Sugar Loaf

Ahhh.. finally.

Fall Break.

One of my favorite-est times of the year.

Every year, about this time, some of my dearest friends and I pack up a car and head to her family's cabin in the Heber Springs area. It's a weekend of laughter, squeals, red lipstick, staying up late, inappropriateness, and fun.

This year was no exception. Radiating strength and inner Girl-Power, we decided to pack up our old-school Timberlands and try to hike a local mountain mound, Sugar Loaf.

Shoo-weee.

It was a real hike-walking up trails and then actual climbing the face of the rock.

It was a beautiful climb!

I promise I have 2 arms.

When we reached the summit, I was struck by how blessed I really am. So in awe of the glorious things the God has given us.

The Gang coming down from the summit. So thankful for them!

Ikat Get Enough Fall

Hey, fall friends!

So glad the weather is starting to dip in temperatures. Yesterday, I left work kinda late and it was so nice out. My mind started to zone out into leaves, and cooler weather, possible boots I am looking at, and textured tights and fall skirts.

Fall skirts?

Hmm...

Somehow on my way home, my car steered itself over to the fabric store. While there, I picked up a fall-ish ikat print and some good 'ole elastic.

(I promise its not this "rasta-farian" in person).

And after a short bit and some Jay Leno, there's nothing like a little Friday Nite Fall Skirt makin'.

Easy peasy!

Wanna make one?

Here's how:

YOU'LL NEED

* 1- 1 1/2 yards of some type of stretch fabric. Mine is polyester/rayon blend with a bit of stretch.

* Elastic for waist. I have a 2 in. elastic band, but a 1 1/2 would work, too. I got a yard of this just to be safe.

* Sewing machine, pins, scissors, thread, etc.

A BIT OF HELP: I tried to follow this tutorial but realized Sharroll at Jo Ann's fabric cut my fabric wrong. (Duh, Sharroll I knew what I was talking about in the first place) So I tweaked it.

STEPS

Go ahead and open your fabric, print side down. Lay your elastic at the top, on the long side. You are going to start to make a case for your elastic to slide thru. Starting at one side, using your elastic as a pattern, fold the fabric over and pin.

Keep pinning and sliding the elastic down, until the top is pinned.

Next, go sew a straight line where you just pinned. You might also have to re-watch the Instructional Video that came with your new sewing machine, since this is your 2nd time sewing just to make sure.

Next, lay fabric out again, and measure your desired length for you. I chose knee length, but a longer skirt would be cute, too. Cut and go back and hem it.

Now, you have a little case at the top and your skirt hemmed. Take your elastic, measure it to your waist, and cut appropriately.

Now, the boring part. Turn on some tube. Grab your elastic, and slide, squench, and bunch it into the case at the top. This will give it some soft pleating.

Smooth out your pleats, nice and even. Turn your fabric print side in, and pin the edges together. Sew up your elastic and where you just pinned- AND you are done!

Do a little fist pump and victory dance that you didn't cry or say ugly words at your machine at your completed project!

To Boot or Not to Boot...

To boot or not to boot.

Specifically, the Steve Madden Intyce-cognac.

That is the question.

  It seems like EVERYONE and their momma has a pair. I see them everywhere. With dresses. With pants. With skirts. With skinnies.

 So naturally, I've kept my eye on them.

Literally.

Did I spend the second half of a college football game last year, head down, counting pairs seen, to pass the time?

Maybe.

But that is beside the point.

  But gosh dern, they are just too cute.

My only reservation?

The " not-so-savvy"  $149.00 price tag.

(Feel free to insert long, low whistle)

I know, right?

I don't think I've ever spent that much on one thing, unless it was furniture to re-paint.

Would you go for them? Intyce-boot "wear-ers", have your boots "held up" and have they maintained their loveliness?

Oh, Hello Again..

Oh friends, I am so excited.

So terribly excited!

It's that time of the year again.

 In kind, gentle, lady-like fashion, I can't begin to express how excited I am over some college football.

Here in the South, college football it is almost like another religion. It's one part sport, one part tailgating and two parts major social event. My friend, Jenny Beth, explains it quite well- dresses, drinks, and dates are on most minds on Saturdays in the fall, across the South.

Me and me mate went to school at The University of Mississippi, or Ole Miss. Known for red-shirting Miss Americas, fronting some of the Manning dynasty ( Hello, Archie, and Eli ) and in an unbiased opinion, the initiator of the Southern tailgate party.

Don't believe me? What are you talking about?

Imagine going to a picnic to watch football in a fancy cocktail dress and heels, with 60,000 of your closest friends.

Bingo.

Me mate and I just got back from the 1st game, against BYU.

We lost.

BUT at least we had a great time.

Want some more proof of these shenanigans?

I'll post some of the pics I snapped tomorrow.

Plain Jane

I'm having second thoughts here, guys.

A few weeks ago, to celebrate the end of my v-a-s-t studying, I found some early Fall things on sale. One of which was a new purse.

Not really being a purse gal, I kinda snatched it up on a whim.

Since lugging it around, it just doesn't feel the same.

Love the way it looks, it's gray leather, gold hardware, and size.

BUUUT

When I set it down, it just kinda flops open.

I'm needing some structure here, peeps.

The more it flops, the more it irks me.

Why are purses so hard to shop for?

So I'm in full pursuit of something that looked like my old one.

A plain, stiff, leather tote. Large. Roomy. Cognac/camel-y in color.

Perhaps like these:

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Umm, this one is out of my price range, though. Bills for the month OR new purse?

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A Few for Fall

 Since I am dying for Fall to be here, I did a little inventory of my fall clothes.

(Yes, I'm that OCD)

Last year, I needed some new things, but just never got around to it. Now,with a few Fall sales starting to appear,  I've jumped at the chance to swipe a few items.

The best part? Everything was under $20!

 On my list lately:

Gap Leopard Print Top

Gap Enamel-Button Cardigan

While not exactly the same, a muted leopard print blouse from NY and Co- on the clearance rack for 3.99

Target Denim Pencil Skirt also found on the mega clearance rack for $8.

AND my true loves:

Mia Amore Lina from Sears of all places.

And for 19.99.

Cheese and rice, I love this shoe. Love it.

They're so ugly, they're cute. And they go with everything!

If you're on the prowl for them, it's also called "Mia Quincy", and it also comes in black.

I might even be considering the black pair. Love them.

Happy Fall shopping!

Treats for the Studious..

Hallelujah-I'm finished!

I wrapped up all of my course work, late last nite. It was all due at midnight, and I coasted to the finished line at 11:50.

Slow and steady wins the race!

What did I do to celebrate?

Found myself a few "happys", of course. Here's just a hodge-podge of things I nabbed up.

My newest love for fall?

Shorts and tights. It might sound silly, but I am digging it.

Take a look at this pic:

 Are you digging, too? A pal and I were at Anthropologie, I pounced on some silk, knee-length "camp counselor" shorts:

Before I sport these, I need work on waif-ing up my legs!



I finally broke down and got my desert wedge boots. Like I have researched EVERY boot on the planet it seems.

While I do love this MIA style, I grabbed a different pair. They are more brown than this picture and don't have the menswear details.

Lastly, I snatched up an ON SALE purse. I've needed a new one, and I was in the right place, at the right time! Don'tcha love that? Too bad, no pics of this one.

So that's it. Just a few things for the fall! So ready for cooler temps!

On a sad note, RIP Sony camera. You have been faithful, but I am not sure why you are throwing a temper tantrum and not syncing to the computer anymore. You are old and worn out, and I am considering replacing you with a newer, cooler friend, the DSLR camera.