Last Day To Save 25% Off at One Sweet Find

Today is the last day of my New Year's promotion in the shop.  25% off your entire order with the code "SWEETYEAR" at checkout. 

Here are a few items in the shop:
(for those viewing in a reader, please click through to my blog to view the widget below)

Monday Morning {P}Inspirations

I'm coming down from the festivities that were had for Natalie turning 5 last week.  Our big party was yesterday, which had a Barbie theme per the birthday girls' request.  WOW that was a lot of Barbie.  You know the saying "Less is More?" Well, Natalie doesn't quite get that right now.  She kept telling me "More decorations Mom! MORE! I want to feel like I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world!"  I may have imaged that last part, but who knows. I have a little kid party hangover right now.

Though never fear, there is nary a Barbie in sight in these Monday Morning {P}inspirations!

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Have a good one!

The It List-January 28th

Happy Friday and welcome back to another endlessly inspiring IT list... there is truly something for everyone here, so get clicking!

• rose a la mode is on vacation at the beach... and of course looking ever so stylish while there!  I love this outfit... what I wouldn't give to be walking on the beach! (get more of rose a la mode on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy is having a little celebration over on her blog and is giving away a one-year subscription to either martha stewart living or real simple... head on over to enter.  These are definitely two of my most favorite glossies! (get more of a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• much to my delight reorganized her pantry using ball jars. Swoon!  Vintage inspired organization at it's best!
• merci blah blah looks fabulous (as always, but especially) in this breton strip top... hello gorgeous long skirt!
• capital barbie is embracing scalloping in fashion... it's so fun and feminine, it's hard not to be drawn to it. I love these red scalloped pumps! (get more of capital barbie on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style always brings the best inspiration on a monday morning... this jade-like chain necklace had me at hello.  (get more of sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• good life for less launched a fabulous e-book... "50 things every woman must own..." They are selling like hot-cakes, get your copy now! (get more of good life for less on twitter!)
• a delightful design just started a fun new series called "ask abby" - check out this week's question or submit a question about interior design yourself! (get more of a delightful design on twitter!)
• rosy + tart is giving away a $25 giftcard to modcloth.  Hello spring shopping!  Enter the giveaway and check out her spring picks right away! (get more of rosy + tart on twitter!)
• undeniable style is paying homage to style icon jane birkin.  It's no wonder this lovely lady has one of the most coveted handbags named after her! (get more of undeniable style on twitter!)
• good tots starts a weekly series featuring etsy sellers that carry fun goods for kids... this week's featured seller sells the most adorable Valentine's heart confetti. Must have!
• the hillside home is pulling together inspiration for her great room. I am loving the sophisticated yet cozy blue color she has chosen for her wall.  Check out the whole inspiration on her blog!
• a fashion fixation pulls together a very simple but very stylish outfit for a road-trip. I love the use of a belt here! (get more of a fashion fixation on twitter!)
• yams designs delivers big time inspiration this week... all in black and white (remember last week it was technicolor?).  You have just got to see what she has pulled together! (get more of yams designs on twitter!)
• one hundred inspirations is definitely thinking spring this week... they recreate this fun whitney port look for less than $85!  What a deal!

the IT list is published weekly by jill of the good life for less... for more information on how you can be involved... click here!

FIVE

1 Day Old

1 Year Old

2 Years Old

3 Years Old

 

4 Years Old

This morning-5 Years Old

I'm feeling very nostalgic this morning and got all misty eyed looking through some of Natalie's old photos.  I truly cannot believe how fast time has gone.  Will someone stop the clock for a little bit please?!  Mommy loves you Nat, and I can't wait until you get home from school so we can have some fun!! Happy 5th Birthday!!

Personal Style Defined: Masculine

Welcome back to another addition of Personal Style Defined! This week Jill of jill gg's good life for less and I are taking a look at masculine inspired design and fashion.

 I personally love a hint of masculinity in a room. You always want to balance out your decor so it isn't too far one way or the other.  So for example, if you have a romantic style to your home decor, throw in a tailored piece such as a pinstripe blanket or a plaid pillow to bring the frilliness down a notch.  Makes for more visual interest, and we all love visual interest, no?

Here are some great examples of masculine style used in interiors:

The tailored bedding and pinstripe headboard lend a masculine touch to this bedroom. 

Dark colors and minimalistic lines gives this bathroom a manly appeal.

Man up your living area with a simple gray sofa, clean chrome accents and burlwood.

This sexy bar nook carved into a built-in is just what the Dr. ordered. That kind of sounded like a pick-up line, didn't it?  I'm really running with this masculine theme!

 I love how every ounce of wall space, including the moldings, built-ins and curtains are painted in this gorgeous dark blue.  This is one man-cave I wouldn't mind retreating to!

And last but not least, I couldn't help but include a scene from the set of Mad Men.  Jill and I were just talking about how much we love the set design the other day.  It's 60's masculine style at it's finest!  Too bad Don isn't in this shot, huh Jill?

I can't wait to see what Jill has picked out for masculine styled fashion! I know I for one have been loving the clean, tailored lines of menswear inspired looks lately.  Let's go check it out!

all images via houzz

What I Wore-Poppin Bottles With The Over 80 Set!

Okay, I think I have finally recovered from the 30 for 30 Challenge and am ready to start posting wardrobe pics again.  That, and I wanted to show you my new haircut actually styled-which as you can see I have fallen back on the good ol' straightener.  I'm working on taming the wikld beast that is my wavy hair in the proper way, so unitl I get it mastered I'll be straightening it for a bit.  Thanks for all the great tips by the way.  I plan on buying some of the products you guys mentioned-like Moroccan oil (Thanks Shan) and It's A 10 leave in conditioner (Thanks Bethany) .

Okay, so my husband and I had a date night last Friday.  We met up with another couple and had dinner and Margs at my favey Mex restaurant.  When we were done there we were trying to come up with a bar to go to, and guess what we settled on?  The Marie Callender's bar!  Our reasoning? It was in the same parking lot, and we were already close to home, so why go any further?  Yeah, I was definitely feeling my age at that point.  But we had fun, regardless of the 85 year old ladies who came in with their gentlemen friends to order their favorite hot tea.  No joke.  Drinkin it up with the elderly folk on a Friday night!  Yeehaw!

 This is one of my favorite tops.  It's a tiered silk tank I bought it at Forever 21 last year (which they are closing my local one for renovations for six months-yikes!) and has little sparrows all over.  I love me some sparrows.

Wearing my go-to skinnies from Old Navy and go-to boots from Enzo Angiolini. What can I say, when I like something I will wear it to death.

The cardi and necklace were both gifts.

I'm really looking forward to some Spring outfits, as I am pretty much over winter like everyone else.  I have a hard time buying any winter clothing after January because I feel like I would just rather wait for the warmer weather to come and buy clothes then.   Are you the same way?  Or should I not be holding my breath?  There are a lot of great sales right now.  Oh well, I'm having fun compiling my list of Spring must-haves in the meantime.

Around the Blogosphere

Wanted to pop in quick to let you in on a few things I'm participating in:

Today, stop by the great blog Wallpaper for a look into my makeup bag!  I list all the beauty products I use on a daily basis, so if you were ever curious, this post is for you.

I am also excited to be a new contributor on Jill's blog good tots {for stylish moms and their kids}.  Every Tuesday I will be sharing my favorite etsy finds for kids.  Please stop by and say hello!

Speaking of Jill, today she has launched her first e-book, titled The Fifty Things:

You can read more about it here and purchase it here.   

I know it is going to be so good, I can't wait to pour through it later today when the kids are asleep!

SPPN Top 10: Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses are nothing new, but I've been seeing them everywhere for Spring and I think they are making a bit of a comeback.  Before I always thought they made me look pregnant (a curse that happens after you have kids-anything loose and free-flowy makes me feel a bit that way), but I am loving the chic, laid-back vibe they give off and definitely want one or two for my Spring wardrobe.  Here are some I have on my radar (every time I say radar I start singing that Britney song):

Day Dresses by Mossimo
Cover-ups by Athleta

A solid color is great for versatility and is a must-have.  I love the Kimono sleeve one from Target so much I put in two colors. (Shan, are you with me?)

Rio Maxi Dress, athleta
Halter Maxi, Alloy
Ruffle Maxi, Delias
Kimono sleeve Maxi, Target

Teen Girls' Dresses by Elements
Day Dresses by Ella Moss

A print is always fun, and I am jonesing for some stripes, chevron and boho-esque paisley!

Gray stripe maxi, Ella Moss

Paisley Maxi, Tilly's

Navy Stripe Maxi, Nordstrom

Purple & Turquoise Chevron Maxi, Swell

Purple Chevron Maxi, Swell

"I'm checkin you so hot, so hot, wonder if you know you're on my radar..."

Monday Morning {P}Inspirations

Good morning sunshine!  I say that with an enthusiasm I don't actually have in the morning.  I'm actually quite cranky until two cups of coffee and 11:00am roll around.  Yeah, it takes me that long to warm up to the day.  So how was your weekend?  We had some sunny and warm days here, which was nice because I got outside, did some yard work and let the girls play on their playground, which they hadn't done all winter.  Soaking up that Vitamin D while we we can!  Of course, once inside the sun isn't as fun, because that's when you see really how messy your home has gotten through the winter months.  Oh, hello there cobwebs in the corner, I hadn't noticed you in the gloomy days prior-that sun streaming through the window sure does illuminate you quite nicely.  Needless to say, I did a bit of pre-spring cleaning around here as well.

For this week's {P}inspirations, I've chosen some earthy, laid-back, funky, cool and pretty stuff for you.  Didn't want to leave anything out of the mix.  Given it to ya straight, because that's what you deserve on a Monday morning!

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