We Lost a Great Lady

Rest In Peace Lilly Pulitzer

There is a great article about her Biography & Obituary on Vogue UK.  And the Lilly story is also told on the blog Lilly Pulitzer: Our Story.

In addition to gorgeous clothing I really admired the Lilly story.  I am most impressed by women entrepreneurs who take something feminine they love & turn it into a great business.  More so than women who just succeed in a man's world.  That's why there are so many "how to succeed in business" books for women.  I think you're wired for the aggressive business world of typical corporate America, you force yourself to be someone else during the work day, or you recognize the value in what you love and create something amazing with it.  Something those men at the top would not even think of.  I hope to become like Martha Stewart who made a successful career out of baking cookies!  Or Julia Childs who re-taught us how to cook & appreciate real French foods!  Or Lilly who started a juice stand & realized she needed bright prints to hide the juice stains!


Thank you for bringing such beauty & happiness in all your designs!

Photo taken 4/7/13

Valentine's Day

So basically I am in LOVE with Valentines' Day!  I always have been.  And no m'am I was not one of those girls who always had a boyfriend on V-Day.  Quite the opposite.  I think I was single most of them.  I know the people who like to wear black & label it as "Hallmark Capitalism" ~ boycotting a happy holiday seems very emotionally stable...  I just feel that a day dedicated to telling everyone in your life you care about them is awesome.  To me Val Day isn't about romantic love ~ it's about all love.

Put your phone down, stop the tweeting, tell people you love them today.

I love you ~  to my dear family & wonderful friends.  You bring joy to my life, and I love you.

I also love STEAK so I was wonderfully pleased by James' choice of restaurant Ruth's Chris!!!!

And now to the dress decision!

Drum roll please.....................................

I picked the Kate V Dress by Nicole Miller!!! 

Inspired by one of my favorite fashionistas, the one and only Kate Middleton!

Photo Credit:  Kate Middleton Style

Ruth's Chris had a photographer to document the evening.  

I was tempted to write a letter to Ruth's Chris management.  Maybe include a little education in the form of a syllogism:

Major Premise:  Valentine's Day dates are made to please women.

Minor Premise:  Women hate looking larger than they are on film.

Conclusion:  Fish eye lenses are the worst possible choice for Valentines Day.

James contributed some beautiful flowers & I contributed some yummy dessert!  

Hope you had a fabulous day full of love! 

Rent the Runway

Thanks to Birchbox December I received a $50 gift card to Rent the Runway.  I decided to use it for Valentine's Day!  I made it very clear to James (basically since December) that his only responsibility on V-Day was to take me to a restaurant nice enough to wear my RTR dress.  

Like Mamma Kay says, if you don't tell men exactly what you want you're not likely to get it ;)

The whole process is very easy to use & very user-friendly.   On their website you select your event date, size & start browsing dresses available.   If it's your first time renting a designer they give you a complimentary second size!  And your second dress is $25.   You can also rent accessories, purses & buy Spanx!  You can rent for 4 or 8 days, included is a postage paid envelop to return them.  They also send you a reminder email when it's time to mail it back :)

I ordered two dresses, they came on time & I was VERY impressed with the overall presentation!

 You get to keep the garment bag!  How fun :) 

Included were a couple of freebies, from Olay & some Hollywood Fashion tape!

Left Dress:                                                                                                                              Right Dress:

Kate Lace V Dress by Nicole Miller                             Sapphire Sophisticate Dress by Christian Siriano

Which one to choose??????   Stay tuned for my Val-Day post!!!! 

What's to Become of Me?

Monday night:
Ate a smoothie from my NutriBullet!
Watched the E! red carpet special from the SAG awards - while doing a Pilates workout from Pinterest.
Followed by a grapefruit pellegrino & a bite of cheesecake.

I'm almost back in my single gal routine!
What is going to happen to me when basketball season is over & my husband isn't working 4 nights a week??????


-- Posted From Le iPhone

Duchess Envy

Today in church Darren asked us to contemplate some questions... one being "What do you daydream about?"  Besides asking James when I can be a stay at home wife, I usually daydream about being a princess.  Not the Disney kind, the Kate Middleton kind!!  I'm not usually the type to follow celebrity gossip or read those flashy magazines (no judgement), but I am in love/envy with the Duchess.  Mainly because she is able to find beautiful clothes with sleeves....  Still a mystery to me & I live in a climate where I need them!!  I am ardently happy she is bringing back classy style, our generation's Audrey.

While perusing one of my favorite blogs What Kate Wore I saw a link to Australian Vogue's article Kate's Best Looks of 2012...  Enjoy!

Here are some of my favorites :)

I guess the downside of being a Princess is being photographed everywhere... Ooopsy!  To my knowledge nobody documents my Lame Outfits!

One of the reasons that I love/envy Kate is she reminds me of when I was little & watching the Princess Di Biography special with my mother & hearing her tell stories about the Wedding. Mamma Kay- by the way- looks a LOT like Diana.  (Remember in the '90s when we thought William was the hot prince??)  I think when Lady Di passed away my love of royals went with her.  Until now :)

Thanksgivings

For a holiday without presents, I sure do love Thanksgiving :)


On a domestic note...

The first Abarquez Thanksgiving was pulled off above my expectations!  After hearing every year the horror story Mamma Kay tells about her first Thanksgiving, I was not getting my hopes up.  The food was delicious & I pulled out our china/crystal for our first fancy meal  (I mean that literally~ in my tiny kitchen we have no room for china/crystal so they are still in original packaging stacked in the corner near the buffet table... it is like jenga getting out the pieces you need)!  We made a spicy pepper rubbed Turkey breast from Bon Appetit, green bean casserole, my sister-in-law's stuffing recipe, rolls & a marvelous Pumpkin & Pecan Pie from Paula Deen. I'm glad everything was yummy because we will be eating leftovers forever!  All in all it was a lovely day!

On a scary note...

My dear husband is convinced he's going to BestBuy at midnight...  I am NOT a "Black Friday" shopper.  I do not want to go.  I told James if he makes me go then I finally get to replace my camera that I loathe.  I have never been.  Correction- I have never been shopping on Black Friday.  My years of employment at Bath & Body Works had me working 12 hour shifts (6 am to Noon, home to sleep, 6 pm to midnight).  I don't feel my time working has embittered me.  Most of my convictions are simple ones.  I love football.  I love shopping.  They should be all mixed up.  Shopping should not be a timed-contact sport.  Thank you!  Maybe that streak will be broken tonight... who knows?  I do hear James softly snoring on the couch :)

On a sentimental note...

During this time of thanks I have been reflecting on the year and come to realize that big life events magnify the importance of true friendship.  I am so thankful to have so many great people in my life that show love, support, encouragement & wisdom.  When I think of so many people who have touched my life and helped me grow... When I think of the laughs :) the fun times, the hard times, and everything in between ~ I am blessed beyond belief.  Thank you :)