Cool Enough for Tights!

Dress: Marshalls, Belt: J. Crew, Blazer: Loft, Watch: Michele, Booties: Seychelles

This morning it was cool enough for tights. Apparently I wasn't cool enough to iron. I didn't realize just how wrinkled I was until I downloaded the pictures! HA welcome to motherhood!

Cyber Monday Restraint

Dress and cardigan: Target: Belt: J. Crew, Shoes, Seychelles, Watch: Michele

Bag: Michael Kors

The email inbox is full today of tempting Cyber Monday sales: free shipping, 50% off, etc. I did what I am sure many are guilty of- which is fill up my shopping cart just to see the total and what a great deal I would be getting, but I couldn't complete purchase. Each year that has gone by has gotten harder and harder for us. We are very blessed, don't get me wrong, but in years past...there have been bonuses that have taken care of Christmas, whatever silly spending we did during the year, and more. Now we have no bonus, a 16 y/o that needs car insurance, toddlers who are growing out of everything, and a grocery bill that won't quit! Even though this all can seem so overwhelming- I think that the best part is that I have finally realized that it is all just stuff. I like stuff....but I CAN live without stuff! So since I didn't participate in Cyber Monday, let me live vicariously through you today....what did you buy? :)

Thankful

Love the cheeses!! 

My Dad

I ate ALL of it! Yes!

The final masterpiece, I was really proud. (Usually I get it wrong on the first try) 

So much to be thankful for. On Wednesday we met Carl, an elderly disabled Veteran who doesn't get out much at all. We delivered a meal to him via the service provided by Viste. You should have seen his face light up when he saw my four children file out of the Suburban. He loved visiting with us and made it a point to invite us back several times. I wondered when the last time was that he had a visitor. Other than his only son, he has no family in the area. I am so thankful that we could make him smile. On Thursday, I started the day on a long run with one of my special friends, smelling turkeys smoking throughout the neighborhoods we ran through. I am so thankful for my health, my friends, and the food that was on our table. The table setting was smaller this year, we were missing my Pap and my Grana-but I am so thankful for memories of them, and the faces I still saw across the table. I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving....I myself, am feeling very blessed!

Get Your Bake ON!

My Grandmother's vintage apron

Pecan-Pumpkin Cheesecake, will have a praline topping...YUM

My famous corn casserole

I love the smell of Thanksgiving in my house right now. My mom is hosting, so I am bringing sides and dessert. On the list: lima bean casserole, green beans, corn casserole, rolls with homemade cranberry-lemon butter, and pecan-pumkin cheesecake with a praline topping. The plan is to do prep work today and bake the rest tomorrow. This afternoon we will go out and deliver meals for VISTE which we do every year. This year I think they have around 1200 meals to deliver. I was recently asked to serve on their board, and I couldn't say no. They provide such an AMAZING service to our community. So what are you cooking and what are your plans for tomorrow? Enjoy! XXOO

Give Thanks

Give Thanks by cathykhayes featuring leather shoes

Zara print shirt
30 AUD - jeanswest.com.au

Burberry Prorsum pink trench coat
€4.995 - montaignemarket.com

Hudson Jeans hudson skinny jeans
$350 - stylebop.com

Dorothy Perkins leather shoes
£25 - dorothyperkins.com

Zara bowler handbag
$129 - zara.com

Anton Heunis drop earrings
£95 - flannelsfashion.com

Chunky bangle
€21 - shopfriiscompany.com

Oliver Peoples square sunglasses
$360 - boutique1.com

Oasis silk shawl
$25 - oasis-stores.com

NARS Nail Polish -Kismet
$17 - barneys.com

Pressed Flowers - Greetings of Grace
$1.39 - greetingsofgrace.com

Let's Catch Up!

Top: J. Crew, Skirt: Banana, Boots: Steve Madden, Jewelry: Random

This was mile 7 and I was still smiling! Didn't start to hurt until mile 9

My "little" friend Trish! We have run 2 1/2 marathons together!

I love Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for, starting with the pictures from the top all the way to the bottom. My littles had their Thanksgiving program last week, and my husband and I were there along with my mom and dad. It was so cute to watch them perform their songs. Healthy children are something that I never want to take for granted, even though being home with them all week long will surely have me pulling my hair out! :) Sunday was the Women's Half Marathon! I finished in 2:08:55. My PR is 2:04, but I wasn't complaining, I was really proud of myself. I actually shaved almost 8 minutes off of the last 1/2 marathon I ran in March. It is inspiring to see all shapes, sizes, and ages of women out there "just doing it"! The kids and hubs came along with me and we had a really fun weekend hanging out in St. Pete. Fun parks, GREAT restaurants, and YUMMY gelato. 11 weeks to go until the next 1/2! Have a GREAT week of Thanksgiving!

Giveaway-Classy Sudz Handmade Soaps

Well, I haven't styled anything this week except for my running gear! The Women's Half Marathon is 3 days away-YAY! I thought in the absence of my style showcase, I would offer a giveaway! The winner will receive these three fabulous soaps courtesy of Classy Sudz, another little hobby of mine. These are coconut lime verbena, champagne mimosa, and cranberry-orange. The soaps are all natural glycerin soaps, non-comedogenic, and have the best lather EVER! All you have to do to enter is follow my blog, post a comment, and like Classy Sudz on facebook! I will announce the winner next week on Tuesday the 22nd! Good luck!

Weekend in Review!

JUST love this!

Lemonade infused beignet! HEAVEN! 

SO many fun goodies! 

Court and her drawer/shopping basket! Haha

Amazing yumminess! 

Dressed in the party colors as requested! Pink, silver and black!

What a full weekend! Friday night we had family night with the kids and Saturday I had a date with one of my "new mommy" friends who needed some fresh air and girl time! We went to the Fancy Flea, a vintage flea market filled with all things FAB! We traveled down to the local farmers market and enjoyed beignets and coffee at the Poor Porker-an ADORABLE traveling food cart visiting all the way from LA. The owners are super cool and I hope they stay a while-I didn't even feel like I was in Lakeland. Saturday afternoon was my daughter's soccer game, and then that evening was my friend and client's birthday "gala". SO fun with yummy food catered by Frescos and of coarse a BEAUTIFUL cake by none other than Sweetcakes. My 1/2 Marathon is ONE WEEK from today-I am super excited! I did my long run on Friday, it went well except for the awful cramp at mile 11...urggg! I am praying this doesn't happen on race day. So now your turn-what did YOU do this weekend?

Sweet Surprises

Dress & Belt: J. Crew, Blazer: Victoria's Secret Catalog, Shoes: Sam Edleman

My nieces and nephew

I love to mix frilly things I would wear in the summer with blazers and belts for fall! What I love even more is seeing surprise pictures of my nieces and nephews posted on my FB wall! My sister lives in France, she and her husband adopted these three from Brazil a couple of years ago...so I haven't even met them yet. Aren't they ADORABLE????? She made sure to point out the little one was sporting the flag! :) They went through years of IVF treatment with no success. But as you can see from the picture above, God had other plans and boy did he come through....well, He always does!