Friday 5: Brighten Up!

Happy Friday! Here are a few products to brighten up your wardrobe, home, skin and your day!!!

1. Love the neon pop of this pillow! The neutral base of this fabric with the bright floral pattern is a great combo. And at such an affordable price, why not add a little punch to your decor? {pillow $20}
2. We already know how obsessed I am with Fresh Cosmetics products, as proven here and here, I think this is the next product I need to try. My skin has been a mess lately... darn you, stress! This might be the answer to my prayers! {Rose Face Mask $55}
3. Still dream shopping for that house I'm hunting for! Can't wait to infuse happiness and bright colors in every room! {runner $165}
4. These colors are great! I think this necklace would look cute over a navy and white striped top or put together with your favorite go-to maxi dress. {necklace $48}
5. Stationary can be so fun... these Jonathan Adler cards would for sure brighten your day! If for no other reason, I want the cute box it comes in to collect trinkets that end up on my desk... I'm looking at you, lip gloss! {stationary set $15}

Time Flies When You're Having FUN!

Today might be my favorite day of the year... it's my sweet nephews birthday!

Two years ago today our family was blessed with the most wonderful little boy we could have ever dreamed of! I mean come on... just look at that face! And yes, I bought him that cute little bowtie!

When I first found out my sister was having a boy, I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous. I was used to dressing up little girls with pretty pink clothes and hair bows, but was I in for a treat or what?!? Dayton is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I remember when he was still a baby and I had a bad day at work, I would call my sister and ask if I could come over to rock him to sleep. Somehow holding him calmed me down and made all the other issues that were consuming me feel so small. He has grown into such a smart, polite, loving and funny little boy already. I can't wait to continue to watch him grow and discover his passions in life {which right now include Mickey Mouse, Rock Chalks (aka Jayhawks), his dog Elway, diggers, bulldozers and trucks... all boy, I tell ya!}.

Seriously! Where does time go?

2 months to 2 years

I know he is too little to read this or even understand how much he means to me, but maybe someday he'll look back and realize just how much he has his Aunt KK wrapped around his little finger... which right now he milks for giving him fruit snacks, cookies and coke. And before you judge me too much for being a nutritionally unhealthy influence, I must say we have a pretty good little game going with the fruit snacks and it is indeed helping him learn his colors! Each time we pull a fruit snack out of the bag, he says 'please' and 'Rock Chalk,' then names the color before he gets to eat it. It's hilarious and awesome all at the same time!

Thank you Dayton for bringing so much joy into my life! Aunt KK loves you to pieces! I can't imagine my life without you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAYTON!!!

Nordy Sale

Hi! Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day holiday! Thank you to all our troops for all they do to keep our beautiful country safe! 

It was a busy little weekend for me of moving, birthday partying and wedding-attending! Needless to say, I was very grateful to have Monday off!

What's on my agenda this week? A little Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale action! Here are a few things that have caught my eye:

Michael Kors Jersey Dress $100 $60

Jessica Simpson wedge $79 $53

zig zag throw $58 $35

Friday 5: Summer Tops & House Pieces

Well, I did it again... sorry for the brief blog break. I'm moving this week. Enough said.

Anywho, here are the things I'd love to scoop up shopping this week. I love imaginary shopping lists!

1. I am determined to do some crafting with fun pom-pom trim like this! Stay tuned... {trim $4}
2. I think my travels will be taking me to new places like never before. I can't reveal all the details just yet, but exciting things on the horizon! A cork board map like so would be such a fun way to keep track of new discoveries! {cork map $48}
3. Another find for the home... you know I love a little touch of industrial! {lamp $169}
4. Polka dots just make me happy. {top $44}
5. Not only am I determined to craft with pom-poms, but I'm dying to wear them as well! {top $46}

Happy long weekend everybody! Enjoy your memorial day!

Prayers for Oklahoma

So I threw together my post for today before I had even turned on a television or listened to the radio at all last night. It's crazy that being unplugged from technology made me lose focus of what is truly important in life... although I still have big decisions weighing on me personally, I am more thankful than ever to be safe and surrounded by supportive family and friends.

Praying for all of those in Oklahoma that were hit by the tornado.

Say Yes to Something Beautiful

1 / 2 / 3

Whoa. Life sure has a way of keeping you on your toes... relying on the above words of wisdom to get me through!

Friday 5: Better Late than Never

Sorry, my friends! Last week got away from me and I didn't have a chance to post my Friday 5! Oops!

Better late than never... here's what was on my mind last week!

1. I've been looking for cute tops to pair with my bright pants for the spring and summer. Really loving graphic black and white prints paired with poppy colored pants! I think I'll grab this one from Loft. {graphic top $54}
2. The weather has been beautiful this week! Time to treat the tootsies to a pedicure and I think this is the perfect color. {nail polish $8}
3. Need a little morning jolt besides coffee? I recommend this lavender peppermint shower gel. It's just the boost I need to get me going! {C.O. Bigelow shower gel $12}
4. This is next on my reading list. {Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead $14}
5. Another top on my must-have list. What a fun surprise down the back! {studded top $48}

Act Fast! Flash Sale Alert!

One of my favorite spots to hit when I'm in NYC is C. Wonder. Bright colors, preppy styles and monograms... what more could you ask for? You could ask for a sale! And ask you and shall receive!

C. Wonder is having a flash sale that ends TODAY... so get a move on and hop on over to their site. Great clothes, accessories and home decor. I've loved everything I've purchased from them and believe their quality is very nice.

Here are a few things I wouldn't mind adding to my shopping cart:



belt / earrings / foo dogs / pillow



DIY with some drama?

So I have a love/hate relationship with wallpaper.

Hate it because I had to live with the same Laura Ashley pink ribbons until my awkward teenage years when all I wanted was anything-but-pink {sorry Mom... I know you still love that wallpaper and miss it each day!}... it seriously was the nursery that lasted til I was nineteen! And I also really despise the process of removing wallpaper. My sister and I once tried to surprise our parents while they were out of town over a weekend by taking down their outdated bathroom wallpaper and painting the walls, but in the process we ruined the walls {again, sorry Mom!}.

But, I do love the wallpaper from a design aspect. I think there are some really stellar options out there. Colors, patterns, all around gorgeousness.

Will I be a homeowner that takes the wallpaper plunge? Verdict is still out and I'll keep you updated, but for now, here is an option that has really caught my eye:

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Dramatic, huh? Nothing like taking the wallpaper plunge with an oversized print in a color combo like black and white!

I'm thinking this could also be a cool DIY with some drama! Using supplies like so:

Think I could do it? I think so! Watch out new house... I'm coming for you! When I finally find you!

Organized Chaos

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I have the best of intentions to always be neat and tidy, but as I get closer to needing to pack up my house after 3 years of renting, I'm realizing that I have collected a lot of stuff. I think many creative minds can agree, you tend to hold onto things that you think may come in handy one day down the road... old magazines, meaningful mementos, clothes you hope will be in-style again someday, etc, etc.

The thought of this stuff has been keeping me up at night. Seriously, you'd think I'd just get up and purge some of it to make me feel better! But, as much as I strive to simplify my life, there are connections to these things. Memories of people, places and good times.

This quote helped me to realize that sometimes the most fun and fantastic people still get a little lost in the shuffle of their lives... whether it's loosing your umbrella or a messy purse. So for now, I'm going to embrace my organized chaos and hold on to the things that mean the most! Afterall, I'm quick and curious and playful and strong!

Friday 5: Summery & Sparkly

Longest week ever, anyone? I'd sure say so! How about some pretend retail therapy to cheer us all up?...

1. I guess I'm still in the mood for shorts! Last week's pick are still on my list, but I've added these, too! {shorts $54}
2. I've always been one to love school supplies and these pencils are no exception! What a good reminder right there on your writing utensil! Wear sequins to breakfast? Well, ok! If you say so! {fancy pencils $12}
3. After a busy month of birthdays in April and a very special birthday coming up for my sweet nephew at the end of May, these cake topper sparklers are a good way to mix up the traditional candles on a cake! {sparklers $6}
4. For those mornings when time is not on my side, which is sadly more often than I'd like to admit, if nothing else, I must curl my lashes! Sadly, my favorite bargain curler has changed and just isn't doing to job anymore! It's time for an upgrade. Expect a full review on this baby once I've put it to the test! {shu uemera eyelash curler $20}
5. Perfect summer dress to take from the beach by day and dinner by night? I think so! {print maxi $88}

Mia Took On the Monster

...The Monster Cookie Recipe that is!

Let me back track a moment... last weekend my Mom and I grabbed lunch at my favorite salad spot, Dean and Deluca {sidenote: every time I eat there I pretend I'm at the Soho location in NYC and just stopping for a quick bite while I'm out shopping! Ohhh that would be so glam!}. Anywho, back to the story, after we had our healthy servings of greens, we shared a monster cookie. And.it.was.fabulous! So fabulous that I decided I needed to recreate the goodness.

Fast forward to a free evening spending some quality time with Mia.

If only you could smell the yumminess through your computer screen.

I found a basic oatmeal cookie recipe and adapted it to include peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's... and I think it turned out pretty darn spectacular, if I do say so myself!

Mia's Monster Cookies

1 stick of butter {softened}

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 teaspoons baking soda

4 1/2 cups old fashioned oats {not quick oats :)}

3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

3/4 cup m&m's candy

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Then, beat in baking soda followed by oats. Lastly, mix in your chocolate chips and candies!

Using an ice cream scoop, drop cookies onto baking sheet. {Tip: flatten cookies with the back of the ice cream scoop so there a bit concave in the middle... it will help them bake evenly so the sides don't get crispy!}

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown!

ENJOY!

Cut It Out!

No, this isn't an arts-and-crafts/DIY post... I'm talking "cut it out" when it comes to dresses!

Remember back when I was recapping the Grammy Awards, I mentioned that my usual not-best-dressed pick made my best dressed list? No? Not so much? Let me remind you:

hollywoodlife.com

Well, I think I've found a way to incorporate that look into my wardrobe... if I can pull it off, that is! Check out this LBD I spotted on Kate Spade Saturday:

Saturday shape shifter dress

New summer staple? I think so!

Ughhhh.

someecards.com

Ugh. I hate crocs... and Monday's. I miss my weekend already!

Friday 5: Fresh for Spring

Well friends, sorry for the radio scilence yesterday. I guess the busy day on Wednesday sent me over the edge... not really, but the fabulous spring weather we were having earlier in the week did send my allergies into a tizzy. I was in bed all day yesterday with an awful sore throat. The kind that hurts enough that you can't even sleep. Such a tease feeling so yucky and still not being able to snooze. No fun! But don't worry, Mother Nature decided to dump more snow {yes, I said snow} on us yesterday and today! Hello May in Kansas!

Anyway, here's some fresh Friday 5 picks that are helping cheer me up!

1. These shorts belong in my closet. Well done, J. Crew! {can't find them online, but the dress in that print is pretty cute too for $138}
2. I picked these up this week for a friends birthday present... they were too sweet to pass up. {journal set $10}
3. How cute are these mini tassels all around this bracelet? I think this needs to be part of my arm party. {seed bracelet $22}
4. This cute set of piggy banks... errr owl banks... are so fun! I could see them displayed as a set in a china cabinet to add a little fun to the formal. {owl bank set $41}
5. Still in the decorating mode {and probably will always be! I think I was an interior designer in my past life}... these chairs caught my eye. Not my usual classic style, but I really love them! And so affordable for a set of 2! {retro accent chair set $195}

Big Day. Big Coffee.

It's one of those days... a lot on my plate and not a lot of time to get it all done! Somehow I know I just have to keep going -- with a little help from my friend, caffeine.

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Sorry it's short and sweet today... I'll be back tomorrow with a goody!