Being Home

By Katrice

There is just something about being home that makes me want to re-create certain fixtures of  my mom's home -- in mine. I feel like I spend most of my time, when I visit, in the guest bathroom. The colors are soft but the accessories give it a rich antique feel. It is somehow pristine and cozy at the same time. My mom is also a lover of intricate quilts, which seem to get better with age. I recently put a white one (that I somehow inherited from her collection) with an embroidered top layer on my bed and believe it added the perfect touch to my bedroom. It's amazing that we literally become our mothers, one interesting characteristic at a time, as we get older.

What do you do or love that reminds you of your mother?

Summer Living

By Katrice

Every year around this time, I start feeling the summer style fever. I know it's still too early to change my closet over from cold to warm weather attire, but that doesn't stop me from dreaming up the colors, styles and scents I want to live in when the temps start to rise. I'm already leaning towards stripes, and taupe/cocoa or pale pink as my hue of choice. And I have been favoring delicate jewelry to accessorize the lighter fabrics that I've had a chance to enjoy the pasts couple weeks. This is definitely the time that I most enjoy making my own jewelry -- but metals may overtake my usual bead draping this year. I'm getting excited just thinking about the rest. 

Here's a little sneak peek.

Forever 21, $21

Forever 21, $3.80

The Limited, $34.50

Old Navy, $20

Old Navy, $10

Lily Bermuda Perfume, $45

Arm Candy

By Katrice

A chic handbag can upgrade virtually any ensemble. Truthfully, it could very well upgrade you (to fashionable status). I know it sounds like a lot for one accessory to accomplish, but it's the truth. And you don't even have to break the bank. One glaring misconception about purses is that labels are most important for quality and stylishness. I am a fan of Louis Vuitton, but I much more fancy beautiful handbags -- across all genres -- than the ideal of just one style or brand. I do realize that I'm more the exception than the rule when it comes to handbags. But, I'm all about the basics in finding what I like. And since I'm always talking with people about my love for purses, I thought I'd share some of my tips to handbag shopping and favorite online purse pages. 

When searching for your next handbag, remember these tips and you're sure to make the perfect purchase.

1. Keep your eyes open. I've found handbags that I love at Wal-mart as well as in the clearance bin at an unassuming second-hand store. You don't have to be in a department store or designer boutique to find your new "It" bag.

2. Switch things up. Have fun with different shapes, styles, sizes and handles. Don't let "functionality" lull you into never having the right handbag when you want to look extra special.

3. Be daring with colors. Thank goodness designers like Coach and Dooney & Burke wooed us out of the black and brown purse doldrum. Why not build an outfit around your purse for a change?

4. Buy quality. Ill-made purses fall apart (cracking straps, malfunctioning fasteners, discoloration) very quickly and by the time you replace a couple, you'll have paid for one that you considered too pricey. Make quality about the material and not the price. TJMaxx is great for this. 

5. Invest in at least one special occasion (and even everyday) clutch. There's nothing worse than lugging a big purse around when you're dressed up for a formal event. And everyday clutches are so conveniently fashionable that you'll be glad to grab it when you're on the go. 

*Bonus tip: If you're a fan of Coach, find the nearest Coach outlet and treat yourself to one of their timeless bags for what could, on any given day, be as low as $79. Their every-day prices are unbelievably low.

Try these sites in your next handbag search (all run great sales, including promotional discount codes at baghaus.com and handbagheaven.com):

www.baghaus.com

www.aldoshoes.com

www.urbanoutfitters.com

www.handbagheaven.com

Girls' Night In

By Katrice

You don't have to spend your weekends out on the town to make the most of leisure time. You could just break out your finest china, explore a new recipe and host a quiet meal at home. 

Trust me. If done just right, it is pure bliss. Last night, my friends and I enjoyed just such an occasion. Our dinner began with a fresh baby spinach salad topped with dried cranberries, mushrooms, blue cheese, almonds and rasberry vinagrette salad dressing. The main course: baked chicken, and fettuccine in a cream sauce with baked Talapia and smoked Salmon, black olives and parmesan cheese. And for dessert, Dove Milk Chocolate with Almonds and Vanilla Almond Ice Cream Bars. Simple and sweet. 

Good food, good music, good conversation. It's official ... we have to do this much more often. 

{ Kam }

{ Al }

Fresh Faced

By Katrice 

I'm on a quest for a flawless makeup finish. And while I realize that I'm not an exception in this pursuit, I would bet that I am a little more enthusiastic about it than the average person. Simply put, I love makeup! And yes ... it's that serious (hehe). I'm not partial to any line in particular, but I'd venture to say that I've found some winning products amongst them all. 

And then there are my must-haves.

Dramatic lashes, The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara by Maybelline

Full-coverage concealers, Mac and Mary Kay. Both are exceptional enough to do the job with minimal overlay. 

Eyeshadow, Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow. I want to wear Skinlights every day in the summer.

Bronzer, Black Radiance Bronzing Shimmer Mosiac Bronzer. Makes my skin look balmy without shining.

Lip stain, NARS (Sweet Charity)

My goal is to achieve radiance in a barely there sort of way (except when I'm going for more drama). Most days, concealer and powder are the extent of my basic face regiment before I'm on to the eyes, cheeks and lips. But, recently I've been craving a smoother, more even look. I figure it's time to find a foundation, and my first stop was in the Revlon family. Revlon Colorstay Makeup with Softflex for Combination/Oily Skin

What do you think?

{ Muah! }

Look of the Day

By Katrice

Snake skin-patterned sweater, New York & Company,  Forever 21 satin ruffle blouse, 

A-line wool skirt, Target, Michael Antonio pumps, shades, Old Navy

Café Au-Lait

By Katrice

Sometimes you want to get out of the house to enjoy the beautiful weather, but don't have anything in particular in mind to do or just simply want to take in the day. If you're ever in the Roswell area and find yourself in such a mood, drop in to Café Au-Lait. The café-esque coffee shop sits unassumingly in a quiet corner with plenty of parking and umbrella-covered seating out front. Inside, a spacious dining area of high boys and large comfy leather chairs make for quite a tranquil atmosphere -- perfect for reading or even working. Teas, coffees, cappuccinos and blended drinks (my favorite, the white chocolate mocha blended ice coffee) are the specialty. The best part, however, is the fare -- aside from a mouth-watering assemblage of pastries and sandwiches, think: breakfast any time of the day. Mmmmmmm

Take your pick of Tazo tea flavors

I'm always torn between the huge leather chairs and the high tops near the windows.

~Blended white chocolate mocha ice coffee~

My Stylebook: Countdown to Spring

Fab Find: Velvet Hangers

Want to maximize the space in your closet and keep your clothes hanging securely? Then, you'll love velvet hangers. 

Ultraslim velvet-covered hangers in an array of colors from mint green to black, cream, tan and pink can be purchased at just about any store that sales closet storage accessories. TJMaxx and Marshall's sell them in bundles of 6 for around $4.99 and as many as 16 for $20 or so. You can even get Martha Stewart's at Macy's -- 6 for $9.99 or Costco brand -- 50 for $15. Costco would be ideal if you have a membership. 

If you don't, the Dollar Tree officially qualified itself as my fab find of this week. I stumbled upon the 2-hanger packs for, of course, $1 and stocked up for next to nothing today.

I'm excited to start reorganizing my closet and having a lot more space. 

Wishful thinking, I'm sure.