Simple Style

Cheers to the weekend!

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't miss this little old blog.  I have a few unpublished posts sitting here in my design section and even though it's a little late to the party, I figured better late than never.

Today has been glorious.  I have been just relaxing (gasp!) and enjoying the day.  Brooke went to the fantasy football draft with Joe, and Bradley hung out with me.  He was pretty cranky and went down for a super early nap, which in turn allowed me to shower and take a little snooze myself!

Now he's still sleeping--whoa--so I figured I'd see how much I could pull together with my blog.

One of our many date nights this past summer included one where we met up with our friends to talk real estate over dinner.  Joe and I stopped for a drink at our favorite place, The Revelry.

I rocked a simple arm party (Stella & Dot of course!) and this stunning cream Waverly clutch from our Covet collection.

Cava was my drink of choice.

One of my favorite necklaces is this gorgeous Terney layered piece.  You can wear it all together or take it apart and wear pieces individually.  I adored it over a red caftan dress from Express.

My favorite eye shadows are from Younique! My girl Elizabeth keeps me in style makeup wise.

I never got a full shot 'after' hair and makeup & clothes were assembled, but such is #momlife when you are scrambling to get out the door and to a destination on paid time!

I am so grateful for such amazing babysitters.  Without these caring women in our lives, I am quite certain we would be lost.

I also love that I can text photos like this to my best girlfriend and she can give me glam advice. If you need any, don't be shy, she'd love to assist you too! #girlsrule

The Kitchen {Date Night}

Summers are for date nights, little dresses, strappy heels, beach waves & fancy cars.  

Dress: Express
Shoes: Aldo
Jewels: Stella & Dot

PS I now snap a selfie of my makeup thanks to my glam artist Elizabeth.  I basically look to her as my makeup artist and blow her phone up.  Granted we talk about everything under the sun, but as for makeup help? She is the guru.

I went for a Party Pink lip, (thanks to my girl Ann & Lipsense) my Wesley Sunnies and Gita tassels.

It was a super rainy week last week so we were extra happy to have a nice evening out.

We had dinner at The Kitchen for the chef's tasting menu.   We visited awhile back and were floored at how amazing dinner was.  {You can see my post here}  This time there was MUCH more food. 

I was stuffed!

They sat us near the door and poured some Cava for a toast.  Joe wanted to be closer to the chef so we ended up moving.  We decided to simply enjoy the foods this time and not take photos of every little thing.  I did the wine pairing again and enjoyed that except for the last wine, which was a Port. Not a fan.  Not that I had room to drink it anyway, it was beyond filling!

We don't typically go out this often, but when the weather is nice and sitters are abundant, we have been!  I seriously loved this giant mirror in the bathroom.  I need it for the next house for sure. Also? I love that my shoe game is on point, thanks to my husband finding these at Aldo for me! 

Weekend Highlights

We had a such a good little weekend!! I brought up this table my mom had bought the kids last year for Christmas, and the kids are loving it.  Brooke even said, "It's like a new house." It's funny how one little change can really make such a difference.

Friday we had a mommy/daughter morning.  I had to get my brows done and she loves coming with me.

Don't you just love her little shirt my friend Rachel made?

After my brow appointment we stopped at Barnes and Noble.  She had her eye on a cookie brownie and some chocolate milk.

As we sipped our drinks, we talked about who "all these guys were" and then the whole concept of heaven came up.  Not exactly easy to explain to a 4 year old, but it's one of those mommy moments where I will remember this conversation and little date forever.

I picked up a book for the kids and these two for myself.  I've started them both and really like them!  I was shocked to see a Think and Grow Rich for Women, as I have been dutifully listening to the original one lately and was kind of laughing at how it is kind of sexist.  However since I am not a #feminist, I don't take offense.  I understand that during the time in which this written, it's just the way things where.  However, it was refreshing to see that someone took the time to take the amazing information presented in this classic, and put a feminine twist to it.   Men and women are different and I look forward to reading this one for sure!

Present over Perfect has been on my list forever, but I finally had the real urge to buy it.  I've gotten about 60 pages into it and can definitely relate to some of the things she mentions, but at the same time I think since I met Joe, I have done a much better job at living in the moment and not rushing through life.  He taught me since our first date to enjoy every moment together and that even though life may not be perfect, we can always be looking for the good in all things... 

More to come on these; I will give more of a review!

Saturday brought laser tag, which I will fully admit I wasn't exactly looking forward to.  We were invited to a birthday party for one of the guys Joe works with, and I definitely looked forward to seeing everyone and hanging out.  I envisioned myself getting shot and then sitting out right away. I have never been the girl who wanted to play; I remember sitting out during these games many times when I was younger.  But this is my year of "yes" and well, back to Joe, he always pushes me to try new things.

I. Had. A. BALL!!!

I couldn't believe how fun it was to chase people and shoot with lasers!! I was so out of breath and really sweaty, I can't imagine how many calories I burned! LOL

If you have laser tag in your area, you must go do it. 

We also signed up for a game of Cyber Sport which was riding around in a bumper car thing and then trying to shoot and score with a lacrosse type of equipment.  Hilarious!

It was such a fun night out with friends and just being with adults!

Sunday morning brought yummy breakfasts...hubby gets his in bed.

After breakfast I slipped back under the covers for a few minutes.  I tried to watch Food Network, but the next thing I knew, Bradley boo came back in and wanted to watch Scooby Do



We did watch this as a family and oh my gosh, it's so good!! The kids and Joe have watched it like 3 other times and Brooke claims it is her favorite movie.   I just loved the themes...no one can make you happy; happiness is a choice and it lies within ourselves.



Kids played with some play-doh at their table while dinner cooked in the slow cooker.

The fire was going all day and I really didn't do much at all, which is why I have so much laundry and cleaning to catch up on for today...

But again, this book kind of highlights where we as mommas especially, need to slow down.  I tried not to "fake rest" too much.  That's right. You know where you say you're relaxing, but really you're still doing the dishes, folding the laundry, cleaning up after the kids....that is not resting.  It's what we have to do in the stage we are at (needy kids at 2 & 4) but once in while we really. really. really. need to rest.

I'm looking for a good fiction book recommendation, anyone have any?

Have a fabulous Monday! 

Fashion Friday

Happy Fri-yay!!!

We are getting a ton of snow already, so I am embracing it.  I've discovered that I love Winter, IF I buy cute hats. Haha. Seriously though--I can now go an extra day without having to "do my hair."  #winning


Beanie from Love Your Melon
Blanket Scarf from Jane

Do you have any holiday parties to attend?  Here's a festive and fabulous look!

We had one Tuesday night.  It was fun to dress up in this green sparkle number from Guess.

Celestial hoops
On the Mark necklace
WISHING I had the Trove Statement ring.  {It's on its way now!}

Thursday was a bit of a run-around day and so very cold!! I don't like wearing a coat because I get hot in the car, so I wore a Northface sweatshirt a blanket scarf (again from Jane.com)

Rose Gold wishing necklace
Rose Gold Engravable disc necklace

I LOVE layering these together.  It gives a little extra sparkle to any plain old outfit.

What's on my wishlist??

Diamonds!!

Covet is going to make many women smile this Christmas!!

I think this cross is so beautiful on.

The Astor Sparkle Necklace arrived today.  She.Is.A.Stunner.  I can't even begin to explain how shiny and pretty it is.  I'll be playing around with it and some sweaters for sure! If you're a diva, you need this. Stat.

Our top 10 picks are definitely some of my favorites!! I am doing a giveaway for the hematite earrings in an event today.  If you're around on FB, stop by and check it out!

There's that on the mark necklace--it's a must have! The Rebel is on its way to my house and should arrive any minute. Cannot wait to style that bad boy.  You know my love for that city slim clutch--gorgeous--and if you don't have a solid watch, it's time to get on that with one of ours!  As for the wishing bracelet, perfect secret Santa gift or teacher present at only $19!!!

Even Santa loves Stella.

May your day be full of light, love, and lots of fabulous style!!

Final Day in Vegas {Giada's Reivew!}

I just have to finish blogging about our little Vegas getaway...Saturday was so much fun!

We woke up early but then decided to get some more sleep so that we could enjoy Saturday night.   The weather was so nice and warm!!

We had brunch at Mon Ami Gambi.  We love this place and were super excited to eat here once again.

The sun was beating down us, but we didn't really mind since we knew it'd probably be the last time for a long while (hello cold grey NY winters!)

After stuffing our faces with delicious French food, we walked around.

I just love all the architecture, glitz and glam of Vegas.

We walked around the mall, I had the lady at MAC play with some makeup colors on me...

Joe lusted after more cars.

We took a different way back into our hotel.

For Saturday night, I dressed up in the little Guess number I found outside the Red Rock hotel.

I don't think I have ever owned such a teeny tiny clingy LBD.  I bought the shoes to match.  I still was one of the more conservatively dressed ladies in Las Vegas.  Craziness.

For dinner I had made us reservations at Giada's restaurant as soon as I knew we were going to Vegas.

We had a perfect table for two that overlooked the strip.

I enjoyed everything, starting with the wine!



They start with bread--the sea salt is so good mixed with evoo.

Joe ordered the caponata, but it had a lot of peppers and so I didn't touch it and he didn't really either...not Giada's fault, we just don't handle peppers well.

The bacon wrapped dates were to die for and I almost forgot to snap a picture!!

The waiter strongly suggested the cauliflower soup---it was incredible.  I need to try and recreate it.

I went with the classic lemon spaghetti with two jumbo shrimp which were so good, they were almost a lobster quality!

Joe ordered the pork chop and he loved it.

After our amazing meal we checked out the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan hotel.  It was so pretty and glam, just my style!

There are three levels and each one has different signature drinks.

The gigantic chandelier!!

We had fun trying a few different cocktails.

This one had a flower in it and was really interesting!

Then we hopped a cab and tried to find a good club to go to...we found two and got in on the VIP list, cut the lines, and didn't pay anything...but neither of the clubs were for us.  Call us old, but the one club I felt totally claustrophobic because there was literally no room to breathe.  The second club was bigger, but the music was so loud, it was hurting my ears! My tinnitus makes my ears a little more sensitive, but even Joe was like what the heck?!  So perhaps our "clubbing days" are over...we still had a blast and more than anything, enjoyed our time just the two of us.

See you in July Las Vegas.  We will be back!!!