7.05.2013

A Little Geometry

I hope everyone had a lovely Fourth of July!  Since we live in a new 'hood, we attended the parade early in the morning with some friends, complete with mimosas and some fabulous egg muffins.  After that, we spent the day in the pool with friends who live a couple blocks from us.  I was done and in bed at about 5pm and woke up 14 hours later. I was exhausted evidently!

The boys are playing golf today, so I plan to do some things around the house, work on some new posts, and sneak off to the mall for a few minutes.  I went to Francesca's last week when I traveled to College Station for business, and found several super cute pieces with a boutique feel.  I'm not sure if Francesca's is nationwide, but if it is, you should check it out.  Bright, colorful pieces, with great price tags is what I'm talking about.

One of the several items that I had piled up in my dressing room that made the cut was this cute geometric print skirt.  I love the way it fits, and although you can't see it, it has a cute zipper all the way down the back.  






Top: Ann Taylor Crepe Scallop Hem Top, sold old, similar
Skirt: Francesca's in store, but here is a cute alternative
Bag: Marc Jacobs Ursula Quilter Bowler, old, budget friendly option
Bracelets: Stella & Dot, J.Crew
Ring: Francesca's, in store, love this one

xoxo,
sarah





6.30.2013

More stripes

With all the house madness going on over the past several months, I haven't exactly been the picture of health.  Eating out became a way of life simply because we were too exhausted to cook and couldn't make it to the grocery store.  Since moving, things have gotten to about 70% normal, but things aren't fitting me the same.  I wanted something super easy and comfy to just throw on and not feel like a stuffed sausage.  That's where this awesome tank dress from Target came in.  Not only was the price tag perfect, but it has a little style with the longer hem in back.  I've worn it about 30 times in the past two weeks, even getting a raised eyebrow when I wore it to bed a couple nights ago.

Getting back into shape is going to be tough, especially in the middle of bikini season.  I've already thrown in the literal towel for this year, but hopefully by next year, I will be back to feeling good again.  I've joined a new gym since moving, which I absolutely love, and just need to make better choices with portion control and what I eat.  I'm not one of those naturally thin girls, I definitely have to work at it, and since I turned 30, it's become about 50% more difficult.  How do you guys do it????







Dress: Xhilaration
Jacket: H&M in stores (love this one!)
Wallet: Kate Spade Wellesly (newer version)
Necklaces: Francesca's, in store
Ring: Francesca's, in store


xoxo,

sarah


6.27.2013

So....

It's been awhile, I guess.  Who am I kidding?  It's been a long time and that post on April 30th was just a blip on the radar.  I feel like a real jackass, because I know that so many of you, like me, really look forward to posts from certain bloggers.  Now, I don't want to ass-ume that I am one of your top five bloggers or anything, but I know it's nice to have something to look at every now and again.  So, rather than bore you with apologies and other non interesting diatribe, I'm gonna tell you what I've been up to.  You may want to grab a pillow and blanket for this one.

So, last I had a lot of interaction and response from you guys was when I renovated my home and posted the before and after pics.  That was a really awesome process and honestly, if I could flip homes for a living, I think I would be the hap-hap-happiest gal in the world, although sometimes I feel that way now.  Our market here in Texas is HOT!  There are tons of buyers and no inventory, so sellers are putting their homes on the market for top dollar, and getting paid more than they even ask for.  The downside to this is that people are making offers on multiple homes, and unbeknownst to the sellers, multiple offers get accepted.  This causes fall out during the option period because the buyer has to chose a house.  This happened to me three times!  Each time, my home was on the market for mere hours before it was right back under contract, but for whatever reason, I had three sellers back out.  We ended up closing on an offer that was $10k over listing, which allowed me to negotiate for repairs that I didn't want to make and it ended up being a very positive transaction.

Now, backtracking a bit.  While that home was under renovation, we had already bought a new home in my dream hood.  After some questionable back and forth with the seller, we ended up getting a great deal and right before the market turned.  The new house needed major construction, including a full gut inside, a/c, foundation, new pool, landscaping, you name it.  So, I had two renovations going on at once, while living in the one that I sold with two dogs and a boy.

Do you guys know what I do for a living?  I can't remember if I've ever actually written extensively about it, but I am a mortgage banker and have been for the past 8 years.  On top of both of these renovations and the market going absolutely cray-cray, my business which was already pretty great, skyrocketed suddenly and I was working until 9 and 10 every night.  Total nut job.  Good for the wallet, but not good for the stress and workout routine.  More on that in another post.  Additionally, I added a team member at the office who

The new house is literally my dream home.  It's so awesome that I can't even describe how happy I feel when I walk into it each day.  Plus, I got to design it from head to toe, buy new furniture, and am in the process of implementing every cool home idea I see on Pinterest.  It's not totally decorated, but all the construction is finished as of Tuesday.  My closet was the grand finale and I can't wait to show you photos of it all!

On another note, here's an outfit!








Skirt: Old Navy (old) similar in a gorgeous color
Heels: Mossimo Viveca Pumps similar at great price
Necklace: J.Crew Crystal Cluster Necklace (sold out)


Also, will you guys make sure that you follow me on Bloglovin' since Google Reader is peacin' out.  Thanks, love ya, kiss kiss!

xx-
sarah



4.30.2013

Polka Dot Pop

I actually took outfit pics yesterday, can you believe it?  I can't seem to find any extra time in the day with this insane schedule I'm keeping, but hopefully it will get back to normal soon.  Or maybe this is my new normal.  That's a consideration that I'm not sure I'm 100% ready for, but I've been ok with it for the last 4 months or so.  Maybe this is what it takes to be successful and to make things happen for yourself, who knows.

Onto the outfit!  We have totally bipolar weather here in Dallas.  It's 88 one day and then 50 the next day.  I'm completely over my fall/winter wardrobe, so I've prepared myself with a spray tan and about 15 new pairs of shorts and skirts.  The J.Crew Factory sale got me over the weekend with a 50% off coupon on the entire store.  Of course, I was too busy to go myself, so I sent my poor mother with my credit card and her iPhone and we shopped that way.  How lame.  I can't even enjoy weekend shopping!  ARGH!






Belt: Target

xoxo,
sarah

4.02.2013

What I've been up to lately....

Hey chickens!  I have been a stone cold loser for the past couple months, but I wanted to give you some substantiated evidence as to why. You may then decide whether you love or hate me at that point and I will take the beating!

I've only mentioned a couple times on the blog that I love renovating homes.  I purchased an O.G. 1964 ranch back in May of last year and decided to pull the trigger on a full on renovation about two months ago.  Between my weight gain from eating cheeto's every day since, and the pain of living in my bedroom for two months, my labor of love is finally complete.  I put it on the market and four hours later, I had a full price offer.  I may start calling myself a real estate investor.  Doesn't that sound fancy? My outfit posts are also to include a token blue tooth earpiece that I wear from the time I get up until I go to sleep, because I'm that important.  NOT.  C'mon y'all!  You don't think my J.Crew addiction has faded away do you?  

Anyways, I really hope you enjoy these before and after pics and let me know what you think.  I'm already on to the next one, but will not, under any circumstances be living in it.  Kiss kiss!!
























xoxo,

sarah
















2.19.2013

MIA

So, I've been majorly MIA and suck at life and blogging.  I'm renovating two houses, am busier than ever at work, and have gone without hot water for a solid week.  Needless to say, this has all culminated in the perfect storm of shitty blogging conditions.  I managed to eek out a few photos today after an emergency trip to J.Crew last week.  I hadn't been shopping in weeks and felt that I should reward myself with a little present for my troubles.  I got this super adorable tweed- front tee and have about a thousand outfits ideas for it.  

Miss y'all!!  Thanks for hanging in there with me! I can't wait til things calm down and are back to normal.







Button Down: H&M
Heels: Banana Republic Mad Men Collection, new version

xoxo,
sarah