Fourth of July Inspired

Dress: Old Navy
Sweater: No Name
Shoes: Lucky Brand

Watch: Fossil
Bracelet: Sabika

Earrings: Chloeandisabel. Find here.
Necklace: Damas. Gift from my mother-in-law. Find Damas jewelry here.

Love this heart.

Flat Pizaazz

Life has been rather hectic the past couple of days. I'm still adjusting to the new job while trying to figure out personalities (human and four-legged), computer programs (I'm now the practice's IT it-person...this would make others at the non-profit laugh hysterically) and inventory updates (trying to implement a practical system). 

And of course, I can't do any of that while wearing heels, platforms or wedges. Oh, how I miss my desk job that didn't require flats for going to the copier, kitchen and/or conference table! It's not that I don't like flats...I have flat feet and wearing something with a heel helps with the no-arch thing. But more important, I think heeled-shoes, sandals, slippers, you name it look better on me, and I appreciate the added height.

So if I have to wear flats, they better be something other than Dr. Scholls or something NOT approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association or APMA for short.

Here's what I found. All courtesy of TJMaxx...they have must have known I was looking for some decent flats.

What do you think?

Best,

H.

Make: Lucky Brand
Colors: Navy and white, nautical
Material: Fabric
Find pricier version here. 

Make: Reaction, Kenneth Cole
Color: Black
Material: Patent leather
Find here.

Make: Anne Klein Sport
Color: Beige and tan
Material: Leather
Find similar here. 

Monday's Deal of the Day

Sharing is definitely caring. My friend came over today to pick up her Turquoise Convertible Necklace (totally love...find here.) We chatted for a little bit, and then she shared some serious, serious information. No, she's not moving, pregnant or quitting her job. To some people, the information she shared could be considered confidential. Top Secret! 

The information could be top secret and confidential because not many women share beauty secrets let alone beauty deals. But, not this beauty. She shared. She told me to get to the local grocery store to find some make-up deals. Yes, the grocery story. What's wrong with that? Even better? Everything is $1. I know what you're thinking...used make-up, expired make-up, clown make-up. None of that; instead pretty decent drug-store brands like Maybelline, Loreal and Cover Girl (to name a few) in large bins.

She did warn me that the ladies were going wild sorting through the bins. No kidding. I wanted to snap some pics but was afraid of getting whacked with some waterproof mascara. 

I bought 26 pieces...not all for myself of course. For someone who wears a lot of Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, Lancome, Dior and M.A.C., I got a rush rifling through the bins...all thanks to my friend who shared the information.

What's your deal of the day?

Best,

H.

Here are some of the deals.

Here's the look:

Shirt: Jones New York
Pants: New York and Company
Shoes: Anne Klein

Can't remember where I got these pieces but they go real well together.

Applied some of my drugstore lipstick...no rash yet. LOL!

Ruffles All Around

Happy Father's Day to all! Hope you are enjoying it with those you love.

Best,

H.

Here's the look:
Ruffle cami: Bon Ton; old
Ruffle Skirt: Liz Claiborne
Jacket: Christian Siriano via Sam's Club
Shoes: Nine West
Purse: Michael Kors

Bracelets: Sabika and chloeandisabel

Petite Pear Crystal Collar Necklace: Chloeandisabel. Find here.
Flower necklace: Sabika

In Honor of World Cup 2014...

I'm bringing out the Brazil colors today. I will root for the USA! USA! USA! until they lose to Ghana (again); and then after that, it's debatable. I do love the Brazilian players.

Are you watching?

Best,

H.

Here's the look:

Shirt: Chaus; last year
Pants: Old Navy
Shoes: Steve Madden; like 5 summers ago or something
Bracelet: chloeandisabel

Earrings: Erica Lyons
Necklace: chloeandisabel

My green thumb is getting a workout this year.

Blue Suede Shoes

Back to the grind. I started my first full-week at the animal hospital today, and I am exhausted. The position is not only mentally exhausting but physically taxing. I think that I may have traveled up and down the stairs at least 20 times today. Can you say a glute workout? Hey, maybe my goal of being a hot mom by 40 will be a reality...if you recall, I wrote about this in a previous post...still working on it.

Going up and down the stairs all day definitely requires comfortable and quiet shoes. And by quiet, I mean shoes that don't signal to staff and clients of the hospital, "I'M HERE!" Shoes that don't startle the puppies and kittens as they wake up from their anesthesia. 

I found these shoes unexpectedly at tjmaxx. I can't remember why I went in, but I walked out with these...perfect for the daily grind.

Hope you had a wonderful Monday.

Best,

H.

Here's the look:
Shirt: jcp...a find a couple of weekends ago. Read here.
Skirt: Grace Elements
Shoes: Anne Klein. Find similar here.
Purse: Michael Kors

Earrings: Super old; can't remember where I got them
Necklace: groopdealz

Bracelet: Super old, can't remember where I got it

Mello Yellow

 I know that a lot of bloggers don't post on the weekends and take the weekend off. I, on the other hand, find that writing on Sunday is very cathartic.

On Saturday, we had a nice get-together at my house with my sister, her family ( and her in-laws) and my parents. The hubbster grilled steaks, kofta and sweet sausage. Yummy. My mom made her famous lasagna. Plenty of food for all...especially since tomorrow we will start the Apostles' Fast. This fast commemorates the preparation of the apostles preaching God's words to the whole world. If the spirit moves you, you can read more about it here. Later that night, I bought a new Sabika piece via text. Gotta love technology! The necklace I purchased will definitely be paired with one of my chloeandisabel pieces, and I'll definitely show both off when I get it.

After church today, the boys and I went to see their friend's dance performance. One word to describe what we saw: TALENT. As we walked out I turned to them and said, "See, this is what life would be like if you guys had a sister." What I got in return from them: a series of eye rolls. 

Tomorrow not only marks the start of the fast (32 days long) but also my first full-week at the animal hospital and the boys summer vacation...not that there's any real relationship among the three. 

I'm ready to take on this new challenge. But you better believe that I'll be adding some fashion flavor as I do it. Can't have it any other way!

Happy Sunday!

Best,

H.

Love my Betsey Johnson leopard multi-row necklace find here with my chloeandisabel long strand pearl and crystal drops necklace find here.

Here's the look:
Gauze tunic: bargain find last year, yes, from Sears. I think I may have purchased it in another color (teal or green) but have to find it.
Skirt: Kasper, part of a suit.
Shoes: Madden Girl

The pictures behind me have been there for about 6 months. Waiting until the hubby has time to put them up for me.

Last Day

So after 5 1/2 + years, today was my last day at the nonprofit. Bittersweet. Instead of splitting my time (like I have been for the past 1 1/2 years) between the non-profit and the animal hospital, I will wake up tomorrow morning and just report to the animal hospital. It's not that I prefer dogs and cats over humans (because animal hospitals have humans too, lots of them), but the animal hospital does need me more. And more importantly, it's about family.

I may have to have a complete wardrobe overhaul in the next couple of weeks. No, I'm not giving up my stilettos (*wink * wink) for scrubs, but I will need to invest in more durable clothing. I will try my very best (can't promise anything) to keep my accessorizes to a minimum...you know, just a necklace/earring-ring combo or a necklace/earring-bracelet combo. Maybe I'll bring out the statement necklaces ONLY on Fridays. I think that I may have to find excuses, so that I make it to the non-profit once in a while, to get outfit ideas and check out the latest accessories. 

We shall see...

Happy Wednesday. Weekend is almost here.

Best,

H.

Here's the look:

Dress: tjmaxx, old
Shoes: Nine West
Necklaces: bead necklace, no name; old. Feather necklace, chloeandisabel. Find here.
Bracelet: no name; old.

Earrings: chloeandisabel. Find here. 

Don't know where my highlights went.

Love this dainty feather necklace. Find online at my boutique at chloeandisabel.com/boutique/heidir

Transition

After a wonderful weekend with my family in New Jersey (yes, New Jersey; we were getting my mother-in-law), it's back to a workday Monday.

I spent most of my day cleaning out my office, answering emails and copying and transferring files and getting them to people who may need them. No, I wasn't last minute spring cleaning but rather finishing up my work (which will continue after I leave) before my final day at the non-profit.

After 5 1/2+ years working with the same people (people I like) day in and day out, it will be a definite adjustment. But I did learn something about myself today while cleaning out my office: I am a HOARDER. I have been told that numerous times by my office mates but have always dismissed them (in the most professional manner). I found every kind of adhesive tape possible in one of my desk drawers...duct tape, packaging tape, masking tape, clear tape and even electrical tape. Electrical tape! Why on earth would I have this? I think I may have needed it for a summer camp activity three years ago...or I am just a hoarder.

I also packed up about a dozen or so of note- and to-do -filled tablets. And truly, one of the keys to success is keeping a to-do list and crossing out the small and the big accomplishments...even if one of the items on the to-do list is to revise the to-do list.

Knowing that I had some cleaning to do today, I opted for an outfit suitable for moving boxes and organizing shelves.

Hope you had a great Monday.

Best,

H.

Here's the look:
Shirt: Old Navy. Find here.
Pants: Old Navy. Find here.
Shoes: Nine West

Statement necklace, can't remember where I found it but I love the colors.
Earrings: Erica Lyons, gifted
Note the Botox-free forehead. Was very close to getting some Botox injected while in Jersey.

Chloeandisabel knot bracelet. Find here: chloeandisabel.com/boutique/heidir

Can't really tell that I got highlights and lowlights but I did. Opted for highlights instead of Botox. I know, what a toss up.