Current Obsession {Platforms and Gingham Check}

Currently craving a pair of chic platforms to take me through summer just a few inches taller and all the more leggy in my casual cut offs worn with my favorite oversized, airy blouses. 

Criss crossed platforms 

Panna Wedges 

And obsessed with gingham checks, particularly the bigger, bolder print. I'm thinking I absolutely must have this first blouse in my life. To go with my cut offs and platforms, right? Perfect everyday, busy entertaining 4 kids for 3 months mamas like me. Whew! It's gonna be a long AWESOME summer. Let's all rally together and buy it all at once and then, whenever you see someone in town wearing this shirt, you can wave and know you're tired-as-a-horse (is that a thing?) soulmates. Just like the VW crowd does. It'll be great.  ;)

Checked swing top

Suffolf buttondown

Gingham top

Anthro Love

I just received my Anthropologie May catalog in the mail today and it was breath taking. They went to South Africa to shoot this catalog and so I devoured everything inside, oohing and ahing at all the beauty. It really is a gorgeous issue and the shots are unbelievable. So happy to see our beautiful SA captured in this light.

I'm off to Milwaukee next Saturday to do some birthday shopping with my mom and sister and the Anthro store is always top of my list. If I had loads and loads of moolla to spend, here's what I'd come home with …

Enchanted forest wall mural 

This wallpaper takes the shape of an enchanted forest, one that gives the illusion of a actual painting come to life on your wall. It's perfect for a family home with lots of wild imaginations … one with a great big blank wall. 

Just a simple pair of white denim shorts. So chic and so perfect for summer days. (Love the grey too!)

Gold sandals are the perfect metallic to wear with everything

Nude booties with gold sparkle, are you kidding me? 

Would love to get this one for the kids 

Maybe one for me?

And the best spot to read our new books

Here's a look at the video from their travels to South Africa. You'll have to get your hands on the May catalog. So, so beautiful! 

Remix - Day 2 {Cozy Casual}

Oh man, it's cold outside! I reached for this chunky cardi this morning without hesitation. Thought I'd work with some neutrals today and add a touch of turquoise and green with my grandmother's beads. I felt comfy and cozy as little E, Monty and I all headed off for a bit of baby boutique-ing, followed by caramel lattes and red velvet cupcakes. Just what I needed to take my mind off of my freezing fingers (I'm awful at wearing gloves!). Also dashed away this evening to dinner with my sister. Nothing quite like a spicy salsa to heat you up when you're frizzled.

 {charm bracelet from childhood & bangles from grandmother}

{cardi - Tulle from Besselli (GB), blouse - Gap, necklace - grandmother (inherited), jeans - Current/Elliot from Azure (GB), boots - South Africa, bag - Anthropologie}

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things ...

Some of the clothes and accessories in my closet, making me happiest this month -

~ boots in caramel leather (with perfectly tiny wedge and gold buckle)

~ a nude chiffon blouse with delicately crocheted neck line

~ pretty bows that accent any outfit

~ comfy hats (for gotta-run hair)

~ navy stripes (thick and thin)
~ sassy specs (needed or not)

~ little pops of bright color

~ hippie flares

And a vintage moment -
~ Gucci bag
~ a wedding shawl

I received several gift cards for Christmas and recently made a trip to T J Maxx to see if there was anything I could spend it on. Thankfully, their shoe selection was sparse. Whew! I was so close to settling on a great pair of Steve Madden sun glasses for $9.99 (toyed with a pair of cat eye Fossil sunglasses but eventually decided I just wasn't as hip as those LA/NY girls). And then I passed by this Cynthia Rowley blouse and it hung there so beautifully that I looked no further. And just $19.99!

{hat (ribbon on hat - Hobby Lobby), blouse & boots - T J Maxx, cardi - Gap, necklaces - Anthropologie & Loft, bracelets - grandmother, jeans - Forever 21}

Outfit #2 - gift card #2

I really should hold on to these gift cards for a while longer, but it's just too exciting to wait! I used my Express card to grab this sweater, a really loose fit in the torso but with slimmer sleeves and a pretty V neckline. It's a great, comfy fit that will work well into spring and they had it in loads of gorgeous colors. And on sale for $20. 

 {sweater - Express, jeans - Gap, booties - Michael Kors at T J Maxx, necklace - Goodwill, bracelets - American Eagle}

 As I rummaged through a few boxes in our basement, I pulled out a pile of items to send to Goodwill and then a couple of lovelies I thought I'd share with you. I found this Gucci purse at an antique store about 6 years ago. It was about $25 and though I do not know if it's truly a Gucci (I know it's pretty easy to come across a fake), I have a good feeling it is. I knew at the time that I couldn't just leave it there at that price, though I'll be honest, I've never worn it out. I've never loved those designer bags boasting their names all over their entirety, but ... I saw a fancy lady at the grocery store last week, with a Louis Vuitton slung across her fur lined shoulder, and it was really stunning. (Very rare to see designer bags in these parts, which is quite nice, I think. Nothing worse than everyone walking around with the same stuff. Don't you agree?)

 And I finally found this faux fur shrug/shawl/cover up. I've been trying to for a while now to use for this very purpose (in photo below). It was made for me to wear over my wedding dress ... at the reception. We were married in February, but in Tulsa so it was not too cold, though enough to need a little something to protect my strapless shoulders from the chill. The bridesmaids had a bit of fur to match, lining the collars of their little sweaters (worn with a floor length ball gown skirt - in a Valentine-sy wine color). Still really think they looked so lovely, even 11 years later. Lots of other wedding yucks though (had my makeup done at the Mac counter cause I was terrible at doing my own, but in my pictures I look white as a ghost!)

{chair - Goodwill,  pillow - Liberty of London for Target}

 Have a splendid weekend everyone!

A Few New Lovelies

Happy Monday friends! I want to welcome all the new readers that have recently joined. I'm so completely thrilled to have you! As I write this morning, I'm watching the prettiest tiny flakes of snow fall softly and very slowly outside my kitchen window (in the forest of trees in our backyard). It's pretty magical ... and after a rather stressful weekend, it's quite therapeutic & relaxing. Now I just need that coffee ...

Well, I spent a bit of time redecorating a couple of rooms yesterday. Well, just adding some touches here and there. Thought I'd share the updates with you. I went to Besselli's 50% off sale and picked up this gorgeous silk scarf (the one with roses) It's supposed to go around my neck, but looks so smashing on my wall. Our "head board" is constantly changing ... sometimes art and other times scarves (usually vintage finds), just whatever I'm in the mood for. 

 A sweet little pillow made for me by one of my students.

This perfect little beaded bow is from Daena (Anthropologie) and the tasseled layers necklace is from my mom (Loft).

I adore this jewelry dish with it's tiny bird keeping a watchful eye over my jewels (I have a little one that likes to swipe them) - (Pottery Barn).

 {little white purse - vintage, bracelets - grandma, Piperlime & Banana Republic, leaf hair pin - vintage}

Monty's new guitar pillow (from Oeuf). Sort of the coolest thing ever.

And the boys received this awesome tee pee from Land of Nod (needs a good steamin' though). Grannie created a little kit of colored cord and "bug-y" clothes pins for displaying our rotation of art work. And there's that chalk board decal again.

Grannie also made these capes! Isn't she the best?

I picked up this bookcase from Target. It's tidied things up so nicely. I'd hoped for a similar set from Ikea but these were great too and even a better price. 

I also did a little thrifting over the weekend. Goodwill, how I love thee.

Grand total for all of this - $34 and a few cents. Thought that was pretty great!

Don't forget to enter the winter giveaway for a chance to win a $30 gift certificate to CSN stores. They even have a luxe site that sells some fantastic shoes and bags, if that's more up your alley!

My favorite Gift! {you won't be surprised}

 My mom surprised me with this too-good-to-be-true champagne sequined skirt for Christmas, a delicate fabric that feels like stardust! I had to wear it immediately and for this occasion, decided to attempt dressing it down a little. The preppy gingham and oxfords turn my New Year's Eve worthy piece into a more versatile little number. But I look forward to dolling it up for NYE nonetheless, as it so deserves.

 {ear rings - Anthropologie, shirt - Fossil, skirt - J. Crew, tights - Express, shoes - T J Maxx}

 My dearest Cara in a "wild-out-of-the-jungle" dress!

 {dress - H & M, bracelet - Urban Outfitters, wedges - T J Maxx}

With our favorite 3 month old, Charlie.