CAMOGLAM
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#OVER50
I wanted to share some photos from my fabulous 5oth birthday bash! I did decide to keep guests photos from being posted however, next time I would like to create a photo booth and that way people can have fun and I would feel more comfortable sharing their pictures! What if I do post pictures, but leave some people out? I don’t want to deal with all of that so decided to keep it clear of my party-goers. I did learn that I should have gone ahead with the photo backdrop idea…it would have been helpful. I already have all the lighting so i really wish I had done that!
I can say this much…everyone did enjoy themselves and I learned a lot! My biggest takeaway was that for a large group, it is worth it to pay someone to help out with serving. I had tried to find a bartender, but food service was where I found it would have been super helpful!
It was such a great time, but I feel I missed out on a lot of opportunity to visit with people because of running around trying to get food to people, or find a fork, beer, wine or coke for their Jack Daniels or whatever they needed. I waited way too late to prepare the food because I wanted it to be fresh – BIG MISTAKE!
I feel like I tried my best to set up everything ahead of time, with fireplace vibes on the televisions…we had a room set up with singing…so imagine my horror when some of the men found the television remotes and we ended up with football on? I got over it. My husband keep changing up my strategic lighting – even after I told him before hand, that he was not allowed to touch light switches, tv remotes, ceiling fans, opening windows, everything was off limits to him. He did it anyway. I was going for a dark, candlelit event…yet he managed to switch on every light in the house, move my ice bucket set up to (of all things) a camping Igloo thing…(I wanted to implode) AND he was 30 minutes late because he needed to do his stretches after his shower (some people are a wee bit ritualistic, other wise known as OCD no matter what is going on.) Either way, I survived it all and had fun!
We had taken special care to have the music set up on our revamped patio…however due to the extremely colder than normal weather…only a few people ended up outside throughout the night and we moved the music indoors.
I was so appreciative for everyone who showed up! (Even those damn husbands and their damn football.) Here’s the tea;
After a close friend expressed her anger at me, for not being present over the past two years, I’d realized that nobody realized why I have mostly kept to myself. I decided to have a party for my friends. An event for them to meet up and have a nice time during the holidays. I also happened to be turning 50. It’s in the rule book of life that we all most have a party for turning 50.
I had decided to tell everyone the extent of my neck pain, and that was why I had been missing in action for so many months. I had worked so hard at hiding my neck injury and trying to laugh it off when people would make fun of my stiff demeanor, so most really didn’t get how much pain I was in. The pain caused sleep problems. Sleep problems cause other health problems. The next thing you know, you are not going anywhere that requires additional energy! I had a work friend that knew, but pretty much I think people just thought I was lazy and didn’t care about them! I felt so much relief when I told people why I wasn’t very present in their lives. My focus was getting though each day on a few hours sleep, not letting it affect my job and trying to get better. There was nothing left of me to go sip wine and hang out with friends. At my worst, I had an amazing Assistant Manager at work and my husband was very understanding. Without these two, my little world would have fallen apart. I mention all of this to point out that this party was a big deal for a lot of reasons. People are everything. People are life and are what matters most. I had shut people out to save them the grief of hearing about my woes but really I appeared shallow and self centered by not expressing the extent of my struggle.
Another thing that I didn’t plan on…was receiving wonderful gifts! Had I realized that there would be gifts…I surely would have scrounged up more people to invite!
Did I mention that cake is everything to me? I found a great baker in my local area @afrostedmemorymaker in The Woodlands. I am not a very social person, so it was hard for me to commit to throwing a party, but once i ordered and paid for the cake – it was on!
Next came proper digital invitations so that people knew that I was serious about my party plans and I made sure that the invitation set the tone.
The thing about planning a home event is that it can be used as a huge motivator to work on things around the house! It was a plan of mine to have the patio completed before the year’s end, so having a party pushed me to get the curtain rods put up, finally choose an outdoor curtain and hang my bistro lights. (Blog post coming, but here’s a sneek peek on my Instagram…)
I also revamped the media room as well and now there’s just some furniture to recover here or there. I am still waiting on a really cool custom dog kennel end table to come in as well for the master bedroom… But I digress.
I am finally 50 and I am very happy with where my life is. What I notice in people, is that as long as they are content with their current situation, age does not bother them. It’s relative. If you’re 29 but have not yet finished college, most would be upset to be 29 although it’s still relatively young.
There is something liberating about realizing your life is more than half over and what difference does a lot of the past make? What matters is what you are going to do with what time and opportunity that you have left, how can you positively impact others while finding peace and inner joy in each day. Life is not about things and overboard consumerism. It’s about using your time wisely and love. Well, and loving wisely. If you talk to any woman over 50, that is probably at the forefront of what they have learned. If you really want astounding womanly advise, talk to a very old woman!
My next home party will probably be a casual girl party with a summer pool theme. I’m not a huge fan of walking around half naked in front of other people’s husbands so they probably won’t be invited! I guess I am old school but it just seems disrespectful so I try to hide my fabulousness (Google doesn’t seem to think this is a word, but it most definitely is) these days. Or I’m crazy. there’s always that. My new thinking is that if my husband sees less naked women these days, he will think the one he has is just fine. It seems to be working because he really, really likes me.
It’s a small thing for most, but throwing a party by someone who is a shy loner at heart, was a big step!
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED…
HOME DECOR REVAMP: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
I have a few home remodels and revamps under my belt. This latest one is finished. It was just a small nest, but my husband let me do whatever I wanted so I ended up changing it from an all white bachelor pad that didn’t look lived in and transformed it into a fun, cozy nest for two.
Pretty much the only thing that is left over from his single days, is the dining table with nude angels on the base. I mean, who doesn’t need naked angels around the house? Oh, and the single guy, creme leather sofa set in the front office. It kills my soul, but he won’t part with it.
We took two bedrooms, and made them into our separate offices because it was a total waste of space to have spare bedrooms when literally no one ever comes to stay over night! We have sold two beds in the past 6 months, and I have one more in the garage to deal with.
This commercial grade flooring was completely scratch resistant and made life so much easier than the previous carpeting that was there before. I am using this same flooring in the bedrooms of the new house we are remodeling because it goes with anything, doesn’t show dust like dark wood flooring does and is so extremely durable and scratch resistant.
The kitchen was probably the best part of the house, with a large center island that makes cooking a lot more enjoyable. The large crystal chandelier over it was the focal point of the area. Black granite was used in the kitchen, as well as in the two bathrooms. We could not bear the thought of having different counter tops throughout such a small home.
When it came time to list this home, it sold within a week. In the mind of a new homeowner, there was literally nothing a person would need a to repair or change, except perhaps the paint. Paint is the cheapest, easiest fix for a new homeowner. Of course it is the first thing we are changing in the new place we found, along with the flooring throughout and a bathroom revamp. (I’ll share those pictures once it’s complete!)
I had been wanting to share this little revamp of mine for months, but never had the time! Now that we made the decision to sell, it seems the perfect time to share! We are super excited about the move and can’t wait to share the progress on that project!
-SDS
MAYBE YOU MISSED…..
KORS, PRADA and BELLA
Prada glasses, Michael Kors pants, Michael Kors belt, Michael Kors watch, top by New York & Co, Blazer (old), lip color/ Sparks of Romance by MAC, necklace by Forever 21
gold bracelet by Tiffany & Co, silver cuff by Thierry Mugler, watch by Michael Kors, necklace by Forever 21, pants Michael Kors, top by New York & Co
-SDS
HOUSTON GRAND OPENING EVENT! Impress for Less
I wanted to be sure to invite everyone in Houston out to the Grand Opening event at Impress for Less grand Opening event to celebrate two new stores in the Houston area! They carry mens, women’s, kids and home decor – all at fabulous pricing! (Following budget and living within means are all great things and deals are sexy!)
I will be at one of the stores for it’s event on Thursday, March 19th at 10:00 am! The first 50 people will get 50% off their entire purchase, and all other visitors will get 25% off.
Impress for Less will also be holding a charity event in conjunction with Dress for Success. The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women in Houston, by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
They are asking for donations of gently worn professional women’s clothing to help women in need. With a donation, you will receive a 25% off coupon for your next visit at Impress for Less!
Designer Apparel and Home Fashion for Less!
I will be at the Willowbrook Store at;
17335 Tomball ParkwaySuite 1E
Houston, TX 77064
See maps here to the different locations!
I hope to see you there, and don’t forget the opportunity to help others, and bring gently used professional wear to
donate to women in need!
-Luxor
B**** ON A BUDGET
These days, I listen to a lot of talk radio. I heard something a few months ago that stuck with me from Dave Ramsey. You can not spend yourself into wealth. Basically, you can buy all the $1,500 shoes that you want, but it won’t make you actually wealthy. If anything, it makes you actually less wealthy.
This brilliant statement came to use when a friend of mine was whining about her entire check going to pay for rims for her new car. Those of us having dinner with her, were older, wiser, and repulsed when she told us her check was $800 but the whole thing was going for the fancy wheels.
I especially ripped in to her in stating that was ridiculous and trashy to spend $800 on rims when they were living literally paycheck to paycheck and unable to get ahead. Then she informs us that the $800 was only a payment on the rims and that the actual total cost was $2,100. At that point I congratulated her on officially being ignorant white trash. ( Of course, you must understand that she’s not white, she’s hispanic, I was only being funny and making a point at the same time. Sorry, but if you’re going to be my friend, I’m going to be real when you open the door and ask my opinion.)
This is the point at which I realized that decision making skills were impaired in her household, and recommended she and her husband go to Financial Peace University and get a clue. I also shared the sentiment about not being able to spend yourself into wealth.
SIDEBAR: I started writing this blog, early Sunday morning, made breakfast, then went to church…at which point our pastor announced that Dave Ramsey was coming to do some financial classes at our church! Funny! Apparently financial stress is responsible for 50% of all divorces.
And with that, I bring you my Biotch On a Budget blog post.
I have plans. Life plans. Generally, life plans require funding. While I do splurge on a handbag or whatnot here and there, I have reached the point where I think it’s fun to mix in less expensive bargain pieces with a nice bag or great shoe. I feel that, generally speaking, accessories are everything, and saving on garments and certain accessories can help lesson the financial blow of being fabulous.
Anna Nicole smith once said, “…it’s expensive being me,” as she say in court justifying her lifestyle as she fought for her share of her dead husband’s estate. Sad story, but I identified with her statement! It is expensive to present yourself to the world every day!
David Yurman ring, Tiffany & Co gold bracelet, Michael Kors bag, Kenneth Cole boots, Michael Kors watch, everything else…CHEAP!
I do not have a rich, dead husband…so there is no alternative except to spend wisely. While I do get a lot of products and items for free through my blog…I also do end up buying a lot. I’ve made a game of “being me for less.” I prefer to know I can afford to travel here and there, rather than wearing my vacation money on my body!
Two weeks ago, I was checking out some pink aviator glasses by Rayban. They were fabulous, and the friend that was with me kept telling me to buy them. They were $170. While I have splurged on glasses before, I don’t need expensive glasses all the time.
I told her that I was on a budget, and that I could find comperable glasses for less. The glorious thing about getting older, is that you do actually get smarter and you care less about impressing people you don’t even know. I decided that I was fabulous enough without $170 pink Raybans, and found something similar for $6.
When she challenged my fashion authority, I set out to build a blog around my lovely new $6 sunnies! I set out to find a cheap dress as well, and dress it up to disguise the fact that I only paid $17 for it!
This black shift style, high neck dress appears to be fashion forward. The arm holes are cut in a conservative fashion, in a way that conceals armpit folds, and looks to be futuristic. (Very few people have attractive armpit areas. Just sayin.)
It is the perfect medium weight fabric, so it can be worn any season and this type of cut looks good on any body type. It’s loose fitting and comfortable.
I paired it with a faux fur, short waisted, bell sleeved jacket, which I constantly get compliments on and which also cost very little….$14. Most of the people that approach me this season, when I wear this, think it’s very expensive but it’s only because I pair it with expensive items, such as this pink Michael Kors Hamilton bag.
The pink aviators are fun, and I am sporting the new MAC lip color, Miley Cyrus. I am a fan of MAC because they have not gone to crazy with their pricing. I do not feel that I need $52 lip stick. I just don’t.
…and this was my Bitch On a Budget blog post. This outfit saved me hundreds of dollars just by shopping smarter. Sometimes, the fit of an outfit is so exceptional that you may feel it’s worth the extra money, and that’s great! By saving on some things it helps you to have more disposable on other things.
The old Sex and The City series repulses me for many reasons, but one of which, is how often the main character would spend on expensive dresses and shoes, but then be worried about her bills all night long as she was out on the town. She kept spending to keep up her appearance as she searched for Prince Charming to come along and bail her out. What if Prince Charming never comes? Or worse…he shows up with a mound of debt just like yours? And child support to pay for another 10 years? Then what? So be fabulous, but get on a budget and allow yourself a certain amount for beauty and clothing every month.
Wow! This post got serious. I’m talking to you like I do to my friends now. If your wallet is super fat, then ignore me, but if you are like 85% of most Americans, you have debt and you are living paycheck to paycheck. One of those 85% text me the other day…asking how she could make extra income…yet I see her out eating and drinking on Facebook two days later. You know I called her out, right?
Blogging is fun, especially outfit posts, but I don’t want to make people feel as if they must go out and spend all the time, so I will try to continue to be more transparent on the financial aspect of each post!
