Hi-Lo Fall Layering Top

It's not very often that Eleventh Avenue sells products with FREE SHIPPING!  But today these must have Fall layering tops are only $9.99 and FREE SHIPPING, so I am spreading the word!

 

During Fall, I seem to throw on these types of shirts almost everyday -- with a colorful scarf, under a vest, under a sweater, or under a flannel.

Lucy & Lyla is one of my favorite shops featured on Eleventh Avenue.  They always have the trendiest items, great quality, and the best prices.

I picked up a couple different colors of this shirt today -- one for each of my favorite football teams, college and pro.  And in black of course!

Only 2 more days left to purchase this great deal!!  See all of the deals available at Eleventh Avenue and Lucy & Lyla! 

Eleventh Avenue

  (As an Eleventh Avenue Affiliate, I am compensated for blog posts and purchases through my website, but all opinions are my own.  I truly love this website and order beauty products, jewelry, home decor, and kids clothing from them all of the time!) 

A Handpicked Boutique Marketplace with so much to love! I am so excited to share Eleventh Avenue with you because not only can you save up to 70% off on trend-setting fashions, fabulous home décor and adorable children’s items but you can also connect with those around you as you shop, love and save. New features include saving items that you love for later, creating collections of your favorite products and you can now easily share products with your friends. Check out the site today and save an additional 11% site wide with code 11avenue. 

11% Discount Code today only:

11avenue

Below are some of my favorite products that are currently available. Hurry, because these items are already selling fast.

Must-Have home decor item for sale right now on Eleventh Avenue.

Walnut Rustic Wooden Arrow

Mason Jar Wall Organizer

Shop the entire new website Eleventh Avenue here and don't forget to use the Coupon Code 11avenue today only!!

Stella + Dot Trunk Show {Valentine's Day theme}

  

Who doesn't love a get-together with the girls looking at gorgeous jewelry, eating cookies, and sipping champagne?!?  Stella + Dot has some beautiful new pieces out for spring, so I invited some of my girlfriends over to swoon over all the pretty things...just in time for Valentine's Day!!

 I went to my first Stella + Dot party last Spring.  I loved their jewelry from what I saw online or on other friends, but seeing everything in person, is even better!  Their jewelry is amazing quality, very versatile as it can be worn multiple ways, and so it basically sells itself.  Katie, our personal stylist for the day, brought all of her pretty jewelry over to my home and we were able to try things on and learn all about Stella + Dot product.  I bought this amazing bag last year at my friend's party.  I use it every time I travel or go anywhere.   I did a post about that party here.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I thought a V-Day theme would be cute.  So I decorated my home with lots of white and pink and spring colors.  It helped my home feel so bright and cheery on a cold winter day.

I {love} having fresh flowers around the house!  Having friends over was a great excuse to run to my local florist and grab some fresh stems.  When it comes to flower arranging, I like to keep it to 1 or 2 types of flowers and group them together in a tight bunch.  These are just carnations.  They are really inexpensive and come in gorgeous colors.

{chalkboard art}

I found this bright, floral fabric in my scrap fabric pile so I just folded it into a table runner for my buffet table.

wine, champagne, striped straws, lemon water, hydrangeas, and polka dot napkins all make for a great girls day! 

I tried a new cookie recipe I randomly came across on Tori Spelling's website.  I saw a picture of these on her website and thought "those look so good!"  So when I saw how easy they were to make, I decided to make them for the party.

 The recipe originally came from Jenny Keller of Jenny Cookies.  You should look at her website just for all of the pretty pictures.  The photography is amazing and her website is adorable!

She even has a book called "Eat More Dessert!"  The recipe is SO easy.  This might be my new "go-to" dessert for get-togethers because they are just too darn cute + yummy!  The recipe is just a box cake mix with adjusting the amount of water, oil, and eggs.  You could do this with any type of cake mix.

Strawberry Sweetheart Cookies

Box Duncan Hines Strawberry Cake Mix 

(don't follow the recipe on the box)

1/3 cup oil 

2 large eggs

frosting 

(i used store bought cream cheese frosting but they included a butter cream frosting recipe 
on the original recipe if you want to use that)

Powdered Sugar for dusting cookies

preheat oven to 375.  use an electric mixer to mix the three ingredients.  the batter will be very thick.  using a teaspoon, measure out and roll equal sized dough balls with your hands and place on ungreased cookie sheet.  bake for only 7 minutes.  they will look like they aren't completely done, but you want them to be a little soft.  place the frosting in a ziploc bag or pastry bag and snip a very small hole at the end to pipe the frosting on one of the cookies.  applying the frosting this way versus with just a knife actually makes it go on much quicker and cleaner.  so, frosting goes on one cookie, and another cookie goes on top.  once they are all together with frosting, use a sifter to give the cookies a light dusting of powdered sugar.  that's it!  enjoy!

{find the original recipe with more detail here}

 {flipping through the spring catalog, trying to decide what to order, and trying NOT to order everything!}

For those that didn't make the party or went home dreaming of a piece, you can still shop this show until March 1st, 2015, 11:59pm Pacific Time - and you'll still have access to our special Trunk Show exclusive offers by clicking here or http://www.stelladot.com/ts/ujg46

       

Stitch Fix {Review}

I feel like I can say I am a pretty good shopper.  I shop around to find my favorite items at a great price.  I'm a sucker for a great sale and I like an eclectic mix of clothing, so I do a fair share of clothes shopping at multiple places -- Loft, Target, Ever Eve, Old Navy, J. Crew, Dottie Couture, TJ Maxx.  But sometimes I just get in a rut and want something different and exciting.  And don't always have the time to look for the perfect top for a special occasion.

My friend Val from Chicken Scratch ultimately talked me into trying Stitch Fix.  See her post HERE where she talks about the time she purchased everything in her box!

If you have never heard of Stitch Fix, like me, here is a brief intro.

"Stitch Fix is the first fashion retailer to blend expert styling, proprietary technology and unique product to deliver a shopping experience that is truly personalized for you. Simply fill out the Stitch Fix Style Profile and our personal stylists will handpick a selection of five clothing items and accessories unique to your taste, budget and lifestyle. You can buy what you like and return the rest!"  - from Stitch Fix website

In layman's terms, it is five items mailed to your door with a mix of clothing and jewelry.  You work directly with a stylist, filling out a profile, so they know exactly what to send you.  You can even send them a link to your Pinterest Board for ideas of what your fashion style is.  How cool is that?  This is the Pinterest Board I shared with my stylist.  The style profile is so detailed about age, height, weight, likes, dislikes, are you a mom, are you pregnant, how do you like your clothes to fit, etc.  They even show examples of fashion boards to see which you like best to get a sense of your style.  (I might have to start using this idea for my clients!)  This is the group I liked best!

Casual Chic via Stitch Fix

I decided to try the Stitch Fix to see what a stylist would put me in!  And to see if there is something new out there for me that I wouldn't have personally bought.  I thought it would be fun, so I filled out the survey, scheduled the day I wanted my Stitch Fix to arrive, and patiently waited the arrival!

It really isn't my thing to be {in front} of the camera, I am usually behind the camera snapping photos of my designs, but I was so excited to share with you what arrived in my Stitch Fix package!!  So bare with me on my awkward photo shoot!! :)

1.  Messi Lattice Neckline Knit Top

blazer is Target //  jeans are Ann Taylor LOFT

LOVED this top!  I like that it is sleeveless, which means it will transition into Summer perfectly.  Black is my favorite color when it comes to clothing, so my stylist was spot on with this one!  The lattice detail is different from anything I have seen.  KEEP!

2.  Freida Regular Length Skinny Jean

top by Dottie Couture

The good thing about Stitch Fix is you can ask for certain items.  I asked for new jeans.  Jeans are definitely a staple in my wardrobe and usually the hardest thing to find in the perfect fit.  My stylist sent me black jeans (which I loved the idea of) but instead of jean material they were more dressy, black pant material.  And I could barely get them on!  They sent the wrong size.  :(  I guess that happens.  haha!  RETURN! 

3.  Braddon Airy Knit V-Neck Sweater

jeans are The Limited //  shoes are from TJ Maxx

I know I said I wanted something different that I wouldn't typically pick out myself, and I guess this was that piece!  But I kind of hated it!  Blue is not really my color and I was not a fan of the large holes in the sweater.  Plus, with winter ending and Spring soon arriving, I was really hoping for more transitional pieces.  RETURN! 

4.  Esten Button-Up Sleeveless Blouse

white jeans from Ann Taylor LOFT 

This navy, sleeveless blouse was cute.  It is pretty basic and nothing I was overly thrilled about.  I have a black blouse almost exactly like this, so at such a salty price tag, I decided I could find something similar to this elsewhere.  RETURN!  

4.  Bianca Stone and Fringe Pendant Necklace

I loved this necklace!  Definitely a fun piece that could be worn in winter with sweaters or with a tee at a Summer concert.  It is hard to tell here, but it is a double layer necklace with a small stone at the top (not the arrow necklace, that is my own personal piece) and then the larger, fringe piece at the bottom.  But I seriously, don't NEED another necklace in my closet.  I have my eye on some Stella + Dot pieces so I will be saving my money for that! :(  This was a tough one to let go! RETURN! 

It is really important to give your stylist feedback if there is a chance you will ever order from them again.  You can also write your stylist a note pre-order if there is anything specific you are looking for.  I asked for jeans and a cute top for a Valentine's Date for my first Stitch Fix.  Even though you can kind of let them know your price range, these items were much more expensive than I would normally pay.  So I was very picky with what I kept!  

It was SO fun to get a package of five items to try on at home!  I would definitely try it again.  You can schedule a monthly Stitch Fix or order one at a time.  You have three days to decide what you like and mail back the items you don't like.

If you are interested in trying Stitch Fix for yourself, and I would definitely recommend it at least once, use my referral code below for your very first Stitch Fix!

http://stitchfix.com/referral/4588776

Herringbone Designer Inspired Vest!

It's Back....but only for 1 more day! 

I ordered this vest a few months ago and have to stop myself from wearing it all the time.  I love this vest!  And it is back on GroopDealz but only for a limited time!!  

Designer Inspired Herringbone Vest! 

Did you miss your chance to purchase this vest before the holidays?  Now it is yours again if you act quick and buy now!!  

Designer Inspired Herringbone Vest! - $32.99

from: GroopDealz

Most of the time if someone asks me where I bought my shirt, my necklace, my anything....it seems it is coming from GroopDealz!  With such amazing prices, it is hard to pass up these great deals.  Sign up for GroopDealz today get daily emails about all of their special sales.  They only last for a couple of days so you have to act fast!

{this is a paid sponsored post. however i do adore this vest and this site}

Things I Can't Live Without...this Holiday Season

Here is a little compilation of some of the things I just can't live without and really help me get through the holidays.  And I don't mean "through" like I hate the holidays.  Because I don't.  It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!  I just mean they make life a little easier during the holidays!

Everyone is putting together a "Gift Guide" which is great and really helpful!  But I thought instead of another gift guide, I would do something a little different.  These items could still make great gifts for your loved ones or for yourself!  These are things I use often, especially during the holidays and just simply some of my favorite things!

1.  Coffee:  I think this is a no brainer!  No one can get through the holidays with this little gem!  My go-to coffee is an iced coffee these days.  Cold weather or not, I am a sucker for iced coffees!  I purchased this black burnout tee recently from JessicaNdesigns.  It is SO me!

2.  Herringbone Vest:  This was the "it" vest of the season!  Originally from J.Crew, I started swooning over this lovely last year.  And I snagged mine online for a quarter of the price from GroopDealz.  I am sure there are a lot of differences in the quality.  J.Crew has great quality clothing and I do buy quite a bit of my clothing from them.  But anything that steeps over $100 usually won't end up in my shopping bag.  So the cheaper version for only $30 will have to do.

3.  Kraft Paper Roll:  This is something I use year round for multiple projects, but I get even more use out of this during the holidays.  I use my Kraft paper as wrapping paper.  You can paint on it, draw on it, stamp on it, or leave it plain for unique, one-of-a-kind wrapping paper.  I use it as a table runner under food while entertaining.  You can draw the name of each food item straight onto the paper and it makes for really easy cleanup.  And I have even used it multiple times as a DIY photo backdrop for parties.  It is multifaceted!  You can find this at a lot of places, but I purchased mine from Lowe's Home Improvement Store.

4.  Sally Hansen Miracle Gel:  I have spent disgusting amounts of money on nail polish in my day trying to find the best brand, the perfect color, the longest wear.  And nothing compares to a professional gel manicure.  I am really rough on my nails -- painting, spray painting, scratching off sticky price tags, and lots of computer typing.  So at-home manicures never really worked for me.  I love having my nails painted but it's not really in the budget to pay $30 for a manicure every 2 weeks (unless it's a special occasion).  During the holidays, there are so many Christmas parties and activities, that I really like to keep my nails painted.  And I think I have finally found a solution to a great at-home manicure.  Don't expect this to stay on perfectly for 14 days like the commercial suggests, but so far, it has surpassed any other brands I have used.  They have an array of colors to choose from (I bought Wine Stock, a dark berry color) and then you apply a top coat that gives a high sheen to the nail.  I have read that you can use any brand nail color underneath the top coat because it's the top coat that really gives it the gel strength. I have yet to try that, but I love this polish!

5.  Christmas Music:  Pandora is my go-to app for music.  I am lucky enough to have wireless surround sound throughout my house.  So you know I am blaring some Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You throughout the house the entire month of December!  Looking for a holiday Pandora station?  Look no further than Mariah Carey holiday!  It is everything you need.

6.  Notes App:  Basically, I can't live with out this app every single day of the year, but I especially use it a lot during the holidays.  Every list, note, idea, thought, gets added to my Notes App.  It's really handy to have.  If I think of a Christmas gift for someone at the most inopportune time, I always have my phone on me, so it gets added to the "Christmas gifts" list.  Because I will most likely forget it once I am actually home to write it down.  I have lists on here that range from blog ideas, new blogs I want to look at, to party planning and entertaining during the holidays -- recipes, grocery lists, things to do.  It keeps me really organized with so many things on my mind!

7:  For the Love of Letters Artwork:  I've talked about this artwork quite a bit on my blog, but with hand-lettering being all the rage right now, I just can't get enough!  If you are looking for some For the Love of Letters artwork for your home or to give as a gift this year, now you can find it at Hobby Lobby, Home Goods, and even Zulily sometimes.  If you are local in Indianapolis, you can also find these lettered signs at Oliver's Twist and Dottie Couture.  They make the perfect gift for anyone on your list.

8.  Mahogany Teakwood Candle:  My new favorite candle is from Bath & Body Works.  I recently picked up a few candles here for gifts, and one for me when they had a huge sale on 3-wick candles for only $8!  And let me tell you friends, this candle is AH-MAZING!  It smells exactly like Restoration Hardware!  I wish I would have bought like 10 more of these!  "A cozy blend of fine mahogany, cedar, oak, and relaxing lavender" as they say.  And it looks pretty too!

9.  Christmas Movies:  Love Actually.  National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  Elf.  There are lots of great, classic holiday movies but these three are my favorite.  They are on my must watch list every year.  Pop one in while Christmas decorating, wrapping presents, or on a cold winter night and you are instantly in holiday mode.

10.  Rabbit Wine Opener:  Throw out your chintzy little manual wine opener and go out and buy one of these!  It is the best, easiest wine opener out there.  I received this Rabbit Wine Opener from Crate & Barrel as a wedding gift two years ago and I was simply amazed at how easy it was to open my wine.  No more blood, sweat, and tears opening your wine bottle while entertaining this year!

Hopefully at least one of these items will bring a little less stress to your life this holiday season.  What are some things you can't live without during the Christmas season?!?

{This is NOT a sponsored post.  Just some of my favorite things!}