Here is a bunch of random stuff. Link up your random stuff at the bottom of this post.
Can someone tell me if I am being ripped off? I took a dress to a local seamstress to have the hem take up about 2 inches. It's a faux denim dress with two layers. My jaw almost hit the floor when she told me it would be around $25. Thoughts?
How is the last week on October already?! Although I am not excited we are getting closer to winter, I am totally ready for November! I have a total of 6 1/2 vacation days from work in November. Mid month I am headed on a Bahamas cruise with one of my BFFs, Laura. Girls trip! At the end of the month Nick and I will be making a quick trip to Pennsylvania to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Can't wait!
Yes, please!
Angle Thanksgiving 2013
Man Crush Monday:
Andy Murray
Andy won the title in Valencia this past weekend, giving him 31 career title wins!
Nick and I saw Gone Girl last week! I was really excited that Gillian Flynn, the author, also wrote the screen play. That's really the only way to go when turning a book into a movie. I find that movies based on books when the authors sell the rights never turn out as great as I hope. I felt Rosmund Pike came off older on screen than how I pictured Amy throughout the book. However, I do think she's in the running for an Oscar nod. Her acting was amazing. Also, no one has mentioned this so I'm going to - how about that Ben Afflect full frontal? I found it really weird and unneccessary. Would love to hear your thoughts on this movie!
The Duchess of Cambridge made her first public appearance on Tuesday since August, and since announcing that she is expecting her her second child. Kate, who is due in April 2015, has been suffering with severe morning sickness.
The Duke and Duchess were on hand to greet the President and First Lady of Singapore and welcome them to the United Kingdom. President Tony Tan Keng Yam is the first Singaporean head of state to make a state trip to Britain. The Cambriges first met the Tans during their Diamond Jubilee tour to South East Asia in 2012.
Kate wore an Alexander McQueen coat, a Jane Taylor teardrop hat, Prada pumps, and carried a Jenny Packham suede cluch. It is said that the duchess wore a unidentified black dress under her McQueen coat.
No sign of a royal baby bump yet, but Kate is estimated to only be 12-14 weeks along.
The Duchess made a second appearence that evening, this time at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards at London's Natural History Museum.
She wore a powder blue Jenny Packham gown, LK Bennett shoes, and accessorized with a cluch by Alexander McQueen.
Kate was on hand to present the awards to the overall winners of the adults and under-18 competitions alongside Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Dixon. It was the 50th Annual Wildlife Photograpther of the Year competition.
Celebrate October's big holiday with a grown-up twist. Check out these adults-only treats!
Blood Orange Bubbling Elixir
1.5 oz Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
4 oz blood orange juice
2 oz sparkling wine (or sparkling rose)
Blood orange slices (optional)
Directions: Fill a pilsner glass with ice (and slices of blood oranges, if desired.) Add blood orange liquer and blood orange juice. Top with sparkling wine and stir well
Dawn of the Dead
1.5 oz Cruzan Strawberry Rum
2 strawberries, mulled
4 raspberries
10 mint leaves
0.75 oz lime juice
0.75 oz simple syrup*
1 oz cranberry juice
Splash of sparkling rose
Directions: In a cocktail glass, muddle berries and mint leaves. Add Cruzan Strawberry Rum and cranberry juice. Top with ice and sparkling wine. Stir well.
Black Widow
1.5 oz Don Julio Blanco Tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 tsp agave nectar
4 basil leaves
3 blackberries
Ice
Directions: In a mixing glass, muddle three basil leaves and two blackberries. Add Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime juice and agave nectar. Top with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass over ice. Garnish with remaining basil leaf and blackberry.
Poison Apple Fizz
2 oz Effen Vodka
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz simple syrup*
2 dashes ground cinnamon
2 oz hard cider
Garnish: orange slice
Directions: Combine vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and ground cinnamon. Top with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a tall Collins glass filled with ice. Top with hard cider and stir well. Garnish with orange slice.
Witch's Bellini
1/2 cup Effen Black Cherry Vodka
2 cups frozen berries
0.5 cup pomegranate juice
1.5 cups sparkling wine
1.5 cups ice
3 tbsp of sugar (add more, if needed)
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender cup. Blend on high until blended smooth. Pour into small glasses.
*Simple Syrup: 1 part water; 1 part white sugar. Combine sugar and water. Stir until completely dissolved. You can also heat on stovetop to dissolve faster.
//1// It's almost voting time here in Michigan! I am a huge, huge, HUGE advocate of women voting. We need to have our voice in legislation and to do that we need to vote. Women have had the right to vote for less than 100 years in our country. That's a pretty short amount of time considering the US was formed in 1776.
One thing I'm an even bigger advocate of - for all genders - is casting an educated vote. Do the research! Don't vote for someone your favorite celebrity is endorsing, by political party, or the way your spouse or friends are going to vote. Take time to check out all the candidates and see who makes the biggest impression on you and who's beliefs match the closest to yours. I picked up the above Nonpartisan Voter Guide at my local library. It's helped me review all the candidates so that when it's time to go to the polls, I feel I can make an informed decision.
//2// I've been thinking about my grandparents a lot lately. They both had birthdays in October and it was the wedding anniversary month. My Papa passed away in July 2011 and my Grandmommie passed away in March 2013. I could go on and on, but I'll keep it simple. They were really cool people that really helped shape me and I learned so, so much from them. I love that there are little things I do everyday that makes me think of them.
//3//I'm so excited that I finished Christmas shopping for mynieces and nephew - H, E, G, and soon-to-be E! I'm the aunt that gives practical gifts. I usually go with books or personalized Christmas ornaments. I found a way to be practical yet really fun this year. I don't want to give it away because I want their parents to be surprised too! Nick and I pretty much only do presents for the kids so I'd say my Christmas shopping is DONE!
//4// This for all my Southern blogging friends because there's a little big part of me that wishes I was a Southern Belle.
I love Kate Middleton's style. It's classic yet timely and modest. She has
great pieces that can be mixed and matched and worn more than once.
Unfortunately, most of us don't have Kate's budget so I went on a mission to
find affordable, inspired-by-Kate pieces. Enjoy!
Kate's Look
Kate wore this black and white Jaeger dress to a Maritime Museum visit in June 2014.
A Cute's Look
Vila White Illusion Panel Midi Dress - $27
Dorothy Perkins T Black Damask Mid Court Heels - $23
ONLY Suede Clutch - $25
Oval Crystal Surround Drop Earring - $24
FOREVER 21 Classic Chronograph Watch - $15
Total Cost: $114
Kate's Look
Kate was spotted in this classy and comfortable number in the days before her April 2011 wedding to Prince William. She paired a white blazer with John Lewis cowl neck sweater, Hudson skinny jeans, Black Pied A Terre
Imperial wedges, and Prada cognac tan bowler handbag.
A Cute's Look
Nine West Clambake Wedge Sandals - $30
Vero Moda Long Sleeved Open Blazer - $40
Casandra Natural V Neck Sweater in Pink - $13
Women's Weekender Handbag with Zipper Closure Brown - $40
Happy Monday everyone! I hope you will link up at the bottom of the post - no rules - you don't have to follow me, link your post to me, or have written a weekend recap. Whatever you wrote about today, link it up here and make new friends!
Nick and I had dinner with another couple on Saturday night. I was responsible for dessert so I made cinnamon roll cake from scratch. I think it turned out really well. Nick kept ravings about it. Thanks, sweetie!
Come back tomorrow for the recipe!
The church Nick and I attend is celebrating 25 years. Yesterday they had a comedian in named Jonnie W. He was pretty good. Here's a sampling...
I went back to blonde with weekend!
What do you think? I'm using purple shampoo to help with the orange and brassiness. Any other suggestions on how to counter act this?
I had wanted to try the clothing website eShakti out for awhile so I was super excited when I was approached by the company to receive a free dress in exchange for a review. For those of you not familiar with eShakti, they are an international fashion design company that makes custom clothing. The offer both style and fit customization for women size 0 through 36. Basically you pick a style that you like and customize by giving them your measurements, choosing the length, and adding or subtracting sleeves. I was super excited when the dress I picked arrived!
I was super excited about this chambray dress I picked out because of how many ways I'd be able to style it. It looks great on hanger, but I was super disappointed when I put it on. First thing I noticed is that material was really thin - like you could straight up see my bra and panties through it thin - basically making it unwearable. The next thing I disliked was the length. I was under the impression that it would hit right above the knee. I even gave them my height! The hem ended up about an inch below my knee and just looked really awkward. I also found that the button whole in the back was really impossible to use. I think the loop was made too small. You have to undo the button to get this dress on and frankly it's really not worth the hassle.
I loved the chambray, the sash, and the embroidery at the bottom, and the racer back style top, but only on the hanger. It was complete mess once I put it on. I was super sad because other girls reviews were really good and they were in love with the dress the received. Wish this would have turned out better because it's a lovely dress on the hanger.
In better fashion news I did pick the this really cute pair of leggings from my local Meijer.
Can't wait to rock these with a chambray shirt or sweater and moccasins! What do you think?
