The Bright Side

Multi-tasking, dressing while testing tripod setting!

Top: Target, Skirt: Loft, Shoes: Nine West, Watch: Michele, Jewelry: Stella & Dot, Bag: Big Buddah

                                
Exhausted! Late presentation last night, new client appt. this morning, screaming toddlers, fighting older childern, and my laptop power cord broke and my laptop is completely dead. Not to mention work projects due and no way to access my files. GREAT! I know, enough complaining...find the light, which is I have work, and a healthy family and more. I just don't like to dissapoint, when I say something will be done, I get it done. When stuff happens and I get behind, I get stressed. Urg! So today, my favorite part of the day was my outfit, which did a good job of helping me see the bright side!

Shades of Gray

Top: Trinity (Hattie's Branches), Leggings: Ella Moss, Shoes: Seychelles, Necklace: Stella & Dot

Truth: once again I didn't iron, so this top is not supposed to look this wrinkled. A bit sad that I did not visit the vintage clothing and garage sale downtown today. But be proud of me for sticking to my budget cuts! I knew if I went the temptation would be far to much. What a sweet surprise to get a call from my friend telling me she bought me a present while she was there! :) Oh and another happy note, I got a call from a friend in Tampa who is handling publicity for Fashion's Night Out Tampa, and she wants Courtney and I to come and cover the event! We went to NYC for Fashion's Night Out last year, and as Courtney is preggo and I am on budget cuts...this year couldn't happen. So what a nice surprise to have the opportunity to celebrate FNO anyway by covering a more local event! I can't WAIT!!! So even on budget cuts....gray skies are going to clear up! Have a GREAT weekend!

The Breaking and Entering, High Speed Getaway!

Personality Amplified!

Photos by my wonderful business partner! Dress: Calvin Klein, Jewelry: Stella & Dot
Sunnies: Tom Ford, Shoes: Adrienne Vittadini

Trying to explain how I have muscle spasms in my face when someone is taking my picture.
Why does it make me so nervous? 

Did the title get your attention? That's what I was hoping for. The first picture listed would be the suspect. My little 2 1/2 year old K. Yesterday while attempting to get caught up on some housework, I heard the slam of my office desk drawer followed by the Mickey Mouse car fleeing away at high speeds across the tile floor. I followed my little K in his room and asked, "What do you have in there?", and he of coarse responds with, "Nothing!", (shaking his head adamantly). I then proceed to remove him from the seat of his car, open the lid, and find inside: my sharp sissors, a measuring tape, a 2" puncher, and clear duct tape on a roll with a razor sharp cutting edge. What in the world??? The kid will get into ANYTHING and if it is extra dangerous....it motivates him more. Anyway just a peak inside of the life of a working mom. I found light in this article which speaks to the fact that we should all just accept we can't be perfect or "supermom" and we won't be depressed! Cheers!

A Bit of Bohemian!

Shirt: Banana, Skirt: Kenneth Cole, Shoes: Seychelles, Jewelry: Banana and Stella & Dot

So this is my version of bohemian! This skirt is older than dirt. Bought it at Marshalls and just can't part with it. It has been too small at times, and too big also...but it has always survived the cut. I am happy to report that it is just a tad big right now, as I have been running all of my summer eating off over the past couple of weeks. My clothes were feeling a bit snug...I'm not gonna to lie to you! I am on severe budget cuts right now, so I really need to make sure I shed this unwanted summer addition of the poundage. Budget cuts...once again. When will we learn to adopt this at all times??? It is so hard in a world where every day we are overwhelmed with things we want to do, want to buy, or even want to make! URGGG! It's time to let God do his thing, and give me strength and disipline when it comes to swiping the debit card! I could use some prayers! :)

Celebrate Good Times....Come On!

BFFs Ha Ha!

Not quite sure what we were doing here..Ha!

One of my beautiful besties!

Best cake I have made so far! Yellow cake with marshmallow fudge icing! YUM!

Hi Mr. A in the middle! Ha!

What a FUN weekend! Hub's birthday celebration! Dinner with friends Friday and a party Saturday night...ending with a family birthday party yesterday! Whew! 3 Birthday parties in a row...somebody is loved! :) I love spending time with friends, there is nothing better, and when you add in dinner and dancing....well then, that's just icing on top!

The Evolution of an Outfit

T-Shirt: Loft, Skirt: Ivy & Me-a Lakeland boutique, Shoes: Tory Burch, Jewelry: Mixed bag, Sunnies: Kenneth Cole. I have to say, although Tory Burch revas are mighty cute...they take some breaking in! These are JUST now bearable to wear! Maybe the way to buy them is second hand???

As I stood in the closet this morning I thought about the evolution of an outfit. You are standing in your closet trying to find the perfect outfit....since you have a blog of coarse, and what do you choose first? Top? Bottom? Accessories? I realized I have no format. Today, I picked this skirt because I haven't worn it in a while. I love the white T with it because you can jazz it up with some necklaces and out the door you go! So what's your routine? I would love to hear any fun strategies for wardrobe planning! Usually, mine begins with anything that does NOT need ironing! :)

Missoni Madness

Missoni Madness by cathykhayes on Polyvore.com

BOOM: The Complete Missoni for Target Lookbook, All 400+ Pieces -...
racked.com

Missoni for Target Full Collection [Pictures] Photo 33
fashionologie.com

Missoni for Target bike
fashionologie.com

Missoni for Target rain boots
fashionologie.com

Sneak Peek: Missoni for Target - Fashion | Popbee
popbee.com

NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Image:Target logo.svg
rosettathurman.com

Sneak Peek: Missoni for Target - Fashion | Popbee
popbee.com

Something Sweet

Top: Kohls, Shorts: Banana, Bag: Big Buddah, Hat: Vans
Earrings: Penelope's Vero Beach, Flip Flops: J. Crew

It never fails, usually mid-day, I crave something sweet. Chocolate to be specific. For some reason the craving can't be satisfied with fruit, trust me I have tried. So I buy these little chocolates and I wait until naptime because I swear my toddlers can hear the crinkle of a candy wrapper opening from a mile away. So I am going to enjoy it now....what is your favorite sweet?

It's A Process

Top & Shorts: Banana Republic, Shoes: Target, Bag: Kate Spade,
 Jewelry: Stella & Dot, Watch: Michael Kors

It's a process, doing what we should instead of what we want. I think we all fail in this at times. I know I do. Searching for some balance in my life, last week I prayed and prayed and felt God telling me to resign from a women's volunteer organization in my town. I am way involved, and never say no....so this was very difficult for me. I even went to my first meeting and left sweating thinking about the responsibility of the VP position they were placing me in. So, I woke early last Thrusday morning and typed the email resignation even though I was still secretly worried to, "let go".  The problem is I want to do everything, and I just can't. My family suffers for it and then no one is happy. So this time I just did it, I quit. That may not seem like a very big thing, but it was for me. I could feel the weight being lifted off of my chest as soon as I hit send. So I am hoping that this small step in the process, will be a HUGE blessing for my family! I don't know what I will have to give up next, but trust I will be blogging about it! :)

It's a Party!

The welcome walk

Thanks to Keira from a pretty penny blog and her flower shop-Lasater Flowers!
I picked up these fresh market flowers and made the arrangements!

Thanks Martha Stewart for your tissue paper pom pom tutorial! Saved me some $$ 

Found these on Pinterest and my mom and I made them!

Cake by Sweet Cakes! YUM and fabulous! Invites: Forever Your Prints, Etsy

Tables for the royal fest!

The beauty bar!

The princess and one of her BFFs

So adorable!

Jumpin' and Slidin'

My baby girl is 4!!!! WOW! Thanks to great blogs and pinterest pinning, I had so much inspiration for this party! What girl doesn't want to play princess?? Especially big girls like me! I had so much fun with this and I was able to put it together with a LOT of time, and keep costs under control too! A mix of DIY and Dollar Tree finds made perfect decorations and goodies! My good friend Keira with a pretty penny blog, helped me with the fresh flowers that I arranged in plastic vases for the tables. Her flower shop Lasater Flowers in Winter Haven, FL is SO adorable! Hostess with the Mostess blog gave me the most inspiration, featuring a precious princess party! So sad to take the decorations down! I love them! :) Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend! XXOO