Aaaand... It's Done!

Quite a few weeks ago I shared the beginnings of our little shed project with you.  Well, here it is in all it's cute little shed glory.  I can't tell you what a difference it is soon to make--as quickly as my husband can install all the shelves and hooks--in our lives, in terms of organization.  All of our gardening supplies can vacate the garage...exit stage left all you rakes and sprinkler fittings!  It sounds so silly but I am very happy.  Thank you Daddy and my Ty!

My darling little salvaged windows look right at home.

 After we move a bit of dirt up here to even out the level, I'm thinking I need to plant another Japanese boxwood border around the base of the shed.  I just need to soften it so that it doesn't look as though it was just dropped onto the dirt, like it does right now.

 My cute little blue barn doors are the same color as the other gates and my front door: "Homecoming Blue" by Valspar.  We went with a diamond detail to match the window on the other side.

Also, I'm thinking that a little English Ivy creeping around the far side and up over the barn door wouldn't hurt either.

Isn't it so rewarding when a project comes to a successful end?

What I'm Loving: Plaid

The Cat and I were at the mall a little while ago when she came up to me with a plaid shirt straight out of my high school days and asked if she could try it on.  She then proceeded to tell me that she had this vision of an outfit in her head, and had been wanting to recreate it for some time now- it involves an edgy tank, torn jeans, and a plaid shirt tied at the waist.  When she tried it on and showed me, I mentioned that it looked cute; it was a little nineties-grunge.  She grinned and informed me that was exactly the look she was going for.

It always amazes me how even kids can be so up on fashion.  Had she seen this trend in the magazines or on tv?  No- she had been watching older episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Netflix, among other nineties television gems, and had decided that was a look worth updating.  I know she hadn't seen it anywhere recently, because when I later showed her a new magazine touting the plaid nineties grunge look to be in for fall, she was ecstatic that she had put together an outfit, on her own, that was quite reminiscent of the spread that I showed her.

My kid is awesome.

So is plaid, and I'm glad it's back in for fall.  I love a good plaid in the classic style, as it just screams fall, but I also like that this fall's plaids are a little more edgy and fun.

image via

See?!  Such a classic!

image via

In the past, I've belted white shirts, blue shirts, and chambray shirts over dresses; I love the idea of belting an over-sized plaid shirt over a simple dress.  I think this would be an easy way to play up the plaid trend.

Buy it here- Revolve Clothing

I love the gold studs on the pockets- such a fun update!  Plus, I love pairing plaid shirts with more structured pencil skirts (my Banana Republic one is still MIA, but will hopefully get here soon).  

Ralph Lauren jacket- view it here

I love this look.  I love the jacket, which is Ralph Lauren, I love the shoes, I love the scarf... Oh, how I love that scarf!

Ralph Lauren

I am pretty sure I need this oil cloth jacket in my closet. It would go with everything, and the plaid lining is perfect.

Ralph Lauren Plaid Poncho

There was a time when I didn't like this type of poncho. I just wasn't really a fan. It's kind of odd, since I have always loved swing coats, capes, and capelets, and they are really similar to this style, but I was just never really on board with the whole poncho thing. But I recently purchased one (it just looked so comfy!) and now apparently I am totally on board, because I would love to add this to my wardrobe as well.
I hope you are enjoying your weekend!  Happy Sunday.

The Flower Recipe Book/ Fall Arrangement DIY

Amazon.com only &17.46 with Amazon prime or $24.95 in BN stores.

One place my husband and I like to go on date nights is Barnes and Noble.  I know this sounds really funny but it is so nice to sit in quiet and scan new books and magazines without the kids around.  One book I recently came across is this "The Flower Recipe Book."  It is brilliant and would make a really perfect gift. There are step by step instructions for numerous arrangements and floral projects.  So often I gain inspiration by just looking at a gorgeous arrangement but I'm not exactly sure how to re-create it or the number of stems it requires.  This book takes the guess work out of the process.  

I was trained in floral design while in high-school and I still love to work with flowers; it's one of my very favorite things to do for parties or just to enjoy everyday.  Even if you have never worked with flowers I feel confident that this book will make you a pro!

I don't have this awesome book yet (I am going to order it this weekend, though) but last week I decided to try a more free form arrangement (very popular right now) with a fall feel and show you step-by-step what I did.  Take a look!

 I purchased my flowers from our local grocer so they were very affordable.  This is the perfect way to have fresh flowers in your home on a regular basis.  

 This style of arranging should look a bit off-kilter.  It makes it feel more natural and interesting.  I used 4 stems of "Queen Anne's Lace" to create the line.  I could also have used branches.

 Next I used large leaves (not sure of the name here) to hide the ugly frog and to create some fullness and then placed three stems of geranium for color.

 Then I clipped a few olive branches from my tree out back to add in a bit more fullness but be sure not to go against the shape of the Queen Anne's Lace too much.

There you have it!  Super easy and it didn't require many stems because it is a one-sided arrangement.  I placed it on my desk in the office/library because I love the colors against my charcoal walls.

Happy Saturday everyone!

Running Errands

Running Errands by desertgirls featuring ralph lauren

GUESS blue jeans / UGG Australia slipper / Tory Burch handbag / Kate Spade glasses / Ralph Lauren /

Today I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies, and the subject is weekend wear. More specifically, we were tasked with creating an outfit for running errands. Lately, this kind of outfit has been my uniform outside of work. I love my lightly distressed skinny jeans, a split tab collared top. (See the one below? I bought one just like it, in black, at TJ Maxx a while back. And then when I found them at Marshall's, I got one in blue. And green. Oh, and white, like the one in the picture).

buy it here

Anyhoo.  I wore my white one to work yesterday, and then went home and changed into my black one after I somehow managed to get a spot on the pocket right before the Cat and I had to leave to go to a seminar.  I'm thinking the green one might be feeling left out; I'd better be sure to wear it this weekend while I do my running around.  If I ever make it out of bed, that is.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Inspiration: Romantic Fall

It is very hot today but there are subtle differences that foreshadow the coming of Autumn.  This fall I am really inspired by all things lush and romantic: gold gilt, crystal, silk and rich toned blooms.  I am really loving the new Valentino ads inspired by Dutch still life and delftware.  Gorgeous.  See if you don't agree!

image via garancedore.fr

images via loriabercrombie

image via styleserendipity.com

Valentino Fall 2013 from Harper's Bazaar via imageamplified.com

via fashiongonerogue
Are you getting excited about Fall's approach too?

This has been, and will continue to be, a very busy week.  I am getting tons of thing done so I feel pretty good about it.  Today I need to update my resume and clean the kids playroom.  Talk about opposite ends of the to-do-list spectrum!

Time for Pins

Wednesday.  Ah, Wednesday, you little temptress you.  You hold such promise- a little reminder that the weekend is almost here.  Not too long ago I didn't really care if it was the weekend or not; every day might as well have been the weekend.  But now that we are into our first full week of school, I have to say I am really looking forward to the loveliness that is Saturday.  Don't get me wrong; I think this school year is off to a pretty good start.  But I am exhausted, people!  I come home with achy feet and so much to still get done that I feel like time is just flying.  I really, really want to sleep!

Until that happens, though, I thought I'd share some of my favorite pins from this past week.  Although, let's face it, there hasn't really been much time for pinning, and really, why would I pin something that wasn't already a favorite to begin with?!

It's kind of unreal how gorgeous this is, no?! Gorgeous. Almost ridiculously so.
  Yes please. I would love a piece like this for my living room. Am I the only one who finds the new pinterest set up terribly annoying?! I mean, come on! Who actually likes that red "pin it" being stamped across the front, and what is up with the way the pins have to be embedded? I really, really, really don't like it. Also, I am really, really, really tired... I hope you have a fantastic Wednesday!! Thanks to Michelle over at The Vintage Apple for hosting!

Inspiration: Collegiate Style

image via stylebistro.com

Just in case you haven't noticed, ivy league style is back in a big way for Fall and all the designers are on board.  This is a style that I happen to really love and always have.  The sort of upscale, preppy look is pretty timeless and brings back fond memories of our college days.  I wish I had attended a university as beautiful as the ones pictured below.  What is it about gorgeous architecture and stripped scarves that makes one want to study?   

Image of Vassar College via evolveimages.com

image via essentialhommemag.com

via garrisonhullinger.com

image via great-ads

image via stylewallflower.com

Here we are clowning around in our preppy fall clothes!  You can see other photos from this post here.

image via vogue.com

via ivy-style.com

via desiid.com

via glamourboysinc.com
I just found out (after publishing this post) that my wonderful former Shakespeare professor, Dr. Michael Flachmann, has passed away suddenly.  His death is a great loss to the University as well as the Utah Shakespeare Festival, his family and numerous friends.
I lovingly dedicate this post to his memory.