Backyard Birthday Celebration

How fun and cute are these trays?  They were absolutely perfect for our big family party on Sunday.  Not only do they hold many different sides, but the clean up is easier too.  Everything on my plate was delicious, and very healthy!  It's always so nice to see a colorful plate full of fresh produce, and home grown vegetables.   I can't wait to borrow these trays (thanks mom) for future bbqs and outdoor entertainment, such a fun addition.

The Birthday Card. 

Birthday Jeopardy.

Cute and simple table displays.

I think it's obvious we love backyard bbqs.

Chambray and Florals

So proud of myself!  I wore a skirt two days in a row, and one of those days wasn't church! I've just been feeling so springy lately (like we all have), and couldn't resist putting this skirt on today. The morning started out with a different belt and different shoes, until something amazing happened.  I was killing a half hour between school and work today and Trolley Square, an incredibly fun place to walk around/ dine/ cafe' it/ window shop etc. I walked into American Apparel, and was a little disappointed with the prices of everything to be honest.  I was looking for tights and each pair I wanted were $25.00 - for some reason I thought they would be closer to seven bucks and they definitely weren't.  Then, I walked into this incredible boutique Ypsilon.  If you live in Salt Lake and haven't shopped there, go now.  I was staring at beautiful clothes, incredible dresses, denim, t's, belts, shoes, purses, and so much more.  Andrea helped me pick out these more appropriate shoes and belt for this outfit.  Best part?  It was affordable.  I'll be checking in at Ypsilon much more often now. 

What I'm Wearing:

Chambray Shirt: Old Navy (also worn here)

Tank: Whimsy

Belt: Ypsilon Boutique

Skirt: Anthropologie (also worn here)

Tights: Nordstrom (also worn here)

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

This last shot is a lovely view of my patellar tendinitis on my right knee.  Yum.  Tomorrow is the last day to enter this BRIGHT GIVEAWAY so hurry and enter!! It's not too late to RSVP to this blogger get together this weekend, more and more people are coming, and I'd love to meet all of you...if only. 

Happy Tuesday!

Feelin' Springay

 Well you'll either love this or you'll hate it! And if you hate it, I don't want to know.  I have to thank my dad for this outfit.  I very much appreciate that he cares *and often funds* my clothing needs.  He picked it out for me over spring break last year in Vegas.  I haven't worn these two pieces together until now.  I really do love the jeans, they're a fun length.  And I love having a pair of colored jeans.  At the same time, one pair is plenty.  And the shirt,well it's super comfortable and so fun...WIN! Background look familiar?  Let's just say this is how it has worked the last few days.

Me: Hubs, come hurry and take my picture before I leave

Hubs: Again?? Just kidding, I'd love to.

Me: Where should we take it?

Hubs: You were supposed to leave 2 minutes ago...how about in your car?

Me: Funny. The street?

Hubs: Good Idea

 Why is it whenever I'm leaving, he is just walking in the door, and whenever I'm getting home, he is just leaving? A question for another day.

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: Gap

Belt: Urban Blues (also worn here)

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: gifted from TT (also worn here)

How would you wear these pants? Rolled up a little or do you like the "hitting at the ankle length" above?  Do you own colored jeans?  I would love some suggestions on how else to wear these pants! Oh, and thanks for the jeans input from below.  I'm going to enlist my mom, aka master seamstress, to help me turn some into shorts/capris/ and maybe something else awesome.

Thanks to Liz and Audrey and Laura for the blog awards!

Inspired Much by clothedmuch

Last November, my eyes were opened by this new world (to me) of fashion bloggers, and I got excited!!  I've always loved fashion, shopping, and trends, but all these fashion bloggers instantly started to inspire me simply by sharing their daily wear. One day I found this one particular blog: clothedmuch.

I instantly fell in love.  Why?  Elaine puts together fabulous outfits, and they're affordable!!  She always seems to have created something new out of pieces she already has.  I'm convinced it's a gift. I was so excited when I learned she lived in downtown Salt Lake, about 15 minutes away from me.  I had to meet her.  Since then, we've become friends, and I've seen her closet. To be truthful, it's probably 1/5th the size of mine(this isn't bragging, it's me being jealous), yet she seems to have a gazillion more outfits than me.  How is this possible? She's creative.  For most of you who already know her, here's a small glimpse into clothedmuch.

 Q: Do you plan your outfits the night before, or are you constantly thinking of how to piece what you already own together? 

 A:I do both of those! Sometimes I plan ahead and sometimes I know I want to wear a few specific pieces and work my way from there, or I just wear whatever I feel like that morning! I am not a morning person so I usually do it the night before...as in I stare at my closet for an hour or so! Sometimes it gets disheartening but it's always nice to know I created something new and a little better than before.

Q:Do you cook? If yes, what's your never fail recipe?

A: I try to cook.. I can't say I'm great at it but it's coming! We try to cook every night although it is difficult when my husband and I are gone all day and are tired by the time we come home. We have a few recipes that we fall back on when things get tough: Peanut noodles with veggies, chicken coconut curry, crepes, biscuits with gravy, pancakes...any breakfast foods really!

Q:Where do YOU find inspiration for your own wardrobe?

A: Definitely fashion blogs and street style!!

Q:Your idea of a perfect day?

A:Eating good food, watching movies, playing games.... with both my husband's and my family because they all live so far away.

Q:Your favorite book?

A: A childhood favorite of mine.. Ella Enchanted. I can't remember how many times I've read it!

Q: One thing you're looking forward to?

A: GRADUATING! and starting a family....one day.

What else inspires me about Elaine?  She's genuine, a friend, and she embraces who she is.  Thanks Elaine! To see more of our first meet up, look here.