideas, Steve Madden, TJMaxx, Uncategorized8 Comments

The weekends always seem to go so fast, don’t they? And the more activities you pack in, the faster they seem to go. And that was exactly the kind of weekend J and I just had-one of those extra fast ones filled to the brim with lots of activities. As I mentioned in my Vessel Sink post, we have been working on rebuilding our deck-which is a huge task in and of itself. It was one of those projects that started off with replacing a few boards, and somehow turned into replacing the entire surface. So getting that finished in time for a visit from my family this weekend was at the top of our priority list. We also had a birthday party to attend, a date at the zoo with our littles, and our (well my) first road bike ride of the season-73 miles for me and 100 miles for J at the annual Cycle Salt Lake Century.

The night before our big ride, we decided it was a good idea to do some carb loading and headed over to our favorite neighborhood restaurant, the Porcupine, to catch a beer and some dinner. It is a pretty laid back place, and it was going to be a short night, so I wanted to dress casually, but at the same time, felt like sprucing things up a bit. I worked from home in my sweats all day on Friday, and felt like getting at least a little dolled up. And I tend to find that when I am in situations like this, accessories and/or shoes are always the perfect way to add that little extra something to an otherwise ordinary outfit. So in an effort to make my striped shirt, jeans, and vest a little more interesting, I settled on the perfect remedy-my favorite new heels that I am absolutely obsessed with!

Striped Shirt: H&M (recent)

Jean Vest: Macy’s

Jeans: Gap Denim Jeggings (sold out online)

Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s

Bracelets: Tiffany

Necklace: Tiffany and my personal collection of charms

Silver Aviators: Steve Madden via TJMaxx

Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl’s (I don’t see them online, but check your local Kohl’s!!)

So, truth be told, I originally fell in love with the Sam Edelman version of these shoes, but just couldn’t bring myself to spend that much money on them. Then I found a pair at Nordstrom Rack, but for some reason didn’t get them the first time I saw them, and when I finally decided to go back, of course they were gone! So imagine my surprise when I was comp shopping a Kohl’s in Montana (for work!!) and there they were, a spitting image of the shoes I let get away sitting on display in the shoe department. I think I swooned a little and of course had to buy them on the spot. And what makes them even better? They are MUCH more comfortable than the SE version and cost about 1/5 of the price! Talk about a great deal. And in my book, it’s pretty darn tough to beat a great deal-especially for shoes as fabulous as these.

Happy Monday, everyone!!

Fave Product Friday: Hobo International Belinda

On May 18, 2012May 18, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite Products2 Comments

It’s no secret that I am a deal huntress. I love a good bargain and have a hard time paying full price for things. Perhaps it’s the thrill of the chase, or perhaps it’s due to my profession-working as a buyer I know what things really cost. But there are certain things that I will occasionally splurge on, and usually those things seem to fall into the handbag category. In fact, I just used some of my birthday money to purchase this little number from Rebecca Minkoff-and I am so excited for it to arrive!!! It will be the perfect summer bag/clutch for warm evenings when we ride our vintage cruisers out for dinner and drinks, or when we hit the farmers market, or pack up our picnic basket to catch an outdoor concert.

Another piece that I will not only get good use out of this summer, but also year round (pretty much 365 to be exact), is my Hobo International Belinda wallet. And this really might just be one of my favorite purchases EVER. In fact, I have used mine so much over the years, my original Belinda has been on it’s last leg, but was fortunately replaced with this gorgeous new version for my birthday (thanks mom!!). And while it might sound silly, I have to say that I would truly be lost with out this wallet. It keeps me organized, has room for all of my “stuff” (and then some!), and transitions perfectly from a wallet to a clutch. When I am in a hurry and don’t want to carry a purse, I can just grab this out of my bag, throw in a lip gloss and my iPhone and I am SET. The patent finish also makes it dressy enough for weddings or a night out on the town. It really is the perfect piece. A splurge that is WELL worth it.

You can purchase one of these beauties here, here, or here.

I know it might seem like a lot to spend $110 on a wallet, but I have to say that before I found the Belinda, I was constantly buying wallets every couple of months for $20-$50 a pop. And now that I have found the Belinda, I have only had 2 new wallets in the past 3 years. So the way I see it, it all evens out.

One word of caution. Be wary of the lighter colors in the Belinda patent. Even though I adored my yellow wallet, there is a transfer issue and it picked up colors from items in my bag over the years that don’t come off. So I would advise going with a darker color (which is why I went with black this time around). You can also try the Lauren, which is really similar-just a touch smaller and leather vs. patent.

Happy weekend!!

The Vessel Sink Project

On May 17, 2012May 17, 2012 By all dolled upIn DIY Projects, Doll House Remodel4 Comments

For those of you who are new to this blog, or haven’t heard about the crazy adventure my husband and I have undertaken over the last year, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that I do, in fact, have a life outside of fashion! A little over a year ago, my J and I purchased what we envisioned “could be” our dream home. In other words, a total dump (but in our ideal neighborhood) that was in need of a gut job and some serious TLC. We have done the majority of the work ourselves, and let me tell you, it has been a wild ride. BUT we have transformed a house into our home. And of course I might be a little bit biased, but I think it is just beautiful and I couldn’t be happier that we took on this seemingly impossible project, pouring a years worth of blood, sweat and tears into every nook and cranny to achieve our desired end result. It has been worth every moment and every penny (and I say that confidently even as I can hear J tearing the deck off the back of the house so that we can rebuild it).

That said, I shared our kitchen transformation with you all (here) a few weeks ago. I had always dreamed of a white kitchen and a farm sink, and I was lucky enough to get both. And apparently I have a thing for sinks, because another item on my wish list was to have a vessel sink in our main bath. I have always wanted a vessel sink for as long as I can remember. I think they are neat, and classy, and unique, and pretty, and well, really, really neat. But if you would have asked my hubby what he though of vessel sinks when we started this project, he would have told you that they were weird, and tacky and just plain ugly. So as we remodeled our main bath (the first of 3 bathrooms we have now renovated) the vessel sink was a hot topic. But as you can see in the pictures below, I got my vessel sink, and I think it’s safe to say that J might like it even better than I do! 🙂

The bathroom before. Kind of hard to get a feel for how DISGUSTING it was. Makes me shiver just thinking about it!!!

We experienced the same issue here as in the kitchen-when got down to the subfloors, they were rotted out and in serious need of replacement.

Justin getting ready for his first floor tiling project. Let’s just say he’s an old pro now.

Ta-da!! Beautiful new vanity, quartz counters, my vessel sink, and tile back splash.

LOVE this bathroom.

And there it is up close and personal-the infamous vessel sink. 🙂

So there you have it, the first of three bathroom renovations. I can’t tell you how happy we are with the way it turned out (and that I got my vessel sink, of course!). Stay tuned for more posts and stories about our incredible home transformation (can you believe that I set that toilet????? Me neither). I have gotten so used to how the house looks now, it’s fun for me to take little stroll down memory lane and write these posts and remember how things used to look-before the sledge hammers came out. The changes we have made are drastic, and I am pretty darn proud of the Dolls for tackling such a huge project. Now let’s hope we have the same luck with our current deck rebuild. Fingers crossed.

And don’t forget to check out our kitchen reno if you haven’t seen it yet!!

Splash! (of color)

On May 16, 2012May 16, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Outfit Ideas, Steve Madden, Watches6 Comments

Do you remember the movie Splash? Oh my gosh. It was one of my FAVORITE movies back in the day. And what about Mannequin??? I loved that one too. In fact, my corporate office is in an actual Macy’s store and when I come into work in the morning before the store opens, I always think of that movie as I walk through the dark sales floors. And when I reflect on movies like Mannequin and Splash and other ’80’s favorites (remember Labyrinth?), the thing that stands out in my mind is the infiltration of colorful clothing and make up (and of course cheesy story lines) into just about every aspect of the films. 🙂 And while you would never catch me wearing shoulder pads (my shoulders are wide enough as it is!), I can more than appreciate the colorful influence the ’80’s are having on our current trends, which leads me to the point of this post-BLAZERS!!!

Blazers are a must have, in general, but especially this season. And not only are they a must have, but they are the perfect way to add a splash of color to your wardrobe. I am in love with the colored denim trend, but it isn’t for everyone. Blazers, however, cast a much wider net, and with stores like H&M and Forever21 offering so many in such a wide variety of colors for under $40, they are an easy addition to any wardrobe. I have picked up a few colorful blazers over the last few months (you can see some of them here, here, here, and here), and they have quickly become a staple in my closet for both work and play due to their versatility-I just can’t get enough. So if you are fearing the colored denim trend, pick up a colorful blazer instead!

Cobalt Blazer: H&M (similar, similar, similar)

Orange and Pink Silk Top: Francesca’s Collections

Black Crop Skinnies: Gap 1969 Always Skinny (similar)

Pink Shoes: Jessica Simpson Waleo vai Macy’s

Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s (similar)

Bracelets: Tiffany

Cocktail Ring: Etsy (seller no longer active)

Sunnies: Jessica Simpson via Ross (similar)

Orange Clutch: Steve Madden via Macy’s (sold out)

There aren’t many rules when it comes to adding a colored blazer to an outfit, almost anything goes. Just make sure your undertones are similar (in my outfit, the orange is a warm tone, but the pink has a blue undertone, allowing for all 3 colors to work especially well together). And a word to wise, it’s also important to make sure your color combinations don’t make you look like your favorite sports team. I LOVE orange and cobalt together, but I don’t want to look like a Broncos fan (nothing against the Broncos), so the addition of the pink shoes and the pink stripe in my shirt are a great way to get rid of that potential association.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions!! And please remember to “like” me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. You can also follow me on Instagram: AisAllDollUp, and on Pinterest: Abby Doll

Also, would love it if you would share this post, or one of your other favorite posts on Twitter or Facebook to help me spread the word about All Dolled Up!

Thank you SO MUCH for your support!!

Fashion Star Finale!

On May 15, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Nordstrom Rack, Outfit Ideas, Steve Madden, TJMaxx, Uncategorized, Watches1 Comment

I was so excited when I learned of the inception of Fashion Star and have thoroughly enjoyed it every Tuesday night since its premiere. The mentors are terrific, the designers are fantastic, and as a buyer myself, of course I especially love the buyers! In fact, I was even privileged enough to spend some time with Caprice in LA when I first started working for Macy’s. And let me tell you, she is just as pretty and fabulous in person as she is on TV!

So of course, having followed along with the designers on their journey thus far, I am so excited to see how the finale unravels tonight! Although each person left is incredibly talented, I can’t help but find myself rooting for Kara. She is sweet, and humble, and her sense of style rocks!! I think she is the perfect candidate to design lines for H&M, Saks, and Macy’s. But even though I’m rooting for Kara, Orly was my season favorite, so in honor of her, I wanted to pay tribute by wearing the AH-mazing lime blazer she debuted last week, and of course top it off with some jewelry from Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow…

Blazer: Orly Shani for H&M

Black Silk Cami: Express

Snake Skin Liquid Leggings: Nodrstrom (old)

Heels: Steve Madden

Necklace: House of Harlow via Nordstrom

Ring: House of Harlow via Nordstrom

Tortise Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Bracelets: Tiffany, Macy’s, Word Market, H&M

Sunnies: Guess via TJMaxx

So while I can’t wait to see if my girl Kara is announced as the very first Fashion Star, tonight will also be a bit bittersweet as I say goodbye to one of my favorite guilty pleasures. Guess I better start figuring out something new to do on my Tuesday nights!

Good luck Kara!!!

Neutral Layers

On May 14, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Nordstrom Rack, Outfit Ideas, Uncategorized6 Comments

Sometimes dressing to go out in the evening can be a bit tricky this time of year. The days are warm enough to get away with tanks and tees, but the evenings cool down just enough to ensure that some sort of jacket or layer is necessary. And while I love blazers and cardigans (of course), it gets a little boring to always fall back on one of those options. So what else is there?

In the fall, my go to layering piece is usually a black leather jacket. I don’t have a super “girly” style, so I love the idea of pairing a rough-and-tumble piece back to something a little more sweet. But alas, my black leather jackets feel a little heavy for this time of year, which got me thinking. What about a neutral colored leather jacket? Something a little lighter to fit the season?

Well thank goodness for my job! I was at a meeting in one of my stores, and just happened to see it-a neutral colored, shrunken lamb leather jacket. And I knew on the spot it was the perfect piece to add to my collection to give me a fresh new layering option for cool nights out on the town. And even more than that, it’s a jacket that will also be perfect when summer fades to fall…

Cat Eye Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson via Ross

Gold Hammered Earrings: Street Vendor in San Francisco

Leather Jacket: Guess via Macy’s (sold out online)

Chiffon Flower Petal Top: Bohme (SLC Boutique)

Belt: American Eagle

Red Skinnies: Else by Joe’s Jeans via Macy’s (sold out online)

Tortise and Gold Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom

Bracelets: Tiffany

Leopard Wedges: Aldo (sold out online)

And while it was a little bit of a splurge, I am so happy I decided to add this jacket to my wardrobe. I have already gotten a lot of use out of it, and know that I will continue to do so once the summer months have passed and fall is upon us. Black is always in, but neutrals are a great way to change things up and an excellent staple to pair back to pretty much anything, including red pants and leopard shoes! 🙂

Happy Monday!

Happy Mother’s Day!!

On May 13, 2012May 13, 2012 By all dolled upIn Uncategorized2 Comments

I have the best mom in the world. I know everyone always says that, but I really do. My mom is my rock and my biggest supporter. She has believed in me throughout every moment of my life and has been there, stead fast, through all of the decisions I have made-both good and bad. She is my role model, me hero, and my best friend. And today, I am especially grateful for her and all that she has done and continues to do for me.

I have also been incredibly blessed by my wonderful mother-in-law. When I met Justin 7 years ago, not only did I find the love of my life, but with him came a pretty amazing family that welcomed me with open arms. I am so lucky to have DiAnne in my life. She is one of the kindest, most generous, and fun people that I know. I am so blessed by her and all that she does for Justin and me. And I am grateful to her every day for raising the sweet son that I am lucky to call my husband.

So to both of my moms on this special day, happy, happy Mother’s day. I love you both very much and couldn’t ask for two better ladies to have in my life.

Happy Day!!!