tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17383564883993016252024-03-06T01:11:43.562-05:00Mid-Western FashionistaColor - Fashion - Jewelry - Style - Headbands - Vision - Eye Shadow - Shoes - HappinessJenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-75537435920150865682011-10-31T20:58:00.000-04:002011-10-31T20:58:01.197-04:00Dresses - loving it right nowThere's something about fall. Skirts and dresses are just perfect this time of year. Maybe because soon, it will be too cold to even think about going outside with just a thin layer of tights on my legs! January, northern Indiana, snow up to your armpits.... well, I think I've said enough!<br />
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I was looking through sketches from<a href="http://www.ivankatrump.com/"> Ivanka Trump's new clothing line</a>, and this one caught my eye. I love it!<br />
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<br /></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-34504593802666002512011-10-21T12:01:00.000-04:002011-10-21T17:28:31.430-04:00Crayon painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, back here I talked about a few projects that I wanted to try. My friend Allie and I got together and tried the crayon art project over the past weekend. Here's how it went:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First, we peeled the paper off some Crayolas. Soak them in hot water to make the paper fall right off!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A little neurotic, color arranging activity followed. Maybe not necessary, but made me happy.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Allie picked her colors, used a hot glue gun to stick them in place, and turned on the hair dryer.</span></div>
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It doesn't take long before the color rivers start to flow!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We discovered later that doing this project with just a little bit of cover for the carpet - yeah, not a great idea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And here's the final product, ready to hang on the wall. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's the color palate I decided to go with. I also broke my crayons in half - I thought I would try to melt the crayons away completely. I didn't want the crayons showing at the end.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFsQjzA_VScezU8VvdVQY1Xpa96XZYaiAvmTOQ6vpYm7aJNrS1bqE1MBXUVaLDF_qxfHI3QOB6t4ur5PZCkkkmunAkXdub7UPpVv_AbBY5PvrLInr28jGaBjOzgkv9tmDwydGFtX79YY/s640/blogger-image-1994056778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFsQjzA_VScezU8VvdVQY1Xpa96XZYaiAvmTOQ6vpYm7aJNrS1bqE1MBXUVaLDF_qxfHI3QOB6t4ur5PZCkkkmunAkXdub7UPpVv_AbBY5PvrLInr28jGaBjOzgkv9tmDwydGFtX79YY/s640/blogger-image-1994056778.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And here's what I got. I decided it should hang vertically, even though I didn't have that in mind when I started. Heck, this didn't turn out at all how I thought it would, but I think I like it. I think I'm going even going to try another one. This is kinda fun! </span></td></tr>
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<br /></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-4016589555855377082011-10-16T20:11:00.001-04:002011-10-16T20:11:40.177-04:00Maize maze - Indiana Friday Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the things you can do in the mid-west in autumn is go to a corn maze. Or, as the one we found likes to say, a "corn maize". Isn't that delightfully, repetitively redundant??</div>
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So, step one was to get a pair of everything-proof boots. Something to stomp through mud in.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{picked up some boots at TJ Maxx}</span></div>
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It was crazy windy and a bit chilly, with temps in the 50's, so fall coats or scarves were a help.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{My friend Allie and I, already deep into corn and not sure how to get out}</span></div>
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Despite what this post seems to be saying, I'm really a city girl. Not a big city girl, but concrete and buildings are my thing. Martinis, too. Really, the outdoors makes me itch. But anyway...<br />
There's nothing like looking up from the middle of a field of corn... What a view!</div>
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After the sun started dropping, we picked up the pace, realizing that we may be lost forever out there. Eventually, we found our way out, and found something to warm up with. I hope your weekend made the best of whatever situation you're in!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfppMpnp1aTvkxj9WARXHpJyc6Uenqite7x7z1JO9xqTc1Ulz1UXPMvy7XUxdSAWm5MArQ1KRV0Nsd42274p9crm9LuAGSx4t0xVAhErMR-yI6wrW5mEcR4RrnqEU5qlyrZiLtWY4zXU/s640/blogger-image--929495472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfppMpnp1aTvkxj9WARXHpJyc6Uenqite7x7z1JO9xqTc1Ulz1UXPMvy7XUxdSAWm5MArQ1KRV0Nsd42274p9crm9LuAGSx4t0xVAhErMR-yI6wrW5mEcR4RrnqEU5qlyrZiLtWY4zXU/s400/blogger-image--929495472.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-59479558861382175272011-10-09T16:41:00.000-04:002011-10-09T16:41:01.725-04:00Cause a House needs Style too!<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been feeling a creative bug lately. Now, I do make jewelry and sell on Etsy... but sometimes I just feel like trying something new and different. I've never been a crafty person, and have very few skills of the crafty variety. But, I've found some cool ideas and think that maybe...just MAYBE... I could pull some of these off. Here's some that I may be trying soon:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{photo from <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/becksjb">flickr.com/photos/becksjb</a>}</span></div>
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This is made with crayons. CRAYONS. And a hair dryer. I'm on it!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnKmg97QSevN2nBj4YsXVBTaxcGzg57bmE3DX5jA3HktvUEg6b0jQsp9YAD5mCFkaWq5uxTe641zSW1575vWKlp1W9jMphpa3Gdub0ET3BGWY_GrGHYHRAQ7yNp_ut_3w__ZeXXWxFX8/s1600/art2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnKmg97QSevN2nBj4YsXVBTaxcGzg57bmE3DX5jA3HktvUEg6b0jQsp9YAD5mCFkaWq5uxTe641zSW1575vWKlp1W9jMphpa3Gdub0ET3BGWY_GrGHYHRAQ7yNp_ut_3w__ZeXXWxFX8/s400/art2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{photo from <a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/">firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com</a>}</span></div>
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Fabric flowers. Cute buttons. Maybe some hot glue, 'cause my sewing skills are non-existent.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nSEEne1MC441o71YgwAVGWo5B6pLtvqtp8OFqCbmhcBDUG8MlsQGhnUg1NBkgctxtnAwAfJfKmKQaPKD54uidUe3CJnGdLkzoz6NP52DN4IUAMSxQmFQczOY8dtDbxWca3_pnX9on-w/s1600/art3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nSEEne1MC441o71YgwAVGWo5B6pLtvqtp8OFqCbmhcBDUG8MlsQGhnUg1NBkgctxtnAwAfJfKmKQaPKD54uidUe3CJnGdLkzoz6NP52DN4IUAMSxQmFQczOY8dtDbxWca3_pnX9on-w/s400/art3.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{photo from <a href="http://indigenousdialogues.tumblr.com/">http://indigenousdialogues.tumblr.com</a>}</span></div>
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I love wine. Wine deserves it's own special space in a house. We have this antique piece of furniture that I think, maybe, could be turned into something *much smaller* like this. The question is - to paint it, or to leave it as unpainted wood.</div>
<br />Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-1260737830347639472011-10-04T16:48:00.000-04:002011-10-04T16:48:00.272-04:00You know those days when you just stare into your closet??<div style="text-align: center;">
Some days I wake up, open the closet door, and stare blankly at my wardrobe. For like, 7 minutes. On really bad days I might sit down while staring.</div>
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Those are the days when I need some help. My brain is still asleep and creating an outfit seems as hard as advanced calculus. So, I've come up with a bit of an {inspiration board}. Because if I'm going to stare at the wall, at least I can stare at something that might speak back to me!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3T0snzCEvL3vhYdjH1U-ZM64TCNyWrSlGLilarOJK8dAuttdDFh0NVM4oNWy3OMx_5ENdInrx55B5ttNSlEn6VU0EcbnOHuJXznqcvfjC1XJDZNdFP8oALYgY47ZB8jI6arLPEyRlpw/s640/blogger-image--41518322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3T0snzCEvL3vhYdjH1U-ZM64TCNyWrSlGLilarOJK8dAuttdDFh0NVM4oNWy3OMx_5ENdInrx55B5ttNSlEn6VU0EcbnOHuJXznqcvfjC1XJDZNdFP8oALYgY47ZB8jI6arLPEyRlpw/s400/blogger-image--41518322.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This cork board leans up against one wall of my closet, tucked behind the hangers of shirts. When I see an outfit that is put together well, or utilizes an accessory in a way that I want to remember, or a color combo that I love, I tear it out and save it. Most of my pictures come from In Style magazine or favorite catalouges. {Anthropologie, anyone???}</div>
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This can sometimes be enough to break me out of my rut when getting dressed for work each day. As long as it gets me off the floor, I'm satisfied. </div>
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Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-39632877950939341082011-10-03T07:30:00.000-04:002011-10-03T08:09:13.651-04:00Fabulous waste of time!<div style="text-align: center;">
Have you been to this website called Pinterest? I joined recently, downloaded the app, and have been having so much fun with it. Here's a random screen cap as I was browsing:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TMSRKJVJy5etYG4_TTu7dwfJ63r4WUkQRULSVKFKjexDyb3-GITYOjXLYyrT9x4zqpFEyfLyTlYgGwHr-bAKazHWBuO8DFG40LXAz6bmITBvoRzPdhs2pl6QJMqsb0ACiaP0QAdnK0U/s640/blogger-image--453049718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TMSRKJVJy5etYG4_TTu7dwfJ63r4WUkQRULSVKFKjexDyb3-GITYOjXLYyrT9x4zqpFEyfLyTlYgGwHr-bAKazHWBuO8DFG40LXAz6bmITBvoRzPdhs2pl6QJMqsb0ACiaP0QAdnK0U/s400/blogger-image--453049718.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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And then you can collect images from around the web and pin them to your board. Maybe you see a fabulous pair of shoes, or a neat DIY idea, or something that makes you laugh. Here's a screen cap of some stuff I pinned on my first day:</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/blackrockdesign/"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylnND5p2dH9YPordozut2Baa01tYprAwvMvnAO88Gh4hCjkCojyxy30hYIjlnUAkzbd6gdCQ4nkQBs2ZNpkItiLotZg9-EU-IlbBqLcZ2xDVdW-oiChcpc1S6Z_cyuTAGD17d9I2lbhg/s400/blogger-image-168587970.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I think of it as a cross between twitter and craftgawker. Oh, and crack.</div>
Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-42171180955025710482011-10-01T12:23:00.003-04:002011-10-01T12:23:32.762-04:00Wimping out in the big city<div style="text-align: center;">
I was in Chicago yesterday for a workshop. It was windy, chilly, and rained on me just a couple of times. I was walking to lunch with a few other workshoppers and enjoying people-watching along the way. People watching is one of my favorite things to do, so big city streets are like candy to me! I saw all kinds of fashion that I don't get to see everyday - the 3 piece suit, skinny pants and sneakers, 5 inch stilettos with leggings, mini-skirts that made me blush, briefcases, and slicked back Wall Street hair.</div>
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I wanted to snap a few pics of some of the styles that were typical of the big city. Here you go:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_9yZJPwxIKPk0lIFzLsNY7ss3YGnG38SlF_EJpef756za0cpJ-QhBozWUla-BGmI5SwLuHW1uNS_EfG3Gz5xlSwuUf4ZVnZpfXkp5ZYuQxfpvIbM8q4NGElemY8iM-Glmrt2rco9-Io/s640/blogger-image--1157990004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_9yZJPwxIKPk0lIFzLsNY7ss3YGnG38SlF_EJpef756za0cpJ-QhBozWUla-BGmI5SwLuHW1uNS_EfG3Gz5xlSwuUf4ZVnZpfXkp5ZYuQxfpvIbM8q4NGElemY8iM-Glmrt2rco9-Io/s640/blogger-image--1157990004.jpg" /></a></div>
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{shot a little high on this one}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehJYwZRBHGx__r86UHLYDfliS68PmxEjdEa2LG2XszJ-W6n7oNvlY_lH1aDD-cdKPQYRDiqaQzMThxt_0Fi4GesgFk6G8BG8JYv5ca74il02-_PKPzKw468pVyzMg673iOsO2MiiYUYw/s640/blogger-image-872643260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehJYwZRBHGx__r86UHLYDfliS68PmxEjdEa2LG2XszJ-W6n7oNvlY_lH1aDD-cdKPQYRDiqaQzMThxt_0Fi4GesgFk6G8BG8JYv5ca74il02-_PKPzKw468pVyzMg673iOsO2MiiYUYw/s640/blogger-image-872643260.jpg" /></a></div>
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{crossing a bridge and turned to the side a bit}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD1h6MvavmJ7yW1jG5Jyrek83oTSBsO93pVpcL2hfOnBhNHsZ5JmBSa_8KSZZGn7jdjUNVwGVtuVq8KumOvuyZlCrD0z3FiDx4vlcmsWpGg-l2rLa1rlZ78eux5zee6xmxSX6pwNW7pg/s640/blogger-image--329420303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD1h6MvavmJ7yW1jG5Jyrek83oTSBsO93pVpcL2hfOnBhNHsZ5JmBSa_8KSZZGn7jdjUNVwGVtuVq8KumOvuyZlCrD0z3FiDx4vlcmsWpGg-l2rLa1rlZ78eux5zee6xmxSX6pwNW7pg/s640/blogger-image--329420303.jpg" /></a></div>
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{people walking quite far away from me}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwUgIpFN41CgCLSK3HK0lGi2xPVqW_RoW6Emt8Mz6RcP-578XSo2gSbicW6bfbAtfoB-NATUlKp3xY-upaXfogKQ9AcbLF8LpMU_LZMXG0osr3S3v71FnR9MqonHwZUBT8GiZiZXXEz8/s640/blogger-image-1285835227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwUgIpFN41CgCLSK3HK0lGi2xPVqW_RoW6Emt8Mz6RcP-578XSo2gSbicW6bfbAtfoB-NATUlKp3xY-upaXfogKQ9AcbLF8LpMU_LZMXG0osr3S3v71FnR9MqonHwZUBT8GiZiZXXEz8/s1600/blogger-image-1285835227.jpg" /></a></div>
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{quickly dropping phone down to my side}</div>
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So what I learned today...</div>
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I can't be cool. At all.</div>
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I think people know exactly what I'm up to.</div>
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I'm scared to piss off a stranger.</div>
Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-44695705907451591442011-09-29T16:45:00.000-04:002011-09-29T16:45:00.282-04:00Ok, I may have been paranoid...So, last week I posted that I thought someone from In Style magazine might be spying on me from a tree in my backyard. You can see why <a href="http://blackrockdesign.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-magazine-is-spying-on-me.html">right here</a>. Turns out, I may have been just a *bit* off. I was waiting in line at the grocery store when I saw the magazine, sitting right there. Since the person in front of me was clearly buying enough to fill a walk-in freezer, I had some reading time on my hands. So I'm flipping away and I see this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtABY6P5Jvy2Du5qHleLrdu7ZqUBaXdItqhToz6xpyfMjRNOwjozvaWKXwTpyvVAbeiKj6ER3dO23qc6eoLG7-4v-oTv1URaJmndJ4lXlEAXWbLePDa3G2l1iRQrkO2IW_CF-mjKzlH9U/s640/blogger-image-1795734312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtABY6P5Jvy2Du5qHleLrdu7ZqUBaXdItqhToz6xpyfMjRNOwjozvaWKXwTpyvVAbeiKj6ER3dO23qc6eoLG7-4v-oTv1URaJmndJ4lXlEAXWbLePDa3G2l1iRQrkO2IW_CF-mjKzlH9U/s640/blogger-image-1795734312.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(photo credit is me, looking like a loony in the check-out line)</span></div>
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It's that same ad!! I guess if they don't know your name at Zappos, they just call you "dollface". OK... </div>
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So, the fact that they got my hair right (and my rockin' bod, of course) is a total coincidence. But I'm still going to keep closing my blinds when I change clothes. You can never be too safe.</div>
Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-52975089834057533912011-09-28T16:45:00.001-04:002011-09-28T16:45:13.659-04:00Who Needs Black???Seriously, when there are so many gorgeous shades on the color wheel, who needs basic black? I would much rather be stunning in red than slimmer in boring black any day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdn9af1VGexK9GC9QrXyci17CC6kmtJIhQ-RljfBvRqgZBc130WllUkyfwA_5LrlQ5lKiDUIzRMKXOizcfmUmxePfAqJzVoVaMzSbFUzMF10gJ8Ld7DACW7xY2forEI4A-x5_u9M-7a8/s1600/red+skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdn9af1VGexK9GC9QrXyci17CC6kmtJIhQ-RljfBvRqgZBc130WllUkyfwA_5LrlQ5lKiDUIzRMKXOizcfmUmxePfAqJzVoVaMzSbFUzMF10gJ8Ld7DACW7xY2forEI4A-x5_u9M-7a8/s400/red+skirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo from <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/">Anthropologie</a></span></div>
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The hardest thing is, for me, living in a *somewhat* small town... finding stylish pieces can be tough. If you want to see sad, you should see the crap they fill our department stores with!! Big city folk would never be given such garbage. But, I digress...<br />
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The question I would ask is; would you do it? Wear this much red???<br />
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Count me in! Now if I could just find some color in the stores around here...Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-48855461669283479882011-09-27T19:59:00.000-04:002011-09-27T19:59:17.823-04:00Bold is way better than wimpyI'm a huge fan of color. Big, rich, bright or loud. Sometimes I may take it too far. But, I'm totally psyched to see that "fashion" is agreeing with me this autumn. <br />
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My fashion sense is, do what you want and wait for others to agree that you're fabulous!<br />
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This picture from In Style magazine this month is a great example. I want those wine-colored pants!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlw-9cHOVK38MDbSceJPcZhKu0dumdaa-gOklaETr9-KxaUaFq64DUwkUH-LoWDJHJQsmY2mXt1BtpkG2bcQ8pNeLXK1DukHWF4rMGznOSIM7KNgdAivLmw44mpGZJsmp9D5eQKrpRSY/s640/blogger-image--780552654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlw-9cHOVK38MDbSceJPcZhKu0dumdaa-gOklaETr9-KxaUaFq64DUwkUH-LoWDJHJQsmY2mXt1BtpkG2bcQ8pNeLXK1DukHWF4rMGznOSIM7KNgdAivLmw44mpGZJsmp9D5eQKrpRSY/s640/blogger-image--780552654.jpg" /></a></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-58353378591513728812011-09-26T17:00:00.000-04:002011-09-26T15:59:02.413-04:00The Best Fashion IntentionsPersonal style versus professional dress. It's something that I go back and forth on. How much of my personal style to I let into my work wardrobe??? Or do I go with basics and keep it professional?<br />
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As a lover of style, I can't <i>help </i>but let my personal style be out there! My brain says <i>A nice skirt and pumps would really look professional</i>, but my hands grab the wide leg trousers and flowy cardigan every time!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A29EAiT-xmH63SJL2SlH-pDVcuuX3ei8pNBc1d4p-ffRCQsGFwecTcQwEnwqKNVuvpPX_E9n6SjnI4aEOlQR3nnh2sotabekV2J6RdrSHv9TOqkT8mwizind0cMuLnG-iflYztHTMBw/s1600/page+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A29EAiT-xmH63SJL2SlH-pDVcuuX3ei8pNBc1d4p-ffRCQsGFwecTcQwEnwqKNVuvpPX_E9n6SjnI4aEOlQR3nnh2sotabekV2J6RdrSHv9TOqkT8mwizind0cMuLnG-iflYztHTMBw/s400/page+1.jpg" width="337" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I love you, cardigans!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-27164556721326384942011-09-25T14:51:00.004-04:002011-09-25T17:36:18.681-04:00It'll take how long???I wonder sometimes if I'm the only person who does some of the things I do. My husband would be the first person to tell you that I have no patience. None. I jump into doing things unprepared all the time. And waiting for others...it's a slow, simmering rage.<br />
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Drying my hair, all the way, KILLS me. Many days, I'll just go out with wet or half-wet hair. I've started washing my hair at night and living with the sleepy hair bumps, rather than blow it dry. <br />
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A few years back, you could find me with the dryer, siting on the closed toilet seat, with a book in my lap. Now, technology makes my multi-tasking even easier! So now, I read blogs. If I'm stupid enough to be stuck with wet hair before dinner... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG4e7YST1pVKtNaZL-FguH67DiPhdWQnHwRWnnKfsIkeHwnT3UsPhlbmMx_Eu7gsAAO13eLAaUVGcSscQeije4d6dEZovBS1OrVb53cXOaEG-0EEMbcbO9iWww9dFnCThF4H1uyPTKMY/s640/blogger-image--2099840206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG4e7YST1pVKtNaZL-FguH67DiPhdWQnHwRWnnKfsIkeHwnT3UsPhlbmMx_Eu7gsAAO13eLAaUVGcSscQeije4d6dEZovBS1OrVb53cXOaEG-0EEMbcbO9iWww9dFnCThF4H1uyPTKMY/s640/blogger-image--2099840206.jpg" /></a></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-13181596189651727922011-09-24T10:22:00.003-04:002011-09-24T15:13:22.759-04:00My magazine is spying on me<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was flipping through my In Style magazine the other day, when I ran across this ad.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvK1rKB5na7N0ti9pkTRZEvEdT6iQc4rpygemJVHKe9cCEwjqsVRjdAg_uacCyq1VRbqiHj6h3lnHWI-Eij7cApnANBH_7FVdz10VEk4ljr9to-hyxSlWfqH38WdjLdQmKh6dzdAK7_g/s640/blogger-image--867311574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvK1rKB5na7N0ti9pkTRZEvEdT6iQc4rpygemJVHKe9cCEwjqsVRjdAg_uacCyq1VRbqiHj6h3lnHWI-Eij7cApnANBH_7FVdz10VEk4ljr9to-hyxSlWfqH38WdjLdQmKh6dzdAK7_g/s640/blogger-image--867311574.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ok, seriously, how well can a magazine know a girl??? They know my name AND that I love to go shopping!?! Hell, they even got my hair color right.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Impressive. In Style, get out of my backyard and stop peeking through my window!</span>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-88081047129427643842011-09-23T16:31:00.002-04:002011-09-24T15:13:06.014-04:00Little bits of happyA cubicle can be a pretty sad place. I try to find little ways to brighten it up. A tissue box. It's not much. But a little color can go a long way in a drab nook. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41zpVxtphJ-YUBQWRoV-_eDfGCc8vCJQjrLECA08hgL-qSE42J5qV0e2jVi_lIRzKmKW1l8A60DCNT0koksBxBSR_D0_C24Z0yWTXMtK73s0RjVvk0xBzpzJ8TPN8tgjikjDXUcQhXS4/s640/blogger-image--758484205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41zpVxtphJ-YUBQWRoV-_eDfGCc8vCJQjrLECA08hgL-qSE42J5qV0e2jVi_lIRzKmKW1l8A60DCNT0koksBxBSR_D0_C24Z0yWTXMtK73s0RjVvk0xBzpzJ8TPN8tgjikjDXUcQhXS4/s640/blogger-image--758484205.jpg" /></a></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-47926508089989275312011-09-19T17:02:00.001-04:002011-09-24T15:12:43.415-04:00Home Sick<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I stayed home sick from work today.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The sad thing is that I'm feeling crappy enough to not really be able to get anything done. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wish I could just have a "well" day every once in a while. Then, I would actually enjoy the day off and have have some fun! Well, maybe at least be a little productive. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Custom orders are still lined up here at the studio. I have time, but not energy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And tomorrow I'll probably force myself to go to work, cause 2 days in a row just can't happen!</span>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-38247484968488258952010-09-09T13:42:00.000-04:002010-09-09T13:42:58.542-04:004th Annual Open House<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You are Invited!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4th Annual Black Rock Design Open House</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saturday, November 20, 2010</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10:00am - 1:00pm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1039 Rosemary Ln.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">South Bend, IN 46617</span></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-76930469520630073862010-05-03T13:43:00.000-04:002010-05-03T13:43:44.950-04:00Final Post<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You may have noticed a lack of posts in recent weeks. I'm in the process of moving, and will be taking a hiatus from blogging for the time being. When I have more time, I will be reevaluating my social media outlets and deciding what to maintain, and what to let slip away. If you enjoy hearing about Black Rock Design, please find me on Facebook and become a fan. I will be continuing to update and run my Facebook page throughout the moving process and beyond. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/BlackRockDesign"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">www.facebook.com/BlackRockDesign</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thanks to everyone for your comments! Here is what is consuming all of my time right now:</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifWw_0MS1_2DGwEqEMb1kZOtdgP1CfbE2IGbXGVKgF_nhx3Ve7dKseGVeogD0MYEdrz4zmy_wPq27GwlAbeZDiUuzFgXomQYQBJgRtwpH05LWpBG4Ed1a-VkVbmz3-JmMOU1OoTlURVc/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifWw_0MS1_2DGwEqEMb1kZOtdgP1CfbE2IGbXGVKgF_nhx3Ve7dKseGVeogD0MYEdrz4zmy_wPq27GwlAbeZDiUuzFgXomQYQBJgRtwpH05LWpBG4Ed1a-VkVbmz3-JmMOU1OoTlURVc/s400/house.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">{our new house}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-75234502588448976882010-04-04T08:00:00.003-04:002011-09-24T12:12:23.258-04:00House Hunting Blues<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm a public school employee, a couple of days into my spring break. I must say, I've never needed a week off so badly! {Although, I probably say that every year...} </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A couple of days ago, my husband and I accepted an offer on our house. We're going through the process now of inspections and waiting for the closing date. It's an exciting but stressful process. So now, we're house hunting, driving around town, going into houses, and finding some interesting things out there! Some houses are ones that we've seen in our neighborhood, and we have so much fun finally getting to see the insides.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Have you ever seen a shower just off the kitchen?</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBFB7fxhHJ9Vs-wT7jeToEarn6mNluo9m-SDj1f1HTI4A6Q5upvJjZH5xuYv_siFsBFeorL-lwk3YeHkO4En9y8DfTocAGyieBIyfevGk5JIlsbfIZxInOHG1tiJO6prAZqEc9k1Sq3I/s1600/IMG_8456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBFB7fxhHJ9Vs-wT7jeToEarn6mNluo9m-SDj1f1HTI4A6Q5upvJjZH5xuYv_siFsBFeorL-lwk3YeHkO4En9y8DfTocAGyieBIyfevGk5JIlsbfIZxInOHG1tiJO6prAZqEc9k1Sq3I/s400/IMG_8456.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Or, have you ever seen such an interesting bathroom?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQLM_8obbQIn9iXpnoaCMGD0MTXt7BfXCmhNZg_KvyW-Ue-Ism4vAnaTV3fk-6QI3N7eF1Q0-ofDB0qWy-FLpd91IKn3b_VPXfAj_t3b0C2O2BWqHhNO-kOIQ8LmvS9NS1dHkGFcc-NQ/s1600/IMG_8460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQLM_8obbQIn9iXpnoaCMGD0MTXt7BfXCmhNZg_KvyW-Ue-Ism4vAnaTV3fk-6QI3N7eF1Q0-ofDB0qWy-FLpd91IKn3b_VPXfAj_t3b0C2O2BWqHhNO-kOIQ8LmvS9NS1dHkGFcc-NQ/s400/IMG_8460.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What about this for a view out your backdoor?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUGnbt3q3KpI_4p6nms7FEl-o7nEKUOfXJm9q5Z-CZe5auQdSIUnzm-G7lvs5iU5Gzf4pUqyR7fj4PpeNGbKibrE3V7NAHo5t6kU79jzUfwZ2yf3ATmpFaIzkfDltqbLNNHgSK7F4CAE/s1600/IMG_8465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUGnbt3q3KpI_4p6nms7FEl-o7nEKUOfXJm9q5Z-CZe5auQdSIUnzm-G7lvs5iU5Gzf4pUqyR7fj4PpeNGbKibrE3V7NAHo5t6kU79jzUfwZ2yf3ATmpFaIzkfDltqbLNNHgSK7F4CAE/s400/IMG_8465.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">We have lots of decisions to make! But for now, back in my own backyard, this little squirrel says "Happy Easter"</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurUltcA1BePkoe7P-fz5EbqvR03Jc_XbPkICRay2Kn2HlFsdUj9FyceyIjE79uOY1w8zGngTqpWLrL3yPipRsvne-Z3uX7R9xEo2C18-efMFpNRa1iMWC1n6ErRXEtVno0pQL1N1Ehho/s1600/IMG_8477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurUltcA1BePkoe7P-fz5EbqvR03Jc_XbPkICRay2Kn2HlFsdUj9FyceyIjE79uOY1w8zGngTqpWLrL3yPipRsvne-Z3uX7R9xEo2C18-efMFpNRa1iMWC1n6ErRXEtVno0pQL1N1Ehho/s400/IMG_8477.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-91416483710559459672010-03-28T08:00:00.007-04:002011-09-24T12:12:43.793-04:00New, Green and still Chilly<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I took</span> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a walk around my yard this week, and found signs of the season changing. Living in the midwest, it seems like winter will never end sometimes. Just when you're feeling like you'll never know what warmth feels like again, you start to notice things coming up. Just look what I found in my backyard.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhbsjHyhPXNjBhmrQINMF4kNfUG94oK8QqTrnZVswttVCXEvfR0qWDBMRdRuSc92Z6NrfoFMJysWdYY8Og12x1ZUr6SBYoHtwBy8rODBnScU57upIvJuWjoNvbzF_dtwXFcKJqHPbIhY/s1600/Picture+391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="146" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhbsjHyhPXNjBhmrQINMF4kNfUG94oK8QqTrnZVswttVCXEvfR0qWDBMRdRuSc92Z6NrfoFMJysWdYY8Og12x1ZUr6SBYoHtwBy8rODBnScU57upIvJuWjoNvbzF_dtwXFcKJqHPbIhY/s200/Picture+391.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQwceB9-c284g2qGOMQq58qVR3E2-AaO5qJXxp1TWg8IptBOoGWKBrQKwsgDOwgII5Pk8WlyeVSbQJIyDDFvYKBnQzkBPZPA-y_SDPGr-PwhrLDfvfVRg6wKLHBp9KdgXi7ACZsd6CuY/s1600/Picture+389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQwceB9-c284g2qGOMQq58qVR3E2-AaO5qJXxp1TWg8IptBOoGWKBrQKwsgDOwgII5Pk8WlyeVSbQJIyDDFvYKBnQzkBPZPA-y_SDPGr-PwhrLDfvfVRg6wKLHBp9KdgXi7ACZsd6CuY/s200/Picture+389.jpg" width="138" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They are coming up, even surrounded by the old and dead plants of last year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-xyA3KuEvjv6kW_lv5zzr7wZhxQ1XbzeqzA4p0LRS0vhqgg29INGOG-XG2zACyi2wLkPGXeIQJhYoxLC-fPZDFy_HV27ssaSzEk-bCTrMfyickezyxTXG6qMCS1WWcNXA96nu11GtaY/s1600/Picture+390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-xyA3KuEvjv6kW_lv5zzr7wZhxQ1XbzeqzA4p0LRS0vhqgg29INGOG-XG2zACyi2wLkPGXeIQJhYoxLC-fPZDFy_HV27ssaSzEk-bCTrMfyickezyxTXG6qMCS1WWcNXA96nu11GtaY/s200/Picture+390.jpg" width="145" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9egeB4blAfEgmqjwssBmYnkpYIkUI6LHI4p6o5vxtjrb6mGFOKMTaPLkRULbagLYNkh85VMAAih6mGv9b0twcUXgXmAYKzVqswfagSsll5eWoyUQ2HwjynCOWIJKqm1OUD42KhcpR6vo/s1600/Picture+395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9egeB4blAfEgmqjwssBmYnkpYIkUI6LHI4p6o5vxtjrb6mGFOKMTaPLkRULbagLYNkh85VMAAih6mGv9b0twcUXgXmAYKzVqswfagSsll5eWoyUQ2HwjynCOWIJKqm1OUD42KhcpR6vo/s200/Picture+395.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They all look like they are trying so hard!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW2Nz8swPMsxBbZrci_j_BVBe6fXkuQHVYkitUR_ANTZLeDnWDcP-5HNHmvT0mpJKkGjlOd6-gO-hBslA08kaABIl5QJtrbKzSKV3scB4koBERqptaH1zOH6tANAzMXt4yqjbGQt8ByA/s1600/Picture+394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW2Nz8swPMsxBbZrci_j_BVBe6fXkuQHVYkitUR_ANTZLeDnWDcP-5HNHmvT0mpJKkGjlOd6-gO-hBslA08kaABIl5QJtrbKzSKV3scB4koBERqptaH1zOH6tANAzMXt4yqjbGQt8ByA/s200/Picture+394.jpg" width="143" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnu4G5e_U2rBO_z6twaMzhmKvRTfYSaOgIbMNRlLOQRRaOtdyPywUigCMsLEO08b_RWvIk7R_9iW75cGWxAMxyoEF52MNrntd_fLjQmBvJaOYPLhjoiGSAGKoKiZtnmcTsPT_ohV76Es/s1600/Picture+392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnu4G5e_U2rBO_z6twaMzhmKvRTfYSaOgIbMNRlLOQRRaOtdyPywUigCMsLEO08b_RWvIk7R_9iW75cGWxAMxyoEF52MNrntd_fLjQmBvJaOYPLhjoiGSAGKoKiZtnmcTsPT_ohV76Es/s200/Picture+392.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Buds on some bushes, and full-blown flowers in a corner by the front of the house.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUUacoUFZp6Vw3I_XzxQxZNnFP16HhGL6gTsf-50xvFBhYjuCSI3W8nbgwpb-3uB9eP2WIYUolz-XNRDiw2Np0it6EMiCCwM886NEEQj-KFomynF_zJ8tCmGsyxkPmtDgHk-86PBWC0E/s1600/Picture+398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUUacoUFZp6Vw3I_XzxQxZNnFP16HhGL6gTsf-50xvFBhYjuCSI3W8nbgwpb-3uB9eP2WIYUolz-XNRDiw2Np0it6EMiCCwM886NEEQj-KFomynF_zJ8tCmGsyxkPmtDgHk-86PBWC0E/s200/Picture+398.jpg" width="146" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuStFDYSLyX8sR6Fby-J4_q4-KdcduInLWlTf8DcBZHe3IN3NszGYCPf-BOtT-zwoSJ6VxMXclVSEsOCyZ8GNb8ljNjejVnGYkvnaP2QK0gTSqo6AmaHz2p86E5xPVAAwl1-LRI6xeFE8/s1600/Picture+405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuStFDYSLyX8sR6Fby-J4_q4-KdcduInLWlTf8DcBZHe3IN3NszGYCPf-BOtT-zwoSJ6VxMXclVSEsOCyZ8GNb8ljNjejVnGYkvnaP2QK0gTSqo6AmaHz2p86E5xPVAAwl1-LRI6xeFE8/s200/Picture+405.jpg" width="146" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A little tree will soon be covered in white flowers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuStFDYSLyX8sR6Fby-J4_q4-KdcduInLWlTf8DcBZHe3IN3NszGYCPf-BOtT-zwoSJ6VxMXclVSEsOCyZ8GNb8ljNjejVnGYkvnaP2QK0gTSqo6AmaHz2p86E5xPVAAwl1-LRI6xeFE8/s1600/Picture+405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuStFDYSLyX8sR6Fby-J4_q4-KdcduInLWlTf8DcBZHe3IN3NszGYCPf-BOtT-zwoSJ6VxMXclVSEsOCyZ8GNb8ljNjejVnGYkvnaP2QK0gTSqo6AmaHz2p86E5xPVAAwl1-LRI6xeFE8/s200/Picture+405.jpg" width="146" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H4RngXdEwUOP0nbnSVlD-MFfgv3odNy_Kuckgi2y4nNAJ75MRqfH703Pd5XiTcffuSN0h3V-LM7PZJT3EZzLJxm8ZTB_5ZE-Dh21jcdQ1JEHouS13upTClHAd-pYNVNrxbcYjzoTXA8/s1600/Picture+401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H4RngXdEwUOP0nbnSVlD-MFfgv3odNy_Kuckgi2y4nNAJ75MRqfH703Pd5XiTcffuSN0h3V-LM7PZJT3EZzLJxm8ZTB_5ZE-Dh21jcdQ1JEHouS13upTClHAd-pYNVNrxbcYjzoTXA8/s200/Picture+401.jpg" width="134" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then there's the proof that squirrels are out, searching and digging for those pesky little acorns. Where did I put that nut?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YoXdL9m_sF9napXI7gChJOgU5C4_PSQ_-CzsQ0tj9viJB9m9lYZtG_Cha4KNHeSU5FggAnCbRzQsJpyQrkH39nGz2yMtNs2kMhnlEs7-oHX1kdrPgqfH29rB2ZVzdg1PW0htpuBujAU/s1600/Picture+388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YoXdL9m_sF9napXI7gChJOgU5C4_PSQ_-CzsQ0tj9viJB9m9lYZtG_Cha4KNHeSU5FggAnCbRzQsJpyQrkH39nGz2yMtNs2kMhnlEs7-oHX1kdrPgqfH29rB2ZVzdg1PW0htpuBujAU/s320/Picture+388.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">See what I came out to find one morning in my backyard??? What a mess!</span></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-91396312190388046392010-03-21T16:02:00.001-04:002011-09-24T12:14:02.830-04:00Season's Changing<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The weather is hanging in there, and in our back yard, hints of green are starting to pop up out of the ground.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now, this little colage should have gone in last week's post (</span><a href="http://blackrockdesign.blogspot.com/2010/03/spring-itch.html"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Spring Itch</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">), but I couldn't help but share it. Tis the season for wearing flowers!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByRQ05s0VhXQF7ydkmSch327WqMJVeJwnqt99GsVDMgGjlOB4ramS6NLnr9ivPZV_h6hMe7ZVAZRX4H3h_ciR3oeNJNbsjnkBRfSKmDOWINWVhavQLzDZtqVgED4X1Ee060PDqGC2_WM/s1600-h/030910_rosettes_em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByRQ05s0VhXQF7ydkmSch327WqMJVeJwnqt99GsVDMgGjlOB4ramS6NLnr9ivPZV_h6hMe7ZVAZRX4H3h_ciR3oeNJNbsjnkBRfSKmDOWINWVhavQLzDZtqVgED4X1Ee060PDqGC2_WM/s400/030910_rosettes_em.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">{from </span><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anthropologie</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, good-bye snow, and hello to spring!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7ZsSpNmnnznD3JKygakeSdTbNZTwgMl3S8SK1NO-Ih92Vxo0izOBWrjvVSUr3wVp2Q4uAAi94-nb5lc7d-6JUMtgbMNrBcrZXSLgqHbSYHZXMH3vbot7V1z0B_QE5soYtS8oLNAEW9A/s1600-h/120209_snowglobes_email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7ZsSpNmnnznD3JKygakeSdTbNZTwgMl3S8SK1NO-Ih92Vxo0izOBWrjvVSUr3wVp2Q4uAAi94-nb5lc7d-6JUMtgbMNrBcrZXSLgqHbSYHZXMH3vbot7V1z0B_QE5soYtS8oLNAEW9A/s400/120209_snowglobes_email.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">{again, from </span><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anthropologie</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">}</span></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-58842986779108207402010-03-14T08:00:00.017-04:002011-09-24T12:17:21.834-04:00The Spring Itch<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spring is near. I can just feel it. And after so many months of snow, ice, sleet, and wind...well, just thinking about spring makes me giddy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, once the weather starts to give us those first days when walking out without gloves doesn't mean frostbite, my eyes start to turn toward bright colors and all things spring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of the fashion trends that I love and you'll have to pry out of my dead hands is wearing flowers. Not just for luao's anymore, I say! I've started putting them in my hair, on my clothes, on my purse, and even hanging them from my ears! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgba_qQMML0DFapGLuhwBQuoultMvYvhPk60MelyQHmsKk1TXreHgJOKeVT07Za2itkDFBmf0GB6gF2iekpoMQkmfNM73wmoz6a2re2SjETvE3qbEazuPKEFKD8IBU9XElxCXx2Opin_aA/s1600-h/il_430xN_129353931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgba_qQMML0DFapGLuhwBQuoultMvYvhPk60MelyQHmsKk1TXreHgJOKeVT07Za2itkDFBmf0GB6gF2iekpoMQkmfNM73wmoz6a2re2SjETvE3qbEazuPKEFKD8IBU9XElxCXx2Opin_aA/s320/il_430xN_129353931.jpg" vt="true" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42441127"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">sweeteverything</span></a> on Etsy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not only do I put flowers in my hair, but I sometimes pack an extra flower and give it to a friend for a night out. Floral peer pressure!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-fNQmI_DjBtgQKVu_pJFYn58r7o2KIMGv659eFCjWmksnsQ6awzEy064ebeFHfFj9wIoqjikO9dc3izHq5X64NBt0iH6YpUosGVJs9pWB7R9QjphpXyx7a0pGGCySKo0MmBj4FsnCOA/s1600-h/17250_1342224405363_1523790119_857883_6836659_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-fNQmI_DjBtgQKVu_pJFYn58r7o2KIMGv659eFCjWmksnsQ6awzEy064ebeFHfFj9wIoqjikO9dc3izHq5X64NBt0iH6YpUosGVJs9pWB7R9QjphpXyx7a0pGGCySKo0MmBj4FsnCOA/s320/17250_1342224405363_1523790119_857883_6836659_n.jpg" vt="true" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">{I'm on the right}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even less than likely friends will put flowers in their hair; just long enough for me to snap a picture! These two wore matching flowers for about one mintue.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVQs9S3FxBXynoAfrzWSMvarD82uiN1f2jTb7Jhrvmzj1C1pAUlwf9HnG_w7HFjrplus78l54WEBg1WxFGoEpTMkHkG0xyM5jvTpNl8skFaUzCwBfXkTB2B_ir1rPk4UxwyW5NP16L-I/s1600-h/17250_1342224365362_1523790119_857882_6248057_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVQs9S3FxBXynoAfrzWSMvarD82uiN1f2jTb7Jhrvmzj1C1pAUlwf9HnG_w7HFjrplus78l54WEBg1WxFGoEpTMkHkG0xyM5jvTpNl8skFaUzCwBfXkTB2B_ir1rPk4UxwyW5NP16L-I/s320/17250_1342224365362_1523790119_857882_6248057_n.jpg" vt="true" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">{see the little black flowers?}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love clothing that include flowers - be it patterns or textures. This comes from the "Just Rosy" collection at Anthropologie.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnVvNF42QUKL04n48S18XtKqQIoSIiWM_lQtQjURIW4gbRPBTO8mcaHtCqv7xX6Y029b0BdGVeW4Bhcrw2kBUppz8Z9VjrUBNsoCiZ5WOODYmKRtEqeLuIpcPBNEUH2q42MoGjTjUvdw/s1600-h/013139_015_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnVvNF42QUKL04n48S18XtKqQIoSIiWM_lQtQjURIW4gbRPBTO8mcaHtCqv7xX6Y029b0BdGVeW4Bhcrw2kBUppz8Z9VjrUBNsoCiZ5WOODYmKRtEqeLuIpcPBNEUH2q42MoGjTjUvdw/s320/013139_015_b.jpg" vt="true" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">from </span><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/category.jsp?popId=CLOTHES&navAction=top&navCount=65&isSortBy=true&pushId=CLOTHES-ROSETTE&id=CLOTHES-ROSETTE"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anthropologie</span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Or, if you aren't ready to really commit that much, you can always pin a flower onto something basic. This little guy is living on a teal purse of mine right now.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh7x8eqEIfwXXHwp7zdrUlOithoHNHaB_MjHye81tyIk7baJsG5qI-IqI-6UGnYxNlte7g6dJuk72JdEn6Gi-H5bj3A7YcyxjW_2rqsg3jxI1jb9f4jpQuYFMniMv2_7aI8aYizw0RB8/s1600-h/il_430xN_107176785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh7x8eqEIfwXXHwp7zdrUlOithoHNHaB_MjHye81tyIk7baJsG5qI-IqI-6UGnYxNlte7g6dJuk72JdEn6Gi-H5bj3A7YcyxjW_2rqsg3jxI1jb9f4jpQuYFMniMv2_7aI8aYizw0RB8/s200/il_430xN_107176785.jpg" vt="true" width="150" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mireilles"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mireille's on Etsy</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then, of course, there's the flowery jewelry that I love to make! I've shared my flowery necklaces in a previous post, <a href="http://blackrockdesign.blogspot.com/2010/02/finally-finished.html">Finally Finished</a>. But here's a couple of pairs of earrings that I've made with flowers on my mind.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfUO5JUEEll8jayCRo2Je6w9zlTq1PTzUFuNKhLa2HzVgdClPgYfykK6SnJ64jX7Zpw5rGLEMtW8NkPA6O08PgUls0uHWR7b2vj51Odnet4jFa2jfvldagakXpD8ujrzFz6byFqXQUyc/s1600-h/13765_187626390613_61076455613_3410383_5910105_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfUO5JUEEll8jayCRo2Je6w9zlTq1PTzUFuNKhLa2HzVgdClPgYfykK6SnJ64jX7Zpw5rGLEMtW8NkPA6O08PgUls0uHWR7b2vj51Odnet4jFa2jfvldagakXpD8ujrzFz6byFqXQUyc/s200/13765_187626390613_61076455613_3410383_5910105_s.jpg" vt="true" width="193" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35247126"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">BlackRockDesign on Etsy</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZii00ov-2zmax543xrp7V89-ZSUNt5UC9x6hJXf2GVYOe8XH21N-wIsaY-xAxisjWErAOeBZcff_KpSlHkVIiVJ7UwRWO6Gc6bpGr2S1dT0aayWMt1-xahj1HA6sMYRadIQMMOluL3M/s1600-h/13765_187626440613_61076455613_3410391_6445292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZii00ov-2zmax543xrp7V89-ZSUNt5UC9x6hJXf2GVYOe8XH21N-wIsaY-xAxisjWErAOeBZcff_KpSlHkVIiVJ7UwRWO6Gc6bpGr2S1dT0aayWMt1-xahj1HA6sMYRadIQMMOluL3M/s200/13765_187626440613_61076455613_3410391_6445292_n.jpg" vt="true" width="200" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35305201"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">BlackRockDesign on Etsy</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, I hope you each find a way to bring a little sunshine and spring into your wardrobes. Not only does it make you feel a bit more cheery, but you're probably brightening the days of those who pass by and see you. </span></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-73081490157896924112010-03-07T09:28:00.001-05:002011-09-24T12:14:34.953-04:00Living out of a Suitcase<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've had a full week, with absolutely no time to myself! I was out of town all week for a work conference and had a lot of fun in Chicago. Went shopping, saw a show at Second City, lovely dinners out, more shopping...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I noticed some fashion trends while going into all the amazing shops that the big cities have to offer. One thing that struck me was the size of earrings. They are huge right now! I even bought myself two pair of earrings, which always makes me feel a little silly. I should just try to make a pair, right? But, sometimes I just want something NOW. Have you ever done something like that?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yesterday I went to a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1267971022751"></span></span><a href="http://chicagoflower.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Flower and Garden show</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1267971022752"></span> at Navy Pier. There were some amazing displays with plants, flowers, paths, stones and waterfalls. If you're in the Chicago area, you should check it out.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JIs4HWMMCxgZwjeTPSIgbrvHcVZHUbO1wq9LIsF-4B2juan2b3rVCHcGF1ejyI7deOqilpoIQrOOu5zazhJSKkhdr_usmNHHLO2bKwLm6SqtAlAd87EzIsL3px6NV_2L2jqw9l3Zryo/s1600-h/FeatureGardens_CFGS2010.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JIs4HWMMCxgZwjeTPSIgbrvHcVZHUbO1wq9LIsF-4B2juan2b3rVCHcGF1ejyI7deOqilpoIQrOOu5zazhJSKkhdr_usmNHHLO2bKwLm6SqtAlAd87EzIsL3px6NV_2L2jqw9l3Zryo/s320/FeatureGardens_CFGS2010.gif" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of course, I managed to walk out as the proud owner of a case and a half of wine! There was a company, </span><a href="http://www.prpwine.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">PRP International</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, with a booth at the show. I guess it's safe to assume that people walking around at a flower and garden show are going to want a drink, eventually. So, after tasting quite a few varieties of wine, I was hooked. My husband and I picked our favorites and put an order in.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelcnEaZ7bsFMSsTpho8klh2oROdeHLnqqG8z4d3ZHYhoZ_xvZasQBkbdm7ojRXpPKcxzzI6EEtF5HzfbA9lIuxbgh0sRp-H3BiQypBec1k1k28BuGWZAnmb1UlhWSgGgKEOarR0LNrwc/s1600-h/ex3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelcnEaZ7bsFMSsTpho8klh2oROdeHLnqqG8z4d3ZHYhoZ_xvZasQBkbdm7ojRXpPKcxzzI6EEtF5HzfbA9lIuxbgh0sRp-H3BiQypBec1k1k28BuGWZAnmb1UlhWSgGgKEOarR0LNrwc/s320/ex3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We'll see how that goes. I'm finally back home now, coming back to the real world after living out of a suitcase for the last few days. I'm looking forward to getting back to a normal week!</span></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-50437402596629384682010-02-28T08:00:00.001-05:002011-09-24T12:16:00.159-04:00Givin' it Away<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In April, Notre Dame is hosting a silent auction to benefit Relay for Life. You can learn more about it by visiting </span><a href="http://www.relayforlife.org/ndin"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Relay for Life's website</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. I think it's going to be a big event - they are holding it in the football stadium!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was asked to contribute a handmade piece of jewelry to the auction, and I've been working on putting something together just for the event. I wanted to make something unique, but not too outside of the "mainstream". I can sometimes push the boundaries of what most people would wear, so... I wanted to scale back on the funkiness this time around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I decided to work with sterling silver as my base. I have a few of these amazing faceted beads that I picked up at a bead and gem show a while back. They are called opalite turquoise, and are just stunning.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS2u79NA70F0HzQ1x-CypBiyO_FxdK93MR3nek8ve1J3Inpn5SBs7ObCingVuFtSXUWoGUTaaFx10x2DIPLY7AJdCdQ0UecJQyyQ1t-qC0_hLDRiduNp7XUldzcaU_II7iUnAze_BWQE/s1600-h/Picture+346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="319" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS2u79NA70F0HzQ1x-CypBiyO_FxdK93MR3nek8ve1J3Inpn5SBs7ObCingVuFtSXUWoGUTaaFx10x2DIPLY7AJdCdQ0UecJQyyQ1t-qC0_hLDRiduNp7XUldzcaU_II7iUnAze_BWQE/s320/Picture+346.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I thought that moonstone would be a nice addition, since they are a white shade with a hint of blue glowing from the center.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iUkHwy6WxwWHmCKmdVAWpUXO7CPZH1GY9v1q5JaJt5HpyjA-nyofW5QRkKsV95yAvC2LTw3Qq8bsWAyq0cs7okyoWDmMSdAqw829hQuAm6kAKoghPRnGPHZuYK4HqZmLK7qS5mgmdPM/s1600-h/Picture+351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iUkHwy6WxwWHmCKmdVAWpUXO7CPZH1GY9v1q5JaJt5HpyjA-nyofW5QRkKsV95yAvC2LTw3Qq8bsWAyq0cs7okyoWDmMSdAqw829hQuAm6kAKoghPRnGPHZuYK4HqZmLK7qS5mgmdPM/s320/Picture+351.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Putting those two stones together with the silver had a nice look, so I decided to go with it. I started with these components as my design base.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-qXgjz9Af-QuEbxBL-jDowkvUQVCQU8cSCS-XjxWOJH0n3zlLcIjnK4ccMaxK2wLqzylHzxrS9MFaQDDtuumQ46RShYj5JnR87kh9oEwZhE3GMnWzmBqXAYHJ7xnuiXsZzQHlCULBFg/s1600-h/Picture+347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-qXgjz9Af-QuEbxBL-jDowkvUQVCQU8cSCS-XjxWOJH0n3zlLcIjnK4ccMaxK2wLqzylHzxrS9MFaQDDtuumQ46RShYj5JnR87kh9oEwZhE3GMnWzmBqXAYHJ7xnuiXsZzQHlCULBFg/s320/Picture+347.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Personally, I love chains that have round links, as opposed to oval. It feels fresh and fun to me. Maybe a bit hip, versus something more traditional. I happened to have two different sizes of sterling chain with round links.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hGdQE2f0PbqNaAKyzGBRQsVozmuSR5MPKPhUn3bce7-hktOcoWR5Ukbd4pVdoeyBj3NWLW64EbTBK6KJAcsWLJJncS0HhXjqeuuv_XJSnKHP1ib_6qIsPD2lwCa86Zvetn1-336lf_M/s1600-h/Picture+353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hGdQE2f0PbqNaAKyzGBRQsVozmuSR5MPKPhUn3bce7-hktOcoWR5Ukbd4pVdoeyBj3NWLW64EbTBK6KJAcsWLJJncS0HhXjqeuuv_XJSnKHP1ib_6qIsPD2lwCa86Zvetn1-336lf_M/s320/Picture+353.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Plus, I had these two free-form ovals that I had picked up at my local bead store. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I thought they might be fun...</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6bC8cw-aqfIhqJbKm2HZfH5jKrUxmGuRo-YMOfnUuzle5JO3Rlh0x6uFuZPoQEwHV87yRbtOK1rlBNIIHhqrzjVHV0yfOEkdOx7jsl1AKQNNsIB5otmObxYEGFii7r4fqfoWk9k9aOc/s1600-h/Picture+356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6bC8cw-aqfIhqJbKm2HZfH5jKrUxmGuRo-YMOfnUuzle5JO3Rlh0x6uFuZPoQEwHV87yRbtOK1rlBNIIHhqrzjVHV0yfOEkdOx7jsl1AKQNNsIB5otmObxYEGFii7r4fqfoWk9k9aOc/s320/Picture+356.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Adding in some bundles of dangling moonstones was the finishing touch. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAh2zuyVC8lx7h0S4sTrqe4wckd1q94Bf94qtfbxo9h4hNZ-kgSelWJ2CxQKFuMZIJnu60Os5DknWPSf80_3h93LC-_-ZM2fVA378yAtygW4v89MtJgPNzsH7Myi62A34p0-4EIW75fg/s1600-h/Picture+374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAh2zuyVC8lx7h0S4sTrqe4wckd1q94Bf94qtfbxo9h4hNZ-kgSelWJ2CxQKFuMZIJnu60Os5DknWPSf80_3h93LC-_-ZM2fVA378yAtygW4v89MtJgPNzsH7Myi62A34p0-4EIW75fg/s320/Picture+374.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I used the smaller chain along with a lobster clasp in the back. This will give the owner options of how close to the neck she wants to wear the necklace. I even had one teardrop moonstone, which is hanging from the last link of the smaller chain. It will sit at the back of the neck, or hang a bit down the back, depending on how tightly the necklace is worn. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFCPzd3pp9ZynjvyzE3LQLTwBbVZhjECLPaHKWzAeUMM28ng1CkcD-Y2dGXbqXIdNDPprsBCsx82kwVT0o2DHM-0wJhVVYsQoAVXuzlG2y2yjxJ4PUZi0O3GEYnWPhD9QV37A1tYbBsc/s1600-h/Picture+364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFCPzd3pp9ZynjvyzE3LQLTwBbVZhjECLPaHKWzAeUMM28ng1CkcD-Y2dGXbqXIdNDPprsBCsx82kwVT0o2DHM-0wJhVVYsQoAVXuzlG2y2yjxJ4PUZi0O3GEYnWPhD9QV37A1tYbBsc/s320/Picture+364.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love little extra touches like this when I buy jewelry. For someone with shorter hair, or for anyone wearing their hair up for an evening, what a treat! Some decoration at the back. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEPZPDefuC4ole8hBPwptCZQEkuRXsTCqYy1uDTSP-G_sTZ6FBeNoQHK4zyYkoSXKrPA_nwg482GDENQFlt_35HeKNTv6w8GJeL_ZmcKMiGGX48b7YegdZFs6kPk3Jt4mL66FncaFaC0/s1600-h/Picture+361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEPZPDefuC4ole8hBPwptCZQEkuRXsTCqYy1uDTSP-G_sTZ6FBeNoQHK4zyYkoSXKrPA_nwg482GDENQFlt_35HeKNTv6w8GJeL_ZmcKMiGGX48b7YegdZFs6kPk3Jt4mL66FncaFaC0/s320/Picture+361.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I thought it would be nice to make my donation a set, so I put together some simple sterling silver earrings, with moonstones. When you're wearing a statement necklace like this, I think it's nice to keep the earrings simple. You don't want to look like a crazy </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">person, now!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4b5OU6Zr8sK_gCMsYmUfwj86qojZEguW_jaqzmMoEKx4z65xlpbwz_GxxDoidq5fwmDiJGIzZSGyrDsaXmPOmOtMekoHA3bAQITLKY9juZpMGYPFHF4u8clEKUcTtTDLCZHmlEnrDkU/s1600-h/Picture+377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4b5OU6Zr8sK_gCMsYmUfwj86qojZEguW_jaqzmMoEKx4z65xlpbwz_GxxDoidq5fwmDiJGIzZSGyrDsaXmPOmOtMekoHA3bAQITLKY9juZpMGYPFHF4u8clEKUcTtTDLCZHmlEnrDkU/s320/Picture+377.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The silent auction takes place April 16-17. It starts at 6:00 pm and goes until 9:00 am! What fun!! Are you interested in helping out? It's not too late - you can contact Jed Hanawalt at </span><a href="mailto:Hanawalt.1@nd.edu"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hanawalt.1@nd.edu</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> to make a contribution yourself. Join in and help the American Cancer Society.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0o3HqfvsPfEiwkafZkXCztlfWF6gxBetxmzPv6eZbqxq6VMlblTrHNg4JvsLrsJhva2K_MW3SNpRzLSWMQdNmJIwuI5gH7hZufmFSLw02neomfJqgEy4afVyrPdxg37tMhut5VoD_bqE/s1600-h/rfl_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0o3HqfvsPfEiwkafZkXCztlfWF6gxBetxmzPv6eZbqxq6VMlblTrHNg4JvsLrsJhva2K_MW3SNpRzLSWMQdNmJIwuI5gH7hZufmFSLw02neomfJqgEy4afVyrPdxg37tMhut5VoD_bqE/s320/rfl_logo.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Relay for Life</span></a></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-22446602800405477742010-02-21T08:06:00.002-05:002011-09-24T12:16:27.085-04:00Finally Finished<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A while back, I put together a necklace that I was very excited about. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I posted about it </span><a href="http://blackrockdesign.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-newest-creation-begun-in-half-asleep.html"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My</span> Newest Creation</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I call it, simply, my flower garden necklace.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdaKxO2_miPwtTmKN-gLCao_CslebKMakv0t6qtn8F7_KG7kiJrrLE0tGMMmzQFg2GayPhEiyjHBu5HCW9RUEsALljkaNrGiPb2V5tuyYxDlG3ZOu-b_PfML5miO9j47DRObTcVvYZ1U/s1600-h/flower+garden+necklace+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdaKxO2_miPwtTmKN-gLCao_CslebKMakv0t6qtn8F7_KG7kiJrrLE0tGMMmzQFg2GayPhEiyjHBu5HCW9RUEsALljkaNrGiPb2V5tuyYxDlG3ZOu-b_PfML5miO9j47DRObTcVvYZ1U/s320/flower+garden+necklace+(1).jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I then decided that the necklace desered to have a sister necklace. So, I began the process of creating another flowerful necklace. I began by putting the flowers together. You can see the progress on my previous blog entry, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1266757803387">Dre</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://blackrockdesign.blogspot.com/2009/10/dreams-run-amuck.html">ams Run Amuk</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Putting together this necklace was a bit more tricky. I tried a couple of things that I didn't end up liking. So, after a few adjustments, cutting it apart and switching out stones, I finally have it in it's finished state. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oJHiXoO_C4C_ID08zKKLJsTEAkje7Sv-czWuIWdWBXy1iGWWTSxSOYeV6xIR0IFs5R6ThZUwp-Eq7xLOr2iBGcSuk30nRyuZ8EIjwPilAIqz4zYBKJG48V0J8GExJaCNJGpJ_Jh-nhc/s1600-h/floral+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oJHiXoO_C4C_ID08zKKLJsTEAkje7Sv-czWuIWdWBXy1iGWWTSxSOYeV6xIR0IFs5R6ThZUwp-Eq7xLOr2iBGcSuk30nRyuZ8EIjwPilAIqz4zYBKJG48V0J8GExJaCNJGpJ_Jh-nhc/s320/floral+5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9O_LAO2qo64xwne8iEKS0ic1HNyojZswE8LkELdQ1iCnTp8CjVrGnysrQo71-7XRp-QcrN955Fazxa56ix-XupJTCGNn2IYaqWGgj_A3KrDuX0ivpICwLqhnN1-S7O6V-gk5w-SJlXE/s1600-h/floral+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9O_LAO2qo64xwne8iEKS0ic1HNyojZswE8LkELdQ1iCnTp8CjVrGnysrQo71-7XRp-QcrN955Fazxa56ix-XupJTCGNn2IYaqWGgj_A3KrDuX0ivpICwLqhnN1-S7O6V-gk5w-SJlXE/s320/floral+4.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, what do you think?</span></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738356488399301625.post-9170763526732096712010-02-14T08:00:00.001-05:002011-09-24T12:17:42.013-04:00Pretend that we're Warm<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's Carnaval time in Brazil! It's a lovely time of year for me to pretend I'm somewhere warm and exotic, instead of in the Midwest in February. One of my part-time jobs is teaching a Brazilian samba dance class at Notre Dame. So, I get really excited when Notre Dame hosts a carnaval party by bringing in a band and dancers from Chicago.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68pCcZ_2RkydmPamiLCXWD65oGsl2KMxw1DbdZAXJmN3q90x48W_uPKV_P3W9UXQ_nXPtImCdmdrYaJysmvjVXjTc8acxeTmgxTSJwAZGcquoXRFR7M5o5qaEXX_KWi8JfFX9MnWwWFg/s1600-h/carnaval.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68pCcZ_2RkydmPamiLCXWD65oGsl2KMxw1DbdZAXJmN3q90x48W_uPKV_P3W9UXQ_nXPtImCdmdrYaJysmvjVXjTc8acxeTmgxTSJwAZGcquoXRFR7M5o5qaEXX_KWi8JfFX9MnWwWFg/s320/carnaval.bmp" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The band, </span><a href="http://www.chicagosamba.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Chicago Samba</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, is wonderful.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HtL94VGD5aSaRRW4-0LS9KNvnQe0bBYQPtqGXUIrkfcb-tlUQJCHe9wReY0vYP6lpdr6cY40ClaPDBuzDV9a3N4YIU7qwXzKX8J2nAl7m-agKLdiT0df5QoBW_hLz2sqZr2NB25CtMY/s1600-h/ch+samb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HtL94VGD5aSaRRW4-0LS9KNvnQe0bBYQPtqGXUIrkfcb-tlUQJCHe9wReY0vYP6lpdr6cY40ClaPDBuzDV9a3N4YIU7qwXzKX8J2nAl7m-agKLdiT0df5QoBW_hLz2sqZr2NB25CtMY/s320/ch+samb.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In Brazil, carnaval is a really big deal. It's like Mardi Gras times 100. Bands and dancers parade through the streets. No one goes to work for a week. The whole country stops life to party, drink and dance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSq9TurVWfG6QXph7WqXzRsPQ2vPoRrDKUvlGiZ82QLKvHzzmYOTmlUEw-n9wQnWwxetOfmvPf1MTam9rzoJDJvKfqpbwDVx12UTRa_i3TrT5IoKMJnB_2cqh6LZHq5MmZ9dkCmosWzk/s1600-h/Carnaval%2520Bahia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSq9TurVWfG6QXph7WqXzRsPQ2vPoRrDKUvlGiZ82QLKvHzzmYOTmlUEw-n9wQnWwxetOfmvPf1MTam9rzoJDJvKfqpbwDVx12UTRa_i3TrT5IoKMJnB_2cqh6LZHq5MmZ9dkCmosWzk/s200/Carnaval%2520Bahia1.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmbUAtgLrlZA4O79xx_Ke5200eT2dSe27qoPDf3e2WhcQbd2Qav52XK_quDOK4HHxIPDVV_OW3oBKrwOIH_W-Z6w4aezdWbQsPwZkyabvfUCFgY5JTGvsYUbJyFXgx4Kx1c7CRwfcJLs/s1600-h/Carnaval%2520Parade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmbUAtgLrlZA4O79xx_Ke5200eT2dSe27qoPDf3e2WhcQbd2Qav52XK_quDOK4HHxIPDVV_OW3oBKrwOIH_W-Z6w4aezdWbQsPwZkyabvfUCFgY5JTGvsYUbJyFXgx4Kx1c7CRwfcJLs/s200/Carnaval%2520Parade1.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5g7ADR8YeDFQCuhLbDmplqCNrruAvk77QQsjv4tsji4j0yNaCFNYCMLbPSURl45OorIVuFI2axnaGbb-4MHCaS_BmTM7Ou1YYFRegabduZ4PKePsjITVItPZ9Uj3o3hPafVYzF5qQwo/s1600-h/brazil-carnaval.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5g7ADR8YeDFQCuhLbDmplqCNrruAvk77QQsjv4tsji4j0yNaCFNYCMLbPSURl45OorIVuFI2axnaGbb-4MHCaS_BmTM7Ou1YYFRegabduZ4PKePsjITVItPZ9Uj3o3hPafVYzF5qQwo/s400/brazil-carnaval.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can't lie and say that the carnaval celebration here in the Midwest is quite that big. But, we do what we can when we have to walk through a foot of snow to get there. My friends and I pretend to be warm and go out for a fun time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboB-nIX10ejvlodUEpOrE1C9YDOJDA5bxs6sbyjzNk-294djPe6MRE6zt9K-iHL8B5SGKO3iVKFhUhsRKt_Ua2pPyaxHjPdxYkk1vX416-mkjT0krMMuLIwktZ6_ck2-3nW6c0pDw3zY/s1600-h/Picture+292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboB-nIX10ejvlodUEpOrE1C9YDOJDA5bxs6sbyjzNk-294djPe6MRE6zt9K-iHL8B5SGKO3iVKFhUhsRKt_Ua2pPyaxHjPdxYkk1vX416-mkjT0krMMuLIwktZ6_ck2-3nW6c0pDw3zY/s200/Picture+292.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xVecx_PMCCqMgaw3kBZ2pWcHmUs2vweD2a830x6YPkPNx66kozynMSzG29Me46ZLuBFyWNDNHUV-H5yoPxNoaIB_gA_IzmZ1o4g7nFpZu7b3XBwTWs9arUalY3pqRwDS_AWQY_bassI/s1600-h/Picture+286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xVecx_PMCCqMgaw3kBZ2pWcHmUs2vweD2a830x6YPkPNx66kozynMSzG29Me46ZLuBFyWNDNHUV-H5yoPxNoaIB_gA_IzmZ1o4g7nFpZu7b3XBwTWs9arUalY3pqRwDS_AWQY_bassI/s200/Picture+286.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">{A flower in your hair makes a girl feel warmer. I'm on the right.} {My friends, enjoying the music at carnaval.}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWI5toPzPvT5onOVO7LAbK_StSW5qerAZeJrVuYdebUCVRh2gZYUY7U2_Uq0LqpTGB_KA_qc_HwJUcvX_tIMptksxo1XQeJh5RlLIjqEMVvCpAOs4pCsydArfNKo7t8q_8KNxxQ7vgSk/s1600-h/Picture+289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWI5toPzPvT5onOVO7LAbK_StSW5qerAZeJrVuYdebUCVRh2gZYUY7U2_Uq0LqpTGB_KA_qc_HwJUcvX_tIMptksxo1XQeJh5RlLIjqEMVvCpAOs4pCsydArfNKo7t8q_8KNxxQ7vgSk/s200/Picture+289.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByIwRd99_SW8WeP0Cz-X1LDzGcAhWwtbBfwwPEDNf3V6RuBGKvYya2S4g-o3h7up0O_93ftNarUKi9gAnAetKOF9tYSp30fuD7TfEG9hYscVrgeomJ8EtxvcwBOE5FRXpBtmwOJDMHo/s1600-h/Picture+288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByIwRd99_SW8WeP0Cz-X1LDzGcAhWwtbBfwwPEDNf3V6RuBGKvYya2S4g-o3h7up0O_93ftNarUKi9gAnAetKOF9tYSp30fuD7TfEG9hYscVrgeomJ8EtxvcwBOE5FRXpBtmwOJDMHo/s200/Picture+288.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">{It's hard to get good pictures when they won't stop moving!}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qYBUm-dhrg2Jj_Jp9luNlhxRLA0l_FpmlUYqmTbePJavYIQ1NeS61TfXiyNwt6MR39xR8BKwjBql6tYqR2UhYBoMC2U9pPfZ-An271CFRycbjk_FaEU5KLV_eAPKJlMssujarA3x3B4/s1600-h/Picture+298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qYBUm-dhrg2Jj_Jp9luNlhxRLA0l_FpmlUYqmTbePJavYIQ1NeS61TfXiyNwt6MR39xR8BKwjBql6tYqR2UhYBoMC2U9pPfZ-An271CFRycbjk_FaEU5KLV_eAPKJlMssujarA3x3B4/s320/Picture+298.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Such a fun night. I've been hating the snow and cold lately. So, a night where I could pretend I'm on the beach, in Brazil, was just what I needed. Hopefully, it'll be enough warmth and fun to last me for the next couple of months...</span></div>Jenny, Mid-Western Fashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13083762344112964846noreply@blogger.com2