Ten Ten Twenty

{Whetstone Rose Garden}

People will ask me random questions online about me or my life, so I thought this would be a fun opportunity to let you in on some of the little secrets...

1. My favorite dog is a German Shorthair Pointer

2. My favorite color is Navy

3. If I could live anywhere it would be near the water

4. I can't be with someone who doesn't make me laugh

5. Cookies are my favorite dessert

6. I have 7 tattoos

7. When I am upset I like to clean

8. I am only 5 feet 2 inches tall

9. I am the oldest of three children

10. My go to scent right now is Burberry Brit

11. If I cheat on eating well it's wine and chips together

12. My favorite car is a Jeep Wagoneer

13. I like movies and not TV

14. My favorite sports to watch are Soccer, Hockey, Baseball and Boxing

15. If it was my last meal I would have steak

16. I have no bucket list I'm just impulsive

17. I have 5 children

18. They all have the same dad

19. I enjoy the anonymity of shopping online. I hate the mall.

20. I will never put anyone ahead of my children ever

Remain Unchanged

I think it's safe to say I am a hat person. I am a lipstick girl. I am a denim girl. Weekends are my favorite because I have the opportunity to be extremely creative and wear what I love. Perfect for those days where it's cooler in the morning and heats up as the day progresses, pairing a bralette with these overalls makes that transition seamless. I can go all day and never have to change a thing. If only life were as much of a constant.

Overalls and bralette are The Oxford Trunk. Hat is UO. Booties are Freebird by Steven. Back pack is F21. Watch is Arvo.

Lipstick is Revlon. 

What I've Been Crushing On

{Guac O'clock}

{Road Trippin}

{Monday Vibes}

{Gifted}

{Simply perfect}

Round About

One of my favorite pastimes is to tell funny stories about things I have experienced. Life has a way of giving you only as much as you can handle, and a couple "zingers" just so you keep your sense of humor and don't start taking yourself too seriously. Three summers ago I bought a Groupon for a boxing class. At the time everyone I knew was doing that. Taking a hybrid cardio/boxing class was a fun way to get a great workout without feeling like you were actually working out. In this particular case I was mistaken. I showed up to a warehouse with nothing but a couple rings and some training equipment, and a bunch of dudes hungry to challenge themselves. Yes. All guys there except me. I even went to buy the gloves and asked for a larger size (heavier) because this girl wasn't wearing any PINK to boxing. Then when the boxing COACH yelled at us to take a mile run wearing them I thought I might die. I think I may have a little that day. The guys were making fun of me clearly because they knew I wasn't supposed to be there. Every mistake I made was fodder for their amusement. That just pushed me to work even harder to be taken seriously. I wasn't going to give up. Nobody was going to make me quit. I was going to finish it. I did too and when I left that same coach who had fun at my expense gave me his number in case I wanted to come back and train. I haven't had that opportunity yet but I will someday. My gloves and wraps are still right where I can see them. Waiting for the next round.

Go and see this movie. <3

Queens Never Die Either

Get In Line

Blue eye shadow dominated makeup trends in the 80's, but I never seemed into it then. Possibly because I was at a Catholic school, but primarily because my parents weren't having that. We never had the money to keep up with whatever the other kids were doing, Even with makeup trends. Maybe that's why I have so much fun experimenting with it now that I can choose for myself. To this day I wear very little to hide any imperfections (my growing collection of freckles) and choose rather to enhance the things I think stand out the most on me. I have high cheek bones and big eyes. I like to play a bit with color there, and experiment with what it can do to keep my look current and even ahead of the game. There's nothing worse then getting left behind...so get in line.

I use foundation over my t-zone and around my eyes.

 I apply this "Cheek Chubby" from Flower Beauty.

I use a small amount of champagne color eye shadow from Cover Girl on each lid to the eye brow.

I use the Revlon liner in "Matt Marine" only on the lower water line.

I apply a generous amount of Flower Beauty color play creme shadow in "Lilac You a Lott" on the lid only and the lower lash line.

I color in my brows with Flower Beauty's Defining Brow Pencil in "Dark Brown"

Add a peachy lip color like this one from Top Shop 

Add your favorite black mascara and this is the finished look. 

The Lake Effect

{Burgers with skillet brussel sprouts and watermelon feta salad}

I have such fond memories of being very small and seeing my father and his siblings grilling out at the lake in the summer. I just remember everyone laughing and cracking jokes while all of us kids were swimming. We would spend the entire day in our suits and fall asleep in the shade with our tummies filled with good food. I think that's why when the choice was mine I purchased a charcoal grill for myself. Even though later in life my father moved on to a much larger gas grill, I still love watching the charcoal flame turn the briquettes grey. It just instantly takes me back in time. This July 4th I celebrated with my family, and I wanted to have some of that same feeling but with an updated menu that was healthy and left a little room for dessert.

2 lbs of lean ground meat and 1/4 cup worcheshire sauce

mix well and shape into patties

( I was worried mine would fall apart because I remembered that making my dad super angry but they were fine)

Cut up 1/2 a watermelon and a package of grape tomatoes

Squeeze on it the juice of one lime

Add feta cheese (amount is up to you)

salt and pepper to taste

drizzle with some virgin olive oil (1/4 cup)

mix well and chill until served

I baked mine in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees

I used a package of frozen brussel sprouts

sea salt and pepper to taste

cook until a little brown 

The relish is about 1/4 of the package of grape tomatoes diced

a 1/2 cup of mayo

a 1/4 cup of mustard

Breathe Easy

An Arboretum as defined by Wikipedia is a "narrow dense collection of trees only" and at first glance that definition may make it seem a bit dull. Who wants to go and look at a bunch of trees? This girl and anyone else who loves being outside, and getting an education on something other than your average Buckeye. Not only was this worth the drive because of how expansive it was, but also the diversity. Whether you walk the 1200 plus acres of plant life (done) or drive through it, there is something new to explore around every corner. There were times I felt transported to another place entirely... and all without the jet lag. What a fun way to come and appreciate the things we don't often see. The clean air, the stillness, and the peaceful landscape. Free of the footprint of man, but governed by his thoughtful manipulation. 

{The gift shop at Dawes}

What I've Been Crushing On

{Watermelon}

{Best iced tea ever}

{Twinning)

{Stone gravel I laid on my patio}

{Good mail days}

{Long morning summer walks}

Turn It Up

Well we went from soggy to muggy here in a little over a week. I got so lost in it that that I completely forgot what season we were in. The weather started to wear me down and made me feel a little bit sad. I think I had a bit of cabin fever. That is why when the temps spiked and the sun popped so did my mood. Bright colors and soft fabrics mirror all the things I love about the summer and reflect the way it makes me feel. Sultry, sexy, and ready to turn up the heat. 

Shoes Windsor. Skirt is Living Doll. Top is Oxford Trunk. 

Clutch is NeNe California c/o

SELENA

Back Story

Falling in love with a pretty dress is easy, and first impressions are of the utmost importance. Walking into a room and grabbing the attention of not only your companion, but anyone else who can appreciate a well made garment, at any gathering, is what it's all about. This dress caught my eye immediately because of the color (my favorite), the slit on the side and the the way it drapes down my back and hugs my curves. It captured my attention. Thankful that in this instance, I'm leaving the best behind me. 

Dress and earrings  F21. Platforms Jessica Simpson. Sunnies and cuff The Oxford Trunk. 

Clutch Nene California.c/o