Link Up

I thought of this idea when I have all this jewelry of my Grandmas that I want to keep, but was not sure what to do with it. Furthermore, her wrist was much bigger than mine, so her bracelets are just too big for me. So, my creative juices started flowing and I came up with the idea of hooking the two pieces of jewelry together to give them a modern twist, and so I could actually wear them! You can do the same with two necklaces, and possibly three or more bracelets. Have fun with it!
To see how to turn old necklaces & bracelets into one longer necklace...follow the steps below!

Start with a necklace and bracelet.

 Latch the clasp of the bracelet to the eye of the necklace clasp.

Do the same with the other end of the clasps, but this time in reverse.

Ways to wear.

Ways to wear.

Bootie-ful!

I know some of you may call me trendy, but I really do believe in having some basics of certain trends. I would consider shoes the most valuable accessory to any outfit: just consult my husband & my (very full) closet. Now for the season's latest staple for Fall & Winter: the bootie! Wear them with whatever: pencil skirts, skinny & boyfriend jeans, leggings (as long as you have a decent length shirt to cover your other bootie - leggings are not pants people!).

I think Colin is over me asking: do these make my legs look fat? Ha! For those of you who are with me, I really have found that the booties with a pointed toe really elongate my legs (I need all the help I can get in that department), and have replaced my need for a new pair of black riding boots this season.

I've found some great pairs at TJ Maxx and then on sale on the Nordstrom website (since I no longer have an actual Nordstrom store close...*sniffles and tears*). Additionally, if you trust buying your shoes online, Etsy has some great options for vintage booties that are much less pricey than their brand new counterparts. You know, the 2000's aren't the first time we've seen booties. The 80's are back! I just have one rule when buying vintage and booties all together: buy real leather. Its much more durable, and stretches to comfort & fit.

Join the bootie-ful craze with me!

TJ Maxx (a friend turned me on to these) lace up suede wedge booties, amazing traction on the bottom for those snowy days! Brand: White Mountain

I was searching for camel, but not suede, so I ended up with a camel and brown compromise. Brand: Jeffrey Campbell via Nordstrom

Pointed toe wedge in black, so comfy and my latest "go to" in place of riding boots. Plus, they look professional enough for the office on their own. Brand: Nine West via TJ Maxx

My steal of a deal: black suede, Western style bootie, also amazingly comfortable! And the suede cleans well. Love them with my jeans rolled up. Brand: DV by Dolce Vita via Treat Boutique

Wedding Lessons Learned

I mentioned that I recently got married in my previous post, so I wanted to share with you some pictures of the day and a couple observations I made while a bride. I was just discussing with a friend the other day, I was never that girl who dreamed of her wedding day...I guess I didn't want to get excited about it until it happened to me! And it did! 

A little tiny thing called a budget stood over my left shoulder, and the wedding idea and money spending devil...also known as Pinterest (ha!), or BHLDN, or Nordstrom Wedding Suite (I could go on forever)...rested on my right shoulder. At one point I joked with our officiant/pre-wedding advisor, "as long as the groom shows up I'll have a wedding!" I guess that isn't much of a joke because its true, but it is funny at the same time! When it all came down to it, I decided that none of this was important. 

 In all seriousness...I told my florist and day of planner the colors I'd like to see in the bouquets but was never specific about..."I need this, this and this (to be happy)." I chose neutral colors for both the bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmens' suits not to get attached to a certain "theme." What it all came down to was we wanted our guests to eat, drink and have a wonderful time dancing to live music--and that didn't involve my dress, the table arrangements or flowers! We wanted everyone to know that we appreciated them being there for such a memorable time in our lives. As a bride I learned to manage my own expectations, and also keep in mind what why the day was happening. I can't way it wasn't a challenge and that I didn't have to reset my thinking a couple of times, but that's what I took away from all of the wedding hoopla! 

I hadn't even seen a sample, but these hit the mark...breathtaking Garden Roses, Babies Breath...need I say more? The colors complimented the surroundings just perfectly. Exactly what I had envisioned!

My amazingly supportive bridal party!

   

What's a wedding day without a fabulous pair of heels? Ivanka Trump makes a great Jimmy Choo look alike for those of us brides on a budget. I snagged these in the Von Maur sale room for around $70.

I may have lost the German last name, I will always have German heritage and I wanted to honor that! Most of the candy was hot off the plane from Germany itself thanks to a dear friend.

Our beautiful archway we were married under, overlooking West Lake Okoboji.

My handsome groom!

Back in the Game

Well folks, after a long hiatus, I am back to blogging! This time with a slightly different approach: writing about design ideas, outfit/style ideas, up cycling & recycling ideas, seasonal inspirations, recipes/cooking, fitness, and all things house, life and wonderful! I will also be featuring a guest blogger, someone who I have come to admire in her sense of design style and amazing up cycling abilities. More on all of that later. One thing I've come to find out, is blogging takes a lot of time and work. It takes an archive of ideas and lots of commitment.

As far as my life, I'll offer you a summary of updates in a few short sentences... 

On New Year's Eve, 2011 going into 2012, I met the man I just married this past Fall. We've relocated to Des Moines, IA and purchased a home and also got a dog, Pearl. I am definitely missing my friends and fast-paced life on the East Coast, but Des Moines offers a plethora of opportunity for us. We are looking forward to what the future brings.