Water Slides

 Outfit Details: Dress: Vintage in my shop // Scarf & Shoes: Thrifted // Necklace: UO (old)

So I guess it's now safe to say I am happily nestled in Hilton Head and on the hunt for the perfect house to hold my little sis's beach wedding at.  This however is not Hilton Head.  During the past couple of weeks, the hubs and I had several days free to ourselves, sooooo....we decided to take an afternoon and spend it amongst some local falls - or Mother Nature's water slides as I'd like to call them.  If anything it was such a peaceful little nook to just walk and talk and take it slow - real slow.  So with that thought, my connection here on "the island" is pretty slow itself, so please pardon if it takes me a little while to catch up with you all before too long.   Hmm, I'm thinking right now the beach awaits.  Here's to one slow & peaceful Sunday!

Love Bunches, 

Giveaway - Braided Bandit Vintage

Hello there darlings, 

As I am probably in a car right now heading off to start my little holiday, I wanted to kick off the weekend a couple days early with a giveaway to the ga - ga gorgeous Etsy shop, Braided Bandit Vintage.  Hannah, the owner of the shop has quite the knack for finding some of the prettiest vintage pieces around and she is quite the sweetheart herself:)  

Anyhoo, a $40 gift card is up for grabs, so head on over and peruse to your heart's content, then follow the instructions to enter below:

1. Follow Hannah's Blog - The Braided Bandit on GFC & 

tell us which item in her shop you like the most.  Be sure to leave your email so we can contact you if you win.

For additional entries (leave a separate comment for each):

2. Follow Hannah's blog with bloglovin (link)

3. Like The Braided Bandit on Facebook (link)

4. Follow @BraidedBandit on twitter (link)

How easy peasy lemon squeezy is that?

One more thing: As sweet as she is - Hannah is currently offering 30% for everyone with the code "Monet30"

That's all for now darlings!  I will catch you in a couple:)  

xx, 

Marisa Noelle

Good Day Sunshine

Outfit Details: Top: Vintage // Skirt (dress) : Vintage, upcycled (remixed here) // Hat: Anthropologie (old, on sale) // Brooch: Gift from Sister // Shoes: UO// Tote: Cute Vintage

As a perpetual night owl - I most often think the sunset is the best part of every day, especially on nights like this, which I will admit are few and far between.  Nonetheless, I found this scenic little spot to catch the sun bidding us goodnight and it just seemed to be the perfect farewell to this summer day.

I'm all kinds of giddy at the moment because in a few days I will be leaving for Hilton Head Island, SC with my parents and my son to scout out and book the perfect house for my little sister's beach wedding in November.  The poor hubs and sis have to stay back home and work, but Keane and I and my parents will make it well worth it for when November rolls around.

Anyhow, I must be off for now.  There is much to do and of course much to pack:)

Talk soon darlings!

Love Bunches, 

Custard and Ice

 Outfit Details: Dress, Bag, Belt, Shoes: Thrifted // Floral Crown: DIY

What's a gal gotta do to keep cool on a sweltering hot 90 something, full blast humidity kind of day?  Eat gallons and gallons of water ice and custard of course.  Well maybe that's an exaggeration, but I'm sure I can't be that far off, right?  It's been so bloody hot that I feel like my face is melting off, tell me I'm not the only one...hehe.

Anyhoo, with the sweet little kiddo away at the grandparent's house - this day is dedicated to my dapper fella.  A day spent out and about with just the two of us beckons.  It's been a long white, so I am giddy as a school girl.  I must be off darlings but catch you real soon!

Love Bunches, 

One more thing -
The winner of Hattitude Jewellery's Vintage Recycled Necklace Giveaway is ...

 ** Laura of Thrifting Through Life  **

Thanks a million to all who entered:)

What I Ate // Summer Edition : Mango Avocado Salad

As the weekend is just about upon us, I thought nothing better than to share one of my favorite summer recipes with you.  Who doesn't just love fresh produce in the summertime?  Really, the two things just go hand in hand.  This little mango avocado salad is something that I make all summer long and is surely one of the most simple recipes known to man -  definitely not rocket science, if you know what I mean, but a tasty little morsel it is indeed.

What You Need:
2 ripe mangos
1 avocado
1 small red onion
1 jalapeno pepper
A handful of cherry tomatoes
Cilantro (optional)  - I used a small handful - but you can use more or less depending on your taste preferences.
Shredded Coconut
Juice of 1 lime
Honey

How You Make the Magic:
Chop up all your produce and mix together.  Top with shredded coconut.  Squeeze the juice of your lime over the salad and finish off with a drizzle of honey and stir.

I told you it was easy :)

Catch you tomorrow darlings!  

Love Bunches, 

 ** Pssst - Last chance to hop over here or click on the sidebar to the left to enter the giveaway to win a vintage recycled one of a kind necklace from Hattitude Jewellery Shop.    The winner will be announced tomorrow.  **

Starry Starry Barn

 Outfit Details: Dress, Brooch & Purse: Antique Mall // Hat: UO // Vintage - Thrifted

Hello, hello, 

This past weekend found me back in my hometown just for a day or two to recoup from my seemingly long but wonderful week at teaching camp.  Several weeks back I was asked by a good friend to shoot some photos of her for her upcoming album's cover art.  It's rare that I actually get to hop behind the camera these days, so naturally I jumped at the chance to do so. This Starry Barn - a national historic landmark, is the exact place I took her to.  I'm sure you've seen similar barn structures around from time to time, but this particular one was the first of it's kind to have ever been built and a charming but deteriorating little place it is indeed.  I just couldn't pass the chance to explore here just one more time as supposedly there are plans to tear it all down and relocated it elsewhere.

So that's about all for now.  Hope your weekend was a swell one.  Any exciting plans on tap for those of you celebrating July 4th?  Have a loverly week darlings!

Love Bunches, 

 ** If you haven't had a chance yet - hop over here  or click on the sidebar to the left to enter the giveaway to win a vintage recycled one of a kind necklace from Hattitude Jewellery Shop before it ends this week.  It's quite the little beauty:)  **

Water Lily Cove

Outfit Details: Romper & Sunnies: UO // Scarf & Sandals: Thrifted // Blouse: Target

The week has concluded and I'm quite tuckered but pleased as punch from teaching drama at a kid's camp this past week.  My little troop of elementary age girls were as good as gold and performed their little hearts out leaving mama ducky feeling quite proud.  So here I am savoring this Saturday that has been well earned.  Not much to say but that.  The past hour has been passed by soaking up sunshine in the water lily cove at the end of my neighborhood.  Moments don't come anymore serene than this.

Wishing you a peaceful Saturday darlings.

Love Bunches, 

Giveaway - Vintage Recycled Necklace // Hattitude Jewellery

While I'm busy as a bumble bee teaching drama at a sports & performing arts camp this week - I thought what better than to feature a giveaway from my darling sponsor Hattie of Hattitude Jewellery...she has quite the little beauty up for grabs today:)


Catch you real soon!
xx Marisa Noelle

************************

Hello hello darling gals of The Shades of Monet Chronicles!

My name is Hattie, I'm 24 years old and I run a jewellery business, Hattitude Jewellery, where I hand make all my own designs using new and vintage recycled pieces. If you are  vintage lover, you'll love this necklace. 

First day of summer was last week, what better way to celebrate Summer lovin' then with a giveaway? I want to offer you a chance to win a necklace from my jewellery shop.

The necklace is yellow and charming and all things, that summer should be about. This necklace would look great, with some jean shorts, a white t-shirt, lying on the hammock, eating some watermelon listening to the birds chirp, or the frogs rib-it, because it's summer! 

Put some sand between your toes while walking on the beach with this little necklace. This necklace is one of a kind, made from vintage reclaimed pieces with new chain (don't go swimming wearing it, gentle loving only please). 

To Enter:

1. Become a follower of Hattitude Style Blog (here) 
Also, leave your email address so we have a way to contact you.

For extra entries (leave a separate comment for each):

2. Like my Hattitude jewellery page on Facebook 

3. tell me which is your favourite piece and how you would style it in my shop

4. follow me on twitter



Winner will be randomly chosen and announced Thursday July 5th, 2012. 

A special treat for Independence Day!

Here, There, Everywhere

Why hello darlings!

Today you can find me over at The Midwest Muse sharing a little piece of my new town with you.  Follow me on over if you do so please :)

One more tidbit - I am doing a giveaway over at Chantilly Songs on behalf of my shop, Allyhoot Vintage.  Up for grabs this time is a groovy flower print suitcase.  It's really a darling little bugger so if that tickles your fancy, you can find it and enter right here.

Ciao for now:) 

xx Marisa Noelle

Boatyards and Blue Eyes

 Outfit Details: Top (Dress) via swap w/ Jacqueline // Skirt & Belt: Thrifted // Headband & Shoes: Modcloth (old)

Hello there darlings!

First time in a very long time - I went kayaking and really thought it was the most marvelously relaxing thing in the whole world.  I think it's been since my high school years that I've been out on a lake in this capacity.  Thank goodness for wearing a swimsuit underneath my outfit for impromptu little activities like this as well as having a friend with a couple of kayaks.   I can always appreciate the leisurely moments I get which some days I just don't slow down enough for them.  

On this day I also served at a local nursing home - I was there with my husband to play the piano and sing little hymns and campfire songs with the residents.  I have to admit, I really had the hardest time going at first.  After having lost 3 of my grandparents last year, it makes me pretty sad to be around elderly folks - I guess mostly because I miss my Oma, Opa, and Nana quite terribly and at any given moment small reminders of them will have me bursting into tears.  So here I was on this day and the longer I spent around these beautiful folks in this home, the more comforted I felt.  I felt comforted seeing their smiles, and hearing their silly little comments for everything.  Most of all I felt a quiet peace looking into this one dear little lady's eyes and seeing my grandmother.  It was the strangest thing, but all I know is that both her and my grandfather and my nana felt very near that day and that had me smiling on the inside.  

So that's that - this whole week has me tied up teaching elementary kids drama/performing arts at a sports camp.  It shall prove to be very interesting as it's normally teenagers I work with.  If I survive - you shall hear from me soon...hehe. 

Have a wonderful week darlings!

Love Bunches,