Friday, November 30, 2012

Friday Fancies: Express Yourself Birthday Edition!

Express Yourself

Happy Friday everyone! Today is my birthday! I may seem young compared to lots of bloggers but, I'm 23 today. This past year absolutely has flown by and I accomplished most of my goals that I set for myself last year. But on to Friday Fancies! I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday then creating an outfit that I would normally just pick out!

With a few tweaks here and there, this is it in the winter! I live in jeans with lots and lots of sweaters and scarves, because it's just too easy not to. I also have a trusty black blazer (or 2...) in my closet ready to layer and dress things up a bit. My everyday gold watch is my staple, and I just treated myself on Cyber Monday to this Kate Spade Bag that I've been eyeing for months! I thought it was done but when I saw it on Monday at that price, I knew it was worth it! What are your staples?

Today I am having a low key celebration with just my family and some of my favorite foods. It'll be nice to just relax and unwind before my weekends fill up with something every night til Christmas (most of that is work!) so I can't wait! I'm so blessed to have had 22 great years with good health, family and friends supporting me, and I know that the 23rd will hold that and more!

Go to Long Distance Loving and check out more fancies!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Dimple Hat


My family has heard on and on and on about this hat that I have been making. It's finally done (even though I finished it once, then it unraveled and the lovely ladies at the yarn shop rescued me!). It took a lot of work, but it is probably one of the best things I've made. and since beanie type hats are really in this year, I'm in luck! Though I would have rocked it, no matter if it was in or not!

Sorry for the dorky photos (though it was really cold this morning!!) and I can be a little dorky with how much I love to knit! I know this hat is going to be passed around in my family and I can't wait to share, it's a special one!

Ever interested in having something hand knit? Ask away!

Monday, November 26, 2012

monday

Happy Monday to all of you ladies! Mondays after a holiday weekend are just hard, aren't they? It was so nice to have a break though! We had a fabulous Thanksgiving, eating lots of good food and playing lots of games. The rest of the weekend was spent seeing friends, but most importantly getting some much needed time with my family. We took this picture yesterday and I think that it's going to be a picture I'm going to keep for awhile. We all look ok, right? I think so!

We spent a lot of time doing absolutely nothing! And by nothing I mean eating good food, folding laundry, and laughing over how bad the movie Something Borrowed was (no offense to those of you who liked it! It really does not do the book justice at all I thought!), and enjoying again how much we love Notting Hill.

My Michael Bublé Christmas album is officially on repeat and it is cold outside! Did I mention I love you, Midwest??

Hope you ladies had absolutely wonderful holidays!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!



Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! What a beautiful day it is. There really is no better day to count my blessings than a day spent with my family. I am so eternally thankful that I have the best friends in my siblings, the most amazing support in my parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle, friends that brighten my day and make me laugh and laugh, the cutest students anyone could ask for, a home to stay warm, unwind and enjoy, opportunities to do the hobbies and passions that mean most to me, and even my most simple pleasure in the morning: a hot latte. I hope you enjoy your blessings today and your families to share it all with.

Thanks for  reading and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Pumpkin Smoothie!

So my love for pumpkin will always run deep and I'm still drinking pumpkin spice lattes even though the Peppermint Mocha has come back (which I love, don't get me wrong!) and probably will until first snow. But this, cold decadent treat is not only good for you, but it's like pumpkin pie in a glass.

It's that good!

I take no credit, it is all the Pioneer Woman's doing! She's a genius right? So if you want to serve a different treat at your holiday parties, try this!


(side note: we added a tad bit more vanilla and a little sugar, but you could definitely use agave or honey instead. We also didn't add the graham crackers and we only used 2% milk)

Monday, November 19, 2012

I would sit here!


I mean, c'mon, wouldn't you? I love the simplicity that is this Thanksgiving table. Who wouldn't want to give thanks with a barn in the background? This girl would! Plus the weather is going to be nice and warm this year, it'll be great!

This year, in addition to having a traditional turkey, my cousin is making a Thanksgiving goose. Yep, we're having goose and turkey. I've never had goose but I bet it's going to be good! Duck was good and geese and ducks aren't that different right? Have any of you spiced up your Thanksgiving tables with new faire? Or are you a strict traditionalist when it comes to your meal?

*if anyone knows where the original source of this image is from I would love to know! 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Brrr...

So I tend to knit a lot! I give my creations as gifts and I tend to keep some for me (why not?) and because of this I tend to not buy as many knitted items in stores because I always tell myself "I can make that." Well, sometimes it's cheaper to buy in stores than to make myself. Here are a few scarves that I would definitely add to my collection:

Gap Reverse Fair Isle Scarf//J.Crew Polka Dot Snood//Gap Crisscross Cowlneck//Gap Fur Cowlneck//J.Crew Stripe Merino Snood//Gap Fair Isle Cowlneck (out of stock)//

Ok, so in my opinion Gap has it going on with scarves this year. I have a snood from them from last year and LOVE it! Where do you tend to get yours from? 

Friday, November 9, 2012

Friday Fancies: Indoor Bonfire

Indoor Bonfire


Happy Friday ladies! Though temps are going to climb up tonight and tomorrow, I still crave nights in by the fire (preferably knitting and watching my favorite cozy movie: The Holiday). Or this would work for tonight: game night with my friends! This cashmere sweater is just screaming cozy and a cowl from Barneys? Plus, you just need two pairs of slippers. Need! Sign me up!

Hope you all have great weekends! Have some cozy time and just relax...

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Living with thick Hair


Maybe some of you have been able to tell from my photos, but if you didn't know I have really thick hair. Really really really thick. It's thick and wavy, and even though I wished my hair was different when I was younger, now I wouldn't change it for anything. So for all of you thick hair ladies, here are a few things that I've learned from living with thick hair:

Layer it! I've found that layers definitely have helped me make my hair appear lighter (sometimes thick hair can really look like it weighs you down!). They also frame the face and give your whole look more depth.

Don't keep it too long! I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but I always wanted to keep my hair really long. My sisters still do and it looks gorgeous on them. Me, though? With thicker hair, it is much harder to take care of hair that's really long, or really short. I keep it right in the middle, below the shoulders and it's the perfect length for me. I still get a bit of length, but it's way easier to take care of.

If you blow dry, straighten it afterwards! Maybe it's just me, but when I just blow it dry, it poofs out about a foot! Sometimes if I don't have time to straighten it goes up in a bun or pony tail, but when I do have the time, it looks pretty good straight!

Don't over brush! One of the best things I picked up from a hair stylist is not relying too much on a brush. I use my fingers a lot of the time. Sometimes a brush can add to the poof, so I brush enough, but not too much. Your hands can do the trick!

and here's my real confession, this is about all of the "maintenance" my hair gets! I wash it with $1 shampoo and condition it, but that's it. There's no product or special anything that goes into it. Could I add more to my routine? Probably, but for now, this low maintenance works for me. Any tips from one hair routine to another? What's your hair like?

image found here

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Right now, I...

Happy Tuesday ladies! Here are a few things that are making me smile on this chilly fall morning:
 Essie Little Brown Dress is on my nails. I just love how dark it is and it goes with everything!
 I love my new lucite pencil holder, which I've used for jewels, from Design Darling! I won Ashlyn's giveaway (thanks Ashlyn!) and I just love it on my ledge.
 My newest knitting project: a dimple hat from Purl Bee. I absolutely love the patterns on that website! The directions are so well written and step by step and the results are always fantastic!
 Some fun new sparkle from Charming Charlie! I love this bib necklace and it adds just the right amount of sparkle to any outfit (and the price was fantastic!)
 and speaking of fantastic prices, check out this top from LOFT that I got for just $3.88! Yes. That was the price. and I just love it!

and finally I'm loving this look from last year's Nordstrom November catalogue. Definitely a look that could go this season, yes?

Happy Election Day! Go out and vote if you can!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Happy November 1!

October just flew and I know that November is going to fly too. I mean, they're unveiling the Macy's windows on Saturday already. Things are moving quick! So in honor of one of my favorite months (birthday month after all and Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays) I feel like slowing down now will set the tone for slowing down a little bit during the busy rush. Because in spite of it all, I always need to remember this:
Happy first day of November!

image by Susan Hager