Day to Night.

Happy Friday! John and I are headed to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri to give some extra love and attention to some sweet babies waiting for a home. We picked up a bag of food to donate and hope that with the donation they will in turn let us walk and cuddle with some furry friends. All John talks about these days is "Meow's" and "Woof Woof's."

This outfit has to take me through the busy, warm day today and into the cool evening for Tunes at Twilight  and dinner later. This tank it cotton and super comfy, and the skinny jeans are soft and easy to wear.

Tunes at Twilight has become our standard Friday evening activity. There's always room on our blanket, and I might even save you a Blue Moon.

John and our good friend, Adam, at Tunes last week.

Tunes at Twilight starts at 7pm, hope to see you there!

Calling all Women: Be You.

I haven't blogged in awhile, so forgive me if I'm a little rusty! The store is coming along fantastically and I truly cannot wait until we are able to open. If you are a local, I'm sure you are aware of the Broadway street renovations going on in the Downtown area. With all the dust from the renovations, we plan to just keep working on making our store perfect before our Grand Opening Celebration. Time goes by quickly, so we will be open before you know it! I'll share more details about my job in the upcoming weeks.

With Mother's day just a few days away, I've been thinking a lot about my role in family and in life. (I know, heavy stuff!) My new job and the amazing ladies I have met through this process have reminded me just how precious and powerful my contribution to this world actually is. I used to think that little o' me couldn't really do much to make this big world a better place. Then I met some smiling ladies who are literally bursting to share the love of our Savior with others---and I was reminded that seeds are planted every day through my actions and kind gestures to those around me.

This life is not about how many church functions you attend, how many small groups you're involved in or even how many Sunday mornings you choose to go to (or, to skip!). It's about being Genuine. Being you.

Get into the Word, fill your mouth and heart with love for every. single. person. you encounter and stop focusing on being this person you think people want you to be. We are never going to live up to the expectations of those around us. What we can do is strive daily to be the woman God has planned for us to be---that loving, supportive, woman washing the feet of a stranger.

In the midst of me writing this, John literally threw up the snack he was eating all over the dining room table and himself. I immediately stopped typing and rushed to his side to make sure he was alright. The kid was laughing. He pointed to his juice and said "oops." Toddler Translation: juice went down the wrong pipe. He was ok.

Isn't that how life should be? Full of puke and laughter?

Be yourself, ladies. It's ok to laugh and puke. No one will ever be perfect nor should we try to be. We just need to keep loving Christ and loving others.

This outfit is all me. Messy braid and hat, flowing tee, black skinny jeans and sandals = Leslie Carol Hazelwood.

When the store does open, I want you all to know that when you come in to get styled by either myself or one of the other talented ladies, we will style you in something that you feel confident, beautiful, and 100% yourself in. That's what getting dressed is all about. That's what living is all about. Being you.

Chinese Food.

This week I've actually used my brain to decide what I'm going to wear, instead of just reaching for whatever is warm/has drawstrings/clean. When the weather is beautiful and I'm going to eat Chinese food with my grandmother, I think that deserves a little bit of mind power....don't you? My Nana loves to dress up so naturally I like to get a bit fancy when we are together.

Nana said I looked like Jackie O in this outfit. That's a good day right there, folks.



Button Down: Old Navy. Smurf Jeans: DKNY via TJMaxx. Basketweave Flats: Kohls.





To the farm.

In case no one has ever filled you in on this incredible piece of information, allow me to enlighten you:

Farm fresh milk from a glass bottle is the coldest, most satisfying milk you will ever drink in your life.

There is seriously something magical about pouring farm fresh, ice cold milk over a bowl of cinnamon Life cereal. If you've never had farm fresh milk before, come on over to my house either first thing in the morning or about 10:30 at night when Letterman's on. I'll pour you a bowl of cereal and you can see for yourself how amazing it is.

Just another great reason to wake up in the morning.

I buy my farm fresh milk from Jones Heritage Farm and Market. My weekly trips to pick up milk and eggs are one of my favorite parts of the week. John and I like to stroll around the farm and pet doggies, chase a few chickens and "Baaa" right back at the little lambs. Eventually we'll venture into the store and check out their weekly specials, then load up our basket with two gallons of milk (that's four glass bottles) and a couple dozen eggs. I plan to continue this tradition with John for as long as I can. It's just a special activity that I love sharing with him.




Love the gentle giants, Great Pyrenees.


For a trip to the farm, I always go with extra comfy. And throw on a hat, of course.

Learning how to wear a maxi dress is one of my summer goals. It seems like it would be easy, but I think this one-piece ensemble could use a little something to spice it up. Be it jewelry, a scarf, or a jean jacket.

Hat: Target. Jean Jacket: Old Navy. Maxi Dress: JCPenney

Next time I wear it I plan to try tying a button down shirt in front.

Hope your day is lovely, xoxo

Growing.

Since I'm working from home most days until the store opens, I have found a bit more time in the day to take care of my "pets" aka plants. They've been getting plenty of water and little pellets of food and judging by the early blooms they are liking all the extra attention.



Good morning, baby strawberries.



Nice to see you, green tomatoes.

I'm getting a little protective of my pets too. Our neighbor's hound dog knocked over one of my pots and you would've thought my house was on fire the way I screamed. I might need to relax just a bit, and, shall we say, let nature take it's course? These baby fruits will be just fine with a little water and some love.

Contrary to the lack of outfit posts, I have been wearing clothes while I work from home. This is my typical "errand running, merchandise inspecting, lazy lunch with the husband" outfit that makes it onto my weekly rotation.



Chambray Shirt: Old Navy. Khaki's: Kohls. Flats: TJMaxx.

 My hair is braided because it's the easiest thing to do, right behind wearing a hat which is something you can almost always find me in if I'm outside.

I can't forget to show you these flats---they're to die for. Very comfortable, and add a pop of interest to an otherwise "normal" outfit.



 Happy Tuesday, friends!

One Easy, Breezy Piece.

Can you believe this weather?? It's way too hot for the first week of April. Thankfully today it's supposed to be a bit cooler than 80 degrees! I wore this outfit yesterday for running errands with my family. It was cool and unfussy--just the way I like it.




Necklace: Self Made. Bangles: Kohls. Dress: Target circa 2009!! Basketweave Flats: Kohls.

When it's too hot to function but you just gotta get out there, I always throw on a dress. One easy piece that looks pulled together with some jewelry and cute shoes. 

This dress is one that I feel will never go out of style. The top is a thick cotton and the bottom is breezy linen. There's a reason I love natural fabrics!

Also P.S......I haven't worn makeup in a week and a half and it feels GOOD!

I'm off to wash my car and do some last minute errands before I leave town Thursday. After my errands I'll be in the kitchen most of the afternoon making ready-made meals for the boys to eat while I'm gone. I'm thinking a lasagna and possibly a chicken pot pie, yum! They'll be fed while I'm gone, that's for sure! Happy Tuesday, friends!

"We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure." 1 Corinthians 4:11-13

Freshly Cut Grass.

This skirt is seriously the most perfect shade of grass green. When I first put it on, I thought of John and this new "thing" he has with smells. He thinks everything is stinky. Freshly cut grass, flowers, puppies; any smell makes his little nose wrinkle up and he'll retort "Yuck, Mom."

T-Shirt: Old Navy. Green Pleated Skirt: Kohls. Sandals: Target.

This week I've spent some precious one on one time with John. We've been to the park, napped on the back porch, planted a garden and baked yummy treats together. It was seriously a perfect week.

Now, onto a perfect weekend!

Spring Trend: Mint Green

I'm a tad obsessed with mint green---it's just the most lovely Spring color, don't you think? I searched all my favorite website shops for a mint green top or dress, but almost every item I loved was already out of stock! Then last weekend I made a quick trip into Kohls for some Spring outfits for John and spotted this flowy sweater for 50% off! Score!



Sweater Poncho: Kohls. Tank: Old Navy. Jeans: Target. Wedges: JCPenney.

 It was so so bright when I took these pictures. This is seriously a perfect Saturday outfit. Skinny pants and a loose top are my go to uniform for sure.
Here are some other ways I've incorporated Spring Mint into my life:





   This sweet mint planter and succulents are perfect for a sunny spot inside, and will thrive later on the back porch when the temps rise. And it's from Wal-Mart!!

I've had this scarf for ages, it was a gift from my Nana. I love how the soft mint green that fades into yellow.

My new favorite nail shade! Mermaid Tears by OPI.

And here's the necklace I made using Sculpey clay! I think it turned out pretty cute, although my husband says it looks like someone threw up on my neck. Nice, huh? I happen to think it's a surprisingly versatile necklace, thankyouverymuch. Do you like it?

Are you loving mint green this Spring? What is your favorite color right now?

Monday Lovelies: Spring is Here!

Hello all! I hope you had a great weekend. Here's a little peak into what we've been doing since Spring has officially hit Southeast Missouri!

We've been doing lots of bike riding and exercising. I could barely walk on Friday after running almost every day last week. John busted out his trike and started learning different street signs at Safety City.

My morning coffee perks me up even more with this adorable "cream cow." Moooo!






Hat: Kohls. T-Shirt: ?? Belt: Thrifted, TC Thrift Store. Skirt: JCPenney. Flats: Macy's.

My first official Spring outfit! I wore this last week to work and then again yesterday to church. The t-shirt makes the skirt a bit more casual, and I love this hat! Such a fun addition! This "mullet hemmed" skirt was fun when the breeze picked up, I felt like Marilyn Monroe!

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day at home watching movies and eating one of my favorite meals, Corned Beef and Cabbage. I dyed the cabbage, scalloped potatoes and my Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat Beer green! I think I'll keep this tradition going year after year. John loved eating the green potatoes, he kept putting them on his spoon and laughing.

Finally, my sweet Aunt Nancy shared this photo of my Mamaw Shain with me last week and I made it my facebook cover photo. That's my mom in the upper right hand corner, my silly cousin Andrew making raccoon eyes in the back, half of my sister Lauren's face on the left, and my Mamaw Shain and me sitting up front. I miss my Mamaw all the time. She was a beautiful, amazing woman and a total style icon. Seeing this picture has made me think about her a lot this week. Love you Mamaw!


Hope your Monday is lovely, friends! xoxo

Little Black Dress

I just picked up This little black dress to wear to a fancy function we are going to Saturday night. I obviously have major first world problems because I cannot decide which shoes to wear. Sigh. So I'll let you decide for me!

Option 1: Black Dress w/Leopard Kitten Heels

Black Dress w/ Leopard Flats by lifetoldbyles featuring kate spade jewelry

Option 2: Black Dress w/Natural Wedges

Black Dress + Natural Shoes by lifetoldbyles featuring slip on wedges

OR Option 3: Buy New Shoes!! Any of these will do!

Black Dress + New Shoe Options by lifetoldbyles featuring platform shoes

So whatcha think??

A Night at the Symphony.

There's just something simply elegant about going to the Symphony. The dimmed lights, classically beautiful music and a purse full of candy make for a lovely evening. What? You don't sneak candy into the Symphony?




Slightly Sparkley Sweater: Kohls. Brown Basketweave Belt: Thrifted, Goodwill. Navy Pleated Skirt: Thrifted, Teen Challenge Thrift Store. Nude Wedges: JCPenney.

I didn't get a picture of my candy stash, but you can be sure my purse was full of Sour Gummy Worms, Ring Pops and Spree's. I looked for Warheads (my all time favorite!) but couldn't find any. Do you remember those little sour hard candies? Man they were the best. The Jackson Roller Skating Rink kept those puppies stocked. You weren't cool unless your tongue was burnt from extreme sour-ness.

I offered the man sitting next to me some of my candy, but he replied "Actually, there's no food or drink allowed in the Symphony Hall."

Well of course there's no food or drink allowed in the Symphony Hall! But does that include candy? Because if so that's just ridiculous.

Turns out I should have listened to that informative stranger. My tummy still hurts from all that sugar!

Leopard Pants = Too Jersey Shore?

So I've seen these pants floating around the blogosphere the past couple of weeks. And what I mean by that is simply LOTS of bloggers bought these same pants and are rocking them. So why can't I?



Kendi can wear pretty much anything because she's awesome. I on the other hand am a wimp and I just don't have the gusto she does!







Living in Color paired leopard with the same booties from Target that I have. So MAYBE I can pair them together too? I dunno she's really rocking them!

 





Finally when I saw this photo from Here and Now, I decided to go for it. I love how she rolled the bold pants up a bit to make them more casual, and paired them with a loose fitting tee.

 

 So, here's me in my leopard pants. Don't call me Snooky, ok?




Sunglasses: Target. Sweater: Macy's, old. Leopard Jeans: Target. Flats: Nine West.

 The preppy, cable knit sweater and lady-like flats balance out the crazy print on the pants. This outfit was perfect for Sunday afternoon shopping and napping, but I'm not sure it's office appropriate--might be a bit much.

What I discovered about these pants is that in a small town like Cape Girardeau, you might get a few stares. I guess folks just aren't used to seeing that much leopard! These pants are super comfy though, and the small print is surprisingly flattering. When the weather warms up I'll pair them with a drapey tank and flat sandals.

What do you think of the Leopard Jeans trend? Happy Monday, everyone!

A Case of the Monday's.

Monday morning was doozie.

The term "doozie" can mean something that is extraordinary, difficult, troublesome or problematic. In my case, I would say my Monday morning was more along the lines of problematic.

I first woke up and realized I had an eye doctor appointment that morning. To make an 8:30 appointment that means I need to leave my house around 7:45 in order to drop John off and make it on time. Everything was going smoothly and we were in the car on the way when I suddenly spilled extremely hot coffee down the front of my blouse. And when I say extremely hot, I mean I poured an entire cup of freshly microwaved coffee down my thin, lace shirt. I started screaming in pain and thus John started crying. I pulled over and took my shirt off as fast as I could but it was too late. The hot coffee had already started burning my "negligee."

We were just down the street so I turned around and headed back to the house to change clothes and asses the damage. John had calmed down by now and was reading a book. My good little man! We pulled into the driveway and I left John buckled in his carseat and I headed in to change. Note: we live in the country on a gravel road. I don't recommend ANYONE leaving their toddler in the car unattended in the city! Plus, I pulled up right into the garage and was only going to be inside for about 60 seconds.

I changed shirts and headed back outside. My skin was a bit red but nothing serious thank goodness! I went over to John's side of the car and opened his door to check on him and give him some love. That's when I noticed that John's carseat wasn't strapped into the backseat! John was strapped into the actual carseat, but the seat itself was not attached to the vehicle! My in-laws had used John's carseat Sunday afternoon when he went over to their house to play. I had completely forgotten to re-attach the seat after they left!

I really believe God was trying to "wake me up" with the coffee. It would have been horrible to drive any further than we did without John properly strapped to his carseat. Thank you Lord for your protecting hand!

I definitely need to be reminded to slow down every once in awhile. Obviously I didn't make my eye doctor appointment that morning, but that's alright. John and I went to Starbucks and relaxed for a few minutes before I went into work. That little guy is my whole world and God knew I needed to get that carseat buckled in order for him to be as safe as possible.

Here's my "throw on and go" outfit I wore on Monday. I always throw on a blazer in a pinch; it makes everything seem much more put together.

This will probably be the last chance for me to wear this velvet blazer before Spring sets in. See you next fall, blazer!

Dang You Groundhog!

I've talked before about having sort of a seasonal depression when it comes to my wardrobe. I just feel a bit uninspired and not at all excited about styling outfits together right now, which is not normal for me! I'm blaming that little hairball Punxsutawney Phil for seeing his shadow and the extra days of Winter. Blah.

One little trick to incorporating some Springtime into your wardrobe is by pairing colorful Spring pieces with Winter necessities, like tights and boots.

We had a bit of snow the other day, and this is what I wore. A shorter, Springtime dress with my warm tights and Winter boots.



Mustard Cardigan: JCPenney. Dress: Francesca's Boutique. Tights: Wal-Mart. Boots: Target.

 This outfit is going in the record books as one of the most comfortable and fun outfits ever. I love it!

Have any tips for getting out of these winter blues? Happy Wednesday everyone!

Quote of the Day: "Let's move to Montana. Mountains and snow and cabins? Score!"

Love xoxo

Happy Lover's Day! Whether Valentine's Day was invented by the Hallmark Card Company or not, it's fun to take a break in the middle of the cold, dreary winter to celebrate those around us that we love. We're staying home tonight; warm by the fire with a good movie and some yummy pot roast. Here's what I wore to the office today to show a bit of my Valentine's Day cheer!




Blazer: Kohls. Floral Blouse: Francesca's Boutique. Red Jeans: NY&Co. Boots: Steve Madden via Macy's.


I had planned to wear a sweet little skirt, but the snowy/slushy weather made me reach for warm boots and red jeans.

What are your plans tonight?

I hope you all have a lovely evening! xoxo

What to Wear: Valentine's Day Options.

While I'm stuck at home watching all the beautiful snow falling, I wanted to share with you a few ideas for the big V-Day tomorrow. No matter how you feel about Valentine's Day, it's fun to incorporate a little pink or red into your outfit, right?!

Valentine's Day: at the office. by lifetoldbyles featuring a sheer button down shirt

Gotta work tomorrow? Here's a subtle way to show your love of....well, love! Pair a pink or red pencil skirt with a silk blouse and a few fun-loving accessories, like a floral watch and heart shaped studs. Black pumps would be more appropriate for a conservative office, but I'd pair this outfit with black ankle booties to add a little punk to the predominantly sweet outfit!

Valentine's Day: Dinner at Home. by lifetoldbyles featuring a mini skirt

Skip the crowded restaurants for a night in with your sweetie. A warm, cozy sweater with a deep v-neck highlights your chest for a "sexy but not trying to be" look. Pair with a sweet pleated skirt and comfy, sparkly wedges so you don't look like you're ready for bed quite yet. Though, I'm sure you'll slip them off under the table :)

Valentine's Day: Out with the Girls by lifetoldbyles featuring gothic jewelry

Hitting the town with friends? Opt for funky and fun accessories like an unexpected studded clutch and cocktail ring. Your red skinny jeans and a silky pink tank will be perfect for dancing, and throw your blazer on as you head out the door!



What are your Valentine's Day plans? We're spending a low key night at home watching "Lady and the Tramp" and eating pot roast. I know, boring right? I honestly wouldn't have it any other way!

I'm thinking about wearing a mix between "Dinner at Home" and "Out with the Girls." Check back tomorrow for what I decide!

If you have a big event coming up and need some suggestions on what to wear, I can help! Email me at hazelwoodservicecompany (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll make a set like the onesc above specific to your taste or items you already own!

Monday Happiness.

I think talking about happy things on Monday's just makes the day feel not so horrible. Here's what I'm happy about today!

Yep. I made that cupcake. My inspiration came from pinterest, with the original recipe found here. We are pretty low key when it comes to Valentines day, but I wanted to make these cupcakes to show a little love to my family tomorrow.

The boys have peculiar sleeping habits, but it always makes me smile :)

Blogger makes me crazy when it uploads my photos sideways. Grrr! Anyway made this little shirt for John to wear to the Monster Truck show Friday night. We had a blast!

I'm a big fan of outfits like this lately. An oversized tunic, skinny jeans and boots are perfect for running errands and doing housework. Someone even told me I looked like Taylor Swift in this....Score!

Finishing off my Monday Happiness with a little puppy picture. Have a great day everyone!

Go Get Yourself Loved.

Have you seen the movie Happythankyoumoreplease? Chances are you haven't because it's not really well known. I have this thing about watching a really quality flick. I think about the movie and its meaning and the complexity of the characters for days after watching it (I know, I'm a dork!). In Happythankyoumoreplease, my favorite character was Annie.



Source.

 That's Annie on the left. Not only did Annie have a great sense of style, but she cared about one thing and one thing only: Love. While she didn't always make the best decisions, at the end she finally found the best possible person for herself. Just goes to show you that sometimes, the person you least expect will be the one that God designed for you.

Just watch the flick, alright? You'll like it.




Scarf/Headwrap: Talbots. Floral Shirt: Target. Navy Cords: Kohls. Booties: Old Navy.

 My Annie inspired outfit. Not as bold as Annie, but I'm working up to being as comfortable and playful as she is.

"Go get yourself Loved." -Annie