Dressing Room Dreams

Lately I've been pretty interested in dressing rooms. I want one. :o) For now I will settle on remodeling my closet but - I will have one some day! Check out some of the dressing rooms I found while daydreaming.

My favorite feature in this dressing room is the accent color inside the shoe area. It really makes the room feminine and special!

Image from Peacock Feathers

I love chandeliers, mirrored furniture and chaises! So, needless to say these two are winners in my book!

Images from Miss Gracious Living

I like the clean and glamorous look from this room. It reminds me of a small boutique.

Image from Exotic Interiors

Meet Snowy Peacock

Meet the newest addition to the family! Snowy Peacock. :o)

I have found a place for Mr. Peacock on the coffee table. I think he looks nice there. :o)

He is made from pine cones and feathers!

I picked him up from The Floral Studio! I recently had my first visit there and Debbie was very helpful and friendly. Not only does the Floral Studio have beautiful flowers but lots of nice gifts and accessories for the home. If you are ever in the Baltimore area, definitely stop by and check them out!

My 5K Race Experience

I have to say I had a great time with the 5k! I met some great people and beat my goal! If you would have asked me last year this team if I could see myself running in a race, I would have said absolutely not! But I did it and plan on doing it again. Here are a few photos from race day!

The start of the marathon

Me before the race (with my sister making a crazy face in the background)

My friend Jesse and I

My cousins and I

Me and my cheering section back at the light rail

New MHB Branding

I want to share a couple of images with you from the new identity package for Must-Have Boutique! Early this summer, before I made the decision to close my online store, I had been working with designer Alexa Roy to develop a new look for the shop. I wanted something fun, feminine and colorful and she gave me just that!

I love the branding and Alexa really translated what I wanted into these beautiful images! Now that my shop is closing at the end of the month, I will be using these illustrations for the blog! Check out Alexa's Etsy Shop WhatHeLoves!

My New Favorite Jeans

Yes, a post about jeans. Not just any jeans. My favorite ones. :o) I bought my second pair of Gap Always Skinny jeans over the weekend. This pair is destructed denim. I am happy to find nice pairs of jeans that fit me (and there is nothing wrong with a little vanity sizing either). LOL In J. Crew and Gap I am a size 4... I think there is something to this vanity sizing thing that makes a woman want to purchase. ;o)

Preparing for a 5k

Yes, you read that correctly. While away from the blog for awhile, I have been preparing for a 5k. For those that do not know, a 5k (five kilometers) is equivalent to 3.10685596 miles.

I am slowly working my way up.

I am pretty proud of myself because I never really considered myself to be a runner. I have a lot of friends that run all-of-the-time. I am getting better but I am not quite there yet.

One thing I have been working on is building up my thigh muscles. It seems like those muscles get tired before any other part of me does!

Even if I end up walking some of the run I am just excited to be out there! This is definitely something I never expected to see myself doing!

It brings to mind Philippians 3:12-14:

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Feel free to shoot me an encouraging message as I push myself to keep running/walking to get ready for the race! kara [at] musthaveboutique [dot] com

Shoe Obsessed... Lately

So, lately I've been into shoes more than usual. Okay, when I say lately I mean a few months! :o)

Here are my latest finds, that have not been purchased... as of yet. As you have probably already noticed, I like to shop. Perhaps blogging will help me to shop less by sharing more... who knows. ;o)

But as a great woman once said:

"I like my money right where I can see it... hanging in my closet."

-Carrie, from Sex and the City

I recently came across this line called Butter. Butter is a fairly new (2007) New York based company that carries adorable shoes. As you can see, I am going through a bows and ruffles phase. :o)

What do you think? Aren't these pretty? :o) They can all be found on Endless.com.

MHB Blog

Although I have been busy planning for the closing of Must-Have Boutique the online store in the past couple of weeks, I want to let you know that the blog will still be around! I will continue to share musings about things I find beautiful, fun and interesting. Feel free to tag along! Thanks for your support!

Going Out of Business Sale! Everything 40% - 80% Off!

Due to the economic downturn currently facing the economy, Must-Have Boutique is forced to close its doors. It has truly been a pleasure offering unique gifts to such very pleasant customers over the past two years. Thank you all for your support!

Feel free to do some early Christmas shopping, buy birthday presents or give just-because-gifts by shopping the items in the store. Everything is 40% - 80% OFF!

Best,

Kara

Wickedly Delicious- Yogurt with Personality!

So, long story short, I like to try different yogurts for breakfast depending upon the weekly sale at Whole Foods. I have tried many but keep coming back to my favorite- Rachel's! The flavor is incredible and it is really good for you! I also love the style and color of the packaging, not to mention the slogan- "wickedly delicious". To think that a yogurt can be "wickedly" anything is hilarious to me...

High Heel Cake Server with Sparkle Heel!

This gorgeous Sparkle High Heel Cake Server has recently been added to the Home and Hostess collection here at Must-Have Boutique! It's sure to be a great conversation piece at your next bridal shower, party or family gathering. Step it up with something fun and functional!

Lovely Leandra Drumm Switchplates

Last week I went to Home Depot to purchase new switchplates for my bedroom. I love updating my place and having all of the decor "blend well", so I opted for plain, "stainless steel-esque" switchplates/outlet covers.

When I went to put them on I noticed that the main switchplate was too small to cover the area not painted by the previous owner! So, instead of repainting the entire bedroom (out of the question), I decided to go online and see what creative switchplates were out there to replace my current one. I was having no luck until I came across Drumm Studios!

Enter Leandra Drumm from Ohio... She makes the most creative and whimsical switchplates with handcast lead-free pewter! Check out a few of them below!

Little House

Neighborhood

Leaf

The Princess and the Pea

Dancing Fairy

My Favorite!!!

Bizzare Birds

Check all of the other great work by Leandra and other artists at Drumm Studios!

Boutique Yardsale Finds

Saturday I went to check out this yardsale and I came across some great finds! :o) Two of my favorites are these adorable yellow satin ballet flats ($5) and this InStyle Parties book ($8)! I haven't been to a yardsale in years but this one was definitely worth it!

Betseyville Vanora Boat Shoes

I don't know how, but these frickin' shoes were not on my radar! Now they aren't in my size anywhere! Waaah! :o( If you get these shoes in pink (the color I want) you have to send me a picture of them with your outfit so I can live vicariously!

Save 30% on MarciaMadeIt Card Cases & Tampon Tubes!

There is a special sale running in MHB! Save 30% on Card Cases and Tampon Tubes until August 10th! Hurry in before your style runs out! Check out http://www.musthaveboutique.com/ for details!

Jeffrey Campbell Ruffle Flats

Okay, I have a confession to make. For the past few weeks, I have been obsessed with a certain shoe. When I say obsessed, I mean constantly looking for different colors and styles! I've googled and searched and read all about these shoes! LOL You may say, hey Kara, they aren't all that to be obsessed over...

I say, hey, I'm a sucker for a ruffle, especially on my feet! I added some below for you to see in different styles and colors! :o)

Jeffrey Campbell Gold Ruffle Flats @ Free People

Jeffrey Campbell Zipper Ruffle Black Flat @ Singer 22

Jeffrey Campbell Pearl Ruffle Bone Flats @ ShopBop

Jeffrey Campbell Jewel 2 Ruffle Flat @ Nordstrom

Tim Walker Photography: The Princess and the Pea

I have to say that today was I reminded of my love for photography! I am absolutely inspired by the way Tim Walker does it! :o) I have this fascination with fairytales and beautiful things and Tim Walker's photography captures it all!

I love this Princess and the Pea shot I came across as I was browsing the Free People blog! I was there shopping for shoes ( I will show you which ones!) and ended up reading their great blog! :o)

This shot reminds me of the Princess and the Pea bed I saw in March posted on the minor details blog.

Feast of Fashion

This events sounds like so much fun! My sister and I love these shops! We love to shop, especially for a good cause! Will you be there?

Etsy Find! FeatherBrain Headbands

I purchased my first feather headband from FeatherBrain back in February and ALWAYS get compliments on it! It is very well made and looks great with jeans. Check out FeatherBrain's shop on Etsy! There's a lot to see. :o)

Save 20% on ALL Funktion Items!

I've just added some really eclectic and fun linens from Funktion to MHB! So now until July 31st, save 20% off all Funktion Aprons, Dishtowels & Laundry Bags! Give yourself a reason to cook something yummy, wash clothes or dry dishes! :o)

Vogue Italia: The Barbie Issue

I'm not sure if you are familiar with Vogue Italia's Black Issue last year (it sold out across the world!) but this year Vogue Italia is giving a tribute to Barbie for her 50th birthday. They have combined this with the Black Issue and it is dedicated to Black Barbies! I think the pictures are awesome! This is truly something rare and adorable. Check out the article about this special issue Vogue's website along with photos from inside the magazine!

Cover from Vouge.com

Free Ground Shipping On All Orders $60 or more!

Hi Everyone! Enjoy free ground shipping on orders of $60 or more now through July 21st!

I've also added a lot of new items that I'm sure you'll love! :o) Check it out!

Having a Ball in Bali

Check out this family's gorgeous, custom-built home in Bali! I was cruising through the web as usual and came across it on Cookie magazine's site! Get the details here!

The Princess and the Pea

How cute is this bed? I was browsing through the Minor Details blog and it caught my eye!