PI: Classic Layers

This next look comes from Allison! I love the layered look, I think it's a great way to add dimension. 

Each of these pieces are pretty classic on their own -- but when you put them all together it really pops! If you looked in your closet, I bet you even own this outfit or pieces very similar. When I'm recreating a Pinterest look, I always like to add my own spin on it. 

Source

Sweater

Blazer

Denim Shirt

Bubble Necklace

I am obsessed with these J.Crew inspired bubble necklaces -- I own several and give them as gifts. They add a great touch of color to an otherwise classic outfit. I myself am not afraid to wear color (just as the girls in my office!) but if you are newly experimenting with adding color to everyday wear, accessories is the best place to start. They can take an outfit from so-so to so-hot! :)

I would finish off this look with black pants or leggings....please tell me you already own a pair of these! 

Price breakdown: Blazer $34.95, Denim Shirt $24.95, Sweater $17.95 and Bubble Necklace $11.00

Again, as always -- these are pieces you will wear over and over and are extremely versatile transition pieces throughout the seasons.

PI: Preppy & Nautical

Ohhh boy do I love everything about this next outfit! I am a total preppy, New England, nautical girl and this outfit is totally something I would (and do!) wear.

My friend Lauren sent over this Pinterest Inspired look:

Source

I sourced all the pieces yesterday and this morning while attempting to put this outfit into a post, realized several things had sold out overnight .... clearly these were popular items!

The entire above look comes from gap.com -- I am a die-hard Gap fan, maybe because I worked there for almost 8 years. I love the quality and while *sometimes* their things can be a little pricey, they are constantly running sales. Like this weekend, everything online is 40% off with free shipping over $50. (Sidenote: this does NOT include denim, which is a little annoying but I promise you will live in these jeans all spring and summer. They are worth the $69)  Shoes Shirt Jeans  Total price with discounts: $115 --- for extremely versatile pieces. I would wear those ballet flats with everything! 

To finish the look -- add some color coordinated accessories: Scarf (also from gap.com $11.99 on sale); Belt $5.80 at Forever21); and the bag $39.95 at DSW. Again, all are pieces you can use and reuse in other outfits. I did find a very cute tote and scarf at Target yesterday, but both pieces had sold out. Links are here and here if you want to try to find them in your local store.

So there you have it -- a perfectly preppy, spring outfit! Now if only I could talk myself out of purchasing these items .....

:) Thanks Lauren for the outfit! I still have several more outfits from her and Allison, so look for those in the next few days!

Happy Easter Weekend!

Easter has become a very important holiday in our family -- I love everything about it. The newness of spring, the fun pastels, dinner with our fam and of course, commemorating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

I've come a long way in my faith and especially over the past year have I really begun to grasp the magnitude of this occasion. Growing up, religion was something that we did as rote, out of habit and without fully thinking of the reasons why. I took a ten year hiatus from organized religion before converting to Catholicism. We found a beautiful church we are happy to be a part of, and I look forward to raising babies with the newfound appreciation that we have :)

Next year, when we're settled into our new home, I can't wait to decorate for Easter!

I love everything about the green grass, the bright colors and the bunnies ... I love bunnies! :)

And of course, mixed in to my springtime decor will be reminders of why we are celebrating this beautiful day:

Link to print on left

Whatever your beliefs may be, I wish you a wonderful weekend full of love and blessings!  



Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ---
Romans 6:8-11
 

Pinterest-piration Part I

I'm so excited to share this first post --- and hope to make this a weekly post. So if you have any Pinterest outfit ideas you want me to source, please email me!

I love maxi skirts, fun colors and chevron so this skirt is a definite NEED to have this spring and I was excited this was Allison's first pick!

My finds:

Skirt, Kohl's for $19.99 Cardigan, also Kohl's for $22.99 Pink tank, Forever21 $5.80 Total look: $48.78 !!!

If you're looking for more colorful chevron skirts, I love this mint color one for $49.50 and this in a brighter turquoise for $29.99 -- there really is something for every budget! I usually splurge on one piece that I know I will wear over and over. You could also pair this look with a denim jacket for a slightly more casual look :) I have had my denim jacket from Gap for over 10 years and it still looks like I just bought it. It's a worthwhile investment!

To finish off the look add a long colorful necklace (like the one above, found here) for $9.80 and Havianas, my favorite flip flops. They are so comfy and worth the money, I wear mine constantly. If you want a cheaper version, I also swear by Old Navy ones and you can usually get them for a few dollars.

And there you have it! A Pinterest-inspired look in YOUR closet. Happy Shopping!

Copy-Cat Looks: The Real Girl's Guide to Pinterest Inspired Dressing

Tell me I'm not the only girl this happens to -- I spend a large majority of my free time on Pinterest. I get so caught up in photos and ideas, and before I know it, an hour has gone by.

My style board is off the chart -- I have so many pins of outfits I wish lived in my closet. Sometimes I get lucky and can recreate a Pinterest inspired outfit, but other times I get stumped. I don't own it, can't find it and get so frustrated! I recently learned that several of my friends were feeling the same way. Who knew? :)



My Style Pinterest board ... follow me! pinterest.com/gentelly

Then a lightbulb went off -- what if I COULD recreate some of these fabulous outfits? I consider myself to be quite the savvy online shopper (just ask my husband!) and I knew with a little bit of digging and organizing, I could create budget friendly options.

My criteria is budget -friendly pieces, items that can be mixed and matched, and easily accessible .... so it needs to be a store you can physically go to, or a website that currently sells the item and is available for purchase.

Thanks to my friend Allison, I have my first three looks! Stay tuned for the big reveal :)

It's easy being green!

Today I want to talk about my latest obsession. I still struggle with eating gluten-free and am constantly trying to make sure that I'm eating clean and healthy. I know that the more nutrients I put into my body the better I'll feel, and especially as I get older, I really want to feel my best and take care of my body.

While I was in Hawaii, my grandmother told me that my aunt Lala made her a green smoothie because it was jam-packed with cancer fighting super foods. I had seen green smoothies before but thought they had to taste disgusting. I hate most green, super foods -- like spinach and kale, which are the base of these smoothies. I was intrigued though and figured I'd give it a try.

Lala came over and brought all the ingredients we needed:

• spinach
• cucumber
• celery
• parsley
• mint
• apple
• banana
• lemon juice
• lime juice

She recommends using organic whenever possible. We chopped everything up, added some water and blended, blended, blended. I was shocked at how GOOD it tasted!

Grandma and I continued to make green smoothies every day and I came home a convert. I love that I can add anything else to the base that I have on hand -- mango, pineapple, orange juice, strawberries, you name it!

I'm really wanting to try this detox green smoothie and also try out freezer prepping a weeks worth of smoothies to save time in the mornings.

In the couple of weeks I've been drinking them, I feel and notice a difference. I feel lighter, cleaner and more energized. I'm even slowlllly getting Keith to like them :)

This week I bought this book.....the author really breaks down the science of creating the perfect smoothie, for whatever your need is. It ranges from mood-boosting to pre and post workout smoothies, with everything in between. I'm excited to give it a whirl this week!

Has anyone else jumped on the green smoothie bandwagon? I'm always looking for new ones to make and try :)

Spring!

The weather might not say otherwise (cold temps, more snow and then more snow again!) but it's true ... it is SPRING!

Nothing brightens up a cold, dreary morning than fresh flowers:

Or a bright colorful outfit and matching boots:

Yes I own pink Hunter rain boots. I am obsessed with them!

Pretty soon, it'll be time to start decorating for spring and Easter ... pastels, green grass, bunnies :) My Pinterest board is about to explode with decorating and garden ideas .... and you know what follows spring? My favorite season! I cannot wait for summer!!

You know when you know

Two days before I left for Hawaii, a new listing popped up in my house search. The instant I saw it, I had that gut feeling. I knew it was the one. I even emailed my husband and agent, telling them so :)

Our first problem, was they were not showing the property until the first open house on Sunday. When I would be 6000 miles away. But our agent was able to get us in for a private showing on Friday night .... turns out sometimes it does matter who you know!

As my agent was unlocking the door, I said to her "I have a good feeling about this one" and she just kind of chuckled. She knew from personal experience what it feels like finding your home, so she just agreed with me. We ran through that house like kids in a candy store. Opening every door and closet, falling more and more in love with the house as we went.

Keith arrived a few minutes after we did, and as he walked in the door, I yelled "welcome home!" his response "can I at least see the place first?"

Would you like to see it too? Here are photos I took:

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Brand new kitchen!!

Living Room

Upstairs bathroom

Finally I get a fireplace!!!

Upstairs bathroom vanity

Master bedroom

Master bedroom -- it's huge!

Fireplace again :)

Finished basement

Keith's man cave :)

Future patio and backyard

Isn't adorable? LOVE the red door!

Back of the house, Keith and Julie our agent :)

Side view

The house is a little over 2000 sq. feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a finished basement. Everything is new .... it has been completely redone from top to bottom. Brand new kitchen and bathrooms, as well as roof, electrical and heating system. The sellers are even building a new deck, patio and professionally landscaping the backyard.

The house was everything we wanted, and standing in the kitchen that night, knew we had to have it. Since I was leaving less than 12 hours later, we quickly agreed on what we would offer and I left the job of getting the house up to the two of them!

It took a couple if days -- a very busy open house, two other offers and a little bit of panic -- but on Monday morning we found out that we got the house! They accepted our offer!!!

The whole week that I was gone, Keith was hard at work -- getting our mortgage lined up, arranging dates and appointments. He got it all done, so that when I came home -- everything was all set. We went straight to the home inspection, and then from there, we drove around our new town and called our families to share the exciting news.

We looked at probably 50 houses before we found this one, and after every disappointment, I tried not to lose hope. I knew it was a matter of timing, and luck. And it seems, that both are finally on our side :)

Aloha!

I am back from my week in Hawaii, and I can't wait to recap and share photos.

My flights were long and exhausting in themselves, but so incredibly worth it. The flights back? Not so much....I stepped off the plane yesterday to 27 degree weather. And I was wearing flipflops. Whatevs.

So first things first, an update on my grandma. She was in great spirits when I got there, but then again, she always is. She has a very "whatever will happen, happens" kind of attitude. We didn't talk much about her surgery or diagnosis those first two days, choosing to focus on positive and fun talks. And man, can she talk! (I guess I know where I get it from!)

Her surgery Monday went well, and she was home in time for lunch. I pampered and spoiled her and my grandfather all week -- cooking for them, running errands, and making tea :) She had very little side effects from the surgery -- no soreness or pain, which was wonderful. And then Friday came, and we went for her follow-up appointment. And it turns out, the tumor was almost three times as big as they expected it to be. They needed to do another surgery, as soon as possible, to make sure they got all the cancer. It was a tough afternoon, and really brought us down. She is in surgery as I type this, so fingers crossed it goes exactly the way we want it to!

All in all, the doctors know she will make a full recovery. She'll do a month of radiation, and be on her way! We are so fortunate that they caught it when they did.

Now -- on to my photo recap of the week:

Heaven on earth.

How cute is my grandfather? Love him so much!

My beautiful grandmother. I love her smile :)

Their garden in the front of the house

Home

Reading his paper, relaxing and enjoying the breeze

On my morning run (ok walk) I love the sun glistening off the ocean

The Pacific ocean in the distance

I want a house on that mountainside :)

The back yard, corner garden

Wearing the gardenia "aunt" Lala brought me!

Back of the house, and the mountains in the distance...from their garden on the hill

 

 

 

Thick "vog" covering the mountainside -- coming from the volcanic eruption on the Big Island!

Even though the reason I was there was not a fun one, I still had an incredible week. My grandparents mean everything to me, and it isn't often that I get to spend time with them one-on-one. We had so many great conversations, there was lots of laughter and millions of hugs and kisses. I truly felt blessed to be there.

Before I left for Hawaii, I was feeling guilt over being away from home. We were in the middle of buying a house, and I am swamped at work. The whole flight there I couldn't get rid of the feeling -- of wanting to be in two places at once. But the second I got there, I knew in my gut that I had made the right decision. There was no where else I needed to be.

It's easy to get caught up in the craziness of everyday life. It was nice to dial back for a bit, refocus on what is truly important and count my blessings. Who knew that I would get so much out of this trip, when I went to give everything to them?

God IS good, and works in mysterious ways. He always knows exactly what we need, and is constantly finding opportunities to teach us. We just have to stop and listen.

trust and faith

The saying goes "when it rains it pours". This has proven true for most of our relationship.We experience times of completely calm, and have a relatively boring life. Then one day, BAM, it all unfolds and our life gets pulled in nine million directions. The last crazy time period was right before the wedding -- there was chaos with all the planning and then of course on top of that, Keith had multiple surgeries to go through. It was a crazy stressful period. Then we got to the other side and settled in married life, enjoying the last few months of quiet.

And now, we've listed our house -- sold our house -- and are in the process of finding our next home. That in itself is a fulltime job, on TOP of our fulltime jobs and Keith pulling crazy overtime hours at work. I felt we were at our max limit, but as usual, there was more. They also say that God never gives you more than you can handle, and I do believe that. In times of deep stress and anxiety, those are the times when we notice that we are leaning more on God. We pray harder and more frequently. Not because we are asking Him to take away our stress or pain, but because we need more of His strength to get through it.

About three weeks ago, I received news that my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. My grandmother is my person, she is my rock and my sounding board. Even though we are separated by the entire continental United States and 3000 miles of Pacific Ocean, we are extremely close. Finding out this news absolutely shook me to the core. I had never experienced this kind of pain. No one in my life had ever been really sick, and I found myself grappling with new emotions.

On my wedding day, 9/1/12

Despite the fact that it was the worst possible time for me to be away from home, I booked a plane ticket to Honolulu. I knew in my gut that I needed to see my grandmother, to sit with her and talk stories, and to help her through this time period. I knew my job could wait, hell, finding a house could wait too. There are some things that happen that shake you and make you realize what is truly important in life -- for me, it's faith, family and love.

My grandmother's prognosis is good. They caught the cancer early and are removing the lump on Monday March 11 and then doing a quick month of radiation. We are so very fortunate that she will make a full recovery. I know that not every family that gets this diagnosis is as lucky.

I always try to look for the good in things .... yes this was an awful, scary situation, but it's allowing me 7 precious days with my grandparents. Since we live so far away, and when our life gets crazy again, I'll be grateful for these memories. My faith is constantly being renewed, but seeing my prayers answered makes me ten times more appreciative that I have faith, without it my life would be nothing.

I leave for Honolulu on Saturday and can't wait to spend this time with my family, and come back here and share photos and memories of our week. 

Tonight, hug your loved ones a little closer and never take one minute for granted.