"Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been, but what we yearn to be." José Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955)

Last North Carolina post....

I wore this traveling home from my sweet little paradise... I feel so grateful to all the people in my life. My existence on this planet would not be near as full if I didn't have the love, caring and support that I receive from my husband, family, and friends. Thank you all so much. I am behind a bit on this blog and so as I write this I have been home a good two weeks. When I think back on the entire experience of this trip, from my sweet groom gifting it to me as an extra special gift in celebration of my three decades on earth to my husbands scary surgery, and then the trip itself, I sit here and am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love my family and I received at that time. Friends from all parts of our life helped out in so many ways ranging from the concerned phone call from friends, sweet blogger comments from all of you, awesome guest post bloggers, prayers from many, and of course the hands on care that many of my family members selflessly gave to my husband after surgery.

 Thank you all for the gift of YOU...I am so blessed.

WHAT:
Tee: J-Crew
Jeans: Banana Republic...gifted from my sweet Liz
Cardi: ROSS
Shoes: Dansko
Bag: Coach

WHERE:
13 hour plane ride home....

"If your knees are knocking, kneel on them." (Unknown)

Another North Carolina post....

I bought this top while down there, I loved the blousy feel to it and for some reason these days I am over the top for stripes! The jeans were on loan at the time from Liz but she graciously gifted them to me before I left. What a gal! The shoes were also hers... I loved the wedge heel and the gray bronzy look they had.  We went out for dinner at the Shuckin Shack. We had so much fun Shuckin oysters and shrimp. The menu even offered deep fried macaroni and cheese, we ordered some but the kitchen got goofed up and we never got any. SAD. I learned my new fact of the day there.... How many oysters in a peck?   Do you know?

How much fun would this thing be?!? Five seats all with pedals! I wanted to rent one so bad...to bad they were closed.

WHAT:
Blouse: Marshalls
Jeans: Banana Republic...gifted from Liz!
Shoes: "from her closet" (LIZ)

WHERE:
Out to dinner at the Shuckin Shack! A strikingly southern cultural experience...LOVED IT!!! Then out for a cocktail or two! Good Times......

Mom, Liz, Myself, and Mark

The scrumptious yet utterly disgusting aftermath...

"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. " George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

I still have a few sets from North Carolina as well as an adventure I had while there, but I was feeling like my blog needed some boots! I am Danielle and I am a bootaholic! I love my boots..all of them. I like looking at them, petting them, wearing them and taking pictures of them....yes I know, I have a problem. I just feel so dang confident and comfortable in my boots! I suppose it's a good thing that I live in a state that is boot weather more often than not. Wow, that was a lot of the word boot.

We still have yet to be blessed with white flakes falling from the sky. All the leaves are gone and most things are brown right now but the sun has been shining gloriously for days now and the air is a nice crisp 40 degrees. I am loving it...my love may also be procrastination induced because I still have yet to put away all of my outdoor lawn items...EEEK!

This outfit was inspired by the lovely Clare over at Between Laundry Days. I was loving the black/brown combo with the bright colors... Clare has totally been kicking it these days... I have not opened up her page this week and been able to hold back a gasp! She also has a hilarious bagel theft dilemma going on right now... Check it!

WHAT:
Tights: Target
Boots: Frye...Thrifted
Bag: Betsy Johnson...ebay
Button up: Thrifted
Thermal long sleeve: stolen from Dads closet eons ago
Tank: Nordstrom
Pearl necklace: thrifted
Circle necklace: gifted from my groom

WHERE:
An errand and to watch my daughters basketball practice.

"Let us train our minds to desire what the situation demands." Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BC-65

Hi All!
I saw this graffiti wall and about lost my cookies! Have you ever seen a more beautiful wall to take pictures in front of?  The lime green backdrop and the cartoonish wave makes me swoon! I Loveee! I also am in love with these shorts, the paper bag effect is too fun! Also the ability to dress these up or down has me super duper excited. Be on the lookout for tights and boots with the paper bag!


I miss you all...Liz, Mark,Brooke, Britton, Alex, Annie, Russ....and all the Freddies Crew!


WHAT:
Shorts: Forever 21
Tee: J-Crew
Shoes: "From her Closet"  Old Navy
Necklace: gifted from my groom

WHERE:
Still in North Carolina, we ventured out for a day of shopping. We don't have such stores as TJ MAX, ROSS, or MARSHALLS in Alaska. Whenever I am out of state these stores are a must stop! I also had some Fried dill pickles for lunch! Surprisingly YUM!

"Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better." Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

I had such a lovely time in North Carolina. My only schedule was to have no schedule. My friends house was the absolute perfect place to have my own special little retreat. She and her husband built a magnificently beautiful home a mere 200 steps from the beach. Three stories of comfort and each bedroom had it's own tv and bathroom. I had my own space to sit quietly and block out the world if I wanted too! not to mention an significant supply of surf boards, boogie boards, beach chairs, beach cruiser bikes and most importantly great company and LOTS of laughs! Thanks Liz and Mark...Loves! It was my own little slice of heaven. The beach itself was gorgeous, clean, abundant in seashells, and had it's own quaint little personality with families and fisherman scattered about. I loved every minute of it. The weather was absolute perfection, not to hot, not to cold, with the perfect gentle sea breeze. You could sit out there for hours completely comfortable. ALOT of sun was soaked into my skin while there. The neighborhood was full of southern charm and character, from the homes, to the people. One of my favorite moments was when Liz (North Carolina BFF, or as we refer to her..."my sista from anotha mutha") needed a blender to whip up some yummy peachy goodness, she leaned over the balcony to Billy..."can I borrow your blender...? Just have Gino bring it over...!"  He did, and stayed long enough for some peachy goodness! HOW FUN!!! I love things like that...people just loving people and enjoying life. This neighborhood personified that.  There was even older gentlemen with golf cart transportation giving other people rides from one house to another...it was adorable. We had multiple invitations to come over for a cocktail... and lots of southern hospitality! It was just so fun.

The evening I wore this outfit, we were supposed to go to a "pig picken" which I gathered was a potluck neighborhood party centered around roasting a whole pig! I wore the boots and the last picture was my attempt at a ho-down...We were going to a pig-picken after all! We actually ended up not going, I was a bit to entranced in the Alabama-South Carolina college football game. We won't go there...if you follow college football you know what I mean, and yes, if you must know, I was SCREAMING at the tv and am bitter about it....ugh.

Last thing... The location of this shoot is up on the roof. Alot of the homes in the neighborhood had what they called rooftop decks. From this vantage point you can see the ocean for miles unobstructed and the entire town. It was a pretty spectacular view especially at sunset....plus it makes for fun pics!



WHAT:
Dress: "from her closet"
Boots: Frye..... "from her closet"
Necklace: gifted from my Groom.

WHERE:
Just around... grocery store for vino, hummus, spinach dip and candy! Local restaurant to pick up the oh so yummy take out dinner....and desert of course! I'm on vacation!!!

"I didn't find my friends; the good Lord gave them to me. " Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Howdy All!

I am back from my week in Paradise! My husband is well on his way to being recovered and I have been thrown right back into the swing of things here back home.  I am feeling very refreshed and ready to take on  whatever comes my way! This week will be my North Carolina posts... i hope you enjoy and I'll elaborate more details about my trip throughout the week.
WHAT:
Shorts: Old Navy
Tank: Gap
Sweater: Thrifted
Flip Flops: Reef

WHERE:
A nice leisurely sunset walk down the beach. We had just gotten to NC and this was the first time we had been down to the water. We walked up the pier and chatted up all the local fisherman. It was pretty hilarious, these "alaskan women are down here in short sleeves and shorts and the local fisherman on the pier were dressed in down coats, and beanie hats! HA!! It was at least 65 degrees!!!! Thats not a bad day of summer up north!

Whew....I made it.....BARELY!

Hi All!


Weren't my guest bloggers great! Thank you girls, You  were great!

I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

First off I would like to Thank You all profusely for the outpouring concern and kindness you have shown for my family, my husband and myself. It is greatly appreciated and treasured. I am in such awe with the blogging community. You guys are the best!  Thank you.

a little update...

My husbands surgery itself went well, his recovery....not so much. We ended up staying in the hospital overnight and the entire next day. I wrestled with the decision whether to postpone my trip or not. My husband in his drugged stooper said absolutely not! It was not an option for me to stay in his opinion. He gifted me this trip as a token of his love and appreciation for all I do and nothing was going to get in the way of me having a "girls only" beach reunion!  Soooo... I was able to "text" pack on with my mom, discharge  my husband from the hospital, drive home, tuck him into bed, grab my bag, and jet off to the airport with 30 minutes of getting home. Crazy... I know.......

Thankfully we have an AMAZING support group of friends and family that were also encouraging me to head on out due to the fact my husband was going to be well cared for by all of them. My dear,dear friend Heidi has been selflessly by his side, administering medication, taking him to check ups, and all around making sure his recovery is a comfortable and speedy as possible. Thank You Heidi , I love you! My wonderful Mother in law has kept the kiddos and took on all of the school schedules, basketball practices, and the daily wear and tear of three kids! Thank you....I love you too! There are many more of you family and friends whom have graciously given their time and energy to my family through this. I spoke to my husband tonight and he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness shown through, calls, texts, visits, prayers, and meals. Thank you all so much....This truly has been a touching experience.

In the meantime I get to sit on this deck in the sunshine all day....
Or frolic on the beach as shown above...
Or tap a nap any time of the day....


choices, choices....

I love you babe.... Thank you! You truly are amazing... MUAH!!!

JMS welcomes Guest Blogger: Blue Collar Catwalk

"Hi, all! I'm Kyla from Blue Collar Catwalk. Danielle is off having all sorts of fun with an old friend and graciously asked me to write a guest post for her. So, yay! Here I am!

I'm assuming that we're all pretty like-minded around here - at least where clothing budgets are concerned. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to get my money's worth, which means shopping sales and being creative with every piece in my closet. So, I thought I'd put together a little re-mixer of my new favorite lace skirt from Target. It's accessible, affordable and way adaptable. Check out all these looks!

How would you wear it?"

JMS welcomes Guest Blogger: Distinctly Desiree

Hey JMS readers! I'm Desiree from Distinctly Desiree and I'm so honored that Danielle has asked me to do a guest post for her while she jets off to see her BFF.



 

I've seen this Target lace skirt making its rounds in the personal style blogging world and I drool over it ever single time I see it. I heard someone mention that it was now reduced to 30% off, I decided to bite the bullet and buy it. I was floored when I got to Target and found out that it was 50% off! I had to talk myself out of buying it in every color. I would love to pair it with a denim jacket, colored tights and black leather booties but since Texas is relentless with its heat, I had to keep it on the airier side. I love the contrast of the lace skirt and floral top with the menswear-inspired oxfords, I think they make it just casual enough for a day of classes. I will definitely be turning to this skirt all Autumn and Winter (and probably Spring and Summer also). I think it might actually be my favorite item that I've purchased for Autumn 2010.

What are your favorite purchases to the Autumn season?

JMS welcomes guest blogger: Le Quaintrelle

Fall has a way of sneaking up, one day the suns out and you're wearing shorts and sandals and the next day the leaves are changing, a chills in the air and you suddenly have no idea what to wear. But just because the weather's changing, doesn't mean your whole wardrobe needs to too. Taking your summer essentials into fall is easier than you might think. All you need is a couple of extra layers and some creativity! Here's how I take some of my summer staples into the cooler months:

The Maxi Skirt. While maxi skirts are perfect to wear for summer, they are thee winter skirt. You get the chicness of a skirt but with the benefits of coverage. The best way to take a maxi skirt into fall is to add a great jacket. Military, leather, even a blazer would look great. Make sure to pick something whose fit complements the length of the skirt, don't pick anything too long or bulky because all the fabric might overwhelm your body. Cropped, tailored jackets are perfect. Also, to combat those chilly breezes, add tights underneath with some boots or wedges.

The Sundress. I live in dresses during the summer and I don't want to give them up just because of a change in weather. Luckily, adding just a few pieces to a sundress instantly takes you from summer to fall, and adds interest and dimension to your outfit. Trade in your sandals for boots (cowboy, motorcycle, ankle, thigh high-- your choice!) and throw on a leather jacket. I love the juxtaposition of tailored jacket over a flowy feminine dress. Tres chic!

The Gingham Shirt. Of course, it doesn't have to be a gingham shirt, any button-up will work perfectly. Button-up shirts are ideal for layering and create the perfect starting point to a fall outfit. Here I threw a pull over sweater on top of the button-up, not only do I get that extra layer of warmth, but I also add interest to a plain pull-over by pairing it with a patterned shirt. Practical AND stylish, who can argue with that? Throw on some skinny jeans and oxfords and you have a perfect casual fall outfit.

So there's a few ideas on how to tweak your pieces from summer and get them to work for you during the fall. Hopefully it helps you transition a bit easier. If you have any of your own ways of changing up your outfits, I'd love to hear them!

JMS welcomes guest blogger: Sidewalk Chalk

Hello, Just My Style readers! This is JoAnn from Sidewalk Chalk, and I'm so happy to be guest posting for Danielle while she's out. Like D, I'm a big fan of taking my photos outdoors --- there's just so much inspiration to draw from being outside, and sometimes I like wearing things that match my surroundings. It'll be even better in October when the leaves are changing and there will be lots of golden, warm colors everywhere. Here's a snapshot of some items that I'll be interested in wearing this fall -- dark colors, scarves and different patterns. My star dress was perfect for summer's patriotic festivities, but I wanted to transition it to fall. I paired it with my green scarf to bring the color tones down to a darker palette. My scarf is lucky -- my friend picked it up for me while she was in Italy over the summer, and while there her boyfriend proposed to her! I love items with stories surrounding them like that.




What are you looking forward to the most this fall?

WHAT:

Dress: thrifted

Moccasins: Minnetonka

Scarf: from Italy, gift



WHERE:

Work, and running some errands around town.