Library Time.

As I mentioned, we are converting our front room in to Library and I am so excited that I have finally selected furniture and fabric!  I am going with a blue and brown theme which will tie very nicely in to our Dining Room (currently done in gray, blue and cream) and our Living Room (currently very neutral with creams and browns with a pop of rust.) 

Have purchased two wing chairs that will be covered in this fabric.

A super darling oval tufted ottoman with this fabric.  (Everyone needs a little animal print.)



Recovering our desk chair in this menswear inspired fabric.

Going to do a couple of throw pillows and am debating doing this very fun and feminine toile...or maybe finally getting my very own monogrammed throw pillow.  Decisions, decisions!

All of this will go with a beautiful scrolled desk and a modern black glass door cabinet - can't wait for them to be delivered next week!

I need to select the paint color for the walls this weekend which literally gives me a stomachache, but I'm leaning towards a rich brown - something that matches the medium brown shade of my chair fabric.   I want something dark and cozy.  Off to the paint store!

Local Love 7.

I've always had a thing for musicians.  I went through a phase in college where I dated a drummer, followed the band around to different schools, skipped class and lived the life of a groupie.  (Sorry Mom.)  I continued my obsession in Chicago by making my friends go to divey bars to hear live acts.  I think there was one summer where I heard the Freddie Jones Band play at every street fair in the city.  There is something special about hearing someone pour their heart and soul out on stage.

To say I was obsessed with David Cook during Season 7 of Idol is an understatement.  I loved that he was not exactly what Idol had showcased in the past and I loved his rock vibe.  I totally turned in to one of those "Cougars for Cook" ladies frantically dialing in my vote.  I know I seriously contemplated a trip to the Power & Light when they filmed his hometown visit and I think I screamed and jumped up and down when he won.  (For those of you who don't know, he's from Blue Springs, a suburb of KC.)

He's starting to promote his upcoming album and performed the first single, "The Last Goodbye" on last week's Idol, but it's this cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" that has got me all hot and bothered again.

Insane.  Love a man that work a guitar.  Enjoy!

My Royal Wedding.

All this royal wedding mumbo jumbo has got me thinking about my own wedding almost 6 years ago.  Held here in Kansas City on possibly the hottest day ever I got to marry The Texan and begin our ever after.

No royalty was in attendance and no one was wondering what, or WHO, I was going to wear.  So, for the record, I wore Romona Kaveza and loved it.  In fact, if I were getting married again (not to worry hubs), I'd probably pick the same dress or something very similar. 

At the time I was getting married, most of my friends were wearing Vera Wang.  I love Vera Wang and I loved how my friends looked in her designs, but I knew I wanted something different.  Something simple and with very little adornment.  I wanted to look like I was going to a fabulous party...not a wedding.  

Apparently Ms. Kaveza is having a bit of a moment this year.  While usually known for bridal collections, she re-entered the evening wear market a few years ago and has found success dressing a number of stars at last year's Golden Globes.  At her 2012 bridal show, Entertainment Tonight sent a crew to cover her show and rumor has it Hugh Hefner's young (very young) bride will walk down the aisle later this spring in a Romona Kaveza design. 

Think Kate will wear Kaveza this weekend?  (Doubtful - she's a Canadian designer.) Will you tune in to find out?

Keep it Short.

Oh shorts.  The bane of my summer existence.  However, today during a quick jaunt to Nordstrom, I noticed that there were a lot of cute bermuda style shorts.  Maybe I could make that work? 

Many, many years ago I owned THE BEST pair of bermuda shorts.  They were Sevens, they were alligator green and I LOVED them.  Wore them all summer long.  But then I got married and a had a baby and they no longer fit.  Sigh.

Everyone seems to love the J Brand Houlihan pants (and you know I live in their jeans).  But what about their cargo shorts?  I love a skinny bottom balanced out with a bigger top, so I have lots in my existing wardrobe that would work with these.    They come with a hefty price tag, but if I wear them several times a week.... (I can justify any spending.)

Thoughts?

Image via.

Get Shellac-ed.

Seems a lot of people are jumping on the gel nail bandwagon and I am one of them.  I first heard of gel nails a few months back.   Basically, it's a special gel-like polish that dries almost immediately and last about 14 days. 

Here's how it works:  the nail tech gives you a manicure as usual followed by a base coat.  Your nails dry under a special UV light for 30 seconds to 2 minutes (depending on the brand of polish you choose).  She then follows with 2 coats of polish and a top coat, all drying under the light after each coat.  It takes a little longer (and costs a little more - $22 vs $14 at my salon) but it's really amazing to leave the salon with dry hands and even more amazing to have the manicure last 2 weeks!

I have tried the OPI line of products (called Axxium) and while I LOVE the familiarity of the colors (Bubble Bath, Lincoln Park After Dark, etc.), I don't think this product lasts much longer than a regular manicure.   And if you are paying more, it should last longer!

Enter Shellac (by CND).   Same concept as OPI's Axxium but a superior product IMHO.   I got a manicure last Thursday, April 14, with their "Cream Puff" color and my nails are still going strong.  Granted, there is a bit of nail growout, but the actual polish is still in place and super shiny.  

According to the nail tech I go to, this is the best line of gel nails out there.  Nothing but the best for me!

Have you tried gel nails? 

 

Kimberly McDonald.

I can't get enough of Kimberly McDonald Jewelry.  I first saw her edgy, earthy jewels on my friend over the weekend and immediately wanted to get my grubby little hands on something. 

My gal pal was rockin' something similar to this (Black Geode Pendant with Diamonds) and wore it all weekend with every kind of attire.  This particular friend is especially stylish so I knew if she was wearing it, it was someone to be on the lookout for.  

A little background:  Kimberly is a North Carolina gal currently living in NYC and her entire collection is made with natural and organic materials, like agates and geodes.   Then she pairs them with untreated fine materials like diamonds and raw emeralds.  Low end meets high end - a juxtaposition I love.  Apparently things celebrities love as well because her goods have been spotted on the likes of Amy Adams, Courtney Cox and Rachel Roy.

Here are few more I wouldn't kick out of my jewelry box.

Heart Geode Necklace



Geode Ring with Diamonds


And of course they only cost a few grand, so I'm sure I will be picking up one (or several!) any day now...

Speaking of jewlery, I plan to have a very fun give-away once I hit 50 followers.  So if you are a lurker, please follow me and wait for the fun to begin!  It may have something to do with this.

Images via, via.

Local Love 6.

I love a cheeseburger.  Maybe a little too much.  And when I am craving a burger, I head to B.R.G.R. Kitchen + Bar  in Corinth Square. 

I gotta be honest.  I think the name is a little eh - I don't like names you can't figure out.  Is it "burger"?  Is it "B R G R"?  How the heck do you say it?  In my family, we just say "Burger" and it's synonymous with delicious.

Based on the premise of a classic burger finished with grown up toppings, fresh ingredients and great service.  All wrapped in to a cool space offering up an open kitchen and a stocked bar.  (40+ beer choices!)

The Texan loves the Tex-Az (queso, jalapenos and chips on a corn bun) and I like to mix things up with the Knob Hill (Wisconsin Swiss, grilled onions and Russian dressing) or The Pittsburger (American cheese, hot fries and cole slaw).   Add a few delicious sides (sweet potato fries, onion straws, a wedge salad) and you've got yourself an awesome, albeit calorie laden, meal.

They also have a great kids menu featuring all the standard fare, but it actually looks and tastes delicious.  This joint is approved by The Bug, which makes for a very happy family.

This modern burger joint is gooood.  Have you been?

B.R.G.R. Kitchen + Bar is located at 4038 W. 83rd Street in P.V. 

Images via, via.

Playroom.

As I've written about before, we are in the never-ending process of decorating our house.  I paid a visit to my favorite decorating store last week and I think the empty room on the front of the house currently serving as The Bug's playroom is well on its way to becoming a fabulous female-friendly library.  

Decorating this room prompted The Texan to ask, "Where will all the toys go?"  Hmmmm...well...I don't know.  This sparked an idea.  What if we turned the second guest room upstairs into an official playroom for The Bug?  (It is sitting empty right now.)  I love the idea of consolidating all the kiddie stuff into one space.  And I especially love the idea of a kids library, considering all of his books are currently housed in cloth storage from Target.  Take a look...

Beyond obsessed with this library wall after my BFF posted it on her Pinterest.  I'm not sure I would go all the way to the ceiling with the shelves, but I think it's definitely doable in my space and considering I know a great handyman, think I could get it done on the cheap.

Another library.  Perfect interpretation for a smaller space.  Would look so sweet with a child-sized chair tucked in the corner.

Loving the chalkboard wall clings from Land of Nod hung in multiples.  The Bug loves to play with chalk and this would be an easy way to add an outdoor activity, inside.

Anyone have an official playroom in their house?  Mistake to convert a guest room in to a playspot?

Images via, via.

 

Gaga for Goyard.

Let's discuss the insanity of what is the Goyard Bag. 

For those who aren't familiar, Goyard is a French luggage maker that has been around since the late 1800's.   The chevron patterned totes are made of lacquered cotton and linen, come in a rainbow of colors and cost you an arm and a leg.  (At last check, around $900.)

My love affair with this bag was reinvigorated when I carried it as my travel bag to my weekend trip to Chicago.  (Yes, I own one.  Purchased during the height of my foolishness with money when I thought a tax return entitled me to a "treat.") And for the record, I've had it for almost 10 years, so I'd say the cost per use is in the pennies by now. 

They are one of those bags that you would recognize if you saw it, but isn't so "logo-y" that it's obnoxious and carried by everyone in the world.  I love it because it's roomy, very sturdy and adds a pop of color to my otherwise neutral attire.   They actually make really great baby bags for those of us who aren't into the baby bag thing. 

And really, if Gwynnie carries one (monogrammed, natch) then they should be obsessed over, right?

Images via.

Windy City Rewind.

Phew!  I am worn out from my weekend trip to Chicago.  Who knew that a couple of late nights would completely derail my Monday??  I had a good time catching up with friends, eating (my oh my eating) and of course, shopping!

One of my first shopping stops was at Lululemon.  Many of you know of my love of their workout wear.  We don't have a store here so I knew I needed to take a peek.  And I did have a legitimate mission in mind - my tennis season starts next week.  I needed to pick up a red top so my teammates and I could be perfectly coordinated.  I'm not usually a red kind of gal, but their newest color, Tango Red, is quite vibrant and will look super cute with my white tennis skirt. 

I also wanted to pay a visit to Club Monaco.  Ulgh, miss this place dearly!  Sophisticated, bohemian, urban all rolled in to one very minimalistic space.  I could have gone bananas, but bought nothing.  (I have a fear about not being able to return things if I change my mind and with no CM near me....sigh.)  Here were a few of my faves:

Ilan Trapeze Blazer.  This picture really doesn't do it justice.  Long and sleek, navy blue perfection.  A couple of the gals working had it on - one with culottes and the other with jeans and a tank.  Looked darling on both.   This is just one of those pieces that is very versatile and would get a lot of wear in my closet.

The aforementioned culottes, or in CM speak, the Grace Skort.   The cuteness of a skirt + the practical-ness of shorts.  Love it!  These looked so sweet on the sales gal.  She edged them up with a dark blazer and a long necklace. 

I topped off the weekend with sangria at Cafe 28 and brunch at an old haunt - Wishbone.    (Mmmm, cheese grits.) 

Have you recovered from your weekend yet?

Windy City Weekend.

Hello friends!  I am off to Chicago for the weekend and hope to have a full report of all things fabulous upon my return.  In the meantime I will leave you with these ah-mazing posters from Ork.  Clearly I love the orange!

Think they will ever make a Kansas City version?

Images via.

 

Local Love 5.

I am obsessed with photography.  I think I used to take about 500 pics of The Bug a day, but now that he is a whirling dervish and less interested in being captured on film, I take less.  They usually end up being a blur or of him making a terrible face.  Enter professional photographer, Kevin McBride.   We met through a family friend and I would seriously make him my BFF if he wouldn't find it so odd. 

Last Fall he photographed The Bug's 3rd birthday party and our annual family pictures.  

Welcome to our Home!



Nan, The Bug and Frosty the Pony.

Party on, kids table!

And I am such a fan (psycho) that I referred him to a couple of my girlfriends and THEY used him for their family events as well. 

The gorgeous Lerro family. 

Baby Charlotte not so sure about her cake.

Fabulous Rebecca.

He's a cool dude.  He tries to capture the moment without interfering, prefers using natural light and can get almost every woman I've seen on his film look like ANTM.  (I know you know what this means...)  He also runs his own blog where he shares photos and comments from recent shoots.  This is how I do most of my daily stalking. 

Wonder how much he'd charge to be my own personal paparazzo? 

To contact Kevin, visit or fan him on Facebook.