Host Prep

hōst/

noun

1.

a person who receives or entertains other people as guests.

May I be bold and make the following suggestions?

1. If you have guests coming in to town create an inviting space for them. If it's on the couch in the middle of all the chaos find a special spot for their suitcase and provide extra blankets and a plush pillow. Not the booger infested, flat-as-a-pancake one off your child's bed. If you are able to provide a bedroom for your guests make sure there is a nightstand and lamp. Magazines are a nice touch too. And for all guests provide clean (preferably white) towels and a fresh bar of soap. No guest wants to use a slimey bar of old soap. Especially with a hair on it. EW! Want to take it a step further? Tie it up with a ribbon and a tag that says "Welcome". A little bit of thought goes a long way.

2. Plan something. The festivities are over now what? Sitting around is boring and causes tension. Make an agenda. Go to the movies, buy tickets the theater, visit something local, go on a walk, have a family fashion show. Do something and have it laid out! Keeping everyone busy is a good thing.

3. Ask for help. Don't do it all on your own. If someone offers help for goodness sake put your super hero cape away and take it.

4. My favorite way to host a dinner? Buffet style! Your pretty table can stay pretty and guests can go back for seconds or thirds (or fourths) without having to ask. If you want your guests to feel comfortable this is the way to go.

5. Lastly, but most importantly.....if you are the guest, take a hostess gift. Even if the hostess is your Aunt Nelly and you've been going there for years. Everyone likes to feel appreciated. Even Aunt Nelly. Keep it simple, inexpensive, and thoughtful. You can never go wrong with a bouquet of fresh flowers, a new kitchen tool, or a Target gift card. Even a thoughtful handwritten card hidden in a special spot to be found later by the host is a fun surprise.

May we all open our hearts and our homes this Thanksgiving!
It's Monday.  Make it a GREAT one!

Blog Cliff Notes

Just in case you need to add one more person to your feed...

follow me here.

Or search becauseshoesmatter in your instagram app.

My reasoning for setting this up?
I like to shop (duh). And... I really like to share cool finds while
I'm out and about. And... everyone loves looking at everyone elses selfies don't they?
Kidding! Speaking of "selfie" read this.

It's Friday. What a beautiful thing!
'Til next week...

How About that Today

Today I...

* Ran to Target to buy salad and came home with chocolate milk and pie.
* Taught an entire ballet barre class with my shirt on backwards.
* Stopped in to Sally's to buy hairspray and bought decorative nail tape instead.
* Started to clean the bathroom and then got bored. Or distracted. Or both. 
* Got a new T.V. provider (bye-bye cable, hello dish) I totally don't get it. 
* Cooked an egg to a burnt crisp state. My house still stinks.
* Searched for classroom Thanksgiving crafts on Pinterest...an hour later...no craft BUT, found a picture of my dream hair.

Fairly productive day wouldn't you say?
I am so lame. Lame. Do people say that anymore? Or was that just a 90's thing? What are the young folks saying these days anyway? Did I just use the word folks? Pretty soon I'll be eating dinner at 4:30 and removing my teeth for their nightly cleaning. Oh dear.

I hope you find your day to be much cooler than mine.
Keep smiling!

P.S. Have you seen this?

Weekend Wardrobe

This one watches, learns, and asks for fashion advice.

 This one doesn't want anything to do with anyone's fashion opinion.

(Yes, that is really what he wore to church.)

This one is 11. Enough said.

He pretends to not care what he looks like but

 why else would he change his clothes to go on a

 Target run at 9:30PM?

And this one, well, she's a wild card. 

You never know what she'll come up with! 

...............................................................................................................

People say to me all the time "Only you can pull that off". And you know why I can?

Because I could care less what people think of me and my style. 

It's mine. All mine and I'm straight up proud of that.

The end.

................................................................................................................

Hope you all had a very HAPPY weekend filled with 

lots of love, naps, and thankfulness.

It's Monday. Make it a great one!

P.S. Go check out this hat. It's a goodie. Not too floppy. 

Just Eat It

The Truth: My brain really has had nothing all that interesting to share as of late. Even though silly things have occured and fabaulous shoes have been tried on (more on this to come), I'm feeling emtpy...unclever...maybe even downright boring. I hate to disappoint.  BUT... there is this one AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING breakfast idea you must try.

Ladies and Gents I present to you the "Bountiful Bowl"

(in this order pile in a bowl)

Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)

agave nectar drizzle

granola

blue berries

strawberries

bananas

topped with flax seed

Why flax seed?

protein

omega-3 (I'm not a fish person)

fiber

Note #1: I read that flax seed is better for you ground up vs. whole. I put a scoop in all my smoothies. 

Results: It's feakin' fab. Go buy the ingredients now. 

Bonus: It will make you poop!

Note #2: Granola can be chuck full of F.A.T. Choose wisely. Read the label. 

P.S. They're back!

Weekend Worthy

I pretty much never post on the weekends but, while I was searching for "Gourment" grilled cheese recipes (is there such a thing?) I came across this. I really, really like it. I hope you do too. Number 6 was the one I needed. today.

 

And BTW "gourment" grilled cheese is thing. I'm thinking this just might do the trick.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

A Thing Called Busy

Lack of posting? 

It's called busy.

Thanks for understanding.

And moving on....

Holiday Trends Worth Checking Out. 

(In my crazy messed up occationally tasteless opinion that counts for absolutely nothing that is.)

Oh can someone just cover me in these pants right now.

SEQUINS!!! Fab. Absolutely Fab.

Are you kidding me? Shoes with a bustle. Get in my closet right now!

If you think this coat is ugly then I think you are ugly. :)

There's no such thing as too much love. 

And I love you. 

 

I want to steal this stole (aka fur collar).  

Killer cool nail art is always trending.

These are super fun too.

A scent that will knock your socks off.

 

And last but not least...

a facial product that will change your life. 

FYI this is a great gift set out for the Holidays with FREE SHIPPING!

Go for it. Splurge. You'll love it!

Have an amazing weekend. 

Go buy new shoes!

Everybody LOVES a Sale

Today's the day.

Your one click away from all sorts of goodies.

 There are definitely boots and booties worth looking at.

Hope you find something fabulous!

Welcome November

Welcome November. A month full of Thankfulness. First of all don't worry, I won't be boring you daily with lists of what I'm thankful for. I'm sure your 452 facebook friends already have that covered.:) Rather I'd like to offer a challenge to all of us. Each day for the rest of the month let us actively and genuinely go out of our way to thank someone. A stranger, a teacher, or maybe a long time friend. And not just a regular everyday "polite" thank you like when someone opens the door for you. How about  a written note, a thoughtful email, an unexpected text or treat to someone who maybe hasn't heard from you in a while. Have you thanked your best friend lately? Your parents for being there for you? Your child for making good choices? I know each one of us is surrouned by amazing people. Let us thank them this month and let them know how much they are appreciated. I promise this will not only make the recipient happy but you as well.
May we all find joy in being thankful!
xoxo

Happy Monday. Make it a great one!