Peplum Tops

I have been obsessed with peplum tops lately.  I think my most recent purchase makes 3...since Christmas! I even picked out a peplum style dress for my bridesmaid dress for my sister-in-law's wedding!  And when I was finally sitting down to read through my newest ELLE magazine, there was a whole section on the shapes coming up for spring fashion.  There is a page for "how to wear" the boxy jacket, knife pleat skirt, peplum top, and maxiskirt.  I am SO excited for all of these trends and some spring weather to try them out.  For now, I am making them work with my winter wardrobe! And wanted to share my new obsession with you all too!

This outfit is by Alice and Olivia...who I LOVE!!!  They have a few peplum styles in their spring line.  The best bottoms to pair with this style top are cropped pants or pencil skirts.  Cropped skinny jeans like these in the picture are my favorite because they work for every occasion!

Another easy option for pulling off this look is to get everything in one...a dress! I am so excited about my bridesmaid dress because I found one with a peplum style and it is so flattering.  This example is by David Meister, found at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The other pieces to make your outfit perfect are shoes and bags.  The best shoes to be on trend are chunky shoes.  Don't do a kitten heel.  And try a colorful bag to spice things up!  Here are some examples that I love.

Steve Madden "Hottness" Pump

Jeffrey Campbell "Nite Hi" Bootie

Elliott Lucca 'Cordoba' Clutch    

All shoes and bags can be found at Nordstrom.  Don't you just love that place :-)

Stay tuned for my blog on each of the other three pieces in the shapes for spring!

Feeling a bit nostalgic this weekend...so bear with me on this one.  Marci and I took the kids to the mall on Friday and, as usual, they all wanted snacks the second we walked thru the doors to Lord and Taylor.   So chaos and loudness ensued for a few minutes while coats were removed and snacks unpacked.  Most people around us were probably annoyed at the increase in volume.  But standing right next to our strollers in the shoe department was this beautiful older lady, just watching us and smiling.  She looked like she was in her 70s, with grey hair done up, flawless makeup, a stylish outfit, and a leopard print faux fur coat to top it all off.  Then she told us she was a great-grandma to 5 kids and thought ours were a handful but adorable.  And she engaged the kids in some sweet conversation about their snacks and how old they were.  She even laughed as Pierson so nicely used the phrase "doo doo."  My mind went right to my Grandma Maisie.  I had shopped with my grandma enough to know that was exactly the kind of thing she would do.  I found myself wanting to hug this complete stranger because she reminded me so much of the grandma I miss so dearly. I reigned in my sentiment and just told her to have a wonderful day.  And spent the rest of the day, and weekend, thinking of my grandma.

So instead of some style tips or health advice, I am just going to share a few photos.  As I have said before, she was always one of my biggest style influences.  She always looked amazing and put together, even if she was just headed to the grocery store.  She had a mink fur coat that she loved and wore with pride...even to that same grocery store!  She was proof that even with age, beauty is endless!  I hope you all can find inspiration in something or someone like I had growing up with Grandma Maisie.

Their wedding day...check out that amazing suit...on both of them!

50th Anniversary...proof love really does last a lifetime.

At our wedding riding the chairlift up to the ceremony.  

Shoes...Tall and Black

I have spent the last couple days trying to figure out what to write about.  Then, last night at the auto show in downtown Detroit, I found inspiration on the feet of one of the models who stand on the platform and talk about the cars. The car was a red Cadillac ASX...very nice by the way.  But I just couldn't help but look at her feet.  So to my husband, who was kindly only admiring the car, I pointed them out and let him know I would really like a pair!  She must have noticed because she came over, so I had to fess up to my staring at her feet and let her know how much I admired the shoes.  She let me know she had on an amazing pair of black patent platform pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, shown below.

On a complete tangent, I was a bit put off that she felt the need to name drop the designer like that.  As a woman, I am always happy to give a compliment.  I feel like so many women out there react out of jealousy alone and therefore take on a bitchy attitude towards other well dressed women.  And how many of us love a good compliment from another woman?  So I was happy to let her know how fabulous her shoes were.  I just thought she could have smiled and said thank you.  The name drop was totally unnecessary and made me rethink ever having paid her the compliment.  Its one thing if someone ASKS who made them or what store they are from.  I found it super obnoxious.  However, I am willing to admit to some jealousy so it may have put my back up more because of that.  Anyone else???

Here are a couple similar shoes for those of us who can't spend $795 on one pair.
This pair is DV by Dolce Vita from Nordstrom - on sale for only $45!

This pair is by Jessica Simpson also from Nordstrom (but sold at Macy's and Lord & Taylor too).

I think I will be shopping the shoe departments next time I am at the mall!!!  Who's with me??? :-)

Sporty Chic...It's a Real Thing

I just received the newest addition of Glamour tonight in the mail and, while catching up on some DVR, I flipped through it and stumbled on an outfit from Isabel Marant's Spring 2012 runway show.  LOVE IT!  I was so inspired that I went online in search of some more looks.  Here are my favorites so far...

And I love these looks so much, I went in search of some affordable options.  Here is the result...

The top is from M Den (a little shout out to my school) for only $24.  The jeans are by J Brand.  I am not sure these exact pair are still in stock on their site but I found a few options on ebay and a grey pair on Bluefly for $86.99. This pair is on Bonanza for $124. 

This look was a bit more challenging, mostly because of the jeans.  There are not as many affordable options out there as with the tie dye.  But I found this awesome pair on Shopbop for $176.  If you have some extra money to spend, this website has some awesome denim!  It put me in the mood for jeans just looking thru it all tonight :-) The jacket can really be any style windbreaker you like, as long as the color scheme goes with your jeans.  I found this one by Adidas from Dick's Sporting Good for $55.

Let me know if you find any cool jeans like either of these because I am definitely going to get me a pair for the spring!  And if you are not the patterned jeans type, you can still try this look but switch it up with a tie dye top/jacket and some plain denim on bottom.  Happy shopping!!!

How to Style with Pattern

I got inspired for this blog after buying a new skirt on www.ebay.com! After we unpacked from the holidays and cleaned, I put a few items for sale on ebay.  So naturally while on there...I had to browse!  I am such a fan of ebay.  All you need is some patience and some time to browse. (This is also how I feel about Marshals and T.J.Maxx.) I usually stick to my favorite brands because I already own them and know how they fit me.  It is a bit more risky to buy a new brand...but I have definitely done it.  There are some great vintage finds too!

Anyways...today I found this great BCBG Max Azria skirt.  And I am so excited to coordinate it!











So I took to some of my favorite sites for some more ideas and inspiration on patterns.

In Style magazine is on of my ultimate favs.  They have some of the best styling and shopping tips.  Here is one great idea for mixing patterns.  The key is to keep it in the same color palette. And keep one pattern large while the other is small.

Another example that both my husband and I love!  For all my daring readers out there...

Another easier, less daring idea is to pair your one stand out piece with a simple basic.  In this case, a neutral colored tee. I found this picture in Harper's Bazaar.  Another magazine I subscribe to.  :-)

In these cold and dreary winter months, what better way to get ready for spring than to play around in our closets and try to find new ways to wear our skirts and tops!  Let me know if you come up with any great looks!

New Year...New YOU!

Happy New Year eveyone!  Can you believe it is already 2012? Now I am not one for resolutions...you just end up being mad at yourself for eventually forgetting what you resolved to do.  But I have decided to make this year my healthiest year yet...the natural way!  I decided it is time to focus on the inside so that my outside can look its best.  And you all should join me!!!

This past October I was super sick.  One of the twins brought some virus home from preschool and it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I should say that my immune system has always been very weak and I do get sick easily. But this time I was home in bed 4 days...sickest I have been in my life!  I decided that, with the twins in school now, I needed to make some changes so I don't get that sick again.  So, I enlisted the advice of my mom, a smart chiropractor friend, and the internet.  I started using 'Lifeway Kefir' in my morning protein shakes.  Its a probiotic that supports your immune system by keeping your bacteria levels even.  I also started drinking 'GTs Kombucha Trilogy Organic and Raw Synergy Juice' if I need an extra boost. So far...knock on wood...no sickness!

Also all my beauty products are now all natural and organic, primarily Arbonne. (This picture is the set I use daily for my face.)  60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your body.  Even my husband has gotten on board and uses their men's line shave gel.  In my Arbonne presentations, I stress the fact that the average woman applies 515 chemicals to her face a day!  That was enough to make me switch.  But there is so much else wrong with our beauty products today.  They use animal by-products in everything you can buy at the drugstore.  That means the road kill on the side of the road you pass could be in your lip gloss.  Ewwww!  I can't help but wonder how all those chemicals will affect us when we are older. They just don't make products like they used to. Organic products now are what used to be the standard.  I have to wonder if the rise in all kinds of cancer is linked to all the chemicals and hormones in everything we consume.  If you want to read more on this, I found a great article - http://experiencelife.com/article/beauty-makeover/  P.S. This magazine Experience Life is great! That same issue has a great article on the 5 healthiest spices.  

The last of my health trifecta is working out.  My in-law family has brought back Family Biggest Loser.  My sister in-law is getting married this spring so everyone wants to get in shape.  We did it about 2 years ago and it was such a success.  Jon has started with the Insanity workout plan.  (The name is very accurate...its insane!)  I have decided that weights don't work for me, so I am focusing on more yoga this time around.  And some kickboxing cardio dance mix dvds from the workout plan Turbo Fire.  Whatever you choose to do, just make sure it works with your schedule.  Jon and I are very into the at home workouts because its easier to find time.  But many people prefer the gym.  And everyone is going crazy about these Crossfit workouts.  We haven't tried these yet, but it has been discussed.  We also ski and snowshoe...great for the outdoorsy types...which I am not but I love both of those.  Just make sure you don't get into a winter slump and find yourself in a panic once the weather turns.   


Good luck!  Here is to a happy 2012!!!

***If you are interested in more about Arbonne just shoot me an email.  And if you order something from my blogs you get 20% off.