Burgundy and Chevron: A Printed Must

It's been long overdue for us to show you a new favorite fashion accessory.  

Yes, it is still winter here in Wisconsin, and of course it's snowing today, so here's to staying warm!  

The winter trend of burgundy continues into this month of love, February!  

Here's to a beautiful beret with burgundy and black chevron print. 

A fur pom pom adds the finishing touch to a simple but classic look.

Purchase this fabulous beret here!

My daughter was the photographer (yes, pictures are a bit blurry) so here she is having the time of her life!

The Art of Going Dutch

We all love those dinner dates whether it's a couples night or a bunch of girlfriends, these are the evenings that make the long week bearable.  Who doesn't look forward to spending memorable moments at a fabulous restaurant and having a wonderful time of food, friends and of course drinks!  But let's be real, there's always a bit of tension and possible animosity when the waiter arrives with the bill.  Who's going to pay what amount?  Do we pull out a calculator and individually tell each person what they owe down to the penny?  Do we allow each person to calculate their amount and add in a tip?  Or do we just make the whole process easier and split the bill evenly by the number of people?

Me and the hubby at a fundraising dinner.

1950's style.

Chances are most people won't have enough cash on them to cover their share of the bill and of course that means we are giving 4-5 credit cards to the waiter.  Just envision that annoyed look of the waiter while they swipe each card...and then the other question...how much do we tip?

Whoever would have thought paying a restaurant bill would be so confusing?  Well, unfortunately people make this  more difficult than it needs to be.  So here are a few tips to help your dinning experience be more pleasant and less stressful.

1.  Be generous with yourself and others.  It is always better to over-tip the waiter, so never try to calculate it down to the penny.  Round up!  20% tip is about average amount.  However, if the service is bad then it is understandable that your level of generosity may have decreased....by a lot!

2. If everyone at the table at eaten relatively the same amount of food and ordered about the same number of drinks, then it might be easiest to split the bill down the middle based on the number of people.  Sauce of Life Tip:  If you do this, make sure to add in the tip because telling the amount owed by each person.

3. Always bring cash!  No, $20.00 is not enough to cover appetizers, an entree, dessert and drinks for one person.  Plan ahead.

4. Never expect someone else to pay for your meal.  That is presumptuous  and extremely rude!  Pay for what you eat: be responsible.

5. If you don't have the money budgeted to go out to dinner, then you need to pass on the invitation.  Yes, it would be nice to have a night out with the girls, but arriving without the necessary funds and then expecting other people to cover your portion may result in no future invitations.

6.  Let's repeat #1.  Be Generous!  Tip the waiter well, this may be their only table for the night.  Good work deserves good pay.  If by the off chance a close friends forgot to bring cash, then it may be best for you to offer them money to stop any form of embarrassment.  Always think of others first.

7. Enjoy the night!  Have a fabulous evening and leave the stress at work!

Interior Design: A Champagne Budget, or Not!

Happy  Friday!  We are linking with Lauren From My Grey Desk Blog!

It has been a busy week with lots of planning, running around and and of course a few coughs 

(unfortunately it's still winter).   

Katrina is planning a large event tonight, I'm so looking forward to attending.  

Great company, great food and a great speaker.  

This post is dedicated to interior design.  Everyone dreams of the perfect home, but oftentimes we dream on champagne budget and who really has that type of money to spend?  So we have found photos of homes with designs, colors and patterns that can be easily replicated without spending huge amount of money, but warning you may need a handyman in your family!

  If you take the time to decorate, use your colors wisely, a limited budget will not be a problem.  

Here are a few photos to give you a bit of inspiration.

Cozy Kitchen

Credit: Pinterest

Natural Decor for an Elegant Feel

Credit: Pinterest

Simple Living

Credit: Pinterest

Classic and Modern Eating

Credit: Pinterest

Books, Space and Beyond

Credit: Pinterest

A Counter for Clothes

Credit: Pinterest

A Room of Mud and Fun

Credit: Pinterest

Vintage and Sweet

Credit: Pinterest

Happy St. Valentine's Day

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

1. "So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day…" – Ryan Gosling, The Notebook
2. "No, I don’t think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how." – Gone with the Wind
3. "My heart is, and always will be, yours." – Sense and Sensibility
4. "It was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together… and I knew it." – Tom Hanks, Sleepless In Seattle
5. "Love means never having to say you’re sorry." – Ali MacGraw, Love Story

1. Mark Twain

Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.

2. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thou art to me a delicious torment.

3. Mother Teresa

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

4. Aristotle

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.

5. Helen Keller

The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.

A Shower of Lavender and Lemons

Last month Katrina and I hosted a baby shower for a dear friend.  It was so much fun, fabulous but enjoyably low-key.  The women laughed, smiled and spent a few moments relaxing in each other's company.

If you are planning a baby shower or bridal shower start by choosing a theme, one that will wow the guests and make the party memorable!  A great themed party will set the atmosphere for the entire event.

These were such a hit at the party!

This was such an amazing shower gift!  

Created by one of the talented guests.

A few healthy snacks are necessary for those who can't eat all the sugar!

Provide extra special treats: lavender cupcakes with lemon frosting.

These were yummy!

Have fun and try new treat ideas.  Wow your guests.

Love candles!

These are my favorite Italian cookies!

Scordato's Italian Bakery

Simple but creative guest gifts are a must!

Provide a themed table to keep your guests entertained.

Lighting and decor can make all the difference for a party.

But most importantly, make sure the "woman of the hour" and the guests are having a fabulous time!

The Ladies!