FNO and the "Magic Dress" by Julie Brown

The DJs at Bergdorfs thought it was awesome that the magic dress coordinated with their outfits! 

The magic dress got us through this NYPD officer and right under the red velvet rope!

The magic dress was allowed to sit in the DJ booth at Michael Kors!

The email back from Julie Brown herself! So sweet!!! 

While shopping online, I came across this dress by designer Julie Brown. From the minute I added it to my shopping cart, I knew it was special. Little did I know, this dress would be just plain magical amongst hundreds of thousands of people in New York City attending Fashion's Night Out. I kid you not when I say that nearly everyone I passed gave me some sweet compliment, or asked me who the dress was by. Halfway through the evening, my girlfriends lovingly named it the "magic dress" as we were escorted through velvet ropes, and to the front of long lines. I had several people tell me I should email a picture to Julie and tell her the story of the dress. I did that, and what do you know....she emailed me back, I was so excited!!! This is my first Julie Brown dress, but you can bet it won't be my last! We had a wonderful stay in New York City, and I can't wait to share the rest of my photos with you.....but I had to start with the story of the magic dress!

Priority List For NY Fashion Week & Fashion's Night Out

It's not every day that a Lakeland girl gets to travel with her girlfriends to NYC during fashion week. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to go, and for that I am so grateful. It took some web surfing to find the right discounts, and eBay selling to raise some extra funds, but I did it! We will be on our way Thursday morning to kick it off in style by attending one of the biggest, most celebrated nights in fashion, Fashion's Night Out!

The Challenge: Choose from our top priority lists of what to do on a night were we want to be in 100 places at the same time! And do, eat, see, shop, everything else that is on our list in 4 days. 

Here is my wishlist (in no particular order) of priority stops while visiting one of my favorite places on earth: 

Visit my cousin Milo in Chelsea! :) 

Visit our friend Merris at Flying Television

Laugh, talk, and explore with two of my dearest friends! 

Everything on this list from Refinery29

Fufill a childhood dream of seeing Cyndi Lauper LIVE at Manolo Blahnik. 

Hear Solange Knowles in the DJ booth at DVF meatpacking district!

Meet Michael Kors and do karaoke with him at his boutique.

Meet Michelle Smith at Milly, and win the Pinterest contest #worldofmilly. See my board here!

Watch Cirque de Soleil's window and street performances at Henri Bendel. 

Preview the fall line at The Shops at Target. 

Head to Brooklyn to Antoinette. 

Artists and Fleas Fashion Week Flea Market inside Chelsea Market

Magnolia Bakery Fashion Cupcakes

Visit Piperlime's very first store on Wooster!!! 

Eat at the Spotted Pig. 

Enjoy the afternoon Fashion Tea at the Mandarin Oriental overlooking Central Park.

Greenflea Flea Market

Stalk Lincoln Center for designers and celebrities.

Have a cocktail at the Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar.

Brunch at Mercer Kitchen in Soho.

I know there is so much more, but I have to go to bed! Wish me luck, and I will keep you posted on my accomplishments! You can always follow me on twitter @cathykhayes if you can't wait until I get back...haha! 

Mad Men...and Women!

Dress: Milly, (Gift from hubs last year)

It's been crazy lately. Getting the kids back into school and trying to get used to our new routine has been bananas! Last night we were able to get out of routine and into character at the Imperial Symphony Orchestra's Music & Martinis! I was so thrilled they chose a Mad Men theme! One of my close friends is now the Executive Director and she called on me to work some PR magic! I had fun running the Facebook campaign and working with the local media to promote the event. My reward? An evening playing dress up with my husband, friends, and girlfriends! A GREAT night indeed! Why did we stop dressing up? I mean wouldn't it be more fun if we always dressed up like they did?? I thinks so!

Snake Pants-Oh My!

Feeling funky on my back to work day Monday, I sported these snake skin jeans by Current Elliott (a clearance steal of coarse!) My first pair of print jeans, and I am in love! I hope you all are having a great mid week! XO

Back to Work Hair Cut

Hair: Jen, Liquid Hair

So sorry for my absence of posts lately. The good news is the summer is coming to an end, and my regular schedule will return. I have many pictures to share from Palm Beach, and will do so as soon as I drop 4 children off at school next week!  I decided I needed a back to work hair cut since the kids were all getting back to school cuts! I am really excited about a change. If you have short hair, you understand just how boring it can become. I think I am going to like this one! :) Have a GREAT rest of the week!!

My 5 Year Old Mermaid

All files and printables came from Simply Sweet Parties! Kerry is GREAT to work with! 

This was the boys' table

The "merman" hid treasures in the yard for the kids to find! 

Jello sharks!

Mom carved a watermelon whale! 

Yummy ocean punch: 1 bottle blue Hawaiian Punch, 1 bottle white grape juice,   2 liter of sprite,
1 1/2 gallon of pineapple sherbet

The birthday mermaid

For preschool graduation my daughter had to tell us what she wanted to be when she grew up. Her answer: a mermaid. No question what the party theme would be this year! I LOVE parties! I love planning, cooking, preparing, decorating, hosting.....I love it all. Pinterest has made party planning even more exciting for me with loads of cool ideas and DIYs. Kennedy hand picked shells at the beach and we made shell necklaces as a giveaway, I made the cupcakes and a new icing which is now my favorite! The best part was that she loved every minute of it, and her friends had an absolute blast!!!

Back to School Shoe Shopping

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Famous Footwear for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As I always say, "shoe love is true love!" What better place to fall in love with shoes than Famous Footwear? I have found so many of my beloved pair while browsing hundreds of styles at this shoe superstore! The employees are helpful and so friendly, and I love their promotions! Right now they are running a 15% off PLUS BOGO (Buy One, Get One Half Off). 

Every little bit saved helps our family of six, our two toddlers are growing out of everything!! We also have a 11 year old and 17 year old, so you can only imagine how many pairs of shoes that we go through! Famous Footwear makes it easy for us to keep shoes on their feet without breaking the bank. This BOGO promotion also gives us the opportunity to buy an extra pair for a needy child that wouldn't have a new pair of shoes the first day back to school. 

My favorite selections for school kids are they Nike Lunar Forever collection, Sperry Top-Siders, and Keds...a classic! 

You can click this link for your coupon to redeem in store between 8/2-8/18. Make the most of this promotion by putting shoes on your family, or helping a needy family. BOGO + 15% off Famous Footwear Coupon

While you are in the store, make sure to sign up for the FREE Rewards Program! The benefits are great, and come in handy when the kids have worn out their soles! :) You can earn 1 point for every $1 you spend in-store or online, your points accumulated can earn you up to $100 a year!!! You will also receive a discount offer just for signing up, and you will receive other special discounts and perks throughout the year as well! 

 

 

Simply Stated

Top: Banana Republic. Shorts: Loft, Flops: J. Crew, Bag: Coach

Tank tops, shorts, and flip flops have become my go to uniform this summer! I love adding a bright colored bag to dress up this simple little look. What are your favorite ways to jazz up shorts and a tank?

Fun Finds

Neon skinny belt: Target

Snagged these at Target as well!

I am really learning to enjoy the little things, (this coming from a girl that used to max out her credit cards over and over again). Today's little nuggets of joy are this great neon yellow belt I scored on sale at Target, and these super cute band-aids I picked up there as well. How fun? It's amazing what thrills me these days! :) 

Enough

Top & Pants: J. Crew, Shoes: Seychelles, Bag: Kate Spade

Recently, I have been thinking about going back to work full time in the corporate world. But, God is telling me otherwise, and I still struggle not to challenge Him.

My oldest son will be starting his senior year, our 11 year old is starting middle school, our 5 year old will be starting kindergarten, and finally our 3 year old will be in pre-school. What was I thinking? 

Honestly, I think I wanted to run from it all. The responsibility of being a stay at home mom, the full time duty of playing peacemaker, chef, activities coordinator, personal shopper, stylist, and snack lady. Going back to work full time would be a break for me. I know this sounds ungrateful, but I am just being real. Some days it is all I can do to keep my cool. I LOVE my kids, but days like today make me want to break down and sob. (Matter of fact, I just did.)

Dealing with accidents, injuries, fights, messes, animals, etc is not at all glamourous. But God gave me four children, and they must come first. I tell myself I can do it all, but maybe I can't. I have to accept the fact that the kids are my priority, and lean on Him to give me the strength to keep it together, even when I want to run. That is just going to have to be enough!

St. Augustine Part Deux

Top: Akiko, Shorts: Loft, Bag: Big Buddah at m. marie boutique, Flops: J. Crew, Sunnies: Tom Ford

With my son at Burrito Works Taco Shop, (His idea of Heaven)

Dessert! 

I had pineapple cilantro, the girls had strawberry lemonade

Beach day 

Touring the Castillo De San Marcos

Fountain of Youth Tour

Red Train tour! Best way to see and learn about the city! So great! 

We had so much fun in St. Augustine that we decided to go back the following weekend! Well really, my husband had another trade show. We took all four of the kiddos and had a blast!! We enjoyed the beach, awesome tours, and way too much good food. I have a triathlon this Saturday, so this week is going to be green smoothie detox for me! :)

Honestly, I don't remember the last time we had this much fun all together. Now, there certainly were moments of pure insanity, (brought on mostly by the toddlers),  but I think my 17 year old even had a good time! He even helped my husband out with his booth at the show one day while I took the little ones to a movie. I am so thankful for these trips together, and I hope they will cherish these memories forever.....I know I will! :)

Put a Bird on it!

Dress: Judith March, Hatties Branches 2011

Watch: Michele, Shoes: Kenneth Cole

I can't help but think of this Portlandia clip when I wear this dress, watch it for a laugh!! We are headed back to St. Augustine, my husband is working another trade show.  I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! <3

Put a Little Ranch on it!

Seriously, is there a better condiment? I mean I could put ranch dressing on anything! I was so super excited to find this easy recipe, making it much healthier! So here is what you will need:

1 cup Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup fat free or low fat milk
1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix

Put it all in a mason jar and shake it up! Refrigerate for one hour and then enjoy. I'm thinking cheese fries, chicken nuggets, raw veggies, salads.....bring it! :)

Celebrating 9 Years!

Tales from the ladies room! (My Anniversary dress)

Spent a relaxing day at Serenata Beach Club-AMAZING

Toured and ate our way through town! :) 

Amazing yummy suprises! 

St. Augustine was the perfect location to celebrate an anniversary! What a delightfully romantic town with great food, beautiful beaches, and sightseeing. A few of our favorites for food were the Raintree, Saltwater Cowboys, Serenata Beach Club, and La Pentola. We stayed at the Renaissance Marriott, where the service was top notch! Such a friendly staff, they were so sweet to us on our special day!

It was such a blessing to have this time away, I know we needed it. Trying to keep a marriage thriving and children under control has been quite the task for us lately. It is hard work! A weekend away with no distractions was just what the doctor ordered! Now...back to the real world starting with some morning work followed by a play date! Ready...set...go!!!

She Thrifts Again!

Top: Banana Republic, Skirt: Kenzie, Goodwill! Bag: Vintage, Flops: J. Crew

Yet another great thrifting find. What a treat! This skirt was $3.00 at Goodwill so I went ahead and stole it! :)