You Hear That??? It's WEDDING BELLS. Yes, already.....

Now that the Holiday festivities of 2012 and the massive birthday celebrations of 2012/2013 are closing in on me, I have yet another function ahead to which I must find something super cute to adorn myself in. Realizing that the big day is a mere three months away, I am officially back on the diet and in search for the perfect dress to wear to this amazing event! The event will be at 4pm and is outside at the most adorable wedding spot I have ever seen, The Wildflower Barn, in Driftwood, Texas - That's just a hop skip and a jump from the Salt Lick. But this post is about fitting into clothes, not BBQ... Here is my vision, and keep in mind that I am unaware of the couples official colors, and the only reason that I actually care is because my husband will be a groomsman and I think its important to coordinate your damn family. Which, oh shit, that reminds me, I have to find something for the kid to wear too! A short (because I am short, but willing to get something hemmed), A-line, V-neck or low ballerina neckline, cap, 3/4, or full sleeve in a spring-like color, and can be worn again. I had this exact same dress in high school, I wore it to my graduation, I got it at Barney's, it was a steal, and I can guarantee that I will never find it again. But I am on a mission to try. This time around, I want silk! And let me go ahead and throw this out there, it's very easy to look far too hippy-ish or mod with dresses of this silhouette, so I strongly suggest to keep the flowers out of your hair and DO NOT WEAR tall boots. A messy and low chignon paired with simple jewelry and nude heels? Absolutely! Below you will witness the dream closet of my mind; prepare.

Anyways, looks like I have my work cut out for me. HELP ME!

Making Up For Lost Time!

Hey everyone! It's been a very busy year, two actually, but I am ready to get back on this blog thing. I ran off and had a baby and being so time constrained, I have begun an even more serious love affair with web shopping! Not to mention, with sites such as Wanelo and Pintrest, daydreaming, creating, designing, decorating, and invention have ended up right at our fingertips! I'm not even sure where to begin seeing as I have neglected this blog for so long, so I will begin with my current favorite trends and fashions.... Let's Go! Since we've last updated, Courtney BOUGHT A HOUSE! An amazing house, at that. She's been seeking my opinion on decorating styles, I've been hunting down amazing products for her, and she's been making all the purchases - this is my favorite way to shop! :) She had mentioned that there is no option for colorful, classy, powder coated hardware in this world - AND THEN, i found them! Byron and Byron, a company from across the pond, has read our minds and created the most perfect curtain rods and finials that I have ever seen! As a matter of fact, all of their products are rather whimsical and delightful! Unfortunately, their purchasing site has down for a while, or else I would give you all a heads up on the cost of these beauties. In the very least, it certainly gave me a good idea, I am totally going to do this with my master bedroom curtain rod. HOW FUN! Thanks for your patience, readers. And as always, HAPPY SHOPPING!

I LOVE the Citywide Garage Sale in Austin, Texas!

For the past ten years I have been attending the City-Wide Garage Sale in my amazing town of Austin, Texas! It's a wonderful place to go if you are looking for unique pieces of furniture including; antiques, up-cycled finds, revamped pieces etc. I also love going for the selection of vintage linens (beautiful baby quilts (12.), adorable embroidered pillow cases (3.), ethnic print bedspreads (8.), tablecloths (8.), etc) that they offer. I like to consider my home as an eclectic/bohemian mix of pieces and textiles and I find that the City-Wide is just the perfect place for me to add to my collections! Word to the wise, please check the schedule here because they are not open every weekend.

I went this past weekend and picked up some amazing finds, but also found a new dealer that I immediately fell in love with. The business that rents the space is called House Wren and it's run by Nancy Govro and her boyfiend, Mike Clark. As soon as I stepped into their space I immediately felt a peaceful comfort. I was surrounded by beautiful yet industrial pieces which offered the aesthetics equal to that of an affordable Restoration Hardware! Affordable being the key word here.

Check out Nancy and Mike's online shop here! Note the spectacular white and steel dining room table that WILL someday be in my home!

Thanks Austin for hosting such an incredible event, and thank you Nancy and Mike for making such beautiful and unique pieces for us all to swoon over. Job well done!

Perfect Summer Beauty Essentials

ok ok, my summer beauty regimine is basically the same as any other season, however, these products definitely add some pizzazz to a lovely sun-kissed, summer face.

First up is one of my favorite cleansers. EVER. It's the Jennifer Bradley 3 in 1 cleanser, and I love it because it's light yet it leaves your skin ever so clean, fresh, and super soft! You must order it through her directly (go on, it's ok to feel like a diva) but don't sweat it, she's so easy to work with! Also, next time you are bored at the office, make sure you check out her youtube video tutorials on basic makeup application techniques - she's a genius. (AND she did Obama's makeup!!!)

note: do NOT miss her other products - everything I have tried from this line has been incredible!

Next in line is the Murad Acne Treatment Concealer (21.). I love it's creamy texture, and it's thin design. It easily covers and conceals and definitely does not cake or feel heavy. The main reason I love this product is because it heals while it conceals. It's a one, two sucker punch for pesky summertime acne. Murad products can be purchased online here or at Sephora.

I love that pink "pinched" look in the summertime - I especially love it with my sunny freckles! My grandmother always told me that a woman pinches her cheeks and whores wear rouge, and southern women really know their stuff! My ammo for achieving this perfect look is O-Glow by Smashbox. It comes out of the tube a smooth, clear gel, but by the time it hits your skin, the ingredients in this product transform your skin into your own natural "blushing" color. It's pretty spectacular, easy to apply, and it's 100% impossible to mess up the application. True Love.

This next product has been in my arsenal for a couple of months, and I do not foresee it making an exit anytime soon. I am a fan of the lip stains - lip glosses are too think and I cannot stand the sparkly, kindergarten effect most have. Lip sticks smear and don't last, and chapsticks just don't cut it. Come on ladies, we have got to put forth some effort here, no? The last time I went to Sephora to replenish my Urban Decay Lip Envy in "Greedy", they were out (go figure), so I decided to try the Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in "Fox Trot" and to my surprise, I LOVE IT! I tried Drew Barrymore's "#1 lip stain in America", and should she be telling the truth, you should all be ashamed of yourselves, folks! Everywhere I go I get compliments on the Josie Maran. It really is shaped like a magic marker, it's extremely easy to apply, and the stain lasts all day long. I generally apply a gloss type product over it and my two go-to products for this job are either Malin + Goetz lip mouisturizer for day, or LIPfusion micro-collagen lip plump for evening. And I admit, I have definitely seen some plumping action with the latter. It's unlike Lip Venom in that it does not sting and the effects last longer than the time you have the product on your lips.

And finally, without further ado, the one product that I am known for - Nemat's Amber Oil(12.). It's so soft and clean, and for some beautiful and mysterious reason, my body chemistry mixed with this scent is pure heaven! Oils of all kinds are also lovely alternatives for those of you who may be allergic to harsh alcohol based perfumes. I am sure some folks think it's time for me to find a new scent, and to that, I shrug my shoulders and walk away.

TGIFF readers. Happy Shopping!

ps, Nordstrom's Anniversary sale began TODAY!

The Jumpsuit gets a modern makeover!

I am a product of the 1970's. Born to a young, beautiful and hip mother, I definitely saw my fair share of jumpsuits being worn around the house, to the grocery store, and even out on the weekends. As a matter of fact, I vividly recall a white cotton and chifon, strapless jumpsuit accessorized with white Dr. Scholls, and large gold hoop earrings - if I could only have her exact outfit today! (yes, even the shoes)

This summer I have had my eye on the return of the jumpsuit, and while I am not in love with the metallic, disco-era patterns of yonder, nor do I want to wear a suit made of polyester, I do adore the palazzo style pants and the light and comfortable yet slimming and becoming fabrics of today's pieces. The prices range depending on the fabrics and designers, and the look can be chic and elegant or bubblegum tween if you decide to wear a skort style romper with bobby socks and pig-tails. The latter i do not condone for reasons of public sanity and personal reputation.

These pieces are meant to have fun with...dress them up with some amazing baubles and slick heels, or keep them simple with an off-the-shoulder style paired with a low and messy chignon for an evening-on-the-beach look. Whatever you do, wear this style to its full potential, the jumpsuit can be very sexy! Above are some of my favorites, but there are TONS of styles out there!

Happy Shopping!

Product Description

1. Stella McCartney - cashmere and silk (1195.) on sale (537.74)

2. Forever 21 - poly/spandex blend (27.80)

3. Young Fabulous and Broke - modal/spandex blend (198.)

Stunning VVVegan Nail Polish!

A girlfriend of mine just completed her internship as an aesthetician at a local organic/natural beauty spa and nail salon. I am no stranger to natural cosmetics, but I do tend to make myself scarce when confronted with them. From a personal standpoint and historical reputation standpoint, natural cosmetics simply don't hold a candle to the dirtier competition. UNTIL NOW! I was so delighted to find that her salon carried SPARitual nail color, a vegan, DBP, formaldehyde, and toluene free formula that applies like silk, lasts at least 2 weeks (chip free), and also comes in amazing colors (both matte and shimmer).

I am currently wearing 'Last Call' which i bought from her salon for $10 srp and I absolutely love it. Move over OPI, we've found your arch nemesis!

Paint those piggies!

Hello Sandal Season!

I have forever been a lover of warm weather. I adore everything it encompasses; summer vacations, white beaches and tropical blue water, fruity frozen cocktails, Bebel Gilberto (whom I discovered on a trip to Greece - and since then her sound simply embodies all of what summer means to me), sun-dresses, AND sandals! While I must admit that I am a "have Havaianas will travel" type of girl, there is no denying the raw sex appeal of an exquisute sandal on a beautifully tanned foot!

If you have been following the summer fashion trends of the last few years, then it's obvious that the gladiator sandal is all the rage. There are definitely some tragically hideous gladiator styles that come and go, but here we will focus on the beauty of fine craftsmanship, quality materials, and an impeccable spring/summer pallate.

Sandal A is the Trouve 'Seabeck' Gladiator Sandal and it retails for $89.99. It's created of smooth leather straps and accentuated with antique brass hardware. The bonus is that there is a zipper in the back of the sandal for easy dressing.

Sandal B is the Jessica Bennett 'Rolo' Sandal in blue grey nubuck leather which retails for $144.95. This beauty is about to make a grand appearance in my own personal closet - and I cannot wait! It's an all leather sandal, weathered and softened with brushed hardware and a back zipper closure. I am in love with the blue/grey color as it is a perfect neutral shade that can be worn with blacks or browns (or navy) and can be worn dressy or casual.

Imagine this sandal on a sun-kissed, perfectly pedicured foot!

Amore!