Spring Menswear

A couple weeks ago, during the first weekend of March Madness, we met some friends at the bar to watch the games.  It was mostly guys, as usual, and most of them were in t-shirts of some sort.  Except Dan, who was dressed fabulously, like an add right out of a magazine.  And of course the guys were making fun by the end of the night.  But I thought it looked great and it gave me inspiration for a menswear blog entry!  So thank you DK!!!  :-)  This ones for you.

I did some reading on whats hot right now for men in the spring and found a few really cool styles that you can all pull off effortlessly.  Granted, there are some trends that I have a feeling you fellas would not be so into.

One big one I saw is plaid and checks.  Some of the big designers had suits with full on plaid, but that might be a bit much for you all.  These shorts are so cool and the colors are bright but easy to match with most shirts you probably already have in your closet.  These are by Ben Sherman from Nordstroms for $89.  I found Jon a really similar pair from Marshalls for only $15!

Another trend I really like is wingtip oxfords.  I love oxfords and some of the new ones for spring are colored and suede.  It makes these somewhat old school shoes new and exciting and trendy.  These Cole Haan 'Air Franklins' are my favorite.  They are also found at Nordstroms for $178.

I really like the Tommy Hilfiger clothes that are out right now.  They have some really cool spring suits right now.  And some of them are even on sale!  This blue one below is very on trend with the Spring 2012 runways.  And you can easily pair it with some white pants or jeans for a dressed down look too.  This one is on sale right now for $290 (for the jacket).  The pants are $150.  

I will keep looking into this menswear stuff and post another entry soon.  Mark Wolfman has requested one on bathing suits so stay tuned!  And as I LOVE to shop for ties, there will most definitely be a whole blog dedicated to ties soon too!  I know some great places to score deals on those.  :-)

Ode to Flats

So...I fell on the porch Monday night a sprained my ankle pretty bad. My poor husband was on the phone with me when I fell and had to listen to my hysteria. Once I calmed down...it hurt SO bad...I realized it was just a sprain and I needed ice and bed. I had to take Monday off cause you can't take great care of twins if you can't walk! But after lots of ice and motrin, a visit from my mom, and some crutches I was somewhat mobile by Wednesday. Shout out to Marci for all her help with the kids this week! Mt BFF for a reason!

But alas this is about shoes and not my clumsiness. Since I am limping around for awhile, I need some new flats. Sadly the heels are on hiatus for a bit. So I thought I would share some new cute ones I found.

These are so fun for spring!  You may spot these on my feet soon!  They are by Sam Edelman and are $90.  I found them at Nordstrom.

Love this bright teal color of these Dolve Vita flats.  Colors are everywhere for spring.  And I know all of us Michiganders have a lot of black and grey in our closets.  These are an easy way to add a pop of color.  I found them at Piperlime for $99.

You all know I love my animal prints, especially on my shoes!  I have a similar pair of Steve Madden flats with this pattern and I wear them all spring and summer.  They really do go with everything.  I found these at Piperlime too for $119.  If you shop at Macy's or Lord and Taylor you can most likely use a coupon code and get them for a lot less.  

Wish me luck in my one legged hobling!  

A break from fashion for some thoughts...

The week of St. Patrick's Day is always a little bittersweet for me.  It is the week we said goodbye to Grandma Maisie and so that week always brings me back.  But this year I tried to keep myself in a good place.  It was sunny and warm and I was surrounded by some very good people who loved her too.  It didn't get more Irish than her, so I always try to celebrate the way she would have wanted.  And we toasted to her with smiles and good drinks...I think she would have been proud.  I somehow made it thru the week in pretty good spirits.  And then today as I was walking in the park with the twins, we came upon a very random field of purple flowers.  They just didn't fit with the woods and dirt.  And Marci leaned down and picked one and said "Grandma Maisie is saying hi to us."  It was so sweet and so simple and just meant the world.

So tonight I find myself thinking of her some more.  And I started thinking how difficult death is on everyone.  How permanent it can feel.  We got news that some family also lost someone this past week and I just know exactly how it feels.  So I was trying to remember the things that made me feel better, still make me feel better.  The best for me is this plate my Grandma gave me for our wedding with the Irish Blessing on it.  I just have to read it and know she's there saying it with me.  Here it is for those of you who might need it -

"May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face; 

the rains fall soft upon your fields 

and until we meet again, 

may God hold you in the palm of His hand."

This verse was sent to me by a very dear friend and I often read it.

"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14


And this verse is one that just really says it all.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4


And lastly is the song Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood. I usually turn it off if it comes on in my car because it makes me cry, but the last verse is so beautiful. The words are so beautiful. So true.

"Old Man, Hospital Bed,
The Room Is Filled With People He Loves.
And He Whispers Don't Cry For Me,
I'll See You All Someday.
He Looks Up And Says, "I Can See God's Face."

This Is My Temporary Home
It's Not Where I Belong.
Windows And Rooms That I'm Passin' Through.
This Was Just A Stop, on The Way To Where I'm Going.
I'm Not Afraid Because I Know... This Was
My Temporary Home."

New Dresses!!!

So those of you in Michigan...how AMAZING has this weeks weather been?  Everyone has been out taking walks and jogs, and the kids have been to the park everyday this week! It is not officially spring until the 21st, but with this weather I think its already safe to say its spring!  (Cross your fingers and knock on wood tho cause you never know with Michigan.)

Thinking of spring makes me think of all our upcoming Franklin family events...cause my sister in-law is getting married!  And my amazing mother in-law is turning 60!  I am so excited and looking forward to all our trips out east.  But...I need some new clothes :-)  Specifically new dresses.  I have not been shopping in so long and I will admit that I am dying to get to the stores.  So until then...I am doing some online shopping and sharing with you all.

I love the classic look and shape of this dress.  I think its so chic!  It is a Taylor Dress, found at Nordstrom for $158.  I also love that this could easily be worn with a cardigan or fitted blazer for chilly nights.  Or with black tights for winter. So many options! It would be great for a summer wedding or a fancy shower or birthday party.

How beautiful is this dress???  Sadly, it is super pricey at $358 from BCBGMaxazria.  I love shopping for dresses from this store.  They are always so beautiful and made so well.  Its usually my go-to for a special occasion dress or outfit.  I think this is just so gorgeous!  If I come into some money soon..this dress is mine.  Otherwise my accountant husband would so mad at spending this on a dress :-) 

There is really one reason I picked this dress...it reminds me of a dress from the Victoria Beckham dress line. Someday I will wear an actual Victoria Beckham dress.  But until then, I will just try to emulate her style as best on can on a budget.  This dress is so simple, yet sexy.  And I love a dress with unexpected pockets. This dress is from ASOS for only $53.72! It is a British company with so many styles and brands to choose from.  And all the ASOS brand clothes are very reasonable.  I have bought a few things from them and they are great.  The sizes are very true to what you would normally wear.  They have everything from dresses to bathing suits to shoes and accessories.  Love it!

I am going shopping soon so I will keep you posted on what I find!  

Future Fashion Icons

I usually blog about my favorite new styles and clothes for us adults.  But today I am going to write about clothes for my little fashion lovers...the twins!  One of my absolute favorite things to do is pick out their outfits every morning!  And going shopping for the clothes that they wear is just as fun!  There are some very cool stores out there now for kids clothes.  And you don't have to break the bank to get nice clothes either.

Janie and Jack has some beautiful dress clothes...buts its SO expensive.  If you are like me, you have a hard time spending so much on something a baby or toddler will grow out of in a couple months.  If you go a month or two after the new clothes come out, you can usually get a pretty decent deal.  So I would only recommend this store if you aren't in need of something specific, unless you are willing to splurge.

Another great place for kids clothes is Baby Gap.  Sometimes it can get a little pricey, but if you sign up for their emails they always send discounts to you.  And their sale rack always has a great selection so if the regular priced stuff is too much, you can almost always find something on their.  The have great casual and dressy stuff.  I got the twins Christmas outfits from there and used an email offer for 30% off!

I am not a huge fan or matchy matchy baby clothes like Gymboree has.  Sometimes I think its hard to be creative when the cuff on the pants matches the pattern on the shirt.  I know it makes it easy for moms to pick clothes out when the store matches everything like that.  But for me...I like to mix and match from everywhere!  I also must admit that I like the more trendy looks, with skulls for the boys and fur vests for the girls!  My new favorite store is called 77 kids, its an offshoot of American Eagle.  They have the coolest stuff, from newborn all the way up to size 16.  I just bought Addy 3 pairs of jeans...I swear I would wear all of them in my size too!  And the prices are so reasonable, one pair was only $13.  Last year when they first opened I found an adorable bathing suit for only $8.  If you are into the more trendy kids looks, this store is the BEST place to shop!

Here are a few pics I bribed the twins with cookies to let me take for you all to see some examples -

Blazer from Baby Gap, T-Shirt from Babies R Us, Skinny Jeans from Gymboree

Skull Sweater from Babies R Us, Skull Jeans from Baby Gap

Shirt from Nordstrom (now available), Skirt from Nordstrom, Leggings from Kohls (still available)

Sequin top from J.Crew Kids, Shorts from flea market in Florida, Tights from Babies R Us

Stay tuned for more to come!!!!