Week in Review: Week 40

     For those of you who don't follow me on Instagram (there's a link to the right, you should do it!), I've been participating in #100happydays.  I've decided to dedicate Sundays on the blog to a week in review of my Instagram posts.

It had been far too long since the four of us were together.

Our DVR had been full forever.  Mom and I had a girls night Monday and cleared it out!

I got to spend the evening with my favorite 3-year-old Owen.  He tells everyone I'm his girlfriend!

I've been a part of the Tone It Up community for about 10 months now and the love and support the members give is so amazing.  I really needed Julia's comment Wednesday.

How could I not share this Elsa dress as part of my #100happydays?  I loved all the dresses and wanted everyone to see them.

Nothing like a cookie and hot tea to help me get through a dreary Friday night at work.

Someone left this on my desk at work Saturday.  Considering our newscast was delayed an hour and a half thanks to football and I was starving, I really needed this cookie!  Plus, it's smiling!

Rent the Runway: A Review

As some of you may know, I was lucky enough to attend this year's Grammy Awards as part of the mosh pit.  This was my second year going and I had a blast.  I saw some incredible performances and some living legends.

When I applied to be a part of this pit this year, I had no idea what I was going to wear.  Last year, I went with a trusted red sequined dress that's fabulous.  This year, though, I was stumped.  I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a new dress nor are there many places to buy fancy dresses in Huntington.  I decided to try something different this year, Rent The Runway.

Several of the celebrities I follow on Instagram have posted pictures wearing dresses from the site but I hadn't actually met anyone who had used them.  I was a little nervous but read through their website and decided I would try a cheaper dress and take a back-up with me to LA.  After days of deliberation and asking people's advice, I ordered Yigal Azrouel's Ian se Beijing dress.  The dress retails for upwards of $1,200 but I got it for a total of $60!


I had a great first experience with Rent The Runway.  After placing the order, I realized I entered the address incorrectly and freaked out; however, customer service was great and changes were made within minutes.  I went ahead and added in the second size for free just in case.  My dress arrived on time in a cute box.  I got to keep the fabulous garment bag the dresses came in as well as the hangers with the company's logo.  The return process was super easy!  A pre-paid UPS envelope came with the dresses so all I had to do was put them in that and drop it off.  The hardest part was finding a UPS in LA, but we did!


My experience with RTR was so great, that I quickly became a pro-member.  For $30, you get free shipping and insurance (a $20 value!) plus a free birthday dress (up to $50!).  I used RTR for a wedding I was in a couple weeks ago.  I rented two dresses.  One dress didn't fit, so I filled out a form and sent it back within 24 hours and was credited the amount of the dress.  The second dress, Lilly Pulitzer's Freja Dress, was so cute and fit like a glove!  It was girly and perfect for the rehearsal wedding.  Plus, included in the order, I was sent a little care kit consisting of Q-Tips and a face scrub/mask.

Have you used Rent the Runway?  If so, what did you think?  If you haven't, let me know and I'll send you a referral code, that way we both get credit!

Alfred Angelo Disney Wedding Dresses: Spring 2015

Just last month, Disney Weddings teased a sketch of their latest wedding gown: a Queen Elsa-inspired gown designed by Alfred Angelo.  Angelo and Disney have paired up for several gorgeous princess inspired weddings dresses and now, Elsa's dress has been revealed during the Alfred Angelo's Bridal Fashion Week Spring 2015.

Here's the sketch that was released last month

And the actual dress

The strapless mermaid dress is available in ivory or pale blue.  It boasts a sweetheart neckline and is embellished with all kinds of jewels.  An Elsa wedding dress wouldn't be complete without a chiffon cape-train hybrid.  The designer also released other princess-inspired gowns.  Here's a look at some of the others:

Ariel

Belle

Cinderella

Rapunzel

Sleeping Beauty

Snow White

Tianna

I always love seeing the Disney Wedding Gowns from year to year.  Who is your favorite?  I think from the 2015 collection, Cinderella tops my list.  Which princess do you wish Disney would use as inspiration for a wedding gown?  Be on the lookout for the dresses when they hit stores in January 2015.

Bargain Finds: Prada Shoes

I am always up for a bargain so when I saw a new designer consignment shop on vacation this summer, I hit the jackpot!

As much as I love a bargain, I don't have the patience to thrift shop; I wish I did though!  Luckily this boutique and consignment shop does the thrifting for me and leaves me the best items.  My family vacations at St. Simons Island right off the coast of Georgia.  While we were waiting for a table at dinner one night, Mom and I found this cute little store, Mixed Nuts.  Two words caught my eyes: DESIGNER and DISCOUNT.  I knew Mom and I had to go back.

The next day, we headed to the boutique where we spent well over an hour trying on clothes.  Mom came out with a Michael Kors dress, tags still attached, for $10 as well as a gorgeous Trina Turk evening gown.  I was disappointed when nothing fit me, until I hit the shoe rack that is.  I found a pair of Prada shoes and guess what...THEY FIT!  That's right, my narrow little foot fit in the shoe.  What can I say?  My feet like designer shoes!  Anyway, not only did I find Prada shoes at a consignment shop, THEY WERE ON SALE!!  That's right.  I walked away with a pair of Prada shoes for just $30.

While I can't wait to vacation at St. Simons again, I really can't wait to go back to Mixed Nuts and see what all I can find!  Do you have any good bargain finds?

Wardrobe Wednesday Breakdown

I recently got this top while visiting Nashville.  It quickly became a favorite and I wanted to share the look with you.

Top: Across Time Top from Free People originally $98, on sale for $29.95

Pants: LC by Lauren Conrad Skinny Jeans

Shoes: Classic Reva from Tory Burch

It's hard to see all the beading on the shirt, but it really is gorgeous.  I also love to wear the top with white jeans or a white maxi skirt.  It was after Labor Day when I wore this though, hence the jeans.  What are your thoughts on white after Labor Day?  Is that a rule you think needs to be broken?

Tuesday Shoesday: Sanabel Boot

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I've decided to dedicate Tuesdays on the blog to shoes.  I give you: "Tuesday Shoesday!"

I interned for the shoe division of kate spade new york summer before last and fell in love.  I have a very narrow foot and have always had trouble finding shoes that fit.  Then I landed this internship and was introduced to a whole new world.  These shoes fit me and I became even more obsessed with kate spade than I already was.  It's only fitting to have the inaugural post be a pair of my kates.

 

Sanabel

These shoes are FABULOUS!  I get compliments every time I wear them.  They are red suede with a wedge heel, gold zipped up the back and piping down the side.  These shoes always give me the boost of confidence I need.  They look great with anything, but especially dark skinny jeans.  They come in several colors but who could pass up this red?

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

I love fall time, not just for the fashion, but for the food...especially pumpkin!  Here's the recipe for my favorite homemade pumpkin bread!  What do you guys think?  What are your favorite pumpkin recipes?

Ingredients:
2 1/2 sugar
1 cup applesauce
4 eggs, lightly beaten
16 ounces canned pumpkin
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
2/3 cup water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray two 9 by 5 loaf pans with cooking spray.

Mix together sugar and applesauce then stir in eggs and pumpkin.

Combine all the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl.

Alternate adding dry ingredients and water into the wet mixture, mix well.

Divide batter between the two loaf pans and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

NOTE: Can also be divided up into muffin tins, cook for 25-30 minutes.