An Epic Tail of Hunter boots....AWESOMENESS OVERLOAD at Nordstrom...and a link to a GIVEAWAY!

 Before we get started today, my heart is so heavy for all of the families in Oklahoma that were victims of the tornadoes yesterday.

 I was at The University of Oklahoma when the tornadoes hit Moore in 1999 (just 10 miles down the road), and the devastation was beyond comprehension.
And preliminary reports say that the storms yesterday were 3x as strong.
The families of the elementary school children are in need of all of our prayers.

If you would like to help the Salvation Army of Central OK, you can text GIVE to 80888 for a $10 donation or send your checks to the Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command, P.O. Box 2095, Oklahoma City, OK 73101.

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Now, on to regularly scheduled programming.

 First, the story.
It his highs, it has lows.....it really has it all.
You'll laugh, you'll cry.....well, you get the point.

So I know all of you know Shay.

Shay is the one who actually encouraged me to start this blog while we were at the pool with our kids last summer.

She is also the one who links to me constantly, tweets my links,
and is one of my biggest blog cheerleaders.

I am sooooo very grateful for all of her support, comments (she typically is always the first to comment on my blog by about 5:30 a.m.), tweets, links, and love!

I wanted to do something big for her to show my appreciation.

So, I decided to buy her THIS pair of Hunter boots as a THANK YOU!

A couple of weeks ago she had casually mentioned to me how much she LOVED

them after seeing them on my blog.

She had fallen in love with the lavendar color and couldn't get them out of her head.

I had the idea that it would be SO FUN to get them for her!

So, I did.

And I was so so SO excited about giving them to her!
Like strangely excited probably.  

We made lunch plans, and I woke up that morning just absolutely giddy.
There was a chance of rain that day, so I of course took my cue to slip mine on too! ;)
 (I have only had mine 2 weeks, and I've already worn them 3 times!
I went back and forth for years if I should spend the money, and I'm so glad I finally did!
Totally worth the investment.)

 boots HERE, military jacket HERE
Y'ALL!  HUGE news!  
My exact military jacket went 40% off just last night! 
 So, it's now under $50, which is an astounding deal for a year round jacket that you will get soooo many miles out of.  Just ask my friends and co-workers, I am wearing it constantly.
You will be SO happy to have this jacket in your closet.  Plain and simple.
All sizes are available right now....but I am imagining they will sell out fast, so don't hesitate!
I love my green one so much that I'm going to get the khaki one too!  SO excited!!!!
For a size reference, my jacket is a SMALL.
Click HERE for both the green and the khaki jackets.  
I know that some of you were waiting to pull the trigger on this jacket, now is the time!  
(If you were friends with Shay, she would tell you that this justifies you buying both.  Right Erika?)  :)

Anyway, we were meeting at 11:00, and I kept watching the clock with excitement.

Right at about 10:00 I got a text from her.

Sit down people.

She was telling me that she had just ordered the Hunter boots off of my blog.
SAY WHAT?
SHUT UP.

I. Know.

I almost died.

I had told her I was bringing her a surprise at lunch, but she had not idea what it was.
When I got out of my car, she saw the big wrapped box, broke out into a huge smile and happily said "What is that?"
Then, it hit her.
She saw the size and the shape of the box (and the look on my face), and then she said with disbelief, "WHAT? IS? THAT?"
 I'll tell you what it was Shay.  It was a box full of broken dreams.
Ha!

Still, I gotta say, they looked super cute on her and she was THRILLED to get them!
(She was able to cancel her order.  Whew.)

Here we are after lunch!  :)

This pic makes me happy!

Click HERE for the boots. 

Good story, right?
We could not believe that she ordered them about an hour before I was set to give them to her.
What are the odds?!?

THANK YOU SHAY FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!
MAY YOU THINK OF ME EACH AND EVERY TIME
THERE IS EVEN A CHANCE OF SPRINKLES!
;)
(Cause let's be honest...if there is even a chance of sprinkles....we will both be wearing them.)


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Okay......now for a play by play of my trip to Nordstrom!
   

Anyway, I met Shay and Alli at the mall on Friday with all of the kids!

Shopping and Tin Star for lunch?  Yes, please!

I thought I would share part of the day with you....

Here I am getting ready to leave for the mall:

Neon Shirt:  GAP, sold out

Cut-offs:  GAP, click HERE
I wore these shorts 3 days in a row this past weekend.  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
What?
You don't do that.
Yeah, neither do I.  I was just kidding.  

TOMS:  Nordstrom, HERE
 (a Nordstrom exclusive that will eventually be phased out)

And remember to get THESE to go with your TOMS.

 Sequin Crossbody bag:  Target, click HERE

This is my first crossbody bag, and I can't even tell you how much I love it.

I wanted to get a very inexpensive one because I didn't know how much I would like it.

Well, I am now a believer in the crossbody.
And don't you just LOVE the little brass discs?  

It was soooo convenient and freeing!  Especially at the mall!
(fyi:  I've been to several other Targets since buying this one, and they no longer seem to be in the stores.  I guess they are only left online, unless you get lucky and find one that has been returned.)

First I hit up the jewelry counter and tried on this Kendra Scott necklace.

Kendra Scott is SO in right now!  I first saw her jewelry on Melanie (Big Mama) when I got to 

meet her at dotMom. Click HERE to see her in her Kendra Scott necklace and earrings.  After seeing it on Melanie, I started seeing it everywhere. (I must have been living under a rock before.)
Celebrities love her stuff, and you can always spot it on t.v.

THIS necklace comes in 9 different colors.

I also LOVE THESE Kendra Scott earrings.

Oh, and THESE.
And THESE.

Yeah, I pretty much adore everything she makes.  

Then I headed to the purses.

I am loving my first crossbody so much, I wanted to look at others!

I found TONS of cute ones, but THIS one was my absolute favorite.

It's fabulous, right?  It's out of my price range, but I love it.
If any of you feel like you need to convince me that I NEED this bag, please feel free.
Or, if any of you would like to coordinate a bake sale to raise the funds for me to order this purse, again - feel free.

I also found a couple of big bags I liked.

I featured THIS one last week and was so excited to get to see it in person!

Click HERE.
It's a fun and bright tribal pattern.  I like the black the best.

And then I saw THIS one.

Be Still My Heart.

Y'all.

I really really really love this bag.

Chevron?  Yes, please.

Red?  Um, yes.
Kate really knows how to speak my love language.

And just when I thought the above was as good as it could get, I saw THIS one.

This one is 1/2 the price of the Kate Spade.  

It's a totally different type of bag, but I'm thinking I love it just as much.

It screams "SUMMER!"

I think the shape is so interesting, and I LOVE the leather handle, the natural canvas background, and the unique coral and pink design.

Yeah.  I am totally digging this bag.

Do you people love it as much as I do?

And let's be honest, I also love that it is under $100.
Click HERE.

If you are on the hunt for a great bag, but none of the above ones caught your eye...
click HERE and type in "Michael Kors bag sale" in the search bar.
You won't believe the bags that are on sale...most up to 40% off.
The Hamilton Large Canvas tote is GORGEOUS.
Okay, enough of my bag obsession.

I  randomly tried on THIS swimsuit cover up.  It is pricey, but I loved it.
SCRATCH THAT!
IT JUST WENT 40% OFF TOO!!!!!!

It is like really thin swimsuit material, and it had a really cool open back.

I have on the medium/large in the pic, but I would have preferred a small/medium.
Click HERE.

I also made a point to find 2 shirts that I had seen online and thought would be great staples for everybody's closets.  I wanted to see if I still thought so after trying them on.
THIS one is knit and oh so cute.
It comes in 16 colors and has lots of great reviews.
I used to shy away from pockets on the boobs, but for some reason I don't mind them anymore.
And in case you haven't been able to tell, I am SUPER in to button-ups right now.
I've purchased 3 this year, and I wear them all the time.
I really like that this one is knit and that it has 3/4 sleeves that button up.
I think it looks great with shorts, but I also imagine it with white skinny jeans and some great sandals for a totally pulled together look.
It's under $50, which I think is a GREAT price for a piece that will be a staple in your wardrobe.
(In fact, this is one of those shirts that I can see me buying 2 of.  Do you guys do that?  If I really REALLY like something, I do not even hesitate to buy it in 2 colors.)
Click HERE.

THIS one is silk and very nice.
Great reviews and 17 different colors.
Also great with white skinnies and nice sandals.
And it's nice enough to wear with suit pants and heels.

And...I FOUND ANOTHER OATMEAL LINEN BLAZER!
A handful of you had e-mailed or left a comment saying you thought my blazer (found HERE) was going to be a little short on you.  Most of you talked about having long torsos.
This is NOT a problem that I have.
And I gotta tell you, I don't feel sorry for you long torso people. ;)
Well, I found THIS one!
It's the same great oatmeal color, and it's still a nice slim fit, but it's longer.
I really really liked it.

And last, but certainly not least, I found met Brayden.
Brayden is Tiara's cousin (Tiara is the famous wedge)
THIS is Brayden.

Brayden is JUST AS COMFORTABLE and SASSY as Tiara.
However, Brayden is braided leather and has an open back, and I think has a more casual feel.
Brayden is so new that there aren't yet any reviews, but I'm going to let Tiara vouch for Brayden.
Brayden is totally legit.
Two things about these 2 wedges:
1)
I know SEVERAL of you were having trouble with your order of the Tiara wedge.  Some were told they were on backorder, and some were never received.  Now, I'm not sure about this, but I think there must have been a glitch in the system somehow.
One of my friends said she received an e-mail saying her putty pair were on backorder for another month.  However, she went on and ordered a 2nd pair because they were no longer showing as backordered on the site, and the most recent pair she ordered has already shipped out.
I also had a reader e-mail me that she called Nordstrom saying she had never received hers, and they immediately shipped a pair out.
So...if you have a pair that are on backorder...I don't think a call would hurt.
2)   
For the life of me, I cannot decide if I want the blue or the brown Brayden.
I now only have 1 color (putty) of the Tiara, so I feel totally justified getting the Brayden too.
(At one time I had the yellow too, but every time I put the yellow on, I ended up changing them out and wearing the putty.  So I took the yellow back.)
Anyway, brown or blue?
What do you think?
 Click HERE for Brayden (the new kid on the block).
Click HERE for Tiara (the originals).

A giveaway was added to my post from yesterday late in the day.
Click HERE to enter for this necklace.

 Also, before I go....I want to say "hello!" to Kristi!
 I met another reader (again, she was sweet and darling of course!) named Kristi while at Nordstrom on Friday!
Kristi got a picture of us with her phone, but I forgot to get one with my camera (bad blogger).  Kristi, e-mail the pic and I will post it!
I just love meeting all of you girls that are sweet enough to say something to me when you see me.
It totally makes my day.
 

you can follow me on facebook HERE 

you can follow me on Pinterest HERE 

 you can find me on twitter at @simsslp

Linking Up on Wednesday With:The Pleated Poppy

 Get Your Pretty On 

Random Wednesday 

Style Elixir

Pinterest Told Courtney (at A Thoughtful Place) To!

Today we have a special treat, so get excited!

Courtney from A Thoughtful Place is going to take her turn at letting Pinterest boss her around.
I found Courtney through my friend Cassie over at Hi Sugarplum and I'm so glad I did!
(Cassie is revealing her newly painted dining room today, so go check it out HERE.
I'll give you one hint:  pink!)
Back to Courtney:  Look how precious Courtney and her family are!

If you haven't seen her blog, you are seriously missing out.
She is one talented lady with a home you will envy and take endless inspiration from.
You can see all of her most popular posts gathered in one place HERE.
Here is a peak into her bedroom.  Doesn't it just make you want to see more?


Click HERE to see her oh so cozy master bedroom and custom upholstered headboard.
Click HERE to see her absolutely GORGEOUS living room.

Oh....and let's not forget that Little Miss Courtney is some type of organizing GENIUS.

Click HERE and prepare to be amazed. 

AMAZED I tell ya.

So, without further ado.....here's Courtney!
 you can follow her on facebook 

and on pinterest

and on instagram @athoughtfulplace

And you should follow her everywhere you can!  (Just my 2 cents!)

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I am super excited to be hanging out here today. And I have to admit I am completely nervous and out of my comfort zone. While I swoon over the latest fashion trends and savor a great classic combination, I cringe at the thought of a camera. So here goes nothing! A while back, I pinned two images onto my fashion fantasies board and when Sheaffer invited me to guest post, I knew it was time to bring those two looks to life. I have never really copied a fashion pin before and now find myself wondering where the heck I have been. It was so great to pull pieces I already had and complete them with a few more and really pull a look together. 

I just might be hooked on letting Pinterest tell me what to do!

So without further ado, here are my two pins and my attempt to recreate them!

Look # 1

via

I just love the classic black and white combination. It looks effortless and is perfect for a balmy summer night. I am also a huge fan of pairing gold with the black and white combo. 

how i recreated the look

similar white blouse | black shorts | purse | similar gold chain

I already owned the white blouse and gold chain necklace, so I was on the hunt for those cute black shorts. I found this pair at Forever 21. They are super soft and comfortable. The little quilted purse if also from there. I can see myself wearing this for a summer date night with the hubby. 

Look # 2

I have always loved a white summer dress. In fact, it is on an inspiration board I put together here. While I can't come close to looking this good, I took a swing at this entire look.

how i recreated the look

similar white dress | bangles | similar purse | sunnies | similar wedges

I actually own all of these pieces except for the bangles. And I scooped those up for $4 each! I had just never thought of pairing it all together like this. While the inspiration bag is much larger in scale, I think using what you have trumps purchasing a new one. 

Sheaffer, thank you so much for having me. And thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone. You can normally find me busting out a DIY or organizing something around my home over at A Thoughtful Place. This fashion gig is a fun change of pace. Enjoy your day!

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Courtney!
You did such a great job!!!!
That first look is trendy and edgy!  Love it!
The second look is soooooo so CLASSIC and CHIC!
A white dress with nude pumps is timeless and just plain pretty!
You look GORGEOUS in that white dress!

Before I get to the rest of the outfit, I found THIS snakeskin clutch.
It was regularly $148, on sale for $99, and an additional 50% off today with the code SALE50!
What a deal!!!!!!
Thought you ladies might want to take advantage of the super sale!

Now, on to the rest of the look.
I know a lot of you reading have summers filled with showers and parties, and I thought a white eyelet dress would be appropriate for so many of those occasions.  So....I did a lot of online research (by the way, LOVE that I can now call online shopping "research") and found lots of options for you to choose from!

A crepe option HERE with a tiered lace skirt.  This one is so flowy and pretty with fantastic reviews.
A very pretty lace sheath HERE that is sleeveless with a v-neck.  I LOVE this one.
THIS one is very pretty (but a little pricey).  It comes in ivory and coral with interesting details.

Two more youthful options HERE and HERE (two bottom right on above collage)
They are shorter and more playful.
The first option has 4 perfect reviews and comes in 4 additional colors!

HERE is one more option that is either white with a coral underlay, or coral with a white underlay.
It has a drop waist and looks like it could be very cute!

I also found a pair of wedges that could work for shower and wedding season

 if you didn't want to wear heels.  

(They would be a great option for an outdoor event where heels would be too difficult to wear.)
Maybe THESE would work (in the "nude/coconut" color)!  I feel like they would go with lots of different types and styles of dresses.
I tried these on and they were very comfortable and stylish!

And just because, I also found 3 colored options for lace dresses.

A coral-ish option that is absolutely stunning is HERE.
There is a navy lace option HERE.
Love the pleated and layered skirt on this one, and it is very affordable!
Think it would look sooo pretty with some nude high heels!


And a totally classic black option HERE.
STUNNING!  Right?

There are 99 reviews on this dress that are near perfect.
The lace neckline is gorgeous, and I love the skirt with the tiny little pleats.

I talked about nude heels in the post several times. Don't have a nude heel?
I've got you covered.
Very pretty option HERE with a unique wooden heel.
A Michael Kors slingback option with a lower heel HERE.
A pair HERE with an ankle strap and peep toe that I think are oh so sexy!

The above shoes were originally quite expensive (over $220), but they are now 40% off!
The reviews are strangely mixed, so read them yourself.  A small number of people say they are uncomfortable, but the great majority talk about how they are surprisingly comfortable!
Here is one example of a review:
I bought a NUDE pair for a special event. I was hesitant due to the price, especially since i have many pairs of pumps to wear to work every day BUT THESE have now become my favorite pair!!!! The nude color looks beautiful on most skin types because the shade is very natural. 
An Absolute must have!!!!!!!!!! 
Thanks Nordstrom another great product!

Another review:
I ended up buying them in black and nude. I had my eye on them for a while (too much $ for me) and ended up borrowing the black pair to try on with some dresses when I was at the store. They are very comfortable for heels. I loved them so much that I bought 2 pair - well worth the money for comfort and they will go with so many looks.

And a classic pair HERE that is very affordable.
(The reviews aren't great, but maybe they are worth the risk because of the price tag?)
One last pair HERE with a pretty patent bow, sling back, and peep toe.
These are hot, in a really sweet way.
I know that doesn't make sense, but it makes sense to me.

I don't have any weddings to attend this summer, but I still would like to add one of these dresses and some nude heels to my closet.  ESPECIALLY the nude heels.  I feel like every girl should have a pair, and I don't.  I need to get with it!

Oh...and this is TOTALLY Random...but I got a tweet from a reader yesterday....
 Heather Dubrow from The Real Housewives of Orange County was seen wearing THE swimsuit at a party in Vegas, which just confirms my love of the suit.  I think she looks awewsome!
Click HERE for the suit.
I tried this suit on while at Nordstrom last week, but I will not be posting swimsuit pics of me on this blog.  You're welcome.
  I thought it was VERY flattering.
The crocheted middle was super stretchy (I was afraid it was going to be stiff), and so it was actually comfy (which I was NOT expecting).
I think the suit really does seem pretty perfect.
I had already purchased 2 new suits this year (prior to finding this one), so I couldn't justify the purchase.  Dangit!   (SOMETIMES I actually make mature shopping decisions.)
If you're new to the blog,you need to click HERE and read the 280 near perfect reviews!
(It also comes in coral and mint.)
And remember, when ordering a swimsuit, it is most often recommended to order 1 size up!

Thanks for the tip @perkyparty!

And I've got some GREAT SALE ALERTS in case you ladies are in need of a great deal!

  GAP is an additional 25% off of you purchase with the code GAPSUMMER!
If you haven't purchased my very favorite summer shorts yet, now is the time!
Denim shorts HERE, white shorts HERE.
They are frayed on the bottom, and they have stretch in them.
You will love 'em!
Click HERE to shop.

Banana Republic is 35% off your purchase Monday only with code BRSAVE!
It goes down to 30% off on Tuesday.
Click HERE to shop.

  LOFT is having all sorts of sales.
30% off of everything (including new arrivals).
PLUS.....$50 savings cards for every $50 spent!
AND FREE SHIPPING ON EVERYTHING with the code GOTTASHOP.
So, you'll save now AND you'll save later!
(Not sure if this ends Monday or Tuesday.)
Click HERE to shop!

And make sure you come back tomorrow!
I had a shopping trip at Nordstrom (try to at least act surprised), 

and I photographed lots of the day!

PLUS, I have an AWESOME (and yet terrible!) story for you. You won't want to miss it. :)

Ooooooh!  Wait!

We also have a giveaway!

Samantha (a sweet reader) with Premier Designs jewelry contacted me, and I'm happy to share some info. about the company and her products with you today!

I had never heard of Premier Designs.

It is a direct sales jewelry company founded in 1985 by Joan and Andy Horner in Irving, Texas. They created the company as a way to support ministries here and around the globe, as well as provide a home-based business opportunity established on biblical principles, such as integrity and unselfish service. Through their non-traditional approach of putting people first — before profits — Premier Designs has grown into a more than 350-million-dollar — debt-free — corporation with Independent Distributors (we call them Jewelers) in the U.S.
Premier Designs Jewelers market quality high fashion jewelry to small groups through Home Shows. They are members of the Direct Selling Association, 

but their emphasis is on serving rather than selling.

All of the following fashion boards are featuring Premier Designs Jewelry:

And...lucky you guys...sweet Samantha is going to be giving away the necklace below!

I love that it seems to have a little bit of an industrial feel, but that it is pretty enough to be worn with a little black dress.  I think it would also look GREAT with just a t-shirt and jeans too!

For more information on the pieces featured in these fashion boards or for a catalog to place an order, please contact Samantha Busam-Premier Designs Jeweler, Independent Distributor at samjilink@yahoo.com.
Samantha is looking forward to serving you! 

follow Samantha on her Style by Samantha facebook page HERE

follow Samantha on facebook for her blog HERE
follow her Pinterest page HERE

Want to enter the contest?
Of course you do!
See the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

you can follow me on facebook HERE 

you can follow me on Pinterest HERE

 you can find me on twitter at @simsslp

Linking Up on Wednesday With:  

The Pleated Poppy 

 Get Your Pretty On 

Random Wednesday 

Style Elixir

What I'm Obsessed With Now! And some reader input! And A Story!!!

I have lots and lots of goodness to share with you today!

Sometimes on Obsession Friday I share things that I've seen that I really like (even though I don't own it), but this week I'm featuring a lot of stuff that I 

actually own and am wearing ALL. THE. TIME.

I'm also featuring a couple of reader comments....and I'm telling you a story. 

So get comfortable! Lots going on today!

 Don't forget that GAP is an additional 40% off of everything that is already on sale in every department!
Click HERE to shop.

And as of Saturday morning, LOFT is having all sorts of sales.
30% off of everything (including new arrivals).
PLUS.....$50 savings cards for every $50 spent!
AND FREE SHIPPING ON EVERYTHING with the code GOTTASHOP.
So, you'll save now AND you'll save later!
Click HERE to shop!

(AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE FORMATTING OF THIS POST.  TRIED TO FIX IT BUT CAN'T.)  boo!

Obsessions #1 (shorts) and #2 (TOMS)

THESE GAP cut-offs are awesome!Why?
They are short (but not too short), just like I like 'em. (They are pretty short, so keep that in mind if you don't like a short short.They are like Bermuda's to Shay.)
AND THEY HAVE STRETCH IN THEM!I think that all pants should have a little bit of stretch in them. Amen?
I have them in denim (click HERE for the denim).....




t-shirt: GAP outlet (not online)
shoes: TOMS - Nordstrom exclusive (click HERE)

*My friend Lisa bought these in the store this past weekend. She was trying to decide between THESE and a crocheted pair HERE. The Nordstrom salesperson told her to go for THESE because they were a Nordstrom exclusive and would be phased out.
I know I'm going to be wearing them all summer...I'm already wearing the heck out of them!(I've been giving so much public love to the wedges, I thought it was time these babies got some attention too.) :)   

And remember to get THESE to go with your TOMS.
 If wearing TOMS in the summer, they are essential to help keep your feet and your shoes dry.
And if you buy 3, you save!



I also have the cut-offs in white (click HERE for the white).




shirt: GAP outlet (not online)
shoes: surprise......my beloved putty wedges found HERE
*OKAY PEOPLE! I'VE GOT SOME BREAKING NEWS HERE.
I'M HEARING FROM SEVERAL OF YOU THAT YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE ORDERING THE WEDGE (LOTS OF COLORS AND SIZES APPEAR TO BE ON BACKORDER).
WELL, I'VE GOT SOME GREAT NEWS!  I WAS AT NORDSTROM TODAY AND MET MY BELOVED WEDGE'S COUSIN.  THIS ONE IS BRAIDED LEATHER INSTEAD OF PATENT, AND IT IS JUST AS SASSY AND COMFY AS MY FAV PAIR!!!!
CLICK HERE!!!!  IT'S A DIFFERENT STYLE, BUT OH SO CUTE.  I LOVE THE BROWN AND THE BLUE, AND I LOVE THAT IT IS LEATHER!!!! CLICK HERE NOW!!!!

I think both pair look great with shorts!
I also have the shorts in olive green (click HERE), and coral from last season (but they also have a coral this season, click HERE).
I wore my coral ones constantly last summer, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that they were going to come back out with them this year.
They not only came back with them...they have tons of new patterns and colors.
I'm telling you.
These will be your GO TO summer shorts.
Get at least 2 pair.

Also, do you notice my "tan"?
"TAN" is in quotation marks because it's a result of THIS fabulous Rodan + Fields product.
If you order some now you will be bronze by summer.
A nice, even, NON-ORANGE bronze.
It's a foam, it's easy to apply, and the only place I streaked (only because I wasn't taking as much care as I should have been while applying) was my right ankle.It really is great! It doesn't smell weird and I really love the color.
And you know one of the mottos I live by:
Tan fat looks better than white fat.  :)
My sweet friend Betsey from R+F will get you all hooked up!

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Obsession #3:  Another pair of TOMS.  See?  Obsessive.
Here is an outfit I wore earlier this week. I tell you, I thought the outfit was super cute. I stand by the fact that it was, but the pictures don't do it justice. THESE are my other TOMS that I am loving. The rope detail on the bottom totally kicks them up a notch.  Click HERE.



If you don't have a pair of TOMS yet, well then shame on you.Your feet are probably mad at you. Need the extra nudge? Read about their One for One Campaign! You buy a pair of their shoes, they give away one pair of shoes to a child in need.You buy a pair of their sunglasses, a child in need gets a pair of eyeglasses.

See what I just did there?
Now you can buy a pair of TOMS without any guilt. You're welcome. ;)

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Obsession #4:  My Oatmeal Linen Blazer
I received this picture from a reader yesterday.
Just look how cute Lindsay looks in the Oatmeal Linen Blazer that I've talked about HERE and HERE *(the link includes my most favorite outfit recreation EVER, and it's with the blazer!)!
Click HERE for the blazer.  Some readers said they were sold out of a couple of sizes earlier this week, but I just checked and they have been re-stocked!
Get while the gettin' is good! :)




Here is an excerpt from her email:
I just wanted to send you a quick note to let me know how much I LOVE the oatmeal linen blazer from Nordstrom that you recommended! I received it in the mail yesterday, and I paired it with black pants, a gold statement necklace, and a white tank for work this morning. I am obsessed... I can't wait to pair it with jeans on the weekend.
Thanks Lindsay for sending me the pic! Love how you styled it! You look great!

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I asked for people to comment on the blog yesterday about THIS suit if they had it.I got several GREAT comments from people that are singing the "THIS SUIT IS SO FLATTERING!" praises, 1 "eh" comment, and then this comment:
I totally subscribe to the Book of Sheaffer and I am a faithful follower...however, I tried on the black crochet swimsuit the very day you debut it here on the blog and I must say that I was not that impressed. The best part was the crochet on the belly, but the leg holes and bust area just weren't that flattering (and I have a fairly large chest). I did however end up buying a suit there that I am in absolute love with and you HAVE to check it out (click HERE)... The ruching on this thing is so flattering, the ring details class it up, the girls are covered, but pushed up in a flattering way, but the best part is the back...the back goes down into a deep V and the leg holes are cut a bit higher up, so the whole affect is very flattering on the back side! I have never before spent this much on a suit, but it is well worth the money. Sheaffer, I urge you to try this suit! You will LOVE it!

Well, the e-mail was very persuasive!  I HAD to look up this suit. I loved that she said "the girls are covered, but pushed up in a flattering way!" That's what I like to hear!

Click HERE for the suit!
(Remember it is often recommended to buy 1 size up in a swimsuit!) It does look AWESOME! Thanks so much Jenn for the recommendation, I promise to check it out!
You know what I like most about it?
I think I might feel like a Bond girl when wearing it.

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Now a quick story for you ladies!
Okay, I lied...it's not quick...but it's fun....so bare with me please.....it's one of my favorite stories EVER. :)

Let me just start off by saying this...
I HAVE THE MOST DARLING READERS IN THE WORLD!
How do I know?
Well, first of all, did you not see the picture above of Lindsay? :)
Also, all my friends read the blog (thank you friends!),
and I know first hand about their darlingness.
Just act like it's a word.
I also know because I've been lucky enough to have readers introduce themselves to me! This happened to me last weekend and I LOVE the story, so get ready for story time.
I was at Stonebriar in Frisco in the Lego store with the little man.
Somebody said my name, and I turned around to see a girl (who was darling, of course).
She introduced herself to me as Keesha (hope I'm spelling it right!), and told me that she loved the blog! So fun! We talked for a minute, and she told me that she was actually going to be buying the wedges at Nordstrom before she left the mall (which I got such a kick out of!).

Carter and I finished up in the Lego store, and then we stopped through Fossil where I saw THIS new bag.  LOVE. It is totally affordable and a great way to add a nice summery bag to your closet without totally breaking the bank.




But I digress.  After strolling through Fossil, we breezed through Banana Republic.  After that, the little man was DONE with shopping, so we started heading to the car.
I had parked outside of Nordstrom (no surprise there, right?), so we were heading through there when we saw Keesha again, trying on the wedges! LOOK HOW CUTE SHE IS IN THOSE WEDGES!  The black look really great on! I never really wanted black before, but now I do. Thanks a lot Keesha. :)
Click HERE if Keesha has finally convinced you that you need these.  And if that's the case....I feel compelled to ask....why are you believing Keesha and not believing me?!? :)




I said good-bye to Keesha again, and because I am who I am, I strolled by the Nordstrom jewelry counter on the way out.  Why?...well, because I can't go through Nordstrom without going to play in the Sequin bracelets.
True story.  (I'm just kidding.) (Okay, so I wish I was just kidding.)  That light blue one on the right is one I was just trying on at the store a couple of weeks ago.  I left it there.  I should have known better.



Anyway, I saw two things while at the jewelry counter.
1) THESE rings.  They are BIG and BRIGHT and FUN!  Wouldn't they add a nice pop of color to any outfit?


2) As I was trying on the bracelets, there were 2 other ladies there trying on bracelets.
I told them that I LOVED the bracelets and wore mine all the time.
One of the ladies kind of started laughing and then said.
"Okay....do you have a blog?"
WHY YES.....YES I DO!
She told me that she was there buying the bracelets because I had talked about them on the blog!
WHAT the WHAT?
You're Kidding!
I then said (okay, so I might have kind of yelled it in a really high pitched voice which tends to happen when I'm really excited), "DO YOU SEE THAT GIRL OVER THERE IN THE BLUE SHIRT? THAT'S KEESHA! AND SHE'S HERE BUYING THE WEDGES!"
Y'all.
I was dying.
Kelly, you might even say I was chawed. :)


So, Keesha (darling!) was buying wedges, and Kristy and Sally (both darling!) were there because Kristy was buying some Sequin bracelets.  (If you want to see the whole collection, go HERE and then type "sequin bracelets" in the search bar.
Can I tell you who else was darling? Kristy's baby.
My readers have darling offspring too.
See the bracelets in the picture on Kristy's arm?  She decided to go the monochromatic route!  Fun! And check out cute little E!




So, WHAT ARE THE ODDS of having 2 people in the same Nordstrom at the same time buying things that I was pimping out on the blog?
I gotta tell you, I wanted to grab them both by the arms and march them up to HR and demand some sort of monetary compensation. :)
I mean seriously, you're dying at the story...right?

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The winner of the ABC Scripture Cards giveaway is.......Angie Bramley (#123!)  E-mail me at pinteresttoldmeto@yahoo.com by Monday morning at 10:00 a.m.! If I have not heard from you by then, I will draw another winner.
!!!!!!!!!!!HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!

Linking Up on today with: 
The Pleated Poppy









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