happy halloween + make it my own monday

Happy Halloween, BOO-tiful friends!

As I mentioned Friday, this weekend I was celebrating good times with some lovely friends in downtown Columbus. We had some killer costumes:

Candyland! 

Ms. Mint, one of the kids in Candyland, Princess Lolly, King Kandy, and Queen Frostine. All home-made costumes! They were a hit at the bars!

The evil trio. We did not plan this. 

I finally decided to be a dark angel. Pretty much it was the only complete set I could find, other than a cat, at the Halloween store without buying a full costume. The wings were fun to wear even though I tended to hit people with them and had a hard time walking through small spaces.

The birthday girls

There aren't any trick or treaters that come to our house, so I'm a little jealous of all of you that get to pass out candy. Shawn and I have not purchased any candy this Halloween season, which is good. We don't need it in our house or else we'd be forced to eat it, which would spoil our diet of Chipotle and pizza.

Did you have a good weekend? What did you dress up as for Halloween?

Also, today is the second installment of Make It My Own Monday  - or MIMO day as we call it - with Chelsea and I. If you're new to this little challenge, we pick an outfit we pinned on Pinterest and use our own clothes to recreate it! I wanted a super casual, comfy outfit for the weekend, so I picked out this outfit for our inspiration:

Source: seejaneworkplaylive.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

I tried a couple of versions before settling on this:

Shirt: Old Navy (2 years ago)

Tank: Old Navy (2 years ago)

Jeggings: American Eagle

Scarf: Target

Socks: gift from Miss Chelsea

Boots: Kohls

As soon as I picked our inspiration outfit, I immediately thought of this combination of the tank and shirt simply because the colors were the same. I went with it. And now that the weather is getting colder, I rarely leave the house without a scarf. They are like a drug to me! This scarf is my all-time favorite. 

My favorite black leggings were in the laundry, so I opted for the ever-faithful jeggings.

Would you believe that I bought these boots last year and have never worn them? My IRL friends are not shocked, and you won't be either the more you get to know me and my shopping habits, which I must say have gotten better over this past year. There only a handful of items still with the tags on them in my closets. Anywhoodle - I digress. Back to the boots. They are actually really cute on and these socks were perfect for peeping out the top of them (thank, Chels!).

On Sunday, Shawn and I just ran a few errands in the morning before watching the Browns game with some friends - for which I changed into sweatpants. This means that I did not give due diligence to this outfit - because I only wore it for a couple of hours. So I may be sporting it again this weekend because it was so comfy and cute. So don't judge me if you see me!

Have a SPOOKtacular rest of your Monday and go check out Chelsea's MIMO outfit! She looked adorbs! I loved what she came up with!

all revved up

Allow me to state the obvious - IT'S FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY!! TGIF, Katy Perrry! Let's drink to that, Rihanna!

Sweet baby cheeses, I'm so ready for this weekend! Well, Saturday to be exact. We will be celebrating birthdays:

 So glad these two were born!

Oh and yes, they made these costumes. The birthday candles lit up! Crafty bishes.

And Heather's beau, Eric passed the bar! What a great birthday present for her!

Anyone in the market for legal counsel? I know a guy...

And of course, rootin' on those Buckeyes! Though the weather will not be like this. But we are not fair weather fans, people. Pay no mind to the bad decisions our players have made. Pshhhht. We still bleed scarlet and gray! O-to the freakin'- H!

We will be heading out Saturday in costume - I have less than 24 hours to decide what in the HECK I'm going to be. I'm not good at making decisions, you know this!

Halloween weekend in Columbus - it's going to be epic. And cold. Bring your beer blankets.

Have a SPOOKtacular weekend, love bugs!

P.S. Apparently, everyone is doing this, so let me add to the peer pressure - LINK UP!

P.P.S. Come back Monday to see what outfit Chelsea and I are making our own!

P.P.P.S. Say a prayer for my sweet sorority sister, Ellen, who lost her mom last night to a hard-fought battle with breast cancer.

it's ok

Happy rainy, cold, windy Thursday, doll faces!

Usually, I love Thursdays because it's the day before Friday and the gatekeeper to the weekend, but today I'm a bit of a hot mess disguised as a cool cucumber because I have my first grad school test tonight, and my mind is racing with counseling theories! Seven chapters worth to be exact. Keeping my fingers crossed that I won't totally blank out when the test gets in front of me. Say a little prayer, won't you? I don't know why I put so much pressure on myself about these things. Guess it's my M.O.

But anywho...

It's OK...

To have only studied for said grad school test for 4 hours last night (did I mention cramming is my M.O. too?)

To have taken over an hour to convince myself to order boots from UrbanOG.com (I will reveal what I got soon!) Srrsly, what is wrong with me?

To still have not decided on a Halloween costume

To be indecisive. Can I get an amen?!

To have not attended my book club meetings for at least three months (sorry, ladies!)

To be in a book club

To have let my fake nails grow out for over a month, yet still keep painting them along with the grown out real nail just to try to blend it all in. I haven't had time to go get them filled/redone, but I think Saturday may be the day, I hope!

To quote "The Crazy, Nastyass Honey Badger" with my hubby almost every night (if you haven't seen this YouTube video, watch it.)

To not have purchased any Halloween candy (we don't get trick-or-treaters. sad face.)

To hate ironing so much that you avoid wearing 25% of your wardrobe. Anyone else with me? Bueller?

To really want a spray tan so I won't look like a ghost in the Halloween costume I eventually choose to wear (wait!...maybe I don't need a costume)

Link up with Neely and Amber, love bugs!

shoe whore

That title got ya, didn't it?

I have recently been introduced to the mecca that is urbanog.com. At least a handful of people been talking/posting/tweeting about it and the awesomely cheap deals on shoes they have gotten from said wonder website. So I had to see for myself.

I have died and gone to shoe heaven! And today is payday so I am in deep doo doo now! Goodbye, paycheck. Must.have.boots. I have been needing wanting a pair of cognac/tan/brown riding boots, and BAM! Urbanog has swooped in to save the day!

Here are a few options I'm debating:

Help!

There are so many adorable shoes that need to be in my closet that are on this website. Oh, did I mention they sell other stuff too - accessories, clothes, purses, etc. But we all know that shoes are the more important, right?!

Happy shoe shopping, hunny bunnies!

make it my own monday

Pinterest is the shiz. Truth.

If you follow me on Pinterest (if not, you can! See my new, little icons to the right?!), you know my Style board is packed with bajillions (OK, I may be exaggerating a tad, but not by much) of outfit inspiration. So rather than just stare at these pretty little pins, Chelsea @ Hello Miss Chelsea and I have decided to challenge each other each week to recreate one outfit that we've pinned (and we pin a lot of the same outfits - what great minds, and style, we have!). It helps us to remix clothes we already have in new ways.

This week's challenge outfit was (drum roll please)...

Source: simplyme091909.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

I have created a similar look before with a blue gingham shirt, so this time I went with this:

shirt: old navy (old)

button down: old navy

jeggings: american eagle

boots: old navy

belt: forever 21

necklace: premier

watch: kohl's

I have been jonesin' to wear this button down since I bought it a week or so ago. I knew it would be perfect for this first outfit challenge. I decided to add the yellow belt for a pop of color to stand out against all the black and gray. I struggled with wanting to put on black boots, but I opted for the gray ones instead just to switch things up (I'm getting crazy now!).

Head on over to Chelsea's blog to see her version (prepare for hotness!)! And be sure to come back each Monday to see what our weekly challenge outfit was and how we made it our own!

Happy Monday and closet shopping, love bugs!

wrist bling

Since I received this bracelet from Miss Chelsea a couple weeks ago, I've been jonesin' for more to create the perfect stacked look. Today, I'm linking up with Jamie for WILW and Michelle for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday to share some of my favorite stacked looks and bracelet DIYs.

Source: None via Holly on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: honestlywtf.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: honestlywtf.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: juliapetit.com.br via Holly on Pinterest

Source: rings-things.com via Holly on Pinterest

Who's up for a craft day?

Making my own jewelry is on my 30 before 30 list. Completing one of these DIYs would allow me to cross that goal off the list and have some sweet new duds to stack on my wrist. It's a win-win.

better late than never

First, I must apologize to my fabulous blog swap partner Miss Chelsea for not posting this on time. She is amazeballs, so check out her blog. 

Second, I am excited to share all the goodies she sent me! She knows me so well and we haven't even met in real life yet!

The package was so cute - rugged and feminine. One of my favorite combinations. Loved the ribbon. Reminded me that I need to work on my gift presentation.

I've worn this bracelet almost everyday since I've received it. I love it! I need more bracelets like this so that I can do the whole bracelet stacking thing.

A scarf, a pair of super cozy socks, kleenex for my sniffles, an oversized cup for hot chocolate, and an across -the-body bag (perfect for tailgating and shopping and all those other things that you need two hands for). This was a perfect batch of goodies!

Love the peacock pattern!

Love the card too. I'm thinking about framing it.

I re-purposed the ribbon for a little extra touch on our fall centerpiece.

Thank you so much, Chels! And thank you Neely, Caroline and Mateya for hosting!

copycat

Recently, I've added a few wants essentials to my wardrobe and I'm eager to start pairing them with some of my other duds, which has got me pondering another 30 for 30 remix. OK, really, I need to do this 30 for 30 remix because Shawn and I are trying to save money, and a 30 for 30 means no shopping for 30 days. Truth. So tonight I have been pinning my little heart out in search of some outfits to duplicate for said remix. Copying is the highest form of flattery, no? 

Here are a few I intend to rip off:

Source: lipstickandruffles.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: shopbop.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: ishandchi.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: weardrobe.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: thistimetomorrow-krystal.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: seejaneworkplaylive.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: little-button.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: net-a-porter.com via Holly on Pinterest

OK, so I may have gone a little overboard. But I need a good mix of work and play. Plus, I have two closets full of clothes begging to be worn. Too much? You're right - I could use more shoes. Although Shawn would probably say differently, but then again, he's no aspiring fashionista. I'm pretty sure I've purchased the majority of his clothes that are not sports related. You're welcome, hun. It's really no trouble at all.

What outfits have you pinned that you plan on copying?  

how i'm getting my groove back

Motivation. It's hard to find and easy to lose.

Source: health-girl.tumblr.com via Holly on Pinterest

A few weeks ago, one of my cheerleaders asked to see my stomach. I quickly declined. She said, "I bet you have a six pack." I laughed. Not anymore I don't. I told her that if I had a six pack by the end of basketball season, then I would show her my stomach. She probably doesn't remember this conversation, but I do. And it sparked my motivation to get my ass back in shape.

I have been slacking, for months, on my workouts. It's so much easier to come home after a long day and plop my booty on the couch rather than heading to the gym. However, I have done workouts with my cheerleaders, and pretty much the only reason I make them do workouts is to do them myself. It's a win-win - but mostly for me.

But I am making a conscious effort to reclaim my work out motivation. I want my toned, strong body back. The one I had when I got married. The one I had on my honeymoon. The one that makes me feel beautiful.

Source: sweatsparkles.tumblr.com via Holly on Pinterest

My goal is to lose 10 pounds and run the Cap City half marathon in Columbus in May 2012.

And I'm doing it for me. But I'm telling all of you, so that you can keep me honest.

Source: d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net via Holly on Pinterest

I admit, I have no real plan on how this is going to happen, but running will inevitably be involved. Who wants to be my running buddy? And some weight training. I really do love pumping some iron and feeling buff - but not the can't-put-your-arms-down-to-your-sides buff. Just strong and toned with a hint of I-can-kick-your-ass...haha!

Source: health-girl.tumblr.com via Holly on Pinterest

And it's not a workout unless you sweat. Sweat is fat and negative toxins leaving the body. Feels so good just to let it drip off your body. Yep, now that's a good workout.

Source: skinnyminnyjourney.tumblr.com via Holly on Pinterest

So, with you all as witnesses, I am jumping back on this workout train. I'm getting my [workout] groove back. Sometimes the motivation we need is in between our ears. You have to want it. For no one else but you. For no other reason but that it makes you happy, it makes you feel better about yourself.

If you have any words of encouragement or workouts to suggest, please leave a comment or email me! It's greatly appreciated! Thanks, luvies!