Weekend Report - Part 2

If you read my last post, you know my dear friend, Mattie, came for a visit this last weekend.  We had a blast! Dinner and drinks Friday night, beach on Saturday.  Which I forgot to mention after the beach we came home cold and tired.  So of course the only cure was a nice cup of hot chocolate/coffee, and a chick flick! We watched Time Traveler's Wife. I cry every time I watch that movie!  

But I still love it!

On Sunday we decided to take a trip to Montrose for a nice Sunday brunch and some antique/resale shopping! It was wonderful and relaxing!

Both my sisters joined us!

 Above: Me with my younger sister, Jenn, from Contemporary Harbor.

 Me and my older sis, Christie!

 And of course we have Madelyn in her adorable blue skirt and lace top!

 My wonderful Houston friend, Beth El, and my sis enjoying a Mimosa!

We had a lovely brunch in a nice little patio garden at Empire Cafe!  I personally have to say I've never had a better chocolatey coffee then their 'Milky Way'!  I think I practically chugged the whole glass it was sooooo yummy!

We continued our day walking around Montrose, shopping. Unfortunately I have no photos of that as we were much to focused on a shopping! I will have to do an outfit post to show you the adorable dresses I got!  I plan on wearing several this coming weekend when I go visit my hubby!! 

 

(This fabulous comfy dress cost me a whole $13 at Ross, belt $10 at Tillys.com)

We finished the day with dinner out on my patio, proceeded by silly photos in my back yard!  Enjoy!

 Here no evil, see no evil, speak no evil!

 The more the merrier!!

 Group hug!!!

 Have I mentioned how silly we are?!?  I am going to miss Mattie so much!

Look how well my Hibiscus bushes are doing! We carted those things all the way from Mississippi because my husband bought them for my birthday 3 years back!

Speaking of my husband...I get to see him in less than 48 hours!! He is graduating Army Basic Training this weekend! But he is still not coming home yet. :*(

Stay tuned for pics of all my bargain dresses I bought for the weekend!

Weekend Report - Part 1

So this last weekend my horribly missed girlfriend, Mattie, from Madelyn St. Claire came for a visit!  She lives in St. Louis, and was a bridesmaid in my wedding 5+ years ago!  I was sooo excited and happy to have her visit! Boy, did we have a busy weekend showing her Houston! My sister, Jenn, from Contemporary Harbor  joined us for the weekend fun!

Our Saturday started at the beach...

Unfortunately it happened to be extremely windy and extremely cold that Mattie felt the need to wrap herself in towels!

The wind blew poor Jenn and Mattie right out of their shoes...!

 Actually, that took off and such a hurry across the beach in chase of a hat...If only I had caught it on video...it was priceless!  After a serious nose dive into the sand, the hat was rescued!

 Proof of the nose dive into the muddy sand hole!

Well we survived the beach...however windblown and cold!  We managed to clean up pretty nicely if I must say, and went to Mario's Italian Restaurant in Galveston, TX.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner out on their beautiful patio.

 Couldn't have asked for a better time!  Well...maybe a little less wind! :)

(Sunday events and pics to follow!)

Tropic Chic

I desperately need your opinion!  

I want to show you this fabulous dress I bought!  I fell in love with it at the store. 

I got it to wear at my husband's Turning Blue Basic Training ceremony.  

The only problem is that my husband is not a huge fan of maxi dresses.

(Apparently not enough leg showing for him I guess!)

So, as you can see, I am torn. 

Do you think this dress is stunning enough on me to wear it regardless? 

This is slightly amusing and awkward...but I have to make sure I look good because I am apparently up for nomination as best looking wife/girlfriend in the company!  

My husband wants that bragging right!  

So I need your honest opinion!

Is the dress to 'beach resort/loud' to wear normally?

(Notice my lovely Hibiscus bushes blooming in the background!)

(Also, you can't tell in this photo but I just recolored my hair to a beautiful intense copper!)

Hues of Happiness

I have to admit...this post is to inspire me as much (if not more) as it is to inspire you!  I need a little "pick me up" and nothing does that better than sunny yellow hues!

 There is something about yellow that just warms my spirit and my day!

 You know if I didn't already have plans for my future nursery to be champagne gold and dusty blue, I think I would do it in yellow like the picture above!  I'm going to let you in on a little secret...Every once in a blue moon I am tempted to buy the most adorable baby girl clothes...and they are always in this shade of yellow!

Love this table setting!

 Great centerpiece idea!

 The perfect outdoor dining oasis!

 Oh, and what I would give to end my day right here in this hammock...with Justin by my side. *sighs* 

See...all this yellow and I'm already feeling happier! How about you?

~ Elle

(photos via pinterest)

Back to Reality

Last weekend was jumbled mix of emotions. Thursday evening I was high with excitement at the thought of seeing my husband after 2 1/2 months. He looked so good in his uniform...but then my opinion is biased!  While it was wonderful to spend the weekend with him, it was so hard to say goodbye.

I thought I would share some photos from my weekend with you!

 

(dress from Kohls)

On our way to a wonderfully unhealthy breakfast at Ihop! 

 It took me a bit to get used to his lack of hair!

We ate at a wonderful Hibachi grill for our last meal together before heading back to base.

I'm so proud of this guy for the sacrifice he is making for his country!

 Doesn't he look good in uniform?! :)

 He finally gave a real smile for me!

(dress from TJ Maxx, shoes from Ross)

 Our final photo before saying goodbye...that was the hardest goodbye. Much worst than when he first left for basic. I think when he first left back in January I didn't know what to expect so it wasn't as hard. This time I knew how difficult it was going to be so I couldn't even speak as he told me goodbye and that he loved me.

This whole experience has made me realize how much we take for granted our military and the guys that sacrifice their time, lives, and families for us and our country!  We should never take them for granted, and what they are doing for us!

So now I am back to the reality of a lonely house, and trying to keep busy so that I don't focus on how much I miss my husband! I think I am going to redo a closet this weekend! :) That should keep me plenty busy!

~ Elle

Packing Problems

I am off to see Justin tomorrow!

For those of you who don't know, my husband is at Basic Training in Fort Benning, GA.  This weekend is family weekend pass, and will be the first time I've seen him in 2 1/2 months!!

I can not tell you how EXCITED I am! 

These last few weeks have been stressful and challenging. I have been trying to keep myself busy (hence the lack of blog posts) so I don't notice how much I miss Justin!

Let me tell you, PACKING for this trip was CHALLENGE!  

50 lbs limit per suitcase? Really? They can fit so much more than that! I hadn't even finished and it was already at 56.6 lbs!  There was nothing I wanted to take out. This was a big dilemma.  I started decreasing all my hair/cosmetic products and finally got it to 48.2.  PHEW!! 

Now you might be wondering what did a pack that was 48.2 lbs?!? Well let me tell you!

My wonderful cowboy boots that are a must to wear with cute sundresses!

Lots and lots of cute sun dresses and maxi dresses!

 (via Victoria Secret)

(via Victoria Secret)

 (via Victoria Secret)

 (via Delias)

  (Sailing dress via QuickSilver)

Of course I need shoes to go with the dresses!

(via zappos)

(via shoedazzle)

(via shoedazzle)


So that is just an idea of SOME of the stuff I packed!  What items/trends are you craving to wear this spring/summer? Where are your favorite places to shop?

 I will try and remember to take pictures of all my outfits and post when I get back!

Wish me luck!

~Elle