Things We're Afraid to Tell You

top:Banana Republic, skirt: H&M, belt: Target, sandals and bag: Steve Madden (via TJMaxx)

Is the reality in blogs real?
Do blogs look too much like the runway?
Or we are taking the whole personal thing too far with TMI?
We (all the fashion/lyfestyle bloggers) don't want to show off our fat cavess, yet we want it to be real and within reach. Sometimes we are afraid to tell you that our lives are just like everyone else - with everyday messes and joys. So why make it look so picture perfect? Because no matter how much down-to-earth we are, and no matter how much belly fat we have, we still want to look good, almost perfect. We don't tell you that we Photoshop pictures to improve lighting and colors, and the moment our hair is done we take the picture, or that the heels we are wearing in picture are getting swapped with flats the minute pictures are over. So let's be real. No one looks like a picture one hundred percent of the time. We do too have bad hair days and our thighs too look fat.

Bright Idea

Top: Banana Republic
Skirt: Loft
Belt: Target
Necklace: The Limited
Bag: Coach
Flats: J.Crew

For me today is Friday! School is not in session tomorrow, so I have a long weekend (til Wednesday). I have a few things in mind that I need to accomplish. First of all, finish my color blocking DIY sandals! I'm excited about that project because it's turning out mighty fine. Next will be napkin holders for wedding party and lastly hemming my jeans capris. And, of course, soaking up some sun in my mom's backyard! What are you planning on doing this weekend?

Awkward:
- eating lunch and trying to read a book, while someone is trying to talk to ya... Can't you see, person, that I have my head down and not making eye contact? That's because I don't want to make small talk... Person is still trying to talk...
- having awful muscle cramps after I started running... need to get through this stage
- running through thrift store to snatch an item I'm eyeing from afar... 'what's wrong with that girl' looks are being given out
- while looking through Clearance rack in Walmart conversation goes like this: "do you know if they carry this in XL?", looking at lady puzzled, 'no I don't", back at me "would you mind checking?".... "ummmmm, I don't work here", "really?" and walks away...

Stupendous:
- getting my designer bag - feel so fashionable and high class
- spending time with mom playing tennis, going to be fun!
- pushing myself to exercise more pays off - I actually have more energy
- working on decorating/organizing two weddings - love it!
- passing on some of my married woman wisdom, sharing my experience to a young bride... I love being the motherly type! :)
-  planning my long-awaited trip to Europe (don't like packing though)

Tempted

Top: Merona (Target)
Cardigan, jeans,shades: LOFT
Wedges: Old Navy
Belt: Gap
WHEN: Running errands and lunch w/girlfriend 

The Kate Spade Surprise Sample Sale sneaking up on me Thursday night was not good... relatively speaking. Well, not good for my no-shopping-until-may-twenty-third-thing but... SIGH... I had to get it. It was on a HUGE discount and exactly what I was looking for. It's a perfect bag that will match to everything and it's a KATE SPADE and I love it! I have been on a look out for a stylish bag that can be my go-to style piece and here it is. Coming in the mail by the end of this week!
The ban for no shopping has lifted but my budget is maxed out with purchase of The Bag so no shopping for me anyway ;-)

Thanks for reading!

Black Pumps (DIY)

My very own Valentino pumps (a girl can dream right?)

I love designer shoes but unfortunately they cost more then our rent. So what should I do? Try to fashion a pair from my old, broken-into, super comfy and dear-to-my-heart black pumps. I wanted a pair that was lady-like, cute and timeless like these to-die-for shoes.

 <-Inspiration ->

                    

                                     Manolo Blahnik 

         Valentino

YOU WILL NEED:
- pair of black pumps (use something that you won't cry over if you mess up)
- spray paint (black)
- tape
- all surface paint
- paint brush
- small bowl
- lots of newspaper to spare your working surface
- black chiffon (4 strips 3'' wide, 2 strips 2''wide)
- needle with black thread
- 2 clothes pins
- hot glue gun

HOW TO:

Set up your working station and make sure to cover it with paper.

Cover the shoes and spray paint just the soles black (take the outdoors). Remove the tape. 

I didn't spray paint mine since they were already black. But if you have lighter sole, it's really hard to trace the shoes with brush, so just save yourself some headache and spray it. 

Next paint the shoes with the high gloss paint and let it dry. I did three coats, as my shoes were a little worn out.

Make the bows for the front. Those can be as big and fluffy as you would like them to. Take a piece of wide chiffon and make a bow. Sew in the middle to hold in place and do the same with second layer. Wrap around the middle with smaller piece of chiffon and secure with thread. I like to sew them because glue may not hold all the layers. 

 They may not look exactly the same, don't worry:)

Take a little hot glue and secure the bows in the middle of the front of the shoes. To make sure that the bows are secure, hold them in place over night with clothes pins.

Note: Less glue the better - you can always add more and it will give your shoes more professional look.

Give the shoes some time to dry and set. 

Ta-Da! 

Thanks for reading!

Responsibility

Top: H&M
Skirt: Talbots
Shoes: BCBGirls (DIY)
Belt: Target
Pendant: gift from hubby

Being an adult takes a lot of responsibility. From paying the bills to knowing how to eat at a fancy-shmancy restaurant with three forks. Well, that's nothing compared to being a parent. One day I pray God will give us children and honestly, that scares me: having a responsibility of another life, aring for that little person, shaping their views on life, God, right and wrong and everything in between. If you ask me, that's A LOT of responsibility! With that in mind, I'm starting to think a lot about who I want to be for my children. To those of you who have raised children that make you proud, I applaud you. To others who have children, may God give you wisdom and strength. To the rest of us...well... do your best to be the person you want your children to become.

Pause For a Proverb: Cease not, O my son, to hear instruction, and be not ignorant of the words of knowledge