Gorgeous Giveaway!

Can you believe it?  I've been blogging for three months.  Three whole months of trying to entertain my lovely readers...crazytown. 

So, in order to celebrate, I am doing my very first (and hopefully not last!) giveaway.

Remember back in the day when I shared my Stella & Dot obsession?  (In fact, it was my second post ever.)  Well, I have been saving these beautiful earrings for you!

Stella & Dot Jasmine Filigree Earrings.   I love the versatility of these - easily dressed up but also simple enough to toss on every day.  They are gorgeous in person - lightweight and delicate.  These earrings were a big hit at the Stella & Dot trunk show I hosted a few months back so I know they would be a great addition to your jewelery box. 

Here's how to enter...

1)  Become a PUBLIC follower of my blog, if you aren't already.  (Click on the Google "Follow" button on the right hand side of the blog, underneath the Archives section.)  It looks like this.

2)  Leave a comment letting me know you are a follower or that you became a follower.  Be sure to provide your email address so I can contact you if you win.

3)  For an extra entry, become a Fan of my Facebook page (and let me know you did.)

The giveaway will run through Sunday, June 5 with the winner being announced Monday, June 6. 

This is just my way of saying thanks for reading my ramblings!  It's been very fun blogging for you.

XOXO!

PS - I'm always taking suggestions.  If you have anything you are interested in or looking for, let me know.  I love a good research project (and looking for new obsessions of course!)

Emerson Made.

Emerson Made is KILLING it for me lately.  (We've discussed the blazer love.) I seriously cannot get enough.  And these sunglasses are the straw that broke this shopper's back.

Inspired by the classic big ole shades worn by stylish 60's ladies, these are a perfect year round pair to have.  I don't have a black pair of sunglasses so these.will.be.mine.  The fact that they are officially called "Big Sunnies" is so perfect too. 

And while I am adding to my cart....

The Little Blouse in Tiny Leopard Print.  I love leopard print and I have yet to own a shirt.  (Scarves and shoes yes, no tops.)

Moto Jacket.  I really can't say much else than I want to fully recreate the below outfit and need this jacket in order to do so.

Red Kimchi Pant.  I actually owned a somewhat similar pair of red pants back in the early 2000's.  LOVED them.  Wore them quite a bit to work and out.  I think I could try that look again.  And I prefer something more menswear inspired than all the colored denim making waves these days.

Get ye fingers over to their website.  There are so, so, so many other goodies (necklaces, clutches, etc.) to obsess over.

PS - how adorbs is Emerson?!  That's her in all the pics.

Images via.

Local Love 10.

My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the recent tornadoes all across our country.  But it really hit home earlier this week when the deadliest storm in Missouri history hit just 145 miles south of my home.  So this week, I dedicate my Local Love to the families of Joplin, MO.

Having gone to college in Missouri, I have several friends who are from Joplin, who have families in Joplin.  I have spoken to them and their families and friends are accounted for.  My heart especially aches for those who lost their children or whose children are still unaccounted for.  The loss of a child is unimaginable to me.

The Texan has been especially impacted by our spring storms.  He's a bit over dramatic at times (we actually have a tornado hiding spot in our basement complete with water, flashlights with extra batteries and canned food) and while I make fun of him quite a bit for his preparedness, it will come in handy should a storm strike.  And I say a little prayer every day that it won't.

So today I ask you to help.  Give blood, volunteer your time or donate money.  Just help how you can.  Visit the American Red Cross for more info. 

It's in the bag.

Well, that was a crazy morning.  The Bug and I headed to the mall for some simple indoor fun (playing in the kids area, a ride on the carousel, a browse through the bookstore and a lunch date) and ended up hiding out in the basement of the mall.  Surprisingly, this was not my first time hiding from a tornado in the mall.   Way back in the day I worked at a mall and we'd hide out quite a bit from the Spring storms.

While trapped for 45 minutes, he entertained himself by digging through my bag.  And a post was inspired - "What's in Mommy's Bag?"

As many of you know, I currently carry The Sak's Silverlake Flap bag.  I've had it for a few years now, but it's a great bag - lots of room, keeps your hands free and has held up well. Mine is a great luggage brown color.  (I'm on the hunt for a new bag so let me know if you have any good ones!)

Inside, I keep everything organized with my LV cosmetics case (picked up at a local designer consignment shop) that of course contains my fave lip balm and lip gloss, Bobbi Brown Rose Sugar...

I also have a small pouch that contains coupons, gift cards and business cards.  It's really helped keep my bag free of the small things that were always getting lost or thrown away.

And of course a wallet.  No longer loving my current carry, so I have my eye on something new.  Perhaps this Kate Spade?

Or even better - a monogrammed option from La Plates.  Seriously, the orange is bananas, but I also love classic navy and gold.

Needless to say, The Bug did not find much entertainment in my bag, but at least we were safe!

What's in your bag?

Toddler Tees.

It's pretty rare that I head into Gymboree to shop for The Bug.  I usually find their prints and appliques to be a bit too little boy.  Lots of teddy bears and puppy dogs and "I love my Mommy" stuff going on.  At almost 4 (yikes!), we're a little over that phase.

However, my mom and I ran in the other night when we were having a Ladies Night Out and they had the cutest t-shirts to choose from.  My child has a definite opinion about what he wears and it mostly revolves around what animal or vehicle he is into that week.  He was in luck at Gymboree!

Lots of under the sea creatures...

An orange car.  He actually squealed when I showed him this.  And he's wearing it today.

I also couldn't resist picking up a couple of new pairs of shorts.  While the ones from last summer still fit, he's gotten considerably taller so they a wee bit too short on him right now.  And really, doesn't everyone need a pair of orange shorts?!

And finally, undewear.  Hands down, Gymboree has the best underwear.  It's soft, thick and doesn't fall apart after all the washing they get.  They also make them in an actual 3-year-old size, unlike the Gap who's XS is for 4 year olds. 

And the best part?  (Besides Nan footing some of the bill, of course..), we got out of there for probably $50.  Everything we bought was on sale (not the case online) and then an additional 30% off.  A steal!  And now, we're all set for summer.

Do you shop at Gymboree for your kiddos? 

Wrap it Up.

Some of my favorite accessories are bracelets.  They are easy to pop on and an item that The Bug isn't really interested in playing with.  (He could strangle me with my own necklace if I'd let him.)  I have been rotating my favorite Stella & Dot wrap bracelets for a few months now, but thought it might be time for a colorful update. 

Chan Luu seems to be the perfect bracelet for summer.  She's an FIDM grad that started her line more than 20 years ago (why am I just now discovering??)  Using leather wraps that feature semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls and just plain pretty things, she seems to have invented the wrap bracelet.  I love that they look like you are wearing a million, but with the ease of just one.

All of our favorite hippie chicks have been spotted in her designs including some of my faves - Nicole Richie, Alexa Chung, Ashley Greene.  If I had to pick just one, I'd probably go for the second number I featured - the white wrap with the gold and silver metallic beads.   But then I reserve the right to change my mind. 

To see her all of her combinations, check out the website, where there are literally hundreds of options.  Do you Chan Luu?

Fit to be Dyed.

Seems tie die is all the rage these days.  I keep seeing it pop up on all sorts of items.  Of course I love it as it's that hippie vibe that I like to pretend I can pull off.    And for me, it just screams summer. 

I ran across this super cute tank at Standard Style last week.  It's by Gypsy and I love that it's casual and easy to throw on.

LOVE this skirt option from Anthropologie.  It's one of those skirts that can be dressed up or worn casually.  For me, the more options out of a piece of clothing, the better!

Probably the Queen of all things tie die is Calypso St. Barth.  I'm sure you could find a great knock off in Target's recently launched partnership with them, but for me, there's nothing quite like the real thing. 

 

Girl's (Second) Best Friend.

I like shoes.  I wouldn't say I'm that typical girl that buys tons and tons of shoes though.  I buy a nice pair and wear them to death. 

Recently, I re-discovered my love of my Chie Mihara brown and gold heels.  Tucked away in the dark corners of my closet, I brought them out to wear with a cute navy dress one night.  I bought them YEARS ago at Bloomingdale's in Chicago and have always loved them.  Great heel height, a unique neutral shoe and sooooooooo comfortable.  This pair is the most similar to the one I own...

Last week I popped into Habitat (a local shoe boutique) and discovered that they carry the entire Chie Mihara line. 

Gray, Brown, Red and Silver.  Love the chic color combo. 

Gray, camel, brown and silver.  Clearly, I love the multi-tone. 

Great basic gray shoe.

Metallic gold.  Loving the perforated detail on the top strap. 

So basic, but I love them. 

Chie is a Brazilian born designer whose goal is create shoes that are feminine, fun and truly comfortable.  That really is the best way to describe the pair of shoes I own.  She attended FIT, working first for an orthopedic shoe line (which explains the comfort factor), then moved to on to a stint with a French luxury shoe line before launching her own line 10 years ago. 

In addition to select boutiques, her shoes can also be found at Bergdorfs and Neimans and of course online at Chie Mihara.

It was REALLY hard for me to choose a handful of shoes to feature, so be sure to visit her website to check out the entire collection yourself. 

Have you heard of this line?  Do you own a pair?

Images via.