A Day for Lovers! H54F

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie) and Va Va Voom (Katrina)

Today is wedding day for a few close friends of ours, so we thought it was appropriate to base our High Five for Friday on things we love and inspire us!




1. The Beauty of Orchids!

2. An Adorer of Red!

3. A Lover of Simplicity but Sophistication!

http://www.travelblat.com/visiting-venice-for-the-first-time/

4. A Bit of Lover's Mystery and Allurement

5. A Way to Live and Love Life!

Sorry for the randomness, have a fabulous weekend!

"You Can't Take It With You"

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

Those of you who are lovers of old movies I'm sure the title of this blog post brought back memories of Jimmy Stewart, Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore and of course the amazing Director, Frank Capra, but for those of you who haven't seen the movie (or play) go rent it!  No excuses just because it's in black and white, that's what makes it even more endearing. 

"The film is about a man from a family of rich snobs who becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family." ~Wikipedia

The moral of the movie is to learn that life is short, do what you love, enjoy what you do and money isn't the be all end all.  Somehow we always make it through, the good times and even the bad times!  Unfortunately, so many of us waste too much time worrying about money and only focusing our energies on material items, which in the end doesn't make us happy or fulfill those empty voids.

How much do we rely on material items, instead of time with family, friends and experiences?

Do we work only to provide extravagant items, or do we work because we have a passion, a love for what we do? If you don't have that passion, or enjoy your career, then find one you do!  You may be surprised how much more successful you will be at something you love, because now you put your whole heart and soul into it!

Now I'm not saying that beautiful items are not fun to have and enjoy, but don't let them be your undoing!  Because in the end, "you can't take it with you".

When was the last time you told your parents you love them?
How often do you give your children hugs and kisses instead of yelling?
When was the last time you held your spouse's hand? (you better not say since you were dating!)
Are you generous with the material gifts you have been given?  Would you give the coat on your back for someone in need?
When was the last time you took a family or couple vacation and spent quality time together?
How often do you volunteer your time at a nursing home, church, a homeless shelter or to a friend or lonely neighbor?

So, Word To The Wise... Love life, do what you love, care for others and be generous, because remember, "You Can't Take It With You"!

Just Walk Away

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

I'm not sure why the concept is so difficult for people to get through their heads, but answering your cell phone while at the dinner table, whether it's at a small dinner party, a large cocktail party or in a business dinner meeting, it's just plain rude!  Why is it so difficult to excuse yourself and JUST WALK AWAY?

Let's enjoy each other's company with good drinks and lots of laughs!

We don't want to hear your awkward conversation with an ex-girlfriend or fight with your mother, so do us a favor and JUST WALK AWAY!  Besides, do you really want the entire world to know your personal business?  If you replied yes, then maybe it's time you rethink before shouting your problems to the world.  To tell you the truth, NO ONE CARES, unless you want to handle it like an adult!  Your friends are ready to be there for you, but only when you are ready to act like a grown-up and decide to have an intimate, personal conversation about it.  There is no reason to proclaim it to the whole world, unless you are looking for your 10 minutes of fame.  And that's not a good way to get sympathy either...just saying...

Just remember, mystery is more enticing than baring your soul to every person at dinner through your phone call!  Make your friends and colleagues curious about you, this is more attractive than making all your problems available for the whole world!  Are you ready for that kind of judgement?  I'm not!

A simple but beautiful friendship!

Hounds Tooth and Cobalt Blue, My Love

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

My love for autumn pretty much relies upon my love for fall fashion!  It brings out all those adorable coats, sweaters and skirts we are unable to layer in the summer heat.  My husband and I attended a wedding rehearsal and dinner for a couple near and dear to our hearts this weekend and wow was the weather beautiful: sunny for the most part, a little bit of rain, but that's good luck, right?

~This wrap hounds tooth jacket is from Allure Beautique,  http://www.allurebeautique.com/ ~

~ My love for cobalt blue pencil skirts paired with this beautiful hounds tooth wrap coat ~

~ The black collared shirt is a great piece from Express ~

~ Don't forget to add extra color in your shoes! Liz Claiborne (pumps) ~

~ This fabulous bracelet is ILY COUTURE http://www.ilycouture.com/Default.asp 

with a Vera Bradley neutral clutch ~

(This clutch is my go to for events!)

~ This comfy and beautiful cobalt blue skirt is from New York and Company ~

~ An unforgettable fall day! ~

What are your fall fashion go-to pieces?

The Lost Wine Glass!

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

One of the worst annoyances during a cocktail party is losing my glass of wine!  I mean, really, why can't I ever keep track of it?

To help your guests keep track of their drink, provide a charm or special tag for them to recognize their glass.  If everyone has a different charm, no one will share drinks or lose drinks!

I just found these adorable letter press charms from Ladyfingers Letterpress!

http://ladyfingersletterpress.bigcartel.com/product/seven-arrows-drink-tags

Either purchase wine charms or be creative and make your own!

It's Fashion Kind of Day! H54F

Written By: Danielle Marie and Katrina

Here's another blog post for Friday!
We are just that excited about the weekend, here's another High Five For Friday!



1. Our love for pencil skirts!

www.oldnavy.com

Jersey Pencil Skirt, $24.94

2. Our Love for Tunics!

http://www.allurebeautique.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=852

Crew Neck Pocket Sweater, $24.00

3. Our Love for Quilted Handbags!

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=39245&vid=1&pid=407856022

Quilted faux-leather cross body, $59.50

4. Our Love for Hats!

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/

Grey Wool Felt Clouche, $48.00

5. Our Love for Boots!

www.target.com

Hailey Jeans Co Womens Buckle Accent High Heel Bootie, $39.99

AS YOU CAN TELL, WE LOVE COLOR! 

~Danielle Marie & Katrina

I Believe...Audrey Hepburn Style

We linked up with Erin from "Living In Yellow" for the "I Believe" post!

Written By: Va Va Voom (Katrina)

I believe in "dirty men".

I believe in curvy red dresses.

I believe in the aroma of amazing food.

I believe in sensational perfumes.

I believe in high heels and strutting with confidence.

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

I believe in the color red.

I believe in yellow roses.

www.earlystories.worpress.com

I believe life is a dance, so dance!

I believe that everyday is a new beginning.

I believe that women look and feel their best when they are dressed with a feminine edge.

I believe that our life experiences make us who we are, but we need to take advantage of those experiences and learn from them and embrace them!



WE BELIEVE...

We believe in wine, several glasses if need be!

We believe in comfort food!

We believe in love and the need for hugs!

We believe in birthdays!

We believe that when we anticipate having a bad time, we end up having the best time of our lives!

We believe that life has enough crosses, so smile more, enjoy life more and be the person people want to have as a friend!  Don't miss out on friendships.

Put on Some Lipstick!

Quote of the day!

Ignite The Fire! "I Want You To Want Me"

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

I've noticed an odd trend, very few couples spend any time together!  Now I'm not talking about those little lovebirds still in the climax of their relationship, please!  No, I'm referring to those couples who have hit the honeymoon stage and are way beyond it!  They are still very much in love with each other, love spending time together but for some reason, they just don't make date nights a priority.  I know, I shouldn't talk because my husband and I also have a hard time planning alone time, it gets tough with kids.  So this post is to put my fire ablaze too!

IGNITE THE FIRE!

Set the fire ablaze!  Get rid of the excuses, work to grow your relationship and above all, find time for each other!  If it means you pick the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month for date nights, then do it!  No excuses, there should be at least one date planned a month!  Show your lover that he is an important part of your life.

TRY A CHANGE-UP

Try something new.  Stop recreating the same date nights over and over again, even people who don't take risks and like consistency will at times enjoy change, just be careful not to fly them to Paris without warning!  (You got the point!)  If you always plan a dinner date, but why not try a new restaurant downtown, or a picnic near the lake or how about dinner reservations on a small boat?

BE CREATIVE

Dates are not all about spending money, they are about spending time!  Oftentimes the best dates are the unplanned, unique but intimate ones.  Try not to make it about yourself, but about the both of you as a couple.  Spice up your time together, plan something unexpected, something that will make you laugh, make you joke, maybe even make you cry (happy tears) but best of all, make some memories!

I WANT YOU TO WANT ME

As sensual beings, we all want to be loved.  We want to feel needed, caressed, cared for and above all we want to be wanted!  Show this to your loved one, whether it's a kiss on the neck as he's watching a football game, or a massage (without strings attached) or bringing home flowers, just because!  There doesn't have to be a special occasion for you to show your love, these small actions will be welcomed everyday throughout the year.  They don't have to be over the top, but once in awhile, a genuine surprise is amazing!  And no, purchasing a new shower rod is not a "surprise" or a "gift"; it is a household "necessity", can we say HOMER GIFT!

GIRLS' WEEKENDS v. GUYS' WEEKENDS

This has become the new trend, girls' weekends (manis, pedis and plenty of shopping) v. guys' weekends (golf, golf and more golf!).  There is nothing wrong with these types of vacations, we all need girl or guy bonding time, but there must be a limit and by the way whatever happened to COUPLES' WEEKENDS, or just COUPLE WEEKENDS?  Why must everything be done in social groups?  We don't have to make everything public to the world, somethings are better private.  Make time for your girl weekends and guy weekends, but spend time away as a couple...alone.

THE UNEXPECTED

A surprise doesn't have to be crazy, it just has to be unexpected.  So plan a date for you and your loved one, but something you will both enjoy!  Just remember, it's not where or how you are planning the date, it's who you are spending it with!  

Word to the Wise...You never know where the night will take you, so be prepared to have the time of your lives!

Chilly Day & Comfort Food

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

A day of chilly weather, overcast skies with an occasional bit of sunshine brought out my inner desire for "comfort food".

I'm not a huge fan of casseroles but this recipe was so easy and tasted extremely yummy and delicious!  Had to share!

Stove Top Swiss Casserole 

(recipe adapted from http://thefrugalgirls.com/2009/07/stove-top-swiss-casserole-recipe.html) 

4 Chicken Breasts 

(I put them in the crock pot for 4 hours on high before baking in the oven)

2 pkgs. of Swiss Cheese

1 16oz. box of penne pasta

1 box of Stove Top Chicken Stuffing

1 c. of Sour Cream

2 cans of Cream of Mushroom 

1. While boiling pasta, shred the chicken.

2. Mix the chicken, cooked pasta and soup cans together.

In a separate bowl mix the sour cream and uncooked stuffing

First spread the noodle mixture in a rectangular (cooking sprayed) pan and cover with a layer of the stuffing mixture.  Place the slices of Swiss cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
(Keep it uncovered when baking)

Make room for this warm belly food!

Next time it's dessert!

Gray Skies and Orange Hues!

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

With the onset of fall weather, or more likely my desire for fall weather, I felt it was appropriate to talk about fashion.  The basic colors of black, white and gray seem to be popping up everywhere (actually they never truly went out of style, we are just seeing more of them now), but how do we incorporate the neutral with the color?

My love for orange is always renewed in the fall!

A fun textured gray shirt with black undertones.

Shirt from http://www.allurebeautique.com/

"Gray Skies" Top ($28.00)

Add a basic black pencil skirt. This is a wardrobe staple!

Bring on the orange!

Shoe Brand: Andrew Geller

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird 

I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." ~George Eliot

“Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is 
the woman who is wearing it.”~Yves Saint Laurent

Hostess with the Mostess: Hors d'oeuvre

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie) and Va Va Voom (Katrina)

While enjoying a fun and fabulous evening with amazing friends we had a great array of hors d'oeuvre to choose from.  If you plan on being the "hostess with the mostess" give your guests options and always, always, always give a great presentation!

You can't go wrong with a fruit platter of champagne grapes, figs, raspberries, 

blueberries and strawberries!

A variety of cheeses and crackers!

Don't forget the wine!  A hint of Malbec!

Step Down!

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

Have you ever been in those situations where it takes all your strength not to roll your eyes, say a harsh remark or even worse, reach across and slap that person?  Maybe it was their nasty comments, or the tone of their voice.  Maybe it's their rude facial expressions, or a horrid attempt to prove superiority and status?  Who hasn't dealt with these types of people?  Oh you haven't? Just wait, they come along right when you least expect it!  So, be prepared ahead of time.  How will you handle these confrontational situations?

www.webdiary.com

Pick Your Battles

It's sad to say, but these people who feel they need to "prove" something with their rudeness are not worth your time and should be shown some charity and pity for their classless courtesies.  It may not be the best time to put that person in their place, don't humiliate someone in front of a group of people.  Give them a little leeway, it might just be an off day for them!

The start of a beautiful friendship!

Don't Be A Pushover

Kindness and charity is possible without being a pushover!  Charity does not mean you are forced to let people walk all over you!  Charity is wishing what is well and good for every human being.  If this means a correction is due, think it over before creating a scene and maybe regretting your actions!  It might have a fruitless outcome if you are too emotional and unprepared!

A Short Sharp Statement

Confront the issue head on.  Sometimes a short, sharp statement is necessary.  This may help the nasty/rude comments to end!  Don't make everything into a dramatic scene, remain firm and calm!  Hopefully they will get the hint and maybe even walk away!

Word to the Wise...pick your battles!  You don't always have to embarrass someone, or make a big scene by their immature behaviors.  Correct them in private, if necessary, but try to show compassion, even when it's difficult to do!

If you can't fight it out, dance it out!