Faux Pas

I have always known this but I truly acknowledged it last night while watching Project Runway: I love fashion. Playing with clothes and accessories is a hobby and while I do not by any means claim to be a fashionista I like putting outfits together. I hope that you will find some sort of inspiration and will be encouraged to play with clothes too :)

Now the harsh reality of the fashion industry is that is is expensive! And unfortunately I cannot afford to have pretty designer clothes to play with on my meager student budget. So what you will find in some of my posts is a way of looking good and chic on a simple student budget.

....Blazer from the Gap, Zara skirt, bone toned sandals Aldo....

....Tiffany's Key necklace a gift, mismatched bangles Forever 21....

....Betsy Johnston Sunglasses. Steve Madden purse, Michael Kors watch....
Navy & black coming together in one outfit is a big faux pas. I find, however that a navy blazer can go along well with a skirt that has some black tones. Don't be afraid to experiment and try on those faux pas!
The glasses & purse are probably two of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe. They were purchased at Winners for a fraction of the retailed price- gotta love deals!

He asked a question

Wow...it has been a while...too much of a while!

Both Amanda and my life was a little crazy this summer. In the spring we both were working like dogs, then she got engaged, then I went to Poland, then I got engaged, and then we continued working like dogs.
I will post some pictures of the Poland trip but for now I will share my engagement story and some pictures with you.


Mike & I went to Poland to teach conversational English and were there for two weeks. We had an absolute blast! The last night of our trip we were in Krakow, a magical and spectacularly romantic city. We had both been there two years ago and the country and the city itself are a special place for us. We both love the culture, the people and have some amazing friends that we love very much there. So on our last night, after finishing all of our duties, we went for a walk around Krakow. We visited the Jewish quarters and then walked by the river that encompasses the old part of the city.

We sat on a bench overlooking the river and the beautiful caste and while we chatted about the last two weeks he said that he had something for me. My heart stopped for a second or two and my hands started getting clammy as he fidgeted with something in his pocket. He then pulled out.... a rose. A rose?! My heart sank. But I played it cool (or so I thought) and we kept on making small talk. I started seeing my dream of him proposing in Poland fading away until he said he had a final question to ask... he then got down on one knee and I said yes .....


Our friend was wonderful and woke up so early to take these lovely pictures of us in the beautiful city of Krakow.

How To ... Fiesta!



 
 Oh hello there! How was your weekend? I hope that it was just lovely. Mine was pretty great! I had a very busy week, was away from home and it was very nice to come home and see friends and relax. One of my friends celebrated her birthday- Happy Birthday Katrina!- and she threw an amazing themed party. This party served as the inspiration for our  How To ... of this week.

Most people would think that throwing a party is one of those things that does not require instructions or a how-to. Those people are right to an extent but I believe that there is a difference between a simple party and an excellent party and an excellent party needs a bit of instructions. It's in the details and the little things.

This is what made Katrina's Mexican Fiesta a spectacular party and could transform your normal Friday night into a fantastic and unforgettable evening.


*Starting off with a theme is a great idea- that way you have a better idea of a colour pattern, decorations, music and maybe even costumes!

* Flowers can be expensive but you don't need many to add that little romantic je ne se quoi  that flowers have to your party. A lovely little bouquet can go a long way!

*Delicious & good looking drinks are always fun and there's nothing more summer-y than little umbrellas hanging off the glass of a piƱa colada

*The mustaches was a quirky idea that went hand in hand with the theme. They were an awesome ice breaker and gave us the opportunity to take some amazing photos!

*If you do not have a Birthday Girl that is okay! That element can be replaced by an anniversary, a holiday or a Just-Because.

*When it comes to an outdoor summer party one might feel that the mood lighting is either unnecessary or too tricky but really with a little creativity, the sky is the limit! Katrina had lanterns and Christmas lights wrapped around her porch and they looked lovely.

*The decorations can be simple things around your home that match the colour pattern.

*I am a BIG fan of cupcakes! They are cute fun and delicious and can add that wow factor to your party. If you are looking for some inspiration and want to awe your guests at your next patio party check out the link, it's by far one of my favourite blogs. 

*Lovely people. They make just about anything better! Those two in the picture are Bianca and Chris: pretty amazing people.

*INSPIRATION! That can be the hardest of them all. I find I am always the most inspired when I am busy with other things and have come to realize that I have to be doing something in order to be inspired. So if you are lacking in that department try picking up a pen and a paper and doodling, or going for a run, or surfing through pinterest!


Well lovely readers, I hope this helped and inspired you to go and plan a wonderful patio party for next weekend!

Talula

Welcome to Meet & Greet! A new section in our blog where we will introduce you to great people, places or things that we love and hope that you will too!

So to kick off our Meet & Greet I would like to introduce you to the fabulous Talula. She is the newest addition to my family.

Talula: a tea cup Chihuahua so she won't be getting much bigger than this!
 My sister has been begging for one of this little guys for about 7 years and our mom decided to surprise her the morning of her 20th birthday. I personally have never seen a better reaction to a gift being opened in my life as the one that my sister had when she realized what her birthday gift was.

My beautiful sister Andrea and her baby girl Talula

I have to admit that I was not thrilled at all about having a little Chihuahua in the family due to a couple of reasons.
First of all I am a fan of big dogs, like Labradors, that can cuddle you and are just big and silly.
Second of all, though I love being Mexican and proudly celebrate my heritage I did not want to live up to the old stereotype of Taco Bell "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" family.  But, even though my heart was hardened towards Talula, the second that I met her she just about melted me. Though she is young and just a dog she has taught me a great life lesson: never judge anyone or anything before getting to know them...she may be a small dog but she ain't yapi, she actually is quite sassy!

My friend being wooed by Talula's beauty

realizes that all that Talula wants and likes are boogers..ew!
Now many people ask about the name: was she named after the brand of clothes? does it means something in Spanish?

Nope. She is simply named after a dog my sister loved when we were younger and lived in Mexico.

But I have discovered that Talula is a great song by a great singer from the UK!

Lavender Lemonade


Last summer I had the most delicious and refreshing drink at a work party- Lavender Lemonade. It was perfect! Citrusy yet sweet, refreshing yet indulging. Unfortunately it was close to the end of the summer and my heart was already set in the crispiness of fall. However, the weather has finally started to resemble the good-old summer months and I cannot help but think and obsess over that lavender lemonade. I can smell the lovely and romantic lavender and I crave for the quenching taste of lemonade. My drink of the summer...well I think you can all guess what it will be.

Here is a collection of photographs that get me oh so pumped for the summer- they make me want to roll up my jeans, pick up a good old book (got any suggestions?), fill my cup with a delicious drink and find a hammock.


via Voyager

source unknown

source unknown

source unknown

via You Are My Fave

via Decor8

source unknown

via Ruffled

via Prepfection

source unknown

via The Animal Blog

via Weheartit
And last but not least a lovely song by a very talented artist to put you in the lavender-lemonade mood... just in case you're not there yet!

I hope these inspire your weekend plans! Have a lovely break! :)







We believe in giving credit where credit is deserved- if you know the sources of any of the pictures listed above please and thank you let us know! :)

Pleased to meet you!


Hi there!
Welcome to our blog!
We hope to fill your day with little sprinklings of beauty and inspiration.
Enjoy!



<3 Thank you Pugly Pixel! Amazing resources that helped us kick start our blog!
Follow MNADesigns on Twitter