Dress to Impress Wrap Party

You may remember I posted about my friend Suz over at Well To Do, You and her really great project working with Dress for Success of Maine and many many other great sponsors. Well, I finally met Suz today (we have been 'blog' friends for a while, but yet to meet in person!) and went to the 'wrap party' at LL Bean/Coffee by Design in Freeport, Maine. It was so great meeting several people I 'knew virtually' and seeing all of the beautiful pieces donated (here is a full list) including beautiful pearl jewelry from Kate at Intirkate Designs. So here are a few pictures from today!

The beautiful Suz modeling Intrikate pearls and the LL Bean Signature dress she wore for 30 days (pic not from today), you can read more about the cause at this post.

All of the great items donated from around the world!

Suz and some friends! Was a great turn out.

And more donations! (And really cool wooden sunglasses)

I was spotted by Sea Bags (one of my favorites) and posted to there facebook page. Thanks!

Some new friends all featuring our Sea Bags (they were also one of the donators for this great project!) Dress for Success is a great non-profit organization that does great things for women! Have a great long weekend everyone!

Are you in the mood...to craft?

So blogging means sometimes it is OK to share other people's ideas and crafts (thank god because I can not do projects or shop every day!) So in lieu of doing a craft tonight, I am sharing a few good ones that are on my hit list.

Source: designsbymke.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I don't know about you, but I bock when I see fabric lined baskets in the big box stores for like $17.99 a piece- ridic! So, above is a very inexpensive way to use an old box, any color spray paint and line with leftover fabric. Simple, great idea.

Source: welltodoyou.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I love bangles and have a million all misplaced in my 'jewelry' drawer in my dresser. I think this is a cute way to keep them organized! I always see boxes like those at flea markets or thrift shops and just buy some Izzy bottles :)

Source: rustoleum.com via Sarah on Pinterest

So you might be wondering why I think this is a crafty fun idea. Well, because my husband has two boxes full of bowling. lacrosse and basketball trophies in our attic. Just spray paint them, and use as book ends or fun little bookshelf doo-dads. You could always 're-give' them to your friends too, for like, 'Best Friend to Drink Wine With' or 'Aah-mahzing Husband Award'...

Source: sherlonkahkai.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

One of my favorite things to do is go to flea markets and yard sales in the summer (Anna Cole) and hit up Goodwill year round. I always end up with at least two books...and they always have some old vintage ones. The library is also a great place to get .50 cent books too. Just rip, cut, and hole punch...so cute (especially the ones with the great pictures). There you have it, gift tags and bookmarks.

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Feeling extra craft this weekend (and have some power tools?) If I was, I would (err, my husband) would make this amazing corn hole game. I was first introduced to this living in Seattle where all of my University of Washington (go Huskies) friends would play (including bright purple ones at tailgates). Well, I fell in love immediately, and now of course I want one- monogrammed. Here is a site to get you started. I told Matt, you make the wood part, and I will sew the bean bags :)

So there are a few ideas for this long, President's Day weekend! Let me know if you end up making anything!

Motivation to hit the gym!

Perfect Summer Night by sarahreaganauer featuring kate spade bangle

I don't know about you, but in the past week I have been craving summer. I typically really like the winter, and although we have not had a tough one at all in the northeast, I cannot wait to pull out the summer clothes. I think I need motivation side note: I have to hit the gym a little more...I think after you turn 30, your metabolism plummets, or maybe it is the chips and M&Ms, anyways, I digress. Starting to think about cute skirts and pastels is wonderful, and motivating me to hit the gym. So, when I see the gym starting to paying off, I am putting together an outfit like this! What would your ideal summer outfit be?!

Sew What?!

Sew what if you can't sew... all you need is this cute sewing kit to get you started. Stay tuned (wait until you see how cute and easy the top of the mason jar is) for how I made this, and how you can win it over at Cinsarah blog in March!

A Few Kisses Makes...

If you know me, then you know I am by no means a cook or baker. You probably have noticed I rarely blog about food- it is just not my thing (well, except for here and here). But, I found this on... you guessed it, Pinterest the other day and thought I would work on my baking skills (or lack of). It looked super easy, and I loooove salt and chocolate together.

- All you need are waffle pretzels, Hershey kisses and M&Ms (I did pinks and reds for Valentine's Day)

- On a cookie sheet, just lay out pretzels and place a kiss on each square. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees (thanks Anna D for that tip!)

- Bake for 10-15 minutes. I think I should have kept mine in a few more minutes to really get them to melt... When you take them out of the oven, place a M&M on top, while the chocolate is still warm.

- I let them cool (and ate a few) for about two hours.

- Once they cool, they can be put in a bowl and enjoyed. Quickly after I did this, Matt promptly said that we should put them in baggies and give them to my family as treats...because otherwise they would all be gone, quickly ;)

- So I did just that...

So there you have it, a really quick, easy and cute way to celebrate Valentine's Day! Enjoy

Patterns Patterns Patterns!

I am loving patterns right now. Adding a stencil or wallpaper pattern to a wall or room in your house can completely change the look and feel. There are tons of different ways to accomplish this look- no matter what the budget. If you are looking for wallpaper, I highly recommend Thibaut for beautiful patterns (many have matching fabrics). You can also do a stencil with just paint, cardboard and brush. You can see the tutorial I did here costing a whopping $13.00.

So for my first Pin It Challenge with Old Lucketts I decided to do my favorite pins from Pinterest with amazing patterns for the home! Enjoy.

Source: favoritepaintcolors.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: reasonstobreathe.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: eclecticrevisited.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: pinkpreppylillylover.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: lovelyclusters.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: 16bourne.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: walnutwallpaper.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Giveaway | Cape Madras Tunic!

Although our New England winter has not been bad (or really even happened) it is always nice to getaway during these long winter months. I am so excited and fortunate enough to be taking a vacation in a few weeks to one of my favorite places on earth- Boca Grande, Florida. My Nana and Papa always wintered there, so we would pack our bags every February break and make our way down for a visit.

Boca Grande is one of those places that will always remind me of my childhood. The long days at the pool, sand in my swimsuit and sun burns so bad my mom would spray Solarcaine on my sister and I before bed. I have not been back as an 'adult' so I am sure I will get to know the island a little differently this time (wine on the deck, checking out a few cute restaurants with my husband!) Boca Grande is a 7 mile long island of pure bliss. It could be compared to a little version of Nantucket or Kennebunkport. The beaches are beautiful, the streets are cute and the island has amazing views. But, enough about why I love Boca Grande, and more on what to wear!

One item I looovveeee and will be packing is the Cape Madras tunic! It is the best, most versatile item you can pack in a suitcase. You can dress it up with white jeans and flips, or wear as a beach cover up. Not only is it am amazing piece to pack, it is a great Maine company based out of Cape Elizabeth with a retail location in Freeport, Maine. They also are in many many cute boutiques throughout the country, including Fugates and the Sun Porch in Boca Grande. They are now offering a new line of college game day tunics (which I know some of you will have to have!) Not only does Cape Madras offer these great tunics, they are known for their high quality, never out of fashion, madras. From skirts to pants to tops, they offer a variety of colors of a great classic. So, you have to stop by there shop in Freeport, purchase online via their website or stop by a boutique that carries their line. And, as you know, I am so excited that one lucky reader will win a tunic!

Here is how to enter!

- Please 'LIKE' my facebook page, and Cape Madras facebook page
- Please follow my twitter handle @sarahreaganauer and @capemadras
- It is OK if you don't do Facebook or Twitter, but if you do, please like and follow us!
- Once you liked and followed us (if applicable) post a comment onto my blog letting me know, and of course where you are going to wear the Cape Madras tunic!
- If you are not familiar with posting a comment on a blog, you can post using the Name/URL and just fill in your first and last name (you do not need to fill in the URL field)
- Your blog comment will be your 'ticket' to enter to win the tunic!!
- I will draw the winner on Sunday, February 12 and announce the winners name on Facebook, Twitter and my blog (if you leave me your e mail, I will e mail you too!)

Please note, the color and pattern of the tunic are TBD based on availability

(For a second chance to win- you can post a comment on my Facebook page, and Cape Madras Facebook page and post a second comment on my blog letting me know, and you will have ANOTHER ticket into the drawing!!)

GOOD LUCK!