Remembering...

Most of us will never forget where we were on September 11, 2001. I was home and had just turned on The Today Show and saw the second plane hit; I was in shock. I remember feeling that way for days and days. My husband was in Puerto Rico on business and was supposed to fly through New Jersey on the way home the next day. I was terrified. He ended up staying an extra four days and flying through Texas instead. 

Some people say that this is a part of our history and we should leave it there. I disagree. I spend time looking back every September 11th and saying a little prayer for all of those directly impacted by this terrible event. This is one of those things that was a life-changer for me. I refuse to forget about all of those innocent people who went to work that day not knowing they would never go home.

Please take a couple of minutes out of your day to remember that horrible day eleven years ago and remember how lucky we all are.

-Stacy

Domino is back!

Well, sorta. Were you addicted to Domino magazine like I was? I kept every copy that I ever got. I loved that magazine; then they decided to ruin my life and stop publishing it. Who does that? I've never met a single person who looked at Domino and didn't like it. Well, good news...they produced a special edition Domino that came out yesterday! I got my copy today and CANNOT wait to flip through it!

Will you be getting it? Let me know what you think!

-Stacy

Will you follow me?

Do you see that button off to the right? It says Follow me on Pinterest? Please follow me and send me a message! I would like to follow you too!

Celebrate! It's Friday!

-Stacy

If you don't know Polica, you should.

One listen and you will be hooked. I've loved this song for months and keep forgetting to share it with you...but now I am!

-Stacy

Favorites.

Sometimes I find things on Etsy that I love so much I want a million of them. I figured I'd share some of my favorites with you. Isn't it funny how when we look on Etsy, we all find such different stuff? All cool stuff, but so different.

You all know I love cats. Cats on Washi Tape? Brilliant!

You might like the Chevron better.

Tiny earrings. Perfect for your second hole if you are behind the times (like me) and only have your ears pierced twice. Aren't these cute?

I love this. It's cute. Ampersand.

These are the cutest. Could I make them? Yes. Will I? No; I will buy them.

This would be a really great wedding gift. 

I told you I like cats. Got it?

This painting makes me want to live here...

Where do you live?

Squirrels are a girls best friend. Or was it diamonds? I forget.

Sweet. Please wrap someone you love a gift with this.

The Marrakech Trellis stencil. I will be doing this in my house. Soon.

What cool Etsy stuff are you finding? I would love to see your favorites!

I am actually going to take some pictures of the changes I have made in my house this weekend. I will give you a sneak peak of my dresser that I painted too. Not quite sure about it. Trial and error, right? I can't wait to see what you think!

Enjoy the last real weekend of Summer. Fall is coming....

-Stacy

Oh yes I am...

Painting a dresser in my house this color!

Stay tuned for pictures!

-Stacy

Stuff.

We all know how it is when STUFF gets in the way of life. I've been doing lots of this STUFF and haven't done much new at my house. I do have some wonderful projects coming up that I've decided will wait until Fall. It's not as though I haven't done anything at all... I've rearranged some pictures, cleaned out some closets, and have tried to fit in lots of fun! This print sums up how I feel about fun. I've neglected it for a long time and always opted to run an errand, do a chore, or stay home spinning my wheels...so no more of this! Start having fun now. Chores can wait!

So I thought I might share some things with you in this post. All of these things are very random, but I miss connecting with people through my blog so I figured I would do a post about STUFF. Are you getting the picture here?

Jason got me this set of prints for my birthday. I'm going to frame them and hang them above my television. I think they are the sweetest things I've ever seen. And, yes, I turned 31. I mean 41. Sheesh, that's hard to admit. I feel 31 and that's all that counts.

Have you seen this movie? Please do. It's funny, touching, poignant. I loved it.

We went with some friends to see Roman Holiday at the Guthrie Theater this past weekend. It was my favorite movie of all time. Who doesn't love Gregory Peck? The musical was just as good. Did you see it?

My daughter and I went to see Meiko this past weekend too. Do you know of her? You should.

Have you seen the new Elle Decor magazine featuring Reese Witherspoon's home? I bought it yesterday but have been saving it. I can't wait to peak into her palace!

 

 You must watch this video for a messy ballerina bun tutorial. I've been wearing my hair in more buns lately and love it. Plus, I love the style of this video that they did. Fantastic!

 

So have you guys tried Turkish or Fouta towels? I've heard they are wonderful, but with a sixty dollar pricetag, I am not sure. Plus, I wonder how they hold up in the wash since I'm a freak about washing my towels. I really like this one for what I have planned for my bathroom...

   

I really want this bubble necklace and considering it's about $150 cheaper than at J. Crew, I think I might just bite the bullet and order it.  

Well, that should give you some things to think about. Let me know what you've been up to. Are you revamping your house? Ready for Fall? Sick of the heat? I miss you! -Stacy



A fun little book!

I found this sweet little book a few years ago and just dug it out again. It's one of those timeless books that you can look at today, or in a few years, and still appreciate it. The best thing about it? It's only $7.58 on Amazon right now. Order it. I know you'll like it!

-Stacy

The cutest summer sandals!

I'm in love with a good wedge sandal. I always have been, and always will be. You know me and the classics. So when I was at DSW the other day, I saw these. I knew I had to have them and did as soon as I tried them on. However, I resisted. I have a million pairs of shoes...all of which I love, half of which I wear. I couldn't bring myself to take in one more pair. Instead, I'm being nice and sharing these with you. Please go buy them and then send me a picture so I can see them on you. They have velcro to close up around your ankle and are extremely comfortable. I love them!

 

Now head over and buy them here! Even if it's only to make me jealous!

-Stacy

One hot summer.

Need I say more? If you know me, you know I will. I live in Minnesota...maybe you do too? Temperatures have been averaging about 90 degrees this summer. I have come to relinquish myself to excitement when they say there is a "cool down" coming. To me a REAL cool down would be considered 75 beautiful, comfortable, windows open, luxurious degrees. Well not so much. Apparently this now means 85 degrees and a bit less humidity. True to form, I will tell you that it sucks. My flowers look bad, my tan has faded from staying inside, and my house hasn't known the feel of a fresh breeze in days and days.

Let me give you a short list of things to do regardless of the heat. I am not suggesting you do all of these, but maybe one or two. Take my advice for what it is worth, and try to enjoy the new standard in summer temps.

1. Make a trip to the bathroom to cut your own bangs after having them one length for 2 years because you are stir crazy. It's a trip. I know from experience.

2. Eat ice cream everyday. If it makes you feel better, eat frozen yogurt. There really isn't a difference. Hate to burst your bubble. 

3. Have a picnic in your living room. Get takeout and wine, throw down a blanket, and have a picnic in the air conditioning. It's fun when you can eat without sweating. 

4. Make plans for a winter vacation. Go someplace warm to bring you back to your summer memories. Perhaps hell would work for this? Or you could just try Jamaica.

5. Check on your neighbors. Especially if they are older. Heat is hard on people...make sure they are doing alright during these long stretches.

6. Finish every project you have ever started in your house. When you do this, let me know and I will let you come and finish mine too. I will feed you lunch. 

7. Adopt an animal and then spend lots and lots of time bonding. Cats or dogs are preferred. Bonding with a snake...not so much fun. Remind me to tell you the story about the time we babysat a snake and I thought it might like swimming in the tub. I can tell you that I was wrong.

8. Get some good books and spend a day out of the week reading. I have a stockpile that I have been reading and it's a wonderful form of escapism. Fifty Shades of Grey is still sitting half finished on my Nook. Why they think a baby boom will come from that I will never know. I've never read such horrible writing. Ever. 

9. Talk to yourself and say "when it cools down I will start walking and exercising more". Then call yourself a big, fat, ice cream eating liar because you know you won't. Did you go walking when it was 10 degrees last winter? Ummm, I didn't think so.

10. Do something nice for someone. Smile at them, bring them dinner, take them to a movie, or just write them a note to tell them you appreciate them. See, I'm not all bad. 

Now let me leave you with this...

It's right around the corner so enjoy what you have today or look forward to tomorrow. I'm not sure about you, but I think I'll just live in the moment. Give me 6 months and I'll be complaining about that too.

Enjoy your summer!

-Stacy

Classic style. Can you go wrong?

I don't care what style you sport on a daily basis, everyone needs a classic outfit for wearing to that casual work outing, neighborhood party, or just running errands. Here is mine and it could be yours too...and for cheap! Let me know what you think.

I prefer the French Sailor shirt in red because I think everyone needs some red in their life, but navy blue is equally classic of course. Hop on over to L.L.Bean and get yours for under thirty bucks!

Next head over to J. Crew and pick up the Everyday Chino. Or just head to your local Target because they have great khakis too...

These are my favorite new sandals. I will give you two shoe options because many of you will think these look like kids shoes. I can assure you, though, that they do not look like that when they are on your feet. I love these in gold. Paint your toenails a flashy color and sport these with your casual new outfit. 

Remember these? I bought a pair of Tretrons last summer, threw them in my closet and forgot about them. I used to wear these in high school, my friends. Do I need to mention that I graduated from high school in 1989? I didn't think so. Go buy these. They are comfortable, stylish, and classic.

So there is my preppy, classic outfit for you this summer. I promise that I will be back with some of the things I've done around my house in the next few days too. I know this is actually a home blog, I just haven't been motivating myself to take pictures of my home. I will change that and you will benefit from it. Have you done some new things around your house?

-Stacy

A new little tip for summer.

By now you've all heard of the cult favorite in Asia called BB (blemish balm) cream. Have you tried it yet? Well I have! After lots of research, I can tell you that I am in love. I decided to go with Clinique's Age Defense BB Cream since I wanted fuller coverage. From everything that I had heard about this particular brand I knew I had to have it. It is very dry and you get no shine from using it, it has an SPF of 30, and you need to use very little of it. At $37 it has replaced my moisturizer and my foundation. I'd say the coverage is medium...more than a tinted moisturizer and less than a full foundation. It's wonderful stuff! I use the darkest shade since I've (somehow) developed a great tan in the past few weeks. Be sure to try it on your face for the perfect match. Let me know what you think.

Hope you're having a wonderful summer so far!

-Stacy

I'm back!

Happy Spring, everyone! I've missed you all more than you know! I knew I needed to come back when I started finding more projects around the house to share with you. I also have a bunch of new favorites that I've found that I just had to tell you about. So what's new with all of you? Are you enjoying the smell of the Magnolia trees, in awe at how early Spring has come this year, and getting ready to think about what you are going to plant this summer? I hope so!

I have two favorite nail polish colors for Spring and Summer! 

First is Essie Watermelon. It's the PERFECT melon color for your fingers or toes!

Next is Essie Turquoise and Caicos. I prefer it on my toes when I'm tan, but I may try it on my fingernails.

Aren't these fun?!

When I was at Sephora a couple of weeks ago the sales person asked me if I wanted to try a few samples of perfume. UM, have you met me? I love perfume! I took three samples home and fell in love with one. It's Dior Addict to Life and it smells like a flower garden. I like floral perfumes so if you don't, stay away from this one!

Did you know that Toms now has ballet flats? You can't feel bad about spending almost eighty dollars for shoes when you know that someone who can't afford them is also getting a pair because you bought them!  This is what you tell your husband when he asks you why you have so many pairs of shoes. Don't you want to help those less fortunate, honey? 

I (of course) want these...

You aren't surprised, are you?

Next, if you're looking for a new rug or two, have you seen Flor? You really can't find anything like this in stores. Sign up for a catalog to get special deals like free shipping or 25% off a few times a year. Then start praying that they open one of these showrooms in your state. Some of these are so cute they make me want a bigger house just so I can have more rugs. Did I mention they are squares that you put together and if they get dirty you can wash them in the sink? Yup. How cool is that? 

I love this one because it looks like a camel colored knit sweater.

And this one because it's fun!

Don't think I'm crazy on that one, just go look at the website and see how it looks in a room!

Now hop on over to Anthropologie and look at these! Doesn't it make you feel like changing the knobs on your desk, dresser, or SOMETHING just so you can have these?

They are ten dollars per knob, but well worth it if you just need a few! Owl love.

So what sorts of things are you liking for Spring or Summer? Have you thought about swapping rugs or lamps in your rooms to have a different look for a bit? Maybe paint your front door a fun and cheery color? Or just buy a pot of Pansies and set them out on your front steps to remind you that flower season is on its way! 

I'm so glad to be back. I've missed blogging and I've missed you! 

-Stacy