All That Glitters

Jewelry is oh so much fun. Someone once said that before you step out the door, take a look in the mirror and take off one piece of jewelry. To that I say, "ick". No no my friends, you should put on more! At least one piece extra. A fabulous statement necklace can take a plain white t-shirt from lounge couch time, to date night time. I love how something so simple can so easily create a brand new outfit.

For bracelets, I'm in love with all things Betsey Johnson. Every piece she does is out of this world creative. She works with such unexpected touches. Here are two of my favorites... Only Betsey can make a rat look cute, and think of making a straw hat into a charm!

For me, a ring just can't be big enough. There is nothing more fabulous than a massive ring....esp if it's a little bumble bee!

{bumble bee ring, Charming Charlie}

With all the jewelry I have, I'm faced with one tiny problem. Storing it all! We have little to no storage space so I really had to get creative. I also love to 'store' things in a way that also displays them. Why cram all your jewels in a drawer to be hidden when they could be set out like decoration! The ultimate example... Christina Aguilera's shoe wall in her bedroom. It leaves me speechless just looking at it, seriously. Whenever we have a house that we are not renting, it better have one large empty wall so that I can do this to it! I'm not gonna lie... this is MY kind of library!

I screwed two curtain hooks into the wall to hang necklaces. I also hung a mirror right beside so I can stand in my closet, and match them to my outfits.

For earrings, my friend Christin made this holder by stapling a screen to the back of a frame. Instant earring organizer!

I bought a produce holder in the kitchen section of TJMaxx and I store all my bracelets in it on our dresser.

I bought a little decorative bowl to keep my rings in one place. I have a lot of rings and they are pretty big {see above bee} so those little ring pillow boxes are never big enough. 

I guess these little tricks are gonna have to do for now.....until I can get my rock star shoe wall! ;-)

Adventures in Pumpkin

Yesterday was the first day of October. It finally feels cool outside, and I think it's officially time for baked pumpkin treats. Funny enough, I actually sort of dislike pumpkin pie. However, I l-o-v-e anything else pumpkin. {excluding of course that time McDonalds attempted a pumpkin flavored milk shake...I think I still get nightmares} I usually make pumpkin bread, and that's where it ends. Since this past year I've gotten much more adventurous in the kitchen, I figured it was time to branch out. I have a few recipes lined up I want to try, but yesterday afternoon I was short on time and high on ideas. I crafted up these yummy treats:

First, I took the regular ol' Pillsbury pumpkin bread mix, and turn it into cookies. Just add 1 stick of melted butter, 1 egg, and stir until incorporated. Then form them into little balls and place them on your cookie sheet.

After baked and totally cooled, you can use either canned cream cheese icing, or be extra adventurous and make your own. Sandwich the cookies with as much of the icing as your heart desires.

{MAC 'Mean and Green' nail laquer}

These are rich, but oh so decadent and tasty. I was pretty proud of my creativity this time, seeing as it usually leads to a "eh....uh, ok" kind of turn out and quizzical stares from my sweet husband who will still try anything I make. These were so fun and easy, and they make a super cute fall gift for someone!

{pumpkin snack bags, Hobby Lobby}

Colors of Fall....Nails That Is!

It is true that I get excited for every seasonal change....it means shaking up your wardrobe, buying new staple pieces, and saying hello to clothes you've missed. However, there is something extra exciting about this year's season change. There seem to be so many fabulous new trends this upcoming fall and winter. From crazy shoes that aren't just for the runway anymore, to hats, hats, and more hats! I would love to try them all, but alas my money tree in the backyard has yet to take root. Today I want to highlight one of the simplest ways to embrace the new crisp bite that's in the air....

Autumn Nails:

This has to be the most inexpensive way to adopt the new season. Change nail color! I'm a little obsessed with painting my nails. {as you will see here} They tend to crack and chip if they don't have on a sassy coat, so I like to keep it that way. 


MAC's new line for fall is nothing short of genius. They've created fall colors to reflect the Disney vilains. To make them even better, the colors are blends of multiple shades to combine one amazing, Disney villain worthy nail polish! I know, in the words of my style icon, Rachel Zoe, it's "bananas"! For a girl who can't seem to make up her mind about nail color {if it was socially acceptable to wear multiple at a time, I'm pretty sure I would!} sounds like my dream solution. The one I'm obsessing over is this: 

{MAC nail laquer in "Mean and Green"}

If I want a little more 'subdued' look....this is the new fall neutral. As a bonus, it goes with everything! No changing your nail polish last minute to match your outfit. {please tell me I'm not the only one who does this}

{Essie nail color in Chinchilly}

Mad props go out to my friend Kelly for discovering the incredible shades in the $1.99 line of Wet n' Wild. This is the first one I picked up, and at this price I'm sure I'll be back for more:

{Wet n' Wild nail color in color shield}

I just discovered this beautiful color, and again at a phenomenal price....just $4.99! It's red without being too red, and dark without being too dark. Autumn nail perfection!

{Revlon nail laquer in Vixen}

Alas, I'm all too sure that at some point in the up and coming months, I will return to my old friend and staple color...

{OPI Lincoln Park After Dark}

At first glance this may appear black, but it's actually a fantastic blend of deep, deep purples. I tend to wear this even in the warmer months just because it looks that fabulous!

Monday's Cure

After yet another hectic {and rainy to boot} Monday, I had to share what is brightening my evening and {almost} making it feel like a Friday.

I, not unlike every other girl in the country, l-o-v-e chocolate. And not just, 'I like to eat M&M's instead of popcorn when watching a movie', chocolate love.... I'm talking rich, national holiday worthy chocolate love. And this quick and easy recipe is that "its been a long day" snack that will be sure to put a smile on your face, wiping any crummy Monday away.

Giada DeLaurentiis shared this quick and easy twist on the average brownie a couple of months ago on her FoodNetwork show.

First, whip up a simple batch of your favorite boxed brownies. Then, pick up the star ingredient:

{this chocolate hazelnut spread is a staple in our pantry}

Spread as much as your little heart desires on each cooled and cut brownie square. Chop hazelnuts and toast them on a single layer on a baking sheet @ 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes.

Sprinkle the toasted hazelnuts atop the nutella and follow that with some chocolate chips.

Bake the brownies for 7 - 15 minutes, or until desired gooey-ness is achieved. Serve it up on a fun dessert plate, paired with a glass of ice cold milk, and watch your Monday blues wash away...

Cheers!

Falling in Love with Fall

I adore fall. Being born and raised a south Florida girl, seasonal changes still seem to surprise me. I'll never forget my first Autumn in Birmingham after moving their for work after college. I was driving down this beautiful winding road and something started to fall on my car. I got nervous until I realized they were leaves! I'd never had leaves falling all around me before! Crazy I know, but true.

And don't even get me started on the clothes of fall! I detest being frigedly cold, but I love being comfortably cool. {it's a delicate balance} I love leggings, jackets, scarves, and BOOTS! Sigh....I do love boots.

It is also too perfect that we happen to live on Autumnwood Lane. I adore so much about this season, I decided I had to write about it. {and...this week marked the official beginng of fall!} So follow me on a journey through a few of my favorite things about delightful, magical Autumn.....

Decorations:

There are so many options for decorating this season... Here are a few I've added to my collection...

{Home made front door wreath: wicker base, leaf garland, yellow flowers, ta da!}

{I like to call this guy, Frankentooth ~note the tooth~}

{Three plastic leaves from Kirkland's, strung to our {ugly rental house} chandelier w/brown ribbon}

Clothes:

As clearly stated before, I love the clothes of fall. Here is just one thing I cannot wait to wear... My friend Kelly gave me this gorgeous infinity scarf. Bring on those chilly nights!

Candles:

A lit candle really makes a house feel like a home. Thanks to my sister in law Carrie discovering this, Walmart 3 wick candles are the best...and cheapest! Mulled Cider is my favorite scent. I also love candles that are just pretty and fun to look at...

Pumpkin patches:

Some of my favorite memories from dating Josh are our fun outdoor times...especially at a pumpkin patch. I can't wait to carve ours this year!

{this is an old picture...but one of our favorites}

More details to come on each of these topics later... especially fall clothes and.... the beginning of holiday food! I've got a few recipes I can't wait to share... here's something to get you excited:

{I'll tell you the secret behind these amazing cupcakes!}

Till next time!

Every Shoe... a Memory

There is nothing quite like a good pair of shoes. They are one of my favorite {cause let's be honest, I have lots of favorites} accessories to collect. With that said, I found it only too appropriate that my first post in this fashion/edible delights blog should be about them!

Women say they love shoes for all sorts of reasons. The same size always fits you, they never make you look fat, a new pair of shoes always makes them happy {which is not my reason but completely true nonetheless} etc. etc. I truthfully cannot say why I love these little stars in fashion's sky, I just do! However, I have begun to notice a pattern; not a pattern of why I buy so many shoes, but why I KEEP so many shoes. This came to my attention when my sweet husband, Josh, made mention that it's not that I buy a lot of shoes, its that I don't get rid of any. The guy has a point!

This is the first time in my 'only child' existence I've had to share a closet with someone. I decided to take a closer look at my "issue" and see why I can't part with my paired up friends, and if I couldn't provide Josh with some more closet space. I discovered that many of my shoes seem to be tied to a story, or special event. Allow me to introduce you to a few of them.

Rainbows:

{Rainbow flip flops, at major department stores}

Ok, I know what you are thinking. "Um, fashion blog? And the first pair of shoes you describe are surfer chic flip flops?!" Hang tight with me... My best friend Kimmy used to tell me that I'd know I'd met the right guy when he gave me a pair of shoes. {ala Cinderella} Josh and I started dating and my birthday rolled around. He gives me a gift bag filled with wonderful things, one of those being none other than these flip flops. Well, Kimberly and I just died chatting on the phone that night! And sure enough... we have been happily married for just over 1 year now. This story was of course in Kimmy's maid of honor speech, and the shoes, well, even though flip flops...are incredibly dear to my heart and a part of Josh and mine's story of "Us".

Hot Pink Satin Heels:

{Comparros, DSW}

So even before Josh put a ring on my finger, I always new I would be the anti-bride. I'm not a traditional girl and I'd never wear white satin pointy toe pumps any other day, so why would I start on the most important fashion day of a girls life, her wedding?! You guessed it, these are my wedding shoes. Nothing like a flash of hot pink satin peeking under pounds and pounds of white tulle to make a statement!

Happy Pink Shiny Bow Slingbacks:

{Unisa, at major department stores, and DSW}

These shoes are sort of like a prize. A prize for "ultimate shopping", if you will. I love the store DSW. For those of you who have never experienced this shoe haven, it is a sea of wonder. Shoes EVERYWHERE. Every kind, every style, and every color. A girl like me goes into sensory over load with this many shoes under one roof. There really should be a warning on the door. At this 'mother ship' of mine, they have what could quite possibly be the best sale section in shopping history. A girl on a budget, I like this very much. They have a color coding system that once matched, tells you how much additional percentage off a shoe is. Well, I've kept you in wonder long enough....I got these hotties for 2 bucks!! I know, right?! Take a second...let it sink in. I don't care if these ever go out of style, I'm keepin these bad boys just so I can brag {or maybe keep to myself} what I payed for them! And I honestly can't think of a summer I won't want to pair these w/ anything pink that I own.

Well there you have it....a few of my favorite friends. I can promise these won't be leaving my clutches anytime soon. I'll have to look at others if I wanna get rid of any...or just get a bigger closet. :-)

 See you here next time when I will either share fashion advice, or tell you about a tasty recipe you just have to try!