Manicure Monday: Sinful Colors Cloud 9

Today for Manicure Monday I am wearing a fun, bold orange color by Sinful Colors Professional called Cloud 9.  I think it has just the right amount of shimmer!  This color reminds me of Summer...I could totally imagine wearing this to the pool, couldn't you? 

What color is on your nails this week?



Also, there is a great linky party going on over at Baxtron Life...check it out :)

Mint and Pearls

Mint Top: Wal-Mart, Gray Skirt: Wal-Mart, Shoes: Kohls (old), Necklace: DownEast Basics (old)

I had such a wonderful birthday on Friday!  My husband and kids took me to Red Robin for lunch, which was delicious as usual.  Then Catherine and her husband came over that night.  She made me some chocolate cupcakes with her yummy whipped cream frosting! 

Can you believe this outfit is from Wal-Mart?  It's a brand called Bella Bird and it's made by DownEast Basics...but it's cheaper!  Granted...the quality is not quite as good as DownEast, but since I only paid a little over $30 for this outfit, I don't mind too much.  The Bella Bird line is only available in Utah and Idaho, which is unfortunate.  I'm pretty sure that people outside of these two states would love it!  I wish you could see the detail on the skirt, because it is seriously so cute and vintage-looking.  For some reason I always take photos at the worst possible time of day, so the lighting is not great...but when you have kids you take whatever free time you can get!

Add a Little Texture

Cardigan: My Mom's Closet, Shirt: My Mom's Closet, Jeans: Karma Boutique, Sandals: Wal-Mart, Purse: The Sak

If you don't like to wear a lot of patterns, an easy way to make your outfit more interesting is to add some texture!  I like to include some ruffles, like here on my green cardi, mixed with another texture, such as the interesting detail on the shirt underneath.  Some other textures you could try are lace, silk, leather or tweed...the possibilities are endless!

What are your favorite textures to mix in your outfits?

Sponsor Spotlight: The Houtz House Party

Hey hey hey to all you Modern Modest Beauty readers!!!  

I’ve been fortunate to “meet” Jenny recently and well…you all know….isn’t she FAB?  I’m so happy to be here today to tell you a little bit about myself and my blog!!!

I am a wife to a too close to perfect it’s scary guy and a stay at home mama to 4 little people.  Our oldest son will be 3 in June.  We have 16 month old twin boys and our little lady is 3 months old! 

Our life is pretty much insane right now and it seems like we are always having a party at our house (mostly I think because it’s always LOUD here) thus the name of my blog, The Houtz House Party!! 

I love to share the daily crazy here with lots of photos and stories about our little family.  

Yeah...sometimes days are like this!!!

I also share favorite recipes, “fashiony” things as I learn them (that is like starting from square ONE for me, let me just WARN you now!) and my ever evolving faith in Jesus journey. 

I am a social girl who is LOVING meeting TONS of AWESOME, AMAZING, FUN, KIND, SMART, HILARIOUS, SWEET (well you get the drift) ladies through this blogging journey of mine.  

Stop by, say hi and let’s be friends!!!  I SOOOO can’t wait to meet you!

Are Modest Fashion Bloggers Hypocritical?

 I just wanted to let everyone know that today I have a guest post over at The Blind Hem.  It is in response to an article questioning the modesty of "modest fashion bloggers".  I really hope you will check it out and provide your own personal opinions.  I truly want to hear what other people think! Find it at www.theblindhem.com here.  Also, thank you everyone for the birthday wishes...I'm pretty sure I woke up with an extra wrinkle today!

Lovely Things Thursday Linky Party 4/26

I don't know about all of you, but for me this month has flown by...how is it already the 26th? My birthday is tomorrow and I am turning the big 2-8.  Not super excited about that, but not much I can do about it, is there?

Well, it's time for another Lovely Things Thursday and I am really looking forward to seeing what you have been up to lately.  Last week didn't have too many link ups...but I am going to blame that on all the lucky ladies that were busy attending Snap Conference here in Utah!  So, please grant my birthday wishes and add your latest crafts, recipes, outfit posts or whatever else you think we would like to see!

Here are a couple of my faves from last week:

I love this DIY swimsuit cover up by Sarah from The Winthrop Chronicles.  I am always self-conscious in my swimsuit (despite the fact that I posted a photo in mine the other day) and this is the perfect solution!

Orange Julius is amazing, don't you agree? However, I hate the idea of paying $5 for a little drink.  Well...now I am going to start making my own, because Tricia and Kirstin over at Sips Etc. have shared this amazing recipe!

And last, but not least...aren't these the cutest burpcloths ever? Almost makes me want to have another baby.  Don't get any ideas...that is not going to happen.  Amber from Crazy Little Projects made these by simply sewing fabric onto a cloth diaper.  Such a cute and cheap idea!

Thanks for the submissions everyone...now on to this week's party!  Link up your most recent posts about things you have made, created, worn, decorated...really anything goes. Here are the rules:

1. Follow Modern {Modest} Beauty via GFC or Bloglovin'.

2. Link up to a specific blog post, not the main page of your blog. (No businesses, shops, giveaways, etc.)

3. Grab a button below and place it in your post or somewhere on your blog. A text link is also perfectly fine!

4. Check out some of the other great links and give some comment love!

<center><a href="http://www.modernmodestbeauty.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/jennyjellybean02/lovelythingsthursdaybutton.jpg"/></a></center>

I will be featuring a few of my favorite links again next week, so be sure to check back! You can start submitting links at 11am MST Thursday Morning and the party will end Sunday night at midnight. Now, let's get this party started!

Manicure Monday: NYC Taxi Yellow Creme

Well, it's time for Manicure Monday again.  This week I'm wearing Taxi Yellow Creme by New York Color.  I am kind of disappointed in this color...it just doesn't work well with my skin tone.  I think it would look great on someone with darker skin.  Luckily I only paid a dollar, so it wasn't too big of a loss!

What's on your nails this week?

Vintage Greeting Cards

A while back I won a set of 4 vintage cards from Jenni Austria Germany on the lovely blog And Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson.  You should definitely check out both of these blogs, cause they are awesome!  I just received my cards in the mail and they are so adorable, I think I am going to frame them and put them up on my wall!

Isn't this the cutest little dog you have ever seen? Thank you ladies!

It's Swimsuit Season!

I just got back from our family vacation to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  We had such a great time playing at the beach and pool!  I can't believe I am posting a picture of me in my swimsuit, but I really do love this suit and how the ruched front hides my "problem areas". 

Shabby Apple Farfalle Swimsuit, Modbe Surfer Girl Suit, ShopRuche Annalynne Halter Bathing Suit, DownEast Basics Sausalito Halter

Here are a couple other cute swimsuits I would love to buy.  There are so many fun colors and patterns this year! 

Lovely Things Thursday Linky Party 4/19

Welcome to Lovely Things Thursday! Last week was full of your great ideas and I truly enjoy looking through each and every one of them.  Here are a few I loved:

I am always looking for cute accessories that I can make for cheap.  This Pom Pom Necklace made by Doranda over at Watch Out For the Woestmans is right up my alley...she only spent $3!

These washcloth lollipop centerpieces from Jenny over at The NY Melrose Family are so cute! I love that they are baby shower decorations that can actually be used afterward!

I love this casual outfit that Erin from Pretty, Polished, Perfect put together.  I seriously almost bought that Old Navy shirt so many times!  I love Erin's style and she also has an amazing recipe for Baked Avocado Fries on the same post!

Now, on to the party for this week! Link up your most recent posts about things you have made, created, worn, decorated...really anything goes. Here are the rules:

1. Follow Modern {Modest} Beauty via Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', or RSS.

2. Link up to a specific blog post, not the main page of your blog. (No businesses, shops, giveaways, etc.)

3. Grab a button below and place it in your post or somewhere on your blog. A text link is also perfectly fine!

4. Check out some of the other great links and give some comment love!

<center><a href="http://www.modernmodestbeauty.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/jennyjellybean02/lovelythingsthursdaybutton.jpg"/></a></center>

I will be featuring a few of my favorite links again next week, so be sure to check back! You can start submitting links at 11am MST Thursday Morning and the party will end Sunday night at midnight. Now, let's get this party started!

Color Me Rad 5k Giveaway!

I am starting to get super excited for the Breathing Space Blogger Retreat.  Have you heard of it?  Well, let me just tell you that it's happening May 4th and 5th and it's going to be awesome!  Those attending will be staying the night "dorm style" in a model home, located in the Daybreak community.  There will be 4 catered meals, 15 classes to choose from and swag from the sponsors.  Registration is limited to 75 bloggers, which sounds perfect to me...I'm not gonna lie, the big blog conferences kind of scare me.  If you are interested, check out www.breathingspaceretreat.com.




One of the sponsors of the retreat is the Color Me Rad 5k.  I have never been a big fan of running, but this 5k actually sounds like fun!  Here is a description from their website:

"Start out as clean as a newborn babe, and throughout the run, you'll coat your chaffing thighs with blue, green, pink, purple, and yellow until your face, shirt, and body come out silkscreened like a tie-dyed hippy on the other side. Each section of the run adds a new explosion of color to your clean, painter’s palate until you cross the finish line into a final blitzkrieg of color."

I couldn't have said it better myself.  The Color Me Rad 5k in Utah is being held on April 28th, but they have races in locations all across the United States.  I really wanted to go, but I have to work that day.  So, my loss is your gain.  Modern Modest Beauty is giving away TWO registrations for any Color Me Rad 5k in the U.S.!  One lucky reader is going to win both registrations, because you will want someone to run with you...it's more fun that way! The contest is going to end on Wednesday, April 18th at 10:00pm.  There are only a couple days to enter, because I want to make sure those in Utah have time to register if they win. Good luck everyone!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunshine & $3 Cardigans Make Me Happy

Top: JCPenney, Cardigan: Target, Jeans: Aeropostale, Shoes: Dansko, Sunglasses: DownEast Basics, Belt: Kohls

This blog has been lacking outfit posts lately, so I figured I better get dressed and take some pictures!  The cardigan I'm wearing was such a great deal. I found it at Target on clearance for about $5 and used a $2 off coupon.  You can't go wrong with a $3 cardigan, right?

I have to say that I have been LOVING the sunshine lately.  Doesn't the sun just make you happy inside?  In a couple days we are headed to South Carolina for a family vacation, so hopefully it will be sunny and warm enough to enjoy the beach and the pool!

Linking to: Sunday Funday, Sunday Best, Watch What I'm Wearing

Favorite Layovers: Eugene, Oregon

My last trip for work reminded me of two things:

1. How much I love to go for a nice bike ride.
2. How much I love Oregon. (Ok, maybe I never forgot this one)

Growing up in Portland gave me a love for all things nature and the outdoors.  The Pacific Northwest is such a beautiful place.  Yes, it does rain a decent amount...but that is why it is so green and lovely! Late Spring, Summer and early Fall are the best times to be in Oregon.  The sun is shining, the temperatures are comfortable and the scenery can't be beat! 

I had the opportunity to overnight in Eugene, Oregon and I had all morning to do whatever my little heart desired.  Our hotel had bikes that you could check out for no charge, so I went for a bike ride!  I had totally forgotten how much fun riding a bike is...you don't even realize you are getting exercise!  I rode along the Willamette River and even came across some geese that were blocking the path (they were nice enough to let me take their picture).  There were so many pretty tree blossoms and flowers in bloom, I love Spring!

The other great thing about staying in Eugene for work is the breakfast at the hotel.  The omelet, potatoes and pancakes I had were amazing!

Have you ever been to Oregon?  It's my favorite (but I am pretty biased).

Linking to: Inspiration Friday, Friday Favorites, Fab Friends, Anything Goes, Joy in the Jumble, Free For All Friday, Freestyle Friday, Once Upon A Weekend, Flaunt it Friday, Spread the Love, Heavenly Blossoms