Friday Favorites! LINK-UP!!!!

You may have noticed I was MIA last Friday, which means Friday Faves was a no-go. I was sick with a cold and it's still lingering, but I think I'm going to pull through.  

Soooo .... exciting news today! Several of you commented that you wanted Friday Faves to be link-up, so your wish is my command.  I created a button, which you can grab below and link-up with me today for Friday Faves.  Let's spread the faves!  

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So flattered! On Monday I was featured on a local blog called The Dallas Socials! If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, you should follow this blog. Betsy, the beauty and brains behind the blog, posts daily about whats going on around town – from events, to freebies, to shopping, to fun stuff in the burbs. Check it out.  

I can't make this stuff up and yes, this happened in real life in front of my very eyes.  So last Friday night I made the mistake of running into Wal-Mart to grab a few things.  "Wal-Mart" + "Friday Night" are two words that should not go together in the same sentence. This I know.  
Anywho - I'm checking out and about to go on my merry way when a man with a brown paper bag on his head walks by me and heads for the McDonald's at the front of the store.  Anyone who knows me IRL knows my phone is in my hands at all times, which comes in handy for moments like this.  My intent was just to snap a pic of this dude walking with a bag on his head, but things quickly escalated.
Next thing I know, he is stumbling backwards and falls to the ground. I'm pretty sure I had one hand over my mouth and the other still snapping pics.  I thought this was some freak under the influence of the sweet nectar and security would be over at any moment to escort him out.  That didn't happen.  Paper bag man just quickly popped back up and just walked right of out of Wal-Mart like what I just saw didn't even happen.  I felt like I was in the Twilight zone. Don't go to Wal-mart on a Friday night is the moral of this story. 

The Bianca Tassel

If you saw this beauty in person you would die.  I had to have it and now it's on it's way to me! Yipee.

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Found these instructions on how to make bacon in the oven at the blog Mom & Wife and have been cooking bacon like this for the past month. Legit, the easiest and best way to make bacon IMHO.  You just put the bacon on a foil covered pan, put the pan in cold oven, turn to 400 degrees and bake for 20 minutes. While the bacon is baking you get to make the rest of your breakfast!  Life changing.  

Excuse me, sir.  Not liking my TV choices?

Poor guy got neutered and had to wear this cone when alone! ha.

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Remember Alana, the Honey Boo BooChild break-out star from last season of Toddlers & Tiaras?  I posted about her here.  Yesterday it was announced that home girl is getting her own spin-off show on TLC!  I swear, this made my week.  If trashy reality TV is wrong, I don't want to be right. 

K, now it's your turn! Link-up bishes! What are you favorites from the week?

Home Tour Week 5: Kitchen & Dining Room

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Sorry for the delay, but I needed to get this kitchen of mine in order.  I know I joke around about Hoarders busting into my apartment, but they really could have up until about 30 minutes ago.  My kitchen looked like a crack den, and I'm not kidding.  I'm too embarrassed to show y'all the before, so just imagine disgust dishes everywhere.

Without further adieu, here is my kitchen and dining room:

My dining room, which I never ever use unless my family is over for dinner. 9 times out of 10 you can find my purse, keys, etc. on it.

Your turn!  Show us your kitchen and dining room by linking-up below.  I highly doubt yours could be any worse than mine. 

I long for the day I hit the lottery and actually have my own house with hardwood floors, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.  Until then, a girl can dream ...

Home Tour Week 4: Secondary Bedroom(s) + Office

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This week I'm showing you my office and guest room, which are one in the same.  Honestly, I never use my desk because I have an ibook so I'm always on my couch or in bed using it.

This room is basically occupied by my mamma bear when she visits from NC or my neph, Reese.  The aftermath of babysitting on Saturday:

All cleaned up.

This bedding is my college bedding. I love the shabby chic look and pink and green are my favorite colors.  I need a headboard still and there are a ton of antiques I want to get for this room.   

So please be aware that this is still a work in progress.

Bedding from Bed Bath and Beyond.
Curtain made by my Mom. 
Hand painted mirror from Tuesday Mormings.
Lamp from Hobby Lobby.
Side table IKEA.

Desk and Chair from Ikea.
White desk storage from Wal-Mart on clearance.
Mason jar to hold my pens and pencils.

Framed print and painted the frame creme white.

Bottom shelf is Reese's books and animals.
The rest of the shelves are books, cooking books, picture albums & frames, etc.  
You can read more about the bookshelves here: My Bookshelf Re-do

So that pretty much covers my plain and boring guest room + office.  Nothing to write home to Mom about, I know.  I need to get to working on this room one of these days.

Now it's your turn to show off your guest room, your kids room, your office.  Just link up and show us one or the other or both!  There are no rules around here.

We'll call this the SECONDARY BEDROOM(s) and OFFICE POST.  k!?

Would love it if you ladies will let us peek into your homes too.  Link, Link, LINK-UP!

[Next week is Dining Room & Kitchen for week 5 and then to close off the series, 

we'll show Closets, Cabinets & Laundry Room in week 6.]

Home Tour Week 3: Living Room!

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It's Week 3 of my "Home Tour" series, and this week I'm featuring my living room, which is where I spend the majority of my time lounging and being a certified bum.

When I got the keys to my first apartment after I graduated (Umm, just realized that was almost 5 years ago ... barf.), I basically owned nothing because all of the apartments I lived in during college were fully furnished.  I had my clothes and bedding, but I didn't even have a bed.  It was a pitiful sight.

I had to be extremely patient because I'm the kind of person that when I want something done I want it done yesterday.  I still haven't done everything I've wanted to do with my place, but I've gotten as far as I have by furnishing and decorating ONE piece at a time.

My one decorating goal has always been to make my apt cozy and "homey".  I hope I've somewhat accomplished my goal.  You'll have to let me know what you think:

[FYI] I've had a few comments about my curtains and the window.  I know it's hard to tell from the pic, but the top of the window is supposed to be showing.  Their are 2 "French Doors" that my curtains cover and then above the doors are the uncovered windows meant to let light in.  Make sense?

I literally just finished this project Sunday afternoon and will post an entire blog about it later this week. 
I'm obsessed with how it turned out!

The lamp, mirror and vases are all from Kirklands. 
To the right of the hallway is my bathroom and to the left is my guest room/office and my bedroom.

A little unknown fact about me: I was editor-in-chief of my university's yearbook my junior and senior year.  Hence, why I have them displayed.  They are my little pride and joys, and I totally don't blame you for being jealous.

There you have it, now you've creeped my living room.  Next week you can show us your guest room, office or both (mine are the same room).

If you want everyone to creep your living room too, link up below:

What I'm Loving Wednesday

It's been a few weeks since I linked up with Jamie and posted a WILW, and I don't like it one bit. After a little hiatus, I’m back to share what I’m loving this week.

1. I am loving that I survived the tornadoes that touched down in Dallas last week. It’s a bit daunting when your TV goes out and all you hear are emergency weather sirens blasting outside.

It was touch and go there for a while, so I had to hide in my bathtub and sip on some Skinnygirl to calm my nerves. If that tornado was going to take me out, I was going to at least get a buzz. 

I recorded a Vlog while I was bored and hiding out in the tub, so I'll have to post it once I figure out how to upload it

2. I am loving the recent coupons and sales at New York & Company. I got 3 shirts and a brown linen pencil skirt for work for less than $60 this week. I never shopped at NY&Co until recently because I was mistakenly under the assumption they had fug, out of style clothes.  Beth still refuses to shop there.  Maybe this will convince her to go.

Sign up for NY&Co coupons on the bottom of the home page of their Web site.

3. I know this is old news, but I am loving Blake and Miranda's wedding and now I want to get married where they got married (in my Grandma's town btw)! I thought everything about their day was so down-to-earth and perfect for them. I especially loved Miranda's short Priscilla of Boston reception dress and white cowboy boots. Don't you die? 

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4. I am loving that after almost 6 months to the day, I'm finally getting my hair trimmed tomorrow.  I used to have major meltdowns after getting my hair cut until I found my current fab hair stylist over 4 years ago.  We're talking I'd cry in the chair, cry all the way home, lock myself in my room and refuse to take phone call meltdowns.  When it comes to my hair, I don't play.  

I can't wait to get it cut and styled.  My hair is way too long and a hot ragged mess right now.  My hurr on NYE the very last time I got it cut.  Please excuse my creeper look, I'm not really sure what face I'm making here:

5. I am loving that my nephew refused to take his batman mask off for Church on Sunday. I love even more that he was talking in third person to his Mom that whole day. "Mom, Batman wants gum."  Seriously, could he be more perfect?

Home Tour Week 2: Bedroom

Happy Memorial Day!  Originally I called this "apartment tour", but since I've added a link-up for all you lovely ladies (&gents), I changed the series name to "home tour".  

I would love for all of you to play, so link-up at the bottom and show us "where the magic happens". 

Solid Brown Comforter & Bed Skirt - Target
Green & Brown Bedding - Daisy Fuentas Collection from Kohls
Bed Frame - Ikea
2 paintings above bed - Painted by me
Green Curtains - TJ Maxx
Brown Curtains - Target
Side Table & Dressers - Ikea

Won my TV in raffle at company Christmas party.

I put the jewelry I wear every day in the pink antique bowl.  Gifted from my grandma.
Glass jewelry box gifted as well.

First seen here.

First seen here.

Can't wait to see where y'all sleep!

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New Series: Apartment Tour. Up first: Powder Room.

Last week I was brainstorming blog post ideas and I had a stroke of genius: I should tour my apartment room by room then break down each room to show y'all where I bought each item. Then I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to start a series and feature a new room on Mondays.  Whadayathink?

My ultimate hope is that I can provide y'all with information about how to decorate on a dime that you can use in your own lives.  I guess I'm a creep because I love to see into other people's homes to see how they live.  I don't know why, but it intrigues me.  I really hope I'm not the only one.

My "Apartment Tour" series will last 6 weeks and I'll break down the following rooms:

Week 1: Powder Room

Week 2: Bedroom

Week 3: Living Room

Week 4: Guest Room/Office

Week 5: Dining Room & Kitchen

Week 6: Closets, Cabinets & Laundry Room

My "Powder Room"

1. Vintage Vanity Tray - 

I blogged about this a while back.  To see more photos and read about it, go here. 

2. Decorative Mantel Clock - 

$16.99 from Target.  I needed a clock to keep me on schedule in the mornings while I was getting ready, and I loved the vintage look of this clock from Target. 

3. "Live, Laugh, Love" picture frame -

From Bed, Bath and Beyond.  You'll see I decorate A LOT around my apartment with photos of me and my friends and family.  I love photos.

4. Decorative candle stand -

Candle and stand from Ross.  I also use it as a jewelry holder.  

5. Mirror -

From Bed, Bath & Beyond on clearance

Floral Picture - $39.99 half off from Garden Ridge

Shower Curtain - Bed, Bath & Beyond on clearance. 
I picked out my shower curtain first then built my color scheme based on it.

Floor Mats from Kohls.  Trash can - Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Live, Laugh, Love wall art - Kohls
Candle Holder - Garden Ridge $6.99
Candles - Bath & Body Works

Towel holder from Target. 
Candles - $16 total, Read all about them here.

2 purple vases on far right - $14 total from HomeGoods.  Read all about them here.

There you have it.  My "Powder Room" in it's entirety.  Exciting stuff, huh?  Please let me know if you have any questions about anything I didn't cover.

Up next week: my bedroom!  

***UPDATE***


Do you want to link up and give us a tour of your Powder Room too? Just link up below and show off your space!

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