Pages

Friday, March 30, 2012

april showers

I'm pretty stoked about April coming this weekend. I don't know why but March has kind of felt like a waste to me. My motivation tanked and I'm looking forward to a new month with new possibilities. Plus, April is birthday month!! Wahoo! Not just mine, but both of my sisters' too. We will be celebrating all week next week, so how could that be bad?


Well, this week to ring in April this weekend Alison gave us a theme of April Showers. I've been kind of dying for these yellow Merrell shoes, so I figured out a way to incorporate them into my Friday Fancies look this week. I don't think hiking in the rain sounds like tons of fun, but I am looking forward to checking out some of the trails around me that I haven't ventured to yet. So for the outdoors enthusiast in me, here is my April Showers look!
april showers


I have a soft spot for "life is good" shirts. There really are so many times that life is good and I don't notice it, or don't appreciate it. Especially for outdoorsy things, I like to remind myself of that. Plus, this shirt couldn't be more perfect! When it rains it shines. Love it.

In case you weren't aware, I'm in love with this color green. It is the perfect rain jacket for a day spent outside. Bright to keep me visible and waterproof to keep me dry!

I have a small obsession with capri length tights. I like the silly details on these. Obviously I won't be sexy hot in them, but I will feel great!

I need these shoes. That's really all there is to say about them. This is such a birthday hint to anyone who might want to buy me a birthday gift. I love the bright yellow, I love that they're made to be worn without socks, I love that they use Vibram soles. Yup, I need these.


I hope you have a fabulous weekend, and March leaves like a lamb. Right now they're saying there is the potential for some snow showers tonight and tomorrow. Obviously mother nature is super confused, 80 to snow in a week in both October and March with barely any snow in between?? Super odd winter. I'm not complaining, I'm just ready for springtime. Plus I don't want it to kill my lilac blooms that are already hanging out.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

birthday celebrations

We have lots of birthdays clumped together in the spring and then even more in the fall. This week was the start of our spring-time group. We celebrated Mike's sister's birthday on Sunday and then his mom's on Tuesday.
Tina, Mike's mom, turned 60 on Tuesday! She picked to order in Chinese food and the whole group of us met there to enjoy it and celebrate with her. You can't reach a milestone like a 60th birthday and not celebrate like crazy, so I made her favorite cake, Boston Cream Pie for us to enjoy.


The sponge cake was not a success at all. In fact, it was kind of chewy and there was way too much nutmeg. Oops. I shouldn't have tried out a new recipe on her birthday. I mean it tasted great once you add pastry cream and chocolate ganache, but I think everything tastes great when you add pastry cream and chocolate ganache.




Wednesday, March 28, 2012

ohp - nursery edition

It's almost birthday time around here, which means I've been racking my brain for birthday gift ideas for my sisters. I got Jenn some stuff the other day that I'm pretty happy with, but since Jess is pregnant I was having a hard time with her. She is so close to the end of the pregnancy, so maternity clothes won't work, but I don't really want to get her something she can't use until after the baby gets here.
So I came up with a genius idea, I'll give her a "voucher" to do the nursery for her. I know she already has all the stuff picked out and purchased and at just about 7 months pregnant, she barely likes to walk to the kitchen, let alone clean and paint all day. The hysterical thing about this, and the reason I can share it with you today is the same day I decided on the gift, she called to tell me she took this weekend off of work and wanted to know if I wanted to come over and help with the nursery. Darn it! I went ahead and sent her the voucher that I had made up and we decided that she would help with the cleaning out and actual decorating, but for her birthday I would paint the nursery and hang up a chair rail.


So I'm sharing some nurseries that make me swoon, and on Monday I'll share the results to Twiglette's future bedroom.




Chair rail awesomeness. Who doesn't want magnets/corkboard/chalkboards on their walls??



I'm going to spend all of my energy trying to convince Jess that those letters are necessary.



We're doing a chair rail in Twiglette's room, I think blue on top tan on the bottom. This is for inspiration.


Source: ohdeedoh.com via Katie on Pinterest

I love the changing pad cover. Silly thing to love, but I do. And really every single thing about this nursery is gorgeous. But definitely more for my future baby boy (that is not in utero yet)



First of all, great picture - that lens must be crazy wide. Secondly, I love the beachy color choices mixed with the yellow and black/white. Great combo.


Source: google.com via Angi on Pinterest

What's not to love about this, the green dresser is gorgeous and hello - polka dot curtains?? yes please!

I'm linking up with Michelle from The Vintage Apple as always on Wednesdays. Now I'm off to find what ya'll are finding pinteresting this week!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

cutest pups ever

I love my dogs all the time, but the first couple days after they get groomed, I can't get enough of them. I love the way their short haircuts frame their adorable little faces.




I'm seriously in love with these boys.

Monday, March 26, 2012

weekend in review

While this weekend flew by, it was definitely awesome. It started Thursday night when Mike and I went to see the Hunger Games.
With my tickets in hand - and my bright red sunburn...ouch.

In the theater, waiting for the movie to start
If you haven't seen it yet, go now. Don't pass go, just leave work tonight and go. I loved the books and while the movie wasn't quite as good, it was still awesome on it's own. Mike really liked the movie and he had never read the books.
Then we spent all day Saturday doing work around my house. My cousin, aunt and uncle all came over to pitch in. We took down 3 trees in my backyard, re-grouted a bathroom floor and caulked a shower. It was a super productive day. After working around the house and yard all day, Mike and I went to his shooting competition awards dinner. He shot very well this year, his average went up by about 3 points which is huge for him. The gun club dinner isn't really my scene. I'm not all that into guns in general, and I'm not really that kind of person. It took a lot of effort to not be super judgmental, and this was the only picture I snapped while there.
They're a classy bunch this gun club.
Sunday was Mike's sister's birthday. We went to the mall to do some birthday shopping for my sisters and for his sister before heading to his parents' house to have dinner and birthday cake for his sister. I had a ton of luck and got great deals for Jenn. I'll share the deals after her birthday (4/7) so I don't spoil any surprises.
All in all, a fantastic weekend. We have some more work to do around the house that I can't wait to share with you guys next Monday!

Friday, March 23, 2012

bright and sassy

Good Morning! I'm a little late this morning with the Friday Fancies because I was out until after 3am last night! The moral of the story here is that I'm not quite as young as I used to be. Honestly I was exhausted by the end of the movie. I think partially because it's an intense, powerful movie and also because it was 3am.
Another post to come about my thoughts on The Hunger Games movie, but for now lets dive into my favorite link up of the week - Friday Fancies!


Our theme this week was "March Madness", but since I don't actually watch basketball, or any sport really, I just went with a favorite color combo. The madness in this look is mostly because I'm posting a sleeveless dress and sandals in March, and it something I could actually be wearing right now. In fact, I am wearing a sleeveless dress at the moment and I'm not even the slightest bit chilly!

color combo


I love this blue dress. It's super versatile and it packs a huge punch of color. 

These are my favorite style of sandals in the summer. They're flip-flops but not. I like the little bit of embellishment on them since the dress I chose is plain.

This is where my outfit really starts to pop! I love this bag. Whether you're going to the beach, or walking around outside all day, I love the idea of having a giant bag to put all your stuff in, including water or snacks.

I'm not sure I'd like these on me, but I like the idea of how they coordinate with the outfit. 

Gorgeous addition, and perfect if it does actually get to be closer to a normal March temperature. This would help keep you a tiny bit warmer. 



Thursday, March 22, 2012

hubba-balloo

My life is pretty darn boring. I don't have anything fun to share with you today. Tomorrow I'll be back in full swing with a recap of my Hunger Games movie experience from tonight, and some gorgeous blue and yellow Friday Fancies.
In the mean time, enjoy these puppies :)


Source: google.com via Andrea on Pinterest


Source: dailypuppy.com via Elle on Pinterest


Source: etsy.com via Molly on Pinterest




Happy Hunger Games Day!
....may the odds be ever in your favor 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

happy wednesday!

I'm pretty thrilled that Wednesday is already here! Tomorrow is the Hunger Games, today is going to be pinteresting, PLUS now we are halfway to the weekend? Wahoo!


The pins I'm sharing with you don't match each other at all, but I had to share them. My super organized brain is yelling at me, but how do you not share those popsicles AND that wedding cake AND the baby quilt? And, when I do share them, how do I pretend it's a cohesive theme.
My way today? Oh they're all pins. hehe! On to the pins now!



Every day I love ALL of you. Thanks for reading this tiny blog of mine!


I love these. I'd probably change the shape (or just the envelope shape to make it cheaper to mail. But I love every bit of the design.


I love the idea of confetti, but I'm pretty sure most ceremony locations (like churches) make you clean up whatever mess people through (like rice)...So I probably won't be doing this. But I'll be daydreaming about it!


It's going to be 80 degrees here in NY tomorrow. I think I might need one of these.


I love the soft colors in these.

Source: sweetandsaucyshop.com via Deborah on Pinterest
How do you not love this cake? It is just so simple and pretty. Plus the flower work is impeccable.




Twiglette needs this.



Love those fabrics for a baby boy. I like the dark grey and mustard yellow. I'm swooning over here, and my uterus is aching a tiny bit.



Cutest thing ever.













Tuesday, March 20, 2012

excitement is building

I'm not sure I've shared my complete obsession with the Hunger Games with ya'll. This week it is reaching new heights with the movie premier!




I'm pretty darn excited about it, and last night Mike surprised me with tickets to the midnight showing on Thursday night! Now I'm planning my night around it! I won't be dressing up (although that would be awesomely fun!) but we are planning on going to the diner before hand and making a date night out of it!

Anyone else a huge Hunger Games fan? Are you going to a midnight showing, or will you be waiting for a reasonable time?!

Monday, March 19, 2012

etsy love

I've been browsing around etsy searching for a gift for Mike's mom's 60th birthday. I'm totally stumped. Typically she doesn't need anything. She's the type of woman who buys whatever she needs/wants. We usually end up doing a gift certificate to go out to dinner but I think that's getting old. I know they appreciate those, but she's turning 60, I think she need something a little more special.
I'm thinking a small piece of jewelry in addition to the gift certificate.
I fell in love with more than a few things from Hibiscusdays' Etsy shop. These are a few of the things I'm thinking about, I'd LOVE opinions.

find it here
find it here

find it here

find it here
Do you have any favorite etsy shops I should look at for ideas?

Friday, March 16, 2012

geeking out

A weekend of too many calories and far too much laughter is on the horizon and I cannot wait! I have quite a bit of Irish in me, but I don't even pretend that it's the reason I love this holiday. When I was in college, St. Patrick's Day was my absolute favorite holiday to celebrate. I would put a giant pot of corned beef and cabbage on the stove, get dressed in every green article of clothing I own, and head to the parade in Southie. We would relish in the fact that it is one of 2 days where the cops don't completely notice open containers and drink freely while watching the parade. (The other day is Marathon Monday, in the event you were curious)
We would stumble back to the apartment, which by that time sufficiently STUNK like boiled beef, and add some cabbage to that pot to finish it off. We'd eat 3-4 loaves of soda bread, drink a few more beers and then I'd watch them dig into the stinkiest meal on the planet. (I don't eat beef - corned or not!)
This year my celebration will be a little more tame, but still tons of fun! My sisters are coming over and I will boil some stinky meat while we drink and play games and nosh on some of that soda bread I posted yesterday. I love days of games and beer with my sisters. We laugh until our stomachs hurt, and it is awesome.
This week Alison wanted us to show off our St. Patrick's Day outfits....Mine may not be pretty - but I sure am festive!!!


geeking out


I love cropped sweaters for Spring and Summer. I have a few strapless dresses that I always top with cropped cardigans so I own quite a few of them. My neon green from Old Navy is my favorite though...

What better shoes to start an adventure in than Toms? Super cozy and casual is exactly what a good shoe for a drinking extravaganza needs to be!


Silly fun earrings that match the outfit. These are a no brainer.




St. Patrick's Day is like my Mardis Gras. Beads are a must. Bonus points if there is a shot glass attached!!


Dorky hat? yes please.



Awesome Green sunglasses?? I need these for every day life, so I definitely need them for my excessively green outfit.


Silly green nail polish adds a finishing touch to this ridiculous look.



Don't forget your sunscreen while standing out there watching parades this weekend! It is a definite must.



Celebrate safely! Find yourself a designated driver! (Pregnant sisters are great for this job!!)