Friday Five! Cardio Barre, The Blacklist and The Eagles Oh My!

Hi!

Here are the things I am loving right now! Brought to you by these lovely ladies: A. Liz Adventures, Hello! Happiness, The good life blog and Carolina Charm.

1. Cardio Barre-

Ladies I cannot tell you how long it had been since I exercised! I am now re invigorated after discovering Cardio Barre. It's low impact, high energy and fun. Have you tried it?

This is a video of the guy who runs my studio!




2. The Blacklist

James Spader is back and more evil than ever! I just love him and the show is riveting! Check it out on NBC!

 

3. I made this Greek Yogurt Chicken from Laloosh and it was great! You don't even need to marinate it. Just whip it up!

Lowfat and delicious!

4. I went to see the Eagles in concert and I have to say I was pretty impressed. They sounded great and were funny as hell. Go see them if you can :)

5. The Target Ankle Skinny Jean is rocking my world. Just got the dark denim too. Hello they are $11!!!!! The have cute little zippers on the back of the ankle!

The Best Thanksgiving Ideas From Pinterest! My Friday Five!

On to the next Holiday! RIGHT? (right about now I am dreaming on January where there is NOTHING TO DO).  I thought my Friday Five should have a Thanksgiving Theme!! I know Carolina Charm will love it. (Isn't she the cutest pregnant person!?)

Anyhoo....Here's some things from my PINTEREST board: "Thanksgiving Fabulous" that I am loving:

 1) I love to make my Mom's pie crust but my friend at Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes took it to a whole other level!

Don't you love the acorns!!

2) This pumpkin roll by Homemade by Holman looks amazing.

3) Might have to try to find this shirt on Etsy for Coco!

 4) I want to make these hat place cards for this years meal. A pilgrim hat place card holder from Tip Junkie!

5) And.....I am so doing this veggie platter this year!!! Gobble Gobble!

Lilly Pulitzer Give Away!

Let's make the most of the end of summer! You read it right ladies and gents! Enter to win this Lilly Pulitzer iphone 4 case in May Flowers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RIP Lilly Pulitzer- Anything Is Possible With Sunshine And A Little Pink

I was so sad to learn of Lilly Pulitzers passing. She was such an iconic figure and was able to accomplish so much. Lilly was one of my personal idols for many reasons but not for just her clothes, for the way she embraced life. Here are some of her greatest quotes and a little perspective from moi.

“Being happy never goes out of style.”

I learned a long time ago that whatever life throws at you, being happy is a choice. I have been through my share of tragedy and hard times. I have learned that life is hard. I am still cheerful and happy because that is what I choose. Being happy is like being a Love spreader. You make others happy. You have no idea how a kind word or funny moment can affect someone. It can turn their day around. Rose colored glasses are not a bad thing. They're pink!

“It's always summer somewhere.”

I grew up on the East Coast and absolutely hated the winter. I even hated the fall! Hated the leaves dying, falling off the trees, the whole thing really got to me. I was probably one of those people who needed to stare into a lightbox. Instead I turned up the heat to 80 degrees and slathered on Coppertone while listening to the Beach Boys every time my parents went out. Yes I got in trouble, but from this I learned that I had no other option then to go to college in Florida. Clearly I had my priorities straight.

“I was a gypsy, living a carefree life of ponies and tennis.”

Going to Rollins College in Winter Park Florida was a dream. I studied by the pool and handed in suntan oil stained papers to my Sociology teacher. I belonged to the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and made some of the best friends of my life. Life was so carefree then and I am so grateful to have had that experience! I was introduced to Lilly Pulitzer in college and fell in love instantly. I never looked back. Seeing sorority pictures like this continue to pop up just makes me so happy!

“Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.”

If it weren't for my can do attitude I have no idea where I would be. Certainly NOT in California, where I always dreamed of living, and certainly not having my own business. I have always been a girls girl. I treasure my time with girl friends and all things fabulous. My two business partners are women and I love that too. Supporting other women, mothers, girls is always something important to me. I am raising Coco with this in mind. Here we are in our matching Lilly.

Tell me your Lilly Pulitzer experiences. When did you buy your first Lilly? Learn about her? I will always have Lilly in my heart. And on my back!

Shopping With 2 Preppy Girls!

People are always emailing me about cute preppy things on my blog. I have to tell you my little secret. 2 Preppy Girls!



They have so many cute things like:
 

Car Monograms! (They are also Greek Licensed!)

Hats/Visors

Otterboxes and Smartphone cases!

Garden flags/house flags

Their decals were featured on The Today Show in November!  Also,many of the products that they sell have been listed on Oprah's Favorite Things!

They are named for Margarets real life 2 Preppy Girls, Lindsey (7) and Jamie (4)! I get all my Tervis Tumblers from her!!

Like them on Facebook to be in all their give aways!!

Christopher Guy's New Store- Britt week!

Apparently I am cool because I have no idea how the Mr and I ended up at this fabulous party for Christopher Guy.

Here's the blurb:

In conjunction with the Grand Opening of the new Christopher Guy showroom and BritWeek, the second annual Christopher Guy BritWeek Design Award ceremony will be held. Sponsored by Architectural Digest, the private award presentation and cocktail reception party will announce and celebrate the winner and runner-up of the design competition. Guests will include prominent design professionals in the Los Angeles and Southern California area, the BritWeek organization and their guests, the design schools and their students, and the prestigious panel of judges: renowned Designers Christopher Guy Harrison, Philip Treacy, Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Birgit Muller.

We ran into our dear friends Alex Mason (painter of fabulousity) and Amelia who has a secret blog I will tell you about later!

Anyhoo there was champagne, a fabulous gift bag and a fashion show for hats!!

You know you love her...

And her...

Wooo it was a fun time!

Happy Easter!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. I know it flies by. I reeeeeallly want Easter to be on a Saturday or have Monday off to recover!


Had to show you that my not one, but two color schemes went off without a hitch!

My new blue patent leather Nine West wedges were so fab! Loved them!


Here we are at church the next day in our yellow, pink and grey theme:

They make a fabulous flower filled cross at church and you can add your own flower in. Love that.


Have to tell you about this yellow dress. Found it at Ross in Florida on my college reunion weekend but did NOT buy it. Back in LA it was haunting me. Was so mad I didn't buy it!! Low and behold I found it at the Ross near my house!!! Meant to be!


Yellow dress $50
Coco's dress $25
Finding a dress that haunted you across two coasts: PRICELESS.


Happy Easter!!

Easter Outfits!

Happy Maundy Thursday!

I have my parents in town, so commemorate the last supper we will take the kids to Benihana. HA!

This Easter I have two brunches to attend. One with friends and family, and one with godparents and family. That means a color theme (yes I am horrifying). For Saturday brunch I am going with a coral and navy theme.

Loving this coral sheath dress I got at Bloomingdales. Adrianna Papell!


Then I have to get some of these Nine West Fauna wedges (but in Navy patent leather)!

Then on course Landon in this J Crew Blue Blazer:

Then some Ralph Lauren gingham blue oxfords on both Landon and Daddy.

Coco will be in a precious navy and white dress I found. There's only one problem. What to wear on Sunday!!!

Fall Fashion Week! What to wear: Guest Post By Beth Dunn! Social Climbers Novelist and Fashionably Preppy!

Fall is my version of New Years. The cooler air feels like a fresh start! Summer is so busy but when the boys are back to school I motivate to build my wardrobe, try a great new nail polish color and find the perfect black driving shoe.

This fall I've been obsessed with finding what were called "Cowl neck" sweaters when I was a child. I love a boxy sweater to pair with my fun printed cigarette pants. As a mother of two young active son's--I spend a lot of time outside. If I'm not wearing my fur sweater with riding pants I think it's totally appropriate to wear long sleeve wool dresses with riding boots. I have cashmere scarfs in every color and no outfit is complete without an arm full of bracelets. The nice part of the sweater dress is once home from a day of hiking I can just change the boots into my new green suede Lilly Pulitzer wedges and I'm good to go. Once the babysitter has ordered pizza Husband and I can attend a fund raiser or go out for dinner.

I don't change my purses daily but I have so many fun brown, orange, and yellow bags I have to switch every few weeks. When I wear jeans (which is next to never) , I dress them up with a cashmere sweater and ballet flats. Another way I'll wear jeans is with a silk ruffled blouse, a cardigan and open toe heels.

Beginning in August I collect J. Crew catalogs, Lilly Pulitzer catalogs and search the internet for Kate Spade, JM, and Lesley Evers. I try to figure out where I have gaps in my wardrobe for example if I have a pair of pants I love but nothing that looks good on top. Then I begin the shopping!!!!

Collars up

SC


You can spend even more time with the Fabulous Beth Dunn by reading her Blog Social Climbers!

Fall Fashion Week! What to wear: Guest Post By Kiki! Fashionista and Shopping Professional!

 

When One Fabulous Mom asked me to write a Fall Fashion post my first thought was, “WHAT?!?!”  I am after all, not a “fashion blogger” though I’d like to be, I’m also not the ideal size of a fashionista, though I’d like to be and I definitely do not have the budget of said fashionista, though I’d like to.

But then I thought about what I love is just beautiful clothes, clothes that make me feel good about myself, that transform me into whatever I may be feeling like at the moment.  I love that when I am helping someone shop and they come out of the fitting room in something they feel good in...they light up.  That moment....I love that moment.

So for Fall I thought about what I love most is layers, denim and warmth/coziness in my clothes.  I love tights with booties and skirts and volume on top and narrow at the bottom and I collected items I think reflect not only what I’d like to wear but at prices I felt were reasonable.

The dress above is a rusched sweater dress from Target, I’m sorry I didn’t copy the price but the pic is straight from their website.

The next item, a classic trench, from Target, in a darling plaid, is waterproof and so unexpected from me-I shy away from prints normally but where a coat like this is concerned I might have to ignore my own rule.  The only thing I wish about this coat, is that it were lined with some pink fabric....wouldn’t that be perfect?

The last jacket is also Target and military inspired, layered with a bright scarf, skirt, tight and booties or boots = perfection!!

So on to denim and full disclosure:  I work for Gap, I’m the GM of a small store in the South and have worked for the company (started in NY) for the past 23 years.  So it should go without saying that where denim is concerned I’m all Gap, all the time.  I’ve explored the other brands and guess what....they just cost more.  I’ve worn Gap jeans forever and I love them.  Of course if you have a brand that you are loyal too-I get it- shape, cut and fabric are what we are looking for here.

These jeans are the Italian Denim legging, at $69.95 I think they are amazing.  The fit and style is incredible and remember-I’m curvy and still love these!! 

Long sleeve tees are my go-to for every day....I swear by the Gap because they have a little bit of modal in them which helps them hold their shape and wash beautifully!!!

Ok...here is the deal with these jeans...they are my favorites-but not the way they show them.  I buy them a little big, like a size too big and cuff them so they look kind of boyfriend-y.  The Real Straights at Gap are definitely in heavy rotation here, done with a ballet flat and  something like the sweater below.

So in love with this...I’m all swoon-y over its sweetness/girliness/coziness!!!  Found on Piperlime, mostly because I love that you can shop so many different businesses without ever leaving the site-then easy checkout for EVERYTHING!!!

And note the arm prettiness.  I’m constantly on the lookout for new bracelets to layer with my old school men’s Timex watch. 

This bag is Melie Bianco...which I had never heard of until I was on another blog and the girl was posting her OOTD and was holding this bag.  Since the Birkin that I lust after is unaffordable this bag gives me the look I’m going for.  Plus, I love BIG bags, I’m a big girl, I feel like I need a big bag!!!

Via Spiga shoes.  Found on Piperlime.  Not in the budget but so lusty, no?

This skirt is absolutely going to be my Fall/Winter staple...I LOVE it!!!  So soft, so comfy and easy to wear!!!  Again, at Gap and completely affordable.  I think its between $35 and $40.

The Gap Ribbed Tank.  If you wore this tank in the past and were disappointed....don’t be fooled.  Gap took note and redesigned it and brought it back this year better than other tank out there!!!  Pinky swear.  Get one and you will not regret it, the perfect mix of stretch and comfort-LOVE!

So here I am in two of my fave Fall outfits and I realize I left out a great blazer on my collection but honestly...I find it hard to find one that fits my body and my (apparently) ridiculously long arms.  This was the boyfriend blazer from Gap last year, striped long sleeve tee, boyfriend-y jeans and ballet flats-such an easy outfit to wear all day at work!!

Again....an outfit from last year. 

I DO NOT WEAR TURTLENECKS.  EVER.

But a cowl...that’ll I do in a hot second.  This one was a tee shirt material and I bought it in every neutral color there was, again in cuffed jeans.  I love this top because it is so lightweight and easy to layer and wear with jeans or skirts-I’m excited to pull these outfits out of storage and get to wearing the comfy cozy-ness that scream FALL!!!

So friends, what are you looking forward to?  The outfit you rely on when nothing else is working and where do you shop when you want to feel really good??

You can follow Kiki and her adventures on her blog: http://kikbee.blogspot.com/

Fall Clothes- What The Heck Should I Wear?

I am a Summer girl. 

Give me Lilly Pulitzer, pink and green, and my Bonanos and I am a happy camper.

Fall sometimes confuses me. Mostly it's my rebellion to want the summer to go on FOREVER. I know all of you loving your pumpkin spiced this and that, but really give me an ocean breeze and that's all I need. 

SIGH.


The other problem is that California gets cold....but not that cold.
For instance it was 80 degrees today. You can't just put on your pink and green, you have to be Fallish- in the heat!


Tomorrow I will be having the one and only KIKI, my amazing Gap expert and Gal Pal give me a little guidance! Do not miss this post!


What are you wearing this Fall? I want to know!