Fresh Picks to Follow: Floral Frocks

I’m sorry I’m so late with posting my Friday Fresh Picks to Follow, but I had a busy weekend.  I’ll tell you more about that later.  I wanted to bring your attention to a growing trend for the Spring season.  Floral patterns have dominated most spring and summer runways for the past several years…these floral beauties are an instant classic.  Designers have gone back to basics and they understand that women want to accentuate their femininity.  Here are my top 10 picks of bouquet print dresses that I find perennially appealing.   Let me know what you think!

1. White House Black Market – Sleeveless Floral Cotton Dress…$158.00

2. Ann Taylor Loft - Flutter Sleeve Dress…$79.50

3. Zimmermann - Poppy Gold Tube Dress…$311.85

4. Anthropologie - Drifting Lilies Dress…$298.00

5. Anthropologie - Summer-Grown Dress…$138.00

6. J.Crew - Liberty Bouquet Shirtdress...$148.00

7. Anthropologie - Tuileries Dress…$158.00

8. Love Moschino - Painted Floral Asymmetric Ruche Dress…$427.35

9. Talbots - Jardin Floral Dress…$189.00

10. D&G - Mimosa Sheath Dress…$528.00

Giveaway at Olive & Bleu

I just found this awesome blog by Lauren at Olive & Bleu.  This blog is beautifully designed and the blog covers everything from crafts, fashion, food, decorating, weddings, and design.  Lauren is hosting her very first giveaway for one (1) $50 gift card to Anthropologie.  If you are interested in entering this contest, please check out Lauren’s blog (here) for the details.  This giveaway will end on Friday, March 11th.  Good Luck!

No Shopping Zone!

Hey everyone…I hope that you guys are having a good week so far.  This week has been pretty hectic for me at work and in my personal life…nothing major is going on, it’s just busy.  I’m really looking forward to having some fun this weekend with friends and relaxing in between.  On Saturday, I have my 15k race and I’m running with one of my dearest friends.  I’m also going to a Stampin’ Up! card party with an old co-worker and a baby shower for another one of my dearest friends.  I can’t wait for all of it. 

I mentioned on Monday that I didn’t know what I was giving up for Lent this year.   Lent is the season when Christians prepare their hearts for Easter with reflection, repentance and prayer. This year I came up with something while I was in church last night that surprised even me.   As my title indicates, this is a no shopping zone.  I decided to give up shopping for myself (except for essentials like groceries, etc.) over the next 46 days.  Crazy right? I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but it was something that needed to happen.  Anyone that knows me knows that this is a huge sacrifice.  My co-workers even laughed at me when I told them about the shopping ban, but I have faith myself.   I also gave up French fries, but that’s not as interesting or as difficult as giving up shopping.  This part should be pretty easy. 

So, from March 9, 2011 until April 23, 2011…I will be shop free. Wish me luck!  Do you think you could give up shopping for 40 days? Are you observing Lent this year? If so, what are you giving up?

miscellany monday

happy monday everyone – i’ve added my random ramblings to carissa’s miscellany monday party!  check out carissa’s blog here and join in on the fun. 

{one} mardi gras.  do you celebrate mardi gras?  i celebrate it every year.  i mean, i don’t go to new orleans each year to party it up, but i usually try to have a last hurrah.  i eat a meal or food that i won’t be able to eat for the next 40 days.  sounds tough right? mardi gras is french for “fat tuesday,” referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the lenten season, which starts on ash wednesday.  lent is a 40-day period of piety, repentance and introspection as christians reflect upon the coming easter holiday.  this year ash wednesday falls on march 9, 2011, so tomorrow is fat tuesday.  if you want to learn more about the lenten customs, please check out this catholic update newsletter (here).  i’m looking forward to tomorrow because one of my co-workers is bringing in a yummy king cake.  i can’t wait to feast on this cake with a nice hot cup of coffee. 

{two} my 15k.  i’m getting ready for my 15k this weekend.  i plan to run again tomorrow and wednesday and then i’ll take a break for a couple days.   i can’t believe that the race is already here.  i’ll let you all know how i do. 

{three} the bachelor. so, i’m a little obsessed about the bachelor.  next week is the finale, but today is the reunion episode where the rejected bachelorettes tell all.  the previews look really juicy and i’m pretty sure that it will not disappoint.