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

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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!"


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

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.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.