Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Summer Lovin’ 2012

IMG_20120710_203535Last summer I shared with you folks what all the happenings were in my little neck of the woods. You can see that post here if you wish. This is my second summer in our first home and although summer is still in its early stages I thought I’d give you a look-see into my present life during these sun shiny days.
 
IMG_20120710_203636I purchased these sweet little porcelain garden markers from Chapters at 50% off (score!). This summer I’ve mostly stuck with herbs like mint and lavender but I’m hoping to learn some mad gardening skills and by next summer be able to grow everything you see labelled above. As a vegan lady it’s exciting to think one day I can cut way back on grocery shopping and just eat from my backyard the food I’ve put my hard working hands into. Or fail miserably with a bunch of dead plants…. who knows! :)
   IMG_20120709_215017A big part of my summer lovin’ consists of buying sweet sweet local berries. I’ve been gulping down fruit smoothies in the morning as opposed to my regular steaming hot coffee since I feel like sweaty moose is not a great look for me-unless I’m kicking butt at the gym. Smoothies are such a satisfying way to fill your tummy up sans the guilt and sneak in all the yucky health powders and stuff people like to consume. I add maca powder, chia seeds and a B12 powder to mine for an extra nutrition boost. See more about those products here.
 
20120709_195837 My galfriend gave me this hearty white ikea planter and every summer I put it by my front door to brighten up our entrance and give you a burst of flowery scent when you come and go. This year I filled it with some sunny begonias and other bright blooms. It feels extra jolly to come home to some peppy flowers.
 
IMG_20120709_213847I have to admit summer is not my favorite of all the seasons. I rather enjoy the crisp chill of a brisk Autumn day but when my pink roses come into bloom I forget all about the sweltering heat and feel downright jubilant. I can be a majorly prissy girl I know, but there’s just something so gosh dang pretty about roses growing in your yard. On that note here’s one of my favorite cheesy “think positive” quotes:
Instead of complaining about the thorns on the rose bush, be grateful that the thorn bush has roses.
 
20120709_195904These are my sweet “Welcome to our Home” flowers in my front door basket. Yes, more pink! I loves me some pink. I can’t remember the name of these little cuties but they are small flowering buds that stay fairly compact and are super easy to maintain. I know this because I tend to inadvertently kill most plants but these guys are hanging tough (while being adorbs!)
  
IMG_20120710_204624I’ve also been doing something I’m very good at: evoking my inner consumer. I went on a bit of a shopping spree with my lady friend and bought some spiffy new stuff. I found this daffodil scarf for $15 at Chapters and it’s one of those fantastically gigantic ones you can do all sorts of different things with (good thing you pinned “600+ ways to tie scarves” on Pinterest last week!) The tangerine ring is from H&M and only set me back $7. I have a serious “big funky rings” addiction. The lipstick is from Sephora (a store that could empty my bank account in one visit if I’m not on high alert) in a really sweet shade of, you guessed it,  PINK. My skin is paler than a scoop of vanilla ice cream (I have a little chat about that fact here) so I can’t pull of the fun coral colors that you tanner beauties can or I’ll look like a clown. A soft pink is always my go-to color, this one is called Lovable. And lastly I picked up this adorable little book Baby Cakes from my local library for some sweet vegan treat ideas to make for weekend get togethers with my chums. It’s a pretty awesome little book, I recommend checking it out.

My other little shopping spree consisted of something a touch more extravagant. Recently my iPhone decided it was done being alive and just checked out. No good-bye letter, no forwarding address, just a cold hard black screen of hatred. I felt like I was missing a leg for the three or so days I had no phone. What did people do before cell phones? How do you leave the house without a phone? What if I was out and saw something mildly interesting or funny? How would I instantly tell everyone I know about it?!……. Anarchy!
So I walked into Best Buy all confident that I wouldn’t get swept up into any fancy sales footwork and walked out of Best Buy with Samsung’s brand new Galaxy S3, a nifty case and the extended protection plan. That sales person was smooooth! (I also found out I was his first sale, so maybe I just lack smoothness?) What I found silly was that I am so unhip and non-trendy that I had no clue this was the new “gotta have it” cell phone. I didn’t even look at the display model before I bought it; the salesmen just said this was the phone to get and I blindly agreed. What can I say? I was delirious from not being able to read tweets on-the-go. I would have bought a phone made of asbestos and the tears children if it had a data plan and a decent camera. Addictions are no joke people!
Anywho, after using my new phone in public and being constantly asked by excited strangers about it, I realized I fell head first into the latest trend. I suddenly felt like putting on my sunglasses and strutting my stuff. 
 
IMG_20120709_214744 At any given time in my life, a portion will consist of animal loving because I am one of those psycho: “Don’t swat at the flies!” “My cats are my children!” “What’s the harm in the racoons eating the leftovers out of the trash can? It’s not like we need them!” kind of person. My Ma is currently fostering four little black kittens. This cute little man above is named Luigi and is available for adoption to a good home.
Now for cuteness x4:

IMG_20120709_215224 A hug full of sunshine is what this is. These four little tykes are all up for grabs to a home brimming with love. (IF you can pry them from my arms!)

IMG_20120709_214549 And speaking of tykes. This is my little guy Henri who I’m always happy to be welcomed home by. Don’t be fooled by his sophisticated stance, this guy is a handful and a half. Curiosity with total disregard for safety and/or home furnishings is the definition of Henri.

20120707_162719 Last but not least, what would summer be without spending time with your friends? My fella and I share in quality time with our friends and our godson whenever the opportunity presents itself and can you blame us? Look at that face. Not the virile hairy one with the deep brown eyes; that’s my guy:) I’m talking about the bald little goof-troop who is pleased as punch sitting in his big buddy’s lap!

baby Of course not nearly as pleased as when he’s sitting in Auntie’s lap! The boy has good taste.
  
So how is you Summer coming along so far? Any exciting plans or just relaxing in the sunshine with some delicious ice tea?
   
 
  
(Photos property of Reckless Bliss with the exception of #8)

Thursday, February 23, 2012

“Downton Abbey” Style

da2I have recently discovered the decadent PBS series Downton Abbey. The show is rich with storylines revolving around the Grantham clan and the numerous other people in their lives, but that’s only half the reason to watch. The Edwardian era of style is back in full swing with the interior design, architecture, and fashions. Every scene is filled with breathtaking views whether inside the castle or on the grounds. The show is filmed in Hampshire at Highclere Castle, which sits upon 1,000 acres. However, the kitchen and quarters to the servants are filmed in London on a soundstage due to the fact that the Highclere has since updated those rooms. Below are some shots of the grandeur style of the Castle and the elegant fashions of Downton’s early 20th century.
 image  Highclere Castle was built by architect Sir Charles Barry in 1842. Barry also built the House of Parliament (aka. Palace of Westminster).

image 
da3
da2   
image   
da1 
image 
image 
image 
image   
da5 
da   
image 
image   
image 
da6 
da 
image 
da4  
image 
da3  
image 
da5 
image 
image 
What are your thoughts on the luxurious style? Too much or too fabulous? Do you watch the show or have at least heard about it?
I highly recommend it!

 
(Photos are courtesy of Google Images, PBS.org and Imdb.com)

Thursday, June 2, 2011

This Pure Girl Moment Brought To You By Kate Spade

kate spade I love  Kate Spade designs for the simplistic style and use of colors. Of course it isn’t taken seriously as a realistic wardrobe option for a cheapo like myself but it’s always fun to look at “haute couture” from the top designers. The average person can’t typically see themselves wearing such frou-frou clothes from most over-the-top designers but with Kate Spade you get both the designer name and ease of wear. Another thing I love about Kate Spade is there is a huge array of items to chose from so you don’t have to limit your favorite designer to just your clothes or shoes. You can also find jewelery, accessories, beauty, home decor, baby items and stationary all under the same place. These are a few collections of  colorful items that have me swooning for summer time from the Kate Spade website: 

Jewelery:
image image
Date night Ring $55 / Sea Glass Triple Strand Short Necklace $228
image image
Fiorella May Lever-Back Earrings $68 / Stand Tall Idiom Bangle $88
 
Handbags:
imageimage
Laurel Valley Small Karen $325 / Fan Court Stevie $295
imageimage
Chrystie Street Large Anisha $445 / Grand Street Gabriel $475

Clothing:
image image
Ikat Caroline Dress $325 / Primerose Top $225
image image
Kati Beaded Cardigan $295 / Terrazzo Aubrey Wrap Dress $375

Shoes:
image image
Fawna $285 / Melania $250
image image
Charmer $325 / Elena $198

Accessories:
image image
Aimee $178 / Live Colorfully Gift Set $30
image image
Camelia Avenue Posey Vase $25 / Shady Side Dipped Scarf $95

 
What do you think? Are you loving some Kate Spade or do you have a different fave? Share your thoughts, I love reading them!
 
*Photo credit KateSpade.com*