Pink & leopard

I've had this picture on my Pinterest for quite a while. Last night it just popped into my head how easy it would be to recreate this from my own closet. I went for silver accessories instead of gold, and used my pink pants instead of a skirt. But I think the overall affect is the same.

Pinned here.

My version below:

Shirt: Forever 21

Cardigan: Gap Outlet

Pants: Old Navy

Shoes: Hand me down from mom

Necklace: Forever 21

Earrings: Tiffany & Co.

Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.

Watch: Fossil

Purse: Express

What I Read Wednesday

This week we're reviewing the book Another Piece of my Heart by Jane Green. While she's not my favorite author, I always pick up her new books because they're consistently good. This particular one was about a family, told primarily from the step-mother's point of view. It chronicles the hard times she and one of her step-daughters go through. This roller coaster relationship puts a strain on her marriage and causes her to consider leaving. 

I read the whole thing quickly and enjoyed it. It was one of those books that my mom and I like to refer to as "fluff". Meaning it's an enjoyable book but it's a little corny and a fast read. Sometimes you're just craving a good "fluff" book though! I started reading Gone With The Wind not that long ago and it was nice to take a break for a few days and have an easy read. All in all, if you like Jane Green you'll be happy with this book. If you've never read one of her books, I would definitely suggest her. 

White

This all white outfit is so casual and comfortable. I wanted something simple to wear with the bold necklace. I love outfits that look put together but are also comfy!

(Yikes, bad posture there Mackenzie! Stand up straight)

T-shirt: Kohls

Skirt: Old Navy

Necklace: Forever 21

Belt: Came with another skirt from Wet Seal

Shoes: Michael Kors

High Five for Friday

Happy Friday everyone! Are you as excited about the long weekend as I am?! Linking up again to From My Grey Desk for High Five for Friday. Have a great weekend :)

1. Looking forward to the long weekend! We're going to another Cardinals game. Can't wait :)

2. I got a pair of turquoise skinny jeans from Aeropostale for $8 this week. Bargain!

T-shirt: Wal-Mart

Necklace: Forever 21

Belt: American Eagle

Pants: Aeropostale

Shoes: Michael Kors

Bag: Aldo

3. I've been reading the book The Darlings by Cristina Alger this past week. I'm about halfway through...it's really good so far. Looking forward to finishing it this weekend!

4. How cute is this dress from Kohl's! My mom and I are going shopping this weekend. Hoping to find this dress while we're out.

Find it here.

5. Found this on Pinterest. What a great reminder of what life is all about. It's easy to get caught up in the everydayness of life and forget that the reason we're here is to love God and His people. Francis Chan wrote an amazing book called Crazy Love. If you've never read it, you should check it out.

Find it here.

Birthday List

My birthday is coming up next month, which got me thinking about what I wanted. I compiled a "dream list" below. It was fun to put together :)

Such a pretty necklace. Find it here.

My mom has this foundation brush from Sephora. It is amazing! I can't believe what a difference it makes. Find it here.

Kindle Fire. At first I wasn't sure if I'd like this as well as having a real book. I think it's just one of those things that I'd get used to once I have it for a while plus it has some really neat features on it.

This blouse is adorable! It even has a cute split back. Find it here. 

My mom also has this stuff. It's really pretty. Find it here.

One of my favorite candles ever. Smells like the beach...perfect for summer. Find it here.

LOVE these capris from J. Crew. If only they weren't $90....Find them here.

Such pretty heels from Zara. Find here.

What I Read Wednesday

Hi! I (Michele) want to tell you about one of my favorite books, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I discovered this book in Springfield, MO on an aisle of staff favorites in a bookstore. It was described as a cross between The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter (a grown-up Harry Potter). It's about a traveling writer called The Chronicler who comes to an inn. He recognized the owner of the inn, Kote, as the most famous magician of his day. He, Kote, then begins to tell his story of an orphan boy who becomes a legend. 

This is the first book in a trilogy. I read this book during the weeks I was sitting in the hospital while my father was fighting cancer. This book became my escape to another place. Before my father passed away I talked him into reading it too. It was the last book he read. Although he didn't like it as much as I did, he read it all because I loved it. Thanks dad :)

Black & white

Here's an outfit from a couple weeks ago. I didn't post pictures earlier because I don't love how they turned out. I think it would have looked better without the blazer. Anyways, here they are!

   

Blazer: Charlotte Russe (borrowed from mom)
Top: Maurices

Skirt: Old Navy

Belt: Hand me down from mom

Wedges: Hand me down from mom

Earrings: Forever 21

Watch: Fossil

Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.
Lipstick: Revlon Lip Butter "Lollipop"

Forever 21

I found some more goodies online at Forever 21 this week. I hadn't shopped there for a while but lately I keep finding things I can't live without :) The three items below are super cute. Take a peek:

This necklace is so pretty and so on trend right now. It's already sold out too!

I have been wanting a polka dot top but haven't been able to find one I like. I hope this one is as cute on as it is online. I think it would look great under my yellow jacket. (That pink clutch is adorable too. I couldn't find it on their website though). Find the top here.

 

I don't have a black blazer. This one is pretty casual looking and I love the elbow patches. Find it here.

Hive Five for Friday

Happy Friday everyone! Linking up again with From My Grey Desk for High Five for Friday. Enjoy your weekend :)

1. Last weekend my husband and I went to a Cardinals game. So much fun!

(My favorite player, Skip Schumaker!)

2. I bought the book Gone With The Wind. I've read bits and pieces but never sat down and read the whole thing. I'm determined to finish it!

3. Yay for summer hours at work! Now I get Friday afternoons off. I love it!

4. I have nothing to do tomorrow. Looking forward to spending the whole day reading and cooking these wonderful looking muffins.

5. My mom pinned this cute sign. How fun is that?!

Pinned here.

Denim shirt, again

Top: Target

Skirt: Gap Outlet

Bag: Express

Necklace: Forever 21

Sunglasses: Old Navy

Shoes: Michael Kors

Can you tell that I love this denim shirt? :) I hope you're not getting tired of seeing it because I wear it constantly. I originally bought it for my engagement pictures (below) two years ago but felt like I could never find something to wear it with. Now I'm on a roll!

Also, yay for my new shoes! I love them :)

What I Read Wednesday

This week we are reviewing the book The Vow by Kim & Krickitt Carpenter. Most of you probably know that it was a movie that was recently in theaters as well. I (Mackenzie) can tell you that the book and the movie are completely different. Basically the only thing consistent between the two is the fact that the wife doesn't remember her husband after being involved in a car accident. 

In the book the couple are Christians who met on the phone when Kim (the husband) was ordering clothes for the team that he coaches. Krickitt was the customer service representative for the company. He thought she was so nice on the phone, that he continued to call. They finally set up a date to meet and are married soon after. The couple are only married for two months before they are both involved in a car accident that puts Krickitt in a coma. The rest of the book chronicles the challenges that she goes through to recover as well as the strain it puts on their marriage, with her not remembering anything about their life together.

It's always nice to read a book from a Christian point of view and I can't say that I'm surprised that wasn't included in the movie, even though their relationship with God is such an important part of the book. Their story definitely makes you think about how tough that would be to go through. It's impressive that they stick it out and stay together. They even renew their vows.

The Vow is an interesting (and fast) read. Although, it's not my favorite book ever, it kept my attention and like I said, it's always nice to read books from a Christian point of view.

Mother's Day

We had Mother's Day at my house this year. Both my and my husband's side of the family came over. It was great! My mom and I snuck away for a minute to capture what we were wearing :)

Button-up shirt: Gap

Blazer: Charlotte Russe

Jeans: American Eagle

Shoes: Kohls

Belt: TJ Maxx

Necklace: Hand me down from my Grandma

Watch: Gift

Silver bead bracelet: Tiffany & Co.

White tee: Kohls

Cardigan: Gap Outlet:

Shorts: Gap Outlet

Necklace: Forever 21

Shoes: Libby Edelman

(No, I am not wearing white leggings. Yes, my legs are really that pale.)

Here are the fun table decorations that my mom found on Pinterest. The jars are wrapped in burlap and there are sliced limes floating in the water. The roses are from my parents house and I found the flowers at the grocery store.