Must-Have Mondays [color me SUMMER]

Here are some SUMMER essentials that I can't get enough of!

1) at least 1 item in MINT GREEN.  I know.. at first is doesn't sound all that appealing [in fact it sounds way better in an ice cream cone ;)].. but it is one of the hottest colors this summer!  A great alternative and "softer" option to the flood of neon colors!

and if you are brave enough to try... go monochromatic in MINT

2) a favorite repeat on the fashion scene... STRIPES.  This summer, nautical stripes are all over the place... but do we dare mix stripes with polka dots? with florals? with prints?

3) NEON - neon colors are everywhere from shoes to jewelry to jeans [my personal fave].  What better time of the year to put a splash of color into your daily routine!

available at GAP.com

4) polish those PIGGIES - nothing is better than a great pedicure and even better nail polish color!

best color out... ESSIE mojito madness

" 

Walk"ing" the Line

Things have been on [fast forward] at the Carter household these past couple weeks.  Our sweet and [curious] Brooks has been a handful, but we are loving every minute!
Let me catch y'all up on what we have been doing!

Last weekend Brooks went on his first road trip [at the ripe age of 11 weeks!].  Jeff and I loaded Brooks and a tote full of chew-toys into the BMW and drove 10 hours home to South Carolina.  Not only did we want to show off our new man [and while he is still relatively small ;)] but we volunteered and attended the Midlands Forget-Me-Not Ball [benefiting the Alzheimer's Association]. Highlight of the event... it was at Williams Brice Stadium and the ol' ball coach [Spurrier] came out and supported the cause! We had a such a good [but brief] weekend and got to see both our families!  And... Brooks did a great job at riding in the car and he got to meet so many of the special people in our lives!

We have been doing a lot of exploring since bringing Brooks home [keeping him active and wearing him out can be exhausting] but... Jeff and I always say we need to get out more and be active... so here we are.  One of the best [and surprising] elements of Philadelphia has been the park system.  We live within walking distance of the Fairmount Park System and the Manayunk Towpath, both have provided a great outlet to take Brooks for exercise and socialization!  I can tell you one thing... I can thank Brooks for some new-found weight loss and a lack of dedication/schedule at the gym ;)

Jeff and I are excited about the summer here...the weather is getting nicer and nicer everyday and spring is in full bloom... the colors of the trees and flowers here are fabulous, shades of pink and yellow that we just don't see in the South.  But don't get me wrong... we still long for those morning walks on the beach and skipping seashells in the tide pools!  We are hoping to get the "shore" this summer up here... we will see how that goes ;) Oh, and speaking of bloom... we have about 8 rose bushes in our backyard... every evening Brooks and I go out and cut fresh new roses for the house.  It is a breath of fresh [flowery] air to have roses in the house around-the-clock!

My parents are in route to Philadelphia this upcoming week and I can't wait to show them all the wonderful and exciting things we have been doing!  Till' then.....

Forget-Me-Not Ball with Jeff, Bre and Tim!

Brooks hiking at Fairmount Park

I spy.... a goose!

Hiking over the bridge!

mishMASH

It has been a few weeks since my last entry... so I am dedicating "mishMASH" to catching y'all up on what I have been up to!


First of all... I have exciting news [that came after a few rough couple days/weeks]...........
Jeff and I have a new family member [canine]!  Our beloved Cooper was diagnosed with spinal cord cancer and is now on a permanent vacation [we believe he made it to Folly Beach ;)].  In the wake of all that chaos and sadness, Jeff and I were blessed with a new puppy.  He arrived on Easter morning... much better than a basket full of chocolates?!  Well... Maybe.  But definitely a healthier alternative to munching on candy all week!


BROOKS in an Airedale Terrier puppy and full of energy!  This is the first time Jeff and I have had a larger breed, so we are in some new and uncharted waters!  Brooks has been adjusting well - he has slept through the nights [which we are both thankful for] and he is learning tricks already.  We are so happy to have him and are excited to watch him grow [FAST!]

I have also found an [affordable and great] new beauty product -  B.B. cream!  Garnier pushed this product in my face for weeks... every other TV commercial, Internet pop ups, and even coupons in my mail!  I broke down and tried the product. It promises to give "skin that looks naturally more even, radiant, and smooth" and here comes the bonus... in just 5 days! I will say that I am impressed!  I love this product and plan to stock up.... this is a versatile product that you can wear alone or layer.  I have noticed that some discoloration and blotchiness in my skin has also started to improve... Maybe not in 5 days.. but 2 weeks, yes!  5 stars for this product!... good product that delivers and is so affordable.  It also comes in two color options.. perfect for your summer tan and winter white ;) 

B.B. Cream

Sunday [fun]day

Last weekend Jeff and I decided not to participate in St. Patrick's day activities, but rather enjoy a beautiful Sunday together! We took Cooper out to Main Street and did a little shopping, eating, and beer/wine tasting.  It was a nice change of pace and scenery to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful weather we were having!

Dinner at "Coopers"

[Officially] Spring

We finally made it!  It is [officially] spring-time!  As March 21st rolled around in Philadelphia, we saw a week's worth of fabulous weather. This past Friday, we even topped out at a record-breaking 80 degrees!

Spring is in full swing and so is my bright and "spring-y" wardrobe.

My go-to spring pieces:

Colored skimmer legging jeans: Gap $59.95

Linen Pants: Victoriassecret.com $34.50

in red lolli


Comfortable and casual maxi skirts - Victoriassecret.com  $39.50

A great pair of bright flats! - Piperlime.com $79.99

Tahari - Carly Flat in Orange/Gold

Thick or Thin

Thick or Thin... how do you wear your brows?

Brook Shields burst onto the scene in 1980 as a Calvin Klein jean model with eyebrows every woman envied. For the past 32 years eyebrows have been [predominately] an understated and [under-groomed] trend.

More recently eyebrows have made a [big] statement.  Celebrities and models alike have been sporting a more natural thick brow for the past couple seasons and from the look of things the bold brow is here to stay!

Ladies, put down your tweezers and cancel that monthly wax... embrace the [bushy... BUT SHAPED] brow this season!

A young natural-browed Brook Shields

Ashley Olsen - bold and beautiful brows

Camilla Belle - beautifully natural

Jennifer Connelly - statement brows

Lily Collins - all about the brows

It's my party & I'll eat if I WANT to

In celebration of my birthday [26 years young] I ate my way through the weekend and played with some of my favorite people! We had some fabulously unhealthy foods and even learned a little history ;)

I also got a handful of wonderful gifts :) The presence of my sister and b.f.f for one!  A couple gift cards to great places (Target, Ulta, and Starbucks [of course]).  Some rockin' colored jeans (green, yellow, and pink!  Welcome Spring... anytime now) and lots of love from my family and friends.

5 things I learned and ate this weekend:
1) The Liberty Bell is inside a building, not outside for every passer-by to view ;)
2) I ate 2 cheese steaks, one with cheese-whiz and one in pretzel form
3) People in Philadelphia start celebrating St. Patrick's Day two weeks early...
4) I ate cookies, cake, and chocolate truffles.  Oh wait, and cinnamon pretzels.  WHOOPS.
5) All estimates lead to Independence Hall as the birthplace of America, right here in downtown Philadelphia.

Liberty Bell (see... it is inside!)

Cheesesteak... Nom Nom

I fit right in wearing my green jeans

Cinnamon Pretzels... and more goodies

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA

Spring FEVER

As I was driving home from work today,  I had the sun-roof open and my favorite song playing [currently Right Back Atcha Babe - Tim McGraw] -the distinct smell of spring was in the air and my mind started to wander and yearn for all things spring [and it didn't hurt that my car thermometer read 59 degrees].

One of my fondest childhood memories is spending my afternoons and weekends rolling around and skipping barefoot through the green grass of my parent's front yard, listening to the crickets and fireflies as the sun set.  Spring always stirs up these [nostalgic] memories and I get a feeling of ease and peace as the days start to grow longer, the leaves turn green and flowers bloom, and the world comes back to life.

Sooo... in honor of [or hoping for] an early spring, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite spring things!

The first thing I want to do when spring rolls around is brighten up the house!  Here a couple of ideas:

Yellow Loveseat - Anthropologie 

Use fresh citrus fruits as vase fillers, centerpieces, and slice up and use with floral arrangements!

After the house has a few spring touches, you must accessorize yourself ;)

1) go get a well deserved mani/pedi and step out with a new color.  My favorite for the spring: 

Essie - "Navigate Her"

Essie - "orange, it's obvious"

2) buy a new pair of spring sandals to show off that pedi!

Sam Edelman - GABLE in New Nude Leopard Flamingo

3) ANNNNNDDDD FINALLY.... go out and buy yourself a new bag :)

Tory Burch - Nylon Ella Tote (multiple colors avail.)

DEALS and STEALS

How great are these accessories?  And they are even better than what first meets the eye because they are all under $50.00!!

Leopard Ipad Case - J.Crew $24.99

vietafashion.com $47.00

colorful spring scarf - Urban Outfitters $24.00

[RAINY] DAY crafts

As the rain/slush began to fall in Philadelphia this week, I kept myself occupied [entertained] with some good ol' fashioned home crafts!

My first project: canisters for the kitchen with chalkboard labels [cute and easy organization].

What you will need:
* glass or acrylic canisters of your choice of size and shape
* chalkboard paint
* paint brush
* painters tape or a stencil
* chalk

How to:

* make sure canister are clean

* tape off desired area to paint

* paint with brush and let dry!

Finished Product:

* Wait at least an hour or two for paint to completely dry

* pull of tape

* label appropriate with chalk

* of course, fill the canisters up and enjoy!

Spring Smarts

I felt a bitter sting [and slightly offended] when I walked into Target earlier this week and swimsuits [primarily string bikinis] smacked me in the face.  Why do retailers think that in the dead of winter we need to be trying on [much less purchasing] barely there bathing suits and flip-flops?

I am all for a little bit of color and [spring] cheer during winter, but I think it is just plain mean that we are already forced to think about donning less clothing, eating and dieting for bikini season, and tanning [because who wants to see Snow White in her Daisy Dukes?].  I, for one, am not ready to expose any body parts to the world yet [no elbows, no knees here]!  

But..... just to give us all a glimpse into what will be a fabulous spring wardrobe, here are a couple of trends and pieces I am LOVING!

Patterns, Prints, Bold Colors are EVERYWHERE

Spring 2012 Hot Trend Alert! Colored Jeans by Madewell - $98.50

Classic Fit and Flare Dessau Dress - Anthropologie

for the HOME

It has been a [long] week of painting, cleaning, and decorating our new home here [Philly].  We have a little [make that a lot] more wall space in our house and I am on the hunt for a [relatively cheap] but stylist way to add some new decor [accessories].

Here are some cute ideas to add some [pizazz] to your home!  Have fun accessorizing!

Both of these courtesy of Kaboodle.com

adorable own soap dish! urbanoutfitters.com

flameless candles from pottery barn

peacock rug - horchow.com 

zebra print rug - horchow.com