Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone!

I spent the day in jeans and a t-shirt.  Yep.  Welcome to Texas.  Who needs cold weather?  Pfft...

Despite the fact that it felt more like Independence Day than New Years Eve, I had a pretty cool day.  Caleb and I met my mom, sister, and my three year-old niece, Keira, in Hamilton, TX.  We had lunch at a down-home, hole-in-the-wall, country place, and then we parted ways.  BUT...Caleb and I got to bring Keira back with us!  That's the exciting part.  She'll be visiting us for a little over a week.

On the drive back to the good ol' DFW, we stopped at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glenrose, TX.  Keira loved it!  We climbed on the rocks and had a good old time.  We even took advantage of the beautiful scenery and did a mini photo shoot.  We discovered that the camera's battery had run out, so we had to use my phone.  Keira decided she also needed to pose on the rocks, so I'll share a photo of her, as well.

To celebrate New Year's with a three year-old, we put on princess tattoos, drank sparkling grape juice, and threw pop rocks on the balcony.  Then Keira played with her new My Little Pony bath paint set.  We had a grand time.

shirt - Ross / jeans - The Limited, via TJ Maxx / boots - Madden Girl, via DSW /

scarf, necklace (gold) - Forever 21 / sunnies - J.Lo, via TJ Maxx  / purse - Ecko, via Ross

shirt, leggings - Kohl's / boots - Sears

Splendiferous sightings

Thursday's feature is Splendiferous Sightings!

I'll show you recent outfits of other fashion bloggers that I think are super cute.  Or wonderful.  Or magical.  Or any other adoring word you can imagine.

So, straight to the point...

Meet Tieka of Selective Potential.

Isn't she a doll?!

I love how she played with neutrals here.

I also like that she didn't over-style the look - it's just perfect.

And I feel like I need that hat in my life.  And those boots.

Thanks for making the snow bunny look fabulous, Tieka!!

And now meet Kim of Brunette Blogging.

This look is simple, but it's beautiful.

I love the cut of the dress, and the necklace is fabulous.

It's such a pretty look.

What do you think of each look?

The images are from each of the girls blogs.

Click on Tieka and Kim's pictures to check out their full posts, and check out what else their blogs have to offer while you're there!

For the love of boots

In case you haven't noticed, I love these brown boots.  I wear them quite a bit.

I especially love wearing them with dresses or skirts, evidenced not only today, but also here and here.

It's fun to dress up a rugged pair of boots.  I suppose I like the unexpected juxtaposition (SAT word of the day for any high schoolers who are reading).  :)

Do you have a pair of shoes that you get attached to?  Or how about another article of clothing or an accessory?  Purse?  Jeans?  Anything?

Sometimes I get attached to certain items, and I have to make sure I don't get into a rut.  Is anyone else like this?

In other news...it was warm here in Texas today.  The weather here is so bipolar that you have to check weather.com every day, and even then it'll change on you.  I hope all the northerners are enjoying the winter.  We don't have a true representation of this season in Texas.

dress - Derek Heart, via Ross
tights - Anna Sui, via TJ Maxx
boots - Diba, via DSW
purse, Ecko, via Ross
belt - thrifted
ring - Forever 21
earrings - Daisy Fuentes for Kohl's
sunnies - J. Lo, via TJ Maxx

Splendiferous surprises

The feature for Wednesdays is Splendiferous Surprises.

This basically means that I'll 'surprise' you with a feature of my choice each week.  I'd love to use this day to respond to reader questions, whether personal, fashion, or beauty related.  If you have any questions, just let me know with a comment below or feel free to view my profile and shoot me an email.  I'd love to hear from you!

This week, I just want to let you know a little bit about myself that you might not know just by reading my blog.

Here are a few things:

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, and I also minored in sociology.

I'm currently working on my Master of Arts in Communication.  I hope to teach at a community/junior college once my degree is completed.  Higher education isn't necessarily known for its fashion sense, but I'd like to help change that.  :)

I got married this past June to the most wonderful man I could have asked for - Caleb.  I am so lucky to be his wife.

We received our little puppy as a wedding gift, so we appropriately named her June.  She's a miniature chiweenie - half miniature dachshund, half chihuahua.  I love her like she's actually my child, so I can't imagine how much I'm going to love my future human babies.

I loved makeup before I even liked boys.

When I feel like I need to take a walk, I go shopping.  Retail therapy works wonders.

I came out of the womb as a girly girl.  No lie.  Just ask my mom.

I talk to my mom every day.  We're a lot alike, so we just get each other.  We also have a tradition where we call each other each time we find a great sale.  We may live 5 hours apart, but we make up for it.

I love food.  A lot.  But I don't eat red meat or pork.

I love unconditionally.  So should you.

I am a devoted Christian, but I am so very far from perfect.  I also believe in tolerance, and I respect the cultures and beliefs of others.  I love learning about other ways of life.

That's it for now!  Comment below and share a tidbit of yourself with me!

Fill in

I didn't feel all that great today.  And it rained.  A lot.

All this is to say that I spent most of the day in pajamas.  As much as I know you all would love to see me rockin' the pj's, I figured I'd spare you and let my dog June fill in instead.

She's modelling her my favorite puppy sweater.  Isn't she precious?!

And that question wasn't rhetorical.  Please feel free to leave adoring comments about how cute my little child angel princess, okay fine, puppy is.  Even canine's need their ego pet every now and then.  :)

xo

puppy sweater - Ross

Splendiferous Secrets

This week, I want to share a fabulous skin tool I love: a blemish extractor.  We all deal with those pesky whiteheads and blackheads, and this tool allows you to extract the infection more safely and efficiently that picking with your fingers.

Here is the one I use:

ULTA Stainless Skin Clearing Tool
(image via ulta.com)

It's only $8, and right now ULTA products are buy 2 get 2 free!

You can also find similar products at other beauty stores, like Sephora.

It's important to use this tool properly.  Always cleanse the face and use steam or hot water to open the pores, and always disinfect the tool with rubbing alcohol.

The following YouTube video does a good job of outlining a good regimen for you using the extractor.

I don't use the same products as she does, but the method is about the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7sT2nLRow00

Trekkies

Caleb and I made the trek back to Texas today.  Again, we were provided with absolutely glorious weather.  I always hate getting stuck in the rain when travelling, so I'm glad we were blessed with sunny skies and beautiful scenery.

I kept my outfit simple and comfortable...practical, ya know?  Luckily the drive did seem to go by faster this time around, which is good since I was anxious to see June (my puppy) who was being watched by Caleb's grandparents since our rental did not permit pets.  Hopefully you don't see any dog fur on my clothes...I held her so tight when I saw her precious face!!

cardi: Old Navy; tank: Moda International, via BHFO Expres on eBay;

cami: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's; jeans: Kenneth Cole, via Plato's Closet; scarf: gifted;

sunnies: Kenneth Cole Reaction, via Ross; boots: Rack Room Shoes; elephant ring: Wet Seal, gifted

Splendiferous Steals

Every Monday, I will be featuring Splendiferous Steals.  I'll show you some great items that you can get at fantastic prices.  Click on the images to go to each item's store.

Here are this week's highlight's:

Stocking up on Necessities - Modcloth - $15

It's never too early to stock up for next Christmas!  By now and save next year's pennies.
Who can resist this darling stocking from Modcloth?

Belle of the Ball Dress - Poetrie - $26.99

Stand out at this year's NYE party with this fun party dress from Poetrie.  It's a head-turner,
plus you can't beat 27 bucks for a cocktail dress! 

Blakegodbold pleated flower headband - Asos - $6.03

This lovely headband has been marked down from  $20.69 to $6.03, plus Asos
has free shipping in the U.S.!  Snag one before it's gone!

Zad Extreme Rose Ring - Lulu's - $7

Add a touch of femininity with this pretty rose ring, which comes in six colors.
My favorites are burgundy and gray.

Glittered Mary Janes - Forever 21 - $15.80


By now you know that sparkle and sequins are WAY in this season.  These adorable mary janes are subtle and perfect for everyday occasions.

All images retrieved via store websites.

Beautiful

Today was a beautiful day!  It was still chilly (in the 30s), but the sun was shining brightly.  It was a welcome relief from the wet cold that had taken over Hot Springs the past couple days.

We took advantage of the glorious weather by going to the Garvan Woodland Gardens.  There was a chapel in the woods that had large windows and beautiful architecture.  It was truly stunning! And it provided the perfect location for a photo shoot.  Just look at how splendiferous it is!

coat: Pelle Studio, via Wilson's Leather; dress/infinity scarf/necklace/ring: Forever 21;

tights: Charlotte Russe; socks/earrings: Kohl's; boots: Diba, via DSW;

purse: Sparrow True, via TJ Maxx; sunnies: J. Lo, via TJ Maxx; belt: thrifted

Be sure to check out the Statements in Fashion Forever 21 giveaway here!