Giambattista Valli for Macys

Dress: c/o Macy's; Shoes: Dolce Vita Macys (Similar); Clutch: H&M; Lipstick: Maybelline Fuschsia Fever

I get so excited every time Macy's sends me a dress from their latest capsule collection for Impulse.  The latest to be featured is Italian haute couture designer, Giambattista Valli.  This 30 piece limited edition collection is filled with holiday party dress confections splashed in red, black, and leopard.  Organza, sequins, satin, faux-fur, ruffles and bows make this collection opulent.  I love the organza petal skirt with ribbon detail on this dress that I am wearing.  There's something about it that makes it the perfect party dress.  So make your way on over to the Impulse Department at the local Macy's, or simply click to preview the rest of the irresistible collection!  

$50 to Beauxx.com - CLOSED.

Beauxx.com is a fabulous clothing site where you can find items ranging from cool tees and sweatshirts to flirty party dresses.  You can find me wearing their polka dot, "Lola Mini Dress" here.  Lucky for you, Beauxx.com is offering a chance to win a complementary $50 gift card to shop their site!   To enter the giveaway, simply, like Beauxx.com on Facebook! For extra entries, follow on Twitter, and/or visit their site, telling me which item you would buy with the $50!  Leave separate comments for each entry below!  Good luck!

The "Happiness Is Diary"

Although we are all grown-up, and the years have worn on us, some heavier than others, I believe it is still important to live life through a child's eyes.  Children see truth and beauty.  They laugh at everything, and find so much happiness in the simple things.  Growing up is inevitable, but we can still strive to be young in our soul.

Today, I am introducing a new weekly post titled, "Happiness Is..."  It is a happiness diary of sorts.  In fact, that's exactly what it is.  Each week I will photograph and write about one small thing that I delight in.  I invite you to link up here, and post along with me each Wednesday so that we can all begin to be more aware of the simple things around us.

So, here goes my very first post for the "Happiness Is..." diary.

Woodland Slippers and Socks: Urban Outfitters

As I lazily make my way out of bed after a long night of fuzzy dreams, I am brought back to reality as my toes touch down and my slippers greet my feet.  As I slip them on, the world suddenly feels softer.  Wherever I go, they go.  After a long day of strutting around in high heels, my tired feet find comfort in their plush, cushioned soles.  My toes snuggle in for warmth; I can relax now. Before I turn into a pumpkin, I doze off for another night of dreams long before the clock strikes midnight, to ensure I never lose a slipper.

The Phoenix New Times Interview With Umm..Me!

My fellow AZ blogger, the lovely Chelsea from over at Tea Talk, so sweetly asked if I would do an interview for The Phoenix New Time's blog, Jackalope Ranch.  Of course, I accepted.  You can check out the full interview here!

Words on Life and Style

Dress: c/o Beauxx; Shoes: Forever21; Belt, Earrings, Necklace: Urban Outfitters; Purse: Tory Burch

I was looking through some old drafts that I had saved some time ago on my blog that were never published.  I came across this post, titled, "Words on Life."  It's a slightly revised, personal mantra of sorts, when it comes to life and style.  Obviously, living a couple of years over a quarter century, doesn't qualify me to share unsolicited advice.  But what the heck, I'm keeping it light.  So, without further ado, here are a few pieces of advice that I have come to learn, in 27 years, in 200 words or less: 

Style does not equal an expensive price tag.

Nor does an expensive price tag equal style.

Confidence is sexy.

...so is a little black dress.

High heels are your leg's best friend, and your feet's worst enemy.

Always wear mascara.  If anything, it will look dramatic when you cry.

Beauty is evident in your soul; not just your skin.

The best sense of humor is the one that can laugh at itself.

Set your own trends.
Don't be afraid to be you; live loud.

If you worry about what other people think of you, you'll never know what you think of yourself.

Besides, worrying only gives you wrinkles.

If it doesn't make you proud, don't do it.
Live in the moment.  The past is gone; the future undetermined.

When you are having a bad day, turn it around.
But ice cream makes everything better.
Sing loud.  Dance often.  Rock out with a serious air guitar.

And when all else fails, don't forget to smile.

What's one piece of advice that you live by?

Casey Weigand Talks Inspiration

For a while now, I have been feeling a lack of inspiration.  It's difficult to blog when it's just not there.  Maybe you can relate.  In order to get some creative mojo back, I called on the help of one of my favorite bloggers, the beautiful and talented Casey Weigand, of The Weigand's, to share how she stays inspired on a daily basis.  After reading her post, I know what I have to do to get it back! - Katie

My name is Casey Wiegand, I am a freelance artist, wife and mama.

I love painting and sharing our life through my blog...where you can expect pieces of my perspective on life, faith, kids, marriage, with touches of art, creative inspiration, projects and things I love along the way. I have two little ones with the hopes of lots more and am married to the love of my life!

I am so thrilled and honored to be here today guest posting. When Katie asked me to post about staying inspired I thought about it all afternoon, what should I write?

My life revolves around creativity. I am a blogger (here), I am an abstract artist (here), we own an art studio for kids (here), my husband is a photographer and makes movies and I also do blog design (here). So being completely honest a lot of times I am just burnt out!

I am constantly creating.

So maybe the trick is to let ourselves have a break...then in a moment we don't expect it, we will be re.inspired. A fresh tube of paint, feet hitting the pavement on an evening run, the first snow of winter, a great song on the radio with the windows down, a late night sitting on the kitchen floor talking with your husband about dreams. These are the moments that I run and write out a blog post or grab my paintbrush.

But you know it's okay to not feel inspired or creative all the time. That is exhausting. And sometimes we need to cut ourselves a break.

We will come back better, more creative.

If you have been in a rut for awhile I say get back to what you love. For me I would go sit by a lake and watch the sunset, I would put a good song on the radio and dance with my babies, I would eat waffles on my back porch or look through pictures on pinterest.....then maybe somewhere along the way....you will find it again.

DIY Manicure

It's important to take care of your hands, especially as you age!  And even more important?  You don't need to spend money going to the nail salon every week to do it. Take these simple tips, invest in a few products and pamper yourself.  And I have to mention; I am so dead serious about that homemade exfoliant of olive oil and salt.  Without a doubt, it is better than any product I have ever bought and tried. So, if anything, try that before putting lotion on your hands tonight!  And heck, while you're at it, ask your hunny for a hand massage.

Cocoa Brownies

These brownies are sooo good and sooo easy to make, that you will never bake from a box again. Trust me.

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 18-20 minutes
Makes 16 delicious brownies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa (Ghiradelli)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8"x8" metal baking pan. In a bowl, combine flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking powder and salt
2. In saucepan, melt butter on low. Remove from heat; with spatula, stir in sugar, then eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla untill well blended. Stir in flour mixture. Spread batter in prepared pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
3. Bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in brownies comes out clean.

*Recipe taken from Good Housekeeping Comfort Food Magazine Fall 2009.

Change

Crochet Poncho: Kensie Girl; CAmi: H&M; Jeans: BCBG; Hat: Nine West; Shoes: Inc.International Concepts; Necklace: Francesca's Collections; Purse: Gucci

There was something about summer that felt stagnant. Maybe it was the heat. Maybe it was the mundane. But for whatever reason, it felt like the days rolled together and the sun never set.  Summer left me feeling thirsty and tired as the road I wandered aimlessly turned to sand.

As October rushed in without warning, I'm happy to say goodbye; to lock it up with a key, and look to new beginnings.  With a new season, comes new change.  Not only in the earth around us, as the weather cools down, and the leaves slowly change.  But also in ourselves, as we change colors, and shed some leaves of our own.

Earth to Alice - Giveaway Closed.

Top: Vince; Jeans: JBrand "Kiki"; Infiniti Scarf: UO; Hat: H&M; Shoes: Stuart Weitzman; Bag: Earth to Alice

My Mom and I spent Saturday morning at the local farmer's market, Singh Farms, which is nestled between fertile earth and a canopy of shade trees.  I brought along this organic Earth to Alice tote, made out of a recycled coffee burlap bag.  I love the idea of taking items and keeping them relevant through re-purposing them.  What once held heaps of coffee beans, now holds my iPhone, DSLR camera, a favorite lipstick, a good book, and a couple of purchases from Singh Farms.  My favorite?  Giant english muffins.  Anyways, I think it's great that we have eco-friendly companies out there, like Earth to Alice.  Not only do they care about our foot print, they also support the fight behind ending childhood hunger, donating part of their profit to St. Mary's Food Bank.  Earth to Alice is definitely doing positive things on this spinning planet.
So, want to get green and snatch up one of these sustainable totes yourself? Simply visit Earth to Alice's website, and tell me what you like or like about the company, below!  Winner will be announced next week.
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Also, to deal with a couple matters of business, the winner of the Emporium Miami giveaway is:

 
And the winner of the $100 to Swell giveaway, randomly chosen by me, is:

 Congratulations to both of you!!