Pictures from Easter

I hope everyone had a great Easter! Mine was spent with family at my parents' house. Saturday night, my brother and sis-in-law stopped by for dinner. Then Sunday, hubs, Bridget, and I went to my parents' church, where my dad preaches. It was a very nice service, and my dad even included a Harry Potter reference in his sermon (he often does movie references in church and in life). Everyone at church loved ooh-ing and ahh-ing over pastor's adorable granddaughter, too. Then, we headed back to their house for a tasty meal. Here are some pics from the weekend:

My brother petting my daughter's head, hehe.

Bridget's Easter basket

Bridget being cute Easter morning

Generations picture.  Yup, I know, I look just like my mom.

With Grandpa

My husband said I looked like an Easter egg, which I s'pose was appropriate for the day.
Tank Top: H&M; Cardigan and Necklace: New York & Company; Skirt: Target; Tights: We Love Colors; Shoes: (shoo)

And although I'm not participating today, you should check out Inspiration Monday for some lovely bloggers' takes on a sexy, summery look a la Kim Kardashian.

My 90s Pop Music Mix

I've been wanting to make a mix of songs that remind me of being in grade school in hopes that it would inspire me to write the story I started in grade school.  I was reminded again that I wanted to compile this list when I saw Katy's post about her Music to Write By.

Basically, all I had to do was go through the Billboard Top 100 songs for 1992 - 1994 to find what I needed.  There were a couple other random ones that made it in there, too.  I still feel like I'm missing some good ones, though.

(Clicking on the title brings you to the song on youtube)

1. Another Sad Love Song - Toni Braxton
2. Faithful - Go West
3. Red, Red Wine - UB40
4. All 4 Love - Color Me Badd
5. Just Another Day - Jon Secada
6. Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough - Patty Smyth
7. Fields of Gold - Sting
8. Hold On My Heart - Genesis
9. I Will Remember You - Amy Grant
10. As I Lay Me Down - Sophie B. Hawkins
11. Bed Of Roses - Bon Jovi
12. Ooh Child - Dino
13. Two Steps Behind - Def Leppard
14. All For Love - Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart & Sting
15. Said I Loved You...But I Lied - Michael Bolton
16. Anytime You Need A Friend - Mariah Carey
17. Next Time I Fall in Love - Peter Cetera and Amy Grant

It's funny how listening to some of these songs takes me right back to a specific place and time.  For example, "I Will Remember You" by Amy Grant: I was in fourth grade on a field trip to the capitol in Madison.  The five of us in my friend Veronica's car decided we were gonna start a band and starting lip-syncing along with the Amy Grant CD that was playing.  Later, I invited that group over to my house to "practice," but nothing got accomplished, and the group quickly disbanded. And, "Another Sad Love Song" by Toni Braxton reminds me of the book, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which is my blog's namesake. The song must've been played a lot on the radio the first time I read that book.

What Inspires Me

All images are from Just Jared and InStyle. I picked that Kim Kardashian photo because I couldn't believe she was wearing a skirt just like the one I wore the other day!

1. Which celebrity (celebrities) do you look to for fashion inspiration? I would love my wardrobe to be a mixture of Anne Hathaway, Blake Lively, Kate Walsh, Zooey Deschanel (I have a feeling she will come up a lot for this question), and a sprinkle of Kim Kardashian (but less black).  And more recently, Kate Middleton.
2. When it comes to your own personal style, what inspires you?  It used to be fashion magazines, fashon-centric TV shows, or maybe even mannequins in stores; but more these days, it's style blogs and TV.
   
   The kinds of things I gravitate toward are either really girly and frilly, or polished and sleek.  That's not what style I dress in every day, but those are the styles that catch my eye.  I think I'm a little bit eclectic/erratic in my tastes--the only thing that doesn't really appeal to me is the real tough looks with leather and studs and stuff.  I don't think I'm a very tough looking person.
3. How do you hope to inspire your readers?  As a mom in the Midwest, I'd like to show people that it's fun to play with trends every once in awhile and that it doesn't have to be scary or expensive.
4. Outside the realm of fashion, who/what inspires you?  Since I was young, I wanted to be a published author.  I am in awe of people who can actually finish a story and take the next steps toward getting it out there.  I'm especially inspired by fantasy stories because that's the kind of novel I want to write.
   
   Kind of funny story actually.  I had Nickelodeon on the other day for my daughter to watch, and there was a Barbie movie about fairies on.  I totally got caught up in the plot and was almost inspired to pull out my laptop and start working right then and there.  I didn't, though, as I was busy cleaning the house.  Missed opportunity.
5. And since Idol is ending... Which songs inspire you? Umm..."You're The Inspiration" by Chicago? I couldn't think of any.

Today's Caffeine Coquette Post

Check out my latest post for The Caffeine Coquette:

By the way, those are not my feet. I don't have cute toes like that--mine are really long.

Copying Ms. Hathaway

When I saw this photo of Anne Hathaway at the Rio premiere, I knew I wanted to recreate it at some point.  I really liked the laid-back messy ponytail with the big glasses.  For a kids' movie premiere, I think the more casual beauty look worked with her short, fun Gucci dress.

Source

Here's my interpretation:

Dress ($7.50!!), Long-Sleeve Shirt, and Boots: Target; Belt: Forever 21; Tights: We Love Colors; Glasses: Hanson.net

It probably has not escaped your attention that there is snow on the ground.  Hence the tights and boots.  In fact, I'm actually also wearing Christmas socks.  I figure I might as well have a sense of humor about this frustrating weather we're having.  Plus, they were my only clean socks.

These glasses were previously sunglasses as you may have known or guessed or figured out if you clicked on the link.  When I ordered these from Hanson.net, I somehow was sent two of them in two different shipments.    At the time, I figured I'd keep one for when I inevitably broke the other ones.  But, I ended up deciding to break these myself.  Glad I did, too, 'cause they're kind of neat and trendy looking now, eh?  I switched to my regular glasses before I got to work, though, because these have no lenses, so I would've looked like a crazy person.

I think Bridget had a really cute outfit today, too:

Her shirt was also a Target clearance item, like my dress.  And since I had such a crazy day at work yesterday, I treated myself to a quick shopping trip to H&M, where I found this adorable hat and a matching summer dress.  I didn't get in trouble for shopping either because the hubs had bought himself some sort of audio gadget on earlier in the week.  Score.

On the docket for tonight is an anniversary date with the hubs.  We're gonna do a wine tasting (which is what we did on our first date but at a different place) and then grab a bite to eat while my mom babysits.  Then, it's back home to watch some American Idol with Mom if she chooses to stick around instead of heading home early.

OK, off to continue another crazy busy day of work.

Two-Year Anniversary

Two years ago today, it was a beautiful and sunny 60-some degree day with only a small threat of rain. Today...not so much. 

Enjoying some apple pie shots while getting beautified at the salon

Our pretty, springy bouquets

We lucked out by getting married the week after Easter.  All the flowers were still there!

I can't get over how skinny I was then!

My handsome groom as I walked down the aisle.

Smooches

My beautiful girls

The studly gentlemen

Hanging out with friends at the reception (this was after my false eyelashes came off since I was bawling during my dad's speech)

In addition to the traditional dances, we had a First Rock Band Song.

In addition to our Father-Daughter Dance, we had a Father-Daughter Rock Band Song.

The first three pictures (and the one with my friend at the reception) were taken with my camera, but the rest are the professional pictures, taken by the awesome Heather Cook Elliott.

Dressed Like a Pop Star or Two

Here's the inspiration photo for today:

I don't know why it didn't occur to me that I could wear outfits a day or more before I post them. I knew I wouldn't be able to wear this week's inspiration outfit to work, but it was a great weekend look.

Shirt: William Rast for Target; Cami and Shoes: Kohl's; Jeans: Maurices; Hat: Target

Unfortunately, it didn't end up being weather-appropriate. When I left the house on Saturday, it was mid-40s, which was fine with me. I was debating leaving my jacket at home. I headed to a friend's house for an afternoon of scrapbooking, and we were all shocked/annoyed when we saw snow coming down a few hours later. Boooo.

Originally, when I put this hat on (which I just bought Friday), I felt more Jason Mraz than Gwen Stefani. But both the Starbucks guy and the Taco Bell girl (for breakfast and dinner, respectively, not like I just drove around fishing for compliments) said they liked it, so that was neat.

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