So much for Makeover Monday!!!

WOW am I tired!!

I had no idea that I would be this worn out after 8 hours in an office!!

I have one question.....

 Who came up with fluorescent lights?!?!


They should be shot!!!

About 2 hours in and my eyes looked something like this...

Hopefully it doesn't take me to long to adjust!!!

Last night before work I worked on this great blog post showing you one of my makeovers 

along with a peek into the new work wardrobe.

Only one problem

BLOGGER

and I weren't getting along.

More than half of my pictures wouldn't load.

Right now I am entirely to tired to try again.

Honestly it was less of an effort to type this new post and load one photo from this morning

So here you have it......

My first day into the world of working Mothers.

Funny thing is after all the new clothes shopping I did, I went with a dress I've had for quite a while.

This is a Max Studio dress I purchased from Nordstroms rack.

The dress original cost $198.00

Nordstroms rack was selling it for $35.00.

It had the most hideous bell sleeves on it when I bought it.

I knew right away a $20.00 trip to the seamstress and I'd have a great dress for under $60!!

The shoes are Adrienne Vittadini.

They retail for $79.00

DSW had them for $59.95 but I actually found them at Marshalls for $30.00

Not bad right??

The bracelet was an unexpected gift that arrived in the mail a couple of days ago from my Aunt Ruth.

She's an amazing women and I was just so touched to receive an unexpected gift from her.

Here's a close up...

Alright, that's it!!

Keep checking in with me!!

There's still the furniture makeover that I didn't get to show you plus MANY more outfits including

one of my favorites!!!!

TRACY PORTER!!!

By the way,

Thank you so much for all the kind words you've all had to say about my ventures back into the work force.

I really appreciate each and every one of you!!!

Angie

Hidden Treasures!!

Treasures don't just come in the form of furniture!!

At least not for ME they don't!!

Look what I found hiding in the bottom of my closet

(yes hiding!! it's a scary place where all things wardrobe related go to die)

The cutest swimsuit cover up ever!!!  OK maybe not ever but it sure is cute!!!


I was so excited I didn't even TRY to get the wrinkles out! ;)

So, while Mr. Treasures is off selling houses today, the kids and I decided to get a little outdoor fun in.

They'll be switching back and forth between water balloon fights and swimming in the pool.

I'll be meandering around the yard daydreaming about the oasis it will some day be.

Enjoy your weekend!

Angie

Ahhh Ruche....

It's been a while since I've declared my LOVE of Ruche.

New to the blog and have never heard of it? Or maybe you just don't remember??

Ruche is a vintage inspired online clothing store with AMAZING prices and I mean AMAZING!

I've talked about Ruche before, here , here and here.  I've also posted a few of my "must haves" on my fan page a while back.

I hate to say that Ruche is a "poor mans" Anthro or Tracy Porter but it really IS a less expensive budget savvy alternative to either one of these two. Let's face it, in this economy, we can all benefit from making our dollar stretch!!

Now the price tag may be different from the other two high end stores but the quality isn't!

At least from what I've purchased so far, the quality of the fabric and the details have been great!!

You can sign up for the emails and get updates on sales and new arrivals!

They also have a blog and a facebook fan page!!

You can post fan photos of yourself sporting your new Ruche clothing! (Look for me, I'm on there!)

Stop by Ruche today and come back here and tell me what you think!!!

Hurry there are a few "Just in" items that might go quick!!

Ok so I'll never be a hand model...

While at Peir 1 yesterday (picking up supplies for one of the patio makeovers)  I found some really cheap inexpensive rings!! I'd show you a photo of me wearing the rings but as you can see from the title of this post....

Well let's just say Vanna and the girls on The Price is Right won't have to worry about me taking their jobs ;)

Now normally I'd lump these "Treasures" in with the rest on Thursdays but tomorrow's Treasure deserved a post all her own!!! So don't forget to come back by!!

Alright, First up...

These 2 rings. Are they to much for you? I don't mean $$ to much $$ I mean to much like you wouldn't be caught dead wearing something that big and gaudy?

NOT me!

I LOVE them!!

and for $3.00 each how can you go wrong?

Just in case you can't get a true sense of their size...

This view alone explains the hand model thing ;)

Oh well, I have other talents! I'll be ok!

The rings weren't the only thing that caught my eye....

This plate was clearanced for $4.00.

I LOVE everything about it! The colors, the pattern!

It reminds me of Debbie  don't you think?

It's where I'm headed in my home decor right now!!

I also came across this...

For over 2 years now I haven't had a rug in our Master bath.

The colors in here are gold, rust and brown.

When I saw this rug was clearanced I couldn't wait to get it home.

Sadly once I did, I felt like I had compromised on the size that I really wanted

and with a clearance price of $39.00, I started to think I could do better.

We'll see, maybe this will turn out to be "the one that got away"

Angie

Quick Summer Beauty Tips

It's been a while since i've confessed my obsession for all things Tracy.

While daydreaming around her site today, I came across this recent post.

Don't ask me how I managed to miss it!

Anyhow, thought I would share.

Quick Summer Beauty Tips

Hope your all having an amazing weekend!

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for Sidewalk Sunday!!

Angie

Mail... The good kind!!

UPDATED!!! PHOTOS OF ME SPORTING THE NECKLACE NOW ADDED! ;)


Hi everyone!! Thank you so much for the well wishes for Great Grandpa Treasures!!

 I'm trying to figure out how to post a video I took of him that is HILARIOUS!!

Sort of a public service announcement on caring for your teeth.

Anyhow,

 I'm posting today to tell you about JBird's Garden.

 Maybe you already know about her but I feel I NEED to share anyway!!

My good friend Rayan at The Frugal Designer had decided to help me reach my goal of 60 Facebook fans by Mother's Day. She asked her fans if they wouldn't mind helping me out and of course (just like her) her fans are awesome and they did just that!

That was how I was LUCKY  enough to find JBird's Garden. I started browsing through what she had to offer and I. FELL. IN. LOVE.

These are just a few of her gorgeous pieces of  jewelry.

I ordered The Butterfly Rescue Necklace. With a name like that, how could I resist???

Here's how it arrived...

There could have been ROCKS in this package and I would have loved it!!

I mean really?? How gorgeous is this?

Details like this are the reason I prefer to shop from boutiques rather than big chain stores.

Look at the effort that went into this. I'm ALL about the details ladies and this girl is hooked!

I'm not kidding, If I didn't know that this was waiting inside for me.....

I would have NEVER even opened the package.

I'll make sure I update this post later with a photo of me sporting my new vintage piece.

FINALLY TOOK PHOTOS!!

well, I tried to take photos....

Really I just kept ending up with a blurry mess!!

Then Lil' Red got into the action...

well sorta :(

Finally I gave up and let the 9 year old work the camera....

Reeeeally loving my new necklace!!

Oh and did I forget to mention how amazingly inexpensive this was??

                                                     Everything she sells is Frugal Friendly!!

Now I have to apologize, because I'm sure your going to be hooked now too.

Unfortunately her etsy shop is closed for the rest of May.

She's working a big show right now.

Don't you worry though, she'll be back in June!!

I've already eyeballed some rings I want!!

Angie

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jbirdsgarden

http://www.1000markets.com/users/jbirdsgarden

You can also find her on Facebook!!

A little bit of Ruche' and an apology to my husband..

Ruche is the online store I stumbled across and shared with you a while ago.

I fell in love with their clothing and was shocked at how low most of the price tags were.

Here's my recent treasure the fed ex man delivered yesterday.

http://www.shopruche.com/mist-ruffle-tux-pocket-tank-p-1603.html

Isn't this cute?

Being a SAHM, I'm always looking for something I can throw on with a cute pair of jeans or shorts and not look like a complete slob.

I love how this simple t-shirt comes to life with the little bit of ruffles and the pockets on the sides. I'm not sure if $36.99 is the best price for this shirt but I thought it was so cute I couldn't resist.

Now comes the apology portion of this post.

I was excited to try my new treasure on and asked the hubby to snap a photo for the blog. I'm not sure what possessed me. If you think my photo skills are bad.... well about 15 minutes later and who knows how many photos I decided "forget it" and snapped a photo of myself in the mirror

Now your probably asking yourself "She complained about his photography skills?"

It's ok, one look at this photo and I thought the same thing.

Then as I was downloading and deleting all of the evidence, I saw the very first photo he took of me.

Ok, still not the best photo ever but while looking at it I remembered the requirements I gave him.

I said, "get the whole outfit."

I didn't say, "make me look like I'm 20 again" or "make me look 20 pounds lighter"

I said- "get the whole outfit" and that he did. So sorry honey- love you! ;)

The Vintage Clothing and Textile show

On Sunday my Mother and I drove down to Pickwick Gardens in Burbank, California to attend the Vintage Clothing and Textile show. It was our first time attending a show like this and I have to admit it was a bit overwhelming. Sort of like a child being dumped into the middle of Disneyland without a map. So much to see and so many people! We were told that a lot of stars attend the show but we were unable to spot any. You could however spot the "industry" people. As well as the die hard vintage fans.

I'm in the far right of this photo with the hat and black purse. Apparently my mother and I both noticed the "vintage" fans at the same time. She just happened to be the one with the camera at that moment. ;) Here's a better photo of these ladies.

You wouldn't know it judging by the look on their faces but they were really good sports about posing for a photo.

I didn't have much luck as far as the vintage clothing was concerned.

I think the look on my face says it all as far as these pants are concerned.


This coat was like wearing a couch! It was soooo heavy!! I'm sure there were some great pieces available at this show. It just happened to be the loud and funky ones that kept catching our attention.

Next we moved on to hats. I'm a HUGE hat fan! I currently own 31 hats, I know this because I stopped typing this post to go count them. I'd show you photos but my closet is pretty scary right now so that will have to be a post of it's own another time.

I didn't come home with any of these hats but still had a lot of fun trying them on.
My Mother has an annual Mother's Day Tea Party where it's mandatory to dress Victorian. This would be a perfect hat for the party!

This one had a great paisley band around the top (I wish this photo showed it better) I'd actually wear this hat on vacation somewhere tropical.

This black hat was really cool, but WAY to small for my head so the photo doesn't do it justice.

I wasn't a fan of this blue hat but my Mom really loved the back of it and wanted a photo.

Next was my Mom's turn...

Sporting the floppy purple hat. Which happens to be my Grandmother's "signature" color. The vendor sold it to us for $10.00 so it's on it's way to Grandma's house soon!

This green velvet hat was much cuter in person. Well as much as a bright green hat can be. This one was also $10.00 so my Mother went ahead and bought it to add to her collection of tea party hats.

Last but not least was the jewelry. There was a TON of it! There were probably a hundred cases that were loaded like this one.

There wasn't anything in particular in this display that caught our fancy. We just wanted to have a photo to show of some jewelry. I did find some pieces that I couldn't leave behind.

This cuff was the perfect bronze color with a gorgeous topaz colored stone. Can you see the detail in the wrist portion? It's a flower pattern all through out the metal. LOVED it! And for $30.00 I wasn't leaving it behind!

Another inexpensive find was this ring...

I'm not sure what the stone is or whether it's real or not. I don't even care if it isn't really a vintage piece. I LOVE it! See the detail on the side of the ring?

It was only $10.00 and again for that price, I couldn't leave it behind. After spending several hours maneuvering through the maze of vintage booths and people we decided we'd had enough for one day and headed to lunch.

Which by the way if you've never eaten at Hamburger Hamlets I strongly recommend you put that on your list of things to do! I'm not a burger fan myself but decided to give it a try. I had the
Steakhouse Blue Burger. It was a pepper crusted patty, tomato, Bermuda onion, Wisconsin blue cheese, horseradish sauce and A1 sauce. I had mine minus the horseradish and onions. It was amazing! Not exactly on my list of "clean eating" so I only ate half the burger and filled up on fruit once I got home. Well that was my Sunday- How was yours??

Do you "Glamarella"?

http://http//glamarellajunk.blogspot.com/2010/01/glam-garage.html


Have you seen this blog? She has some really great vintage jewelry. Some of it is a little pricey but I managed to snag this bracelet for a little over $20.00.

I LOVE it! It's a mesh style cuff with a bronze antique brooch. The center of the brooch has a faux cow hide with a jewel in the center of it. It slides on and off very easily and goes with just about anything. I'm also a little partial to her "juicy" style sweats although I haven't purchased any yet. I actually met her a few months back at the La Maison Rustique Barn sale. It was my first time going to one and my first time meeting a few of the blogger's that I had started following. I think I was on sensory overload that day because I didn't manage to snap one photo and for me that's unheard of!!

She's also recently started another blog called Glam Garage where she gives a behind the scenes look at her styling. If you have some time you should check them out and also stop by http://lamaisonrustique.typepad.com/ for some unique vintage finds.

Angie

peacock flowers empire dress - $38.99 : ShopRuche.com, Vintage Inspired Clothing, Affordable Clothes, Eco friendly Fashion

How much fun would this dress be??? I could see it in winter with tights and boots- maybe a long sleeve shirt underneath or a leather jacket over the top? Summer with a great straw hat and a pair of flip flops?? And for under $40 how could you go wrong??? How would you wear it?


peacock flowers empire dress - $38.99 : ShopRuche.com, Vintage Inspired Clothing, Affordable Clothes, Eco friendly Fashion

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Do you Frou Frou?

Thanks to an old friend, I'm embarking on a new adventure which involves a bit of "Frou Frou"

The dictionary definition of Frou Frou is as follows: froufrou n.

1. a swishing sound, as made by a long silk dress

2. (Clothing & Fashion) an elaborate dress or ornamentation, esp worn by women

from French, of imitative origin

I like to think of Frou Frou as more of an affected elegance. What does that translate to you ask? HA! I would loooove to say I came up with that all on my own but let's face it, I've got WAY to much going on to be that clever! It sounded great though didn't it? Like I had this effortless chic way of putting my whole take on Frou Frou into two perfectly descriptive words. So let's try this again, my true thoughts on Frou Frou? I think it can be any level of abundance determined by each individual. (That was all me- Thank you very much)

I think it is possible for Frou Frou to be understated. Tory Burch is a perfect example of this. Don't believe me? Spend some time reading her Holiday dressing tips or browse around her website. Understated Frou Frou at it's finest!

http://http//www.toryburch.com/toryburch/company/toryon_dressing.jsp?icCategory=cat190070&_requestid=764713

She has a little bit of "bling" (That word really is horrible isn't it?) Ok I'll start over....

She designs with just the right amount of ruffles, bows, and shiny things (that was better wasn't it?) to illistrate perfectly what I was referring to earlier as Understated Frou Frou and will now be a term I use frequently in my vocab. ;)

I'm sure when most of you think of "Frou Frou" you immediately imagine anything and everything OVER the top. Possibly even Gaudy?

I could post unlimited photos to depict all different versions of Frou Frou but what I'm really interested in is what does Frou Frou mean to you?

Ever heard of Ruche?

tall whiskey fold rugged boots - $44.99 : ShopRuche.com, Vintage Inspired Clothing, Affordable Clothes, Eco friendly Fashion

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These boots are PERFECT!! One boot 2 ways, rugged, low heel so you can still chase the kiddos and the price?? Forget about it!!! Only bummer, my size is out of stock right now so i'll have to wait till October to get my hands on them. I guess that's not such a bad thing since it's still 108 here and I won't be wearing boots anytime soon!! Take a moment and check out shoperuche.blogspot.com- She's got GREAT stuff!!! Oh I'm so excited for Fall!!!

I guess I love ALL things vintage...

I'm a very visual person whether it be decor or fashion, I am the kind of person who NEEDS to have visual stimulation. I HAVE to collect images to refer back to at any given moment. Instead of stacks of magazines I've actually created several inspiration books. Countless pages of inspiration from health, decor, beauty, etc. I even save pictures of future haircuts. No kidding, I've actually got a list of haircuts I WILL have at some point. The computer isn't safe either! With the Internet you can only imagine how many inspiration folders I've got filled with fantastic images!!! Now my husband thinks I'm ridiculous and he's not to thrilled with how slow our computer can be at times because of it. Yet I can't help it!! They make me smile. They put me in a better mood. I can't even begin to count how many actual photos I've saved but I can tell you I've got one folder labeled "House Ideas" which has 13 sub folders (bedroom, kids rooms, outdoor ideas etc.) Then I have "Fav Stuff" which consists of hair do's, make up. There's also "Fav Outfits", you get the idea? Sometimes I run a slide show of all of these fabulous images just because. Anyhow I've recently been spending more time on polyvore.com browsing the outfits that have been put together by fashionistas from all over the world. I've begun to realize that I prefer Vintage in all aspects of my life. There's nothing I LOVE more than a ripped pair of jeans, boots, vintage jewelry, a vintage shirt and a fedora!! Might be my uniform this school year! Here's a couple looks from polyvore.com that I also like. Enjoy!

Casual Look by Closetmonkey♫ featuring Miu Miu bags

6/50 - Hat - 50 Theme Fashion Challenge.♥ by DanekaElizabeth; featuring Band of Outsiders

Tea with Maria by *Heather Thomas featuring Furla bags

won't you follow me now by Bethiesue08 featuring Acne jeans

[signed, sealed, delivered] by pinklipstiiick ☮ featuring Hollister Co. jeans

Down to Earth by gerox featuring Charles David shoes

Free Spirit by punctum ~ holiday ;) featuring American Eagle Outfitters shoes

Some of these I'd change the shoes or loose the jacket but the overall idea of what I like is there. Anyhow I'd love to see or hear what your go to outfit will be this school year!! Yes even my Home School Mom's with your mail order jeans! HA, you know who you are! ;)