Thursday, September 27, 2012

Post Op Present?

Whew!  One week post surgery and I'm feelin' slightly back to normal.  Not normal by any means, but I'm sitting here in front of my blog with both kids at preschool, and I have 2 hours to myself.  What to do with this time since I can't work out for 5 more weeks?  Blog!!

I've been sneakily thinking.....what can I reward myself with for going through this un-fun surgery process (which ended up being not one, but two surgeries in two days because of a slight complication)?  My mind of course goes straight to shoes and handbags, because if I'm going to drop a pretty dime on anything, that's the place to do it.  

At the top of my list would definitely be these nude Christian Louboutin pumps.  I may or may not have blogged about these before on Style Spies.


Christian Louboutin Bianca



But then I saw these.....which ups the price a teency bit (ok, a lot) but also ups the 'wow' factor by a lot!

Christian Louboutin Altipump Spikes


Topping the list at a close second, I would love a new tote bag.  A Gucci tote to be exact.  The clean lines and design make this bag a classic that I know I'd have forever and hand down to my daughter Gemma.

Dressage Original GG Canvas Tote

Another tote I think would fit the bill - the LV Palermo PM.  You can carry it on the shoulder, across the body, or just by the handles, and what I like about it is that it's different than the 'Neverfull' that everyone else seems to have.  And, it's more structured so your items aren't lost forever down the rabbit hole.  I know you know what I mean.
Louis Vuitton Palermo PM


Finally, I am need of a new evening bag.  I feel like I've outgrown a lot of my clutches and bags for a night on the town.  Of course a Chanel Flap Bag would be the ideal go-to, but at aver $4000 a pop, there is no way that's happening.  

What I did find though is this beautiful little Michael Kors Collection bag, in Python.  It has a long strap so you can wear it cross-body, too.  Still expensive, but would go with everything and a lot less than $4000!  

Michael Kors Collection Python Clutch

And that's it!  I'm so low-maintenance, isn't that what you're thinking?  

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Mix n' Match Textures/Prints - Fall '12

As you might have noticed, I'm all about Polyvore lately.  I'm having a ton of fun creating looks and putting together outfits for my readers, my Style Spies clients, and friends.  

Is there a trend that you want to try but aren't sure how to pull it off?  Let me know, I'd love to create a board or look for you!  

This look is all about mixing and matching patterns, prints, and textures.  It's a look that could get dressy quickly with a cute pair of heels and swapping out the denim shirt for a crisp white blouse.  



Mix n' Match Textures/Prints - Fall '12


Monday, September 17, 2012

One Sweater, Two Ways

Found: A Mascara Must

As this blog was founded with the word 'mascara' in the title, one would think that I might post about actual mascara more often.  Only problem is, I STILL really like the mascara I've been using for 2+ years.  Tarte's Lights, Camera Action is still amazing and way better than others I've tried.  Trust me, I have short lashes and mascara is important to me!



However, I was happily browsing in Ulta the other day with my 2 year old shopping partner (and daughter) Gemma, and we stumbled upon what has quickly become a new favorite.  As Gemma was testing various eye shadows on her fingertips and playing pick up sticks with eyeliner, I focused in on Tarte's MultiplEYE lash enhancing primer.  


Seriously, for only $22 I can now look like I'm sporting faux eyelashes!  I LOVE IT!  It glides right on, thickens, lengthens, and primes my lashes for the their next layer - Tarte's Lights Camera Action.  

If you are searching for something that doesn't cost a fortune (getting faux lashes put on every 2 weeks, persay), check out Tarte's MultiplEYE.  I heart it.


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I'm a Super(model) Mom today!






I am honored to be featured today as a 'Super(model) Mom' on one of my daily reads and favorite blogs, Scout - A Mom's Guide to Stylish living.  

Melanie, who writes the blog, was my sole inspiration for joining this blogging world a few years back.  She is always impeccably dressed (as are her children), crafty, thrifty, glamorous, an incredible writer.....what else?  The list could go on.  

Make sure you click on over and take a look at both my feature and Melanie's blog - I guarantee you'll be hooked on Scout!

Happy Wednesday!


Sunday, September 9, 2012

Showing your team colors

If you are looking for the perfect tee to show your team colors, look no further than Old Navy.  They do a great job with NFL and Collegiate licensing, and their tees are well-priced!  We have gotten new Chicago Bears and Mizzou tees every year for the kids so far, and this year I even got a new Bears tee for myself.  Here are a few of my favorites for all.  



Shop my picks below:


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

A heartbreaker

You may or may not have noticed, but I took a wee bit of a break from this blog.  Last post was July 16!  Summer has been busy, but the real reason I haven't been on here is because I've been a bit pre-occupied with some health/ heart issues.

I normally don't share super personal stuff like this on here, but I feel like if this reaches anyone going through the same thing, it would be nice to  swap experiences!  (so tell me if you know anyone!).

The way this all went down was kind of hilarious, really.   The last week in July, I drove down to Northwestern Hospital to visit a new heart doctor.  For those of you who don't know, I share something in common with the generation of my grandparents; I have a pacemaker.  I treat it as no big thing, and it isn't.  I have bradycardia, which is an abnormally slow heart rate.  So where your resting heart rate might be 55, mine is 38.  It tends to freak doctors out (which I kind of like, hee hee), because my body is used to this slow rate and it doesn't bother me really.  They expect me to be passed out at any rate under 40 i think.  ;-)

Anyway, I was going to visit with a new cardiologist because I wasn't really loving the clinic I was using up here on the North Shore.  So I sit down with my new doctor, she asks me some routine questions, and then she says she would like to do a routine EKG.  Totally normal procedure.  The totally NOT normal part of this was when, after the EKG was over, she walked into the room and said, "Mrs M, I don't mean to alarm you, but it seems that your pacemaker is not working at all.  We are going to have to admit you into the hospital right now.  I have some nurses bringing in a wheelchair and they'll escort you to the emergency room where you'll be admitted.  Then sometime tomorrow morning we'll probably send you into surgery to replace your battery, which we think isn't working."

Excuse me?  I am going to the hospital RIGHT NOW?  Keep in mind this was a typical Tuesday afternoon, and I had a sitter at the house till about 5 (this was 3pm), and the rest of the week was packed with plans.  Of course I burst into tears and then tried to call my husband 8,000 times.  It just so happened that as I was being transported via wheelchair in my Missoni sparkly flats (1st time wearing them, jeez), he was in a 2 hr meeting without either of his cell phones.  Yep he's that guy who has a work cell and a personal cell on him at all times.  Long story short, after witnessing some much worse-off situations and people in the emergency room downtown Chicago, I was checked into my room for the night and began to finally get ahold of people.  Of course, doctors were in and out of the room, but no one was giving me any good information.  Yes, you might have surgery, but then again, you might not.  And for that reason, you can't eat.  Good times.  I'm worried, missing my babies, and hungry.  And that all made me kind of mad (depriving me of food never ends well).  My wonderful Mom decided to book a flight and head to Chicago the next morning first thing, and for that I was really thankful. It was so nice to know that either way, surgery or no, my Mom was going to be there with me.

After a long night of very little sleep, made possible by nurses coming in to check my vitals every two hours (and one, who came in knowing full well i was alive and just asleep, shook me and said "Mrs M, are you ok!?  Your heart rate is 38!!!"  Yes, yes, nurse I am ok.  My pacemaker is broken.  But clearly as I'm hooked up to a heart rate machine and I'm still breathing I'm ok), I finally began to get some clarity on the situation.

The first docs to visit me that morning were Pacemaker clinic docs.  After a bunch of testing, they concluded that no, my battery was not dead, but my pacemaker leads were fractured.  I would have preferred a dead battery.  A battery change-out surgery is easy. Replacing leads is not so much.  We decided, after a lot of talks with the Cardiac Surgeon and the Electrophysiologist, that replacing my leads and removing the old ones is the way to go.  It's a slightly risky surgery, as they have to go in and laser off scar tissue bit by bit on the old leads until they are 'free,' remove them, and then put the new ones in.  The lasering is the yucky part, but my surgeon is one of the best and I KNOW things will be fine and I'll sail through the surgery.



However, that doesn't stop me from worrying.  I have been trying not to think about it during the day and I do a pretty great job at keeping myself busy (or should I say the kids do that for me), but at night, its always the last thing I think about before going to sleep.  I half want the 19th to get here fast (my surgery date) so I can get this over with.  And the other half of me wants to ignore the situation and the problem.  I know that I'll be SO nervous the morning we go in...........uugggg!  Hopefully the hubby can maintain a calm persona for me.  And for the record, him 'maintaining a cool and calm persona' usually results in a great story........

So that's what's going down over here at our household, along with back to school for Griff tomorrow, and Gemma starting a 2 day a week preschool next week (my big girl!).  Style Spies is doing fabulously, and we actually have a big announcement tomorrow so make sure to check in there if you're interested.  Again - if you know anyone who has a pacemaker or has had one replaced, tell me!  Just talking about it with someone else would help I'm sure.

Stay tuned as I get back into this blog for Fall fashion, kids pics, and more......

Thanks for listening today.