Tag: Stripes

Memorial Debrief

On By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I love Memorial Day weekend and look forward to it every year. It is always a time for reflection and gratitude to all of the brave men and women who have served and are serving this beautiful country I am blessed to call home. It is also a weekend that I get to spend with my family. Ever since J and I ventured off to the SLC, it has become a tradition for my parents to make the drive down from Montana to spend the long weekend with us. And since my brother and his wife moved back to the states from Australia last year, they have now become a part of the tradition as well. And of course this Memorial Day weekend did not disappoint. In fact, it might have been the best one yet-so much so that everyone decided to spend an extra day in the SLC to relish the beautiful weather and precious time together.

Me and my little brother

Mike and Justin heading out for a ride.  Real men have chest hair, apparently.  😉

 Sangria…yum!

My mom, Mike, Jess and me enjoying a beautiful evening on the deck

Mikey slinging pizza dough

The “kids”

First Corona of the year.  Yup, it’s officially summer!

Pretty, pretty flowers. 

It really doesn’t get much better than a long weekend with family and an added bonus day together, does it?  So thank you mom, dad, Mike, Jess, Daisy, and Sydney for making the trip to the SLC.  I don’t think I could pick a favorite part of the weekend, but I definitely feel really good about the time we had together.  😉  I already miss you each dearly and am so looking forward to August when we will all be together again!!

xx

A Little Extra Something

On 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!!

xx

Mix Master

On By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Outfit Ideas, TJMaxx6 Comments

Not only do I love mixing colors, but I also LOVE mixing prints-particularly stripes or polka dots back to florals.  It feels so fresh and so new to me-just like spring.  And who doesn’t appreciate spring???

That said, this might come as a shock, but when I first laid eyes on these (AH-mazing!) shoes, I was on the fence about buying them.  I adored them, no doubt, but was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to wear them very often, or that they might be a “one hit wonder”.  So I gravitated towards the gray and black version thinking they were still fun (kinda) and definitely more practical.   BUT when I went to check out, the fabulous sales clerk steered me in the right direction and said it wouldbe an atrocity if I didn’t purchase the blue and pink version.  And I guess all I needed was a little validation, because those were the ones I took home.  And it was definitely the right choice!!!

 

 

Polka Dot Silk Top:  Nordstrom (recent)

Pink Tunic: H&M

Skinny Jeans:  Gap Jeggings (sold out online)

Shoes:  Steve Madden

Necklace: Got Beauty (local SLC boutique)

Earrings:  TJMaxx

Cat Eye Sunnies: Guess c/o TJMaxx

Watch:  Michael Kors c/o Macy’s

Bracelets:  Macy’s, H&M and Tiffany

Surprisingly, I have gotten quite a bit of wear out of these fun shoes.  They really do go with a lot, largely in part because it is acceptable to mix prints with stripes and polka dots (which it should be!).  And while I bought them when I was living in SF this fall, I am confident that they are going to get far more love from me during the warmer months of spring and summer.  Not only do they make my outfits fun, but they are one of those pieces that make me feel extra special every time I wear them-add that extra little kick in my step, if you will.  And as a self-proclaimed shoe addict, I can definitely appreciate that!

xx