November 30, 2013

Product Review: Cocktail Eau de Parfum

I was recently asked to try out the new fragrance by Gigi Gold called Cocktail
The packaging is cute, so I was already excited to break it out and try a new scent!

The fragrance is very flirty and fun and is described as a "Beautiful mix of Violet, Amber, and Jasmine, this new fragrance is a must have all year round".

I agree with the year round quote.

My first thought was I could wear this scent anytime of year! It's not too floral but a great mix of floral with a bit of the richer sent that I love wearing during the winter months. 
The best part for me was the scent is not overpowering. I did not get a headache but kept smelling my wrist over and over the first night I wore it. Anyone who knows me knows I get headaches very easily, but this scent is very calming actually.

Here is what it looks like:
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Cocktail Eau de Parfum: c/o Rad &Refined 

You can get your bottle for $56 at Rad & Refined.
It would make a perfect holiday gift for the lady in your life.
 Any lady in your life really as I feel this scent is also ageless.
I would have worn it in my 20's, I'm 34 and love it, and my mom is in her 50's and also loved the scent!

Are you in the market to change your scents?
What is your favorite fragrance?

November 29, 2013

Toddler Fashion: Cords & Dots

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When my son sat down to pick out his November Fab Kids outfit and he chose this one right away. 
"I don't have pants this color mom, and it's good for Thanksgiving I think."
He's a man who knows what he likes. And yes, he wore this outfit yesterday for Thanksgiving so he's also a man of his word! ;) 
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Top, Pants, & Socks (pack of 2): c/o Fab Kids // Belt: The Children's Place 

I just love the rust colored corduroy pants. They go with so many of his existing tops which means we will be getting a lot of use out of them over the winter season. 

Make sure you head over to Fab Kids today, their black Friday deals are AMAZING! 
Lots of great gifts for the little ladies and men in your life. 

November 27, 2013

Outfit: Dressing for a Cause

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One of my favorite things to wear is jeans and a tee then toss on a blazer and heels for an afternoon or night out. 
This tee is near and dear to me as it is from the Ian Somerhalder Foundation
The mission of the IS Foundation "aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures." 
There are so many great causes this foundation funds! Everything from environment, animals, youth, and many more. For more info and where the money is spent check out the ISF website

 photo 4006888f-59ef-43fe-8a5d-8dc11b7fe0ec_zpsb5506cd4.jpg  photo 6b99426a-d2a5-4f47-a2de-d4fca8b45a93_zps1e4bbb23.jpg  photo 647641f5-02a1-4f25-a12d-ba32333d6c37_zpsd55c99ab.jpg  photo 72ee7315-5e2b-4848-a486-4a84061fd6b7_zpsd3340411.jpg  photo f36633a8-2d5f-4808-8a04-98bf6cbcf502_zps466c2fa1.jpg
Tee: ISF // Blazer: JC Penny // Scarf: Loft // Jeans: Express // Shoes: Just Fab // Love Ring, Double Ring, Chain Link Bracelet: T+J Designs // Chain Bracelet: House of Gemmes // Bangle: Willow House Jewelry // Watch & Belt: Fossil 

I have never worn my scarf in a bow around my neck, but I had a few meetings this day and decided it made the look a bit more professional, no? 

Do you like wearing graphic tees with blazers & heels?
Are you a fan of the great work Ian Somerhalder and his team do?

November 26, 2013

Outfit: I Love Layers & Jewelry That Spells LOVE

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I find myself very drawn to layers this season. Which is pretty normal for a Midwest gal and for the time of year. I find myself reaching for more preppy styles lately, but everyday I don't feel the same so why dress the same way everyday? 

A newer love of mine includes scooping up all jewelry that I can find that spells out the word LOVE on it. 
I found this ring on T+J Designs and got it right away and the LOVE bracelet was scooped up on Because I Shop Too Much the same day it was uploaded. ;) 
Maybe it's the time of year or maybe I just love LOVE. Either way, I just can't help myself! 

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Champray Top & Knit: JC Penny // Denim: Tommy Hilfiger via Macy's // Shoes: Just Fab // Rings: T+J Designs // Necklace: c/o House of Gemmes // Watch: Fossil // Earrings: c/o Sole Society // Love Bracelet: Because I Shop Too Much

Are you buying tons of LOVE jewelry too this season? 
Do you find your "style" changes on a day to day basis like mine?

November 22, 2013

Outfit: Date Day with my Hubby, Day Two

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After sleeping in until 9:00am (which is unheard of!), we decided to get dressed up a bit and head to brunch at Redstone Grill. Can I just say YUM! 
We enjoyed mimosas and de-lish farmers breakfast. 
After, we headed to our local theater and saw the new Thor movie (which was also yummy ;) what can I say, I love me some Chris Hemsworth). The movie was really great too, but after 31 hours we missed our kids beyond belief. 
We quickly raced to pick them up and had a fun pizza night with the grandparents to boot! 
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Knit: Express // Trench Vest: Forever 21 // Scarf: Loft // Denim: 7 for all Mankind // Watch: Fossil // State Necklace: House of Gemmes // Double Ring &Love Ring: T+J Designs // Flower Ring: Lili Claspe

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Do you go out for brunch? 
We don't do it often but I think we may start (with the kids too of course) as it is so fun! 

November 21, 2013

Outfit: Date Day with my Hubby

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Last weekend my hubby and I had a kid free 31 hours which meant we had ourselves a stay-cation! 
It's been 10 months since we've been kid fee this long so it was very much needed. We are blessed that our in-laws love having them over. ;) 

We dropped them off at 9:30am and went home and got dressed. We headed out for an early lunch at Wildfire since we had a gift card and love to eat for free! lol 
The food was amazing and it was very nice to be out locally during the day with just me and the hubby.

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Totally busted on my phone. It doesn't leave my hand much. ;)
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Jacket: JC Penny // Knit: Piperlime- sold out // Denim: Loft // Boots & Bag: c/o Just Fab // Love & Double Ring: T+J Designs // Middle Finger Ring: Lili Claspe // Watch: Fossil // Chain Bracelet: House of Gemmes 

Yes, this day we were the couple who asked the waiter to take our photo. We don't get out much! ;)
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Here's what the hubby wore:
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Coat: Gap // Shirt & Knit: JC Penny // Denim: 7 for all Mankind // Shoes: Sketchers 
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After lunch we walked around looking at the holiday lights then made our way home and took a NAP! Yes, I napped for the second time this year (my last nap was in Mexico in January). 
We watched a movie in our family room next to the Christmas tree and slept 12 hours this night. 15 hours of sleep that was very much needed was finally had. 
I feel like a new woman! lol

Check back tomorrow for what we did day two before we picked up the kids. 

What do you do on your kid free days? 

November 20, 2013

Recipe: Gluten Free Crock Pot Chili Mac

I have a few meals that are in my monthly rotation and each time I make them, I wing it. 
There is no recipe to this, I just added what I had. 
Of course I'll write out a recipe for you of what I did this time, as it was one on the best chili's I've made to date (says my hubby). 

Ingredients: 
-1 pound ground chicken
-1 pound grass fed beef
-2 cans black beans, drained (you can also buy dry beans and soak them over night)
-2 can diced tomatoes (you can also use fresh tomatoes)
-1/2 green pepper
-1/2 red pepper
-1/2 yellow onion
-3 tablespoons chili powder
-3 tablespoons turmeric 
-2 tablespoons cumin
-1 cup gluten free noodles
-shredded cheese (optional)
-sour cream (optional) 

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Directions: 
-Turn your crock pot to low and add both pounds of frozen meat (you can use thawed meat, just lower cook time)
-Open all cans,  drain the beans, and add to crock pot
-Dice peppers and onions and add to crock pot
-Add all seasoning to top and put lid on

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-After a few hours I used the tool below to chop up the meat (you can get one on Pampered Chef).
-Let cook for 7-9 hours. Turn to high if you want to speed up the cook time.
-After fully cooked, add 1 cup gluten free noodles of choice (can be rice or corn flour noodles) and let cook for 30 more minutes.

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Add cheese and sour cream (if you want) and serve.
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What do you put in your chili? 

November 19, 2013

Outfit: Print Mixing it up!

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I'm going through a major print mixing phase right now. I was always a bit fearful of what prints to mix and match with and lately I've decided who cares! lol
No, but seriously, no guts, no glory so why not just go for it?

I got this super cute boat blouse on Because I Shop Too Much and other then pairing it with white denim in the spring, I haven't worn it much. I wanted to change that right away. 

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Top: BISTM // Scarf: Loft // Jacket: Buffalo Jeans // Jeans: Gap // Boots: BISTM 

I am also loving these cute fringe boots. I have to say BISTM is hands down one on my favorite online sites right now. There are tons of new items added daily so I strongly suggest you check them out (and make your own closet while you are there). 

What do you think of print mixing? 
Do you like to keep it subtle or go bold?

November 18, 2013

Outfit: Chambray Obsessed

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To call myself chambray obsessed would be an understatement. 
I have chambray tops in light, medium, and dark and love to rotate them on a regular basis. 
I realize the most obvious way to style them is denim on denim, but hey, I love that combo so why not wear them that way? 

 photo d281cf57-570f-42cc-b78c-dc36df2bb046_zpsdc9b868c.jpg  photo 659f30b6-e854-467c-a00a-a84feac6d7a1_zps30e18fa5.jpg  photo 3a708afc-58ac-4151-9c2b-e97b06129a43_zps80286477.jpg  photo 2da7d9ce-89ae-430b-b509-2a854234c9f2_zps88b6bd4d.jpg  photo a5c09cee-f408-4ec2-826f-dfa1dd885299_zpsdcde2575.jpg
Jacket: Victoria's Secret // Top: H&M // Jeans: J Brand // Boots & Bag: c/o Just Fab // Necklace: Lotus Blossom Design // Double Ring: T+J Designs // Flower Ring: Lili Claspe // Watch: House of Gemmes // Sunnies: Ray Ban // Hat: Piperlime 

I love how the yellow in the hat brought out the yellow in the necklace. 
And can we talk about how cute these boots are?! SWOON! ;) 

How do you style your chambray?