Shady Lane Style

Bathing Suit Weather

2013-03-06T10:31:00.001-05:00

It's time for bathing suits. Right? What, no, not really? Well, I would normally agree. It's cold here in Florida. But spring break is just around the corner and I need a suit. I am hopeful that by spring break it will warm up enough for me to wear a swim suit.

I know there are college kids here now on their spring break and I feel kinda bad for them. The lows have been in the 30's and 40's though some days it has warmed up to low 70 but people it is cold at the beach when it is windy and only 70. I would be the one sitting in a coat while there are people swimming in the ocean. They must be from Canada, seriously!!

Well, I have found a few suits that I really like.

I am partial to the starfish pattern on the bikini but I don't know if I feel like a bikini this year.

I usually go for a tankini (with the bikini hanging in the shadows for those "good" days)

But I really love the gray dot in the one piece. Sophisticated!!!

Maybe I will try them all on to see which I like best. So hard to buy suits off the internet! But this year I want a nice suit so I am going to give it a try.

If you are interested, hurry, Garnet Hill is offering 20% off thru today.

The trends for less

2013-02-07T12:34:00.000-05:00

I love things J Crew, but, I am not crazy about their prices. It's just way out of the league for this stay at home mom, besides, I just can't see a reason to spend that much money on clothes.

I do like nice things but have found that you can find just about anything for less. I do a lot of shopping at TJ Maxx, Target, H&M, Old Navy. I occasionally hit Ann Taylor Loft and Anthropologie. Anthropologie being a favorite right up there with J Crew.

I found this outfit on J Crew.com that is so in right now. A classic pencil skirt and stripe top. Who doesn't have that in there closet right? Well if not, here is a look to get inspiration from and then go shopping some where else.

I found some great pieces at Ann Taylor Loft that I love.

Classic stripe boatneck tee here.

Floral Pencil skirt here

Color block sling back pump here

The look for less.

Leslie

Sweet Vignette

2013-02-05T19:12:00.001-05:00

I love this little vignette outside of my daughters room.

I found these sweet heart lights in the "dollar" bins at Target. There was only one set and they were $3 but I had to have them. I love how they illuminate so sweetly just outside her door. You can't tell but they illuminate a pink light and I just LOVE them. So simple and sweet. I wish you could see it, the picture just doesn't do it justice.

Valentines is her favorite holiday so I love how perfect they are for valentines day. I might just have to keep them up year round though.

Just pretty.

Creative baking

2013-02-05T16:03:00.002-05:00

While I took a break from blogging I got busier with my baking business.

I love being able to work from home especially doing something creative. This little idea has been such a great one. I get to feed my creative side while being able to be the mom that I want to be.

I made some beautiful cakes and cookies and some fun ones.

The most recent were these Police Academy Graduation cookies I made for a customer yesterday.

I thought they turned out really cute.

I thought I'd share a few other things that I have done recently

These lovely hearts were for a "pink" party.

I love daisies and this was fun to do. I made this for a 50th surprise luncheon.

I love how simple and sweet this two year olds birthday cake turned out.

I saw these on Pinterest and thought they would be fun to recreate.

These almost look like real lollipops. These were for a candy land themed party.

I really loved how these paint palette cookies turned out.

I made these cookies during Christmas time along with a lot of other cookies. I couldn't believe it when I counted the angels that there were 26. This was just a few days after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school. Twenty Six Angels for twenty six lives lost.

A busy Christmas season. This was just two orders.

Love this sweet kitty cat cake for a "little" that was turning five and loves cats.

I am so lucky that I get to do what I love.

Leslie

Shabby Chic Party

2013-01-30T16:35:00.001-05:00

I love the look of a shabby chic party and this one is just adorable from Kara's Party Ideas. You can see the entire post here .

We are beginning the planning of my little girls 7th birthday party, we are going with a vintage ballerina theme, and I think some of these elements would be perfect.

Leslie

Creating off of Pinterest

2013-01-29T16:00:00.001-05:00

We had a few little friends over yesterday and we decided to do a little Valentine craft. I saw a post in Pinterest where you use a pencil eraser to create polka dot paint projects. It looked like a lot of fun and something that five to seven year olds would be able to handle. They did a great job.

Here is the original post on Pinterest . We decided to do Valentines Cards which are going to be for teachers and parents, and I did a t-shirt for my little girl.

I thought they turned out quite nicely. I hung them in my window to let them dry and decided they looked so cute as Valentine decorations. I plan on having the girls back over to finish their cards but might have to wait until just before Valentines day.

I also made this cute garland to hang on my mantle mirror. I'm not a big fan of the colors red and pink so I don't go crazy with decorations for this holiday in spite of the fact that it's my daughters favorite holiday.

I love how this turned out. I have seen them in all of the party blogs and then a friend made one for a photo shoot. I just loved how simple it looked. I think it looks great here and might have to make another one for Easter.

Leslie

2013-01-29T15:33:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!!

So, it's already the end of January and I am just getting around to wishing a Happy New Year.
Better late than never.

I took a long break from writing. I was trying to decide what to do. I wasn't really engaged. When you start a blog you start for many different reasons. For me, I thought it was a way to document anything and everything. I love to be creative, I love interiors, I wanted to have a journal of family events, I wanted to document my baking business, and so on. I didn't start this blog hoping that it would have financial reward, but more for myself, and having readers was a bonus. When I took the break I realized I was a bit tired of writing a blog. I found myself having to search for things to post about. I just wanted to disconnect from technology for a while.

I decided, quite recently, that I really missed this blog and wanted to start posting again. I found myself recalling past posts and it made me realize that I did enjoy it. I am going to post at my pace and not feel compelled to put something down every day.

I also plan to post about and combine my baking business, Leslie's Flour Shop, with this blog. I might make some changes to my blog name down the road but for now it will be a melting pot of all things me.

If you were a past reader and you are still with me, Thank You! If I gain new readers that will be a plus. There really is something to this blogging thing! I've missed you.

Leslie

Cute looks for the little lady

2012-11-08T15:25:00.002-05:00

I just felt like this would be a fun post. I know I am not keeping up with this little blog but with the holidays right around the corner I thought a post about some cute looks would be fun. Most of these items are on clearance which I love. And most importantly, I get the stamp of approval from my little lady. She has become quite particular just recently so I have to go through her before I buy. I guess I can't complain. She gave me seven years and is just now forming her own style. Have to say though she has good taste. I love all of these items.

Gymboree

Cargo pants, Mini Boden

Getting ready!!!

Leslie

Bring on Fall

2012-09-21T08:22:00.003-04:00

Happy Friday. We are enjoying a cloudy morning and my little one has a day off from school so I thought we would start decorating the house for fall.

I love these pictures from BHG for inspiration.

Bringing in some twine, berries, white pumpkins, burlap, and plaid and I am set.

Have a great weekend.

Leslie

Great Tones and Textures

2012-09-18T09:08:00.000-04:00

I love this room featured in Atlanta Home and Lifestyle Magazine, you can visit their site here.

I love the wood tones, the dark wing back chairs and the white walls.

It's a bit masculine right now, but if you added a few vases of flowers and a colorful throw it would be just enough to soften it up a bit.

I love finding interior inspiration to model my home after.

Leslie

It's Fall And I Am Ready For A New Outdoor Space

2012-09-06T12:29:00.002-04:00

I just watched the show HGTV'd with Genevieve Gorder where she did an outdoor room for a couple in Texas. I fell in love with the space and have decided to get started on putting together some ideas.

Hanging Lantern - World Market

Wood Carved Table - World Market

Sectional - Pottery Barn

Hand Made Pouf from Ikea floor rugs via retropolitan.blogspot.com

Side Table/Stool - World Market

Pendant Light - West Elm

Floor Pillow - Pier One

Outdoor curtains - Potterybarn

Throw Pillows

teaoliveliving - etsy

sayitwithpillows - etsy

vintage tins -etsy

I can't wait. We love our home, but feel the need for an extra room, especially as our daughter gets older. We are definitely not moving any time soon and the idea of being able to create another living space is very exciting to me.

I'm off for a sugary sweet concoction to celebrate my birthday,

Have a great day!!!

Leslie

High Low Project on HGTV

2012-08-15T08:22:00.001-04:00

Two of my favorite rooms from HGTV's the High Low Project.

Leslie

Favorite color combination

2012-08-06T08:50:00.001-04:00

Happy Monday....

I came across this cute manicure on xoxotrina.com and thought it was worth sharing. I haven't had a manicure or have even polished my nails, well, in probably seven years. Since my daughter came along it just didn't seem worth the time, but I saw this and thought it might be worth a try.

I am going on vacation at the end of this week and I might need to have pretty nails. I might just try it on my toes too!!

I especially love the color combination but you can do it with any colors.

Check out Trina's blog at xoxotrina.com for a complete tutorial and just to check out her cute blog.

Leslie

Just poppin in to say hello

2012-08-03T18:12:00.002-04:00

Wow. The summer has flown by. It's been a while since I have posted and today I just felt like writing a bit.

Things I am thinking about...

Loving my daughters performance at the end of dance camp...
Thinking about my upcoming long weekend in my most beloved spot, Hilton Head Island...
Wishing some fairy would come in and clean my windows, floors and make dinner for a week....
Am thankful for the time that I got to spend with my daughter this summer, but wishing the time would SLOW down.....
Missing my mom, she visited for a week and I haven't been the same since .....
Shhhh, I am secretly ready for fall, especially pumpkin foods.....
My refrigerator/freezer has an odd odor (that is not food related), think it's time to just get a new one.....
Yummy mexican food sounds great for dinner, takeout.....
I am over big elaborate birthday parties....isn't simpler better
I vow to not let Pinterest get me down....

However, here are my favorite Pinterest Pins...

double butterscotch cake

can I be her?

hair inspiration 1

hair inspiration 2

love this necklace

is there anything better than a stack of pancakes with lots of blueberries?

or warm risotto on a fall day, hahahah...

great look

pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies...anything pumpkin, YUM!

cute sweater and colored jeans...

cozy front porch....

Follow me on Pinterest...Leslie Wallace...

I hope everyone is having a great summer. It was fun to check in and say hello.

Leslie

An American Girl in Paris

2012-06-26T08:08:00.002-04:00

After lots of time planning, shopping, and preparing we had my daughters 7th birthday party this past weekend.

It turned out just as we had planned.

She wanted an American Girl party. Simple and sweet enough but then we decided to add to the concept by creating a Paris backdrop to the party. All of the girls brought their favorite dolls, we had crafts, dancing, "tea", and cake. It was very sweet!

For party favors the girls were able to "shop" at the candy store and take home a wrapped eiffel tower cookie, they also got to take home their craft which is a wooden ornament that they decorated. One last gift was a wooden frame that they can decorate and put a picture of themselves with their dolls.

Most of the decorations were hand made. The flowers were made out of tissue paper, each girl also received a paper American Girl bracelet, the banner was bought through Etsy, and all of the goodies were made by me.

My good friend Karrah photographed the party so I can't wait to share some of those pictures.

Leslie

It's time for a break

2012-06-01T18:03:00.000-04:00

After much thought and consideration I have decided to take a little, much needed, break from this little blog. I appreciate all of my followers and readers so much and am thrilled that I have had the opportunity to write a blog.

I started this blog over two years ago. I have truly loved having a blog however it is a lot of work. In the two years since I started blogging, up until the last few months, I have posted most every day. That takes a lot of time and research and dedication. While working on this project I also started an at home baking business that has taken off and demands all of my free time ( check out my Facebook page at Leslie's Flour Shop). I simply don't have the time right now that this blog deserves.

So, I have decided to take the summer off. I am going to try and reorganize my time and hopefully come back in the fall.

Thank you so much to all of you who have followed me and continued to read my blog and I hope in some way I brought something to your day. It was a lot of fun.

I might pop in from time to time with some fun posts over the summer so I hope you will look for me.

via pinterest

Have a great summer!

Leslie

A Beautiful Tea Party Send Off Party

2012-05-22T18:59:00.003-04:00

I went to the most beautifully styled tea party yesterday to bid a friend farewell.

The setting was stunning and the decorations were absolutely fitting. The party took place at a private home that was just breathtaking. It was a new build plantation home, you know the ones, with the pillars out front and very grand. The front of the house was set with a beautiful oak tree with hanging moss that just gave it such a warm southern feel, one of the main reasons I could never move from the south, there was even a pond out front fitted with two beautiful swans. While the house was everything and more, it was so warm and cozy and comfortable. It had a two story screened in porch off the back that even had beds suspended from rope for an outdoor nap. I tell you this house had me at hello.

The party was held outside in the back overlooking a beautiful river. The grounds were so lush with beautiful greenery that even on a hot humid florida morning the patio was breezy and mild. The tea party was a vintage theme and all of the ladies wore either fascinators or southern hats, a beautiful touch.

It was the most perfect morning and send off.

We'll miss you Melody.

Here are a few pictures to share.

I could just have stayed there!!

Leslie

What I Wore Wednesday and Scenes from the weekend

2012-05-16T17:13:00.000-04:00

Hey there, I am posting my What I Wore Wednesday post today. Simple, jeans, top, cardigan. It was actually cool enough for most of the day to wear a cardigan. It was overcast or rainy. I actually liked it. So comfortable.

Tee - Target, Cardigan - Target, Jeans - Kohl's, Shoes - Payless

Headwrap - Local Boutique (Pretty Little Things)

Boy are these shoes high. I have to admit, I did not wear them all day, I would have love to but afraid they are just too tall. Cute though!!

and scenes from our fun, but hectic, weekend. Last week we had Mother's day tea and my daughters recital. Busy to say the least.

Dang! Isn't she cute?

Mothers Day Poem reading

Mothers Day Tea

Actual Tea! YUM!

After Recital. She did GREAT!!

Mothers Day Brunch

Mothers Day Gift

Friday morning I had a wonderful time at my daughters mothers day at school. She recited, with the class, a mothers poem, she made me crafts and we had tea. It was very special. I love being this little angels mom.

Friday and Saturday my daughter performed in her first dance recital. To say I was a proud momma is putting it mildly. I shed tears!!

For Mothers day we went to our favorite brunch spot, did a little window shopping at our favorite walking area and when we got home, I took a nap. Bliss.

Happy Mothers Day!!

2012-05-13T21:12:00.000-04:00

via pinterest

I hope all of you mothers had a wonderful day.

I love you mom.

Leslie

Florals for Spring

2012-05-10T09:04:00.000-04:00

I am not quite sure what has happened to me but the older I get the more I am willing to try new things with my wardrobe.

This year I have bought more color than ever before, new skirts and tops, love it. I really wanted a great pair of colored jeans but not sure of the response I would get and I wondered if I was a bit too old for that trend. So alas, I did not by any. It's a good thing too, it's already so hot here that jeans are a thing of the past.

I do however love these floral shorts. They are a bit short, but so pretty. I just want to, Ya know?

shorts via zara

image via wendyslookbook.com

I love how they are paired here. So sophisticated. So pretty.

Leslie

I have a Love Hate relationship with Target

2012-05-09T12:44:00.001-04:00

I LOVE all of the cute things at Target but I HATE how I spend all of my money there.

How do they do that?

There are so many cute things right now......

They have their White Collection

Great Farm House Style Kitchen Wares

I love that they look collected over time.

They are carrying this Vintage line that is so popular right now

Very Cute and I love the bold red accent colors.

I love this basket for so many places in my home

but would love it for my daughters room as a laundry basket.

These great accent pillows.

Love that Ikat Print especially.

And then you have the new The Shops at Target....

The Webster of Miami

The Privet House

The Candy Shop of San Francisco

See what I mean? It is a plot I think. I must stay out of there right now. I simply can't resist such cute things at such great prices.

If I must, I might just have to get the rope pouf and the drink dispenser from The Privet House . But, those matching dresses are calling my name too. How sweet for mothers day right UGH! See, somehow I just can not resist. Just Must Stay Away!

I think I could write a blog about Target. HMMM. That would be constant inspiration huh?

Leslie

Scenes from the Weekend

2012-05-08T09:41:00.003-04:00

I had a great weekend. We participated in our community yard sale, we spent the afternoon at an equestrian center for a birthday party which was very fitting for the day since it was also Derby day. Then saturday evening we had friends over for dinner and for derby festivities.

I am from Kentucky and love this time of year. I can't wait to one day go back home for the derby. It is a fantastic time of celebrating and events.

While ours was a bit low key, we had homemade fried chicken and potato salad, mint juleps, and Kentucky Derby pie. My favorite in the race, Hansen, I love the gray horses, came in third. I always pick a gray horse and they don't ever win but this year we were close. It was fun watching the coverage with all of the pomp and circumstance and the hats. The hats were awesome this year. I'm a bit nostalgic for home this time of year. Everyone has those significant things they love about home and this is probably one of my favorites. I love the timing too, it is officially spring, and time to plant flowers time of year there. We had a great day!

Here are some scenes from our day.

this image is from a photographer friend of mine that was at the party...love how she captured her.

I hope you had a great weekend.

Leslie

It's time for the Kentucky Derby

2012-05-04T12:27:00.001-04:00

I can't wait until tomorrow. One of my favorite days, the first saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby.

It's the fastest and most exciting two minutes in sports.

I can't be there for all of the fun and festivities but I plan on having a great derby day at home. We are having another family over for dinner where we will be eating my favorite Kentucky foods and drinking Mint Juleps.

Here is a bit of Kentucky Derby inspiration....

It's all about the drink, the hats and the roses.

And the horses!!!

Have a great weekend!!

Leslie

Mothers Day Ideas

2012-04-30T20:51:00.001-04:00

Hello Monday. We had a low key family weekend this weekend and it actually just ended.

We had an extra day off of school today so I took my daughter to Disney. We didn't hit the parks this time we just went to Downtown Disney. There are lots of themed restaurants and fun shops, not just Disney shops, so it was fun. The weather was beautiful too. We enjoyed lunch at T-Rex, had italian ice next to the lake and took in some fun shopping. We also hit the outlet mall and a few of my favorite stores. A perfect mother daughter day.

I also put together a Mothers Day gift list. Great ideas of gifts to give and receive. My favorites are probably the top five.

I really want to read this book by Kelle Hampton, Bloom. I love her blog and her story about her daughter and can't wait to read her memoir. She's a beautiful writer and I'm sure that this book will not disappoint. Check out her blog at KelleHampton.com.

Kelle Hampton Memoir Bloom

I love these sandals though I have yet to own a pair. I know a lot of people who have them. They are made in Key West. They are inexpensive and super cute plus they are super durable. They seem to last forever.

Kino Sandals

I love, LOVE this shirt dress. I love a good shirt dress. They are so versatile, they can be worn over jeans or pants, as a swim suit cover or as a dress. I really love this Ikat print and color. This is probably my top choice.

Anthropologie Ikat Frequencies Shirtdress

I have a pair of lounge pants from Anthropologie that I have had for about five years and they are the most comfortable pair of pants. This pair is super cute. I love the print and the wide legs. You just can't go wrong.

Anthropologie Taha Lounge Pants

I have wanted a straw beach hat for some time. I tried this one on in the store and loved it. I didn't buy it but really want a hat for the beach. This is my second choice.

World Market Ombre Sun Hat

This is a really pretty tunic. The fabric is very light and airy. Perfect for summer and spring weather.

Anthropologie Painted Ume Tunic

Super cute bathing suit from JCrew. I love the colors and the print and the fuller coverage bottoms. Just super pretty.

J Crew Swim Suit

I am loving beaded jewelry lately and love all of the colors in this one plus the double strand. It would be so cute with a t-shirt and jeans or to dress up a simple black dress. Classic.

Anthropologie Ampay Necklace

Have a great week.

Leslie

2012-04-27T18:10:00.000-04:00

Isn't spring so beautiful? This door just beckons to go outside and explore. Would love to see the city in Spring.

Have a great weekend.

Leslie