Party Perfect Neckwear (& 30 for 30 Day 13)

OK, ladies, party season officially snuck up on me. And after all the dresses I bought for all of my wedding events, I am not planning on investing in any new partywear this season. But how boring is it to wear the same LBD over and over? Lame. I've been looking for an affordable way to dress up what I already have for the season. Enter Festive Neckwear! These pieces make it easy to add a lttle luxe to a plain jane ensemble. Just throw one of these babies around your neck and you are ready to party. (I'm thinking I need the LOFT sequin Skinny scarf to wear with jeans and the Forever 21 (32?) feather collar to fancy up my party dress.) Lovely!

XO
-L

Party Perfect Neckwear by OliveandBleu featuring a bib necklace

Forever21.com - New Arrivals - 1084360727, $22
bib collar necklace, $45
Cityscape Pailette Scarf, $26
Classic Clothing at Talbots - Faux fur collar, $49
GOLDEN BEAD COLLAR - Accessories - Collection - Woman - Zara
Collo di piume - Accessori - Collezione - Donna - Zara

And here is Lucky Number 13 on our 30 for 30 journey. You really can't go wrong with a classic black shift dress. Add some buttery tan leather accessories, a couple pops of turquoise and you are good to go. One of these pics is not like the others...10 points for whoever can spot the oddball.

XO
-L

My (Grown-Up) Christmas List

Why is it a "grown-up" list you are wondering? Well, because I am feeling more like an actual grown-up everyday. The hubs (OMG, I'm married- that's really adult, right?) and I are on house hunting-and only grown-ups are allowed to buy their very own houses. And I have a sander on my wish list. What bratty teenager in their right mind would want power tools for Christmas? Yes, this is another clue to my adulthood, people. I am so pumped to use it to do some furniture refinishing.

Just so you know, this is an imaginary Christmas list-We had our awesome wedding this year and Geoff and I are saving our pennies for our new home, so it will be a lovely but small holiday. I just can't wait to eat too  much, bake with my mom, hug my family and take lots of naps.

Happy Friday lovelies. I will be back with my 30 for 30 outfit post later today. My camera battery died so no uploading till it charges. Whoops.

XO
-L

Christmas 2010 by OliveandBleu 

Calendar Girl

Good morning! How is everyone this lovely Tuesday? I am thrilled that it is chilly and rainy in Big D today! Fall is FINALLY here! And I can't believe its November already. Time to start making Holiday plans, sending Chritmas cards soon, and making lists of all the gifts I want to get my peeps. As long as I have been able to write I have loved keeping lists and calendars. Books and notebooks and sketch pads FULL of lists, little sketches, ideas for designs, outfits, new ways to arrange my furniture, meals for the week...you name it, I have a list for it. I alwyas get excited when the end of the year comes because I get to get some new Moleskine Notbooks for my lists and a shiny new calendar. Here are some I'm considering...

How do you stay organized?

XO
-L

1. Cavallini 2011 Daily Planner, Colorful Bonded Leather via Kate's Paperie
2. Romantic Silhouettes Calendar by Le Papier Studio on Etsy
3. Mini Calendar with Easel by Kitty Rogers on Etsy
4. 2011 French Bulldog Calendar via Paper Source
5. 2011 Kate Spade Desk Top Spiral Calendar via Kate's Paperie
6. 2011 Persimmon Date Book via Paper Source

Skinny Cargo Pants for Girls with Curves

Happy Monday Lovely readers! Did everyone have a lovely Halloween? Hubs and I had a great weekend-we saw Saw 6 3D (um, so gross), made spooky treats (see below), went to an awesome costume party, watched lots of football & baseball, had yummy brunch at The Egg & I, and handed out candy to lots of cutie pie little ones. Whew! That's a lot for one weekend.
(oh, and I might have done a bit of shopping...)

Speaking shopping, I know the infamous J Brand Houlihan skinny cargo pants have been all over the place forever, and I have been searching for an affordable (read: NOT $230) substitute for a while. You see, lots of women in my family have meaty backsides (myself included) and while I usually embrace my lovely lady lumps, it has made it really hard to find skinny cargos that don't make me look like a triangle. I tried the ones at Gap and Old Navy to no avail and had almost lost hope when (thankyouJesus!) I spotted them at LOFT over the weekend. These are skinny and have some stretch, but are cut more loosely at the ankle than other styles I've tried- which is much more flattering to those of us with more junk in our trunks. And at 30% off (plus I had some credit from a return so I got these for a whopping $25.) Double Yay!!! I love a good bargain, especially on something I know I will wear a ton. Hoof it to Loft now and grab these puppies up (they are having a 25% off your entire purchase treat right now when you buy a pair of pants. And for some fun styling ideas, check out my little idea board below.
Happy Monday!

XO
-L

LOFT Stretch Twill Slim Cargo available here.

From Left to Right, top to bottom:
1. Via LOFT
2. On Khloe Kardashian via The Find
3. Via Madwell
4. On Leighton Meester via She Finds
5. Via Madwell

Suede Heels Under $50 (& H&M is Coming to Dallas!!!!!)

Christmas has come early this year to Dallas shoppers-it was just announced that H&M is FINALLY opening a store at Northpark Center in Dallas the second half of 2011!!! YAAAAAYYY! I am so excited (I think my hubs might be a little afraid- haha!)

Ok, Lauren, breathe. Moving on. I have been on the hunt for cute fall heels that I could wear to work or on date night. I am thinking something in a yummy suede will fit the bill, but I am really sticking to my shopping budget so they need to be affordable. Good thing there are so many cute bargain options right now. Check out some of my fave options here...

What are you craving for fall right now?

XO
-L

Suede Heels Under $50 by OliveandBleu featuring suede shoes

Charlotte Russe - Suede Toe Bow Pumps, $20
suede-platform-heel BLACK GREEN RASP TAUPE - GoJane.com, $26
colorblock velvet bow pump, $22
Charlotte Russe - Modern Mary Janes, $36
Lori's Shoes - The Sole of Chicago - MIA - MIA Coyote - Sand, $50
Charlotte Russe - Pumps