Military Banquet Dress

In less then 3 weeks I am flying out to MO to attend M's first Officer's banquet. When I originally heard the word "banquet" I assumed the usual semi-formal attire and went out and bought an adorable cream/gold knee-length sheath. It is beautiful, classic, just screams Officer's wife. Well..... After M finally spoke to the woman in charge of the banquet he found out it was actually a black-tie event. The way she described it was "long dresses". HUH??? I was absolutely mind boggled as what to wear. Finally, M saw a banquet going on and saw what the ladies were wearing. THAT gave me a mental picture and so I with the help of M I found a perfect dress!

The dress is beautiful! In person it is more of a nude/peachy pink. The beading on top is crystals, rhinestones, and pearls. I THINK I'm going to pair it with a vintage 50's pearl and sequence clutch and nude pumps. Generally the strappy shoes are what is considered "formal", but with the chiffon being so delicate, I don't want any embellishments to tear at the fabric.

Now, the big question.... JEWELRY? Any ideas ladies?

Perfume Collection

Scent is defining. It can tell so much about a person! There is nothing worse then having some one walking by you and getting a waft of cheap alcoholic-smelling perfume, or even WORSE, like a teenager who just walked out of Bath & Body Works with the entire signature collection. Don't get my wrong, I own two B&BW body splashes, but there is a time and a place, such as after the gym, or at the beach, for a quick pick-me-up. Without further chatter, here is what is currently sitting on my vanity:

My husband smelled this, instantly thought of me and surprised me with a bottle. He couldn't have been more perfect. Hands down, my favorite.
A very close runner up. I absolutely ADORE the smell of roses. They are in nearly every room in my house, and I can say that Yankee Candle could possibly stay in business with the amount of Fresh Cut Roses candles I buy.

The newest to my collection. I like it, but really just loved the bottle more! It is a very light fresh smelling scent.

This is my feisty scent! When I'm going out to have some fun, or just feel like mixin' things up I but I spritz on some of this fragrance.
Bought this because everyone raved about it. I like it, but will probably not repurchase it when the bottle runs out... which could be a while.

After my grandmother passed away, a half full bottle of this adorned her dressing table for nearly two years. I decided to swoop down and add it to my collection partly in remembrance, partly because I enjoy the smell. A bit of an 'older' scent, great for sophisticated events such as Military Balls.

I find this to be a very casual scent. When I'm feeling preppy, and throw on a sweater instead of a dress, usually I'm wearing this as well. Again, not something I would repurchase, but it is lovely. Simple doesn't get enough use for a girly girl like myself.
This is the oddball out- less expensive, not a "high end" name brand, so why? I fell in love with the advertisement! The cream chiffon and pink peonies! Oh how divine! There was also a promotion where if you got the perfume, it came with a fantastic pink tote. VERY spring-time. I went through a few bottles in college, but think I've grown out of the scent.

The woman's sanctuary

Every woman needs a place to pamper herself, where she puts her "pretty" on. I grew up having a vanity since I was a little girl. It is a place, that is all mine, where I can just be me.

Believe it or not, I found this vanity at an antique flea market for FIVE DOLLARS! Can you believe it? It definitely a little TLC and a few coats of paint, but isn't it divine? I still need to make a cushion for the chair, but I'll get there. The woman who sold it to me said it belonged to a friend that had owned it for over 50 years. I love grabbing these finds!

This is the overview. My make-up is in the two drawers on either side. I don't own too much make-up. Variety is good... over-indulgence is sloppy.

This is the top shelf. A little crowded, but has everything I need. My perfume on a beautiful tray, magnifying mirror, more perfume and lotion, vintage hand mirror, and a Strawberry Cream candle.

This is where I go to get my pretty on in the morning and wipe it away before bed. Although tonight, there is no make-up to wipe away. I am sick as a dog with a swollen sore throat and a very, very stuffy nose. This weekend is definitely going to be a relaxing, bed ridden one.

Snow Day Attire

I don't know about y'all, but the weather up here in the northeast has been anything but calm in the past couple days. Where it's just flurrying, snowing, or hailing ice balls, the skies have opened up in a state of fury. I love snow days- they seem to bring about unexpected family time. My brothers have off from school and my step-mother (who is a principal) also had her school close for the day. Rarely do people get all dolled up for a snow day, and I am the same. I found some photos of what I was wearing today and thought it would be fun to see what people wear when they are snowed in! So today, as I type this, this is what I am wearing:

A comfy cotton shirt. Of course, mine has to be cute. (when it comes to comfy, I always go cheap... Forever21)

Black yoga pants (Forever21- $10)

Warm slippers

And if it gets really cold, I throw on my warm fleece robe!

Accessories were kept simple, staple pearl studs and wedding rings. Make-up was minimal and natural- a little concealer under the eyes and on any blemishes, Maybe a loose powder, lip moisturizer and a touch of mascara.

So lovelies, that all for me today. The pups played outside in the snow so long they are PASSED OUT in my bed right now. This gives me some much needed relaxation time.

Custom shirts!

Following my last post, including the custom Army wife t-shirts and sweatshirts, I thought I'd let y'all in on a little secret website that lets you customize almost anything! Upload your own photos, choose from premade layouts, if you can think it, it can probably be done!

CustomizedGirl

I wanted a few more Army wife t-shirts, but I wanted ones that no one else had. So I made my own, and I think they came out pretty darn great!

Aren't they adorable? So now I have 5 Army Wife t-shirts... I think I am done for a little while.

Army Wife.... CLONES?

Allow me to give you some important details about my trip to MO to visit M on the Army base.... Before leaving NY I decided to lighten and highlight my hair (which when teased (daily, of course) is a little shorter then shoulder length)... it looks marvelous! But anywho, upon going for my manicure as usual, I opted for short acrylic nails (french tips with little pink flowers). I figured that fake nails would stay looking nicer longer. I had no idea what to expect, safe route it was. Rather then spend the week or 2 prior using gradual tanning lotions, the spray tan was quick and effective. In the airport I picked up a tube of Nars Turkish Delight lip gloss. I wanted to see what all the fuss about. I'm not a gloss girl, but I love this! Shortly after arriving in STL where M and I spent a wonderful weekend, M asked me if I had brought 'comfy' clothes... Um, no? If by comfy you mean lace dresses and flowy blouses then yes. He took me straight to a local store and had me pick up 2 pairs of comfy cotton yoga pants. Why you ask? M explains that no one here dresses up and that I would maybe be doing outdoorsy things. (Not in this cold!) Our romantic weekend was over, we had a long drive to the base. Once we arrived, M and I went to the Commissary for a little grocery shopping and the PX for some items. It was a cold, flurry day outside, no better day to throw on those comfy pants, a cute top, and uh oh... I didn't bring any shoes other then ballet flats and heels. I had nothing to wear with the yoga pants! M told me to suck it up and put on flats, and he would buy me some sneakers when we got there... SNEAKERS?!?!? GASP! I don't wear those! He insisted and I walked out wearing cute white and pink tennis shoes. Before leaving the PX M wanted to check one store real quick, an embroidery store that does all the work on his uniform. Okay, no problem. I walk in and immediately saw that they do custom work! Well, needless to say I walked out of there with a cute new fitted T-shirt and sweatshirt that both adorned "Proud Army Wife" in big pink letters. So tonight, I am sitting here in my comfy yoga pants and Army Wife t-shirt with matching pink sneakers. Fake nails on, hair highlighted to perfection, and lips beautifully glossed in the pink/peach shade.

WHY IS ALL THIS INFORMATION SO IMPORTANT???? With all the fun and new people I am meeting, these things are so minuscule! Well, I tell you this, Army wives must be their own breed of human. Standing around the PX, I took a good look around and..... WE ALL LOOKED EXACTLY THE SAME. Maybe it's just this area, and maybe my mind is going crazy, but even M took notice that there were clones amongst us!

So, on this particular trip, what have I found makes up about 95% of the Army wives, girlfriends, and fiancees I've seen? Exactly the things mentioned above:

Short hair with unnatural looking highlights

The hair was looking poofy, teased, and perfectly in place

Fake acrylic nails

Some were plain french tips, but most were french tips with a design

Dark glowing fake tans No umpa lumpas here. Just sunkissed skin!

Nude or Pink/Peachy glossy lips Always subtle, nothing darker then a sheen of beautiful gloss.

Heavy Mascara

We all know how much I love long, volumized lashes.

Coordinating Army Wife (or girlfriend, just Army , etc)

t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Fitted cotton comfy pants


Cute, but practical sneakers

More often then not, they matched the t-shirt.

So ladies, coincidence? Without even knowing it at the time, I turned into the clone of every Army wife I have seen. Perfectly placed hair, nails and make-up looking perfect, and yet wearing comfy gym clothes to run to the PX or other errands... Hmmmm, is it in the water here?

I realize that any girl walking down the street can fit this description, but the similarities here are in mass numbers. Not EVERYONE fit the bill, but when M, a couldntcarelessaboutmakeuporlooks has to step back and mention something, that ladies, means something. And I fit right in!

Traveling 101: The Luggage

In three short days I will be traveling to visit my darling husband, M. I'll be flying from NYC to St. Louis and he is driving from his base to meet me at the airport. As I started my usual traveling checklist I wondered if everyone is as crazy about their luggage as I am.



After all, my clothing and other items are precious cargo. I hang my clothing on special hangers, hand wash almost everything except PJ's, and take me dresses off immediately after coming home. Needless to say, the thought of my clothes being tossed around like a football with all other luggage gives me anxiety! Oh and heaven forbid it gets lost! When you shop at boutiques and vintage stores it is hard to replace items. Some are even completely irreplaceable.



Traveling smart is all about THE LUGGAGE. I recently purchased the Traveler's Choice Freedom II- 3 piece luggage in Dusty Rose.

It has a hard outer casing. Perfect for protecting what's inside. Also, it has 4 wheels so you can be pulled, pushed, and turned 360 inside is a compartment for shoes, undergarments, and toiletrees.

So, how do I pack my precious cargo? The most important items- lace dresses, expensive bag s, or favorite shoes go in my rollig carry-on. There is no chance of me checking my irreplaceable items. It includes outfits for special occasions and date nights.

As my second carry-on I carry a large tote. Inside I keep my make-up, wallet, toothbrush, camera, e-reader, ipod, cell phone/charger, jewelry, agenda, and also my TRAVELO! This item is a godsent! If y'all are traveler's and haven't gotten yourself a travelo y'all are missing out! Now my favorite perfumes (Chloe, Miss Dior Cherie, and Coco Mademieselle) can come with me on the plane. I don't have to worry about the bottes breaking in cargo or being confiscated in security.

And in my large checked luggage is all the other not-so-important items. PJ's, socks, under garments, extra shoes, 2 pairs of jeans, some knit sweaters. Not that my satin PJ's aren't important, but any Macy's or Nordstroms has a pair for purchase!

So ladies, it's all in the luggage!