Happy (Halloween) Weekend

Wow, what a week. After a busy and extremely fun weekend I just never seemed to get enough rest to be fully on my game this week. Work is crazy right now and my desk is looking scary so I tried my best to push through but all I really wanted was to spend an entire day napping.

Jessica and I hosted our Halloween party last Saturday and it was so much fun. After it ended I immediately wished I had time to plan and successfully pull off a holiday party this Christmas. This weekend we will be hosting an out of town guest who has the most impressive collection of unique board games ever. We have invited a few more friends over Saturday night for a game night. Sunday evening we will be getting together with our family for our Dad's birthday dinner.

What does the weekend have in store for you?

via: English Nights Cape

Friday Favorites

Oscar De La Renta Dress beautiful print - Plaid Scarf - Green Jacket - Plaid Tote
Buckled Ankle Boots i love these - Scottish Terrier Sweater adorable
Cold weather to me means plaid, boots, and sweaters, so my post is mainly about those items. I think the items above are perfect for Fall/Winter. That dress is gorgeous. I love the print and the bold pink. Tracy would definitely love it because of the pink alone. Earlier this week I mentioned that I was in search of the perfect plaid top, so plaid has definitely found a spot in my Friday Favorites. I am watching my spending right now though because I need to buy Christmas presents and I need money to spend on my trip to NYC. What's your favorite thing on my list today?

Fall Fashion: Plaid

The coolness of Fall is here now, hopefully to stay. I greatly dislike the ever-changing temperatures as Summer transitions into Fall. It is so hard to dress in the morning when the temperatures are going to range from in the 30s to the 70s throughout the course of the day. One Fall fashion item that is an absolutely must have is something in plaid. Plaid is amazing. You can wear so many items patterned like this. Scarves, coats, tops, pants, skirts, etc. In Fall, anything is good in plaid. Just choose your favorite colors and rock it out. I'm on the hunt for the perfect plaid top, any ideas? What are your thoughts on plaid?


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Stylish For Less: Under $30

Dip Back / Multi-Chain Tassel Necklace (what a statement!) / Sleep Shirt (adorable!) / Saddle Bag / High Waist Skirt / Striped Skirt / Knit Beanie (pom pom love!) / Crystal Earrings / Chain Belt / Penny Loafers / Hammered Layer Ring / Cat Eyed Sunglasses (only $8!) / Wrap Watch
I love each of my stylish for less finds this week. Every piece is so pretty and chic it is hard to believe that they are under $30 each. This perfect for the office red top is a favorite of mine and is only $17. It would look great paired with a tailored blazer or even matched up with this skirt. Let me point out that this sleep shirt has a tiny elephant on it! And the tiny elephant is wearing a tiny crown! Could it possibly be more adorable? It just may be a must buy Christmas gift for a few ladies I know. Have you found any noteworthy steals lately?

Fall Fashion: Animal Accents

Tory Burch Studs - Madewell Tote just beautiful- Fox Sweater available soon - Black Jeans - Heat Wave NARS Lipstick pop of color - Dolce and Gabbana Gold Nail Polish - Leopard Print Oxfords
One Fall fashion trend that I am on board with is adding animal accents to your look. It could be an owl ring, a sheep sweater, or some zebra print that you use to add some animal accents to your outfit. In the look above I specifically chose the fox sweater because I love the colors and the fox is so adorable. I think brown and black is just a perfect color combination for Fall. I chose the leopard print shoes just because I liked them and afterwards I realized that they fit the theme of my look by incorporating more animal accented items. A total accident but it works! Items like this sweater definitely aren't serious. They infuse a little playfulness and childish fun into your wardrobe. What do you think?

What To Wear: Chic Sweatshirts

Paneled Sweatshirt / Gold Necklace / Bra (lovely lace) / Clutch / Punk Crystal Ring Set / Pave Ring / Midi Skirt / Ear Cuff (a touch of edge!) / Dior Safari Beige / Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black Pure Perfume Oil (a favorite scent) / Cage Booties
It seems I am all about comfort lately. I recently shared how joggers have found a place in my closet and stated that I think they are a great alternative to jeans. Just like I have happily embraced joggers I have also fallen for sweatshirts. They are so much more chic and sophisticated than I remember them being when I was younger and I happily purchased several last winter. A couple months ago I picked up a pretty floral sweatshirt (similar here) that I have repeatedly checked the weather trying to find a day cool enough to wear it. The sweatshirt pictured above is pricey but here are a few favorites that are budget friendly:
Magnifique Pullover
Floral Print Sweatshirt
Marble Print Cropped Sweatshirt
Dark Floral Sweatshirt
Scene Print Sweatshirt
White Floral Print Sweatshirt (my favorite and only $30!)
Eiffel Tower Sweatshirt

Cape Crusader

Confession: I have had a huge thing for capes ever since seeing Blair Waldorf brought them to my attention on Gossip Girl. I have been withholding from purchasing one because I wasn't convinced that they would be a practical item to own or that I wouldn't feel silly wearing it. After recently trying a few on I now know it is one of my wish list items for this fall. They are comfortable, chic, and surprisingly easy to wear. Below are a few of my favorites:
English Nights Cape
Reese Cape
Poncho Cape
Checkered Cape
Kate Spade Capelette
Belted Cape
Purple Cape
Camel Cape
Cape Blazer
Wool Blend Cape
Tweed Check Cape

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Chit Chat: Halloween Party

On Saturday night we hosted our very first Halloween party! It has been the first party that we have hosted since our Christmas party a few years ago. We had forgotten how much fun it can be to host a party and, also, how much work it can take to host a successful party. Luckily, we had planned to complete everything over several days, so we were not left with a list of tasks to complete and not enough time.

Not only was it our first Halloween party, but it was also our first costume party. We had never hosted or attended a costume party. What's wrong with us? It was a lot of fun finding a costume and even more fun to see what everyone else decided to come as. Tracy was Little Red Riding Hood and I was a cat burglar. In attendance we also had Count Dracula, the Wicked Witch, a scarecrow, and a man riding an ostrich. Obviously, some people bought their costumes (ahem man riding an ostrich) but some people also made their costumes and they did excellent.

Guests arrived early and we ate some delicious food made by Tracy, me, and our mom. We had ham sliders, Cheesy Beefy Enchilada Dip, barbecue meatballs (with homemade sauce), chocolate cake, Tracy's Fresh Apple Cake, peanut butter fudge, cheese ball, buckeyes, maple fudge, Magic Cookie Bars, lime sherbet punch, and caramelitas. We ate, talked, and laughed. We had a great time with friends and family. We also played some games. My favorites were Pictionary and The Resistance.

Everyone had a great time. Who doesn't love good food and good company? When everyone left, we packed up treat bags for them to take home. We had made way too much food and even after giving everyone treats to take with them, we still have a kitchen full of snacks. Have you hosted any parties lately?


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The Sunday Edition

In case you missed it: 8 Tips To Sticking To A Budget While Maintaining Your Social Life.

An expensive, but beyond stunning dress.

Perfect sparkle for the upcoming holiday season.

A sequin top that would also be great for the holidays.

A shiny, gold iPhone case.

Determined to bake a homemade pie this fall? This crust turns out perfectly every time.

15 Leopard Pieces That Look Subtle And Chic.

12 Universal Truths That Will Make Your Life Better.

15 Easy and Spooky DIYs for your Halloween party.

An easy bread recipe.

Some helpful marketing advice.

We can also be found on Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Bloglovin'

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Decorating for the Festive Season

The leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter, and pumpkin spice lattes are in full bloom. Yes, Fall is here, and that means one thing...it’s time to start planning for Christmas! You may think, “Well, isn’t it too early”? To that I say it can never be too early to decorate your home for the best holiday of the year. Here are some handy tips for Christmas decorations around the home his year.

Make a good first impression

Whether it’s the in laws coming, or a friend you haven’t seen in a long time, start off with a good impression with a well decorated entrance. One way to do that is with an array of paper luminaries, lined up along front walks for a brilliant welcome. Simply pop some tea lights into old jam and bell jars. You can go a step further with snowflake patterns or a holiday message painted on the jars. Just be sure to blow the flame out when no one is around.

Don’t forget the mailbox

The mailbox is often forgotten when it comes to holiday decorations, but it shouldn’t be. A simple red bow adds a distinct, but subtle, flair to your mailbox. If you have a square mailbox, top it with a bouquet of winter plants. You can even have it look like a Christmas tree by tucking in ornaments and pinecones into the bouquet.

Match the windows

This is a case where a little goes a long way. Matching windows, whether it’s an evergreen wreath hung with a simple red ribbon, or color coordinated lanterns, lend an elegant appearance to any home.

Use a basket as the tree base

Your tree and home will be tastefully decorated, but what about that eyesore of a metal stand? Clean up that look with a woven basket to hold your Christmas tree. You’ll likely still need the metal base, but at least it’s hidden inside the more aesthetically pleasing woven basket.

Christmas is a time for family and good cheer, and a well decorated home adds to the experience. Plus, by starting early, you’re able to save more money to spend on presents and seasonal food.

Image by Daniel Nugent, used under the Creative Commons license.

Happy Weekend!

I am so excited that Friday is here! Last weekend was busy with the conference and all and I just feel like I didn't get any time to relax. Then this week was busy. I had to stay really late on two evenings to finish some work and to help out with our academic team. This weekend is looking like a very busy weekend too. What about your weekend?

This evening Tracy and I are going to make some more treats for our Halloween party. Then tomorrow we will finish getting everything ready and we will have our party tomorrow night. How do you get ready for throwing a party or having a lot of guests at one time? We have tried to delegate our tasks and accomplish some every night this week, so that on Friday and Saturday we wouldn't be hectic and going crazy trying to get everything done last minute.

I am so excited! I can't wait for everyone to show up in their costumes. Costume parties just seem like so much fun. I haven't ever been to a costume party before. Have you? What was your costume? I really hope everyone has a great time. We always have fun when our friends and family are around and that is why we decided to have this party. Hopefully it is a success! What are your weekend plans?


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Friday Favorites

Blanket Scarf / Crystal Leaf Earrings / Military Anorak Jacket / Joules "Molly" Rain Boots / Ring Set / Pom Pom Velvet Slippers / Kate Spade Watch / Mini Transport Tote
It is shaping up to be a busy day for me. I have a hugely important document that has to be filed with the Court before the end of the day so I am stopping by for just a few minutes to share a few of my favorites today.

My favorites this week include some great items for fall like blanket scarves ( this one comes in 6 great colors) and this military inspired jacket. I would love to add another pair of Joules rain boots to my closet. I got my first pair last year and they are a constant go to whenever it is overcast. Finally before I sign off, I want to point out how pretty these earrings are.

What I Wish I Was Wearing

I am likely the only person in Kentucky who is borderline devastated by the weather forecasts calling for temperatures near or above 70 for the next several days. I mean, come on. It is fall. I want a crisp bite in the air that screams for layers and declares scarves a necessity. I love that the look above is very simple but also so chic. Dark wash jeans are a closet staple for me and now I am kind of convinced that I need a tailored burgundy blazer. A plaid blanket scarf has been on my wish list for the last couple months. Have you seen this scarf? I love it but am having a hard time deciding what color to purchase.

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Stylish for Less: Cats Under $35

Tiger Sweater $22.88 - Cat Scarf $19.99 - Cat Coin Purse $11.37 - iPhone Case $14.99 - How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity $12.99 - Black Cat Print $32 - Yellow Cat Skater Dress $27
Everyone needs a few whimsical items in their closet. Those pieces that might be a little silly and cute. They display a little personality and humor. For me those pieces might involve cats. I just love my cats so much and cats really are one of my favorite animals. They are so beautiful and cuddly. I would love a cute item with a cat or cats on it. In June, on our trip to Florida, I bought a cat coin purse at a Kate Spade store. I love it and everyone always comments on how adorable it is. What whimsical items do you have?

8 Tips For Sticking To Your Budget While Maintaining Your Social Life

We are entering the time of the year were socializing is even more on my radar. As a girl who is making a huge effort to watch my spending socializing can sometimes be hard to do. I have realized that unless I implement some rules and budget tricks into my lifestyle spending time with friends and family can become costly. Although it presents a challenge I am determined to maintain a social life (after all being social is important for a healthy life) but not let it drain my budget.

Here are my tips for balancing a healthy social life with my bank account:

TIP ONE // Include a "fun fund" in your budget. In order to stick to a budget you need to actually have a budget that you have planned out. I like to include a "fun fund" that allows for the occasional splurge like dinner at a really great restaurant or tickets to a concert or play.

TIP TWO // Prioritize what is important to spend on. While I allow for the occasional splurge in tip one, I always to remember to look at the big picture and save for the things that are most important to me. An example would be a great trip.

TIP THREE // Be honest with your friends. Let your friends know that you have a budget and that you have to watch your spending. You will likely be surprised by how many of your friends are in the same position as you.

TIP FOUR // Suggest a less expensive alternative. If your friends are making plans that are out of your budget but you don't want to miss out suggest alternative plans. An example is if your friends are suggesting a pricey restaurant suggest a cheaper alternative or suggest that you meet for coffee instead of dinner.

TIP FIVE // Establish a practice of low cost get-togethers. Find an activity that you and your friends enjoy that is inexpensive to take part in. A few of my favorite suggestions are: take turns hosting potluck dinners, rent movies or have Netflix marathons together, enjoy the outdoors by having a picnic or organizing a sports activity, or take turns hosting game nights which I did during one of my favorite recent weekends. Also, recently me, Jessica and a few friends created a book club that meets monthly and is a fun, low cost way to spend an afternoon with friends.

TIP SIX // Volunteer. You can either do this with a group of friends or solo. You will meet many new fascinating people while keeping busy and helping out.

TIP SEVEN // Pay attention to what is going on in your community. Many cities (even my tiny hometown) have free events going on on a regular basis. This can be a great way to be exposed to new things. Also look for local bargains at places like Restaurant.com, Living Social, and Groupon.

TIP EIGHT // Accept that sometimes you have to opt out. It will sometimes be impossible to fit every get-together or event into your budget and you need to be okay with that.

via: 2005 Dior image photographed by Nick Knight obtained from here original source here

Easy Last Minute DIY Costumes

Are you dressing up for Halloween this year? It has been a while since I have actually worn a costume for Halloween. A couple of months ago though, Tracy and I decided to have a Halloween party this year. We are requiring costumes! When sending out the invitations we made sure everyone knew that costumes were a must. Tracy decided very early what she wanted to be and had her costume weeks before I had even settled on an idea. She is going to be Little Red Riding Hood. Her costume is absolutely adorable! After much debating, I decided to be a cat burglar. After waiting so long to decide, I wanted to pick something that I could easily pull together. I wish I had planned ahead like Tracy.

If you are waiting last minute like I have, you probably need a costume that is cute and easy to find. For me this type of costume is something that you can pull mostly together with everyday items. Above I have some cute, easy costumes that you can pull together at the last minute. Most of the items in these costumes can be added to your normal wardrobe to wear at other times, but together that make an excellent costume. I love the Velma costume idea, because I am in love with the Scobby Doo cartoons. As a kid I would watch them any chance that I had. I also find the Mary Poppins costume absolutely adorable and whimsical. What do you think?


via: Velma, Holly Golightly, Bandits, Mary Poppins, Pirate, Cowgirl

Chit Chat: Taking A Sick Day

Friday I had a great day. I had an incredibly productive morning and afternoon at work. I got so much work done that I was able to leave work a couple hours earlier. Heading out of the office with a wide open very picturesque fall evening ahead of me I stopped to buy some apples with the plan of making apple turnovers during the weekend. I then met Jessica and spent a little time browsing in some shops and picking up a few items for Halloween. This was followed by calling the rest of our family and meeting up for an impromptu family dinner at one of our favorite restaurants followed by treating ourselves to froyos before heading home. Once me and Jessica made it home we sat down to plan what needs to be done this week for our Halloween party on Saturday.

Almost as soon as we sat down to work out some details I began noticing the first signs of a sore throat and over the course of the weekend it completely went downhill from there. I had agreed to drive Jessica to the conference she was speaking at later on Saturday so that she could get some extra practice time for her speech during the drive. When I woke up at 4 am I could barely speak, my nose was stuffy, and I had an intense sinus headache.

I powered through Saturday but when Jessica's conference was over that evening I immediately fell asleep trying to finish my book club read while Jessica drove us home. I slept until almost lunch time Sunday except for the few times I woke up to take medicine or tend to my very needy cat. I spent the rest of the day in my pajamas until I had to force myself to get dressed for book club.

I typically get these horrible/nasty sinus infections two or three times a year and they typically last a few weeks but with Halloween approaching and all of the festivities that I love (including our party) I am really hoping to feel better soon.

The last couple weeks I haven't been taking care of myself the way I should. I have been awake really late and up really early most days plus I have been juggling a lot on my plate. It has really caught up with me and today I think I have made the right call by opting to stay home and be out of commission for the day. The rest of my week is booked solid so I am crossing my fingers that a little extra rest today will help me make through the weekend host my party Saturday in good spirits.

At this moment I am bundled up under several blankets on my sofa in my pajamas and as soon as I finish this post I have grand plans to take a nap. Before signing off I have to ask do you have any getting better tips for me? What helps you feel better (in a hurry) when you are sick?

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The Sunday Edition

If you missed them this week on our blog, two things you should definitely check out are 2 Easy DIY Halloween Garlands and our Fall 2014 Nail Polish Guide.

In that last few days I have stumbled onto two DIY crafts that I really want to try soon: Donut Pumpkin and Candleholder DIY.

I have also found two new recipes that look and sound absolutely delicious: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork and Honey Corn Cakes and Lavender Earl Grey Tea Cake.

These Fall Essentials are definitely on my list! I would love the boots!

The Secret to Growing Healthy Long Hair

Fall 2014 Trend Report

How to Spice Things Up on a Casual Friday!

19 Dresses for Fall Parties


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On The Menu: 3 Ingredient Spicy Oven Roasted Chickpeas

Chickpeas are a super healthy food. When roasted chickpeas develop the flavor and texture of nuts. This super easy recipe that only requires 3 ingredients is delicious and makes a delicious snack. They are also great to serve up as an appetizer at parties or when having a few friends over. I made this batch with chili powder as the seasoning but it is fun and easy to try different flavors. Some more of my favorites include: cayenne and cumin, garlic powder and Parmesan, cinnamon and sugar, cumin and garlic powder, rosemary + parsley and basil.

Ingredients:
1 (15 oz) cans of chickpeas
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. 2. Rinse the chickpeas well and then blot them dry with paper towels.
3. In a bowl toss the chickpeas with the olive oil and chili powder until well coated.
4. Spread into an single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Bake until brown and crisp, about 35-45 minutes. Stir occasionally while baking.

Happy Weekend

This has been one of those weeks were every single task seemed to take forever and as a result I got a lot less of my to do list done than I had planned to complete. Although I didn't get as much accomplished this week as I should have this week has felt exhausting.

This weekend looks like it is going to be a busy one for me and Jessica. You may not know this but Jessica is an amazing math teacher who is always receiving all of this praise for her good work and so many requests that she help students that are struggling to grasp math. This weekend she is speaking at a huge conference to share with other teachers some of her methods.

On Sunday we have book club and will be discussing this book. Although it is a classic and I have long loved the movie it was the first time reading it for both of us. Have you ever read it? Jessica and I both loved it.

What will you be doing this weekend?

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Friday Favorites

Giorgio Armani Jacket - Floral Statement Necklace - Black Metallic Gold Midi Skirt - Black Stachel - Leopard Print Flats - Brass/Quartz Ring
To me Fall about dark colors, bold jewel tones, and metallics. Those are the items that I want to be wearing. My favorite jewel tone is emerald, so I just love this dark emerald jacket and wish I had it in my closet. Midi skirts are also an obsession of mine and this black one dipped in metallic gold is stunning! Other midi skirts that I love for Fall can be found here or here. What are your go to Fall fashion pieces? What do you think about mine?

Fall Fashion: Knee Boots

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I love watching the leaves change and feeling the temperatures cool down. I love that we can pull out our boots and wear our layers. I love how the looks above have incorporated their boots. They are gorgeous! While I prefer ankle boots, I am really interested in knee boots this year. What are your thoughts on them?


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Stylish For Less: Sweaters Under $50

Checker Jumper / Stripe Lampswool Sweater / Embellished Jumper / Blue Fluffy Jumper / Chevron Sweater / Cropped Sweater
One of the things I love most about this time of the year is abundance of sweaters and opportunities to wear them. I admit that I am more than a little addicted to snuggling up into sweaters on chilly days. I have more sweaters in my closet than any other piece of clothing and each year happily add to my collection. Today's stylish for less is a round up of some beautiful sweaters under $50. I am really loving soft/pastel colors this year. How pretty is this mint sweater? Below are a few more of my favorite options.
Tunic Sweater
Tribal Eyelash Print Sweater
Fair Isle Sweater
Madam Rage Embossed Sweater
Cat Sweater
Zigzag Fair Isle Sweater

2 Easy DIY Halloween Garlands

Halloween gives Christmas a run for its money as my favorite holiday. This year me and Jessica are hosting our first Halloween party so we have been busy making plans and decorating. We made the two garlands in under an hour and I think the bat garland is adorable.

Supplies for Ribbon Garland:
Several Rolls of Ribbon in desired colors and patterns
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun

Directions:
This is just like the ribbon garlands you made as a child. Simply cut the ribbons into pieces about 8 inches long. Create a loop and glue it together. Make the next loop through your first loop and glue the ends together. Continue until you have the desired length.

Supplies for Bat Garland:
Black Twine
Mini Wiggle Eyes
Black Foam or Felt Sheets
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun

Directions:
We used foam sheets but you could easily substitute felt. We made a template on a sheet of paper and used it to cut our bats from the foam. Hot glue the twin to the back of the bats skipping a little space between each bat. Allow to dry. Then on the front of the bats glue two of the wiggle eyes and allow to dry.

Color Crush: Orange

Karen Walker Sunglasses - Kenneth Jay Lane Earrings - Lego Bracelet Watch - Crepe Dress
Biker Jacket - Knit Sweater - Skinny Jeans - Organza Skirt - Pleated Chiffon Skirt
This Fall, orange is one trendy color when it comes to fashion. I've even read online that orange is the new black. Do you believe this? While I do not agree with this, I have always associated orange, reds, and browns with Fall. Orange is a beautiful, cheerful color and I have seen so many gorgeous items in the shade. Above are some of my favorite finds. Which one is your favorite? I am definitely a huge fan of the skirts. Orange is such a bold color that I would definitely pair it with a neutral like creams, white, or gray. If done the right way orange and black can go well together, but when done wrong you are definitely going to look like Halloween. What colors do you pair with orange?

What To Wear: Updated Joggers

Quilted Collarless Jacket (only $89!) / Jersey Tee / Gold Necklace / NARS Jungle Red Lipstick / Transport Tote (great everyday tote) / Side Striped Joggers / Slip-On Sneakers / Double-Wrap Watch (love this watch!) / Button Earrings / NARS La Notte
Last fall I totally fell for chic sweatshirts and over the last few months I have gradually determined that updated joggers are a must have item. Updated joggers are well designed and far different from the ill-fitting jogging pants I wore as a child. The key to look for when purchasing joggers are that they should be fitted at the waist and ankle but have a little room throughout the leg. My favorite pair of joggers is currently sold out but is similar to these. Comfortable joggers make a great alternative to jeans and look great paired with heels and sleek blazer or a tee and slip-on sneakers (another love of mine see here). I paired my look above with a collarless moto jacket. For other great moto jackets see here, here, here.

Fall 2014 Nail Polish Guide

Moody Blues:
NARS Seize the Night
Essie Aruba
NARS La Notte

Classic Nudes:
Dior Delicate Warm Beige
Deborah Lippmann Bare Beige
Givenchy Creamy Nude

Metallic Gold:
Deborah Lippmann Autumn In New York
Essie Jiggle Hi Jiggle Low
NARS Gold Viper

Emeralds:
Burberry Dark Bottle Green
Essie Going Incognito
Deborah Lippmann Emerald Green Glitter

Burgundy Reds:
Essie Bordeaux
butter LONDON La Moss
Essie Carry On

Crisp White:
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Feathered
Essie Blanc
NARS Ecume

Concrete Gray:
Essie Cashmere Bathrobe
butter LONDON Dodgy Barnett
Deborah Lippmann Pretty Vacant

Royal Purple:
NARS Purple Rain
RGB Plum
Deborah Lippmann Dark Side of the Moon

I have painted nails way more often in the fall and winter than I do any other time of the year. I am so much more likely to take the time to paint my nails while cozying up inside and catching up on a favorite tv show or chatting with friends than I am during the super busy warmer months when I seem to always be on the go.

I have been paying close attention to fall nail polish trends so I can stock up on some new colors. I love the on trend hues this fall including inky blues (like this, bold plums (like this), and creamy nudes (like this). I have include some more in my guide above.

What are your favorite nail polish colors for this fall?

Chit Chat: Fall Break

I have just had a relaxing four day weekend from work. We had a short Fall break from school on Thursday and Friday. I mainly spent my time off at home relaxing and doing things that I enjoy. It was a stress-free time with little thoughts of work, grading papers, or preparing assignments. I took the time off to recharge my batteries so that I can go back to work today and get things accomplished. Sometimes, I worry and stress over work related things so much that I keep working at them even when I need a break.

So, how did I enjoy my time off? Thursday, my brother and I went into town and did a little shopping. Then I took some time to surf the web and do a little retail therapy online. Friday I made bear claws, read some of Pride and Prejudice, and then my siblings and I had pizza and movie night. Saturday, we made pumpkin whoopie pies and had a delicious Italian dinner. We also made a few Halloween crafts, those will be coming to the blog soon. Sunday we spent more time decorating for Halloween and completing a few tasks for the upcoming week.

Now, I feel rested and recharged. I am ready to go back to work and to accomplish the tasks on my to do list. I am ready to eat lunch with my "lunch bunch" and catch up with them to see what they did over break. What would you do with a few days off from work?


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The Sunday Edition

In case you missed it: 10 Ways to Show Your Appreciation.

Plus, Weekender Bags Under $100.

The most perfect smoking slippers.

A sweater with sequin embellishments.

A floral dress for fall and only $16!

A pretty little lace black dress.

Have you seen Ashley's secret to growing longer hair?

Raquel's three ingredient Peanut Butter Oreo Truffles look delicious.

How adorable is Laura in her panda bear skirt.

What to look for when buying a chic bag for less.

How to Get Air-Died Waves When It's Cold Outside.

Ever wondered why celebrities make successful fashion designers.

We can also be found on Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Bloglovin'

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