Kentucky Derby Style

I have decided to add "Going to the Kentucky Derby" to my bucket list. Everything about the derby sounds fantastic... especially the fashion!



Kim Kardashian at the 136th Annual Kentucky Derby


Now what would I wear? Hmmm... if it were up to me I would dawn this gorgeous, romantic, frilly, white number from Ralph Lauren's 2010
spring collection...




...and steal Nancy O'Dell's pink couture derby hat! So cute!




And every girl knows that a derby isn't a derby unless you're wearing your cutest pink Manolo Blahniks... duh!






Well, I'd better start saving up so that I can purchase the traditional $1000 Derby Mint Julep!


Mmmm... delish!



Welp, off to the races! Celebrate your weekend in style...

Happy Lovely Friday

Bonjour lovely readers - it's Friday (thank goodness) -how excited are you?

I'm not going to lie, I'm totally jazzed about this weekend! I think my excitement mostly stems from the fact that it's the first weekend in quite some time where I am in town without a million mandatory things to do. Every once in a while you actually need to use the weekend to recover from the week (foreign concept to me) and do something that makes you happy.

Don't get me wrong, I've loved going home to see my family and having my fabulous out-of-town best friends visit me... I'm just ready for some relaxing "me" time enjoying this city I love!


Weekend Fun List

- Farmer's market with the cousins
- Brookside Arts Festival
- Learning how to make creme brulee
- Catching up on my DVR
- Finally using my massage gift card (!!!)
- Enjoying a clean, spotless home
- Patio + wine
- Puppy park
- Good, long run through the park
- Sunday evening church date
- Renting pirate radio w/ my partner in crime



What's on your weekend fun list? Hopefully lots of things that make your heart happy!


Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Things I Love Thursday

Mmmm... garden party.







pretty evening + whimsical garden lights + outdoor dining
good wine + fantastic company + delicious food
laughing + yummy dessert


Now, I'm inspired and ready to plan! What do you love today?

My Little Pony

Have you heard the news about the world's smallest horse? Little Einstein was born this past Monday in New Hampshire weighing only 6 lbs!

At an itty bitty 14 inches tall I think he would make the perfect my little pony!

I could dye his hair pink and spray him with strawberry scented perfume (pony friendly of course!). Oh lordy...


...I want him!








Can you see me walking around the Plaza with my little pony peeking out of my super cute handbag? Ummm... yes, please!

Sweet Tooth

Could this all-white dessert table by Amy Atlas Events be any cuter?

Ummm no. Love it.






...Who wants to have a party?

New Weight Watchers Spokeswoman: Jennifer Hudson

Looking to slim down for swimsuit season or an upcoming wedding? Well, look no further than Jennifer Hudson.

Have you seen the singer/actress lately?! That girl is working hard and looking good. As the new spokeswoman for Weight Watchers, she is inspiring women everywhere to get healthy and empower themselves... including me!



In an interview with MTV, Hudson said this of the Weight Watcher program:

"With Weight Watchers, I am enjoying the weight loss because I'm doing it the right way — I feel empowered with what I've learned, everything from portion control to what foods will help keep me satisfied."

Good Morning America featured Hudson as a guest where she said:

"No one recognizes me anymore ... I want to find a better lifestyle so I set my mind to this challenge for a healthier lifestyle... Weight Watchers isn't a diet it's a lifestyle change."

What a healthy body image and self-confidence message she is sending. I love it! As an advocate of Weight Watchers myself, I feel like the nutrition and support you get helps you educate yourself and reach healthy new goals. I have lost more than 30 lbs. on the Weight Watcher program and I am a firm believer of making healthy lifestyle changes.

Has Jennifer inspired you too? Interested in learning more? Feel free to ask me about my experience - I'd love to answer any questions you may have, or check out weight watchers here.


Become the best YOU that you can be today... Bring on swimsuit season!

Reasons to Smile

So often we save our celebrations for Friday, but why not Monday? Granted Monday is usually thought of as the redheaded stepchild in the days of the week family, but what's so bad about it?

In order to turn this stereotyped day around, and because I like redheads (hugs BF!), my reasons to smile this Monday...



~ love this photo (ballons = happiness).
~ super sweet new blog comments.
~ epic long weekend.
~ found a church home.
~ great sunday dinner/movie with BF.
~ got to work on time, thought I was late.
~ snagged a close parking spot.
~ got a compliment on the outfit I threw together.
~ date with friends tonight.
~ almost finished with massive laundry pile.
~ 8.5 hours of sleep.
~ yummy fruit for breakfast.
~ good coffee.


...Mondays aren't so bad.


Wishing you a lovely week and lots of reasons to smile today!

Giddy Over GLEE

Please tell me you are up-to-date on the most epic
and innovative show on TV right now?!

For you cool kids who are on my wave length, you obviously know that I am talking about "Glee" on Fox... duh! This show is belting Broadway vocals meets comedic genius - absolutely brilliant!



If you missed the first fabulous season of Glee, don't you worry, it's nothing Hulu can't get you caught up on. Wondering if you'll be sorely disappointed? There is no way! This show has something for everyone, so carve out a weekend and get your Glee on!

Back to you seasoned Glee folks... what did you think of tonight's episode? I loved the Madonna theme and amazing mash-up song choices! What about Sue Sylvester's relentless Schuester hair jokes...


"I just lost my train of thought because you have so much margarine in your hair."


"I thought I smelled cookies from the tears of elves weeping that live in your hair."


Bahaha...
She totally makes the show for me.

So, I was watching it [while singing along horribly off-tune], and I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to choose a favorite performance number... until Rachel and Finn performed "Open Your Heart/Borderline".

Wow, that little number sure took me back to the days... well... before I was born. Nevertheless, I couldn't get enough of it!

For your listening pleasure...

GLEE - "Open Your Heart"

[click above]

Are you a Glee fan? What did you think? All I know is it's going to be an incredible season...

True Confessions of the Exhausted

Confession #1: Last night I fell asleep at 6:30 p.m.

Confession #2: Woke up at 9 p.m., showered, back to bed.


Exhausted much?


In order to rally from my anti-social, sleep deficiant ways I plan on doing lots of lovely things to relax and recoop tonight:


play with puppy + read my new SELF mag + light every candle I own
windows open + polish nails + pesto & grilled chicken leftovers
glee + bubble bath + music a la missy higgins
in bed early

...Hello Zzzzzzs!

Live Green: Recycling for Dummies

So we've heard over and over, "Reduce, reuse, recycle", but what does this really mean and why should we care?

I've asked myself these questions too, so don't you worry, we're in the same boat.

After careful research I have learned so much about the importance of recycling. Now I'm a firm believer in doing my part to save the environment.

"Why recycle?" you ask - It's easy as 1, 2, 3...

________________________________________

1) Recycling reduces our overflowing landfill waste by 25 - 50 percent.

- Americans generate approximately 180,000,000 tons of garbage a year. As landfills overflow, more and more land is needed for garbage dumps, reducing natural farmland and beautiful green space. Woah! That's a huge decrease in trash!


2) Recycling conserves our natural resources and reduces consumption of raw materials.

- Sure, it may sound cliche, but reusing paper saves trees! Recycling paper reduces energy spent on creating new paper materials by 60 percent! Less energy = less pollution for us!


3) Recycling saves money, creates new jobs and stimulates an exhausted economy.

- Did you know that we throw away 27 billion glass containers each year? Glass is 100 percent recyclable and can be reused over and over again.

- National employment studies found that the recycling industry creates four jobs for every one job created in waste management.

- The recycling industry is estimated to provide over 2 million jobs and contribute
over $250 Billion to the GDP.

_______________________________

Recycling for Dummies: 5 Easy Steps
_______________________________


1) Find a recycling service or local center.

- Visit Earth 911 to find a recycling center near you!



2) Contact your local center to find out what is acceptable.

- Click here for commonly accepted recyclables. Click here for a complete A-Z list of recyclables that may surprise you!



3) Set up a recycling center in your home.

- All you need to do is buy 4 bins for paper/cardboard, plastic, aluminum, and glass.

- Make it fun! This is your chance to let your creative side roam free! Colors, labels, patterns... you make your recycling center fabulous!


Bungalow Scout Shouldah Bin



4) Learn how to sort your recyclables.

- Click here for easy tips on what to look for and how to sort.



5) Practice makes perfect!

- Reminders are great for the fridge! Click here for a printable cheat sheet.




Doesn't sound too hard, right? If we can all follow those simple steps we will be off to a great start!

Inspired? I hope so! After all, a world with less trash is a world with more beauty...

Shop Green: B. Happy Bags

I appreciate all of the messages from many of you wondering where I disappeared to! For the past week I was in St. Louie for a work conference, but I am very happy to be back to blogging!

Hello lovely readers! I hope your weekend was nothing shy of fabulous and relaxing! Well, I have to start off today by wishing you a happy EARTH WEEK! That's right, earth week. In honor of this Thursday being Earth Day, I have decided to proclaim this Earth Week. All week long I am going to bring you fun, fashionable and easy ways that you can help take care of our planet in style! Here we go!!

________________________________

How many of you have been in the grocery store check out line and have seen the solid color reusable bags being sold by the vendor? I know I see them everywhere! I am always in a constant battle trying to decide if saving the earth one less plastic bag at a time outweighs carrying around an ugly monochrome bag... same dilemma for you?

Well, don't you worry any longer... it's time to shop in style, green style! B. Happy Bags prides itself on making fashionable and sturdy reusable bags that help reduce waste while saving a life, a tree or a barrel of oil. These bags are offered in every color/pattern imaginable, adding personal style and flair to your daily errands.





So, how does a reusable bag save the earth?

"Worldwide, hundreds of billions of plastic bags are consumed each year. Less than 3% are recycled; the rest are clogging landfills, blowing down our streets and threatening wildlife. Because of their negative environmental impact, from manufacturing to disposal, many countries are banning or taxing plastic bag use (as much as 20 cents per bag!). As petroleum based products, the cost of plastic bags will continue to rise, being passed on to consumers. As tax payers, we are also bearing the staggering costs of clean up and disposal, estimated at 5.2 cents per bag."
- B. Happy Bags

Wow... you didn't think of it like that, did you? Me neither. Well, in honor of Earth Day, B. Happy Bags offers a discount on all bags this Thursday. Normally these wonderful bags are $15/bag, so this is a great deal! Please stop by their store and check out their products!

Imagine a world where everyone took this one little step. Wouldn't a world with less waste be a happier place?