hiking in stilettos: March 2009

Tuesday, March 31

The Battle of the Beds

I have finally decided to leave behind my feminine, shabby chic Anthropologie quilt and opt for some new bedding that is slightly more man-friendly. Of course, I now have my little heart set on this quilt from Anthropologie. It is kelley green with hints of orange and gold which will compliment much of my furniture, and it isn't too feminine. (Ok, I know. It is floral, but given that my quilt now is pink toile, I say this is fair. Plus, it's beautiful!) Not to mention that it will look wonderful with a lot of the linens and fabrics that I already own. Added bonus, K is fine with it! Now, I just have to get some gift cards together to be able to buy it....

Tuesday, March 24

My McQueen

Until last week, I hadn't seen the Alexander McQueen for Target line in person and didn't want to get my hopes up, but I was defnitely impressed. I ended up purchasing a dress that I simply love and lived in all weekend. It is a black cotton dress that is both conservative enough to be work-appropriate and McQueen-enough to be fun wear. It's a bit hard to tell from these pictures, but the dress has a really cool belt that wraps from the grey straps around the waist about five times. I would style it with black pumps for work but wore chunky grey sandals this weekend for play.

Monday, March 23

23.03.09

Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.

~Rainer Maria Rilke

Monday, March 16

Current Obsession: Lanvin

Given my recent desire to completely change my style, it is not at all surprising that I am incredibly drawn to the Lanvin Fall 09 RTW collection. Lately I have been compelled to take on a more subtle, chic style, so I simply adore the styling of the black and nude in this collection. Take a look for yourself and discover the sophisticated, feminine silhouettes that have me drooling...

images found here

Sunday, March 15

The Beginning of a Great Adventure

Today I am wishing farewell to two of the bravest, most incredible individuals that I know, my cousin Sherry and her husband Mark. Mark and Sherry work with the International Missions Board as Baptist missionaries in Thailand and are leaving today to embark upon their second stay there. I can hardly imagine what it would feel like to leave behind all of the physical comforts of home, not to mention all of the family. I believe that it takes deep courage and steadfast faith to do something so selfless, and I admire the Lewis family for their decision to follow God's plan for their lives.

After living in Thailand for over four years, Mark and Sherry came back to the states for a while. During that time they adopted their daughter Sophie Mei from an orphanage in China. It was a long, difficult process, but absolutely worth every second. Please take a moment to read about their incredible journey to adopt Sophie here.

I can hardly believe that sweet Sophie Mei has been in our lives for an entire year already; she brings such joy and light into our family. It breaks my heart to see her go. I can't wait to see what a beautiful woman she grows up to be, and I am already planning a trip to Thailand to visit.

So farewell Mark, Sherry, and sweet Sophie Mei. You are loved beyond belief, and you will be deeply missed.

Friday, March 13

New Favorites

I recently received an email from Joanne at Wish designs highlighting two Aussie labels that recently launched here in the states, Treuse and Wish. After perusing the Wish website and viewing the lookbook from Treuse, I am giving both lines the Hiking in Stilettos seal of approval!

The Wish designs are flirty and fun with a bit of a twist, and the Treuse pieces that I have seen are feminine and bright, yet sophisticated. (The images to the left are two dresses from Teuese that I am currently in love with, and I can't wait to see what is next.) I especially love some of the "Midnight Moscow" designs from Wish, and I agree with Joanne in that they would look fabulous with some chunky, nude sandals!

Also, the price tag on these wonderful designs is pretty reasonable, ranging from $60 - $300, which is still much less than off-the-runway designers. If/when I receive more information from Joanne, I will fill you in. Take a peek at the Wish website, and tell me what you think!

I'm blushing...

First of all, let me apologize for the recent lack in posting. I have unfortunately been without Internet access for the last week (eek! No technology for a week!), but I have been saving up some outfits for you, my lovely readers, so stay tuned! Since I haven't been able to post or even read/leave comments, I was so pleasantly surprised to receive the Kreativ Blogger award from one of my favorite daily hautes, Mrsfatface! Merci beaucoup mon amie! Definitely check out her blog to read about her great Esty finds and her talented husband's artwork!

Okay, so if I am playing by the rules, which I tend to do, I am to divulge seven things that I love and pass the award along...

Reading the comments that you lovelies leave for me
Spending time outdoors with K
Bopping around town and going to Target with my BFF
Fresh, homemade salsa with mangoes
Eating said salsa on a patio/porch with my family
Snow skiing out west
The first sip of coffee really early in the morning, especially after camping and during the winter

And since I am indecisive and am loving catching up on reading all of your blogs, I am passing the award along to anyone who wishes to post about it! I know that doesn't technically follow the rules, but there is too much wonderful posting right now for me to choose. <3 I am so honored that my lovely readers enjoy Hiking in Stilettos enough to share awards with me. I really enjoy reading your feedback, and I hope you continue to read!

How Cute is This?

I know this may be a bit nerdy, but I receive a daily craft from Martha Stewart's website via email. Yesterday's craft was too adorable not to share: a Twig Trivet!

I really love the idea of taking something ordinary that one would normally toss aside and using it for something unique, yet practical. Not to mention that this project is eco-friendly! Click here for directions on how to make one yourself! Another idea is to bundle old wine corks together with industrial metal zip ties to make a trivet. I plan on completing both of these DIY projects in the near future and will let you know how they turn out!

image courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Friday, March 6

Eco Tip of the Day

If any of you are as confused as me when it comes to getting rid of electronics, this website may help. Although I recycle plastic, glass, cans, and boxes to an absurd amount (ie. the plastic bags that are inside rice boxes and such), I never know what to do with old or broken cell phones or cd players. According to the New York Times Science page, most household electronics can be recycled because they contain metal parts that are valuable, and working parts can be reused. Not only is it good practice to reduce, reuse, recycle, some electronics contain cathode ray tubes that may be hazardous and should be disposed of properly. (Cathode tubes consist of large amounts of lead, and lead tends to leech. Not something you want sitting in a landfill.) Although items containing these and other materials are deemed hazardous by the federal government, it is perfectly legal to throw them in the trash.

Ok, that's great and all, you say, but exactly where do I take my old tv? Large chain stores such as Best Buy or Staples often have drops for small electronics. Also, check out manufacturers of the device. Apple, Dell, Sony, and Samsung as well as some others, offer mail-in recycling or specified drop sites.

Unfortunately recycling regular, alkaline batteries is not an option, but you can recycle your old rechargeable batteries through a national recycling program. Stores including Staples, Target, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and Home Depot are among the participants.

If your gadget is still relatively new but not in working order, you can sell it to websites such as Techforward, Gazelle, and MyBoneyard.

image credit

If you are still unsure about whether a specific electronic is recyclable or where you should take it, take a look at Earth911 to find some info before you stick it in the trash. You'd be surprised at all the things you can recycle, and it feels a lot better putting something in a recycling bin than it does to put it in the trash can.

Thursday, March 5

Orange Zest

This spring I am finding myself drawn to tangerines and corals. I think it began with those orange suede Steve Maddens....

Wednesday, March 4

04.03.09

In marriage we marry a mystery, an other, a counterpart. In a sense the person we marry is a stranger about whom we have a magnificent hunch. The person we choose to marry is someone we love, but his depths, her intimate intricacies - we will come to know only in the long unraveling of time. We know enough about our beloved to know that we love him, to imagine that, as time goes on, we will come to enjoy her even more, become even more of ourselves in her presence.

-- Daphne Rose Kingma