Black + Blue (Plus a Fabulous Giveaway!)

The Fall Fashionista Giveaway is next month, and I'm wearing this dress to celebrate!

Dress: eShakti

Jacket: Thrifted (Old Navy)

Necklace: Forever21

Belt: Gap

Bracelet: J. Crew

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini

I love this colorblock dress from eShakti.  It's perfect for pairing with a jacket in fall and winter, and perfect alone during the spring and summer months (I'm a huge fan of versatility!)  I'm also a big fan of eShakti.  I love that I can customize the sleeves and hem lengths.  I have no waist (and don't even get me started on my lack of a chest) and so usually dresses don't ever fit me quite right, but with eShakti's customization, I can get  a perfectly tailored dress.  It's also nice that they have a step-by-step guide on how to take your correct measurements!  

Want to see how fellow bloggers styled their dresses?

Would you like to win an entire years' worth of dresses from eShakti?  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimers:

Fashionista Giveaway Event bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.

 This dress was provided for me to review by eShakti in collaboration with the Fashionista Blogger group hosted by Still Blonde After All These Years and ModlyChic

Social KC: JCrew Re-model

I am dubbing this post (and subsequent link-up) InstaCrew.  Last night we got to preview the new J. Crew fall collection (I love everything - shocking, I know) and see the newly re-modeled Plaza store.  

Belts in every size, shape and color (and socks you can conveniently coordinate them with):

 The Men's Shirt Bar - The Mr is about to get a closet re-do:

Most shockingly favorite item of the night: 

What I Wore - from my own closet: 

The tilted-head-of-disapproval from a trustworthy friend - for the pants, not the top: 

 Bubbles, or no bubbles? - my favorite "European" question:

Me, trying to be all fancy-photography: 

And to end the night, a little goodie bag.  Complete with macaron from Natasha's Bakery (an absolute must visit when you are in KC!) Even the box was polka dot! 

It's Friday, I had to work off that single macaron (or maybe it was those Gram & Dun meatballs!) so I hit the Power Pilates class.  Anyone see the 40 oz. in this picture?  Haha!  It was all I could not to make a joke.....

Yes.  I put down my exercise ball just so I could snap a picture.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

p.s. Fall is almost here - Hallelujah!

The Sack Dress, Cuter Than A Bathrobe

This is the type of outfit I wouldn't normally blog about.  It's essentially a t-shirt, only long enough that I don't have to wear pants with it.  It's essentially a sack, a few steps up from a garbage bag (see the saggy diaper butt after a day of wearing it??)  But it's a cute garbage bag.  It's cool and easy - perfect for a poolside cover-up, quick enough for oversleeping or last minute errands first thing in the morning, and cuter than your bathrobe.

Dress: Banana Republic Factory (got it on sale for $21, although it retails for $49.99) (similar here)

Scarf: Forever21 (similar here)

Bracelets: Banana Republic Factory and JCrew (similar here and here)

Sandals: Candies (similar here)

Clutch: Coach (similar here)

Sunglasses: Nordstrom

So why am I letting you see this dress?  Believe it or not, I have received more compliments on this dress than anything else in my closet this summer.  One evening, the Mr and I were lounging on the couch watching   the television (somewhat aimlessly) when he turned to me and said, "Hey, I wanted to tell you something."  Like a bunny, my ears perked up, alert to the sound of an impending, ominous conversation.

"I really like you in that dress."

"WHAT??"

"I don't know, maybe it's the way I can grab your butt......"

My head still hurts from what may very well be the world's most exaggerated eye roll.

And I thought, "Out of all the things I wear, this is what you like??"

p.s. I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde for WIWW.

Nothing Like Nautical

This month's EBEW theme is Nautical.  The rebel in me had to stand out, so in lieu of all the stripes, red, whites, blues and otherwise-over-the-top-preppy clothing in my closet, I chose this:

Earrings: Forever21

Top: JCrew

Bracelets: Target

Pants: Anthropologie

Shoes: JCrew (similar here)

Handbag: Target

and stood on the dock of a lake - you know, to make the "nautical" theme seem more relevant.

That's right.  I'm wearing a Hawaiian-print shirt.  Now I need a boat and a fruity drink in the shape of a pineapple (or coconut.)  And a pair of Sperry's.

In other news, if I happened to fall overboard, I should be easy to spot, right?  Haha.

It's Friday, I'm In Love.

It's Friday and I've got a few things on my mind:

1. Yes, The Cure is one of my all-time favorite bands (and my best friend can't believe I still have their music on my iPod.)

2. I'm an old sentimental fool.  Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys has died of cancer.  I love the Beastie Boys.  I'm sad to think that the group won't be the same anymore.  Why did I think they would just be around forever?  There is no other band (even though Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, Bon Jovi and Gene Simmons have certainly tried) that I could envision rocking out on stage at the age of 90, walkers in hand, and still be cool!

3. Did you know that Halls is having their Spring Sale?  It's been extended until Sunday, May 6th AND (a little birdie told me) Nanette Lepore, Tibi, Yoana Baraschi and Milly are 40% off (regular price merchandise only.)  Go, invest in classic and quality at 40% off.  I might even see you there!

4. My son has Strep Throat.  I feel helpless and horrible.  Meds will help my son feel better, but an Oscar de la Renta gown might make me feel better. Or that pair of Louboutins.

5. Mother's day is coming up and I'm dreaming of Tiffany blue (wink, wink.)

6. Wow.  The humidity has arrived, and that means my hair has grown at least three times in volume since March.

6. Here's an outfit to round out my thoughts (and how I wish it were a poufy taffeta Oscar de la Renta gown!)

Shirt: Jcrew

Necklace: H&M

Bracelets: Target

Belt: Target (similar here)

Pants: Forever21 (similar here)

Shoes: Daisy Fuentes

Handbag: Target

Take note of this handbag.  It's not my favorite, but I bought it for a very specific purpose.  Stay tuned for more!

Champagne Wishes & Caviar Dreams

That's how this jacket makes me feel.  I need a Yacht.

Jacket: H&M (similar here)

Top: JCrew (similar here)

Necklace: JCrew (similar here)

Watch: Merona

Sunglasses: Forever21

Pants: Forever21

Shoes: Esprit

Please excuse the dirt.

Vacation Yo!

Yes, I just said yo.  I'm excited.  Sue me.

Watch the video to find out where I'm headed and to see my awesome dance moves.  No really.  They're awesome.  

Shirt: H&M (similar here)
Skirt: Forever21
Necklace: Jcrew (similar here)
Hat: Forever21 (similar here)

Don't forget, Thursday starts an awesome giveaway (so stay tuned, or I'll have to dance some more.)

TripleP in the Kitchen

Join Dine & Dish and Cookin’ Canuck for the California Avocado 4th of July Blast, 

sponsored by the California Avocado Commission.

Baked Avocado Fries

(adapted from this recipe, which was adapted from that recipe, which was adapted.......)

Source: morethanmary.com via Erin on Pinterest

¼ C all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

2 large eggs, beaten

1 ¼ C Italian Seasoned bread crumbs

2 perfectly ripe California Avocados, pitted, peeled and sliced into wedges

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees (Fahrenheit.)

Dredge the avocado wedges in the flour (coat them real well,) dredge in beaten egg (coat them real well, again,) and then dredge them in the bread crumbs (you got the real well part, right?)  Lay on a baking sheet (I rubbed a little bit of olive oil on my pan.)  Sprinkle a little bit of salt over the wedges, and then lightly sprinkle olive oil over them (I placed my finger over the opening to "sprinkle" because I'm fancy like that. Haha.)  Bake for about 15-20 minutes (Mine were almost burnt at 18 minutes.)  Take them out of the oven.  Eat them.  I forgot to take pictures.

Even my children ate them.  That is a miracle.

Have you ever watched the Food Network (or Cooking Channel) and they have those awesome videos of the food bubbling up in the hot oven? No?

My kitchen is one of the most well-used areas of our home.  I spend a lot of time cooking, cleaning, baking, cleaning, hanging out, cleaning, playing games, cleaning, entertaining and more cleaning in my kitchen.

Top, Old Navy.  Pants, JCrew.  Necklace, Forever21.  Bracelets, thrifted (similar here) and Target.

I read an article the other day about bloggers appearing to be perfect (sorry, I can't find it or I would link to it - it was a good article!)  I know, I know.  I even use the word in the title of my blog.  I know I am not perfect.  The title of my blog is about what I wish I was, what I am always seeking and what I love; it is my search for all things pretty, polished, and otherwise perfect.  I've got a number of photographs that are far from pretty, my dishwasher could use a good polishing and look!  My kitchen isn't perfect:

Did I mention I spend a lot of time in the kitchen.......cleaning?