By Invitation Only: A Dallas Tidbits Event

Last week, I was invited by a friend to attend the book signing party of By Invitation Only, the story of the Gilt Groupe founders Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson.  I choose to wear a couple of items I've bought from Gilt because, why not?

Top: Cynthia Rowley & Skirt: Dolan via Gilt

Earrings: Buried Bauble by BaubleBar a few months ago 

Braided Cuff: T+J Designs; Link Bracelet: Kenneth Cole NY

Clutch: c/o BCBGMaxAzria

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Freya

The event was held at Hotel ZaZa here in Dallas and it was so much fun. Getting to meet and chat with Alexis Maybank was definitely the highlight of the evening.  How often does one get to tell the leader of a favorite shopping site that your husband is not represented?  He is just tall, NOT Big & Tall!  Not to mention the amazing goodie bags that included jewelry by the fabulous Kendra Scott and gift cards for scalp massages at DryBar!

The images are top to bottom, left to right: The book display at the entrance of the event; The Kendra Scott team from the store at the West Village (they helped me choose the earrings and bangles I wore to the wedding in this post); Kendra Scott Swag Bags; Dallas Tidbits Q&A with Alexis Maybank; Gifted Necklace by Kendra Scott and copy of By Invitation Only.

It was a wonderful evening and I've already started reading this engrossing book which is much more a business guide than a book about fashion.  I can't wait to show you how I am styling the fabulous necklace and other Kendra Scott jewelry that the sales team gifted both my hostess and me!
***This is a scheduled post. I will respond to all comments on Monday when I return.***

Summer Picnics

My mother-in-law has every Tuesday off from work and we've recently been collaborating on picnics at the park with the boys and duck feedings at the creek afterwards.  It's lots of fun for the boys and I love that they get to spend time with their grandparents. This is what I wore to one of our first picnics.

I'm very fortunate because my mother-in-law won't let me cook (or maybe she's the fortunate one!) and we always have very healthy and delicious meals.  They also bring bread for the boys to feed the ducks, geese, turtles and birds that show up.  I love our Tuesday ritual and I look forward to it each week.

Top: Nine West; Skirt: Bobeau

Sunnies: c/o Michael Stars

Bracelet: Gift from Mr. Fantastic

Sandals: Cole Haan

I have the best memories of the times I spent with my grandparents and I really want our kids to feel like they really KNOW who their grandparents are and I want both to feel loved by one another.
What do you do to spend time with your loved ones?

Memorial Day Blues

I love this outfit for BBQs. In fact, after the formal wedding last weekend, I wore this to a BBQ hosted by the bride's family.  I might have to pull it out again tomorrow for the BBQ we are having at our house for Memorial Day. 

Dress: Saint Tropez West (old)

Shirt: H&M (old)

Earrings: Old; Bracelet; eBay

Anchor Cuff: KEP via Gilt; Clutch: Vintage

Sandals: Jimmy Choo Walta

For those of you outside the US that read my little blog, Memorial Day is the day that we honor the men and women who have died serving our Armed Forces.  It began in the South to honor the fallen of the Confederate War and has grown to memorialize all fallen soldiers of all wars.  For many of us it signals the official start of summer because our kids will be out of school soon and the weather finally turns warm.  However, I've always thought it important to note the real reason we mark the holiday.  We should never forget that freedom is not free.  I'm grateful to all men and women who wear our uniform around the world and especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that I can live in a country where I am free to worship, work, speak and love as I wish.

Image courtesy of the United States Air Force

What are your plans for Memorial Day?  I know some of you are in other countries and don't celebrate, but do you have any upcoming plans?