A Shimmery Soiree

Since I'm living vicariously through the internet right now.... here is an outfit I think would have been fabulous for the recent birthday bash of my friends Diana and Liz.  These girls are stylish and chic... and birthdays are always an excuse to dress up! 

Saturday Stripes

I just ordered the shirt below from topshop.  I can't wait to wear it when I'm on leave this spring.  I think it will be perfect for shopping around town and playing in the park with Aidan.  Overall, the outfit is plain, but comfy chic is kind of my thing.  I'll leave all the glamour to my girls in the city...but it IS fun to play dress up once in a while ;)

Saturday Stripes by 32 Riverview Road featuring bootcut stretch jeans

Navy Stripe Gold Button Tee, $70
7 For All Mankind Stretch Mid-Rise Bootcut Jeans, New York Dark, 155 GBP
Tory Burch "Reva" Tan Leather Ballets, $195
Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium leather satchel, $1,595
Sapphire Earrings | Ross-Simons, $101
ICONIC STYLE AVIATOR METAL, 135 EUR
ANTIQUE FRENCH FRAME | mirrors & wall decor | FLEA | Jayson Home &..., $350
Abstract Wall Art with Clock - Clocks - Home Accents - Home Decor |..., $139
Manzanita Wall Tealight Holder, Large, Nickel-Plate | west elm, $99
Looking Past the Looking Glass Wall Art in Perched | Mod Retro Vintage..., $13
Areaware + VAMMOOF, $600
Antoinette Damask Curtain, $38
Love Page Graphics, Myspace Page Graphics, Profile Graphics,...

Interiors that inspire

I was recently perusing the House Beautiful website and came across...

Designer Ellen O'Neill's 

Gramercy Park 

Apartment

photo credit: Thomas Loof

View the entire apartment and interview by Carol Prisant here .  I love the mini rooms, the color scheme and the chic and sophisticated design.  Plus, those windows are amazing!

Bridesmaid Inspiration

Bridesmaid Inspiration by 32 Riverview Road featuring sequin handbags

I recently stumbled upon a fantastic site which allowed me to play around with some ideas for a wedding I'll be in next October. The dress is from Ann Taylor, and right now I'm loving the gold paired with the navy. The bride will also be including a dark orange in the theme, so I'll have to tie that into my inspiration at some point in the future. Col, this one's for you!

2011 Intentions

In the spirit of the season, this year I intend to...

• Send more handwritten notes. I've been watching a colleague do a lot of writing during downtime at work, and I've decided this is a lost art truly worth pursuing (besides, it gives me an excuse to purchase cute stationary!)

• Develop my culinary repertoire. I need to be able to whip up at least 5 quick go-to family meals with ingredients always on hand, and have a couple of perfected "fancy" recipes down for adult meals.

• Take, frame, and hang more photos. I may be biased, but I think I have a beautiful family and we rarely take photos together. We won't get these moments back - so I need to make sure I commemorate them. I'm thinking of creating a grouping - either going up the stairs or above the couch in the living room. The question is... black & white or color?

• Read my son a book before bed every night once I'm home. Work to build his library, and teach him to love education and the many adventures it can take him on and lessons it can teach him. Ultimately, I'd love to have a collection built of all of the Caldecott winners in hardcover. This could get expensive, so this will be a work in progress.
  

• Convince myself to love running. I hate getting started, but I don't seem to mind it too much once I get going. Specific goals for this year are to run and complete a 1/2 marathon. The hubs has already run a whole, and has plans for an ultra, so in the scheme of our household, a 1/2 should be easy. I hope to run an additional 5 races along the way, and work my way up to 25 miles a week by June.

• Become more mindful - of who I am, where I am, what I am doing and why. Practice mindfulness based techniques, and continue to practice yoga.
  

• Hone my sense of design style, and along the way learn that if I don't love something or it's not exactly what I envisioned it's ok to say no - even if it is a bargain (for those of you who know me - you know how hard a bargain is for me to resist!)

• Learn to do my hair. and makeup. by myself. by Colleen's wedding. This probably will involve the purchasing of something besides bronzer and mascara, however I'm on the downward slope to 30 and it's high time I learned how to doll myself up a little bit. This army life has not been kind with opportunities in that regard.

• Truly develop the 5 year plan. I'm looking at a career change, it's not that I haven't enjoyed my work in clinical social work, but I would love to be a doctor. Now that I finally have enough experience in the medical field and enough self-esteem to realize I can do it, I need to develop the plan of how I'll get there. Right now I'm looking at post-baccalareate pre-med programs, and trying to figure out if we can afford for me to go full-time, or whether I'll go part time. Suggestions?
  

• Complete a DIY project. I found a great inspiration on Eddie Ross's blog on re-creating a secretary. I think I might just attempt it. Granted - he is a professional - but I have skills, right? (No comment B!)

Check out his before: And After:
I'm sure I'll come up with more along the way, but I think this is a good start!

photos courtesy of EddieRoss.com

Currently Crushing On...

So, I finally decided it was time to launch my own lifestyle blog, a venue to share my musings, current obsessions, and trials of life. I hope that you enjoy!

My nights here in Iraq find me yearning for life outside of my small metal box. Right now I'm crushing on some luxe, soft handbags...


This Proenza Schouler PS1 Leather Satchel in saddle


& this Chloe Cary Satchel




& this Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q High Schooly Bag



Images courtesy of net-a-porter & Neiman Marcus

I've also been looking at some amazing furniture, and some DIY projects for when I return. I'll be sure to post on these soon!

Until next time,
Katie