handbag love at first sight.

so I must confess, I haven't gotten a new handbag since this little beauty came home with me back in August of 2009!  For those of you that know me, know that this is a miracle!  I love my handbags..before entering married world, I probably purchased a new bag once a month!  I can blame it on becoming a married lady, spending most of our disposable income on items for our 1st house, and mostly on the fact that there is NOWHERE to get designer handbags in our small-town, Alaska. 
During my freshman year of college, Vera Bradley hit my group of girlfriends as the "it" item..and well, let's just say that I probably could have kept Mrs. Vera earning a paycheck from my purchases alone!  Lately, I haven't really loved any of the new fabric choices or even style of bag.  My last Vera purchase was back in Easter of 2009!  But have you seen the new Spring/Summer collection?!?  My heart almost beat out of my chest when I saw the new patterns..and this Charleston tote.  can't. breathe.

Now if only I could pick which pattern I want?  They are so vastly different..maybe both??

During my visit home I was talking with my BFF {still haven't found anyone in AK to discuss these things with..more on that later} about how fashionable & chic bags with short handles AND shoulder straps are!  She just purchased the most adorable Guess Bag in this style and I was ahead of the game when I purchased that Coach bag last August. They really are the best of both worlds..if you don't have one yet, you must try the trend!

And this cha cha handbag..seriously?  ruffles. cute pattern. large enough for my purse belongs plus my packed lunch...perfection.  I need this for my school bag when I sub, right?  RIGHT!

I will forever believe the world would be a better place if there were more ruffles in it.

Typically, in the Lower 48, I would run to my nearest boutique that carries Vera and purchase these beauties, but living in the middle of dog-sledding, hunting & fishing country...there is only one place who actually carries Vera and I've yet to get up the nerve to go check out their selection.  My guess is that it's not so great...but I could be pleasantly surprised.  My little new-found secret to these beauties is Ebay!  I have found some new-with-tags Vera bags for the fraction of the price!  Who knew?!?  I'm pretty pumped about this discovery & will be participating soon!  I'll let ya know how the outcome is!

So let's hear it..are you a Vera fan?!?  My cousin who is a dire-hard fashionista absolutely HATES the bags.  She calls them quilted grandma bags!  I think you either love them or hate them..but when the right pattern comes along, I'm a fan!

{and my husband just made complete fun of me for doing an entire blog post about my love for the new Vera Bradley bags. Dear Laura Beth, hurry up to Alaska so I can rave about this kind of stuff with a real-life girly girl!} :)

la.la.la.

In bullets because that's how I roll today.

• I ordered this dress for the brigade ball next Friday. It.is.gorgeous on and cannot wait to see it all hemmed up and looking pretty!  I really wanted a colored dress this time, ya'll saw my last dress for the OCS Formal and it was black too, but I just couldn't pass this one up!  Something about black makes me feel extra classy! :)  Pics to come of that event!

Kinda reminds you of this, no?!?

• I have been subbing at the elementary school on post in Pre-K and L.O.V.I.N.G. IT!  I am soooo excited to have found an age group that I enjoy working with and I'm 100% sure this is what I wanna do with my life!  The morning session is Intensive Resource kids (most are autistic or DS) and the afternoon is just regular Pre-K.  They are all so, so precious!  I leave my heart in each of their backpacks (not bookbags Ms. Shannon, as I was told by one of my students) when they walk out the door each afternoon!  The lead Pre-K teacher liked me so much, she called me personally to ask if I could come back again the next day! Then, as I was leaving today, we had a little convo about my intentions..she asked if I was seeking full-time employment and to def. put her down as a reference and she would keep her eyes and ears open for me!  I think she really wants me at her school!  I am just sooo excited about the direction I am in!  It might seem kinda crazy since I have a Business Bachelors degree, but I was just not happy sitting in an office all day!  My heart is happy working with kids! :)
• Speaking of working at an elementary school on post...why must my husband's rank be the first question people ask me??  It's happened at least 27 times this week.  Absolutely ridiculous.  I do NOT wear my husbands rank on my sleeve..or my purse (have you seen those things?  The ACU transformed into a pocketbook...I know you have..at least once.  In the PX. Commissary.)  Anywaysss, the most info you are getting from me is his Unit. What does that have to do with how I work with children?  Geez, crazy Army Wives, lay off.
• I really want to coach again...soon!  I miss cheer & dance sooo much!

• My oldest nephew(the one in the middle) is saying my name now & I cannot even begin tell you how amazing it is to hear it.  I could snatch him right up and kiss all over his face ...via skype of course :)

• And I dont even need to go there on how stinkin' down-right, against-the-law adorable the twins are!
• I am reallyyyyyyy missing these girls. It physically hurts...has anyone else experienced this or am I just a nut job?

P.C.

• I really want Lee to win American Idol. Such a nice kid doing something great with his life.
• My husband ROCKS..even if he gets irritated when I make him go on walks after dinner.
• It is now staying daylight till 10:30pm...Come on summertime!

fashion favorite.

This, dear friends, is what I'm excited about!

Boots with my dresses & Scarves!
This crazy pic was taken last winter before Date Night with my now Husband :)

While I L.O.V.E summer and all of it's perfectness, I also get really excited when it's a change in season. It was 65 degrees out here in Virginia yesterday and I was actually cold in capris and a tank top! I'm always that girl who pushes the seasons a little too much by breaking out the tank tops and sundresses in April and you better bet I will be bustin' the Uggs out on your booty in about ohhhh, t-1 week.

I get so sick of the same 'ole thing for 3 or 4 months straight and I'm soooo excited about switching up my wardrope! And not to mention all of the fabulous fall trends that are about to hit the stores! I know, I know, I'm on the bandwagon & usually wear one at least once a week, but I'm about sick and tired of seeing the maxi dress...

It's a sickness...

I've had a lot of people comment on my dress that I wore at my hat party bridal shower. Let me tell you girlfriends, that dress was a steal! Under $25! From where? Of course, my fav. store of all time...Forever 21! I purchased it in one of my trips to Charlotte and knew it would be perfect for the shower..then I started the hunt for the perfect pink hat to match. :)

Find it HERE!

The dress was a little big and low for my taste and for the event I was attending so I had to pair a cami underneath which I wasn't crazy about...but I still think the entire outfit came out ok?

After researching Forever 21's website to find the pic of the shower dress, I def. added a few things to my shopping cart! So hurry now and go check them out! Def. can't beat their prices! :)

{fabulous-ness}

I now have this dress in my possession..

thanks to j.crew

worth.every.penny.

the PERFECT summer dress! :) be jealous...