Have a Great Weekend!

I'm heading on...

While typing this I should be packing! Or, playing on my new iPad (which arrived this morning and the husband is already watching movie previews. Umm, did I miss something? haha).

As for this weekend, I'm sadly leaving the hubs and smiley chickie for a weekend in Houston. Yeehaw!

On the upside, I'm heading there to celebrate my cousin's engagement, see our Texas fam, and meet this guy everyone's been talking about. I also get to cuddle with our fam's most recent addition... an adorable six-month old I've been dying to get my hands on! I can't wait for her to get to know my girl one of these days.

Until then though, this vacay is for the big kids! And now... back to packing! 

Wishing you a great weekend as well.

Anything fun in store on your end??

I do, I do, tiaras and love

Ahh, the Royal Wedding!

The talk of the globe.

Truth: I slept past the I do's in favor of getting a few extra minutes of much-needed sleep. I did catch the nanosecond kiss though... and in true nerdy fashion, got a little weepy! haha.

There's just something so incredible about a wedding, the thought of true love and each of us being a princess for a day. Frankly, we should all always consider ourselves a princess...

or a duchess, as the case might be.

{just need to score ourselves this Cartier Halo tiara and a gown by McQueen!}

 {photo: US Weekly/Getty images}

Weddings are just so magical, and every time I attend one I think of my own and what a happy day it was to be surrounded by friends and family as Adam and I cemented our love to one another. 

I often think of a photograph of the two of us that always makes me smile. It's the moment right after we said our vows and took our first walk as husband and wife. It was beyond words. Check us out!

Ahhhh, so that's today's post. Tiaras, weddings and love. My apologies if today's post isn't more informative but to me it seems like the most important in the world. And, I do have a message:

Take a few minutes to think about the love in your life, who loves you and who you love. I'm not talking specifically about husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends or whatnot.

LOVE...in any form that makes you happy.

Your friends, your doggie, your mama, your ipad!

Haha, ok maybe not the ipad, but all the others.

Invest in these relationships;
these are the ones that matter, ladies.

(and yes, this message is worth putting in big, bold, italicized font).

Have a great weekend!!

5 Must Haves: from a Fellow Red-Head

Meet Erin. She's one of the coolest, sweetest, most fun and sincere girls I've ever met. Promise. And, I'm not just blowing these compliments her way because she's a red head (ya know, us red heads have to stick together!). Honestly, her smile is infectious and someone I always think I'd love to become better friends with (ya year that, Erin! haha). We met out and about here in West Palm, Fla. through friends, and now serve together on the Board of an awesome non profit, The Foundation for Community Betterment. She's our resident graphic designer and overall smartie, helping to keep us organized and make every event its best.

Oh, did I forget to mention she has killer taste? Even when I see her en route to spinning classes (indoor cycling, her love!), she looks totally fab. I love how she pulls an outfit together (which usually involves Tory Burch), her condo is gorge, and she also makes her own jewelry... namely guitar pick earrings! Talk about rockin' a look! I'm obsessed with them. She sells them here and there so it's always awesome to see someone wearing them... people go crazy; such a fun, unexpected piece of jewelry!

Beyond thrilled that she's sharing with you her five must-have items because this is definitely a girl who's taste I admire. Fun, accessible yet sophisticated and modern.

In her words, here's Erin's 5 must haves...

 Swatch

I wear my Swatches all the time, even to work. Rocking a vibrant Swatch is a fab diversion to the "work attire." They add a splash of unexpected character and can be conversation starters. Lately, I've been wearing this one, So Fresh ($60)! 

 

A lovable Rescue Pet

Mine's named Cooper. He's my love monkey. I rescued him in January from Golden Rescue South Florida and we're now in a serious relationship :-) Rescue your next pet please! You can rescue pretty much any breed either through your local humane society or searching for more detailed organizations such as the Golden Rescue south Florida or Everglades Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.

(You don't have to get a golden retriever but they are one of the BEST dogs).

 

MAC - Oyster Girl lipgloss

It's light and glossy, giving your lips just enough without hailing too much attention.

The color ORANGE

I'm not sure what it is about the color orange. I've been infatuated for years. It's funky and fresh with a touch of sassy. Notice my orange bedding (Anthropologie) and orange upholstered chair (purchased from Kourtney Pulitzer boutique in West Palm Beach) with Cooper hanging out.
TAGG tip: this just shows that even red heads can rock orange! thanks, erin!

Good Food!

I'm not much of a chef so when cooking at home, I usually do steamed veggies and bake or grill chicken. Bland, I know. This could be the reason why I tend to eat out often: I enjoy GOOD FOOD. Some fly to Italy or New York for a memorable meal, which I fully encourage but I'm also happy eating at these hot spots in West Palm Beach, which can accommodate Cooper of course: Darbster (vegan), Vagabondi (Italian), Gratify (gastro pub) and Pistache (French waterfront bistro). Darbster's is an easy "go to" for a casual atmosphere, friendly people and outrageously delicious Vegan food. Yes, Vegan. Have a glass of white wine and the Chikn' & Apple Wrap with the peanut sauce that I crave. At Vagabondi, I usually get the beet salad to start and a small portion of the luring pasta with truffle oil!
(photo: palm cakes at darbster, pbpost.com)

Sometimes...(How I Really Feel)

The Average Girl's Guide is a place that links us all, where I remind you that at the end of the day, that you, me, we're all the same typical gal just wanting to live a fabulous life.

I hope I can be a best friend of sorts to you, be it providing advice on what to wear or how to find a deal, or offer perspective on a more serious topic. It's also a place where I need to be honest with all of you.

Today I'm participating in Pour Your Heart Out from the blog, The Things I cannot Say
because while I'm writing about fashion and food this has been on my mind...

Sometimes...
Sometimes, I feel alone. Really lonely. That seems so strange because I have the most loving husband in the world, an incredible daughter, loving fam and the most supportive friends.
Yet, still, sometimes I feel alone in a sea full of people. Like there's no one there if I needed them.

I think a lot of my loneliness relates to friends.
I have a few friends I feel really connected to that live far away. I sometimes think that if they lived nearby I know I'd be happier. No pressure, right? haha. Friends who know me, know my story, and who I am. Who you don't have to be "on" when you see them because you can just be YOU. I miss that.

I do have close friends here, don't get me wrong, and they've stood by me this past year more than I wish they had to. But, they only know this subsection of my life... they haven't yet learned fully who I am and I don't know fully who they are.

And, while I love working -- I've embarked on a new adventure of starting my own business this year, and fortunately, have been doing very well -- it's like I'm no longer accessible to the friends who are stay-at-home moms, and yet am not in the same category as the full-time working friends or don't work near them. That's a big issue with working from home.... a million lunch dates, I suppose?

I'm sharing this because this blog is as much about the fun as it is about the real. And, this is who I am and who you're reading from when you read the other stuff. I'm often happy, really happy, but I get in these ruts and it builds on itself.

Does this happen to you?
I like to think that many women, even the most popular, feel this way sometimes.
It's almost impossible to be happy all the time. Would love your thoughts on what you do to you pick yourself up (besides downing a monster bag of pretzel m&ms like I've been doing!)

Thanks for listening, ladies. Wishing you all of the happiness, health and fulfillment in the world!

How to: Wear a Fedora

I know, I know, the fedora seems like it should be reserved for the likes of Kate Bosworth, Lauren Conrad and Nicole Ritchie, but it really is a wearable look for pretty much anyone!

While I'm not typically a hat gal (I swear I have an abnormally large head brain), I love the fedora because  it's doesn't feel like I'm attacking people with it as I walk by (haha yes, picture it).

Don't get me wrong -- floppies rock and I will be showing you some great, affordable options soon enough -- however, a fedora is a great alternative for the ever day.

Plus, certainly anyone sitting behind you in a movie theatre or concert will appreciate!

If you're not sure it's for you, test it out with one under $25 so you're not breaking the bank if it doesn't get a lot of use. Here's a few I'm digging (and you can probably do even better during a sale!):

New York & Co., Ribbon Fedora, $16.95

Aldo, Phylicia, $20

Kohl's, Vintage Stone Straw Fedora, $16.80 (reg. $24)

OK, and now, some critical fedora-wearing advice:

Make sure it fits your head properly.

Go with one designed for a female or male, whichever gives the best fit (even kiddies!).
You want to pull it further down on your head; you don't want it to look too high above your head.
Also look for styles with a prominent crease.

Wear with a basic top, or try a floral pattern for spring.

And, most of all, have fun with it! It's a hat, after all.

Outfit: Boot Love (in 90-Degree Heat!)

Oh my heaven.

I have been sooooo good about purchases lately, really abiding by my rule of only buying what I need

to rid me of the "I have nothing to wear" syndrome. Have you tried my method??

For me, cross one item off the so-called warbrobe-need list:

During a casual stroll into Banana Republic I stumbled across these beauties, a pair of boots I've been searching for for way too long. Perfectly camel brown. Good heel. Right height. Real leather. 

Best part: the only pair was size 9! My size! That NEVER happens. It's always a 5.5 or 6.

Needless to say I don't care that it's nearly 90 degrees in Florida,

this gal is wearing her boots!

Here's an outfit I wore during last week's Chick-Fil-A and retail therapy at the mall date with a bff, A.

Also ran a few errands, probably in an attempt to show off the cuteness as much as possible before I look totally absurd in this steamy heat.

You do that, too, right? If you're feeling cute or loving an item of clothing you're wearing you try to do more out and about to show it off to everyone to see. Don't lie. Haha.

Next up for the boots: skirts and cas' floral dresses with the boots.

And, this makes me very excited for next Fall! Sqeeel.

short-sleeve sweater: h&m (see w/ green cargos)

jeans: f21

boots: banana republic

flower ring: f21

rose leather bracelet: tory burch

brown leather band: etsy shop
watch: michael kors
bag: louis vuitton
polish: essie's watermelon

Would like S'more of this Weekend

How is Easter coming and going without me eating a few dozen Peeps?!

Since I won't be surprised with a few packages of these marshmallow lovelies on Sunday
(not part of our Jewish tradition... though it should be! hmmm), figured I needed to take action. 

Saw these -- dubbed S'MEEPS! -- on Bauble Bar's blog who got them from Serious Eats.

This is definitely a serious eat, seriously delicious eats! I'm drooling on my laptop as we speak.

Are you a peeps fan??
Hope so because I'd really like us to be friends still. Mwuah!

{Ingredients}

4 Peeps (1 package)

4 graham crackers, separated into 8 halves

Four 1-ounce squares semisweet or dark chocolate (depending on preference)

{Directions}

Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 350°F.

Place a 1-ounce square of chocolate on 4 of the graham cracker halves.

Top each chocolate with a Peep. Say your goodbyes.

Put your Peep sacrifice laden graham crackers on an aluminum foil covered tray and pop them in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes.

Once the Peeps are toasted to your liking, take them out of the oven and squish them with a graham cracker half. Feast.

Let's Get Bathing Suit Ready

This title of this post initially said getting "bikini ready" but then I looked down at my belly and said, let's go just with a bathing suit, any bathing suit at all! I've embraced my bod (more on weight in an upcoming post), but definitely would like to be more fit before baring most of it this summer. 

Here's two suits that could totally work. I'm typically not a black suit kind-of-gal, but if you are, opt for an interesting dimension, like this one shoulder look by Gap. More on suits coming soon, too...

Hobie swimsuit

 Gap swimsuit

Since I still have at least a few weeks before I'm putting on lycra like this,

I need to get this bod in shape...so....

The good ol' gym called the other day, a random solicitation to get the hubs and I back after a gazillion years. I'm embarrassed to tell you how little I've exercised in say, two years. Between having a baby and being in a hospital for a month (pretty good excuse if you ask me!), I've totally slacked. Bad move, though. Long story short, the gym was victorious --- after they fell victim to my mad negotiation skills, of course! haha. TAGG tip: do not, I repeat do not, be afraid to nicely ask for a better price for your gym membership or anything else. No chance of saving bucks if you don't ask.

Not a gym gal? Whether you don't have the funds, or the time or motivation to head to a gym (the hardest part for me), try a video! I had resounded success from a 20-minute pilates video years ago and now, I've been hearing non-stop about "shredding" thanks to the 30 Day Shred by fitness coach Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame.

The twitter-sphere has been buzzing, tweeting and going crazy for this. Follow bonbonrosegirls, fashionmaven, taylormthomas, aplacetoshare, birdgirlc and smltwnramblings and use #shredcrew to stay motivated. Or, just keep looking at Jillian's abs. I want those.

Love that it's just $7.99 on Amazon! Talk about the cheapest work-out ever and not a major commitment if you want to buy a few videos to mix it up. One yoga class is $15-$20 (which is absurd to me, to be honest). Imagine that 30 days from now you can be feeling infinitely better about yourself. That's so soon!

I leave you with a few words of very important wisdom.....

There is no reason why you should ever insult

or feel bad about the body you have,

regardless where it's at this moment.

It's all yours baby. Own it and love it!

Crushing at Banana Republic

During lunch today I did a little retail therapy with one of my besties, A.

Well, after we scarfed down yummy grub at Chik-fil-A. Must share that the chicken and strips salad with honey mustard dressing literally makes my heart go a-flutter. 

We headed into Banana Republic and immediately scoped out the sale rack since items were an extra 40 percent off in-store (only 25 percent online). Earlier this week I fell head over heels in love with a pair of low brown chunky heeled boots at Banana Republic... they are exactly what I've been searching for all-season-long and they are real leather. Best part? They were like $37 (got the last pair!).

Who cares that it's now 90 degrees in Florida. Guess what this gal is wearing?? Ha, taking pics today when the hubs gets home so look for an outfit post soon.

Here's a glimpse at my cute boots...

And, I literally gasped when I saw this tiered linen maxi dress that I saw on a girl earlier this week.

Swear she thought I was going to take it off her body the way I was gawking and asking where she got it.

She told me J. Crew, however here it is! Looks WAY better in person. Oh, and it's $109 in store, with 40 percent off so head to a store if you can. I couldn't pull the trigger but am seriously considering it.

Imagine bold jewelry on this neutral gem. Mmmm.

Looks so great on all body types, PS.

My bff, A, also picked up this jacket (again, about $50 less in store!), which looked so killer on. The ruffles, zippers on the sleeves, light-tweed? Gorgeous. Love it open with a pink or burgundy blouse underneath.

So perfect for a work day that's followed by some cocktails (though then again, what outfit isn't?).

5 Must Haves for a Sequin-ed Gal at Breakfast

Meet Kiley. A gal who loved playing dress up as a girl, and well, never grew out of it, she's the awesome blogger behind A Sequin Dress at Breakfast. Smart girl! We should all be wearing our most glam and glitzed pieces every day instead of waiting for some big occasion. A Des Moines, IA gal, she lives with her super-sweet boyfriend who lets her take over the closet with sequins, heels and way more dresses than a guy deems necessary.

Kiley loves to try new recipes (specialties are cherry cobbler and guac); is a great DIY gal (she's glittered two pairs of shoes; check blog for deets), and likes digging through vintage stores (best find: black sequin blazer at a shop in Chicago). 

So thrilled that Kiley is sharing with us today her current must haves. After reading, check out her blog or find her on Facebook or Twitter. Yay!

In her words, here are Kiley's current must haves... 
'A Sequin Dress at Breakfast' is my lovely little distraction, and a place I can share my love for all things sparkly, sequined, and delicious. I was so excited when Alyson asked me to share my top 5 must haves. I could probably list about 55, but I'm happy to share my top 5 can't-live-withouts.

Eyelash curler

I'm obsessed with the Shu Uemura eyelash curler. I've bought two new ones each year (one for purse, one for makeup bag) for probably the last decade because they are that incredible. I recently found out that Shu Uemura is no longer available in the US (I'm still recovering from the tragic news), but... you can buy it online at spots including Amazon.

Fur vest

I get more wear out of my three fur vests than possibly my best coats. I throw on a fur vest at every opportunity. It makes any outfit just a bit more fun and keeps you toasty in cooler weather.

Pink makeup

All summer long my fingers and toes are almost permanently in shades of hot pink. Throw in my Tarte cheek stain, Maybelline Coral Crush and a couple Stila lip glosses, and you will find my makeup bag holds a good amount of pink. Check out Sephora for most items.

Gold watch

I don't know how I went so long without my oversized gold Michael Kors watch. It makes almost any outfit seem 'complete' and I love how it goes with anything. I wasn't a watch-wearer at all until I got a hold of this gem, and now I don't know how I went so long without!
TAGG mention: totally agree with Kiley! I'm a watch addict, however adding an oversized watch -- in almost any color -- does complete your chic look.

Sequin skirts

If you couldn't tell by the name of my blog, I'm quite the fan of sequins. I think every girl should own at least one (or 20!) sequin pieces. A simple and well-made sequin skirt can see you through every season and multiple occasions. My favorite sequin skirt is a simple A-line shape that hits just above the knees. I wore it all winter long with tights, sweaters, and booties, and have been wearing it this spring with a tucked-in denim button down. I'm looking forward to wearing it this summer with a plain white or gray tank and loads of sparkly jewelry. Piperlime and J. Crew (see pic) have some incredible sequin pieces right now.



Savvy Shopping: Grocery-Store Style

With ads for $.99 Big Macs and cheapy fries, it can take a little more work to eat a healthy, great-tasting meals and snacks. While I’m not the world’s best cook, I am a gal who loves food and healthy eating (and seeking out fun new snack foods!) so I’m willing to seek out the deals and learn what’s worth it and what’s not.

As your fab new in-the-know best friend (if I do say so myself, ha!),

let me share with you five easy tips to help reign in your food budget:

Eat what’s in season!

The best, easy tip to save money is to buy what’s in season. Here’s a great chart to use as a guide. Buy watermelon, grapes and strawberries now and hold off on... .

Try frozen fruits and veggies.
Are you someone who constantly tosses your produce because you don't eat it in time? Buy frozen; it lasts much longer. I love adding frozen veggies with some olive oil, salt and pepper, in a skillet along with a protein and whipping up a quick stir-fry. Add soy, ponzu or teriyaki sauce, too. Avoid frozen meals and veggies with pre-made sauces that are loaded with artificial ingredients and tons of sodium. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s not for you.

Pay attention to prices.
Don’t just buy, buy, buy! Notice costs, including fruit and veggies per pound. You’ll be surprised how quickly you recognize when items are a better value. And, compare seemingly similar items: thin-sliced chicken can be 40 percent more than regular breasts. Save a lot by taking two minutes at home to slice in half or pound thin (good stress reliever, too!). Sometimes the convenience is worth it -- like buying diced butternut squash or cut brocoli -- but often it's not.

Buy on sale.
Sounds obvious, right? Do it, but be more strategic. It might take a few weeks to see the savings because you first need to stock up during sales on your go-to items (though don't go to the extreme like what's on TV lately; no one needs 93 ketchups!). Think almonds, granola or paper towels. Notice the sales so you can avoid buying for full price when you’re completely out. I love BOGOs (Buy One Get One) sales added with coupons from my Sunday paper or from Coupons.com. I’m usually saving at least 30-40 percent each week, with hardly any work involved. You do not have to be a crazy coupon lady! And, once you stock up you don't have to worry about buying the same product every week; you'll have it. I'm stocked on everything from preserves to shaving cream! For those who are really interested, there's an "un-couponing" method by Jodi at Live FabuLESS that masses of women go nuts for. Haven't done it yet, but considering it soon because this gal has never steered me wrong; love her. She saves without sacrificing. Totally my motto, ladies!

Cook more than you need
This one is more about saving time than money because to me --- time is the most valuable commodity in the world! Even though I’m typically only cooking for two, I make enough for at least one or two more days. Tilapia one night can be transformed into fish tacos the next night without the hassle of making more fish. I do the same with chicken. Make chicken breasts with black beans, rice and grilled onions one night and go for fajitas or a salad topped with chicken the next.

Hope this is helpful... ask questions: always do my best to answer!

What to Wear: Fancy Schmancy Wedding (& Hide the Arms!)

A Facebook friend, Sandy, recently inquired:

Q. post request! what to wear to a schmancy nighttime wedding in april. in florida. without showing off your not-so-tiny arms ;)

A. Glad you asked! Weddings season is just gearing up so all us gals need to start thinking about what to wear. Do you go the safe black dress route with some killer heels and jewelry, or do you mix it up? And, it's no longer necessary to do floor-length gowns, even for black tie, so find what suits you best.

As for arms, I am not a fan of trying to cover them up.
****Seek out flattering necklines, not-to-wide straps (avoid too-tight cap sleeves) and bold or smart, graphically-designed prints to draw the eye where you want!

****Bring a shawl to drape over your shoulders -- which is much more delicate
-- and cooler in the warm weather.

(ps: it's already 85 and humid in Florida; brace yourself, and your hair!).

Here's a few looks from Macy's that I'm loving:

Evan Picone, striped dress, $99.
(love well placed stripes... don't even notice the arms!)

BCBGeneration, ruffle maxi, $158.
 (gorgeous ruffles draw eye in, away from arms in this notice-me-purple! A favorite).

JSCollection, striped cocktail dress, $118.
(oh la la! Again, all about helpful stripes in this stunning black cocktail dress.)

Suzi Chin, silk empire waist dress, $158.
(if you insist on some sort of sleeve, adore this light-weight floaty look.
You do not want sleeves to look tight. Will only make arms appear larger).

BCBGeneration, striped, three-quarter sleeve, $198.
(ps: this look can be very flattering; seek out something similar with a darker color -- only the bride gets white or beige -- but avoid this dress if you're more apple-shaped.)

Maggy London, evening gown, $148.
(A classic gown with a super flattering, and forgiving, shape.
Navy offers a nice alternative to basic black and this will pair well with a light-weight shawl.).

MOST IMPORTANTLY.... HAVE FUN!!!!

Outfit: Casual Saturday with Hungry Girl

What do you wear when you're meeting a woman that's a total rock star in your eyes?

That was my recent dilemma when meeting Lisa Lillien, aka The Hungry Girl
for the second time at a cook book signing in Boca Raton.
{here's a picture from our first encounter, circa Spring 2009; foodie sisters, or what??}

She writes and talks about food all day, has a million cook books (ok, about six),
legions of fans and now a TV show!
Admire her so much because she had a passion that she totally, 100 percent went for and rocked it.
That's how I feel about this bloggie; it (and you!) makes my world go 'round!
Lisa seems super down-to-earth and someone I could totally gab with for hours (hello, Lisa, you listening?).
I swear I'm one of her first followers from back in the day, and she was my very first post!

So, with a book signing semi-nearby, I packed up the hubs and chickie and headed to meet her!

But first, what to wear?? Kinda (really) stressful.

Goal: casual / chic / cool! 

Here's the end product....

How did I do??

(minus my boob practically falling out of my shirt in the first pic, haha!)

grey sequin blouse: limited

tank: yummie tummie

jean capris: old navy

white wedges: nine west

rose gold leather bracelet: tory burch

necklace: gift