On The Road Again

I'm on the road today. Ohio here I come! Be sure to follow me on twitter and instagram for lots of exciting updates!!!

Friday Fancies #6: Leaf Love

I'm loving this week's Friday Fancies theme. I don't know about y'all, but I'm so loving the turning leaves and the cooler weather. I think this would be a perfect Saturday afternoon outfit to head out in DC and enjoy this lovely weather!

 Sweater | Shirt | Pants | Boots | Watch | Scarf

Oh Hi Oh!!!!

Well folks. I've enjoyed a whole 2 days of calm now that the LSAT is over. I think I have a death wish or something, but I have some exciting news! I will be departing Washington, D.C. on Sunday morning to go work on the Presidential Campaign in Ohio!

It's going to be an adventure for sure! Knocking on doors. Making lots of phone calls. Working ridiculously long days. I can't tell y'all how excited I am. 

Needless to say I thought blogging during LSAT prep was going to be sporadic.... 

Don't worry though, all will be back to regularly scheduled programing after the election! And DC friends, don't fret. I will return soon!!!

xo! And don't forget to vote!!!

So. Tired.

I need coffee. That's all I can say today. 

Red Red Wine

Lately I've been obsessing over red lips. I've been rocking them the past few days and I'm loving the look. It can be tricky to find the right makeup look for the office. You need to balance looking put together, while not looking overly made up. I am definitely guilty of overdoing it on the eye makeup every now and again, and I often pair a bright or super shiny lip with heavy eyes. Seems great at the time, but it's probably better suited for a Friday night... not 10 am on a tuesday. I've been playing with lighter makeup looks lately (mostly because I hadn't been getting enough sleep because of that stupid test who shall not be named), and I've been loving how a bright lip can pull together a look without requiring a ton of other effort.

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I know red lips are a little scary for some of us, especially if you're not accustomed to wearing lip color, but I've discovered that it's actually easier to pull off a darker lip than a bright one. So if you're wanting to be on trend for fall, but a little afraid of the whole red lip thing... why not try a wine lip 

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It's over

Well. It's Monday and I'm still alive. The LSAT is over, thank goodness and I hopefully never have to look at those questions ever again. Yay! Thank you everyone who has been so supportive over the last few months! I truly appreciate all of the well wishes!

On an unhappier note, the Georgia Bulldogs missed the bus to columbia south carolina and we lost. Here's to hoping this off week will let us regroup and come back stronger for Georgia Florida.

Oh and the braves lost in the most ridiculous way ever.

So yah. That was my weekend. 7 hours of LSAT. 8 hours of epic athletic losses. and the rest was spent in bed.

But now I have a life again!!! Woohoo!!!

Now I need help y'all. I'm treating myself to a mini shopping spree at sephora... what should I get??? I need recommendations!!!

I got this in my birchbox a few months ago and I'm still loving it... should I invest???

Viva La Juicy La Fleur 

Test Day

It's LSAT day folks. I'm off to make this test my bitch. Then watch the Georgia v. South Carolina Game. 

What up. 

Friday Fancies #5: Marvelous Monotone

I love this weeks Friday Fancies theme, Marvelous Monotone. I am obsessed with this rosy nude color right now. It's so warm and feminine yet classic and contemporary.

Top | Skirt | Shoes | Handbag | Watch | Earrings

Thanks again to the lovely {AV} for hosting. I am taking the afternoon off today to relax, because the LSAT is tomorrow morning. I can hardly even believe it's here. I'm feeling good, ready to dominate, and see all of my hard work pay off. Send me good vibes tomorrow morning!!!! I'm going to need as much help as I can get. 

Have a great weekend y'all!!! See you post-LSAT!!!

Beauty for a Cause

I know all of our lives have been touched by cancer. My grandmother and grandfather both passed away from lung cancer. One of my best friend's mother was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer and had been in and out of remission for the last two years. It's a brutal disease that can effect any of us, and while there is so much that we don't know about the causes, research makes major advances every year. One way we can help is support research foundations financially. I know we don't all have tons of disposable income to donate, but It's breast cancer awareness month and many of our favorite brands have come out with some great products supporting cancer research. 

"The causes of breast cancer are not fully understood. Although it is clear that age, gender and lifetime exposure to estrogen and other factors play an important role. Because no one knows exactly what cause breast cancer to develop in a certain person at a certain time, there are no sure ways to prevent it. However, there are steps that you can take that may reduce your risk. These include maintaing a healthy weight, adding exercise into your routine, limiting alcohol intake and postmenopausal hormones, and breast feeding if you can. Anyone can get breast cancer."  Susan G. Komen 

These are a few of my favorites... get to shopping ladies!

EOS balm and lotion

Clinique Chubby Stick

Nails Inc.

Sephora Brushes

It's a 10

Lip Stick

This is happening...

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If I wasn't in the home stretch of the LSAT  (2 days folks!), I would be partaking. Don't worry--- I'll remind you a little earlier next time. Happy Debate night!

Becca's Baked Potato Soup

So with all of this rain in DC yesterday I was craving a big bowl of soup, a blanket and some good TV. Thankfully my roommate, BW was thinking the same thing and made a big pot of soup. It was so good I had to share it with y'all. 

Ingredients

1 package of bacon - hickory cured bacon is the best, and has no nitrates or nitrites

3/4 yellow or Vidalia onion, chopped or sliced 

3-4 Yukon gold potatoes depending on size, chopped into pieces a little smaller than a square inch

2-3 cups of milk, cream or half and half

4-5 tbsp corn starch

Salt and pepper to taste

*Sharp cheddar

*Scallions

*Crumbled bacon leftover from soup

*garnish 

Directions

1.     Cook the full package of bacon, 3-4 small batches at a time, in the bottom of a medium-large soup pot (preferably a cast iron dutch oven). When the bacon’s crispy, set aside on paper towels. Do not drain the grease.

2.    Sauté the onion in the bacon fat for 10-15 mins until soft. Meanwhile, salt and pepper the chopped potatoes that are waiting to go into the pot.

3.    Add the potatoes to the pot and stir so the bacon fat coats the potatoes.

4.    Add 6-8 cups of water and roughly ¼ cup of salt and about ½ tbsp of pepper to taste.  Bring to a rolling boil until potatoes are soft and then turn down to simmer.

5.    In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups of milk, cream or half and half with 4-5 tbsp of cornstarch and whisk until the corn starch is dissolved. Stir this mixture in slowly, 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly and checking the consistency as you go, until you’ve reached the desired consistency.

6.    Ladle into a bowl and add shredded cheddar, chopped scallions and chopped bacon. 

This is soooooo good. The only thing that could make this better is a nice bread bowl (next time). Not exactly healthy, but this cool rainy weather allows for exceptions to the rule. 

Thanks BW!

Loving Lately: New Eye Shadow Palettes

Now that I've been the proud owner of the Naked Palette for a year I am convinced that high end eye palettes are 100% worth the investment. I'm feeling like I've hit a bit of an eye makeup rut lately, so I'm debating about investing in a new palette. (Or maybe my Mom will read this and get me one of these for an early Christmas present. Just kidding Mom, but if you want to send me one I'd totally be okay)

These are the three palettes I've narrowed it down to... 

LORAC PRO Palette

The LORAC Pro Palette is GORGEOUS. Half matte and half shimmer, I think there are a ton of looks that you could create with this. There are a few similarities to the naked palette though, so I'm a little hesitant.

Too Faced The Return of Sexy Palette

The Too Faced The Return of Sexy Palette is shimmery and fabulous! I love the idea of this combo of three palettes in one. Browns, Purples and Grays. All are go-to color combos for me, plus I don't have a ton of these colors in my collection, so it would be a great way to expand.

Urban Decay The Vice Palette

The UD Vice Palette was just released, and from what I hear it's going to be the next big thing. I'm more of a neutral girl, so the bright colors are a bit scary. However I love UD shadows and they are all super blend-able so the pigmentation isn't super scary if you tone it down with some of the neutrals. 

 

This is a weekly link up hosted by the fabulous Carly, Kristen, Niki & Rachel!  Join us and link up what you're loving lately! Whether it's fashion, color, crafts, interiors, beauty products, yummy and delicious, or really anything else, we want to know!

Rules

1. Follow Your Hosts and Co-Hosts

They are the first 8 in the linky! Carly @ Lipgloss and Crayons Kristen @ The Wright Stuff Niki @ Glossy Blonde Rachel @ La La Lists This week's co-hosts are: Angela @ Head To Toe Chic Emily @ Blue Dog Belle Harmony @ Thistles & Things Whitney & Nicole @ Something Brought You Here

2. Grab a Button

Or link back to one of your hosts, and help us promote Loving Lately!

3. Link Up!

Link up your post on what you're loving lately! Please do not link up your entire blog or any posts that are not "Loving Lately"!   We are so happy to have you link up, and we do go through and read all of the posts, so if you do not give credit, we will have to remove your link.  And we don't want to have to do that!  So please share the love and include a link back!

4. Mingle

It's a linky party after all!

Visit some of the other posts in the linky and say hello!

5. Tweet!

Help us promote and grow this party! Send a tweet and let everyone know you linked up!

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Let's get this party started!

Giveaway winner and the blue skirt

First of all, thanks to everyone entered the Starbucks giveaway. What better way to start off the week, than by announcing a winner. Congratulations to the lovely 

Kasey

Expect an email from me shortly lady. Hopefully we'll have another give away coming up soon! 

Now. I have another outfit post! Yay! 

  

Top: Old Navy | Skirt: Eloquii | Necklace: Eastern Market | Glasses c/o Firmoo | Watch: Michael Kors

FYI-- my lip color is Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick. I'm obsessed.

Hope y'all have a great start to your week! See you tomorrow!

all images c/o Lawfully Wedded Wife Photography

Hard work.

Outfit Crush

Dress  | Booties | Pumps | Day Handbag | Evening Clutch handbag | Watch / Earrings | Necklace

I am obsessed with peplum, still, but who isn't. This Alexander McQueen dress has been taking up a big spot in my heart lately. I couldn't style it just one way because I love it too much!

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

{Coffee Hour} Skinny Pumpkin Spice at home

It's been a while since I've done a {Friday Cocktail} but I've been loving {AV}'s Friday Fancies link up so the series is going on a mini hiatus it seems. I know we are all crazy about pumpkin spice lattes for fall, but if you want a skinner version or just want to make it at home, give this recipe a try.

Ingredients

• 6 oz fresh coffee
• 1 Tbsp fat free half & half (regular is fine too)
• 1 tsp of sugar free vanilla syrup
• pumpkin pie spice
• 2 Tbsp pumpkin puree

Directions:

In a saucepan heat the pumpkin puree, syrup, half & half and a few dashes of pumpkin pie spice.  Stir until well combined and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overheat, you can easily burn the cream. Add mixture to your coffee and enjoy.  Feel free to add some whipped cream and more pumpkin pie spice if you are so inclined.

OR if you don't want to bother enter my Starbucks giveaway, and go buy one.  

Politics 101: Voting

Yesterday was National Voter Registration Day! Did you register? I did. I will officially be voting in the District of Columbia on November 6. I'll be disenfranchised on the Federal level, but I so believe in the importance of voting, that I didn't want to skirt the lines of legality by voting in Arkansas. where I've been registered the last 2+ years. *Side note, my parents live in Little Rock, Arkansas--- I don't know if I've ever shared that little tidbit with y'all. Anyways. I mailed off my registration form to the DC Board of Elections and I'm so excited.

No matter what side of the aisle you fall on I think we can all agree voting is so important. I've talked about why I love politics before but in the weeks leading up to the election I think it's important to address it again. So here we go. Blue Dog Belle's top 10 reason to vote.

10. In order to be heard--- you have to make a statement. Duh, right? What I mean is Congress appropriates funds for various projects and initiatives. They really do listen to the constituencies who make the most noise, so speak up!

9. Don't let someone buy your vote (or your silence). Who wants to be manipulated by the powers that be?  No one.

8. Votes make Democracy work. Our government is by the people for the people. But if the people disappear from the process, the whole thing will break down.

7. It's important to stay up to date on the issues. No matter what the policy, you should know how you are affected. If you're up to date on the issues, your far more likely to vote.

6. It's fun. Who doesn't love that little "I voted sticker"

5.  You should get paid from work for any time you take to vote--- so hey, wait it a line. Exercise your rights. And take a break from work.

4. You shouldn't complain if you don't participate. Obviously, this is just my opinion, but it drives me NUTS when people start facebook or twitter rants about something stupid that the government is doing but I know they don't take the time to actually go vote. If you don't participate you don't get to complain. (okay--- that's a tad extreme, but it still a pet peeve).

3. Every vote counts. Voting is the ultimate equalizer. No matter how much money you have, what you do or where you live. Your one vote counts the same as that billionaires.

2.  The government is broken--- this is the easiest way for you to help fix it. Record deficits, unfunded entitlements and a broken tax code. There are so many important problems that we desperately need to solve. Voting helps provide a direction to the country, let Congress know how you think we should fix it!

1. It's your Constitutional Right. How many millions of people are denied freedoms every single day? In this country alone just think about our relationship with voting throughout history. 90 years ago our mothers won the right to vote. Less than 50 years ago African Americans were barred from voting all across the country. We are so lucky to live in a country, no matter your race, gender, sexuality-- nothing bars you from exercising your freedom. Above all this is why I vote. I vote because I can.

Is that enough for you? You only have a few days left to register (there is a 30 day deadline) so go on and register

Woes and Wins

Lately I feel like my life has been flip flopping all over the place. I'm so hyper focused on studying for the lsat, I'm losing it in other aspects of my life. And the hits just keep on coming. So I need a vent day. Here are my recent woes, and some of my recent wins. And if you make it through, I'm linking up with Niki for Loving Lately with my latest obsession.

Woe-ing

Flat tire on a Monday morning. Great way to start the week.

Forgetting about soup simmering on the stove. For 2 hours. Can we say burnt soup? yum.

Sucking at sleeping. I just have too much on my mind, AND I am on an over caffeination cycle where I drink too much during the day, then can't get to sleep at night. Then I'm exhausted the next day, so I once again over caffeinate, oops and there goes the sleeping. How do I get off this ride?

Instagramming. I keep wanting to do an instagram drop post because lets be honest we all like picture heavy posts (and they are easy to pull together). But I've taken like 4 pictures since my last one. Oh well. I'll throw in a few

Parking. I got a $100 ticket For parking on the street in FRONT OF MY HOUSE in DC, in a two hour zone over night during the week, when the "supposedly" don't monitor this block between 8:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Annoying.

My room is in a state of disarray. One that it has never seen (okay, that's a lie but it hasn't been this bad in a long time). There are just stacks of clothes everywhere. I forget what's clean and whats not... then it needs to get washed again because Oliver inevitably sits on it and leaves his black fur everywhere.

Yoga. I haven't been in TWO MONTHS. and I miss it so... I need to start going again for my sanity. Maybe I'll squeeze it in tonight.

My Job. I normally pride myself on being great at my job. I'm super on top of things. Work through lunches when we're busy, show up early and stay late. I'm work hard, try to be as thorough as possible, and take on new projects regularly. I'm a pretty good employee if I do say so myself.   Well, I haven't done anything major, but I keep making just stupid mistakes. Losing receipts. Forgetting to print things for meetings. Not returning phone calls. I just have been so focused on the LSAT lately, I can tell my work is suffering. Time to step it up.

Winning

LSAT studying seems to be finally coming together. Just in time might I add. 11 days.

Losing weight. I'm currently hovering near a three year low! Yay.

Officially being free of a lease requirements for the first time ever in my life (we just went month to month!!)

Blogging. I feel like I've been kind of phoning it in since I started the LSAT studying, but I continue to add new followers at an astonishing rate! Thanks y'all. All the support and comments really mean so much to me! Don't forget to enter my starbucks reader appreciation giveaway.

Saving money/sticking to my budget. Having to study for the LSAT has been an awesome excuse not to go to happy hours or out for late nights on a weekend. Granted I paid a stupid amount of money to Kaplan for my class. AND I have to pay an even stupider amount to apply to schools. Oh yah... then there's that little thing about paying for school. Goodbye savings. I'm still counting this as a win, for now.

The GEORGIA BULLDOGS. 4-0. 40+ points in each game so far. #5 in the country. We are off to a great start. I'm feeling UGA vs Alabama in the National Championship. Anyone else? Gosh the SEC is awesome (4 of the top 6 teams are SEC right now. #winning).

And Since you read this far (and I'm so loving this link up so why not join in again)

Oscar de la Renta flat / Madewell leopard print shoes / J.Crew ballet flat / Faith leopard print shoes, $55 / L' Autre Chose ballet flat / Steve Madden flat / ASOS ballet flat / Madewell ballet flat