Romper: Young, Fabulous and Broke (found at TJ Maxx)

Shoes: Adrienne Vittadini (found at TJ Maxx)

 I love a romper!  They are cool for summer, you can dress it up or wear it casual, they are easy to pack and all you need to go with it is accessories.  My first romper I bought several years ago while on a friend’s bachelorette trip in Birmingham.  They were not quite en vogue at the time but I fell in love with it.  It had high waisted bottoms with sailor buttons and a whimsical pattern.  After a trip to Europe with me it had its last day.  I was sad to say goodbye to it but that just gave me an excuse to buy a new one, this bright blue one, by Young, Fabulous and Broke.  This was a true steal!  Originally priced at $215, I got it at TJ Maxx for only $50!

If you are interested in buying this one the new fall collection offers it in black.  Click on the picture below to view details.

 If you like the look but not the price, check out these less expensive versions.

Dress: Milly, found at UAL Hattiesburg        Shoes: Vintage at Libby Story

          Belt: Pink Bombshell        Clutch: Kate Spade, found at TJ Maxx

Bracelet: Target         Earrings and Ring: Personal Gifts

I love this Milly dress I found for a steal at UAL in Hattiesburg.  If you are not familiar with UAL you should take the time in Hattiesburg, New Orleans, Covington, Austin or Nashville to check it out.  It stands for United Apparel Liquidators and is a high end clothing store where items are sold at significantly reduced prices.  If I remember correctly this dress only cost me around $50!  When I first purchased it I knew I wanted a belt to cinch in the waist and add a pop of color with matching shoes.  My first though was red, but when I found these yellow shoes I knew it was a match made in heaven!  The Kate Spade Clutch is all the red I need, and the fun bracelet ties it all together.  This look is classic and effortless for a hot Southern summer wedding.  Be the guest who will impress!

Pictures taken at the Mississippi Crafts Center.

Click on links below to create your wedding guest look!

Looking for a way to add variety and fun to your summer wardrobe?  Mixing patterns is fun and easier than you may think!

Just follow these 3 simple rules :

1) Make sure one color repeats in both patterns.  As you can see both my floral dress and striped jacket both have pink.

2) Combine loose or whimsical patterns with structured patterns.

3) Blend small designs with larger-scale ones.

I realize mixing patterns is not something that is easy for everyone to do, but if you follow those 3 simple rules you

can walk out of your closet feeling confident and looking cute!

Dress: Nicole Miller for JCP     Jacket: Zara    Shoes: David Tate from T. Ablese

Necklace: Bill Wilson Jewelry Altissimo Collection (http://www.billwilsonjewelry.com)

Shop similar items by clicking links below.

Happy 4th of July week!  Time for cookouts, fireworks, concerts, and patriotic fashion!

I found this fun maxi dress at Target a few years ago and I love pulling it out and throwing

on a denim jacket for a complete red, white, and blue outfit.

If you know your season, I would suggest Summers wear blue, Autumns wear red,

Springs can go navy or clear red, and Winters let your white shine!

For ideas on inexpensive red, white, and blue fashion Old Navy offers great patriotic wear!

Click on items below to shop other fun fashions!

                     I hope whether you and your family are out traveling or relaxing at home that you have a

wonderful and fashionable 4th of July!

Despite it being a little before my time, I loved The Partridge family when I was a kid!  Well, truth be known, I loved David Cassidy.  But this flashback trend from the 70’s makes me want to sing, “Come on, get hapeee!” only trade out the “come on” with “kimono,” because these bright colored, easy to wear kimono jackets make me happy!

The flowy fabrics and fun patterns they come in can add to any outfit, whether it be shorts, pants, a skirt or dress.

Kimono: Democracy

Shorts: vince

Tank: Mistletoe Marketplace

Shoes: David Tate from T. Ables

As many of my friends can tell you, I hate working out.  I recently read a book that classifies people into four categories and the category I fell into basically states that if I am not having fun I am not interested.  Pretty much the book hit the nail on the head because I do not find working out fun.  However, I realize the importance of working out so the trick for me is finding forms of exercise I enjoy over others.

Call me an 80 year old lady, but I like water aerobics.  I grew up spending my summers at the pool and those were some very happy memories for me so, I guess there is a bit of happy nostalgia when it comes to getting into a pool.

I have also found Zumba to be a blast!  I’m a terrible dancer though.  The trick is to hide behind a good dancer, this way you will not see yourself in the mirror and you can vicariously dance through the person in front of you.

Recently, I have found a FREE workout through Skinnies and Herbalife off Old Canton at a place called FUEL UP.  So far I have only made it to a few classes but it I have to say, I don’t hate it!  It starts at 8:30 and we’re on our cool down by 9:00!  Quick, affective, and free… I’m in!

I have also joined a tennis league.  Now, I have to be honest, tennis is more of an excuse to socialize and wear adorable tennis skirts and dresses. What girl doesn’t love functional and cute?   I always feel like watching the action on the courts is as much a fashion show as a sporting event.  Parham Bridges Tennis Center always has a sale of 50%-75% off!  I have also heard that the Jackson Country Club has good sales on tennis gear.

No matter if you hate exercising or love it, whether it’s a walk in the park or a fitness bootcamp, I hope you are finding time in your day to take care of your body.  Of course, you should still look good while doing it!  Contact me for styling tips or a closet consultation.

In 2009 I had the opportunity to travel around Europe with a friend.  We started in London and ended in Switzerland.  Among our destinations was Brussels, Belgium.  I never would have thought to make Belgium a part of our excursion but my mom went as a teen and she encouraged us to go.  I’m so glad we did!  The people were friendly, the scenery is gorgeous and their chocolate… Yum!

Belgium is also known for their lacemaking which is probably why these chocolate shoes look like lace.  Walking around town there were chocolate shops on every corner but the lace shops were a little more difficult to find.  However, we happened upon one tucked away in the city square. When we walked in there were little old ladies actually making the lace!

According to trabel.com, in the fifteenth century “Charles the Fifth decreed that lace making was to be taught in the schools and convents of the Belgian provinces. During this period of renaissance and enlightenment, the making of lace was firmly based within the domain of fashion. To be precise, it was designed to replace embroidery in a manner that could with ease transform dresses to follow different styles of fashion.”

Lace is still a huge part fashion today.  In fact, I am seeing it stores all around in different colors, patterns, and styles.

This time of year as weather heats up it is a great time to add cool fabrics like lace to your closet.  If you need help with your wardrobe, closet, or shopping let me know!  I’m always happy to help!

Denim Jacket: Old Navy     Top: Mistletoe Marketplace

Skirt: Ross, Dress for Less        Necklace: Texas craft show

Click to view and buy these lace fashions!

This Spring I have come across a few styles that I just can’t seem to get into, but I’m loving the china blue floral patterns I’m seeing on dresses, jackets, tops, pants…it’s everywhere!  And let’s be honest, if the Dutchess and People’s Most Beautiful are wearing it, then who wouldn’t love it?

Although I originally wanted this fabulous dress I spotted in Real Simple magazine…

…I found this top at JC Penny for less than $30!

 Top: MNG by Mango (JC Penny)    Pants: Elizabeth and James

Shoes: Boutique in Baton Rouge  Earrings: Courtney Jones

Makeup: Mary Kay

Photography courtesy of Lindsay Vallas Photography

Similar Items, click to shop!

Mother’s day is SUNDAY!!  I’m sure this is another Hallmark made holiday to promote card sales but even if that is the case, I’m glad we have a Mother’s Day.  I know my mom deserves more than one day a year to show her my gratitude and love for all she has done and still does for me.

Whether you know her as Barbara Bush, Barbara Mangrum, or “Babs,” she will always be “mom” to me.

For those of you who do not know my mom, she is more talented in crafting, gardening, and cooking, than Martha Stewart’s entire team put together.  She is my Stacey and Clinton, trainer of bargain shopping, and fashion consultant.  She is my biggest fan, my rock, and my best friend.

So, in honor of Mother’s Day I dedicate this blog to you, Mom.  I love you!

If you are still trying to find that perfect gift for your mom, I am offering gift certificates for any amount.  Please see my Price List.

Barbara is wearing:

 Top: Talbots, Pants: Laundry by Shelli Segal, Jewelry: her own, Glasses: Betsy Johnson

Mandy is wearing:

Denim Jacket: Old Navy, Skirt: Ross, Dress for Less