Thinking of Summer

Thinking of Summer by tina18423 on Polyvore.com

Thinking of Summer

Thinking of Summer by tina18423 on Polyvore.com

Almost…but not quite

I have owned a house for almost two months.  I have never lived in it…Never spent the night…Never even moved in my stuff.  I am perfectly content with my current living arrangements.  Living out of a small box is actually not that bad. If you compare it to a big, empty, quiet house.  The thought of living in silence irks me and I have compiled a list of reasons why I have not moved in yet. Granted all the issues listed have simple solutions but the point of this blog is to vent…well actually it was to share and update the renovation of my new house. 

So here are my reasons for not settling into my new and freshly painted house.

1) No shades/curtains/drapes

2)No TV

3)No internet

4)No crazy dogs that greet you when you come home from work

5)No home cooked meals ready at 6:00pm

6)No drama….

7)There is a dead tree in front of the house and the association refuses to remove it. 

8)We live next door to the Golden Girls

9)It’s to far from the gym….(and by far I mean 3 miles)

10)I hate the kitchen cabinets…and can’t redo the kitchen until I find a new job…which is turning out to be a full-time job in itself.

So…there you have it. These are the reasons I give my fiance every week….and he listens without offering any reasonable solutions.  I think he has grown accustom to a small box of belongings, hot meals, and happy dogs.  Or maybe we’re both afraid of the adult responsibilities and the house that is not yet a home.

Visit my new blog at www.lamaisonchicblog.com

Weekend Warrior-Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The weekend is finally here! After a long week of (still!) painting and cleaning the house on top of working and driving 500 miles (total this week), it is time to de-stress with friends, good food, and fun. This weekend there are a few things going on in South Florida including Miami Fashion Week, an Indie Craft Bazaar, and a Pool Party. 

Fashion:

Miami Fashion Week is in full effect! Shows are scheduled all weekend and after parties are plentiful.  If you are lucky enough to join the festivities (I have to miss this year’s event due to priorities…not happy!) here are a few shows open to the public.

Now through July 18^th the Setai Hotel in Miami Beach will be hosting Funkshion Fashion Week Miami Beach. View collections from INCA, Sonia Vera, and Paula Herbert.  Visit the website at www.funkshion.com for details and RSVP information.

The Setai Hotel is located at 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, 33139.

Food:

If you can’t make it to the show but are in Miami check out the Shake Shack- a roadside style burger shop serving up burgers, fries, hand-spun shakes and more. Located on 1111 Lincoln Road this place is sure to please.  I was first introduced to the Shake Shack on a food show (not sure which one) and was pleasantly surprised to find out there was one open in Miami.  The recently opened eatery is a staple in New York and hopefully will become equally successful in Florida.

Shake Shack, 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305-434-7787

Art:

Support the (handmade) arts on Saturday, July 18 from 1pm to 6pm at the Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale by attending the Indie Craft Bazaar. There will be about 30 vendors selling handmade, vintage and recycled items as well as vegan fare, summery snacks and my personal favorite, cupcakes! Admission is $3.00 and includes a raffle ticket.

Cinema Paradiso is located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. 501 SE 6^th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

For more information visit www.getupandcraft.com.

Fun:

Make a splash at the W Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale for Salvation Sunday.  The pool party is located on the fifth floor of the hotel over looking the Atlantic Ocean.  The party starts at 12:30pm and lasts till 8pm. For more information click here. 

For VIP reservations call 917-434-0250. 

*This pool party is not for kids, 21 and over please.

{Same post different site:  www.lamaisonchicblog.com }

la maison chic blog

Fashion, Food, Design, and Budget Friendly Ideas….Check out lamaisonchicblog.com for more information.

Help Wanted:Graphic Design

I am looking for a graphic designer to help a new blog.  Basically a blog banner and some basic web design stuff.   Must be creative and awesome!Please email lamaisonchicblog@gmail.com with examples of your work and pay requirements.  Thanks!

What I am looking for: Modern/Vintage design for a blog, blog banner, simple/easy to read layout, and a logo.

Style: Hollywood glamour-Modern with a twist of vintage

Pay: TBD
Preferred method of payment: PayPal

Contact: lamaisonchicblog@gmail.com

Fab Find…Horse Treats

The Butcher, the Baker, and the Candle Stick Equine Treat Maker….

I came across the Nicker Bait  online store while searching the internet for who knows what.  At first I almost ordered a few treats for myself but when I started looking through the web site I realized Nicker Bait Bakery specializes in horse treats…not human treats.  No problem, I know a few horses that would love a few sweet snacks.  

I haven’t placed my order yet.  But I plan on ordering the All Carrots No Sticks cookie - Oats, Wheat Bran, Barley, Molasses, Flax, and of course Carrots! ($7.99) and the Candied Sweet Potato cookie – Oats, Barley, Molasses, Flax, Organic Sweet Potato, Mini Marshmallow. ($7.99)  Can’t wait to have the horses try them out!

If you know a horse or horse lover that would be interested in these super cute treats, please visit Nicker Bait.   Enjoy!

Palm trees and Mimosas…

 

Over the bridge and through the palm tree-lined roads to Palm Beach we go…

Palm Beach is a land where socialites play and black tie events are plentiful. Restaurants are filled with locals lunching and the golf courses are reserved for the elite.  If you are fortunate enough to mingle with the best of them your inbox is inundated with invites to posh parties and dinners are provided by top chefs.  If not, read on…

During “season” (November-May) Palm Beach is abundant with pink and green clad residence, parking is scarce and there are RSVP lists to dine at chic restaurants.  To avoid the crowds, visit the island when the locals head north for the summer.  The streets are quite and you can enjoy the finer things in life.

Stay: Many of the area hotels offer great summer deals.  From June 1^st- September 30^th the Breakers Palm Beach is offering rooms for $249.00 a night.  Take advantage of the relaxing pool, fitness classes, and spa.  

Play: There are many museums and boutiques around town.  Visit the Norton Museum of Art over the bridge or stroll the streets of Worth Avenue.  Feeling thrifty?  The island has many thrift stores and who wouldn’t want barely worn Chanel or Prada! 

Check out: Attitudes Upscale Consignment, Goodwill Industries-Gulfstream: Palm Beach Boutique , Lotus Boutique

Eat: Palm Beach has many great restaurants. If you are staying on the island try Nick and Johnnie’s, 207 Royal Poinciana Way or Hamburger Heaven, 314 South County Road.  Going over the bridge, stop by Rocco’s Tacos on Clematis for made to order guacamole.

Wear: Flip-flops and Lilly Pulitzer!  A classic combination of pink and green will have you looking like a local. And don’t wear just any pair of flip-flops.  A pair of Jackie O inspired Jack Rogers will help you cruise the streets. Almost everything on the island is within walking distance and a chic shoe will help you get from point A to B in style.

Vanity Flair

 

We are finally starting to renovate the new house and if we knew how much work and money one little house would be….we probably would have rented for at least another year.  But what’s done is done and now the real fun begins.   There are so many things to do but for some reason I am drawn to a small area in the master bedroom.  The original owner had a small dressing table, which was cute but very outdated.  There are three mirrored walls surrounding the space and I am trying to figure out a way to get rid of them without actually getting rid of them. I am thinking about putting up modern wall paper from Sherwin Williams or painting over them with a bold bright color…but not sure how that would work since I have never put up wall paper, painted…or performed manual labor….ever.

Here are a few inspirations I found while searching the internet….Hopefully one will make it to the drawing board…If not I can always turn the space into one of those 360º mirrors…Like the one they have on “What Not to Wear” ….Shut up!

{images: random search, decorpad, vintage amethyst}

All Dressed Up

With the weekend quickly approaching and the summer temperature steadily rising I decided it was time to add some new outfits to my summer wardrobe.  I usually opt for casual chic- jeans, a cute top, and heels,  but jeans in sweltering heat is a prescription for heat stroke.   

Sunday Brunch, $350

 

Inspiration: I came across this dress (on my new favorite website Sunday Brunch) and was immediately sold.  Unfortunately, my bank account was not a team player and I was forced to look for other budget friendly alternatives.   Saddened by my loss, I held my head up high on my crusade to locate something similar.  I wasn’t disappointed on my search and came across a few summer alternatives for less.   

 

 

Forever 21, $22.80

 

Cocktails: Forever 21 is always a safe bet for inexpensive finds.  I came a cross this asymmetrical color block dress that would be perfect for a cocktail party or night out on the town.  At $22.80 how could you go wrong.   Pair this dress with a great pair of heels and you are ready to turn heads.  

ModCloth, $59.99

 

Coffee with the Girls:  Casual and comfortable is a must in the Florida heat.  I found this light dress at ModCloth, a vintage/ indie website with great clothes and accessories.  For $59.99  you can take this dress from a casual outing to dinner.  Just dress it up with a great necklace and add peep toe heels.  If your daring try a shoe in a bright color. 

                                              

Forever 21, Shorts, $10, Cardigan, $22.80, Tank, $5.80

 

Errands…Etc: If you need a quick outfit to run errands, meet up with friends, or battle the crowds at the mall.  Shorts are a great option.  Forever 21 has an array of shorts for very reasonable prices.  And by reasonable I mean $10 and under.  Pair crisp white shorts,  bold tank , and a cardigan and you have a great summer outfit.