TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!! Hooray….THIRTY EIGHT YEARS OLD (and proud of it). Ha ha. I actually forgot that I had stashed all of these goodies aside to do my LuckyFABB swag bag giveaway. So today I celebrate you guys. Thank you for reading, making me laugh and keeping me inspired to blog. Show & Tell was always my favorite game so I thank you guys for coming back and seeing what I have to share each day. I wonder if they still do Show & Tell in school? I seriously could not sleep the night before I knew I got to bring my favorite things out to share. Not much has changed. =) Anywho….this is an easy one. You can follow as many or as few ways as you want but each one counts as an entry.

One person will win the following (All items are AS IS and come only in the colors mentioned below):

Melie Bianco Sequin iPad Case
Urban Expressions Mint/Black Clutch
AG Denim Tote & Floral Chambray Scarf
$25 Danielle Stevens Jewelry Gift Card
XEN-TAN Sunless Self Tanner in Deep Bronze
Aussie Smoothing Serum
Aussie Anti-Frizz Cream
Bliss “Fuzz Off”
Olay Fresh Effects Make-Up Remover Wipes
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream (No. 21 Light Beige)
Aloxxi Weightless Styling Gel
Aloxxi Thickening Serum
Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation (Medium Beige)
Covergirl + Olay Pressed Powder (Medium)
Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara (Black)
Physicians Formula Bronzer (Medium/Dark)
Lavishy Filigree Earrings

As well as a few other surprises not mentioned/shown.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sorry, you must be 18 years old and have a US residence to win. Thank you for reading and good luck!!!

If you follow me on Instagram, then you may know that I recently purchased a new lens for my camera. I bought my Nikon D40 DSLR camera back in 2009 and have been using the 18mm-55mm kit lens that it came with ever since. I have never taken photography classes nor have I ever touched any of the settings (knowingly) since I first bought it years ago. Basically I just set it on aperture priority and forced the flash. And for the most part I was happy with my photos. But after reading on several blogs about the 50mm lens, I decided I would go for it. And I even went big (for me) and went with the 50mm f/1.4G lens. And then I stood on my trusted doorstep where the good lighting can usually be found. And realized there is no way I will be able to do full-length shots there anymore with this new lens. I feel like I am using a brand new camera and have no idea what I am doing. SO I hope you don’t mind while I play around with my settings, etc. until I get it figured out.

50mm (obviously) f/1.6 @ 1/4000 ISO=800 No Flash (Aperture Setting). I am going to be posting the exact settings for each pic so I can keep track of what I like and what I don’t for a while. So feel free to ignore that part. This was my fave pic of the day. I was shocked at how much light I got without using a flash. Still not as bright as I’d normally like but it works.

50mm f/4.5 @1/500 ISO=400 Flash (Aperture Setting). This pic was taken in party cloudy weather with the sun in front of me. I rarely take pics here because I prefer to shoot with the sun behind me but playing with the settings made it look like it was a sunny day. Although it is a bit too bright. Again, I am pretty much just talking out loud to myself so if you are any sort of photographer, I apologize for boring you.

50mm f/1.8 @1/4000 ISO=800 No Flash (Aperture Setting). Another pic that I liked although it is a bit too grainy. But at least you can see the detail of the shirt and clutch.

50mm f/3.2 @1/500 ISO=400 Flash (Aperture Setting). WAY too bright/blown out. And I think I warmed it up a bit in iphoto.

50mm f/4.5 @1/500 ISO=400 Flash (Aperture Setting). I suck at full-length shots. Which is why most of the time I am doing the flamingo pose (#dothejenn)….so you can see my shoes. Plus, I think my pics look better when I am being overly pose-y. Who wants to look at stiff boring pics? I realize I look like an a$$ most of the time…but that’s the thing about being in your late 30’s. You just don’t really give a sh*t. Wow…that’s a lot of sort of cussing for one post. You can’t take yourself too seriously when you are taking pictures of your outfits and posting them on the internet. =) This pic is blurry. But you know what….it is friggen (there I go again) hard taking your own pics with a tripod and remote. Oh well…

Outfit Details:
White Cotton Blouse c/o Twenty
Seven Jeans (old)
Star Ling Cork Heels (old)
Cork Clutch c/o Justfab
Michael Kors Runway Watch
H&M Floppy Hat (last year)

My husband despises these shorts. I literally thought he had finally hid them from me or thrown them away when I couldn’t find them. You see, a few years ago I used to wear them NON-STOP. Only instead of rolling them up, I would just wear them down and I have to admit I did look a tiny bit like a scarecrow….ha ha! They are a weird length I think. Like maybe I should cut them and inch and not roll them? Oh, he was also not a fan of my white pedicure. A few days later he decided he changed his mind. About the pedicure. Not the shorts. =)

Outfit Details:
Target Blouse
Paige Denim Shorts
Crocs Really Sexi Flip Sandals c/o Crocs
House of Harlow Double Sunburst Necklace
Tote was a gift from my mom
Michael Kors Runway Watch

When London Times sent me over their spring look book, I instantly fell head over heels in love with this dress! The floral/bird print and the cut-out back were totally calling my name. I’ve had the wedge booties for a couple of years now but only just started wearing them recently. Now I can’t stop reaching for them! And I for one, could not be happier that emerald is pantone’s color of the year…it just so happens to also be my birthstone. I loved the setting of this emerald Stella & Dot ring so much that I even tried to convince my hubby that we should consider upgrading my wedding ring to a similar setting! My birthday happens to be coming up verrrryyyyy soon….as well as Mother’s Day. Hint…Hint… =)

Outfit Details:
Floral Fit & Flare Dress c/o London Times (Use code LT15 for $15 off your order)
ASOS Belt (old)
Faryl Robin Wedge Booties (a Gilt purchase)
Suzanne Cocktail Ring c/o Stella Dot
Michael Kors Runway Watch

How many of you guys go thrifting or shop estate sales? One of the reasons I LOVE to shop vintage is because of how well clothing was made back then (I’m talking from the 70’s and earlier). The dress I’m wearing in today’s post is actually from the new Spring 2013 collection from Spiegel but I fell in LOVE with the mod 60’s style/cut. And I was TOTALLY impressed by how well this dress is made. I feel like it is something I would have found in my grandmother’s closet yet it is still totally modern. I don’t even think these pics do this dress justice…it has a beautiful golden thread woven through it which I LOVE! And my new chunky heels finish off the look perfectly!

Spiegel’s is known for their couture quality yet reasonable pricing…and I can’t agree more. I also picked up this cobalt & black lace top and this bold chain print blouse! But the best news is that on top of their already great prices, Spiegel’s is offering Stylish Housewife readers 20% off  their purchase with discount code Spiegel2013. Enjoy!

P.S. Be sure and stop by Penny Pincher Fashion today to see how she styled the same dress! Without knowing it (at the time), we both chose the exact same dress so we thought it would be fun to share our looks on the same day!

Outfit Details:
Zoe Mod Dress c/o Spiegel
Marc Jacobs for Target clutch
Topshop Heels
Baublebar Necklace
Nail Polish is “Lara’s Theme” by Deborah Lippman