OB-sessions: Going Sheer!

I am so obsessed with the sheer trend going on right now. From tunics to dresses to rompers, the sheer fabric gives everything that special whimsical feel. I bought the dress/skirt in the last picture from Free People and my mom said my Granddaddy would have told me that I looked like a fairy in it. I like that :)  

The most important thing in pulling off this look is finding the right under-garment. For my sheer dresses I purchased a super-fitted tube slip to go underneath. So far, I've purchased it in grey and ivory, but I have a feeling the more sheer pieces I buy the more colors I will need. The color underneath is important because it doesn't need to take away from the sheer aspect of the dress. You want it to be subtle and leave people wondering how you are wearing such a see-through dress without showing all of your stuff! If worn the right way this look can be sheer genius :)

Back to Reality

Well our vacation is over. Sigh. It's always depressing when you first go back to the daily grind right after a nice relaxing vacation. And of course no trip of mine would be complete without atleast one loss or breakage. This one was so good it had both. The screen on my iPhone shattered on our second to last night and another pair of sunglasses were lost at sea. I actually lost those sunglasses twice this trip but they were recovered when I left them at the wedding. The ocean wasn't so kind! The bright side is that I'm eligible for an upgrade on my phone so I'll be able to get a new and improved iPhone that will be a lot faster and have a way better camera. Yaaaaay! As for the sunglasses, I learned a long time ago not to take the Pradas to the beach so these $12 shades can easily be replaced!

But the most comforting thing about coming back from this trip is that I'm not having to say goodbye to Ed. That always made it so much worse when we vacationed together before. This is actually the first trip we've ever flown together on. And except for our delay in Houston which caused us to spend the night there on the way to Jackson it has been pretty nice. Having a shoulder to sleep on, someone to buy me candy and magazines and carry my bags... A big improvement from doing everything myself and uncontrollably crying in front of the unsympathetic TSA workers. 

So back to reality we go! Bye Carmie. Bye Nathan. Bye beach. Bye villa. Bye over-eating. I can't wait to do it again next year!

Dream House: Destin

I'm already getting sad that our vacation is over in just 3 days!!! Today, we went to the beach around 11 then Carmen and I came back to the villa around 4 and enjoyed some summer cocktails and snacks on the balcony while the boys played some golf. I really think I could make this my every day lifestyle. Since it isn't quite possible right now, I can only dream....


One unique thing that Ed and I have in common is that we both love to dream and talk about the day that we will be able to afford houses wherever we want. I've always told him that Destin will have to be one of those places. Our Destin dream house would have to be Mediterranean style, have real shutters, lots of outdoor entertaining space with super comfy lounging chairs and gorgeous landscaping. And, of course it would have to be right on the beach! One day.....

Almost BEACHTIME!!!

So far, my vacation has been AMAZING! Meagan and Todd's wedding was perfect in every way and relaxing at home is exactly what I've been needing. I slept until 11 this morning! It has been a while since that happened. But now, I am SO EXCITED to get some quality Carmen time at her Villa in Destin!!!!! We're heading there early in the morning tomorrow and I can't wait!!! We're trying to make this an annual Memorial Day trip and above are some pictures from last year. The first one almost looks like we're going for a run like we're all healthy or something, but actually I had just tackled her into the sand to which she exclaimed "THIS IS SILK!!!" and started chasing me with both fists full of sand. Everyone knows that becoming a grown-up is put on hold when you go on vacation... Here's to another beach trip full of childish behavior! 

Traveling as a Grown-Up

Although, traveling might be my most favorite thing to do, preparing for it has always been extremely stressful for me. And traveling as a grown-up is even worse! On top of the outfit planning, laundry, packing and flight booking, now I have to remember to water my plants before I leave, clean out the refrigerator, clean my apartment, take out the trash, pay my bills, catch up on Idol.... AAAAHHHHHHH!!! No wonder I enjoy flying. It's finally a time that I can just sit still and enjoy Leah Land. Can't wait for my vacation starting tomorrowwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fashion Police: Black Velvet

Ok, so it's not that I have a problem with black velvet dresses. I actually think they are very pretty. But, the other day as I was lying by my pool in the 100 degree Scottsdale temperature flipping through the May issue of InStyle I see that this is "The Look" right now. Maybe I'm just confused because I'm living in desert climate, but how is a black velvet dress the best look they could come up with for their MAY issue? With all of the gorgeous colorful summer dresses I've been seeing around, I just don't get it. I usually love every page of InStyle and this definitely won't stop them from being my favorite fashion magazine, but whose idea was this? It was quite a disappointment. And, on top of the unseasonable fabric of the dress, they also love that fish purse she is carrying! If I remember correctly, wasn't Carrie Bradshaw even offended when given a purse that looked a lot like this? I think it was The Russian who gave it to her and she was so in shock all she could come up with to say was "I love you." All I can say is that if something is too far out there for Carrie Bradshaw, it's too far out there for me!

OB-sessions: Puppies!

Twiggy and Sugar

Sugar

Twiggy

 Cavalier King Charles

 Not sure what this one is but how cute!

 Looks just like sugar when we bathe her

These two remind me of Twiggy and Sugar too :(

Lately I've been feeling the serious need for a puppy. It was part of the deal with Ed when I moved out here... He said he would get me a puppy.. Not necessarily right away, but sometime soon! The first three pictures are of the little white dogs I left behind when I moved :( I'm a little scared that I'll never love another dog as much as I love them, but I'm willing to risk it! Any of the pups in the rest of these pics would be nice choices.... Just another subtle hint for someone :)

Leah Land: Lazy Sunday

Find photos here

After such a long exhausting week, Leah Land has turned into an escape to somewhere calm and serene. I love photos that make me wish I was in them like these. Happy Lazy Sunday!

I need a vacation!

This past week has been one of the most exhausting weeks of my entire life! Not only did I lead my first display install (pics above), we also as a store had to prepare for a visit from the Company's President, Director of Stores, and Merchandising Director. Talk about PRESSURE! By the end of the day tomorrow I will have worked 62 hours this week. Whew! Luckily, I LOVE what I do. I had so much anxiety about the install and the visit but both turned out so much better than I expected! And, the reaction to the store and the display by our visitors made all of the blood, sweat and tears that were shed worth it! I have a vacation coming up starting a week from tomorrow and I have never looked more forward to getting my feet in that Destin sand! 

Style Crush: Rachel Bilson

Well, who doesn't love Rachel Bilson's style? What I love about her is that she doesn't try to accomplish just one type of look. You can tell she wears whatever she feels good in at the time. And she has such good style that she can pull off ANYTHING! She's girly yet edgy, bohemian yet sophisticated, glamourous yet effortless and OMG HER HAIR! She is definitely one that I've brought pictures of to my sister wanting her exact do. I also love reading her style tips in her column, "Ask Rachel" in my favorite magazine, InStyle. She always has original and inspiring ideas. That reminds me, I need to go buy the new issue!

No Regrets

photo

I've come across so many young girls lately who are just about to graduate college and it's so fun to listen to them talk. They've made me realize how much I have changed and grown over the last 4 years. It seems like yesterday my outlook was just like theirs. I couldn't wait to finally graduate and get out into the world and just see where it would take me. My main focus was moving to a big city and getting an exciting job. I spent my first 2 years after graduation scratching and clawing through life trying to make my dreams come true. And, in many ways I did. I always wanted to live in New York and working for Conde Nast was one of those dreams that I always thought was unreachable. Somehow, I made it all happen for myself. But eventually I grew tired of the constant struggle for excitement and found myself gradually starting to desire calm contentment.  That is when things got a little easier. 

Since Ed and I started dating, I never thought I would end up moving to Scottsdale, but it seems to be one of the best moves I have made so far. The feeling of having an actual partner to help me out in life feels so good and secure and makes everything else not matter as much. I also have a really fun job where my main responsibility is to make things look pretty. I think I just needed to get all of that other stuff out of my system before I could settle down and I'm glad I did. I can honestly say that I have no regrets and have accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish by age 26! That is a feeling that makes surviving this quarter-life crisis a little easier. However, I have always wanted to be married or at least engaged at age 27.......... Just sayin.

The Girls of Free People

Right now on the Free People home page you get the option to shop by "girl". I love how they break down the Free People style by 5 different girls: Ginger - the flirt, Meadow - the bohemian, Sandy - the beach girl, Candy - the romantic and Lou - the tomboy. I think I'm a combination of Candy and Meadow. I'm definitely girly and romantic, but I also have a lot of Meadow's ethnic boho vibe in my wardrobe. And, although I never go for body-con clothes, I do love Ginger's touch of glam! So, which girl are you? You can take the poll by going to Free People's blog!!

Decorating!

My apartment is coming along slowly but surely and I'm having so much fun decorating! Here are some updates:

I've made some changes to my entry table... Audrey is still leaning because Ed apparently likes to drive me crazy by always forgetting to bring his tools over to hang my things! But, yesterday I had to run some errands for work and while I was out I bought the clear vases and succulents. I got the idea for this from a concept we did right before I left Anthropologie. I think they turned out really well and add a little life to the place.

Here is a close up of the succulents. Ed gave them 2 weeks to live. These days I'm especially loving my British flag frame that my old work friends from Anthro gave me :)

My mom gave me this frame I'm in LOVE with for Easter. Now I just need to find the right photo to put in it!

Yep! That's the bar cart I found at the Antique Trove. Ed's family got it for me for Easter :) It's so random, but I love it. I really think I'm going to get into this antique collecting idea.

I bought this panel from Pier 1 yesterday for $25!!! I just wanted to see how it looked and I'm really liking it. Now, I just need 3 more panels to cover both windows in the dining room.

Close-up

I still want to get these for the living room... They're just more of a spurge so they will have to wait. 

This mirror would be perfect above my sofa. Horizontally of course. Recognize the pattern?

I'm kinda feeling these throw pillows for my bed.

And, I'm OBSESSED with this desk. It wants to be my make-up table, BAD!

That's all so far. Thoughts?