Fabulous Fashions 4 Sensible Style | Affordable Fashion / Design + Lifestyle Blog: Friends

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Thursday, August 17, 2017

LIFE | A TRANSPARENT REFLECTION AS I AGE ANOTHER YEAR

Happy August 17TH, Blogland!

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY, WHICH IS ODD FOR ME TO SAY BECAUSE I'M THE LAST TO TELL PEOPLE OR EVEN CELEBRATE IT, ESPECIALLY SINCE ENTERING MY 30'S.

SO, THE REASON I DO MENTION IT, IS NOT FOR RECOGNITION. I AM DEFINITELY NOT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATES MYSELF AND MY BIRTHDAY OUT LOUD, LET ALONE FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK OR MONTH.

I ONLY MENTION IT THIS YEAR TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHY THIS LIFE UPDATE POST IS ONE OF TRUE PERSONAL REFLECTION.

DRESS: FRANCESCA'S | SUNGLASSES: LAUNDRY BY SHELLI SEGAL

MANY BIG CHANGES HAVE HAPPENED THIS YEAR already. STARTING MY PARENTS SELLING MY CHILDHOOD HOME, AND ANOTHER IS ON THE HORIZON WITH DESTINATION DENVER HAPPENING NEXT MONTH AND A NEW CHAPTER UNFOLDING.

ALTHOUGH THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME, IT IS ANXIETY DRIVEN AS WELL. ANXIETY IS SOMETHING I HAVE ONLY BECOME CONSCIOUS OF IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AS IT SEEMS TO HAVE GROWN IN ME WITH AGE, THOUGH FEW SEE IT ON THE OUTSIDE.

SINCE 2009, WHEN I BEGAN THIS BLOG, IT HAS BEEN a place for me to OPENLY EXPRESS MYSELF, which is very THERAPEUTIC, and connect with each of you. I HAVE really enjoyed following SO many of your personal journeys through OUR INTERACTION HERE AND ON your own blogs.

Especially during what I refer to as the golden age of blogging, befoRe everyone seemed to have one, AND CLOSER CONNECTIONS WERE MADE. YET, IT HAS ALL Brought me so much joy OVER THE YEARS BECOMING A PASSION PROJECT.

My life IS displayed in this space through pictures, words, videos and more, which HAS OFFERED me a way to document my own adventureS through THIS life, WHILE ALSO interactING more directly with each of you.

I got to know some great people through this medium, like...

Anna Saccone (one of my 1ST supporters) from Anna Saccone Joly (previously KNOWN AS The Style Diet)

Maegan Tintari

from ...love Maegan

Mara Ferreira

from M Loves M

EMILY SADLOW

FROM ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

COURTNEY BINKERHOFF

FROM ERIC AND COURTNEY

Adeola

from distinguished diva

Melissa Blake

from So about what I said...

Tamara Anderson

from Simply by Tamara Nicole

Megan and Whitney

from What Wegan Did Next

Rhiannon Nicole

from RHIANNON BOSSE

(PREVIOUSLY HEY GORGEOUS EVENTS)

Anna White

from Lona de Anna

Rosie von Waldherr

from Rosie's Life

Shaylyn Nelson

from So Shay

Jacin Fitzgerald

from Jacin Fitzgerald Events

(previously known as Lovely Little Details)

Whitney Street

from The Middle of the Street

Nicholas Walker

from Nicholas Walker Photography

Minette

from Learn with Minette

. . . Along with Rebecca Taylor, EMMINA 'M-INA' SACCONE, MEG HENNING, Shaylynn, Patricia and many more, THROUGH COMMENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER BLOGGERS, who Have each become WHAT I CONSIDER Friends OFFERING such genuine support in their own WONDERFUL ways.

To think these great relationships all started due to opening a blog, back BEFORE MANY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE, ON A WHIM SO MANY MOONS AGO.

I've watch many of you find love, get engaged, married, have baby 1, 2, and even 3, AND I HAVE experienced SOME ONCE IN A LIFE TIME MOMENTS AS WELL AS heartbreak, MULTIPLE moves, rough roads and STRUGGLED WITH A lack of direction, SOMETHING I THINK MANY CREATIVE SOLES AT HEART EXPERIENCE.

YET, I CONTINUE TO CHANGE, REARRANGE AND SMILE BECAUSE I ALSO KNOW HOW FORTUNATE AND LUCKY I AM TO HAVE SUCH AN INCREDIBLE FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FOR WHICH I AM SO GRATEFUL.

life's highs and lows, allow us to learn and grow. I TRULY BELIVE THAT THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON, EVEN IF WE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHY. IN TIME, I LIKE TO THINK THEY REVEAL THEMSELVES AND WERE LEADING US EXACTLY WHERE WE NEEDed TO BE. PERHAPS IT OFFERS HOPE, AND HOPE IS A MAGICAL THING AND WHAT I THINK EACH OF US NEEDS.

AS I CONTINUE TO FIND MY WAY AND PLACE IN THIS LIFE, Looking back ON THE EVOLUTION OF THIS BLOG AND MY PAST HAS allowED me to see how much strength I've gained and how much I have evolved as a person OVER THE YEARS, despite A COUPLE VERY DIFFICULT AND BROKEN TIMES NOT LONG AGO.

FROM TODAY, I CHOOSE TO DO MY BEST TO REALLY TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF EVERY MOMENT, get out there and explore my new home in denver, meet new people, share my creativity, continue to better this blog and grow my ETSY SHOP AND SENSIBLE STYLE business, and take life by the horns, so to speak.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHERE I AM ON AUGUST 17, 2018, AND I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME ON MY JOURNEY UNTIL THEN TO SEE HOW IT ALL PLAYS OUT! ❤

Thursday, May 18, 2017

TRAVEL DIARY: DESTINATION DENVER | CHAPTER 2 - FACING FORWARD + UPDATE

HAPPY THURSDAY, BLOGLAND!

I'm in the midst of packing and have 2 weddings back in New York City before my official move westward officially begins 2 weeks from today.

So, it's time for chapter 2 of my destination denter Travel Diary series.

You can go back and read chapter 1, if interested and you missed it, and I hope you will continue to join me on my somewhat unknown journey. ❤

| CHAPTER 1 |

image by: devon ehardt shelton

Location: aspen, co - summer 2016 | Dress: Forever 21

TANK: TARGET | BRALETTE: FOREVER 21 | NECKLACE: DIY

CHAPTER 2 | FACING FORWARD

^{Only a couple weeks lie in front of me before I say a very bitter-sweet and difficult goodbye to a large part of my life and wonderful youth.}
^{My parents are selling my childhood home of 30 years and moving west. While I am taking a large leap of faith, yet again, and moving to another new city. All in hopes of finding what my heart desires most, growing my Sensible Style business and continuing to help others in some form.}

^{Those close to me know that, after a magical summer in Aspen last year and falling in love with Colorado, I did quite a bit of research before making my final decision to make a new life for myself in Denver.}
^{It stood out as a great place for someone my age who is looking for all that I am. While also being only a 6 hour drive, in one direction, from my younger sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew and 6 hours, in another direction, from my parent's new home that they just finished building.}
^{Needless to say, packing up my childhood bedroom, and sorting through all the memories from the past, has signified a challenging end of one great chapter and the clean, fresh start of a new chapter in my adult life.}
^{It's not going to be easy, this I know, but I do think it will challenge me, something I need to keep that fire burning beneath me. Through it all, I'm doing my best to keep facing forward to move onward and upward.}
^{Hopefully, one day soon, I'll look back and realize that I have landed just where I'm supposed to and see how it all led me to true love and happiness.}

^{"Just because your path is different doesn't mean you're lost."}

^{Stay tuned for Chapter 3, which will be from on the road while heading cross-country with endless adventures along the way . . .}

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

TRAVEL DIARY: DESTINATION DENVER | CHAPTER 1 - FACING REALITY

HAPPY MID-WEEK, EVERYONE!

I HOPE YOU ARE ALL HAVING A LOVELY AND PRODUCTIVE WEEK SO FAR.

I'M BACK WITH AN ADDITION TO MY TRAVEL DIARY SERIES. in it, INSTEAD OF SHARING A TRIP WITH YOU, I WILL BE DOCUMENTING MY UPCOMING MOVE to COLORADO IN A SUB-SERIES OF TRAVEL DIARY POSTS TITLED DESTINATION DENVER.

THEY WILL EXPLORE MY THOUGHTS, ANXIETIES AND EXCITEMENTS, AS WELL AS affordable MOVING TIPS, apartment hunting AND PICTURES OF THE PROCESS - BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER.

these posts will include THE FUN AND UNEXPECTED MOMENTS, AS WELL AS THE SURE TO BE MISHAPS ALONG THE WAY. ALL IN HOPES OF LANDING ON MY FEET.

I HOPE YOU'LL CHOOSE TO JOIN ME AND SEE WHAT AWAITS or at least enjoy the pictures and perhaps gain bits of inspiration! ❤

DRESS: FOREVER 21

⤷ just me twirling about, like Julie Andrews in "The Sound of Music."

location: Aspen, Colorado - SUMMER 2016

necklace: TJ MAXX

chapter 1 | facing reality

^{It looks as though a new adventure is upon me and a move to Colorado is on the horizon. After spending the summer in Aspen with family the state left its mark, and as much as I'd love to live in Aspen, the Mile High City of Denver appears to be the best, most logical, next step.}

^{This is a true leap, as I only know a handful of people in the area, similar to my situation before moving to Los Angeles after college. Yet, I know what my heart is looking for in this life, though it has yet to find me, and it makes sense to expand my blog and business in a more affordable area.}

^{Truth be told, I’ve always been a "big city" girl, having lived in London, Adu Dhabi, Los Angeles and New York City. In fact, I left a huge part of my heart in NYC after my last 3 years living there for the 2nd time.}

^{Honestly, if I could afford to continue following my creative passion and growing my business on my own from there, I’d move back to Manhattan in a heartbeat. I know the city so well, from transportation to areas and restaurants, don't need a car, and have my closest childhood friends nearby.}

^{Speaking of, they are the very friends I’m still not sure I’m going to be able to cope with not being near in my new chapter. Yet, I also know I'll be able to set more money aside to visit a few times a year.}

^{That said, each of them, and pretty much every other good friend I have, and have had in life, is now engaged or married with families of their own. My parents are selling my childhood home and moving to Arizona, and both my sisters have been married with kids and on their own path for years now.}

^{Each of these factors has contributed to my thoroughly researching places that might be best suited for me, myself and I in my current situation. At my age, I feel I need to be smarter about it all, and a move to good size, but smaller, city might be the right thing at this stage of my life.}

^{As a single gal in my mid-late 30's, even if most everyone guesses I’m about 25, reality sets in a little harder. You have to plan accordingly, keep your head up, believe things happen for a reason and try to find your way and place - no matter how long that journey may take. I thank my lucky stars, daily, that I have the incredible support of my family to help me through.}

^{So, as things unfold, I plan to document them here in my Travel Diary series titled Destination Denver. This feature also creates the perfect writing outlet for me to express myself and get some of my inner feelings out.}

^{For now, I’ll end chapter 1 with a little inspiration from my fortune cookie last night. It is rather relatable and quite fitting on a few fronts.}

^{"A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor."}

^{Ultimately, we must ride out the rougher, sometimes unclear, path and direction in order to find our way, reach our true potential and discover lasting happiness in life - at least that's what I'm hoping.}

^{Until next time . . .}

Saturday, October 22, 2016

LIFE + PICTURE SHOW: FALL APPLE PICKING ADVENTURE AT MELICK'S TOWN FARM

Happy Saturday, Everyone!
My best friend from childhood, her kids, some some of her family and I all went on an apple picking adventure to Melick's Town Farm Orchard.
I simply love fall, and all the festive things that come with this time of year, so, this was the perfect weekend outing and I thought I'd take you with me. Enjoy! ❤

Photo Credit: Bill Armstrong

Olive Green & Cream Cardigan: Marshall's = $12.99 / Long Black Tunic Tank*: Amazon = $12 (*comes in 12 additional colors) / Tan Scarf: Forever 21 = $12.90 (other colors) / Black Leggings: Costco = $14.99 / Cream Leg Warmer Socks*: Forever 21 = $4.90 (*they are actually fingerless gloves I use as leg warmers - similar) / Feather Bracelet: LuLu's = $16 (similar)

ALL of the above images by Liesl Ehardt unless otherwise noted.

Monday, September 26, 2016

TRAVEL DIARY: DAY IN SEDONA, ARIZONA ON A RED ROCKS ADVENTURE

Happy Monday, Blogland!

Visiting Sedona, Arizona has been on my Ladder List, my name for a Bucket List, for some time and this summer I got to do just that. While visiting my best friend from college for a few days, we took a road trip to Sedona for a fun day trip!

It truly was a beautiful trip and such a charming area. The Red Rocks are far more vivid than I had imagined and although it was hot, it was still such a great place to explore.

Our adventure included walking through the town, enjoying a quick lunch with a view, taking a trolly tour of the red rocks, visiting a beautiful church on the hill and a refreshing smoothie before calling it a day.

Without further ado, I present our Sedona adventure Travel Diary!

My best friend from college and take a road trip to Sedona for a fun adventure.

Quick lunch stop for a tasty burrito bowl from the Chipotle in Sedona with bar seating overlooking the Red Rocks.

Pretty church up on the hill amongst the Red Rocks with a beautiful view.

Walking through the Red Rocks, such a pretty area! :)

Yummy strawberry banana smoothie from Pink Java Café in Sedona.
ALL of the above images by Liesl Ehardt unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

TRAVEL DIARY: SCENIC DRIVE FROM UTAH TO FUN TIMES IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

On the next part of my road trip we headed from time in the beautiful state of Utah through Nevada and onto Scottsdale, Arizona.

The roads through these parts of the US truly are natural wonders of beauty. Once we made it to Scottsdale, we visited one of my mother's lovely friend from college and her husband.

They were the perfect hosts and showed us all around the area. Arizona is just full of very unique cactus at every turn that are hundreds of years old, beautiful blue skies, a number of lovely golf courses and pretty sunsets.

We enjoyed some great conversation, shared wonderful wine, cozy cocktails and marvelous meals, including a fantastic dinner at Constantino's, a part of Desert Mountain's Golf Club resort.

One of my favorite memories from our time with them was a fun, late night sing along by the piano, where I got to revisit my love for singing and broadway show tunes, and enjoy a little coffee with a kick Kahlúa. The perfect way to end a fun-filled visit and day with some wonderful people!

OK, picture time! Enjoy! ❤

Beautiful drive from Utah through Nevada.

Such beautiful rock formations everywhere you look.

Joshua Trees are always so cute and full of character.

This 7 legged tarantula greeted us in Scottsdale, AZ...I thought he was pretty cute!

White Top: TJ Maxx = $7.99 / White Bralette: Target = $9.99 / Gold Stretch Bracelets:
Francesca's = $12.00 (Set of 5 on Sale) / Museum Gold Ring: Manhattan Beach, CA Boutique (Gift)