Looking for a Little UMPH!!

 Anyone ever feel like this? This is usually me at the end of every season. I go through my closet and try on a million things and no matter what I come up with I leave the house feeling uninspired and hate what I am wearing. My wardrobe tends to feel dry and boring because I resort to the good ole jeans and t-shirt number. It really puts me on the wrong foot for the day. Usually if I look good when I leave the house my day will follow, but recently it is everything but good. But instead of boring you all with my blah jeans and t-shirt kind of stories I thought to give you something inspirational. Hopefully your wardrobe isn't looking as sad as mine. I hope to find a niche in my closet very soon, for everyone's sake! Anyone have good ideas for getting out of a fashion funk? What do you do when you feel like your closet is getting blah?

Hope you feel inspired! P.S. follow me on  Pinterest you can find me here:

http://pinterest.com/lesb15/

That's Amore

Leslie

DIY: Moroccan Painted Table

I want to start by apologizing for the poor picture quality. I left my camera at home but I really wanted to get shots of what I was doing.

So this weekend I spent my Saturday with my grandma painting these end tables that I plan to put in my bedroom when I move. I went back and forth trying to decide if I should paint them before or after I moved but I figured it would be a lot less stressful to get it out of the way now.

It was a really easy project to customize this cheap Ikea table. The things i used were:

  Ikea lack table 
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20011413/#/401042

White Acrylic Paint

Stiff Bristle Paint Brush

           Martha Stewart Stencil in Arabesque
http://www.michaels.com/Arabesque-Laser-Cut-Stencils/cp0553,default,pd.html?start=24&cgid=products-craftpainting-stencilsandaccessories-marthastewartcrafts

Blue Painters Tape

Hair Dryer

70

 I really didn't want the design to be smooth, I wanted to be able to see the table through the paint and have a dabbed effect. After I finished a section, I removed the stencil and used my hair dryer on low to help with drying; the thin coat of paint also helped with drying. Then, I lined the stencil up for the next section of the pattern and repeated until I was finish.

I still have one edge to finish and adding a coat of lacquer to prevent the design from coming off. Eventually I want to put a piece of glass on top of added protection. It took me about 2 hours with a snack break to do the entire table and it came out a lot better than I expected. I will post pictures of it in my room once I move. You will have to wait a little longer for that post. 


I hope you like it and it has inspired you to re-purpose a boring piece of furniture you have. Its feels good when you have given something a new look!

That's Amore

Leslie   

2fer Tuesday: Blue Skirt Edition

These are two fun outfits that are based on this amazing blue skirt. Sadly I have yet to wear this skirt but I 100% plan to wear it out this weekend. So if you see me and I'm not wearing it something has seriously gone wrong. 

This bandage skirt is so versatile and is a necessity in every girl's closet. I scored this number for really cheap at Nordstrom Rack in Miami. This was one of the very few things I brought back from my trip.

Shirt: JCrew  Skirt: Nordstrom Rack  Shoes: Nordstrom Rack  Clutch: Forever21  Necklace: Forever21

Shirt: Zara  Skirt: Nordstrom  Shoes: Ebay  Bracelets: H&M Forever21

That's Amore

Leslie

A Little Inspiration

Here are just a few pictures I found on Pinterest that have really inspired me. I love finding pictures that give me that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. And since I am preparing to move soon I am getting ideas on projects I want to get started on. Spoiler Alert: I will be posting pictures of my projects as they are completed.

I think these jars are so stinkin cute!!! There are perfect for a cookout or some intimate outdoor event. I hope to one day have a fence that can be lined with these little guys!

I love the idea of strung lights on a balcony or backyard. In my head, my future balcony looks like Julie's off Julie and Julia; all time fav movie! I hope to string lights all the way around with a little french bistro table set. I was Parisian in my past life. I really hope to visit Paris one day.

I LOVE this table and chair for two! So darling and quaint. I love intimate table settings for two no matter what it looks like. Whenever I see a little table and chairs like this I just melt. This picture inspired me to grow a lemon tree on my balcony. I keep hearing that you cant grow a lemon tree in the DMV but I am determined to make it happen. I can pretend I am in Santorini, while admiring my full lemon tree and the lights strung on my balcony, with candles and some Frank Sinatra playing. HA!! Wishful thinking; one day.

That's Amore

Leslie 

2fer Tuesday

I found this jacket a few months ago at the Loft and I knew it had to be mine. There are so many options with this jacket and here are just two. On top of my neon and color blocking obsession I am starting to really like pattern mixing. I know pattern mixing has been on runways for a while but I have been reluctant to try it because I wasn't sure I would be able to pull it off. I think this floral and stripe number does the trend justice. What do you think? All those in favor of pattern mixing say "I"! I am definitely planning on keeping pattern mixing on my to-do list!

Left: Jacket: Loft  Top: H&M  Shorts: H&M  Shoes: Calvin Klein  Bag: H&M  Necklace: Forever21  Bangles: H&M

Right: Jacket, Top, Skirt: H&M  Shoes: Aldo  Belt: Nordstrom  Necklace: Silpada check them out here 

Pattern Mixing and Color Blocking

That's Amore

Leslie

Just a Little Quickie

This is just a cute outfit I threw together the other day. I love how girly and soft it is! The pop of orange really satisfies my color blocking obsession. Is color blocking over and done with? I'm not sure but I know I am definitely not done with the trend. I keep wondering how all my neon is going to tie back to my fall wardrobe. Any ideas or suggestions??

Top: H&M  Skirt: Nordstrom  Shoes: Jessica Simpson  Necklace: Nordstrom Rack  Bag: DSW

Too Much Work, Too Little Time

Have you ever felt like this?? Well this is where I have been the past 3 weeks and its only getting worse. I have to apologize for leaving you guys waiting for something new. I am really trying to flood your screens with new outfit posts to make up for the lack there of.....hold in there I'm still alive trying to keep my head above water. I just need to make it through July and all will be good. Can't wait for my vaca which can't come soon enough. I am hoping to have new posts this weekend, so check back to see what's new!

That's NOT  Amore

Until Next Time

Leslie

Tangerine Tango

Skirt and shirt: Nordstrom Jacket: H&M  Shoes: BCBG  Belt: Mango  Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

This was a fun date night outfit I wore to see the Doug Aitken exhibit at the Hirshorn Museum. It was a really cool exhibit that projected a video all the way around the outside of the building where people could sit and watch. I really hope they do more exhibits like this, it was a really fun way to get outside and enjoy a night in the city. You can see a clip of the exhibit here


I really love this maxi, from the fabic, to the flowiness, to the color, this is maxi skirt perfection!! I searched high and low for it and finally found it on a trip to Florida. THANK THE LORD! We ended the night at the movies to finally see 5 Year Engagement which was HILARIOUS!!! Overall an amazing night.

Wall Flower

Dress: H&M  Cardigan: Marshalls (Old)  Shoes: Seychelles  Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs  Belt: Mango  Watch: Michael Kors Jewelry: Silpada check them out here

 This was my outfit for Mother's Day; I went to visit my grandmother with my family and took my mom to the movies. I was a pretty great day to honor mothers!

I love this floral dress and sadly I hardly wear it. I am noticing through this blog that I have quite a few things in my closet that I love that I rarely preview. Hmmmmmmm I see a closet challenge in my future.

This dress is a last season H&M steal, and my bag, remember me telling you about how I broke my monthly challenge here, WELL THIS IS IT!!!!! Isn't it amazing!!!!!!! I love it so much!!!!

These photos are a first for me because I took them on my phone! My camera battery died so I had to make due. They came out a lot better than expected and I only did minor editing. So high five to my poor camera quality phone! You can now follow me on instagram (lesb15) and see my camera phone skills!!

To say the very least this was such a beautiful day and I have been enjoying the weather entirely too much and I am praying that I can continue to enjoy the sunny breezy days!!

My Bag.......

That's Amore

Happy Hump Day!

Leslie

Monthly Challenge

I have started something new and I am calling it my monthly challenge. Each month I will set a new goal for myself, no matter what it is, and try to keep that goal the whole month. The following month I will set a new goal and repeat until........well until I say so. I am going to try and keep it up for at least a year. I thought this would be fun just to say I have a goal and keep it, maybe it will make me a better person in the long run. I have always considered myself reliable. If I say I'm going to do something I do it. But I just thought it would be something fun and new, something to look forward to each month.

This will be me in the mornings trying to get dressed!!

So this month I have decided NO SHOPPING!!!!! I know most would think that this is a cardinal sin and I could partially agree. But I really want to try and not only save money but also start my monthly challenge with something difficult to keep.

I must confess I have already reneged BUT I will say it was for a bag that I have been religiously looking for for over a year and if I didn't get it then and there (Ebay) I may never see it again. So for this month I have extended my challenge until June 5th.

Does anyone else out there want to join me in my monthly challenge?? Does anyone out there already do something like this?? Anyone?? Are you there?? Are you reading??

Wish me luck!! I'm going to need it!!!

That's Amore

Leslie

A Simple Cutie

This is just a quick post on a busy day that hasn't exactly gone the way I planned. 

This shirt has been my recent go to. The peplum flatters my straight body type and gives me a little bit of faux curves, which is always a plus when you don't have much to begin with. This H&M top is great and what makes it even better is it comes in a bunch of different colors; I have two and wish I could get more but I am on a shopping diet this month, I'll tell you more about that in my next post. 

But this was just a quick throw together outfit for church a few weeks ago and I really loved the simplicity and daintiness. I actually surprised myself when I looked in the mirror. Surprise Surprise, I can whip together an outfit when I'm not trying. 

Top and skirt: H&M  Necklace: Nordstrom  Shoes: Enzo Angiolini

Quick  post , sweet and to the point!!

That's Amore

Leslie

NEON NEON NEON

Shirt: Jcrew  Sweater: Forever21  Shorts: Old Navy  Shoes: Calvin Klein  Bag: DSW  Necklace: DIY  

I picked up this sweater a few weeks ago and lets just say HEAVEN!!!!! Not only does it satisfy me need for neons this season but its soooooo comfortable!!!

This was a DIY necklace I made a few years ago. My mom brought this sarong buckle back from Cancun; I loved the mother of pearl but I knew I would never wear it with a sarong. So why not a necklace?? PERFECTION!!!! I always get compliments on it and it was soooooo easy. All i did was buy some chain trim from Joann's and tied it in a knot.

This DSW bag was the perfect bag to tie this whole outfit together. All together these pieces completed my outfit perfectly!!

Easter A Little Too Late

Jacket: Bob Mackey Top: H&M Pants: H&M Shoes: Enzo Angiolini Belt: Nine West Bracelets: Silpada

This was my outfit for Easter this year. I really didn't want to wear a dress like I do every other year so when I found these pants it was perfect. These pants definitely have a story; I hunted them down for about 2 weeks. Going into H&M twice a week asking if and when they were going to come in. Then I saw a girl at my job with them on and went straight back to the store just to find they were sold out. WTH!?!?!?!?! I went back a few days later to find there was one lonely pair folded on a table, sadly to find they were a size 12! I tried them on and surprisingly they fit in the leg perfectly but the waist was about 20 sizes to big. Then the question was to get them tailored or not. So I bought them, safety pinning them hoping I could pull them off. Sadly they gave me an awful faux crotch...gross! My best friend was able to find me another pair in a size 10 and these are the ones I am wearing. Mind you H&M sizing is all out of wack. So that's the floral pants story, or Honolulu pants as some guy on U st called them. That was a fun night!!!

Kisses from Sammy; Air kisses that is!!! Happy Monday!!!!

That's Amore

Leslie

Spring Finds

It has been way too long since my last post. I have been so busy with work and all since Easter, I have not even gotten a chance to breath until this past weekend. All I wanted to do was relax and enjoy the weather. The weather has been so beautiful I can't stay inside. I laid in the hammock and read a book for a few hours and it was amazing!!! Also caught up on the movie, Midnight In Paris, which I have been meaning to see for sometime now. Can I say, that is a great movie. I think I am a sucker for anything set in Paris. I think that is were I was meant to be, Paris in the 40's. Movies just portray it as an amazing time and place. Hmmmmmm just the thought gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. I hope to be able to go visit sooner than later.

right to left tops Zara, Forever21, H&M, Forever21, H&M

Bags all DSW

On Saturday I also scored on some handbag shopping as well as some cute spring tops. I have been having a bit too much fun and I feel somewhat guilty but when I put things into perspective the three bags all together were the same price as a Rebecca Minkoff bag I wanted. The small navy one is 100% leather, EVEN BETTER!!!!

I have to admit I have a love hate relationship with DSW. I can usually find a shoe that I love but they never have my size EVER!! It gets so frustrating that I rarely venture to the store. I have been really looking for a great crossbody bag and I'm not exactly sure how DSW came across my mind but it did, and I'm thankful it did. These bags are from a brand I have never heard of Popppie Jones and Audrey Brooke. You can check their bags out here and here on DSW's website.

That's Amore

Leslie

Mellow Yellow

Top: Nine West Shorts: Nordstrom Belt: Nine West Shoes: Wanted Bag: H&M Bracelets: Silpada (check them out here)

This was one of the most relaxing days of my entire life. Two weekends ago me and the bf celebrated our 5 year anni and went for massages. I just have to say if you have never experienced a massage (this was my first time) you are really missing out!!! It was amazing!!!

But enough about my personal life, onto the clothes!!! I love this shirt, I have had it for years and sadly I rarely wear it. It reminds me of a chef shirt in a way.

I love pairing dressier tops with more casual bottoms. I think its a really fresh look and hopefully I inspire people to try to wear their work tops with weekend bottoms! I love the peplum on this shirt as well as the tie that brings it all together. If any of you are like me and have more of a straight, boyish shape a peplum should be your best friend! It gives you curves where there are none. SHHHHHHHHH it's my secret!!!!

The bf was nice enough to snap a few pics while we were out. I usually don't take pictures of myself because I always feel like its a hit or miss when it comes to having a photogenic day. I guess the massage relaxed me because these photos came out pretty decent.

I would also like to point out that my shoes are Wanted and my bag is from H&M and they are the exact same shade AND I bought them on two different days!! What a coincidence!!

That's Amore

Happy Monday!!

Leslie