Friday, December 23, 2011

Practical...

"When putting together a wardrobe, remember this equation: 70% should be driven by practicality and 30% by frivolity and fun." - Christopher Bailey (Burberry head designer)


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Picked up these shoes a couple of weeks while I was in NYC. They are by Nine West. Had my 14 yr old photographer take a pic before I headed out to an ornament exchage party. These are the most comfortable 5 inch heels I have worn yet! Are these practical or fun?

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Perfume...

"The thing about perfume is that when you take everything off, you still have perfume on. That's sexy." - Christopher Bailey (Burberry head designer)



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Brown Sugar by Fresh is my new favorite perfume. I received a sample from Sephora when I ordered Leg Shine by M. Kors. I have worn it everyday. What I like about it is, a little goes a long way. Just one spritz and it stays with you all day. The scent is citrusy mixed with caramel and magnolia. Very "fresh" and clean fragrance. I dislike loud, overpowering, powdery scents. Maybe Santa will stuff my stocking with a bottle. What is your favorite perfume?

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

I Walk...

This past Sunday my sister-n-law and I did a walk for AIDS funding. The walk was sponsored by Triad Health Project. The 20th Annual Winter Walk for AIDS is a three-mile walk that raises vital funding for Triad Health Project's direct client services and preventioneducation programs. The theme of this year's event is "I Walk...", and it serves as a powerful reminder that HIV/AIDS affects everyone.

Wendy and I had a gorgeous 3 mile walk through the streets of downtown Greensboro. We were very pleased to see alot of North Carolina A&T student involvement. Even though quite a few of the female students walked in Uggs and riding boots, we were still happy that they supported the walk.

I'm on a mission to get my 10,000 steps in a day. My dad who is also making a lifestyle change to walk 10,000 steps a day, gave me the pedometer shown below. As you can see, I walked over 10,000 steps this past Sunday. I walked my dog, walked 3 miles for AIDS, and I walked around Costco "sampling." Wendy and I got to Costco at a great time. All of the good samples were out! I walked in Costco hungry, but when I walked out, I was satisfied. Cheers!

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Monday, December 5, 2011

Gift Suggestion...

For the girl who wants the opposite of subtle. Glam Rock. Copper hoops with hematite beads and silver spikes. Start with these hoops if you are new to statement jewelry. Not subtle, but not too Lady Gaga outrageous. Get them for a cool $20. Save additional 20% with coupon code HOLIDAY20. Purchase them here


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Friday, December 2, 2011

Gift Suggestion...

For the girl who likes sparkly things. These crystal hoops are perfect. For just $18 a pair they make a great gift. Save even more with coupon code HOLIDAY20. Enter code at checkout and 20% will be taken off all jewelry! To purchase go here

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Support Local Artisans...



This holiday season I encourage you to shop local. I plan on supporting a few great boutiques here in Greensboro this year along with buying a few items from etsy.com. I along with a lot of other stylish chicks love J. Crew, Anthro, H&M, and Banana Republic's 40% off happy hour deals. Don't forget about Piperlime with their free shipping and Sam Edelman boots that keep calling "Robyn, Robyn." But there is something special about shopping in small, cozy, non chain boutiques. First, the personal and friendly service. Second, not a lot of sizes, so hopefully the next time you go out for Girls Night Out, you and your friend won't have on the same cute dress or chunky sweater. Lastly, local businesses support the community. They are owned by people who live in the community and are more invested in the community's welfare and future. Happy Local Shopping!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Birthday Week...

Hey all! If you got my first post, I forgot to attach the pics. Briefly, this is my birthday week. To start it off I along with my good friend, Lydia, walked in a 5k Saturday. The event was Foster Friends NC Marathon. There was marathon runners, half marathon runners, and 5k runners/walkers. It was freezing Saturday morning. The temps were 27 degrees. Lydia and I finished in an hour, but could have finished sooner if some chick didn't have to make a quick port-a-potty pit stop. Check out the pics.

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Lydia running through the finish line.

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"Act like you're running!"

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We made it! Super fun!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Pick 4...

Four random things that make me smile.


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Beautiful meal with beautiful presentation. Girls Night Out November birthday celebration meal from Steak Street in High Point, NC.

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Free handmade soap samples from Whole Foods.

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A gorgeous bowl to hold your trinkets. Got this from one of my favorite stores Anthropologie on clearance for $4. Chunky agate necklace by Sydney Austin Designs can be purchased here.

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My blinged out banana purse charm my friend Kim got me as an early birthday gift. Fits me well. Bright with lots of sparkle!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Emma...

Emma

I love this quote by Emma. "The less you reveal the more people can wonder." My idea of sexy is a sweater or top that slightly falls off your shoulder revealing your collarbone. What is your idea of sexy?

Monday, November 14, 2011

Namaste...



Today I attended a Bikram (hot) yoga class. I have a 20 class membership to a Bikram yoga studio in Kernersville, NC that I purchased from Groupon. Many of you know that I am on a never ending struggle to lose weight once and for all! Since I am being a rather big nuisance to my husband and children who have to listen to me whine and talk about how I need to lose weight, I want to start running, if only I was 20 lbs lighter, etc. etc. I have decided that I will now concentrate on getting healthy and hopefully the weight loss will follow...eventually.

I have a new love... Whole Foods. I'm a cart watcher. I look at what other people put in their carts. I discovered a love for quinoa (keen-wa), vegan cookies, brown rice, berries, steel cut oats, etc. I rather eat Greek yogurt than the other stuff. I'm making the switch to whole wheat pasta. If only my family will follow. Sigh. My son says, "Whole wheat pasta tastes like cardboard." Oh really, so you know what cardboard tastes like??

Back to hot yoga. The last time I went to hot yoga was about 8 yrs ago when I lived in Baltimore, MD. My instructor today was a cute thin red head, who advised me to stay in the back of the room with the ballet poles so I could use them for support. She was right. The room was really hot! 105 degrees and rising. Our instructor cracked open the doors a bit because the humidity was rising. I loved the class! Sweated thru my clothes. Stayed in the room and did my best for the whole 90 minutes. The only complaint I have is the instructor didn't show us the yoga positions, she talked it through to us on her mic. I had to rely on the 70 yr old man next to me, who gave me a few pointers. LOL! Clearly he was a yogi. It was like having Russell Simmons in my class. I just laughed and shook my head. I can not let this senior show me up! After class, Christina, my instructor, told me I did great! Namaste...

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Girls Night Out...Wine and Designs

Since moving to Greensboro 7 yrs ago, I am so blessed to have a great group of girlfriends. Four of us try to get together once a month for a girl's night out. This month, 3 of us are celebrating birthdays. We decided to go to a local art studio called Wine and Design for some wine and painting. You bring your own bottle of wine and snacks, Wine and Design will supply the rest (paint, smocks, 16x20 canvas, and wine opener). Every night they feature a different picture for you to paint. Last night was Pumpkin Night. When we arrived, three pumpkins were drawn on our canvas. Our art teacher, Katherine, was great. She gave us step by step instructions, and no it was not paint by numbers. We had a fabulous time! We all left with a great piece of art to hang on our walls. Mine is already hanging in my kitchen. Check out the pics from last night.

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Our beverages and snacks for the evening.

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The beginning stages of my Picasso masterpiece.



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Katherine, our instructor, giving very detailed instructions.



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My masterpiece is now complete.



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The Fab Four.



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Group photo. Really digging the chick who thought outside the box with the green pumpkins.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The Greatest Homecoming on Earth...

Last weekend was North Carolina A&T University's Homecoming. It's called the Greatest Homecoming on Earth. I attend their Homecoming more often than attending my alma mater, University of Delaware. I am amazed at all of the alumni, young and old, that come back to attend and support this HBCU Homecoming. Parties, tailgating, concerts, parades, open houses, fish frys, and of course football is enjoyed throughout the weekend in Greensboro. All of the community comes out to support NCA&T's Homecoming, whether you attended the college or not. Below are a few pics my photographer (14 yr old daughter) took of me before I headed out to attend my girlfriend Lydia's Open House.

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Sade 2011 Concert tee and J Crew blazer.

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9 West booties, which will be in heavy rotation this Fall/Winter.

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Hoops by Sydney Austin Designs, Anthropologie pants.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Pick 4...

This week's Pick 4, four things that make me smile, are from my favorites on etsy. Etsy is loaded with amazing crafty designers and savvy vintage hunters. I would much rather shop on Etsy then go to a boring department store like Macy's!









When I go out, I love to carry a clutch. It's so sleek. This one is a handmade leather cltuch by margeandrudy on etsy.




Way cooler to leave notes on such as, "Noah take out the trash" or "Blake do the dishes," instead of those darn sticky notes! Chalkboard tablet handmade by pegandawl on etsy.








I mean who doesn't want to look like a sexy librarian?! *Crickets* I'm in need of new glasses and these are perfect. Vintage frames from helloagainvintage on etsy.





















Perfect for all of my frizzy hair! Floppy hat by beyondinfitknitty on etsy


















***Support local artisans!***


































































































































Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Meet the Parents...

Well not really. But it's a catchy title. I've known my in-laws for years! They were in town for a visit this past weekend and we went to a great sports bar/restaurant in Greensboro called Kickback Jack's. If you don't like sports, skip Kickback Jack's. Tons of plasma tvs from every angle showing college football. Sharing pics of what I wore.



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Missoni for Target cosmetic bag wore as a clutch.






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Lace ballet flats from the Gap.









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Brooks Brother shirt, denim shorts (Kohls) and hoops (TJ Maxx). Having hair issues lately. This flip floppy weather in NC is wreaking havoc on my do.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

If...

Below is the poem If by Rudyard Kipling. My daughter has until next Monday to memorize this entire poem for her Honors English class. She will recite it to her teacher. She has the first stanza memorized. I haven't seen this poem since my college days when a friend, Bill, had to memorize this poem as a pledgee of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.


IF by Rudyard Kipling


IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Smooth Operator...

Last night my husband and I went to see my favorite female vocal artist, Sade. This was my 3rd time seeing her perform live on stage. Last night she was completely amazing! She looked gorgeous! Classic Sade: red lipstick, sleek ponytail, big hoops, and sultry voice. As mentioned here I stated that my favorite Sade song is "Cherish the Day." Well, guess what her finale song was? It was "Cherish the Day!" Love her! Pics below of what I wore to the concert.

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Gold cuff (Simply Meg's) and Gold sequin cluth (old Gap)

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Hoops by Sydney Austin Designs.

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Wedges (Aldo); Toenail polish (Bermuda shorts by Essie)
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Blazer (J.Crew); tank (Gap). Channeling my inner Thelma Evans (Good Times) with my side afro puff. Daughter hates it! Ha!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

My Wedding Day Jewelry...

A few days ago as I was looking thru one of my jewelry boxes, I stumbled upon the jewelry set that I wore on my wedding day. I bought it 17 years ago from a store called Accessory Lady. I'm pretty sure they are no longer in business. Since I have grown a love for anything vintage, I immediately started to think when and with what I am going to wear this beautiful jewelry again. I had to tweek the necklace a bit because one of the strands came apart. Easy fix! I love the chunky clip on earrings. I'm not sure if I will wear the set together, since I really do not like to look "matchy matchy." To make the necklace look less Audrey Hepburnish, I will toughen it up by pairing the pearls with chains.


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The perfect amount of sparkle. Chunky clip ons

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Double strand necklace.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

New Hoop Earrings...


New Hoop Earrings now in my boutique.
The rose quartz hoops shown below are my new favorite.
FREE shipping for the month of September if you become a Facebook fan of Sydney Austin Designs!
Enjoy!



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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Pick 4...

Four random things that make me smile.



My September magazines. Filled with lots of ideas for my inspiration board.

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Oh my Gosh! Got these gourmet cupcakes from Fresh Market for hubby's birthday. Flavors were red velvet, peanut butter and chocolate, oreo, and triple chocolate. I had the Red Velvet and it was amazing.

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Never met a bead show I didn't like. Latest strands I picked up at a bead show.

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Movie night candy. Enjoyed the candy until daughter's tooth chipped while eating Mike and Ike's. All is well, no root canal needed...yet.

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