Shoe Candy

I stopped in Sophie today to visit (its owner and my friend) Ashley and ended up with a new pair of shoes!! Hmmmmmm.....this happens to me quite a bit.......

Hot pink, bright yellow, and an orange sling-back with a gold metallic heel. The stretchy fabric makes this shoe super comfy to wear!

These may end up being my favorite summer heels! Can't wait to pair them with some white shorts....

I'm Back From Vacay

Some of you may not know this, but I grew up as a "military brat." I have lived a little bit of everywhere.....born in Dayton, Ohio-moved to Wichita Falls, Texas (where my little brother was born)-moved to Athens, Greece-moved to Belleville, Illinois-moved to Croughton, England-moved to Gautier, Mississippi.

Since we lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the longest amount of time, I call it my "hometown." It is also where I graduated from high school, attended college, and met my husband (following Hurricane George in 1998).

Needless to say, the Gulf Coast holds a special place in my heart.

This year for Spring Break we decided to go visit our good friends, and Ashlyn's godparents in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with a short jaunt to New Orleans.

Ashlyn had never been to New Orleans and we felt it was really important for her to see and experience the culture, history, and architecture of one of our favorite cities. It is also where Robert proposed to me.

Here are some (additional) pictures of our fabulous vacay....

The water was COLD!!!! But Ash didn't care!

Susan and Ashlyn catching waves in Gulf.

Rob and Ashlyn posing on Gulf Shores Beaches.

Ashlyn and I posing on Gulf Shores Beaches.

Boogy Boarding in the Gulf. So proud of her!!!

Breakfast at Cafe Du Monde-Ashlyn decided that beignets are her new favorite food group.

Robert, Ashlyn and I in front of someone's beautiful iron door in the French Quarter.

Larry, Susan and Jenna (Ashlyn's godfamily) in front of someone's beautiful iron door in the French Quarter.

Ashlyn (with her beignet-to-go-bag clutched tightly in her hand) in the French Quarter.

My Name Is Mandy and I Am A Product Junky

A few months ago I heard (thru a blog) about www.birchbox.com. It is a beauty website (somewhat similar to Sephora- where you can purchase high end beauty products, free shipping on purchases over $50, and a points program for every dollar spent).

However, Birchbox offers a few things that other beauty websites do not.....

an online magazine with the latest trends and hotest new products. AND a DELUXE beauty sample subscription.

For $10/month I get 4-5 handpicked deluxe beauty samples. This is GREAT for my inner beauty product junky! 

I received my first Birchbox today!!!

Annick Goutal Scent (Lemon, Grapefruit, and Green Mandarin Notes)- Full Size $85

Color Club Nail Polish (60's Inspired Green)- Full Size $8

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint- Full Size $38

One Love Organics (Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm-can be used as a cleanser or moisturizer)- Full Size $68

Orofluido Beauty Elixer (Argan, Linseed, and Cyperus Oil treatment for hair)- Full Size $29.99

Tea Forte (3 Skin Smart Teas)- 16 Tea Bags $6

Can't wait to try my new goodies!!!!!!!!



My Little Fashionista

We went to the Newly Remodeled Old Navy at Northpark Mall last night. The new store is very impressive. Lots of bright colors and a really fun atmosphere. Ashlyn and her friend (it was a shopping playdate) had a GREAT time picking out new swimsuits (they wanted coordinating swimwear for the pool this summer), buying bouncey balls out of the quarter machine (which they probably spent $5.00 in quarters on), and looking at all the new cool things ("junk") by the cash registers.

Ashlyn picked out a pair of flip-flops that she loved, and decided she needed to come up with an outfit to match. Hmmmmmmmm......I wonder where she gets that from (buying the fabulous shoes first and THEN trying to find clothing to match).

This is what she came up with...



Capri Leggings in Sunstreak (Reg $9.94 SALE $5), Girls Striped Jersey Blazer (Reg $24.94 SALE $22), Gray Ruffle Tunic with Yellow Bow (Sorry- no longer available online), Girls Gray Bow-Tie Flip Flops ($7.94)

I printed a 10% off purchase coupon on facebook before shopping, so saved even more!

Ashlyn already had the yellow leggings from a previous Old Navy visit, and they work PERFECT with this! She has quite a few things in this color scheme, so she will get great use out of this blazer.

I am so proud of my little fashionista! She did it all on her own (this is me tearing up).

Ooh-La-Lafayette

Tonight was Lafayette House's (nonprofit organization in Joplin, MO that offers safe shelter, counseling, community support, transportation and child care for victims of domestic violence, and addiction treatment for women) 3rd Annual Ooh-La-Lafayette Fashion Fundraiser! This is my third year modeling/attending, and it is ALWAYS a FUN and FABULOUS event!!!!

Here are some pics...

My friend Jen (who I always volunteer to model with me).

My friend Ashley (who owns Sophie that I am modeling for).

Ashley, Anthony Williams (Project Runway All-Stars Designer-HOST of Event), and myself.

SO Proud to be a part of this GREAT event!!!!!



New Eyeshadow

I'll admit to being an eyeshadow "snob." I have bought and tried all different brands in the past, but always have come back to Chanel. (Because of this Ashlyn, my 8 year old daughter, has quite the plethora of expensive cast-off eyeshadow quads and duos that would put any grown woman to shame.)

HOWEVER, I was feeling rather inspired the other day after reading my new edition of People Style Watch April 2012. It had an article on finding your "Perfect Eyeshadow." For my eye color (brown) it recommended a Gold or Copper. Out of all my Chanel Eyeshadow quads I don't own either of these colors- I know!! Shocking!! So I went on a shopping mission and found this........ 

Stila In The Light Eye Shadow Palette $39.00 (a $118 value). I used a coupon on it and got it for $35.50!

It comes with 10 versatile and flattering shades: Bare (matte ivory), Kitten (shimmering nude pink), Bliss (matte nude), Sunset (copper shimmer), Sandstone (matte neutral brown), Bubbly (pale gold shimmer), Gilded Gold (bronze with gold shimmer), Luster (deep gray with gold shimmer), Night Sky (slate blue with silver shimmer), and Ebony (matte black).

The Ebony (as any of them) can also be used with a wet eyeliner brush and applied as a liquid eyeliner.

This set ALSO includes a Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Damsel (matte chocolate brown).

The LOOKBOOK includes some great eyeshadow color variations with helpful instuctions on how to achieve each look.

This is one palette Ashlyn won't be getting her hands on!

$8.00 Pink Blouse

Do women use the term "Blouse" anymore? I don't know what else to use to describe this FABULOUS find! Its so much more than just a TOP. And it was on clearance for $8 at Old Navy.

Its very long, so I tucked it into my skinny jeans (Request Jeans from Sophie). I LOVE the bow accent on the shoulder, and the shine of the fabric! Because of its length (untucked) it can also be worn with leggings.

Here I've paired it with an off white short sleeved jacket (last season from Forever 21) and lime-yellow shoes (last season from Sophie).

Another pic of my (last season's) fabulous shoes!! Luv, Luv, Luv them!!! Don't be afraid to mix bold colors!!! I wear them with EVERYTHING!

(Ashlyn Faith, my 8 year old, would like credit for her photography)

Pink Margaritas

In honor of the FABULOUS weather we are having today, I am posting my new favorite margarita recipe....and they are PINK!!

Pink Grapefruit Margaritas

1 cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1 cup triple sec

1 cup of silver tequila

Splash of Simple Syrup

Serves 4

Happy Spring! ENJOY!