Friday's Five

My five favorites this week -

#1 - The self-titled release album from The Band Perry. My husband and I have been stuck on country music lately and this particular cd has been playing in my car all week!

#2 - Every little girl loves playing with makeup. Most little girls don't have makeup tutorials for the world to see! Check out Madison's sunflower inspired look for Halloween - she is way too cute!

chicka, chicka, wow, wow!

#3 - Now I am a personal member of the "I always overpack for a trip" club. I just feel like you can never have too many options and it's always better to have extra than not have enough. I think Rachel Zoe took it to a whole other level when she packed for Paris Fashion Week. Rodger doesn't look too thrilled...

(photo via The Zoe Report)

#4 - I have found my absolute favorite recipe for homemade mashed potatoes. These are absolutely heavenly! I made them this week and we had enough for leftovers the next day...the only leftover my husband hasn't complained about! Thanks Pioneer Woman!

#5 - This Johnson & Johnson commercial tugs at my heartstrings everytime! The smile...the eyes...the chubby rolls! So precious!

Enjoy your weekend!

Monograms

Monogrammed jewelry has have been out and about for awhile now, especially on the rich and famous. You can see Taylor Swift sporting the look with her necklace...

These delicate pieces can cost you a pretty penny. Taylor's necklace is a Jennifer Zeuner piece which begins at $264 but can cost up to $895 depending on which metal you prefer! You can also find a similar monogram necklace from Jennifer Miller. Again, these choices aren't fitting within my "non rich and famous" budget.

But this style isn't beyond our reach! Bauble Bar just released their own collection of personalized pieces! Grace from Stripes & Sequins is Bauble Bar's Director of Social Media and she announced today on Facebook that we can get our own monogrammed piece straight from Bauble Bar! Their collection features six pendants that you can customize with your choice of metal and your own initials. Grace has seen them herself and placed her order and I am excited to order my own. Their pieces are definitely more affordable! Thanks for the heads up Grace!

Check out their Personalized Pendants collection here. New to Bauble Bar? Check out some of my purchases and then sign up here!

Ladylike TOMS

TOMS was created as an outlet to provide shoes for children in need after founder Blake Mycoskie visited Argentina in 2006. He came up with the concept after seeing how many children were without shoes to protect their feet. His idea was simple - he would give one pair of shoes for every pair of shoes that was sold. The One for One movement was born. 10,000 pairs of shoes were matched from the purchases of customers and delivered to Argentinian children that year.

I think the idea behind this cause is fantastic. I buy shoes pretty frequently, so it's great to know that if I purchased a pair from TOMS, my purchase would give a child a pair of their own. Unfortunately, the design of their shoes doesn't grab me as much. Their Classics style comes in an array of colors and patterns and start at just $44.

The good news is that TOMS will debut Ballet Flats in Spring 2012. They are a much more ladylike version of the original styles and something I could actually see myself wearing!

(Photo via Glamour)

The pink pair has expecially caught my eye and I am pretty sure their leopard print will sell quickly! It looks like these will cost you anywhere from $74 to $129, depending on color or print. While that is a bit steep for a pair of flats, it's nice to remember that your purchase will guarantee a pair of shoes to a child in need. 

You can sign up for an email alert from TOMS once the Ballet Flats collection is available.

Do you have a pair of TOMS? Do the Ballet Flats inspire you to help a child?

Bargain Hunter

My sweet friend Kayla gave me this cute coffee mug for my birthday. She said it made her think of me instantly...

(the front)

(the back)

I think it's pretty accurate! It definitely made me smile this morning! Thanks K :)

House of Jewels

I have been needing a place to store all of my jewelry for quite some time. I have tried many ways to organize my collection of earrings, bracelets and necklaces but they usually end up in all sorts of places...hat boxes, dresser drawers, jewelry bags and even hanging from candle sconces in my bedroom. Really, they end up everywhere.

I finally came across a really nice (and really expensive) jewelry armoire while I was scouring the internet. It took awhile to find a comparable piece that would fit my space and my budget and match our bedroom furnitureas well. It arrived last week and I spent a few hours organizing my jewelry and then placing all the pieces in their new home.

The top shelf opens and has a mirror on the inside. Here is where I placed my rings and jeweled bracelets.

The next two drawers are also set up with little dividers and I filled them up with delicate necklaces, brooches and watches.

Next up are my cuff bracelets, beaded bracelets and beaded necklaces. These last three drawers are open without compartments so there is plenty of room to add more! 

On each side of the armoire is a door that has eight hooks for necklaces. Here I separated the gold from the silver. These are mainly ones that are too delicate to be in the drawers.

As you can see, this armoire didn't have enough storage space to fit my arsenal of earrings so those are still in another jewelry box. Eventually I would need a bigger jewelry armoire but it does the job in the meantime.

Now my candle sconces can go back to just holding candles. ;)

Weekend Recap

(handpicked flowers from my brother)

My tv is currently being held hostage by the Steelers football game, my tummy has been filled by a generous bowl of homemade turkey chili and my eyes are getting droopy. This weekend was quite enjoyable - quality time with friends, loads of lounging with the hubs as we tried to clear out our television's dvr (fall season tv has begun & there are lots of shows to play catch up on!), some shopping and a quick little visit from my brother who lives in Orlando. It was a good weekend but it went by way too quickly. Why do they always do that?!

Feeling a bit Country

Our household has been on a serious country kick lately. Anyone who knows my husband especially wouldn't make sense of this - he doesn't exactly come across as anything other than a hip hop fan. But in any case, it is what it is....and country it is!

New additions to our musical library

Friday's Five

My five favorites this week -

#1 - Fall! This is my favorite season and today is the official first day! This photo is exactly what I see in my mind when I think of fall, but unfortunately this doesn't happen in South Florida.

#2 - MAC's "Social Light" lipglass has been on my lips all week!

#3 - Emma Stone inspired my recent change to red hair and so far, I am loving it!

#4 - Starbuck's "Pumpkin Spice" latte puts an extra pep in my step and it's so yum!

#5 - I am kinda crushing on these Saffi Mary Janes from TopShop - so perfect for fall!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Luxe for Less - Jessica Simpson "Bendie"

Today's "Luxe for Less" features the Jessica Simpson "Bendie" - this shoe features a 5 inch heel with a 1.5 inch platform. The "Bendie" shoe comes in an assortment of colors and prints and currently retails for $89.

While it isn't the most expensive shoe, I try to keep my costs down on items that are currently in trend and save up for those items that lean on a classic style.

I found a more wallet friendly version at Urban Originals. Their lookalike retails for just under $26! While the assortment of colors and prints is not available as with the Jessica Simpson original, you can have the style pictured above for a fraction of the cost!

Shipping with Urban Originals will run about $10, but if you create an account and sign up for the emails, they send out coupon codes periodically to help you save on your total purchase. I ordered these heels with a 20% off coupon code and my total came to be under $31; a much better price for such a trendy shoe. The quality is not too bad either. I have ordered several shoes from this site and haven't really been disappointed!

BaubleBar

BaubleBar is an online fashion jewelry retailer that offers their pieces at affordable prices. All of the items offered are sourced from high-end designers and sold without the high, marked up costs. Their jewelry is available till they sell out and new collections are offered each Monday and Wednesday. Shipping is free and their return policy is easy too! You can read more about their site specifics here.

I personally love that their site is obligation free - no membership necessary! You shop as you please. Their blog also keeps you informed to new promotions and insider info. One of my FAVORITE promotions from the summer just recently came back - each Friday, BaubleBar offers an item for only $10! It's a game of hide & seek - they post clues as to which item is the "Buried Bauble" for that particular Friday, then you search the website to find it and it's yours for $10! Subscribe to their blog or Facebook page for their "Buried Bauble" posts each week.

Each purchase gives you a credit to future purchases from "The Vault" - these items are specifically set aside for loyal purchasers. Another way to earn credits is to refer friends to purchase from BaubleBar with your personalized referral link. This is such an amazing way to earn FREE jewelry! Almost every single piece I have received from BaubleBar was either purchased thru their "Buried Bauble" promotion or from "The Vault" with my free credits!

Each order comes with a personalized note from their staff!

This is my BaubleBar collection so far

Glam Nautical Duo necklace

Cluster Fringe necklace (via "The Vault")*

Coral Hexagon bangle (via "The Vault")*

Top Row, L - R

Pink Flower chandeliers (via "The Vault")*, Blue Cabochon bubble drops

Bottom Row, L - R

Elongated Green double drops*, Sherbet swing teardrops

Peach cushion cut studs

I also have the Hematite chunky links bangle (I forgot to include them in the picture!) and the Marbled enamel bangle is on it's way to me in both the brown and ivory!

As I stated before, every piece I have ordered from BaubleBar has either been a Buried Bauble purchase ($10) or from "The Vault" (free with credits). The only item I paid full price for was the Glam Nautical Duo necklace.

I highly recommend BaubleBar - their jewelry is made with such great quality and you can't beat the deals offered! Plus their customer service is top notch!

If you would like to check them out for yourself, please sign up here! Don't forget to follow their blog too and 'like' them on Facebook - right now, they are offering a 15% discount if you sign up to receive email updates!

*Items may no longer be available.

Fall Crushes

Fall is my absolute favorite season! I just love some of the things that come with it....the dip in the temperatures (even if only slightly), pumpkins, fire pits, changing the seasonal decor in my home and the hint of the holidays just around the corner. But most importantly (to me) is the arrival of fall fashions and swapping out my summer wardrobe for all things warm and cozy. Here are the current fall items I am crushing on...

     

       flare pants in crimson red (they are actually on their way to me!)

glitter platforms

patterned blouse

draped bow necklace

black lace dress

dark teal polish

peep toe bootie with laces

double breasted coat

What items are you crushing on for fall?

Emmy's 2011 - My Picks for Best & Worst Dressed

Awards shows are just another reason for me to spend countless minutes (or hours) studying the fashion that graces the red carpet. There were so many looks from last night's Emmy's that I loved and so many that I didn't. Here are the top picks for my own best and worst dressed lists!

The Best -

                                             Gwyneth Paltrow in Emilio Pucci

I just love this look! The black lace with the nude base (I can rhyme!) is one of my favorite looks and the peek of her taut tummy keeps it young without looking skanky. Some may hate it but I like it!

                                                 Martha Plimpton in Zac Posen

I LOVE this one! The deep cranberry color, the shape, the sparkle....just gorgeous!

Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan

The color of the evening was red but this look was one of the best for me. The silhouette was perfect and the detailing on the bottom was so different from the simplicity of the top. 

                                                Cat Deeley in Monique Lhuillier

Champagne color, gold sparkle...so pretty and so dreamy! Monique Lhuillier is one of my favorites!

                                 Amy Poehler (with hubby Will Arnett) in Peter Som

This dress was so simplistic but yet perfect for the event. The sapphire color was a nice change from the red color that most attendees wore and the glimmer of it made it seem just a bit more special for the evening award show.

<><>

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

When doesn't Sofia look amazing?! She always chooses dresses that flatter her curves and this was no exception. While some articles credit her as wearing red, I saw this more as a coral color and it stood out!

The Worst -

Paz de la Huerta

Heather Morris

<><><>

Christina Hendricks in Johanna Johnson

Kristen Wiig in Zac Posen

Olivia Munn in Carolina Herrera

Elisabeth Moss in Marchesa

Overall these looks were just yuck to me. I won't even comment on them individually because they all seemed to bother me in the same ways. The fit, materials and color choices just left me wanting to pluck them from my tv screen and find them something better to wear! Oh and their beauty styling wasn't so hot either...

Fashion is so subjective, totally based on one's preference. What were your favorites from last night's Emmy's?? Did any of my picks match yours?

(All photos via The Hollywood Reporter)

Weekend Recap

Where do the weekends go!? They seem to fly by for me lately. Every single one is usually jam packed filled with get togethers, house projects, errands and other things that take up each and every hour until it's time for me to hit the sack again. This weekend was no exception!

Friday night, the hubs and I ventured out for a sushi dinner and a movie. We were so full after dinner and dessert, we skipped the movie and crashed once we got home. Dinner was really good though. We ate at Ra Sushi - a really dark and loud sushi restaurant not too far from home. The place has a nice vibe and the sushi is pretty good. The only downside is that we need a flashlight to read the menus and megaphones to speak to each other. Just kidding! Well kinda...

I had another spa appointment this week to get my hair done. I walked in a brunette and walked out a redhead! Something a little out of my box but I am liking it for fall.

Sunday's main event was  NFL football. But more specifically a Steeler's football game! Since the hubs is a DIE-HARD Pittsburgh Steeler fan (I'm pretty sure it's in his blood), it has become my duty to become an avid fan myself. Not so easy for someone who could really care less for the game, but it does make him happy when I pay attention to their games! We went to our local staple, Primanti Bros and watched the Steelers shut out the Seattle Seahawks, 24-0. Way to go Steelers!

Hope your weekend was just as enjoyable! I am pretty pooped now...going to settle in and watch the Emmy's!