Shoes With a Cause

Did you know your next cute pair of shoes can have a greater purpose than just aesthetics? The following shoe companies have some great selections and even greater causes behind what they do.
1} TOMS gives a pair of new shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased.
2} Civic Duty Shoes designed a special New Orleans themed shoe where each sale goes to benefit the Common Ground Relief effort in New Orleans.
3} CHIPKOS protects 100 square feet of rain forest for each pair of shoes you buy.
4} Sseko Designs is a not-just-for-profit company that helps women in Uganda earn tuition for higher education, while contributing to the overall economic growth of the country.
{© 2011 Blog Boutique | Meagan of Defining Motherhood | Photos © listed sources}

Wedding Band Bliss

For my friends Kelly and Brent who love music and their dogs. 

Chic Upcycled Handmade Leather Handbags

These upcycled handmade handbags by Canadian designer, Andi of Hoakon + Helga, have a lovely nostagic look with classic lines that make them a perfect pair for all kinds of outfits! She uses vintage leather jackets to create these one-of-a-kind bags, each with its own unique color, pockets and shape ~ beautiful and eco-savvy!

{© 2011 Blog Boutique | Jessica of Jessica Tierney Designs | Photos © Andi of Hoakon + Helga - bag 1, bag 2, bag 3}

KaVatee Cool

A few weeks ago I was asked to attend the KaVatee launch party and photograph the festivities and fashion show.  At first, I was a little apprehensive because I had little to no experience with fashion/runway photography but they told me "no worries" just bring your camera, capture the moments (and the accessories) and have fun!  And so I did!

Held at a pin-up girl-themed loft bar in downtown Cincinnati called the Betty Bar, I had so much fun people-watching and mingling that it hardly seemed like work. Plus, I got an up-close view of` the newest accessory on the market, the "Neckalina." Pretty cool.

Knock Knock

It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts." ~ K.T. Jong

What a fabulous way to welcome opportunity when it comes knocking! These ornate vintage door knockers are ubiquitous in France, Italy and Spain.

{© 2011 Blog Boutique | Holly of Salutations | Photos available under a Creative Commons license by {clockwise from top left} Jose Angel; Ekinez Sortu; Brianna Privett; Carlos Fernandez; David Bally}

See you soon!

Sorry it's been crickets around here guys. I got slammed with a bunch of work that I wanted to wrap up for before our trip but I didn't know it would be so involved! My apologies. I'm sure that I'll come back to the blogging realm next year -- I mean, um, next week -- with a ton of photos and posts to share. ;) And, PS -- what happened to Summer and how is it September 1st already??

Finding Happiness in the Journey

"Someone has well said, 'Success is a journey, not a destination.' Happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it is too late. Today, this hour, this minute is the day, the hour, the minute for each of us to sense the fact that life is good, with all of its trials and troubles, and perhaps more interesting because of them." ~ Robert R. Updegraff

{© 2011 Blog Boutique | Meagan of Defining Motherhood | Photo © Heather Donahue}

Looks to Love: Coastal Casual

Summer keeps the coast close in the back of our minds. The warm ocean air, the peaceful and awe-inspiring landscape and, of course, the perfect outfit to wear while enjoying the sweet surroundings!
Shop this look:
1. Scout & Catalogue tie-dye scarf, $1182. Madewell oversized tee, $1053. Squint Topshop aviator shades, $454. Madewell fedora hat, $585. Madewell Chambray shirt $686. Gigi Chic hippie bracelet, $1357. Sperry shoes, $758. Madewell leather bag, $2459. J Crew denim shorts, $80
10. Madewell brass chain necklace, $35

{© 2011 Blog Boutique | Jessica of Jessica Tierney Designs | Photos © Jessica Tierney and listed sources created via Polyvore}

Feel Good Art

Sometimes we all just need a good pick-me-up, don't we? Turning to inspirational artwork like these beautiful finds usually does the trick.

Finding new artists and inspiring work always seems to be a good refresher for any creative soul. Today, let these artists uplift you and inspire you.

Clockwise :: Be Kind, All is Well, Make Something Good Today, You Fill Me With Sunshine, Be Present Every Day, Find a Beautiful Place and Get Lost, You Make it Happen, Make Time for your Yoga

{© 2011 Blog Boutique | Bonnie of Going Home to Roost | Images © listed sources}

I hate Trojans.

"Your Virus Database" print via Parachute425 on Etsy

I'm not talking about condoms or USC. I'm talking about Trojan viruses that have unfortunately attacked my laptop and made it inoperable. (And, by the way, my "virus database" had been updated but it was no match for this weasel of a virus.) Hence, my lack of blogging for about a week.

Right now, my dear little laptop is with a knowledgeable computer guy for the next few days who is doing his very best to remove said virus. Pretty please with sugar on top, keep your fingers crossed that my laptop (and all of its pictures, documents and other "life stuff") comes back in one piece.  Because, you see, I was a very bad laptop mom for the past two months and haven't backed up my "stuff" to the external hard drive since, like, June (maybe even May).  SO, the thought of losing all those pictures and everything, makes me sick to my stomach. Therefore, we need this to happen in a major way.

I'll keep you guys posted on the progress. In the meantime, blogging will be on the slim side for the next week or so, until things get back to normal around here.  Also in the meantime?  I'll probably be dreaming of Apple computers until I can afford one because I heard they don't get these sort of things.