I need a gown for the Emmys!!!

Hubs and I have the opportunity to attend the Emmys and Governor's Ball in LA in September! Nice!! Should be super fun! There is a Project Runway contestant who lives here in Louisville and I thought he was going to do a collab and make me a dress but, *sigh*, doesn't look like it's happening.... 

SO, I need a GOWN!! Something MAJOR. I've been obsessively scouring websites for inspiration and ideas. I have something *FABULOUS* that I've never worn but I'm just trying to make sure there's not something I'd rather have! There are so many dreamy, dreamy things out there that I would request in a heartbeat if designers were lining up to give me things for free... hahaha! Dream much? ;) I thought I'd share some of the ones I have bookmarked on my computer and have been drooling over lately! 

Zac Posen Full-Skirt Rope
Brocade Ball Gown, $12,990

Oscar de la Renta Floral Ikat
Jacquard Gown, $7,490

Monique Lhuillier
Embroidered Tulle Gown, $9,990

Monique Lhuillier High-Low
Floral Embroidery Ball Gown, $8,790

Carolina Herrera Strapless Twig-

Jacquard Ball Gown, $4,990

In my dream world we all wear things like this every day... To Kroger... To the cheer gym... To get the oil changed.... Am I the only one who thinks like this?? LOL 

What kind of red carpet style do you prefer? Seen anything recently that you LOVE? Want to give me $13k for the Zac Posen?? 

Baked Brie - one of the best recipes EVER!!

Be sure to enter the Blush Beauty June box Giveaway worth $100 while you're here! 

Our recent dinner at Varanese included a Baked Brie appetizer. The thing was delicious, but it left me wanting the best Baked Brie ever - a recipe from our awesome neighbor and friend Cindy! Seriously, this is one of the most delicious things you will ever eat! Perfect to bring to a party or holiday, or to just inhale at home as a family! LOL! 


Bourbon Baked Brie

1 puff pastry thawed
1 lg round Brie cheese
1/2 cup pecan pieces toasted
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp bourbon

Place puff pastry on floured wax paper. Place Brie in middle of pastry. Mix pecans, brown sugar and bourbon. I really have not measure my ingredients kind of guessing but I don't think you can mess this up. Put pecan mixture on top of brie and fold pastry over the top. Beat an egg and add one tsp of water and brush the top of pastry. Oven on 350 on cookie sheet for about 20 to 30 minutes. Just until brown. Let sit for about 15 min before serving. Serve with variety of multi-grain crackers, etc.! ENJOY!! 

Let me know it you make it! Or let me know BEFORE you make it so that I can come by and sneak a few bites! LOL!!

Louis Vuitton Love

Over the years I've dabbled in handbags from other designers, but none has captured my heart and held my attention like Louis Vuitton. I received this new piece of literature from them, entitled Histoire(s), a couple of weeks ago and have been captivated all over again by the creative and gorgeous photography it contains. That's part of my LV love, the fact that it symbolizes something BIGGER to me. I might just be carrying my bag to Kroger and to the sweaty cheerleading gym, but I COULD be carrying it ANYWHERE. It's fab enough to circle the globe and special enough to deserve to! ;)

Here are a few of the pages in Histoires that I love. There is a whole series of photographs where they show what would be hypothetically contained in a piece of LV luggage based on a specific time in history. There's another section that shows unique custom pieces like the trunk-into-cot/shower/desk. SO practical and handy, am I right?? Haha!

I've always had a weakness for the specialty collections that LV has done with guest designers or just the oddball pieces that have caught my attention. I unpacked some dinosaurs to show you a few of my favorites in my collection, or my "archives," as I refer to it when describing these purchases as investments that my girls will be thrilled to inherit someday! Haha!

Yayoi Kusama, circa 2012

Limited edition Marc Jacobs special line, circa ? Maybe like 2010?

Murakami Cerises Collection, circa 2005

Murakami Monogramouflage, circa 2008

Eclipse Speedy, circa 2009-2010

Stephen Sprouse Monogram Roses, circa 2009

(need this one back in my life, it's coming out today!)

Which do you like the best? There have been SOooo many awesome collaborations. Do you have a designer that you find yourself coming back to over and over again?? 

Happy Occasions! Yay!

Over the last few years I've been thinking about it and it seems like the temperature of a year can be pretty accurately gauged by the number of weddings vs funerals you're involved in. Last year? Ugh.... Zero weddings. 4 funerals. Was a tough, tough year and the last funeral coming in December was the final kick in the ass on the way out the door by 2012. Always one to knock on wood and try not to jinx it, so far so good in 2013. We are 4-0 at this point, with weddings winning and at least one more wedding on the horizon. SO thankful to have so many HAPPY moments to commemorate! Yay!

And, of course, the question is: What to wear?? Here are a couple of my recent selections:

Dress by Land's End, feather/crystal accent silk sash from J. Crew, beaded baguette from Fendi, and the icon of icons from Monsieur Louboutin, the Pigalle 120mm.

This dress was a first attempt at Land's End. I've bought tons of school uniforms for the girls there but never anything for me. The sizing is just massive, even sizing down I should have this dress majorly altered to fit better, and it's definitely a little conservative/preppy for my preferences. It's okay, though! Trying to keep an open mind! :)

If you happen to be a Land's End fan, here's a coupon code for 30% off sitewide and free shipping on $50+ through 5/21/13: Code: TWILL Pin: 5720. My dress is sold out now, but here's a kind of similar one that might be worth a shot!

Polka Dot V Neck ($98)

Belt and bag are great but let's talk about these shoes for a minute. I'm an old pro and these heels are the most challenging ones I've mastered. That being said - OMG - they are the hottest things ever. My husband bought these for me after seeing in his research that they are Kate Moss' favorite pump and I can see why. Can't remember the last time I wore a pair of shoes and had SO MANY random strangers come up and comment on how HIGH my shoes were (to me? that's the ultimate compliment! haha!)! When searching the web for photos, the first article that came up was titled "Pigalle 120, Do they EVER get comfortable?" LOL! They DO, but you have to really WANT to wear them! Which I do! I told a stranger this weekend, if you're going to do it, you have to COMMIT. One of the most affordable ways to buy a pair of Louboutins at $625, proceed with caution! ;)

And a second recent wedding outfit that I loved:

Dress by Oscar de la Renta. Shoes are Lady Peep Spikes 150mm by Louboutin. These shoes look just as fierce as the Pigalle, but have a platform which takes much of the challenge out! ;) This pair was a limited edition with jeweled heels, there's a similar style with metallic heel available here. It seems like everyone is making a knockoff of the spike pump now. Including these by Vince Camuto ($29-200) and these by Steve Madden ($35-145). You can always join the ranks of women like these and just paint the soles red yourself! LOL!


And here are a couple of my friends' gorgeous wedding cakes as a parting thought. My girls go to a wedding just to see people kiss... I go for the wedding cake! Haha! Fingers crossed that 2013 brings lots more cake and smiles!!

Website Review: Team Wardrobe

I have been seeing and loving the galaxy leggings on Instagram for a while but wasn't sure where to get them. Then I got a website suggestion and I was.... skeptical. The Team Wardrobe website looks a little too "junior" for someone of my *ahem* age in all the ways that make me leery. I found the leggings but.... ? Will the material be too cheapy? Will the junior sizing be incredibly tiny? Will this website that caters to a crowd half my age have decent customer service?


I started to look around for a little bit and when I found the melting CC Chanel logo t-shirts, I was sold. I put enough in my cart to use one of the two offered coupon codes: NEW10 for $10 off of $75 or NEW20 for $20 off of $150. What's the worst that can happen? I put the clothes on, get a good chuckle and give them to my niece? It's worth a shot! LOL!

My first pleasant surprise came when I received an email with the tracking number for my shipped package THE SAME DAY I placed my order. I mean, seriously. As a person who shops online a LOT, this was nothing short of amazing to me! Less than 48 hours from placing my order, our mail lady had already attempted a first delivery. This was just with the regular shipping option! Granted, the package only had to go from Arkansas to Kentucky, but I was impressed!


Next pleasant surprise came from the nice touch of cute duct tape to seal the package. Followed by dumping out my bag and finding that they had included a little surprise freebie bracelet that I LOVE and would have totally bought on my own!

Still not expecting much from the clothes, I pulled them out and.... they looked good! They are definitely similar to the quality of fun pieces from Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe or something, but that's what they are meant to be - FUN! These aren't things meant to be worn a million times and I'm really happy with them!

Here's what I bought:

Sublimation Galaxy Leggings ($19.99)

White Dripping CC Top ($17.99)

Multi Color Zig Zag Maxi Skirt Dress ($44.99)

So what do you think?? Stuff is cute, right?? Sizing was fine and customer service gets an A+. I have been looking for a chevron maxi skirt anyway so that unexpected piece on the website was a great score! I'm thinking all three of these pieces get to go on my upcoming adventure this weekend!! ;)

Delicate Necklace Lovin'

Ahh..... summer clothes! Woot!! And how to best accessorize all the cute maxi dresses and tank tops?? I love a big chunky statement necklace as much as the next girl but have always been partial to a delicate chain with a small charm or pendant. Love them all year round, but I think they are especially pretty on bare sun-kissed skin (or sunscreened and freckled skin, as the case may be... haha)!

Here are a few of my favorites!

Tiny fleur de lis. Can't remember who designed this one... I think I bought it from a Rue La La sample sale. It's brass, and starting to tarnish a bit, which makes it even better! ;)

Fakey fake fake piece of jewelry purchased by my 7 year old at her school Christmas shopping stand. She bought me the most expensive item in the store ($18 I think?) which was absolutely precious. I've worn it so many times because, I mean, come on, how can you NOT?? :)

Pave diamond and gold fleur de lis, Christmas gift from the hubs from Davis Jewelers. So delicate and sweet! And I love anything fleur de lis since - move over New Orleans! - it's a city symbol for Louisville!

Pave diamond initial necklace from Royal Fine Jewelers. Another gift from the hubs! :)

Kentucky and Arkansas charms by Maya Brenner. My heart is split pretty evenly between the two, and I love wearing them both at once!

Live Green necklace, also by Maya Brenner. Purchase this one at Macy's flagship in NYC a few years ago, doesn't look to still be available.

Sterling silver cross double pendant, purchased by my mom for me at an estate sale in Arkansas. Looooove. Love these. I've always thought they must have some dark, sketchy story that I will never know! SO unique and one of my very, very fave pieces of jewelry!

This post has had me shopping around this morning for new pieces I might need! Haha! Here are some I've seen already that I love!

Bicoastal Necklace by Maya Brenner. How cute is this? Too bad my only CA and GA affiliations are as a visitor! ;)

Stella & Dot makes so many adorable things, my next purchase will probably come from here!

But, wait, I've always said I'm not a jewelry girl... ;)