Summertime Part 5: Anniversary

Despite my lack of photographical evidence on this site, I really did get married last September (09/09/09 to be exact). We celebrated our 1st anniversary and had a wonderful day together. We both took off work and just puttered around the city eating and stopping by interesting places.

We got married at Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, KY. It was a beautiful and perfect location. We made a stop by after brunch to take a walk around the grounds and took this pic of ourselves. Not bad for an iPhone!

I never did share any wedding pics so now's a good a time as any, right? All the photos below were taken by Jessica Powell of Vogue Visions Photography. She did a ridiculously amazing job and I still get all caught up in looking at them. She also has a blog post up of some more of our photos if you're just dying to see more :)

 This is the porch we got married on - The sun was setting and the sky was blue...perfection

 With my Mama and Daddy

 We're standing in the same spot as the pic we took our our anniversary...just facing the opposite direction.

 This pic cracks me up b/c Al's making some smart-a$$ comment to me through gritted teeth.

 Both of Al's parents have passed away so we had a candle in their memory.

 Isn't my Mama pretty?! This is one of my favorite pictures.

And now for the official "outfit" breakdown :)

Dress: J. Crew Sophia in Champagne

Sash: Ebay

blue brooch: QVC

necklace: QVC

bracelets: One from my Mama and one was Al's mom's

shoes: Christian Louboutin

I decided to "blow my wad" on accessories and not my dress. I figure I'll get WAY more mileage out of shoes and jewelry than I would a dress.

The brooch is WAY prettier in person. The QVC pic is just ugly compared to how sparkly and dynamic it really is.

The cuff is my Mama's. I bought it for her when I went to Australia and the other bracelet was Al's mom's. His sister gave it to me the week of the wedding. Together they were perfect with what I had in mind.

You can see my necklace a little better here. I made my bouquet myself from flowers from Kroger. Not bad for $35, huh?

And that's it!! I have tons and tons more of pics, but no one wants to look at that many :)

In search of a new statement belt

Skirt: J Crew

Pumps: Diba at Meijer

I'm in search of another statement belt.

Before I bought this belt with the large rodeo clip, I had never spent more than $20 on a belt or similar type accessory. Just seemed to be extravagant--and it's just a belt, right? But after purchasing this one, I'm a firm believer that sometimes, it can be worth it. Every time I wear this belt, whether it's with jeans or a skirt or anything, it completely changes the entire look of the outfit.

There's one I have my eye on that is a black belt with a gold crown buckle...that could be fun. But what I love about this one are all the colors in the buckle that I can bring out.

As much as I love this piece, I'm ready for a new statement belt. Anyone have any great places they love to shop for fun belts?

Will they make it?

Khaki Pencil Skirt: J Crew

Leopard Print Peep Toe Pumps: Nine West via Marshalls

My leopard print pumps may be forced to make their way into mush and grime for a media story from flooding this afternoon. No other spare shoes on site to change into. Peep toe means grime not only ruins shoes but hits bare feet. This could be bad folks. Update coming on whether the leopard pumps survived in my next post. Cross your fingers for them--and my feet!

Wardrobe replacement stress

I dont care that it's the heat of summer. My office is cold so I put on my favorite long sleeve wrap tee today and felt blissfully comfortable! While I have a short sleeve version in white and lime, they just arent the same as the long sleeve and how utterly comfy and warm I feel in them. I cant wait to grab the new dark fall colors this fall at my favorite home clothing party!

You know those items in your closet that you begin to stress out about them wearing out because you don't know how you'll survive without them? (Well, I do this but I stress out about a lot of "what if's" in life and my closet is no exception!) This tee is one of those as well as this J Crew khaki pencil skirt. I bought the skirt a few years ago when I needed a tan color skirt for an event (it was that or shorts and you all know how often you see me in shorts --other than cotton workout shorts, I own one pair -- and I just got those on vacation!) so I just grabbed the skirt for the event with no long-term plans. It quickly turned into a 3-season wardrobe staple. It fits great and goes with everything. When I dropped grease on it a couple months ago, I stood at the sink scrubbing for several minutes -- because there was no way I was going to lose this skirt! I think it has another year in it if I'm lucky -- It's starting to feel worn -- so Im on the lookout already for a replacement!

What item in your closet are you already worrying about having to try to replace one day?

Leslie + Flat Sandals?!?!?

FLATS: Mossimo at Target

Yes, you are not seeing things. That is me wearing -- I can't believe it either-- flats! I finally have a single pair in my closet (not counting my Old Navy wedge flip flops which I don't truly count as "flats").

I know it seems crazy but I wear some sort of heels all the time. I own one pair of sneakers and that's it. And no flat summer sandals. It really goes back to a body image issue and mental issue -- I typically feel short and squatty in flats and heels just make my posture better, make me feel sassier, etc.

However, when I came across these flats, I thought they were cute enough that I may be ready to take the plunge against short and squatty and try them out. I'm so glad I did--I think they are adorable, they are obviously comfortable, and I do really feel good in them! I think maybe I need the other pair in turquiose. Maybe.

But this still doesn't end my love affair with 3 inch heels. Just so you know. Just makes me know that I may survive the trauma of no longer being able to wear heels when my back gives out eventually from wearing them non-stop for years.

And the winner is... !!!

Black and White Floral Print Skirt - Cato

White blouse - Cato

Black cardigan - JCrew Jackie

Long silver necklace (that you can't see in the pic) - Forever21

Red heels - Gucci via Saks Off 5th












I'm a little late posting this, but here is the outfit that I wore on my 1st day at the new job. I was in a rush and only snapped one picture, but you get the idea of it. The JCrew Jackie Cardigan is my absolute favorite cardigan out there. I think it's perfection and if I could afford it, I would own several more. They hold up very well. This is my 2nd year with this one. Strange thing though, the ones you buy at the outlet are crap. I guess you get what you pay for sometimes!!
And I know the shoes aren't "cheap", but I did get them well below retail at Saks Off 5th Outlet.
I'm also wearing a long silver, multi strand necklace from Forever121, but it doesn't really show up in the picture.
I think the next time I wear this, I'll try to throw in a little more color up top. It's kind of snoozeworthy til you get to the shoes :)

So, now for the giveaway winner! Drumroll, please......!!!










































It's Kayla from over at Internal Sequin Issues! Congrats, Kayla!! I hope you enjoy everything :)

Lesson Learned

Dragonfly Sweater: Old Navy

Floral Shirt: Old Navy

Chino Skirt: J Crew

Heels: Fioni by Payless

I'm glad there isn't a lot of natural light happening in this picture so you can't see the mess that is my legs. I've been wearing pants for a few days straight for a reason. All I can say is you know how they tell you to not use sunless tanner if it's more than a year old because the color may be blotchier or not as good? Well, I had never abided by that. My lotions had always been fine. But I pulled out my Loreal Sublime Glow spray (was my favorite last year and they stopped making it) and let's just say it wasn't real good after a year. Lesson learned. Sprays are fickle. Fading is almost complete.

If only I had time for real sun....

Vacation is soon enough though and that will be lots of real sun...I'm putting together my list of beach reads/summer pool time reads. If you have any suggestions for me leave them in the comments section. KT has already advised me of the Luxe, Rumors and Envy series which are on their way to me via Ebay but I need more!

Tweed Pants: Ann Taylor

Green Cashmere Sweater: J Crew

Purple Cami: Old Navy

Boots: Maripa

Feeling a little Mardi Gras wearing green and purple together today but I just didn't want to wear a "normal" color underneath. It's kinda fun to have an unexpected pop of color.

These pants are so drapey, which I never realized until I started photographing my outfits. For maximum flattering and effect, I think they really need a tucked in shirt with a belt. But sometimes, as we all know, it isn't about what is the number one most flattering--it's about what is the most comfortable. And this outfit was indeed that!

Ryder Cup Fashion

For those of you not living in Louisville or not sports fans, the Ryder Cup was this past weekend. It's the biggest sporting event in golf, pitting the best of the Americans against the Europeans. If you haven't already picked up by reading the blog, I'm a massive sports fan. I've been to some fabulous games before. I've been to 2 PGA Championships; traveled to Texas A&M, Annapolis, Texas and Ohio St for football games; numerous Bowl Games; the UofL vs WVU game in 2006 where a national championship berth was on the line (only to be dashed by Rutgers the following week but I try to forget that) and I was so excited and nervous I couldn't eat all day; and most notably the 2005 Final Four in St. Louis where Louisville played Illinois. I've seen a lot-- but I have never seen anything like the excitement, the atmosphere and the exhilaration of the Ryder Cup! Where else can you hear Europeans sing Ole, see Leprechauns on the course, watch a US player ride his driver down the fairway like a stick horse Happy Gilmore style or see golf fans do the wave and cheer when a ball hits the water? I'm still on such a high right now that I would place the experience above the Final 4 on my list of life sporting events-- I can safely say the only thing that could eclipse the Ryder Cup would be seeing UofL win a national championship in person.

And the U.S. won the Cup! I was worried when I realized I ate Lucky Charms for breakfast that morning. I was hoping that I didn't curse the team and my ever reasonable father assured me that I didn't. And what a celebration it was!



Anyhow, I'm gushing. Let me get to the point.

As interesting as anything was seeing the difference in fashion between the Americans and Europeans. The Americans were classic all week -- khaki, navy and red--and even argyle one day! (A special shout out to the self proclaimed "bad-ass and man of the people" Anthony Kim who always has a blingy belt buckle-- his specially made Ryder Cup buckle is pictured below).













In contrast to the classic Americans, the Europeans were....well, very European. They wore shirts that (particularly in person) were the brightest aquamarine you've ever seen. Pair them with snug fitting white pants and well....they were very European. Enough said.












Just as interesting was what the WAGS (Wives and Girfriends) were wearing. Their outfits coordinated as well. Like the men, the American women went classic, wearing versions of navy, khaki and red. (The wives of the team captains assist in the design of the women's and men's wardrobes). Pictured below is what they wore Saturday. On Sunday the women simply wore navy skirts and red polos. They coordinated well with the men each day and their outfits were flattering on each and every body type.









I was so very disappointed in the European women though! Their best outfit day (pictured below) was a blah unflattering shirt of pale yellow and white with khakis. And that was the good day. The worst was 2 days they made them wear (and I don't lie) ivory polyester gauchos with cargo pockets (and a pale blue tank which you didn't even notice because of how awful the ivory cargo gauchos were). They were so dreadful I scoured the internet for a pic and could not find one. What was even worse was just that they were so unflattering-- the Euro WAGS were all tiny blonde things- and they didn't even look good in them.









So what did I wear you ask?

Saturday, I was auditioning for the American Wives and Girlfriends club. (Hunter Mahan- above in red hitting the shot of the tournament- is my new golf crush- and he's a bachelor. Hunter-- call me. Look how well I already fit in! I know the sport, I'll cheer for you....call me Hunter.)

And I promised my dad a shout out. When the rain started Saturday morning and my hair was quickly wilting, Dad saved the day by giving me his khaki and red (it even matched) ball cap. Thanks Dad! And the picture below was taken at 5:50 a.m. and was the best I looked all day--the drizzle started at 6:45 a.m. and on went the ball cap.


Red Tee: Old Navy

Men's Stripe Necktie worn as belt: Ralph Lauren

Khaki Skirt: J Crew

Sneakers: Keds















Sunday I wore my official Ryder Cup polo, khakis and a red bracelet since Captain Paul Azinger asked us to wear red.

White Ryder Cup Polo: Some overpriced brand of logo wear

Khakis: Limited

Bracelet: Forever 21

Sneakers: Keds

Tuesday- Leslie

Top: The Limited

Cami: The Limited

Bag: The Limited (where else?)

Skirt: J Crew

Shoes: Mossimo

Live from South Beach in Hilton Head Island, it's LESLIE! I know ya missed me. I am alive and look, I'm even getting dressed this week!!! It's a big deal.

My family made fun of me going to dinner saying that it was vacation and I should just throw on the flip flops. I told them I did not have to sink to their level. These are the great floral shoes I talked about last week in my post that were my motivation to feel better. I quite adore them and had fun wearing them this evening--and must admit that they are very comfortable!! I did put Blister Block on and also put flip flops in the car just in case. There was no way I would give my family the satisfaction over complaining that my shoes hurt.

Anyhow, I still look pasty white because I've mainly been chilling under the umbrella relaxing with my book. No complaints though. It's a good way to be when you're still quite medicated and regaining strength.

I'll try to post again later this week. I tried to get my family to do a full family guest post but they all said they didn't bring anything cute enough for blogging. We'll see.