Monday Inspiration

1. "The only way of catching a train I ever discovered is to miss the train before" G.K. Chesterton, 2. EthnicEsthetic, Latest Look: Anarkali Blues, 3. Hugo's room: DIY Upholstered kids chair, 4. guestroom

Mmmm nice blues!!

I forgot to put in my post yesterday (about the 30 day shred) the link to see what I wrote about the other days. To see all the days so far, click this link and scroll down: Losing Weight. All 30 Day Shred posts will be labeled "Losing Weight", which is also a link on the left side of my blog under "Common topics".

I will again say it's hard! But I already see some inches gone, so this really does work!! Even if you can't do all the moves! :) I'm almost done with it. This Friday will be day 30. After that, I will still need to keep exercising but I think I will start alternating the exercise bike on some days with a workout like the shred on the other days.

The Belt

1. Rambla de Catalunya, Barcelona, 2. Midweek Blues, 3. À bout de souffle, 4. Recovered

When I was picking out some of my favorite looks the other day from the wardrobe remix group, I only later realized that each outfit featured a belt. That is a look I would really like to do. But as of now, I don't feel like it looks good on me. I need to get rid of some bulge that would be above the thin belt line. The last thing I want to do is accentuate the flab. Remember how I kept talking about "skinny jeans" months ago and finally got myself a pair? Now I own three pair! haha. They are all from Old Navy. One I bought full price with birthday money for around $30 and the other two were $15 each during different sales. So I guess this whole belt look should be my next style goal, but I don't think it will come until I lose more weight.

Inspiration on a stormy day

It's raining here today and will be in the mid 70's for a high. Meanwhile my family in AL got snow last night and took beautiful pictures! But here in Florida, it's just rain. I enjoyed my coffee even more this morning to get myself awake feeling. It is darker than usual because of the rain.

I looked on www.polyvore.com and found some "sets" to share today. There are some very talented people there, with the way they put things together! My sets are usually simple since I don't like to spend a lot of time on them.

All the sets today were made by the same talented person.

I'll start with one that has umbrellas in it:

Ginger and Wellies by MelissaKaye featuring wellies boots

If you are somewhere with snow instead of rain:

Oh the weather outside is frightful by MelissaKaye featuring ribbed socks

And this one is just very charming, even if it was probably meant for Fall:

Honeycomb by MelissaKaye featuring stud earrings

(I'm unable to center them for some reason!)

I started a new exercise thing that I will write about tomorrow!

Fashion Inspiration

1. buttercream., 2. 27th December, 3. So Comes Snow After Fire, 4. Bike Friday! Happy New Year!

I noticed there is snow in each of the above pictures! The two on the left-they must have been freezing while taking the picture!

Fashion Inspiration: layers and red coats

With the weather here going from the 40's one day to the 70's another, layers are a good idea. You can add more or less depending on the temp for the day.

1. Play Day., 2. DSCN2232-1, 3. Peekaboo, 4. ...Valldemossa village - day 2

And I just love the way a red coat looks. I don't have one, but I'd like to!
1. Irina, 2. It's a nice leafy red coat thanks, 3. forest., 4. Untitled

Things have been really busy! Friday, Saturday and Sunday included a lot of shopping!

On Saturday me and my mom went to Tampa to Ikea and a big mall there. While we were gone, my husband painted some of Kavi's bedroom(finally bought paint!!), with a little of Kavi's help! I love the color and maybe it will be done sometime soon. Kind of a hectic week to finish it!

Sunday me and my husband got to go out for about 6 hours while my mom stayed with Kavi. My mom took Kavi to Target then they had fun at home! Me and hubby went to stores, ate at Panera, went to the movies, and did more shopping. Phew! Busy busy like I said.

We saw Tron: Legacy in 3D. We liked it! Very visually interesting.

I am feeling almost all the way better. I still have a little cough.
I imagine this week is going to be very busy!

Vintage Thursday: Fall dresses

Even though it's not Fall yet, I couldn't resist finding Fall colored vintage dresses to feature today. Plus, if anyone wants to order a Fall dress online, you should do it soon so you have it in time!

top row: 70's Batik Silk dress; VintageFrocksofFancy; 50's Autumn Belle Dress

bottom row: 60's Striped Dress; 60's Tent dress; 70's printed dress

Sadly the halter dress just expired today but maybe it will be relisted! That's why I had to link to the shop instead of the dress. It was$185 I think, pricey, because it's vintage silk...and beautiful.

HGTV Design Star

I'm not sure if anyone else watched this summer's HGTV Design Star. The finale was last night! The woman above is Emily Henderson, the winner! I think she is a cute gal. I have liked a lot of her clothing choices while on the show. She wore a lot of blue. There was a blouse she was wearing on yesterday's episode that I love but I couldn't find pictures of her wearing it online. She has a blog: The brass petal.

Below are some of her designs. You can also click here to see more of her design portfolio.

And I wanted to say hi to new followers of the blog! I appreciate it! I hope you enjoy and stick around!

Fashion Inspiration: Elvis and Audrey

Because of an article I saw online, I read that today is 33 years since Elvis died. So I thought to share some pictures of him and his iconic style. I like some of his oldest songs. As he got towards the late 60's-early 70's not sure I like those songs much. So I imagine die hard fans are in lines at Graceland to pay their respects. I do think some fans act is a bit over the top, treating him like a god. Anyway, his fashion is recognizable even in the year 2010! I love the jailhouse rock scene.

Thinking of Elvis and old fashion made me think of Audrey Hepburn too, another iconic figure. These images are from both the 50's and 60's. I think the picture of her sitting by the water, looks like a current fashion picture. And much of her style could be/is recreated today without clashing too much with modern fashion.

1. Audrey Hepburn, 2. #8- Audrey Hepburn, 3. audrey hepburn, 4. Audrey Hepburn, 5. 30, 6. 16, 7. 60-Hepburn And Poodle, 8. Audrey Hepburn, 9. Funny Face

Fashion Inspiration: Citrus

1. citrus, 2. green/white, 3. July Flame, 4. Shabby Apple Giveaway

So it's August already! Wow! It's the last full month of summer. I am not fond of summer heat so I really look forward to Fall. But since my son is old enough to enjoy certain things more, like going out to beaches, I am trying to enjoy that aspect of summer. To me, citrus is just so summery in color. And cold fruit is very refreshing on a hot day. So that inspired today's bright fashion choices. Don't forget to do something summery before Fall is here!

I made a citrusy set on polyvore to go along with the entry!

CitrusAugust by ChristinaD

A Retro You

On facebook, one of my friends used "MadMenYourself" to make a cute character version of them self. So then I couldn't resist! This is mine above. I don't work in an office but I picked that background anyway, and picked coffee in my hand. ;)

I don't actually watch the show. I just have read about the retro fashion that is on the show on various blogs since the series started. So if you are bored and silly like me, make one for yourself! It's fun. madmenyourself.com

The other day I trimmed my own hair. I have a habit of doing that. I get frustrated with something in my hair and decide to trim. I wanted the bulk out! So I trimmed it and on Sunday it dried nicely. My hair is naturally wavy but it's not usually easy to work with. My son wanted to take pictures with our camera and he took a bunch of pictures of me along with other things. I guess being his mom makes me important or something. :P But he already knows how to take photos and it's so funny! Here's a shot, it shows how my hair looks when it actually dries nice and wavy, and looks old fashioned in a way that I like. My facial expression is kind of like, oh no he is taking another picture! He took a bunch but I am not going to post them all haha.

Here is more of the 2 year old's photography from a couple months ago haha...

I love it.

Fashion Inspiration: Stripey

Above: from the shop Amoelbarroco on Etsy - Spain

I've heard the fashion do's and don't's and tips many times such as: Wearing horizontal stripes makes you look wider, and vertical stripes make you look longer.

But sometimes I think rules should be broken. Wear something with the "wrong" stripes just because you really like it! I don't have any black and white stripe items I wear lately, but my sister does and I think they look great on! I'd love to have something in black and white stripes.

Mute Navigator Blouse by amoelbarroco

Rock and Roll striped tunic by Supastarclothing

Striped French Pierrot by ouma

The Blondie Tee from DesireeSalas

1. wardrobe remix. 6/20/10., 2. That's a wrap

Fashion Inspiration: Purple&Yellow

Another polyvore set I actually made myself:

Purple&Yellow by ChristinaD featuring Old Navy dresses

I don't remember why I thought of picking purple and yellow for today. But I am glad I did! I have a purple dress I haven't really worn out yet but when I do, maybe I should pair something yellow with it!

Flick inspiration:

1. Yellow and Purple (Again), 2. 7th of July 2009, 3. double bow, 4. Mustard Cords, Purple Top, Magenta Shrug

Fashion Inspiration: Try something new

1. 6.27.10, 2. Return Of Color, 3. Day 80 - 21.May.2008, 4. Autumn

Try something new! If you always wear muted colors, try something bright. If you always wear bright, try something toned down. If you always wear dresses, try a pair of shorts or pants, and vice versa! Wear something you normally wouldn't and go outside your comfort zone(within your own limits).

Fashion Inspiration: Classy Pencil Skirt

1. On the town, 2. december 9., 3. Vintage Secretary, 4. Yves Saint Laurent Leather Pencil Skirt

A revisit to the pencil skirt, an item I have discussed here before! It's just so classic and adaptable. I don't think I currently own any. But I will eventually again! There are so many vintage pencil skirts for sale on Etsy.

Here are some polyvore sets made by talented members there that feauture the pencil skirt:

perdita by hayleykat

Bring my coffee and take a memo by DressWizard

songs title by poncirus trifoliata
(I would have centered the above items, but lately I can't seem to get it to center polyvore sets!)

TOMORROW- A GIVEAWAY WILL START!
Make sure you check back then!

Summer Weddings and Get Togethers

plus size pretty by ChristinaD featuring Monsoon bags

I just discovered this website, http://www.bandlu.com, for very pretty plus size clothing! Let's face the facts. Most of us in the world are not skinny. It seems very hard sometimes to find cute clothing that goes into larger sizes. All of the clothing items above are from B&Lu.

I personally would enjoy wearing those to things like summer weddings(that aren't very very formal weddings) and special get togethers. They are all feminine in my opinion, even the dresses with the cute lock and key, and owl. Unfortunately I don't have any weddings to go to this summer, but if someone does and needed some new shopping ideas, I hope this could help.

Here are a few more items from B&Lu.




My mother wrote about Faith 21 recently on her blog, Forever 21's new line of extended sizes. Check it out here!

Brownies! and Plaid!

I recently ate the most delicious brownies, made by my cousin! The recipe is so simple, but they were so moist and rich and in my opinion the perfect brownie!!

The recipe is from my dear Aunt's collection of recipes that she gathered over years and years. My aunt passed away last year at the age of 54, too soon. But she left behind a wonderful legacy of her faith and also being one of the best cooks/bakers that we knew! Her recipes mean a lot to all of us.

Here's the recipe as given to me by my cousin:

"Rainbow Cafe Brownies"
Oven at 350 degrees
Bake for 25-30 mins, in an 8x8 pan

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons cocoa powder OR 2 squares bakers chocolate
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup nuts(optional, or add in any other extra you want)

That's it! My cousin used dark chocolate cocoa powder and that made them soooo good! The dark chocolate was not overwhelming, it just gave a nice rich flavor. The consistency of the brownies were great in my opinion.

I was looking around forever21's website yesterday. Without divulging too much info, let's just say their clothing runs small for someone like me! Their large looks small in many cases. Well they are releasing a new line of clothing for the "curvy" or "full figured" woman in May! That is exciting. Anyway while browsing I saw some cute items I had to post, even though the shirt is not from the new line. I love it!




I love the ruffles, and the buttons.







Some items that go well with it






Rose ring

Rosie Bangle