OOTD: Leopard Scarf

Happy Halloween! Today was my day off from work, so I ran some errands. I have been trying to look a little nicer, even when I'm just going to the grocery store. Here it is:

Here is my head to toe look. I have on black leggings & a black tee, both from Victoria's Secret Pink. The mint green cardi is from francesca's. Cognac boots are Steve Madden, I bought them from Journey's last fall. & The star of the show: the leopard scarf I just bought from J.C. Penneys.

Here is a closer look: this scarf is super long and lightweight, which makes it comfy. (You can also see my new pink IPhone 5C.)

As you can see, I twisted my bangs back to get them out of my face & pulled my hair up in a pony tail because it's rainy today. My earrings are from Forever 21.

I added some mix & match bracelets to add some sparkle. They are from everywhere & I honestly don't remember how long I've had them or where they came from.

I love wearing boots. They are so comfy & completely waterproof! It was so rainy & cold today, but my feet felt great in these.

Here is the handbag I'm carrying today. I got this pretty brown & pink Coach bag when we were at Myrtle Beach. They have a huge Coach outlet. It is my favorite souvenir! (you can see Moby in the background of this one)

Here is my furry little assistant, Moby. He helps me do absolutely everything!

 That was my outfit today. I love wearing leggings because they are so comfy & look pretty nice. I am loving my new scarf, I have been wanting a leopard print scarf for so long, & I finally found this one & it was only $15. Have a great Halloween & eat lots of candy!

Here are a couple I like from Amazon:

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month!

Hello everyone! As you probably already know: October is Breast Cancer Awareness month! As a nurse, I try my best to promote different monthly awareness'. Please let me know if there is an awareness that you want me to feature. Breast cancer seems to be getting more and more attention in the news lately. However, many women do not realize prevention is the key! Please do a monthly self-breast exam to look for changes/lumps. Here is a "lemon guide" to assist you:

Also, here is a helpful monthly text reminder! It texts you  every month to remind you to do your self-breast exam.

 

Another thing I love is seeing all the pink products in stores. Susan G. Komen takes part in a multitude of product making so that a portion of profit goes back into research. This basically means that you are buying super cute pink products & in addition donating to a great fund!

Please keep Breast Cancer Awareness in mind this month <3 comment-3--="">

DIY: Distressed Denim

Have you ever noticed that distressed denim costs about triple what non-distressed denim does? I understand that the process of distressing is probably a mess during manufacturing and takes much longer. So yesterday I was surfing a women's fashion on Pinterest and thought, "Why can't I do it myself?" About 2 hours later and a little research under my belt, I decided to give it a try. Here was my stab in the dark:

First things first: I gathered up my supplies.

1: Really, really sharp scissors.

2: Small utility knife (You could substitute a disposible razor here but i only have expensive refills & didn't want to waste them.)

3: Nail file

4: Pumice stone (only slightly used previously & honestly, it did not ruin it)

5. Piece of white chalk

Next, I put the jeans on & marked with the chalk where I wanted there to be holes, distressed areas, fraying, etc. Then I laid them out on the floor, as seen here. Now, before you guys go all, "those look like nice jeans to be destroying." I know, I know. But, I seriously never never wear these jeans. They are a little too long and just don't fit perfect so they have been sitting in my closet since Black Friday & I think I ahve worn them once!

Step #3: I rolled up the leg to make the knee area a little more accessible. I took my scissors & simply cut where I had a chalk line. Now, please be careful not to cut clear through the back layer during you intitial cutting. (That's why I rolled up the leg.)

Then I cut a small hole in the back left pocket. To make it look frayed like this, I simply rubbed the pumice stone back and forth on the cut area after I had made a clean cut with the scissors. (I did this on the cut out knee as well)

Another way to add to the distressed look without actually cutting a hole: I simply used the utility knife to "shave" the top layer of denim. This makes it look thin & faded, but there is no visible hole. i did this right below the knee on the side opposite from the holey knee.

I noticed that they were still looking pretty fresh & I wanted them to look worn in. I held each belt loop and cut along the hem. I did not cut through the hem, I just snipped off the thin strip of fabric on the outside of the hem and then rubbed it with the pumice stone. the results are in the following pic:

I continued this method on all the beltloops, the top of the front and back pockets, and the inside hem of the legs:

That's it! I am going to give them a wash before I wear them, so that the frayed areas become a bit more frayed. I will give you a little OOTD when I wear them to a concert this weekend!

A little side note: This is pretty messy. There were little shreds of denim all over my room & I ahd to run the vacuum! Haha, but it turned out really great for a first time try!

TAG: I heart spring!

As I was browsing YouTube, I noticed a new tag & thought, "what better way to get back into blogging?" So here is the I heart spring tag, originally made by missglamorazzi.

1. Favorite spring nail polish? I can honestly say that I have been painting my nails! I officially stopped biting my nails about a month ago, which I have struggled with since I was a tiny child. So...I have been putting on the polish! My fave right now is Shall We Dance by Sally Hansen. It is a nice light color that makes your nails look clean.

    
2. What is your must-have lip color this spring? My must have lip product is pretty boring right now: I have been obsessed with the original Burt's Bees. My lips get so dry and chapped this time of year and it really softens and heals them. I have also been using a lip scrub/balm duo from Victoria's Secret about once a week. It makes my lips feel supple and full.

3. Show us your favorite spring dress! Hahahaha...it must be great to wear dresses this time of year! It was 36 degrees here this morning and the wind was gusting so hard our power kept blinking, plus my car kept getting blown around on the interstate. I generally try to wear warmer clothing items when it's that cold.

4. What's your favorite flower? My favorite flower is a purple orchid. I don't like a lot of flowers bc I have crazy allergies, but my mom is a fabulous gardener. She has a huge clematis vine that will burst with flowers in a couple months & I always look forward to that.

5. Favorite spring scarf/accessory? I wore a zebra striped scarf the other day and a peachy colored one a couple weeks ago, I like scarves this time of year because they look fun but keep me warm.

6. What spring trend(s) are you most excited about this year? (Makeup, fashion or both!) hmm..I have to say that I am really enjoying the color mint. It is literally everywhere! I have been considering getting the mint colored vans..or maybe a nice mint cardi..or maybe even both!

 

Aren't these cute?

       
7. Favorite spring candle? Lately i have been on a huge "No Buy." Meaning, I cannot buy more of something before I use up most of what I have. So I am finishing up odds & ends of leftover candles. Yesterday I burnt a Peppermint Mocha one from B&BW and this evening I burnt a Sugar Cookie one from WalMart.

8. Favorite body spray/perfume for spring? I really like the same scents year-round. I need to establish more of a rotation. I have been loving Be Enchanted from B&BW and also a long time favorite: Pink Warm & Cozy from Victoria's Secret Pink.

9. What is spring like where you live? I live in WV, and springtime is cold and wet. This morning it was 36 & super windy. It usually pours the rain/sleet down. We don't get to experience warm weather til about May/June.

10. What's your favorite thing about spring? I love the anticipation of knowing that warm weather is right around the corner!

11. Are you a spring cleaner? Yes & No. I am an OCD, neat freak at all times of the year. I cannot stand clutter or dirt. However, I go through little "episodes" of cleaning out/going through/reorganizing everything. It usually happens late @ night when I cannot sleep! Weird, right?

12. Any plans for spring break or an upcoming vacation? I plan on going to my cousin's wedding in May, but it is just about 30 min away. This weekend I am going to a Luke Bryan concert! & my huge summer trip isn't until September: I am going to the beach with my fiance & our group of friends! I cannot wait!

So there it is, my version of I heart spring.

PS: So sorry for being MIA. I have been extremely busy, plus I haven't felt up to par. So excited to be back :)

Decorating?

Hello everyone! I thought I would mix things up & show you a few little "upgrades" I did to my room.


I have always, always wanted a jewelry armior. I had been actively looking for one for about the past 2 years and I just could not find one I really liked, until recently. I have been watching Tiffany's videos on Youtube for a while now and I could not help noticing the jewelry armior she had in the background. I immediately fell in love. It took me a while, but I finally found the exact one from her videos at Pier 1. It was a little more money than I wanted to spend, but I saved up and talked myself into it. It is part of the Hayworth Collection, if you are curious. Here are some pics, I feel like the pics do not do it justice. You have to see it in person to see the full beauty.

This is the outside. It is stunning in person. Please excuse the reflection of my legs in the mirror.

This is what it looks like opened. There is sooo much space inside!

 

 

I am absolutely loving it! I finally have a place for all my jewelry & been actually wearing it. I am exicted. Let me know if you guys want to see it up close with my jewelry organized in it, I'll take some up closer pics.

 

Meanwhile on Pinterest...I saw this really cool shoe rack that was made from a bookcase.

 

looks pretty legit, right?

 

 

I figured I would just buy a bookcase & adjust the shelves to however far spaced apart tehy needed to be. Just buying the bookcase was the hardest part! I went everywhere in search of a bookcase. The only thing I could find was cheapo particle board. So, I thought that might work. I bought a particle board bookcase @ WalMart and when I brought it home it was too flimsy to even stand up by itself. haha...fail! The hunt was still on. I eventually found a real wood, solid bookcase at Target that I bought. Here is my Pinterest inspired shoe storage solution: 

 

 

It's not too bad if I do say so myself. I went with black, bc it matched my room better. I also have too many shoes for just one, and my boots are still in my closet. I might have a slight shoe addiction...

So there are my 2 room upgrades. Let me know if you enjoy seeing this kind of thing or whatever :)

I heart fall

It's that time of year again: fall! I saw a tag on YouTube that was the "I heart fall" tag, started by MissJenFabulous (go check her out) She made up all of the questions so now I'll answer:

1 Favorite Fall lip product? I have to be boring with this one and say Burts Bee's. I always wear lip gloss in the spring and summer but in the fall I need more hydration so I use this simple lip balm. I love the way it makes my lips tingle. I have one beside my bed, one in my car, and another in my purse. I hate chapped lips and Burt's Bees is the only balm that really prevents this.


2 Favorite Fall Nail Polish? For this one I have to say any color of purple. I love having purple nails in the fall. I feel like it can be dark, but still fun.

3 Favorite Starbucks Fall Drink? Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, what else? I tried to branch out the other day and get the salted caramel latte & that was bad news, I didn't like the salty aftertaste.

4 Favorite Fall Candle? Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin by Bath & Body Works. Do you see a theme? haha I love anything pumpkin flavored or scented. I do like their Leaves scent too.


5 Favorite Fall Scarf or accessory: I love love love boots. I have black and brown Steve Maddens & so many Uggs that I'm embarrassed. They are so comfy and warm.

6 Haunted house, haunted hay ride, or haunted corn maze? I have to say it is a toss up between haunted house and haunted hayride. I participated in all 3 a couple weekends ago at Rich's Fright Farm in Pennsylvania. It was an absolute blast!


7 Favorite Halloween movie? I never really watch any Halloween movies. I dk why. I like scary movies, I just never seem to watch any aroung this time of year.


8 Favorite candy to eat on Halloween? I love the pumpkin shaped Reese's cups! They are thebomb.com :) I like pretty much any candy though.


9 What are you dressing up as for Halloween?! I actually didn't dress up this year. I had to work, so I wore my Halloween scrubs with little spiders on them!

10 What is your Favorite thing about Fall? There is so much I love about fall. Boots, warmer clothes, football, the first snowflakes. But I think what I like most of all is that fall seems to be the calm before the storm. Soon Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here & everyone will be in a whirlwind of craziness. You won't be able to get a parking spot at the mall & ppl will be stressing over presents/get togethers. I love that fall is a time of peacefulness.

OOTD: bff's bridal shower

A couple weekends ago I went to one of my best friend's bridal shower. I was so exicted to see her bc she has been away at college for the past 3 years! So here is what I wore:

Obviously I'm the short blonde on the right :)

     My dress is from Kohl's, Sweater from GAP, boots are Steve Maddens that I bought at Journeys.

I liked this outfit but I felt like the dress was too long. I like the design on the bottom of it but I felt like I was all dress & no body. haha, oh well. Apparently we all got the memo to wear boots :)

     It was nice to catch up, and scary to think that we are old enough to get married!