Friday Fails and Finds

Let's start off with some fails.

1. The amount that I blogged this week is a big, fat fail. I thought about it. I had some ideas. I even sat down and worked on a collage for a "Things I Love" post. Then it just didn't happen. Fail.

2. My plans to stick to my pre-best-friends-wedding diet ended up being a fail this week. I ate a whole bag of chef-mix for lunch yesterday, ate my weight in chips and queso TWO nights in a row, and had fried chicken with red beans and rice for dinner on Tuesday at the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts. Diet fail.

3. My attempt to cook a "simple" dinner last night was a huge fail! I was cooking at my boyfriends house which happens to have a stove that was installed in the 1760's. Maybe that is an exaggeration, but it was definitely installed in the 1960's and we don't have a very good relationship. After crisping the roasted potatoes to crunchy chips (fail), I set the smoke alarm off while making salad dressing. Yes, you read that right. Salad dressing! Fail. I actually salvaged the meal and I really liked the chicken salad  and will definitely make it again, but there was lots of smoke and a few tears during the process. Not to mention a stray cat that snuck in while the doors were open in an attempt to air out the whole house. FAIL.

source

Let's turn all these fails around and just make cupcakes, because somehow cupcakes make everything better.

Let's talk about some finds.

1. A new favorite DIY blog that I found one night when I couldn't sleep. I looked at every single DIY she had posted and their were 60+ pages of posts. Some seem a little over my head (any project that involves a sewing machine is over my head and beyond my skill level) but others looked pretty simple.

2. Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler at JC Penney! I am so excited about this find where it is possible for me to buy JA at a lower price point. 

3. The Spring 2013 To and From Gift Guide came out a couple of weeks ago. Check it out for ideas for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Graduation gifts!

4. Fashion find, a fun bag for the warm weather months. 

5. My favorite nail color for summer, Essie's lilacism.

6. And lastly, one of my favorite weekly features from The Glitter Guide, 5 Things to Try This Weekend

source

It's the weekend, eat whatever you want!

Weekend Update

I know that many probably spent this holiday weekend out celebrating and consuming St. Patrick's themed drinks, but I spent the whole weekend relaxing with friends and family and I couldn't have been happier about it. 

I absolutely love cooking and baking, working on new dishes in the kitchen, especially when I am cooking for people that I love. But as much as I enjoy cooking, I really love when others cook for me, like my little sister did on Friday night. I came home to my parent's house to see the table set and food smelling delicious on the stove. My sister made a fabulous "green" pasta dish with asparagus, snap peas, and spinach and the very best cupcakes. It was so nice to be able to sit down and enjoy a long dinner of great food and chatting. 

 This after-dinner treat was absolutely amazing. My sister is the queen of cupcakes and I can always expect greatness when I see her filling the cupcake tins. Maybe if we all get lucky she will share a cupcake recipe with us soon!

This pasta, topped with avocado, was a perfect pre St. Patrick's day feast.

Even though I had to work on Saturday, I still wanted to do something to celebrate the holiday and the burst of warm weather. Since I was at my parent's house I knew I wanted to take advantage of all their kitchen goodies, so I pulled out the ice cream maker to whip up a batch of my favorite food. I used an easy homemade ice cream recipe from my favorite blogger to make an ice cream that was quite appropriate for St. Patrick's Day. 

I spent the rest of the weekend catching up on some reading and relaxing. Of course I painted my nails green to avoid being pinched on Sunday!

Hoping your weekend was perfect too!

Oh My Gold!

Oh My Gold! and Embrace the Lace Essie Sleek Sticks

I know that nail-art stickers are old news, but I have been waiting for Essie to introduce their own designs for a long time. I find that most nail stickers are over the top but (no surprise) Essie has designs that are chic, classic, and quite perfect.

They are available online but I decided to search all over the state of Oklahoma to find a Target store that carried them. It was worth the drive! I was tempted to buy up all of the different patterns but I limited myself to just two this time (that goes with my New Years Resolution of being smarter with my money).

I am embarrassed by how terrible my nails look- this cold, winter weather is killing my skin!

This fun and different manicure took longer than I usually spend on my nails for a day, but the fact that I can't stop looking at my hands proves that it is worth it.

I'm obsessed!

Seeing Spots

I was informed by a sweet 10-year old last week that I wear far too many polka dots (and that my polka dot ensemble looked like chocolate chip cookie dough). At first I was a little hurt, but then embraced the comment, because it is true; this girl loves polka dots. I had polka dot sheets growing up, I love a good spotted manicure, and I really loved 101 Dalmatians.

1. Free People Polka Dot Pant (Free People pants are the absolute best!)

2. J. Crew Dot Pullover

3. Dotted Mug

4. BCBG Sheer Tights

5. Top Shop Nail Wraps

6. J. Crew Pajama Pants

7. Madewell Notebook

8. Target Spotted Blouse

You'll recognize me by my spots.

Dynamic Duo

One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is getting a pedicure.
Let me rephrase, one of my favorite things to do on any day, at any hour is get a pedicure.

With fall weather upon us I am getting so excited about darker nail polish colors, although my toes will be hidden by socks and boots most of the fall and winter, I am still looking forward to these new hues. 

A close friend text me this past week asking what the "cool color" for fall was. My advice to her was not to go too dark since the transition from summer to fall is happening slowly. Then, this weekend,  I went against my own advice and got the darkest color on my toes. 

OPI's William Tell Me All About It has always been one of my favorite colors. Today I noticed how dark it really was and realized that someone might mistake this dark plum (with a hint of crimson) for black. 

To balance out my very dark toes, I got another OPI color on my fingers and think the two colors compliment each other quite nicely. 

Get Me to the Taj On Time is not your basic pale pink, but rather a muted, light mauve that I love for my finger nails. 

So I guess my new advice for nail colors right now would not be "don't go too dark too soon" but to go with the fall colors on either your fingers or toes and keep the other light. Trust me, there will be plenty of cold, winter days to paint both our toes and fingers as dark as night.

Goth toes and pretty princess fingers. 

Things I Love

I have been wanting to post about these lovely items for days (even weeks!) but I used my small amount of self control so that I could actually post on a Thursday. 

(It was by no means an excuse not to blog until Thursday...)

I love that today is Thursday, meaning that tomorrow is Friday, and then a long weekend. The thought of three full days of catching up on sleep, meals that don't require a microwave, and outfits that don't involve a cardigan (gotta love working at an elementary school) make this day so much sweeter and full of anticipation.

Speaking of sweet things and items that I am constantly day dream about--

{May Books}

 Customizable Notebooks and Planners (and so much more)! What I love most about this, other than the quirky designs and personal touches, is that the website shows you exactly what your order would look like before you purchase it. That way you won't be disappointed when it arrives and it supplies me at least an hour of distraction while I try out every combination.

{Loren Hope}

Every piece of her fall 2012 jewelry collection is swoon-worthy. These earrings are just one thing that I am particularly coveting this week.

{Essie Mirror Metallics}

I had been searching for a good metallic gold nail polish for months and Essie delivered with their newest collection. I added "Good as Gold" and "Nothing Else Metals" to my collection of nail polishes last week, only to have to end up throwing out 7 other nail polishes that had dried up. I'm five short now and can't wait for fall colors to start hitting the shelves. See ya "Cajun Shrimp", bring on "Russian Navy"!

{Bond No. 9}

I have been wanting to blog about this perfume since I was in New York in late June. I was already a huge lover of Bond perfumes and received some samples from their store in NY. Usually I just throw them in the bottom of my purse for them to sit for all eternity, but my sample of Sag Harbor is now my daily perfume. I can only use one spray a day to savor this sweet, summer, Hamptons aroma, until I am absolutely forced to buy the full-sized bottle. 

{J. Crew Leopard Belt}

I have been looking, trying on, touching this belt every time I walk into J. Crew.

Then I found one half the price at Ann Taylor Loft, then one for free in my mom's closet.

I still love, love, love this one from J. Crew.

{ASOS}

Chevron rings. 

I am still obsessed. I loved the original rings that ASOS did in sweet, spring colors, but these neutrals and metallics are just asking to be worn all fall and winter. 

Even if they have to stay hidden under mittens sometimes, I still know they are there and they make me feel like an absolute rock star.

Love your long weekend.

Light My Sapphire

I normally stick to the same routine when it comes to painting my nails. About every other day I find a new color combination and paint all my nails a color depending on my mood and the weather, all except my two ring fingers which usually get a nice coat of gold shimmer.

My favorite gold nail polish is by Butter London and on a lazy afternoon I wanted to try something new on my nails. I have seen pictures before but I want to try the trend out for myself.

All you need it two contrasting nail polish colors, (I chose Butter's The Full Monty and OPI's Light my Sapphire) a top coat, a quick drying nail coat, and circular office labels.

Paint your nails using one of your chosen colors, this will appear as the color on the bottom of your nail. Drop quick-dryer on each nail so that the stickers do not smudge the polish or pull any off. Cut the labels in half and press a sticker firmly on each nail to create an arch. Be sure to press down very hard on each part of the label so that no nail polish creeps down.

Paint your other color above the label and apply quick-dryer to this color as well. Allow to fully dry!

After your nails are dry, carefully peel the stickers off (I used tweezers) to reveal beautiful two-tone nails!

Expect compliments.

Something to Talk About

Oh the joys of being at home and being able to watch the Today Show. It really is the little things in life. 

This morning on the Today Show, iVillage released the "Most Talked About" topics of the year. Most of the events and people on the list aren't things I would normally blog about but I promise there is a reason for exposing this list.

8. Kardashians...

7. High-profile infidelity 

6. The Royal Wedding

5. Amanda Knox verdict

4. Steve Jobs

3. Casey Anthony trial and verdict

2. Penn State scandal 

1. The economy 

After hearing this list I started thinking about the things I have talked about the most on this blog. I went back through the past year's posts and did some research on my most popular rants and raves. I wasn't too surprised by what I found, I know what I love and I love sharing those things with you.

10. Holidays

9. Cupcakes

8. Weddings

7. Shoes

6. Coffee/Starbucks

5. Kate Spade

4. J. Crew

3. Essie

2. Fall

1. Nail Polish

Surprising? Not one bit. I like my list much more than the one from iVillage; a little most positive. There is too much crummy stuff in the world to let it leak into my blog. I would much rather continue believing in true love and the goodness in people. 

Until next time.

Some things in life are too sweet not to be shared.  

Glitter. Glitter. Glitter.

i die.

i die. 

i die.

the greatest glitter nail polish. ever.

American Apparel

one of each please, wrap em up!

Until next time.

Ready for a weekend of tacky Christmas sweaters. 

Things I Love

How entertained was I when this little joy popped up on my Twitter newsfeed this morning? (thanks sis and fellow Delia*s lover)

How Refinery 29 came across this 1999 spread from the catalog that launched a thousand fashion disasters, I am not sure, but the jog down memory lane was nice. Getting these catalogs each month (it sometimes seemed like they came everyday) was the highlight of my 6th grade life, second only maybe to getting to show off my Delia*s outfit at the mall on Friday nights. There was a particular black, slightly off the shoulder sweater that I had from Delia*s that I can easily say started my obsession with sweaters. My mom finally "lost it/ruined it in the wash" so that my sister and I would stop wearing it every single day, but if you ask me, that is the sign that it is a great investment.

(This also makes me laugh)

Pretty much, I love Refinery 29 today, this week, and always. I love anything that will be a distraction from homework, professors, and lazy mornings at work. 

Other Link Love from Refinery 29 

Winter Accessory Roundup

Runway Nail Art

New Blog Lovers

Effortless Style

Hip Hip Gin Gin

The Closet- eDrop-Off

I can't stop watching

Let's Get it On

Britney

via. Amber Interiors

Until next time.

Keep loving.

Color Club

Clockwise, in order
Sequin Dress, Pyramid Clutch (On SALE! $28.75), Sweater Skirt, OPI Nail Color
Sequin Shift Dress, Colorful Wool Scarf
Fireside Ornament
Dye Glam Necklace

I love that Kate Spade chose "multi" for the November color. It's just what everyone needs to get them in the mood for an upcoming December holiday and the festivities that go along with that. 

This blog post originated when I was browsing the new OPI Muppet's Collection and found the multi-colored glitter polish, Rainbow Connection. I have never been a big fan of glitter in nail polishes, opting for the traditional glossy look, but recently that has all been changing. There is something special about glitter this time of year and my sparkly nails are reflecting that. So what's big for the month of November? According to Kate Spade it is all colors, all the time. According to me, it is glitter glitter glitter. And according to OPI, it is both. OPI is the clear winner here. 

Until next time.

Color is cute and glitter is good.

Things I Love

So so so many things that I am loving this week. 

Starting off our list today is a collection of colored jeans that puts Essie's fall collection to shame.

Joe's Jeans has introduced their "skinny" jean in 55 (count them!) colors. I die. 

Not only do I own a pair of these jeans, in Fiery Red, but I absolutely love them, but they have reached that level of your favorite jeans that never get washed because you are too busy wearing them. Let me tell you, it is not quite as easy getting away with wearing red jeans as often as dark wash denim, but I am working on switching up my outfits so no one can tell.

Other than the comfortability factor of these jeans, I love them because browsing the selection is like picking out nail polish; comparing the names and shades to find the one that is perfect for you.

Colors that are on my radar right now?

Dirty Olive, Sassafrass, Spruce, and Caramel for fall and winter.

Available at JOE'S JEANS

How often does one have to mention a certain blogger before it is classified as a full-on blog girl crush?

Bee, from Atlantic-Pacific... cannot get enough of her outfit posts.

With the craziness this season has brought with it, I find that I don't have the joy of reading all of my "daily blog reads", but I always make time for Bee's post, as well as some of (all of) her twitter updates through out the day. Upon seeing this post I fell in love with her trench, first thinking that it was reversible jacket from the pictures, but to my surprise it is even better than that.

Kelly Wearstler

Perfectly color-blocked and totally mod. Swoon.

When shopping with my sister in SoHo, we had to step into Bloomingdales to escape the mass of people at the street fair on Broadway. Let me tell you, it was such a bummer having to go into that place. That beautiful, shiny department store. 

We were immediately drawn to a jewelry display that had all sorts of bangles, delicate rings, statement necklaces, and lots of dangling earrings. Being girls, we start playing around as the sales clerk is encouraging us to try on different combinations of the unique designs. As we start conversing with the woman we find out that she is the designer (so glad I liked the jewelry and didn't make rude comments). 

C.J. Recht

Everything I tried on from her collections I loved, especially her pieces made out of sting ray skin.

She talked me into buying a pair of big, beautiful hoop earrings, because according to C.J. studs should never be worn, because they aren't even worth putting on. 

"If you are going to take the time to put in studs, you should at least put in something that is going to flatter you. I believe that the bigger the person, and the bigger the personality, the bigger their earrings should be."

Well I had to buy the hoops after hearing that. I absolutely love the hammered silver hoops with gold details and have found myself wearing them even more than I had anticipated. I am not quite ready to kick my little studs to the curb but I am trying to embrace this new motto on jewelry. 

Some other things I am loving, thanks to Refinery 29.

Nicki Minaj OPI Collection- I feel like when I wear these all I would want to say is "I'M THE SECOND NICKI MINAJ!!!!!!!"

Halloween Nail Art

More pumpkins

Achieve the perfect winged eyeliner

Until next time.

Color me happy.

Things I Love

I feel like Things I Love Thursday's have just become Tumblr Thrusdays because it always ends up being a mass amount of pictures that I have collected on my desktop that I have been obsessing over for the past week, or five weeks.

No explanation necessary. 

This outfit. 

This girl. Anh.

Her blog. 9 to 5 Chic.

That cape. 

I love this hair. And if you run into me today there is a good chance that I have attempted it. 

Found here:The Empty Apartment

How-to here: Refinery 29

Nude and Navy.

Loving this collage of wonderful chicness by Could I Have That

It's just that time of the year when this is necessary every day of the week.

I am loving the salted caramel americano.

It's under $3 and americano's only have 15 calories regularly so I feel like adding the salted caramel can't make it too bad.

This room.

Swoon.

I love Dilly Dallas.

Until next time.

I love fall. And bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils.