Friday Favorites

It’s finally here! Happy Halloween!

This week went by pretty slow, if you ask me, but I’m looking forward to this weekend. I’m going to a costume party tonight and then a concert tomorrow night. Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram. You’re going to love my couples costume! As always, here are my favorite things from this week.

Favorite Treat: Gooey Monster Cookies {via lilluna.com}

Favorite Quote: “Every accomplishment begins with the decision to try.”

Favorite Pattern Play: herringbone, cheetah, and plaid {via el124.com}

Favorite DIY: Fur stool {via abeautifulmess.com}

Favorite Restaurant Design: Mercato {via Pinterest}

Stay safe, check all of your candy before eating it and trick or treat in large crowds.

The Super Fruit

Not only are apricots full of beta-carotene and fiber, but are packed with a plentiful supply of vitamin C. Likewise they are good for protecting your eyesight and protecting against inflammation.

For your bedroom: I personally love the color of apricots. The pale peach is perfect for any space and makes a great accent color. I have a lot of this peachy hue in my bedroom mixed with plum, gray and gold. It’s really feminine and pretty. This adorable accent chair from Joss and Main would look darling in any dormer window.

For your body: I am convinced that the reason why I have slim to zero acne problems is because of my St. Ives apricot scrub. I wash my face in it every morning, and it leaves my skin feeling so soft and silky. It will be especially needed during these upcoming months filled with dry air. Likewise, I love my Essie apricot cuticle oil. Once a week, in between Jamicures, I lather this stuff on my cuticles and it has saved my nail beds tremendously.

For your belly: One item I always keep stock of is apricot preserves. I marinade chicken it in, mix it with pasta, and even make PB&Js with it. It’s so delicious!

How do you use apricot?

Dating Diary: Easy Date Night Ideas

I love having the week nights off because it means I get to spend more time with my hunny. I’m always trying to think of stuff for us to do instead of watching Netflix all the time. Here are ten easy date nights I came up with that don’t require much effort or money.

1. Fondue night and a classic movie.
2. Weekend morning walk and brunch.
3. Food crawl: drinks, appetizer, entrée, and dessert all at different places.
4. Day trip somewhere close. I always like going somewhere new.
5. Theme dinner. Asian, Mexican, Southern.. go all out!
6. Movie marathon weekend. Harry Potter, Mad Men, Disney favorites.
7. Paint a picture together. Who knows, it might be worth displaying!
8. Game night. Pick your favorite board game and make a night out of it.
9. Star gazing picnic.
10. Bake a cake together. You’ll be surprised how fun this is!

Above all, HAVE FUN! Couples who have fun together – stay together.

Book Club: Train Your Brain Intro

I am so excited to start this book with you all. I hope you’ve gotten it by now, if not that’s okay. I want to go ahead and get started by downloading the FREE workbook that we’re going to use in conjunction with the book [insert excited clap here]!! To get instant access, simply go to www.trainyourbrainformore.com and enter in your email address. Shortly after, you’ll receive an email giving you the link to the website where the workbook is. The site is pretty simple and all of the workbook pages are easily downloadable and printable. My best suggestion, to get the most out of this book, is buy a little notebook or folder with brads to keep everything in. Think of it as you’re in school again!

So here’s your first homework assignment: read chapters 1-3 and download the workbook. After you read, answer this short Q&A.

1. Are you a direct sales consultant or entrepreneur?
2. What are your goals you wish to see for your business?
3. What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses right now in your business?

Happy reading!

Tuesday Tips: Traveling Like A Pro

{via stylemepretty.com}

As I’m getting ready for my first trip ever to the Big Apple, I am consciously thinking about what I’m going to pack. Packing can be a daunting task that requires a lot of outfit planning and time. What if it rains? What if I’m caught walking a lot? What if I get caught walking in the rain a lot? What if my sandal breaks? Yep, I should probably pack a spare.

Okay, am I the only one who worries about these things? I’ve traveled a lot this year to new cities and have gotten to experience quite a few things. I’ve walked four blocks in the pouring down rain in Washington, D.C. to visit the zoo. The leather boots I was wearing were, for lack of better words, ridiculous. My feet hurt so bad for the rest of the trip because of that. Now, I know better.

When you’re packing your suitcase for a quick trip, there is a simple rule I like to follow: 5,4,3,2,1. Blastoff! Haha.. okay anyways.

Pack five tops: mix and match prints and be sure to add a light weight cardigan that coordinates with them. Pack four bottoms: depending on the season, pack for that. For my New York trip I am planning on packing jeans, navy trousers, a casual skirt, and my corduroy skinnies. If it’s cold I’m prepared. If it’s warm I’m prepared. Pack three accessories: a fun statement necklace, classic pearl studs, and a skinny belt. Pack two pairs of shoes. I know, you’ll want to pack more but just don’t. A comfy pair of flats and a pair of camel boots. You can’t go wrong with that. And lastly, pack one bathing suit or bag (again, depending on the season). They key is to coordinate everything so that you always have many options.

If you go by this rule, you’re sure to have a fun-filled and stress-free trip.

Happy traveling!

A Home For My Dishes

A couple of weeks ago, my grandmother told me it was time to take home my full set of pink depression glass dishes that she had saved for me ever since I was born. Ecstatically, I gladly accepted and dug through a devastated storage shed in her backyard to get them. Covered in dried out mud and God-only-knows what else, they beamed when they caught a glimpse of the sunshine.

My mother cleaned them up for me and packed them away until I found them a new home. I have been searching for a China cabinet to put them in for weeks. Many failed attempts left my dishes homeless. Finally, last weekend my aunt told me I could have an old cabinet that was inherited after a family member’s passing. I knew it needed some love, but it would be perfect.

My mom and I took it apart yesterday and cleaned it up. After about three hours, it was fully sanded and free from cobwebs and dirtdobber nests. We put one coat on it, but it will definitely need another. I am going to get new hardware for it, just to make it a little more my style, and add a piece of wallpaper behind the shelves. I love that a piece of history will be in my home really, really soon. It’s going to look darling with my dishes displayed on its shelves!

Stay tuned!