Fabulous Getaways!

This is my beautiful little sister Cara Meliah and she recently celebrated her 24th birthday. Happy Birthday Cara! Her husband took her on a little getaway to the fancy shmancy Mayo Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This luxury hotel first opened in 1925 and has been completely restored and looks impressively grand. Here are a few pics that Cara sent my way.

First of all and most importantly, the lovely dress Mr. B surprised her with. He even went to J Crew. Well done Mr. B!

Outstanding!

Very contemporary and ultra cool rooms.

~

A few gorgeous places I'd love to get away to...

South Africa! Location unknown...sorry.

The Coliseum in London

(krisatomic)

Beaune, France

(krisatomic)

And to South Africa again

Oia in Santorini, Greece

(marcelgermain)

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

(Luiz Pires)

Fribourg, Switzerland

(Adam Gut)

Beautiful Miu Miu + Sunday Outfit

It's tea time for me and that also = a little blogging time! I wanted to share these spectacular pictures of the Miu Miu Spring/ Summer 2010 collection taken both backstage and on the runway. Of course, I really love the stunning beadwork that sparkles on these garments and the obviously delicate work in their construction. Oh, to have such a gifted imagination and then the ability to make your imaginings come to life!

Don't these girls look incredibly young?

This makes me want to try a light blue nail polish, though I'm pretty sure it will be a disaster on my own freckled hands.

(miumiu.com)

~

The Sunday Outfit - (photographed by the talented Parker James)

Good Night.

Lissy Elle via blog.krisatomic.com

I've realized...

...that flowers are to my summer wardrobe, what sequins were to my winter wardrobe. Each November, before the holidays set in, I start to go a little crazy for sequins and it finally starts to wear off around the end of January. But now it's March, and everything is flowers... everywhere! And I obviously love it. For me, last summer's trend obsession was tribal prints and I had skirts, tops, and dresses in cool batiks and African prints. But I like the fact that there's something new for me this summer to loose myself in a bit and flowers make the journey very sweet.

Here we have some stunning pieces from J Crew, who have created a signature floral print that they've cut into gorgeous dress, skirts, blouses, and even shorts. It's kind of breath taking.

$ 650

This dress is a dream. Enough said.

$178

$110

$285

The one shoulder dress. Yay!

Okay, so I don't need to give up on sequins completely.

$190

**And now for a few summer staples, or rather, items that would be nice to add to the wardrobe this season.

I tend to live in skirts when the warm weather is here. A cute orange mini in a soft knit fabric. Other fantastic colors too!

$29.95

$58

Referred to as a "beach" skirt, which must mean it's pretty comfy too. With mini ruffles galore and a neon waistband. Too cute. (The blue with yellow band is adorable too)

$29.50

The perfect loose fit T-shirt. I love the fact that these "boyfriend" T's are made to be flattering even with their relaxed fit. I no longer have to wear a fitted T and constantly be tucking in my tummy, though I'm sure that's a decent workout in itself.

$58

Comfy, slouchy, perfect shade of blue denim shorts

$98

They're calling this a swim "cover up". It's amazing. I don't care what it's for, as long as it's mine. :) Can you imagine all the wear I will get out of it? Lounging on a (hopefully bumpless and bugless) boat on a beautiful (not windy) day in the serene blue waters of our (questionably) awesome bay.

Woah Momma!

Today I was in the mood to try out a red lipstick. It's a really rad orange-y red from Almay. I decided to take Lucky's advice and do nothing with the rest of my face, but add a bit of blush and curl my lashes. I've thought of attempting a red lip often but decided I would have to wear this color around the house for a while before I'll be ready to wear it confidently in public.

The family's reaction...

Parker (1st to see) -

"Wow mom, I love your mouth. You look like a woman." (always aims to please)

Monty (just woke from nap) -

"What's that mom? Did you drink a slushee drink?" (slightly jealous)

Elliot (next to wake from a nap) -

No comment but stares at me as if he does not recognize me.

Phil (just home from work) -

"You trying out a new lip color? I love it. It makes your lips pop." (Whatever. It was said with a laugh)

But I've taught him well. :)

Hello Spring! Is that You?

My Etsy find this week. Pretty little butterflies, cut from a print of "Romeo and Juliet" (how lovely is that?!) and about $2.50 for 100. I think they'd look amazing bent at the center and flying up the bricks above my fireplace. onecrafteemumma.

Diaphanous jelly bean bridesmaids. Taken by Meg Kroeker.

Stunning spring-y images from weheartit.com.

A Look at Home~

A new lampshade that makes me smile every time I look at it.

Liberty of London for Target ($17.99) and base from Goodwill.

My 10 year anniversary gift!!! Thank you my love. I am so lucky.

My sister said I had to take a picture of the hall closet. It's filled with a collection of my favorite dresses spanning many, many years. Just about everything is purchased from either H&M, Forever 21, or the downtown Antique Mall.

My art supplies. I started painting about 10 years ago and found this perfect little snake skin print antique case while thrifting. It's housed my oils, brushes and gold leaf for a long time now. Oh, I miss painting...

My greatest accomplishment with oils and gold leaf. I've never been good at creating art from scratch. I prefer to make an attempt at recreating someone else's magnificent pieces. Klimt is a master at beautiful, deep color and mesmerizing shapes.

A Hair Affair

I'm at a real crossroads in my life right now. I'm sitting on the bang fence and tipping in both directions, switching almost daily. Very serious stuff! I'll see Kiera Knightley and think, "Yes, I'll do it!" And then a photo of J Lo and it will quickly become a "no". Or that Victoria's Secret model who looks so gorgeous with soft, romantic, perfect bangs on a usually bang-less catwalk. And then I'll see Jessica Alba and again, it's a definite "no way".

The craziest part is that I have seriously only now found myself at a point where my own bangs have finally grown out and they are barely past the awkward stage (which took over a year, mind you). Don't get me wrong, I loved them. But then I became pregnant and started working myself into a fat face stage, something that I cannot evade when blossoming with child (and an issue that clung to me - along with a nice belly and love handles - throughout my late teens). I thought keeping the bangs would somehow add to my round face and growing them out would surely elongate my appearance instead. So that's how I have found myself in this place. Questioning... flirting with disaster.

I think I have made up my mind. Ugh! I'm going to do it in May (save up those dollars!) and Krista will make it happen. It's partly due to the fact that there's not much banging going on anymore (did that come out right?) and since I like to be a little different, I'm going to shake things up a bit. Yes, this will be good. Finally, here's the girl who made my mind up for me. Beachy, soft, and interesting. Hope I can pull it off... well, Krista and I.

Roxy.com

And while at Roxy I found these wild and wonderful shoes.

(Cynthia Rowley for Roxy)

The Forlorn Ballerina

But where shall I dance and who will throw roses at my feet?

My 100th Post!

Wow. Hard to believe I have that much time on my hands when it seems I have none at all (for ironing and washing my hair, that is). After church this morning, my guys and I went to lunch with my parents. I snapped a few pictures in the hopes of appropriately introducing my mom and dad. Best parents eva!

The dashing Mr. Duncan

The true fashionista

The one who gave himself a fake tan with orange marker

The sleeping beauty

The good eater (smiling with his mouth full)

The Sunday outfit