The Answers - Part One

I have had a wonderful time sorting through the questions you all posed and thinking out my answers - some were incredibly tough, ya'll are keeping me on my toes! I quickly realized that the answers were too much for just one or two posts, so I'm going to spread my answers through a few different posts this week. I thought I would start with the easy questions, and work my way up to the more serious questions - which also seemed to be some of the most popular (including whether we plan to have more children).

BC, Ashley, Lauren and Elaina all asked me about where I love to buy clothes. I have to admit, I do not go shopping too often - ever since I fell prey to the addiction that is little girl's clothing after having my daughter a couple of years ago, I sadly find that I put more energy into her wardrobe! When I DO go shopping, I usually hit up some local boutiques in Louisville (Chartreuse, Collections, Boutique Serendipity, to name a few). I also love Anthropologie, J Crew, Ann Taylor Loft and Forever 21, and I also regularly check out online sale sites like Rue La La, Ideeli, Haute Look and Gilt Groupe.

My favorite makeup products also seemed to be a popular question (asked by Pinot After Playdates, Same Sweet Girl, Elaina & Melissa. (Elaina & Melissa also asked about favorite hair products - girls, go here to read about my latest obsession with Moroccan Oil). You had no idea you hit such a nerve with this question ... I will freely confess that yes, my name is Sara, and I am a makeup junkie. I don't know how my love affair with makeup began, but I'm a sucker for the latest trend and some pretty packaging. I'm pretty sure Ryan's eyes filled with dread when he first saw that a new Sephora store had opened up in town! Here's an odd bit of trivia - somehow, I have ended up doing makeup in 6 weddings. I by no means consider myself a pro, I just think my friends know my love of product!

Here's a sampling of my go-to favorites:


Top row, left to right:
(1) Dior AirFlash Foundation (this stuff is incredible but is definitely a splurge I only treat myself to once or twice a year)
(2) Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
(3) Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Middle row, left to right:
(1) Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
(2) MAC eyeshadows (Do NOT let some of the wild colors scare you - they go on very light. MAC has the best colors, hands down, and the texture is great. Favorite colors of mine include Dazzlelight, Seedy Pearl, Satin Taupe and Mystery)
(3) DiorShow mascara

Bottom row, left to right:
(1) MAC Pressed Blotting Powder
(2) Hoola Bronzing Power by Benefit
(3) Nars Blush in Orgasm (a cult favorite, it is universally flattering)

There were a few questions asking me my favorites in a few different areas...

BOOK (from Melissa). I've discussed my love of reading on here several times. Some recent favorites include the Twilight series, The Help, and Water for Elephants. I also have a soft spot for the two Bridget Jones books, Fried Green Tomatoes, and anything from Maeve Binchy, Jennifer Weiner and Jennifer Lancaster. However, I have to say that my favorite book of all time, hands down, is To Kill A Mockingbird.

I remember reading this as a little girl in school and it was the first assigned reading that I could not put down and finished far ahead of the scheduled completion date. As is usually the case, the book is better than the movie, but it's a close draw - Gregory Peck IS Atticus Finch. I wish more individuals in my profession could strive to be more like this incredible lawyer found in literature.

Mel and Melissa asked about my favorite vacation spot...I've been to several very neat places, but if I had to narrow it down to a favorite, it would definitely be Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean, where Ryan and I spent our honeymoon. The beauty of this place will take your breath away, with the prettiest beaches I've ever seen.



Shannon asked me about my favorite guilty pleasure. I'm so embarrassed to admit this, but I find myself reading US Weekly regularly. I also STILL watch the train wreck that is The Bachelor/Bachelorette. This show has a TERRIBLE track record and is such a joke, yet I can't seem to force myself to stop watching this. Seriously, as I type this I am watching the current Bachelorette, Ali, go on her hometown dates with the final four guys. I'm officially humiliated - these are definitely guilty pleasures!

Shannon also was curious who is my celebrity crush....

Ryan, please ignore this brief little section...

It's definitely a toss-up between Ryan Reynolds and Bradley Cooper - I've included head shots of both for your viewing pleasure.


YOU ARE WELCOME.

Melissa also asked about my favorite dessert...I must say that I don't think there is a dessert I've met that I DIDN'T like! I do tend to gravitate toward cheesecake in any form. I also will always be devoted to Graeter's ice cream. Graeter's is based out of Cincinnati, but there are many stand alone stores in nearby Kentucky (including one a couple of miles from our house - good for my taste buds, terrible for my waistline!). It is the richest, creamiest ice cream - Oprah has also previously declared Graeter's as one of her favorite things.


Finally, Stylish Suburban was interested in the paint color in our living room and paid a really nice compliment to my window treatments. You can kind of see both in this picture:


The paint is a favorite of mine that I have used in two homes now - Rye Grass by Sherwin Williams. As for the window treatments - I am incredibly lucky in that my mother is very talented and has made all of the treatments in our home (yes, I am very thankful!). The fabric is a Waverly print from a few years ago - unfortunately, I believe it has been discontinued. However, there are several similar prints on Waverly's website.

I will be back tomorrow with more answers to your questions!