Rose A La Mode

Did You Know?

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It was kind of a boring day. Beautiful, but boring. I’ll spare you the details of how many 30 Rock episodes I watched and instead tell you 5 things about me that you (probably) don’t already know.

  1. When I was 5 years old, I played Gretl in “The Sound of Music” at a local theater. My brother was Kurt. Everyone thought I was so cute, that I was in the local paper!
  2. I’ve been to Vegas 5 times and never once gambled! I did, however, see Tom Jones! It was awesome!
  3. Mashed potatoes and gravy might be my favorite food on the planet.
  4. Bob and I were best friends for 2 years before we started dating. And he is the first and last boyfriend.
  5. Everyday I make myself my favorite drink: a honey latte. You should try one. They’re delicious and sweet without all that sugar!

Now tell me something I don’t know about you!

Anthropologie Dress

Jenny Present Necklace

Necklace: Jenny Present
Dress: Anthropologie
Jeans: American Eagle

Survey Says: Good Life for Less

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I’m really excited for you to read these answers from the amazing Jill from Good Life for Less. She’ been a HUGE inspiration to me and I’m pretty sure once we do meet, we’ll be BFFs! She also just wrote an e-book about what every woman needs to have. I’m obsessed! So go buy her book, check out her site, and say hello! But not until after you read this:

1. What is your go-to item?

The boring and predictable answer to this (if you know me) is jeans. They are first and foremost in my wardrobe as a busy mom. But lately I have been more dependent on my shoe collection; and more determined in building it. I find that having four to six (or more !!!) pairs of REALLY great shoes can take my wardrobe further and make it more interesting. What do I mean by “REALLY great” – I mean shoes that fit great and make me feel great, that offer enough variety that simple outfits can be easily transformed by them and that express my personality best. I deem 2011 the year of the shoe, for me at least.

2. What is your secret weapon? (Moroccan Oil? Great shoe insoles? Spanx? Give it up!)

I don’t know if I have ONE magic bullet. But I will say this, for a long time I wouldn’t even think about wearing drugstore make-up. (gasp!) But I ran out of patience searching out the best of the best and my wallet ran out of patience forking over the funds for the good stuff – that is when I discovered Boots No. 7 at Target. Their make up is simple to use (big for me) and always looks amazing. So there you have it, I found the perfect drugstore make-up and I am eating my own words.

3. What is on your (realistic) wish list right now?

This is a great question… I have a to-do list that is frightening right now (for me at least). So the other day at the side of my to-do list I listed three rewards for completing certain items. They are a pair of shoes from Target I have been eyeing, a new nail polish or two in honor of the New Year and a few new pieces of make-up (also in honor of the New Year). So, that’s my short list!

4. How do you keep things fresh everyday?

Accessories!!! Scarves, bracelets, earrings, belts, etc. My wardrobe would be nothing without some fun accessories.

5. If you could go shopping with anybody, who would it be and why?

Can I name two people? The first is kind of funny, but I just picture shopping with Oprah to be really productive. I have a feeling she wouldn’t mince words when you ask her how you look. And really, every gal needs some honest to goodness truth in the fitting room. No? Next I would say Gwenyth Paltrow. She always looks so effortless and gorgeous. I want her secrets.

6. Who is your Fashion Icon?

I don’t know if I have one… I always like bits and pieces of people’s style, but I don’t know if I directly relate to one. These days I seem to find most of my inspiration from bloggers, which I think speaks volumes about where fashion or style blogging is going. There about a handful of gals that I pull inspiration from on a random basis – my style has definitely evolved from reading fashion blogs.

7. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about fashion?

Always, always just be you. Experiment with who you are, but don’t try to be someone else. I get some flack on my blog at times for wearing (pretty much) only jeans… but that’s who I am. I won’t apologize or change for my readers. There are plenty of gals out there that don’t wear only jeans, check them out.

8. What do you do to keep yourself fresh & looking great during travel/vacation?

I will say first, lots of water. I tend to get off kilter while traveling and if I don’t get enough water it’s liable to ruin a perfectly fine day. Next up I don’t skimp on the toiletries like trading travel sized items for the items I usually use. I don’t take the chance. Lastly, I always pack my favorite clothes – why not? Bring out the big guns, it’s vacay!

9. What is the best cheap/drugstore item that is totally underrated?

I touched on this in #2… but I also love Garnier hair products (they are SO cheap!) and Dove soap (total must have!).

10. What is the one item you should splurge on?

Shoes… I don’t mind the cheap ones, but I think it’s good to have a few really high quality pairs on hand as well. Nordstrom Rack is perfect for snagging a great deal on shoes. I have a pair of Donald Pliners and MICHAEL Michael Kors shoes that were both originally like $300 each that I probably only spent $50 each on. There is nothing like expensive shoes.

Survey Says: Rose à la Mode

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Sorry for the late post. I’ve been working on something for you. And, well, Bob and I had to go get our Costco membership tonight. That place has lots of cool stuff!

Anyway, I love a good survey. And I equally love hearing tips that others have learned along the way. It seems like everyone knows so many things that I don’t! Ha ha! So I’m going to play catch up. I’m filling out this survey and get some friends to fill in their tips too. If you want to participate, let me know!

Hunter Wellies

1. What is your go-to item?

Seems like it’s my denim and chambray shirts. They are so versatile and go with everything. You can wear them casually or dress ’em up. They’re comfortable, warm, and great with layers.

2. What is your secret weapon? (Moroccan Oil? Great shoe insoles? Spanx? Give it up!)

I’d say my secret weapon is lots and lots of blush. I read a quote that said, “The lower I feel, the higher the heels.” Well, the lower I feel, the more blush I put on. Ha ha! Lip color (weather it be a gloss or lipstick) really adds a lot to your look as well.

3. What is on your (realistic) wish list right now?

A new swimsuit, Hunter boots, a mani/pedi, a pair of Steve Madden Wedge Sandals, and a pair of Sperry top siders.

4. How do you keep things fresh everyday?

I sometimes find it really difficult to keep it fresh, but I am driven by boredom. I don’t like wearing the same outfit more than once or twice. Not sure why, I just don’t. So I have learned to continually create new looks. I can’t afford to buy a new wardrobe every season. Most of my pieces I wear year-round. But by adding little accessories, or rolling up the sleeves, I’ve discovered I can create different looks and keep from getting bored.

5. If you could go shopping with anybody, who would it be and why?

I’d have to say Rachel Zoe. Besides  the fact that she really knows her stuff and could help me look amazing, I think she’d stretch me to go outside of my box and force me to try things I’ve never tried before.

6. Who is your Fashion Icon?

I love Audrey Hepburn. I know it’s totally cliche, but it’s cliche for a reason. She knew what to put on to make herself look great. She was timeless, but always updated. Plus, she changed the way people viewed fashion back then. She was stick thin in the midst of Marilyn Manroe’s and Sophia Loren’s. Pretty impressive. And her look is much easier for me to pull off.

7. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about fashion?

Most important thing I learned is that you can do whatever you want. I am the type of person who likes rules, but I am slowly learning that it’s good to break the rules. Wear black and brown together. Wear white after Labor Day. You can do whatever you want as long as you are intentional about it and stick to your guns.

8. What do you do to keep yourself fresh & looking great during travel/vacation?

This question I put on here so I could get everybody else’s response. I have a friend who took a picture of herself on a windy beach and she looked so chic while (on the same day and at the same beach) I looked like an absolute bum. She was wearing dangly earrings, and she made an attempt to fix her hair in a way that would look good wind blown. I just threw my greasy hair back into a ponytail with a headband. It wasn’t pretty. Oh, and she makes her old sundresses into swimsuit cover-ups instead of using a pair of shorts or a giant t-shirt. Love that idea!

9. What is the best cheap/drugstore item that is totally underrated?

Cover Girl blush is great. And it doesn’t clog pores! (As I mentioned before, I love blush!)

10. What is the one item you should splurge on?

I should be spending money on skincare. I used to have skincare mixed specifically for my face (I need to get back to that!) and it was amazing. My skin was much more smooth and clear. I think when we’re young, we don’t realize how important this is, but I don’t want to look like I’m 70 when I’m 40. I’ve got to get on the ball with this one.