Anthropologie Giveaway Winner

As far as drawing the winner for this giveaway, I took the old fashioned route: paper scraps in a hat. If you received multiple entries, your name went in the appropriate amount of times. And no, I didn't look when I chose the winner- just in case there are any haters or nay-sayers.

So, without further ado...Teresa (aka Little goose) is our winner. Congrats, lady! I will contact you by email shortly. Thanks so much for entering, everyone. And, more importantly, thanks for sticking around to read my nonsense everyday. It means a lot : ).

Orla Kiely Spring/Summer 2013

If I could wear Orla Kiely everyday...I would wear Orla Kiely every. day. Anyone else head over heels for this?

FYI- Today's the last chance to enter the Anthropologie giveaway! Did you enter yet?

Pumpkin & Pleats

These were taken on an exceptionally bleary-eyed morning after a night of lots of fun with friends : ). So, of course, when brunch at a diner that is but a hop, skip, and a jump away from my apartment was suggested, what could I do but say yes? After all, it's common knowledge that brunch, like time, heals all wounds. 

I threw on a shirt of Matt's (it's become my easy go-to), a girly skirt to contrast, and some pumpkin hued tights, and off I went to drown my headache in syrup. It worked, by the way.

Booties DIY by me.

I'm off to prepare for part deux of winter storm Q due any minute now. Wish me luck (also wish me a couple more snow days : ))!

P.S.- The Anthropologie giveaway is still open, but only for a few more days...get on it!

Purple & Silver

Coming in 3rd only to that time I walked around Chicago on a -6 degree, January day (how DO y'all do it?!) and that time I got attacked by seagulls on the boardwalk because some of the tortilla chips I was eating actually blew out of the bag and in the direction of the terrifying squakers, these photos are from the windiest day I've ever lived through. As you can see from the always-flattering scarecrow photo below, it was quite difficult, at times, to keep everything in place. Nevertheless, you get the picture, I think.

Advice time: do not wear heels (or boots with a heel) to venture in a marshy park the day after a rainstorm. There are no words for my genius, sometimes.

Don't forget to check out the Anthropologie giveaway I've got going on, and have a great weekend!

Guest Post on The Secret Life of Bee

Hey friends! Today, I am lucky enough to be over on The Secret Life of Bee as a part of Bri's Read My Lips feature. Be sure to go check it out! (and check out her stunning blog as well!)

Don't forget about the sweet giveaway that's going on!

Anthropologie Giveaway! (Closed)

Not too long ago, I reached 100 followers between Blogger and Bloglovin', and I want to celebrate... so I'm giving away a $25 Anthropologie gift card!

To enter, you must be a follower of this blog through google friend connect or Bloglovin'. Please leave a comment showing you've done this. And that's it!

However, if you'd like additional entries, you can:

- Share this giveaway on Facebook

- Share this giveaway on twitter

- Blog about this giveaway on your blog

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each, showing me with a link that you've done these things. You will receive one additional entry for each link.

This giveaway is open to U.S. readers only (sorry!) and will close on Wednesday, February 27th at 9:00pm CST. The winner will be announced on Thursday, February 28th and contacted by email that day. If the winner does not respond within 10 days, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck to everyone! : )

EDIT on 2/20/13 @ 5:45pm CST: If you do not provide links for any additional sharing of this giveaway (Facebook, twitter, etc.) in the comments, I will not be able to award you the additional entries. Thanks!

Brocade/Regret

There are two things I'm regretting about this outfit: the first is the hat. For some reason, I had it in my head that the color was a much richer, deeper brown than it actually is. Not digging it- at least not with the rest of what's happening. The second regret is the striped sweater underneath the coat and above the blouse. I thought it would add some extra texture/interest, but it just looks unnecessary and maybe a little sloppy to me now. Live and learn, kittens.

Thing I am not regretting: Matt's birthday party tonight!* I'm going to leave you now to bake a cake that will theoretically be the best one I've ever made, but I'll let you know the final verdict next week. See you Monday!

* I realize you cannot regret something that is in the future, but I was reaching to stick with the theme, here. Go with it! : )

It Works in Real Life: Plum Lipstick as Blush

You know when you see a beauty expert do something in a video tutorial that looks totally simple and then you go and try it yourself and screw it up completely? This is not one of those things; virtually un-screw-up-able. 

Not long ago, I saw the lovely Taylor Barringer from Refinery29 transform a typical-looking "vampy lipstick" into three different makeup ideas. However, it was the blush concept that really stuck with me. Soon after, I went to Target and purchased the same lip color, as I was utterly fascinated with the whole idea (doesn't take much, folks). Turns out, this trick is not only for goddesses, but is practically mere-human-proof. Take it from me, you can not fail.

What I love about this is that it's so subtle. I love that such a bold color can be totally transformed into such a delicate glow. Anyway, happy blending! : )

P.S.- If you'd like to see the original video, find it here.

Camel, Pink & Electric Blue

I realize that electric blue and pastel blue are not the same blue, but for me, they both belong in the "dreamy" category. A lot of times, when I try to think up interesting color combinations in my head, I find myself wondering what colors I like to see in/on my candy, ice cream, cake, etc. This is a slippery, slippery slope, friends, when you possess such a sweet tooth as I do. But for now at least, I'm content with taking my cravings out on my wardrobe: birthday cake ice cream (shirt + skirt) with some caramel sauce on top (coat).

I've got a busy week ahead! Preparations for Valentines Day, Matt's birthday, and a visit from my future in-laws! What do y'all have planned?

Varsity

I stumbled upon this cheeky (to me) sweatshirt at the same location of the best wall ever. It's a great neutral (blue is a neutral now, right? :)) color that I can pair with so many different things. I can dress it up or down, and could even wear it while working out*; what more can you ask for from a single garment? 

Also, please say hello to my new favorite trench (I have three**). I thrifted it while in Cape Girardeau for Christmas break, but haven't been able to wear it until recently, due to its late March/early April level of warmth output. Can't wait to wear it during some lovely (terrible) spring showers (monsoons)!

Also also, please say hello to the weekend. See you Monday!

*Could, but won't. Important distinction. 

**Not bragging in the slightest. I am fully aware that this is a problem.

Accidental Goodness: Vegan Taco Pizza

This past weekend, after much deliberation on how in the world I was going to make a meal out of the stragglers and castaways inhabiting my cabinets, (and two glasses of wine) I decided I could (possibly, maybe, hopefully) make a taco pizza. Having never made one before, I shut my eyes and crossed my fingers, and was pleasantly surprised with the results.

If you don't have this stuff, go get it:

-Pizza crust (ours was pre-made but I'm sure there are a million and one recipes online if you prefer scratch).

-Can of refried beans. I hate even typing the phrase "refried beans," but it is essential- promise.

-Jar of salsa

-Taco seasoning

-Lettuce

-Onion (amount depends on personal preference, though I think I used about 1/4 of an onion)

-Can of black beans

-Cilantro

-"Cheese" (I used daiya)

-4-5 Hard taco shells or a couple handfuls of tortilla chips

-2 Roma tomatoes

-Avocado

-Cayenne pepper

Prep: Chop lettuce, onion, cilantro, tomatoes. Crush taco shells or tortilla chips into bite-sized pieces.

1. Preheat oven to 450, brush crust with olive oil.

2. In a medium or large bowl, mix refried beans with salsa (how much salsa depends on personal preference...I used 3/4 of a jar). Stir in taco seasoning; amount, again, depends on personal taste. I'd say I used about 1/2-3/4 of a packet. Spread this mixture onto crust.

3. Sprinkle about half of crushed taco shells or tortilla chips over the bean mixture.

4. Sprinkle layer of cheese (go light here), then lettuce, then onion.

5. Sprinkle layer of black beans and tomato. 

6. Add the rest of your taco shells or chips.

7. Alternate sprinkling of "cheese" and cilantro until you're satisfied. Add a couple of dashes of cayenne pepper on top (be careful!). Place pizza on oven rack and bake for 8-10 minutes.

8. While baking, slice up 1/2 an avocado. Place slices on top of pizza during cooling. Enjoy!

P.S.- Don't forget to add your favorite hot sauce! 

Gold, Camel & Brown

This is, by far and away, my most favorite place to take pictures of any sort, and I just found it last week by complete accident! It is an unexpected burst of cheer behind a thrift store in town, and someplace I'm sure I'll be visiting again in the future.

And, as you can see, I'm revisiting (sort of) the idea of monochrome. Different hues and shades, yet still so simple and easily executed. I'm still fascinated with lime & cranberry, but as accents here, rather than center stage. Also, this is me dyeing my hair brown; virtually no change. It'll turn eventually or I'll die trying. #redheadproblems




If you're a U.S. reader, did you attend or host any Superbowl parties? I skipped my run yesterday and instead ate made puppy chow while dancing around the kitchen to Prince in anticipation of a friend's party. But that evens out, right?

Have a great week!

P.S.- If you've missed the addition to my sidebar, I'm now a member of the Teen Vogue Fashion Click, which means that I can submit posts to be featured on teenvogue.com. If you'd be so kind, head over to this link and throw a few votes my way? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks so much!