A Very Blustery Day (30 for 30 Day 5)

Well, I've made it to Day 5! Its rainy & blustery in Big D today, so I'm headed home for margaritas, Mexican food, the first season of True Bood on DVD and some cuddling with the hubs! Happy Weekend!

XO
-L

30 for 30 Day 5 by OliveandBleu featuring a crew neck tee

American Girl (30 for 30: Day 4)

Happy Veterans Day (and Day 4 of the 30 for 30 Challenge!) I was feeling a little patriotic this morning and threw on this red, white & blue (and teal) number. This is one of my fave sweaters ever- my sweet mother-in-law got it for me last Christmas and I have gotten a ton of wear out of it. And I was feeling a little colorful so I threw on a big pair of red and orange earrings from Anthro and my most comfortable red flats. Voila- an outfit as American as apple pie.

I'm am learning more and more from this challenge everyday. I really feel like it is teaching me to pair colors and tetures that I wouldn't normally think of (like teal and blue and red and orange and stripes- oh my!) And I am grateful for the blogging community who truly have embraced this challenge and are supporting each other- thank you for all the comments and love ladies!

And today I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to my friend Laine's Hubby Dustin and her brother Randall, and all the veterans that have served and are serving our country. I appreciate the sacrifices you make everyday to keep us safe and protect the things I love most. Love you guys (and girls)!

XO
-L

30 for 30: Day 4 by OliveandBleu 

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

J Crew Jackpot & Early Fall Wishlist

Happy Friday! We had so much fun at Hitchcocktober last night at the Angelika Theater at Mockingbird Station to see Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (and I got to mark off #8 on my 30 before 30 list...) Called Hitchcocktober, the films are screened outside on their patio and we took a blanket, a picnic & a bottle of wine to enjoy. For you fellow Dallasites, the Angelika is doing this every Thursday night in October with a different Hitchcock film- check out more info here.

And I'm so glad the weekend is here! I'm hoping to get in some work on my upcoming etsy shop (featuring wedding invitations, cards, announcements and other paper goodies!) and spend some quality time with the hubs.

Check out my super score from the J Crew Sale: I scooped up this gorgeous embroidered tunic (that I have been stalking since summer) for $15 (regularly $78!) Jackpot! Thanks to a big fat markdown to $19.99 and an extra 30% off with the code MUSTHAVE, this puppy was a bargain. I'll layer it under long grandpa cardis with my jeggings and flat boots this winter and then bust it out with cute shorts and sandals when the weather heats up again. YAY!

Flower Mosiac Embroidered Tunic via J Crew

Also, because I can't stop online window shopping, here are some pretties that are on my radar right now.
Have a happy weekend all!!

XO
-L

Early Fall Wishlist by OliveandBleu featuring skinny pants

Refined Cord Shirtdress, $128
Soldierly Sparkle Top, $68
Women's Artist Jean - American Eagle Outfitters, $30
Old Navy Womens Ankle-Zip Skinny Cargos, $35
Old Navy Womens Color-Blocked Tiered Skirts, $30
Legwear - Clothes - Anthropologie.com, $13
Women's Mossimo Supply Co. Kachiri Leather Americana Boots - Taupe :..., $50
Candy Bar Scarf in Nougat, $25
Feather-Clasped Belt, $58
First Whisperings Dress - Anthropologie.com, $168