Saturday, September 29, 2012

Cloches a Travers les Feuilles

 Outfit Details: Dress: Miss Selfridge (2010) // Hat: Vintage via Antique Mall // Necklace: Etsy // Purse: Vintage from Grandmother // Tights & Shoes: Modcloth






If you follow along with me on Instagram (Shadesofmonet), then you may already know that I spent my Saturday last weekend at well, probably one of the most enchanted looking weddings I've ever been to.    Of course I took the opportunity to really play dress up and put on one of my fanciest vintage hats - it's not very often that I get to feel this fancy schmancy, you know?  

Anyhow, it was quite a unique situation as I really only met the lovely bride and groom once and my hubs was the one performing the wedding!  Long story - but in a nutshell, he performed a wedding for  friends of ours a couple months back and the DJ at that wedding loved him so much that he recommended him to this other couple who was looking for someone to perform theirs.  Imagine that!  So of course, my shy self was feeling as awkward as ever sitting in the last row of wooden benches all alone surrounded by a host of family and friends of the bride and groom which obviously all knew each other (and the reason why I did not bring a camera along with me.)  As if that were not  strange enough, the groom's sister (I guess that's who's side I was sitting on) came up to me and complimented my outfit but then proceeded to ask who I was and how I knew the groom....for some reason I had a sneaking suspicion that she thought I could be an ex-girlfriend or someone like that.  Oh geez, nice.  So of course, I explained myself and all was good in the world.  

But really it was a very beautiful wedding with a truly sweet and beautiful couple, their families who were as appreciative and welcoming to us as ever, and to top it off we sat at a table with the funniest couple who reminded us of Chandler and Monica from Friends.  We were laughing and celebrating all night long and that's just the way it should be.

Cheers to celebrating life and love and magical weekends.


Love Bunches, 



Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday Favorites // September Edition

Hello there darlings!

I'm back with my friday favorites along with a few of my sponsor gals to celebrate everything we are adoring in the month of September.  Can you seriously believe that we are at the end of this month?  I am just baffled by how quick September has passed us by.  Now I'm looking forward to really enjoying October and halloween and everything else these autumn months have to offer.  But before I do, this is what I currently am hearting:

(Here)

As the biggest sucker for a good hair accessory, I simply cannot resist these colorful fascinators with birdcages from Sunshine and Carousels.  One in every color please.  What gal doesn't love to wear something fun & extra fancy-schmancy on her head?  I know I certainly do!

(Here)

And to go with the fancy pants fascinator?  Fancy pants gold shoes, of course!  The big bows on these ones have me hook, line, and sinker.  


So on a different note - a note of chocolate and cinnamon that is, I am really digging this organic pu-erh tea by Numi.  It's a fermented tea accented with cacao nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon, orange peel, and nutmeg.  It's truly decadence in a cup - and tastes like Pfefferkuchen (a German chocolate gingerbread).  I would recommend it to anyone who adores tea and/or is looking for something to help manage their weight.  This stuff not only works but also has numerous other health benefits.  So drink up darling!

**********



I am loving this apron I found! I love Harry Potter and I love baking so it is perfect in my eyes! I also found a new favorite blog and she has an Etsy shop where you can buy these!!


**********


How amazing is this music video by Paper Kites? I'm really diggin' them. It's so beautiful. I just love it. I'm currently swooning over all their videos and songs. I wish they would do a North American tour. Perhaps with their new album their in the process of releasing, they'll make it up here from down under.  You can follow along my style blog by clicking here. Or check out my online shop for the gal who loves vintage and jewelry. 


**********


Lately I find myself going over to Supayana's Etsy store on almost a daily basis  to drool over her beautiful dress creations. All of her dresses are gorgeous, but my favorite, hands down, is this darling fox print dress. The A-line shape, darling fabric, length, colors = the perfect fall dress in my opinion!

~ Jacqueline

*********

There you have it my friends.  It's rainy as all get out here, so my kayaking plans are quickly being flushed down the tubes, but I'm thinking a nice hot cup of tea and an old movie might be the perfecto remedy to chase away this rainy day.

Talk soon!

Love Bunches, 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Sponsor the Shades of Monet Chronicles in October


I'm not quite sure where September has run off to, and as for October, I can hardly believe it's just about here.  Yay!!!  Bring on the jack o'lantrens, caramel apples, and candy corn!  If you are looking to promote you blog or business, you can hop on over here or click on my Sponsor button above to check out my affordable ad options.  It's really as easy as pumpkin pie.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Parkerlilyblvd@yahoo.com.  I would love to hear from you :)


Love Bunches, 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The Traveling Pumpkin


Outfit Details: Dress/Bag/Scarf : Vintage // Sweater: Target // Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell








Hello hello!

It's nice to be back from the weekend darlings.  The last couple days have been quite a blur and I kind of felt as if I were running from one thing to the next, so at this very moment it is quite nice to slow down and sit here and just type.  I most certainly can't complain though.  Though I've never been a huge fan of being overly busy (blame it on the introvert in me), still every last moment that passed by this weekend was a sweet one.  Swordfish with pumpkin ravioli, a bonfire, a wedding, a visit and Sunday pasta dinner at my family's house oh and yes, those pumpkin carrot cupcakes that I have been raving about nonstop.  I've made 3 separate batches in one week just because I love them so much!

So during my pitstop back to my parent's house, the little fam and I stopped off at a local park to kill some time before my parents got off work.  We came across a beautiful pup with the sweetest owner who chatted with us like we were old friends.  I just love friendly people like that!  Wondering about the trick-or-treat pumpkin?  No it's not my new accessory, my son carries his trains around in it...everywhere!  This started following last year's halloween and it kind of just stuck.  He calls it his "pum pum" and it travels the world with us.

So tell me darlings, do you have that one thing that goes everywhere with you?  

Love Bunches, 















Saturday, September 22, 2012

Autumnal Equinox

 Outfit Details: Dress: Vintage // Scarf & Shoes (sale): Modcloth // Socks: UO




Happy first day of Fall darlings!

Here's to a gorgeous season full of brightly colored leaves, pumpkin pies, apple ciders, and cozy bonfires.  Not much more to say than just that.  My weekend is chock full - a bonfire, making pumpkin-carrot cupcakes, a wedding, and a trip back to the hometown.  There's lots to do so I got to run.  Hope your weekend is just as beautiful!

Love Bunches, 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September Sponsor Spotlight

Hello darlings,
I have a loverly bunch of gals to introduce you to this month if you haven't had the pleasure of meeting them already.  Pop on by and say a warm hello to these ladies if you have a minute or two :)



Blog // Twitter // Pinterest

Blog // Facebook // Twitter



**********

A very big thanks to these sweethearts for supporting my blog this month!  
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the month of October, hop over here for more info.

See ya soon!
Love bunches, 



Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sunset Lake

Outfit Details: Dress (sale) & tights: Modcloth // Scarf: Vintage // Brooch: Antique Mall // Shoes (old) : Dolce Vita








Hello darlings, 

How have you been?  It really feels like September is as busy ever and has kind of swept in like a whirlwind.  My favorite thing this month so far has been the little quiet moments the fam and I have been able to grab down by the lake where we live before the weather really turns cold.  Twirling around and watching the sun go down is a very nice contrast to the hustle and bustle that at times fills the every day.  We actually came down here to eat dinner (my neighborhood has it's own little restaurant that sits on the lake) and it was kind of the best place to unwind.  I feel pretty blah and behind in everything right now - so these next couple days will be devoted to catching up.  Catching up with emails, catching up with my Etsy shop, catching up with mundane tasks, and catching up with you!  

That's about all for now.  It's rainy and windy as all get out - up to 60 mph gusts (yeah, that actually really scares me) so I am content to cozy  up inside with my cup of tea and a pile of laundry.  Hey, I never said my life is glamorous - ha!  

Talk soon darlings!
Love bunches, 


Saturday, September 15, 2012

Saturday and Other Bits

Outfit Details: Dress: Vintage (from shop) // Scarf: yard sale // Necklace: Antique Mall // Shoes: UO





Right now: I am watching Snow White and the Huntsman.   Ok, so it wasn't so bad after all - I actually liked it, but oh Kristen Stewart - you will forever be a vampire named Bella in my head.

Right now: I am feasting on a pumpkin carrot cake muffin that I made the other day, but in actuality I call it a pumpkin puffin (pie + muffin) because the center is so sinfully moist that it reminds me of pumpkin pie filling.  Holy yum.

Right now: I am not donning this dress but rather my favorite yoga pants and a hoodie and not worrying about getting dressed and out the door because hooray hooray it's Saturday.  Instead I will enjoy my muffin and cup of mint chocolate oolong and perhaps mosey on down by the lake with my son in one hand and a book in the other once I feel like getting up from this comfy couch.

These are the moments Saturdays are made of.

Oh yeah, since photos on here don't necessarily happen in real time, I spent a splendid Monday afternoon the other week in this cozy little lakeside - forest lined nook that we stumbled upon on our way home from the market.  It was the perfect summery sort of day and all I wanted to do was frolic and admire the lily pads.  The End.

Wishing you another magical kind of Saturday.
Love Bunches,

Thursday, September 13, 2012

The Craft Room: Retooling a Collar off an Old Blouse

Hello Darlings, 

If you follow me on Instagram, then you may already have gotten a sneak peek at the simple little DIY I finished the other day.  Detachable collars - we all love them, right?  So awhile back, I found this totally 80s jacket/tunic/blouse thing and kind of fell in love with the collar despite the hideous almost waterproof cross between a choir robe and a slicker type of material.  While I will admit that I have indeed worn it before...see here, I really just wanted to save the collar and nothing else so cue up the DIY.  

This one is so easy my friends (trust me, I am far from a pro), and it doesn't take a neurosurgeon to pull it off, just a pair of scissors and perhaps some needle and thread and pretty ribbon.  


Materials Needed:
A thrifted blouse with a pretty collar - preferably sailor or Peter Pan style.
Scissors
A needle and thread
Ribbon
Hook-and-eye closure (optional)


1. Lay your blouse with the collar flat, then using the collar seam as your guide, cut about a centimeter  below the seam the whole way around the collar.
  

 If you want to skip the next step, you can also cut as close to the seam as you are able.  You will be left with an unfinished edge which won't be seen when worn, but because I was cutting through 4 layers of material on my blouse (yes 4! Two from the blouse itself and 2 from the collar.), I decided to be cautious and leave myself a little extra room to cut.  Either way, I would have had to do step 2 since the 4 layers of fabric would have been stiff enough to stand up leaving a bulky edge where the seam is.  


2.  With a needle and thread, sew the centimeter of extra fabric down to the collar.  This will help it lay more flat.  Iron if needed.

Because I'm a bit picky...ok, a straight up type A perfectionist at times, I opted to give my collar a faux bow in the front and a hidden hook-and-eye closure to keep it more secure when worn.  I have purchased a couple of lovely collars with the typical two ribbons in the front that you tie into a bow, however I have found that on me, the ribbon does not stayed tied or it becomes very cockeyed during the day.  So instead, I added a hidden hook-and-eye closure where the collar would close in the front and a bow on the front of the outside flap.  This stays in place for me sooooo much better but it does add one more step to the process.



3.  In the mirror, put the collar around your neck, overlapping the front ends (about 1/2 an inch in from the edge) and mark off where it will naturally close on both sides.  This is where your hook-and-eye closure will go.  Grab your needle and stitch on both parts of the hook-and-eye.  (The hook will go on the inner side of the outer flap of the collar.  The eye will go on the outer side of the flap which lays closest to your skin)  Make sense?  That's a mouth full!


4.  Take your ribbon and tie a bow, making sure it's the right size you want it to be for your collar.  With your needle and thread, sew the bow on to the part of the collar which overlaps the other - right on the front center - which is basically on the outer side of where your hook is sewn.


Hooray!  You are finished!  You now have quite the little show stopper of a collar on your hands.  Alright darlings, enough DIYing for the day, I'm off to bake some pumpkin carrot cake muffins.

Peace, love, and pumpkin lattes, 
Love Bunches, 

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Teacups and Early Sunsets


Outfit Details: Dress: Thrifed & altered // Hat: Target // Necklace: Etsy // Bag: Chantilly Songs Kickstarter gift // Socks: UO // Shoes: Clarks (gift from hubby)





As the days are getting shorter and the weather has seriously cooled off, I am finding that warm cups of cider, heavier blankets, cozy hats, and pumpkin spiced anything is really getting me into this new season.   As my hubs has been battling a fall cold, I spent a good part of my afternoon yesterday outside on our hammock reading (or re-reading)  some Hemingway, taking in the cool breeze but still basking in the bit of sunshine that sneakily peeked through the trees.  This all being during the hours where my son takes his nap.  The evening was filled with sweet potato quinoa and was finished off by a sunset kayaking run on the lake with a friend.  It's hard for me to not miss the warm summer weather, but little moments like this make it all the easier.

As for this dress - I just had to mention it.  It was a dowdy old thing down past my ankles before I hemmed it up, but I just couldn't get over the peter pan collar and teacup and menu print - so I snagged it up at my local thrift.  Better yet, my hubs bought these shoes for me six years ago and I hadn't worn them once.  I guess back when he bought them I was more into pointy toed heels and such, but how very nice to find them now packed away in a large container in the back of my closet.  It was like an early birthday gift.

So that is life as of late.  It's 9-11 today and I can't help but to remember seeing that tragic day unfold 11 years ago as a young student in my college dorm room.  My heart truly goes out to the families who lost loved ones that day and has great respect for the many heroes that stepped up to keep our country safe.  You will never be forgotten.  
Talk soon darlings!
Love Bunches, 

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...