October 12th, 2012

Friday Find – Boys Oxfords!

Posted by Pam

Maguire, my son, is required to show up at the rink dressed up before hockey games.  It has been a bit challenging to find him some fun and funky formal wear.  Luckily my parents were able to shop for his birthday at Nordstrom and came back with some great shirts and ties.  They really do carry the best boys clothes.  So my next challenge was shoes!

I happened upon these black oxfords in the JoeFresh boys’ department at Superstore just the other day.  I was prepared to pay the $24 price tag (he will have to wear them once or twice a week), but at the till they were marked down to $12.94!  Score!  And they even have non marking soles.  I’d say that they are pretty sharp!

Lookin’ good Mac!  Go Hawks go!

Shirt is by Robert Graham from Nordstrom (it’s on sale right now!), tie is from Nordstrom, pants by Shaun White at Target.

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August 31st, 2012

Friday Find ~ Printed Denim

Posted by Pam

One of the strongest trends for fall is printed denim.  Now, I’ll be honest, you have to have pretty great legs to pull off this trend (I’m out!), but some snakeskin or leopard print jeans sure look cute on a slender set of limbs!  Laurel and I have taken our teens and tweens back to school shopping and they all wanted some printed denim.  Well, we found lots of selection and great prices at Target by Mossimo and Xhilaration.  This is a cute trend, but it may be just that…a trend….so we wouldn’t spend as much on a pair as we would on an investment piece.

 

Printed Denim at Target

 

Here are our oldest in their printed jeans….as you can see, we LOVE the printed denim paired with a chambray shirt!  Another great thing is that these jeans start at a size 1…perfect for that teen or tween who’s petite and has a hard time finding pants that fit!

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July 11th, 2012

Plum Pick for Pattern–Chevron

Posted by Pam

When it comes to interior design and party planning, I love pattern!!  I love creating a color palette that mixes patterns.  If it’s done wrong, it can look messy and confusing.  But if done right, it adds dimension to a room and just plain makes me happy!

Right now, I’m really loving chevron!  I love that it’s simple, graphic (in a good way!) and can easily mix with other patterns.

This nursery is amazing!  I love the yellow and gray combo!

 

 

Here’s an example of how chevron goes well with other patterns.  A black and white chevron is classic!

 

 

And another…

 

 

Here are some great chevron pieces that could easily be incorporated into a room to add some color and a punch of pattern!

 

Chevron
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June 1st, 2012

Summer Entertaining Essentials

Posted by Pam

Summer is almost here and I can’t wait for barbecue season to start!  Having friends over for a barbecue is a more casual, less stressful way to entertain and this summer I vow to seize the moment and have more friends over!!

If you have a few essential pieces on hand, it makes summer entertaining even easier!

One of my pet peeves is collecting the half full pop cans after guests have left.  One of my friends uses a beverage dispenser up at her lake house.  It’s usually filled with iced tea or lemonade.  The kids can help themselves and take just what they need!

I love this glass Trio Beverage Dispenser from Z Gallerie.

Trio Beverage Dispenser from Z Gallerie $69.95

Superstore has a plastic beverage dispenser for $30.00

This plastic beverage dispenser is BPA free.

It’s a great idea to have a large beverage bucket filled with ice for beer, spritzers, Pellegrino and coolers.  I love the high shine of this Party Beverage Server from Crate and Barrel.

Party Beverage Server from Crate and Barrel $69.95

I like the casualness of this galvanized tub from Target.

Privet House at Target® Galvanized Beverage Tub

Plenty of serving trays make summer entertaining much easier.  Use wood trays for cheese platters, veggies, and fixin’s for burgers.  Wood adds to a casual vibe.  I love this rustic serving piece  from Crate and Barrel.

Acacia Wedge Server from Crate and Barrel $21.95

I also love these square wood trays from Superstore and they are a great buy at $12.00.

Make sure to have plenty of disposable dishware on hand.  There are so many great colors and patterns out there.  Spend your time visiting with guests and skip doing the dishes!

 

I love that Superstore has coordinating dishes, napkins, cups and even straws in appealing patterns and colors. I adore the square plates!

Target also has a really good selection of fun disposable dishes.  I really love the disposable silverware by Mozaik that looks real.  Not only does it fool you, but it’s heavier duty than most disposable cutlery.

You can purchase Mozaik silverware on Amazon.com and it's also often available at Costco

Having some of these essentials on hand makes summer and spur of the moment entertaining easiera nd more fun!

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March 15th, 2012

Colored Denim

Posted by Pam

Everywhere you look this spring there’s colored denim. This trend can seem a bit daunting….I’ve asked myself, “Am I too old for this?” Well, I’ve decided to jump in! I’m ready for some color after all of the black and gray of this past season! Here are a few of our fave colored jeans out there…

Colored Denim

 

There are a few “rules” that should be followed when wearing colored denim…

1.  You do have to be somewhat cautious with this trend or, as Laurel says, you could end up looking like a bowl of Skittles.  Maybe add a colourful scarf, but your top and shoes should be neutral.  I don’t agree with doing colour top to bottom unless you are say, in your 20′s or younger.

I love all of these looks, except Sarah Jessica Parker is doing TOO much color! Photo courtesy of http://endlessinspiration4u.blogspot.com/2011/11/say-yes-to-colored-denim.html

 

2. We prefer colored denim with a skinnier fit, not a boot cut leg. Cropped is good too as long a the opening is skinny. Rolled up with ballet flats is cute too!

These ladies all look so cute, except Kylie Minogue's (on the far right) jeans are too wide at the bottom! Photo courtesy of http://endlessinspiration4u.blogspot.com/2011/11/say-yes-to-colored-denim.html

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