If you've read my blog for any amount of time you have gotten the gist that I have been super bummed at the fact that I thought there were no other style bloggers in Colorado. Well guess what? I am happy to report that I was wrong! Recently, I was invited to my very first Blogger Meet Up through the lovely staff at Denver Style Magazine down in Denver where I got to meet two of these lovely ladies and even more importantly learn that other bloggers in Denver exist! Hooray! I got to meet a lot of other really cool people too, but for this installment of Dear Frannie Friday, let's focus on the blogs. For real, check some of these ladies out!
I didn't get to meet her either but I stumbled on her blog and love her gorgeous photos and cool pattern mixing style.
Navy Joggers-Nordstrom's; Black and White Striped Shirt-Target; Black Flats-Payless; Beret-thrifted; Trench-DKNY; Pearl Earrings-gifted from Patrick from Qatar
I got these skinny camo jeans with birthday money two years ago. In all honesty, I haven't worn them as much as I thought I would on the blog, but I do wear them a lot in real life. They are a strange fit in that I have to be having a "skinny day" to really be comfortable in them. But the pattern is fun and I love the little studded embellishments on the "pockets" (another downfall--no real pockets).
I think I paid $30 for these jeans and I have only worn them a documented four times--making the price per wear $7. Not my best work, but still pretty good.
So guess what today is? Patrick's birthday. We both have to work (lame) and so does Kaden and I have to help watch my niece and nephew so we don't get to spend a lot of time together as a family. And that makes me kind of sad because I love birthdays.
But more than birthdays, I love my husband. I mean, I really love my husband. I cannot effectively put into words what he means to me. Truly. He is my best friend. And I know that everyone says that but it's true.
Everyday, he makes me laugh. He makes me think of things in ways I hadn't before. He teaches me patience, hard work and what it means to be in a relationship. He has given me the gift of a son, adopting Kaden and being an amazing stepfather to Conner and Brielle without ever thinking of them or treating them "differently". I really and truly love him with all of my heart and I don't know what I would do without him. So even though we won't have much time today, I hope that he has the best of what time we do have. Happy birthday Patrick!
Skinny Camo Jeans-Kohl's; Black Tennies-Target; Grey Oversized Sweater-Forver 21; Earrings-DIY and gifted
As I mentioned yesterday, Patrick and I both have birthdays coming up (his is actually tomorrow!!!). So I thought that there would be no more appropriate time to do an inspirational wording post than now. Enjoy.
White Pleated Skirt-thrifted; Grey and Black Striped Shirt-Target; Leather and Shearling Jacket-thrifted; Combat Boots-L.E.I.; Tassel Necklace-Charming Charlie's; Earrings-gifted
There are so many versions of this song, but here are my two favorites. This one by Elvis Presley (classic):
And my ultimate favorite version of the song by UB40:
So. Valentine's Day is coming up. We don't celebrate it. For one, it's kind of like making saying I love you a "to-do" with a marked calendar day. For two, Patrick and I's birthdays are too close to Valentine's Day (his is this Thursday and mine is February 6th) and we are sick of getting Valentine's stuff for our birthdays.
But one thing that you can't get enough of, especially as a lady, is flowers. Patrick is really, really good in the flower department. He frequently surprises me with flowers and although I never thought of myself as a flower girl, I have grown to love them.
And the great thing about flowers is that you don't necessarily need a reason to get someone flowers. In fact, that is the greatest time to get flowers--at a time when you don't expect it. Sending someone flowers as a thank you, as a thinking of you, as a congrats or just because is a wonderful way to show someone that they matter.
So when The Bouqs contacted me to review their flowers and the ordering process, I was happy to oblige. I had Patrick pick the bouquet and he chose The Desperado. I knew it would be a great winter flower arrangement. To let the colors in the bouquet shine, I opted for a more muted outfit than normal.
Let me first say that The Bouqs has sooo many flowers to choose from. They all look gorgeous and they have really kitschy names, which I find fun. They also have different sizes and you are able to customize a message to send with them.
I ordered the flowers about a week before they arrived. I knew right away that the first thing I wanted to examine was just how "fresh" the flowers still were after being shipped for a week. Needless to say, when I received the flowers they were in a box that I practically had to perform surgery on just to get to the flowers themselves. I have to say, that is great for preservation (though maybe not as much for presentation).
As you can see, the flowers were still in impeccable shape. I did have to take off a few dying petals, but for the most part, the bouquet looked as alive as it would have if I picked it up in a shop that same day. A little while in a vase with water and they were just perfect.
All in all, a great experience. I would absolutely use The Bouqs personally again and have already thought of many people and occasions for which to use them again. They are fairly priced and the gorgeous arrangement speaks for itself--beautiful. They would totally brighten up anyone's day.
Grey Jeans-thrifted; Pale Pink Cropped Sweater-thrifted; Oversized Oxford Shirt-Wal-Mart; Salmon Colored Kitten Heels-Nine West, thrifted; Pearl Necklace and Earrings-gifted from Patrick from Qatar; Flowers c/o The Bouqs
One of the blogs that I follow purely for eye candy fashion inspiration is Suburban Faux Pas. I love her style. It is classic and chic and I looooove her hair.
So this weekend my Odyssey of the Mind team and I went to the Spontaneous Workshop. It's a long explanation but basically the kids will have to perform a "spontaneous problem" at the tournament (in March! Eek!). A spontaneous problem is a small, random, timed problem that the kids will have to solve.
For example, one of the problems that they had to "solve" during this workshop was doing a word web on the word break. Some examples were common--like break a window or coffee break--and some were more creative like break the sound barrier and breakfast.
Although it takes a lot of extra time and a lot of extra stress, I have to say I am really glad that I volunteered to be a coach (well, a co-coach with another mom--thank GOD!!!). Not only does it give me extra time and bonding with kiddos--in particular Conner with whom I never really get extra time with--but it is just fun.
It's fun to see my kids blossom and work together as a team. It is fun to watch their little minds think outside of the box. One of the workshops yesterday said that my kids made up the most creative build off of each other story he'd ever heard! They had aliens and elvins and pigeons that turned into pancakes and fire pits. It was great!
And because 5 of the 6 kids on my team are in the gifted and talented, excelled programs in school (my Conner included), it is nice for them to turn their brains less from the rules and regulations and more into the creative aspects of life. It's really hard for them most of the time--they have a lot of regulation questions--but it is really good. And really cool to watch.
By the way, the winner of the elephant brooch was Beth! Congrats!
Striped Tee-thrifted; Corduroy and Faux Fur Jacket-thrifted; Floral Joggers-Nordstrom; Cap Toe Heels-Franco Sarto
