Dressed-down sparkle.

[The Limited cardigan, belt, scarf, sequin skirt, and tights // Steven by Steve Madden boots // Fossil watch]

Because who says you only have to wear sparkle at night or for the holidays???? I sure don't. Instead of a blouse and heels I belted a boyfriend cardigan and threw on some boots. Done. The moment I saw that we were getting this sequin skirt in back in October, I knew I had to have it. Not only was it a sequin skirt, but it was a blush sequin skirt, a.k.a. one of my favorite colors to put in my closet, and also a very versatile one. It's been great with sweaters and faux fur, but I can't wait to wear it in the spring with some cute flats or pumps, no tights, and maybe a soft chambray shirt or pretty sleeveless blouse and light cardigan. We got this skirt in later in black, but I didn't see that as a year-round piece. The blush color, however, actually goes with a lot of other colors and can easily go from season to season. I imagine I will be wearing this to death in the next few years, because I'm kind of in love with it (I've already worn it to work probably 10 times). It will serve as one of my possible options for Christmas Eve that I will be packing in my suitcase soon! Speaking of that, I should probably make a list, seeing as how I leave tomorrow......

So excited!!!

iPhone photo dump.

So about those posts I've been meaning to do.....

Sorry if you read and have been disappointed that nothing has been on here. I've been a little busy as of late, picking up as much work as possible this week before I'm gone for Christmas. It's been pretty good, with two very successful nights at the restaurant helping my low bank account. Gotta love serving for that! Other than that, all I can think about is just making it through my last two work shifts today and tomorrow and then going home. I haven't even had time to make a packing list! Even though I've been pretty busy, I have had time to play with my camera on my new phone, so here are some pictures of my life as of late...

[Pancakes on a Saturday]

[Accessories]

[Essentials from the grocery store]

[Scrumptious dinner]

[Fuzzy socks and Christmas lights]

[Enjoying some Oregon brew]

[Boys at B-Dubs]

[Sam's samples - Chicken nugget man]

[Todd the fox]

[SAE lights]

[SAE Christmas tree]

[Ran into Alyx!]

[Of course this mug lives in Delta]

[Book borrowed from my G-baby. Can't wait to read it!]

[Blush jeans are in!!! Obsessing over the next floorset stuff]

Yup, I made another cake.

What else is new? I got this recipe for snickerdoodle cake with brown sugar cinnamon buttercream from Pinterest, as usual. It did not disappoint! The cake was moist and had just enough cinnamon in it, and the buttercream was extra special with the brown sugar and cinnamon. This lasted all of about 3 days. Yikes. I may have a fat kid living inside of me. No.... not maybe... it's a sure thing.

My finished product:

Too early.

[The Limited jeans, sweater, jewelry, and clutch // Vince Camuto booties // Hinge at Nordstrom faux fur vest]

So I meant to post yesterday, and even though I didn't have to work til 6 I somehow didn't have any time? I was, however, very productive, with a good work out, some errands ran, and the purchase of a dress at Von Maur that I didn't need but did need because of the price and how one-of-a-kind it is and how perfect it would be for a bridal shower, a friend's wedding, or a summer in the Hamptons.. y'know, cuz I do that.

Finally, here is an outfit pic with the beloved booties. You can expect some more as the winter goes on and, hey, probably the Spring, too. I'm in love. They go with everything. I wear them every chance I get. Oh, and bear with me on this whole new photo spot. It's better than the kitchen, but I hate doing photos in doors. Unfortunately this is what will have to happen with it getting so dark outside so early. Blast. Speaking of so dark, it's still dark outside right now, yet I am showered and have had my breakfast already. I don't think I've had to get up this early since high school (unless it's for a flight). It's my turn to open the store on the weekend, and the mall decided that 8 am would be a good time. Even though no one really comes in til about 10, when the mall usually opens. Awesome. A Starbucks run is definitely in order today.

Hope your weekend is going well!

Cheesy chicken and rice casserole

[Picture from Pinterest]

If you want an easy and delicious meal, then look no further. I was browsing Pinterest for meal ideas (as I often do) and stumbled upon this gem. I thought, "I like chicken. I like rice. I like cheese." I also thought how I hate putting "cream of whatever" soups in my food because of the high high sodium content. And they just look disgusting :/ This recipe does NOT call for that and that made me happy. Instead of buying the white rice and wild rice separately I just found a yummy wild rice blend. I also tried to make it a little healthier by using low sodium chicken broth. You could probably also substitute with vegetable broth if you like. The combo of rice, chicken, chopped veggies, a homemade cheese sauce, and more cheese on top (of course) was so yummy! Bon appetit!

One year later

[Look at me all decked out in my graduatin' gear!]

So it took me awhile to realize that I graduated exactly one year ago today. Whoa. How does a year fly by so fast?? I just creeped my own photos from that last semester at Millikin and I remember it all like it just happened. I remember moving into the house I shared with four of my Delta sisters, performing in the my last opera,  my senior recital.... how is that all gone? And how has a year passed since all of that? It's kinda crazy. Sometimes I feel like I haven't really done anything. I haven't applied to graduate school. I haven't found my "dream job" (whatever that is). Then again, if I had got the job I was going to have for the rest of my life already, I'd probably go crazy. That's not really my style. I plan on having many many different jobs in my life, especially considering my dream job involves years and years of training and practice and honing a skill, one which I will never quite fully master because there is always something to improve upon and learn. I kinda like it better that way, though. And I guess when I really think about it, it's not like I haven't done anything. So what if my life after graduation isn't what we all think it's going to be like when we're growing up? (Y'know, like back in elementary school where you played pretend and you were always that awesome, elusive age of, like, 17, and you were going to be married with kids by 30 and find a job right out of college and have a house and a car and a dog and all that good stuff. Yeah, what the hell was I thinking?)

Funny how our expectations aren't really met, but then again, what did I know when I was 8? Nothing. And I still really feel like I don't know anything about life now. What I do know is that I'm ok with taking things slow, and I'm ok with taking awhile to "figure things out." Funny, even though I'm "just figuring things out right now" I still have managed to get hired at a job selling clothes that I actually really enjoy and that turend into a management position and great experience for the future. I got to sing at Carnegie Hall with my beloved University Choir. I took the next step in my relationship with Nick and we moved into a great little apartment together. I pay all my own bills and still manage to have a lot of fun and enjoy a lot even though we make nothing compared to most people. I'm also having a great time planning my wedding which is only 7 months away.

I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. We may still live in Decatur and kinda feel like losers every once in awhile, but this is just one phase of our life. Next year will start the "graduate school phase" and we'll move to another city. After that, we'll be on to the next, and I love (and also kinda hate a little bit) the not-knowing part. It's exciting. If I had the rest of my life planned out I'd be a little depressed! I need be ever-searching for that next thing, I need things to change every once in awhile. I never want to be too comfortable. I guess that's the life of a musician. Even if I didn't fully pursue music, I think I would still feel that way....

I am proud of the things I've done and happy about what I've experienced in the last year. I know that I have done something, and I know that I am constantly on the path to the life that I'm supposed to lead, even if I wasn't expecting a certain detour now and then.

Christmastime is here....

 ....in our little apartment.

For some reason I wasn't super in the mood to decorate after Thanksgiving, which was my original plan. Maybe it's the fact that I was exhausted from working all night and then the rest of the weekend. Whatever the case, on my day off last week I found some cute little decorations, a 2-foot baby table tree, and some colored Christmas lights (my favorite). Though the tree isn't real, it's still mine and Nick's first tree, and for now, and as long as we live in teeny-tiny apartments, it'll do. And as for missing the pine smell, that's what the Winter candles from Bath and Body are for :)

[peppermint kisses - my fav]

Finally one of the cool kids.

 These photos are brought to you by.........

......my iPhone 5! Woohoo!!!

(yes, that is my first iPhone self-mirror pic)

Well, my friends, I have finally joined the rest of the world. I was not planning on getting the 5, because, honestly, any iPhone is exciting to me, but when Nick and I were at Verizon we decided that if we were going to pay $100 for the 4S we might as well pay $200 for the 5. So... we did. We've got face time, Siri, and a bunch of other stuff I have no idea how to use yet. Thank goodness this thing comes with a guide. And yes, I got the otter box because I am accident prone, even though I really really really wanted a cute little Kate Spade one. Maybe if I'm good and don't drop it at all Nick will let me switch it out for a bit ;) Who am I kidding? That would be dangerous. Knowing me, I would break it instantly.

Well, until I go to work at 4 you can expect that I will be messing around with my phone and playing useless games. Happy Friday!

Designer for Less: Neiman Marcus for Target

If you're like me, you love fashion and admire designer clothing, but can't even come close to affording it. Well, thank goodness for whoever came up with the idea that designers should create collections for places like Macy's and Target, but at a fraction of what they usually cost. Seriously. I love it. You still get the amazing design (and usually better fabrics) and a one-of-a-kind piece, but you don't have to go into debt.

Target has seen the likes of Jason Wu, Missoni, Zac Posen, and Kirna Zebete, to name a few. All were great, but I think this one tops them all. With Neiman Marcus, you get a whole bunch of different designers. In this case, over 20 designers created 50 amazing pieces of clothing and gifts perfect for the holidays. I first read about this collaboration in my People Style Watch and was super excited, but I thought to myself, "There is no way that the Decatur Target will get this stuff." You can expect my surprise (and sheer delight!) when I stepped into Target on Monday, 2 days after the debut of the collection in stores, to find that we got all of it. I actually kind of freaked out. People probably thought I was strange when they would walk by this girl who couldn't stop smiling and touching everything and saying, "oh my God" over and over again. It. Is. Amazing.

There aren't a ton of clothing pieces, but all of them are great. The gifts are all super cute and really pretty. Any of them would be great to give to someone, and most are between $30 and $70. Honestly, for how one-of-a-kind they are, it's worth it. I compiled a list of both my favorite gifts that I saw, as well as my favorite articles of clothing.

Gifts

[Oscar de la Renta dog collar // Brian Atwood leather gloves // Jason Wu ornaments (set of three) // Diane Von Furstenberg jewelry box // Altuzarra glass shaker // Alice + Olivia luggage // Marc Jacobs leather pouch // Tracy Reese dessert plates (set of four)]

Clothing

[Robert Rodriguez top // Prabal Gurung cape // Lela Rose dress // Proenza Schouler sweatshirt // Men's Rag & Bone sweater // Marchesa girl's dresses]



I was seriously considering that leash for my "niece", Lola. There is also a porcelain Oscar de la Renta dog bowl! It is so cute. My absolute favorite thing is the Lela Rose dress. I tried it on and fell in love. The pattern and color is beautiful and it fit like a glove. It was also longer, which I liked, and the skirt had tulle underneath it so it flounced out absolutely perfectly. Oh, and if I could get the cream Marchesa dress in my size, I would in a heartbeat. So beautiful! I had no idea the Rag & Bone sweater was a men's sweater when I tried it on, but I would still get it. It was so soft and comfortable and perfectly oversized. Out of the gifts, I am loving the dessert plates, the leather gloves, that shaker (there is also a matching set of 4 glasses), and the luggage. Unfortunately, the suitcase is $180, so that won't be happening unless it goes markdown. Thankfully I live in Decatur, so I'm guessing that a lot of this stuff won't sell too well. I plan on watching all of this like a hawk for it to go on sale. I'm guessing either right before Christmas, or right after :)

Shop the rest of the collection in a store near you or at Target online!

Happy Birthday Taryn!!!

I met Taryn literally my first day at Millikin. I was moving into the Woods apartments, and my friend Greg (one of Nick's SAE brothers) and I ran into her. She seemed really cool and sweet, and Greg introduced her to me as Chad's girlfriend (also another SAE). Cool, an SAE girl! I figured I'd be seeing more of her.

We officially met through informal recruitment when we both joined Tri-Delta. Fast forward through many Delta functions, many many nights spent at SAE, living together in Delta, and living together in a house our senior year, and I can now call Taryn one of my best friends and bridesmaids :) She is seriously the most genuine and sweetest person, and talented to boot! She is currently living in Nashville pursuing her dream of becoming a singer/song-writer, and she's definitely got what it takes to make it (Check out her Facebook page here)! But more than being a great singer and musician, she is a wonderful and true friend.

Taryn, I just want to let you know how much you mean to me and I hope you have the happiest of birthdays! You're doing big things already, and I'm so proud of you and can't wait to hear that EP :) I can't thank you enough for all those times where I needed to vent and just stress about things, and know that I will always be here to do the same for you! ;) I am so happy to know that you will be standing next to me on my big day! Love you lots!

[Delta formal 2011]

[Togaaaaa!!! Fall 2011]

[Vespers 2011 - our last one!]

[Beach Bash - Spring 2012]

[All of us gradjumucated - my two Millikin besties and bridesmaids at Homecoming 2012]