Donuts

Okay guys, I just had to share this before I jet off to Chicago.

My sister and I went to the mall this past week and the only purchase I made came from...wait for it...Claire's.  Don't get judgy wudgy on me.  I am now the proud owner of 2 hair donuts from the mecca of plastic accessories.

All hail the hair donut.  If you're like me and you've tried and tried (and failed and failed) to be like the Kardashians rock the big bun, then you can scurry on down to your local mall and pick up this little miracle product and stop crying yourselves to sleep.  AND STOP CUTTING UP YOUR SOCKS.  Buy a few hair donuts (they have blonde and brunette) in varying sizes...and ta-da...you too can have a giant ballerina bun on your skull.

Look.  If I can do it. So can you. See?

My mom says everyone used these "back in her day".  I said "secrets don't make friends and friends don't make secrets" and pouted.  Just kidding.  But come on baby boomers...share your tricks!  Welcome to 2012 hair donut...happy to have you here.

Okay, have a great weekend my little bunheads. XOXO

That toddlin' town

Lauren, Samantha, Jen, Me, Kreps, and Patrick in Chicago for St. Patrick's Day!

Well I'm off to Chicago tomorrow morning!  Will and Samantha are picking me up bright and early to head North to visit Renny.  Chris is moving his best friend Jake up there as well so there's going to be quite the Kentucky crew taking over the windy city this weekend. I'm looking forward to drinking too many adult beverages (on the beach and late into the night), eating yummy dinners, shopping (of the bargain persuasion), taking pictures, laughing, and of course catching up with Lauren :)

I'm laughing that Chris and I are going to be in Chicago together for the 3rd time this year.  Especially since the last 2 times we were there...we barely knew each other and were definitely not dating.  He was my New Year's Eve kiss (feel free to roll your eyes) and we happened to be in Chicago at the same time again over St. Patrick's Day weekend but I was being bratty and put him majorly at arm's length until April.  Things have changed just a bit since then. Too too funny how things work out.

It should be a great 4 days and I'm like a little kid before the first day of school...I'm so excited I just know I won't sleep!

 Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and I'll be back to share the highlights next week. Cheers!

All dressed up and no where to go...'til now

If you live in the south you know that the season soon upon us is not Fall, Autumn, or Back-to-school season...it's FOOTBALL season.  And yes, students and alumni from Kentucky get excited for it too.  We may not have the legendary history of an Alabama or Georgia...but we are fiercely loyal fans and we proudly march to Commonwealth stadium every Saturday to support our Wildcats.  Part of the draw of course is tailgating.  And this year my friends and I have decided to host our own tailgate.  We no longer have fraternity spots/lawns/houses to descend upon (and honestly...thank God that's over) so it's high time we setup shop on our own grassy corner and pregame like the adults we are ;)  Lucky for you, my sweet readers, I'm going to plan out loud and share my list of must-needed tailgate items.  Let us begin...

First, a tailgating tent.  A place to congregate and get out of the hot sun, cold breeze, or rain (depending on what type of crazy weather Kentucky throws at us).  Found this one at Sears for cheap!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00622710000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=27-137398179-2

Second, we need seating.  Fortunately I already have 3 of these babies and I think we'll be able to round up several more.  If you're looking for some of these...I hate to say it but...Walmart.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Premium-Mesh-Chair/16386299

Third, a cooler.  For our super expensive beer Bud Light and mimosas! (and probably the fixings for screwdrivers, bourbon cocktails, and the like)  Found this 70 quart "xtreme" cooler from Amazon.  Yall know I would DIY this sucker.  Picture wildcat paws, blue, white, and the lyrics to our fight song...obviously.

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-70-Quart-Xtreme-Cooler-Blue/dp/B000G64I1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344353234&sr=8-1&keywords=large+cooler

Next up...accessories.  Well, kind of.  We consider ourselves the experts of Sips N Dips so of course the food and drinks need to look good going down.  Again I found these adorable little plates from Amazon. Perfect right?

http://www.amazon.com/Kentucky-Wildcats-8-Pack-Paper-Plates/dp/B003LKTGGK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1344353295&sr=8-6&keywords=kentucky+wildcats+paper+plates

Speaking of dips.  You honestly haven't lived until you've tried Buffalo Chicken Dip.  It is the most heavenly little dish ever to grace a tailgate.  I plan on making a lot of this over the next few months!  I imagine we'll also include mini pigs in a blanket (Julie's specialty), sausage/rotel dip and pasta salad (Samantha's specialties), fudge brownies (Grace's specialty), layered taco dip, eggbake breakfast casserole (for early games), and the list of finger food goes on and on.  Maybe we can even convince the boys to bring a portable charcoal grill for a few games!  Is it obvious that I'm excited for the food?

http://www.thiswifebakes.com/2011/04/crockpot-buffalo-chicken-dip.html

Now for the fashion. Obviously.  I picked up this adorable striped dress from Gap in June.  I can't wait to throw it on for a chilly noon game with brown boots. Comfortable and chic.  Doesn't get much better.

I just found this bauble necklace today from a site called Sideline Sweetie for $30.  It is exactly what I pictured for the upcoming season.  I have a similar ivory version from Francescas that I also plan on wearing a lot!

http://www.sidelinesweetie.com/jewelry-4450ryl.html

Lastly, I had to include another dress that I fell in love with from Red Dress Boutique.  Hel-lo. Get in my closet.

http://www.reddressboutique.com/index.php/dresses/everly-zig-zag-parade-tunic-cobalt.html


What else could I possibly need?

Just kidding.  Obviously this is only the beginning of what will soon become quite the list.  tables, cups, cornhole boards, music, blankets, clean up supplies, etc. etc. Event planning...even on the smallest end of the spectrum needs to be well thought out or it takes the fun out of it (if you ask me)!

Are there any tailgating items that you can't live without?  What does your setup look like?  I'd love to see what you do and hear your thoughts!

Welcome to the projects

I've been slowwwwwly but surely trying to spruce up this new apartment.  Add some pillows here. A little chevron stripe there. Pop an antique piece over yonder. You know the drill.  Here, I'll show ya...

That's the ladder I got from Feather Your Nest antique store here in Lexington. Highly recommended by the by.  I've always thought having a "shabby chic" (does anyone else sort of hate that term?) ladder would be a cool piece to use for decor.  I don't know what I'm doing with it yet but I think it has potential.  I'd love to hear suggestions!

I painted this old iron frame white. When in doubt...paint it!  That's the motto kiddo YOLO (wait, what?).  I also decided to use the cover of this year's Kentucky Derby program as art.  Afterall, I did bet on the Derby winner, I'll Have Another, at my very first Derby experience this year so it seemed appropriate!

This was a Pinterest-inspired project and in my opinion...a fail.  I bought this chevron patterned scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby and attempted to cover my boring old plastic drawers with it.  The sides and top look fairly smooth but the insides got a bit wonky.  Oh well! Can't win 'em all. This now resides in it's rightful place...my closet.

This nook in my bedroom is surely going to be a blessing and a curse.  I love having a place to display things but knowing me it'll never be complete.  I need to prop those antlers (yes, they're real) up on some coffee table type books and I think the 3rd shelf needs something other than a frame...right?  Again, if anyone is reading this (Mom?) I'd love to hear suggestions.  I can only google/pinterest search "book shelf styling" so many times before my head explodes.

Okay, excuse the miserable iphone photo quality.  This is the couch in our living room.  It finally feels complete with the 2 big pillows I just added. They are from Homegoods and so cozy (and for $50 for the set).  The glass coffee table is soon to be replaced with a big ottoman I'm recovering...because who wants a hard glass table when you can have a comfy ottoman?  The plan is to make/buy a large tray to set on the ottoman and presto change-o...you've got somewhere to set your cocktail and prop your feet. Does it get any better than that in the world of DIY?

And lastly, I just bought this little baby from Value City Furniture.  Guess how much it was.  Seriously.  Do it...........

Nope.

You're wrong.

It was $79.

I felt like I was stealing.

It's sort of a brown/grey color and it's the perfect sweet little addition to our little living room.

Bargain hunting.  I swear it should be an Olympic sport.

That's all for now friends.  I'll keep you updated as the projects continue!  Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and as always...enjoy Bachelor Pad tonight ;)

You know you want me

If you're anything like me and have spent a significant amount of time writing/editing/arranging/rewriting resumes and cover letters (only to be hired by someone you knew) then you will LOVE this website.

Allow me to introduce you to...the reverse job application...

http://www.reversejobapplication.com/

I hope it worked for him. And if not, I hope he sleeps better at night knowing he made at least 1 person out there (me!) laugh. a. lot.

Now...it's time for me to update my resume and finish that bottle of wine. Cheers!

Manic Monday

I hope you all had an ah-mazing weekend.  I spent mine drowning myself in margaritas at the pool.

I'll keep it simple today and share what I've been obsessing over lately:

Tunes: The Trishas.  They are gorgeous in every way.  Try not to covet their style and their voices. You can't? Told ya.

Fashion: Colored jeans for Fall.  Although I love the mint and coral and pink styles from this summer, they are anything but forgiving.  I'm excited for Fall's version, with darker and more flattering jewel tones. And hey, I'm not sorry that I still rock a bootcut jean sometimes.  Skinnies aren't the only style on the block!

Screenshot from revolveclothing.com

Fashion 2.0: Marc Jacobs watches.  The Michael Kors watches are fantastic and will always be a delightful addition to any wrist stack BUT...MJ is my new love and my my does he do a timepiece right.

Food: Protein shakes.  I'm probably the last 20something girl to try and love a good protein shake but ohfreakingwell.  My sister uses the isagenix system and I had the pleasure of sipping on those while I was visiting her skinny tush in California.  I'm not sure if I'm ready to dive into that system BUT I did pick up a 4 pack of the Myoplex Vanilla Shakes at Kroger.  Bottoms up everyone.  They are delicious and nutritious. And they seriously fill me up! Get on board.

Fitness:  I recently moved into a new place with Samantha...and we gained a new roommate!  Grace is fantastic in many ways but here's a bonus...we go to the same gym.  I went to a class I hadn't tried with her last week and it kicked butt. Quite literally.  So no, I don't have a new workout obsession BUT I am currently very thankful for healthy/fit friends that motivate me and make working out FUN.

Person: Myself of course. Heyyyyyyy

Kidding, guys. But really, I'm just trying to make jokes to distract from the fact that I'm truly heartbroken for my love...Arie.  Emily, I wish you the best but this man is once in a lifetime and I still can't believe you let him go.  America loves ya Arie. Go get 'em.

Home Decor:  Bar carts. Bar carts. Bar carts.  Chic and functional.  My favorite combination.  I will find one and make her mine.  Please come over for drinks soon ;)

   

Cheers everyone!  Hope your Monday goes by quickly!  Do yourself a favor and indulge in Bachelor Pad tonight...because that'll cure anything this mopey day can throw at ya. Adios.

I want you back!

If NSYNC can't inspire you...then nothing can.
After cruising through the internet for an hour or so today, reading my favorite blogs, and discovering some new (and local!) ones, I've been inspired.  I've decided to reignite the fire under this measley little blog. Maybe. Well, hopefully. Get excited...all 2 of you.  I've always thought this thing needed a little organization but I've never committed to it so cross your fingers, say your prayers, knock on wood, do a rain dance (what?), get out your voodoo dolls, and strike a match...'cause I'm going to give it a whirl.

Fashion
DIY
Home Decor
Food
Fitness
Lexington
And of course a little gossip/humor/poetry as well
(did she just say poetry?)

Wish me luck and see you soon!