Fancy Fashion Friday

Best Friends ALWAYS Know Best

If you didn't already know, I am celebrating my birthday month. All though it is quickly coming to an end, I was SO excited to receive a box from Zappos.com this week. I knew it was going to be something fabulous-- everything that my best friend Caty ever gives me is so meaningful and gorgeous. When I opened the box to see these beauties I died! They perfectly fit, are perfectly comfortable, and are perfectly me! 

Some people wouldn't be okay with pulling off wild articles of clothing, but they are a great statement piece to jazz up your outfit. I was nervous they were too fancy for work, but I paired them with skinny jeans and a peach sweater and they rocked. Plus my mom said it was feisty Friday so I wore them proud, cause mothers always know best too! Of course as you could imagine I received nothing but compliments. I can't wait to wear these with a LBD or skirts in the summer. They are super fun but will be reserved for special occasions!

Don't mind my band-aid, I play soccer.

{What I Wore} Cold February Morning

So I had the bright idea to schedule a grooming appointment for my baby Marlow at 7 AM in Tustin. This meant I had to leave the house around 6:30 AM also ready for work. But I was tired and freezing! I could barely get out of bed, let alone pick out an outfit for the day. SO this is what I wore:

My Wardrobe Pieces:

1. Open Sweater {Old Navy}
2. Long Leggings {H&M}
3. Cowgirl Boots {Target}

Exploring New Do's: The Sock Bun

So, I know I am not the only one who is obsessing with the various DIY hairstyles on Pinterest.  I have mastered the sock bun, thanks to my friend Jess and now have even taught some of my friends to DIT (do it themselves!) My fabulous and stylish friend Terese shared her sock bun with me this weekend!

I am determined to test out some new do's but I find that the how-to photos aren't as easy as they look. Some how I am always dropping pieces, missing a step and just overall failing at rocking a new cool style. So I have been looking for pretty good tutorials and I actually found one on That Wife Blog the that helps the step-by-step process visually!

Hope this helps! Here are a few I would like to try next.

{My Top 5 Favorite Hair Do's of the Moment}

1. The Fun Bun
2. The Piece-y Pony
3. Twisted Sister 
4. The Twist Braid 
5. Loose Side Braid

Which Pinterest, simple yet stellar, hair style(s) can you vouch for? 

Sparkle, Shine, Pop

 

I have been totally obsessed with the 2011 nail rage! Sparkles, patterns, gel and more. I have started buying fun colors to paint my own nails and using Martha Stewart loose glitter to accent the ring fingernail.

I am interested in venturing out to even more customization, I am just not sure I fully trust my left hand. Last night at the Creative Connection OC event, I met Sara B. of Glitter and Grace. I am so inspired by her awesome work! Look what she has done over the past year!

I am ready to try and conquer the art of nails this year! Who's with me?

{What I Wore} Creative Connection USA: February Event

Tonight was another wonderful Creative Connection USA: Orange County event held at the Il Fornaio in Irvine. It was yet another fabulous event made possible by wonderful women and amazing hospitality! I was SO happy with the turn out! Not only did we have a lot of new faces to our chapter, but everyone was so inspiring and open to meet new people. It is always wonderful to have creative women come together and bond, sharing ideas an experiences.

Tonight I was inspired by a woman name Nicole who started her dream company called the Wardrobe Code. She is a stylist or "wardrobe coach" who comes to your home, gets your closet organized, and finally teaches you how to shop within a budget. She has a huge passion for second hand shops, as she quotes "completely built my own fabulous wardrobe from a local community thrift store for under $1,000." In her honor I have decided to share my affordable CCOC event wardrobe with all of you!

My Wardrobe Pieces

1. Blouse {Old Navy}
2. Earrings {Forever 21}
3. Rockstar Jeggings {Old Navy}
4. Kapri Wedge Boots {Target Online}
5. Bag {Jessica Simpson}

The Novice Chef: Fan Giveaway

You don't want to miss this! The lovely Jessica over at the Novice Chef is giving away a free Keurig and Green Mountain Coffee! Contest runs until September 24.

To enter: What was your first experience with Coffee? 

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry
methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on her post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment
on her post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on
her post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about
an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to Jessica, otherwise a new winner will be
selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

A Piece of Summer

Summer is a great time to take advantage of incorporating fresh fruit into your recipes. My family has always been a fan of fruit pies during the summer. This season I made a fresh peach pie and a strawberry tart. Both where a huge hit among all! Today I will share with you the strawberry tart, so simple you could make it in your sleep (I don't recommend this...pie may burn). 

Brown Butter Strawberry Tart

Adapted from Bon Appetit Magazine

Crust: 

I bought  Trader Joe's Frozen Pie Crust (2 per box). Follow the instructions on the box. Great flavor, convenient, and budget friendly