Red, White, and New: The Mother of Memorial Days

Ahoy!

Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

This is not my beautiful house . . . but this is my (mostly) beautiful life.

Top: Candie's, Kohl's

Bag: Marshalls

Top and skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Bag: Kate Spade NY for Target

Headband: Michaels

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Coeur Quartet Necklace 

Top: Madden Girl, Macy's

Red Robin recon. 

Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW; Socks: Amazon

Eclectic Ella Necklace

Baby's first burger.  Not really -- more like baby's umpteenth bowl of mashed produce medley.

Bag: Circus by Sam Edelman, Kohl's

Suburban skyline.

Scarf: Marshalls

A balloon bouquet to brighten your day.

This Memorial Day weekend, I was excited to celebrate with Charlotte (and, yes, parade some patriotic fits).  I took her on our first solo shopping trip, which was, of course, to Kohl's, and then the husband and I took her on her inaugural trip to Red Robin.  We wrapped it all up with a BBQ at my parents', and a good -- albeit exhausting -- time was had by all, especially Charlotte.  Next up: Char Bar's first birthday party.

Which will be a whole new level of exciting -- and exhausting.  But mostly exciting. 😁

Squash Mishmosh Nosh: Hold the Bacon

Shoes: Shoe Carnival

Bag: SHEIN

Dress: Macy's

September Sunset Necklace

Skirt: Tinseltown, Macy's

Bag: Olivia Miller TJ Maxx

Scarf: Zulily

Bangles and ring: Mixit, JCPenney

Sweater: Wild Fable, Target

Shoes: Chaps, Kohl's

Bag: Elly & Ella, Amazon

Shoes: First Love by Penny Loves Kenny, JCPenney

Top: Self Esteem, Macy's

Normally, when I see green, orange, and yellow, I think citrus.  And then, of course, summer.  To be sure, there's an orange (both the color and the fruit) bag and barrette in this ensemble sampling.  But there's an orange sweater too, which shouts pumpkin (it looks red, but it's more of a Crayola red-orange), even if it is cropped and paired with a mini and sandals.  So, it's a real cornucopia of produce-based colors.  

What's a carnivore to do?

Make like Sheryl Crow and soak up the sun, I guess.

And then hightail it to Red Robin.

Beef vs. Leaf: Hooray for Hippie Carnivores

Daisy headband?  Check.  Flower power peasant top?  Check.  Steak and potatoes necklace and cheeseburger wristlet?  Double check and don't hold the bacon!

Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Peace and love and eating meat aren't two things that usually go together.  People of the pacifist persuasion are often depicted as vegetarians, whereas their warlord counterparts are seen salivating over all that is juicy.  Maybe that's why I was compelled to come up with a look that says Woodstock-meets-woodfire-grill.  I like contrasts.  Visually, they offer artistic appeal.  Intellectually, they bridge the space between black and white.  I cotton to the contrast of this particular outfit because I'm a live-and-let live lady who digs both boho duds and Red Robin.  Also, if I'm being honest (and I am, always), then it gives me an opportunity to reheat my Fabulous Felt Steak Dinner Necklace.

Fabulous Felt Steak Dinner Necklace

It's an old one, this necklace, so much so that I can now call it aged beef.  Which is weird because unlike wine or blue cheese, I feel like such a so-called delicacy would attract maggots.  But then, my left mini meathook in this pic is pretty weird, too, all lumpy and intense reddish purple.  I wish I could say that its rib-eye-ripe shade is the result of slaying London broil, but the toughest thing it's ever sundered is felt.

Also, truth be told, I eat mostly chicken.

Happy Birthday To Me

Today is my birthday. I'm 28. I thought I would feel older, but I'm surprisingly ok with it. The bf just called from work to ask what I was doing, and I said, "blogging about my birthday . . . it doesn't get any more narcissistic than this." He just laughed and said, "Hey, I wasn't gong to say anything . . ."

I took off from work (first time I ever did that for my birthday) and wanted to document my joy before it evaporated. My birthday activities included the following:

I slept in a little, did some decoupaging to a Saved by the Bell rerun, uploaded some new items to my ArtFire shop, ordered this awesome unicorn cuff and necklace from Art All Night on Etsy, then showered and set off for DSW where I bought too many pairs of shoes (all on sale, though) with my birthday coupon. Then my dad called to suggest we meet for lunch at Red Robin (it was his lunch hour). I wasn't expecting that, wasn't even planning to stop for lunch, actually, so that was nice. After lunch I made a quick trip to Marshalls before going to see Did You Hear About the Morgans? I had a free ticket coupon (I'm part of the Regal club, or whatever it's called), so that was even better. It was just me and this one other woman in the theater. She was sitting in the row in front of mine and laughed very loudly every time someone said something funny. At one point she turned around and said, "I'm sorry!" I had to hold back my own laughter, from the irony, as I assured her that it was ok. As for the movie, it was exactly as I expected it to be: peppered with Hugh Grant's signature dry British wit, a little reminiscent of Sex and the City because I can't help but think of Carrie every time I see Sarah Jessica Parker in something, predictable, a little sappy, and overall highly enjoyable. I've never been afraid to admit that I like a good chick flick.

Now I'm just doing what I like to do best until the bf comes home. Then we'll go out to dinner. Saturday, I'll celebrate with my family "birthday circuit" style (for those of you not familiar with the Esposito birthday circuit, it just means that we all go out to the Italian restaurant of the birthday person's choice (either my mom, dad, sister, grandmother, or aunt), then return to Esposito headquarters for cake and presents).

That's it. I'm having a great day. Narcissism session concluded.