Sun Hat Roundup

It's definitely pool time in our part of the world, and I could not be more grateful!  I live for days lounging by the pool with a cocktail and good book.  It's my happy place.  This past weekend I had some girlfriends join me at my house for a day of brunch, CAbi shopping in my living room, and an afternoon by the pool.  It was one of the best days!  I, however, had some requests to borrow a hat, and I offered up the two sun hats I had, which got me thinking that I want a big floppy hat.  I have two straw fedora hats, one with a short brim and one with a wider brim, but I think I need a big floppy hat next.  We are planning a vacation to Hawaii in June, and I NEED one, right?!  :)  I mean doesn't every girl need a big floppy hat?  I actually think I have my eye on a black one at Target.  Here is a roundup of some good options in all different styles and price points if you are currently shopping for a hat too!

Sun Hat Roundup by tara-thesilverlining featuring a floppy hat

 

Noel Stewart floppy hat/Eugenia Kim straw hat/ASOS fedora hat/Michael Stars fedora hat/J Crew straw hat/

Panama hat/American Eagle Outfitters floppy hat/Forever 21 straw hat/Forever 21 fedora hat

Thailand

Hi lovelies!  I know it's been quite a while since I've posted.  Remember my post a while back on My Adult Version of Red-Light-Green Light.  Well as I explained in my post there are times of the year that my work is extremely busy and well, this has been one of those times.  It's actually been a busier time than normal.  But it is what it is, and I survived.  We are done and now have time to breathe.  What better way to relax than to run off on vacation to none other than Thailand?!  Yes, you read that right!!  I feel like this is a trip of a lifetime, and in two short weeks, we'll be leaving on a jet plane.  I've really had no time to prepare, so now it's green light - time for shopping, packing and planning for the trip!  To help inspire me, I've put together this board.  I think keeping it simple will be key.  Some maxi dresses, bathing suits, sandals, and I should be good to go!

Thailand by tara-thesilverlining featuring a green halter top

 

 

Xo,

Tara

 

 

Stocking Stuffers for her...

Stocking Stuffers for her...

Puma digital watch
puma.com

Kate Spade stud earrings
katespade.com

Kate Spade bracelet
lordandtaylor.com

Michael Kors circle scarf
piperlime.gap.com

Body moisturizer
bathandbodyworks.com

Essie nail polish
kohls.com

Capri Blue sugar jar
thedreslyn.com

Stoneware mug
anthropologie.com

Timeline Planner
shopterrain.com

I'm linking up again with these ladies for their My Favorite Things Series. 
Go check out the other links to get great ideas for those on your shopping list....
or for items to put on your personal list to Santa as well.  

Down With the Dearmores

Cheers Y'all

 

 

XO,

Tara

 

A few of my favorite things...

I always have the hardest time coming up with ideas for myself when asked to put together a Christmas wish list.  I mean don't get me wrong, I ALWAYS have something that I want, and trust me, you let this girl shop, and I won't come home empty handed.  It's just when I'm put on the spot that I have a hard time.  This year though, I'm linking up with a few of my fellow bloggers for their "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things" series, which will be a wonderful way to see what others love and get some good ideas for those on your shopping list...or if you need help coming up with your own personal wish list.  I put together a collection of items I already own and love and some that I wouldn't mind receiving in the near future.

 

1. Michael Kors Wallet - I would love to own a new wallet.  Currently I have a mini wallet that only holds my license and a few bank cards.  I'd love to own a real wallet again and feel like an adult.

2.  I recently received these Kendra Scott Earrings - They are the Elle (the smaller version of the Danielle), and in black, they are classic and go with so many things, casual or dressy.  They are perfect!

3.  Kate Spade Perfume - I only own one perfume right now, Chance by Chanel, and I'd love to add this to my collection.  The beautiful bottle is an added plus.  How gorgeous would that be sitting out on a vanity?!

4.  Uggs - So I've never ever owned a pair of Uggs, and I would not wear these out of the house.  I would love to wear them around the house though as my husband likes to keep our house like a freezer.  These would also be great with cozy leggings while lounging around, and I do think this sweater style is pretty adorable!

5.  Stella and Dot crossbody or clutch - This purse is so versatile and can be carried in different ways, which would make it perfect for date night or shopping when a big bag is not convenient.  I need this!

6.  I also received a monogrammed initial necklace over a year ago and wear it all the time!  It's so pretty and delicate, and I always receive compliments.  It's a great personal gift!

7.  I never owned any Tory Burch flats until this past year I purchased a brown pair, and well now I wear them all the time.  I would like a black pair now too.  I wear them to work often as well as for casual events, so the nice quality is appreciated as they'll certainly last longer.

8.  I've had my eye on these Steve Madden pumps.  I think they'd be a great fun addition to my closet.  I have all of the nuetrals, and well, it's time to spice it up.  Enough said.

9.  I purchased this Michal Kors Large Hamilton Tote right before our Napa trip and loved it.  It does have a snap on top to keep it closed and was roomy enough for me to fit my big camera in along with other travel essentials.  It is big, but it was perfect for traveling!

10.  This Anthropologie green ruffle blouse is gorgeous.  I love this color, and it would be festive for the holiday season as well!

Join these other ladies in their link party to see what their favorite items are by clicking the link below.

Down With the Dearmore's

Cheers Y'all

 

Happy Shopping!

XO,
Tara

My Adult Version of Red Light, Green Light

Did you ever play the game "Red Light, Green Light" when you were little?  If you aren't familiar, it's a really simple game.  The way we played it was a group would line up as if about to run a race, and someone would stand at the finish line and when they said, "Green Light", everyone would take off running towards the finish.  When "Red Light" was yelled by the announcer, everyone had to freeze in their spot and wait for "Green Light" to be said again and so on until someone made it to the finish line. 

 

I feel like this is how I live my life...mainly due to my job.  I'm a CPA and do financial reporting for a company in downtown Houston.  I actually really like what I do, and to top it off, I work for a great company, have a wonderful boss and like the people I work with.  The only downside are the cycles of reporting as we get busy after every year-end and every quarter-end and tend to work long hours during these times.  This is when I feel like my life gets put on hold a bit.  So there are about five months out of the year that I'm in "Red Light" mode.  We don't make plans much on the weekends as I need to be in town and available to work if I need to.   I am usually at work late and eat dinner in the office, so when I get home, I get ready for bed and sleep, and then wake up to the daily grind the next day.  After quarter and year-end reports are filed, I feel like someone yells "Green Light," and I take off running trying to fit in everything that I've put on hold.  I try to see all the friends and family I can, meeting for dinners, happy hours and other social events, and also I try to catch up on housework and a mile long to-do list of errands that will have inevitably built up during my busy time at work.  I then seem to exhaust myself by doing all of these things, although the social parts are fun and I feel better when I've scratched all of the items off my list.  However, by the time I get caught up on life and start to relax again, it's time for our busy time at work again.....and so the cycle continues.

 

Why am I telling you all this?  I felt like my little blog here was a good place to sort of dump these feelings.  Like I said, I like my career of choice, but I seem to struggle at times with keeping it all together and maintaining a balance... but I know most everyone understands this as it applies to everyone in different ways.  I just sometimes wish for a more stable routine with regular hours on an on-going basis.  I sometimes am envious of friends that are able to have their evenings free and never have to consider whether it's a quarter-end or not. I feel like I'm always telling people I can't make it to some event or dinner because "we'll be in quarter at work" or "it's our busy time."  I'm sure my friends get tired of hearing that from me as well.  It's the nature of my job, and I must accept it.  I know that.  It's what I've chosen, and I'm happy with my choice.  Also, now you all will know that when I've seemed to have disappeared from writing my blog that I'm either in my "Red Light" mode and don't have time to blog as when I have any free time, I'm probably sleeping.  OR that I'm in my "Green Light" mode and running around as fast as I can so that I'm not taking the time to blog.  I'd like to try to start blogging on a regular basis and make it more of a priority.  I really do enjoy blogging, and it's actually a form of stress relief when I make the time for it.  It's a way to share and connect with people and in a way, for me, it's a bit of an escape...like I can go off to BlogLand for a bit and get out any thoughts or feelings I want or dream and look at pretty pictures, and then step back into my reality. 

 

Thanks for reading...if you still are.  I'm usually not so personal or this chatty on here, but I thought a change for once was okay.  Hope all of you lovelies are having a wonderful week. 

Let's end on a fun note.  Here are some (somewhat blurry) pictures from my phone of outfits I've been wearing to work this summer.

 

 

XO,

Tara

 

Favorite Things Lately

I ordered this necklace from Ily Couture, and I love it.  I had been looking for a gold necklace that was shorter and simple to wear for the summer with bathing suits and coverups.  This will be a simple way to still wear jewelry but will be understated - perfect for both the beach and pool.

ilycouture

I have been on the hunt for more blouses to wear to work, and I found this one from Hive and Honey on Piperlime.  I finally wore it today and love how it fits.  It's also very comfy might I add.

I paired it with these shoes from Steve Madden, which I've been wearing a lot.

I'm lucky to work at a place that has casual dress attire EVERY DAY!  It's pretty amazing and is not common in the corporate world.  I'm so thankful.  It helps to have pretty much the same wardrobe for my work wear and weekend wear.  I still wear business casual on occassion to get use out of the clothes I still own, but pretty much wear jeans a lot.  Yes, be jealous! :)

I'm hoping for great weather this weekend.  We have a wedding on Saturday and family pictures on Sunday and need the weather to cooperate!  Hope it's sunny where you are.

Tara

Rodeo and What I Wore

Happy Friday! 

I'm going to keep it short and sweet for you today.

Last Sunday night we were able to see George Strait at the Houston Rodeo Finale!!!  Enough said right there if you are a country music fan, right?! 

It was such an amazing show!  We lucked out getting to go with some good friends of ours, and we were so happy they asked us to tag along. 

The crowd was amazing.  George came back out to do an encore.  He didn't disappoint that's for sure!

I wore this dress that I got from Piperlime with my boots.

Since it was St. Patty's Day, I paired it with this beautiful Stella and Dot statement necklace.

I also think this necklace would be perfect for summer with a simple white tee.  I think I'll be getting lots of wear out of it.

My husband's parents and my dad and step-mom are coming into town to be with us this weekend, and I know we'll be having a good time.  Hope all of you have a splendid weekend as well!

XO,

Tara

What I've Been Up To

Happy Friday!!  So glad it's the final countdown till the weekend begins.  I have all kinds of things I want to share with you all.

Here in Houston, it's rodeo time.  It's kind of a big deal.  However, I don't usually make it to the rodeo but once or twice at most.  If you aren't familiar, for a few weeks there is a daily rodeo with a concert directly after.  In addition, while you are there, you can shop, visit the livestock show with a petting zoo for the kiddos, go to the carnival, and the whole thing begins with a big cookoff weekend full of all kinds of BBQ.  My sister brought my niece and nephew this week, and I was able to join them.  We saw Gary Allen, and the kids were amazed at how much there was going on, which was so fun to see their reactions.  I threw this together after I got off of work to try to join in on the "cowgirl" attire.  :)

What I'm wearing:  Black HUE jeggings, denim shirt, CAbi fur vest, and Old Navy Camel boots.

I've been LOVING my Michael Kors watch, and I like pairing it with the Renegade Stella and Dot bracelet. 

Also, I recently picked this chalkboard up for the house from HomeGoods.  I thought it would be perfect for writing menus on or making lists for groceries and errands and all sorts of other fun things.  The husband asked if I was going to be teaching class.  shake my head.  They just don't get it, do they?

I thought it was the perfect place to put it in between the kitchen and the laundry room in the hallway going to the office.  See it will be easily used and functional in this space.

Also, one last thing is that I purchased this tote recently, and I was a little hesitant at first if I would like carrying it as my everyday bag, but it's working out perfectly.  I've gotten use to the size as it's a little wider, which was a concern when wearing it on the shoulders, but I don't even notice that so much now.  The color is gorgeous too!  So, if perhaps you are in the market for a tote, this is a good choice for sure! Or even if you weren't, but want one now, I understand.  You should get one.

Have a wonderful weekend.

XO,

Tara

What I Wore…with Stripes

 

 

So I usually don’t post these sorts of pictures, or I have only one time before this, but I thought with the new year I’d go for it.  I mean it’s time to take risks.  Big steps here. haha  Obviously, I’m still learning how to take the pictures.  I would say this one needs to be clearer and well maybe not so um crooked, and maybe closer up would help.  Enough with my rambling (can you tell I’m nervous?). 

 Here’s what I have on:
 

Striped Top from Loft

Black skirt from CAbi

Black Pointed Heels

Coral Bubble Necklace off of Ebay

Michael Kors Gold Runway Watch
(YES I finally got it for my last birthday after my husband received so many hints from me.  He listens well especially after I sent him the direct link!)
 

Hope you enjoyed seeing one of my recent outfits to work!

Have a fabulous rest of the weekend.  I’m off to get ready for date night.

XO,

Tara

Spring Fashion

Spring is definitely here!  I love driving and seeing everything so green and all of the wildflowers spread along the roadsides.  Now that the warm weather is here to stay, it's time to break out the colorful tanks and summer dresses.  Here are my recent purchases that I've added to my closet to brighten up my outfits for this spring and summer:

via Bauble Bar

Yes, I did! I finally purchased these Stella and Dot earrings that I've talked about a few times on here already.  Now I can quit obsessing over them. 

by Splendid

I purchased this top at Anthropologie, but found this image via Piperlime.

OH, and speaking of Spring, our backyard recently got a makeover and is ready for the warm months now as well. I'll share the before and afters with you real soon. 

Have a lovely day!

Tara

Printed Pants - are you on board?

I recently have been going through my closet to get rid of clothes that are way too old, and as embarrassing as it is to admit, I had some printed capri pants still in there from my college years.  I of course quickly tossed those into the "to be donated" pile.  And then just this week I've noticed that it looks like printed pants are one of the hot trends for this spring.  Are you going to be on board? 

Alice + Olivia

J Crew

J Crew

Top Shop

I don't think I'll be rocking any of these looks any time soon!  And it's been decided my printed capris are still heading out the door.  I can't believe I wore those the first time around.  For those of you that do rock this trend this spring, I'm in awe of your bravery, and I'm sure you will look hot! I think I'll just sit this one out though.

Tara

GOLD on the brain

Speaking of GOLD, here is some gold jewelry that I've been loving, and you know wouldn't mind wearing... I mean if I had to! :)

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Happy Friday!!

Tara



Kendra Scott...Perfect Gifts

As I've confessed, I'm obsessed with jewelry.  But really what girl isn't?  A piece of jewelry is ALWAYS a great gift...at least in my opinion.  And I know I've said this before too, but I just love Kendra Scott.  She has an amazing collection that ranges from studs to statement pieces and in all different price points, so you could find something for everyone.  Here are my personal faves!

Maybe this will help you finish up those last few people on your list.  HAPPY SHOPPING!

Tara

***all pictures taken from kendrascott.com.  I'm in no way affiliated with Kendra Scott and am not paid for anything said in this post***