The Ugly Duckling

First of all, HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Don't eat all the candy before the neighborhood kids ring the bell. Have so much fun and be safe!

 

Yesterday it rained off and on all day. So, what does a girl do when it rains? She puts on rain boots of course. I have had these yellow rubber lovelies for several months, but I don't get to wear them near as much as I'd like because here in Texas, water doesn't fall from the sky very often. Luckily the skies cleared about the time it was time to take pics. Instead of sloshing around in the puddles, I found a man-made one to take pictures by.  It's all the same, right?

Layered Top: Sosie c/o // Chambray: Target // Denim: Old Navy // Boots: Joules c/o (similar here and here) // Scarf: Target (similar here and here) // Bracelets: Threads c/o // Watch: T + J Designs c/o 

As we were going about our normal blog picture taking business, this thing decided to interfere and would not leave us alone. I call it a "thing" because it seemed as though a mad scientist had let his experiment loose in the park. It looked like a cross between a chicken, turkey, duck and goose and there was no doubt that it wanted us off it's turf.

At first it was funny, but then it got ugly as in it was chasing Ross around in circles...okay, I know, that's still comical. If only you could have witnessed it in real time. Ross couldn't focus on focusing the camera and I could focus on being still. He threw his hands in the air and said, "I give up. This thing won't leave me alone." So, the good wife that I am, took the photography duties into my own hands and captured this business. FYI, it looks like Ross dropped kicked this "thing", but I promise nobody or nothing got hurt...too terribly. Kidding. Just kidding. 

Gotta love the moments that create blogging material. I seriously need more of them in my life.

All joking aside, I do have something with actual substance to tell you about. You see that amazing state arm stack in the photo above? Ashley with The Shine Project sent it over to me. If you don't know Ashley, you might possibly be living under a rock. She is the founder and creator of a beautiful cause driven business. Her newest project is called Threads.  

You guys, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read this part!!

Threads employs at risk high school students that want to break the cycle they have come to know. They make the bracelets you see me wearing today, are paid fair wages and in turns helps them pay for college. These kids have dreams, futures and are dedicated to changing their lives. Every Threads purchase will directly impact these students. Our belief and support of them is a symbol of hope and trust. When you wear a piece from Threads, you are not just wearing a bracelet, you are wearing a change.

The holidays are around the corner and this is the perfect time to start shopping for the ladies in your life and that includes yourself. Take a look at all the one of a kind pieces that Threads has to offer and make a positive impact in someone's life.

Leopard Fur + Kendra Scott Giveaway

Maybe the weather in Texas isn't quite ready for fur layers just yet, but I couldn't help to immediately put on this thrifted vest. I mean, it's not only fur, but leopard fur. Double win if you ask me. I took a few things to sell Plato's Closet last week. As I was waiting, I browsed their racks. This vest was hanging gloriously in the jacket section. I have no idea why it hadn't already been snatched up. I suppose it was waiting patiently for me. 

I typically get major anxiety when walking into any store that refers to the word thrift. It's just too overwhelming for me. I never know where to begin and I honestly don't have the mental focus. When I do pop into a resale store, I tend to look for bold pieces and items that stand out, hence the leopard fur vest. With the pieces I sold, I took this little friend home for free.

Top: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's (similar here and here) // Vest: Thrifted (similar here and here) // Leggings: Target // Boots: Wallis c/o // Necklace: Town and Reese c/o Jeweler's Wife // Ring: Kendra Scott c/o Jeweler's Wife // Clutch: Lookbook Store c/o

I knew I wanted to style the vest with a few accessories that added a pop of color. Emerald green was my ticket. This necklace from Jeweler's Wife and clutch from Lookbook Store were the perfect combo. May I add that I have been wearing this Kendra Scott ring on repeat? I don't think I have taken it off since it arrived in the mail. You've probably noticed it already in a previous posts.

If you haven't visited Jeweler's Wife, today is your lucky day. It's a fairly new website and sister company to Reed's Jewelry. With 20 years experience in the jewelry industry, they bring to the table some of the most sought after designers like Kendra Scott, Micheal Kors, Dogeared, Loren Hope and  many more. By updating their styles daily and offering helpful styling tips, this is one jewelry site you will want to frequent. To add to the sweetness, receive $10 off your first $30 purchase and shipping is always FREE!

I have been excited about this post for weeks. Not only because I truly love this new online retailer, their offerings and styles, but also because one lucky reader is going to get to take home a pair of these Kendra Scott earrings. If you want my honest opinion, I think every woman in America should own a pair. I have been a Kendra Scott fan for a few years now, own several of her pieces and love nothing more than to support women entrepreneurs. I hope you ladies are as pumped as I am.

Enter with the Rafflecopter below. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 **If you are linking up today, the only request is that you follow my blog with GFC or Bloglovin' and link back to it in your post. It's how weekly link ups work. Oh, and go meet some new friends! 

 

  Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Sequins and Smiles

October is almost over which means that I only have two days left of my goal to not spend any money on clothes. To be honest, it was pretty easy and only slightly tempting during a couple of trips to Target. I cheated once, but my cheat was with a gift card to buy this sequined sweatshirt. The other items I purchased were because of a few sales on Poshmark. So, technically not a single penny was taken from my bank account to use towards clothes. With the holidays around the corner and lots of shopping to do for family, I am challenging myself to another month of banning any clothing purchases for myself. Same rules apply, if I sell something on Poshmark or have some sort of store credit/gift card I am allowed to bring home a shopping bag. Otherwise, I am wearing what I already own for the next 30+ days.

Sweatshirt: Forever 21 // Denim: Old Navy // Shoes: Zara (similar here and here)// Necklace: H&M (similar here and here) // Bag: Phillip Lim for Target (similar here and here)

When I saw this embellished sweatshirt at Forever 21, I knew it would come in handy. It didn't disappoint and came through for  me yesterday. I was feeling a little bummed about some news I got about a friend and I needed some sparkle to brighten my day. I mean, sequins make everything better right? Well, at least that's what I told myself. I slipped it on, threw on a smile and reminded myself of everything I have to be thankful for; especially my health.

MORE SEQUIN OPTIONS

Halloween in the Hood

Dressing up for Halloween is something I look forward to every single year. I am pretty positive that we haven't missed wearing a costume in over 10 years. I start planning and pinning ideas months in advance. I am not embarrassed to admit that I pinned this year's idea last Halloween.

Our friends hosted a party in our neighborhood on Saturday night. Let me just say that they are the host/hostess with the mostest...food, cocktails of all sorts, decorations from ceiling to floor and music that had us all sweating. I am sure their next door neighbors weren't too thrilled when the hours of the late night wee morning hit.

I don't think the laughter or smiles left a single mouth the entire time. Everyone outdid themselves with costumes. Scrolling through the 200+ photos that I have on my camera had me rolling Sunday morning. It's the one night out of the year that we can be someone or something else, be as silly as we want and take more photos than most people do at their weddings.

I wanted to share a few Halloween costume ideas for you to pin, take mental pictures of, get some ideas for next year and also brag on how crazy cool my neighborhood buddies are. I hope you enjoy, ooh and ahh and possibly get a laugh out of our night too.

 

 Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.

 

 The gracious party planners...who doesn't love Buddy and his gorg little elf?

 

 Amish Mafia....I snorted when I saw them. One of my faves of the night.

 Beetlejuice...Bettlejuice...Beetlejuice

 

Smokey and the Bandit

 A Top Gun Classic

Cousin Eddie & Catherine from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. They NAILED it with the moose cups and all. Another fave!

 Swamp People...I mean, those props!

 

 Despicable Me....people, SHE made her costume!

 

 Avatar

 

Pair of ta-tas in a breastfeeding cover up....seriously DIED.

 

The cutest pilots ever!

Blades of Glory. Watch this trailer if you are confused....then you will DIE. They were the BIG winners of the night. Best costume I have ever witnessed with my own eyes. Yes, they wore those shoes all evening and even danced them. They 100% deserved this year's trophy.

 

 Toy Story

 

The Big Bang Theory

 

 Shrek and Fiona

 

And just to humor myself, here is one more of us. Ross, you are a trooper. Thank you for always being such a super star sport. You never gripe, complain or roll your eyes when Halloween rolls around. This year was one of my favorites that we have come up with. I can't wait to see what I rope you into next year! 

Thanks again, Kim and Rob. You guys are beyond amazing and I think I can speak for everyone when I say that this night was one for the books with stories to be told for years. This is just a small piece of our neighborhood pie. Anyone and everyone are welcome anytime. I can promise you this; YOU will have a good time. 

Happy Halloween week. Next up, Snickers, Twix, Skittles, Twizzlers and Reese's Pieces....bring on the candy.