Thursday, January 31, 2013

{Weekly Wants} Bib Necklace + Sweater Dress

I'm feelin' a couple of different looks this week.

The more I look around, the more I know I need a sweater dress. I know we are getting closer to spring, but I'm positive I could get some serious wear out of it. Plus, my leggings miss me. I'm sure of it.

Also, I hope the redundancy of my pink + green in it's all its variation doesn't bore you. It wasn't intentional, I think promise. This dress is from top shop and it's not very expensive. I also have this bubble necklace and it happens to be this color. The bracelets are only a few dollars from Charlotte Russe. Let me summarize all of this, I need this dress. Don't you? (this bag is Kate Spade and I love!)


I had a special request from a friend to feature a Bib Necklace and how to style it. There are a few things to remember with a bib necklace. It is essentially taking the place of a collar. Therefore, you have to style it with a shirt that will feature it as a collar. 

In my opinion, go with a very plain top. The necklace is a statement necklace for a reason, no need for a busy top with the necklace. 

Next, Make sure the top has a high enough neckline that most of the necklace will be laying on the top, 
not on your bare chest. If you do this, it looks like a collar with the shirt. 





Finally, if you want to add a little extra to the outfit, add it in with another accessory. Here, I've included leopard print flats.

The necklace featured here is $3 and I think it's great. The flats are also cheap because they are from K-Mart. 


You can always check out my polyvore page for the links to the clothing.


p.s. I'm linking up with Ashley today. Check her out, she's great!




Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Superbowl Appetizer: Buffalo Chicken Dip

It's almost Superbowl time in the NFL. I have to share a great go-to appetizer recipe with you all for the occasion. I've had it in the good ol' recipe book for a couple of years now, but I always pull it out when I need a good dish to take somewhere. This one came from my friend Lauren and it is delish. I made it for my family's annual New Year's Eve Party. (The bread in the picture was great too, I'll have to blog about it later.)


Ingredients:
1 Bottle of Ranch Dressing
1 Bar of Cream Cheese
2 Large Cans of Tyson canned Chicken
2 Small Cans of Tyson canned Chicken
1 Bottle of Frank's Hot Wing Sauce
1 Bag of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese


1. Spread the softened cream cheese into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish


2. Next, mix the drained chicken with the hot wing sauce. You can use the whole bottle, the more you add the hotter the dip.


3. Spread the Chicken over the cream cheese


4. Pour ranch dressing over chicken. ( I didn't use the entire bottle of ranch, but did use most of it)


5. Spread the dressing evenly over the chicken


6. Top the dish with the entire bag of shredded mozzarella cheese


Bake at 350, uncovered for 45 minutes.


I served the dish with Scoops tortilla chips.

Bon Apetit!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Mint, Rose, & Pearls

I STILL love anything mint and pink. I know this was a fall trend, but I think it's so appropriate for spring, right? So, I'm gonna keep wearing it like there's no tomorrow. Plus, I found my mint sweater on clearance at Target for $8, and that definitely makes it okay.

I made this one on polyvore, I need want this mint bag in my life. I could also use the Tory Burch flats, just sayin'.


To get the links from the picture check out my polyvore page here



On a side note, I dried this sweater in the drier because I'm an idiot sometimes. It definitely lost some length so I just layered it with a pink tank. Why not?








Sweater: Target
Tank: Maurices
Denim: Forever 21
Bracelets: A Tad Monroe
Necklace: (I've had it forever)

Are you still feeling mint and pink too?



Linking up with Molly for YOLO Monday today  (find the link over here --->)

Thursday, January 24, 2013

High Five for Friday!


1. I want to have self control when it comes to purchasing jewelry (or anything really), but I've just got to face the facts. It's not going to happen. Yet another shout out to A Tad Monroe. This week Two more bracelets I'm obsessed with. They are reasonably priced and comparable to a lot of popular designer jewelry out there. White, Gold, and Silver....the possibilities are endless.

2. Sometimes, the homework gets the back burner. How great is Claire Danes? I had to prioritize my reading (and hit up the OPI reserve while I was at it).

3. I love using Pinterest to make my grocery list. I found a winner these week. It's Chicken enchilada soup and it was delish. If you are looking for a great new recipe, I highly suggest this one. Check the full recipe out here.

4. Don't get me wrong, I love to dress up. But...every evening this week at about 6 p.m. this is what I was sporting. Love me some pajamas.

Hope you all had a great week!

Linking up with Lauren for H54F

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

{Weekly Wants}

Oxblood





Oxblood was what all the cool kids were wearing last fall and this winter. It will soon be replaced with spring-y colors and I'm looking forward to that. BUT, I thought I'd bring it back one last time.

I found this tribal shirt and open cardigan on polyvore and loved them both. I like the cream accessories to lighten up the look a little bit.

I love the owl earrings and they are only $6.

I also love a dark nail polish in the winter, seems so appropriate.

And....of course, Tory Burch had to get a shout out in there somewhere. I love this clutch with all my heart. It would look great with the flats I still don't have.

What are you wanting this week?


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

January Birch Box Review

I have mixed feelings about this month's BirchBox. There were a couple of items I really loved, but also a few I could live without.


The innards of the box ( I can't believe that's actually a word)


This box has some great things, it was just too close to the box I got last month. Switch it up people!

First was the Lashem Double Trouble Mascara. 

I'm pretty set in my ways when it comes to my mascara regimen. I also received mascara in my last box. Now, I have enough mascara to last me until my mid 70's I'm pretty sure. This mascara was actually pretty good and thickening but the sample was so small I could hardly manipulate the wand. 

theBalm cosmetics Hot Mama "two-in-one" blush and highlighter

LOVE LOVE LOVE! This color was really bright so I thought it would look like a 5 year old did my makeup. I really actually loved this though. I'm saving up my birchbox points to buy a full size. I need this in my life.

Ojon rare blend oil Total Hair Therapy


This product is great. I wish I had more of it. My hair truly is silky after I use it and it smells like lemons, yum.


Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre 24 hour miracle Cream


This moisturizer was decent. It was think and felt nourishing but I stick to my free Clinique samples.

Harvey Prince Skinny Chic


I'm obsessed with this perfume. The next time I buy a bottle, it will be this little gem. It's description is a blend of apple, mint, and lotus blossum. It is so different than any other scent I've had. It's so delicious and if you ever have the opportunity to sample, do it. You won't be disappointed.

Overall, it was a good box. I just want some variation next month. Nail polish and lip gloss, pretty please?


Subscribe to get your own BirchBox here!





Monday, January 21, 2013

Glitz and Glam: Fashion Inspiration

Who doesn't love Blake Lively? I'm a huge fan and I love her even more now because she's picked up that hottie husband of hers.

Her fashion is So fabulous.

I ran across this look and couldn't pass it up. I already had the blue pants and I was looking for a great combo to wear with them.

It must have been fate because I purchased a gold blazer for SUPER cheap from forever 21 about a day before I ran across these lovely pictures of Blake. (I doubt we're on a first name basis, but I pretend we are).
So, I give her all the due credit. She's my fashion inspiration for this one.




Now, apparently this look was circa 2010 ish but I'm bringing it back. We all know electric blue is cool and we all know I'm never going to pass up something that glitters.




Jacket: Forever 21
White Shirt: JC Penney
Blue Pants: Belk
Leopard Flats: so old I have no clue
Necklace: ILY couture

I LOVE this necklace. It was a Christmas gift from husband. You can buy it here

What do ya think?

Linking up with Molly for YOLO Monday (link over here --->)

Friday, January 18, 2013

High Five for Friday!

Linking up with Lauren today for High Five for Friday!


 This week is week 1 of the school work. I'm really trying to find a routine again, since school is fully underway. FOR REALS THOUGH, I've got to cut some social media time out. So I'm trying to hit the blog/twitter/facebook/instagram in the a.m. so the school work takes precedent the rest of the day. (I may or may not check on my phone from time to time, but I need sanity breaks, deal with it).



By day two I was already skipping out of town. I had the BEST time taking a trip to Nashville with my Mom. We went to pick up my aunt from the airport and did some serious bonding. Of course, no Nashville trip is complete without a visit to my favorite shopping mecca...


Best. Outlet. Ever. I should also mention my mom was driving like Jeff Gordon (he probably doesn't even race anymore, but I know nothing about nascar) through this parking lot so I could take a picture. Thanks for the sacrifice Mom. 

And, while in this beautiful place, Mom treated me to some new baubles from Forever 21. I'm obsessed. She even picked the rings out herself.


The spike-y bracelet is the new one. I think it's a good compromise for those of us who don't have Stella and Dot in our area and can't buy the renegade bracelet. (The spikes are rose gold-fake of course)

I love these rings. One is yellow gold, silver, and rose gold. They pull all my bracelets in together. Hecks yeah


I also thought I'd throw in a selfie from the trip for sport. Not because I think any of you want to look at me while I'm getting strangled by my seat belt, but because apparently people get creeped out if they read your blog and don't see pictures of you (or at least that's the word on the street)



I also found these rose gold shoes from Rack Room a couple of weeks ago on clearance. I pulled them out for the first time this week. If it glitters, move out the way, it's mine.


It's love.

I hope you had a great week!