girlymama

let's all plan my sister's wedding together! this will be fun!

So yesterday I emailed my sister after being on vacation for a whole week and asked what she needed help with for the wedding planning. She wrote back and said "Palettes!! Help!!"  So, being the helpful big sister that I am, I spent a few happy hours pouring through pictures of flowers and cakes and dresses looking for color ideas to inspire her.

Its a rough job, but someone had to step up to the plate. I am also available for cake testing. I am an excellent cake eater tester.

Is there such a thing as "Bridesmaid-zilla?"

ANYWAY, craziness aside, I came up with a LOT of possible palettes, but here are my three favorites (you will have to click on these to get the full effect):
 
 
 
Its an evening wedding in the summer. (If you are a woman, you know how vitally important that detail is. If you are a man, you probably have stopped reading by now.)

What color palette do you like best?

paying $24.95 for a box of air and other evidence i'm losing my mind

Last week, I finally took Colin to my favorite kids' shoe store to buy him some shoes. Now that he's walking 90% of the time, he really needs at least one pair of shoes.

Now it is quite challenging to buy shoes for Colin. One can not just run over to the local Target and pick up some adorable sneakers for $9.99. Colin has, let us be frank, the fattest feet ever. His feet are so thick that normal shoes do not fit him. You may think I am joking. But the other day, I tried to put a pair of Crocs on his feet and his feet WERE TOO FAT. FOR CROCS. I know. Its ridiculous.

You now see what I am working with and why I am at the pricey shoe store.

So I picked up these adorable Nike sandals, that are actually nice water shoes, that are very adjustable to the chunkiness of his little feet, for a mere $24.95. A absolute bargain compared to the first pair of sandals she showed me. For $60. And the second pair that was $40.  For toddler shoes. Whatever. I also found a cute pair of Robeez on clearance for $10 that I picked up, since we can also squeeze his feet into those due to the stretchy leather and elastic design.

ANYWAY, all this to say... I can't find the shoes. I CANNOT FIND HIS BRAND NEW NIKE SHOES.

I know we brought them home, because he wore them the first day. I remember seeing them on my dresser. I remember thinking I should pack them for vacation. But when we got to the vacation house, they were nowhere to be found. And I've searched our house and I still can't find them.

I'm fearful that they fell victim to Colin's new favorite activity, "Throwing Things in the Trash Can." I dearly hope not.

Seriously, you guys. I think I'm losing my mind. I can't even find a picture of them online, leading me to ponder whether these shoes were just a figment of my imagination. No, I have the box still! I KNOW they were here!!

WHERE ARE THESE STINKING SHOES?

inspiration - 6.28

Come near to God and he will come near to you.

James 4:8

life's a beach

 
 

can't we just live on vacation?

We're having a great time in an absolutely GORGEOUS house. We've been to the beach every day, eaten ice cream every day and have taken naps. Every day. And tomorrow, Husband and I are going out on a date to eat loads of seafood.
Now, THAT'S a vacation, in my humble opinion.
I'm trying to convince my husband that we should  buy one of these gorgeous houses and retire here someday. Hekeeps reminding me that we are not independently wealthy. Whatever.

We don't have internet here, so I'm not sure I'll be able to post pictures, but I will soon! Promise!!

Must go to the beach now. Its a rough job, but somebody's got to do it ;-)

the most insulting thing she could think of...

Gracie: (very angry, fists clenched) "Ellie, you... you.... you... BOY!!!"

Ellie: "I'm not a boy. You're a boy. You're a BIGGER boy."

Gracie: "MOM!!! Ellie's mean! She called me a boy!"

Ellie: "She called me a boy first!"

Gracie: "She called me a boy two times!"

inspiration - 6.21

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

be a recessionista: part two

If you remember, last week I had the opportunity to take part in a chat with style expert and TV personality Sam Saboura hosted by Clorox 2 called "How to Be a Recessionista: Style Tips for the Season."

My next buring questions to Sam Saboura were:
So I just bought a maxi dress, thinking I was being trendy, but now I'm hearing that the maxidress is the equilivant of the mom jean! Really?
Maxidresses can be very stylish and very versitle. They can be dressed up or down easily. Throw it on over your bathing suit or pair it with sandals and a bold necklace or layer on a jean jacket.
The most important advice he has regarding the maxi dress is to work that neckline! Halters are flattering on most body types. This is the one I bought from Target, in my attempt to be trendy, which is very cute and very affordable ($20):
 
Avoid this style at all costs, which is flattering on almost no one. Even models:
 

Have any suggestions for finding workout clothes that are still cute enough to wear in public?

Sam had a lot of suggestions! Champion's line at Target and Beyond Yoga are two of his favorites. I personally love Old Navy's yoga line and Athleta. I'm always looking for workout clothes that I can wear to the grocery store without being embarrassed. But, I confess to practically living in yoga pants. (I KNOW! Shame!)
Sam says comfortable is a dirty word!!! Remember, even when you're wearing something comfy like workout clothes or a maxi dress or your fav jeans and a white tshirt, you can always be stylish -- add a scarf to a tshirt and jeans or a cool necklace to a tanktop and skirt. Don't use "being comfortable" as an excuse give up your style!

Here's my attempt to style up my usual tshirt and jeans:
Scarf from Forever 21, $5
Non-Black tshirt from Gap, $8

What do you think?
What is your favorite way to add a touch of style to your everyday outfits?

a break from the craziest day

We're leaving for vacation soon and my husband's ENTIRE FAMILY is arriving today. To stay at our house. (Did I mention our house was for sale?)

ANYWAY, I have not much to say beyond that today. But I wanted to share that my Husband won photo contest! I KNOW! Many of the amazing pictures posted on this blog are actually ones that he has taken. This is the winning photo: Enjoy!
 
(Oh, he was sooo little! SOB!)

wordless wednesday: yummy summer!