31 Dresses, No. 4 – Red Lace Dress

February 2, 2016

“Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own home. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor . . . Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.”
-Mother Teresa (Life motto:))

On the occasion that a date around February 14th does offer an opportunity to get out to a fancy schmancy place, this will be the dress. Especially if you happen upon a very french looking cafe….might as well dress the part!

Dress found at Asos (The red style is 40% off. I went up a size for length. Here’s another similar style + and a plus size version I love.) // Clutch // Earrings // Trench // Shoes (similar)

*Photos by Morgan Blake

Valentine’s Day date night in

February 1, 2016

This week I’ve got a Valentine’s Day line up for you starting with a Valentine’s Day date night in idea that might be good to have in your back pocket in case dinner plans fail;) In our first few years of marriage, babysitters were hard to come by, so most of our Valentine’s Day dates looked a lot like this. After picking up ingredients to make dinner for two, we would wait till the kids were asleep and cook our favorite apps, dinner, and dessert. We’d follow that up with a stack of movies we would never last through, popcorn, movie candy, and all of the blankets we owned. Still my favorite way to spend the 14th if you ask me;)

As you might guess, we have become popcorn snobs over the years. Here’s a few of our favorite toppings you can test out for your own popcorn buffet next movie night…

Base: Popcorn oil (magic stuff)
Seasonings:
Cheesy – Parmesan, dill, and salt
Sweet – Cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg
Savory – Lawry’s Seasoned salt, chili powder, and cayenne pepper
Wooden bowl
Wooden snack bowls
Serving Tray

And while we are on the topic, here are some of my all time favorite romantic comedies:

Return to Me
You’ve Got Mail
Sleepless in Seattle
About Time
The Importance of Being Earnest
Emma
Any Audrey Hepburn or Doris Day flick

What about you? All time favorites?

(Bedding lineup: Linen sheets, Faux fur blanket, linen pillows c/o Wayfair)

The Weekend Guide

January 29, 2016

Wearing….
This adventure tee with a favorite pair of stretch denim and cawfee mug in hand. My friend started Novaelle this year to help different women’s causes (currently it’s the Nepali rescue project!), and lemme tell ya, it will quickly become the most comfortable tee I own. Living AND maybe sleeping in it. I’ll pretend we are doing something adventurous this weekend and something more exciting than taxes.

Tasting….
Gabe has always liked to make up sandwich recipes, and I willingly volunteer as tastebud tribute. This one was so good, that I not only swallowed it whole, but decided it was smart to always have the ingredients needed in stock….just in case:

French bread grilled in kerrygold butter (the good stuff)
Two slices of grilled canadian bacon
1 Fried Egg
Sharp white american cheese
Tzatziki sauce
Dill

Watching….
We were in sore need of some new shows to binge watch, since we were all caught up on our usual favorites. Thanks to all your suggestions, here’s a few we’re intrigued by:
Madam Secretary
Peaky Blinders
Agent Carter

To be perfectly honest it was a helluva week, and I am probably a little too excited January is ending. (By the looks of Monday’s post comments, I take it I’m not the only one!) So I plan on ordering take out tonight and diving head first into the weekend. See you Monday with the start of Valentine’s Day fun (I do love a good excuse to holiday).

Dresser Makeover using Removable Wallpaper

January 26, 2016

We have some old dressers around here in need of some TLC, but I wasn’t quite up for a full overhaul. Have you seen all the fun removable wallpaper prints and murals from Walls Need Love? I have worked with removable wallpaper before, so I knew it’s sticky side was pretty easy to manage. However, I could still use some practice on cutting straight lines! Read on for the easy instructions for a dresser makeover using removable wallpaper.
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Loving them through the longest of days.

January 25, 2016

When the end of January rolls around, I usually feel the need to throw a party…because well, we survived. January is that long month of holiday withdrawal, cabin fever, stir-crazy month that tries to convince you that spring is so very far away. When you have little ones in your care, you have to make the conscious effort to make the most of it, and not let it keep you down.

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Happy Snow Day Weekend.

January 22, 2016

{by artist Saul Leiter}

School got called off today in Georgia. (This city is a tad afraid of an Atlanta Snow Jam round two. ) My little ones are anxiously awaiting by the window in the hopes snow will fall, but for now we are enviously looking at the pictures of their little cousins’ backyards. I know, those of you in snowy regions are probably wishing it away, but the grass is always greener right?

I have a thing for images of snowy streets. It’s just the midwest in me missing home. Here’s a few of them, and a whole bunch of fun links for your weekend reading:

Want to be more productive? Take a nap.

A new cool photo editing app.

What was your favorite Alan Rickman role? Colonel Brandon forever.

A major sale going on at one of my favorite jewelry sites.

In case you missed the maje news……Anne of Green Gables returns.

A brilliant IKEA hack I am dying to try.

I don’t think I am disciplined enough for a capsule, but if I was……this whole lineup.

A fascinating instagram account.

Looking forward to watching this new to me documentary this weekend.

TGIF!

31 Dresses No. 3 – The Shirt Dress

January 21, 2016

Shirt Dress // Leggings (Anthro – sold out but similar) // Heels // Coat // Backpack c/o

Style.

Style can be an outward expression of what dignity already exists within a woman’s being.
Dress with intention.
Style can be the vote of confidence a woman needs to put her best foot forward.
Dress with courage.
Style can be a salute to the value of womanhood , and how it can influence the world around her.
Dress with purpose.

What does style mean to you?

* Photos by Morgan Blake