Irina Dress Boutique: March 2011

Moss Wreath

I channeled my inner Martha yesterday... I made a monogrammed moss wreath.

Wreaths are stinking expensive and I get bored with them easily, so I was not about to fork over a lot of moolah. So we made a Hobby Lobby run instead. Here is our loot:

Hot glue gun, glue sticks, wood letter, gold paint, foam brushes, moss, foam wreath form

This is super easy. First, paint your letter (only if you want to add a letter). Next, hot glue the moss to the foam form (this takes longer than I expected and is messy, so beware). Lastly, hot glue the letter to your wreath and ta-da.

Hopefully, I will get more crafty but I am a little time and space constricted right now!

Love,

Exciting Weekend to Come

We had a very productive weekend.

We worked at the Inman Park United Methodist Church along with members of our Sunday School class. It was part of Great Day of Service and more than 1,500 people volunteered. It was a great day of fun and fellowship but we are exhausted.

But, I am BEYOND excited for this weekend. My sorority sisters are coming to the ATL for our annual girls weekend. Last year was the beach, this year Atlanta, next year ????

A screen shot of the invite I made; I took out some personal information fyi :)

This week will be busy with cleaning, baking and preparing for their arrival. I love visits with friends! I will update you with our activities sometime next week.

Love,

Eye Candy - Weekend Edition

It is Friday.... Finally Friday... Let's say it one more time to make it real... It is finally FRIDAY!

Is it just me or has this been the LONGEST week ever!!! Um no, it has!

We have a busy weekend doing volunteer work with our Sunday school class and I have a date with our pool on Sunday to mask this casper-like skin.

But to leave you with a little treat for the spring like temps, here are some more things I am eyeing (PS if you hate these blog posts with clothes, shoes, etc. then I apologize; but, I am a girl and this is what I do)

Piperlime shorts

Old Navy scarf

Banana Republic dress

Enjoy, while I sit here wishing I was adorned in these clothes. Have an awesome weekend!

Love,

Outfit of the week - $200 or less!

This week's outfit features a pretty dress perfect for any of your upcoming spring soirees. The Limited dress is paired with a statement necklace and a fun pair of Nine West heels. Complete this look with a Shiraleah clutch and you'll be ready to welcome the warmer temperatures in style.

The Limited dress $29.95
Nine West heels $18.95
Necklace $58.95
Shiraleah clutch $54.95

Grand total: $162.80

These pieces can be found at Current's Alexandria location.

Dog Cake Recipe

Several people have asked me for the recipe of Winston's birthday cake. It is SUPER easy and Winston LOVED it.

Let me also say this picture is so not pretty because I actually dropped it on the floor minutes before... but Winston didn't care.

1 cup white or whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter (I put more than this)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F

Mix together flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a ring mold sprayed with a nonstick spray for 40 minutes.

Frost this cake with low fat cottage cheese and decorate with carrot pieces. Store in refrigerator.

-This recipe didn't make a very large cake but the hubby reminded me that he doesn't need to eat an entire cake either -

St. Paddy's Day

This past weekend we escaped Atlanta for a weekend of fun with friends. We dropped off Winston with my dad (which I am missing him so bad right now) and picked up Erin and Nathan in Birmingham.

On to Jackson, Mississippi for the annual St. Patrick's parade and to see Mandy and Taylor. The parade wasn't actually on St. Paddy's but the Saturday after.

Neither of us had ever been to Jackson before but it is a precious southern town... It kind of makes me miss those true Southern towns, unlike Atlanta. The houses were precious, a little sprinkle of Homewood and way nicer than Tuscaloosa.

Of course I didn't take many pictures but we still had fun.

Love,

Happy Birthday Mary Frances

Like I said before, March is apparently THE birthday month!

Now is it one of my longest childhood friend's time to celebrate! Mary Frances and I have been through ballet, tap, summer camp, grade school and eventually high school together.

I hope you have an amazing birthday sweet girl!

Happy Birthday Sarah

Happy Birthday Sarah!

If you read this post, you know that Sarah just got engaged and we are super excited for them!

Have an amazing birthday!

Outfit of the week - $200 or less!

Gucci SS 2011

This week's outfit is a take on the color blocking trend seen on the runways this past season. This version is much more suitable for work and easier to integrate into your everyday life. The gorgeous silk Catherine Malandrino skirt is paired with a midnight blue J. Crew cami. Add an extra pop of color with a tomato red necklace and matching clutch. These gorgeous Michael Kors sandals have great chain detailing and will work perfectly with pretty dresses for spring.

Catherine Malandrino skirt $59.95
J. Crew camisole $18.95
Michael Kors sandals $32.95
Shiraleah clutch $48.95
Necklace $38.95

Grand total: $199.75

These pieces can be found at Current's Alexandria location.

Spring Addiction

The first step is admitting it and ...

I have a major problem! It is not that I buy anything; I just ~~window~~ web shop.

I love looking at clothes, purses, shoes, jewelry... you name it.

Tory Burch Reva Clutch

Beaded Bangles

J. Crew shorts

Gap Ruffle Sleeve Dress - p.s. It is on sale for $40 right now!

For Nash bracelet - awesome site; bracelet is only $25

For Nash Clover earrings - also only $25!

Steve Madden wedges

Madewell dress

Urban Outfitters top

Love,

Wordless Wednesday

More destruction...

Home Envy

So we can't buy any home decor right now due to A) Space B) Saving and C) Hopefully moving in the near future.... but it doesn't hurt to look!

Oh and I had an epiphany on my way to work the other day. I decided that when I can buy our furniture, and not the college collection we are sporting now, my home decor style would be classified as kinda traditional chic. I love the look of traditional but with some contemporary, modern flare. This is just info. in case you were laying awake at night dying to know :)

I am loving this living room.... the orchids, blue, furniture... LOVE it!