Summertime Work Uniform

Dresses!!

Summertime work uniform by simplysuz featuring a sateen dress

Sateen dress, $35
Gabriella Rocha shoes, $28
Marc by marc jacobs tote, $498
Earrings, $38

Summer uniform #2 by simplysuz featuring braided sandals

Old Navy long ribbed tank top, $3.99
Xhilaration® Juniors Satin Kimono Dress - Purple... : Target, $7
Old Navy stretchy pants, $10
Forever 21 braided sandals, $15
Kendra scott jewelry, $85

Summer uniform #3 by simplysuz featuring 14k jewelry

Dress, $25
Old Navy fitted cardigan, $30
Oasis drawstring handbag, $48
Kendra Scott 14k jewelry, $110
Biviel Bv2960 Ibiza Ebano/Brown - 6pm.com, $87

summertime uniform #4 by simplysuz featuring shoulder handbags

Teal dress, $68
Cardigan, $18
Sam Edelman strappy flat sandals, $45
Melie Bianco shoulder handbag, $90
Effy Collection diamond stud earrings, $500

Why I wish I was best friends with Robin Jones Gunn

found here

I just finished reading "Finally and Forever" by Robin Jones Gunn. It's like the finale to a series you've watched for years on tv... long anticipated, but bittersweet. It all started with the Christy Miller series I read in middle school. This last book was a continuation of the stories started in that series. Robin Jones Gunn has written over 80 books and I think I've read more than half of them. She is my favorite author and I'd recommend anything she's written. Let me tell you why.

Her writing is down to earth. The characters in her novels aren't perfect, and they remind you of yourself. And by the end of many of the books, the characters remind you of the kind of person you want to be. Inspiring things happen to her characters and changes happen in their hearts that make you want to learn and grow in faith.

There are also moments in all of her books that make me stop and read sentences over again- nuggets of truth that I can't help but want to remember. Robin must be a wise woman in person, because the things her characters say are such amazing mini life lessons. I've learned about handling life with more grace from each Robin Jones Gunn book I've read. In many ways I've identified with the different characters she's created, and she writes about how they overcome challenges differently than expected. Her writing about these fictional characters almost gives her readers permission to do the same.

I'd love to have Robin as my best friend, sharing insightful advice to my problems and her opinions about what I should do. If I'm going to be really honest though, I do have some wonderful Robins in my life. Women who care, and are willing to speak into my life. Reading "Finally and Forever" and the Sisterchicks books inspire me to work harder to be caring and involved friend. We need people in our lives that lift us up, bring us along, and point us to God. I'd love to be best friends with Robin, but you know, I think I'd like to be Robin to my friends too. 

A weekend in Columbus

Pictures from last weeks wedding...
 

 

 

 

 

The beaming bride, my cousin M. So excited to be getting married the same year!

Single-Lady Cupcakes

A recipe for you today, from Chocolate Covered Katie.
(This recipe and photos are taken directly from here.)

The Single-Lady Cupcake

 (makes just one cupcake)

• 3T flour (30g) (See directions for flour notes)
• heaping 1/16th tsp salt
• 1T applesauce, oil, pre-melted vegan butter, or a combo (Try coconut oil. I also like 13g sbl.)
• 1T plus 1 tsp liquid (nondairy milk or water)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• Sweetener (I hate giving specific amounts, since tastebuds are so different. For normal tastebuds, 1 to 1 and 1/2 T of sugar should be about right. If you use liquid sweetener, cut back a tiny bit on the other liquid. You can also use stevia. I used 1/2 a packet, but—once again—I’d recommend at least triple that for normal tastes lol.)

Directions: Preheat the oven to 330 degrees. Mix the ingredients and pour into an oiled (or sprayed) muffin pan. Smooth top of batter. Cook for 12-15ish minutes.
Or, you can use Heather’s microwave version.
.
Nutritional Info:
Calories: 110
Fat: 0.5g
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 23g

Delicious looking, no? Some days you just need a little sweet in your life. Katie has a whole lot of healthy dessert options. Take a look for yourself!

Splurge-worthy

This green top is so adorable. I may be watching it on Anthro's website to see when it goes on sale.

summertime brights by simplysuz featuring a sports necklace

At least one out of six weddings

This is the outfit I'm wearing to an upcoming wedding that BL and I were invited to. Believe it or not, we have 7 weddings to go to before our own. I am really excited to see how everyone else does things, and enjoy being a guest. I'm in one of my bridesmaid's weddings (three of them are getting married between now and then!). 

Wedding guest outfit by simplysuz featuring tear drop earrings

Sweater, $20
Rsvp kitten heels, $69
Hobo handbag, $101
Vera Wang tear drop earrings, $14
Ring Neck Sateen Dress Assorted Colors, $55

Addison's and the owner of Shabby Apple

from Oprah.com

Shabby Apple is a clothing company that I've known about for awhile, but just recently I found out that the founder of the company, Athelia Lesueur, has Addison's disease. It's pretty cool to see others with this disease who are living life well and fully. Shabby Apple's philosophy:

A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!).

Pretty cool, I think. Also interesting about Shabby Apple, Athelia is a Mormon and therefore all of the dresses they sell have sleeves on them. The company doesn't advertise as being LDS or Mormon, but I was not surprised to find out that connection. I have nothing against wearing sleeveless clothing, however I can identify with the simplicity of a dress that doesn't need other things to make it complete. I also like that their dresses are longer, making them more comfortable and modest.

Here is a video that tells Althelia's story:




Just for fun, here are my favorite Shabby Apple dresses (you can find them all on shabbyapple.com )

I'm so indecisive about shoes...

I've been looking for a new pair or two of summer sandals. I would love to get a casual pair and a more work appropriate pair, preferably leather. But I can't decide!! I've been shopping at stores, and I don't like anything I've seen. Some of the options online are perfect, but too expensive. (see below... $180... not gonna happen).

Summer Sandles by simplysuz featuring leather sandals

Stuart Weitzman leather sandals, $265
Cordani wedge heels, $180
Frye gladiator sandals, $148
J.Crew strappy sandals, $118
Born shoes, $115
Born sandals, $85
Gladiator sandals, $79
High heels, $50
Sofft Amble, $100
Bandolino Flyaway, $49
Madden Girl Braidyy, $40

But in the meantime, I did buy two pairs of shoes at zappos this weekend. All boots under $250 were on sale for $35, and I also found a cute pair of blue shoes for $10 to match a dress I have.

Crusties and puppies

This morning I woke up with crusties in my eyes and a dog laying across my legs. I guess he thinks he's in charge if I can't move. I've been watching a lot of the Dog Whisperer lately and Ceasar would not approve. The crusties were probably a result of the pollen flying through the air outside. But you don't care about that I'm sure.

Work has been a roller coaster lately. Today everyone's moods reflect that and I wish I could help. But nothing can be done until we all find out some news we've been waiting to hear. crypic, I know, and yes it's annoying to all of us as well.

Wedding planning is slightly better than work lately, but at times it can seem like such a big deal. Right now I'm ready to be just a couple of months away from the wedding and have everything bought and the decisions all made. There are too many options right now, and too much time to change my mind.

Here are some beautiful things that I've found lately that may or may not make their way into our wedding details:

www.save-on-crafts.com/

Silk Bells of Ireland at Old Time Pottery (personal photo)

paper rosettes www.pepperdesignblog.com

Blue glass tea-light holders from Old Time Pottery (personal photo)

Heavenly Blooms

Kate Spade

Hot House Designs

Fabric Find: Lecien House Flower Sugar

Flower Sugar Collection by Lecien House