Halloween

Pirates! The only year I've been able to get Ramesh to join in the fun (4+ years ago!)

 Happy Halloween! This is one of my favorite holidays. Those who know me, know I love to "dress up". My friends and I attend so many theme parties, I have some acquaintances that don't know what I look like day to day, as they have only seen me at these events. In honor of the holiday that encourages dress up, I thought I would share some of my best costumes over the years. Hope you enjoy and have a fun night!

Studio 54

Toy Soldiers

Octomom

Alice in Wonderland- Cheshire Cat

Glamorous Masquerade Ball

Roaring '20's

Daphne from Scooby Doo, also making an appearance were Gem, Fred, Dilbert, Spongebob and a rugrat

50's Theme-Mad Men

Jerseylicious

60's Mod for Haunted Theater 

The Magic of Oz

Forty and Fabulous. That's the mantra my BFF and I are sharing this year. We both turn 40. Can you believe it? I feel like 30 was just a few years ago, not 10. Anywho...last year my card for her was her favorite football team-Cowboys (Check it out here). This year I went with one of her favorite movies-The Wizard of Oz. How can you not like a movie that has red glitter shoes in it? They scream fabulous to me. Not to mention I think every girl under the age of 6 has a pair in her closet. Oh, and my BFF just moved back to her home town, so I thought the theme was also fitting. It's true what they say, "There's no place like home". Happy Birthday Remy!

Materials:
Paper:Wizard of Oz paper (Graphic 45),  Black (Papertrey Ink), Sf White (PaperSource), Clear Cardstock (Papertrey Ink)
Other: Glitter (JoAnn), Brads (Michaels), hand drawn shoe

Pensive

Dress(worn as a skirt)-Target, Shirt-Equipment, Sweater-H&M, Blazer-BGBG,
Boots-Seychelles, Necklace-Target, Rings-NY&Co, Earrings-F21

These last few months have been one gigantic blur. It's like I'm watching my life as a movie on fast forward. I'm out of balance. I think I've overcommitted myself trying to do too many things. I took Friday off last week just to catch my breath. I spent the day running errands I had on my to do list for months. It was such a sense of accomplishment. I sense a change coming. Time for me to take control and get some order back in my life! How do you re-balance yourself when you find you're out of whack?

Muse Monday #4

It was Paritha's 1st birthday last weekend and we were invited to the party. In India, first birthday's are a big deal (as I've shared here). It was quite the party- tons of people, great indian food and amazing cake. I wanted something pink, but didn't want it to be the bubble gum pink that seems to populate all girl gifts. As I scoured the web for inspiration, I didn't need to look any further thank Jessica from What I wore. I'm always inspired by her. She mixes colors with ease, and I recalled her mixing pink in numerous ways. This was one combo that caught my eye: 

Photo from What I Wore

Next was to see what I could find on Pinterest. Of course I found tons of inspiration, but these two were the best for the color combo I was looking for. Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it on Pinterest. It's addictive.

Photo from Pinterest

Photo from Pinterest

Materials:

Paper:Sft White (Paper Source), Sweet Blush (Papertrey Ink), Strawberry (Paper Source)

Stamps: Sweet Baby (Papertrey Ink), Big Birthday Wishes (Papertrey Ink), Birthday Bash Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:Rustic Neutrals Cat Eye Queue (Colorbox)

Other:Sweet Baby die (Papertrey Ink), By the numbers die (Papertrey Ink), Twine (Pink Paislee)

Professor Plum

Blouse-Francesca's Closet, Skirt-H&M, Belt-Target, Boots-Guess, Necklaces-EmersonMade,
Watch-Coach, Bracelets-Target, Gifts. Earrings-Limited

Channeling my inner school girl today. The pleated skirt and tie blouse are a bit girly for me when paired together. Throwing on the boots adds a toughness to the ensemble. Wouldn't want you thinking I've changed my style M.O., but I like to keep you guessing. What will I pair together today? Kind of like was it Professor Plum, in the library, with the candlestick or Miss Scarlet, in the conservatory, with the rope? I won't give you a clue. You'll have to tune in each day.

 

Olive Obsession

Dress & Jacket-Loft, Blouse-Equipment, Boots-Target, Scarf-local boutique, Necklace,
Ring, & Bracelet-Target, Watch-Coach, Earrings-F21

Fall maybe here, but it's not the leaves falling or temperatures dropping that clued me onto this, it's the change in my color palette. I tend to go for darker colors, particularly neutrals. After looking at the past few posts, I've noticed I may have a slight obsession with the color olive. Check out the other ways I've worn it here, here AND here...yep. Obsessed! Looks like I'm going to have to step away from that color for a while. Hmmm. That's going to be a tough one. Let's see if I can do it.  Call me out if you see me wearing it in the next two weeks. Baby steps people. Baby steps. I can't just stop cold turkey. Just a week or two.

Menswear Flair

Shirt-Borrowed from my husband, Vest-from Atmosphere, Pants-JCrew,
Shoes-Target, Purse-Madewell, Necklace-Target, Watch-Coach, Bracelets-Maui, gifts, Target

 I was feeling a bit sassy when I put this together. I wanted something to pop under the animal print vest and wast going to settle for the run of the mill black sweater or shirt. I wanted it to be unexpected. And I found it in my husband's closet. Do you ever raid your better half's clothes? I do all the time. I find the proportions to be just want I need sometimes. Not so fitted, a bit slouchy, even relaxed. Not to mention he likes me in his clothes-bonus for me. It's like having a second closet to choose from.

Tweed

Sweater-BCBG, Jacket-JCrew, Skirt-Banana Republic, Scarf-F21, Shoes-Blowfish,
Watch-Coach, Bracelets-Target, Earrings-F21

Today it's all about the shoes. I found these at DSW last week-don't you just love them?? I love them so much I am seriously considering going back to get them in the flannel grey they also come in. I've already worn them a handful of times. I even packed them with me on my business trip to NJ last week.  Don't know how I lived without them. Do you ever find a pair of shoes you just fall in love with and wear constantly? I'm not talking about your basic black heel here friends, a shoe that catches your eye that you have to own. What was it? Do you still wear them?

Muse Monday #3

 

It's already Monday? Where do the weekends go? This lovely trinket will get your week started off right. Another weekend, another birthday! I think we've had a birthday celebration every weekend since September and the trend looks to continue right on through October. Today's muse is Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere. I adore, and I mean ADORE, her style. She makes everything look laid back CA cool, but still pulled together. Check out her blog to learn more, she's like a mini Martha Stewart. She cooks, she decorates, she's in fashion... amazing!

Photo courtesy Cupcakes and Cashmere

One other source of inspiration was this room-can't say enough how much I love pinterest and the things I find. I so want to do this to one of my rooms. Once again, great inspiration for my cards. Don't you just love that chandelier. Oh, and the bedding? I swoon!

Photo courtesy Pinterest

Materials:
Paper: Sft White (Papersource), Peacock (PaperSource), Lemon Tart (PTI) Thrift Shop Polka Dot (October Afternoon), Thrift Shop Doily (October Afternoon)
Stamps: Birthday Bash Sentiments (PTI)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Dies: Signature Series Dress Form (PTI), Table Service (PTI), Bigz Top Note (Stampin' Up)
Other: Ribbon (Stella Rose), Pearls (Hero Arts), 

Smurfette

Blouse-Jcrew, Sweater-F21, Skirt-Zara, Shoes and Necklaces-Target,
Bag-Fendi, Bracelets-Target, F21, Watch-Coach, Earrings-Limited

I'm rockin' the midi skirt for fall and am loving the length. At first I thought it might make me look dowdy, but the more I've played around with it, the more I like it. It feels very lady like. The sheer peach sweater was a last minute addition when I looked in the mirror and realized I looked like a smurf. Smurfette to be exact. Fashion disaster averted. 

Ally McBeal

Blazer, Skirt, Tights-JCrew, Blouse, Belt-Target, Boots-Aldo, Necklaces-EmersonMade,
Earrings, Bracelets-F21, Watch-Coach

I'm channeling Ally McBeal in this skirt today. If worn at my waist like it's supposed to be, it would be 2-3 inches shorter. That, my friends, would border on inappropriate for work. But, in Ally McBeal world, this is a maxi skirt. Too bad I don't live in that world. Then again, come to think of it,  I don't know that I would want to. Having to always worry if I'm showing off something I shouldn't be in a meeting is not an effective nor productive use of my time. I'll leave that to TV land.