Beauty and The Bar.

Last Sunday, the lady bloggers got together for a little squeezin', shakin' and sweatin', otherwise known as a Bar Method class.

For those of you who know me, you know I am 100% dedicated to this method of working out.  I have been a loyal follower since the Leawood Studio opened about a year ago.  I try to go 3 times a week and I honestly can say it has toned me up faster than any other exercise I've done.  (I could probably be really toned if I ate a little better, but that's a discussion for another day.)  Hoddy led us through an intense workout - Bloggers like to complain it seems! - but it was great and exactly what I needed on that particular day.

While we were there, an Arbonne rep treated us post-workout treats, their Energy Fizz drink and an overview of their skincare line, RE9.  Arbonne is a beauty line made from premium botanical ingredients, formulated in Switzerland (where all the good stuff is made!) and sold through reps here in the States.  I have heard great things about the line and most of the bloggers attending had tried it already and raved.  Anything that will slow the 5 signs of aging in 4 weeks is good with me!

I picked up some samples and so far, I am loving the line!  I caved and ordered their Smoothing Facial Cleanser - I'm a sucker for a good face wash. 

Anyone else use Arbonne?  Who wants to try Bar Method?

You can read about some of the other gals' experience here and here. 

Birthday Time.

Well, it's late-September which can only mean one thing for me - time to start planning The Bug's 5th Birthday!  As you may recall, I turn in to a bit of a nut about his birthday - see his past birthdays here and here. 

He has been obsessed with dinosaurs for about a year now, so it's no surprise that he selected that as his theme this year.  We've had a fun time researching ideas, games, etc.  Here are a few clues into the party...

Orange, Purple and Green.

Paper Fans.



Donuts - The Bug's favorite treat.

Marshmallow Pops.

Dinosaur Tails.

Check back in about a month for a recap!

Weekend Rewind.

Phew!  It was a really great weekend - the weather was gorgeous, we had just enough activities to keep us busy and we managed to spend lots of family time together (a rarity considering my retail hours.)  I might need another just to recover from the fun!

Friday, we hit up the Plaza Art Fair where I was a lucky guest at the Time Warner Cable Media Lounge.  We hung with other KC Bloggers, snacked on delicious treats from Seasons 52 and learned that TWC is now going to carry the NFL Network.  (The Texan was much more excited about this than I was.)  The Plaza was packed and great for people watching, but honestly, it was more fun in the lounge than it was at the fair.  Ahhh, the perks of a VIP...

L to R:  Kat, Michelle, Ellen and Jamie, Lisa, Emily, Megan, yours truly, Erin.

Saturday, we did a little design work / furniture selection for our soon to be redone basement.  It involves a tufted ottoman larger than my child covered in this amaze medallion fabric.  I also managed to sell the coffee table that is currently sitting in the space I plan to place the ottoman - love Craig's List!

Sunday, I got my shake on at Bar Method with the KC Blogger Gals ...Hoddy really put us through a tough session.  So fun to see first timers moan, groan and sweat!  (More on this later in the week.)

How was your weekend?

Blouse Buys.

The one item that I can't seem to get enough of for fall is a blouse.  (It's so grandma of me to use that word!)  A lot of people gravitate towards cozy sweaters and long cardigans, but I really prefer the ease of a top that you can throw on, add some skinny jeans, a great boot and walk out the door. 

Here are a few that are the latest additions to my closet.

Madewell Swingdot Boy Shirt.  It's slightly sheer, slouchy and super comfy.  The sleeves are a camp-shirt style which makes for an easy roll up.  I think this could be dressed up and tucked in to a skirt, but I plan to mostly wear with jeans and boots (and maybe my fur vest if I'm feeling crazy!)

Banana Republic Lindsay Printed Silk Blouse.  I promise this is cuter in person than this picture is showing.  It's more like a tunic and I think the print feels bo-ho.  Super cute with my brown boots.

Old Navy Roll Cuff Blouses.  I'm a sucker for a good white shirt and this one is going to be a fall favorite.  (I had to show the red one since it's so much better when the sleeves are fixed up.)  I have the sleeveless version of this blouse and have already worn it twice this week.  Looking forward to putting this one in to heavy rotation as well.

What are you wearing for fall?

Rhea Lana's. Starts Friday!

Once again, I'm participating in this week's Rhea Lana's event.  This one is sure to be bigger and better, with more consignors participating and an even bigger location.  (Here's my post about last year's event.)

Last year, I had a little help getting myself organized for the event, but this year, I did it solo.  Which meant I combed through every.single.item The Bug has ever worn.  Here's a sneak peak in to some of the items I will be selling at the event.

Mini Boden Monkey Sweater

Patagonia Jacket, Hat and Gloves

Janie & Jack Reindeer Sweater

REI vest and Step 2 Push Car

Of course, he has had lots of great basics over the years - jeans, cords, hoodies, t-shirts, etc. that you can find there as well.  These are just the items that are a little more special.

I had a chance to check out the event space last night and it is loaded up with lots of goodies.  In addition to clothes, there are more toys - big and small (I saw a train table!) than you can imagine, high chairs, cribs, shoes, socks, tights, maternity wear - you name it, they have it.  It really is a great place to get amazing kid stuff at a reasonable price.

Are you planning on attending the event?

SHU at Shelby.

Last week, I attended the launch of the SHU UEMURA line at Shelby Herrick Salon in Fairway.  Shelby is the FIRST Kansas City area salon to offer the full line of this product, so it was a pretty exciting evening.

We started with a little mixing, mingling, sushi and wine and then moved right in to personal styling with 1 of 3 stylists at Shelby Herrick.

I had the chance to work with the Mane Man himself, Shelby, who recommended Yokan Craft for my hair.    It will give me a little bit of hold, but really helped with adding some texture and volume to my hair.  And it works!  With just a few quick touches, Shelby was able to give me that sexy, beachy look.  (I was rocking some amazing hair for a post-event drink with Your Style Scout!)

Shelby and his team also offered up helpful hints throughout the night and suggested that the Satin Design White Tea Polishing Milk is a great primer for all hair types.  Pretty sure I have a sample of this in my generous goodie bag, so I am looking forward to trying it. 

It was a great event.  The salon is beautiful and Shelby and his team are extremely knowledgeable about hair, styling and achieving the look you want with the hair you've been given. 

Thanks to Shelby and his team for such a fun evening!  Check it out.

Anyone else see Shelby or use the SHU line?

Flashback Friday.

About 7 years ago, I was innocently jogging on the treadmill at the gym in Chicago when a guy approached me and asked if I would come to an open call for a commercial.  I had "just the look" they were going for.  I honestly thought it was a lame attempt at a pick-up line.  But I took the card (it was legit) and I did some research (turned out to be legit as well.)

The product?  Dove deodorant.  Recall this was the time that Dove had just launched its "Campaign for Real Beauty" featuring real women in their real underwear.  I wasn't sure I should go to the open casting call for fear of having my semi-nude body plastered all over the streets of Chicago.

But I went.  And as they say, the rest is history:

Please note: I do not speak with an Australian accent in person.  Turns out after the airing of this commercial during Super Bowl 2008, they ran it internationally, which meant they needed to turn their "real" American girls into real Australians, English, New Zealanders, etc.

I thought I had forever lost this video, until a You Tube search proved me wrong. 

And yes, to this day, I still wear Dove Deodorant.

Fall Lip.

Yesterday I swung by my favorite beauty counter and decided on my lip for Fall.

We started with a little pencil in True Red.

Added a glossy pretty in Rose Hope.

And created this amaze look.  (Believe me, it's beyond awkward taking a picture of your lips.)

Even better news is that the Lip Glace that I bought supports Ovarian Cancer.  100% of the funds raised from the sale of this product go to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund, which hopes to raise awareness and fund research and educational efforts that will help diagnose, treat and support women with ovarian cancer.

This is actually a cause that is near and dear to my heart as a friend of ours died from ovarian cancer a little over a year ago.  It was a very sad and difficult time in my life as her death significantly impacted my husband.  Jen was his bestest girlfriend, who he spent much time with post-college traveling the world.  When all of us ended up in Chicago, she was always someone we could count on to try a new restaurant, grab a drink or hit up a street fest.  He is still very close to her husband and sister and not a day goes by that she is not thought about. 

Jen's wedding, 2010.

Anyhoo...I love my new red lip and I love supporting a great cause!  What's on your lips this season?

Book Signing.

Last week, I took The Bug to a book reading and signing at a local church hosted by Rainy Day Books and featuring the beautiful Jamie Lee Curtis.

For those that don't know, Jamie Lee has been writing children's books for about 10 years now and was in Kansas City to celebrate the release of her latest, My Brave Year of Firsts.

We listened to Jamie Lee tell (children-appropriate) stories about her life, go on and on about how beautiful Kansas City is (it really is!) and of course, read her book.

They had several raffle drawings (we did not win) featuring many great retailers - the fun new nail salon, Hoopla; the soon to be re-opened The Little House and of course my favorite local book store, Rainy Day Books.  They even gave away a gift bag to all the kids that included stickers, a cute color wheel crayon and a 20% off coupon for The Little House.

It was a GREAT event and The Bug and I feel very cultured now that we have attended our first book reading together.  It's all about making memories for him. 

Better Late than Never.

I finally found a pair of jean shorts that are acceptable to me.  Since last summer, I have been on the never ending hunt for a good pair.  I was refusing to pay close to $100 for something so simple, so it had been quite a search.

Earlier in the summer, I tried on Anthropologie's Pilcro Stet Roll-Ups and liked them, but still thought they were a little pricey.  I regretted not getting them every time I went to get dressed - everything looks cuter against denim!

What a surprise when I popped in to Anthro last week to find these shorts on sale for $39.95 plus 25% off!  The store didn't have my size, but they happily ordered them for me with free shipping!  The gals at the store recommended going down a size from my normal jean size, but I found that I actually preferred the fit of my normal size.

These will be in regular rotation for what's left of our summer.