like dorothy's dress

Today's  inspiration monday!

That's when the ladies Nora and Megan of Two Birds Boutique
chose an outfit to inspire an outfit.

Here's my version of the look.
To see how others were inspired,

go to:

inspiration monday: is it bad?

Today's inspiration is:

Rebecca Minkoff

My white t-shirt is from Target (over 5 years old).

I didn't have printed pants like the inspiration.
I thought my skirt pattern had a similar print.
My skirt was thrifted.

My ankle boots were thrifted.

Alexis Mabille Spring RTW 2013

Left: Cacharel Spring RTW 2013
Right: Alice + Olivia Spring RTW 2013

My twin niece Lil Bug

My nephew Baby JJ

My twin niece EJ

My nephew Speed Racer

My art journal page from
June 5, 2013

The last time I saw the ocean was in August of 2012,
 while in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

I wonder when I'll see the beach again,
and where that will be?

little white dress

Today's inspiration monday!

That's when the ladies Megan and Nora of Two Birds Boutique
choose an outfit to inspire a look.

Here's my version of the look.
To see how others styled it go to:

inspiration monday: real pms.

Today's inspiration is:

Emmy Rossum

Making faces

Jean jacket: Secondhand from my cousin. It has an Old Navy tag.
Lace dress: F 21 (over 3 years ago)
Cream tank top: Sewn by mom. It used to be hers.

My gold shoes were thrifted.

More little white dresses.

Left: Alexis Mabille Spring RTW 2013 
Middle: Alice + Olivia Spring RTW 2013
Right: Alice Auaa Spring RTW 2013

Little me wearing a little white dress.
I think I'm holding a sandwich.

My art journal page from April 8, 2013

TODAY:
I played Factory Girl by The Pretty Reckless on my guitar.
 I scrapbooked with a friend.
I went to the library.
I watched The Client List on TV.
I got photos of my nephew.
I ate spaghetti.
I talked to my mom.

red like a valentine

Left: Alexis Mabille Fall 2012 RTW
Right: Alice + Olivia Fall 2012 RTW

Alexis Mabille Fall 2012 RTW

Top left: My friends and I, 2010
Bottom left: Me in NYC, 2011
Middle: My guy and I, 2009
Right: Me, 2012

My twin nieces and my guy

My nephew Baby JJ

My nephew Speed Racer,
 and my brother is helping him with the puzzle.  

Little me
from back in the day

My art journal page from February 5, 2013

It says:

Sometimes
Life is messy.
Sometimes
Life is colorful.
Sometimes
Life is imperfect.
Sometimes
so am I,
but only
Sometimes.

likes and dislikes

Today's Inspiration Monday!
When the ladies Megan and Nora of Two Birds Boutique
choose an outfit to inspire a look.

Here's my version of the look.
To see how others styled it
 go to
inspiration monday: diplomat.

Today's inspiration is:

Lauren Conrad

My belt was thrifted. 

My boots were thrifted.

You know how some outfits you like, and some outfits you dislike?
I dislike my outfit. I'm being honest. I don't like it!
Now that doesn't mean I want people to tell me they do like it, to make me feel better. Because if they do, I won't believe them. I also don't want to hear why the outfit doesn't work for me, by picking each piece of it apart. Or that I didn't do my hair, or even bother to put on lipstick, and why that was a mistake. The bottom line is,  
 I don't like the way the outfit turned out, or how I felt in it. 


Now I'm going to show some pant outfits I DO like:

Vionnet Fall 2012 RTW

Left: Alexis Mabille Fall 2012 RTW
Middle: Banana Republic Fall 2012 RTW
Right: Altuzarra Fall 2012 RTW

Now for something else I like.

Two of my favorite guys: my husband, and my nephew Speed Racer, just had a  birthday.
I feel so lucky to have them in my life. :)

My art journal from Jan 16, 2013
inspired by
Art Journal All Year E-Course by Elsie & Rachel
I stamped and embossed paper, used paint, ink,
pens, and embroidery thread.The brown tags were store bought,
 but I added the white ribbon, and white paper.

Everyday I try to express myself creatively.

Whether it's with words, art, music, or style.

I don't like everything I do.
That doesn't mean I stop trying,
although there are times when I want to.
I just know life is like that.
Some things are likes,
and some things are dislikes.

And sometimes, if you are me, those likes and dislikes can change from moment to moment, and time to time. I've been known to change my mind.  ;)

black, white, and christmas delight

Joseph Fall RTW 2012

Alice + Olivia Fall 2012 RTW

Left: Altuzarra Fall 2012 RTW
Right: Alexis Mabille Fall 2012 RTW

Left: Charlotte Ronson Fall RTW 2012
Right: Andrew Gn

Me and my guy 
Christmas 2006

My brother, my sister n-law, and me
 Christmas 2006

This bathroom, at a rest stop in New Mexico,
 looks like white stars painted in a black sky.

Top left: Christmas 2012 weather
Top right: I'm in the red pajamas
Center: my brother n-law and my niece Lil bug
Bottom left: my nephew Baby JJ
Bottom right: my nephew Baby JJ and my mother n-law

My twin nieces 
EJ is wearing the polka dots.
Lil bug is wearing the sheep.
Christmas 2012

My brother is on the top, far left, holding back his dog.

My nephew Speed Racer
Christmas 2012

My art journal page 12-9-12

I look at the handmade gifts our old next door neighbor would cut out of wood and paint. 
How my guy would go to our neighbor's wood shop, and borrow his tools.
I think of the year we made brownies and cut them into Christmas trees,
frosted and topped with M & M's.
And every year we would bake cookies: hello dolly's, frosted sugar cookies with sprinkles,
or we made rice krispie treats, 
orange sugared walnuts, or cheeseballs.

sorta like santa

I've been thinking of Christmas,
as I look around the living room,

Alice + Olivia Fall 2012 RTW

at all the decorations, people throughout my life,
have given me, and what each one means.

Left: Alexis Mabille Fall 2012 RTW
Right: Victoria Beckham Fall 2012 RTW

Those gifts from people I used to work with, 

Cacharel Fall 2012 RTW

gifts from parents whose children I once took care of,
 

me and my husband in front of our old house
December 2006

gifts from my friends,
 that they bought or made for me.

My nephew, Speed Racer eating ice.
It's one of his favorite things.
Notice his Stormtrooper cup, and his favorite yellow helicopter,
that his daddy gave him.

We used the tripod and self timer.

I look at the Christmas ornament from my dad,
 the year of the accident.
Gifts from him are few, and far between.

My nephew Baby JJ,
 and my twin nieces Lil Bug, and EJ

My husband hamming it up. ;)

My art journal page

My guy painted our front window.
He also made the green heart shutters and window boxes.
In front of our old house
December 2006

I look at  the wooden bear ornaments, my mom painted. I remember when my guy hung them from our lace curtains, in our bedroom, when I was sick in bed.

That's my idea of romance.
He knows how to cheer me up.
He still surprises me.
He still makes me smile.