Baby it's Cold Outside

Outfit Details: Sweater & Shoes: Thrifted//Hat, Blouse, Jeans: Target//Brooch: Antique Marketplace//Bag: Vintage//Socks: AE

Happy hump day darlings!
All I can say about today is that it rained, rained, rained...in fact, it's rained for the past couple days and hasn't stopped.  I think days like this are best for big cozy sweaters and movie watching.  I took full advantage of this little notion and popped the oh so sweet You've Got Mail in to watch with the hubs.  Sometimes I don't think they make romantic comedies today like they did in the 90s...can we say, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks (double swoon).  Anyhow, I whipped up some of my favorite pasta with homemade Arrabiata sauce (spicy sauce) and we cozied on the couch to beat our rainy day blues away.

On a way more seriously note, I simply couldn't publish this post without saying a huge heartfelt thanks to my grandfather and all the other veterans who served our country 70 years ago today at Pearl Harbor. Words cannot express my gratitude for all the sacrifice you made on our country's behalf.  You were a brave soldier, the most loving husband, father, and grandfather and had the biggest heart I've ever known a man to have.  Missing you so much these days and so very happy to have had you in my life.  

That's about all for now.

Hoping to snag a Christmas tree by the end of the week!!  Photos of the new house and it's progress so far to come:)

Love bunches,

Sweet December

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! 
 ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Outfit Details (All Remixed): Dress: Zara//Cardi: Modcloth//Hat: Target//Boots: Michaels Kors via Marshalls

December is here and the Christmas season is officially upon us!  Hip hip hooray!!...I get all kinds of giddy and am like a big kid this time of year.  Can I tell you, I have been listening to Andy Williams nonstop!  Growing up I always remember trimming the tree to his Christmas album along with the Nutcracker Suite and those albums along with the smell of sweet cinnamon and strings of red wooden beads bring me back to the beginning of December.

So here I am now in our new place, getting all nestled in ready to make our own memories of the Christmas season.  I am as chipper as a partridge in a pear tree and I am now off to bake a little something scrumptious and watch a Christmas movie...Dark chocolate & Bailey's banana bread & The Grinch anyone?? Come on over:)


Happy Monday & Love bunches,

Guest Blogger: Give Me Bows

Hi lovely Shades of Monet readers!

My name is Elyse and I write a little blog called Give Me Bows. I am so excited to do a guest post for the super-sweet-and-oh-so-stylish Marisa while she settles into her new home. I have been very fortunate to make (online) friends with Marisa over the past few months, and we definitely have a mutual obsession with vintage clothing, floral prints and dresses!

This is an outfit I wore to brunch on the weekend. We go to brunch every single Sunday at one of our local cafes to enjoy a lonnngggg breakfast with lots of coffee and magazines - it's so refreshing, and the perfect excuse to get dolled up! Although it can be really tempting to stay in my comfortably pajamas all weekend long, I really do find that I have a much better attitude towards the day, and I am way more productive, when I take the time each morning to put on an outfit I enjoy and feel comfortable in. 


Besides, life is too short and every day is precious, that is definitely a good enough excuse by itself to wear something you love! I don't think it should matter whether you have a special occasion or you are just lounging around the house. Wishing you all a lovely day x

Elyse xxx
Give Me Bows

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Thank you so much sweet Elyse, for filling in the gap here for me on Shades of Monet while I continue to unpack my little heart out.  Please be sure to have a look around her oh so perfectly pretty blog, Give Me Bows...you are sure to swoon over her dreamy collection of dresses just like I do:)

Happy first of December darlings...I bid you a sweet night!

Love bunches, 

Leaves Go Crunch

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree”

~Emily Bronte

Outfit Details: Dress: Thrifted vintage//Hat & Necklace: UO//Bag: Vintage//Tights: Modcloth//Shoes: Seychelles

Yep, that's Keane, my little chief.  Today we took advantage of the gorgeous sunshine weather and played outside in the leaves.  Autumn days like this are so delightful.
Happy Monday darlings!  The Holiday spirit is in the air!

Love,

These Boots Were Made For

...Black Friday Shopping.

Outfit Details: Dress & Purse: Vintage//Sweater: Gift from Grandmother//Hat & Tights: Target//Belt: Vintage from Mother//Boots: Michael Kors via Marshalls

Happy Thanksgiving weekend darlings! (for all you celebrating in the States)

Today was the first in years...well, could be the first time ever that I braved the streets for some good old Black Friday shopping.  Shopping in general is not so much my cup of tea, but as the fam and I were celebrating the weekend in Philly with my inlaws, Albert and I wanted to take advantage of hitting a few of our favorite places, including Ikea and Anthropologie.  It proved to be a little interesting indeed as people were acting like vultures attacking the sales racks.  Gracious me!  Oh well..at least it was 60 degrees and sunny which made for the best of days to take on the masses. 

How did you spend your Black Friday?

On a different note: thanks for being patient with me as I slowly get settled in the new house.  We won't have internet for another week so naturally I am way behind in reading all your loverly blogs...a phone just does not suffice for this.  On the other hand, with no internet and no cable it's been pretty darn tootin nice organizing, decorating, and getting the house in order as well having lots of good old fashion fun with the family.

Until next time, have the most fantastical weekend darlings!

Blustery Smiles

"A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache."
~Catherine the Great

Outfit Details: Dress: Vintage//Cardi: Thrifted//Hat & Blouse: Target//Brooch & Bag: Antique Gallery//Belt: Vintage from  Mother//Tights: UO//Shoes: Seychelles

Just for fun - Keane is wearing: Coat: Gift from Gigi & Poppie// Slouchy Hat & Cargo Pants (sale): Baby Gap//Checkered Shirt: Hand-me-down//Nike Sneakers: Gift from cousins



Goodness gracious, was today ever a cold one!  I am truly not ready for 40-som degree weather...ek!  So why am I smiling so big and cheesy you ask, well....seems that being smacked in the face by frigid Mr. Wind does this to me.  I know...I'll stop complaining.  I am perpetually cold which makes me the biggest baby about the late fall and winter months.

I'm not sure why, but the fam and I decided to get out and go to the park today...maybe not the smartest thing considering the temp, but Keane LOVES it there and always has tons of fun and really, this is all that matters.  A lovely blogger gal recently emailed me and asked how I take photos for my blog with my son around.  If he is with us, like on this occasion...we usually snap a few photos before leaving the place we are at and 9 out of 10 times I use my Iphone for this...today I happened to have my SLR with me, but that is rare.  It is a rather quick process and Keane is always either right next to me or my husband.  The best thing is, we always walk away with oodles and oodles of photos of Keane:-)  I don't plan outings around taking photos...I work taking photos into whatever we are doing at the time.  Parks or walks around the neighborhood work well for this.  Other than that...on days that Keane is visiting with his grandparents, Albert and I will find the time to do a good shoot.  If you are a mommy, I'd love to hear about how you take photos with your little one around.

Anyhow, by now I am getting all cozy and settled into the new house...still lots of work to do, but nonetheless, feeling more settled which is a fantabulous thing.  On order is plenty of painting and making this house our home.

Other than that, Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and I just can't wait to partake of all the delicious food and visit with family in Philly.  I most definitely have so much for be thankful for.  Don't you just love the holiday season?

Much love & happy Mondays,

Guest Blogger: Streets & Stripes

Hey ladies! 

It's Chaucee here from Streets & Stripes. Marisa asked me to do a small post while she's off getting ready for her big move! So I thought I'd share a little peak into my life.

I'm a fourth year University student in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I'm a photographer at heart and I love learning about culture and the arts. I also keep a little blog that started off as a personal style journey but ended up being a mish mosh of inspiration, daily life, with a sprinkling of outfit pictures all throughout.

As for my outfit today, I got the skirt at a thrift store, the shoes at a store in Jerusalem, Israel, and the cardigan from H&M and the top from Gap! I've been wearing a lot of muted colors lately which I think is a reflection of the balancing out of my life. I've done a lot of changing and stretching this past year while I was abroad for 8 months, and its shaped me and molded me in more ways than one. With personal style being one of them! So my question to you is, how have you seen your personal style influenced through your emotional times in life?

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Chaucee

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Thanks so much Chaucee, for filling my shoes today while I am off in the land of boxes sorting, unpacking, and nesting in my new abode.  For anyone who hasn't visited Chaucee's loverly blog Streets & Stripes...head on over and get your fill of some of her gorgeous photography as well as plenty of perfectly pretty style files to tickle your fashion fancy.  She is one of my nearest dearest blogger friends and is simply as sweet as pie.  

Wishing you darlings a splendiferous weekend!

See you on Monday.

Love,

And They Were All Yellow

When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there.
~George Harrison

Outfit Details: Dress: Vintage//Sweater: Thrifted//Hat: Target//Purse: Antique Gallery//Tights: We Love Colors//Shoes: Topshop

So tomorrow is the big day...I think I can now safely say that tomorrow possibly Wednesday, we are closing on the house we bought.  (I can hear the Hallelujah Chorus now.)  The whole buying process has taken 5 or so months...it's been grueling, it's been disappointing at times, and even upsetting as the initial house we were going to buy fell through... but now we are finally here and I understand things happened the way they did for a reason.  In the long process, I got to spend more time with my grandfather, whom we lived with this passed year before he recently passed on...so I guess you could say it was a blessing in disguise as I cherish all the extra time I got with him.  As for the house, I couldn't be more pleased and so completely excited to have a place we call our own.

At the end of this week we will begin the big move...so wish me luck darlings.  I simply can't wait to get settled in...bring on the nesting!!  That's about all for now.  The leaves all over are bright yellow, which is the happiest of all colors and makes for a very cheerful Monday.

See you again soon!

Love,

To be Young and Dumb and in Love

"Well, under the weeping willows and a sea firing flies
With your gypsy necklace and my big brown bow tie
You kissed my lips like I was catching a flight
I said if I’m honest I fell for you that first night"

~ Mat Kearney

Outfit Details: Dress: Swap with The Modest Muse//Cardi: Thrifted//Hat: Target//Peacock Hat Clip: Modcloth//Floral Brooch: Free//Tights: We Love Colors//Shoes: Amazon

I'm in a super cheesy mood today, so bear with me darlings.  Sunny afternoons on a warm but crisp November day make me all kinds of giddy...and well presto, love in the afternoon enjoying everything about nature I love with the guy I love most.  We are kids at heart, we are far from perfect but yet quite the perfect lil ol duo together if you ask me.  This year has been really rough but I couldn't be more thankful to have a best friend who is quite the rock despite the hard times.  He makes me laugh, he gets my quirky singsongy humor, and he is patient and loving.  Thank you Albert, for being the best husband a gal could ask for.

Big hugs and happy Wednesdays.

Love,