brisket and chicken and pork, oh my!

Tomorrow marks the 32nd Annual American Royal Barbecue! The American Royal Association is a not-for-profit organization that has been a staple in Kansas City's culture for the past 112 years. Over that time, they have kept the rodeo alive and mastered the art of throwing a really fun party.

In most of the city's mind, the main event is the barbecue on Friday night. Tents are reserved months in advance and teams like "Red, White and Cue" and "Always Rubbin' Something" compete in more than 10 categories, including Best Party! I so wish I had these boots to wear tomorrow! So adorbs.

kiboots

So that's what I've got going on over the weekend (plus a K-State game - BEAT BAYLOR!!). What are your plans?

oh my gilt

Props to Alexandra Wilson of Gilt Groupe. Just one day after I told myself to hold off on any more impulse online shopping through the rest of September (yes I realize it's only 2 more days, I have a problem!!), I get an email from Gilt with two words I can't ignore: Kate. Spade.

The only item of Mrs. Spade's I've been able to afford has been her cute & chic stationary. Well those days of ogling my friends' Kate Spade accessories and wishing for my own are over.... in keeping with the trend of the last few posts (I must be in some sort of subliminal shoe OCD zone), I am going to be the proud owner of these beauties!!

Kate Spade Fierce peep toe flat

They'll be great for the holidays, don't you think? Do you own anything Kate Spade? What's your favorite?

happy anny Stuart Weitzman!

Stuart Weitzman is celebrating their 25th anniversary. For the occasion, they have released a special edition "Heritage" platform. Beautiful!

I have one pair of Stuart Weitzman's thanks to Ellen DeGeneres. I was in the audience (front row what what) a few years back and it just so happened that the taping was for her birthday! Along with many other favors, each audience member received a $200 gift card to Zappos! I know, disgustingly lucky. Instead of buying a few pairs of cute shoes, I splurged and got a fabulous pair of snake skin platforms. Three years later I am still loving them! Can't wait to get another pair... someday :)

lucky booties

How cute are these suede booties? And guess what..... Today they're only $15.50!! Just go to lulu's, enter the code "luckydaily3" (thanks Lucky Mag!) and these super cute - and vegan friendly - booties are on their way at half price! Amazingness. I'm having a hard time getting over what a great deal this is!

Qupid Oxford Lace Up Booties

Top 5 Tuesday: peacock hues

I'm going to rotate these polishes all fall long. Beautiful jewel tones that are office appropriate yet trendy and fun. Love. Them. All. What shades are you going to wear this season?

1. Jade

OPI Jade is the New Black via

2. Plum

Essie Smokin Hot via

3. Cobalt

Butter London Blagger via

4. Gold

Orly Nite Owl via

5. Turquoise

Butter London Thames via

NYFW: flower power

"You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way." 

- Walter Hagen

All too often I find myself running around like a chicken with my head cut off (and thanks to Blue Eyes' mom, I am now aware that this actually happens - creepy). It's so important to remember to stop, say No sometimes, and have some quality "me" time. For me, that's snuggling up in a blanket with hot chocolate (or red wine), a good book/Vanity Fair in hand, and my phone left in the car. :)

Since this quote mentions flowers, I just have to highlight the beautiful and exciting floral pieces from last week's New York Fashion Week. Here are my faves:

Oscar de la Renta via

Diane Von Furstenberg via

Peter Som via

Rachel Roy via

thought for the day

This week I'm in San Antonio for a work conference. If you've never been to one of these before, there is always a keynote speaker to kick off the event, and by 6pm 50% of the attendees are wasted and being completely politically incorrect. Since I'm not actively trying to lose my job, I'll focus on the first part of that description and remain in the boring 50% of the audience.

This morning, our keynote speaker was Vicki Hitzges. I usually don't get too excited over these speeches, but I liked Vicki's message today and thought I'd share with everyone.

"People reach out to people who reach out."

Simple, right? But a great mantra to remember when heading in to the office, meeting someone new, trying to decide if you have enough time to call your best friend, or going to an interview. 

On a totally unrelated note - has anyone gone to Target yet to stock up on the Missoni goodies? I heard their site crashed earlier this morning already. I can't decide if this jumpsuit can be pulled off without looking like a clown. Hopefully they have it in stock when I get back to KC on Thursday.... how fun is this??

missoni for target jumpsuit

Well, off to some information sessions about finance and state laws - yippee. 

have a rockin weekend

Tina Fineburg

Michael Kors is just the greatest, happiest guy around! Here he is with the Rockettes (in their new outfits) in front of his NYC flagship store for FNO last night. Love the sneakers, Mr. Kors.

TGIF - I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

happy FNO

Hello and Happy FNO day to you!

In case you're not so familiar with it, this is the third year of Fashion's Night Out, a global event celebrating fall and fashion which was originally created to jump start our flailing economy. Ok yes we're still flailing like Dee on It's Always Sunny, but at least we know how to throw a decent event.... right?

This year is the first time Kansas City is participating! I will be present at the Country Club Plaza event, but there are also FNO happenings at Power & Light and Zona Rosa. Pictures to follow next week.

Shout out to my German readers - there are two FNO's for you: Berlin (Sept. 8) and Dusseldorf (Sept. 9)!

a-ladys-findings.tumblr.com

sparkle and shine sweater time

Who doesn't love sparkles? I don't know, but I'll tell you who really does love them: the drag queen that works at the check out counter at the neighborhood grocery store. I go to her aisle on every visit because she is a hoot. She's ginormous (6'3''+, built like a linebacker) and you can see her eyes from 20 yards away thanks to her iridescent shimmer shadow. I'll call her Shimmer because I don't recall her wearing a nametag..... She always wears long-sleeve lace tops under her hunter green work polo and her hair looks like Jackie O's, but red. She's fantastic.

Back to the point. Yesterday at the grocery store, I was wearing the Banana Republic sequin sweater below, when Shimmer looks over from her screen and caresses my shoulder, going on about how she loooves sequins. So this post is for Shimmer and all her fabulousness, and anyone else who digs a little (or a lot) of sparkle in their sweaters.

Vince sequin tee

Dolman sleeves give this look a more casual feel.

banana republic sequin-shoulder pullover

This is what Shimmer loved so much. I must agree with her - and in a great color!

TopShop zigzag jumper

Sequins AND chevron?! I know a lot of people who would love to get their hands on this!

michael stars sequin raglan

Just bought this off Gilt in black.... 60 seconds ago. #shoppingproblem

thought for the day

“I must have books everywhere. They’re the soul of a room — they reveal the taste, the interests, and the secrets of whoever lives there." - Diane Von Furstenberg


I saw this quote Monday from belle maison (amazing blog!). I read it, liked it, and moved along with my day. Then I went to dinner at Urban Table, a wonderful new restaurant in Prairie Village, with my dear high school friends on Tuesday. After delicious bruschetta, a few glasses of wine, lots of laughter and discussing our bucket lists (more on that later), we were each presented with our bills - in a book! Not just random paper backs, either. These were first and second generation classics, five of the six I'm embarrassed to say I'd never heard of. 


I'm not going to sit here and say I'm an old soul or a reading machine, although I'd really like to be both. But there's something about books that make a home, party or purse 1,000 times more interesting. You just can't do that with a Kindle. So yet again, DVF is right on point. Love her.


Books don't have to be displayed in the typical fashion, either. I love these examples of books being used as decor, in anything but a bookshelf. 

houzz.com

 Stacked books make a table. 

prettychicblog.dk

Wedding decor. Need to keep this in mind if I ever get a fiance.....

havenandhome.blogspot.com

Stacked in the fireplace.  

Maydecemeberhome.blogspot.com

 Floating bookshelves. The referenced blog gives a DIY tutorial. So cute and practical for apartment dwellers.