A Work Of Art

While on our family vacation in Italy, I was busy doing major Window Shopping in Florence.  That place is a fashion mecca and I've always loved that the Italians are so fashion forward.  One night in particular, I walked past Miu Miu and was aw struck.  They had the most beautiful window display.  I turned to my father in law and said "You love spending hours in Museums broswing old pieces of art;  I don't need to go to museums for that.  The clothes displayed right here are what I call pieces of art."  He turned and said "You're right Amelia, these intricately made pieces are art--just a different type of art."  Then, he took my picture next to the display. 

I wish I had that picture to share with you....F, if you're reading this (while you are hunting with your dudes right now) can you send me that picture?

It's not every day that I find pieces of clothese that I consider "Art" , but when I do, I simply must share my joy with you.  I get emails from Barneys New York (a girl can dream, can't she?) and this morning's email wowed me. 

Look at this Givenchy Canvas Peplum Jacket! 

AMAZING!  This truly is a piece of art!  And, like any fine piece of art, you must pay up.  With a small price tag of $4,145, I will simply enjoy admiring it from afar. 

Designers from Givenchy, if you'd like to let me, I'd proudly wear this jacket around Dallas for you.  Think of it as free advertising.......

Beauty Products: My favs, round #1!

I consider getting ready for work a chore.  I mean really, I'd rather be dusting.  I spend an hour + every day doing the same thing--rushing around getting ready in order to get out of the door before 8 am. 

This morning, as I was sighing and lamenting about having to repeat this chore for the next five days (bad case of the Mondays) I decided that I would change my focus and look at the positives. 

Every day, I get to use some of my favorite products as I get ready.  Let me preface this by saying that I am not a crazy "beauty product" type of girl.  But when I find something I like, I really stick to it.  I thought it would be fun to share these products with you in the event that you are looking for a great "getting ready for work PICK ME UP".

1.  Shampoo: Big Sexy Hair Extra Big Volume Shampoo - I love the way it smells and it does wonders for my hair.  Plus, I can usually find it at Marshall's for like $10.

2.  Conditioner: Pureology Anti-Fade Complex Pure Volume Condition - I only use conditioner once a week, so I've literally had this same bottle since I was a senior in college---circa 2007 

3.  Body Scrub: Neutrogena Energizing Sugar Body Scrub - I use this once a week and I love the lemon fresh smell

4.  Body Wash:  Dove Body Wash for Dry Skin, Deep Moisture - I love this because I can buy it in a 3 pack at Sam's....and it smells great

5.  Face Wash: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Facial Cleanser, Pink Grapefruit  & Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foaming Scrub, Pink Grapefruit - I use the Facial Cleanser at night before bed and the scrub in the mornings.  I LOVE the grapefruit smell.  It's extremely refreshing!

6.  Lotion: Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer Firming  - I've been using this lotion for years and I love that it gives a subtle tint to my skin--especially in the winter time.  I recommend using it only every few days though; using it every day creates a weird orange build up. 

Check back tomorrow! I'll be sharing my favorite make-up products with you! 

What are products you just can't live without in the morning?  I'd love to know!

Shopping for an Easter Outfit

It was always tradition growing up that every year, my mom would take my sister and me shopping to get a new outfit to wear to church on Easter Sunday.  It was probably one of my favorite weekends of the year..that and back-to-school shopping!  Well, even though my mom is no longer footing the bill for said shopping trip, I still make a point to get a new Easter outfit every year.  It's kind of like I'm saying to myself "Hello, Spring is here--time to add some color back into your wardrobe." 

My Husband has yet to understand the need for this kind of shopping spree (you know, you get a new outfit, new shoes, new accessories to go with the outfit...) but I am slowly trying to convert him.  Each year, I try to get him to get at least a new shirt, but most of the time, he says he "doesn't need a new Easter outfit."  His. Loss.

So, I know Easter is still a month away, but with all the new Spring clothes making their way into stores, I can't help but want to start shopping for my Easter outfit!  I recently went into BCBG (Honey, it was an accident, I promise...I got lost and blacked out and next thing, I was at the mall....in the dressing room at BCBG)   and oh my, do they have an AMAZING Spring collection.  Like, I was beside myself...kid in a candy store style. 

To be completely honest, most years, I end up getting my Easter outfit from BCBG because they always have the best Spring stuff!  It's weird because the rest of the year, I don't even step foot in the store. 

So, I've put together a few potential Easter Outfits in hopes that you will give me some feedback because I simply can't decide which one to go with.....and there's only 1 Easter Sunday a year....so I only get to get 1 outfit.

1.  Emma Button-Down Silk Chiffon Blouse;
Scarlett Color Blocked Pencil Skirt 
2. Liberty Mixed-Fabric Blouse; Toni Pleated Skirt
3. Liberty Mixed-Fabric Blouse; Edna Sequined Pleated Skirt

1. Abree Relaxed Jacket
2. Ozzy Layer Jacket
3. Fabian Faux-Suede Vest

1. Lucea Color-Blocked Dress
2. Colette Color-Blocked Dress
3. Jacqueline Mixed-Laced Sheath Dress
4. Aidas Silk Color-Blocked Shift Dress

1. Foster Wood Platform Pump
2. Harlow Matte Sequined Envelope Clutch
3. Two-Toned Scarf
4. Bangles
5. Destin Espadrille Wedge Sandal
6. Izzy Oversized Sunglasses
7. Lespring Shoulder Bag

So, which outfit should I go with? Dress or Shirt + Blouse?  Should I add a jacket?  I already know I'm in love with the Destin Espadrille Wedge Sandals.

Did you grow up with a cool tradition like getting a special outfit?  Do you still practice that tradition?  What's your Easter Outfit inspiration?  DO TELL!

Mary Jane Love

Gosh, I think we all know that I'm a shoe addict!  I can't help it!  But, there's 1 style that I'm always drawn to- the Mary Jane. 

I love the strap that goes around your ankle because it helps keep your shoes on.  As a girl that loves to wear panty-hose pretty much every day during the winter, I appreciate this because I HATE slipping out of my shoes! 

I enjoy not having to worry about losing a shoe as I'm running down a flight of stairs (or running around period).  Cinderella could have used a pair of Glass Mary Jane Slippers---but then again, her prince might have never found her. 

Image via Tory Burch

Well, I've found my Prince Charming (so I don't have to worry about leaving a shoe or two behind) and now, I've found my next NEW pair of Mary Janes!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the ones above.  My favorite part is the Ribbon latch!

OH NO!  They aren't on the Tory Burch website---can anyone help me figure out where they are from?!!!!  I must add these to my collection!

UPDATE:
Thank you Anonymous commenter for the lead.  (Next time, leave your name so I can give you full credit!) You can currently pre-order these in Navy from Saks! 

Perhaps they will debut the Camel color ones a little closer to Spring?  I can only dream.

Husband, since my birthday is in April and since you got me Tory Burch wedges last year, I think we should continue with this tradition.  I'll keep an eye out for these puppies in Camel, and I'll kindly post a link for you to follow to order them for me (in size 8).

My Taiwaness friend: Chocolate Pie Kai

Or Super Fly Kai. (Kai rhymes with Pie and Fly.)



So, I have this friend named Kai.  We met at church and then, when I went to work for SunTx, he was my co-worker.  Kai worked at SunTx for 2 of the 3 years I worked there.  He left to go help with the Micro-finance movement in Africa.  After completing his work in Africa, he decided it was time to go back to his homeland and serve in the military.  You see, everyone has to serve 2 years in the Army in Taiwan, and since he'd left before he was 18 to go to Baylor University, he knew if he wanted to return, he would have to serve. 

Here are a few things I'll always remember about him:

1.  He likes to sing Britney Spears when he does Karaoke.

2.  He likes to eat.  I'll never forget his HUGE piece of chocolate pie from a lunch at Lawry's.

3.  One time, a big investor for SunTx called Kai to ask him some questions about a recent deal we'd done.  The conversation is as follows:

Investor: Hey Kai, what are you doing?
Kai: (takes a bit of food, starts chewing into the phone and with a Taiwaness accent replies) Ohhhhh, you know.  Same ole' same ole'.  Lighting desk on fire.  Throwing chair out window.

4.  While in Africa, he went on this crazy White Water Rafting trip.  He gave me a dvd of it when he came back to America to visit.  To sum up the experience, I'd say this: He pretty much almost died.  Like 3-4 times.

As a wedding present to Paul and me, he gave us 2 giraffes that were handmade in Kampala, Uganda.



Kai told me these reminded him of Paul and me. 

 Well, he just completed his term and is working in Taiwan as a finance guy. 

He started a blog when he first left America for Africa, and I always love reading it.  Pretty much every time I read a post, I laugh out loud. 

Well, today I read his most recent post about his recent vacation back to America.  I just wanted to share it with you because sometimes we take things for granted and viewing America through Kai's eyes is hilarious.

Here's a preview:

"The rest of trip was pretty much the same: eating junk food, drinking Dr. Pepper, hanging out with friends and eating more junk food. From Vietnamese Pho to Philly Cheese Steak sandwich with extra large curly fries, you name it, I ate it."

READ IT Here!

Basically, Kai came back and ate at every fast food joint in the metroplex.  And gained 5 pounds in 10 days and probably cut 10 years off his life by clogging his arteries.  Whatever--he enjoyed himself. 

Kai, we miss you and hope you find your way back to America soon.   

Redo: The Kitchen

Sorry I've been away for a while.  You know when you haven't blogged in a while and then you feel guilty about it, so you still don't blog?  Well, that was me.  But, I'm getting back on the saddle.

The Hubs and I have kicked our remodel into gear.  We are planning on a mid-March start date for the actual demo and redo, so we've been busy buying the things we'll need so that it's all ready to go. 

For the first step in the process, we knew we needed new appliances, so we made a trip to Lowe's and picked out what we wanted.  I fell in love with a Kitchen Aid gas oven and a Kitchen Aid Dishwasher, and He fell in love with a Samsung fridge.  We knew we wanted a counter-depth fridge, and luckily for us, my sister-in-law and her husband had just purchased the Samsung one and were busy singin' its praises.  The Hubs took this as a sign.

So, we've got them picked out and we purchased them I went to work trying to get them at the best price possible.  This was a 6 month process.  You see, I had the SKU #, so pretty much every day, I would google the sku numbers and look to see if they were on sale.  Every. Single. Day.  We were in Italy over Thanksgiving, but lucky for me, when everything went on sale at Midnight after Thanksgiving, it was daytime there and I was on my IPAD, surfin' sites. 

I'm very please to report that I think we got the best deals possible. 

First, let me introduce you to Mr. Oven.  It's a slide in gas oven with heavy cast-iron grates, and I fell in love with it as soon as I laid my hands on it.  The knobs are heavy, the grates are really heavy, and it looks and feels like a chef's oven, but at a way lower cost! 

Originally priced at $1749.00 at Lowe's, I found it at Sears on sale for $1529.00.  BUT WAIT, it gets better.  Lowe's has a great program where they will price match & beat that price by 10%, so my sweet, negotiating husband quickly called Lowe's to get it ordered.  The lady at Lowe's told him that because it was a "Special Order", they could price match but they COULDN'T beat it by 10%.  Not one to take no for an answer, my husband said (quite forcefully and with a lot of irritation in his voice) "Fine, if you won't beat it, I'm going to Sears after work to purchase it."  The lady on the phone quickly changed her song and told him that they'd do it.....Just this one time.  So, we got this AWESOME oven for only $1,376.99 + tax.  Savin' dolla's makes me wanna HOLLA. 

Now, on to the dishwasher.  Originally priced at $849, we'd have been fools to buy it.  But, thanks to my diligence and unrest, I found it on sale at Best Buy for $679. I then called up my friends at Lowe's, got them to price match and beat it.  We ended up paying only $611.10. 

Last, we purchased the refrigerator.  Because my SIL and BIL loved their Samsung so much, we decided to get the same one.  Originally priced at $2,999.99, I said "Oh Hell to the No."  But, the hubs reminded me that I had skills....mad discount-finding skills.  So, I went to work.  This search required the most patience because it was the most expensive appliance we needed.  One day I pulled up the Best Buy website, and there the fridge was, in all its glory, for only $2,174.99.  (They didn't sell this model at Lowe's, so the price match option was out.) 

I went to put it in my basket, but OH NO, it wouldn't let me.  The website was telling me it wasn't available for me to pick up.  (Did I mention that Lowe's offers free delivery but Best Buy doesn't?)  That meant we'd have to pick it up to save on the delivery cost.  Well, not one easily defeated, I called Best Buy, explained the situation, and the dude told me that he'd noted our conversation and that I should call back when I see it available on the website again.  2 Weeks later, I checked online and it was back in stock, but for way more money.  I called Best Buy, and true to their word, they honored the price I'd tried to purchase it at.  Also, we decided to have it delivered because it was so heavy, and somehow we got delivery for free.  Sweet!

So, if you are doing the math, here's what the total came to....

$4,506.53 including tax, a whooping $1,553.29 savings!

That's right, CHA-CHING.  We originally budgeted $5k for the appliances, so I'm happy we are under-budget by $500.  Now, if only we could come in under-budget on everything else.  Sigh...