Grateful # 2

I am grateful today and every Friday Fancies.  Although it may seem to some as a silly thing to be thankful for, I love connecting with other ladies who adore fashion & really enjoy the feedback from them.

Wedding Guest Chic

When it comes to weddings being British means hats are a requirement, so when {longdistanceloving} said Friday Fancies was all about weddings I knew I had to include this amazing fascinator! 

I chose a simple dress from Topshop accompanied with a pair of amazing diamond studs and nude pumps for some glam. 

Are you loving the fascinator trend in America?

Grateful

I am taking a training class at work that focuses on Energy and basically living a life of intention.  I am a faithful reader of Make Under My Life and am constantly attempting to create my life with intention and this class is just enhancing that focus.  In class they suggested writing down what we are grateful for, I decided to be open and do this on my blog.  

Whether is something small or something Huge l I am excited to start the day off on a positive note.

Today I am grateful to have reconnected with my college roommate Ann.  We have drifted apart over the years even though I always thought about how her and her family were doing.

I have always considered Ann a great friend, even when though we have not had much contact over the last few years.  Lots of people, my self included, think just because you care about others that means you are a great friend.  Unfortunately, this is not true.  Caring is great but actions are so much more, it proves you are a great friend, it shows you will be there for them anytime.

As I work on where I want my life to be, I know friendship is one of my highest priorities. I can't simply just care anymore I need to invest my time into my friendships that are positive in my life and shift away from negative energy.

A Sleek Ponytail

As I sit here dying my hair I began googling new hair styles.  I came across Nicole Richies newest style and I am in love with this sleek ponytail and great light bangs.

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I have super fine hair and can barely make sweeping side bangs look full, I could never pull this look off, ugh so jealous now!

Monday Blues!

Even though I have the Monday Blues I thought I would highlight some exciting things to start off the week in a positive mood!

* Weeds is on tonight ~ Makes a great ending to my Mondays.

* Whowhatwear ~ is launching a Beauty section, I love their site and can't wait to see their fav picks.

* My friend Ashley is flying in from Canada this weekend! Can't wait to see her!

* The downtown sidewalk sale is Saturday ~ I will get up early to pursue the sales

* Although I am not ready to share just yet I do have some exciting news about Stella Jewelry.

* 2 months until Vacation.  I cannot wait to travel!!

What helps you guys get through Manic Mondays?

One day

One day I want a chic downtown apartment filled with original artwork related to Fashion and Travel.  I found the above illustration on Etsy and adore it! 

Each time I travel to a new place I try to pick up original Art work instead of tacky t-shirts! This piece would fit my collection perfectly!

 Does anyone else collect art from their travels?  If so whats your favorite piece?

Back to School ~ Friday Fancies

Friday Fancies this week is all about back to school.  My outfit was inspired by my school uniform from England and rugby stripes.  

I love that this shirt looks super comfortable perfect for running around campus on your first day of college.  The shorts were my alternative to a pleated skirt.  Gold bangles  to add some sparkle and we know I love some sparkle. My first day of school flats were a must.  The bag may not be perfect for school but I loved it anyway and would probably rock it over a backpack :)

Hop over to {longdistanceloving} and LIKE my outfit and check out the other amazing looks!

My life.......

So as I sit at my desk contemplating my life and the changes I need to make I started thinking about the things I love and how my life does not reflect who I am or what I love:

Be prepared for randomness:

I have a million and one loves from British Candy to NCIS to Glitter to Victoria Beckham, David Beckham and Couture Chanel.

My go to outfits are a comfortable plain tee, soft jeans & flip flops but I love to dress up & wear fascinators with shoes that will inevitably hurt my feet but are amazing.  I always say if I was skinny I would have amazing outfits & be so trendy, why am I waiting?  I am British for goodness sake most of the time we are fashion forward yet I have fallen for the laid back southern way. (Which I am fan of by the way but its just not truly me)

My obsession for make up began around eight when I was in dance contests. I would play in my mums crazy 80’s Avon collections, blue eye shadow anyone? However nowadays I rarely take the time to put mascara on let alone one of hundreds of eye shadows.

I danced for 16 yrs, I will never claim to be the best but I LOVED it, it was what I did every weekend.  When I moved to America I stopped dancing.  Maybe I was rebelling because I was living 3000 miles from my home but now it’s something I regret constantly.  Now I barely will dance at a club because I am self conscious of what people think.  It’s so silly, I never cared when I was on stage with 200 people watching, but I care what people not paying attention “might” think. 

I think Farmers Markets are delightful & always say I want to visit them when out of town.  Yet I ignore the two amazing local ones in Salem & Roanoke.  Why? Because I work every weekend & when I can I want to sleep in. 

I want to see the world & I know I am lucky to have been to some amazing places.  My only regret is not truly exploring and immersing my self into the cities or countries.  When in Italy where the food is truly amazing my friend & I were so tired we settled for McDonald's one day.  I will admit it felt great to have something familiar to eat but I missed out on not trying another family restaurant where you can taste the love in the food.  I regret not taking enough photographs on trips; I regret not seeking out local hidden treasures & avoiding lines for those cliche tourist spots.  Why? Well because I didn’t want to wait 2 hrs to look at the ceiling of St Peters only to be in there for two minutes.   Yet in those two minutes I would have seen so much history & Art.  I would have created a memory to tell when I am old. 

When I was growing up like everyone I dreamt of living a big city with an amazing apartment, to die for clothes, surrounded by best friends & spending weekends showing my parents my new home.  So Sex & the City!  I just KNEW I would have a successful job related to fashion or marketing.  Although I am content not living in somewhere like to NY.  I still have those same dreams, I always think “when I do this I will be happier” but when am I going to do those things?  I work in an industry I dislike; I am burnt out with the position & the negativity.  Now don’t get me wrong I appreciate the fact that I have a job and a steady income, yet I am not happy with my work situation which seeps into my personal life.  I KNOW I can make something of Stella Jewelry, all I need is time & I will have the life I dreamt of then & now.

I don’t love my life because I don’t include the things I love in it.  I don’t know who I am as I have created a different person to fit in, to just pass the time.  A person who has settled for what I have yet I know there is so much more. 

I have said many times I need to create ME, I need to create my life & yet I am still holding back.  I have to realize that I need to change the negatives in my life into positives.  If that means a new job & struggling a little the sacrifice has to be worth it to be able to be happy.  Life is a struggle no matter what so why shouldn't I embrace it to be who I want to be.

Ah there it is me being open on my blog one of my intentions.  I apologize for some of the randomness but I just kept on typing.

Changing again!

My travel plans never seem to go exactly as planned, ever.  Oh well it makes it an adventure right? or maybe just stressful lol.

Anyway, I went from going to England, to San Fran to San Diego and now its Salem MA. 

I can't explain how excited I am!!!  I LOVE fall, I love Halloween, I love ghost stories and have read and seen the Crucible a million times. 

Kristin and I will be donning our best witches hat for a few days in October to partake in the Salem festivities.  Then we are off to Vegas to celebrate me officially getting old!

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Has anyone been to Salem MA?  I am looking for good local restaurants and must see places that aren't maybe aren't so touristy.

Current Blog Obsession

I am sure I am late to this party but I am completely obsessed with Cupcakes and Cashmere.  I can't enough of her amazing clothes, shoes and delicious recipes.  Also her photographs are gorgeous and make me want to eat, drink and buy everything. 

                                                                  

   

The Alice & Olivia dress is perfection, Emily added a vintage pin to the waist adding some sparkle.  The cookies, how yummy!  She added sea salt for the that scrumptcious sweet and salty taste!! Again perfection.

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One sparkly nail! Adorable I love anything that glitters!

Anyone else have a current blog obsession I should know about?

Jewelry, Hats, Ballrooms & Goregous Flowers

Last week we attended the Bella Magazine Women's Luncheon as vendors & had such an amazing time.

Although the prep work seemed never ending for the last two weeks the lack of sleep was definitely worth it. We met lots of great customers & other vendors.  We enjoyed nibbling on amazing food, had a mini manicure & was able to spend the day in one of Roanoke's most historic renovated Ballroom's.

I was definitely stressed out about the display prior to the event.  I wanted something simple, clean & easily shopable.  Women need to touch and try on jewelry & there is nothing worse that not being able to easily pick something up.  Overall I was happy with the end result.  Women were attracted to our table which is very exciting.  Next time I need to had some height to the display as the mirror needed to be elevated to eye level so it set the table off balance.  I am a little OCD when it comes to balance so it drove be a little nuts, lol.

                            

Beautiful roses adorned the room, cotton candy cones & delicious food lined the tables.  Very girly & flirty & I got to wear a hat, so fabulous & British :)!

What does everyone think of my feather fascinator? 

Mischievous Mint

With fall fashions fast approaching every store (despite the heat waves)  I am making the most out of my favorite summer nail polish! 

I am so in love with Mischievous Mint by MAC.  I will be sad to retire this until next year.

What was your favorite summer color?

Friday Fancies Maxi Dress

 

 

Summer has been all about Maxi dresses and I wish I could rock one, to bad I'm 5'2 and would have a train if I attempted to wear one.  Alas, I featured another one in my Friday Fancies look.

Besides being my favorites colors all in one dress, there is something about the design that reminds me of a dress from my childhood and 80s fashion has to either make you smile or laugh, so I had to feature it.  I went a little overboard with the gold accessories but I can't get enough of gold right now.  Plus I love how turquoise and gold look great together.

Are you following the Maxi dress trend??

Style Crush

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I mean how cute can someone dress everyday?

Mila Kunis has come a long way from playing the crazy girlfriend on That 70's Show.  Over the last year her style has a evolved into the perfect mix of flirty and sexy.

How can she be so lucky and get to make out with Justin? Life's just not fair!!

P.S her stylist def. needs a raise because he/she has amazing taste.

God Save My Shoes...

Remember when Carrie was allowed into the Vogue Accessory closet and found the Mary Jane Manolo's?  Well that closet was not a set just for the show.  Vogue catalog's and archives their pieces and the shoe collection has to be out of control. 

This fall a new documentary, God Save my Shoes, is airing during Paris Fashion week delving into the obsession we have and they were given access to the closet! AHHH! How jealous I am over that a camera man had access and probably had no idea what the history and importance to fashion those items have?

I can't wait to watch!  Seen as my budget doesn't allow for Louboutin's or Brian Atwoods I generally have a fantasy pair in mind to be my first purchase when I win the lottery.  Right now they are these little sparklers.

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"For all the ladies who have told us that "Lady Peep" strass was their dream shoe - you can stop dreaming. She's finally arrived, covered in hand-placed crystals, certain to take your breath away"

They would take my breath way for sure, right after I fall over trying to walk in a 6" heel!  

Are you a shoe lover?  Do you have a fantasy pair?

Roxy can cook???

Most people like to assume that because I don't cook, I can't!  In fact I love to cook I just don't have the time to cook.  

Tonight I made crab, bacon and cream cheese croissants!

and they were amazing!!!!!