Mascara meets Matchbox: March 2012

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Star Wars Party Coming Soon.......

This weekend my beautiful baby boy is turning 4. I can't believe it.

We went from this:

Griffin at 6 weeks, his 1st smile caught on camera

To this, in just 4 short years.

Griffin, almost 4, looking almost 10.

I will spare you my tears, and instead talk about what Griffin would like to talk about every second of every day, his STAR WARS BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!! Even though the kid has never even seen Star Wars, his library books have told him enough. He loves it, he can't wait until he's old enough to see the movies, and he likes all the bad guys. Nice.

For the party this weekend, I was also told emphatically that he ONLY wanted to invite boys. NO girls allowed. I mentioned that I was a girl as was his sister, and he said fine, you can come and so can Gemma, but no other girls. Whew! Close call buddy - so close you might not have had a party (as I don't see Joe planning and executing a birthday party on his own). ;-)

Of course I will do a full round up of the party next week on my blog, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek of some cute things I found on Etsy (of course) that will make the party that much more festive.....

First, a cute banner we needed (Yoda language):

Star Wars Banner from Etsy Shop The Polka Dot Prince

Then, cupcake toppers we wanted:

Star Wars Fondant Cupcake Toppers from Etsy seller Party NV

Finally, a craft we must make:

DIY pool noodle-light sabers we'll be making at the party

Does that peak your interest? I have found a lot of cute ideas for this theme, so I started a Pinterest board called Star Wars Birthday.......something tells me we might have another one of these as Star Wars never gets old!

Stay tuned next week for a full party posting......death star cake pops included.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Pinterest Party on CBS

I feel the need to spread the love about a girlfriend and sorority sister of mine from college who is seriously hitting the big time this Thursday morning on CBS This Morning!

Kristi Gilbert is the writer of a hilariously honest and funny blog, called Whine and Cheez. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago and blogs about her 'new' life as a Mom of two adorable kids. She also writes a column called 'Goodbye Miniskirt, Hello Minivan' for the Patch. Busy lady!

Anyway, a few weeks ago Kristi decided to throw a 'Pinterest Party.' Now if any of you like Pinterest as much as I do, you would have LOVED to go to her party! At the party, Kristi made appetizers and goodies made from recipes and ideas found on Pinterest, she had crafts made found on Pinterest, she wore a dress she found on Pinterest, and even had a white elephant gift exchange with her guests - of course the gifts/crafts were required to have been found on Pinterest.

Here's Kristi at her 1st Pinterest party, how cute is she?

Anyway, a day after she posted her 1st Pinterest party on her blog, a producer from CBS This Morning emailed her to see if she'd be interested in throwing another party to be filmed and aired on their show! Um, YES! How cool is that - the magic of the internet, for realz. So over this past weekend she had Pinterest party #2, which will be aired THIS Thursday morning on CBS. You MUST tune in, and if not, you MUST visit her blog and read about her parties.

Here are just a few things at her party, found on Pinterest and created for the party.......

DIY potted herbs in chalkboard painted pots, easy and cute to label

Cowgirl Cookies

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

Cute floral arrangement with limes anchoring the bottom

Here's Kristi's Pinterest Party #2 Board, in case you'd like to follow her.

Congratulations, Kristi!

Everyone else, aren't you inspired by where a few pins and a fun party can get you?

Happy Pinning and Partying! ;-)

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

shoes I'm flirting with this spring

I love them all for different reasons! look at these beauties, in order of descending price......all at Nordstrom.com.

Stuart Weitzman Once Platform Sandals, $365

Vera Wang Lavender George Slingback, $298

L.K. Bennett Maddox Wedge, $285

Via Spiga Mercato Ankle Strap Wedge, $225

Sperry Top Sider Harbordale Sandal, $117.95

Steve Madden Karoll Sandal, $79.95

BP Paxton Slip On Leather Oxford, $59.95

Friday, March 16, 2012

Warm Chicago Weather......

This warm weather here in Chicago (70's and 80's) has me thinking about the swim season. Though it's typically a short season here, there were people laying out at the beach yesterday when we were there......maybe we won't see snow again and we'll be at the beach more this year! Yay!

One of my favorite swim lines for kids is Stella Cove. They use the cutest prints for their swimwear, and I love that they use the same ones for boys and girls, so you can have brother/sister swim ensembles.

Here's what i'm eyeing for my two....

And here are a few shots from our 80 degree 'beach day' in March!

Our brave dog Bella in ICY Lake Michigan! Would you believe she's 9 years old?!! Our first baby.

My 'real' babies playing in the sand

Momma trying to tan that ghostly skin

Miss Gemma Grace, notice the sand all over her face.....mmm I think it tasted good.

My handsome boy in a serious moment

Really doesn't get much cuter, to me at least.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Bracelet Giveaway Winner

Thanks to all of you who entered and commented on my fabulous Rachel Olesker Jewelry giveaway this past week! I hope you've enjoyed being introduced to a new line of beautiful jewelry, made right here in Chicago.

The winner of this fabulous bracelet is......

Melanie of Scout, A Mom's Guide to Stylish Living! Congratulations Melanie!! I know you'll enjoy wearing this on your arm this spring and summer (and all season long).

Now, off to enjoy this 80 degree March day here in Chicago - for real!!!!!!! I might have to break out sunblock!!!!!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Friends and Handbags

This weekend I was lucky enough to share with 3 of my best friends from college. We ate, we drank, we laughed a lot, and cried when it was all over.

Even though it's been 13 or so years since we graduated Mizzou, I still think we all look the same.

Lolly, Janelle, Me, and Michelle

We were all DG's at Mizzou, and with or without drinks sometimes we revert to age 19 and get out our 'arm-anchor's.' Yep, its embarrassing, but fun (and funny!) at the time! Here's Janelle and I getting our 'anchor' on:

Janelle's probably dying that I posted this pic, but the real reason I did is because I am OBSESSED with her new Louis (pictured on her arm above). Whew! It is fabulous......and different than what I see around here all the time!

Louis Vuitton Artsy Tote

Even better? Her husband bought it for her for Christmas - without any help. Joe, are you reading this?

Finally, don't forget to enter my giveaway for a beautiful Rachel Olesker Bracelet - retailing at $85. It's so beautiful, click HERE for giveaway details and how to enter. Here's the bracelet you can win:

Friday, March 9, 2012

It's Giveaway Friday!

Rachel Olesker Jewelry

I'm so excited to introduce you all to a beautiful line of jewelry made by one of Chicago's very own, Rachel Olesker. Rachel's pieces are all one of a kind - literally every single piece is different than the next in some way.

A little bit about Rachel for you......

Rachel Olesker is a self taught jewelry designer whose innovative designs are characterized by a bold and versatile aesthetic. Every piece in her collection is hand-made and no two pieces are exactly alike.

Rachel's jewelry is an expression of her own eclectic style in which she prefers to accent simple apparel with statement-making accessories. Her use of juxtaposed textures, materials and genres gives her pieces a naturalistic quality as well as a flexibility rarely found in jewelry at any price point. Many pieces can be worn as effortlessly with a cocktail dress as with jeans and a t-shirt.

"I create jewelry that I would want to wear. There are many times when I fall in love with a piece and don't want to let it go. But it makes me happy to know that someone else is going to enjoy it."

Without further ado, Rachel and I have partnered and decided to do a giveaway on my blog for this amazing bracelet that normally retails for $85!!!!!

Labradorite beaded bracelet with pyrite stone, $85 retail

To win this fabulous wrist-charmer, there are many ways to enter (and you may do one or all of these to better your chances!):

1. Visit www.rachelolesker.com, browse around, and leave a comment here telling me which piece is your absolute favorite. For example, this is my favorite (and of course it's $300, I have such good taste):

Vintage Multi Strand w/ Vintage Brooch, $300

2. Visit Rachel's page on Facebook (click HERE), 'LIKE' it, then come back here and comment that you did just that.

3. If you don't already, 'like' MY page on Facebook, and share this post from my Mascara Meets Matchbox Facebook page onto your wall, and again, come back and comment here to let me know.

4. Blog about this giveaway on YOUR blog, and again, come back to let me know (and leave me your blog address of course!

*** Don't forget to leave me your email address on your comment so if you're the winner, I can contact you!***

I will be running the contest until next Tuesday the 13th at midnight, and will announce the winner here on Wednesday March 14. Good luck everyone! And trust me, this is a contest to enter, the bracelet is amazing.........

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Summer 2012 Everyday...

My first attempt at Polyvore tonight.......a bit behind the times on that one! But what do you think? I would love to be this put together every day in the summertime...........

Summer 2012 Everyday... by molliemilano featuring long tops