spring break.

So in this house only my son is on spring break, and that happens to be next week. But this week just feels break-ish to me.

So I am going with the flow.

Spring always seems like a season of renewal just like January. So on my "break" - I'm going to be focusing on my list from the first part of this year. Here it is again if you are interested.

I'm just going to ignore the first one and focus on the day-to-day objectives...

Blog more.
Worry less.
Paint my nails more.
Make my home consistently reflect myself and my desires.
Switch to the "hotel" system for towels. (more on this soon!)
Implement my inspiration board.
Renovate master bath.
Renovate master closet(s).
Renovate fireplace hearth.
Take a family vacation.
Set up a craft area.
Craft more.
Journal regularly.
Spend wisely.
Spend less.
Make being a one car family "work."
Take two romantic weekend trips, just me and hubby.
Laugh with my kids, a lot.
Kiss my kids and my husband, a lot.
Be content with my life as a stay-at-home-mom.
Be content in general.
Entertain more.


I may stop back from time to time, and I'll be sure to visit your blogs in the meantime... but until next week-ish... enjoy life!

a shmish shmash...

This post has absolutely nothing to do with anything, except for what I have been up to lately.

Monday Mania you could call it!

This past weekend I devoted a lot of my free time to being creative... it's the only thing that gets me out of my own head - and after last week, I needed it. I have a little knitting project in the works for my daughter and while I was working on that I had an epiphany that led me on a bunny trail to a new project. That is what I love about letting the creative juices flow!

I came up with the idea of knitting a simple ruffle (which happen to be my favorite thing to knit - so easy and whimsical) and then gently sewed it onto a old tank. Ruffles are all the rage from the runways, to the fashion mags, to our most favorite retailers (especially jcrew of late!). Here's the outcome:

Ultra close-up of ruffle...

Ta-da...

More ruffle love...

I am just smitten with the outcome! SO simple and sweet for the warmer months!

~~~

Next up... a little shopping. I very quickly swung into Forever 21 this morning with the kids in tow... the finds? Not so bad for being half distracted!

model shot in my powder room quick...


I actually couldn't find the exact pieces online (F21 is kinda weird like that)... but the cardi was $24, the white t $6 and then I layered two gold multi-stranded necklaces that were $6 each. The grand total with tax was just under $40. Not bad and it's a great multi-season look.

~~~

Lastly... Sweetie Pie Pumpkin Noodle is hosting a little blog party today... my fav Happy-Go-Lucky song by far is Young Folks by Peter Bjorn... whistle with me...


Happy Monday all!

a little bit of housekeeping!

Two quick things for all my lovely readers!

A new feature I am showcasing is a "Current Good Life for Less Outfit" in the left column... check it out often as I will try to change it frequently. The outfit will feature items that are on sale at a deep discount and won't break the bank but are high on style! This feature is brought to you by ShopStyle which is a really fun and interactive shopping site. I love that you can search by brand, price, discount, store, etc.! The options are endless so click on over and check it out!

Also, sorry to be a pain, but I am turning ON comment moderation... I guess the only bad part about increased traffic is increased weird comments! I'll be sure to approve comments asap so that they will be up for everyone's reading pleasure!

Hope everyone had a fab weekend... I'm a little depressed it's Monday already!

the finale

Here is the last and final short skirt/long jacket entry... I have had just a BLAST doing these and letting my imagination run wild. Here are all of them if you care to see...


short skirt - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

And here's a funny little video that always makes me chuckle...

Here's my fav quotes from the video:
"damn this is good..."
"oh, there you go..."
"how much is this? i'll take two"
"i've heard it a million times..."
"it has therapeutic value"
"i don't like the na-na part"
"some feminist gal"
"it's trying so hard to be important"
"i really don't like these lyrics"
"it's a really nice song"
"if she was like the broad in this song..."
"it rocks"

~~~

Enjoy your weekend!

let the swooning begin...

I don't know why I even step foot in Nordstrom Rack... there is just WAY too much good stuff there! Recently I did go with a solid purpose, but was foiled. I was shopping for some shoes for my little girl, big surprise I didn't find any...

But I did find some fab stuff for me! This is only a glimpse... there was seriously SO MUCH GOOD STUFF!

This is a bad picture... but I found more Tory Burch goodness.  These awesome heels were priced at $169.99.  Sweet shoes - a little out of my price range for two reasons:  I have black pumps with gold accents already and I was going to find $20 shoes for my little gal.  Rats.

This little number was KEEEEY-UTE!  oh, and did I mention it is Marc by Marc Jacobs at the incredible Nordstrom Rack price of $139.99 (I don't know what the orig price was) and then marked 50% off of that!  I am still sad I didn't snag it!  It was so cute and swingy!  Maybe it will still be there... 

Oh well, budgets are a you-know-what!  Plus, I need spring and summer clothes and neither of these really fit in that category. 

"she's changing her name from kitty to karen." - cake

kitty to karen - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

~~~

Tomorrow is the LAST day of short skirt/long jacket... so sad. I've been having SO much fun with it! Join me here for some more fun and feel free to play along!

Pottery Barn's Style Tips...

Let's face it, whether or not we like it, Pottery Barn is Americana decorating at it's best. While I feel that PB can become a little cookie cutter at times... it seems of late they are working on diversifying their look and their price points. I noticed in their newest catalog that they featured a classic living room set "styled" two different ways.

I love the idea of being able to change up accessories, whether in fashion or home decor to show the versatility of strong investment pieces. Here's how PB does a living room two ways, for only $500 in accessories:



Here's my interpretation of what to pair with the Charleston Sofa and the Tanner Cube Coffee Table.


How would you decorate with these two investment pieces?

"At Citibank..."

pen - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

Sale Alert!

I just found these sweet jeans on sale for $105 (from $210!)

More 7 For All Mankind...

"I want a girl with smooth liquidation, I want a girl with good dividends."

smooth liquidation - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

my new five minute face...

I've mentioned before that I have only two go-to brands for beauty/skincare - that way when I need a product I am not willy nilly picking up things here and there.

However.... These two products caught my eye this weekend at Target (of course!) and against my "policy" I picked them up!

I am so glad I did and they are now the components of my NEW spring five minute face!

More No7...

More No7...

Both are INCREDIBLY easy to use and combined with a bronzer blusher (that I also picked up this weekend of the same brand but can not for the life of my find onlind - boo!) and mascara are my 5 minute face! What's yours?

"with finger nails that shine like justice..."

fingernails that shine like justice - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

The lyrics for the FINAL week of short skirt/long jacket will go as follows:
TUESDAY: I want a girl with a smooth liquidation, I want a girl with good dividends
WEDNESDAY: At Citibank we will meet accidentally, We'll start to talk when she borrows my pen
THURSDAY: She is changing her name from Kitty to Karen
FRIDAY: I want a girl with a short skirt and a long jacket

Want.

Something is seriously drawing me to this bag...

More Marc by Marc Jacobs...

And no it's not the price tag.

And the thing is usually I'm not much for those "in your face" brand name items like this. You know, the one's that scream what store they came from.

I guess the good news is that Saks has it for $178 and eluxury for a whopping $228.

It likely won't be mine... but a girl can still dream, right?

a new little project

For quite a while I have had this idea brewing in my head about creating outfits with a budget of only $100 as a feature on this blog.  These days, everyone is looking to be more budget friendly and I like the challenge that a budget presents. It's easy to look good with oodles of money, right?

I didn't know how to bring it about without making this blog too "outfit heavy" especially with the short skirt/long jacket series of late.

So I decided to give this new idea it's own blog and it's own little personality.  So this weekend... this little baby was born:

Introducing one hundred inspirations.

She's new. She's a work in progress. And to be honest I am feeling a little sheepish "bringing her out" - but please, please, please... stop by and do tell me what you think.

"i want a girl with a short skirt and a long jacket"

short skirt - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

~~~

As always, I love it when you play along! Leave me a comment with the link to your outfit! Everyone have a fantastic weekend!

Hooked On: Bedroom as an Oasis.

This week has been a real doozy - and just when I think it is looking up, I get knocked down again. These things make me stronger - in the grand scheme of things I am at peace.

But still, after a bad day or a bad week...

Don't you just want to crawl into one of these? To me... comforting bedding = comfort.









Lucky for us, they can all be purchased here.

How do you make your bedroom an oasis?

~~~

For more on what the internet is Hooked On this week, check out Hooked on Houses!

"Who uses a machete to cut through red tape."

red tape - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

~~~

I am switching things up a bit... if you would like to play along tomorrow's lyrics will be:

I want a girl with a short skirt and a long jacket!

dinnerware artwork.

I recently came across plate-hangers (the spring-y kind) at the craft store for only $1.99! It was a huge lightbulb and DUH! moment for me! First, I didn't even know where to find a plate-hanger (duh!) and then I thought just-add-plate for instant artwork (lightbulb!).

The great thing about this type of art installation, if you will, is that it can easily be changed with your mood or the seasons! Plus, it's a fun excuse to splurge on only a piece or two of swanky dinnerware that you can use as serving plates later! (i.e. the green polka dot Kate Spade!)

Wouldn't any of these be fantastic options? It seems a bit old fashioned... the whole plate-hanger idea. But I'm bringing it back!

blogging.

So the thing about blogging is this: It's easy to put your best foot forward. Right?

It's easy to show the fun stuff, the cute stuff, the inspired stuff and the neat stuff from your life. But life isn't always fun, cute, inspired or neat. I know you all know that.

I'm just going to put it out there as a reminder.

Yesterday was a bad day for me, a down day, a little "blue" if you will. Nothing major, just life and kids and diapers and endless other little roadblocks. That was why the posting was lack-luster or really even non-existent. So thanks for coming back today!

I'm back in the game, just needed some down time. That, and a couple naps and some tea.

How do you handle the ups and downs of life?

short skirt/long jacket!

... will continue tomorrow! In the meantime, check out the previous outfits!

ring, ring.

I am "phoning it in" a bit this afternoon... it's just been one of those weeks. I know you will enjoy this blog, if you haven't discovered it yet. My husband and I can't get enough of the fantastic and funny writing... and even more so, who doesn't need a little reminder now and then of the best that life has to offer.

wish i.

Women: Oversized striped canvas tote - orange stripe





Women: Mockneck cardigan - new off white





Women: Lantern sleeve ruffle top - demre




If I implode from not shopping, consider yourself warned. How is it possible to resist these?

"I want a girl with uninterupted prosperity"

prosperity - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

a couple of little sales for ya'

Here are a couple of sales that I have heard about here and there... just thought I would share the temptation!

From one of my favorite online beauty stores...
Today, March 17th Only! FREE Full-Size Lipstick and FREE Standard Shipping with any Origins.com order.

This is a good deal... I have a couple of GapBody swimsuits and I really like them:
30% off GapBody swim. For a limited time, now through March 25. Shop Now!


Stock up on trendy spring/summer items from Charlotte Russe:
St. Patty's Day One Day Only 25% Off Sitewide!


Spring and Summer Dresses for "forget about it!" prices:
Shop Old Navy for spring’s “It” dresses, starting at $15

Tar-jay love...

I was perusing good 'ole Target the other day and fell in love with a few items that will likely become part of my spring wardrobe... are you planning your spring shopping out yet?

"I want a girl who gets up early, I want a girl who stays up late."

I want a girl... - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

~~~

For more Cake's Short Skirt/Long Jacket fun... check out these previous posts!

If you want to play along (and I would love it if you did!)... tomorrow's lyrics are: "I want a girl with uninterrupted prosperity" - leave me a comment with the link to your outfit! I love seeing other's interpretations... at the end I am going to try to compile them all and will link to your posts HERE!

antiques & living room...finally!

I realize I owe you guys some pictures of the antiques (besides the chairs) and the living room re-do! Here are a couple!

A close up of the yellow table... I decided it's a great way to showcase all my monthly magazines. I just love the covers of magazines. You? They always reflect the colors and feelings of the season and styles, so why not showcase them? (for some reason iphoto will NOT rotate this picture for me... sorry about that!)


Here is the yellow table in the room. I am loving it by this window (which I had to close to avoid glare) - but the sun shines on it and makes the yellow so bright and cheery!

Here are the chairs, again, with their new "buddy" the travel trunk!  It was painted this shiny black when I snagged it for $25.  I was going to repaint or even try to strip it.  But I think I like it this way.  The chairs were only $119 for the pair and $10 for the new houndstooth fabric.

Here's a trunk close up!

It's certainly hard to say which item was my favorite from the whole trip, but this print - that I grabbed up for $45 (framed!) - is pretty close to my absolute fav!  It has the red and blue elements that I have been working on incorporating into the room.  This little wall is just off the living room on the way to the kitchen in our little eating area.  The glass is VERY reflective though... any thoughts on how to fix? It is hung directly across from our slider door, so I think the window adds to the problem.  

Hope you enjoy and that everyone had a fantastic weekend!