Admiring.

One of Matt and my favorite shows to watch is the CBS Sunday Morning Show. Yesterday I was so excited that they featured a segment on Tory Burch. I already loved her but this interview made me admire her even more.

I knew she came from a family of privilege and was married to Chris Burch who was beyond wealthy and helped her launch her line, so yes financially she had things easy to start her brand but without her vision it would be nothing. She wanted to create a luxury line at a lower a price point and I think she highly succeeded. "Luxury itself is not exclusionary" Tory said in an interview. She created clothes she herself wanted to wear. She even designed her infamous tunic for her mom because she had a hard time finding clothes that fit her properly.

and named the popular ballet flats "Reva" after her mom as well.

She is such a family person. She has three sons and three step daughters from her marriage to Burch and always talks about how important they are. She started off working at Ralph Lauren and Narcisco Roderiguez where she said she gained invaluable info on the fashion world. In February 2004 Tory started Tory Burch out of her Upper East Side Apartment, to fill a void in the fashion industry. By offering an affordable, accessible, luxury lifestyle brand, Tory innovated the marketplace. The first year her brand took off but it was really after Oprah featured her tunic on her show that the brand became a household name. Tory said that day their website received 8 million hits. Today it is a multi-billion dollar company with flagship stores all over the world.

The designs of her stores are equally impressive to me. Not only does she have an eye for fashion but also interior design. I love the bright colors and mix of patterns. The TB store in Charlotte is one of my favorite places to shop when I am home!




Not to mention Tory's own personal style is pretty impeccable.



This was the first year she did an actual Runway show at NYC Fashion week to showcase her Spring 2012 line. All the clothes are beyond gorgeous.


Here is my top pick from the Spring line I am lusting after!
TB Wildflower Maxi Dress

I also wouldn't mind owning this white tunic. The perfect white shirt for summer. Love it paired with the pale pink jeans and I think it would also be cute with shorts.
TB FLOR KNITTED TUNIC


Can you tell I am pretty smitten with Miss Burch? I have a major girl crush on her. She is such a successful entrepreneur with great taste and values on top of that! Do you love Tory as much as I do?

The Look For Less

I keep coming across this picture from the Elie Saab 2011 Spring Fashion line on Pinterest. I am obsessed with the maxi dress and the gorgeous green color. Sadly Elie Saab ain't in this Mama's budget. Well guess what, I came across a pretty similar dress at a fraction of the price!!
I present to you The Hive and Honey Maxi dress from Piperlime for only $79!

And if you don't like the green it comes in this gorgeous coral color too that would look pretty amazing with some turquoise jewelry!

I seriously want to order the dress in both colors. What a steal for a cute maxi dress! You are so welcome for this Sunday Deal of the Day!

Thoughts For Friday

I finally jumped on the band wagon and made a Facebook page for my blog. And when I say I did it, I mean my sweet sister set it up because I am so bad with computer stuff. You can check out my page HERE and please show me some Love and "like" my page!

I am currently lusting over this Hot Pink Greylin blouse. I really want her to wear with my white shorts this summer. I keep remembering my mom saying hot pink is not a good color on us. Tell me do you think blondes look good in Hot Pink or is it too Barbie looking? I love pink and think I am going to go for it. Best part the blouse is very reasonably priced. It also comes in white, black and cobalt blue.
GREYLIN PINK SILK BUTTON DOWN

I love this quote from Gwyneth. I thought about it the whole time I was on the treadmill yesterday. It is so true it takes alot of hard work to have a fit and toned body. I love how honest she is about how hard she works out. Most celebrities are not that truthful about it. Something for all us to remember. It ain't easy but its worth it!

My little man may be Matt's twin but he is alot like his Mama. He loves good jewelry (My necklaces are his new favorite thing to play with and I kid you not it took me a good twenty minutes to unknot all the ones he is wearing) and he loves shopping. A man after my own heart.

Have you seen these "slutty brownies" floating around Pinterest? I am pretty sure these will be made in my near future. Brownie Mix with Oreos and a bottom layer of cookie dough = pure heaven.

Matt has the alarm on his his phone set up to play Lionel Ritchie's "Hello" every morning at 6:00. I can't tell you how weird it is to be awoken by a voice saying "Hello is it me you're looking for."

How gorgeous is this kids bedroom? I want to do something similar when Sterling moves to his big boy room next year. By similar I mean I would like everything in this room especially the bed and light!

Have a great weekend! We have a busy one filled with Carson's 3rd birthday party, time spent with my brother and sister-in-law, and a few house projects!
I will leave you with one of my all time favorite quotes from Elizabeth Taylor!

Currently Stalking...

I think you all know how much I love a gorgeous handbag. Well, I have found my next purse. Enter the Celine Boston Purse. I am pretty smitten with this purse and have been stalking her all over the Internet. I need this purse in my life, like bad.

Blair from Atlantic Pacific has one

Bradley from Luella and June has one

Camille from Camille Styles has one

As do a slew of other celebrities. So naturally now I want one.

I think she might quite possibly be the perfect purse. I am even thinking it is big enough to serve as my next diaper bag too. Hardest decision is what color to get. I am initially drawn the Camel one.



But I kind of love the bright blue one! It would add such a fun pop of color to my everyday life!

The black one would go with everything and is probably the most practical.



Then there is the half canvas version- although I see this one getting the dirtiest.



Decisions, decisions. What color do ya'll like? I just asked Sterling and he said "Mama Black purse" and pointed to the black one, so I guess his vote is for the black one! My little man is quite practical when it comes to purse choices! Here's to hoping one day I will own this beauty!

Superfood Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

As soon as I saw this recipe on Pinterest I knew I had to make it. Then I saw on WayWay's blog that she made it with raving reviews, so I knew it was gonna be fabulous. This is a quick and easy weeknight meal filled with so many healthy foods. Even the hubs who snubbed it because there was quinoa in it, absolutely loved it. He ate two bowls and then took the rest for lunch the next day. I promise you are going to love this dish. It is filled with so many flavors that mesh together seamlessly. "Try it , You Might Like it." For those of you familiar with Yo Gabba Gabba you know what I am talking about- that song haunts me. Bon Appetit!

(This is the picture from Pinterest, a little prettier than mine)


Superfood Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dry quinoa

1/3 cup red onion, chopped

1 orange, peeled and segments chopped

1 avocado, chopped

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup pomegranate arils (about 1 pomegranate worth)

1 cup frozen corn, thawed

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

salt & pepper

For the Lemon Vinaigrette:

2 lemons, juiced (need 1/4 cup juice)

2 garlic cloves, microplaned or finely minced

dash of sweetener (agave nectar, stevia or white sugar)

salt & pepper

6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside to cool.

2. For the Lemon Vinaigrette: combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake to combine. Or, add lemon juice, garlic, sweetener, salt and pepper into a small bowl and whisk in oil.

3. Combine cooled quinoa with red onion, orange segments, avocado, beans, pomegranate arils, corn, cilantro, salt and pepper. Pour Lemon Vinaigrette over the salad and stir to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.

** I didn't use the pomegranate seeds and also didn't use any sweetener in my dressing. I added sauteed mushrooms per WayWay's recommendation. We marinated the shrimp in olive oil, salt and pepper, and lots of Siracha hot sauce, also WayWay's recommendation. It really gave the shrimp amazing flavor- I highly recommend you marinate them the same way.) **
You can view the original Recipe and print it HERE

Obsessions

THIS DRESS.
I saw it on Pinterest. Someone please tell me where I can find it. When I click on the link it takes me nowhere. I really want this dress for the Summer!

PHILLIP JEFFERIES METALLIC GRASSCLOTH WALLPAPER
I love this wallpaper, like alot. I would love do a silver or gold one in our next nursery (nope not pregnant so don't read into it). This wallpaper comes in 22 different colors that are oh so pretty.

KALE
Yep it's official I am hooked on this superfood. Here are three of my current favorite ways to enjoy it.
{Fresh Pressed Green Juice, Kale Chips, Kale and Lentil Salad}

KARTELL KIDS LOU LOU GHOST CHAIR
I love these chairs in a big way. I am asking for two of the light blue one's for Sterling's birthday gift. I think they will be adorable at his little white table where he sits and colors.

TORY BURCH CLOVER NECKLACE
I love the detail on this necklace. I feel like it could be worn everyday dressed up or down! My girl Tory never disappoints!