Style Me August: 31 Days of Instagramming

So my good friend & fellow blogger, Ashley of Style On High introduced me to Miss Hilary Rushford of Dean Street Society and her daily style challenges for August. I signed up with my email & each Sunday I would get a week's worth of fashion inspiration.

So at first I was like, oh this will be so much fun! Don't get me wrong it definitely has been! Somewhere along the way, though I decided that I was going to do it EVERY day of the month! Not only because it was fun to see all the other ladies posting but also I felt better because I was taking the time for myself each day. That's right people! I am saying that this Mama has showered 31 days in a row! I also got to show off my Stella & Dot goodies!

Below is my Style Me August collage but feel free to follow me on Instagram (shireehouf). Beware I also post lots of pics of le babe, zoo animals & other randomness.

So I just found out/got the email starting Style Me September! Going 30/30! Wish me Luck!

Oh Davida: College Friend Visits for Summer

Many of you already know, but my dear friend Davida came into town and stayed for the summer... Below are some pics of our crazy times that surely would just NOT have been the same... or really happened without her around. I'm sure she is already enjoying her child-free young adult life again, but I already MISS her tons and most certainly have not been nearly as productive around the house without her to entertain Ara.

Fountains @ Bicentennial Park

Outdoor Concert in Grandview

Hair Did @ Paul Mitchell School 161

Miami U Reunion

Miami U Reunion

Houf Garage Sale

Zoo!

Scared of Fire @ Hibachi Steakhouse

Ready for 4th in Granville

Free Art Museum Sunday

Fixing the Arctic @ Zoo

Fun in Hebron

Benny Ben Ben & New BF

Columbus Commons Outdoor Concert

Yoga @ the Zoo

Closest to the Kangaroo

Peeling a Cucumber for Stella & Dot Trunk Show

All Styled Up in Stella & Dot

@ Edith Head Exhibit in Lancaster

I love & miss the fabulous (& loud) you. I'm already looking forward to our next time together (even though I don't know when it will be).

TopHats Or Tiaras: Gender Reveal Party!

This is Jessica & Moctar
They Love Each Other :)

Jessica & Moctar (good friends of mine) decided to throw a Gender Reveal party & my dear friend Davida & I were her hands & feet to get it done. (She pointed out pics on Pinterest & we said "Yes Ma'am!" & Thanks to me being a member at Capital City Church & Jessica's parental units' funding: I'd say we threw quite the bash :)

The Invitation :)

My Dear Friends: Moctar, Jessica, Henna & Baby (Hidden)

Pano of the Room

TopHats or Tiaras?!

Davida Knew (She had to give the note to our Baker at Crumbz Cakery)
She gets her own spotlight pic b/c I had to crop her out of the cake cutting pic.

The Gorgeous Cake from Crumbz

Cutting in as a Family :)

YAY! I WAS TEAM TIARA!

Photo Booth Fun

Besties for Life :)

Having Fun :)

Stella & Dot: Why Yes, Yes I Am

So I am VERY excited to announce that I am officially (I've got my kit & everything) a Stylist for Stella & Dot. So what is it, why have my friends been getting a suddenly escalated amount of emails regarding this and why am I choosing to sell this.

Me Modeling the Pop Geo Pendant Necklace
&  Coral Cay Earrings (Short Option)

Coral Cay Earring (Long Option)

What is Stella & Dot?

"Stella and Dot, an Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Company, is a San Francisco based social selling company that creates flexible entrepreneurial opportunities for women. Our boutique-style jewelry and accessories line is available exclusively through in-home Trunk Shows by Independent Stylists and online. Our one of a kind collections are designed by celebrated New York designers and featured in Gossip Girl, In Style andLucky Magazine as well as on the wrists and necklines of today's hottest celebrities. The Today Show, Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have praised Stella & Dot for our innovative social shopping concept which brings together the best of ecommerce, social media, personal service and passionate earning to create the ultimate home based business for today's modern woman."

Ara Modeling the Citrine Perforated Double Clutch

Inside View of Clutch 

Stella & Dot's Mission:

TO GIVE EVERY WOMAN THE MEANS TO STYLE HER OWN LIFE.

We get great joy out of designing irresistible jewelry. And yet, jewelry is just the tangible expression of something much greater we are creating. We have a vision of the world where STRONG WOMEN LIVE BOLD and joyful lives. They know what they want and they work for it. They inspire each other. Passion and joy are their best accessories.

The Wisdom Bracelet, Moxie Stretch Bracelet & Gilded Arrow Bangle

So What is MY Why?:

I have joined Stella & Dot really for the chance to get out, an excuse to dress up and an opportunity to meet an outstanding group of classy and motivated women. For me, making the money is just icing on the cake. Why not?! I can decide how much I want to put in and how much I want to get out of this experience. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to book trunk shows with and for all the ladies in my life. I hope that most of you will let me "style" you soon, not just so I can start strong in this new business of mine (although it would really help), but honestly for an excuse to catch up, possibly dress up (or even down) you let me know ;) , play with some sparkly gems & enjoy each other's company as just me (sans husbie/daughter). 

Ok & I want this GORGEOUS Sutton Necklace
That can be worn 5 Different Ways!

Or this Fanella statement necklace b/c: WOW

How Do You Order? or Host a Trunk Show?

By going to my website: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/Shireehouf

By emailing me: shireehouf@gmail.com

Or even by Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shiree.houf

P.S. I've posted a bunch of the statement/wow pieces, but there are a TON more demure and delicate pieces, jewelry for little girls, purses & tote bags & other beautiful gift-ables... so please take a look & consider hosting a trunk show with me :)

Settling In One Room at a Time: Living Room

So I just hosted a Stella & Dot trunk show this past Friday evening! Not only was it fantastically sparkly & fun, a great time with friends, a reason to get dressed up & a good start to my new business  (more to come in a future post... After I get my kit with all of my GORGEOUS baubles that I will be selling) but.... I CLEANED THE APARTMENT. Now in my life there are a few different "types" of clean:

1. The kind you do everyday: which is more like daily maintenance/"picking up". Dishes, putting things away & vacuuming. 
2. What you do when family & friends have called & are stopping by: Bathrooms, light dusting & mirror washing.
3. What I do when I'm having a party or my mother (a Nurse & OCD clean freak) may be coming over: EVERYTHING... All surfaces are cleared & dusted, the heavy furniture is moved for vacuuming, candles/scentsy/febreeze are employed, floors are mopped & BLEACH is a must....

This was a LEVEL 3 Cleaning Event. So I decided it was the perfect time to take pictures to post & add to my "Settling One Room at a Time" series. I hope you will enjoy my eclectic style.

Our Entry Way & Dining Room Areas

 

A Picture of Us on the Day We Got Engaged

Our Office Corner & Entertainment "Center"

Our Main Living Area (Usually this is Covered with Toys)

I am Quite Proud of my Arrangement of my Mamaw's Gold Mirrors

 

My Antique Buffet (Refinished & Gifted F/My Late Mamaw)

This Serves as Donnie's Mini Bar
His Humidor & My Collection of Pipes Also Take up Residence Here

Our Dining Area (& a Peak into our Kitchen... Future Post to Come)