happy monday

Oh hello, Monday, how we've missed you. If y'all are anything like me today, you're exhausted and ready for Friday again. I don't know about you but March Madness has been crazy fun for the ladies at Bluetique in Lexington, let's just say, we're all a little sleepy. The only thing I think we're excited about is that today is the last day of March. Yippee!! Anywho, we hope you aren't as tired as us, but if you are, we know one thing. Coffee makes it better. Happy Monday, Y'all!!

Currently wishing this was the truth.

I'm really relating with this cute pup.

But really, this is all we can do. 

xoxo,

hunter

Spring Time Tips For Your Home!

Spring Time Tips For Your Home

  Although the calendar says spring has officially arrived, the temperatures definitely say otherwise. But I’m not giving up hope my friends! I don’t know if you’re like me or not, but my home could definitely use some pick-me-ups to get me in the mood for spring, and eventually summer! Owning my own Home Staging business for several years, I have always been into DIY projects, so I’m going to share a few of my spring “quick tips” that you can use to make your home feel light, bright and ready for those warmer temps!

Tip #1- Paint! Even if it is just the front door, a little paint can help bring life to any room or surface! Plus, paint is the cheapest way to add value to any home and add freshness all around. 

Price- $25 a gallon (approx.)

Tip #2- Bring in the light! Open all those shades, blinds and curtains and let the natural sunlight come in. Price- FREE

Tip #3- Swap out your family room pillows for some light-colored decorative ones, in pastels or natural hues. 

Price- $35-$40 for a pair (approx.)

Tip #4- Bring home the green! Nothing says spring time like flowers and green plants! Spruce up the front porch by adding a potted plant or two in colorful decorative planters, or add a vase of fresh cut flowers to your kitchen. 

Price- $15 (fresh cut flowers) $40 for green plants (depending on what variety you buy)

Tip #5 Declutter! Nothing says spring like a little cleaning and decluttering. Toss out those old newspapers and magazines. Donate old clothing and furniture to Goodwill or to a shelter. Take half of your tchotchke’s off the shelf and leave it half empty. 

Price- FREE

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So you see, for under $100, you can get that spring time feeling without all the fuss or costs! Spring is in the air and hopefully the temps will not be far behind. Here’s wishing y’all happiness this season!

Wendy

    

To Catch a Thief

Here are the facts: I love old movies, especially when they can be enjoyed on a Saturday or Sunday morning..it's the best. My only problem is deciding what to watch. Do I go for Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Ingrid Bergman or Lauren Bacall. I must say, it's a battle. This weekend was different..I woke up Saturday and I just knew..To Catch a Thief was the obvious choice (I think it has something to do with me dreaming of the Riviera all the time). Let's be honest..you can never go wrong with any Grace Kelly film, they're always darling and so is she. It's been awhile since I'd watched this and  I had forgotten the unbelievable glam this film has. I meannnn, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly should be enough but when you throw in the French Coast line avec charisma, charm and beautiful gowns..bon fait. Here's a little inspiration for your Monday..try to imagine yourself in these scenes and I'm sure your day will move a little faster. Can we say: Merci Beaucoup!

C'est la vie.

xoxo,

hunter

The Endless Summer

Picture this: Palm trees swaying in the breeze, blue skies and Lana Del Rey serenading you through the morning beats of waves on the shore. Pretty perfect, huh? I think so, too. We just got back from our annual mid-March beach getaway and I must say, it may have been the best vacation ever. The weather was, well, wonderful and the company...even better. Looking back on it now, it seems like a dream and a world away..don't you wish you could stay forever? I do. I think vacations are the perfect time to be you and let loose and really connect with yourself. After all, you are laying poolside all day and you have to think about something. I often found my thoughts flowing with the wind as well as racing with thoughts about the adventure I was reading about at the time. A time to put things in perspective and enjoy every second of your life. So refreshing..vacating your life for a week! Now it's back to the grind and I'm excited for all that's still to happen this year..so much left to do and it's finally spring!! Below you'll find a few snapshots from our trip..I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Happy Friday, Y'all!

xoxo,

Hunter

   

Who What Wear Challenge

I don't know about you but this winter has been driving me a bit crazy.  And I know it has been driving my staff crazy as well.  You get tired of wrapping up in layers.  And even though I love boots, I'm even getting tired of them.  Give me sandals, give me shorts, give me some sun!

So, how can you battle?  Rage against it!  One of my staff members, Paige, doing the Who What Wear 30 Challenge. Found here: http://www.whowhatwear.com/wardrobe-challenge-outfit-ideas-womens-wardrobe/slide1 

Each day it challenges you do so something a bit different with what you usually wear.  

Here's some of what Paige (and her roomate) have done:

Wearing bright color combo: 

Wearing something you haven't worn in months: 

Wearing mixing patterns: 

She is completely adorable in everything.  And who doesn't like a good challenge? 

Recognize some of her clothes?  She used a lot of pieces from our favorite place. :)

Jax

Fuel the Fire

So, I love yoga. I think it's the best. I find it a creative way to express yourself as well as really connect with yourself, whether it be spiritual or not. That's what I love about Tara Stiles, she represents what yoga is for you and how it makes you feel. Stiles doesn't play by the rules, she accepts her body as a gift and only moves in a way that's comfortable and suitable for her. Tara says: "No matter what you're doing in life, there are no rules. You can do anything that you can dream of." Boom. Dreams people, it's the stuff life is made of. So as a little Tuesday inspiration, you'll find a video below of Stiles and how she created her business..it started as something she loves to do. I think she's wonderful and I hope you do, too :)

xoxo,

Hunter

RED

I’ve loved color ever since I was little, and being in fashion we all have favorite colors we lean towards. Growing up I favored yellow, but in college I fell in love with purple, mostly because in pirate country at ECU, purple is in everyone’s color wheel! But in my twenties, “Tiffany blue” became my most admired hue, prompting me to get those cute little boxes tied up with white ribbon and use them just for decoration. But ever since September of 2013, my favorite color has been RED. Not only for the actual color itself, but more for what it represents. You see, my middle son Crews is a Marine currently deployed to Afghanistan, and R.E.D. stands for Remember Everyone Deployed. 

 So every Friday, families of military members have what we call our “R.E.D. Fridays”, where we all wear red and remember those who are currently deployed and are in harm’s way. So the next time you find yourself contemplating what to wear to work that Friday to start your weekend off, how about splashing on a little RED to brighten your day. 

Fondly,

Wendy

Arcade Fire

Happy Friday, y'all! Last night a few of my closest gals and I started the weekend a little early. We decided to treat ourselves and get all dressed up and head on over to Louisville to see Arcade Fire. Now y'all know I wouldn't waste your time with this unless this has something to do with goals/daydreaming. That's what Arcade Fire is all about. With Lyrics like "you're dreams are the only thing that save ya" seems pretty accurate, because isn't it everyone's goal to turn their dreams into reality? All in all it was a super fun/upbeat/inspiring show. Music does speak to the soul, nothing like a little sparkle to kick off the weekend. Here are some pictures from our evening. 

It's Friday and it's finally nice outside..roll the window down and jam.

Remakes

So, if you are anything like me, once the seasons change you take out all the things you haven't worn in a while.  And you think...when was the last time I wore this? 1987?  Really, why do I HAVE this?  But WAIT!! Before you throw it away, if you have some inspiration, you can make said out-of-date item into something completely cool and tailored to YOU.  

This is what I do, I take my t-shirts and make them into something else.  It requires some sewing, yes.  But if you know how to do the basics on the sewing machine, you can do this.

And as with everyone here at Bluetique, you can find a myriad of things on Pinterest.  That's what I did.

Take this:

Its a tutorial from www.trashtocouture.com.  Its so cute and super easy!  All it takes is a zipper you can get from any craft store, scissors, and a sewing machine.

Here is mine. 

I love it and I wear it all the time.  Came from a man's t-shirt that I got at Goodwill.  Best thing about it? It's one of a kind.  

And once you get started, your imagination can take you all over the place.  Here are some of the things that I have created out of stuff I could have thrown out:

So get creative, embrace your inner fashion designer, and make something that is uniquely you. 

Jax

Girl Crush

So obviously, you all tuned-in to the Oscar's this past Sunday evening. Can we just say that we were absolutely swooning over all of the glam on the red carpet. However, one lady stood out to us as I'm sure she did to you, too. That's right. Lupita Nyongo'o. She wooded the crowd in her Nairobi blue gown and was the portrait of elegance. 

In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I Die."

We sure do love this look but it's nothing compared to her acceptance speech. Lupita's speech was so encouraging..I don't know about you, but I teared up. One word, inspiring. When thanking the Academy, Lupita stated: "No matter where you're from, your dreams are valid." This spoke to me as I'm sure, the rest of the world. What a beautiful soul, Lupita is. 

You go, girl!

I challenge all of you to really think about your dreams today, and if you're like me, you've got plenty to work on. But today, focus on a single one, dig deep and remember that dreams do come true. 

Thanks for sparkling, Lupita.