In my mailbox: 'MAC-Comics.'

I received this amazing little box today with a powder blush and bronzing powder! I love the images too and thank you so much for sending me this box! I'll deffenitely enjoy it.

I also received my ZARA-order and I can't wait to show you my new items!
Have an amazing week!

Photo Gift for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. Love it or hate it?  I'm not a big fan.  Hubs and I don't go all out for it.  We make a meal together, or splurge on dessert, see a movie or stay in and cuddle. But sometimes all the hype and hearing about other's grand plans makes me feel like we're doing something wrong?

This year I'm spicing it up a bit and going to give him a little gift.  I've told him not to peek at my blog from here until V-day, so let's hope he listens to me so doesn't spoil his little gift.  This gift cost under $25 and took a little time to create - so nothing exuberant by any means.  I wanted to give something a little personal, that we could utilize in our home.  Still doing lots of home projects & decorating, we need wall art and I love photos, so I knew the path I wanted to take...

My friend, Lulu took a picture of us holding hands for one of her Valentine's-themed post (lots of fun photo ideas at her blog - A Candid Life), so with her permission, I used her photo in Photoshop to create something a little more artsy.

The Original Photo:

Post-Photoshop Fun:

Edited, Cropped, Sized to 8x10 and Personalized:

Next I'll frame it, wrap it and it's good to go!  What little gift things do you do?

In my mailbox: 'Eat that Cupcake.'

Thanks to Abataba and Laura for this lovely necklace!

For my followers: You can enter the giveaway here.

Maybelline 2011: Exclusive Calendar.

This week I found this huge box in my livingroom! I was so surprised and I immediately opened it! When I removed the package I saw this huge calendar from Maybelline with beautiful pictures, and you can choose which one you like to use! The photographs are really amazing! Thanks Oona for this beautiful gift!

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Christmas Gifts Galore, Part 4 {Keeping Warm}

I forgot to finish up my Gift Galore Special.  Last one, as Christmas & the Holidays are SO over.  When it's over, it's over, ya know?  You can see the first parts here:

Part 1 - For My Kitchen
Part 2 - Glitz & Bling
Part 3 - Bust a Move

I got some very warm and cuddly things for Xmas, that is certainly coming in hand now that we have SEVEN inches of snow on the ground...and they are so cute, I have to share!!!

Two lovely scarves - One from my sister and one from my mama:

Sparkle lavender scarf from Express {similar with some sparkle here} and
Teal Ruffle Scarf {similar here in other colors}

Ear/head warmer, an embellished with a flower and adorably chic from Anthro (check your local store) - from my sister:

Another floral wool option via Anthro here.

And one super comfy, and warm, yet not bulky sweater top by LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's that'd I'd been wanting so bad from my mom!

Worn just earlier this week wit my orange skirt!

{similar top here}

Christmas Gifts Galore, Part 3: Bust of Move

Christmas time is always a good time to get anything that will help you get up and move.  I got two fun(ny) things that get me sweating!

Just Dance 2

My hub's parents got me this for Xmas.  And it is so fun! The first time I popped it into the Wii to just try it out, I was thinking I'd do a couple of songs, because it was way past my bedtime.  However, 45 minutes later, I was still dancing.  It's a great workout and pretty funny.  And you can do dance battles... my hubs and I battling:

He won...so I've been practicing ever since!  It was pretty funny.

And speaking of funny!  I picked this little thing up during a family white elephant gift exchange:

Shake Weight

I've always been curious about this thing.  The info commercials look funny, as the motion can be taken a little vulgar.  The shake weight dumbbell came with a DVD and a 6 minute workout.  I did it and the next day I was a little sore!  So if 6 minutes/day get my arms a little more into shape, I consider this a success!

Did any of you get anything to get you moving that you love/recommend?

Christmas Gifts Galore, Part 2: Glitz and Bling

Jewelry!  The best thing to give and get - never  can have too much, doesn't take up much room and always fun to open up something sparkly or shinny.

I got TWO watches this year!  Both very different, and much needed.  It's been years since I've worn a watch and I felt it was time.  So I got a fun, glamorous one from my hubby...

This has been on my wish list since finding it November and posting about it here. That hubs is a smart one...always consult the blog. :) It's from Nine West and I love it even more in person.

Then my parents also gave me a watch!  Something else I've been wanting.  A more casual, fun, white watch that is a bit more "mens-inspired".  I love it.  It is similar to this one by Adidas:

And then I got some ear bling - you might have seen these from my "Dear Santa..." post.  These pretty things, from the hubs' parents, can be dressed up or down! I have already been wearing them non-stop. :)

I got my sister a simple, yet glitzy bracelet (one I owned myself and loved - why not give others what you love yourself?).  It is similar to this one, yet ours is navy with silver metal.  I love wearing mine layered with other bracelets or with one of my new watches!

Banana Republic and currently for a steal! Love the hanging delicate chains at the clasp.  It's fun. :)

Did you get any fun bling and glitz this season??

Christmas Gifts Galore, Part 1: For My Kitchen

I was lucky to have such a great holiday full of giving and getting!  It's always so fun to exchange gifts with loved ones.  I love giving just as much as I love getting (both are pretty sweet)!  So I will share some of the gifts I received and gave through out the next few days!

New, already beloved kitchen appliance...Keurig Mini Brewer and Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower with a 60-pack variety coffee, tea, & hot coco pack of K-Cups!  I've already tested out several and love it!

My little coffee station. :)

I got these 4 sweet bowls from Anthropologie.  They are so cute and will be perfect for table settings and apple sauce (among lots of other things):

I got two blue and two chartreuse.  Not avail online...

I also got two really cool cookbooks.  I'm a sucker for cookbooks.  Not only are they pretty, but these particular ones contain some pretty great recipes I cannot wait to try!

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

The Cook's Book of Intense Flavors
This particular one is written by local restaurant owners and contains unique combination of foods to mix. You can read about their story, and if you are ever in Lawrence, KS - check out their restaurant, here.

Then on top of all these great gifts that will help me through the kitchen - the hubs got us a gift certificate to the Culinary Institute of Kansas City to take a cooking (and eat what you make) class.  I'm really excited about that, and to do it with him!

2011 just may make me a better cook! :)  We'll see.  Did you get any fun kitchen gadgets, tools or such from Santa?

Someone won a new pair of PJ pants...(& Gift Ideas)

Sorry this post came late - got a bit crazy today.  But neither here, nor there - we have a winner of my 2nd holiday giveaway!  The winner of these fun PJ pants...

...picked by Random.org...

#8! Congrats to Miss K from Love, Lipstick, and Pearls:

And if you remember, the mandatory entry was to tell me one thing YOU are hoping for this holiday season.  Here were some of your answers (in case you still need gift ideas):

New Balance Women's Toning Shoe & workout clothes - Getting new work out gear is a great way to kick off the new year with a fitness plan.  I get excited to use my new gear and in turn makes me excited to work out.  Looking for a manageable new year's resolution or good fitness challenge for the month of January?? Go here.

Michael Kors Women's Gold Watch - Watches are always good gifts, I want a gold watch too.

Women's Hunter Original Tall Welly Gloss Rubber Boot - These are some popular rain boots!

Name necklace, or initial necklace - always something personal and cute to wear (a la the Carrie necklace Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City wore).

Spa gift certificates!  Definitely a good gift.

Books, like Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Wine accessories, like a Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator

Good ideas!! Thanks for the inspiration all!

With a Little Help from Pier 1

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

When it comes to decorating my humble abode, I like it to be unique, bold and use a mixture of patterns, colors & textures, but I also have a budget!  I love looking at magazines and decor books, big time home blogs and watching design shows - but rarely can I afford to go out and mimic those ideas.  So I absorb the inspiration and go out on my own.

With a lot of home projects & decorating yet to to do in my home, I stick to stores that fit my budget, but offer fun pieces, bright colored objects and lots of options!  Stores like Target, Marshall's, T.J. Maxx and Pier 1.

Pier 1 is representing my home style right now with some amazingly adorable, and affordable decor pieces & furniture:

This adorable, fun, multi colored upholstered chair would look fabulous in any corner of my house;  the Rustic Orange Ruffles Pillow will be great for that orange pop of color in my future navy guest bedroom; I love mirrored furniture (a la my mirrored side table in my living room), and this Vanity set would hold a lot of my getting ready stuff; and the ivory shag rug would be PERFECT for my living room - the final touch of softness!

And since it is tis the season for gift giving - Pier 1 is my multi reason stop for my own home needs and great holiday gifts:

  

  

 Perfect Perfect for a new home owner to keep warm in something luxe - a fuzzy throw blanket; for that baker in your life - a ruffle edge adds a fun spin to a casserole dish; turn an ongoing decor piece into a festive holiday gift by filling these glass jars with candy canes or ornament balls; make a fun, unique frame even more special by including a photo!

So from home decor & furniture to holiday gifts - where is your go to place?  Have you checked out Pier 1 lately?

 

And keep in mind that this holiday season during the months of November and December, you can support Toys for Tots by dropping off an unwrapped toy and/or making a cash donation at the register when you shopping for holiday gifts and home decor at Pier 1! Start your shopping, and saving now.