G.N.O. (Girls Night Out)

Shag and sixties suits update: Did you love the Shag clip?! Such a great movie with an even better soundtrack. Makes me want it to be summer already!

Instead, I guess I’ll just have to settle with the fact that it was my one year anniversary at DMU today. Time sure does fly when you are having fun!

DMU anniversary

Some breakfast goodies from my boss for my one-year annie.

I love to support local businesses here in Des Moines, and one of my favorite little consignment shops is staying open late tomorrow in order to have a little spring shopping party. WORN is a modern resale boutique located in the Shops at Roosevelt that specializes in high-end clothes and accessories.

WORN

Be sure to stop by for some shopping and a glass of wine tomorrow night from 6-8 p.m. You will be able to save 20% on any purchase of $50 or more and chat spring style with local fashion bloggers Samantha from The Brunette One and my pal, Kiley from A Sequin Dress at Breakfast. Hope to see you there!

Posted in Blogs, Fashion, Friends | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Shag and sixties suits

A little lace update: What a fabulous weekend I had. Nothing like a little time with the ladies at a local joint (Americana) for some bachelorette festivities followed by a lazy Sunday at the movies.

Driscolls

Love those Driscoll's.

Karl

Obligatory Karl picture because he's just so darn cute!

We are supposed to have some very spring-like weather tomorrow, which has me thinking about sunshine and warmer days ahead. Specifically about the family trip we are taking in June to the Carolinas. I have never been and I base all of my knowledge of these southeastern states from one of my favorite movies of all time, Shag.

Shag_the_movie

If you have not seen this flick I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to track it down and watch it. Amazing soundtrack, great bubble flips and serious 60s fashion. One of the scenes in the movie deals with finding the perfect (and appropriate) swimwear for the Miss Sun Queen contest.

Maybe because I know we will be going to Myrtle Beach this summer all I can think about is finding a retro swimsuit to wear for that day in homage to Pudge, Melaina, Luanne and Carson. Here are a few I’ve found so far:

Beach Blanket Bingo One Piece in Black

ModCloth, Beach Blanket Bingo One Piece in Black, $89.99

Boden

Boden, Retro Bikini, $68

Garnet Hill

Garnet Hill, Retro ruched one-piece swimsuit, $98

Posted in Fashion, Local Spots, Travel | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A little lace

The unknown week ahead update: It was such a random week (i.e. not a single dinner at home) that I think it is best reviewed via photos from my phone.

My week in photos 2/27-3/2

Tomorrow my dear friend Molly’s little sis, Libby, is having her bachelorette party here in Des Moines. Everyone needs a little somethin’ special for their lingerie drawer and these are perfectly pretty for the bride-to-be.

bachelorette party gifts

1. Anthropologie, Serenade chemise, $48
2. Kohls, Apt.9 wrap robe and chemise set, $26.99
3. Hanky Panky, Signature lace boyshorts, $29 each 
4. Target, gilligan by Gilligan & O’Malley babydoll sleep set, $19.99

Posted in Gifts, Parties, Wedding | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The unknown week ahead

Big sis birthday update: This weekend was filled with time spent enjoying the company of our family and friends. On Saturday the fam got together to cheer on our Jayhawks WIN against rival Mizzou, and to celebrate Mariss’ birthday.

KU game

Game watchin', Rock Chalkin', wing eatin', and a flu recoverin' Bean.

Mariss Birthday

The birthday gal and her goods.

Later on in the evening we headed out to our dear friends, Molly and Travis’ couples wedding shower. These are two of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet so it was nice to be able to celebrate their engagement and upcoming wedding with them and the rest of our friends.

This morning I was up early to take Marcus to the airport (man, I’ve been doing this a lot lately!) to catch his flight out to D.C. for a very special dinner tonight with the President of the US of A. If we are lucky, he’ll get a picture that I can share later. After a trip to the gym, Mass, and grabbing a few essentials from Target with the fam, I headed to Star Bar for lunch with my sister Morgan.

Bean in sunglasses

The Bean trying on some sunglasses for spring at Target. (pic from Auntie Morgie)

Star Bar

Star Bar, 2811 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines

After such a busy and eventful weekend my Sunday night was spent recharging for the week ahead. I did that by painting my nails a fab coral color, rearranging my shoes in my closet, watching the Oscars and spending time with my furry friend, Karl.

Karl not interested

Karl could care less about my pretty nails.

And here are my top two dress faves from the evening at the Academy Awards:

Oscar dresses

Seeing red: Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton & Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli

On that note, I’m going to continue watching the show and slowly drift to sleep. On this week’s to do list? Not quite sure yet.

Posted in Birthdays, Family, Friends, Local Spots | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Big sis birthday

Needing neon update: After a little shopping excursion to my favorite haunt Target,  I think I have found the perfect pieces of neon to add to my closet. What do you think?

Neon at Target

All sorts of neon at Target.

My neon pieces

My neon pieces: bright orange athletic shirt and a hot fuchsia patent skinny belt.

Tomorrow we will celebrate my big sister, Marissa, on her day of birth. Being the older (and wiser) sister, she has had to do everything first and I don’t envy her for that. But over the years she has constantly been someone I’ve looked up to and I can’t imagine my life without her.

Me and Mariss

So lucky to have a big sis like Mariss!

Here are some perfect gifts for the big sis in your life.

BigSisGifts

1. Tory Burch, Roslyn Zip Coin Case, $95
2. Kate Spade, Le Pavillion iPhone case, $40
3. Sperry, Top-Sider Skiff Moccasin, $39.90
4. Banana Republic, Twin link bracelet, $39.50
5. Longchamp, Le Pilage Medium Cosmetic Case, $52
6. Graphic Image Inc., Personalized E-Reader Case, $60

Posted in Family, Gifts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Needing neon

Laying low update: Sometimes the best way to recharge is by eating decadent meats and cheeses – at least that is the way we decided to fuel up after a long weekend. Tonight we met my sister at our fave local spot The Cheese Shop to imbibe a bit in celebration of Fat Tuesday and to thank her for watching our fur baby this past weekend while we were at the French extravaganza. If you haven’t already visited this little gem, I strongly suggest you get it on your to-do list STAT!

The Cheese Shop

I love meats and cheeses.

It’s not even March yet and I’ve already got a pretty serious case of spring fever. Part of that has to do with the fact that all the stores have their spring break gear out in full force. One thing I’m noticing a lot of (and loving) is neon. The brighter the better. I’m thinking I might need to snag a little neon for myself sometime soon. Maybe it will tide me over until the real spring gets here?

Needing Neon

1. Auqa, Neon studded earrings, $20
2. Ann Taylor LOFT, Textural pocket mini skirt, $59.50
3. Bauble Bar, Colorful initial pendant, $54
4. Tobi, Color stacked clutch, $46
5. J.Crew, Tippi sweater, $72.50
6. Forever21, Vibrant skinny jeans, $24.90
7. Gap, Neon rain boots, $49.95
8. Ann Taylor, Perfect skinny neon belt, $30

Posted in Accessories, Family, Fashion | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Laying low

The Big Night Part Deux update: Here is the visual recap of the greatest gastronomic evening to date.

The table

The table

The prep

The prep

The people

The people

The feast (minus the two courses I missed taking photos of)

The feast (minus the two courses I missed taking photos of)

After an event of this magnitude you can find both myself and Marcus lying low for a few days. Which is exactly what we plan to do!

Posted in Family, Friends, Parties | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Big Night Part Deux

Flower power update: The table is set and the flowers couldn’t be more perfect. Did I mention that I love to do this? My friend Molly (THANK YOU) helped me tonight to get everything ready for The Big Night Part Deux tomorrow night. Remember last year? This year’s theme is French cuisine and I know the boys are going to knock it out of the park. I am giddy with excitement! Here’s a little sneak peek…

Big Night sneak peak

Now that the table is set, I just need to put the finishing touches on my outfit choice for the extravagant evening. What to wear, what to wear…

While I’m still deciding, here are some great warm and cold cocktail dresses perfect for your next dinner party.

WarmCold

1. J.Crew, Mirabelle dress in silk chiffon, $250
2. Target, Ruffle Neck Shantung Dress, $69.99
3. H&M, Party dress, $49.95
4. Dorothy Perkins, Blue long pleat belt dress, $49
5. J.Crew, Mika dress in silk taffeta, $99.99
6. Ruche, Old Town Adventures pleated dress, $42.99

Posted in Fashion, Friends, Parties | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Flower power

VP Xi, what outfit will it be update: What an amazing evening. We got to watch Vice President Xi Jinping’s plane arrive on the tarmac and then lined the red carpet to shake his hand as he exited. I hope someone got a picture of it because I didn’t. After his 22 car motorcade left the airport we hustled back to the capitol for the all-things-Iowa state dinner.

VP Xi

Mack even got new panda earrings for VP Xi's visit. Love it!

VP Xi visit to Iowa - State Dinner

Iowa themed state dinner.

Tomorrow I am off to hunt down the perfect blooms for our French-themed Valentine’s Dinner this Saturday. I am hoping to snag some post-Valentine’s petals that are on super sale. Think I’ll have any luck? I will have a few sneak peek photos for you on Friday night after we set everything up. Can’t wait!

silver and flowers

One thing is for sure - I will be using silver serving pieces as vases.

Posted in Family, Parties | Tagged , | 1 Comment

VP Xi, what outfit will it be?

I love LOVE update: There is something so great about Valentine’s Day. We love every other day of the year too, but on this specific holiday I get to be super gushy and get away with it. Here is how I spent my day with all of my valentine’s:

Vday breakfast

A special Valentine's breakfast for my love and myself.

Red velvet

Red velvet cupcakes for my co-workers.

Perfect pair

The perfect pair of V-day shoes.

My furry Valentine.

My furry Valentine.

Floor fort

Clicquot, a spa day and a floor fort for movie night. Perfection!

We have a very special visitor in Iowa this week and he arrives tomorrow evening – Vice President, Xi Jinping of China. We will be with the fam on the tarmac as he arrives followed by a state dinner at the capitol afterwards. We are all very excited to be a part of such a special event, but that leaves one to ask: what does one wear when they are to meet the future president of China?

The invite says ‘business attire’ and I’m pretty sure I have a good grasp on what that is, and here is my Spring take on it.

bizattire

1. H&M, Cardigan, $24.95
2. Old Navy, Woman’s dolman sleeve shirt, $19.50
3. Target,  Mossimo Versie Pumps, $29.99
4. Kate Spade, Portola Valley Kaley, $206
5. J.Crew, Factory bellflower tweed pencil skirt, $79.50

Posted in Family, Fashion, Holidays | Tagged , | Leave a comment