Honestly, I'm a little scared of leopard print. A belt, shoes, scarf, maaaaybe a blouse... but that's about it. So, my stomach did a little flip when I saw that the fashion trend this week with Living in Color Style and Stylin in St. Louis was leopard print! But, I do love these shoes... they are comfortable and always add just enough sas to an outfit. I thought I'd bravely add an extra dose of sas with the belt. Life on the edge, right? One thing that I'm most definitely NOT afraid of is lace. I thought I would wear something I'm very comfortable in so the animal print accents would feel more natural. I'm happy to say that I would gladly wear this outfit around town, and that is exactly what I plan on doing soon! And let's just talk about this delicious fall weather we are having in Greenville this week. Loving it so much!!

shirt: Talbots (thanks, Mom-in-Law)  (similar), jeans: Old Navy, shoes: Bakers (similar),
belt: Charlotte Russe (similar), earrings: Cocobella local boutique (similar),
bracelets: Forever 21 & Banana Republic
lips: Maybelline, Baby Lips in Berry Soft,
nails: Maybelline, Mauve in Manhatten (thanks, Mom!)

bright and happy.

This shirt always reminds me of something a three year old could paint and I love it! Bright colors always make me happy!! It is seriously great for everything which is the best part about a reliable tank top. I wear this to work with a blazer, on a summer night with some shorts, in the fall with a black cardigan and of course it looks great with a pair of white skinnies! It's one of those old reliable tops that I'll always reach for. 

sometimes you just need a simple ponytail! 

top: Forever 21 (old), jeans: Old Navy {on SALE!}, shoes: Kenneth Cole Outlet (similar),

earrings: gift from friend, bracelet: Charleston Market, ring: Forever 21

nail polish: L'Oreal, I Like It Chunky,

lipstick: Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter, Lollipop

Liking up with Living in Color Style & Stylin in St. Louis 
for the weekly trend, Color Wheel.

Thanks ladies!!

Ten Dollar Treasure.

At the beginning of Summer I was doing a little shopping in Marshalls for some great steals when I found this lovely jumpsuit. My mom had been telling me that I needed to buy one but I wasn't sure how it would look on me since my legs are pretty short. Anytime I had seen one in person the woman wearing it was super thin with legs for days. I instantly decided that a jumpsuit was not my thing. Then I found this one. It was hanging all by itself on the clearance rack for a whopping $10! Of course I snatched this baby up and ran for the fitting room crossing my fingers it would work. I wasn't completely sold since I didn't have on the right shoes or the right bra (you know how that goes, right ladies??) but since it was only $10 I thought I’d be crazy to not buy it. Once I got it home, I was so happy that I took the chance. It is SO comfortable and the perfect outfit for a relaxed night with girl friends or a date night with my man!!

jumpsuit: Marshalls (similar), shoes: Kenneth Cole Outlet (similar),
earrings: Old Navy, necklace: Forever 21, ring: Forever 21 (similar)
bracelets: Old Navy & mom's hand-me-down
sunglasses: Banana Republic Outlet
nail polish: L'Oreal, I Like It Chunky,
lipstick: Sally Hansen Lip Inflation, Temptress

Liking up with Living in Color Style & Stylin in St. Louis 
for the weekly trend, All Black!

Thanks ladies!!

Summer Beach Wear // with Raise.com

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Raise.com to do a beach theme post for their campaign, Summer Beach Wear, and I had already planned to do a special beach post for today since we are happily leaving for vacation tomorrow! Perfect timing, right?  Whenever I'm on a beach vacation I love to pack outfits that I can wear multiple times for different occasions. The beach cover-up/date night item is always a nice option to pack in your bag. So, here is my day to night look with one of my favorite shirts!

shirt: Forever 21, suit: JC Penney (similar), shorts: Old Navy (similar), shoes: Old Navy

I love an outfit like this to wear on my drive or walk to the beach. It's also great to throw back on when you want to walk down the beach for lunch, an ice cream cone or do some shopping!!

shirt: Forever 21, jeans: Target, shoes: Payless (similar),
necklace: Forever21, bag: Forever 21 (in black), bracelet: Banana Republic

For a summer night at the beach I love to wear something comfortable and this outfit is great for comfort! The shirt is breezy with a tank top underneath and I love the relaxed, black washed jeans with my favorite wedges.


& don't forget to check out Raise.com so you can BUY or SELL gift cards! This cool new site lets users purchase gift cards for less than their value, helping to save you some extra cash! I love to go on shopping sprees for end of summer sales, so when there's a big purchase I want to make, I will start checking this site first to see if I can score any deals on gift cards. I've seen up to 15% savings and that is something that you don't want to pass up! Seriously, go check it out!!
Just a few of my favorite gift cards are, Forever 21 (of course!), JC Penney, & Target!

{Image from Raise.com}

The smell of coffee may be overrated.

I normally love the smell of coffee. Crave it even. But after you sit at your desk at work ALL. DAY. LONG. with the smell of coffee in your HAIR, you may change your mind. How did my hair become to smell like coffee, you ask? Well, that is a great story.

It was a good morning, one snoozer and a splash of cold water to wake me up. Made time for my bible reading (Job 6-9, definitely not the happiest of chapters) and then made my way back upstairs to get ready for the day. I finished my hair and makeup all while drinking my lovely cup of coffee that my sweet hubby made for me. I got dressed, put on my favorite wedges, brushed my teeth and threw on some jewelry. I grabbed my half empty and now cold cup of coffee to head back downstairs to leave for work, which I was already late for. It was then 8:22 and I need to be at work at 8:30 with a ten minute drive… so I was trying to rush. Rushing so much that I turned my ankle while walking down the stairs which caused a bad fall where I bumped down 3-4 steps on my tush and coffee splashed everywhere. All over my clothes, the carpeted stairs & my newly washed hair. Thankfully, the smell eventually faded. Moral of the story, don't rush down the stairs with a cup of coffee in your hands. Just don't do it!

shirt: Ann Taylor (similar),  jeans: Old Navy (on sale!), shoes: Off Broadway (similar),
necklace: Forever 21, earrings: Old Navy,
nail polish: essie, Shop Til I Drop,
lipstick: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter, Sugar Frosting

Liking up with Living in Color Style & Stylin in St. Louis for the weekly trend posts, this week was a free trend so I just went with an outfit that I love!

Thanks ladies!!

Stripes and Spots.



I've always wanted to be bold enough to rock the mixed patterns and prints trend but I usually chicken out, but for some reason I had a brave moment this week and actually wore this entire outfit to work. A rainy Monday morning needed some sass, so I went with it. I've worn all of these pieecs before but never have I thrown them all together into one outfit. Okay, let's be honest... I've worn this exact outfit many times, just not with these shoes. But life is short, wear the shoes. That is going to be my new moto. Also wear green nail polish because it is pretty. And like I said, life is short!  

shirt: Old Navy, pants: Express, shoes: Bakers

earrings: Old Navy, necklace: Hamrick's,

bracelets: Banana Republic & mom's hand-me-down

nails: Revlon, Posh , lips: Maybelline Whisper, Pin Up Peach

Liking up with Living in Color Style & Stylin in St. Louis

for the weekly trend, prints and patterns.

Thanks ladies!!

A Story About a Skirt.

For the past few months I've wanted to try out a skater skirt and  I was pleasantly surprised when I found this one at Forever 21 (where else can you find awesome buys like this skirt for less than $9, right?!?) and I knew this skirt had to be mine. After typing that sentence, I've realized that I have some kind of theme here whenever I speak of F21. See it - want it - need it - buy it. But, hey... it works and I'm not going to try to fix something that isn't broken. Especially when it doesn't break my wallet. It just makes sense all around, right? So anyways, this skirt. I love it! It is so comfortable and light weight, throw on a chambray button down, tuck that baby in + some jewels and cute flats and you're ready to go. This little ensemble will most definitely be in my suitcase for our beach trip in August!! Only 22 more days, but who's counting...?

shirt: Old Navy, skirt: Forever 21, sandals: Francesca's

earrings: Old Navy, necklace: boutique in Charleston

nails: Revlon, Plum Seduction, lips: Sally Hansen Lip Inflation, Temptress

Liking up with Living in Color Style & Stylin in St. Louis

for the weekly trend, chambray.

Thanks ladies!!

Two of my Favorite Things.

If there’s anything I love more than a mint green blouse, it would be a lace blouse! So when the two are combined I’m a happy chick. I saw this shirt in a department store at the beginning of the year and I had to have it. It is exciting when you find pretty things on sale in the Junior Department. (I know I’m not the only one that still shops in the tween section…?) I love the way this shirt can be worn all year long, a cold night with a jacket, or even a warm day since it is so light and breezy. And how convenient that the pastel trend embraces this little purchase so many months ago. I love it when that happens!

shirt: Dillard's, jeans: Old Navy, shoes: Nine West

necklace: Forever 21, ring: Francesca's 
nails: Rimmel Salon Pro, Reggae Splash, lips: NYX Butter Gloss, Merengue

liking up with Living in Color Style & Stylin in St. Louis

for the weekly trend, pastels.

Thanks ladies!!

& a shout out to my cute photographer because, well... he's my favorite!

4th of July, 2014.

Our 4th of July celebration was a total last minute, thrown together kind of event, but those can be the best kind sometimes. We had some family coming into town and since Peter didn't have to fly off to Alaska for spur of the moment project with work (thank you Jesus!) we decided to have a cookout at the house.  Just the normal - burgers, a big salad, some potatoes, grilled corn, and a lot of fresh fruit! A perfect 4th of July party, if you ask me! It was so nice to have some family and friends around to enjoy the holiday! 

It was Jaden's first time meeting the chickens. 

It took a little bit but he finally warmed up to them.

The food was so good and fresh since some of it was from the garden. 

The bruschetta I made below was made with all fresh red and yellow tomatoes from the yard.

my new favorite side for any cookout!

Grilled corn mixed with a tablespoon of butter, sprinkle salt and paprika and fresh cilantro.

Yummy food, friends & family made for a wonderful night!

I'm just mad that I forgot to buy the sparklers... 

Outfit Details
***************

jeans: Old Navy, top: Forever 21, sandals: Old Navy (similar)
bracelet: Old Navy & Banana Republic



'merica.

Today is my Friday thanks to the wonderful 4th of July holiday tomorrow. Thankful, I am!! We aren't even sure what our plans are for the weekend but those kind of weekends are great after several weeks of planned schedules. When I think about the 4th I automatically think of Old Navy. Every year I find myself checking out what they have in red, white and blue, and they never let me down! Oh, and yes... that is the chicken coop way back there behind our garden. One day I'll let the girls join me for some photos. ;) Hope you all have a great holiday, Happy Independence Day!!!

shirt: Old Navy, skirt: Old Navy,

flip flops: Old Navy, earrings: Forever 21, 
bracelets: Banana Republic (chain) and Old Navy (blue bangle)
nails: Revlon ColorStay, Sunburst  , lips: Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain, Gothic

liking up with Living in Color Style & Stylin in St. Louis

for the weekly trend, Red, White or Blue!

Thanks ladies!!