shoe craze.

I love shoes, always have, always will! This Spring seems to be no exception and there are a lot of favorites this time around.

Chinese Laundry "Tammie"

Enzo Angiolini "Corbett"

 Anthropologie "Bonneville" wedges

Pierre Dumas "Leslie 2"

Franco Sarto "Gavel" 

Lucky Brand "Magnolia"

Mystique "3155"

 Anthropologie "Under Cover" heels

Steve Madden "Saffari" sandal

 Boutique9 "Dejana 2" taffeta pumps

splurge!

source

I came across these shoes yesterday and knew instantly they would haunt me until I bought them...so I did just that!

I got them here and ended up getting 20% by entering: MOXSIEGUEST305

Their site is filled with unique items- a little overwhelming, but worth checking out. They showcase everything from fashion to I-phone cases. The coolest part- when I purchased my shoes they had me select from a list of charities they give back to with a portion of the cost from my purchase.

UPDATE: they sent me an email after my order went through saying they upgraded my shipping (for free) to 2 day. No complaints there! I will be shopping at this site again!

fashion friday.

Fun, fashion inspiration. I love these pictures below and always thought it would be fun to have a collage of fashion photos framed on a closet wall or better yet, hanging on the wall of my boutique (someday!)

junior mint stuffed cupcakes.

Need I say more?

Today's cupcake: Junior Mint Stuffed Cupcakes.

Sticking with the theme of things "stuffed" I chose today's cupcake. I found this recipe from this fellow blogger who was the original creator of the Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies. Check her out-all the recipes found on her site are her own creations and boy do they look fabulous!

Ingredients: 
1 box of Pillsbury Devils Food cake mix
 4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil ( I always substitute with apple sauce- no taste difference, just healthier)

1/2 cup water
1 small box of instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup of sour cream (don't have sour cream? use Greek yogurt)
1 cup chocolate chips
3, 4 oz. boxes of Junior Mints
Your favorite vanilla or cream cheese frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl add the cake mix, oil/apple sauce, eggs, water, pudding mix, sour cream/Greek yogurt, and chocolate chips.
Mix for 2 min. (you are looking for everything to be bound together and the batter quite thick)
Scoop into a lined muffin pan (yield 24)
Add 3 Junior Mints into the center of eat cupcake
Bake for 22-25 min. or until a toothpick comes out pretty clean in the center.
Let cool completely
Frost with your choice of frosting.

Enjoy!

and I did it...

I made the cookies!

I posted this recipe for Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies last week and this past weekend was up to NO good and decided to make them. OH, were they GOOD! To-Die-For actually! (notice one is already missing in the second picture) They were so easy and turned out so big, you could have had a whole cookie for dinner. (that may or may not have happened)

This weekend we are suppose to get some more snow, I say you stay inside and give 'em a try!

Let me know how yours turn out!

PS. I cut the recipe in half.

gawkers.

I don't know why I do this to myself, but at the end of my work day (I'm usually starving at this point) I search this blog to see what kind of recipes I can find for dinner. The pictures alone make you hungry!

They also have a wedding version-check it out!

closet couture.

Tell me what girl wouldn't want to walk into a closet like any these to get dressed in the morning? Just a little eye candy to make this snowy day a bit more cheerful.

Ms. Carrie Bradshaw (had too)

 Fergie

Eva Longoria

Jessica Alba

Rachel Zoe

Olivia Palermo

 Olivia Wilde

your search is over.

Do you ever search the stores at the mall over and over trying to find that exact shoe you have in your head and just can't find it? Well now there is a site that will let you design your own shoes- stress no more!

wanted.

"Sepia Saddlebag"

  

If anyone finds this bag and lets me know where I can purchase- I will love them forever! I'm in love with this and don't know how I passed it up/never saw it when it was at Anthropologie. It's now only available on their international site which they will not let me order off of. (yes, I called!)

bluebird cupcakes.

Today's cupcake: Nesting baby bluebird cupcakes.

The weather outside this past week has got me thinking Spring. A sure sign of Spring for me is when I spot the first robin in the yard & I love seeing their little blue eggs laying peacefully in their nests. (which are usually found under our deck)
I'm pretty sure our warmer weather won't be here to stay yet, but sooner than later we can all count on waking up to the little birdies chirping outside our windows.

Ingredients: 
Vanilla cupcake mix
Chocolate buttercream frosting
Light blue peanut M&M's (out around Easter) or Jordan almonds (hard, chocolate covered almonds)
Black & yellow Icing
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut

Preheat over to 350 degrees.
Spread coconut in an even layer onto a baking sheet and cook until golden brown (about 8-10 min.)
Let cool.

Bake vanilla cupcakes according to the box.
Let cool.

Frost w. chocolate buttercream frosting.
Take peanut M&M's/Jordan almonds and create tiny black dots with icing tip for eyes.
Do the same (in yellow icing) to create the beaks.
Place the baby birds in the center and sprinkle the toasted coconut around the outside of the cupcake.

Enjoy!

Lip smackdown.

Stick VS. Gloss

Between my friends and I our preference on either choosing lipstick or lipgloss is evenly divided. My personal preference is gloss; however, I love the look some girls get from wearing lipstick.

Here are some comparisons on the two...who knows it might even have you swinging both ways! 

The Look:
Lipstick, deeply pigmented for all-about-it-color. The finished effect is lady-like and polished. The most common formulations are matte or creamy.

Lipgloss, with the single wave of the wand you are getting a juicy, sheer shade and sometimes a dose of sheen.

Where to Wear:
Lipstick, ideal for evening, work or anytime you want to put a look "together."

Lipgloss, weekends or nights out when you'd rather play up your eyes (don't wanna look too beauty queen-ish)

Stand the test: 
Lipstick, the average lipstick stays for 2 hrs. (less if your sipping lattes) Look for lipstick with a topcoat and that will keep your lips loaded with color for longer.

Lipgloss, seems to wear off quickly; however, I've noticed by putting on a lip balm before you put your gloss on makes it stay longer. The color will adhere to the waxiness.

Age:
Lipstick,  main flaw being it can bleed and settle into fine lines.

Lipgloss, glittery pink glosses are cool...if your in high school. For a more sophisticated look, try (non sparkly) neutrals with a hint of peach, rose or caramel. You can also wear a sheer tinted lip balm, it will enhance the color of your lips with a healthy dose of sheen that last longer than gloss.

Pout perks:
Lipstick, gives precise application which ensures that your mouth looks defined. This is a bonus as you get older because your lips become less pronounced.

Lipgloss, the sheer stuff makes your pucker looks fuller. A dab of clear gloss on your bottom lip creates a voluminous look.

Do you have a preference? Lipstick or lipgloss and why?

happy birthday.

 Happy 30th Birthday to my fabulous fiance! 

Love you! xoxo

just in time for spring.

Target announced yesterday their Go International designer Lookbook Collection. They are showcasing 34 dresses from 17 GO International designers in the past. The collection will be in stores March 13th only for a limited time (ends April 10th) and will be ranging in price from $24.99 to $44.99

Featured designers:
Luella Bartley
Tara Jarmon
Paul & Joe (by Sophie Albou)
Behnaz Sarafpour
Proenza Schouler (by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez)
Libertine (by Johnson Hartig),
Alice Temperley
Erin Fetherston
Jovovich-Hawk (by Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk)
Rogan (by Rogan Gregory)
Richard Chai,
Jonathan Saunders
Thakoon (by Thakoon Panichgul)
Tracy Feith
Rodarte (by Laura and Kate Mulleavy)
Zac Posen
Tucker (by Gaby Basora)

My experience in the past with other Go International collections is they FLY out the door, so make sure you mark your calenders! 

To read the full press release click here!

BHLDN {beholden}

The much anticipated Anthropologie bridal line: BHLDN (Pronounced-beholden) launched today. I cannot wait to browse through the site and see what they offer. With Anthropologie being one of my favorite retailers in general, I'm sure I could rack up a pretty high total at this site too! Check out BHLDN here!

Bridal dresses

Bride/Groom forks

Bridesmaid dresses

Check out these lucky bloggers who were able to sneek a peek at the line early- here, here , here and here!

be mine.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Sorry about this past weeks absence. I was down in Mexico enjoying the sun. (please don't hate me)

I hope everyone gets to spend their day with the person they love...I can't wait to spend my night with my new fiance, and many more Valentine's to come! xoxo

 

Pictures found here.