around here, recently

 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: short and sweet.

Today's inspiration is:

Kristin Cavallari

My sleeveless top was thrifted.

My pants were thrifted.

I watched the excellent movie
 Soul Surfer featuring AnnaSophia Robb. It's based on the book and true story of Bethany Hamilton.

My guy trimmed our front bushes, and fixed the screw in our front door.
So far he's been to Home Depot three times this weekend.
He doesn't think he done yet, either.

I finished reading Learning to Live Outloud by Piper Laurie.


...I haven't realize dear Uncle Shmule's expectations for me of a perfect and blessed life, but I've been useful. And I've had a lot of fun, more than you ever allowed yourself.
And Mother... do you know that long ago...
 I stopped being that frightened child you saw gazing through the train window, yearning only to be part of the speaking world?
I suspect you do...

from Learning to Live Outloud by Piper Laurie

My nephew JJ with is grandpa

My twin nieces EJ and Lil Bug

My nephew Speed Racer on his tricycle.
Notice my brother's basketball on the cooler behind him. 

My art journal page from June 3, 2013

I wonder...

If I'll ever go out for doughnuts again.
Since most of them are made with eggs.

Today my guy surprised me with these.
It had probably been about 2 years since I last ate a doughnut.

it's a hat thing

My outfit was influenced by last week's inspiration monday! 

That's when the ladies Megan and Nora 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: moving day.

Last week's inspiration was:

Anne Hathaway

My favorite Anne Hathaway movies are:

The Devil Wears Prada

Alice in Wonderland  (2010)
and Ella Enchanted

My hat: borrowed from my guy Kohl's (2010)
My t-shirt: My Chemical Romance concert (2007)
It's so sad the band broke up this year.  :(

My striped jeans: Target (last Fall)
My black shoes: thrifted

Yes, I wore this last week,
 and didn't finish my blog post.
Time slipped away from me. Blah, blah, blah...

Here's some little cuties wearing hats.
You may have seen these photos before,
but I think they're worth a second look.  ;)

My nephew Speed Racer,
on Christmas morning 2012

My nephew JJ in October 2012

My twin nieces in October 2012

My art journal page from June 8, 2013

I wonder when I'll get a new hat.
The last time I bought a hat was over 7 years ago.
I hope I find one this Summer.

Well we are now in August,
and I still haven't bought a new hat. Waa, waa.

a smidgen of yellow

My outfit was influenced by inspiration monday!

That's when the ladies Megan and Nora 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: the right stuff.

Today's inspiration is:

Olivia Palermo

My brown dress: thrifted
My necklace: Forever 21 (over 2 years ago).

My shoes were from LuLu's.com.

Left: Antonio Marras Spring RTW 2013
Right: Camilla and Marc Spring RTW 2013

Left: Alexandre Herchcovitch Spring RTW 2013
Right: Carolina Herrera Spring RTW 2013

My art journal page from July 7, 2013

Yesterday-
We colored my hair before 10 am physical therapy.
I got my bangs and haircut in late afternoon.

Duck photos taken by my guy in March 2013.

My guy eating fresh corn and oranges,
 in our living room, June 2013.

A collection of pouty faces

My nephews, my nieces, my mom, and me

all about neutrals

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

My friend gave me my white purse.

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

Today's inspiration is:

Jessica Alba

My mom made my necklace.

My shoes were thrifted.

My blouse was thrifted.

My nephews and nieces in neutrals.

Photos by my guy of a bird in neutrals.

My art journal page from April 6, 2013
inspired by Wilna Furstenberg's Art Class

On Friday I lit vanilla candles.

seether

Today is inspiration monday!
That's when the ladies Nora and Megan 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: outfit envy.

Today's inspiration is:

Kate Hudson
I've already mentioned how I adore her as the character
 Cassandra July on Glee.

My favorite Kate Hudson movies are:

Almost Famous and Raising Helen
I've seen them more than 3 times each.

My blouse was thrifted.

compare and contrast

My shoes were thrifted.

Messy things I like are:

this idea was inspired by
this post from The Song Summer Sings .

My art journal from Jan 12, 2013
inspired byArt Journal All Year E-Course by Elsie & Rachel 
paper pattern inspired by Ingrid Barlow's Sweet Swagger Quilt Pattern

Sometimes it is

what you never expected it to be.

After all this time,

Life has a way of still surprising me.

I've been playing Seether by Veruca Salt
on my guitar since last Thursday.