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

Cliché

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Skirt: TJMaxx (similar)
Belt: Target (similar)
Shoes: J.Crew (similar)
Bag: Coach 

             Every Sunday night I tell myself that this coming week is going to be different. I am going to exercise at least 3 times, spend time with my hubby engaging in meaningful conversation, finish another DIY project that I started and do million other things. Yet Friday comes and I haven't done much. I beat myself up and feel incredibly guilty  for whatever it is I didn't do. It feels like no matter how much or what I do, it's NEVER good enough. Why do I feel like life isn't good enough? Then I have to remind myself that my life is exactly what it should be and I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I have to remind myself to thank God for amazing blessings in my life and everything that goes into it. I don't know if it's the maturity coming through, or I'm just getting tired of the guilt trip.
             In the generation of supermodels, TV moms and tabloids, we get caught up in comparison mode. We compare out houses, children, salaries, husbands, the length of our legs, closets and everything in between. That's not wise. If you are reading home/fashion/family blogs and comparing yourself to other people, you will never be happy with your life. The value of life does not lie in your career, the width of your thighs or the things in your closet. And happiness is not lots of money. It's the simple things in life (I know it's a cliche but it's true). Until we learn to love, appreciate, adore and value what we have, contentment will never come. In other words, take a deep breath and enjoy the little thing - laugh of your children, morning coffee, smell of fresh cut grass, family and friends, roof over your head and even that annoying whatever-it-is.
Life is short.
Go ahead.
Enjoy it.
                                                                                  

Animal Instinct

Blouse: Ralph Lauren (thrifted)
Tank: Talbots
Jeans, Shades: LOFT
Belt: Target
Shoes: ALDO
Clutch: Macy's 

Honestly, I think, I was the last person to get on the animal print wagon and it took me some time (now it's birds. Literaly birds are everywhere. What's up with that?). At first it seemed a little tacky. But when paired with something low key, let's say jeans, it looks more like an outfit and less like a hoochy mama. Btw, any time my hubby doesn't like what I'm wearing, his reasoning is that it looks like hoochy mama (and I have no idea who this hoochy mamma is). So here is to trying out new things and going with your wild side and hubby warming up to animal print.