Weekend Inspiration

Well hello long weekend, it is SO nice to see you! We are taking family photos this weekend in celebration of our son being 6 months old. My husband and I were not in his newborn photos, which were taken when he was 9 days old, (and I was feeling not particularly photogenic at the time) so I look forward to having some great new pictures of our entire family - even including our little Yorkie. Our photographer is wonderful and I look forward to sharing her work with you all. Otherwise, we'll be grilling out at home and getting our first college football fix. What are you up to this lovely long weekend?

Here are some of the links I'm loving this week:

• My friend Allison recently started a lovely entertaining and etiquette blog. She's one of the classiest ladies I know and I hope you'll check out Oh My Gracious Goodness and become a regular reader.
• About a month ago, I mentioned that I was going to be doing a photo shoot. Well now I can tell you that it was for Sheridan French's Spring 2013 line. Check out the lookbook here and watch out for a fun interview with Sheridan and more photos coming soon!
• I am headed to New York next week for some fun, fashion and food with a couple of my very best friends. Here's hoping for some fall-like weather so I can wear these new J brand jeans (if you follow my Pinterest boards and this blog, you know I'm obsessed).
• Finally, on this relaxing weekend, I am DYING to make Paula Deen's butter cake recipe. My friend Merritt made it and posted about it on her blog awhile back and it has stuck in my mind. I don't think I can wait any longer to try it!

Find of the Day

How stinkin' cute are these velvet fox loafers from Tory Burch?! I'm dying for a pair for fall. I love that there is a little bow logo on the fox's ear, such a sweet detail. Quirky, comfy, get in my closet. 

On My Wish List

This week's wish list shows how really ready for fall I am. I'm also planning my packing for a great trip to NYC with my best friends from college during New York Fashion Week. Here's what's on my wish list now:

1. Tibi Houndstooth Dress  2. Kendra Scott Dillon Earrings  3. Kate Spade South Kensington Lacey Wallet

4. Emily Hallman Savannah Top  5. Fashion's Night Out Tee  6. Tory Burch Cuff

7. J.Crew Tweed Shorts  8. Sam Edelman Booties  9. Chanel Vertigo Nail Polish

10. Banana Republic Trench Capelet

Ready for Some Football

Football season is finally here! Things at our house get a little competitive around this time, since we have three alma maters to keep track of and root for (thankfully it is rare for any of them to play each other). This also complicates things for game day apparel. I like to think of it as an excuse to buy a couple of extra fall items, and my husband seems to think it is completely reasonable. What do you love to wear on game day?

Notre Dame:

Madewell Skirt - Kendra Scott Earrings - J Brand Top

FSU:

Mickey Lynn Necklace - Nine West Panto Loafers - J Brand 811 Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans

Texas A&M:

Tibi Top - Maya Brenner Texas Necklace - Sam Edelman Booties

Emily Hallman Handbags

I've featured the Emily Hallman collection before and now I'm incredibly excited to feature Emily's gorgeous new collection of handbags. I love her suede Emily bag for almost everyday (it fits an iPad!), the Lauren is a lovely casual clutch in three perfectly fall patterns and the Annie Ruth clutch is excellent for a night out. Check out the entire collection here.

Weekend Inspiration

I'm looking forward to another weekend to relax, catch up and spend time with my husband and son. As I'm sure is the case with you all, I've been so busy lately that weekends are a welcome time to catch up when Email and phone calls are slow and motivation is high. I'm excited about so many things coming up for the blog, work and with friends and family. I can't wait to share more with you all as many of these things become reality. Happy weekend!

Heavenly Sleep

MulMul is an "earthy and ethereal" luxury loungewear brand that I was lucky to stumble across recently. You can shop the site by occasion, including sleep, honeymoon, beach and lounge. All of the pieces come in a soft white that is feminine, romantic and oh so pretty. There are also some lovely little accessories (which would make great brides gifts!) including an eye mask, embroidered lingerie bags and a silver stitched apron.

Left to right: 

Hand Embroidered Tunic  -  Flutter Sleeve Top  -  Me Time Lounge Set  -  Sheer Edged Chemise

Shop MulMul here. 

On My Wish List

1. Alice + Olivia Dress  2. Rachel Roy Smoking Flats  3. Equipment Riley Tee

4. J.Crew Peacock Necklace  5. Sugar Paper LA Thank You Notes  6. Stella McCartney Sunnies

7. Bobbi Brown Lip Color, Brownie  8. Houston Canvas from Z Gallerie

Find of the Day

I love this wearable art scarf from Theodora & Callum. The navy and red combo is perfect to transition to fall. I swear by my T&C scarves as wraps in the cranked up office air conditioning and this one would be the perfect new addition. 

Get it here.

Blueprint Modern

I recently discovered this lovely lifestyle website and boutique, Blueprint Modern. The company is based in Houston but has a great website stocked with furniture, jewelry, home decor and accessories from independent designers. There are lots of great pieces on the site, like this gold piggy bank, this vintage loveseat, this ridiculously amazing python tray and several of these stunning Leighelena bracelets. 

Check out the site here - and also follow on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Ride On: DEFINErevolution

After a couple of months of hearing friends talk about how great it is, this past weekend I finally tried my very first DEFINErevolution class at the brand, spanking new DEFINE body & mind studio in West University. I had sworn off spinning after attending a class at my gym with the less than motivating combination of a yelling, drill sergeant of an instructor and some serious house/techno music. That's just not how I work out. DEFINErev is totally different. It follows the DEFINE philosophy but this time it combines isometrics with some serious butt-kicking cardio. The class I attended was taught by one of my favorite instructors, Noe (who also teaches the DEFINEbaby class I adored attending at the Tanglewood location), and was packed with great, positive motivation, fun music and upper body toning.

I've long been a huge fan of DEFINE and so enjoy and appreciate their philosophy and how wonderful they are with their clients. Hank, the founder and owner, is such a sweet guy and it is so exciting to see his concept be such a success in Houston.

For all you Houstonians, I highly recommend signing up for a class. I'll be there nearly every Saturday that I'm in town - I've already signed up for this weekend!

Weekend Inspiration

Image via Pinterest

Happy Weekend! It has been a crazy couple of weeks so this weekend will involve a lot of catching up (read: blog writing, laundry, grocery shopping and oil changes) and getting back to a normal schedule. I'm excited to try my first DEFINE Revolution class this weekend and check out a new brunch spot with my husband and son on Sunday. What are you all up to this weekend?

On My Wish List

Some new jewels and getting into fall with some J Brand and amazing Rachel Zoe boots...here's what's on my wish list now:

1. Minted Alphabet Print  2. Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster Bracelet  3. Tinley Road Vegan Leather Peplum Top

4. J Brand Waxed Legging Jeans  5. J Brand Ready-to-Wear Dress  6. BaubleBar Princesse Bib

7. Aerin Beauty Weekday Palette  8. Jo Malone Diffuser  9. Paris In Color Book

10. Rachel Zoe Audrey Boot

Find of the Day

Yes, I realize it is only the end of July and I'm already posting about leather but these Blank Denim faux leather leggings are just perfect to start your fall wardrobe. As someone who isn't really excited to "invest" in leather pants, these are perfect at $88. As the weather starts to cool, these will be great paired with t-shirts and statement earrings and then later with sweaters and jackets.

Peach Cobbler

With peaches still in season, I took the opportunity to make something I'd never tried before: peach cobbler. I used this recipe from The Homesick Texan cookbook and my husband said it was excellent! I don't actually eat peaches, so I rely on his feedback for recipes like this. Why do I make it, if I don't eat it? I always think these fruit-filled recipes look amazing and I know my husband will like them, plus I like trying new things to see how they turn out. This recipe was super easy too, only 3 steps and 45 minutes! 

Here's the recipe I used for this one:

Ingredients:

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)

1 cup all-purpose flour 

1 cup granulated sugar 

1 cup milk 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

2 cups sliced fresh peaches, peeled and pitted 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Pour melted butter into a large cast-iron skillet or a 9-inch-square baking pan. Mix together the flour, sugar, milk, and baking powder, and pour the batter over the butter.

3. Toss the sliced peaches with the cinnamon and ginger. Place the peaches on top of the batter and bake uncovered for 45 minutes.

Must-Have: Tinley Road Blazers

I really love these blazers by Tinley Road (all at Piperlime). They come in a wide variety of colors - much more than I'm showing here - and are SO well priced! Any one of them is a perfect transition piece for fall. My favorite is the top left, red and blue striped blazer with a crisp button down and shorts or jeans. 

Top row: Striped - Bleecker Blazer in Yellow - Bleecker Blazer in Black

Bottom row: Charlotte Cardigan - Drapey Blazer - Star Blazer

Weekend Inspiration

So, if you were here earlier today, you may have seen some different weekend inspiration. Well in the last couple of hours, my weekend plans changed so I had to change this up a bit - and the bright colors are helping make things a little cheerier around here. We had planned to head to a friend's wedding this weekend but the airline somehow lost my reservation and I couldn't make the trip. Let's say I've pouted a fair amount already but I'm getting over it and am making some new weekend plans. Trying a couple new recipes, taking baby J to brunch, doing a little shopping and getting caught up on some much needed rest and relaxation. What are you up to this weekend?

What I Wore: Rehearsal Dinner

As you saw on Tuesday, my sister got married this past weekend! It was a gorgeous wedding at the Bay Harbor Yacht Club in Northern Michigan, near where our parents have a lake house. I'll share more photos here and on Facebook as I get them, but I'm starting with what I wore to the rehearsal dinner. I've been wearing a lot of David Peck pieces lately and this romper is one of my favorites. The Spanish moss print and flowy silk were perfect for the event, and the fact that it is a romper adds some practicality and comfort to the ensemble - especially since I was pushing a stroller and carrying a 5-month old around for a good part of the night. I paired it with my wedding shoes, glittery Christian Louboutins, and super simple jewelry.

Shop the outfit:

David Peck Collection Kearney Romper (also in solid blue)

Christian Louboutin Shoes (similar here, more affordable option here)

Pearl Earrings (similar here and here)

Oliver Peoples Sunglasses

Pinned!

I realize that it is still VERY early August, but I'm already ready for it to be fall! And, while we're quite a while from cooler temps here in Houston, I've started to search for my style inspiration. I'm thinking of boots, dresses and accessories in deep, rich colors, and my latest Pinterest board { Style to Fall For } is my space for collecting fall style obsessions. I'm gathering a wish list for fall, as well as some color, hair and style inspiration.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

On My Wish List

Some laughs along with some pretty prints and a start of some fall style. Here's what's on my wish list now:

1. Rebecca Taylor Leggings  2. Loeffler Randall Rider Bag  3. BaubleBar Cornflower Ombre Bib

4. Season 1 of The Big Bang Theory  5. MacKenzie Childs Bowls  6. Vogue Living Book

7. Equipment Slim Signature Blouse  8. NARS Foreplay Palette  9. ASOS Denim Dress

Super Sale Alert

Mary Nichols Handbags is having a SUPER sale on the Elizabeth clutch. The bag is now selling for $75 (originally $275). If you're in Houston, head on in to Rebecca & Drew (in River Oaks Shopping Center) to pick one up or shop online here.

Wedding Weekend Recap

This past weekend was my sister's gorgeous wedding up at Bay Harbor Yacht Club in Bay Harbor, Michigan. The whole weekend was beautiful and we all had a great time celebrating Maria and Brett. 

Photos (Clockwise from top left): the view from my parents' lake house on Lake Charlevoix; Me (in David Peck Collection), my sister and my son; lovely selection of Chanel polishes to choose from for the wedding; rehearsal dinner flowers; me and my son ready for the welcome cookout at my parents' house; the lace from my sister's dress

Weekend Inspiration: Wedding Weekend

Well the big weekend is here! We are all together to celebrate my sister's wedding and this weekend is going to be a blast. Look for a recap on Monday with some sneak peeks of the beautiful day!

Happy weekend to you all!

CrOp-ped

The spring/summer collection by Houston-based designer David Peck has been one of my favorites. This dress has beautiful bright colors, a fun open detail on the back and is perfectly paired with turquoise jewelry - a current favorite combination of mine.

The outfit:

Dress: David Peck Collection (similar styles here, here and here)

Earrings: Kendra Scott

Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples

Ring: Korcula

Shoes: MICHAEL Michael Kors (old; similar here)

Purse: Gifted, no tag (similar here and here)

Giveaway Winner

Image Via Pinterest

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway with Mary Nichols. The winner of the rose gold leather cuff is Alyssa Furlough! I'll be contacting you shortly to get you your gorgeous prize! 

Big thanks to Mary for providing such a great prize and being wonderful to work with!

How did you all like me using Rafflecopter for the giveaway? For me it makes it easy and totally unbiased, as I get to just click a button that says "Pick a Winner." Was it easy to enter? I'd love your feedback for future giveaways!

On My Wish List

1. Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC  2. Juliet & Co. Earrings  3. FACE for J.Crew Lipstick

4. Michael Kors Watch  5. Equipment Dress  6. Zoe Karssen Sweater  

7. Estee Lauder Perfectionist  8. Le Creuset Teakettle and Mug Set

9. Madewell Skirt  10. Tory Burch Boots