On being 35....

Yesterday I turned 35...

I went to dinner with the family....

I had a turtle martini (YUM...I think there were 1500 calories in this drink alone!! But hey, it was my birthday)

My boss brought cupcakes to work (so sweet)

The fam decorated the house while I was at work....my daughter blew up all these balloons and they wrote messages of well wishes, decorated them with things I liked and placed them all over the house...

My lil guy wrote "Love you" and decorated with Leopard Spots

My daughter knows how much I LOVE Teresa from the Real housewives of New Jersey (she got me her Skinny Italian Cookbook for my birthday)

 My mom even got in on the decorating action....

I am going to share something personal with y'all right now....this year has been the FIRST year in a long time that I reveled in my day, felt like celebrating, wasn't letting anything from the outside dictate how I FELT about celebrating....every year my daughter makes my day special by making me something (whether its a cake, paper flowers, balloons, etc) and THAT is what truly matters at the end of the day. I don't get personal on here very often, and as I type I wonder IF I should now....but I am going for it! I have been going to therapy for the last few months...working through some of lifes tough times (on various levels) and learning how to work through the curve balls life throws sometimes....It has been majorly beneficial, never at anytime have I been embarrassed to say I am going to therapy and for those of you who have thought about it or worry what the world might think, I say it's an amazing thing to do and it only makes you stronger! On that note, I have been "released"....ie my therapist tells me I am doing awesome and no longer need to go there, that I have grown, made changes and am doing an amazing job! There are a few life changes on the horizon for me - some which have paralyzed me with fear in the past (more on that soon) BUT I am GOING FOR IT! I AM GOING TO DO IT!!! and moreover I am EXCITED about it!! Here's to a GREAT year of NEW beginnings! Cheers!

Mani Monday Pink French

Linking up with Heather http://www.glitterandglossblog.com/2012/07/mani-monday_30.html at Glitter  and Gloss for Mani Monday! 

I did these at 1am because I had work the next morning and my nails were chipped....they were easy, dried FAST (didn't wake with bedsheet print) and were FUN!! I used Art Deco polish in a pink color for the tips (2 coats) and added a line of silver glitter above the pink for a twist of fun! Topcoat and I was all done!
(and yes, if you are wondering if the Skinny Girl Cosmo is good - IT IS!! Perfectly light and refreshing and easy on the waistline)

WIWW

I am participating in WIWW with Lindsey http://thepleatedpoppy.com/blog/ and http://transatlanticblonde.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/what-i-wore-wednesday-do-over.html as you may have read before, before work, I take several pics to see which accessories or shoes look best....this pic here is a PERFECT case in point!! 

Wednesday - Work

 What I am wearing:
Black Cardi - Target
Blue Tank - Walmart
Belt - Chicos (and I did remove the tag before I went to work!! LOL)
Skirt - Chico's
Boots - Old
Necklace - Thrifted

Thursday - Errands

 What I am wearing
Very little Make-up
Black Tank - Target - Old
Capris - Walmart - Old
Flippies - Target via Goodwill

Saturday - Work

 Black Cardi - Target (same as photo above)
Belt - Chicos
Sequin Tank - Dots
Capris - So Slimming Chicos
Wedges - Walmart
"earrings" are actually ear cuffs (and long pearl and feathers - LOVE)

Sunday - Work

 Denim Jacket - Marshall's
Tank - Macy's
Belt - Chico's
Skirt - Macy's
Boots - Old

Monday - Work

Scarf - Chicos

Pink Tank - Macy's

Black Dress - Target via Goodwill

Sandals - Macys

Necklace - Target via the thrift

Tuesday - Work

Striped Shirt - H&M voa the thirft

Belt - Chicos

Olive green skirt (which is actually a dress) - Thrifted

Sandals - new via the thrift

Can't wait to see what y'all wore!! 

A day in the life.....

My new FAB lipgloss....

Weeping willow....one of my most favorite trees ever since I was a child....

Gorgeous day on the lake....

 With an even more beautiful sunset....

FAB ad in the current instyle....I LOVE the graphics and variation....something in this ad spoke to me...

Isn't this the most gorgeous bike EVAH?!?! It was next to me one day while driving....

White Harley Davidson

The cat and dog getting along harmoniously.....

Cute lil gazebo...roof was embellished with assorted street signs - isn't it neat?

That's my day in the life this week....A lil bit of this and a lil bit of that!!

Foodie Friday Tomato Basil Salad

A girl that I work with made this salad and it was delish - I couldn't stop thinking about it, SO when I decided to make my Trader Joe Artichoke, Olive and cheese Ravioli squares I figured this salad would go perfectly! 

I used campari tomatoes (bigger than cherry, smaller that regular tomatoes), fresh basil, garlic, sliced cloves of garlic and shredded parmesan.....I gut it all up, tossed in the bowl and topped with a red vinagrette dressing - SO GOOD and fresh! Perfect for the light dinner I was looking for! Even my 12 year old LOVED the tomato salad!

Try it Thursday Jute Wedges

This was a project that has been in the works since March.....I started out with these wedges (I've only worn once....wasn't crazy about the wood)

So I gathered up my supplies.....

and glued until my heart was content....

However, as I got closer to the bottom of the heel it became increasingly difficult to get a nice even line on the back of the heel, so I snipped pieces that fit just the back portion....and figured I'd snip the loose ends off and they would be GREAT!! But the more I looked at them...the more I realized it looked like a hot mess....So this "Try it Thursday" was a big F A I L!!

SO I am going to try and remove the strings of twine and see if I can paint the wedge (if I can get the string off smooth enough) like I've seen on Pinterest....I'll let ya know how that goes!

WIWW

Linking up with Lindsey at the Pleated Poppy http://thepleatedpoppy.com/blog/ for WIWW....I have several outfits this week!! Working is great for the wardrobe (a juggling act for blogging!! But I am SO GRATEFUL to be working.....and I feel truly blessed to have a job and give it my best everyday I am there). 

Wednesday - Court

 What I am wearing:
Silk Shirt - Thrifted
Black Slacks - OLD
Wedges - OLD Wal-Mart

Thursday - Work

 What I am wearing:
Turquoise Necklace - Chico's
Leopard Shirt - Thrifted
Belt - Chicos
Skirt - Thrifted
Cowboy Boots - Old
Turquoise Bracelet - Ralph Lauren via Nordstrom Rack
Turquoise Flower Cuff - Gift years ago

This outfit would seemingly NOT go together but it worked, I LOVED it and I got several compliments throughout the day!!

Friday - Work

 What I am wearing:
Black 3/4 Sleeve Shirt (which is actually a dress) - Target - Old
Leopard Scarf - Family Dollar last year
White Slacks - Ralph Lauren via the thrift
Silver Wedges - Macy's - AWFUL.....my feet were bloody and blistered by the end of the day....I did return them and Macy's was very gracious about the return....

Saturday - Work

Wooden Beaded Necklace - OLD, I can't even remember where it came from!! 

Beaded Shirt - Maurices - last year

Belt - Chico's

Zebra Pants - Chico's

(this again was another outside the box outfit for work BUT I loved it - THIS IS ME with a chico's twist!!)

Monday - Errand day (until I realized I was supposed to be at work SO I hurriedly got dressed and went with messy hair and all!!)

What I am wearing:

Shirt - Thrifted

Necklaces - assorted thrift and resale shops

Belt - Chico's

Capris - Chico's platinum via Goodwill (WHAT a FIND!! Right?!?!?)

Sandals-  Macy's

Tuesday -Work

What I am wearing:
Hair Rosette - Kane County Flea Market 2011
Scarf - Chico's
Tank -Chico's
Necklace - Thrifted
Jeans - Chicos "So Slimming" girls, these jeans RAWK!!

Can't wait to see what y'all wore!!

Thrifty Tuesday Toiletries

Today's Thrifty Tuesday is something a lil different! I am posting about my super couponing....I KNOW you've heard of or even seen "Extreme Couponing" and my daughter was amazed!! So we cut coupons that day and she began making a list based on the flyer we had and quit after about 10 minutes....it's A LOT of work but can be SO worthwhile - for example....

I got all of this PLUS a 50 count bottle of Aleve for $13.90 (you know that the shampoo can cost at least 3.00 or more at Wal-Mart....the shower gels are approx. $3.50 a piece, the dish wash $1.00 and the glade plug-ins $3.00 SO supposing I had gone to Wal-Mart, I would have spent Approximately $30.00 best case scenario....and with coupons I would've saved $4.25 SO that means I would've spent $25.75....

HERE is what I spent at CVS....Y'all see that?!?!?! $13.90

Now CVS is typically more expensive than Wal-Mart UNLESS you have CVS coupons, which I had $7.00 worth SO that is where my savings came in!! It pays to shop around and compare prices....it takes a lil time BUT well worth it in the end!

WIWW

Linking up with the Pleated Poppy http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2012/07/what-i-wore-wednesday-75/ for WIWW.....

I only have a few pics because one day of pics just disappeared....another day I worked the stage set so it was yoga pants and a tee...So On with the show....

Thursday...work

 What I am wearing:
Scarf - Chico's
Sexxy side slit sleeve shirt - Chico's
Coral Shorts - Marshalls
Wedges - Walmart - OLD
Pearl Bracelet on right arm - Local Drugstore gift section (it sounds silly but they really do have an amazing selection of jewelry and home decor)

Monday....Work

 What I am wearing:
Lilac Leopard Shirt - Target via Goodwill (it was BRAND new-blogged about it last thrifty tuesday here http://objectofmayaffection.blogspot.com/2012/07/thrifty-tuesday.html)
So Slimming Denim Capris- Chicos
Gold Sandals - Walmart

Cute leopard pedi -Cover girl "ruby Ring" and Sally Hansen "Lacey Lilac" with black accents (I blogged about it here http://objectofmayaffection.blogspot.com/2012/07/mani-monday-leopard-and-watermelon.htmlon Mani Monaday

 Tuesday....I SWEAR I wasn't mad, I just wasn't ready for my photog (and she thinks its funny to snap away when I am un prepared....I have several that will be a hoot for another WIWW take-out session!! I did wear this t all day BUT with denim capris....these are my comfy pants (you KNOW, those pants we all put on at night when we know we are home for the day!!) But she was photog'ing my new necklace from theSassyPearl....

It's an ombre tassel necklace I made....because I saw this one on Pinterest....

Kinda funny that I used pink too BECAUSE in the past I would have sworn up and down I hated pink....hmmmm, is this girl coming around?!?!?!

Can't wait to see what y'all are wearing!! Need some inspiration for work!!

Thrifty Tuesday Enamel Bracelets

Another edition of Thrifty Tuesday is upon us....this weeks feature is accessories (as most weeks)....Particularly Enamel bracelets....

The fab neutral with rhinestone bangle I can't seem to find on-line BUT it's also by Joan Rivers and similar styles were selling in the area of $25 - $45.00

The Bee's Knee's as I like to call bracelet no.2 is from the Joan Rivers collection (I have the same one in BLACK enamel too that I thrifted) retails for $30.00 on Amazon.com and I paid 1/6 of that price at the thrift!! 

 I LOVE fun bangle pieces like these to layer amongst more neutral pieces....

OR a buncha Fab funky bangles!! 

While thrifting I also picked up these belts for work...Lemme REPEAT ladies....a belt is your bff....it helps to define a waist, or slung low helps to cover that lil baby muffin top you may or may not have....

What's your favorite thrifted find?!?!?