Piperlime Pick of the Week!

Today, the Picks are all over the place!!!

As I peruse the shoes (hee!) to prepare for these posts, I typically end up tagging as many as I like, and then I go back through them to figure out which pairs I like the best. Today, as I looked back at the ones that caught my eye, I realized that they all had something in common...

Blair by Oh Deer! - SALE $79.99

Maddie by DRU New York - SALE $79.99

Enchantress by Mia - SALE $39.99

Grey Calf with Yellow Ribbon by Kenzo - SALE $109.97

Dotty by Corso Como - SALE $59.97

Alright, now I've got to know... which one is YOUR favorite?!

K is for Katie

DARling new (to me) blog on the radar... thought you'd like to know!!!



I popped over to K is for Katie after seeing Paige link to her last week, and each time I've visited since, I've been pleasantly surprised!


She also has an Etsy shop with some really groovy cards, and is having a giveaway on her blog right now! All you have to do is leave a comment, and you have a chance to win free stuff! Not just any free stuff, but CUTE free stuff.


So, yeah. Gotherenow.

Zotis and 'Bones

Did anyone else find it comical that Stella has a boyfriend who goes by the nickname 'Ratbones'?

I'd say it's a match made in leatha-heaven.

They plan on designing a clothing line together and calling it Zotis & 'Bones, and I can only imagine what they dream about naming their hypothetical children.

Partner in Crime

Zoe is learning to sew...


... And I thought this picture was too cute not to share!

Party Garland

On Saturday, we celebrated G's birthday with a few friends and a lot of ice cream!

Don't mind the rogue piece of hair that escaped the clutches of my bobby pinning efforts. Yuck.

Instead of having me make a cake, the birthday boy wanted a banana split/ice cream sundae buffet... highly recommended to those of you who do NOT answer to the nickname Betty Crocker.

Please don't be fooled by the man-shoulders in the background... that's actually me.
Can you tell I'm feeling self-conscious today???

Just set out cute little sorbet dishes or ice cream bowls (ours were vintage, of course), sauces, fruit, candy toppings, cookies, and nuts... and that's it! You're good to go! Totally low maintenance, and everyone gets exactly what they want!

To decorate for this special occasion, I borrowed an idea that I saw over on The Purl Bee, and I made my own party garland!


I used colored card stock instead of fabric, but you could do it either way. I will definitely be using these for future occasions, and I may even make some holiday themed strands for Christmas time!

Dinner for One

Classes have started back up for G, and the first two weeks of the semester consist of 4 hour classes in the evening... that leaves me to spend my nights right here, with the essentials.

Yummy margherita pizza (of my own design), a big glass of red, the macbook, the remote, and a big fluffy puff.

Bon appetit!

I Scream, You Scream

This picture pretty much sums up my relationship with my father-in-law.

via SwissMiss

I've traveled on many a road trip with my dear in-laws. We eat a lot of ice cream together, and Allen can sniff out a Dairy Queen from miles away.

Thing is, I don't have to do much screaming to get him to stop the car!

Speak Up, Yo!

Today's post requires MUCHO participation from the readers of The Lucky Stone, and I am counting on you all to come forward and voice your thoughts (this means YOU, my dear lurkers).

As is probably quite obvious, blogging has become near and dear to my heart over the last several months.

In honor of passing the 100th post milestone, I have decided to purchase a domain name and move The Lucky Stone to the new and improved address! Now, here's the problem: it seems as though there is a design company located in the Northeast that already occupies my first choice, theluckystone.com.

Boo.

I have a few alternate ideas for a new address, but I'd like to know what you all think.

Because, really?

The Lucky Stone would be nothing without you. Therefore, if you would be so kind as to vote in the poll located in the sidebar, I'd be much obliged!

She's Always Buzzing Just Like...

We interrupt this re-run episode of The O.C. on Soapnet to bring you a fashion confession inspired by this post on Daddy Likey.

When I read of Winona's internal battle with a pair of neon jeans at J. Crew, I just knew I had to show you a fairly recent purchase of my own...

Shield your eyes, my friends, the following extreme-sale-item (tulip jacket in Citron) is brighter than a solar eclipse - and I will not be responsible for any burned retinas.


The picture does not quite capture it's true radioactive color, but I'm hoping that you can just take my word for it.

I'm glad I've gotten this off of my chest, and I'm sure you will all sleep much easier at night knowing that if I ever get lost in the forest, my citron tulip life-jacket will signal the rescue planes faster than a dump truck full of fireworks!

Winona, I think this means we need to plan a Daddy Likey/Lucky Stone camping trip! I'll bring the s'mores!

Brand New Brain Candy

You guessed it! It's time again to update my Brain Candy blog roll, and it has been FAAAAR too long since the last time.

I click through my Google Reader every day, and I figured that it's high time to make sure that my new favorites get the credit they deserve.

The Lil Bee - This wildly popular blog is written by Miss Bee, a kindred soul of yours truly. Not only is she a devoted lover and supporter of dogs, she speaks Spanish, plans events, loves the color yellow, and has impeccable taste in fashion and art (the latter I could probably take some lessons in! Teach me, BEEEEEEE!).

Sucker for Marketing - A fellow mid-western gal (Can I call myself that yet? Don't tell California PLEASE), Amanda writes about beautiful chairs, funny facts, and things that make you go "what the ?!" We've become blogging buddies, and someday are going to have our very own Kansas/Missouri Blogger Convention... watch out, world!

What I Wore - Jessica takes pictures, almost daily, of her ensemble creations and the first time I came across her blog, I swear I could have clicked through the archives all day! She is a very talented thrifter, and I have been so inspired by seeing what she finds and combines to create unique looks that are edgy, yet chic at the same time.

Fashion Architect - Lopi is a grecian goddess of blogging... she was born and raised in Greece and is currently an architecture student there. She may be learning about how to design buildings, but she definitely already knows how to put an outfit together. She loves Chie Maharas (who doesn't?!), can DIY with the best of 'em, wears darling vintage dresses, and lives on a Greek island for goodness sake! What more could you possibly ask for?!

Check these ladies out for some dang good reading!

...and I'm off to continue my job hunt! Good luck, Me!

To My Happy Birthday Boy

Taking the day (mostly) off of blogging to celebrate G's birthday... the BIG 2-4!


G, I know I say this everyday, but I love you more than anything and with all my heart.

I hope you have an especially wonderful day, and I am SO glad we can spend it together!

Brand New Bedroom

Back in April, I wrote a post about our then "Blah Bedroom" and PROMISED that as soon as we had finished redecorating (more like just decorating to begin with), that I would post pictures.

Welp... they're HHEEEEEERRREEEEE!

Even though I still have two prints to frame and hang, I feel like our room has come SUCH a long way, and I would love to share the transformation with you. (That ok?)

BEFORE:

Blah.

Blah.

The only thing not blah about this shot is my beautiful kitty Zoe. HI ZOE!

AFTER:

YES! I have a teddy bear. Now the whole world knows. I sleep with him EVERY night, ok?! Back off!

This is a view of the door into the hallway. Take note of the bookcase behind the door - it used to be a doorway into the kitchen or some weird craziness like that, but the person who converted our condo filled it in and left the frame and an 8" deep pointless amount of space. My superduperhusbandextraordinaire cut and painted a few pieces of wood and mounted them into the door frame to make a little built-in bookshelf! What a champ!

I moved these curtains in from the dining room and I love them much more in here. Made them from fabric that I got here.

Shot of the new rug!

I have artwork for that big blank wall, but it still needs to be framed. To the right you have a sneak peak through the door of our very messy sunroom-turned-walk-in-closet.

Ta-DAH! That's where we're at... and now I'm off to the next project!!!


ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzooooommmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Sassy Lil Skirt

I snagged this vintage taffeta fabric from the interior design firm that I worked at (beFORE it went out of business), and I just knew it had to become something cute and totally wearable for fall.

I was inspired by Camille's handmade creations and, with a few twists of my own, I made this supereasymcpeasy, elastic-waist-band-eat-as-much-cake-as-you-want, full and flowy skirt.

Behold!

The waistband looks so much better than I thought it would, but for some reason I decided to accessorize with a summer scarf, tied in the back.

How do we feel about the length, my friends? I just sort of played it by ear when I sewed the hem, and it was initially about 6 inches longer than shown. Looked a little too "holiday party" at that point, and I think I like it much better now.

I'm hoping to wear it with black tights when it starts to get cooler, and I have many more to make and sell at the West Bottoms Urban Bazaar that I am doing in November!

P.S. Megan at BeachBungalow8 asked for pictures of our grey walls and you can see little snippets of our family room greyish-blue in the photos above. I FINALLY took after pictures of our grey bedroom today, as well, so hopefully I will be posting them manana! Stay tuned, Megan!

To see more beautiful grey walls check our her recent post!

Delicioso!

We are having some friendsies over for dessert and wine tonight and this is what's on the menu:

From a box, people... don't get too excited.

These

Mixed with a bit of this.

Followed by a dollop of plain yogurt mixed with...

This

And a few drizzles of this.

Back Again

Moo Cow by Andrew Hethrington

That's me. Peeking over the wall.

I'm a little hesitant to return, because my heart still hurts, but I miss you, my friends. Just reading your blogs and emails and the comments you have left have helped to inch us forward.

I can finally eat without feeling nauseous, sleep without Tylenol PM, and look at Remy's pictures without bursting into tears.

The emptiness is still very much here, though, and I know it will only recede over time. Maybe even a lot of time.

I cannot tell you enough how much you all mean to me... and I know it's been said before, but being a part of this blog world has been an absolutely amazing experience. It means quite a lot to me, and I don't know if I could get by without it!

Thank you thank you thank you, and here's to another 101 posts at The Lucky Stone.

Broken Hearted

Well, if this isn't the worst 100th post I've ever read OR written in my entire life, then I don't know what is.

Know what I hate?

Pity parties.

Know what I hate more than pity parties?

The fact that I just can't go on without telling you this something that I really really really don't want to have to tell.

I am utterly sick to my stomach knowing what I'm about to write... I can barely bring myself to type it, but I wanted to let you all, my sweet blog friends, know why The Lucky Stone will be a dark for a little while.

We had something terribly, completely, horribly awful happen to our little family on Saturday morning.


Our preciously perfect puppy, Remy, was hit and killed by a car on his morning walk with G.


I cannot go into the details because they are more horrific than you could ever possibly imagine, and I am already working with all my might to get the burning images out of my head.


Saturday was one of the hardest days I've ever had to endure in my life, and it is definitely the hardest thing that G and I have gone through together. While I have lost beloved dogs before (and it NEVER gets easier), I think that this instance is hitting me the hardest.

Partly because it was SOO unexpected, partly because Remy was only 1 1/2 years old, and partly because he was truly like a little piece of 'us', and now our happy foursome has gone to a very sad and lonely little three.


I hate that my recent posts have been missing my usual "Jessie-ness", and I hate to leave on a bad note. I promise that The Lucky Stone will be back up and running soon, but it might take me a few days to get back on track.


Please keep us in your prayers, and know that I will and already have been checking in on your blogs from time to time (especially since I am officially unemployed as of Friday).


Your words make me smile, and it's nice to have something to smile about during these sad days.

Much Love,

Jessie

Perspective

Just look at those eyes

If you read Dooce, then you've probably already read this article, but for those of you who missed it - you should... no you NEED to go there now. (Mama, click on the "this.")

Reading about Dani and her story, and the family that adopted her, really put all my recent goings-ons into perspective.

Unlike Dani's biological mother (if you could even call her that), my precious Mama has done nothing but encourage me, cry with me, and pray for me whenever times are tough.

Today, after listening to me go on and on through my tears, she reminded me of what each of her own parents would tell me. My sweet Bompa, who taught me to laugh, to love, and to search for the great in everything, would have said "You've gotta be tough, Jessy."

I can still hear his most gentle voice.

If anyone else I know told me that right now, I would probably tell them to "Buzz off" and that "I'm doing my best", but my Bomps could do no wrong in my eyes. He'd say those words, and then he'd grab my hands and dance me around the room to the music of Eddy Arnold. My cares were always trampled by his two-steppin' toes and his starry-eyed smile.

My Meema, (who is still alive, but is barely holding on despite a severe case of Alzheimer's), would have said, "Keep your chin up, Lovey." She was always calling people Lovey, and I know that it was a true testament to the fact that she really did love everyone.

And everyone loved her. I don't know of any other way to describe her beauty besides...

Radiating. Breath. Taking. Totally captivating.

Always taking care of others and making sure her brood was happy and well-fed, she would have baked my troubles right into a cherry pie. She would have folded my hurt in with the flour, and then she would have sprinkled the sugar right on top of my sting. I always got to pour in the cherries and finish the edge of the crust, and believe you me, I would have felt better with each little pinch of that dough. When it was done, we would have gobbled it up together, and my worries would be forever drowned in deliciousness.

Meema and Bompa were two of the wisest people I know, and their words, as well as their endless love, will stick with me forever.

My Mom is right. Meema and Bompa were right.

I've got to... and I'm going to

Be tough with my chin up

And until I get to the other side of this mess, I'll be dreaming of twirling and baking with my two beloved friends.

Ah CHOOO!

Good thing I love Giraffes. Image from biro-art.

Ok, I give in.

I'm sick.

It doesn't happen very often, and even when it does, I am usually in denial. But today? There is no doubt about it.

I feel like I have an elephant standing on my chest, my knees are week, my nose is raw, and if I sneeze one more time, I think my eyes might pop right out of my head.

I don't normally blog from work, but I just wanted to try and write through my lack of inspiration for today. I don't know if it is caused by my cold, or by the fact that yesterday, I learned that the company I work for might be...

Um.

Oooooh I can't say it.

Ok, fine.

Going out of business.

But, hey! Besides all that - I feel just dandy! How's your day going???

Swap Time!

A few weeks ago, I agreed to participate in a Summer Swap put on by Jamie over at I Suwannee.

I had no idea what to expect, but I know that I like making care packages, and c'mon... WHO doesn't love receiving them!?

I was paired up with a gal named Natalie, who lives in Alabama (and just recently started her own blog), and we have lots of very serious and thought provoking things in common.

I know nothing about her political preferences, her spiritual upbringing, or her childhood, but I DO know that she flips for a tall icy glass of sangria, loves working on her golden tan at the lake, and can't live without her strawberry-banana lipgloss. She treats her King Charles Cavalier like one of her own children, and whaddya know, I've got two little animal children of my own!

Check out the hot pink tissue and the cute box that it all came in!

Now that I've received her DARling summer swap package, I know even more about her!

She has got great taste in jewelry, makes a MMEEEEAAAAN summer mix CD, loves letterpress (so do I!), and chose to bring out my edgy side by sending me a book of temporary tattoos!

I am so glad we were swap partners, Nat! Thanks so much for all the fun summer goodies!

Sunny Day, Keeping the Clouds Away

On my way, to where the air is clean!

Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Streeeeeet?!

G and I babysat for one precious little nugget on Saturday night (I have a really cute picture of him, but blogger is being a big fat jerk right now)!

We were surprisingly entertained by the following videos... like, for hours... couldn't pull the little guy away... must have watched 'em at least 60 times each.

Feist on Sesame Street... she is so freaking cute.

AND...

Ode to Joy by Beaker

We had a great time with you, little Z-man! Can't wait to see you again soon!

Piperlime Pick of the Week!

Happy Friday, and Happy August, everyone!!!

I just canNOT decide on one pick today, so I am going to post my THREE favorite pairs from this week.

Mia Godiva - SALE $39.99

Have I posted this one before? I can't remember, and I'm too lazy to go check. If I have? Then it just proves how much I like them, and that I should probably buy them immediately.

Right?

RIGHT?!

Oro Nero Bridgit - SALE $49.99

Yellow has really been calling my name these days, and these look quite comfy... perfect for a day full of shopping or running errands. Also a great color to help me transition from summer style to fall fashions. Ok, so I guess I need to get these, too. Yup.

Colico Orion - SALE $169.99

Now, these? The moment I saw these, I knew they were to be added to Jessie's Top Ten Shoes That Will Be Waiting for Her in Heaven.

Right inside my great big Cloud Closet.

How does one find the Cloud Closet, you ask? It'll be right next to the Hummer-sized refrigerator that is always stocked with icy cold watermelon and a variety of cheeses.

Ok! See you there!