up for the challenge

Yesterday Kyla posted about her 31 Days of Blogging Challenge and I was immediately intrigued. In all honesty, I feel like my blog is on life support and I'm at the point where I need to inject some life/love into it or pull the plug. I've been struggling for direction, inspiration and content for a looong time. These things require some planning and because I usually write my posts when I can spare a minute or two it because easier to simply snap some pictures and throw together an outfit post. Lazy, lazy!

The idea is to blog everyday for the month of May. I'm excited to have some structure and a kind of template that I can tweak and make my own. If you're interested in taking on the challenge you can find all of the deets here

So, my friends, the challenge begins...

floret friday

 Garden roses + lilacs! My living room smells heavenly!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The true beloveds of this world are in their lover's eyes lilacs opening, ship lights, school bells, a landscape, remembered conversations, friends, a child's Sunday, lost voices, one's favorite suit, autumn and all seasons, memory, yes, it being the earth and water of existence, memory.

~Truman Capote

for the birds

It's been a looong day! I'm beyond exhausted. So I'll make this short and sweet. 

I'm having a serious love affair with this vintage purse. It's completely impractical and weighs a ton even when it's empty, but, seriously it's the bees knees. I'm also positive that it could be used to bludgeon any attempting purse snatchers:)

I'm also fairly certain that this is going to be the color palette for my home office/living room spruce up. Orange, navy, a little bit of mint green and a splash of pink...I like it!

I'm going to try to stay awake to watch Scandal. I've never seen an episode of Grey's Anatomy of Private Practice but I'm falling hard for Scandal!   

stripe up the band

dress-asos/cardigan-anthropologie/shoes-aldo

How was your weekend? We had a great time at our neighbor's party on Saturday. They're moving at the end of the month. We're sorry to see them go, but the party was terrific.Being more social and entertaining is one of the things I'm looking forward to this summer. I'm a planner by nature but because I obsess so much over the details, parties tend to become exhausting and overwhelming instead of fun. I'm going to force myself into being more relaxed about entertaining. Every get together does not need to be some sort of epic awesomeness.

I'm trying to muster up some enthusiasm for the work week, but, man Mondays are rough! We are about to enter the thick of prom season-say a prayer that I survive the promzillas- and I'm working on samples and proposals left and right for wedding season. Exciting stuff!

game day

 

The Cincinnati Reds was baseball's first all professional team. 

It goes without saying that we are a baseball city. Which means the start of baseball is kind of like a city wide holiday! Last Thursday was Opening Day for the Reds and we didn't let our lack of tickets to the game(details,details!) keep us from taking part in the fun!

Downtown Cincinnati was a sea of red as thousands and thousands of people lined the streets for the parade!

 Of course, a parade means a quick stop at Sbux and checking facebook to see who else has called in sick 

is checking out the parade.

 Being short is no fun!

My dream car! A classic pick up truck.

And of course, I'm wearing my vintage Cincinnati Reds sweater! 

 We were very entertained by the band performing on the lawn of the Christian Morlein Lager House.

 Gotta love a guy that is deeply committed to the Cincinnati "Red Stockings"!

 A bomber doing a fly over at the start of the game.

Now that the boys of Summer have taken to field, I look forward to night games at Great American Ballpark with my big foam finger, a hot mett with lots of sauerkraut and of course, ice cold beer!

sunday best

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday celebrating Easter/Passover with your family. When we were getting dressed to go to my in-laws, I asked my husband what he thought I should wear. This was the dress he picked out. I'm always surprised by the things he considers his favorites-subtle prints,full skirts and high(but not too high)heels. I think these 5.5 inch platforms are a bit too high for his liking but I've been dying to wear them!

  The yellow print and full skirt made me feel a little bit like an Easter egg. Since he was wearing his "lucky" wedding socks, I decided to wear the bracelet I wore on my wedding day. And, it suddenly dawned us yesterday that our anniversary is less than a month away! We need to come up with a plan to celebrate...ASAP!

out to lunch

Last Friday I had the pleasure of creating some centerpieces for a luncheon at The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for Kerry Kennedy.She was in town to speak Friday evening as part of a lecture series. The request was for something bright and pretty. Anemones, ranunculus, french tulips, lotus pods, green dianthus and curly willow filled the bill nicely I'd say;) I wasn't even aware that the event was going to be held in The Hall of Everyday Freedom Heroes. The colors were a perfect compliment to the Warhol inspired pop-art portraits.

I'm told Ms. Kennedy found the arrangements "delightful!" 

 I'm so grateful to the organizers for the opportunity!

p.s.-You can find my fb page here    

a very fine vintage

wearing:dress+slip-vintage/belt-target/wedges-sole society

Another absolutely gorgeous day! Today is also my daughter's 19th birthday so that makes it extra glorious! Happy Birthday Logan!!!

I bought this pretty vintage number from the lovely Lisa when it was still cold outside. I couldn't wait for the temps to warm up so that I could wear it. Today proved to be the perfect day to take it out for a spin. I'm diggin' the effortless 70s-ness of it all. I also purchased a vintage slip to wear underneath(because it's completely sheer..scandalous!) and I'm completely in love with the soft ruffle peeking out from the hem. I kind of want to wear this slip with everything I own.

Doing my hair and makeup in my slip this morning, I felt very Ms. Taylor/Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Good grief, she is just beyond in that movie! 

Awesome:wearing an outfit you love and on beautiful spring day

Not so Much: having the guy that regularly prints out your photos at Walgreen's compliment you on the aforementioned outfit and engage you in a 10 minute conversation while you are carrying an extra large container of Metamucil! Ha!

I'm off to ice a cake and oven fry some chicken for the birthday dinner tonight.

red

 wearing: dress-vintage/cardigan-anthropologie/booties-delia's

Ugghhh....blogger! Is anyone else having issues with posting/loading pictures? Is this the universe's way of saying I need to just give up and shit it down!? Hmmm....

In spite of my frustration with blogger, I wanted to post these this pic because I love this dress so much! I know when people think of red+green thoughts go immediately to Christmas. But, red+green is one of my all time favorite color combinations because to me it screams fresh and summertime. It conjures up images of red and white gingham blankets on fresh green grass, strawberries and cherries, and red geraniums in window boxes.

Pay no attention to my sour puss expression. This dress makes me smile from the inside out when I wear it:)