Wardrobe Wanderings: Banana Style

My wardrobe wanderings led me to Banana Republic.  Of course, I love just about everything in this store, but right now they have a lot of nautical inspired garments.  I have to refrain myself from filling my closet with horizontal stripes.  I counted awhile back and found I have 8 blue (various shades) and white horizontal striped pieces of clothing! When we were in Savannah this last weekend, we stopped off at Banana.  My husband isn't a fan of too many brands, but he'll buy just about anything in this store....because he likes the clothes.  So these were a few of the items I considered buying.  

Hmmmm....love this shirt : ) and also love the belt.

There were dozens of sweaters to choose from. I bought a version of this sweater in the color of this dress. This purple reminds me of raspberry sherbet. 

I tried on this dress but didn't buy it.  Grrr.... Kinda wish I had, but maybe I'll get it when it goes on sale.  I hate paying full price. I love the waist this silhouette gives me. 

Beautiful weekend in Savannah!

As I'm typing this post, I'm sipping on a mocha frappe in savannah, GA enjoying gorgeous 72 degree weather with my husband. What a weekend! We love our last minute, out of town, mini vacations. They aren't as frequent as they used to be which makes them all the more exciting.
Yesterday was spent walking down the waterfront and popping in and out of quaint gift shops and candy stores. One of our favorites was the Savannah's Candy Ktchen. It seemed vaguely familiar as we perused its goodies. When we purchased our pralines and chocolate dipped smores (yum), we realized by the markings on the box that there is also a Candy Kitchen in Charleston (one of our most frequented vacation spots). Both of their shops are almost identical. They are the old fashioned kind of shops with big barrels of candy and tubs homemade ice cream. You can watch the chocolate treats and taffy being made right before your eyes!
We ended our afternoon with lunch at a hole-in-the-wall, seaside grill with an ocean view. I had to order the quintessential fish and chips while Matthew went for the buffalo wings.
Today is our last day in town and our last chance to experience Savannah's southern charm. So we're sitting on a bench in Forsyth Park in front of a beautiful fountain, watching all the people walk by, and soaking up the sun's rays. A perfect ending to a relaxing weekend. In a few minutes we'll hop in the car and hit the road for home. But for now I'll just enjoy these last few moments of perfection with my Darling.

If I Could Live in Patagonia...

I would always be comfy, cozy, and chic. My husband got me hooked on this outdoor clothing brand when he bought me my first Patagonia dress.  LOVE!!  BTW, he picked it out himself and had it shipped to me when he was out of town. I married Prince Charming! Here's a picture of the dress:

It can be dressed up or dressed down (heels or flats) and can be worn on it's own or paired with a sweater.  It's nylon/spandex material is sleek and draping (can you say "slimming"!) and is also moisture-wicking. Living in NC where the humidity is crazy, I've come to appreciate those qualities in a garment.  I have another dress and two skirts made from the same material.  I'm a huuuuge fan! and could be happy with my closet full of these clothes.  They're not just limited to Patagonia, though.  Columbia, North Face, and various other companies sell them also.  I just like Patagonia's designs the best.  So with the warmer weather just around the corner, I'm going to be looking for deals.  A word of advice. Check out local stores for better prices.  

On the opposite end of the seasonal spectrum, this coat was a Christmas present from my husband:

 One word...warm! Love, love, love it!! It's the first coat I pull from the closet everyday.  Now, sometimes I have to put it back because it's just too warm out, but I always try.  It's also my first red coat which should always make a girl's favorite list. 

Just What I Need

Well, maybe not JUST what I need, but they would be fun to have. I stumbled across these adorables and thought they were such a fun way to stay organized.  Now that I'm teaching at our Christian school, I've inherited five new keys on my key chain.  They are color-coded but wouldn't these be so much more fun!? Cutesy-Wootsey!  ModCloth

In The Kitchen: {Triple-Berry Cheesecake Squares}

Let's face it. Not everyone is always in the mood for a double-chocolate fudge mousse pie or some crazy, super-rich concoction like it.  If you're looking for a fresh-tasting dessert with just the right sweetness, here it is!  I served this last night and it was a big hit.  Our company liked and so did my husband and I.  It's also great for you healthy-conscience cooks.  Here's the recipe:

36

Reduced Fat NILLA Wafers, finely crushed (about 1-1/4 cups)

3 Tbsp.

margarine, melted

6 oz.

PHILADELPHIA Fat Free Cream Cheese, softened

1/4 cup

SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1 cup

thawedCOOL WHIP Sugar Free Whipped Topping

2 cups

mixed freshberries (raspberries, blueberries, sliced strawberries)

3/4 cup

boilingwater

1 pkg.

(0.3 oz.)JELL-O Lemon Flavor Sugar Free Gelatin

1 cup

ice cubes

Directions

2. Mix crumbs and margarine; press into bottom of 9-inch square pan.
3. Beat cream cheese and SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gently stir in COOL WHIP; spread over crust. Top with berries. Refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Add boiling water to gelatin mix in medium bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add ice; stir until melted. Refrigerate 10 min. or until slightly thickened; spoon over fruit. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm

Thought for the Day

"Renew your mind so that you can tell the difference between the Holy Spirit leading and your emotions leading."

-Bobby Bryant (from last night's message)

And for me, those emotions really get in the way.  I definitely needed this bit of wisdom.

For the Savvy Savers - Free 8x10 photo book from Snapfish

Okay, I know this deal isn't new to some but the last time it was offered, I didn't take advantage of it. So this time I am!! Matthew and I had pictures done last summer, and I still haven't done anything with them.  I had looked into having a photo book made but didn't want to spend the $40+ to have it done. To get this awesome deal, and create your 8"x11" Classic Photo Book (with linen cover), follow the link below.  When it's time to check out, be sure to use this new promo code YAYFREEBOOK, and you'll pay only $6.99 (+ tax) shipped.  Dig your beautiful pictures out of those stuffy computer files and display them for all to enjoy.  Hmmm...maybe a great gift idea for Valentine's Day : )

Free 8"x10' Photo Book

Trash to Treasure

In one of last summer's posts, I mentioned that I had picked up a coffee table chest from a thrift store.  It was in pretty bad shape and was my summer project.  I had said I would post pictures when I was finished, and I am just now getting around to it! It found it's home in our upstairs bonus room.  I love the way it looks against our hardwood floors.  It turned out a little differently than I had imagined, but I love it.  The best part about the chest is its storage.  The back of the lid lifts up where we've tucked away extra blankets for guests and the front drawers are great for just about anything.  Total cost: $40  Only negative - I lost my "before" pictures that were on my phone.  BooHoo!  So this is just an "after" look.

Since we've only been living in our home for not even a year yet, we haven't quite made it all the way up to our bonus room yet to decorate.  So this guy will be one of the focal points once we do get there.  Right now, he's a tv stand....sorry guy!

These were the details I noticed and loved at the thrift store.

Bella Balls

While visiting over the holidays, my mom and dad brought us a housewarming gift for our new home.  I could hardly believe my eyes when I opened the box Mom handed me.  She and Dad had picked out a beautiful Bella Ball from the Bella Ball shop in Seattle.  Mom had been raving about how gorgeous and unique they were. Bella Balls are hand-blown glass floats, individually made by artisans in the Pacific Northwest (Yea, Washington!!).  Their designs come from glass artist Diane Hansen and designer Lesli Jacobs-McHugh. Each ball is one-of-a-kind and they come in dozens of different colors.  You can also choose a glass stamp insignia for each ball.   The one Mom and Dad picked out for us is an absolutely perfect gift and looks gorgeous on our glass shelves that separate our formal living room and dining room.  While visiting Washington, Matthew and I had often looked for a piece of blown glass to purchase for our home but were never able to find anything we loved. Now we've found something!  I can just picture our glass shelves lined with these striking glass balls. Check out the Bella Ball website! You'll fall in love....

www.bellaballs.com

Our Bella Ball has a pineapple symbolizing "welcome".

Eye Candy

Stumbled upon this photographer, Liz Wolfe.  Instantly loved her work.  If you look closely, you'll notice there are things that are just a little "wrong" with her pictures.  These may be the things that messed-up dreams are made of : )

"Hand Punctured with Candy Stick"

"Sugar Hills"

"Chicken Feet with Lilies"

"Green Birds and Faux Blossoms"

"Butterflies on Branch / Meat Tree"

Candy Monument

"Flowers in Sugar"

"Tentacles with Synthetic Flowers"

"Popsicle / Cupcakes"

"Rainbows and Noses"

"Diseased Deer"

"Gumballs and Flowers"

"Cacti / Butterflies with Faux Flowers"

"Birdcage"

"Baby Octopi and Green Flowers"

"Happy"

"Gumdrop Tree"

"Sugar Hills with Flowers"

"Seahorses and Hyacinths"

"Shoes on Ham Tiles"

"Pink Sugar Hills"

"Meat Tea"

"Black Bunny in Candy Landscape"

"Cactus with Blue Beads, 2004"

"Tree in Sugar Desert / Green Sugarscape"

"Lollipop Garden"