Sookie In The Raw

Sunday, February 23, 2014

The Bow Tie Bandits Strike Again!

Oh how I love to see men and boys in bow ties.... My husband flat out refuses to wear one. Yes, I have purchased several for him and no matter what I say or do; he will not wear a bow tie. However, my twins on the other hand they will rock a bow tie for their mommy.

The bow ties they donned today made my heart skip a beat. I actually purchased an identical tie for my husband but again he refused to wear it. I do not know it was due to us visiting our friend’s church today to hear him preach today. By the way Mark G. your were awesome or if he just refuse to make his wife happy. Whatever the case is I will no longer waste my time or money buying him bow ties.

Once again, the Bow Tie Bandits struck again and stole this woman's heart! Much love boys... Much love!

Enjoy!

Outfit Ideas:

Dress - ModCloth (swap board Thanks Hannah S.)
Earrings - ModCloth
Tights - Target
Shoes - Zulily (Chelsea Crew)
Purse - Vintage Dooney & Burke

Twins Outfit Ideas:

Shirt - Ralph Lauren
Bow Tie - Macy's
Cords - Gap
Black Shoes - Stacy Adams
Brown Shoes - Tommy Hilfiger

Daughter Outfit Ideas:

Jacket - Gymboree

Hair Candy - The Children's Place
Earrings - The Children's Place
Dress - Gymboree
Purse - The Children's Place
Tights - Wal-Mart
Shoes - Payless

What I like most about these bow ties?

They are pre-tied.
They have holes for different neck sizes.
Yes, AWESOME!

This purse is over 20 years old and still going strong.
They just don't make them like this anymore.
Love the old style Dooney and Burke's!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

You Know.. Chelsea and Her Crew...

There is nothing like a good pair of shoes.... Well, yes there is a good pair of retrolicious shoes that is on sale. Chelsea Crew shoes are retrolicious, whimsical, girly, colorful, elegant, cute, and above comfortable. I ran across this brand on Modcloth and was blown away with the prices for shoes that were not leather. Really, $60-$85 for fake leather... but OMG! They are soooo de-lish! I need them in my life (not according to my husband :).

Therefore, I went on a search for Chelsea and her Crew... and of all places found several at zulily, DSW, Ebay, and other online retailers. So, why pay the high prices at ModCloth? Well, their customer service is hands down the best out there. Shipping is free, returns are free and the few times I purchased several pairs from Zulily their CC's were off on sizing. Not a little off but wayyyyyy off! And you cannot return your shoes to Zulily.

Ok! Back to Chelsea and her Crew.

Fit. For me I wear between a 6.5 and 7 but always buy a 7, which in this brand is a 38. The size 38 is spot on perfect. Therefore, if you were in between size I would say they are a smidge tight. I say that because a size 7 is a bit big on me and when I buy the size 38 in Chelsea Crew they fit perfect with no room to spare.

Style. Gorgeous! Retro-licous. Girly! Out of the box LOVE! You can style these babies up or down!

Durability. They are not leather but I think they will last. Granted I own many shoes and do not wear my shoes often but quality is there.

Below is my personal collection of Chelsea Crew shoes. Hope to have more in the future. That is when I am no off shoe restriction. Please send in a petition to the parole board!

And I Love the names that ModCloth gives them (the names in parentheses are CC's names for your hunting purposes):

Fancy Fox Trot Heel in Bordeaux (Sweety Burgundy White)

Notch Your Step Heel in Cognac (Madison Cognac)
Primed to Parade Heel in Multi (Nori Gray Multi)
Primed to Parade Heel in Red (Nori Wine Multi)

Bow'n Place Heel in White (Sofia Blk/Bge)

Happy Hunting!

Enjoy!

My favorite pair is the green with purple ribbon.. so rich in color!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Twinsies By Way of Ironing...

While preparing for church last night I asked my daughter which dress she liked. "I like the sailor dress. Wear that one and we can be Twinsies! "But Sissy there is so much fabric and mommy did not take the dress to the cleaners to have it ironed." Please, don't you want us to match? How could a mommy turn down such a special request?

If ironing a dress will have my daughter wanting to dress like me, be like me, act like me, be around me, and be a woman of God like me... In other words, be my "Twinsie"! I will iron 7 days a week!

God love that iron and sailor dress.

Enjoy!

Outfit Ideas:

Hair Candy - ModCloth (free gift)
Earrings - ModCloth
Dress - ModCloth
Handbag - Irregular Choice
Petticoat - Pinup Bootique
Tights - Wal-Mart
Shoes - Irregular Choice
Lipstick - Sephora Cream Lip Stain Always Red - 01

Kids Outfit Ideas:

Twins:

Shirts - Ralph Lauren
Ties - Nautica
Pants - Lands Ends
Black Shoes - Stacy Adams
Gray/Blue Shoes - Florsheim Kids

Daughter:
Hat - Gymboree

Earrings - ModCloth

Dress - Gymboree
Purse - Gymboree

Tights - Gymboree

Shoes - Gymboree

Sunday, February 9, 2014

The White Elephant Dress!

I am naming this dress "The White Elephant" in reference to the game or gift exchange. For those who have never participated in a White Elephant gift exchange you present gifts that are tacky or that do not fit the tastes of the recipient. The thought behind a white elephant gift exchange is to give everyone a chance to rid themselves of these tacky gifts—and invariably gain a new one!

Therefore, you ask what does this have to do with my dress. Well... I did not realize that the elephants on the dress were juggling wine, apparently drunk, and disorderly! In addition, to make matters worse I had my mom make a dress for my daughter and we wore them to church! BAHHAHAHAAAAHAA! That is beyond tacky. And for those who know my daughter and I know that "drinking" is not in our taste.

With that, aside we love our dresses and thank ma'ma for making them.

Enjoy!

Outfit Ideas:

Dress - Hand sewn
Earrings - ModCloth
Tights - Target
Handbag - Vintage Lilly Pulitzer "The Lilly"
Coat - ModCloth
Shoes - Irregular Choice
Lipstick - Sephora

Kids Outfit Ideas:

Twins:

Jacket - Hand sewn
Bow Tie - Hand sewn
Shirt - The Children's Place

Black Pants - Land's End

Grey Tweed Pants - Gymboree
Shoes - Stacy Adams
Shoes - Nunn Bush (on the larger twin)

Daughter:

Dress - Hand sewn
Blouse - Hand sewn

Purse - Gymboree

Hair Candy - Gymboree

Tights - Gymboree

Shoes - The Children's Place

Monday, January 27, 2014

"Mommy am I still Dreaming?"

On Friday, I sat in the front row and watched the 5th-9th graders perform for the talent show. There were thirty performers in three different categories (variety, instrument, and singing). I arrived with Eldon twin brother and his baby sister a full two hours early because the performers had to be there early to practice and set up. Some were good, some were really good, and some were well... my mom always told me, "Baby if you don't have nothing good to say don't say nothing at all."

My children have been taught to always do your best and if your best isn't good enough, go back and practice some more. All three of my kiddos have been playing piano for 3 years and have never competed in any type of competition. Eldon was not nervous at all. His biggest concern was getting the purple package of skittle from the snack bar, that was set up but not selling anything (why tempt the kids). I was a nervous WRECK! He just looked at me, “Mommy I'm not nervous, what is wrong with you!" I took my cue, went, and sat down. He was number 11 in the competition and did AWESOME!

I do not often brag or boast when it comes to my children. I believe in the bible verse from Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.

However, on this day I will brag on this young man. Eldon is a solider for the Lord; he has been called to do something great and powerful for God. He is sweet and humble. If you ask Eldon for anything, he will give it to you even if it means that he will go without. His first year at the STEM Academy of Riverside his report card were all A's & B's which is remarkable for that school. Eldon is well mannered and well spoken. He can play the piano like no one’s business and takes his lessons very serious. He loves the LORD! I will say that again, He loves the Lord. Even though he was born with a very rare and serious heart defect (Tetralogy of Fallot) he does not let that hinder him. When he is sick, he begs and pleads to go to school and/or church. When Eldon was being bullied at school, he prayed for the person that was bullying him. That is something that I as a grown-up can learn from. He opens the doors for adults and offers his seat to women or elders when there are no other seats available. He says yes ma'am and sir. He prays ever morning and night. He makes sure I buy a gift for his friend’s birthday, as well as the neighbors. I can go on and on but I will not because if you are ever fortunate enough to meet this sweet, kind spirited young man you will be reminded of Matthew 5:16.

And about that talent show. No sweetie you are not dreaming you did win 1st Place!

Enjoy!

His winning performance!

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Shady Palms

I checked the outside temperature to see what I should wear for the women, "Feel My Cup" event at church this morning. I was too sick to prepare anything last night. It was not cold, but there was a slight chill in the air and the sun only peeked out from behind the clouds.

My spirits were dreary just like the outside looked. Mmmm... Do I feel this way because everyone in my home is sick (with the exception of my husband) or is it because of those shady palm trees in the distance?

I got it... Let's put on that bright and cheery Emily and Fin palm tree dress. God woke up this morning and started you on your way; there is nothing to be dreary about. The sun will shine and it will shine bright. If not today, maybe tomorrow. Besides, those palm trees need shade from time to time.

Here is my interpretation of those shady palms...

Enjoy!