Boots McBlog

Every Easter from the time I was four until I was twenty six,  I wore a hat.    Once I began attending a less formal worship service, hats lost their place as part of my spring holiday attire.    Although I may  not wear hats as readily,  I have  remained mad for them. One of my favorite events in the last few years  - the First Lady’s Tea held each spring – has given me a new reason to top off my wardrobe with a dash of folly and fancy.

Thankfully with the Royal Wedding and surrounding festivities,  hats are enjoying a resurgence amongst women of all ages.   To top it off,  the new Duchess’s easy, whimsical headpieces called facinators  have me and others completely fascinated.   Whether it’s a derby, a day wedding, a tea, or just wanting to be the peak of chic that is on your dance card,  a hat or facinator can be the piece de resistance of any outfit.   Here are just a few of my favorite facinator finds spotted in my search for a signature topper this spring.

This red facinator is absolutely divine….and steal at $59 from ASOS.

Perhaps for the crafty sort,  a pouf fasinator can be made of bright organza using the crepe paper flowers pattern we used as girls.   LOVE this!

I’ve always said, “Everything looks better with a bow”   This jade green bow is no exception and  would seal any outfit in style.   This tres chic  find comes in many more colours via an etsy shop:  Hats by Cressida

Yet, another Hats by Cressida find,  this gold metallic hat would be quite a statement for a wedding with a slim ivory dress.

The more I search these facinators,  it is clear I would be guilty as Princess Eugenie and Beatrice of going over the top.   Who can blame them?   I especially adore the chaotic twists of this one.    These are just too fun!

Here are a few from the  RTW collection of Phillip Treacy the Designer who made many of the royals look so festive  last Friday.

Phillp Treacey RTW // image via matchbookmag.com

Call me mad,  but I would gladly wear any of these.   Tea, anyone?

A lady is never fully dressed without a light layer of fragrance.   After shoes, fashions,  I believe fragrance is the final insight into a lady’s personality and mood.  When I find a scent I adore,  it becomes my signature scent for years to come.  I love how the power a simple concoction of floral oils can transport me to another time and place filled with  happy memories.    Just a whiff of Tiffany Parfum transports me to New York City and the adventures I shared with my dear friend Kat.  It reminds me of the year The Angler and I become engaged,  the fun parties we attended in celebration, and our wedding day.   Over the years,  I discovered a few more scents that are always on my vanity.

About 10 years ago,  Quelques Fleurs L’Original became my “signature” scent for all occasions.   The blend of soft, uses over 250 different raw materials and more than 15,000 flowers to create just one ounce of Quelques Fleurs eau de parfum. To this day it is still produced in Grasse, France, where Jean Francois Houbigant first created his perfumes in 1775.   A scent of this always soothes my troubled soul.  Not to mention the number of times I get stopped on the street with inquires to my parfum.

When Summer arrives,  it’s time to break out the white flower madness with Fracas.  This floral extravaganza of jasmine, lilies of the valley  headlined by the sensual tuberose debuted in 1948.  Starlets such as Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe were rumored to wear this classic scent.

For fun I usually have a variable scent, either Chanel Chance or Miss Dior Cherie.  Both have playful, vibrant bouquets mixed with a sensual sweetness that remains youthful and not overbearing.

I’m now in the mood for something NEW.    I’m always intriqued by the well respected Creed line or the Fun Bond No.9 options.    I’d love to hear from you  - what is your signature scent?

Cheers  and Happy Weekend, Y’all

boots

xxoo

I miss Valentine’s Day – the old school way.    I miss paper sacks fashioned into mailboxes ladened with red glitter and construction paper hearts.    I miss those box of miniature cards of my favorite cartoon character du jour that would be sorted by cutest design and then assigned similarly to my classmates – always saving the most friendly one for whichever little boy was catching my eye at the moment.

Thanks to Kate Spade the ladylike fashion maven,  we can re-live those elementary day memories with a high tech twist.   Sure,  e-cards have been around for years, but they were never this chic.    Here are a few of my favorite designs.    Hop on over to her site to see more fun options and send a few to the favorite people in your life.   It makes me want to bedazzle my computer screen just so my email box looks all festive.    Saying Be Mine with such flair and folly will make you feel like a kid again… a kid with really great taste in fashion.

For your fashioinable friend

For your funny friend

For those that make your heart flutter…

For the Razorback fan

From a Shoe Gal

Cheers,  Hugs, and Happy Valentine’s,  Y’all!

xxoo,

boots

~  ps  i love you | billie holiday

my funny valentine | frank sinatra ~

It’s a marshmallow world in the winter
When the snow comes to cover the ground
It’s the time for play, it’s a whipped cream day
I wait for it the whole year round.

The snow is falling fast outside my window this morning.    Soon our little corner of the world will be covered with white again.   While we Southerners aren’t used to this much snow,  we have no choice but to make the most of it.    It truly is beautiful on day 1.    I love to look out my window from the warmth of my home to see the pure white fluffiness of my yard.     White and fluffy seem to describe several of the things I love,  whether they are dresses, beds,  luxurious body cremes, or sugary goodness atop my hot cocoa.    Here’s a few of my favorite marshmallow finds

vera wang via glimpse of glamour

One of my absolute favorites is MOR cosmetics Marshmallow Body Butter. Anything in this scent of sugared rose petals makes me swoon.    I keep a jar of the body butter or body cream at all times.   The sugar scrub is divine for a shower.   IF you are looking for the perfect little Valentine gift, you can’t go wrong with this scent.  It is scrumptious!

And if you want to keep a little sugared goodness at your fingertips,  there is always the classic ESSIE nail polish in marshmallow for the perfect ladylike manicure

Of course,  nothing tempts me on a cold day,  like a fluffy white bed.  You’ll often hear me refer to it as “the biscuit”.   I honestly don’t think there is anything more decadent than a well appointed bed with white linens,  piled high with feather pillows,  feather duvets, and feather mattresses and a mattress pad warmer deep down in there.   Ahhh.  heaven.

image via this is glamorous

Of course,  the main way we love to enjoy our little marshmallow world, is to take a big yummy bite out of it.   If you find yourself stranded at home this weekend  why not try your hand at making your very own marshmallows from scratch.

Seriously what could be better than sugar wrapped in sugar.   Caramel Wrapped Marshmallows!!   Are you kidding me?    Not to mention this little blog is a wonderful treat in and of itself.  www.notsohumblepie.blogspot.com

image via notsohumblepie.blogspot.com

OF Course,  I can forego  the white marshmallows and cooking them if I can order gourmet PINK marshmallows from haveitconfections on etsy. What a fab little Valentine’s treat for a friend

As if these aren’t enough fabulous treats,   I stumbled across this tempting post of a vast array of marshmallow flavors at Design Crush.  Chocolate Malt, Coconut, Strawberry Orange Flower.  Oh My!

desighcrushblog.com

Lastly, we know nothing is better than a classic, good ol cup of hot chocolate  topped with a little marshmallow love.

Cheers and Warm Hugs, Y’all.   Have a Fabulous Little Marshmallow Weekend.

Those are marshmallow clouds being friendly
In the arms of the evergreen trees
And the sun is red like a pumpkin head
It’s shining so your nose wont freeze.

The world is your snowball, see how it grows
Thats how it goes whenever it snows
The world is your snowball just for a song
Get out and roll it along

It’s a yum-yummy world made for sweethearts
Take a walk with your favorite girl
It’s a sugar date, what if spring is late
In winter it’s a marshmallow world.

Admit it.   At some point in your younger years,  you stood in front of your mirror holding a baton twirling trophy and gave a heartfelt thank you speech to the Academy.     Alright, yours may not have been a baton twirling trophy,  it may have been your soccer trophy or your gymnastics trophy or a  hairbrush –  but wasn’t it fun to daydream about that magical night and the dress you would wear?     Awards season is upon us.   We may not be bound for the Hollywood Red Carpet, but a childlike thrill remains watching the beautiful starlets stroll to the microphone and tell us “who” they are wearing.       I recently posted my ballgown lessons and divulged my secret that I often hang at the McCottage eating cupcakes in my favorite party wear.  Then I realized it’s been a few weeks since I shared my favorite things.   Pretty ballgowns top the list.  And because I’m so excited about my finds, I’m not waiting until Friday to share them.  :)

Believe it or not,  designers have already revealed evening looks for  Pre-Fall 2011.   I took a quick spin through the collections to view some of my favorite designers Monique Lhuiller,  Jason Wu,  Carolina Herrera,   Reem Acra, Oscar De La Renta, and Valentino. Colors range from jewel tones to metal inspired hues.   These are definitely looks that would inspire me to dance all night.

Monique Lhuiller is a designer whose gowns make me swoon.  Without fail, everytime I see the dreamiest bridal gown she is the creator.   The same is true of her evening gowns

You may recognize this next beauty from the Golden Globes.  Catherine Zeta Jones wore this and by far it was my favorite dress of the night.  That color!!

Jason Wu has garnered much attention for dressing the First Lady.   This was my favorite gown of his pre-fall collection.   The detailing and color combination are subtle and regal.  Although the accoutrements required underneath may pose a challenge.

Carolina Herrera long known for her ladylike details surprised me with this fun, flirtatious look.  Perfect for a young, slim, brunette, don’t you think?   In other words – old curvy blondes like me, don’t even think about it. 

I absolutely love this piece by Reem Acra.  The color and the the shrug are the epitome of understated elegance.

When it comes to elegance,  no one does it better than Oscar De La Renta.   I think one could get away with wearing a short gown to a gala if ol Oscar Designed it.  Wouldn’t you agree?

Or go completely Marie Antoinette,  over -the-top in this beautiful pale gown.  Wow!

If a statement is what you are wanting to make,   I say you can never go wrong with RED

And when I think of the ultimate RED party gowns,  I always think of Valentino.   Here he pairs Red and ruffles.   Be still my heart!

You and I  may never win the award.  No one may ever hear our acceptance speeches.   We may not walk the Red Carpet.  But it’s  still ok to dream about it.

Now I’d like to thank the Academy for inspiring this blog post and to you the people for reading it.  :)

Cheers, Y’all.   May you have a warm, safe wintery weekend.

( and enjoy the quick playlist below for a dance in front of the fire with your honey)