OOTD 3.31.10: Liberty Flowers + Gray + Green

Mossimo Cardi (last year), Liberty of London for Target Woven Top (Girls' Dept - Size L), ON Jeans, Tory Burch Reese Flats in Cricket Green

This top really is so nicely made and only $9.99 - I went with a Girls' Large and it is a little tight at the top of the chest and under the arms but I think the XL would be just too flowy and full everywhere else. It does have an elastic panel in the back so it stretches.

Awww... Winston wants a tummy rub!

xoxo

endless.com {30% off} designer sale

kate spade Gianna in "Flame"

kate spade's shoe, endless' pic

endless.com is currently promo'ing select designer styles (152 pairs) 30% off. The sale lasts through April 2nd and includes brands like kate spade, Cynthia Vincent, Stuart Weitzman, and Bally.

The site offers free shipping/free returns and I've always been happy with their packaging and shipping time. Go through ebates to earn 6% cash back too!

xoxo

Liberty of London for Target {two scarves}

I ended up with two scarves from the Liberty/Target collaboration: the Pieced Scarf in Jeffs Leaf Blue and the Pareo in Poppy Blue. With all the great colors in the florals on both of these I think they'll be pretty versatile. I've already worn the pieced scarf two or three times and as soon as the weather brightens up a bit, I'll be wearing the pareo as a scarf too.

Poppy Blue with J Crew yellow, Banana Republic camel , and J Crew bright pink (sorry -- I don't recall the exact color names)

Jeffs Leaf Blue with cardis from J Crew, ATL, and Lands' End

I also really like this with Lands' End's Soft Fern

I hope everyone is having a great start to the week. I'm working on a squash casserole for tonight - so new recipe up soon (if it turns out).

xoxo

{shrimp over coconut rice}

I spotted this in Rachael Ray's April magazine (original recipe here) and decided to make it for dinner last night. It was quick, easy and delish! I could go a little spicier - maybe 2 Tbsp of green curry paste - but this was the perfect level of spice for the kids. I think I will add more lime next time.

So, here's what you need:

long grain rice (1.5 c)

frozen, already cooked shrimp - about 3/4 lb - tails off

a handful or two of fresh green beans - ends off

10 oz frozen peas

1 Tbsp green curry paste

13.5 oz can of coconut milk

1 lime

salt

Bring 2 1/3 c water and 2/3 c coconut milk and salt to a boil, add rice and simmer (covered) until the liquid is absorbed - about 20-25 minutes.

Put the rest of the coconut milk and Tbsp of curry paste in a saute type pan and whisk until combined.

Add the green beans and cook about 3 minutes.

Add the peas and shrimp, squeeze in juice from 1/2 the lime, and cook another 3-4 minutes (I really needed a bigger pan but it worked).

I garnished with some lime wedges - it was really good with a little extra lime juice squeezed on it.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

xoxo

OOTD 3.23.10: Sixty Print + Blue

OOTD 3.23.10: Sixty + Blue

ATL cardi in blue (last year's), Liberty of London for Target Tiered Ruffle Keyhole Tank - Sixty Print, jeans, La Scarpa Paris flats - nude patent w/grograin bows

Oh hello there, Winston!

xoxo

Give & Get: What I Got

I did a quick run through Gap last night and didn't find anything I had to have - but I did find a few things at Old Navy today that I purchased with the Give & Get 30% off promo. I didn't check BR. Some IRL fitting room pics are at the end of this post.

I can't find these online. They are priced at $29.50 and have been promo'd to $20 for a little while - I bought the pink/orange at that price about a week ago. They are still on promo, so with the extra discount, the gray/white was $14.00. On my receipt it's called SL PLT PRT WV DRS - Sleeveless Pleated Print Woven Dress, I'm guessing. Nicely lined, 100% cotton, size Small.

I'm not seeing this one online either. They also had a darker blue floral, shown below. $24.50, $17.15 with the discount. Runs big as you can see from the fitting room pics - I bought an XS.

Smocked Tube Dress in Black Jack (thank you Heidi for letting us know about this one!) $15.00, promo'd to $8.00 in-store, $5.60 with discount. Size Small. I plan to use this as a swim cover-up.

Lightweight Boyfriend Cardigan in Goodnight Nora $16.50, on sale for $10.99 in-store, $7.69 with promo. Lots of colors at $12.99 online. I can see that so many of these probably made it to the sale rack because of the pockets made with extra fabric to pooch out - right at the hip area. I really like it though - especially in this hue - as soon as a saw it the color & sheen made me think of Michael Stars. Size Small.

I was trying to show the pockets (pockets!) but I really just managed to make it look like a maternity dress. It really is cute in person, I promise!

the one I bought in XS

the other color in S

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

OPI Meet Me on the Star Ferry

On a recent trip to Ulta, I got to check out OPI's Hong Kong collection (Ulta only sells it in retail stores, but amazon.com has it online). I'd been looking forward to this... I love OPI's nail polish names and themed collections - and this one especially.

My husband used to travel to Hong Kong a lot for business (before kids) and I went along a few times. He would be working all day so I got to wander around the city and shop and sight-see by myself quite a bit. On one trip, I remember taking the Star Ferry alone and feeling very adventurous. (Getting on any kind of unfamiliar public transportation can be a little nerve-wracking for me. I once got on the wrong bullet train in Japan, and let me tell you that is not something you are happy to find out once you are in motion.)

outside

inside

Anyway, this polish is called Meet Me on the Star Ferry so I had to get it, being that I liked the color too. It's a shimmery mauve-y-darker violet. A little bronze-metallic. In the sunlight you can see the sparkles but it isn't so sparkly-shiny that it's flashy.

A nice transition if you're done with uber dark nails for the season but not ready to jump to the corals and bright pinks.

Oh - and Happy Spring!!!!!

xoxo

Korres Lipgloss Trio

I love my Korres lipwear... the lip butter, lipsticks... and this Cherry Full Color Gloss which is my favorite gloss. When I was in Sephora recently checking out some Benefit, I noticed this collection in three shades: #33 Nude, #25 Natural Purple (don't worry - not purple purple), and #54 Fuchsia, priced at $19.50. They are the same .20 oz size as the singles that sell for $17 each.

The Nude and Purple are very natural-looking shades on my lips. The Fuchsia I was a little concerned about at first - but when I tried it on today, I found that it is a very pretty pink that adds a nice amount of bright while still being appropriate for daytime (and my lifestyle). I picture it being a great shade this Spring and Summer with all the happy, brighter florals from brands like Lilly and Liberty for Target that I plan to be wearing.

L-R: #25 Natural Purple, #33 Nude, #54 Fuchsia

For me, this gloss has just the right amount of shine and color, and it feels great on my lips - moisturizing - not sticky or tacky. I often wear it alone or over my Burts Bees, but also over lipstick. And I love the fact that it contains cherry oil and jojoba oil and doesn't contain any parabens, sulfates, or petrochemicals... who wants to end up eating that?!

I have a few more reviews - Old Navy, ATL, a bit more Liberty, more Sephora goodies... and I even plan to cook on Sunday, so hopefully will have a new recipe up soon... just need to work in the time to get it all together! We're almost to the weekend!

xoxo

Happy St. Patrick's! {+ OOTD featuring - you guessed it - LoL}

When you have small children who get very excited about St. Patrick's Day (I painted twenty little fingernails green last night, and this morning drew shamrocks on faces and streaked blonde hair with temporary green dye) -- you have to wear some green!

I looked in my closet this morning and there was my freshly washed Liberty of London for Target Isis top. I know many don't like poly but it surely does wash up nicely. I hung it to dry - no ironing needed.

So here I am today.

LoL for Target top, ATL cardi in ivory, ON jeans, Tory Burch Reese flats in gold

I couldn't resist with the cup again - but this time I really am drinking coffee from it :) btw I soooo wish they had made travel cups in this collection - wouldn't that be fun?!!

I had a fun trip to Sephora recently so have some posts on an eyeshadow splurge, some Benefit goodies, and my favorite-ever lipglosses coming up soon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

xoxo

hawaiian islands by Boots

I love it that I can shop Boots at Target. When we lived in Thailand we had a Boots drugstore not too far away and I had so much fun perusing the products. I've been buying the Mediterranean line's bath cream locally for a couple years. Bergamot, orange & olive is my absolute favorite but I also really like the thyme, milk & lemon verbena and nectarine, vanilla & sugar.

Recently (I've been at Target a lot lately due to all the Liberty excitement, as is probably obvious!), I noticed some new blends and thought I'd give them a whirl. The line is "hawaiian islands" - I bought the pomegranate & avocado in the shower gel (mostly fruity but I can also detect the avocado - which I love) and the coconut & hibiscus in the body wash and body butter.

I'm not sure what the difference is between shower gel and body wash - they are in the same packaging. The wash is a great combination of coconut (which I also love) and floral. The body butter feels slightly jelly-like out of the tub - not as much of a dense cream feel to it as some - but goes on just perfectly - light, soft and silky. Not at all greasy or heavy. Love. And they're made in Thailand!

Boots products can also be purchased at drugstore.com.

Oh, and I was wrong when I said I was wrapping up posting about Liberty for Target... I went back and found frames! And a hanging file box in the pink Dunclare! (I'm going to be so organized.) It seems like some items are trickling out late and it does also look like there are replens online... so if you didn't get what you wanted, do keep checking!

xoxo

Liberty of London for Target {the try-on pics}

OK, I am wrapping up my series of Liberty for Target posts with my IRL try-ons. I am happy with everything and while the hunt was fun, it was a little tiring and I'm ready to enjoy my goodies. (Although first I need to clean up this house and catch up on the laundry that got a little neglected during the Liberty for Target Frenzy that was this weekend.) I have the Sugared Grapefruit candle burning right now and it is lovely.

Here are the clothes:

Ruffle Halter/Isis Print size M $19.99 - Dina said to size up on this and I did

(couldn't resist holding my matching cup)

Ruffle Halter/Dunclare Print size M $19.99

Ruffle Top/Sixty Print Size S $19.99

(again with the cup)

Top/Isis Print Size S $24.99

Tiered Ruffle Dress/Isis Print Size S $29.99

(I exchanged this for an XS because of the fullness of the ruffled skirt)

And this next one is from the girls' department - size XL. Again, great info from Dina that Girls' XL is fitting similarly to Women's S. This pic doesn't show the length but I am about 5'5" and it comes to my lower calf - right about to the top of the short Uggs I have on with it. Close-up of the double hem in the last pic.

Woven Dress Maxi Jumper/Jumper Size Girls XL $16.99

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend! Off to clean the house and get ready for Monday!

xoxo

Liberty of London for Target {for the house + the Minis}

Success! And I am done! This morning they were still putting out the Liberty -- not much out but I did get my peacock swimsuit! -- so I went back again after church.

Still not everything was out, but I got the mugs I'd wanted, a scarf and a couple other things so I am done. I have an explosion of bright happy florals on my kitchen island right now and wanted to share these pics. If you are shopping LoL online, I hope these pics help a bit. Please feel free to comment or email me if you have any questions on specific items I've bought that you haven't seen IRL.

I will get some IRL pics of the tops and two dresses I bought for myself in the next post... and then normal blogging will resume shortly! :)

notecard set #053190526 $6.99, candles $9.99 ea in Violet Fig, Spiced Black Tea, Sugared Grapefruit, and Ocean Minerals, round gift boxes $5.99 ea, media box $6.99, stoneware mugs $4.99 ea

swim, flops, sundress and top for my girls

I did also buy one more chemise, gardening gloves, and some unders:

Chiffon Chemise Grand Royal & Sixty/253912 $17.99 -- and look - same florals/different colors on the gardening gloves

Bikini Brief Bistro Blue/253924 $7.99, Thong Princess Pink/253929 $7.99, and boxers in Multicolor, Blue and Black $5.99 ea.

xoxo

Liberty of London for Target {sleepwear}

OH!

I have lots to share from this line now! (I do promise I will be back to talking about other stores, outfits, a little cooking, etc soon...)

But this evening I was lucky enough to score four tops, the peacock tier dress (as seen on Dina and Peggy), for my girls some swimwear, flops and a dress & top, and then the super cute sleepwear pictured below.

The peacock swimsuit and the teapot, cups, etc were nowhere to be seen, though, so I will still be on the hunt for those.

So here are some IRL pics of the sleepwear I bought. There were a few other styles in what felt like polyester - a couple of them very sheer - I liked these two cotton styles the best:

2 Piece Set/Jeff Leaf & Mrtha Grc/253937 - 100% cotton exclusive of decoration - $19.99

cute detailing at hem of cropped pants

Chemise/Mark D & Jeff Leaf/253935 - 100% cotton exclusive of decoration - $17.99

hem of chemise

dark blue lace trim and contrasting fabric straps

xoxo