Espadrille Wrapped Heels

I'm really loving all of the chunky, espadrille wrapped heels out there right now. But especially these two-toned, platform pumps from Ann Taylor...



They're actually a dark navy, so as soon as I find the right ensemble to go with them, I'll have the perfect excuse to add these to my wardrobe.  I'm thinking something super sassy  for my bestie's Vegas Bachelorette weekend coming up, oh boy!

Have a great weekend everyone :)

{ Photo Credit: anntaylor.com }

A Family Visit.

A couple pictures from my Mom, Grandma, Sister and Bro-in-law's visit a couple weeks ago... just because I'm missing them.  It was the first time Winslow met her Auntie Mae and Great Grandma who came all the way over from Bangkok and Melbourne.  So many smiles and giggles and strange noises :)

At the Botanic Gardens





And the family photo shoot at the park, of course...




4 generations right here!

Enough with the Blah!

While I can't complain about the weather here in Denver (which is almost ALWAYS sunny), I will complain about the dryness.  Like, staticy hair, chapstick in every room and jacket pocket, thickest of thick hand lotions near by at all times...  My skin was starting to look a bit blah, so, while at Sephora with my sister, I was talked into making these purchases...



I wanted to share because I was stopped by two randoms last week to ask what skin products I use.  *blushing* My skin all the sudden, has a fresh glow to it!  I guess these sorts of products work after all.  I've been using the Clarisonic at night and for day, the Stila Tinted Moisturizer over my normal moisturizer for some light coverage, with the Tarte Blush & Glow on my cheek bones and ridge of my nose.  I can't pretend to really know what I'm talking about with skin care and products (I didn't even wash my face every night, until this fun contraption came along), so now I'd like to introduce my friend, Janine.



Janine is that girl that you WISH you could hate, strictly based on the fact that she's so naturally beautiful and has perfect hair (can you sense the bitterness?!), but then to top it off, she's so genuinely sweet, you can't help but love her.  Ugh!  :)   Janine has a blog that consists of her blunt and honest reviews of all sorts of beauty products... from sunless tanner, to mascara, to green juice recipes.  She focuses on the more natural, organic products that we ALL should be converting to.  It's like having a virtual bestie telling you what to try and what not to waste your time and money on.  Janine's Beauty Blog, add it to the list!

{ Photo Credit: sephora.com }

Rubber Ducky Invites

Sweet lil Stephen's momma had a very specific vision for her baby boy's 1st birthday party invitations.  After scouring the internet and coming up short, she reached out to me to help create a custom invitation that would go with the party's vintage, "ducky" theme.  Love it, right up my alley.  I put together the design, hand assembled the cards, pre-cut the matching envelope tags and sent them off.  Stephen's momma added the picture, raffia ribbon and sent me a copy...





You can't really go wrong with a picture like this.  So stinking cute!!

J.Crew Pink Bow Belt.

I loved the girly pink bow belt paired with these basic blue chinos and green sweater from J.Crew's Spring 2012 Catalog right away. The colors are just so cheery and the peachy/orange lip... love.



So I was pumped to find the exact same belt at Forever21 for $3. No joke, such a proud moment.


(The lighting in this picture makes it look a lot darker than it is)

I've thrown it on with bright random colors, as well as jeans and neutrals and it makes my boring, printless outfits way more fun! Unfortunately, I don't see the belt available online but there were a ton in the store (Cherry Creek).

More importantly, this is the day my sister arrives from Melbourne to meet her niece for the first time. We have Winslow in her horseshoe printed dress for the occassion. Safe travels Mae, we are counting down the minutes till you get here :)

{ Photo Credit: J.Crew Catalog Spring 2012 }

BRIGHT jeans.

Is anyone else living in obnoxiously bright colored jeans right now?



You know you're wearing them too much, when the cashier at Whole Foods says, "Where's your baby today? I always remember you and your bright jeans."

Both are from The Gap and surprisingly go with a ton in my closet. I didn't want to splurge on a pair that I may not get much use out of so these were a score at $59-69. I still need a pair of electric blue and The Gap doesn't carry a pair quite as bright as I need them :)

Baby Girl's 1st Easter!

I had grand plans for this lil lady's first Easter, but then realized dying eggs was a terrible idea for a 6 mo. old and an egg hunt would work best when she's walking. And between the house hunting, family coming into town and new projects at work, Easter was pulled together kind of last minute. It looked a little like this...






These bunnies were a heinous brown color... nothing a little white high gloss spray paint couldn't fix. Of course.




Sorry girl, just paper maché eggs this year. Goodie-filled eggs next year, promise!






Asparagus & Gruyere Tart


My first attempt at a souffle!


Fresh Strawberry Cream Cake


Flowers for Winslow from Uncle James!


A DIY attempt at the Moss Letter from Restored Style

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter with family and friends. We were missing everyone in Rochester, Florida, Michigan, Amsterdam, Australia, San Diego, Boston, South Carolina, Virginia, San Francisco... and on and on. Lots of Easter love to you all!

Breakfast Power Smoothie

I'm always craving a delicious smoothie, and this one is just that... DE-LI-CIOUS. It's from my current go-to, Elana's Pantry. Great recipes for all meals.

Breakfast Power Smoothie

1 cup frozen strawberries

1/2 cup coconut water

1 tbsp creamy roasted almond butter

5 drops vanilla creme stevia

1 scoop egg white protein powder

1 tbsp ground chia seeds

3 ice cubes

Combine strawberries, coconut water, almond butter and stevia in a blender and blend on high. Blend in protein powder and ground chia seeds, then blend in ice cubes until smooth. Serve! I added a little whole milk and went lighter on the stevia for a creamy, less sweet version.

We've removed grains, legumes and refined sugar from our household for the past 1.5 months. Almost Paleo with the addition of raw dairy. So this hits the spot while staying true to this "lifestyle" change. It's so delicious and filling, you'll want to make it every morning.

{ Photo Credit: elanaspantry.com}

Wedding Details.

I'm a little disappointed in myself for taking 6 months to post the pictures from this STUNNING Atherton, CA wedding.

I was so excited and honored to be asked to help with the wedding printed materials, which consisted of a menu, program, table numbers, escort cards, welcome signs, guest bag tags/agenda/letter from the bride & groom. They looked beautiful surrounded by all of the wedding details and provided such a personalized touch. Bravo to the Carter ladies for putting together a simply stunning wedding. I would expect nothing less from this crew.

Did I mention, I hand drew the map? A very proud moment for me :)

This photo was taken myself.

And a BIG thank you to Adi Nevo, who photographed this wedding and provided me with these shots. You're amazing. I could look at the rest of the wedding photos all day. But I won't, Beth, that's creepy. Congrats Beth & Greg! Hope you're enjoying married life!

{ Photo Credit: adinevo.com }

For the mommas...

This Love Letter to Motherhood was just sent to me (literally 5 minutes ago) by a friend and fellow mommy. It's too good not to share with the mommas out there. I love every single word of it and couldn't have said what was in my heart any better.

What is motherhood but the very best chance to learn what you are made of? It will strip you down to nothing. Make you doubt yourself a thousand times. And it will make you roar with a fierceness you’ve never before seen. It will search your heart for your greatest fears and the bravest of all your intentions and set them out on display.

It breaks you. It saves you. It steals the girl you were. All of her. You’ll never sleep like her or be as carefree as she once was, but she’d never believe the courage or the selflessness she’ll one day possess in you. Motherhood replaces her with someone who understands love on a level the girl you were never could.

It’s okay to sometimes wish you could go back and live a day in her shoes. A day to bask in the decadence of irresponsibility. But if she could look forward: If she could see herself tested, how her fears have been faced, how the question “Am I strong enough to survive this?” is answered with a resounding yes, time after time. She’d feel damn proud to become the woman that awaits her.

~Melissa

Mommyhood is amazing :)

Zara Online

I have to take advantage of the short breaks I get from Baby Girl that aren't spent working and the last thing I want to do is spend that time shopping at the mall. I end up missing her after 30 minutes and end up coming home anyways. So, all of my shopping has been online, even for the littlest things like lotion, baby wipes, chapstick (LipSmackers since 5th grade!) 75% of the time it gets returned because it doesn't fit right, terrible fabric, cut wrong, etc. But when my Zara shipment arrived yesterday, it was like Christmas... I loved everything!!

These shorts are so stinking cute on, I will be living in them this summer. They can go casual paired with a tee and sandals or flats and looks so chic dressed up with heels and a blazer.

I've been searching for a trench FOREVER. My hubbs is so sick of hearing about it :) But can't bring myself to spend the $1000+ on the Burberry trench I've been coveting when there are diapers to be purchased. I've come home with one from Anthropologie, Banana, Nordies, but they all looked kind of... blah. So I was pumped that this one fit so well. It's the perfect length, fitted instead of frumpy, and I love the way the collar stays up. And this tee should be a staple in everyone's closet. It's longer, fitted, soft and only $9.90.

Pleated Shorts | $59.90

Trench | $99.90

Tee | $9.90

Ok, enough of this, back to work!

{ Photo Credit: zara.com }