True Beauty Files : Lace and Leather

September 17, 2012

{Utility vest: ON (out of stock but similar here), Lace tunic: c/o PB&J Boutique, Leather leggings: Nordstrom, Shoes: Zara (similar), Tote: H&M, Bracelet stack: c/o Angel Wings Accessory, Necklace: BMB}

I am almost whispering to you that I am indeed wearing leather leggings.

Going out of my comfort zone yet again and sharing with the general public. I may regret this later…. However, surprisingly comfortable and versatile, these leggings will most likely make a reappearance.

Style Word: May I just get this off my chest….leggings are not pants, hence they must be styled with caution! Raise your hand if you have seen leggings styled with a short shirt. Unfortunate, right? It just reveals TMI if you know what I mean. I feel so much better now that I have been able to share my distress over this matter;) Long tunics like this lace one, or an oversized sweater are great balance of length to pair them with, as well as a good pair of boots:)

Seen any fashion faux pas lately?? Do tell.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Love, Anna

The True Beauty Files

A lookbook for the modern modeste.

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”

~ Audrey Hepburn

NYC Store fronts, You’ve Got Mail, and Fun Links

September 14, 2012

I had little to no time to shop while in NYC (probably a good thing), but I did get an hour to run in and out some of the fun shops in SoHo:)

If you have a huge open closet, this might be a fun solution for scarves:)

Loved the details in the Madewell NYC store. I would have raided it of all its delightful treasures but then I remembered…oh wait, I can’t even afford one of their socks. Okay I might be slightly exaggerating but still…

Kate Spade always without fail has the coolest store fronts.

I sometimes dream about being store front stylist in another life…

Whats that job you like to tease up in your dreams?

Oh and then I got to visit this little cafe…you know the one in You’ve Got Mail? (Only one of my favorite movies ever.) I died a happy death in that moment, as quotes ran through my head…

“She has to be! She haaaassss too!!!!”

“Pride and Prejudice….I bet you just love that book. I bet you read it every year. I bet you just love that Mr. Darcy and your sentimental heart must beat wildly at the thought that he and whats her name are going to end up together?”

“If I really knew you I know what I would find, instead of a brain a cash register, instead of a heart, a bottom line.”

“Is this a rose? No this is a crimson rose. Something you read about in a book no doubt.”

“You’re nothing but a suit.”

Okay I could go on but I will spare you…

Funl links for your weekend:

I will never look at folding chairs the same after this makeover.

Matine launched their fall collection. Don’t even get me started..

Is quilting among your skill sets? Amazingly sweet project for NICU babies.

DIY Leather Tassel Bag Charm. (L.O.V.E.)

Head over heels for Nina Garcia’s line for Bauble Bar. Affordable staples.

Rue Magazine 2nd anniversary issue.

Matchbook mag also dropped another fantastic issue.

Happy September weekend!

Love, Anna

Personal Branding – DIY Business Cards

September 13, 2012

Nothing like a blog conference to light a fire under your tail!

My business cards were in need of re-branding so the IFB Conference became my self-imposed deadline to get on it! I wanted something that would not only reflect IHOD but also deliver a mini party and reason to smile:)

I was so excited when Tiny Prints was willing to collaborate on my scheme. I was able to upload my own design through their custom business card option. The quality of paper turned out superb. Its a textured thick card stock with clean cutting.

I used watercolors and markers to create the colored circles on the front, added tape on the back, and then filled the mini envelopes with stickers and confetti.

Business Cards – Tiny Prints

Neon Hearts – Paper & Present

Washi Tape – Banana Splits Boutique

Cellophane Envelopes – In the Clear

Confetti – made from tissue paper

I have a whole pinterest board dedicated to package and brand ideas. Have you seen any favorites lately? I love seeing others unique ideas:)

Happy Thursday! Love, Anna

P.S. I have been thinking about adding disqus in the comments section so its easier to respond to you all. Thoughts? Is it easier for you to comment in disqus or are you indifferent?

New York, New York Part II : IFB Conference

September 12, 2012

*You can catch part I of New York here, and what I wore here.

It would be impossible to cram all of the highlights of the IFB Conference in one post, so I hope you enjoy the few that I am sharing today:) Blogging is a funny thing. Its a world that is hard to explain to your neighbor, your friends, and even your family. It has its own lingo, its own fashion trends, and effects your own lifestyle. This was a day geared for bloggers to encourage, inspire, and gather our blogger worlds under one roof. I actually don’t consider myself a fashion blogger.

These girls had some really cool stories to share and practical advice (which I find most helpful).

I have to mention some of the entrepreneurs I had the pleasure of meeting throughout the day who turned out to be completely genuine, authentic, and sweet as ever. You only hope bloggers and creatives you love are as wonderful in person as you imagine. Well good news friends…. these women totally are: Jennine Jacob, Katie Rodgers, Katie Armour, Bri Emery, Kendi Sheen, Cori Robinson, Jessie Artigue, Amy Anderson, Mackenzie Horan, Hilary Rushford…to name a few!

Creative genius Bri Emery was as down to earth and personal as they come. She obviously has a gift to inspire others, hence why her brain child Blogshop (crash course for photoshop) is taking the blogosphere by storm! If you haven’t had the chance to check it out, you can see their current tour here. Good news for Atlanta friends…she is heading our way!

Side note – It really struck me that Bare Escentuals founder Leslie Blodgett came out to be with all of the attendees and just hang out. She was such a breath of fresh air. That alone, made me want to be a loyal customer for life.

In between panel talks, you could browse and interact with fun-tastic booths such as Mailchimp‘s photobooth and DIY tee station, Creative manis with Julep Nails, and Foundation matching at Bare Escentuals bar. Such a fun set up!

And of course, what’s a Fashion Blogger’s Conference without highlighting some winners?…

(Fashion bloggers who know how to throw a mean top knot:

Alex McLean, Candace Belle, Amanda Weiss, Amy Anderson)

I couldn’t help but spot some seriously awesome stripes courtesy of Hilary Rushford and blogger who didn’t have a biz card! (Let me know if you recognize:))

I left the day feeling very blessed to connect with so many rockstars.

So thankful to Gabe for pushing me to go, and who took the day off of work to stay with the babes – what would I do without that boy? Hope you all get the chance to attend one day!

Love, Anna

We Remember

September 11, 2012

We pause our regular scheduled programming to remember, reflect, and pray..

(photo via Rebecca Joy Beach on instagram who planted a flag memorial in her NJ city)

9/11 – We will always remember.

Through the eyes of my children I see hope for the future, and through a loving God, I know He will never abandon this nation, even when it seems like he is no longer wanted and cared for, or when we face the darkest of days. My prayer with my children this morning as we lit a candle after Mass, was that we can always be a living light and walking truth to carry forth what this great nation was founded on, and to carry on the courage and love of neighbor which many of our unsung heroes fought and fell for that day.

How are you remembering?

21 Dates of Summer: Date 15 & 16

September 5, 2012

We didn’t quite make our 21 dates goal by Labor Day but we might be able to pull it off by the official end of summer on Sept. 21st. We will see!

One of my favorite dates so far was this one….

This poor guy ended up on a stretcher…

Fried oreos… as amazing as they sound.

Some of the best bull riders in the nation were at this rodeo. I had a heart attack at least 17 times watching all of these guys nearly get clobbered by a wild horse or bull. Thoroughly entertaining and frightening at the same time! Gabe loved every bit of it. Menfolk..;)

Most of our date photos together come out blurry but they still capture the memory right?

Our friends generously offered their box seats for a bunch of us to watch a local baseball game. It wouldn’t have been a complete summer without a baseball game, right? We cheated on this date and brought the kids;) We wanted Gabriel to see a game! A great way to end the summer.

Only 5 dates left in the series. A reminder that you will be able to link up your summer dates at the finale post! Have a great day ahead. Love, Anna

DIY Studded Heel Backs

September 4, 2012

I am heading to NYC this afternoon for IFB Conference, and these heels are in my suitcase! I need to jazz up these nude pumps just for a temporary NY feel. What is great about this DIY is that you can easily remove these when you are over the studded look….

Pick up a pack or two of sticky back studs and you have yourself a new pair of shoes. No need to spend the $$$ for a new pair – just shop your closet!

You can peel and place these studs (got mine in the scrapbook section at Hobby Lobby) by hand, or use a pliers – whichever comes easier for you.

My nude pumps are from Jessica Simpson Collection. (Similar here or here)

There are some great versions out there for DIY studded heels. Leave a link if you have one:)

Here are a few versions I have seen:

Along Abbey Road

The Mandarine Girl