double duty bootie

If you have money to spend and are stumped on what to get a girl this Christmas, go with these. File them under the "why didn't I think of that" category.

happy thanksgiving

I am off to visit family for the holiday and wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! It was a little over a year ago that I started this blog and I am very thankful to each and every one of you who takes time to read it! I will be back Monday with some great DIY projects just in time for Christmas!

{image via vln}

mom and betty

A little over a month ago, my father and I were both diagnosed with celiac disease. This means no wheat, gluten, barley, rye, and oats...translation....no flour. I am very thankful for a mom who has searched heaven and earth for ways to make this year's Thanksgiving dinner taste like it has for the past 30 years. The ultimate excitement was finding out Betty Crocker now has gluten free mixes. I tried the chocolate chip cookie mix and couldn't believe my taste buds. The cookies didn't taste any different from other chocolate chip cookies, except for Kayce's...girl can make one crazy delicious chocolate chip cookie. But thank you Mom and Betty for making life and meals a little more normal this holiday season!

dear fall

I am not ready for you to say goodbye. Your colors are amazing and continue to leave me in awe every year! As I begin this week of thanks, you are at the top of my list.

so clever

{via bookshelf}

thrift score thursday

A super fun straw for my upcoming Christmas party! Get them here!

{image via bakeitpretty}

what I want now

A little jacket with a lot of sequins!
{from top: topshop, free people, urban outfitters, victorias secret}

go fish

I was telling a friend the other day how huge a fan I am of a nude fishnet. I felt the need to explain because the word fishnet to some, conjures up images of can-can girls and bargain bins at Hot Topic. As the temperatures begin to cool and your outfit doesn't call for tights, a nude fishnet is your best friend. One of my favorite bloggers, Jessica of What I Wore, illustrates this to perfection. Check out her other amazing looks here.

DIY: glitter houses

This weekend some of my girlfriends and I had a craft day. We each had things we wanted to work on for Christmas and decided it would be more fun to work over food, candy, and girl talk. This year since Mr. Matty bought me this, I decided it would be fun to make miniature ones of these to hang on our tree. Here is how I did it!

First I bought some of these paper houses from Michael's. Martha gives your stencils on how to make your own here, but I wanted these ornaments made this century, so I cheated and bought them already assembled.

Once "assembled" paint them whatever colors you like. I chose pastels.

Once painted, sprinkle them with iridescent glitter for an overall sheen. On some I also chose to use silver glitter just to mix it up a bit. (p.s. the Martha glitter is still my favorite)

Then use spray adhesive and sprinkle larger iridescent glitter all over. (p.s.s. not the best idea to give yourself a manicure before this project. I learned the hard way)

The finished product.

{thanks to Megan for hosting and the live action shots}

the weekend just got sweeter

We are off to the Opera, but I had to drop a quick note to say, that you must visit the Sweeterie this weekend! I have been a HUGE fan of Mary's for a long time and it thrills me that I have a new place to soak up her talent! What are you waiting for....go....read!

{image via Mary Swenson}

congratulations kirtsy!

If you haven't been to Kirtsy, or made it one of your daily reads, you are missing out. I am a huge fan of Kirtsy because it is a one stop shop to find out what everyone is buzzing about. With 30 editors posting what stories and internet finds they think are a must see, the work is done for you! Well congratulations are in order because Kirtsy will launch their first book this weekend! This is a must have book filled with great blog posts, design, crafts, and the inside track on some of the best female bloggers around. Also a huge thank you to the Kirtsy staff for putting my little blog in your book! Read more about the book and purchase it here!

nashville event: favorite fall party

She's done it again! Gen of Favorite, has designed an amazing fall collection of must have skirts and tees! If you are in Nashville, stop by the party tonight or tomorrow and pick up a few things. Your closet will thank you! To view all the event details click here. If you miss the party you can still shop Favorite on etsy!

adventure

Since I got married I have been on the hunt for a great Advent calendar. Growing up, we had one in the shape of a wooden Christmas tree with pegs and each day revealed a new ornament to hang. Every morning before school, my brother and I took turns (I got to open the odd days and he the even) opening the boxes. I still haven't found one quite like it, but this one may be a close second.

for the reader

I am in love with this wreath made out of book pages! See instructions here!

{via kirtsy}

weekend project: closet

BEFORE

AFTER

I love our old house, but like many, the closets are tiny! My closet is no exception and regularly puts my organization skills to the test. This weekend I was determined to organize all of my great finds where I can see them, and therefore wear them. I ordered some lucite shelf dividers from here that now keep my purses standing straight. I also decided that instead of my usual color coding system, I would now hang all garments categorically and then separate by color. I know this sounds OCD, but it really does help you get dressed in the morning. I came to the conclusion that workout wear doesn't need to be folded so I took away a gigantic shelf system and replaced it with an oversize basket. Everything is still as tight as sardines, but hopefully won't be getting ready from a pile on the floor!

date night

Mr. Matty and I saw This Is It last night, and it was amazing! If you need a great movie to see this weekend, go and see it! We are still singing the songs this morning!

thrift score thursday: internet edition

I scored this super cute spectator oxford for $37.99 here!

life saver

Growing up I'm not sure I appreciated all the benefits of having a mom who is a teacher. She taught at the same school I attended, so it felt as if she knew all my business before me. (Let's be honest...she did.) As I have gotten older I now appreciate all the wisdom, patience, and solutions a teacher mom can bring. This past weekend I was throwing a party, and it was to take place outdoors. On the day of the party the skies turned cloudy and I decided it was best to move the party inside. Not having a big enough kitchen table I had to bring in a "church table" for added seating, but was bummed when I didn't have a round and rectangle tablecloth that matched. I said, "mom all I want is the paper they have at Macaroni Grill". This is when she piped up and said, "why not use bulletin board paper?" I promptly went to my local "teacher store" and found the perfect brown paper. Not only did they have brown, they had 4 different browns and about 20 other colors. This might be my new favorite tablecloth, and you can roll it up and throw it away at the end of the night.

wanted and found

This season I have been hunting for a white peter pan collar blouse. Maybe it's my recent fascination with Emma Pillsbury or my childhood love for a little peter pan, cardigan, and pearls that has had me searching high and low. I have scoured thrift stores, etsy, and even asked Kayce if she would put one in her future women's line. Well I discovered Land's End uniforms come in women's sizes, and yes, they even have a white peter pan collar blouse! Bonus...they also have a crisp navy blue wool blazer that looks very similar to the one at J.Crew I have been coveting, but for a little less!

gourdgeous

I embarked on this pumpkin project with a bit of skepticism. I mean how different could MARTHA glitter be? Well I am here to say....very different. I can just imagine some poor factory worker being told "FINER!....it must be FINER! I will have the finest glitter in all the land!" (I'm sure Martha never yells). But Bravo Mr. Factory worker...this is the best glitter on the planet! It's more like tinker bell's fairy dust and it sparkles like little diamonds! Not to mention it covers so well this project only took 20 minutes. I am already planing Christmas projects!

(side note: get the Martha glittering tray..I know it seems silly and wasteful, but you will be so thankful when the corner funnel let's you pour all that leftover glitter neatly back into the bottle.)