Sometimes it is the simple things....

When we were on vacation my brother dug a huge hole on the beach for Will and my nephew and they literally played in that hole for hours. They said it was their castle fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and many bedrooms. It is a good reminder that sometimes we can find great joy in the simple, little things well actually it was a pretty big hole.

I got picked up.....

That is by the Post-Tribune! You can read the entire article here

The article was originally featured at Beautiful! Fabulous! if you aren't a member please be sure to join!

Fashion Friday: Ditch those grungy sweats...

Ditch those baggy sweats by klacustomcreations

So are you still wearing grungy, crunchy sweats to work out? I am a firm believer that if you look good you feel good. Maybe if you look fabulous while working out, exercising is one resolution that will be kept this year!

Is your work out gear fashionable or should it be thrown to the curb? If you would like to read my article on fashionable work out gear please visit Beautiful! Fabulous!

Fashion Friday: Cocktail anyone?

You are invited! by klacustomcreations


I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas! Every year it always amazes me how it is all over in a day, so much build up and then it is over! Will loved his presents and was so excited today to wake up and play with them. If you would like to read the rest of my article on cocktail attire please visit Beautiful Fabulous. I will share some family holiday pics soon!

Fashion Friday: Warm and Toasty

Warm And Toasty Yet Oh So Fashionable by klacustomcreations

Mom would be so proud! Look at all of the fabulous cold weather items I have selected. Please don't tell my Mom, but I use to take off my boots, hat and gloves on the way to school, since I didn't think it was fashionable. I am so glad I have grown up, and now I opt for the warmest items I can find. Isn't it fabulous that warm and fashionable now go hand and hand!

It is so cold in Michigan and I am glad I have many fab warm and toasty items.

You can read the rest of this article at Beautiful! Fabulous! where my fashion articles are featured weekly.

Featured Reader: Let me introduce you to.......

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Can you believe it is December already? Monday's are always fun here at La Dolce Vita since I have the pleasure of introducing you to one of my fab readers. I am excited to introduce you to Krista of Boutique Flair. Krista and I met at a social network a while back and became fast friends. Krista and I have so much in common and we both love all things Beautiful and Fabulous, speaking of Beautiful! Fabulous! are you a member yet? What are you waiting for??? Krista is a very busy WAHM who wears many different hats, grab a cup of joe and get to know my dear friend Krista.

Name:

Krista L. Peck of Boutique Flair Boutique Flair

Family:

I'm married to James, whom I met when he bit my hand at a club in Florida...Yes, love at first bite. And, as our engraved iPod says: James + Krista = Connor & Lily. Our son, Connor, is our 5 1/2 year old soccer playing, smart, handsome Kindergartener. Our daughter, Lily, is our 1 1/2 year old beautiful, miracle, special needs fairy princess who inspired my boutique.

How did you start blogging?

That's a bit of a winding story. Once I joined the boutique world by opening Lily Cait, I created Boutique Flair, to showcase the many fabulous items found in boutiques and other shoppes on the web. To add interaction and depth to the site, I added the Boutique Flair blog, which has grown and evolved so much in one short year.

Classic Tutu available for sale at Lily Cait

If you are a parent do you have a parenting philosophy?

I parent from the heart. Soon after becoming a mother, I found it natural to nurture my children and guide them along their paths. I suppose I'm not disciplined enough to be a true attachment parenting person, or anything like that, but I take a little of the best, and lots of advice from friends and family along the way!

You will never find me without......

My Clinique SuperBalm Lip Gloss. I love the feeling and the shine.

Day job:

My MS in Counseling & Psychology is currently on the shelf while I stay at home with my kids for a couple more years (economy willing). After Air Force wife and mother of 2, I am Krista, the business owner. My boutique Lily Cait offers couture tutus and hair accessories. It's my therapy and creative outlet! My other business, Boutique Flair is my stylish spot on the web, complete with daily fab finds, style tips and trends, rave product reviews, a shopping guide, community Beautiful Fabulous, and many other features.

Favorite Stuff:

Music: Alternative, Rock, Classic Rock & Celtic. I like lots of girly stuff like Tori Amos, Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Indigo Girls, etc.
Food: Pizza
Tv/ Movies: I choose to spend time behind the computer instead of the tv, for the most part. My favorite movies are Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Braveheart and Anne of Green Gables
Reading: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables

If you had to wear a T-shirt with your favorite saying on it what would it be?

"Fabulous!" It's such a girly, over-the-top word. I love it. I say it way too much.

Favorite stores to shop at:

Ohhh, too many! To name a few: Nordstrom, Victoria's Secret, Anthroplogie (one of everything please!), American Eagle, Express, Banana Republic, Gap, Gymboree (for Lily), Target (for everyday, fun stuff).

Other good stuff:

Thank you for the space on your blog, Kristen. Yours is one of my favorite blogs...and of course I'm a huge fan of your gorgeous jewelry!

And, thank you to your beautiful readers for taking the time to read about me! You can find me on Myspace, Twitter, Facebook by searching for "Boutique Flair", and a few other places on the web!

A special thank you to Krista for a fab interview. Please be sure to stop by her holiday guide for some great shops, yours truly is included in the Boutique Flair guide.

If you would like to be a featured reader please send me a email at klacustomcreations@comcast.net

Exciting news to share....

I am excited to announce that the magazine I contribute to, Beautiful Fabulous has been picked up by Blog Burst!! So what does that mean? Blog Burst places blogs on nearly 100 top-tier news and media sites, including: Fox News, Reuters, USA Today, McGraw Hill, Internet Broadcasting and many more. My fashion articles and all of the other fabulous writers on B!F! now have the opportunity of hitting the mass media outlets. Blog Burst is very picky as to who they accept so this is such a great honor. If I become a famous writer I will remember all of my bloggy friends (just kidding friends)! I think a special thank you is in store for Krista Peck who is our fabulous editor. If you would like to read my fashion articles when they are hot off the press please join me at Beautiful Fabulous. You will also find many other fab articles in a variety of topics.

Fashion Friday: Mad About Plaid

Are you mad about plaid? I have always been a fan of plaid since I was a little girl and love that it can be found everywhere this season. I don't know what it is about plaid, maybe it is the collegiate feel it gives you, maybe it screams fall has arrived or maybe it is just that it is classic and timeless. I say it is a trend but plaid is always in style and is a timeless item you can incorporate into your wardrobe. What is even better about plaid is that it will still be in style next year and many years to come. I never mind buying items that I get a lot of bang for my buck.

These select items allow you to incorporate some plaid into your fall wardrobe. You can add a bit of plaid or a lot of plaid to make a bold statement for your love of plaid. You may even be able to go shopping in your closet and pull out some plaid.

Are you mad about plaid also or is this just not for you?

Shopping tip: Being a fashionista doesn't have to cost a lot and it really shouldn't. The next time you make a online purchase be sure to do a quick search for coupon codes and visit sites like www.ableshopper.com for coupon codes. I always check for a coupon code and very often find free shipping and discount codes.

For a closer look just click below:

3/4 Sleeve Ruffle Front Blouse

Kensie Patent-Trim Babydoll Coat

Plaid Stretch Headband

Tommy Hilfiger Women's Plaid Strap Watch

BP Edie Ballet Flat

Kamik Rain Boot

This Article was originally published at Beautiful Fabulous

Kristen of Kristen's Custom Creations

Fashion Friday: Who knew going green could be so fashionable

Every day we all make strides to live a bit greener. Now you can go green and still be fashionable by carrying a trendy reusable tote. Reusable totes can serve many purposes, they are great for groceries, running errands, carrying books, useful as a gym bag, or even as a purse if you would like. Did you know that by using one reusable bag over its lifetime it will eliminate the use of hundreds to thousands of plastic bags. You will truly be doing your part since less than 1% of plastic bags are even recycled.

Your reusable bag can even make a statement as the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Bag does. Maybe you would like your bag to have a dual purpose? When you purchase The Feed Bag it will serve as a perfect reusable bag but will also feed a child for an entire school year. The Feed Bag is part of the UN World Food Programme. Would you like a bag seen on the shoulders of celebrities? Then the I Am Not a Plastic Bag as seen on the shoulder of Keira Knightly is for you. Would you like more then one bag, then the Envirosax Retro Reusable Bag is for you, you will receive a set of 5 in a variety of colors. The RuME Bag is one of the largest reusable bags and is designed to mimic an old fashioned grocery bag, and as a bonus you get 3 in a set. Maybe you would like your bag to be strictly for groceries, and make a simple statement, then The Tomato Bag is your perfect pick.

You see we all can take steps to live a bit greener and still be beautiful and fabulous at the same
time.

To read more fabulous beauty and fashion articles please visit Beautiful Fabulous membership is always free.

Fashion Friday: What is shiny and makes your heart skip a beat??

Oh no it isn't a new sports car it is a Metallic handbag!

Just like shiny shoes Metallic handbags are hot for this upcoming fall season. From ultra sparkly to somewhat muted there are many different shades of shiny available. Do you prefer a tote, a satchel, a shoulder bag, gold, silver, or hot pink? There are so many choices and you are sure to find one that suits your liking.

These super hot metallic beauties are being seen on the arms of the most fashionable women around the world. The days of a boring handbag are a thing of the past. Why not have some fun and adorn yourself with a sizzling, hot metallic handbag.

"Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest."
Christian Dior

Take your pick:

Calvin Klein Medium Shopper

Mulberry Buffed Metallic Tote

Reese Leather Mini Flap

Francesco Biasia Zip Metallic Shoulder Bag

Bembe Small Duffel

For more beauty and fashion articles head on over to Beautiful Fabulous, membership is always free.