Happy Feet

I couldn't NOT share this find!  I will let the pictures/captions speak for themselves:

Stuart Weitzman Alex Wedge 

$365 at Piperlime

Mossimo Pam Wedge

$24.99 at Target

I got so excited that my 6 year old had to remind me we were actually at Target to buy a birthday present for his friend!

XOXO,

Marlene

Fashion Friday...Spring's Hottest Shoes

Allow myself to introduce...myself (what, you're not an Austin Powers fan?).  I'm Marlene.  Better known as the "Accessorize" portion of this blog.  Yes, I've been delinquent in my posts, but quite frankly, Rachel just does an outstanding job and I lost interest.  She begged me to do a Fashion Friday, so here I am.

I've been on a Spring shoe kick for the last week.  Here are my purchases:

Toms Ballet Flats

The only thing that bugs me is the gigantic TOMS label on the back.  I tried to remove it but it's impossible to do without wrecking the shoe. You can read more about my love for labels here. I'm actually wearing them today and they are VERY comfortable.  A word of advice...I normally wear a 6.5 so that's what I ordered, but I probably could wear a 6. 

Zigi Ruler sandal

I haven't received these yet but I just love the color and little studs. I also like the fact that it has a tiny heel so they aren't completely flat.  When If I decide to blog again, I'll let you know how they fit.

Sam Edelman Gigi sandal

If you don't own this sandal in at least one color then you are missing out. I bought the gold two years ago and have worn them to death.  And they still look GREAT! I did return this pair, though.  The ankle strap was too ivory for me and the thong strap was too glittery.  They come in a million colors and hold up really well.  

Yellow Box Auntie sandal

Are you seeing a theme?  Apparently, regular flip flops can aggravate bunions (sorry).  Having a strap holding the shoe on relieves some of the pressure on your toes.  I got these on sale and was totally pumped. I was even more pumped when I tried them on.  Then I noticed the medallions were sewed on with fishing line and one of the "lines" broke.  I'm trying to decide if I should ship them back or simply take them to a shoe shop.  I'm leaning toward repairing them because they were so cheap.  

And in my dream world....

Miu Miu Roccia Rope Wedge

If anyone would like to make a contribution so I can own these, I am more than willing to accept them!  

XOXO,

M

The Perfect Gift for that Special Someone

I need to back up a few weeks. While everyone is excited and talking about Valentines Day, I'm still stuck on Christmas. Specifically, the gift I gave Mr. T this year...I called it the "Bucket of Fun" and it is what the name says...a bucket filled with fun things for us to do! After 16 years, two kids, a mortgage, a dog, work and everything else, it can be hard to carve time out of the day week month for each other. Mr. T loves to go out...dinner, movies, anything! It's not that easy to coordinate his call schedule with baseball, dance, school activities, and life. By putting this together, dates are planned and paid for...all we have to do is schedule the babysitter.

Here's the breakdown of what was in the bucket:

The Bucket...a refillable movie theatre popcorn bucket. We can take it to the movies and have it filled for $3.50 every time we go.

Movie Tickets...a booklet of $25 in coupons that are good for movie tickets and snacks. This should give us two movie dates.

Bowling Gift Card...I know its hokey, but we like to go bowling. This gift card will pay for our shoes and four games.

Dinner Gift Cards times Two...I included two gift cards to two different restaurants. We can add this with something else or just go out for a nice dinner.

Theatre Tickets I...I am excited about this. It is one of two things that had a specific date. Next weekend we get to see Frost/Nixon. He made sure to ask for the weekend off and the babysitter is already lined up...yay!

Theatre Tickets II...I'm even more excited about this date. In March we have tickets to see Damn Yankees. Friends of ours have tickets for the same night, so it will be a fun double date!

Zip lining...You read that right...Mr. T's favorite thing to do! While he is super excited, my palms are already sweaty!! I bought these from Groupon in the fall and they don't expire until the end of April. A few friends purchased them as well, so it will be a scary but fun group date.

Mr. T was thrilled with this! It was all about him and what he likes to do. When it comes to gifts there is always something we want or need for the house and let's face it, while 7 pallets of sod for your anniversary or new wiring in the living room for Christmas are great...this year it was about him. With a birthday in May, the bucket might need to be refilled then. Something tells me I might have started a new tradition!

Fill a bucket and give it to your loved one...

Rachel :)

Overzealous

I've told you guys about my fascination...addiction...to Pinterest. Here's a picture I found the very first day:

OMG...What kid would not want this in their backyard? Smurfette and Brainy Smurf would LOVE it and since I have a another addiction to chalkboard paint, I would love it too! The day after I saw this we went to the hardware store to get everything we needed...

4 x 8 plywood

black primer

black outdoor paint

unsanded tile grout

The directions on Pinterest read:

Outdoor Chalkboard: Get a 4 x 8 plywood sheet and mix a chalkboard-colored outdoor paint with unsanded tile grout: 1. Pour 1 cup of paint into a container. Add 2 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. Mix with a paint stirrer, carefully breaking up clumps. 2. Apply paint with a roller or a sponge paintbrush to a primed or painted surface. Work in small sections, going over the same spot several times to ensure full, even coverage. Let dry. 3. Smooth area with 150-grit sandpaper, and wipe off dust. 4. To condition: Rub the side of a piece of chalk over entire surface. Wipe away residue with a barely damp sponge.

Oh, sounds so easy and fun, right?...Wrong! I primed the board first...easy! When it was dry we were ready to paint...and yes, I said paint. Honestly, that's what I thought. Until I mixed the tile grout with the paint. Ugh! I'm not a tile expert. Actually, I'm a tile unexpert. I know nothing about tile or grout. Zip. Zero. Nada. Point taken? So, I really didn't know that when I mixed the grout with the paint that I would have a mess. A big, fat, hard to stir, clay-like, tar looking mess. That you can't paint on. Oh yes, its was that hard. Thankfully I had a set of gloves in my handy dandy painters box. Along with an old paint brush. My mixture was thickening up...fast! I went to work spreading with my gloved hand and brushing smooth with the other hand. It was everywhere! Here's what I learned:

1. Don't mix more than one cup at a time

2. Start in the middle of the board

3. Work with someone

4. Seriously, don't mix more than one cup at a time

5. Stick to small areas (yes...I know that's what the directions said)

It took three cups for one side of my 4x8 board. And now I understand the sanding part. Before, I was ready to skip it. It also helps to not tackle this project in the heat of the day...it was hot! But, as always, we survived. Mr. T and I hung the finished product this morning. The Smurfs are visiting their grandparents for a few days, but when they come home I think we will get rave reviews for this project!

  

Rachel :)

DIY Homemade Grout Cleaner

For the past week, I've been preparing my kitchen for the big "addition." I'm working hard to get it ready, so that when it is done, it's done! It's amazing when you look at something everyday you don't realize how much things can change...example: I clean my kitchen...a lot! We have builders grade tile floors with a light gout. Not my favorite, but it will do. I mop and clean the floors with different cleaners...steam mop, Swiffer Wet Jet, Clorox Wipes, various tile cleaners, vinegar, you get the picture...After we moved the washer and dryer out of the kitchen I realized how white (clean) the grout was where they had been...and how dirty (black) the grout was where we lived! Kinda gross when I really thought about it. I finished up some house work one afternoon and was about to run to the hardware store for some over the top expensive grout cleaner when I decided to make some myself. Here's the simple recipe to my great potion:

1/4 cup bleach

3/4 cup baking soda

Not exactly rocket science! It creates a nice thick paste that I mixed together in an old cup. I went to work with an old toothbrush and was able to clean a 5' x 6' area with this amount. After scrubbing the grout, I let it sit for ten minutes, then wiped it clean with a rag and hot water. (I filled up a bucket before I started because the rag constantly needed rinsing out). I was pretty pleased as I scrubbed along...no, it wasn't sparkling, but it was looking better. When I finished, I walked away to do a few other things before the Smurfs got out of school.

I guess I wasn't using too much brain power that day, because one reason it never looked sparkling clean while I was cleaning it was because it was wet. I didn't figure that out until an hour later when I walked back into the kitchen and...holy batman!!! My kitchen floor didn't look good, it looked GREAT! Like shout from the roof GREAT! I really could not believe it. I wanted to call everyone I knew! While I did tell my mom, my dad, Marlene, the principal and secretaries at the Smurfs school, and a few other random people I met on the street that day...I saved the before and after picture until now...

before...gross...I know!

during

after :)

you can clearly see where I left off after day one...

There is nothing like a little spring cleaning and elbow grease to get you in a good mood!

Rachel :)

Going on a picnic...

Inside or out, I love picnic tables! I don't really know why. Maybe because I grew up eating on one during the warm summer months. Last year we bought our first picnic table. It's just your traditional, wooden, table for 6. After painting the back patio door last week, I've been thinking the picnic table could use a coat of paint as well. I mean, how can you not love these...



Country Living



Elle Decor

Decor Scout

"Life is a great big canvas,

and you should throw all the paint on it you can."

...Danny Kaye

Rachel :)

I lied...

Yesterday, I lied. It sounds like the title to a Mercer Mayer book, but it's not. It's my life. True story. But still...I lied. Please forgive me. I really thought that painting the door would be great. Fun even. What I didn't expect was the color shock that hit me when I was painting. I needed support...and fast...so I sent Marlene a message that went something like this:

9:43: OMG! It's Florida grandma green...LOL

9:52: OMG...where are you?!

9:53: (a picture of the door)

10:00: holy cow its changing color...errrrrrrrr...eek!

10:02: it completely clashes with the kitchen...uhhhh

10:21: it is the pepto pink version of teal...LOL

10:27: the sad thing is I already blogged about how much I love it...all I have to do is add pictures and hit publish...

10:39: OMG...how can jewelry be this important?...who are you selling to?

At 11:23 she FINALLY called! Between the last text and her call one of my neighbors stopped by. She thought the color was fun and I should live with it for a few days...fun...hmmmmm. I'm definitely not a fun person. I like to have fun, but I'm not fun. I like neutral. Boring. Plain. I surely don't have any "fun" colors in my house.

I uploaded my pictures, published my post, and sat. I was checking out Apartment Therapy when I came across this:

Apartment Therapy

I bet the person that lives here is fun. Maybe I'll do what my neighbor said and live with it for a few days...

Rachel :)

Welcome Home

Two months ago I wrote this post about all of the projects I was working on. While I've accomplished a lot since then, this might be one of my favorite before and after projects. Do you remember this picture I was using for inspiration:



compliments of Turquoise Shed

Here are a few pictures of my door before:

 After taking down the storm door...The 1990's Dark Green Door:

And here is after:

I love my updated entrance way! It truly says, "welcome home"...

Rachel :)

True Story

Here is an example of a daily conversation with Marlene...

M: what did you do this morning?

R: cleaned the kitchen, did some laundry, went for a bike ride...

M: oh!!! I found a bike I want to buy. It it so great and it will look so cute with a basket on the front!

R: you do know that a bike is an exercise tool and NOT an accessory...right?

M: but a basket would look great on it!!!

And our bike choices clearly define who we are...

via Martha Stewart

Rocket Girl Blog

What kind of bike do you ride?

Rachel :)



Calypso Update

As soon as I finished yesterday's post I went running to Target to check out the Calypso collection.  I walked out of Target 14 minutes after I started with all of this:

Target

Like how I hacked her together?

and this...

Go check out the front here!

Cutest little vest ever.  Crochet is HUGE for Spring and Summer.  This will be so cute with a bright tank top under it!

...and this, too...

This will be very cute under the vest

this is the last thing-I promise!

Calypso for Target

No closet can have enough white tanks for Summer. 

I tried on this dress but it didn't fit.  

The bottom was too big and I couldn't have worn the top any smaller.  Oh well, I think I did enough damage in record time.  I also managed to pick out a birthday card for my sister in those 14 minutes.  I did my homework before I went in there.  I also looked for the cute espadrilles from yesterday but they weren't out, yet.  There is a Target on my way home from work, though!  Can you tell I'm obsessed with this stuff?

Gotta love Target

As I am sure most of you are aware, Target has been doing capsule collections with major (and some not so major, which is cool) designers for several years now.  Although I can't say that I have ever purchased anything from one of these collections, I absolutely love the concept and idea.  High end designers collaborating with Target to make fashion affordable for everyone is fantastic.

The collection released yesterday is beyond...just beyond.  Calypso St. Barth has done a collection of womens' and children's clothing and home goods!  Here's the back story to explain my excitement.  A few years ago I read an article about a perfume.  It was by Calypso St. Barth.  Supposedly the perfume was the most beautiful scent ever created.  I am so weird about my perfumes and smells in general that I became intrigued and wanted to smell it for myself.  J and I went to Boston for a long weekend and were shopping on Newbury Street. There before my eyes was a Calypso store!  I dragged him in against his will.  I immediately became enchanted.  I am a total beach girl and everything about this store screamed "luxury beach resort!"  Instant love!  I didn't buy anything that day, but Calypso has never been far from my mind.  Now, for a limited time, I can buy their products at  TARGET!!!!!

Here is my favorite dress from the collection:

Calypso St. Barth for Target

Here is my favorite dress from their regular collection:

Calypso St. Barth

With summer knocking on our door, either of these dresses would be perfect for day or night!  Especially with these adorable espadrilles!

Calypso for Target wedges

Happy Shopping!

xoxo,

Marlene

Spring Has Sprung...

Ahhhh...I love spring! There is nothing better that spending a Saturday working outside, only stopping at the end of the day to enjoy the hard work that was put forth. I committed to waiting until after Spring Break for outside projects, so we began this week. The Smurfs and I spent a few days painting pots for a few herbs and veggies. We had fun using left over chalkboard paint so we would be able to personalize our pots. I keep reminding myself that this is just the beginning. I am looking forward to the next few weeks before the summer southern heat begins...

the other side says mom and dad's mint...
but mom's mint had a better ring to it :)

smurfette's peace out cumcumbers

brainy smurf's cabbage

the gang

I bought the awesome herb markers from Etsy, one of my favorite sites for handmade unique goodies. Sarah at Simple Pretty Prints creates really cute personalized items at a great price. You will find the garden markers there. I hope everyone had a wonderful Earth Day...go plant something!

Rachel :)