Monday, March 5, 2012

Do you POLYVORE?

I have found something so super fun to do, and so super creative, that I HAVE to share it with you.

Okay, okay - we all know I am obsessed with Pinterest. It has been a wonderful site to just play a little, gather some super creative ideas, and in my opinion, fantasy shop.

Well, as I was scanning some of the best "fashion boards," I kept seeing one source pop up. It read polyvore.com. Obviously, I clicked on it and was immediately in awe! I saw HOW these fabulous outfits have been put together.

Here is how it works- you register, create a profile, then start creating! Every thing from price, to color, to designer.

It is a little time consuming, because it's like going shopping, and I don't know about you, but I LOVE to shop and put outfits together.

Just to get my feet wet, I have created a few outfits I want to share with you. LOL - don't laugh, it was a first try. Truth is, I would totally buy these and would totally have picked them out from the store.

Okay - here we go:

Casual Fun


T shirt
€25 - hipvoordeheb.nl

Balmain straight jeans
€690 - shopmrsh.com

Vans slip on sneaker
$81 - asos.com

Made Her Think brass earrings
$58 - shopacrimony.com

Michael Kors pave bangle
$195 - neimanmarcus.com

Crystal jewelry
bonanza.com

H M embroidered scarve
£9.99 - hm.com

Ray-Ban ray ban shades
$195 - dealuxe.ca


Saturday Stroll



Trip to Greece



Cherry Blossom Outfit



Party Outfit



Dinner with Friends



AND FINALLY:

Night out with the girls!



If you want to follow me on polyvore, it's totally easy - http://snicoleabdou.polyvore.com/

Also - I post all of my creations on Pinterest under "Nicole's Style Wish List"

I dare you to create some fabulous outfits!

Have a GREAT DAY!
AG Adriano Goldschmied denim jeans
£143 - farfetch.com

Costume National high heels
$415 - costumenational.com

Oasis clutch handbag
$50 - oasis-stores.com

Dorothy Perkins gold bangle
$11 - dorothyperkins.com

GINETTE NY black onyx ring
£590 - kabiri.co.uk

H&M earrings
£3.99 - hm.com

Mango oversized sunglasses
£23 - mango.com

Nails In In The Red
£5 - topshop.com


Kenneth Cole wrap shirt
£34 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Donna Karan wide leg pants
$1,060 - stylebop.com

Miu Miu platform high heels
$645 - miumiu.com

Steve Madden chain clutch
$30 - stevemadden.com

Engagement ring
frassanitojewelers.com

Tear drop earrings
£15 - coast-stores.com

Nails In Gypsy Night
£6 - topshop.com


Flare dress
£50 - fashionunion.com

Christian Louboutin patent leather pumps
$1,395 - net-a-porter.com

Envelope clutch bag
£125 - lkbennett.com

Gothic earrings
ebay.com

Beaded bangle
$125 - intermixonline.com

Dolce & Gabbana Intense Nail Lacquer
$20 - saksfifthavenue.com


Racer back top
$16 - delias.com

Cashmere jacket
£150 - the-dressingroom.com

Mango skinny fit jeans
£43 - mango.com

Back pack bag
$80 - topshop.com

Michael kors jewelry
£200 - harveynichols.com

Irene Neuwirth pave earrings
$9,660 - ylang23.com

Disc jewelry
peacocks.co.uk

Jimmy choo sunglasses
$232 - glassesonweb.com

Dior New Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer
$23 - lordandtaylor.com

Green Cross Strap Flat Sandal
$32 - wallisfashion.com


H M crochet top
£7.99 - hm.com

Mango straight leg pants
£23 - mango.com

Monsoon silver shoes
£25 - monsoon.co.uk

Genuine leather handbag
$570 - orlakiely.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs rubber jewelry
$28 - saksfifthavenue.com

Diamond jewelry
diamondcellar.com

Juicy Couture link necklace
$68 - couture.zappos.com

Heather Huey floppy brim hat
$218 - idontlikemondays.us

Tom Ford logo sunglasses
£250 - josephm.com


Cotton tee
$20 - amazon.com

Star shoes
$45 - dsw.com

Dannijo rucksack bag
$370 - dannijo.com

Michael Kors pave jewelry
$195 - neimanmarcus.com

Wet Seal straw hat
$11 - wetseal.com

Ray-Ban metal aviator sunglasses
$139 - forzieri.com

Clarins Gloss Prodige
$20 - bloomingdales.com

Dior New Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer
$23 - lordandtaylor.com

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Inspiration For SPRING!

I will finally accept the fact that it is almost spring. Granted, I never actually had a winter, but that's okay, at least spring in middle Georgia is beautiful enough to make me forget all of the other seasons.

I am actually excited about Spring. In the south, there are dozens of festivals to attend. Our cities bloom like nothing you have ever seen. I promise to try to attend as many as possible, just so you can get the full effect of what I am talking about.

Today, I am sending you visuals. Plenty of inspiration for spring - from clothes to recipes to gardening tips. (Of course, it's all my opinion, of course!)

If you want to view the original sources for any of these pictures, simply follow me on pinterest. There you will find the pics with links to the original owners. A link to do so is on the left hand side of my wall.

NOW - let's think SPRING!

It's typically hard for me to let go of my dark colors, even in spring. I found this outfit and thought it was the cutest thing. Every owns a pair of khaki shorts, and how about that animal print bag?? I thought it was sassy enough to keep the darker color edge I like, as well as keep you cool down here! (Yes, it climbs into the 80s and 90s in the spring here.)

This year, I have fallen in love with gray again. I go through phases with gray - but it's back in my wardrobe. I thought this little outfit was too cute. Looks comfy for every day. Not to mention, I am super in love with anything lotus - loving the necklace and silver nail polish!

My parents have a huge garden, and I really want to find my own place and have a little garden. I thought this was such a clever idea. A great way to recycle old rain boots. Plus, the colors are so whimsical. I think this would look great on the fence!

Zucchini Frittershttp://www.alexandracooks.com/2011/07/07/zucchini-fritters-with-tzatziki/
Speaking of gardens - need some new ways to eat the veggies you are growing? I love this idea. These are Zucchini Fritters. Just click on the link to be taken straight to the recipe. The ingredients can come straight from your garden and farmer's market:
 2c zucchini, 1/2 cup potato, 1 TBS chives, 1 TBS mint, lemon zest, egg, onion, flour, butter, salt, greek yogurt, lemon juice

This outfit screams NICOLE - BUY ME. I am definitely more comfortable in pants over shorts - and this has the colors I would wear. Still has a cover, just in case it gets cold. LOVE it for roaming around on a Saturday to meet friends for coffee.

How many old bikes do you find at flea markets. Heck, how many do you have in your garage? Why not put it on the patio, paint it a fun color and let it stand as a wonderful addition to your garden? I love this idea. Even if I end up in an apartment, how cute would this be on a patio?

I would love to go to an old salvage place, get some old tires, paint them bright colors and do this in the backyard. I think it would look cute and bring so much character to the area Autumn plays in.

I am not a big fan of the sticks in plants (heck, mine never stay up,) but if you drink a lot of wine, and have been collecting your corks - this is a great idea for a plant marker.

This looks like a dream for me. Saturday afternoon's reading by the garden?! I am sure there have GOT to be kits at Lowe's and Home Depot. Would be fun to create!

I have been selecting flowers I want to plant, and this is snow crocus blue pearl. I love the color!

I am finally gearing up for heading back to the gym - and I found this fabulous water bottle that will hold everything you need! Not to mention, it is blue!

This just says, "Nicole - let's go on a road trip and why don't you wear this as you wonder the streets?" I love the colors.

Time for a spring bag. THIS BAG.Seriously, I pick this bag.

Another every day wear for spring!

Again, I mentioned I did not like sticks in the plants. Here's a fun way to mark your plants, without worrying if the stick will get knocked over or blown away during a storm. Plus, I live with artists, could get some neat stuff out of them.

We have some old trees just laying around, since we live in the Oconee National Forest, and had to have the land cleared for my parent's home. What a neat way to utilize the wood!

Time to help the parentals with a little more curb appeal!

Always wanted to try and plant some English Lavender

How about some frozen lemonade with coconut rum? How a great cocktail for when friends come over to admire your garden!

I am in love with this outfit. That shirt is fabulous!

Another great way to use your goodies from the garden - these are watermelon bites. with feta & mint!

Or how about some cheddar drop biscuits with rosemary and thyme?

I am crazy about turquoise - I fell in love with these!

Pink is the color of Macon - how about jazz it up a bit for work? ;-)

Using items from your herb garden - Homemade cilantro dressing

I love the purple border to the garden.

Basically, I hope each of you takes some time and think of ways you can help the earth with it's birthday! I like to think of spring as earth's birthday - it's waking up, and putting on it's Sunday best. Maybe you can start with one plant, inside. Or maybe you can get creative and use some of these ideas. It never hurts to try.

Try growing some veggies, fruit or herbs. Attempt some recipes with your organically grown items.

Pick out a few new outfits to lounge around in.

I'm actually looking forward to spring. Today I am putting away the sweaters, the coats, and preparing to hang my greens, my light blues, my pinks.

It's time my friends. :-)

Don't forget, to see the sources and get more info - head to my pinterest page.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Creating Your Own Space

ohsuzeq.tumblr.com

Where do you go to unwind? It's a simple question, however, sometimes the answer is not so easy to come up with.

Believe it or not, my "unwinding" or "feeling at peace"space usually involves  a cup of coffee. I realize that is not something you would typically think of when "winding down," but there is something about the aroma, the warmth, and the way it lifts my mood that always makes it a-ok in my book.

Another place I am able to let out a deep sigh of relief is at a book store. I love wandering the aisles of books, just scanning the titles, admiring the covers, and reading the little synopsis on the back. Perhaps it is because I crave information, or maybe it's just focusing in on one thing. The smell of the paper, the whispers down the aisles- it just calms my nerves.

I also feel this sort of peace when I go to church. Not when it is full of people, that actually causes me a little anxiety, but more so if it is in the middle of the day. Most Catholic churches are open, and I will go inside, bless myself with holy water, kneel at a pew, and just pray. Sometimes I just sit. I find peace in stillness.

The reason I ask this question, is because my devotion/meditation for the day actually hit on finding your personal retreat. It went on to say that it doesn't have to cost anything, or have to be a place, but it asked that important question: Where do you go to find your center? To unwind? To find peace?

Immediately images of a hot bath, a walk by the sea, sitting on a porch swing - so many images popped into my mind. I find comfort in the oddest places. Even though I am quite talkative if you catch me at the right time, in the past few years I have turned into bit of a loner, and I like it. That means many of my "centering" places are typically space where I can be alone.

This blog is another place that calms me. I love to write. Yes, I have typos and misspelled words. Sure I skip letters or space, or flat out screw up some grammar. I was NOT an English major. I was a Journalism major. Which means, I like the facts and I like to tell stories. Period.

I guess today, I challenge you to figure out where you go to center, to unwind, to find peace. I would love to hear about your place. As I seek to find my way on this crazy, winding path - I like to pick up a few tricks along the way. I look forward to reading your comments!

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