Love is... Velvet

Malia Green Velvet Pumps

I never knew love was lusterous and soft, that is until I saw this MUST have fall fashion heel and knew I had to have it.

Besides who doesn't love velvet fabric, red velvet cake, or The Velvet Underground. Like I said velvet is love. I just wish I had more of it because to tell you the truth I honestly don't believe I ever owned anything velvet that is besides my lovely Virgin Mary coin bank. Can't picture it? Well it looked exactly like this...

But since it was such a beaut I used it simply as a sculpted piece of art rather than a coin bank. Then one unfortunate day my <insert title here> dropped it from my dresser and like my heart it shattered into a million pieces.

You see this velvet scuplture was given to me on my birthday from my sister who lives in Ventura. One beachful day when I went to visit her we went window shopping (which is an awfully teasing sport) and I eyed it. It was the only one in the store so when I received it I was the happiest person in the world. So when I lost my velvet Virgin Mary it was a tragic day.

But back to the present velvet is love and if you are in as much love with the heels as I am you can get them at Torrid here Malia Green Velvet Pumps and for those of you not in love with green then you can also get them in purple here Malia Purple Velvet Pumps ♥

Back to School

Back to School. Back to School, to prove to dad that I'm not a fool. I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight. Ohhhh Back to School.

Yes I did just quote Adam Sandler from the movie Billy Madison, but everytime the school year starts that song merrily fills my head. And if you are a little like me you also appreciate a pair of stylish oxfords to go with your first day of school.

I know most of you are praising the idea of me going back to school, but unfortunately I have not made that decision yet. Then who? Well my stepson of course and this year happens to be more of a big deal for my <insert title here> and me because he is starting first grade and we are officially sending him off on his first day of school. I know how exciting and yes he did have his lunch packed but his stylish slip-ons have no laces.

It was an exciting morning for all of us and now I am left with my stepdaughter for some quality girl time. If you are in need of some stylish oxfords then you can get them here Miz Mooz Women's Franka Pump ♥

The Sweetest Thing

Yesterday was my three year anniversary with my <insert title here> and I woke up to something as sweet and lovely as this featured heel.

That's right you guessed it... a good old fashioned love note. You know the kind you read over and over again and still have that cheesy smile and aura of love beaming around you. Now that's amore'.

And I am not parading my love note around to make you all think where is my love like that at because trust me it is out there. It just seems to come when you least expect or in my case when you aren't expecting it at all. I know gag me with a spoon, but the point I am trying to get at is it made me think about the few girls that are lucky enough to experience true romance like this especially with living in what seems to be a pure electronic age. It is after all the 20th century, although, I am still waiting for my flying car. I just long for the days without ipads or kindles, netbooks or laptops, and bbm or im. You know a more simplier time.

And I know some of us can't live without these things, but I guess what I am trying to preach to you all is maybe we should for one day. Some of my best moments are without electronics like dining alfresco at home on date night, sneaking a kiss down an aisle in the library where you both meet, sipping coffee under the stars at a local mom and pop shop, and crying in the car on christmas over a promise ring.

I think a world without electronics and more human interaction is a world of love and as you sit there and imagine it, you can get your sweet and lovely heels here Iron Fist Lacey Days Platform Girls Shoes Ivory ♥

Sleek and Skinny

Now that the birthday is complete, I can slip back into my happy life in Arizona. The only dilemma is I wish my happy life included the drive to workout so I could be resemble this sleek and skinny featured heel more.

So it is on with researching the workout routine and diet (I hate that word) plan. Researching you say, why not actually do it? Well because although my own personal life is finally at ease my families is not. Don't fear though it is a good uneasy feeling.

My mother and sister are purchasing their first home and are currently in escrow. Hooray!!! I know, but what does that have to do with me? Well when escrow closes I'll be leaving in a jet plane back to California for the move. Yes we are that close of a family.

So after the move I want to focus on losing some weight. The target goal is to go from my current size 16 back to my high school size of a modest 12. After all I don't think that is too much to ask for. Then I can once again praise after clothes, style, and fashion. Why don't I do that now? Well it is a bit hard to find clothes for a size 16 gal that is also considered petite. And not to mention most plus size clothes are all sleeveless, which I happen to feel uncomfortable in.

In the meantime, if you have any tips please feel free to send them my way and if you are in the need to feel a little more slim then you can strut your skinny heels here bebe Women's Hugh Platform Pump ♥

The Carnival Birthday Party

I am so pleased to slip on these featured everyday mom heels and wave goodbye to the circus. Yes the "Greatest Show on Earth" was a hit but it left my <insert title here> and me completely exhausted. It was well worth it though because all the kids enjoyed it.

From the event I now truly understand the concept of hiring, or at least assigning, someone to take some photos because yes a girl as together as me can forget to take the photos especially because I was the only carnie working the booths. Here are a few of the highlights I did manage to capture on film:

The first act was my version of the Super Epic Rainbow Cake balancing on the wonderfully built cake stand by my <insert title here>. Yes it is a bit thicker than the original, which you can see at Whisk Kid, but it was my first time baking this monsterous cake.

Overall everyone loved the sight and taste of this cake especially the birthday boy and girl (pictured at the right). I thought it turned out superly delicious not to mention there was plenty leftover so I got to quietly indulge my first piece of cake the day after the circus left town.

Next up are the games because what is a carnival without games. Yes you said it... Nothing! The games were all made by hand because the Ringmaster and I wanted to be a little more "greener" and spend as little as possible especially with the 400 miles of gas to cover. One of the first games played was Tic Tac Toe or in "carnie speak" Three in a Row.

This game was made with miraculosly no cost to me since I already had all the supplies. If you would like to recreate this board you will need:

1. A board. I used the backing of an old framed poster that someone threw out, I know redesign points for me. You can also achieve this look with a foam core board.
2. A ruler. You will need this tool to achieve a perfectly straight square for your board.
3. Some paint or decorative paper. I used leftover Tempra paint I had for the stripes and puffy fabric paint for the outlining of the star (thus the gloss).
4. Bean Bags. This is the fun part because you can design your bean bags to the theme of your party whether it be by color or shape. Since I am obsessed with the Strong Man and his mustache I opted for mustache and lip shaped bean bags that I made with scrap fabric I had.

I then used canned food cans and covered them in ballon and star wrapping paper to hold the bean bags. I think it came out great and the best part is I can pull it out anytime for the kids to play with it.

On to the next game... Go Fish. Although this picture is not the actual one taken at the party it was the same concept minus the Goldfish in the middle. Hands down the goldfish was what made this game and I am glad I bought them even though some parents weren't pleased they were also the prize for winning the game. The object was to get 3 ping pong balls into the jars and win the fish such a classic. I still remember when I won my first goldfish at the fair. Thanks Grandma.

Another classic game is Pin the Tail on the Donkey but to keep with the theme it was more like Pin the Nose on the Clown. The other featured games were Shoot Out, Knife Throwing and Ring of Fire which are not pictured.

With all great games come great prizes, such as live goldfish, cracker jacks, brownie pops, pinwheels, and circus maracas.

And yes you guessed it, the circus macaras were the most wanted prize. I just wished I made more. I stumbled across these diy maracas from Beauty All Around, but put my own spin on them. My favorite was the Strong Man (of course) and the Bearded Lady.

If you are planning a carnival and need any ideas or help please feel free to contact me. In the mean time you can relax and get your heels here Butter Women's Sallie Pump ♥