A little bit of this...and that

Hello lovelies!  How are you today? I have to tell you that my make up bag runneth over literally!  Last week the zipper gave out on me and this is after transferring my brushes and other tools to a smaller bag.  I did this for organizational reasons and sanitary ones.  To no avail my make up bag finally cried uncle and I had to go on the hunt for a new one!  I can't just run up to target and grab one (believe me I tried) because I require a lot of my make up bag.  First and foremost I like for it to be washable (it goes back to that sanitary thing).  I also like for it to have different compartments so I can separate the lip items from the eye items etc.  Can you say anal? Anyway I finally found what I was looking for at pottery barn!  I am loving this make up bag and I know it will stand the test of time and my ever growing make up collection. While I was in the mode of organizing my ever expanding make up collection I also decided it was time to clean my make up bru

How are you doing today?  We are in sunny CA soaking up the sights and sun!  I couldn't be happier (I might never come home).  Here's a little something I worked on before we left.  Enjoy!  xoxo These past few weekends at home have been fantastic.  I feel like I have really been able to handle some unfinished business.  The hubs and I cleaned out the garage and storage closet and sold a lot of items on craigslist or donated them to goodwill.  Now I just have to convince the hubs that painting the garage will be a fun Saturday project :)  I also got around to cleaning and organizing all my jewelry which can be a monumental task.  First and foremost because I have a lot of jewelry but secondly because I am kind of a slob about putting it away after I wear it.  I normally just open my jewelry box or jewelry drawer and throw the ring, bracelets etc. in.  This causes a jumbled mess after a few weeks.  So I am going to try and be better about putting things in their proper pl

How are you all today?  I am feeling introspective and thoughtful today.  I am thinking about all of you and this blog.  See I started this blog mainly because I love reading other people's blogs.  Real people inspire me in a way that no celebrity or issue of Us Weekly ever could.  I love seeing how people really live, dress, eat, act etc.  I will forever be fascinated by the amazing fabric of real people doing real things. As I said reading other people's blogs is a bit of a morning ritual for me.  I sent at my desk in my office or on my couch as home with my daily caffeine fix and catch up with some of my favorite blogs.  Yesterday I was beyond touched, moved and emotional when reading Glacier County Honey Co blog.  I know the writer, as we went to UGA together, and I remember like it was yesterday her losing her brother.  In her post yesterday she captured beautifully what it is to lose someone you love and how you can honor them.  I think she said it best and better

How are you today, beautiful?  I hope you enjoy what's in my make up bag as much as I do! xoxo 1.  Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Eye Contour Cream Now all you loyal readers know about my deep and true love affair with La Mer.  I just can't say enough good things about it!  But the price can leave a lot to be desired.  The hubs would croak if he knew how much it costs.  So in an effort to be true to my budget I went on the hunt for a reasonably priced eye cream.   I read and researched and what I found over and over again from industry people (make up artists, celebs etc) is that Shiseido is the key to ageless eyes!  The cream most recommended was the Wrinkle Resistance 24 hour cream but I opted for the bio performance as it helps with wrinkles and dark circles!  I literally used it for one week and my mother made a comment about how the lines around my eyes had improved!  I was thrilled and at $55 you can't beat the price. 2.  Clinique's New Even

Happy Sunday this and thatters!  How are you doing on this beautiful day?  I hope all my FLA friends and family are taking the proper precautions against Isaac and if you haven't please do so! I am in my office today trying to catch up on some of the work I missed while I was in and out last week.  I actually like coming into the office during the weekend (I know I'm a dork) because it is quiet and I can get a ton done in a pretty short amount of time.  The phone isn't ringing, people aren't stepping into my office and I can fully focus on the tasks at hand.  I'm a huge dork I know :) This morning as I was driving into my office I realized that I had "the college dream" almost every night this week.  This is a reoccurring dream I've had for 10 years that takes on different variations but the net, net is I either don't have enough credits to graduate, forget I registered for a class and therefore can't graduate, don't study for a fin

How are all my lovelies today? I, for one, am trying to get back into somewhat of a routine.  This past week has been full of hospitals, hospice, tears, eating out, drinking wine, making arrangements, cleaning things out, looking at old pictures and being with my family constantly.  This past week is like a reel of moments in my mind but what will always stick out is that my dad, my mom, my sister and I were always together and there for each other.  I think Pete would have liked that and been proud that he was responsible for the four of us being together for almost a solid week.   In the midst of all of this my parents are leaving in a few weeks for Europe and Matt and I are leaving for san fran/napa next week.  So there has been lots of talk of packing and what to take.  At some point this week I was able to sit down and fully edit what my mother was planning to take on her trip.  It actually made it a lot easier when I sat down to pack for myself.   Here are some of my favori

How is everyone doing on this lovely Thursday?  I am excited about this edition of What's What as it feels like it has been forever since I have done one.  I hope you enjoy!  xoxo 1.  What Courtney Wore/Dorothy Perkins I think I have told you all about a site I'm obsessed with called What Courtney Wore ( http://thecourtneykerr.com/ ).  She has incredible fashion sense on a budget and also finds great new designers.  I am loving Dorothy Perkins and her amazing clothes and price point!  Check them both out and you won't be sorry. 2.  Town & Country My latest and greatest magazine read is Town & Country or as I like to call it T&C.  I feel like it has a little bit of everything-style, food, wine and amazing stories.  I get soo excited about seeing it in the mail.  This month I read a great article about Swanson Vineyards in Napa and Matt and I are going to stop in while we are in CA next week.  I can't wait!  Thanks T&C! 3.  Tory Burc

How are my sweet readers today? I am exhausted mentally and emotionally.  If you have read my entry "sad season" you know this has been a hard year for me.  It has been a year punctuated by acute sadness and the loss of many people I love.  This week my family and I are facing the daunting task of caring for my grandfather who is experiencing multiple organ failure, pneumonia and a heart attack.  These past two days seem like they have lasted a week and I am frankly shocked today is only Wednesday. I am in the office today trying to get caught up and get some things done before I go back to be with my grandfather.  I opened up my daily devotional today and the title was Keep Watch (which seems rather appropriate given the circumstances).  The bible verse for today was "Stay here and keep watch."  Mark 14:34.  I feel like that is what we are doing right now for my grandfather.  We are staying close and keeping watch and trying to provide comfort.  I think thi

How are all my lovely readers today?  I just came back from a great weekend with friends I haven't seen in a very long time.  We had a great weekend eating, drinking, talking, laughing and in general having a blast.  I loved catching up with some dear friends and I loved even more hearing about what they have been up to lately.  We talked a lot about marriage, babies and jobs.  I realized somewhere during the weekend that I really missed the hubs, as he is my constant travel companion, but that girl time is so very important for many reasons.  I came back to work today to find an article my mother had sent on marriage that I wanted to share with you.  It touched me so much and it is so true!  Today is my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's 1st anniversary so I dedicate this post and article to them.  I wish you guys all the love and luck in the world!  Happy Monday!  xoxo Leonard Pitts: Abundant blessings for the newlyweds By Leonard Pitts Jr. Created 04/27/2011

Hello beauties!  How are you?! As I've said before I can't really believe it's August and before long September will be here! I am all about finding great transitional pieces that will take me into the fall and beyond.  I am loving these key, classic pieces and I hope you do as well.   1.  Frank Clegg Handbags Are beautiful, class and well crafted....what more can you ask for in a bag?  I love all the different shapes and colors each bag comes in.  My favorite right now is this shoulder bag.  I think it is the perfect way to end summer and head into fall!   I can't wait to carry this bag with skinny jeans, blazers and flats.  2.  Loren Hope Jewelry I am love, love, loving Loren Hope jewelry right now.  The items are classic, colorful and timeless.  I think this necklace will be the perfect statement piece for the fall and will go nicely with game day ensembles as well (GO DAWGS!).  I can't wait to wear it! 3.  Zella Live-in Leggings I love, love skinny

How are all my beautiful readers today? I have to tell you that I have loved the phrase "do you" since the Jersey Shore kids said it a few years ago.  It is such a concise way to say take care of you and do what makes you happy.   I think more often times that not due to the demands on our time, attention and lives "do you" is a lofty goal but one to strive for none the less.  I don't think of "do you" as being selfish or not helping others but instead as a great reminder that if you don't take care of yourself and put yourself first you aren't able to really be a good friend, wife, sister, mother etc. to others.   "Do you" reminds me to make time for myself each day and to make decisions that I want to make rather than doing what everyone else wants or expects of me.  Each day I try to do something for me that I really want to do whether it's going for a run, having a glass of wine, reading, taking a bath, online shopp

I hope you are all having a fabulous week!  I am super excited to have another weekend at home (it is our third one in a row and I'm in heaven).  I have been able to get a ton of stuff done around the house and am finally feeling caught up.  Enjoy your Thursday my pretties (and what's what)!  xoxo 1.  Classy Girls Wear Pearls Is the cutest blog!  I love, love her outfit choices and she wears unique, reasonably priced items and puts them together in a very creative way.  I love all the jewelry she wears (of course).  Check her out at http://www.classygirlswearpearls.com/ 2.  Gloss 48 You have to check out Gloss 48 if you haven't already!  It's a cross between sephora and gilt.  Basically they get amazing beauty products at a bargain and pass the savings on to you.  It is a great site with new and unique items I have never tried before and I love to try new beauty products.  Check them out at http://gloss48.com/gloss-48-home-page 3.  ILY Couture

How are the beauty lovers today? I haven't done a posting on make up in a while and frankly I missed it!  I have some beautiful and helpful items in my make up bag today and I hope you enjoy!  xoxo 1.  Anastasia Brow Gel/Clear Like most gals I'm a bit obsessive about my brows.  I actually don't tweeze or wax my own brows for fear I would do them too thin (it has happened before).  So I rely on the help of someone to keep my brows a bit thicker (I think it helps frame my face) and keep me from tweezing them off my face.  :) My favorite item for my brows is Anastasia's Clear Brow Gel.  I use it everyday (you don't need much) to keep my brows smooth and in place.  2.  Jack Black Double Duty Moisturizer With age I am noticing some subtle and not so subtle changes in my skin.  I am always on the hunt for a great moisturizer that is worth the price.   What I love about this moisturizer is it is fragrance free and goes on smoothly without be greasing.  I

How are all my readers today? I, for one, am so excited to tell you about this latest project that the hubs has been working on.  I have been wanting to blog about it for months but I finally feel like the timing is right today.  Over a year ago the hubs had an idea for a head and neck wrap.  If you know the hubs, you know, he has very fair skin so when we are out in the sun he is fully covered and under an umbrella and I'm out in the blazing sun soaking up every drop :) He had this idea and I encouraged him to go for it, develop it and see what happens.  Over this past year he has truly lived every working girl rule (hee,hee) I have ever talked about.  He has believed in himself, had vision, seized opportunities, worked hard, learned a new business, kept his perspective, been resilient and never given up.  This year has been about finding investors, coming up with a business plan, perfecting a product and a website.  It has taught us a ton about business and about each oth

I am love, love, loving summer!  I cannot believe it's August and that summer will be over before we know it.  I am scooping up all things bright, cheery and most of all nautical right now.  I am loving Kiel James Patrick ( https://kieljamespatrick.com/index.php ).  Their New England, preppy, laid back style speaks to my summer loving heart.  I am drooling over their unique, plaid bracelets and nautical themed handbags.  Check them out and you won't be sorry! Happy Tuesday!  xoxo

How are my weekend lovers today? I am basking in the weekend already!  I've already worked out and gotten a jump start on some of my weekend to do list.   During my workout I got to thinking about Facebook.  I was wondering if it was just me that has a love/hate relationship with the famous social media site?  I often times contemplate getting off Facebook as I would have a lot more free time :)   These past few weeks with all the Chick-fil-a controversy I have really wanted to remove myself from "the book" as I call it.  Here's my two cents on the whole thing:  Truett Cathey and everyone in America is entitled to their opinion that's what makes this Country great.  The man shouldn't be ridiculed for expressing his opinion nor should the supporters of gay marriage.  Sometimes I feel that we as Americans forget how extremely lucky we are (I also feel this way about voting)!  The fact that we can even have this debate openly is amazing.  In most countries

How are all my peeps today?   I for one am glad this week is O-V-E-R!   It was a bit stressful at work this week (I may or may not have broken out in hives at one point) so I feel like I need this weekend to breath and relax.  So I apologize for neglecting my blogging duties but I do have an amazing edition of what's what for you so hopefully that will make up for it :) Enjoy!  xoxo 1.  Pink Peonies Omg this blog is my latest and greatest obsession!  This blogger is an amazing fashionista and puts together the absolute cutest ensembles.  I also love that she dresses like a lady and not like a skank.   I think it's high time that the ladies out there dress with class and elegance.  I for one am sick and tired of seeing how tight you can get your dress, how low cut your shirt can be and how short your shorts can be.   There's a time and place to show a little bit of skin but for the most part I think you can and should dress in a way that is feminine, beautiful and