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.

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

of stars with red and blue

Today my outfit is based on Style Imitating Art Challenge.
That's when Jess from Animated Cardigan choses a work of art,
 to inspire an outfit.

Here's my version of the look.
To see how others were inspired,
 go to:
Style Imitating Art: untitled.

Today's art inspiration is:

Olympics-Star:1992
by artist Sol LeWitt 

I thought the lines in my skirt,
sort of mimicked the lines in the star.

My red skirt and my black boots were thrifted.

Now for some more red and blue fashion:

Anna Sui Spring RTW 2013
Can you see her star button?
 Can you see the red tie has a guitar on it?
How about the heart bracelet?

Left: Anna Sui Spring RTW 2013
Middle: Alice + Olivia Spring RTW 2013
Right: Betsey Johnson Spring RTW 2013
Those sunglasses, the jackets,
and the floral patterns are the best!

Anna Sui Spring RTW 2013
I adore the black lace detail on the back pockets,
the prints and the necklace!

Anna Sui Spring RTW 2013
I dig the clear clutch bag, and how it looks hand painted.
I also really like the hearts!

My art journal pages from
February 25, 2013

If you had told me five years ago that I was going to live in The Lonestar State, I would not have believed it. If you had told me at concerts that bands would sing: 
"The stars at night are big and bright"
 and have us, in the audience sing back,
"Deep in the heart of Texas"...
I would have been shocked.

Teenage me liked to look at the stars, and find the constellations:The Big Dipper,The little dipper, and Cassiopeia. I thought I would like Astronomy class in college. No way!

It was too much math. I only passed it because my husband took it with me, and helped.

Thank goodness for that. ;)

Now for the little stars in my life:

My nephew Speed Racer with his
 goldfish crackers. Can you see the star shape on the bottom right photo?

Left: My nephew Baby JJ is standing
without an adult helping him.
Right: My twin nieces are trying to vacuum cause I told them they had to clean up the mess they made.

Now for my 11th favorite band Augustana:
from their All the Stars and Boulevards album.

...."Seems like I'm never coming home
Seems like I'm always on my oh.. 
All the stars and boulevards
 ain't close enough for you"... All the Stars and Boulevards by Augustana