Perfect Saturday

Today I was so excited to start new book I ordered complete with a cozy blanket and popcorn!  It's Saturdays like these that I love the most, cold outside, cozy inside.

  The book is A Voice In The Wind. Not sure if you have heard of the author Francine Rivers, if not you should check her out.  My favorite book she wrote is Redeeming Love.  This book will make you cry as your read the beautiful story of a prostitute who is sold to a young man who patiently shows her that he truly loves her.  Her icy heart slowly is redeemed by the power of unconditional love. Anyways don't want to ruin it but please check it out. 

 I'm hoping this book is as good!  Happy Saturday Friends!

Xoxo

Tis' the season to sparkle!

Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!  Christmas parties, Christmas Eve dinners, and New Year's Eve parties all give one reason to shine and sparkle! I mean, we've made it through another year with all of it's ups and downs that is reason enough to pour yourself something bubbly and deck out in your finest party attire.  

But why are sequins reserved for just years end?  Why can't they be worn for everyday life?  They make me smile and feel special, that is reason enough to break them out for more common functions.

Here I have taken a sequin skirt I got years back at The Limited and have paired it with simple tops so that it can be worn at day or night.  Two of the looks are decidedly casual while one can go either way. I hope this gets you thinking how you can incorporate a little sparkle into your everyday life!  2014 has never looked brighter!

Xoxo!

Look 1

Skirt: The Limited

Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft

Shoes: TJMax

Look 2

Shirt: gap

Shoes: TJMax

Look  3

Sweater: French Connection

Shoes: Kenneth Cole

Mad for Plaid!

Typically plaid is a staple around Christmas time from stockings to tree skirts to bows on wreathes and garland, but plaid is having a fashion moment and I'm not talking about plaid pjs!

 I love the casual/comfy vibe that plaid brings to an outfit.  Besides the casual vibe there is something undeniably sexy about plaid. A look that has a farm meets city look is what I love about this pattern.

 This week I have worn plaid twice with a shirt and shoes.  How do you like to wear plaid? 

Xoxo

Thanksgiving Abundance!

Last week, I had a great time celebrating Thanksgiving with my family.  This time of year offers a great opportunity to stop and enjoy what really matters in life. My favorite part of the week was hanging out with my little niece.  She is 15 months and is starting to try to talk.  What a cutie! Hope your Thanksgiving was just as blessed as mine. 

Xo

I'm back!

Wow! How could almost 2 months go by without a post?! I have been super busy with life, like we all are.  My teaching schedule has been insane this semester, although I'm not complaining! As I reflect over the past few months and as we celebrate Thanksgiving I am so grateful for the many little children I get to invest in each week.  They are my heart and I love watching them grow in their music.  

Today was my first day at home in a while and you know it is a good day when you can clean ( I mean clean like baseboards, ceiling fans etc. you get the picture!).  I even pulled out a few Christmas decorations and had my Christmas music blaring which I never do till after Thanksgiving but we are a month away so I figured it was time to get in the holiday spirit.  Besides cleaning, I stayed in my pjs, painted my nails, cleaned my ring and baked some sweetpotato graham muffins...so good! Now I am waiting impatiently for my sister and little niece to arrive!!!

 Hope to be back on here at least once a week. Happy Thanksgiving!

A Delightful Deal

A few weeks back I managed to make it into Baton Rouge's Anthropologie.  If anyone knows me they know that is one of my favorite stores.  The quality is good and the clothes are unique, not to mention all the fabulous home items they sell.  Of course, I immediately noticed some of my fall Pinterest favorites when I walked in, but being the budget conscious shopper that I am headed to the back of the store to go through the sale racks.  In times past, I have scored some major bargains on Anthropologie sale racks.  Today was no different.  I immediately spotted a lovely cocktail dress that was in my size and was marked down from $228 to $29 bucks.  Now that's a deal girls! 

Last night we had a wedding to attend and it made a great choice for an outdoor wedding in the still muggy season in Louisiana.  Here is the look. 

Seinfeld and New Orleans

This weekend was a special weekend for New Orleans.  8 years after Katrina the Saeger Theater in New Orleans reopened.  It just proves that New Orleans is back and shows the nation the determination of its people.  To say the theater was stunning would be an understatement.  I walked in and was immediately transported back with Frank Sinatra blaring from the speakers,  I suddenly realized I was born in the wrong  century.  I mean we have Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga to entertain us today, what happened to the glorious days when people would dress up to go to a theater and act like cultured, classy individuals. It was truly a magical night and Jerry did not dissappoint.  I was up most of the night just thinking through the best of his jokes.  I'm not sure when the last time I laughed as much as I did last night.  Here are a few pics from a fabulous night.  Hope your weekend was just as great! Xo!

Lazy Weekends! Love!

It's been a while since I have had a complete lazy weekend.  Yesterday my husband had to work so to forget my sadness about that I went to the Great Harvest Bread Company to get some of their fabulous, hot cinnamon rolls!  Seriously, you have not had a real cinnamon roll till you have tasted theirs! We have made it a weekend tradition around our house!

Next, I cleaned out my closet to put away summer clothes and to bring out the fall clothes.  Can I just say how much I am looking forward to the cooler weather!!! For some reason, Louisiana has been exceptionally hot this September.  Changing out my closet is never my favorite thing to do, but with a fall candle and some jazz playing it wasn't bad at all!

Finally, today while my husband studied all day I cleaned, did the laundry and tried a new recipe from Pinterest for Banana Bread Granola Bars.  They sound simply divine and healthy too.  Right now they are in the oven baking and I'm hoping for a warm treat when they are finished!  Here's to a fabulous week ahead!  Xo!

Tea Time

My fabulous mother held a lovely fundraising tea at her home Saturday.  70 women showed up to enjoy a 3 course meal accompanied by live music.  I love tea and what I loved most was the opportunity to wear a fascinator! That was the highlight of my weekend.

Football Time!

If you are from the south, SEC football is a way of life from August through November.  The warm nights gradually turn cooler as you cheer on your favorite team.  Being a Louisiana girl, there is no other team to cheer for but LSU!  I'm looking forward to family time watching my Tigers this season.  Hope you enjoy cheering on your favorite team this season. 

Xo!

Fall Closet

With summer coming to a close, I am looking forward to sweaters and boots!  I love the fresh, crisp air that fall brings.  There is something about those cloudless, cool days.  Here are some of my favorites for fall. The clothes are from Anthropologie and the shoes are Tory Burch.

Xo!

Enjoying my blessings and being content with them!

So many times I catch myself in a state of discontentment.  I go shopping and suddenly everything in my house is outdated and I "need" something new.  How sad and pathetic of me.  I live in such a beautiful, free country and enjoy an abundance of everything God has blessed me with.  To be discontent with my life is simply looking at God and saying he doesn't know what he is doing with my life.  Today, I am going to purpose to be grateful for where I live, my clothes, my family, my job and everything I can complain about at times.  Today, I choose to be grateful for my blessings!

Xo!

Whole30 Day 7!

Well that was the longest week of my life thus far! Not really, but seriously the cravings did hit about mid week.  I don't even normally splurge on many Starbucks but I sure was craving them last week.  The thought of no cream in my coffee seemed downright terrifying! I was proud of myself for ordering a black coffee when I met my friend.  I'm pretty sure the barista thought she had misheard when she asked "would you like room for cream" I said no, ignoring the puzzled look on her face.  

I eat pretty healthy as it is so I didn't suffer too much but the thought that I simply couldn't have something for the next 30 days did seem daunting on day 1.  Throughout the week I found some simply delicious recipes.  One was a portobello broiled in the oven and roped with sautéed zucchini, onions and pepper with browned ground beef. I topped that with a fried egg and some salsa...ridiculously good and I even ate one for breakfast!  The other breakfast that I tried was egg muffins.  Simply made with just eggs, browned bacon, sautéed pepper and onions mixed with a diced cooked sweet potato and tomato. Add a dash of salt and pepper and some garlic and pop them into the oven for 25 minutes.  These were a big hit with my husband who has constantly complained about being hungry! Finally last night I whipped some coconut milk from a can put a little pure vanilla and some pineapple juice to sweeten it. We ate it over fruit and it was divine.  It has a mousse like texture, so good!  

Now on to week 2!

Xo!

Whole30 starts today!!

A week ago I told y'all that I was reading this book called It Starts With Food and about the 30 day challenge to eat nothing but whole foods.  That means no sugar, dairy, legumes, grains but just veggies, fruit, protein and good sources of fat like avocados and olives.  Well I started me and my husband on this challenge today.  I will be checking in in here to let you know how this is going . I'm excited and nervous because frankly I've never been good at sticking to a challenge so I figure if I am accountable on here I will get through the next 30 days! 

Here is what I ate for breakfast- 2 pieces of bacons, 2 hard boiled eggs, 1 kiwi and 1 peach.

Xo!

New Favorite!

The best thing about going on a shopping vacation is I normally come back with a new favorite store!  New York did not disappoint.  The afternoon that I went to Soho, I stumbled across this adorable, preppy store called C. Wonder.  I had heard of it in my trade journals that I read but had never been to the website and checked them out.  Come to find out, the store was started by Tory Burch's ex husband and they have been in legal battles for months.  The price point is considerably lower than Burch but the quality is fantastic.  I caught their sale and managed to score some pretty good items!

Here are some pictures of the shoes and cardigans I bought.  I love how each of these will carry me into fall.  If your haven't checked C Wonder out please do yourself a favor and do! You will not be disappointed!!

Xo!

Eat Healthy!

So of course I try to eat healthy but more often than not I can easily give into cravings of French fries or ice cream!  A friend on my New York trip told me about this book and how following the Whole30 challenge had cured her husband of Crohn's disease. Although I do not struggle with that part of my health, I could always use a little extra encouragement to eat right.  The authors do an excellent job on presenting some rather scientific material in a way that is easily understood.  I am 7 chapters in and love it.  At the end I am going to give the Whole30 a try.  My friend reported that you feel like a new person with more energy and life! I mean who wouldn't want that!  Check it out if you struggle with diabetics, high cholesterol, Crohn's, IBS or if like me you just want to lead a healthier life!

Xo!

Be Grateful!

Have you ever just had one of those days where you find yourself complaining about every little thing?! I have. Recently after having a day like this I took out my journal and just started writing down everything I had to be grateful for.  From the hot showers I take to my health, to the sunrises and sunsets I see each day. Gratitude changes our perspective on our present circumstances. What do you have today to be thankful for?

New York Take 2!

So I arrived back home last night after a delay and sitting on the runway for 2 hours at Newark. As aggravating as it was it could not diminish my wonderful memories of a fantastic weekend!

Sunday was my favorite day of the trip. We walked Central Park, my mom and I had tea at the Plaza and then we ended the night with a rooftop party with my Dad's store.  Here are some photos! Enjoy!

Xo!

Supermodel Petra Nemcova who attended the party. Her story is so inspiring and she was so genuine and sweet.