Reads of the Week

I love finding new blogs and new blogs posts! Today I wanted to share with you a few of the great posts I've come across this week! Some are fashion, some are funny - but I love them all! So grab a cup of cafe and enjoy your Saturday morning!

This is a daily read for me: The Skimm. I get an email every morning updating me on world events and top news stories. But with a twist of style. Mostly hilarious, but oh so factual. Trust me and sign up!

I'd be happy to live in cold weather if I wore Lily's coat every. single. day.

When I saw Alyssa's post, I was immediately addicted. If anyone should ask, one of my favorite fashion icons is Miranda Kerr. I've never seen her in a photo and not lusted over her outfit.

Looking for a way to announce your pregnancy? I've never seen it done any cuter than this! Congrats Molly!!

Alright much love sent to Alyssa this week...I am hosting brunch this morning and I knew exactly what I wanted to make the second I saw this post. Who knew ricotta could look so delicious in a pastry?

I could not get over how cute these pictures were of Chelsea and her husband. Plus...I need that yellow dress!

So thankful for Mae's post on her top 5 drugstore finds. I picked up the ROC Daily Resurfacing Disks and saw a difference within days! I'm hooked!

My favorite color to wear is RED. Yes, bright red makes me feel unstoppable. I think every girl can rock it. So Rachel's post had me swooning...

And lastly, wanted to send some much needed love towards Joey. As a fellow football coach's wife, I understand the pain and frustration she is having to deal with right now. Let's send some love and support to help her get through the next few months and her move! Go Camels!

Pantone // 2013 Color of the Year // Emerald

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As soon as I heard that Pantone's 2013 Color of the Year was going to be Emerald I started scouring the internet looking for pretty finds to add to the wardrobe! These are a few pieces I'd love to pick up early! And the price of the Target captoe pumps? I might not be able to resist...

November // Target Finds

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I wanted to dedicate a full post to what I've come across at Target this Fall. I am very impressed with what Target has rolled out to its audience. I'm not sure why...but their Kirna Zabete line is already on clearance. You are able to pick up some great pieces for an even better price! Like you saw a few days ago, I am crazy about the tweed dress. Most of the items you see above fall right around or lower than $30. I hope you are able to find a few gems of your own while browsing the Target aisles. That place gets me in enough trouble as it is....now they step up their style section! oh-no!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Make sure to enter the Jennie Called Jane Designs Giveaway!

Mini Gingerbread Donuts

This weekend I put Pinterest Inspiration to the test! I found this recipe from Pinch of Yum and boy was it good! I was nervous to take on a donut recipe, but since these were baked, they were easy! I did need to find a cute mini donut pan and I found one at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. What can't I find at that store? Here are my donuts...

 

 

 

Now head on over to Pinch of Yum for the recipe and her photos are much prettier to look at...but I'm pretty sure they tasted the same...yummy! 

Stand Out Lips

I love experimenting with new makeup colors, but I usually stick to different shades of eyeshadow or eyeliner. Lately, I can't help but be drawn to the bright pink and orange lipstick shades! I think lipstick is scary. I've never worn it, so call me a rookie. Last Thursday I posted a picture with bright pink lipstick and I had several people tell me they were terrified to try it too! My advice, just try it! It is one of those things where you will be your own toughest critic. Once you start wearing it and get used to it, it becomes a new daily staple. My two colors of choice: Rimmel's Kate Moss #12 and Smashbox Be Legendary in Pink Petal.

You will have to try different shades depending on your skin tone, hair and even age! If you have a pink/rosy  complexion look for something with a blue undertone and if you have a warmer/golden complexion look for something with an orange undertone. Since all of those undertones overwhelm me I usually ask an expert at the counter!

Here is some inspiration:

My number one piece of advice when applying lipstick, especially bold lipstick, is take your time! This isn't a gloss you can swipe on while walking or talking, or atleast not for me. I'd end up looking like Bozo the Clown. Lipstick needs to go on perfectly. Liner is also a great way to help get a polished look!

I hope you go and try a bright color today! Check back tomorrow for Marion's Trend of the Month Challenge!

Neutral Zone

Neutral Zone by msmiamaree featuring wedge sandals


I am summer loving girl that could walk in heels just about anywhere. But what is more comfortable than a heel? A wedge. I love the height I can gain from a wedge and they are so comfortable to walk long distances in. I can also make them work with a maxi dress, shorts, or skinny jeans.

My favorite type of wedge is a neutral wedge. I can wear these babies with bright pops of color or a summer white. I am all about the versatility.

Bring on the warm weather!

The Fishtail Pony

So I don't have time to wash and blow out my hair every single morning, do you? With that being said, I am always trying to find new ways to pull my long hair back and make it look presentable for work!

I follow Giuliana Rancic's Fab Fit Fun website. She sends wonderful every day styles and tips. She uploaded a video of her and her stylist and their take on The Fishtail Pony.

Here are other celebrities with the same inspiration:

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And then my shot at it:

Have you tried the fishtail pony?

Christmas Card Holder

I got my Christmas Card Holder idea from Pinterest! I loved the ribbon holders and I knew it would be super easy to incorporate it into my Kitchen.

For example:

Source: coffeeatthree.blogspot.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

Here is my take, I started with white and silver ribbon to match my other decor:

Picked up a pack of clothes pins at the dollar store

Added some cute sparkly snowmen

Made a big ribbon bow out of the extra ribbon

And voila!

I think if I do something different next year, I'd take time and paint the clothes pins silver! But other than that this was a very simple, inexpensive, quick project!

The Rest of My Christmas Decor

In the past few weeks I have shared my Christmas Tree and my Christmas Mantel. I wanted to take a post and share the rest of my decorations!

Again: Tree and Mantel.

Here is my Nativity Scene

My Villages

My Stockings

My Coffee Table Sparkly Fruit

My Football Santa (of course Santa plays football in this household)

and My Football playing Nutcracker (This one definitely doesn't dance ballet)

I wish I could keep Christmas Decor up all year round....

Tea Lights and Table Decor

I wanted to share a super simple and very inexpensive way to add sparkle and lighting to your Christmas Dinner decor this year.

I started with .50 cent glass tea light holders.

Next I filled the bottom of the glass holders with white and silver glitter. Very inexpensive even when bought in bulk.

I nestled white tea lights (unscented since they will be around food) down into the glitter

And lastly I lit the candles to see if I liked how they turned out!

Next to add to my table decor, I received a gorgeous Thanksgiving centerpiece from some family friends. The pine was beautiful. It also lasts awhile when taken care of correctly! So this is how it matched Thanksgiving decor:

And then I took out the Thanksgiving baubles and added my own Christmas ones!

What are you making this Holiday Season?

I will only have a Moose Head if...

My husband and I go back and forth on interior decorating styles. He likes cabin rustic and I like elegant glamour. So it is no surprise when I constantly turn down the idea for a moose head, deer head, etc....No, no and no.

That is until I found this baby....I will only have a Moose Head if it looks just like this!

Source: alovelyescape.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

His Response:

You would do that to my moose.

Christmas Mantelscape!

Today I am joining the linky party over at A La Mode.

I want to share with you my Christmas Mantel! You will find that my Fall Mantel was a very similar set up with a different color scheme. I am crazy about those apothecary vases and candle stick holders that I wanted to reuse them in my Winter Mantel.

Here are some close up shots

Please ignore the Wii in the background, we couldn't get rid of it for the sake of decoration. I mean I almost got my arm chewed off when I dared to turn the football game off for .23 seconds to take one itty bitty picture! The lengths I will go to for home decor....