beijos Tiffany

Different Combinations

2012-02-14T12:40:00.000-05:00

"If you change the way you look at things,
the things you look at change."

LOFT ankle length pants and sweater; Coach ballet flats (from DSW years ago);
Old Navy scarf (2 years old); Polish- Essie Mint Candy Apple and Set in Stone

I love these royal blue trousers that I got from the LOFT. Last week I wore them in a dressy way (HERE), but this week I wanted to show you the same pants in a different look. Today I bring you the work casual look. I kept it simple with a LOFT cream colored sweater, Coach flats, and added more color with an Old Navy scarf. It still has a dressed up feel but in a more low key way which makes it perfect for the office. Wearing the same item in various combinations for numerous events helps you get the most out of your money. And with a solid pair of pants likes these it’s fun to see the different combinations one can come up with. Plan on seeing them a third way next week. Do you tend to see how many different ways you can wear one item or do you wear it the same way over and over?

Stars in the Sky

2012-02-13T21:07:00.000-05:00

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky,

but rather openings where our loved ones

shine down to let us know they are happy"

I am the youngest of 4 with 6 years between my middle sister and I, so growing up I was sort of alone except I had my neighbors. My next door neighbor and I are 12 days apart and our mothers were friends which meant we grew up together. I looked at R and Beth (her baby sister), and our neighbor M as my sisters. We were inseparable spending summer days creating dances, swimming in the pool and having sleepovers in the back yard. 7 years ago to this day Beth was suddenly taken from all of us which left a hole in each of our hearts that will never be filled. I still see her infectious smile and hear her laughter. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her. I often find myself picking out things I knew she would love when shopping. That’s what today’s post is- a shopping tribute to Beth. Not only did she love stars but she was the star in our lives. She will always be a part of us and we will never forget her.

1. Tinley Road - Star print drapey blazer - $69 (HERE)

2. Sterling Silver Marcasite and Crystal Stars Necklace - $121.99 (HERE)

3. Max & Chloe - Nolan Star ring - $30 (HERE)

4. Marc by Marc Jacobs - Mini Star stud earrings - $38 (HERE)

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs - Star Slice bracelets - $48/each (HERE)

6. MIH Jeans - Star silk shorts - $240 (HERE)

7. Gryphon - Belle Mini dress - $219 on sale (HERE)

8. Diane von Furstenberg - Bubsy Star scarf - $185 (HERE)

9. Max & Chloe - Blue Bijoux star ring - $65 (HERE)

10. Charlotte Russe - Dangling Star bracelet - $2.99 (HERE)

Love and miss you forever and always Beth!

Leather Satchel Co Giveaway

2012-02-10T12:50:00.000-05:00

(photos via October 2011 post HERE)

I've been so excited to announce this giveaway that it was hard for me to keep it a secret! That's why I gave you a hint everyday this week. One incredibly lucky reader has the chance to win a bag from The Leather Satchel Co.! It's get's better-the winner gets to pick whatever color or size their little heart desires. As well as any other customizations (monogramming, etc.) that you might like. Is this not one of the best giveaways! I absolutely LOVE my satchel and I know you will as well!

To Enter

-"LIKE" The Leather Satchel Co on Facebook (HERE)

- Be a follower of beijosTiffany at Bloglovin (HERE) or on Google (in left hand side bar)

-Leave a comment with your email so we can contact you if you win

Want some Extra Entries? (Please leave a comment for each extra entry)

1. Follow The Leather Satchel Co on Twitter (HERE)

2. "LIKE" beijosTiffany on Facebook (HERE)

3. Tweet about the giveaway- make sure you use @leathersatchel and @beijosTiffany so we can see the tweet

4. Post about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook. Make sure to include a link to THIS post.

Giveaway ends on Tuesday, February 28th at 11:59EST

and a winner will be chosen using random.org.

Good luck!

Blue Winter

2012-02-09T12:49:00.000-05:00

"Silver dreams under a blue winter sky"

LOFT ankle length pants; Forever21 Texture cardigan; Prada studded pumps (similiar);
Jewelmint Web lace ring; Coach clutch

Polish- Essie Mint Candy Apple and Set in Stone

First let me say a HUGE thank you to my local LOFT store! I have been on the hunt for these pants for some time now and a very kind reader tipped me off to ask my store if they could find them for me. And they did! In Massachusetts!! After my local LOFT store called and ordered these gorgeous blue pants for me I had to play the waiting game. During my wait I dreamed up a ton of ways to wear these pants. I first wanted to show you a dressy way and next week I’ll show you a more casual way.

I paired these pants with a basic black tshirt and this gorgeous jacket from Forever21. Have you ever walked past something numerous times telling yourself you don’t need it, only to later return to buy it and then realized the line was insanely long and walked out without the jacket then hours later regret and cry over the loss? (Did you follow all that?) Well I did but thankfully they had it for sale online. This jacket has these tiny little shimmer sequins sewn into the fabric and has a very similar look as to a Chanel jacket. I love how it adds a touch of class and chicness to any outfit.

On a personal/opinion note-do you think I should hem these pants?

A Woman Can Really Flirt With a Hat

2012-02-08T13:10:00.000-05:00

"You can flirt with a fan in your hand.
You can flirt holding a cigarette, too.
But a woman can really flirt with a hat."
Dolores Foster

Blank NYC Denim Jean leggings; Top-Zara; Tank-Kenny c/o Lucky FABB; Deer Ring- Kohls
Hat-Albertus Swanepoel for Target (similar HERE);

Jeffrey Campbell Supply boots (similar HERE);

Polish- Essie Mint Candy Apple and Set in Stone

Ever wake up from a dream and say WOW that was amazing then jump out of bed, hurry to get dressed to take part of the dream only to realize it was just a dream and it never really happened? sigh

I picked this hat up a few months ago and surprisingly had never worn it before this. I’m not a typical hat person but once you have a hat on it suddenly becomes natural and you feel naked when you remove it. I am now a hat lover! I feel so mysterious and sneaky when I’m wearing a hat. I don’ think my father liked this hat for numerous reason but one being that it made me look a little masculine. I replied with the “but Dad you always told me to wear a hat when going outside!” What are your feelings on girls wearing hats?

I have a very exciting giveaway coming up on Friday! I've been giving a hint every day on Facebook (HERE) and Twitter (HERE) to who it might be with! I promise you that you WILL love this giveaway so stay tuned and follow me!

Cherish the Moment and Bowl

2012-02-07T12:50:00.000-05:00

"Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain,
cherish the moment, ignore the pain,
live, laugh, love, forgive and forget,
life's too short to be living with regrets."

Joe's Jeans-Honey Boot cut (Simliar); Elle-Kohls sweater; Old Navy Scarf;

Tiffany's necklaces; Sam Edelman Loni Suede High Heel Booties (HERE);
La Mer Collections Odyssey wrap watch in Dark Mint (HERE)

Dark skies and cold temps put me into a hibernation mindset where I want to do is wear comfortable, dark clothing and hide away inside with a good book. After the past few weeks my family and I have had I knew I needed to get outside and stop hiding. I realized that it had been months since my niece Zoie and I have had a proper girl’s day out and that Saturday would be the perfect day to do catch up. We started with lunch at Chili’s where we giggled, ate too many sugar packets and fell in love with the southwest eggrolls. We then went to a local bowling alley for some friendly competition and more laughter. I honestly cherish these days I get to spend with Zoie. It’s terrifying how quickly they grow up-I feel like it was just yesterday I was holding her in my arms rocking her to sleep. Where does the time go?

Even though I ventured out I still kept the dark colors but with a few pops of mint green. I really need to put the black clothes away for a while and brighten things up with my closet of colors. Do you find yourself constantly wearing dark colors in the winter?

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Refinery29′s Next Big Style Blogger Competition

2012-02-06T12:43:00.000-05:00

Hi guys! So I'm participating in Refinery29's Search for the Next Big Style Blogger and I would so greatly appreciate it if you could lend me a vote. I'm running against some pretty amazing bloggers and every single vote counts.

Voting is really easy!

Here are the 4 simple steps:
1. Go to Refinery29's Search for the Next Big Style Blogger page (HERE)
2. Scroll to find my name. (It is helpful to Ctrl+F “Tiffany” or “beijos”)
3. Click on the heart in the top left of the picture!
4. There should be a prompt to log in through Facebook, click Allow
If the heart turns pink, your vote was counted!

Thank you all so much! I truly appreciate all the support you all have given me!
Contest ends on March 26th, 2012 at 11:59PM (EST)

Change of Season

2012-02-03T17:45:00.000-05:00

Every change of season I pack away one season and unpack the other which leads me to cleaning out my closet and getting rid of the things that I just never wear or use. I usually take the bags full of clothing to Goodwill or sell them at a local resale shop. But sometimes I have items that are either brand new/designer that I know others online would love to have a chance at owning. So I decided to reopen a new store (via Goodsie) to sell some things. Check it out HERE. I have a ton of more items to add to the store this weekend (couldn’t remember the sizes) so keep checking back!

*If I wore an item before I have included the blog post where you can see more photos of it.

*For some reason Goodsie cuts the picture off when you first look at an item’s page. If you click the expand button it will load the full picture.

Misikko: HANAair Dryer

2012-02-02T12:52:00.000-05:00

I feel so out of the whole blogging lifestyle lately. Life has its ups and downs and this past month there were a lot of downs. I feel as if I am never going to get better-it’s just been one constant sickness after another. On top of that I had a illness in my family that I was dealing with. I want to thank all of you that sent your love and prayers to my family and I during the past few weeks. Everyone is home and healthy! I’m going to try my hardest to jump right back into blogging but please bear with me as I try to get my balance.

A few weeks ago my hair dryer died! I know tragic right? It must have been fate because the very next day Misikko.com emailed me asking if I would want to review their “Rolls Royce” of hair dryers The HANAair Professional Hair Dryer. I quickly agreed and anxiously awaited for a beautiful package to arrive from them. Having done a few Misikko.com reviews in the past for the Hana hair straightener (HERE) and the Corioliss curling iron (HERE) I thought I knew what to expect when it came to packaging but damn did they surprise me again. I received a huge box filled with shampoo, conditioner, nails files, make up brushes, bath petals, an adorable monkey that my niece stole, and lots of other goodies. Their packaging department really knows how to make a girl feel spoiled.

I’m used to the $30 Walmart special hair dryers that when you turn it on you are sadly disappointed by the amount of air it blows. But when I tried the HANAair Professional hair dryer for the first time I was blown away…literally! This hair dryer is so powerful and it took less time to dry my hair. My hair felt smooth, soft, straight and silky and I didn’t see the need to flat iron it for once. I don’t know if that will change once the humidity sets back in when summer arrives. But for now this hair dryer makes my morning routine a little shorter. The only negative complaint my sister and I had about this hair dryer is that if you're not brushing your hair while drying and pointing the dryer down on your hair it gets tangled in some serious knots. I guess that the trade off for all that power!

This hair dryer is one of the top 10 best hair dryers on the market with a pretty hefty retail price tag to match its reputation. Regularly $334.99, but $194.99 at Miskko. But when you think about the quality and power of this hairdryer it’s worth every last nickel.

All in all, I am extremely happy with this hair dryer. If you don't mind untangling a few knots every once in a while you'll love this dryer. Misikko also has a lot of other great hair products. If you're in the market and want to buy from a company with great products and great customer service definietly check out Misikko!

Thank you Misikko for allowing me to review another great HANA product!

Disclaimer: This is a review based on my opinion only. Your opinion may differ. I was not compensated in any way for this post and received the above mentioned item for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Rodarte Remix

2012-01-30T12:39:00.000-05:00

"Be so happy that when others
look at you they become happy too"

Rodarte for Target dress; LOFT Chambray shirt; Sam Edelman Loni Suede Booties (HERE);
BCBG MaxAzaria belt (from another dress); Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Candy' bangle-similar HERE
La Mer Collections cuff watch (on sale HERE);

It’s 2012, I’m 30, and it’s really starting to hit me that I absolutely need to pay my debt down a lot. This means I am not allowing myself to use my credit card or shop as frivolously as I have in the past. I need to start remixing and playing with the things I currently have in my closet. You might remember this Rodarte for Target dress I got a few years ago and wore HERE. I absolutely love this dress and usually wear it with a black cardigan, blazer, or tshirt under neath. But this past Sunday I wanted to wear it with something that would make it feel a bit dressed down. This is where the chambray shirt comes into play. It still gives it that dressy feel but with a more casual touch which made it perfect for church.

It’s so unlike Star to seen in photos, but when my sister snapped these Star wanted to be in every shot!

I have a favor to ask of you....I've been entered in Life in Travel's Inspiration contest HERE. I would love it if you could visit and leave a comment on her page voting for me...#3! You guys are the best!

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Balindono

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to get back into my normal schedule of posts. The holiday season really threw me off and it's taken me longer than normal to get back thanks to the wonderful flu. Anyways....it's Shoetastic Sunday!

Don't get me wrong, I love my high heels, but some days I just want to slip into a comfy but chic pair of flats. When I saw these Christian Louboutin Balinodono flats I fell in love. The pattern is fun and wild but the black pipping and bow makes it feel dainty and girly. Perfect for the office or a day on the town. I wish I could find a pair similar to this fabric but without the $765 pricetag...or maybe Santa will send me a belated Christmas present. I know...keep dreaming!

These gorgeous flats also come in a brown version:

You can snag these gorgeous Balinodono flats at these online places:
Barneys- Brown HERE
Barneys- Blue HERE
Net-a-porter- Blue HERE

What are your thoughts on these flats?

Hope you're having a shoetastic weekend!

Pinning

2012-01-20T12:37:00.000-05:00

Have you heard about Pinterest yet??!! If you want to get inspired and waste a few hours away this is the site to join. I love it! It's like a giant cork board that you can pin images to that you love, make you laugh, inspire you, or ideas of future projects. You can also view friends boards to see what's inspiring them. I made two collages with some photos from two of my boards- the "Vintage" board and the "Nail Me" board.

If you are on Pinterest follow me- HERE! If you're not on Pinterest yet and need an invite please email me (here) or leave a comment with your email address and I'll send one to you!

My brother and nephew are coming to visit this weekend and there is snow in the forecast! I think I see snowmen being built this weekend! Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend!

These photos are all from Pinterest users.

Laugh At Yourself

2012-01-19T12:32:00.000-05:00

Impromptu Yellow

Most of the time when I do photos for my blog I have my niece or sister play photographer. It’s always fun to look at the photos afterwards to see what they caught and more often than not there are some photos that are just ridiculous and make me laugh. If you can’t laugh at yourself for being silly and true than who can you laugh at? Today I wanted to share with you some photos from the past few months that still make me laugh and smile.

Every leaf is a flower

Striped / Baciami Red

Embracing the First Fall

No Regrets

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! And remember- don't take life so serious. Laugh at yourself once in a while and always be who you are no matter what!

Ice Skates and Scarves

2012-01-18T12:45:00.000-05:00

"If dancing is how the angels walk,
then skating is how the angels dance." ~Alan Kreigsman

Joe's Jeans-Honey Boot cut (Simliar); American Eagle sweater; Gap purple tshirt;

vintage scarf (bought years ago); Sam Edelman Loni Suede High Heel Booties (HERE);

Happy Hump Day! Sorry I haven’t been posting as often lately. It seems that every time I start to feel a little better another cold/flu comes and knocks me back down again. Since I’m continuously sick I need to start pushing on with it to try and get some order back to my life, but dang do I get exhausted lately.

I felt a little better last Sunday so I went with my sister and her family to the local ice skating rink. I dressed in layers since I knew the rink would be chilly and loved the pairing of the simple chunky sweater over a purple t-shirt, and then popped the color with a scarf. I have not been on a pair of skates in over 10 years, and I was surprised at how quickly I picked it back up. By the end of our time there I was skating with both feet and not holding onto anyone! Being back on skates reminded me of my child hood when I was determined to be an Olympic ice-skater like Oksana Baiul or Nancy Kerrigan. However, flooding my backyard to create a skating rink wasn’t the smartest way to get started.

Have you recently done something that reminded you of your child hood?

Tame Me

2012-01-16T12:40:00.002-05:00

Did you ever look in the mirror a few hours after spending a good amount of time on your hair only to notice all of those tiny annoying hair sticking up on the top of your head? I get so frustrated by this! Sometimes in my photos I feel as if it looks like I have a halo of hair around my head. And I’ll admit, sometimes I edit these tiny hairs out. The other day while I was watching Project Runway All Stars I noticed the hair team using this mascara wand to tame the flyaways while creating a tight updo. I set off to find out what this magic wand was called.

I introduce you to John Frieda’s Full Repair Flyaway Tamer (buy HERE). I am literally addicted to this little wand of magic. You simply run it over the top of your hair and it not only smooth’s the hair down but it holds it in place without leaving your hair hard and crunchy. I used this on New Years Eve when I did a high ponytail (HERE) and it worked wonders. I had no stray hairs flying around and I felt very posh. It even stayed perfect all night. One more thing- it smells wonderful! No lie. It’s hard to describe the scent but it smells really nice. So if you have the same fly away or tiny hair problem that I do you will fall in love with this like I do.

I was in no way paid for this review. I purchased the John Fried Full Repair Flyaway Tamer and am simply just voicing my opinion and sharing with you, my reader, something I loved and found interesting.

Leave Nothing but Footprints

2012-01-13T13:02:00.000-05:00

"Take nothing but photos,

Leave nothing but footprints,

Kill nothing but time"

(a quote from the cave's pamphlet)

This past weekend the weather was too beautiful to waste the day inside. So I decided to take a little adventure to one of the 12 nature preserves owned by the National Speleological Society, which is actually a 10 minute drive from my house! It's this huge, gorgeous cave! It's noted that printed accounts inside the cave date back to 1788. The area outside of the cave, where I lounged for a long time, is gorgeous, clean, and quiet. Reflecting and relaxing while surrounded by God's creations was the perfect way to spend a winter day.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

A New Year

2012-01-12T12:48:00.000-05:00

"Cheers to a new year
and another chance for us to get it right."

Joe's Jeans-Honey Boot cut (Simliar); Cheap Monday Cathy sweater; Coach Kristin hippie bag;

H+M tshirt and scarf (bought years ago); Sam Edelman Loni Suede High Heel Booties (HERE);

my vintage-11 year old-Tommy Hilfiger jacket

Valentino shirt (snagged on Outnet birthday sale); Forever21 skirt and tank; Prada studded heels

La Mer Collections cuff watch (on sale HERE); Amrita Singh bangle;

I just wanted to share with you a few of the outfits I wore while in Philadelphia for New Years Eve. Being terribly sick I wanted to stay as comfortable as possible which means I outfit repeated the one day. These jeans are so comfortable and this sweater is my favorite lounge piece...I did change the tshirt color and scarf...that count's right?

For New Years Eve I decided against the sequined dress I posted about HERE and opted for something a little more classy and less loud since we were just going out to dinner. Instead I decided to wear this Valentino blouse I've had for almost a year and never worn. Ever go out and then later in a picture regret something you wore? Well I regret doing my hair in a pony tail. I look horrible which is why you usually always see my hair the same way. I wish I would have known about the sock bun because that would have been perfect with this outfit. Do you know about the sock bun?

I hope everyone had a great new years celebration!

The End

2012-01-11T12:58:00.000-05:00

After yesterday's post (HERE) I decided I'd do the same to share with you a how I spent my New Years Eve. I traveled down to Philadelphia on Thursday to spend some time with best friend and ring in the New Year. Unfortunately I woke up Friday with this nasty cold which meant we played it semi low key all weekend. We did venture in to the city, ate at an amazing restaurant, I experienced Bubble tea for the first time, played games, drank a little...okay maybe a lot, but we mainly just had an amazing time being together and celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of another. If you follow me on Twitter (HERE) you might have already seen a few of these.

Above, from left to right:

Empty roads,

Tricia and I before heading to South Street,

An evening filled with Yahtzee and wine,

Broad Street,

Mixed silver nails and my gorgeous Coach bag,

A comfortable bed I wanted to crash in at Anthropologie,

The light in Rittenhouse Park,

Wine and pasta...the perfect dinner,

Cheers to a New Year!

I hope you all had a happy and safe new year! Outfit posts to come tomorrow.

Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart

2012-01-10T12:46:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I know I completely fell off the face of the earth after NYE and I'm sorry. I came down with one hell of a nasty cold/flu that literally laid me out flat for over a week. I even ended up extending my holiday vacation by a few days to recover! I hope you all had a very wonderful Christmas and New Years. I had such an amazing Christmas filled with lots of quality family time filled with board games, wine, and a few outdoor adventures. Above are some phone snaps from Christmas. If you follow me on Twitter (HERE) you might have already seen a few of these.

Above, from left to right:
Christmas eve buffet,
what's left after 3 hours of opening presents,
Star wrapped in my new blanket,
an amazing wine on Christmas day,
Grace with her new undies (still need to work on her where they're supposed to go),
Star and Maggie exhausted after 2 full days of presents,
Blokus,
the mountain was covered in ice which made the trees look so magical.

Many new posts to come!

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I Celebrate You

2011-12-31T08:00:00.019-05:00

2011 has literally been one of the best years of my life, filled with more positive moments than any other year. This year I traveled to some gorgeous places, experienced some adventures I never thought I'd be brave enough to take, seen some truly beautiful and cultural things that forever changed me, met some of the most amazing people I never thought I'd get the opportunity to meet, I started a new job, entered a new decade in my life, grew closer with my family, and best of all I took you along on this crazy ride I call my life. Your love and support of my blog means more to me than I will ever be able to put into words. So tonight as I ring in the New Year, I celebrate you, my readers, for being the amazing people each of you are. I also will celebrate the close of this amazing year and the promise of many positive and exciting things to come in 2012.

From my family to yours, Happy New Year!

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Blue Christmas Eve

2011-12-30T12:00:00.000-05:00

"And when the blue snowflakes start falling
That’s when those blue memories start calling"

Donna Morgan dress, nOir pendant necklace (HERE); Prada Studded heels

La Mer Collections cuff watch (on sale HERE); Amrita Singh bangle; c/o Spanx back seam stockings (HERE)

The other day I posted about my possible choices to wear on Christmas Eve (HERE). Well I chose this blue Donna Morgan dress because it was very simple, classic, and somewhat conservative which was perfect for church. I made it a little sexier with the back seam stockings Spanx sent me. I am so in love with these stockings that I'm thinking I might need to wear them for New Years Eve as well. I thought that I probably should wear red but I loved the color of this blue so much.

After 3 days of nonstop eating, drinking, game playing, present opening, and talking I'm exhausted! I think I need a holiday from my holiday vacation. Did you survive the holidays?

PS- Thank you Marcus (my nephew) and Zoie (my niece) for taking the photos!

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Extravaganza Winners

2011-12-29T12:00:00.008-05:00

I'm sorry I didn't post the winners sooner, but with the holidays things got a little busier than expected. Before I pick the winners I want to thank Stephanie Johnson, Spanx, Aerie, NCLA, LOFT, Cult Nails, and La Mer Collections for sponsoring my Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza! I also want to thank all of you that entered! I wish I could give each of you something but sadly I can't. Which means I have to select a few winners.

After random.org drawing....

1. Stephanie Johnson - ML Travel bag in Cyprus goes to Kristin M.

2. SPANX - Tight-End-Tights in Bistro Green goes to Kimberly L.

3. One $50 gift card to Aerie goes to Madelyn P. and Lauren

4. NCLA nail strips (3 packs to each) goes to Mel S. and Madeline from Style me Thrifty

5. LOFT bags and jewelry goes to Jessica C.

6. Cult Nails kit. (Wicked Fast top coat, Living Water polish, Get It On base coat, glass nail file) goes to Andreea C.

7. La Mer Collections – Sage Shimmer Silver Bali Stud Watch (HERE) goes to Ana Belan

If you didn't win I'm sorry but La Mer Collections is still giving my readers an exclusive 15% off discount! Just use the code TIFFANY2011 when you check out! (good till January 31, 2012)

I will email you all with in the next few days! Again, thank you to all who entered and thank you to my awesome Holiday Giveaway sponsors!

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Feliz Natal

2011-12-25T08:00:00.004-05:00

I wanted to wish each of you a Merry Christmas in a fun way....

PS-if there is a snowflake button on the player...click it!

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Asteroid

2011-12-23T12:05:00.004-05:00

I'm switching things up and posting my "Shoetastic Sunday" post on Friday! I'm sorry there will be no "Food Friday" post but with all of the holiday baking and parties, I haven't had a chance to take any photos. I'm hoping these gorgeous shoes will make up for it?

If not...I'll just kick you with these Christian Louboutin Asteroid pumps till you say it's okay!

haha. Just kidding. But seriously-these shoes could do some major damage! Could you imagine trying to board an airplane with these in your suitcase? It’s bad enough they confiscate your tweezers, nail files, or some other small item you’ve forgotten to remove from your makeup bag – just imagine how you’d feel when airport security took away your $1595 Louboutins!

They are gorgeous though aren't they? I put them on my wish list HERE but I know that with a hefty price tag of $1,595 they won't be under my Christmas tree. A girl can dream though...right? If only Santa Clause were Christian Louboutin Clause!

Wishing you a Merry Shoe Christmas!

Spiked Snow

2011-12-22T12:00:00.006-05:00

"To appreciate the beauty of a snow flake,
it is necessary to stand out in the cold."

ASOS Slim Cropped pants (HERE and on sale!); ELLE from Kohls sweater; H+M scarf

Amrita Singh bangle; Sam Edelman Adena flats (HERE)

Yes, that is snow! Real, live, actual snow! Sadly it was gone a day later and now everything is brown and ugly. I love snow....when I don't have to travel in it. I know these photos are not the best because it was so freaking cold outside that day that we could only stand it long enough to snap a few. Also I was still half asleep after getting up early for church. But I absolutely LOVE these shoes and pants. The only down side is that the longer you wear these pants the bigger they grow. Have you ever owned something like that? I don't know how to make it stop! These Sam Edelman flats are my favorite ever! When I first showed my niece a picture of them she said how ugly they were. But once they arrived and I had them on she actually loved them. They are so fun and unique and also so incredibly comfortable...I just wish I could afford them in the nude color as well. I hope you are having a great week and are soon ready for Christmas! Also, Happy Hanukkah to you!!

Don't forget to enter my Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza! Only a few days left to enter! Enter HERE!

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My Holiday Dresses

2011-12-21T12:58:00.001-05:00

After I saw Love Maegan's post (HERE) on her holiday dresses it really got me thinking about what I should wear for the holidays. Every years since I was a little kid we would all get dressed up for Christmas Eve church service. My mom would always go out and buy us new special dresses for that night and to this day I still look forward to dressing up Christmas Eve. So I've come up with a few possible outfits for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Donna Morgan dress, nOir pendant necklace (HERE);

Balenciaga heels (HERE on Bluefly but I snagged on eBay for $60!)

I love this new dress I snagged on LastCall.com. The way the dress flows makes me feel like twirling in circles. I would wear this dress with these sheer black nylons with back seams (HERE) that I've had my eye on. Talk about a touch of sexiness!

Vintage dress and shoes; LC Lauren Conrad lace crop cardigan; Spike the Punch necklace

I got this dress for a wedding a few years ago and surprisingly only wore it once. I think the color is perfect for the holiday season and with a pair of simple black nylons this would be a classy look.

Charlotte Russe lace shirt; ASOS pleated skirt; B. Makowsky heels; Bauble Bar Multi Knot tassel necklace

I love color in unexpected ways and this Bauble Bar necklace and B. Makowsky heels I got at Marshall's add just that to this outfit.

Valentino shirt (snagged on Outnet birthday sale); Forever21 skirt; Prada studded heels

This outfit reminds me of something Kourtney Kardashian would wear. I love the lace detail of this skirt and with black tights I think it would keep it not so risque for church service. This is the Valentino shirt I snagged at the Outnet's $2 birthday sale last year. Gorgeous right?

Vintage thrift dress; White House/Black Market belt (HERE); Dolce Vita Hayword Pumps

This outfit with black tights will be perfect for New Years Eve! The dress has shoulder pads in it (hello 70's) that I actually really like.

So what do you think I should wear for Christmas Eve?

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Different and Beautiful

2011-12-20T12:51:00.000-05:00

"Snowflakes, like people,
are all different and beautiful."

Joe's Jeans-Honey Boot cut (Simliar); Cheap Monday Cathy sweater; H+M tshirt and scarf (bought years ago);
Melie Bianco Sadie bag (HERE); Sam Edelman Loni Suede High Heel Booties (HERE);
Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Candy' bangle-similar HERE (I'm giving away a similar bracelet on my Facebook HERE!)

You might remember this sweater from over the summer (HERE) when I wore it with nothing underneath. It was perfect that way but with the cold temperatures I decided to add a slight pop of color and warmth with a pink t shirt underneath. I really like the effect the sweater has with a colored shirt under it. Matching it with the pink bag I think really draws the pink out of the sweater even more.

This past Saturday Zoie and I went shopping to finish up my Christmas shopping when we passed these train tracks and decided to take a few photos. As soon as we stepped out of the car it started to snow/hail but being the crazy girls we are, we still decided to take the photos and have a little fun. I absolutely love spending time with my niece…she makes me feel young and can instantly cheer me up. She helps me acknowledge the fact that being different is really beautiful. I’m really looking forward to spending lots of time with her during the holidays. Are you ready for the holidays?

Have you entered my Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza yet? Enter HERE!

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Cozy on Up

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

I first want to thank Express for sending me two gorgeous scarfs from the Lucky FABB conference! I also want to thank all of you that entered! I wish I could give each of you this cozy scarf and gift card but sadly I can't. Which means I have to select a winner.
After a random.org drawing....

The winner is Terry from Terrys Two Cents! Congratulations Terry! I'll be emailing you very shortly. Again, thank you to all who entered and thanks to Express!

Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza

2011-12-19T13:17:00.001-05:00

It’s the last week of my holiday giveaway extravaganza and this week I wanted to go all out! I am truly so thankful for each and every one of you. You inspire me and keep me motivated and I don’t think this blog would still be around if it weren’t for you. So as a way to thank you I asked some of my favorite companies that I wear or use their products often if they would like to offer something up for a big Holiday Giveaway and they said they’d love to! Have a look at everything that’s up for grabs today!

1. Stephanie Johnson - ML Travel bag in Cyprus

I have literally been eyeing this travel bag up since I first became introduced to the company after Lucky FABB. Their bags are so sturdy and chic and so useable. They kindly sent me one of these ML Travel bags for myself and it was the perfect travel bag for my past trip to DC.

2. SPANX - Tight-End-Tights in Bistro Green

Remember when I wore these same tights a few weeks ago (HERE)? Well Spanx is giving you the chance to own these amazing tights as well! I promise you will fall in love with these like I did.

3. Two- $50 gift cards to Aerie

I would hope that you would use this gift card on yourself to buy something cute, comfortable, fun, and a lil sexy!

4. NCLA nail strips (2 possible winners)

I love these strips and they come in such a HUGE selection of prints. It’s so hard to pick my favorite. These NCLA nail strips go on very easily and wear for a long time!

5. LOFT bags and jewelry.

These LOFT bags were in the gift bag from the local Front Row Challenge fashion show (HERE), and I purchased the jewelry as my gift to one of you. This is the same mixed metal necklace that I wear all the time, and I love this bracelet that Jessica from What I Wore designed.

6. Cult Nails kit. (Wicked Fast top coat, Living Water polish, Get It On base coat, glass nail file)

I was introduced to Cult Nails after Lucky FABB as well and I love their polishes. The names are so quirky and fun and this color-Living Water is my absolute favorite!

7. La Mer Collections – Sage Shimmer Silver Bali Stud Watch (HERE)

I am literally OBSESSED with La Mer Collections watches and I'm sure you've noticed that since I wear one of their watches in every outfit post. I was so excited when they said they would love to give a watch to one of my readers! These watches are amazing, comortable, fun and always grab someone’s attention. If I could, I would buy one of every watch but for now I am currently saving up for the Indo Lucite watch in tortoise (seen on my wish list HERE), however once I saw this Bali watch, it's a hard decision. This sage is such a gorgeous color and in person it really does shimmer!

Lucky for you La Mer Collections is also giving my readers an exclusive 15% off discount! Just use the code TIFFANY2011 when you check out! (good till January 31, 2012)

GIVEAWAY TIME!! (Open to US and INTERNATIONAL!)

To Enter is simple!
Just leave a comment on this post with your name and a way to contact you if you're drawn as the winner. One (1) winner will be drawn for each prize.

Want some Extra Entries? (Please leave a comment for each extra entry)
1.    Follow beijosTiffany at Bloglovin (HERE)
2.    Follow beijosTiffany on Google (in left hand side bar)
3.    Follow beijosTiffany on Twitter (HERE) and tweet about the giveaway!

Giveaway ends Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 11:59pmEST and the winner (chosen by random.org) will be announced shortly after (Dec 25 or 26)

Also- if you “LIKE” me on Facebook (HERE) there is a Facebook Only giveaway happening right now!!

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Food Friday: Taco Dip

2011-12-16T12:53:00.000-05:00

I know I usually post Christmas cookie recipes during the month of December, but I realized the other day that I have never shared this recipe with you. With all of the holiday parties, dinners, and receptions one is invited to it's nice to have a quick dish you can whip up at the drop of a hat to take with you. My old boss (Hi Nancy!) used to make this dip for our office parties and everyone loved it. We used to call it "that damn taco dip" because it was so good and addicting that we couldn't stop eating it. I've changed it around from her recipe to something it a little quicker and easier to make. I actually make this dip about once a month, for home, or when company visits, or when I have a pot luck or party to go to. I swear, every time I make this at least one person asks for the recipe. I'm not lying- you will not be the only one addicted to this Taco Dip. (recipe HERE) I do have to note that I forgot to pick up shredded cheese at the store but I always put it in the dip.

Seriously how easy is this recipe? (recipe HERE) Four ingredients, mix, chill for a bit, and serve! Don't forget to pick up some nacho chips at the store as well. There are a few variations you can do with this dip-
     1. You can buy a spicier taco mix to add a little more kick to your dip.
     2. Cheddar or Mexican Mix cheese-add a little or a lot!
     3. This recipe is normally a layered recipe where you spread the dip out on a tray, spread lettuce on top of the dip, then chopped tomatoes, and then finally sprinkle with shredded cheese.

You can find this Taco Dip recipe HERE. If you've never made any of my recipes before, that's okay, but I'm telling you to make this one for the holidays. I'm not lying...you may thank me later :)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to enter my Express scarf and gift card giveaway (HERE)! It ends Sunday. Also, make sure you stop by Monday-the largest giveaway I have ever done will kick off! There will also be a Facebook only giveaway starting Monday. Do you "Like" me yet? Do so HERE!

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Christmas Wish Levels

2011-12-13T13:02:00.000-05:00

This Christmas I've been thinking a lot about what to wear for holiday parties and for Christmas Eve service. I want something that can be work appropriate but yet has that touch of fun and glitz and I also want pieces that I can wear after the holiday season is over. I've come up with a simple basic outfit that can take me from many different parties and can be worn multiple times by switching up the accessories. So for this year I bring you my Christmas Wish List in multiple price levels.

LOW PRICED

Top Shop Ponte Dress-$96 (HERE); LC Lauren Conrad Bow Ring-$20 (HERE);

White House/Black Market Clutch- $48 (HERE); Nine West Aroundtown heels-$74.99 (HERE)

MIDDLE PRICED

Alice + Olivia Eleanor Dress-$330 (HERE); La Mer Collections Indo Lucitte Watch-$150 (HERE);
Rebecca Minkoff Sweetie Bag-$295 (HERE); Rachel Zoe Ankle Wrap heels-$275 (HERE)

HIGH PRICED

Derek Lam Combo Dress-$1794 (HERE); David Yurman beaded necklace-$1100 (HERE);

Reed Krakoff Boxer Tote-$990 (HERE); Christian Louboutin Miss Clichy-$895 (HERE)

A few last things that I would LOVE to find under my Christmas tree in three different price areas:

(top to bottom/left to right)

LOW PRICED

Cycle Force Bike Bell-$10 (HERE); Essie LuxEffects Polishes in all colors!-$8/per (Red HERE);

Echo Design Touch Gloves-$32 (HERE)

MIDDLE PRICED

Fishscape Fish Bowl-$140 (HERE), Christian Louboutin Book-$150 (HERE);

Kindle Fire-$199 (HERE)

HIGH PRICED

Kartell Ghost Chair-for my office-$410 (HERE); Apple iPad 32gb-$729.99 (HERE);

Christian Louboutin Asteroid pumps-$1595 (HERE)

What's on your Christmas list this year?

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Express Infinity Giveaway (Holiday Giveaway)

2011-12-12T12:33:00.003-05:00

It’s time for my 2nd holiday giveaway! Remember the sequin infinity scarf (purchase HERE) I wore on Thanksgiving from Express (post HERE)? Express so kindly sent me two infinity scarves in two different colors. One I kept for myself, but the second scarf I'm giving you the chance to win. To make this giveaway even better and to thank you even more for being such awesome friends I'm giving the winner a $50 Express gift card with the scarf so you can buy yourself something nice for the holidays!
(Scroll to the bottom for the giveaway rules!)

(Wearing the tan version)

What you’ll win- Express sequin infinity scarf and a $50 Express giftcard!

~~GIVEAWAY TIME!! (OPEN TO US & Canada Only)~~

To Enter is simple!
Follow beijosTiffany at Bloglovin (HERE) or on Google (HERE) and leave a comment telling me you do so {tell me in the comment if you follow on both for an extra bonus entry}

Want some Extra Entries? (Please leave a comment for each extra entry)

~~1. "LIKE" beijosTiffany on Facebook (HERE)~~

~~2. Follow beijosTiffany on Twitter (HERE) and tweet about the giveaway!~~

~~Giveaway ends Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 11:59pm EST.~~
A winner will be chosen by random.org

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Red Winner

2011-12-12T12:10:00.001-05:00

I first wanted to thank ShabbyApple.com for partnering with me on another giveaway. I also want to thank all of you that entered! I wish I could give each of you this gorgeous dress but sadly I can't. Which means I have to select a winner.
After a random.org drawing....

The winner is Julie! Congratulations Julie! I'll be emailing you very shortly. Again, thank you to all who entered and thanks to Shabby Apple!

Chocolate Candy Cookie Cups

2011-12-09T12:32:00.010-05:00

A few months ago I stumbled upon this recipe when I was making a cookie tray for my sister's graduation (see HERE) and completely forgot to share it all with you. These Chocolate Candy Cookie Cups (recipe HERE) were a complete success and the hit of the party. The kids gobbled them up and I don't think there was one crumb left by the end of the night. I thought Christmas time was the perfect time to share this recipe with all of you. My mom already decided that these are the cookies I'll be making for the cookie exchange next weekend which is perfect with me. These Chocolate Candy Cookie Cups are SO easy you'll be surprised.

I took a short cut that the recipe doesn't call for. The recipe (see HERE) calls for canned icing that you spoon on which seemed like alot of work to me so I picked up a can of the Pillsbury Easy Frost icing. The icing comes in a can similar to cheese spray and all you simply do is squirt it on. I tried putting baby Reese's Peanut Butter cups in the center of these cookies but they just didn't taste the same as the Snickers. The mixture of the soft and crunchy is perfect. Feel free to try other candies and let me know what you try so I can experiment as well! You can also top these cookies with all kinds of decorations for all different holidays. I think we're going to do silver/red stars for the cookie exchange.

This weekend should be exciting. As you're reading this I'm on my way to Washington DC to visit with my sister, nephew, and baby niece. It's just a short trip but it will be worth it to spend some time with my family. Then on Sunday I'm getting up bright and early to head home for my oldest niece's 12th birthday! I can not believe my sweetpea is growing up....so fast!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple giveaway (HERE)! It ends Sunday. Monday a new giveaway will kick off!

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No Regrets

2011-12-08T12:14:00.000-05:00

"I have no regrets.

I wouldn't have lived my life the way I did

if I was going to worry about what people were going to say." ~Ingrid Bergman

Pajama Jeans black jean leggings; BCBG MaxAzria cashmere sweater; Rachel Rachel Roy Rockout boots;

Coach bag; La Mer Collections cuff watch (on sale HERE); nOir pyramid ring (similar);

Bauble Bar skull bracelets (HERE-use invitation code 16587 to sign up); LOFT Mixed Metal necklace (HERE)

I have to tell you something and I think you might be utterly disgusted with me after I say it. Ready?

These.

Are.

Pajama Jeans!

There I said it! Are you still with me? I always swore I would NEVER wear Pajama Jeans, like in this post HERE. But the other day when I was shopping with my momma at Bed, Bath, and Beyond I saw these jean leggings and was intrigued. My mom said how they were a lot cheaper than the ones on my wish list and that she would purchase them for me. So yes, now I’m wearing them. Oh the shame, the shame! But damn are they comfortable and I sort of don't regret wearing them. If I wouldn’t have said who they were by you would have never guessed, right? I’ve been searching for a great pair of black jean leggings and these just happen to make the cut. Promise me you won’t hold this against me. Also, how sexy are these Rachel Roy boots I snagged for $30 from her clearance sale last year? Okay, now that I’ve admitted to the world that I’ve worn Pajama Jeans I’m going to go. If you still love me after this and won’t hold this against me forever I’ll be eternally grateful! Tell me though...have you ever worn something you love but are slightly ashamed of?

Don’t forget to enter my Shabby Apple dress giveaway HERE!

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Can't get you off of my mind

2011-12-06T12:38:00.000-05:00

"I can't get you off my mind no matter

how hard I try everything leads back to you."

Joe's Jeans-Honey Boot cut (similar HERE); Cubism shirt (from local store n'V); Coach clutch;

Tahari blazer (snagged at Marshall's); Stella McCartney booties (found on eBay for $70!); Chanel necklace

Have you ever tried something on, liked it, but left the store without purchasing i, only to continuously think about it day after day? This happened to me after the local fashion show I was in a few months ago (pics HERE). I fell in love with the Joe’s Jeans Honey fit I wore in the show but didn’t take them home with me. Every day after the show when I was getting dressed I would have something in mind only to realize I didn’t own these jeans. After a few days of being heartbroken and naked I realized I needed these jeans and went to snatch them up. Best investment ever! I love these Joe’s Jeans. Not only are they so comfortable and soft, but they are tight but not too tight. These jeans are heaven and if I could wear them every day…and get away with it… I would! So tell me, after leaving the store without purchasing the item you love did you eventually return to buy it?

Don’t forget to enter my Shabby Apple dress giveaway HERE!

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The Month of Giving: Baciami Red (Giveaway)

2011-12-05T12:48:00.004-05:00

Christmas season should not be about getting presents it should be about giving, so today kick starts my month of giving back to my readers! I've teamed up with some really great brands to bring you three weeks of giveaways! Are you excited? The third and final week you will NOT want to miss! This week I've teamed up with Shabby Apple, an online boutique of women's clothing, to giveaway this gorgeous Baciami dress I'm wearing. I love wearing bright festive colors during the holiday season and this dress is perfect for the holidays! You can dress it down for an afternoon of Christmas shopping trips or change a few of the accessories/shoes and it would be perfect for a holiday party. (Scroll to the bottom for the giveaway rules!)

c/o Shabby Apple Baciami dress (HERE); Dolce Vita Wagner boots; Kohl's Sonoma jean jacket;

vintage belt, bag, scale bracelet; Fred Flare Key necklace (HERE);

Bauble Bar Wishbone necklace (HERE) and inverted bangle (HERE)

How would you style this dress? Are you READY for the giveaway?? You have a chance to win this Baciami dress from Shabby Apple!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!
To Enter is simple!
-“LIKE” Shabby Apple on Facebook (HERE) and then leave a comment with your contact information on this post!

Want some Extra Entries? (Please leave a comment for each extra entry)
1. Follow beijosTiffany at Bloglovin (HERE) or on Google (HERE) {tell me in the comment if you follow on both for an extra bonus entry}
2. "LIKE" beijosTiffany on Facebook (HERE)

3. Follow beijosTiffany on Twitter (HERE) and tweet about the giveaway!

Giveaway ends Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 11:59pm EST.
A winner will be chosen by random.org
EDIT: Thank you to all who entered! A winner will be announced soon!

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Candied Spiced Nuts

2011-12-02T12:59:00.000-05:00

I know I've absolutely pumpkin-ed you out and I'm sorry. When I saw this recipe in a book the other day I debated about posting it online only because it calls for pumpkin pie spice. However, after I tasted these nuts and my family tasted them I knew this recipe had to be posted. These Candied Spiced Nut Mix (recipe HERE) are the perfect addition to any holiday gathering. These would also make a great gift for the hostess by putting some in a decorative container or bag.

I'm sorry that this week is another pumpkin recipe but I think when you try these Candied Spiced Nuts (recipe HERE) that you'll forgive me! I do have to note that I had a little trouble getting the extra sugar mixture off so I just dumped the whole bowl on to a parchment paper covered pan and baked. When it was cool the nuts were almost like a bark which was just as good!

I can not wait...this weekend we will be decorating the house for the holidays! Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. I love the music, the lights, the giddy kids who are eager for Santa, the Christmas cookies...I love it all. I especially love all of the family traditions that we have and being together to decorate the tree is one of my favorite.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Monday kicks off my month of giving so make sure to stop back for the first giveaway!

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Few of my Favorites

2011-12-01T12:32:00.001-05:00

After seeing loveMaegan’s post (here) about some of her favorite things it made me think about what my favorite things are that I literally can not go a day without. Of course there is my dog that I could never spend a day without, seriously if I could take her everywhere with me I probably would. Also without my car, laptop, and cellphone I would be lost. But this is my list of the little things that I love and/or use every single day without any thought and am seriously lost when I don’t have them.

1. Goody Ouchless ponytail ties (buy HERE) I love have long hair but usually by the end of the day it drives me nuts and gets pulled up in a messy bun. I always have a handful of these in my bags and when I’m without one I’ve been known to use pencils, paperclips, and string.

2. SmartWater I’m a fish and seriously drink about 12 cups of water a day. It’s great for your body and complexion!

3. Diamond (or CZ) studs. You’ll notice in ALL of my outfit posts I’m always wearing the same pair of studs. I feel like they’re simple but yet add that touch of class.

4. Hershey's Reese’s Pieces These are my absolute weakness! I have to buy the tiny bags to try and control myself but it usually doesn’t help because then I’ll eat 2-3 bags!

5. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey (buy HERE) When I saw this at the makeup counter and the lady told me to try it I looked at her like she was nuts. It’s so dark! But I was brave and tried it, and then she proceeded to laugh because I was hooked. It is seriously the PERFECT color for anyone! No lie! I call it my magic lipstick because it always looks good-never too dark and always just a hint of color.

6. Burberry Brit rollerball (buy HERE). I always have this in my purse for those days when I run out somewhere after work and want a little scent pick up. Rollerballs are perfect for on the go!

7. Carmex lipgloss (buy HERE). My pharmacist got me hooked on this when my lips were split thanks to the horrible winter weather and she said this would fix me up. Now I wear it every day- it protects against the harsh weather and adds a nice glossy look but doesn’t have that sticky feeling and it also smells great!

8. Pilot Precise V5 pens (buy HERE). When I started my new job my boss always used these pens in black or blue so I got a variety pack of colors to try and was hooked. I love how they write and I love the colors. I now have my boss attached to the pink pen-he tried to steal mine the one day so I keep a spare pack of the colors in my desk drawer for when he needs one.

9. Music. I go crazy without music. It helps get me out of my head, relaxes me, and motivates me. I have Pandora on the whole day while I’m in the office and then Sirius XM for the ride home.

10. Halls Refresh in Juicy Strawberry (buy HERE). I’ll start by saying, Yes, I know Halls are not candy. However, from my days of living in Brazil where Halls were considered candy I’m hooked. I always have a bag of halls in my purse and I’ve tried numerous flavors but these juicy strawberry ones are the best! Sadly, they are a little hard to find in my area.

What are some of the little things you can’t go a day without?

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A Comfort-Sparkle Filled Thanksgiving

2011-11-30T12:58:00.000-05:00

"You don't choose your family.
They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

Joe's Jeans-Honey Boot cut (similar HERE); LOFT tshirt (worn backwards); Vintage sweater;

Jeffrey Campbell Supply boots (similar HERE); Express infinity scarf (HERE); Club Monaco chunky ring;

Bauble Bar Wishbone necklace (HERE) and inverted bangle (HERE);
La Mer Collections wrap watch from LuckyFABB (similar HERE)

Every year for Thanksgiving my family and I travel a few towns away to celebrate with my Aunt, Uncle and their family. It’s always a great day with lots of catching up, hikes in the woods (they live in the country), lots of food and yummy desserts, a few drinks to wash it all down with, and nap time in front of the game. With a few new additions to the family this year was not any different. The weather was absolutely gorgeous on Thanksgiving. Warm sunshine, a quiet breeze, and bright blue skies made it perfect for a pre-dinner walk with my niece, sister, and cousins. I wore my new circle scarf that Express sent me from the Lucky FABB conference. Isn’t it perfect? So warm and cozy but yet has a touch of glitz and glamor with the sparkles. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with warm, cozy moments that make your life sparkle!

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DIY: Dress Up Your Shoes

2011-11-29T13:00:00.000-05:00

The other day I saw Grace from Stripes and Sequin's post on the Glitter Guide where she DIY'd her own Tory Burch Eddie Bow Flats. (HERE) When I saw this I knew instantly I had to try it out. I don't know why but a few years ago I purchased an antique set of shoe clips with broken clips and when I saw this DIY I thought it would be the perfect way to fix them up. I wanted to do a test run before I did this to my antique clips and thought I would share my DIY with you.

What you need:

-2 large appliques or pendents from the craft store. Michaels has a great jewelry section with large pendents which is where I purchased these. I snipped the hook part of with wire cutters and sanded down the rough spots.

-2 shoe Clips (I used the site Grace listed where she found her clips in this eBay shop.)

-Strong Glue (I used Grace's recommendation- E6000)

-Your own ballet flats

This DIY is very easy and quick to accomplish. It's essentially one step but I added a step to make sure the clips really adhere. I started by taking some sand paper and roughing up the back of the pendant to make sure the glue fully adheres to it.Then I opened up the shoe clips, applied a dot of glue to the back, and pressed firmly on to the pendent for 10 seconds. After that I set them up on a bookshelf to dry for a day.

After gluing place somewhere out of the way and let dry for a full 24-48 hours before attempting to close the clips.

The fun thing about shoe clips is that you can wear them on any flats or heels and they instantly change the look of your shoe. I also love that you can glue just about anything to the clips. I have a few more pairs of clips and my mind is running wild with ideas of things to glue to them.

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Pumpkin Pancakes

2011-11-25T12:21:00.002-05:00

With Thanksgiving officially over I'm sure you're probably pumpkin-ed out. I know I am. However, when I saw this Spicy Pumpkin Pancake recipe (HERE) the other day I knew it would be perfect for the holiday weekend with family visiting. I tested the pancakes out last weekend and I'll just say they are niece approved! Zoie even ate the leftovers everyday this week before heading to school! The recipe also comes with a maple-pecan syrup which I didn't attempt.

These Spicy Pumpkin Pancakes look yummy don't they! (Recipe HERE) You might notice that the recipe only calls for 1/3 cup canned pumpkin and you might be thinking that you don't want to open a large can for just a tiny bit. Did you know that you can store pumpkin in the fridge for 3 days or in the freezer for 3 months? I store mine in the freezer all the time and then pull it out when I have a recipe that calls for an odd amount. Hope you try these pancakes out-they are the PERFECT Saturday breakfast food.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Thankful

2011-11-24T09:00:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday that’s celebrated everywhere, but the premise is simple; be thankful for what you have. I have so much to be grateful for this year and I’ve been reminding myself of all that things that matter the most. At the top of my list? I am so thankful for the people who are in my life. I am thankful for you, my readers, for your continual love and support. Without you in my life I would be lost. Thank you for loving me and allowing me to love you back. I hope you all have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving.

A few Thanksgiving quotes to ponder or laugh at:

"Thanksgiving is possible only for those who take time to remember; no one can give thanks who has a short memory."

"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues."

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." ~Meister Eckhart

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"I love Thanksgiving turkey … it’s the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts." ~Arnold Schwarzenegger

"Thanksgiving is an emotional time. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often."

Hey There Green Legs

2011-11-23T12:37:00.000-05:00

"The legs are the wheels of creativity." ~Albert Einstein

H&M Dress; BCBGMaxAzria belt (from a different dress); LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's blazer (2 yrs ago);

Coach handbag; Sam Edelman Effie booties (HERE), SPANX Tight End Tights (HERE);

LOFT Mixed Metal necklace (HERE)

I have never owned or worn colored tights before in my life-I know I’m so not a fashionista! When I saw these SPANX Tight End Tights in Bistro Green in my Lucky FABB Conference gift bag I knew I had to cut the safety cord to my black tights and be brave. I’m glad I was brave because I’m so in love! These tights are amazing! They pull everything in just the right way but are more comfortable than the normal shapewear. I love how you can change a whole outfit with just a simple pair of colored tights. I think I’m going to be addicted…now I need to plum ones. Are you a fan of colored tights?

Less than 1 day away from Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, lasagna, and so much more! Are you hungry yet?

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Striped

2011-11-21T12:59:00.001-05:00

"A cloudless plain blue sky is like a flowerless garden."
~Terri Guillemets

James Jeans twiggy crop; Aerie sweater (HERE) and tank (HERE); Target flats; Old Navy scarf;

La Mer CollectionsOdyssey wrap watch in Dark Mint (HERE); Coach Soho Swingpack;

Tiffany's necklaces; TarinaTarantino skull bracelet, Hermes bracelet

This past weekend I spent all day Saturday helping my sister pack up her years of stuff and move it. By the end of the day I was exhausted and knew Sunday would be a day of recuperating, which also meant a low key, comfortable outfit. Zoie and I rant out to the store to grab supplies for dinner when we passed this baseball field and knew we needed to play in for a bit. I love mixing patterns and colors that are the same but yet different-like the striped tank with the striped scarf, and all the different colors of gray that are very similar. I have a feeling these jeans and flats are going to be a staple this holiday week. Comfortable, easy to move in, and room for lots of food! Thanksgiving is less than 3 days away. Are you ready to eat?

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I Mesh You

2011-11-20T09:00:00.020-05:00

I saw these Fendi Particulier Mesh-Covered heels a few weeks ago on Eva Longoria and instantly fell in love. They are so simple but yet so hot and sexy! How in the world did I miss these when they came out last year? I've searched high and low, checked every site I can think of and I can't find these anywhere. I know it's a lost cause but these Fendi shoes are so pretty and so me!! I did find them on an old SAKS page and I can NOT believe I missed them when they were on clearance HERE-look at that price they went for! Oh I'm crying now!
What do you think of these shoes? Have you ever seen a pair a few years later and wished you could still buy them?

If you have shoe powers and know where I could still find these at I will FOREVER be indebted to you!

Pumpkin Mudslide

2011-11-18T12:57:00.000-05:00

Do you ever have those days that are long and stressful and by the time you get home you not only need a drink but you're also starved? Yeah, well me too! This Pumpkin Mudslide will fix you right up :) I know it's an alcoholic drink but damn this drink is filling! Don't get me wrong it's also incredibly delicious! I even caught my mom, who does not drink at all, taking more sips than her customary taste test sip! It's like dessert in a glass! Who could ask for anything better right? I saw this recipe on the cupcake projects site HERE and could not wait to try it. I'm going to warn you though....stock up on supplies because everyone will want a glass!

I followed the Pumpkin Mudslide to the T but didn't like how liquidy it was so I added an extra scoop of ice cream to thicken it up. I'm not sure if I would do that again because it was thick and filling but it did give it a nice creamy texture. Thank you CupcakeProject.com for the inspiration and recipe (find HERE).

I always try to be the best blogger possible and try to post things my readers would love to know, see, eat, or wear. I would love feedback from you of suggestions or tips that I can do to better my blog. I always appreciate the feedback you give me-negative or positive I learn from it. I also wanted to let you know that I'm starting to revamp my store and will be adding tons of items to it for sale-jewelry, shoes, bags, clothes. So keep an eye out for it!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Floral Leaves

2011-11-17T12:45:00.000-05:00

"Mere color, unspoiled by meaning,

and unallied with definite form,

can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways."~Oscar Wilde

Blank Denim jean leggings; H&M pink tank, Zara floral print top (HERE); Dolce Vita Wagner boots; Juicy Couture Sparrow branch necklace; Bauble Bar Wishbone necklace (HERE) and inverted bangle (HERE);

La Mer Collections wrap watch from LuckyFABB (similar); bag c/o The Leather Satchel Co.;

With the international news events that have been happening in my area my mind has been overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions lately. Yes. I'm talking about the scandal at Penn State. I'm not going to touch this subject but I will say that we are each entitled to our own opinions and feelings. With that said, I've been emotionally drained lately so I've been trying to cheer myself up by wearing bright colors and floral prints. I absolutely love this top I got while in NYC a few months ago and taking some time to play outside on a rare warm November day did the trick to cheer me up and get my mind else where.

While carrying my white Leather Satchel Company bag the other day I wondered what color people's bags are that they carry in the fall/winter. Do you tend to go dark or do you carry bright summery colors? I don't follow the no white past Labor day but many people still do. What do you think about this old rule?

A Very Aerie Evening

2011-11-16T12:20:00.001-05:00

When Aerie invited me to my local mall for a "trunk show" preview of the 2011 holiday collection I knew it would be the perfect thing to take my niece to. Zoie and I don't get to spend much 1 on 1 time so an evening of shopping and giggling was much needed. When we arrived at Aerie we were greeted by Rachel and Ashley who were so incredibly nice and helpful. They instantly made us feel super comfortable and special while in the store. My shy niece who never says a word to a sales associate actually spoke to them and wasn't shy! Ashley even got her to try bras on!! That says a lot! Ashley and Rachel showed us all of the new items from the 2011 Holiday collection and even pulled items from the back that just came in. If I had to describe the collection as a whole I would call it "Sparkly Comfort", meaning glitter, sequins, flannels, thin and chunky knits, fun prints, and bright colors.

The bras were so fun-warm flannel prints and also bras (not shown) that were so sparkly and gorgeous that I didn't want to hide it under a shirt.

A super cute sparkly skirt but sadly way too short in my size for my 30 year old body. (The one I'm holding is an XL and it was too big but perfect length)

(Side note-like my new hair? 5 inches shorter and 3 different shades darker!)

Don't Zoie and I look ready for bed in our new Aerie lounge outfits? I went home with mine (who can pass up polar bears on pants!) and Zoie opted for my shirt but in her size. Zoie and I had such a great evening shopping, talking, and trying on clothes. Our dressing room was packed with so many different things that we wanted to take home with us. We each settled on more than we needed and being the nice aunt I am I treated my sweetpea to a few items. Don't know what I was thinking with her birthday and Christmas quickly coming up! Thank you Aerie for inviting us to check out the Holiday collection and thank you to Ashley and Rachel for making our time in Aerie so much fun!

Disclosure: I received an invitation for myself and a guest to attend the Aerie Trunk Show. We each received gift cards to put towards our purchase and were not required to post, blog, or tweet about our evening. All words and opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this post.

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Pumpkin Spice Dessert

2011-11-11T12:55:00.000-05:00

Are you getting pumpkin-ed out yet? I'm sorry if you are but I absolutely love pumpkin desserts and this year I came across so many different recipes that the "month of pumpkin" has turned into "2 months of pumpkin"! This week I bring to you the Pumpkin-Spice Dessert with fresh made whipped cream (recipe HERE). This dessert is like pumpkin pie's naughty younger sister who has a little spice and crunch in her step. The whipped cream was not sweet at all which made it the perfect compliment to to the sweet dessert.

I thought at first when I looked at the recipe that it would be time consuming but it honestly wasn't. Each part one quick and easy and in the end was completely worth it. My mom tasted this the other night and after one bite insisted I make it for Thanksgiving. When a dessert gets invited to Thanksgiving dinner you know it has to be good! Again you can find the recipe HERE. Next week's recipe already has my thirsty for me!

So I have an honest question for you that I hope I'll get some comments back. Do you enjoy Food Friday? I'm never sure if people like that I do a food post once a week or if I should just stick to fashion. Let me know. I seriously would love to hear from you!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Dark Mint and Sunshine

2011-11-10T12:52:00.002-05:00

"A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life,
for it is only in an atmosphere
of quiet that true joy dare live."~Bertrand Russell

Joes Jeans- Honey Boot cut; BCBGMAXAZRIA Cashmere sweater, Coach Kristin hippie bag;
c/o Philip Simon slip on sneakers (from Lucky FABB); LOFT Mixed Metal necklace (HERE)
La Mer Collections Odyssey wrap watch in Dark Mint (HERE)

Some days I talk and talk and talk and you think I will never shut up. Other days I'm quiet, somber, and alone and I just refocus my thoughts on things that are important to me but somehow managed to fall into the backseat. Somedays I love to dress up with heels, leather, sequins, sparkles, skirts, shorts, jewelry, etc. Other days I opt for the bare minimal and try to get as comfortable as possible. Most of the time you only see one side of me but I think it's time you see all sides of me. The quiet, laid back, comfort dressing, bare minimal side. This outfit is from one of those days where I was this side.

Walk like a model

2011-11-09T12:59:00.002-05:00

So a few weeks ago a friend who owns a clothing store in a small town near by asked if I would be interested in walking a fashion show. I hesitated and thought about it for a bit but then agreed to do it. I thought it would be fun! It was actually for a great cause and proceeds went to the local fire company and local theater company. Set decor, hair, makeup and clothing were all from the local merchants in the town and was a great way for people to see what the town had to offer.

I woke up and headed straight to the salon for hair and makeup, then afterward I headed to the site of the show. It nice to have someone do my hair and makeup for me! I seriously could get used to it. The show was going to take place at a local barn which is used as a theater. Seating on all four sides with a square stage in the middle. Let me just say this-barns in the winter/fall after it snows...yeah it gets pretty damn cold!

I had three outfits to wear during the show and was a lil nervous as first! Probably had something to do with the 5+ inch heels I was wearing and the fact that my sister and niece were there to watch me. They cheered me on when the first saw me which instantly made me feel more confident and calm.

It was funny-when I first walked out in these shoes I heard some older women whispering "how does she walk in those!" They're actually quite comfortable :)

It seriously was such an awesome day that I'll never forget. My first and last day as a model! I had so much fun meeting new people and trying my hand at being a model. The clothes were all so gorgeous and I wish I could have taken them all home with me. The audience was so energetic and the fellow models were too funny at times! Thank you to Chase for asking me to be apart of such an amazing show and thank you to my sister and niece for coming to support me and take photos. Also thank you to Jas, Kimberly, and Terry for pushing and motivating me to do this. You guys are the best tweinds ever!

All clothes were from local store-n'V (both pairs of jeans are Joe's Jeans) and the shoes were mine-Steve Madden (gift) and Prada.

Thank you Tara and Zoie for taking photos!

Packed Full of Love

2011-11-08T12:48:00.003-05:00

I know I'm a little late showing you these from September's NYFW, but with my new busy job and helping to take care of my nieces in the evening, looking at Style.com has been put on the back burner. However, the one show I did instantly go to was of course Jenny Packham. I don't know what it is about this designer but every season I fall more in love with her! My heart is literally packed full of love for Jenny Packham.This season she stuck to flowy dresses , with sequins and crystals on a light-pastel color pallet that left me eagerly awaiting for next Spring. It was hard for me just to pick one or two of my favorite pieces from her Spring/Summer 12 show so I've put together some of my top favorites.

Past seasons I've shown you her collections (here and here) and pleaded to go to one of her shows. Well that has never happened but I can still dream right! Someday, somehow I hope to sit in the rows at a Jenny Packham show and see the collection walk down the runway live in front of my eyes instead of leafing through photos. A girl can dream!

Did you like Jenny Packham's Spring/Summer 12 runway collection? Those lace shorts are so hot! I would love to see them in black or the blue she used in her collection. I can also see Princess Kate Middleton wearing a lot of these looks. Can't you?

Photos from style.com

Pain au Chocolat

2011-11-04T12:43:00.002-04:00

I saw these on Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere's blog a month ago and instantly my mouth watered and I knew I had to make them. Breakfast, lunch, dessert- these little pillows filled with sweet goodness that literally lingers on your tongue and teases you to have another one are perfect anytime of the day. Are you hungry now? These Pain au Chocolat (recipe HERE) were very simple to make and disappeared so quickly. I'm telling your friends and family will love you if you make these for them. I was already told I have to make these again for Christmas morning!

TIFS TIPS: I used Lindt chocolate which tasted very good- the only problem was cutting the bars up. I drew a template of the dimensions the recipe called for and then cut each bar up. The bars must have been wider and thinner than the recipe because I had a bowl of chocolate left over. Also-the puff pastry sheet...yeah I couldn't get 12 perfectly shaped squares so I opted for rectangles which worked just as well. Using a pizza cutter makes cutting the sheet a lot easier than using a knife.

These little breakfast bites are heaven on their own, however, I made a simple vanilla glaze to go along with it in case anyone wanted a little extra sweetness. (recipe HERE)

Are you hungry now?

Don't worry I'll be back next week with more pumpkin recipes. I've been busy making cake balls for my nephew's birthday this week so my Food Friday dish got pushed.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Embracing the First Fall

2011-11-03T12:59:00.003-04:00

"The first fall of snow is not only an event,
it is a magical event."

James Jeans twiggy crop; H&M pink crop sweater; A&E long sleeve t; Vintage hat and bag;
Forever 21 elephant necklace; Bauble Bar Wishbone necklace (HERE); Club Monaco chunky ring
Sorel Cool Canvas wedge boots (HERE or HERE) gifted from LuckyFABB;

How gorgeous is this scarf? A doctor I used to work for brought this back for me from her travels to Turkey and I instantly loved it. It was perfect for me! However, this is one of those items in my closet that I love to look at everyday because of how gorgeous it is but yet I rarely wear it because of how fragile it is.

I kept hearing this rumor all day Friday that we were to get snow, which I refused to believe. Sadly when I opened my blinds Saturday morning my backyard was covered with a white blanket and more was quickly falling down. It was a reminder and preview of what was to come with in the next few months. I had two options: 1. Be pissed and stay inside, or 2. Embrace it and go out to play. I choose the later when I remembered that my new Sorel boots arrived from the FABB conference. Now don't get me wrong I hate snow but there was something magical about this day. I think it was the calmness and quietness that lingered in the air while I was at the park. All I know is that I didn't hate snow that much on Saturday. My new Sorel boots were perfect also-stylish and fun but yet practical and warm for the weather. Now that I got to play in snow, can you please go away and let Fall return? I miss the amber fiery colors of the leaves!

PS-Sorry today's post was so photo heavy, but I had such a great day that it was hard to choose. Hope you understand.

Front Row- Part 2

2011-11-02T12:34:00.002-04:00

ASOS Slim Cropped pants (HERE and on sale!)and owl ring, LOFT necklace tee (HERE),
Tahari blazer (snagged at Marshall's for $30!), Prada studded heels, Coach Sabrina bag,
La Mer Collections cuff watch (on sale HERE), NCLA nail strips (see HERE)

The ever stylish Joanna Coles (Editor in Chief:Marie Claire).
Did you see her amazing Burberry trench on yesterday's post? (HERE)

With Abby Gardner, Site Director of Marie Claire.com, who was wearing a gorgeous vintage dress she picked up in NYC. Earlier in the night I had tweeted this photo (HERE) and Marie Claire tweeted me back saying they loved my nails. Turns out it was Abby who tweeted me! I got a chance to talk with her a little bit about nails and vintage clothing shops. She told me that she had picked up her dress at this cool vintage shop called Shareen Vintage. I really need to stop by next time I'm in NYC to check the store out. Karen from Where Did U Get That did a post on the store (HERE) and I instantly fell in love!

Andrea who is the Manager of Digital Content Producer for LOFT and who I had been emailing with about the event.

Chatting with Alia Ahmed-Yahia, LOFT Chief Style Director, about fashion of course! I loved her boots but sadly forget where she said she got them from- a UK store is all I remember.

The Tuesday before the show I was at LOFT shopping when I heard a girl say my name. When I turned around, she introduced herself as Alia and said she worked for LOFT. I thought she was a model when I first saw her and some of the other girls at the LOFT store who were shopping. I thought it was funny she didn't mention what she did at LOFT! When I saw her on Thursday and realized who she was I almost died. She seriously has my dream job! I absolutely adore this girl and can completely understand why she is in the position of Chief Style Director. The girl has impeccable style, is so incredibly nice, down to earth, funny, and relatable. She is the type of girl that anyone could instantly be friends with. On top of that she is completely transforming the look and feel of LOFT into something that younger woman would want to wear. Bravo!

Don't Mel and I look so cute- we coordinated without planning it!

I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to meet all of these amazing woman and so gracious for the invite to come and experience the LOFT/Marie Claire Front Row Challenge fashion show. I had a wonderful time and want to thank LOFT, Marie Claire, and Rimmel London for bringing fashion to Penn State!

Front Row- Part 1

2011-11-01T12:52:00.005-04:00

If you follow me on Twitter (HERE) you would have seen my tweet after tweet last Thursday about the Loft/Marie Claire Front Row College Challenge fashion show I was invited to at Penn State University. (I did a pre post on the event HERE if you would like to read more about the specifics). I was so happy for fellow blogger Elysia Mann and excited to see the show she had put together. I met up with my friend Melissa for drinks before hand and to calm our nerves. After drinks and an appetizer we headed over to the venue and ended up being a little early which was great because it allowed me to get some shots before hand.

This hour went by so incredibly fast that if you blinked you might have missed it. After the doors officially opened and everyone ran for a seat the show quickly got started. Joanna Coles, Editor in Chief of Marie Claire opened the show with a few words followed by a video recap of Elysia's journey to the Front Row Challenge. Elysia then came out to greet everyone with a welcome and as she walked off stage the lights dimmed and then came back up full force as the models took their turns strutting the cat walk. All of the models were dressed head to toe in LOFT pieces with make up by Rimmel London which Elysia put together and styled.

Joanna Coles meeting with Elysia's family.
(Can we talk about how gorgeous her Burberry trench is??!!)

Sitting 2nd row across from the judges with my friend Melissa.

The judges- Joanna Coles, Editor in Chief of Marie Claire; Abby Gardner, Site Director of Marie Claire.com ; Alia Ahmed-Yahia, LOFT Chief Style Director.

Some of my favorite looks from the show

Elysia with the judges.

I thought Elysia did a fantastic job. The looks she put together covered a wide range from playful to professional, simple chic to fun layers. There were many pieces I saw that I definitely would like to add to my closet and a few pieces I could pass on. I think this opportunity that LOFT and Marie Claire are giving to college students in amazing and something they will never forget. I would have killed for an opportunity like this when I was in college. I also think it's great that their bringing fashion to campuses where fashion isn't the main focus. I believe Elysia touched on this when she welcomed everyone, but at Penn State University the main focus in this town is football and sports. Ask anyone what the think about at college and they'll say tailgating and watching the game. Fashion is not a vital element for this town but it is important to a lot of the woman on campus and who live here. (like me!) So for LOFT and Marie Claire to come to Penn State and put on a fashion show...well to say it was HUGE is an understatement.

Three more shows will be happening at different colleges within the next few weeks and then a winner will be selected by the judges. I'm excited to see how the other girls styled and to find who won. If you follow LOFT on Facebook (HERE) they post behind the scene photos and then the runway looks for everyone to view and give their feedback.

What I Wore and who I got to meet is covered in Part 2 tomorrow so please come back for more!

Last two photos (collage and judges) from LOFT facebook page.

Sneaky

2011-10-31T12:58:00.000-04:00

Just a little sneak peek of the posts to come this week!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Love To Win

2011-10-28T17:51:00.002-04:00

Seriously I wish I could give each of you that entered a box of chocolate but sadly I can't. What I can do is thank each of you that entered and tweeted about my giveaway. You guys are seriously the best! I do these little giveaway because I want you to know how much I truly appreciate each and everyone of you! Also thank you to FM Artisan for contacting me to host this giveaway. After a random.org drawing....

The winner is ME! No? Okay, thought I'd try but I' honestly would feel wrong...but these chocolates are seriously that good. Let's try this again, shall we? After a random.org drawing....

The winner is Karen from FashionBoard Confessional! Congratulations Karen! I'll be emailing you very shortly. Again, thank you to all who entered and thanks to FM Artisan by Norman Love!

Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

2011-10-28T13:01:00.000-04:00

So many things went wrong when I made these brownies that I almost didn't post about them...then I tasted these Pumpkin Swirl Brownies. OMG! These brownies are so delicious-with the added fudge the brownies are super moist and chocolaty but have this hidden flavor of pumpkin pie! Absolutely scrumptious!

This Pumpkin Swirl Brownie recipe (HERE) you will mix the components in two separate bowls and then layer them before baking. My first problem was that my cream cheese was still very cold. I would suggest setting it on the counter 30 minutes before you start. (This is why my pumpkin mixture is lumpy) The second problem I had was the layering. For some reason my brownie mix was super thick which meant it didn't want to swirl like it was supposed. I was surprised when I pulled it out of the oven and it looked halfway decent. I really think the taste makes up for the ugliness of these brownies :)

Doesn't that fudge rippling through the brownie in the picture above make your mouth drool a bit? I'm not a huge chocolate fan but my lord I want one of these! You can find the recipe HERE for the Pumpkin Swirl Brownies.

Guess what? So this weekend I'm walking in a local fashion show! My first time being a model! I think I hit my head when I agreed to it but it should be fun. Trust me-it will all be documented so I can share my first experience as a model with you. I still can't believe I'm doing it. My sister and niece are coming to cheer me on and laugh if I fall. I also plan on doing some major wedding photo editing this weekend which I also want to show you. The photos look so good...if I may so say myself. What are your plans for this weekend? Don't forget the clocks move back one hour. (For those in the US) Whatever it is you get into this weekend I hope you have a wonderful one!

Gemstone

2011-10-27T18:02:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure which magazine's twitter feed it was that I learned about NCLA nails from but Thank You to whom ever it was! The instant I popped over to their page (HERE) my mouth dropped and I instantly craved. I'm a fan of the Sally Hansen nail strips but everyone is wearing them and they get boring after a while. I was looking for something new, different, and fun and NCLA offered just that. I had a hard time choosing which one to get so I settled on the Gemstone and the Jazzi. I knew I wanted to wear the Gemstone to the LOFT and Marie Claire fashion show but was a little disappointed when I first applied the nails. The green color I was going for got filed off since my nails were short. The resolution-I flipped them upside down and cut off the little tabs. Problem solve and I'm now in love.

The difference with this brand is that you apply a clear coat of polish underneath the foil before apply and then a clear coat on top. I actually always applied a clear coat on top of the Sally Hansens but never underneath. I actually like doing that because it protects you natural nail from the sticker when removing. The other nice thing is that they give you 40 nails-2 full sheets! It's enough to do your nails twice which makes up for the bigger price tag ($16).

So what do you think?? Are you in love as much as I am? I bought the Jazzi to try as well...but I'm thinking of doing a giveaway with them? Would anyone be interested? Must go get ready for the fashion show!

I do have to say that NCLA did not sponsor this post. I bought these on my own to try out.

Fall Feathers

2011-10-25T12:48:00.009-04:00

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy,
leaf-kicking, perfect pause between
the opposing miseries of summer and winter."
~Carol Bishop Hipps

James Jeans twiggy crop; Old Navy oversized cardigan; H&M tank; Coach Kristin hippie bag;

Tory Burch Rory crochet flats; Zara feather scarf (HERE);
FredFlare skeleton key necklace (HERE); Club Monaco chunky ring;
Bauble Bar inverted bangle (HERE); La Mer Collections wrap watch from LuckyFABB (similar)

I love high heels as much as the next girl but sometimes I just want to dress low key and comfortable with flats, especially on a day full of traveling. That is exactly how I felt last Friday when my mom and I were headed to my cousins wedding. I knew we had a few stops to make and then would just be playing it low key so I decided to do the same with my outfit. Simple colors with simple flats and a cozy scarf. Isn't this feather scarf so gorgeous? One of my purchases while in NYC. I thought the muted gray was a great basic and that the bright colored feathers would give any outfit that pop of color.

I do have to admit that 1. I was half asleep in the photos, and 2. I don't know what I was thinking with the bag choice. It's one of my new Coach purchases you got a glimpse of from this tweet (HERE) and I really wanted to use it but after looking at the pictures-the bag looks more silver than gray. I swapped it out for my new tiny Coach greenish snake print bag I also picked up at the same time. This made me think- Do you change your bag with your outfit or just use it no matter what the color??

Hope you had a great weekend! I can not wait to share with you pictures from the wedding.

Avalon

2011-10-23T09:00:00.001-04:00

When I saw this shoe the other day I didn't know what to do. I was literally stunned by it's beauty. This gorgeous shoes with a 5.7 inch heel is the Avalon sandal by Charolotte Olympia (found HERE) and for a small deposit of $1,198 she could be yours. Oh yes, I said deposit! Retail cost is $2,395! Seriously insane-beauty and price!

What do you think?

I am in no way paid by any of these shoe companies to feature them on my blog. I am simply just voicing my opinion and sharing with you, my reader, something I love and find interesting.

Front Row Challenge

2011-10-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

In the Penn State area next week? If so you must come to the Marie Claire Front Row Challenge fashion show presented by LOFT! Marie Claire is giving four lucky college students the opportunity of a lifetime. Out of hundreds of entries four students were selected to produce a campus fashion show in attempt to win a 2012 summer internship at Marie Claire, LOFT, and Rimmel London offices. Hello dream job!

Each finalist was flown to NYC where they met with Marie Claire fashion editors, LOFT designer time and Rimmel London makeup experts and started the process of putting together their fashion show.

Now the shows are starting-four confident women who exhibit not only style, but ambition were selected from Penn State University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Delaware, and University of Alabama. Each girl will put on their runway show at their university for friends, family, and fashionistas to watch.

Do you go to one of these universities or live near one? If so, visit LOFT Facebook (HERE) or Marie Claire Facebook (HERE) for details on each event and who to email to RSVP.

I feel so fortunate to be able to attend this show and to cheer on fellow Lucky FABBer and blogger Elysia. Coverage will be following! :)

Pumpkin Pie Dip

2011-10-21T12:45:00.001-04:00

I think it's a good sign when your two year old niece sits down with a spoon and a giant bowl of the Pumpkin Pie Dip that you just made and starts shoveling it in. That is exactly what she did this evening after I made up a batch of this dip. She tossed the cookies aside and dug in with a smile. This dip is actually that good and would be yummy on apples or the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread (HERE) that I made last week. You know how sometimes a recipe calls for 1 cup or 3/4 cup of pumpkin and then you have leftover pumpkin with no idea what to do with it? This Pumpkin Pie Dip recipe (HERE) solves that problem!

One bowl, simple and easy with quick clean up, and kid approved! What are you waiting for? Go, now, make this Pumpkin Pie Dip (HERE), eat it, then smile. :)

This weekend is my cousin's wedding that I'm playing the part of photographer for, and may I just say I am SUPER nervous! I've photographed one wedding before but wasn't the main photographer so had no pressure. This wedding, i'm the only photographer, and it's for family-talk about pressure! At least the weather is supposed to be gorgeous and the wedding will be outdoors. I just pray to God I don't choke and manage to get a few decent shots. I'll share with you all soon! Have a great weekend!

Much love to all!

Artisan Love Giveaway

2011-10-20T13:04:00.001-04:00

Looks like a beautiful tray of gems right? Well it's not. It's actually chocolate! While I was at the Lucky Magazine FABB conference we were all treated to these tasty little chocolates and then were given a box to take home. These edible gems are the FM Artisan Collection by Norman Love which come in 12 different flavors. Seriously they taste just as good as they look. Actually the only birthday cake I had on my birthday this year was the FM Artisan Birthday Cake chocolate. All it needed was a candle and it would have been perfect. Other flavors stretch from Chocolate Dipped Strawberry, Bourbon Vanilla, and Candy Apple to Peanut Butter Fudge.

In honor of the official launch of the collection FM Artisan is offer a special promotional code for my readers! From now untll October 22, make a purchase on their site (HERE) and use promo code 18457 to save 25% off!

ALSO-in honor of FM Artisan by Norman Love's offical launch their giving away one 12 piece box to one of my readers!! Read on!

You read that right! You have the opportunity to one a 12 piece box of gorgeous and delicious FM Artisan by Norman Love's chocolates! Knowing how amazing these are I'd love to enter myself! :)

Open to US only

~~To Enter is simple!~~

~~-Follow beijosTiffany at Bloglovin (HERE) or on Google Connect {find in left hand side bar}~~
~~-Check out the FM Artisan by Norman Love collection HERE and tell me what flavor you would love to try!~~

~~Want some Extra Entries?~~

~~There is always room for a little extra credit, right? So here are your bonus entries.~~

~~Please leave a comment for each one!~~

~~1. "Like" Fannie May on Facebook HERE~~

~~2. "Like" beijosTiffany on Facebook HERE~~

~~2. Follow beijosTiffany (HERE) on Twitter and tweet one of the following:~~

~~- My sweet tooth is aching for @fmchocolate Artisan collection! Hoping I win a box from @beijosTiffany http://bit.ly/nLKusr~~

~~- Edible Gems? Enter @beijosTiffany @fmchocolate Giveaway now before it’s too late! http://bit.ly/nLKusr~~

Giveaway ends Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 11:59pm. Winner will be chose by Random.com

Vintagespiration

2011-10-19T12:54:00.001-04:00

A tree blowing in the wind, a pile of freshly dropped autumn leaves, a warm cup of apple cider, my silly nieces, a painting in an office, a fashion spread in Vogue or Elle, a pair of purple shoes, a college student running off to class, a piece of pottery. Every day I get inspired by something and lately it has been vintage photos. I wanted to share with you a few that have inspired me and made me smile.

So tell me, what inspires you?

LOFT Girl

2011-10-17T13:02:00.000-04:00

If you know me you know that 80% of my wardrobe comes from the LOFT store. I love their clothes-they are timeless, comfortable, chic, and sexy and reasonably priced! For a working fashionista like myself that combination is so important. When I saw that the LOFT is having an amazing sweepstakes I knew I HAD to share it all with you!

Starting today you'll be able to enter to win a VIP Trip for two to NYC, $500 to shop at LOFT for yourself and your friend, a personal styling session at one of our Manhattan stores, plus, 30% off your full-price purchase for one whole year! To enter you have to head to their Facebook page HERE and click "Like" for more details.

My fingers, toes, knees, and arms are crossed that I'll be the lucky winner! If I'm not I know who ever wins will be super appreciative.

Did you have a good weekend? I know, it's Monday yet once again. Why does the weekend always fly by to quickly. Here's to hoping you have a wonderful week that goes by quicker than the weekend :)

Alvin Smoking Loafers

2011-10-16T09:00:00.006-04:00

I am kicking myself for not buying these super chic and fun leopard print Sam Edelman smoking loafers when I saw them because they are now completely sold out and impossible to find! I had a pair of leopard print flats that I snagged on clearance for $9 a few years back and I literally wore them into the ground. When I saw these a few weeks ago they instantly reminded me of my old beloved flats. Seriously how chic and fun are these Sam Edelman Alvin loafers? These flats also come in a few other cool colors like this Parisian Blue.

What do you think? Are you a fan of the Sam Edelman loafers?? The blue ones are on sale right now HERE! Snag them quickly if you like them.

Okay now for a favor-If you ever see the leopard ones in a size 8 PLEASE let me know-tweet me, email me, facebook me, just please let me know! I will forever be indebted to you! Or better yet-snag them for me and I'll reimburse you plus pay for shipping. I seriously want these like you can't believe. Okay, have I pleaded enough?

Hope you're having a great weekend!

I am in no way paid by any of these shoe companies to feature them on my blog. I am simply just voicing my opinion and sharing with you, my reader, something I love and find interesting.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

2011-10-14T12:52:00.002-04:00

To kick off the Season of Pumpkin I made a bread that is so good you seriously won't be able to eat just one slice. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread (recipe HERE) with baked sugar and pecans on top is literally a slice of pumpkin perfection. It has that pumpkin pie flavor but then the sweetness of chocolate dances on your taste buds that serious makes you go "mmmm". My niece was hesitant on trying a piece the other night but after I coaxed her into trying a bite she simply went "mmm" and then wanted another piece. The Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread is really that good! The recipe makes two loaves so you can give one to a neighbor or friend....or keep it for yourself.

Looks good right?? You can find the recipe HERE. Honestly, this bread is perfection and needs no changes. HOWEVER, I probably would add pecans to the batter as well. I just like the added crunch that I get like in my banana bread. This bread is definitely getting made for Thanksgiving time- maybe I'll double though so I can take a few to relatives and keep a few for my family!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I'm head down to Washington DC again. If you're in that area and want to do a blogger meet up send me an email! Lots of love to all!

Lima Winner

2011-10-13T17:00:00.000-04:00

FIRST, I want to thank each of you that entered, tweeted, retweeted, and posted about my Giveaway! Knowing that people support and appreciate the giveaways I try to do for you, my lovely readers means a lot! Also, thank you to Stephanie Johnson bags for sponsoring my giveaway and providing the Lima Lime set.Alright, ready? After a random.org drawing....

The winner is Brielle from brielle.ranae! Congratulations Brielle! I'll be emailing you very shortly. Again, thank you to all who entered and thanks to Stephanie Johnson! Make sure to check the blog again soon...like Monday maybe? I might have a giveaway that will satisfy your sweet tooth :)

Autumn Mosaic

2011-10-13T12:53:00.000-04:00

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."
~ Stanley Horowitz

James Jeans twiggy crop; Cynthia Steffe sheer top (from Marshalls);
Diane von Furstenberg Harlow flats (HERE); Melie Bianco Madison bag (HERE);
Bauble Bar Starfish Cuff; La Mer Collections cuff watch (on sale HERE);Tiffany necklaces

Saturday was a gorgeous warm day, perfect for a trip to a local harvest festival and then pumpkin patch with my mom. I wanted something light and bright on top and thought this Cynthia Steffe shirt I found at Marshall's was perfect. It's sheer which kept me cool when the sun blazed, but yet with the long sleeves I was warm when the breeze blew. I loved the bright colors of this shirt-I felt like I was wearing a piece of art. The flats I snagged a few months ago during the Neiman Marcus sale and surprisingly this was the first time I wore them. DVF knows how to make comfortable look chic!

I'll be announcing the winner of the Stephanie Johnson-Lima Lime Giveaway later today!

Every Leaf Is A Flower

2011-10-11T13:02:00.001-04:00

"Autumn is a second spring
when every leaf is a flower." ~Albert Camus

LOFT Jeans and shirt (worn backwards); Kohl's LC Lauren Conrad soft pink blazer;
c/o Philip Simon slip on sneakers (from Lucky FABB); bag c/o The Leather Satchel Co.;
Vintage necklace; ASOS shell ring; vintage, LOFT, and Amrita Singh bracelets

I was gifted these fun yellow slip on sneakers from Philip Simon while at the Lucky FABB conference. The fun part of getting these shoes was that I had no idea what they sent me. I was pleasantly surprised with what they sent me because I was never a yellow person and I own very little yellow things. With that said, when I put these shoes on I was in love with how comfortable they are and made it my new mission to wear them very frequently! Aren't they fun??

Have you ever grabbed an item on your way to the register with out trying it on assuming it will look great? Yeah, me too! This blue shirt is one of those items. When I got it home I was shocked with how low cut it was and proceeded to stuff it in the back of my dresser drawer to live. The other day I found it and was trying to figure out how to I could actually wear it when I got the crazy notion to put it on backwards. I now am in love with it! Have you ever worn a shirt backwards??

I love these photos my niece snapped. We decided to take a break and escape to the park the other day to play. I was letting her test out my camera and taught her some photography techniques. I think she has an eye for it!

Did you see my post yesterday (HERE) about my new love, my Leather Satchel Co. bag? Oh, and don't forget to enter my giveaway (HERE), it ends tomorrow!