What I Wore: Showing Some Skin

Continuing with my birthday fun...

Sean and I kicked off my birthday weekend by heading out to dinner at a tasty Portland establishment called Hawthorne Fish House.  They have such wonderfully yummy fried fish, crab cheese soup, fish tacos and more!  I went with the Chile-Fried Catfish and chips.  It was delightfully spicy, crispy, moist, and straight up delicious.

Next up was a Chris Hardwick show at the Helium Comedy Club.  We made it over with time to spare, so you know I had to have a little photo shoot.  Kiyonna sent me this lovely Cayden Cold-Shoulder Top recently.  I just had to rock it for my night out!

We had awesome seats!

This top is fantastic!  It is made with a soft, stretchy fabric that flows nicely.  The cowl neck drapes so beautifully.  I also loved the shirttail hem, which is a different feature from my other Kiyonna items.  I like that it hangs a little bit longer as to conceal my tummy a little bit.  I usually shy away from showing my arms because I am not there yet confidence-wise.  These cutaway sleeves are a perfect way to show some skin, stay cool, but have some coverage.

I decided to pair this top with a fun chevron striped pencil skirt to add some pattern to the ensemble.  The skirt is a ponte knit and super comfortable as well.  I knew we would be walking around a bit in the city, so I wore these great peep toe flats.  They were easy and allowed me to enjoy the night without worrying about falling over in heels or my high wedges. (I am clumsy that way.)

Cayden Cold-Shoulder Top - Kiyonna
Striped Pencil Skirt - Lane Bryant (Spring 2013)
Mia Peep Toe Flats - Avenue
Necklace - Avenue (2010)

Disclosure: I am a member of the Kiyonna Blogger Brigade and they provided me with the top in this post.  All opinions on the item are my own.

What I Wore: Birthday Party Peplum

In an effort to recap all of the festivities surrounding my recent birthday, I will start from the beginning.  Towards the end of April, my cousin hosted a birthday celebration for my aunt and I.  It is an almost quarterly event to celebrate each of us, plus we usually have a Christmas get-together as well. It is always a fun time to laugh, eat yummy food, and spend time with each other.

I opted to be casual and comfortable, first and foremost.  I also wanted to wear my navy blue peplum top that I bought from eShakti a couple months or so ago.  I absolutely LOVE this style of top.  I know a lot of people are sick of the peplum now, but I am not.  I can't get enough of it!

The material is a stretchy knit that is easy to wear.  When I had this top customized, I went with elbow-length sleeves and the tunic length, which just made it slightly longer.  I now own this style in brown stripe, burgundy, and navy!  eShakti changes the styles they carry quite frequently, so keep checking the website for new items!

In addition to wearing my new top, I thought I would try the "jeans rolled up" look.  It isn't something I normally do, so why not try it?  These jeans are some shorter, straight leg ones from Avenue.  I think I should have taken some extra time to iron the rolls down a little, but I was in a hurry.  Garment tape to the rescue!!

An emerald green necklace and purple loafers for some color and - TADA!  I got lots of compliments on this outfit and was told I looked "very Parisian". 

Peplum Top - eShakti (March 2013)
Straight Leg Jeans - Avenue (Fall 2011)
Purple Loafers - Avenue (Fall 2012) {Similar, Similar, Similar}
Emerald Green Bubble Necklace - Bought at a Christmas Bazaar Booth {Similar}

{Clockwise from top left: My mother-in-law and I, my cousin Annie and her daughter, yummy cookies, Lil Miss Stella, Me in a birthday hat, Aunt Sue in the birthday hat!}

{All my fun gifts!  The gift basket included NKOTB earrings, chocolate pasta, wine,  fresh rosemary, and lotion with a sparkly rhinestone pump}

Stay tuned for more birthday fun posts!!

Q & A Monday: Getting To Know You

Hey, y'all!! Another weekend has come and gone.  I need at least two more days for Sean and I to get more stuff done this week.  Isn't that usually the way?

Sean and I ventured out to the Portland Bloggers Meet-Up to learn some tips on Social Media Strategies.  This is the very first meet-up I have attended, so it was one of those times I was super nervous.  I had a hard time even thinking about speaking to people.  The fellow bloggers that did talk to me were very friendly and nice, and I even met someone who reads my blog! (Hey there, Pechluck's Food Adventures!)

After the meet-up, we ate an early dinner, ran a few errands, and raced home to freshen up before heading to Bunco Night at my sister-in-law's house. 

Sunday was super lazy and awesome.  We were so busy last weekend that we barely had a moment to relax.  Instead of house-hunting, we chose to sit on the couch watching my NKOTB Fenway DVD, This is 40, and Game of Thrones.

I feel good.  I feel rested.  And I feel like being productive.  This week I will be doing recaps of birthday fun and outfits. Plus, my usual non-blogging stuff like working on projects, cleaning, cooking, and the like.

I hope you all have a great week!!!

It is time again for Friend Makin' Monday.  If you have a blog, I would like to invite you to answer the questions as well.  Leave me a comment here, so I know you are playing.  Then you can also leave a comment over at All The Weigh, so other folks can check out your answers as well.  It is a fun way to connect to other bloggers.

Getting To Know You

1.  Have you ever been skinny dipping?  
No way, no how.  That is something I have no desire to ever do.

2.  If you could choose an exotic vacation destination today, where would you go?  
Tahiti, Greece, New Zealand, Morocco, Egypt,...

3.  Do you prefer to live in the city or the suburbs? 
I prefer the suburbs.  In fact, if I could choose, I would be a little outside the suburbs with a big house on a big lot so I don't have people too close to me.  I enjoy my privacy and quiet time in my older age.  The city just seems too hectic and overwhelming to me now.

4.  If you could paint, draw or illustrate any masterpiece in the world, what would it be? 
The Taj Mahal, St. Basil's Cathedral in Russia, or the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (if they were real).

5.  What is your favorite dish to cook when you’re cooking for one?
Hmmmmm, when Sean hangs out with friends or has something else going on, I usually opt for a baked potato with sauteed onions and mushrooms.  Or a salad.  If it is just me, I'd rather not have to cook.

6.  Who has recently influenced you in a spectacular way?  
Neil deGrasse Tyson.  I thoroughly enjoy hearing him speak on any topic.  I love his humor and his obvious passion for science.

7.  Have you ever considered dating a person who’s younger than you?  If so, how young would you go?  
I've never really considered dating someone younger than me.  I always preferred slightly older guys. That being said, I am EXTREMELY picky, so most of them never really had a chance in hell. 
It really depends on the guy because I've met guys in their 40s who act like children and guys in their 20s who are very smart and mature for their age.

8.  What do you typically wear when you’re at home with no plans to go out?  
I am usually in pajama pants (or some other comfortable knit pants or capris), a t-shirt, and slip-on house slippers. 

9.  Do you prefer a shower or a bath?  
I prefer taking showers.  I know baths can be relaxing and nice, but I would want to be in a giant tub.  Those are hard to come by. lol

10.  When you meet strangers are you outgoing or more introverted?  
 For me, it depends on the situation.  I am just naturally very shy, anxious, and socially awkward.  There are times when I am very outgoing and friendly and do my best to be as sociable as I can be.  And other times, like this weekend, I am plagued with fear of talking to people I don't know, feel so anxious I almost vomit, and wish I was invisible until I felt comfortable enough to introduce myself to someone or ask someone a question.

Now answer the questions on your blog or in my comments section, link-up with Kenlie, and have a very Happy Monday!!

Sartorial Medley: Bold Colors

Welcome to the fourth installment of Sartorial Medley, a monthly fashion challenge hosted by myself and Aislynn of Couture for Curves.  (Did you miss the January, February, March, or April fun?) We welcome participation from anyone, regardless of your dress size.  From now until the 25th, email me your photo and link to your blog post at diva@divinemrsdiva.com.

Now on to this month's theme: Bold Colors.

When we decided on this month's theme, it didn't take long for me to figure out what I was going to wear.  A couple weeks ago I ventured into Lane Bryant to use my Rewards Check and found this fantastic skirt.  I love the fun print and beautiful colors (it makes me think of Greece or the Italian Riviera).  Plus, it is a fuller, flippy, fun skirt (with a lining!) that puts a pep in my step and makes me want to dance!

I paired the skirt with a royal blue Battenberg lace tank, a coral cardigan, and my fuchsia tasseled sandals that I didn't get to wear last summer.  And since I wore this outfit on my birthday this past Sunday, I donned my rhinestone headband in place of my tiara.  (I really wanted outside photos in the city, but it was raining on Sunday and the wind was terrible!  I had to hold on to my skirt tightly in order not to flash my undergarments to traffic. lol)

Battenberg Lace Trim Tank - Lane Bryant
Conversation Print Skirt - Lane Bryant 
Coral Cardigan - Lane Bryant (Fall 2012)
Tassel Sandals - Torrid (Spring 2012)
Rhinestone Headband - Ulta

 

I went with a pretty gold eyeshadow for the day.  It is my favorite gold, BareMinerals True Gold

For my birthday, we had a very tasty dinner at P.F. Chang's and then headed to Powell's Books for Marc Maron's book signing.  Marc is a comedian both my husband and I enjoy.  He read a few chapters of his book before taking questions and then meeting everyone who wanted a book signed.  He was very nice and I finally got a picture with him!

Share your Bold Colors with me and join in the Sartorial Medley fun!!  Email me a link to your blog post or a photo of your outfit and I will include it in this post!

Sartorial Medley: Bold Colors

Kelly of Loopier By The Minute

Aislynn of Couture For Curves

Q & A Monday: Questions and Answers

Hey, y'all!!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend!  It was my birthday weekend, so the last three days have been super busy and tons of fun!

Friday, we ate a tasty dinner at a fish place in Portland and then went to a comedy club to see Chris Hardwick perform.  After cleaning the house a little bit, Saturday included checking out Crafty Wonderland (a craft fair of mostly local artists) and having friends over for my birthday party!

My birthday was Sunday and was much more low-key compared to the other days.  I was able to sleep in until Sean made macadamia nut and coconut pancakes for me for breakfast.  We hung out a little, called his mom to say Happy Mother's Day, and then headed to dinner at P.F. Chang's.  After dinner, we walked over to Powell's Books to hear Marc Maron talk about his new book and get the book signed by him.

I have so much to catch up on, post about, and do this week.  Let's start it off with a new Q & A Monday!!

It is time again for Friend Makin' Monday.  If you have a blog, I would like to invite you to answer the questions as well.  Leave me a comment here, so I know you are playing.  Then you can also leave a comment over at All The Weigh, so other folks can check out your answers as well.  It is a fun way to connect to other bloggers.

Questions and Answers

1. Do you use coupons? 
I try to use as many coupons as I can.  Usually the food ones that come with the mail are for really crappy food that I don't eat, so I don't use those.  But I use coupons for toiletries, cleaning products, home items, clothing, etc.  Costco, Lane Bryant, and other online codes are probably the ones I use the most.

2. How often do you weigh yourself?  
Maybe once a year.  I don't let some number on a scale dictate my worth



3. What was your favorite TV show as a kid? 
How young of a kid?  When I was really little, I loved The Monkees, Mr. Ed, I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, etc.  As a slightly older kid, I loved cartoon shows like Looney Tunes, David the Gnome, and tons of Nickelodeon.  Entering my teens, Full House, Saved By The Bell, etc. were my favorites.  My all-time favorite show is My So-Called Life, which came out when I was about fourteen.

4. How often do you drink alcohol?  
I have wine a few times a month and usually at social gatherings I will have wine or some kind of alcohol.  In all, it is about a handful of times a month.

5. Have you ever met a celebrity or public figure that you really admire? 
Absolutely.

6.  If you had to choose between only your cell phone or only your laptop all week which would you choose?  
Laptop.  It is more of a useful tool to me and the things I need to get done in a week than my phone.

7. What is your favorite brand of detergent?  
I use Gain with Febreze or Tide with Febreze, plus Downy Unstopables.

8. If there was a movie about your life, who would play the role?
Well, I would want to play me.  If I couldn't do it, I would choose Melissa McCarthy or Queen Latifah. :-)

9.  What book are you currently reading? 
Well, yesterday I went to a book signing for Marc Maron's new book Attempting Normal, so I am going to start that one.  I also need to start on Saying Goodbye To Your Angel Animals about dealing with the grief of losing a pet.

10.  If you could spend one day on vacation anywhere in the world, which place would you choose?  
Ireland.

Now get to it, y'all!  Answer the questions, let me know you are playing along, and link up with Kenlie!  Happy Monday!