Time Out!

Everyone needs a time out every once in a while and I found myself in serious need 

of a little peace & quiet ...

My peaceful place...

Things with my sweet boy are great and I could not ask for a better friend or partner but sometimes life can get a little crazy. I knew that my love had a long week ahead of him at work and would only have a single day off so I didn't feel too guilty about leaving him. Not to mention the fact that I left the house cleaned from top to bottom and finished all of the laundry so I knew he would be more than set for the week. (For the record, my husband has not done laundry in 5 years) Back to my "time out," I packed the puppy in the car and we drove up to our home in the mountains...

Eagerly waiting to head to the beach...

I've mentioned before that this home has always been a sacred place for me and from the moment I exited off of the freeway I began to simply appreciate the beauty I found myself surrounded by. I had no plans for the entire week other than to do whatever I wanted. I fully recognize that all of the craziness of life awaits me when I return home but for this week I've been doing my darnedest to forget about it...

My shadow in one of his favorite spots, my bathroom floor...

My sweet Mom knew more than anyone just how frazzled I have been lately and she surprised me with a massage for my first day up here with one of my all time favorite masseuses...I tacked on a few more treatments as a treat for myself and have been truly resting, relaxing and trying to heed my own advice and just breathe...

I'm not going to lie, this morning after taking the dog out for his morning walk I crawled back into bed and read my book for a while...

I hope you all are doing well, and I look forward to posting more regularly again. Don't forget to take time for yourself and find moments when you can to just breathe!

Much love, 

Catching Up & Linking Up!

1.Five items you can't live without on a daily basis: water, food, shelter, and clothes don't count!

iphone

iPad

Amex Card

Car 

Face Wash & Moisturizer (I can't stand the feeling of a dirty face!)

2. All time favorite book? Why?

This one is tough because I've read so many great books...I don't think I have a favorite book...so here are a few I've loved!

Roses by Leila Meachan

Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Anything by Mary Kay Andrews

Lady Blue Eyes, My Life with Frank Sinatra by Barbara Sinatra

What Remains by Carole Radziwill

3. Something you'd like to accomplish before the end of 2012?

peace, love, lots of laughter and joy EVERYDAY!

*and getting this posted before Sunday is technically over!

4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be? 

In 2007 my Grampsie passed away in February and I met my husband in August. I would do anything to go back and have more time with my Grampsie, and there's nothing like falling in love!

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them? 

Even though I may appear to be very outgoing I'm a very intimate person, from dinners to the number of friends that I consider to be close I have always and still do prefer to keep thing small. 

* I apologize for not adding pictures but as I mentioned I'm easing my way back into the blogging world, see #3 above :)

Better Late Than Never...

Forgive me if this post seems a bit mundane, but I'm easing my way back into blogging...

Generally I would consider myself to be someone who is usually ahead of or at least on top of the latest  fashion trend or curve. But, I have to admit I have fallen dreadfully behind on the fashionable trend and phenomenon of Tom's shoes. 

I recently received my FIRST pair of Tom's as a birthday gift from my mother in-law and I have to admit she could not have chosen a more perfect pair. They are not only adorable and comfortable but I love that a child in need received a pair of shoes as well. 

I hope everyone has had a restful & peaceful weekend. 

Love, 

Grace Interrupted...

I apologize for having been missing in action, however life has thrown it's fair share of curve balls my way these past few months and I simply have not had the energy to write...

One thing that has always spoken to my soul, especially when things are challenging, is music. This is one of my favorite quotes from Mumford & Sons and I find it to be so true. Where we invest our love is truly where we invest our lives...I've certainly come to  realize who my true friends are and I have been so touched by their kindness, support and generosity. They will never know how much their love means, and I know it's cliche but it truly has been the little things...from text messages to phone calls, dinners and drinks - the smallest of gestures have meant the world. 

To those of you who follow this blog, thank you for your love, support & patience. 

I hope to be posting more regularly again! 

Love, 

Crazy for Color : Orange!

I've always loved color and this season bright & bold colors are front & center. This Summer my color of the season is Orange! It's bright and fun and easily adds a little spice to any outfit. Here are a few of my favorite pieces this season :)

 Tory Burch Reva flats in "Habanero Pepper"

The latest addition to my handbag collection, my Milly "Andie" satchel...

I've been looking for an orange handbag for quite a while, when I spotted this one I knew it was the perfect shade of orange! 

One of my favorite persimmon colored dresses with turquoise nails...black, white and turquoise are beautiful with orange and pop when set against or with it. 

I'm so excited to try both of these bold colors. "Orange, It's Obvious" matches my Milly perfectly & "Fear or Desire" is a fantastic tangerine orange.  

Even my adorable Mommma has taken a liking to orange :)

I hope you all are enjoying the beauty of this seasons bold & bright colors! 

Much love, 

The Next Dynamic Duo

Yesterday an article in the Wall Street Journal announced that Neiman Marcus and Target will be teaming up this holiday season. Both stores will carry the same items designed by some of the most well known Fashioneers. (Yes, this is a new word, I do believe I just coined it: Fashioneer - One who pioneers-designs within the Fashion Industry) The Fashioneers include Diane Von Furstenburg, Tory Burch & Derek Lam.

The Next Dynamic Duo

When I first heard about this seemingly unmatched pair I was surprised, however once I understood the strategy and logic behind this new duo I understood the brilliance of the relationship. I have often described how I mix & match high end pieces with more common place ones and here in lies the genius of this plot. 

Mixing & Matching

A favorite pair of Tory Burch flats paired with bright yellow skinny jeans from Target

The practice of mixing & matching has become the savvy survival technique of today's fashion forward and minded society. The Neiman Marcus-Target relationship comes on the heels of the wildly successful Missoni-Target branding adventure. Having successfully conquered my Missoni-Target mission I am already strategizing for this next great event! 

My favorite Missoni-Target piece.

One of the facets of this next endeavor that I will be closely watching will be how the higher end brands execute and transition into a lower price point. When Missoni launched their branded apparel for Target they did a truly beautiful job of maintaining the identity, signature styling and quality construction of their brand. Missoni has always been about fine detailing and not a single detail escaped their Target line, down to the labels they nailed it. The new challenge: can and will these designers carry off and achieve the same level of success while maintaining the strength and status of their brands? 

Much love, 

The Sunday Social - The 4th Edition

   What is your favorite store to shop at?

Nordstrom, it happens to be really convenient and they carry many of my favorites :) 

     If you could afford anything and everything, which designer

    brand would you covet? 

Chanel 

Must have closet staple?

A great nude heel

Favorite kind of shoes? 

I must give Mr. Stewart Weitzman some major credit, of all of the wonderful shoes I own, his tend to consistently be the most comfortable. I love, love, love any heel 4" and higher :)

Best clothing deal you've ever gotten? 

I have to admit I have never had incredible luck at finding wonderful things on sale, but I did fall madly head over heels in love with my Valentino coat and dress! 

Style you'd love to try?

I like to vary my style, somtimes I lean to boho chic other times I like to keep it simple and conservative. If there's a style I fancy I give it a go, that's the FUN of fashion!

Sassy, classy & colorful :) 

Much love, 

www.acompletewasteofmakeup.com

Sunday Social - 3rd Edition

What is your all-time favorite song?

I literally cannot choose one. Music for me has always been about a time and a place. After watching the movie "Always Famous" and listening to director/writer Cameron Crowe speak, he gave me the idea of making playlists of my life, and so...beginning in 2005 I began making monthly playlists. These are literally the songs of my life. I do not have a single favorite but here are a few of my favorites and the lyrics that have left an imprint on my soul...

The Fray - Enough for Now

"But that's enough for now, he should've never left you broken
He should've held you, things your father never could do
That's enough for now, he would've never left you broken
He would've held you, things your father never told you

Breathing comes in pairs
Except for twice
One begins and one's goodbye

Sixty years of sorrow he got 5 or 6 of bliss..."

Dierks Bentley - Home

"Free, nothin’ feels like free,
Though it sometimes means
We don’t get along
‘Cause same, no we’re not the same
But that’s what makes us strong

From the mountains high
To the wave-crashed coast
There’s a way to find
Better days, I know.
It’s been a long hard ride,
Got a ways to go
But this is still the place
That we all call home."

Pink - Glitter in the Air

"Have you ever looked fear in the face and said, 'I just don't care'?

It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg
The sun before the burn
The thunder before the lightning
The breath before the phrase
Have you ever felt this way?....

Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?"

James Taylor - You Can Close Your Eyes

"Well the sun is surely sinking down, but the moon is slowly rising.
So this old world must still be spinning round and I still love you.

So close your eyes, you can close your eyes, it's all right.
I don't know no love songs and I can't sing the blues anymore.
But I can sing this song and you can sing this song when I'm gone..."

What is your favorite singer/band?


I think Dave Matthews is truly a lyrical poet, but the Fray is a close second. 

What is your theme song/song that best describes your life?


I think the songs listed above are a good start, I don't think my life can be summed up in a single song. 

What songs put you in a good mood?

Anything that brings me back to a great memory or moment in time, it's hard to go wrong with Dave Matthews, Elton John or the Fray...

What is your favorite road-trip music?

Anything from the 1960's and 1970's

What song are you embarrassed to admit you love?
"Can't Help Falling In Love," by Elvis Presely, there's something about his voice in the beginnign of this song that catches a little bit of my soul every time I hear it :) 

Much love, 

The Sunday Social - Better Late Than Never...

The 2nd edition has arrived! 

Welcome to the Sunday Social Linkup. Each Sunday a group of us bloggers linkup and answer the same 6 questions. 

Favorite movie of all time?

The Blind Side

Favorite movie quote?

From the Blind Side, Leigh Anne Touhy 

"If you so much as set foot downtown, you will be sorry. I'm in a prayer group with the D.A., I'm a member of the NRA and I'm always packing."

Best movie to watch for a girls night in?

Troop Beverley Hills

Best breakup movie?

What Women Want

Favorite celeb eye candy?

Matthew McConaughey

Which movie star's closet would you want to raid?

Sarah Jessica Parker - as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex in the City! I heard that she got to keep a lot of the clothing from the series

 :)

 

I hope you have enjoyed the 2nd edition of the Sunday Social Linkup!

Love, 

 

Sunday Social Linkup!

One of the things I love most about blogging is discovering new blogs & people and getting to know a little about them and their interests. Link ups are a great way to do this and today I am pleased to announce that I will be linking up with the lovely ladies from A Complete Waste of Makeup & Ashley's Carnival Ride in their latest and greatest creation known as The Sunday Social!

How did you come up with your blog name?

To many Lady Elizabeth Grace may appear to be some silly moniker I came up with but it's actually a name with deep and personal meaning. 

Lady : My Grampsie was the most influential person in my life. He was a quiet gentle man,  whose voice still guides my life and whose virtues I strive to make proud. Our family lineage in England can be traced back to nobility and so "Lady" is my way of honoring my Grampsie, our family, and serves as a reminder to myself to always attempt to conduct myself as such.

Elizabeth: A family name as well as my middle name.

Grace: One of my favorite words, a lovely attribute to possess and one of my favorite names. I have a dear friend whose name is Grace who embodies and personifies not only grace, but style and elegance as well. She is one of the muses of Lady Elizabeth Grace. 

  

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I love the creative outlet is has provided me. :)

What is one thing you have discovered because of blogging and now cant live without?

I take the majority of my photos for my blog with my iPhone, usually because it is the easiest and most accessible option at the time, and I love the apps Diptic & Instagram. I use both of them ALL of the time.  

Facebook or Twitter? 

I'm not going to lie, I'm a little surprised by my own answer but, Twitter. I've connected and stay in touch with some wonderful girls and fellow bloggers and we have a lot of fun.

If one celeb read your blog who would you want it to be?

 I just read this question and the first person to pop into my mind was Rachel Zoe. She has truly become the modern day fashion & style icon. 

What is something you want people to know about your blog?

My blog is truly an extension of who I am. A lot of people create blogs & are very focused on gaining followers, monetizing their blogs and really marketing themselves. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but it's just not who I am or what this blog is about. For those of you that do interact with my blog I hope you connect with it, I hope you enjoy it & have fun. Please don't hesitate to leave comments, email me or connect with me on Facebook & Twitter. I really love hearing from and connecting with you! 

I hope you have enjoyed the 1st Sunday Social, and I hope you have a great day.

Love, 

* A special thanks to my friend Kelly at Mess.Dirty.Hair for introducing me to this wonderful linkup :) 

Oh My Gucci!

One thing you may be surprised to learn about me is that I love cars. I truly do, and I am actually very knowledgeable about cars. I'm not much of a small car person, but last summer while in Europe we saw the Fiat 500 that I knew would be coming to the states shortly. It's an adorable car and it's the first "small" car since the Mini Cooper that actually caught my attention. You can only imagine how I now feel about this cute as a button car now that I've seen this...

The Fiat 500 Gucci Edition

 Gucci and Fiat have done an excellent job of combining the brands in a very understated fashion. 

I love the matte black finish...

But the styling of the seats and seat belts are truly my favorite feature of the entire car...

The highly recognizable Gucci stripe adorns the exterior and adds to the car's sporty personality.

Even the wheels are Gucci!

I think I've fallen in love.

It's not often that I'm smitten with an automobile but this chic & fashionable little number truly makes me swoon :)

 Love,