Sunny

Tshirt-Target, Cardigan-JCrew, Jeans-7for all mankind, Trench-Banana Republic, Shoes-Vince Camuto, Scarf-Gap, Belt-Target, Necklace-The Limited, Earrings-F21,Watch-Coach, Bag-Target 

Well friends, I leave for Maui today! The blog will be quiet for the next 8 days (unless I can get my ipad app to work the way I want with pictures!). I'm sure I packed WAY to much- all I really need is a few swim suits and a maxi dress or two.  I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll be back before you know it. Aloha.

Borrowing from the boys

Tank-Target, Sweater-Target, Shirt-JCrew, Blazer-local boutique, Pants-JCrew, Shoes-DV by Dolce Vita, Ring-Silpada, Earrings-F21, Necklaces-Target, F21

I'm on count down to my trip to Maui. It's been hard to focus today. Tomorrow I'm only working until noon and then the packing festivities begin. I'm so in need of just lounging around with my girlfriends and enjoying the sunshine. These cold, rainy days are starting to get to me!

Admin Day

Today is Administrative Assistants day. I know I couldn't live without mine. She keeps us in line and on top of everything. To show our appreciation for all she does, I've made her a thank you card and we're getting her flowers. She does so much for us, I want to make sure she knows we appreciate her. Do you have an admin you can't do without?

Materials:
Paper: Soft White (Papersource), Gold (La Creme mat stack by DCWV)
Stamps: Think Big #3 (Papertrey Ink), Flower Fancy (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Lilac Posies (Memento)
Other: Pearl Brads (Recollections)

Invested in

Cami-Target, Dress-BCBG, Vest-Jovovich-Hawk for Target, Boots-Aldo, Necklace-Target,
Bracelets-Gifts and Limited, Watch-Coach

 I was digging in the back of my closet the other day and stumbled upon this dress. I bought it in San Fran a few years back for a girlfriend's birthday party and that was the last time I wore it. Since it wasn't getting any play time in my closet, I decided that I needed to find a way to make it more versatile. The vest did the trick and made it feel more appropriate to wear to work. I love when I can find things like this in my closet and repurpose them!

Easter Dress

Dress-Tucker for Target, Leggings-INC, Vest-JCrew, Shoes-Target, Necklaces-Target, Sunnies-Chloe,
Bracelets-Gifts, Limited, Watch-Coach

We took my parents to brunch on Sunday for Easter. We started this tradition two years ago when we decided for just the four of us, it didn't make sense to make a huge meal with such production. The weather was divine and couldn't have made for a better day. As you can tell, we need more days like this so I can get the yard in shape again. This winter has been BRUTAL. Hope you had a good holiday. Now back to the grind at work. I'm counting down the days until I leave for Maui -t minus 3.5 days!

Recovery

My mom had rotator cuff surgery last week and is now on the mend. I've stopped down to see her a few times already and let me tell you... she's bound and determined to get back to her routines ASAP. This is good because it will make the recovery go that much quicker. It's all about your attitude. To help her along in the process, I made her this card. Butterflies have a special meaning to us and I know she'll just love this take on them. Recover fast mom!

Materials:
Paper: Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink), Pool (Paper Source), Paperbag (Paper Source)
Stamps: Modern Basics (Papertrey Ink), Simple Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Timber Brown (StazON), Sea Breeze (Versa Magic), White Gel Pen (American Crafts)
Pearls: Stampin' Up

Spring Blooms

Tank-Target, Top-Anthropologie, Sweater-Target, Pants-Express, Shoes-Bandolino, Necklace-Target, Bracelets-Gifts, Watch-Coach, Earrings-Target

 I don't think we're ever going to see Spring. The forecast is calling for snow this week-IT'S MID APRIL PEOPLE! Usually by now the weather is much more tolerable. To offset my grumpy mood with the weather, I'm enforcing brights and florals into my daily dress. Once I get past March, I have a hard time wearing anything that reminds me of winter. I pack away all my tights, boots and heavy sweaters. Now it looks like I might have to pull some of them back out. Not. Happy. I'm going to dress in denial and keep telling myself Maui is one week away. Oh, didn't I mention that I'll be gone for 8 days as I relax in Maui with my two BFFs. Can't wait. It's a girls getaway and I'm planning to do a lot of nothing. I'll get my Spring one way or another.

Crazy for Navy

I might have a slight obsession with navy. I've never really been a fan of the color, preferring black or grey. Then BAM, out of nowhere I seem to have more navy than I know what to do with. All my purchases at JCrew last week were navy and I bought these super cute Superga sneakers (in navy!) from Zappos today. I'm patiently waiting my purple gingham ones from Gilt (photos to come soon). 

My realization to this new obsession hit me this weekend when I made a navy card for my friend's 30th birthday party.  I love navy and olive together (obviously, did you see my post yesterday?) and it seemed most appropriate for a guy's card.

Materials:

Paper: Night of Navy (Stampin' Up), Ripe Avocado(Papertrey Ink), Pacific Vineyard (Papertrey Ink)

Stamps:Birthday Bash Sentiments, Fillable Frames #8 (Both Papertrey Ink)

Dies: Fillable Frames #8, Mat Stack #4 (both Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Night Sky (Versa Magic)

Ribbon: JoAnn's

Make it Monday {Papertrey Ink}

It's been a while since I participated in a "Make it Monday" Challenge. After watching this week's video on Nichole's blog about using their dies as embossers, I knew this technique would be perfect for my girlfriend's birthday card. I had started a card for her three different times and just couldn't get the creative juices flowing. I knew I wanted to use the dress form in some way. I originally started with that being the item embossed, but after a few not so great tries, I got the idea to use the fillable frames #10 die as a mirror for the dress form. I'm super excited about the end result and will be using this technique a lot more. Kris- Happy Belated Birthday... I'll be packing this with me to Maui and you'll get it then!

Materials:
Paper: Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink), Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink), Destination Paradise Printed papers (Me & my big ideas paper pad)
Stamps: Signature Series Dress form (Papertrey Ink), Fillable Frames #10 (Papertrey Ink)
Die: Fillable Frames #10 (Papertrey Ink), Dress form (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Orchid (Colorbox) Versa Mark
Embroidery Thread
Jewels: Micheals

Closet Overhaul

Tank-Target, Cardigan-JCrew, Vest-JCrew, Jeans-7for all mankind, Belt-Limited, Earrings-Target,
Necklaces-Target, Bracelets-Gift, F21, Ring-BCBG, Purse-Fendi, Shoes-BCBG

Saturday was spent with a new client. We went through her closet, cleaned out all her old stuff and put together about 20+ outfits with what was left. I took pictures for her to reference when pulling together outfits and then made her a list of the items she should be on the lookout for. I love going through other's closets and showing them the possibilities they have. It's like giving them a whole new wardrobe. Next up we'll be shopping for the items on the list and she's going to be looking amazing!

On my way home from her house, I stopped at an out of the way Target and found the two necklaces I'm wearing on clearance. They were a steal to begin with, but then layer in my discount and the additional 5% off for using a Target card and it was almost like they paid me to get them!! Looks like I need to venture outside the city limits once in a while to get my hands on the stuff that doesn't sell in suburbia.  

Cheap Sailor

Blouse-JCrew, Sweater-JCrew, Jeans-Vintage Levi's, Shoes-Seychelles, Purse-Arza, Necklace-Local, Earrings-F21

 I've gushed in the past of my adoration for JCrew, it's a sickness for me. Have I mentioned I keep every month's catalog in a file? I leaf through them frequently for inspiration. Their styling is spot on with a cool mix of prep and trend. I've been a fan of them since I was in High School, and that was a LONG time ago friends! The other night I became giddy when I walked into my local JCrew and found all clearance items were an additional 30% off- that's like getting it for free. I found this sweater for a whopping $13.99 (original price was $110!). It's got a great pea coat look to it and I see a lot of wear in the near future.

Monthly Night Out

Cami-Target, Tank-F21, Sweater-Target, Jeans-Paige, Shoes-Seychelles, Purse-Hayden Harnett, Necklace/Earrings-The Limited,  Bracelets-Gift/Local, Watch-Coach

This is the title a few co-worker/friends of mine gave to our monthly get together that we started a year or so ago. Once a month we all commit to going out to dinner and drinks. It started a few years back when I took them out to recognize the great job they had done on a project. We had so much fun that night, we've been doing it ever since. Tonight we hit up Amazing Thailand for dinner. It was great. Not being able to have carbs, I opted for the chicken satay and it was delish. Then we headed over to Cafeteria for drinks and dessert. I had to forgo the dessert, but the red velvet cake looked divine as did the chocolate malt. Maybe a Saturday splurge day! It was a fun night with the gang. Looking forward to the next one.

Bright

Tank-Target, Blouse-Target, Vest-JCrew, Skirt-JCrew, Shoes-Seychelles, Belt-The Limited,
Necklace-Juicy Couture, Watch-Coach, Bracelets-Gifted and local, Earrings-The Limited

With Spring in the air, temps warming up, and daylight lasting longer, it was high time I broke out some color and spiced things up at work. This is my toned down version of color blocking. I originally wanted to wear a bright orange sweater on top, but thought it might a bit bold for my co-workers. Thus, I opted for a light orange gingham blouse. This is by far my favorite spring outfit to date. I can't wait to break out more color. Long live spring!

Scenes from the weekend

Chocolate, Lemon and Raspberry French Macaroons from Patrick's French Bakery

Ukrainian Eggs

As I mentioned earlier, I'm doing a body re-define workshop this month. Sunday to Saturday is protein, veggies and Beans/Lentils - no white carbs (I can eat all the beans and lentils I want though). By the time Saturday comes around, I'm plotting my takedown of all things sugar (basically I should be committed to carbaholics/sugarholics by Saturday night) This weekend was no exception. We started the day off right at the Original Pancake House. I'd never been, so it was quite the experience. Let's just say I walked away so stuffed you could have rolled me outta there. It was delish. I had an egg soufflé omelet with blueberry pancakes and Ramesh had the corned beef hash and a cherry crepe. From there we hit up Patrick's French Bakery to pick up French Macaroons (My Fave!), truffles and a French baguette. After working and playing in the yard with the dogs, I made my way through plenty a chocolate covered sea salt caramel (heaven) and finished the night off with left over Pizza (I froze it so it would last) from last week's adventure at Mozza Mia (Prosciutto, Fig and Gorgonzola Pizza no less). My binge was complete at around 9:30 pm, I could take no more. Sunday rounded out the weekend with a trip to the Ukrainian Egg Event and then the Mall of America (we're crazy like that!) Here's a few shots from the weekend:

T-shirt- H&M, Vest- Gap, Jeans-J Brand, Trench-Burberry, Shoes-Dolce Vita, Necklace-Vintage, Necklace-F21, Necklace-Tiffany&Co

 

Shirt-JCrew, Sweater-Banana Republic, Vest-Gap, Khakis-Jcrew, Shoes-Sperry, Hat-Target, Sunnies-Target, Watch-Coach