a poppy by any other name...

would never be as sweet as the delightful creations by Lindsey over at The Pleated Poppy. 

I love supporting handmade, but especially love when the artisans are as delightful as Lindsey is. 

Check out her blog (and of course her shop) and see what all the fuss is about. I'm linking to her blog with other ladies who are showing off their Lindsey loot.

My favorites are her posy pins. When I ordered my first batch this past year they challenged me to be a little bolder with the color choices I wear. And since then they've become a wardrobe staple. Some drab outfits have been saved by my husband reminding my to "add one of those flower pins."

Now they live on top of my dresser in one of my favorite depression glass bowls.  They add some extra color to the room and when they're out, I remember to wear them.

Favorite ways to wear 'em?

Piled high on a sweater:

To brighten a scarf:

To make a cardi more exciting:

And keep a sweater shut:

And of course, don't forget to wear your petal drop necklace with your posies!

These necklaces are totally adjustable and coordinate with your flowers.

 And can be dressed up or dressed down

And love layering short beaded necklaces with a petal drop.

And those ruffled scarves - just perfect!

Thanks to Lindsey, I wear mustard yellow all the time and love it.

So enjoy wearing your posies, petals and ruffles...they make for a brighter day!

Simple Pleasures

I tend to waste my days off sitting around, surfing the web, watching reruns of Law and Order, you know the drill.

This week I decided to embrace the simple pleasures of a quiet day.

A fantastic pot of tea. 

Teapot, gift from miss Paige as a wedding shower gift, mug from here.

A little springy decor added to our space.

I have always wanted Lenox's Chirp china. I opted for the less expensive, outlet obtained place mats.

What's your favorite spring simple pleasure?

What I Wore Wednesday 4/13/11

This was a busy week. Lots of craziness at work and not enough time to get life at home settled. Need to work on that life-balance concept. 

But, the month of April tends to be like this each year and somehow by May it is all forgotten.

Onto something that is fun and never a burden - What I Wore Wednesday!
 I'm linking to the Pleated Poppy.

Wednesday, 4/6

Again, I'm still anxiously awaiting warmer temps, so the wool jackets and sweaters are still making appearances. I really loved wearing this outfit. It was well-layered for comfort in fluctuating temps and I think embraced the nautical look I'm still kind of obsessing over. 

Top: Tommy Hilfiger

Jacket: INC, Macy's (They've made some gorgeous jackets for Spring this year, too)

Pants: Van Heusen

Shoes: Dr. Scholl's

Earrings: Honora, QVC

Posy Pin: The Pleated Poppy for inCourage

Necklace: Erruz

Thursday, 4/7

Went into the office and did lots of prep for a big event this weekend.

I loved this top the second I saw it. I think it will match so many current wardrobe pieces and has a lot of personality. Just loved wearing it. And the jacket is a 'real brown.' No tweed, so it goes with textured pants and, no doubt about it - it's a great neutral that can be worn year-round. Now that's exciting.

Top: Jcrew Factory

Jacket: Gap (thrifted)

Pants: Gap (thrifted)

Shoes: Dr. Scholl's

Earrings: Jewelscapes

Flower Pin: Jcrew

Friday, 4/8

Visited a local community college for the day and celebrated my little cousin's birthday (I love impromptu celebrations). I found this sweater at Marshall's and love it's Anthro-esque look and feel. Plus since it matches so so many items, it will be a great addition to the wardrobe.

Cardigan: Marshall's

Top: Jcrew Factory

Pants: Gap (thrifted)

Shoes: DSW

Earrings: Jewelscapes

Necklace: Lisa Leonard Wish

Saturday, 4/9

A lazy day, but did do some laundry and Target shopping.

This was a very simple outfit, but worked for running around. And (gasp) I went out in public sans makeup. It was shockingly freeing and no one said anything, so I guess it was ok.

Sweater: Free People (thrifted)

Tee: Jcrew

Jeans: Levis

Shoes: Born

Necklace and Earrings: Jewelscapes

Sunday, 4/10

Our admitted student program at work means most professional look possible. The jacket was on a super clearance rack and the saleswoman said it looks better on than one would think. I agree and am in love.

Jacket: Talbots Outlet

Dress: Target

Heels: Clarks

Belt: Jones NY

 Necklace: Ralph Lauren

Earrings: Lord and Taylor

 Monday, 4/11

A day off (I'm working this upcoming weekend). Had car trouble, drove to the mechanic's (my brother) and the engine light went off and the car was running well. It is only a matter of time until this becomes a little issue again (wires or something), and since it's not serious (so I am assured), it's cheaper to wait for the problem to arise and then take it back. Thus, took a nice hour-long drive. I did have a nice day and created my parents' wedding album on Shutterfly. The highlight of the day was my dad calling just to tell me that he is grateful I'm his daughter and that he loves me. That was pretty amazing.

This sherbet sweater is a new color for me. Think it goes well with the Jcrew shirt I wore on Thursday (Easter look, perhaps?) and hope to wear it a lot this spring and summer.

Top: Macy's (super old)

Sweater: Jcrew Factory

Jeans: Loft (thrifted)

Shoes: Bare Traps (DSW)

Belt: Jcrew Factory

Earrings: Surf and Sand

Necklace: JessLC

Tuesday, 4/12

Work and suit buying for my husband.

This is a stand-by, tried and true outfit for me.

 Top and Jacket: Ann Taylor

Pants: Talbots (but a very cheap Marshall's find)

Shoes: Clarks

Necklace: The Rusted Chain

Earrings: Jewelscapes

Happy stylin'!

For my parents...

We opted to purchase our wedding DVD of photos to create extra albums...so a year and a half later, here is our wedding as my parents will remember it. And our wedding photographer Artie from Artistic Images was incredible. He captured all our moments so very perfectly.

Click here to view this photo book larger

What I Wore Wednesday 4/6/11

I'm linking to The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday and
 Jewelscapes for Bejeweled Wednesdays.
Here's a peek into my looks for the week.

Wednesday, 3/30

Work

This look was something I never ever would have worn if not for WIWW...

Top: Brooks Brothers

Sweater: Jcrew (thrifted)

Skirt: Talbots

Belt: Jones NY

Shoes: Aerosoles

Earrings: Jewelscapes

Necklace: vintage find

Thursday, 3/31

Spent the day recruiting at a local community college and shopped with my mother in law

Top: Anthropologie

Jacket: Jcrew

Pants: Calvin Klein

Flats: DSW

Necklace: Allora Handmade

Earrings: Surf and Sand

Friday, 4/1

Rarebits Spring Trunk Show!!!

Top: Tommy Hilfiger (yup, I upgraded on the stripes)

Sweater: Jcrew

Pants: Dockers

Shoes: Bare Traps(DSW)

Belt: Jcrew

Earrings: Local shop

Necklace: Errsuz

Saturday, 4/2

A 90th birthday party for my beloved voice teacher

Dress: Liberty of London for Target (oh how I missed wearing you this winter!!)

Sweater: Ann Taylor

Belt: Jones NY

Shoes: Aerosoles

Earrings: Surf and Sand

Necklace: JessLC

Sunday, 4/3

Church, afternoon visit with friends, dinner with friends

Top and Sweater: Anthropologie

Cami: Jcrew

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: DSW

Belt: Jcrew

Earrings: Candies64

Necklace: The Vintage Pearl

Monday, 4/4

I had the day off to go to the doctor's...drove an hour, waited an hour, the doctor called out sick...

Well, at least I was off!

A pretty casual look for me.

Tee: Jcrew

Cardigan: Hollister

Jeans: Loft (thrifted)

Flats: Born

Earrings: Kohl's

Necklace: Arielle and Pamela

Posy Pin: The Pleated Poppy

Tuesday, 4/5
First day back in the office after a long weekend=lots and lots to do.
And I am really hoping the warm weather starts up, so trying to encourage it with spring wear.

Dress and Cardi: Target

Belt: Kohl's

Shoes: Easy Spirit

Earrings: Local Shop
Necklace: Lisa Leonard Word of the Year (a bday gift!!) paired with
aqua bead (From Up Here necklace)

Thank you for visiting my little blog today! I love your comments and love checking out your looks, too.

Scarpbooking Tools = Style Helpers

You read that right: my scrapbooking hobby has saved many outfits

 with the tools and products that have saved a nearly  un-styled day. 

How you ask? Here are my little secrets.

(Photo taken in the sweltering hot summer)

Hate when belts are too long and they just hang there or stick out? You could use those little velcro dots, but that means you have to wear the belt the same way all the time. 

Enter the ATG gun. 

I'll argue that this bulky tool can also let you reuse uncanceled stamps with ease, but that's another post.

You just hold out the side of your belt, swipe on some adhesive and you are ready. It doesn't loosen through the day and it's totally invisible. Plus, the goo easily peels off post-wearing and has not yet left residue on my belts.  You can also use GlueDots or GlueLines and get the same results (for the non-scrapper, that is a cheaper solution).

Hate that your belts don't go to the perfect length (you could use a hole right between the ones already punched or just need it a tad longer or shorter)?

Time for the Crop A Dile!

Sure, you could try the ice pick or paper piercer trick, but for a clean, smooth punch that you can make in narrow or wide, depending on what you need, the Crop A Dile is awesome. The hole looks like it was meant to be there and you can easily see where you are punching.

 It's effortless and I think I use it more as a styling tool now than when I scrap.

And finally, this trick saved these pants.

The day after I bought these pants, we had a flood in our bathroom. 

I bleached the bathroom. 

I took a shower and put on my brand new pants.

 I leaned against the bleached sink. 

I bleached a perfect spot on my pants. 

Right in the front.

For a couple of months I tea stained the bleach, tried magic marker, tried sharpies. 

What worked? Staz On Ink Pads mixed with Distress Ink by Tim Holtz. 

Using several colors, I blended them to mask the stain and save the pants. And it stayed on after a wash.

Have any style tips that come from something completely unrelated? I'd love to hear! 

It's Not Where You Start...

Tomorrow I will be celebrating this amazing woman, Mrs. Florence Hardgrove and her 90 years of life.

Mrs. Hardgrove became my voice teacher when I was a freshman in high school and I took lessons from her for ten years. She was with me through the craziness that was high school, my college years, my first big-girl job, and meeting and marrying my husband.

I always say she was/is so much more than a voice teacher. She is my mentor, therapist, political commentator, book club leader, spiritual director...a true inspiration. And what a life she has led! Daughter of a Methodist bishop, she grew up in Virginia and started singing at the age of three. She built airplanes during World War II, sang on a national radio show (along with Beverly Sills), started her own local opera company, sang in the famous New York opera houses, and taught countless students the value of music.

In 2008 she convinced me to sing a concert - 10 songs, all me (all memorized) ranging from classical pieces to opera to Broadway. I remember the cold January night that I got in my car crying because I had no idea how I could do this. It wasn't stage fright, but the idea of needing to do this that scared me most. And 10 months later we did it. And donated almost $1000.00 to Habitat for Humanity from attendees. It was one of the most incredible days of my life - standing room only, surrounded by family and friends and sharing the gift of song. Our favorite song that day? It's Not Where You Start (it's where you finish).  It's what I'll be singing to her tomorrow as we all honor her.

The lesson Mrs. Hardgrove taught me above all others is in this post - to be truly happy one must always dwell in beauty. The beauty of God, the beauty of flowers, the beauty of others, and of course, the beauty of music.

Thank you, Mrs. Hardgrove, for sharing your passion for life and music so self-lessly. You are not just an inspiration, but a hero.