Wedding Traditions...

I have been working with a client, helping her with some wedding ideas & we were discussing the different wedding traditions that different family's carry out from generation to generation.  One that we both agreed on was, 'Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue."  Here would be my 'Old' a pair of engraved forks, (silverware handed down through generations) that my husband & I would eat our cake with at our wedding...

My something 'New' would definitely be splurged on a great pair of heels for my wedding...

My something 'Borrowed' would be a lucky charm from my mom & sisters that I would either wear or somehow incorporate into my bouquet...

And my something 'Blue' would be a pop of sapphire somewhere hidden on my outfit for my big day. I love this dress, it is so unique & distinct...

What are some of your family's wedding traditions?

Styles of the Rainbow...

Here are some awesome styles for spring in all shades of the rainbow!

A great pair of colored skinny jeans matched with simple features like a black blazer & simple white t-shirt keep this look updated, yet effortless...

Relaxed, cuffed, boyfriend shirt.  I was watching 'E News' last night & their style guide said that this look was, 'So Out,' but I am 'So Loving' the ease & comfort of a boyfriend shirt. Obviously you wouldn't wear this to an event or cocktail party, clearly it is made for running errands & doing day to day activities in comfort...

High-waisted, pleated, cotton chinos.  Add some spice to your wardrobe & try them in a dramatic color like lemon...

I am adoring this fitted, lime green, spring jacket! Light weight & bright scream spring! Perfect for throwing over a light blouse & jeans while our temps slowly rise...

Denim on denim! My ultimate favorite look right now!  This look is done perfectly!  Simple flair to her jeans, the different denims broken apart with a uncomplicated brown belt & the wash of the denim top is quintessential...

Purple.Suede.Heels.  I love being able to play around with the color of my heels for spring & summer.  Again, if you are afraid of trying something bold (like these heels or the colored skinnies) keep the rest of your outfit very simple & you cannot go wrong...

Pink Chiffon Blouse.  Whimsical, light, soft, & flawless...

White cotton dress with a dramatic feature.  I am loving how low the back cut is on this gorgeous dress! Not to mention the attention-to-detail bow as well...

Wide Leg Trouser.  Gorgeous for spring! The look really elongates any length leg & draws attention to the smaller part of your body.. your waist...

And most of you already know my obsession with blazers, but it is seriously a staple item within my closet!  I love the substantial size in the shoulders...

What are some looks that you are loving for spring?

Be Inspired...

... on just another manic Monday!  Here in MN, spring should be right around the corner, but who ever really knows!  The one thing besides the bitter chill that I am looking forward to: COLOR! Everything looks so dirty & dreary right now, I cannot wait for the first bud! Until then, I will find inspiration through beautiful pictures of nature, like these...

What are you most looking forward to about Spring!?

P.S: I was asked to Guest Post over at Luxe & Lillies on Friday! Wander on over to Keely's beautiful blog & check out my Top 10 Must Haves for Spring!!

Happy Friday...

Enjoy the weekend my lovely followers!  It is finally supposed to start warming up here in MN, so we are having a lot of high hopes for melting snow!  Relax this weekend & find inspiration in all things beautiful & Chic...

Much Love,  Kara

It's 5 O'clock Somewhere...

Recently I graduated from College & one of the biggest adjustments of becoming a 'Post-Grad' has been finding the time to see all my girlfriends.  Since the past 4 years have been spent all living under the same roof or within walking distance, seeing each other was simple! Now-a-days.. not so much! With 'big girl' jobs, different schedules & activities, we have learned to cherish the time that we do get to spend together & catch up on life!  I am a huge fan of cocktail parties & happy hour gatherings & last night I was able to meet up with some college gals, which inspired my post today!

I would love to be able to throw a gorgeous pink cocktail party adorned with all things pretty & chic...

I love being able to catch up with great friends over a good glass of wine (let's be honest, a stiff drink...)

These table settings & beautiful embellishments are giving me all sorts of ideas for throwing my next cocktail party...

This desert table is designed flawlessly! I love the pink, white & touch of sparkle...

Some fun pink drinks ideas...

Some fun pink snack ideas...

... and of course a blushing pink themed party wouldn't be what it is without some sort of pink flair in your wardrobe for the event...

My dream setting for this event! Elegant, comfy, relaxing atmosphere & quaint...

What kind of cocktail party would you throw for your girlfriends?

For the Sophisticated Woman in you...

My momma was feeling a tad left out from my most recent Spring Break Edition: Look Book so I wanted to make another Look Book, but more tailored for a woman of her particular fashion tastes. So, here it is, A Look Book with a more 'Sophisticated Style' ...

Open publication - Free publishing - More style

Many Uses for Mason Jars...

Anyone that knows me, knows I am obsessed with Mason Jars!!  They are so versatile with a touch of country chic, I cannot get my hands on enough of these little gems!

There are seriously so many fun & creative things you can do with Mason Jars.  I love the idea of using them with tea light candles at night event...

... or as storage!  Tie a cute label around each jar to make the space unique & usable...

Using the jars as cups is always fun & gives a laid back feel to a modern day cocktail party...

This is so cute! Never thought of this before, but this would be a great way to offer homemade lemonade to guests at a graduation party...

I think this is going to be my next DIY project! I love this!! It is so creative & really puts my theory that 'everything has a place' to use...

Very shabby chic, I love...

...Hand Soap Jars...

...Decorative displays of recent treasures found...

... & dying them a different color is so easy...

So if you were to search for those vintage blue mason jars at an antique store, it would easily set you back $8-$15! You can buy a case of clear for $6!! Follow these easy steps to dye your jar the color of your choice!!

Purchase Vitrea 160, which is just a transparent color for stained glass.  Often chosen is the color Turquoise, but play around with colors.  Make sure you also purchase Thinner from the same product line so the color appears more faint. Scoop a small amount of Color (very very small, the size of an eraser head) & dab that into an old tupperwear. Then use your fan brush to dip into the thinner & then mix with the color. Coat the outside of the jar. It is going to look cloudy & too bright, but when you bake it, it will fade your brushstrokes as well as the color...

Let the color sit upside down for 24hrs.  Then place the jar in the oven & let it bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees F.  Let your jar cool for a couple hours & you're finished!! A fun DIY project, as well as a good gift idea, for a price cheaper than found at an antique store, & made with love!

Head to your local farmers market, get a cheap bouquet of fresh flowers & you're good to go! 

Enjoy :)

Patio People...

Thanks to my momma, I have really began to obsess over Midwest Home Magazine because it truly is 'Everything Home, Everything Local' with awesome inspiration from architecture, remodeling, design, kitchen & bath, to my personal favorite, outdoor living & landscape.  There is usually so much emphasis put on that special outdoor space in the Midwest, because we truly cherish our spring & summer...

A comfortable, outdoor patio is imperative in the greater Midwest because of how much time we truly spend entertaining & enjoying the outdoors.  Whether your space is used for coffee & breakfast during sunrise or for cocktails & appetizers during sun down, your space must be equipped with realistic comfort...

Realistic, you might wonder why?  Because here in MN, I know families that spend unreal amounts of money on outdoor patio furniture (mainly due to the immense amount of time spent on it) because it needs to be sturdy & durable to endure our random & rapid weather changes...

Although some beautiful Robin's Egg Blue chaise lounge covers would be awesome, we have to be realistic about what is worth investing money in for patio furniture & what is not.  Most Minnesotans will invest in really great indestructible patio furniture & replace the covers yearly knowing that sun damage, rain, thunderstorms & possibly tornados WILL destroy the covers & pillows by the end of the summer...

But, if you're like my momma, she has an awesome, huge, industrial strength outdoor mini shed (not shed technically, but it's like a huge rubbermaid) where she keeps all of her padded covers & accessories for her patio furniture.  This way, she maintains the life of it when it is not in use, as well as saves some money not having to replace it yearly...

Like I said before, the comfort of your entertaining space is crucial & worth the investment!  Take the time to research your options & what type of material your patio furniture is made out of.  Will it be able to withhold thunderstorms without rusting?  What type of cleaning products can it take?  How long has it been in stock if something were to need to be replaced?

The coziness of your space can mean a world of difference! Not only is it meant for having coffee in the morning, but to be continually used throughout the day!  I still remember my sisters & I lounging all day soaking up the sun on my parent's patio furniture, to ending the night watching fireworks on it...

It truly is a staple space within your home.  Take a peek at Midwest Home Magazine for inspiration on how you can revamp your outdoor patio area!