{Happy Halloween}

{Pic credit: Sweet Paul}

And now the excitement really begins - this is my absolute favorite time of the year. I can smell the turkey now basting in the oven...I can taste the snow falling from the sky as we stand outside in the wee hours of the night in the anticipation of the sales to come the next day. Ahhh....only 23 days to go until I get to go home....hurry hurry hurry. 

Happy Halloween Peeps!

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- A fantastic homemade olive oil scrub - this I'm gonna try!

- mmmmmmm.....Chocolate Pumpkin Peanut {Butter}

- I'm looking for a plaid button down - Kendie has given me a little inspiration...

- Homemade Twix (keep scrolling down for the English translation)

- Repackaged Candy DIY - I love this...

- Homemade tater tots....can you say word to ya motha!

- Kate Spade Spring 2012 sneak peak!
- Click here to find out about the Food Truck Rodeo - and take a peak at the 27 trucks that will be there.

- I can't wait to check out the new Furbish store - I forgot to add that to my Saturday plans above. Congrats Jamie - the store looks great, can't wait to see it in person!

Enjoy your weekend Peeps!

{Vanilla, Pear, and Vodka Cocktail}

Doesn't this drink look refreshing?? Over the weekend, while in New York, my sister made me a pear martini that was to die for (I ended up having several). When I got back to the office on Tuesday, one of our clients sent us a box full of delicious Harry & David pears. And then when I went to Pinterest last night, one of the first pins I saw was this recipe for a Vanilla, Pear, and Vodka Cocktail. So as confirmations usually come in three's - I would say that the stars have aligned for me to make and indulge in this drink this weekend. I've got the vodka - check. I've got the pears - check. Now all I need are some vanilla beans which I'll get tomorrow, and viola. Mmmmm....can't wait!

And just for kicks - here's another recipe I found - amazeballs, right??? This is definitely in the queue...and of course I'll have to Weight Watcher-ize it (as in low fat cheeses, 2% milk (I just can't do skim), turkey sausage, and wheat pizza dough) and then figure out how many points+ it will be... it will be worth the work!

{Recipes found here: Vanilla/pear cocktail | Mealuffins}

{What I Purchased}

Here's a sneak peak at what I purchased this past weekend in NYC. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time to visit and find everything on my wish list - but that's ok - that's what the internet was made for right? Online Shopping!!!

{Zara silver sweater, gray turtleneck poncho, leopard scarf | Madewell polka dot top | J Crew sequin top}

{Packing Light}

Morning Peeps!!! I had a fantastic time in NYC this weekend and am still trying to recover from the busy busy weekend. New York has such an amazing energy, and in 3 days there was no way that we were able see everything, spend time in every neighborhood, go to every shop, and eat at all of our favorite restaurants - it just proves that I need to visit more often...and now that I have 2 sisters living there, I'll be there a lot more frequently. One thing that was hard as I was preparing for my trip - was trying to pack for 50 degree weather, in a carry-on because I wasn't paying extra for my luggage. I came across this packing light how-to on Pinterest last night, and realized that I actually packed several of these items:

On the blog tomorrow - what I purchased this past weekend!

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- It's like onion rings - but not - they're potato rings...omg.

- This is quite vulgar - but hilarious - it's decorative gourd season!

- What do you name your hard drive???

- The invention of the spork...

- Need ideas for how to decorate your pumpkins? Click here, here, here, and here {79 ideas from Martha Stewart}!

Ok - that's all I've got for now - enjoy your weekend Peeps and I'll be back on Tuesday!!

{Sparkle and Shine}

There are three items that I would like to find while roaming the streets of New York this weekend: 1. leather {faux-leather} pants, 2. shoes/boots, and 3. sequin top and/or clutch. All of these items shouldn't be hard to find - I will just have to decide how much I want to spend on them. Some people have asked me "where would you wear sequin other than at a Christmas party or New Year's Eve?" And my answer to that is EVERYWHERE - the grocery store, out for a day of shopping, out to dinner... For day time limit sequins to a top, like a tank or embellished cardigan or sweater. Off set the texture of sequins with jeans or a chambray shirt or cotton to balance out an outfit. Accessorize minimally to avoid an outfit looking too busy. Sequins at work, you say? Yes, you can totally wear sequins at the office - it’s all in how you wear them. Choose a smaller size sequin in a neutral color to minimize their flashy reflective appearance. Some come in a matte plastic instead of ultra shiny and iridescent that still provides texture to an outfit minus the flash.

Be bold - be different - and if people stare...let them - consider it as you're being noticed! Shine on!

{Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of}

Six reasons why I love New York City and why I'm super excited that on Friday I'll be catching a plane to one of the best cities in the world:

{Comfort Food For The Soul}

In my quest to a healthy body and life, I'm learning to eat to live, rather than live to eat. It wasn't an easy task at first, but I'm slowly making the transition. But if I can contradict myself for a quick second and ask - what about the pictures below don't make you want to cozy up and indulge in a huge bowl of tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons? One of the reasons people following a weight loss plan 'cheat' is because they feel deprived of their favorite foods. So I say - eat that tomato soup, eat those grilled cheese croutons - just watch your portions and make sure that your splurges only happen every once in a while. I saw a quote on pinterest that said "do not reward yourself with food - you are not a dog" - right? lol!!!

To indulge in this recipe - click here - enjoy and stay warm!

{I got a runner in my pantyhose - I'm not wearing pantyhose}

You know I'm a movie buff - so what classic movie did the line {Honey, I got a runner in my pantyhose - I'm not wearing pantyhose} come from??? lol

-----------------

Now that the weather is chilly enough to wear tights - what better way to add another layer to your outfit than by dressing up your legs in rich colors, bold graphics, and delicate lace…

Mustard | Polka dots | Fuchsia | Graphic angles | Stripes | Fishnet

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- DIY Caramel Apple Kit - too cute!!
- Strawberry + Peanut Butter + Multigrain toast = yummy healthy breakfast!
- Mad Passionate Love - word!
- And this is why I love Etsy - I'm loving this coat and thinking about get one made for me!
- I want to make a glitter disco ball - just need a reason to. Or do I really need a reason?
- Flick Chicks - a guide to the seven types of women in romantic comedies - a really funny story in the New Yorker.
- Pictures taken just at the right time...
- How to flag a cab in NYC - I need to remember this for next weekend
- A cuddle mattress - lol - would you buy it?

Ok - that's all I've got for now - enjoy your weekend Peeps!!

{This Small Space}

I always love seeing how people can turn a small spaces into chic and functional spaces and Ellie Somerville, associate market editor at Lonny, has done just that. Take a peak below at her lovely home and click here to see more images over on on the Lonny Blog.

{Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it}

Gratitude is a virtue that everyone should cultivate, yet gratitude means nothing if you haven't mastered the art of expressing it. Are you more of a verbal/email thank you-er, or are you like me and think that hand-written notes are the best?

Maybe the question should be - when do you think it's appropriate to write a thank you note?

- When you receive a gift

- When someone performs an act of service for you

- When someone goes above and beyond what is asked of them, whether at work or in friendship

- After a job interview

- When someone has you over for dinner

- Anytime someone does something that warms your heart

- There's never a wrong time to write one

Ground rules:

- Write the note as soon as possible (within 2 weeks of attending the event or receiving the gift)

- Send it via snail mail - while emails are certainly convenient, sending a thank you note through the mail shows effort

- Use real stationary. In addition to the new Jess LC collection above ($3 for a single card, $14 for a pack of six) - click here, here, here, and here for a few of my faves.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

William Arthur Ward

{A pair of shoes can change your life. Just ask Cinderella}

Over the weekend I spent quite a bit of time at Nordstrom, and fell in love with a bunch of shoes and not one of them were available in my size - NOT.ONE! So I've done some searching online and am now a little obsessed with these three - don't they just scream fall?

Where to shop: 1/2/3

{Fall Trend: Cape Fear?}

Morning Peeps! I had a wonderful birthday weekend full of shopping (I purchased this, this - although both look much cuter in person and on - and both Anthro items were 30% off, this, this, and these so far - the rest will be bought while I'm in NYC in a couple of weeks) and good eats. I have one more day of celebrating as I took the day off work today, then it's back to the real world! Over the weekend I received the following question from a reader, and as you can tell from my weekend purchases, you already know what my answer will be:

Enjoy your day - I'm going back to bed!

{TGIF Peeps}

Check out some of the links that I've been lovin' on this week:

- Matchbook and Adore magazines are live - check em out!!
- I found my dream house and think this would be perfect for me, don't you???
- Ever wonder how to tip? Where here's some... tips...
- Fancy grilled cheese 9 ways...
- I need a coat to go with these gloves...and this or this hat...
- I want someone to make me this cake - isn't it purty?
- My trainer is trying to kill me. No link. Just sayin....ouchhhhh I'm sore this morning!

Enjoy your weekend Peeps!!

{Fall Favorite: Pumpkin}

1. Pumpkin Praline Trifle
2. Pumpkin Doughnuts
3. Pumpkin Ice Cream

{Rue Magazine: Anniversary Issue}

The anniversary issue of Rue is currently available, and while I was planning to wait and read it this weekend, I have to dive right in and view it the moment it went live. This by far is my favorite issue to date - it honestly has something for everyone - home decor, fashion, food, gift ideas, amazing photography, my favorite spread No Particular Place To Go (starting on page 90 and below) and to place the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake - a home tour (starting on page 119) of Rue's Chief Editor Crystal Gentilello - just you wait!

To flip through the entire magazine (again my favorite issue to date) click here!

{Inspiration Is Everywhere}

If you can put together an outfit, you can decorate a room, and vice versa. For example {as seen below}, find a piece of art that inspires you and find a top that resembles it. Pair it with a great pair of jeans*, throw on a necklace and viola. 

Does it not seem that easy to you? Well take a look around your house. What colors do you see? What patterns? As I'm sitting here writing this post, I'm looking around and realizing how much my apartment looks exactly like my wardrobe - lots of neutrals with a hint of color here and there, very little pattern. Look around - does your home resemble how you dress?

*I've been wanting a pair of Raleigh Denim jeans because - well duh - I live in Raleigh currently and I love supporting local businesses. While I still have some lbs. to shed before doing so - a pair of these are definitely on my short-term bucket list. Click the link above to learn more about these jeans and how you can get a pair!

{October Picks}

It's the beginning of the month and you know what that means - time for my October Picks! As my birthday is on Saturday, I thought I would share what I would like to buy myself for the big day:

1. The infamous boots that I've been eyeing since I saw them at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale...

2. I love this gold ring - that's all, and enough to purchase...

3. CUPCAKES (notice the plural) - it's my birthday so I can splurge a little, right?

4. Raleigh may not be ready - but I'm getting these glitter shoes for sure!

5. I've been searching for a cognac tote - found it...

6. What's a birthday with a bit (ok a bunch) of sparkle - love love love sequins...and this shirt.

Happy Birthday MONTH to me!