by | Dec 8, 2012 | Inspirations |

I am so excited about the I am Second blogger launch which officially starts tomorrow. I am a part of a great group of bloggers blogging our way through 4 Days of the Live Second book during the Week-of-Second: December 9-15. I will be posting Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Please come by my blog and follow along while I post with other I Am Second bloggers about how I am Second.
I am including a link to a video from the I Am Second Website of an inspiring testimony from Tony Dungy.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5jeKbgeQh8&list=UU9dK4qKU8-5xiqFoI9BGVmQ&index=2[/youtube]

by | Dec 3, 2012 | Fashion |
Ciao!
Lettuce have a giveaway!

I was asked by Lettuce Stitch Designs to try one of their skirts. I wrote about how it has become one of my favorites in this previous post.
If you are not familiar with the company Lettuce Stitch Designs, it was founded by Mary Jo Hanson and Donna Kmetz in 2011. They believe that every woman should look stylish and be comfortable at the same time. I am inspired by these women because they took their dreams and made them into reality. In their words, 2 friends. some thread. One dream.
“Lettuce Be Your Style”
I am so excited that I just can’t hide it. Mary Jo and Donna recently sent me the Elegant lace skirt from the Fall 2012 Collection. They have given me the opportunity to gift the Elegant Lace skirt to one of my elegant readers.
The skirt is a showstopper and I did not need to add much to make my outfit pop.

The skirt is so easy to put on you just put your feet into it and pull it up, that’s it.

See how freely I can move and groove in this skirt.

Here’s an up close look of the lace pattern of the skirt. The pattern looks so whimsical and romantic. See the lettuce stitch around the hem, so feminine and free flowing. This skirt will work all four seasons of the year from boots to sandals.

In this picture, I paired the Lettuce stitch designs elegant lace skirt with boots . The skirt is versatile and will be a work horse in your wardrobe.
Now lettuce get to the giveaway.
Give away Guidelines
1. Please go to http://www.gwendolynmaggie.com and select your favorite skirt. Then come back to this post and leave a comment of how you would style the skirt you selected.
2. Please like my Bubbling with Elegance and Grace Facebook page
Complete the giveaway guidelines listed above by Sunday, December 16, 2012.
Anyone in the United States or overseas may enter this contest. Lettuce Stitch Designs will send the elegant lace skirt wherever the winner lives.
The winner will be announce Monday, December 17,2012.
The winner will be selected by using random.org.
Best of Success to you because if you’re picked the winner you will have an awesome skirt that you will enjoy wearing.

by | Dec 1, 2012 | Fashion |
Whether you are transitioning from school to work or just simply need to update your work shoe wardrobe, Footcandy has a few tricks that will help you look be that sophisticated working woman. Remember to invest in good quality footwear because the right pair of quality shoes can make all the difference when you’re on your feet. Not to mention, high quality footwear will without a doubt make your whole wardrobe look high quality no matter what the actual cost of your wardrobe truly is. Also, it is important to note that classic designs do not mean that one is conservative or old-fashioned; however with the appropriate shoe combined with the current trends one will look sophisticated yet modern. This is the ideal look that the modern working gal should strive to emulate.
With that in mind, here are Footcandy’s five essential shoes that every working woman should have in their closet.
1. The Classic Black Pump
Whether pointed toe or rounded, the black pump is a perfect go-to pump for the office. The classic style will pair with just about everything in your closet, from a wrap dress to a suit to trousers. The “Candy” by Footcandy offers classic style but perhaps the best part about this little black pump is that it will transition from the office to a night out on the town. So, whatever the season may be the classic black pump is a staple that every woman must have because it projects sophistication and contemporary style.

Footcandyshoes.com – Footcandy – “Candy”
2. Flats
When buying footwear for work it is important that you be able to walk around all day without your feet screaming with agony. Thus, the flat has become an iconic style that all professional women have fallen in love with because it exemplifies comfort. Also, it is significant to mention that the higher the heel projects ‘sexy’ rather than ‘professional,’ therefore, the flat again becomes staple footwear for the office. The “Mika” by Jerome Rousseau is hands down the most sophisticated yet modern designed flat. Not only will the two-tonal patent contrasting hues pair with just about every other color but it as well is versatile enough that it will pair with everything from wide leg trousers to a pencil skirt. So when thinking about comfort when running around the office, flats will without hesitation get you through your crazy workdays.

footcandyshoes.com – Jerome Rousseau – Mika
3. Ankle Boots
Booties are essential for the office, especially the ankle boot. Go for a chucky heel for the office and avoid the stiletto knee high boot if you want to stay comfy yet remain fashionable for those long days on your feet. Pair the an ankle boot like the “Bristol” by Tory Burch with tights and a knee-length skirt or mid-calf dress, not only will it look professional but it will emit femininity. Ankle boots are without a doubt a must have for the working gal.

footcandyshoes.com – Tory Burch – Bristol
4. Loafers
Loafers have always been considered an iconic casual shoe but fashion forward designers have allowed the loafer to evolve. Today, designs like the “I26179” by Giuseppe Zanotti prove that the casual shoes can emit professionalism just by adding a modern embellishment like these Swarovski crystals. So now when you’re getting for work, throw on a pair of your contemporary style loafers, not only will it be perfect for the office but you’ll want to wear them everyday because they are absolutely comfortable!

footcandyshoes.com – Giuseppe Zanotti – I26179
5. Kitten Heels
The kitten heel is back and is perfect for those long workdays. After years of the sky high heels and extremely low arched flats, the kitten heel is back and ready to relieve your feet. With that said, the kitten heel is perfect for the office because of its demure height. Designs like the “Storie-leopard” by Bettye Muller will allow you to run around the office yet radiate professionalism. Not only will these be an investment for the office but you will want to wear these to almost every event because they are comfortable enough to even dance in.

footcandyshoes.com – Bettye Muller – Storie-Leopard
Hopefully these 5 shoes make it into your work wardrobe!
To purchase these great work shoe essentials, or to find more of your own, be sure to visit footcandyshoes.com
by | Nov 28, 2012 | Travels |
Bonjour!

Dreams of visiting distant countries enter my head. I am working on my dream vacation board and one of my top picks is planning a trip to Paris. This great European city has so much to offer for travelers; from fashion to architecture to historic landmarks to museums. There are so many amazing things that I would like to see, that I would have to make sure that I plan it right. Tops on the my list to visit is one of the greatest museums in the world, The Louvre.
The Louvre
The Louvre has the infamous Mona Lisa; but there are also great traveling exhibits that should not be missed. Right now, the museum is showing an exhibition on the Late Raphael from October 11, 2012 to January 14, 2013. Raphael is an Italian master painter and architect from the High Renaissance period. His artwork looks so life like that it is as if I could reach my hand into the portrait and become a part of the moment. When I was in college I had an art class and studied Raphael. It would be so surreal to see his artwork in person. My hubby and I love to visit museums and historic places and this would be the ultimate place to see.
Planning
The first step to planning this awesome trip is envisioning it and seeing it. So to start, I am creating a dream board. A dream board is a place where I can put my dreams up and in front of me where I can see it. The board would contain photographs and articles on all of the places I want to visit while in Paris.
The photographs and articles can be on the Refrigerator, or it you can create a push-pin board and it can be placed in a room where you can see it daily or a scrapbook would be a great way to have it all together.
You have to think big and look outside of the box when it comes to your dreams. How big can you dream?

by | Nov 27, 2012 | Food |
As my hubby and I prepared our Thanksgiving Dinner, we had two sous chefs to help us. Gio (the beagle) and Vinny (the collie) decided that they wanted to make sure that I carefully and accurately prepared the dressing. They kept a close eye on me while I prepared it.

Gio and Vinny keeping a close eye on me.
Along with the dressing, we also had roasted duck, cooked cabbage and macaroni and cheese. When i was a little girl, I remember my grandmother roasting a duck during the holidays. However, I had never made one for myself. I searched for a recipe and found one that proved to be so easy and tasty. If you are looking something different for your next holiday meal or family gathering, I highly recommend a duck.

Roasted Duck: A new holiday tradition!

This is linked with Wordless Wednesday.
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