Trend alert: cut out booties

Is it a shoe? Is it a boot? Is it a sandle? No! It's a cut-out bootie and Whatever it is it's HOT!!! There are sooo many styles and options I wish I could have them all.

I love wearing cowboy boots with summer dresses or shorts.  Cut out booties  give you a great alternative. They will look cute with a casual outfit  such as jeans and a tee or add some edge when paired with a dress. I'm in love with the tobacco cage booties and the red ones. Maybe I'll be my own sweet heart and treat myself for valentines day :)

All of the styles pictured below are available at Nordstrom.

I am in love with the shoeTie version these look like pumps iwirh some edge. I think these are lady like and very sexy... Even office appropriate. kinda like business in the front party in the back... The mullet of shoes.

I have these the hardware is shiny and looks very expensive... These are by Jeffery Cambell. They run a little small so go a size up.

I love the tobacco ones above.

If you need a wide width version. Torrid has these sexy little numbers in black and grey faux suede. 

From Intentional design to intentional living

I always say to create the beautiful space you want you have to be willing to let go of all the ugliness. As a desugner I have to make cuts. I streamline clutter to reduce the visual impairments and distractions from the room In order to maximize the impact of the design aesthetic I want to accomplish. 

This concept applies to our inner self and overall wellness of a person as well. There's a lot of noise and emotional clutter out there. Beauty for ashes is not just about making the outside of ourselves beautiful, but it's about the entire lifestyle. It is a philosophy of intentional living. 

When designing a space or styling an event I intentionally select items you'll use that are visually rewarding as well as practical. Both form and function are equally important for a beautiful and accessible space.

In fashion this is also true. Shoes can be extremely beautiful and push the envelope in sculptural heights, but if you can't walk in them you've missed the entire point of "shoes."

I am practicing Intentional living in my personal life as well. It means I do everything for its intrinsic purpose and seek the desired outcome. 

It's like when you play basketball and you make a shot.  If you visualize the ball going in the hoop, most often it will. That focused energy makes your body and mind work together so perfectly that the ball automatically goes in.  There I used a sports metaphor for the first time in my life... Did I score some points?

Intentionality sometimes means I have to put dating in  my back pocket. I'm content enough as I am without a man.   I'm not co-dependent and I don't need to be rescued. I hope for a life partner someday, but I will not become consumed by this pursuit. 

I have goals and accomplishments to focus on. I will not settle for anything less than I deserve. I will not settle for a distraction. I am looking for something that adds value, peace, joy, encouragement and beauty to my life.

I want to glorify god in my life and I need someone  whose goal is equally yoked with mine and going in the direction of that pursuit.

Dating is anything but casual. It may be casual to you, but you can't control how the other person will feel.  

Dating is time consuming, emotionally consuming and I  have realized it is not wise to go around investing in people who nonchalantly occupy their time with "casual dating." That enterprise is rooted in selfishness and ego. When did we as a culture become so cavalier about using each other for our own gratification?   No thanks, I'm saving my energy and sanity for my self and the future person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with. 

I  do take things slow, and I'm looking for good qualities that show me someone's worth my time and attention. 

Dating should be fun and light, but it should be intentional. You should be asking yourself if this person is compatible as a partner in life and  be in a position and if an age where you are ready to begin working to build your life with someone. Not, simply dating for sport or entertainment purposes.

I hope this post inspires, encourages and blesses you in your pursuit of truth and a beautiful life. Aleansimone.blogspot.com

Harvest Party

This is Manoah and his mom. This was his first birthday party. We rented a greenhouse at the Plumper Pumpkin patch in Aloah OR.  His mom wanted a harvest theme. The colors she selected were orange, yellow, white, brown and gold. Very fall color scheme.

I painted several chevrron pumpkins and spray painted metallic pumpkins. This is the  reception and gift table.

When guests arrived they were greeted by a chalk board that announced the event.

The flower arrangements were made from pumpkins and dried flowers. Hydrangea, lavender and poppy pods.

Party favors were home made hot chocolate on a stick.

And these really cute lamb cookies.

For the decorations in the rest I the space I made party flags from heavy duty  scrapbook paper. I cut triangles out of solid papers in orange, brown and white. I accented with yellow and white chevrron, stripes and polka dot printed paper. I then glued them to twine. We strung them in a swag stay le throughout the space. They were very festive.

We also ordered chineese lanterns in the party colors several weeks in advance. They provided some colorful pops through out the greenhouse. I hung them with white zip-ties.

The mom wanted a photo booth so that she. Could have a scrap book of the party. I purchased this great  damask printed burlap fabilric. And stacked hay bales in front of it for seating. The accents were this really cute owl and some pumpkins I painted. We also provided props for the guests to use in their photos. A pitchfork a shovel and a cowboy hat.

The farm had a pumpkin patch complete with lots if activities ranging from hay rides and a petting zoo to a maze and  a live band.

We also provided several activities for out guests. Including my favorite part of the party make your own candy apples. Yummm!

The food was a smorgus board of cookies and pies and cakes it was very cute. We also served chili and chicken wings.

Other activities for kids included a pumpkin painting and decorating station, a scrap booking station where guests could write a birthday message for Manoah and decorate a page for the crapbook using their photo from the booth. 

We provided lots if iutdoor seating as well. It was such a nice day.

Below a tractor bulls a barel train.

People selecting pumkins.

What a beautiful view.

There were also pony rides.

Plumper pumpkin patch grows many varieties of pumpkins. This is one if their giant pumpkins. It was carved with sunflowers and a drawing if the owners antique truck.

Whats in for Men- Fall Preview

I am enjoying summer, but the stores have begun showing off the latest trends for fall and I saw my first back to school sale sign last weekend. Now is the time to buy the hot trends for fall  while some of last seasons wares are on sale and the new stuff has just arrived in stores. This will give you the optimal selection to choose from in both sizes and price point.

The top must haves for men this fall.

1) The Plaid Shirt

This is a hot commodity  for fall and looks chic right now. Leave it un-tucked for the coolness factor and never wear them with khaki's or you'll look like a computer science engineer.  For a casual and hip vibe choose a style with asymmetrical plaid design or one with a large print.  If you are more classic and preppy, select a smaller more traditional pattern.

Choosing a plaid shirt with short sleeves allows you to wear the shirt now and get more use out of it. In the fall you can layer it with a long sleeve v-neck tee shirt and a blazer.  If you decide on long sleeves you can roll up the sleeves and wear it open with a v-neck for a casual look.

To dress it up pair a plaid shirt with coordinating solid color tie and a blazer. For fun you can wear the tie loosened around your neck and the top buttons unbuttoned for a "I just got off work and I'm ready to hit the town" look. 

  






2) Dark Grey Denim

Dark denim is still in.  Buy jeans in dark blue and black. But be sure to get some grey jeans. These jeans look sexy in a whole new way. they are very urban and chic for fall. Remember to cuff them for a fun look.  Also in are men's styles of denim that appear to be more of a dress pant or trouser than jeans.

3)The non- athletic street shoe.

My favorite brands for men are Lacoste, Diesel and good ole Chucks.search for a pair that kind of remind you of bowling shoes but with out the ugly factor. You can also  look for a pair of low top tennis shoes with out a lot of bulk. 


4) Get a time piece other than your cell phone

Get an over sized watch. Men buy a watch! It is sexy and appealing to check the time on your wrist instead of your phone.  And it says to your employer " I care about punctuality and I am a mature man who won't be texting every 5 minutes." I am loving the rose gold and white porcelain styles Michael Kors came out with this year.

5) A Wool Blazer

 A wool Blazer with a funky detail. these jackets are great because you can use them as outerwear and indoors.

6) Scarves

 They are soft and warm and you look sexy in them so don't be afraid to cuddle up with one.

7) Facial hair.
Grow out your goatee a little 5 o'clock shadow, some scruff is sooo sexy on you. And it will help keep your face warm too. Please do not go mountain man on us though that's just disgusting. Doesn't Jake look handsome? (trust me, He does!!! and  all the ladies are enjoying that picture right now.)

8) Layer. Layer. Layer.

Layering  is stylish. weather its a tee shirt peeking out from a shirt collar or a hoodie hanging out from under a leather jacket or your new wool blazer. Layering adds warmth and screams style. I like this asymmetrical  hoodie from Urban Outfitters.

9)  every woman in America thinks Axe stinks so get some real  grown up cologne

I love Dolce and Gabbana,  The One  it smells soooo sexy

10) Confidence in who you are, your manhood, your abilities. A smile on your face, and a thankful heart.

Thanks for stopping by, pass the word on. Leave a comment I'd love to hear from you.

 Ladies get your men to check out my blog. I am looking for a male stylist to write an occasional article on men's fashion and styling tips. So if you know of a man with style and edge send him my way.