Cheers to Independence Day!

July 4, 2012

A result of a very happy time with all of my family this week, results in me practicing my leap jumps to wish you all a very Happy Independence day!…

{Top: F21, Pants: Loft, Clutch: c/o Windsor Store, Shoes: HM}

I hope we always have reason to celebrate what our country was founded on.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday with loved ones!!

True Beauty Files: Lace + Length

July 2, 2012

{Top: Dress Up Boutique (similar here or here), Skirt: Gap (similar), Necklace: c/o LYIF, Belt: H&M (similar), Clutch: DIY, Shoes: Nine West, Watch: Aldo, Bracelet: Etsy}

We went to a wedding in Ohio over the weekend, and this outfit got me through hours of dancing;)

There is nothing better than a wedding to bring you together with friends and family. We had such a fun time, and I am always renewed in my own marriage to see the new love of a bride and groom. Gabe and I always wish we could re-live our wedding day over again.
(Btw, It was getting dark – hence the grainy pics..)

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend! I have some fun posts for you this week:)

P.S. Today is the last day to enter the Casey Wiegand giveaway. Don’t miss out!

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

DIY Neon stripe Mouse Pads

June 28, 2012

{You are Love notecards via Puddleduck Paper Co.}

I lost my mouse pad during the move and have been wanting to buy one. Since I had a stack of leather samples, I decided to just trim them up to make my own. I have loved all the neon dipped and striped pieces out right now, so I made a few versions. These are so simple to make, and the mouse runs so smoothly over these:)

Supplies:

Leather pieces

Paint pens (in stores and online at Hobby Lobby)

Washi or masking tape

Instructions:

Cut a strip of the edge of your leather sample piece and corner the tips.

Add masking tape in whatever pattern you choose.

Use your paint pens to fill in the spaces.

Let dry. (Add another coat or two if needed!)

Hope this comes in handy for some of you. I feel as if my yellow- stripe-adidas-resembling mouse pad makes my work happy work;) The pink stripe was Clare Vivier inspired. Her line is superb.

Cheers!

P.S. Spots are filling up fast for July sponsorship. You can check current stats here, and email me for rates if you would like to advertise your blog or business! 🙂

21 Dates of Summer: Dance Lessons + Front Porch Coffee

June 27, 2012

Dancing is one of my passions. It runs in my blood. When my sisters and I get together, there is always a dance party involved. Lucky for me, Gabe loves to dance too. I knew Gabe was planning a birthday surprise, but when he told me it was Rhumba dance lessons, I almost cried I was so excited. We have talked about taking dance lessons together since we got married! When I dance, I just move with the beat. Following formal instructions is a whole different experience…

(Blurry dance action;)

After the lesson you get to go do the “dance party” afterwards and dance the night away with good music and other couples, who I am pretty convinced must live there to be so good at dancing;)

Gabe played the trump card with this one. It will be one of my favorite birthday memories for years.

(someone crashed our date!)

This date happens often in the summer, and doesn’t require a babysitter. We just get up early, head out to our front porch, have iced coffees and talk about life. Probably one of my favorite dates to do.

So blessed to have this guy as my spouse in this life.

He makes this world pretty wonderful.

Keep sending us date ideas. We are taking notes! x

Art Print or Ad space Giveaway with Casey Wiegand

June 26, 2012

You may or may not know of this beautiful mama of soon to be three.

If you are familiar, she most likely is one of your favorite daily reads.

If you don’t know her, its time you met! Inspiration comes out of the seams of this girl’s blog.

What I love most about Casey Wiegand is that she passionately shares what she loves in a successful and beautiful way. For instance, have you seen her art shop??

I am so thrilled to host this giveaway today for you IHOD readers.

Casey is giving away any art piece of choice to the lucky winner OR a large ad space on her blog.

We can’t wait to pick a winner. Easy entries for all through rafflecopter below! Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

True Beauty Files: Stripes + Gingham

June 25, 2012

{Stripes: Banana Republic, Gingham: Banana Republic (similar), Denim: Gap, Shoes: Target, Necklace: Ebay, Watch Aldo, Bracelets: Loren Hope, Etsy}

These are the type of prints I love to wear in the summer. A little gingham here…a little stripes there…and always a good dose of yellow. I will be re-mixing these numbers often!
What are your summer frequents?

Had quite a fun-tastic birthday thanks to Gabe. He never ceases to amaze me. (Will share more on Wednesday:)

P.S. Now you know something new about me. I have to wear glasses when I drive, watch movies, or work behind the computer!

The True Beauty Files:

A lookbook for the modern modeste.

~ Audrey Hepburn

Shop Feature: Parc Boutique + Noble House for Bauble Bar

June 22, 2012

You know I love to let you all in on new boutiques on the block…

I just discovered Parc Boutique. An online boutique with store located in Minneapolis.

Check out their amazing pieces here.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Bauble Bar is one of my top shops for statement necklaces. They recently launched a pop-up shop feat. Noble House Designs, which I kind of died over. Noble House has been a long time favorite etsy shop, so this collaboration is hot news folks!

Hope you all have a beautiful June weekend!

P.S. You can follow some of the weekends birthday surprises on instagram🙂