Monday Inspiration

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day! I hope you were able to see your Mom, and if you couldn’t, I hope you were thinking about her all day long!

 I couldn’t be with my Mom this Mother’s Day, but she was on my mind, in fact, I probably annoyed her a little bit with how many times I called her! I talk to my Mom several times a day. I am very blessed to be as close to my parents as I am, but I do think sometimes my parents wish I could get all of my thoughts out at one time, in one phone call, but I also secretly think they like hearing from me multiple times a day. At least, that’s what I tell myself anyway.

I really love quotes. So, today, I am going to get a little “quote happy” as I like to call it. I always look for new inspiring ways to look at things in life and challenge myself. And here are a few that I am loving lately, so I thought I would share them with you, too.

Enjoy your Monday “Inspiration.”

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Happy Monday!

Draper James

Have you seen Reese Witherspoon’s new line Draper James? It is gorgeous, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from Reese herself. She’s a star that is always perfectly put together, even if she’s going to the gym. I am not surprised at all that she’s gone into designing fashion. I’m so glad. I love the fact that Reese is from the South, values family like I do, and has a beautiful family of her own. Did I mention she has great style? I love her style.

If you haven’t checked out her new line, add it to your to-do list. Below are some of my favorites! Happy Shopping!

Horseshoe Objet

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 I love horseshoes. I have loved horses since I was a little girl. I actually had a real horseshoe hanging on my bedroom door growing up. This reminds me of my parent’s home and my childhood, and those are two things that are priceless to me. I might have to add this to my desk.

Derby Bag in Nashville Navy

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This bag is lovely. The navy and gold combo is classic and my favorite pairing.

Belle Meade Dress

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This dress is so cute. The v-front is flattering, and who can turn down a dress with pockets?

Bristol Short

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The magnolia print is really pretty, and again, I’m sold on the navy color!

 Magnolia Link Bracelet

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This bracelet is classic and feminine. Love it.

What do you love from Reese Witherspoon’s new line, Draper James?

Peonies in the Garden

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Lately on our daily walks, I have been noticing the gorgeous blooms of…peonies! They are stunning in every yard that has them. I keep meaning to stop and take pictures of these pretty flowers every evening, but I just keep walking and admiring them. However, I am now convinced that I need peonies in my garden! They come in so many colors, and I think the pale pink and the white peonies are my favorite.

I am very lucky to have a Mom that just so happens to be a “Master Gardener.” She actually is a certified Master Gardener, and knows everything about plants. She’s been gardening since before I was born, and if you ever want to know where my Mom is, she’s in the yard ( that is if it’s warm enough outside). My Dad jokes and calls her the “Goldie Locks Gardener!” Love them to pieces. They are such a cute couple! The temperature has to be “just right.” Oh, and she doesn’t “sweat” she “glistens!” Needless to say, my Mom lives to be in the garden. My parents have a beautiful garden. She’s so smart, and can even tell you the Latin name of each kind of plant. So, Mom, if you’re reading this, please know that peonies are on my list to add to our garden this year!

Since I stopped working now, I feel like I can spend a little more time in our yard, and I definitely want to add some pretty, blooming plants to our yard.

What flowers do you have in your garden? What are you wanting to add this year?

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Sale Alert – Ann Taylor LOFT

Many of you may already know about the Ann Taylor LOFT sale going on now. At first, it was only offered in stores, and now they’ve expanded the sale to online as well! As a busy Mom, trying to get out of the house in between naptime, playtime and feeding times can be difficult, so I’m really glad that they’re offering this deal online now.

Just use the Promo code: HALFSIES to get 50% off everything!

They have some really cute, cute pieces this season. Here’s what I’m loving!

Fringe Trim Shift Dress

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This dress is gorgeous. The shift style is really flattering, and the fringe trim reminds me of a Tory Burch dress that The Duchess of Cambridge (so wish I had her closet!) wore last year. I can see wearing this for many seasons. Classic.

Fluid Strapless Jumpsuit

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I wasn’t a fan of the jumpsuits until now. This is very sleek and modern. I prefer a solid jumpsuit to a print/patterned one. This one is perfect for the Spring/Summer.

Tall Linen Wide Leg Trousers

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I have never been disappointed with their tall pants. White linen pants in the Summer is a must for me. So timeless, and the wide leg is very chic paired with a more fitted top.

 Striped Sailor Riviera Shorts

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You can’t go wrong with the sailor style. I still have a few sailor J.Crew shorts from when I was wait for it…17 years old. The yellow color is different and so happy. I love how the “Riviera” style fits, as the length is also very Mom-friendly!

 Elephant Riviera Shorts

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I own these and love them. I would wear them everyday if I could. Ok, maybe not everyday, but a lot. The elephant print is adorable. The navy color is perfect to pair with pink, lighter blues, neutrals, and even green tops. Lots of outfit options.

Abstract Riviera Shorts

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The orange/pink color screams Summer time. You could pair these with classic button ups, tees or even a dressy blouse!

 Banded Sandals

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These are a great neutral, everyday sandal. I like the coral version, too. Flats are a must when chasing a little one around.

Tiered Green Stone Necklace

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This is so so pretty. I love the color of the green stones. Another classic to wear with pretty much any outfit you want. You’ll wear this necklace for years. Trust me.

Have you shopped the sale yet? If so, what are your favorites? I would love to hear them!

Office Artwork

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am redesigning my office space at home. Part of the redesign is adding pretty artwork. I am planning on dedicating one wall to be a “gallery wall.”

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At my old job, I had a gallery wall of pinterest photos printed out all over my office. Literally, every space was covered. I loved coming into work and working in such a happy space. We had great color printers (one of the perks of working in Marketing), and I would change a few prints out to new ones every few Fridays. Every single image I had hanging in my office inspired me. It was so much better than having plain, grey cube walls. For a creative trying to work, grey cube walls is sheer torture. Trust me.

So, I plan to recreate that kind of space at my home office.

I love the idea of mixing & matching picture frames as well. I plan for some to be clean, crisp white frames, and some prints will be in gold frames.

Now’s the fun part, picking out the prints to go in the frames for my gallery wall. I imagine I will probably change them out with something new every so often, which I look forward to…

I am turning to Etsy to help me build my gallery wall because I know I can get some really great prints at reasonable prices, and I can do the framing myself. Here are a few prints that I am currently loving:

English Springer Spaniel Print

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English Springer Spaniel Silhouette Print

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Blue and White Vase with Peonies Print

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Make It Happen Gold Foil Print

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More Issues Than Vogue Print

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Pineapple Print

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Love You Forever Print

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 Do you love gallery walls? It’s a bit intimidating at first to build, but now that I have these great prints to inspire me, I think I can do it! Do you have a gallery wall at home?

Classic Combination

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If there are two things that I love to wear together, it’s a pair of great skinny pants and a pretty blouse. This combination is a win win for work, date night or even every day as a Mom.  I never tire of this look, because it is always in style and it’s very flattering. I snagged the blouse that I’m wearing for $17.50 during one of J.Crew’s major sales. I love it so much that I bought it in black, too. Here’s a similar blouse that’s perfect for Spring. Blouses like these can be dressed up with skinny pants, but they’re also great paired with jeans or skirts. Remember to always wear skinny pants with a looser fitting top to balance your look. For any expectant Moms out there, it’s a great style to wear, too. I wore this combination a lot while I was expecting.

These J.Crew skinny pants are worth every penny.  I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without them. I actually own them in black, burgundy and navy. They are that good my friends. So, if you see them buy them in every color (especially if they’re on sale -and they are right now!). The best part is that you can wear them year round. Just switch out your Fall/Winter boots for cute sandals, and you’re set for Spring/Summer. I paired my favorite green sandals (old, but similar here) to add a pop of color. You can always add color to a classic combo like this through accessories like these, this, and these. That’s the best part of putting on a black/cream outfit like this – the endless options to wear great accessories to help change up your look.

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J.Crew Minnie Pants // J.Crew Blouse {old, but similar here} // Kate Spade Initial Necklace // Kate Spade Cobble Hill handbag {old, but similar here} // Nine West Sandals {old, but similar here} // Ann Taylor Pearl Bracelet {old, but similar here} // Target sunglasses {old, but similar here}

 

 

Plan Your Look

How many times have you woken up in the morning, walked into your closet and said “I have nothing to wear,” even though your closet is full of wonderful clothes to wear? This happens to me so many times that I would be embarrassed to put a real number on it. Just ask my husband, he’s a numbers guy, so he may actually have the real number (And, Honey, I don’t want to know). Of course, that statement is soon followed by “I need to go shopping asap!” He just patiently listens until my little “fashion fit” is over. We always laugh about it after the fact, but it’s “real” to me in the moment. To a girl who LOVES fashion, it’s a crisis, even though deep down I know it’s not.

I love my clothes, I truly do, but let’s face it, we all get bored with them sometimes. And, sometimes, all we need is to do is to plan a little bit better. And, especially on those mornings where you don’t want to/have time to think about putting your look together.

So, if you follow me on instagram, you will know that I have been putting together outfits. It’s called “Plan Your Look” with Fancy Says Have A Ball. It’s a simple way to get inspired with clothes you already have in your closet. Just call me your “online stylist!” I love putting “looks” together, and even more so, if I am helping you, too. You’ll get a preview of each week’s outfits, if you follow me on instagram.

Some of the pieces I have owned for many years, and some I have just added to my closet. It’s fun to mix the old with the new, and it’s even better when it something all new! Every week, I plan to post several of my “plan your looks” on the blog. It might help you on those days where you want to look your best, but can’t see past getting your first cup of coffee in hand, and your long to-do list.

I plan to include outfits for any occasion you may have to attend. Whether it’s for work, church, a play date, a girls night out, or a date night. My hope is that you can find inspiration to go back and “shop” in your closet, and get ready with confidence!

 Look 1

This look would be great for a date night, church, or a night out with your girls! You could add a blazer to it, and a pair of flats to make it a work look.

Look 2

This would be great for work, church, or a date night. Change out the tote for a clutch at night. An all black outfit is so chic, no matter what the occasion.

Look 3
If your office has “casual” Fridays, this would be cute for work. It’s also a great look for the weekend, running errands, brunch, play dates or a movie date night.

Look 4
This look is perfect for work, a date night or girls night out.

Look 5
Another great look for work (you could add a cardigan or blazer), a cookout, a date night, brunch or even a play date.

Look 6
Perfect for running errands, a play date or brunch.

Look 7

A dress is so simple to dress up or down. The flats make it perfect for work or a play date. Add heels, and it’s a casual date night look.

I hope y’all found this helpful. I now have no excuse for the next week to say “I have nothing to wear!”

Boyfriend Jeans

The boyfriend jean trend has been around for awhile now. And, I will be the first to say, at first, I loved it, but only on other people. Since my style has always been pretty “tailored”  looking, I didn’t really jump on the bandwagon, until now.

In the past, when I tried the “boyfriend style” jeans on, it was either my tops felt too dressy or my pointy toe shoes “didn’t look quite right” with them. However, the longer the trend has stayed around, it has grown on me, a lot. I love the fact that you can wear it either super dressy or super casual. A very versatile jean. Versatile may as well be my middle name, because that’s what I want in my closet – versatility. And, lots of it.  Just ask my husband, if it’s not versatile, then I don’t buy it.

I bought my first pair from j.crew factory after I had my baby, and let me tell you, they are so comfortable. I love jeans, and to have a little more “wiggle room” is welcomed, especially when I was trying to lose the last of the baby weight. They are the perfect style for that post baby look you want, and even well after you’ve lost the weight, like I have.

Below are some of my favorite boyfriend style jean looks.

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Do you like “boyfriend style” jeans? If so, do you wear them dressed up? Dressed down? Or do you wear them somewhere in between these two ways? What brands of these jeans do you love best? I’m looking to add my second pair now.

Desk Style

I am in the middle of redesigning my home office/desk style. I love having a little sliver of space in our house to let my creative juices run wild. In my opinion, a desk should reflect the person sitting there, and also inspire and stretch that person creatively. As my blog grows, and I grow as a person, I think I will be constantly redesigning this space over and over again, which is really quite exciting to me.

I’ve always said, “good things take time,” and this stands true for a desk space/office style, too. Add one piece of inspiration at a time. You’ll know what you like when you see it. It’s the little details that truly make it a reflection of you, and you should love each one. My desk is my happy place to write this blog; therefore, everything in it should be “my kind of happy” to me. What things make you happy at your desk? How would you define your “desk style?”

Of course I turned to the one and only Pinterest to get inspired. Below are a few images that are helping me during this redesign phase. Maybe little pieces of each space will inspire you, too.

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I see a lot of mint, pink, navy and gold accents coming into my office soon. The most important aspect of any space you’re designing is that you must be true to yourself, otherwise you won’t love it. I believe you should love the space where you work. You spend a lot of time there, and you should invest all of yourself into making it a space absolutely perfect for you.

Happy Tuesday!