Living Room Re-Do

I haven't posted in a while as I've been busy beyong belief wtih work.  This coming weekend though I'll finally be able to tackle a few of the projects I've been putting off.  And my man is gone for a bachelor party and he can cramp my diy/redo style.

So here is my current living room:

It's not bad but I don't love it.  The room is dark and I want to make it more "summer friendly".

My inspiration:

I want to take the glass off the coffee and end tables and replace with a light wood.  I'm still deciding between spray painting the metal a lighter metal color or a subtle turquoise.

Then there's the pillows - I want something bright and color so I'm considering turquoise/navy or mint and cream.  Fabric choice has yet to be determined.

Picks to follow this weekend...

What I Wore Sunday (and a few other days)

Sunday's are my favorite days for dress up.  I get most of my inspiration for the week based on what I wore (or thought about wearing) to Mass.  I love dressing up for Mass and it's even better when I can pull it off while wearing a jersey dress (thank you Lilly).

I didn't realize until now but I wasn't very adventurous in my color choices this week - sticking to black/white/turquoise.  If it ain't broke don't fix it, right?

Lilly Pulitzer dress (TJ Maxx but I'm loving the Foley Dress), J.Crew Pearls (I got mine from the JCrew Outlet - let's be real...), Michael Kors Wedges. Clockwise from top: Francesca's Chevron Dress (similar), JCrew Jackie Cardigan, JCrew inspired Bubble Necklace (ebay), H&M Blazer, The Loft Lace Tee, The Loft Black/White Skirt (no longer available but love this), JCrew Lace Tee (old) , JCrew Jackie Cardigan, The Loft Turquoise Jeans (old but love this style for summer), Stella and Dot Statement Necklace (old but this is my next purchase - if you want any Stella & Dot, my sister Jackie is a Stylist so send me a PM).

Also, I couldn't handle how handsome my hubby looked Sunday so I had to snap a quick pic.  As you can see, he's thrilled...

Banana Republic Outlet Shirt and Anchor Tie, Khaki's (TJMaxx), Sperry's

Splurge or Save: Mother's Day

In case you haven't got your mother a gift for Mother's Day, here are a couple Splurge and Save ideas.  And really, even though she says "I don't need a gift, you're my gift" all moms deserve a little extra something today.

Splurge - Save: Mother's Day by natalie-mooney featuring patent leather ballet flats

Derby Day

Saturday was quite the day for the races.  A couple friends and I attended the Virginia Gold Cup thanks to our lady, Ainsley, who always takes care of getting us a great rail spot.  This year the weather was perfect (and a bit deceiving as you can see by my sunburn) and I was the big bet winner!  Here are a few inspiration outfits and pictures of the races.

Derby Day by natalie-mooney featuring kokin

Identity Theft Process

Unfortunetly I've learned the hard way all about identity theft.  About a week ago, my email got flooded around 5 PM.  By 9 PM I had over 9,000 emails.  All SPAM from different email addresses so there was no way for me to block any certain email.  I went to the Apple store (my email was a Mac accounted ending with .mac) but they said it was a server issue.  I called AppleCare, they said to change my password, that didn't work.  So I closed that email on my devices and opened a new account.

I changed as many accounts as I could that were tied to my .mac account (for a great list, check my last article about IDTheft).  And a few days later, my new email got flooded.  WTF!?  Thankfully, this time it was only a few hundred emails so I went through them all.  And thank goodness because I found an email from one of my accounts asking me to confirm a withdrawal for $2,000.  Um HELL NO I don't authorize that transaction.   I called the bank and that's what began one of the worst weeks of my life (thus far).

It seems someone set up a savings account within one of my accounts, deposited thousands of dollars and they were now attempting to take out their money.  Yes, thankfully whoever this is has not touched my money yet (knocking on every piece of wood within arms length).  In order for this account to have been set up they needed my email, password, pin and social security number.  My heart was broken when I was told they needed my SSN.  I have NO idea how this happened.  I don't sign up for just anything, I don't give my SSN over the phone, I have NO IDEA how this happened!!!

I had to file a police report.  That made everything real, I confirmed to the police my identity was stolen.  Ughh, it makes me sick just thinking about it.  Currently, there is nothing I can do.  The case is currently in the hands of the bank and the police.  The greatest thing we were able to do was set up LifeLock which is ID Theft Protection.  Check it out - they monitor your accounts and will notify you if there are any changes within all 3 credit bureaus.  It makes me feel so much more safe

If you have any questions, please please PLEASE let me know!

Ireland Day by Day

Day 3 - Trip down South
After our time on the East coast of Ireland, we took a 3-ish hour drive to the South to Kinsale.  We had heard in Dublin that the REAL Jameson Distillery is in Middleton, so naturally that was our next stop.  It was pretty cool to see where Jameson Whiskey currently lives and learn that every bottle of Jameson, no matter where you bought it, comes from this distillery in Middleton.  Pretty impressive.

Kinsale is said to be the Irish Foodie Capital, right up our alley.  When we arrived in Kinsale it was  about dinner time so we checked in to The Trident Hotel and headed into town.  This town is perfectly quaint.  A few small streets filled with shops, boutiques and pubs.  It was exactly what we wanted.  We settled for dinner at a small restaurant where dinner was accompanied by a little Irish band.  Our hotel is about a 10 minute walk from the restaurant so we decided to take a nice stroll back home.  We quickly realized that was a bad idea, as it was about 20 degrees with 40 mph winds.  Yikes!  It was cold.  Oh, also - we got upgrade to this AMAZING suite, made walking back in the cold that much better.

Day 4 - Kinsale
With no plans today, we just walked around time.  Hopped from pub to pub, ate great food and found the greatest chocolate shop.  It was still pretty cold and now rainy but we braved the weather because at least we were in Ireland...

Identity Theft

Yes, it's a movie with Melissa McCarthy so it's probably hilarious but real life identity theft is not funny at all.  And I can say that because it looks like it's happened to me.

I'm not going to get into all the nitty gritty but something came to my attention and I'm still trying to pick up all the pieces.  So if I can help out a few friends along the way, it's the least I can do.

What I realized through all this is

1. how easy it is to have your identity stolen but that's for another time...
2. how many different accounts/subscriptions/etc are tied to your email.  here's a little list together just to keep in mind (and for me to keep track of...)

• Important:
• Insurance
• 401k
• Banking
• Credit Companies
• Credit Card
• ezPass
• Air travel accounts
• School Loans
• Insurance

• Social:
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• LivingSocial
• Groupon
• Instagram
• Instacanvas

• Shopping: 
• Amazon
• eBay
• LiveNation
• Starbucks
• SoleSociety
• ShoeMint/Jewelmint
• Kate Spade
• Bloomingdales/Nordstrom
• DSW

I'm sure I'm missing plenty but this is a good start.  Since I'm currently going through what it's like having your identity stolen, I will soon post more information about how it happened and what you can do to save yourself.