Bright and Happy

Earrings, Scarf, Tunic:  Hot Mama
Pants:  TJ Maxx
Shoes:  Payless
Bracelets:  Mexico

Maybe my next remix challenge should be with red skinnies.  I bought this cheap pair from TJMaxx for $20 a while back, but they weren't holding up well at all.  Seams were fraying and I had to wash them after every wear to retain shape.  THEN Hot Mama received James Twiggy's in the most amazing orangey-red color.  I put them on and they felt like buttah...

I think we'll be very bright and happy together.

Organic Cotton

Earrings & Dress:  Hot Mama
Boots:  DSW

Aw man...my massive hand is covering up Oli's cute sweater, size XXS.  He won't be able to wear it for long, but everything is better in tiny, so I don't care.

I had forgotten what heels feel like.  Since I'm on my feet 8 hours a day now, I've become picky about footwear comfort as opposed to fashion.  Thankfully, it's not entirely impossible to have both, only slightly more challenging.

Prairie Underground continues to make me swoon.  Months after I challenged myself to remix the cloak hoodie, I'm still wearing it about every other day.  I thought a dressier style would fit well in the comfy-chic wardrobe I'm trying to build.  I make trips to Clothes Mentor and Everyday People on a regular basis, trading in my corporate casual (+ some vintage) attire in order to afford this 'organic cotton' way of life.  It's sick, really.

Meet Oliver

Scarf:  Hot Mama
Shirt:  Forever21, gifted (thanks, E!)

He's a beautiful, apricot Pug.  He's food motivated, so easily trained.  9 weeks old today and he already responds to several commands.  He's pure sweetness and always wants to be with people.  He sleeps in hilarious positions, is threatened by his own tail, and has overcome his fear of the stairs.  

Steve and I still miss Miles terribly, but this little guy has restored our joy.  You'll be seeing him more in upcoming outfit photos as my tiny accessory.

Interest

Earrings, Necklace, Sweater, Shirt, Shoes:  Hot Mama
Skirt:  American Eagle, Thrifted
Tights:  Target

It would interest me to know exactly what percentage of my wardrobe is striped.  Anything less than 50% is unacceptable.

I have a 7 week old, wrinkle-faced fur ball to introduce to you soon.  :)

Are YOU My Baby?

Back from a long, wonderful vacation.  

First thing we did upon arrival home was pick out a puppy.  

Our house just isn't a home without a Pug to share it with.  

He'll be ready to come live with us soon - CAN'T WAIT!

Hot Mama Style Challenge - VOTE!

It's time for another VOTE!  The stylists (and inventory specialist) at Hot Mama in Woodbury were challenged to creatively revamp winter merchandise.  And YOU, my stylish readers, will determine who will win by voting for your favorite look.  The stylist with the most votes on Spoils of Wear and likes, comments, or re-pins on Heidi's pintrest wins a $20 gift card to Hot Mama.  The winner will be announced when I return from vacation on the 30th.

Styled by Suzi

Suzi Says, "I love to style this top backwards with a long sleeve Niki Biki underneath....the color popping out at the bottom of the arm is fun and I think the cinched waist is always flattering.  Styled with a pair of skinny jeans and boots makes this outfit really versatile..wear it shopping, out for lunch with friends or to happy hour with your husband.  A chunky necklace is the perfect finish." 


Shannon (inventory specialist), styled by Suzi (stylist)
Nikibiki Long Sleeve Scoop Layering Top
Joes Jeans Skinny
Thirty-Nine 42 Circle of Life necklace
Ya Abstract Line Cinched Top, worn backwards
GoMax Riding Boot

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Styled by Shannon

It was fun to watch Suzi style Shannon and vice versa because their body types are so different.  This bronze tank looked exotic on Suzi's tan skin and dark hair.  It fit her athletic-petite frame perfectly.  The look was made earthy-chic with a neutral color palette and wood accessories.

Suzi (stylist), styled by Shannon (inventory specialist)
Paige Bootcut Jeans
Kensie Tweeded Stripe Cardi
Laquette Butter Foil Tank
GoMax Suede Lace-up Wedge

Grayson Multi-size Beaded Bracelets

Posh and Ginger Chain, Wood, and Bead Necklace

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Styled by Marta

Heather (customer), styled by Marta (stylist)

Fuschia Purple and Grey Nikibiki Tanks

Charlotte Tarantola Botanica Ruffle Front Cardi

AG Stilt Cigarette Jeans

Multi-chain Earrings

Grayson Multi-layered Faux Pearl Necklace

Metallic Snake Skin Clutch

Chinese Laundry Night Owl Boots

Marta says, "I love the long flowing ruffle that runs down the middle of the Charlotte Tarantola botanica ruffle cardigan, as it is flattering to many different shapes.  It can be buttoned or left open, but here I chose to button it to show off the full ruffle detail. The pink floral print was great with her complexion and her cute bob hairstyle and slender neck were highlighted with the thick layered pearls.  The clutch is versatile enough for running errands around town and the metallic snake skin print gives it a trendy look perfect for a date night too!  The Stilt Cigarette jeans from AG looked great on her legs, and though you can't see it from the picture, were fabulous from behind too!"


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Styled by Teneille

"Mom" styled by Teneille (stylist)

Grayson Multi-layered Faux Pearl Necklace

Karma Scarf

GC Lined Wedge Boot

Aryn K Tweed Open Blazer

LA Made Tunic Tee

Teneille came into the store off-shift with her adorable 'hot mama'.  Style time!  Teneille had a hard time with the fact that this coat didn't have a closure.  But she worked her style magic, wrapping it up with a scarf and viola! a super classy, brilliantly layered ensemble.  The shearling lined booties and slim jeans make it trendy and fun.

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Pick your FAVE:

Hello, Outfit.

Scarf, Belt, Dress: Color Me Red, Leggings, Boots

Baby steppin' back to occasional outfit posts.  While watching What About Bob?.

Not even kidding.

Pugs and Promises

One week today since we said goodbye to our love pug.  Steve and I have gone through several stages of grief - sadness, anger, regret, blame...now we're just sort of empty and depressed.  It helps to be out and busy.  We have the most amazing friends who have supplied us with prayer, love, support, and wine.

As I reflect on the effect Miles had on our lives, I know that every moment and penny spent was well worth it.  He taught us about uninhibited joy, unconditional love, selflessness, and appreciation for food (!).  We now know how to raise and train an amazing dog...though he sure made it easy.

I'm so glad Miles was able to spend Christmas with us in our new home.  He was so cute sitting by the Christmas tree, waiting for company to arrive, we couldn't resist the photo-op.  The red turtleneck slays me.

We met with a Pug breeder the other day and got to play with newborn pups.  We'll hopefully pick one out be picked out by one of them in few weeks when they're ready to leave their mama.  I'm so excited, I can hardly wait.  Our home just doesn't feel right with a wrinkled furbaby.

Oh...so this is supposed to be a style blog.  Some of that comin' up later this week.  Pinky promise.

Life and Loss

Oh boy.  So much has happened in the past few days and weeks.  Steve and I moved into our new house. We LOVE it.  It feels more and more like "home" every day.  I misplaced the USB cords in the move, so though I do have some pictures to share, they will have to wait.  This post, unfortunately, could not wait.

Horrible news.  We had to say goodbye to our sweet Miles on Wednesday morning.  His health took a bad turn and we ran out of treatment options and funds.  I cannot recall a more devastating event in my life.  Being that he was only 1 1/2 years old, we continued to hold out hope for his eventual recovery and remission from IMPA (Immune Mediated Poly-Arthritis).  To recount all that his little body had been through to this point would take forever.  His life was short, but so full of love and purpose.  The pain of his loss is so fresh, it's hard to imagine ever getting over it, though I know we will with time.

We leave for a 2 week Disney vacation on the 15th.  We're looking forward to some advanced healing and rest only The Happiest Place on Earth could provide as well as a fresh start to our unplanned future without Miles.

I can't have my baby Pug back.  So the next best thing is getting another one, right?  Hold me back, Stevie, hold me back.

Living News

Hat: H&M Sweden(gift from Hubby)
Turtleneck:  H&M
Cape:  Loft
Jeans:  Target
Boots:  DSW
Earrings:  Hot Mama

Shame on me.  Leaving you hanging like that for so many weeks.  I just checked my gmail and there are few hundred unopened emails.  Yeah...sooooo not going to tackle that right now.  Here's what's been going on in my life and brain lately:

1.  I live and breath Hot Mama (no complaints).
2.  Steve and I bought a house.  We close on Friday.  We're nervous/excited.  We're packing.  The amount of crap is insane.
3.  My BFF is preggo with twins (E, I miss you.  Please stop puking long enough for us to hang out soon.  Tell the babies I love them.  Thanks.)
4.  Miles still has good days and bad days.  He's on an all raw diet now.  He loves it.  We love that he loves it.
5.  I have discovered the awesomeness that is Clothes Mentor and intend on trading clothes for cash as a means of buying more clothes...mostly at Hot Mama.
6.  35 days until a 2 week Disney vacation!  Mentally and emotionally, I'm already packed and ready to go.
7.  I made my first purchase at LOFT.  Strange, I know.  The cape you see here was $13, marked down from $114.  My knack for finding a bargain has not been lost.
8.  I have decided that I cannot keep up with short hair and am contemplating other styles as I grow it out a bit.  The in-between phase is pretty gross.
9.  I have great aspirations of re-focusing/re-prioritizing the ol' blog.  I want it to become an extension of what I do at Hot Mama - highlighting the experiences and products that make my job so great...it's just a matter of finding the time.
10.  Time for bed.