I'm totally down with more Downton!

Recently, as in over the weekend recently, I became addicted to the show Downton Abbey. Do any of you guys watch it? It describes the tails of a Lord and his family, and all of their servants, at their huge place of residence, Downton Abbey. It takes place in Edwardian England, right before and during WWI. I honestly just can't get enough! It's been on for a few years and I don't know why it has taken me this long to jump on the wagon, but I'm so down with Downton!

The plot is so addicting and I'm absolutely in love with the clothes. Seriously, can we just have one day where we go back in time and can wear whatever we want from a certain era? Because I would definitely sport a few of these "frocks," as they refer to them on the show:

Source: vixenvintage.blogspot.com via Isis on Pinterest

Source: clickztrax.com via Bob on Pinterest

Source: pinterest.net-pin.info via Vernetta on Pinterest

Source: helixzone.info via darlena on Pinterest

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Source: uliweber.blogspot.com via Isis on Pinterest

Ok, so I'm kind of obsessed with Lady Mary's clothes. And don't they look fabulous when they're shooting for Vogue? Ahh!
Also, I'm totally keen on some of the guys. I mean, come on. How could you not be?

Source: bit.ly via Philomena on Pinterest

I could go on and on all day, but I'll spare you all and let you find out for yourselves. So who watches it? I'm already on Season 2 and it's my little break for keeping me sane!

What's the tv show that does that for you?

 Happy Tuesday!

 ~Susan

Weekend Highlight: sweetness

This weekend was just all around pretty sweet! My beautiful friend put on a gorgeous recital, Ellen, Cody, his friend and I went out on Friday night, and I was so dead tired!

We spent Saturday visiting Ellen hard at work at J.Crew (can I still say I'm insanely jealous of her employee discount?!) and I enjoyed my first episode of Downton Abbey (ok, more about that later this week, because I'm obsessed!)

We had a lovely Easter Sunday! I love indulging in a few too many sweet treats! My gran made a delicious lemon meringue pie and we all sat around and were hooked with the Masters! Before I left she made sure to gift me a little bit of sweetness for the week (or two weeks if I can. We'll see how much self-control I have!). I have to say, I love a bit of Easter leftovers! And I love all of these pastel colors! They're so gorgeous!

Hoe you all had lovely Easter/Passover holidays! How'd you spend yours?

Here's to a great week ahead!

~Susan

Friday Fancies: Flower Power

floral by susanhager featuring 18k earrings

I don't normally do a lot of florals, but this print is very classic and could easily be dressed up or down. When {av} proposed this theme, I wanted a more dressy look, but still casual enough to pull off at a moment's notice. This does it, all the way from the nude heels and the quick switch of either the sweater or the jacket. I'd go for either! I'd top it off with the perfect shopper tote and pretty mint and gold jewelry. Not too shabby if I do say so myself!

I'm headed home to see my family for Easter. I hope you all have lovely holidays however you choose to spend them. It should be a great weekend! I'm looking forward to good food, good family, and a wonderful Master's tournament, as is tradition in our family. Happy Easter!

Don't forget to check out the other fancies at Long Distance Loving!

 ~Susan

Thursday Thoughts: make yourself Shine!

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So this is something that we always forget about this time of year. We start well at the beginning of the year and then we let ourselves go, in more areas than one. It's not just our physical well being, but our mental and social as well. We get caught up in the daily grind, and sometimes lose sight of us.

Let's not let this happen! This is our time to shine, whether it's with your job, your family, your biggest challenge, your exercise, your school work, your colleagues, your friends.

Make yourself Shine.

It's worth it when we let ourselves have the opportunity. Do whatever you can to make yourself shine You'll feel better, and not in a self-centered way, but a self-fulfilled way.

Give them a smile and show them what you're made of! (I did yesterday, unintentionally, and I have to say, people noticed!)

Happy Thursday!

~Susan

Lovely Lips

So a few weeks ago, I recently was given a pretty tube of lipstick from my mother. It was gorgeous and when we were out, she treated me to it. Now mind you, I haven't had lipstick in awhile, and at first I was a bit nervous to take the plunge.. (Let's say last time I looked like a clown! It was bad, let's not go there).

So I was given this beautiful tube! It's Terry Flirty Rosy, a splurge gift given to me by my mother. I love it and when used lightly, it's perfect for my skin tone and face structure. It's very neutral, but it gives me a little something more. I have to say, I've been loving that lipstick has been making a comeback. I always think it's so classy, mainly because when I think of gorgeous lips, I think of my grandma who always sports Mac Vegas Volt and rocks it every day! If I had to get another tube, I'd go for another subtle shade, or a fun coral or light pink. Here's what I'd go for, especially those cheap, budget friendly options on the top row!

lips I love by susanhager featuring a lip makeup

What colors do you gravitate towards? Are you bold or neutral? Gloss or stick? What do you guys think?

 ~Susan

Only better with Age

Happy Birthday to my Grandpa, Phil, who turns 85 today!

Wow, 85, I've finally discovered today that that's a big number.

My grandpa is so incredibly special to me. He always gives me the best advice. He taught me how to play tennis, how to take a spelling test, map our way around our first trip to Marshal Field's, find the perfect milkshake, have too much fun, spend lots of time outside, be a little reserved, appreciate different genres of classical music, watch sports all day long on TV, and to use correct grammar. He's always been my motivator, one of my biggest fans. He has faith in me when I don't have faith in myself. I love him so much and I wish that he has another great year and gains strength back to be able to move around better.

He's had 85 incredible years and I know that he's bound to have some great years ahead too!

Isn't it funny sometimes how you never think of someone as that old and then it just hits you! Have you ever experienced that? I do think though that, in ways, he's gotten better with age (actually I believe several family members of mine have!). He's wiser, hilarious, humble, and so incredibly sweet!  Although the past year has been a difficult one, I know that he can push hard to make this next one even better!

Though I can't be there to celebrate with him, I wish him the best year yet!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

 ~Susan

Weekend Highlight(s)

Happy Monday friends! I have to say this was quite a wonderful weekend! It was so insanely busy, but I had so much fun! My friend married her best friend, and I'm so happy I was able to see it. The ceremony and the reception were just so beautiful. And so was my friend the bride!

Yes, my dress is almost too similar in color to hers! I felt awful, (I knew I should've worn black!) but no one said anything, so I guess I'm ok right? I forgot she said it was off white...

But she was gorgeous, and my friends and I had a wonderful time! The table was beautiful (flowers in Mason jars and coffee beans to take with), toasts with Pellegrino, and one of the best dances to Loveshack I've had in a while!

Also this weekend, I spent time in the sun. It was 85 here yesterday! Yes, it was! I spent time with these lovely ladies below. My friend Kelsey, who is the recent baldy in the picture, shaved her head and gave all of her gorgeous locks to the St. Baldrick's foundation that helps cure kids' cancer. She and five other ladies I knew gave of their hair for the better of kids. These ladies are some of the strongest and bravest I know, and each of them look oh so beautiful.

I also snapped a few pictures of the flowers in my neighborhood. I couldn't resist!

And as if you haven't read enough from me, I'll share a funny story. For months, I thought my camera was broken, so I haven't been using it. It would take pictures but you couldn't see what you were taking a picture of. I was so upset a few months ago when I discovered it. Flash forward four months: my friend Ella at the wedding was going to take a picture and I said it was on the verge of death. Low and behold, she pushes the display button and what comes back to life? My camera! Works perfectly!! Sometimes pushing the wrong button is all it takes! I can't thank her enough :) So don't give up on your technology the minute it goes haywire!

What did you do this weekend? I hope whatever you did you had a wonderful one!

 ~Susan