The Essential White Blouse

 One of my FAVORITE pieces is a gorgeous white blouse...

I have always loved that simple look of jeans and a white blouse, but find that I don't pull it out very often!

So...when I happened to find the PERFECT white blouse at Nordstrom a few months back...

I SNAPPED it up!

The other day, I threw it over a nude bra and paired it with black shorts and my favorite worn in gold wedges and LOVE LOVE LOVED it!

{my hubby loved it too...which always cancels out the "is that new" question!)

Now...I am obsessed with the ease of throwing on a blouse with anything!

These are a few looks I am digging hard!...

 How fab are these heels!

DIG the belt!!!!!

All pics via www.pinterest.com

 

We will always remember...

Our plans usually include a big family trip Up North every year on Memorial weekend...

which is beyond FANTASTIC...

We put in the dock...swim...cook...eat...drink...kayak...play in the sand...fish...read books...talk...play games...sit on the dock and sip coffee...look out for Loons...breathe in the fresh air...and just basically enjoy each other...

But...this year we are staying home...

which is pretty fantastic too!

Swimming still (but, in a pool this time!!) 

I NEVER mind that!

Still eating food...sipping cocktails...and enjoying each other...

Happy Memorial Everyone...

Thank you to each and every one of you that helped keep us safe and free...

God Bless our Country...



Office looks...

I am very lucky to work at a fun, hip, & creative office that encourages individuality...

{there are more like this needed...}

So...we are able to express our personalility through our style

{clothes...hair...makeup...etc...}

yay!

Lately, I have been getting soooo darn bored with my outfits...so I am in search of inspiration...

Here are a couple looks I am really digging right now...

I think they are all so fun!

Casual...yet, elegant in their own way...and TOTALLY my style!

Now...just need to put these together on a working mom's budget!!!!

images via: http://mixandmatchyouruniquestyle.tumblr.com/post/10520647433/girlofthesun-milan-fashion-week-ermanno, www.pinterest.com,  http://www.9to5chic.com/

Photos Galore!...

There is something so personal and fun about COVERING a space with photos...

whether it be all around a mirror in the bedroom...

or on a big board in the family room...

I just have always been drawn to it...

But, will they get flicked all over when we are rushing to get our lunches out the door in the morning before school?!

or...will the dog brush up against it and knock half of them down...?

I don't know...but, I think I really might try this out!!!

Anyone have photos covering crazy places?

a thank you to my husband...

i love you craig...

thank you for being there when I need you the most...

Yardwork...

Hubby and I are gearing up for some MAJOR yard work this weekend!

Trimming hedges and bushes...

Filling planters...

Pulling weeds...

New sand for Ethan's sandbox...

Picking up a couple ferns for my deck...

and dreaming about all the other wonderful things I would like to do to my house...

{like this AWESOME painted deck}
& p.s. someone remind me to wear a caftan at my next party please!
too great!

but, can't...because...

a)  I am definitely not this talented (even on my best day)
b)  I don't have enough money!

But...it will look pretty and will make me so happy to sit down at the end of the day...

watch E playing softball with his Dad...

grilling some food & sipping a cold drink...

and thanking God for what I DO have...

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dreaming of Summer Evenings...

Popsicles and Prosecco...

Here's to Summer Evenings...

Images: via Pinterest

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day...



Some of my favorite sayings for my little guy...

My husband was out of town golfing this past weekend and so I told my son

(who is 6)

that he was the man of the house and I needed him to be brave and helpful this weekend for his mama...

&

he was AMAZING!

Every day that little boy just makes my heart explode with love...

I couldn't be luckier than to have my little E in my life...

you make my Mother's Day...

I love you with all my heart.

Hope you all had a wonderful day with your "little miracles"!

Moscow Mule Mugs...

How fabulous are these mugs!

It makes me think of sipping hot coffee out on the dock...looking out at the morning calm on the lake at our family cabin up north...

or handing these out to the kids after a day of sledding...filled with hot cocoa and marshmallows...

They are 100% copper and supposed to retain their temperature...not burning or freezing (if sipping a cold cocktail ;) your hands...

LOVE THESE!

What's your new find?...

Farmhouse Table...

 

I am OVER THE MOON excited for my new Farmhouse Table!

I stumbled across this beauty while searching for chairs for my dining room and VOILA! 

A DREAM TABLE!

We have a hand-me-down...not so great dining table that my mother in law lent us...

which is SO NICE of her to let us have until we get our own...

but, it is no where near my style...

and no wonder I go through chairs like water...

the whole "vibe" that I have been looking for is forever thrown off by the not so perfect table...

Now, Restoration Hardware, Layla Grace, and Pottery Barn have BEAUTIFUL farmhouse, rustic versions for oh...$2000 - $4000or so...

But,

I don't have $4000!

This is a HANDMADE...quality...table by an Amish company about 2 hours from us! They refinish, paint, or distress it any way you want!

This particular one they happen to be asking $650!!!!!!!!!!

for a 7 FT TABLE!!  and (2) 1 foot LEAFS!

I about fell over!

They are also splitting the bench set for me because I only want (1) bench...

I love love love the look of a rustic table...my chandelier above...bench seating on one side...with two faux fur throws placed haphazardly on the seat...and two chairs on the other side...

(yet to decide on Steel Tolix or Victoria Ghost Chairs)...

and anchored off at the end caps by my Craigslist Queen Anne Armchairs slipcovered in Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic White Denim! 

{Love these looks below...}

HOLY MOTHER...am I excited!

We have to drive 2 hours there and 2 hours back...

but, lucky for me...

I have the BEST HUSBAND IN THE WORLD who will use his Saturday to make his wife happy...

(did I mention that I am the luckiest woman ever???)

...I might add that he is going on a golf trip for 4 days with his buddies and not coming home until Mother's Day afternoon...(hmmm.hmmmm...)!

and I don't care a bit because he ROCKS!

Yay!