The True Beauty Files: Stripes + Brights

February 27, 2012

{Striped Tee: H&M (similar), Skirt: Gap (similar), Tote: H&M, Belt: H&M, Necklace: c/o BMB, Bracelets: Handmade by me, Gift}

Style Word: I re-mixed my tangerine accessories from last weeks post:) If a bright pink maxi skirt is too much of a color commitment for you, you can still add some into your look through accessories. For instance a skinny belt, tote, or statement necklace🙂

Up for Discussion:

Your vote for Worst/Best Dressed at the Oscars??

Best: I am not a fan of Gwyneth, but I have to say she got my vote with the stunning Tom Ford dress.

Also loved Octavia Spencer. She was beautiful and I was so happy she came out a winner.

I actually loved Emma Stone’s Dress, but it needed to be a different color….

Worst: Anyone who wore neutral. Come on its the Oscars! But that is coming from a girl her loves her bold colors;)

Although the Academy Awards seem to be the nation’s way of petting the Hollywood bubble, I have always loved seeing what the red carpet has to offer. Did you watch?

*Leave your True Beauty Files outfit post links in the comments section!

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

Style File: Marni for H&M

February 24, 2012

{see the full preview of the line here.}

Here are a few of my favorites from the Marni for H&M line. If only the pricetags were close to normal HM prices…I would be all over these bad boyz.

For those of you without one near by, never fear. H&M goes online Fall 2012! (or so they say…;))

Wishing you all a wonderful February weekend!

P.S. Danielle has a beautiful blog, Take Heart. She asked me to share Gabe and I’s love story. I was honored to be a part of the series. You can read it here.

P.S.S. You have till Monday to enter the Shopkempt 50$ shopping spree giveaway!

DIY: No-Sew Scallop Edge Lace Skirt

February 23, 2012

My lovely sister Jana gave me some lace fabric, and I immediately thought of converting it into a lace skirt. This is one you can layer on top of any color skirt…

Supplies:

Lace fabric – approx. 1 yard

Zipper (found a set here)

Hem Tape

Iron

Skirt you will wear underneath.

Instructions:

1) Fold your fabric in half evenly and lay underneath the skirt you will wear over. Line the tops together.

Cut along the sides leaving a 1/4-1/2 inch on either side. (I did not cut along the left side since it was a fold, and only cut along the top of that side.

2) Using an iron, fold edges over and place hem tape between. Seal edges.

3) Using hem tape, seal the zipper to the edges on the top section of both sides using the iron.

4. Over lap the rest of the sides slightly and seal with hem tape. Also seal the last top section of the right side to fit your waist line accordingly.

5. Depending on your fabric, you should be able to cut along the pattern to create a scallop edge.

(To make it long lasting and durable cut the same way but stitch/sew along the edges!)

{Neon Cardi & Skinny Belt: F21, Striped Tee: HM, Dress Skirt: Banana Republic Necklace: c/o BMB, Rosary Bracelet: Gift from Dad}

I will be pulling this out all spring/summer. Hope this inspires you to make the most of that fabric you have laying around and get creative with it!

And thank you all for continuing to be amazing readers. Love hearing from you. I don’t have very much time to read and visit all my favorite blogs these days due to the babies, and ever growing to-do list, but when I do get the time, I will be visiting!

Birthday Surprises: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

February 22, 2012

{Hydrangeas courtesy of husband}

Birthdays around here are celebrated by getting to have all of your favorite foods for the day.

Gabe’s birthday had to be postponed this year since it was the same day as my grandpa’s funeral🙁 So this weekend I got to baking. Wanted to share one of my favorite desserts with you.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake:

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 stick butter, unsalted, softened
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg

Icing (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.

Using a hand mixer, cream the butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed, about 1 minute.

Add the egg, blend on medium speed for 30 seconds.

Add the dry ingredients and combine on low speed until just a few dry streaks remain.

Add the chocolate chips and hand mix with spatula.

Scrape the batter into a greased and lined 9-inch round cake pan.

Press the batter into a smooth and even layer in the pan. Bake until lightly golden and puffy around the edges (insert knife at center to make sure the middle is done), approx. 20 minutes.

Cool for 10 minutes and then run a knife around the edge of the pan to release the cake.

Cool before turning the cake out of the pan and onto a large plate.

I used a cake deco kit to add icing drops on the top for that birthday cake look and feel.

Slice and eat that bad boy!

Hope you enjoy!

(recipe adapted from this original recipe)

*Kind of ironic I am posting this on the first day of Lent, as Gabe and I are giving up sweets! Sigh…

I {Heart} My Readers Giveaway: 50$ Credit to Shopkempt!

February 21, 2012

I have a weak spot for online boutiques. Shopkempt is no exception. Cute everythings with every click of the mouse. I am so thankful to them for taking part in my February I {Heart} my readers giveaways and generously offering a reader a 50$ credit to spend on the site!!

To Enter (must be a subscriber or follower of IHOD):

1. Visit Shopkempt and let us know how you would spend your credit!

Additional Entries (separate comment for each):

2. Like Shopkempt on Facebook and let them know I sent you!

3. Tweet or Facebook about the giveaway.

example tweet: Just entered the giveaway over @inhonorofdesign for a 50$ shopping spree to @shopkempt! http://inhonorofdesign.blogspot.com

Will draw a winner next monday night! Open to all readers! Best of luck!

Also, the winner of the Rack and Sack Giveaway is #35!! Serendipity Handmade! Congratulations! Will be contacting you with details:)

True Beauty Files: Tone on Tone

February 20, 2012

{Cardi: GAP (gift), Denim: ON, Scarf: c/o Three Bird Nest , Earrings: c/o LYLIF, Tote: H&M, Belt & Nail color: H&M, Shoes: Jessica Simpson}

Style Word: As you can see from Friday’s post, blues and greens are a hit with me right now! (For example.) Its appealing to the eye to see warm or cool colors from the same family paired up and layered. Yesterday I pulled out some peach and tangerine to make a nice ~~fruit salad~~ color mash up:)

How was your weekend?? My hubs has today and tomorrow off, so I feel like we are on a mini spring break!

Since I have had some problems with the linky tools, just leave your blog link in the comment section with your modern modeste outfit posts for others to check out!

P.S. Its the last day to enter the 40$ shopping spree giveaway at Rack and Sack! Don’t miss out! Drawing a winner tonight!

The True Beauty Files:

A lookbook for the modern modeste.

~ Audrey Hepburn

Style Files: Hues of Blue and Green

February 17, 2012

1 || 2 || 3 || 4

What are you all up to this weekend?

We have to start the day with shots for the babes:( I am heartsick about it. Sometimes, I have my husband take them because I can barely stand it.

Also on the plans is to celebrate Valentine’s Day and my husband’s birthday since we were traveling on tuesday and wednesday:) So looking forward to spending some time with him.

P.S. Please welcome my newest sponsors Casey Leigh (if you aren’t already reading her blog, you really should!) and BMB (Brianne designs some incredible accessories at an affordable price – you may recognize some of the pieces I wear on the blog)!!