Stella & Dot Fall Favs

Over the weekend, I perused the new Stella & Dot line for Fall.  It debuted online on Saturday, and as my Mom is a S&D stylist I wanted to check it out.

My jewelry style is in one of two camps, go big or go home, or go dainty and everyday.  I typically like Gorjana pieces for the everyday, and Stella & Dot for their big statement items.  

Therefore, what is on my wishlist for their Fall 2012 line?  Here ya go:

Lillith Fringe Earring, $49

Estate Bib Necklace, $198

Tempest Bracelet, $98

Secret Garden Cuff, $98

Kalahari Bangle, $79

Pitter Patter Charm, $36 (not a statement piece, but so darling!)

Vitamix Love

For the next two weeks, I am borrowing a friend's Vitamix blender.  O.M.G. it is awesome.   I truly didn't know what I was missing.  I have been making a veggie and fruit smoothie every morning since I started back on the Tracy Anderson diet plan, and the difference this Vitamix has made - I can't even tell you!  

Here's what goes into my blender almost every morning:

• 3 stalks of kale
• handful of chopped mango
• handful of chopped pineapple
• handful of frozen blueberries
• 1 C apple juice OR 1 C almond milk
• 1 apple, chopped
• either 1 C water or 1 C ice, depending on consistency

What kind of smoothies do you all make?  I'd love some great recipes/ideas that are tried, true, and tasted......there are always tons of recipes out there for green smoothies but some are waaaay better than others.

My Purple Pants

In light of my, ahem, 35th birthday a few weeks ago, I decided to gift myself one months' worth of classes at the Bar Method.  I'm sure the many who have come before me at the Bar will echo my sentiment, but it's fabulous, addicting, challenging, and I can't get enough.  My arms hurt, my legs hurt, but I'm still going back people.

One thing about it that i've had to get used to is you can't wear shorts.  I LIVE in shorts in the summer, especially workout shorts.  However, since I can't do that at the Bar, I have adjusted to my new life in LuLu Lemon's Wunder Under Crops.

I had them in black, but when I went to the store for another pair, they had them in all sorts of fantastic colors.  The ones I fell in love with are a fabulous shade of purple; I'm obsessed!  Not only do I love the color, but they make me happy and actually make me want to work out.  Now that's amazing.

Here I am in all of my purple glory........(and I had to take a picture of myself in them, b/c they're not on the Lulu site right now, sorry).....

For some reason, none of the fun colors are on their site right now, but I pulled some pics off the internet to show you the other options.  Really, I like them ALL, but I think my next choice would of course be pink.  

While perusing the Lulu site, I also came across these cute purple shorts that I had to share too since purple is the theme today:

Boogie Short, $42, in faded dot embossed bruised berry

Happy Workout!

A Perfectly Sweet DIY Nursery

Today I am so honored to be sharing with you some pictures of my girlfriend Katey's nursery for her newborn daughter, Mallory.  Katey has become the queen of DIY in all areas of her home, but her talent is really shown off here.  Every time I visit her, I feel like I'm walking around going 'that's amazing!' and 'how did you do that?' and 'Oh! I want to learn how to do that....'  

It's safe to say that Katey, you are my DIY inspiration.......though I haven't quite summoned the willpower to actually DO one of these projects floating around in my head.  

Without further ado, here is Miss Mallory's nursery completely decorated by her Mama and Daddy.  

What a lucky little lady (for more reasons that just this!).

Gorgeous mixture of colors and patterns.  

• Glider & Ottoman from Dutailier, cushions were replaced to match nursery as this was from the first born's nursery.  A tip - after pricing out getting her old cushions recovered, she found it was much cheaper to just order new ones!
• Nightstand - Target.com
• Pink Pouf - Land of Nod Outlet  
• Rug - Land of Nod Outlet - Raised Floral Rug

• Chevron Pillows - Target.com
• Dresser and Changing Table - Katey's old dressers from her bedroom growing up.  Refinished using Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations: http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com/
• Dresser and Changing Table knobs - Mercury glass drawer knobs from Amazon seller Knobs and More Home Decor - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_hi?_encoding=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Knobs%20%26%20More%20Home%20D%C3%A9cor&node=228013 
• Lamp & Laundry Hamper - Home Goods

• Artwork - Home Goods
• Pink Chair - garage sale find, spray-painted.
• Pink table - repurposed from the sunroom; was a martini table from West Elm. Spray painted it hot pink.
  
  

• Wall color - Benjamin Moore's Icing on the Cake
• Stencil color - Benjamin Moore's Forget Me Not
• Stencil work - I must note the Katey's handy hubby did all the stencil and paint work here - what a guy!  Tom......are you for hire? 

• Curtains, DIY made with fabric ordered from Carousel Designs.  Find it at http://www.babybedding.com/.

Fabric is called Love Bird Damask; $10/yd

• Jenny Lind Crib - DaVinci by Million Dollar Baby
• Crib Sheet - Carousel Designs.  Find it at http://www.babybedding.com/.
• Artwork above crib:   

1. Sunshine on a Rainy Day print above crib - Etsy seller hairbrainedschemes
2. LOVE print above crib - Etsy seller thewheatfield
3. Needlepoint above crib - Etsy seller bopeepbaby.  It reads "Let her sleep. For when she wakes, she will move mountains."

• the rest of the Artwork - DIY of course!
• Bed Skirt - Pottery Barn Kids

If you have any questions about Mallory's nursery, don't hesitate to ask!  I'm happy to go straight to the source for you.  I am still in awe of all that Katey accomplished while pregnant and running after a 2 year old.....most nights I wanted to just flop into bed when I was in her shoes!

Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl, Katey.

Off to the Sofitel

We have a very fun wedding this weekend, which I spoke about a few weeks ago.  It's at the Sofitel downtown Chicago, and it's black-tie optional.  Of course since the invite came in the mail, I have been trying to figure out what to wear.  As it's going to be 90+ degrees tomorrow......a  long dress is a no-go for me (I believe my Great Gramps used to say I 'glisten' a lot).  ;-)

I got a great deal on this FABULOUS Halston Heritage Dress.  I'm wearing it in the poppy color, but I truly love both.  The poppy is on sale right now at Shopbop for $276.50 from $395...

I'll post pictures next week!  Have a great weekend everyone.

I hate beets

Dear Tracy Anderson,

I hate beets.  I really detest them.  Why must you insist on putting them in your 'power juice?'  Honestly, the juice repulses me.  UGGGG!  What to do?

NO THANK YOU, MR BEET.

For now, I'm going to make my own 'power juice.'  I'll still put some kale in there, and some apple, but no beets.  For the love......you've got to realize there's a serious contention of people out there who feel the same way.  I think beets are like cilantro, you either love them OR hate them.  I love cilantro, I hate beets.

Does anyone have any great smoothie/juice recipes that include kale, spinach, and no dairy?  Just fruits and veggies?

So - enough about beets.  I am feeling the urge to get myself some well-priced bohemian printed pants.  They are the 'it' pant of the summer, and I've found some great ones from Club Monaco on Shopbop for $149, but I'd love to pay under $100.

Here are some fun ones from Forever 21 - which, if you want to try out a trend, this is the place to go.

Mosaic Print Palazzos, $29.80

Dots and Daisies Palazzos, $19.80

Leopard Print Pants, $27.80

Now a few from Free People, always up on a hippie-inspired trend....

FP ONE Pacific Trails Pant, $98 (only available on the FP website)

FP ONE Floral Fields Wideleg Pant, $98 (also only on FP site)

FP ONE Solid Gauze Hippie Pant, $98

Tracey Anderson Meta......revisited

Today begins my re-commitment to the Tracey Anderson Metamorphosis plan.  I'm so excited to get started.  Last time I did TA, I lost close to 15 pounds and got down to pre-baby weight.  All of it was hard - the eating plan, the working out - but it got easier to work with as time went by.

This time, I feel like I have a lot of habits already in place.  I already eat pretty well, and I have been continuing the TA workouts since last time.  However, I have to 'amp it up' and really stick to the diet and exercise on a daily basis for it to work.  I'd love to work off another 10 to 15 lbs to get to my 'goal' weight.

So, I've decided to keep track of my workouts and food plan (and my feelings about my workouts and what i'm eating) on this blog.  My posting might be slightly erratic, maybe funny (because I'd rather laugh than cry about not eating guacamole and chips), and hopefully frequent.  I'm hoping you can laugh along with me and help cheer me on!

I'm off to the grocery store with kids in tow, to get the many fruits and vegetables needed for my 1st week.  Half the battle is making all of the prepared foods you are supposed to eat on the plan........NEED A VITAMIX!