Handmade Thank You's

I love giving a special thank-you for Christmas gifts, and my Cricut made that extremely easy this year! What's great about the Cricut craft room (the software that comes with the machine) is that I can save the projects I have put together to pull back up later if I want more. I only made a few this morning to show you guys!

I cut a plain rectangle shape out of cream color card stock and then on the gray I made the "thank you" and flower cuts. 

Look how cute they came out!

november favorites

Woah! So once again, bear with me as I play some serious catch up... 

Where is the time going? (I missed an entire month!)

1. I recently got a new Camelback and forgot how obsessed I am. I always forget how much I love being hydrated and this water bottle seems to make that a no-brainer for me.

2. I don't know about you, but for me fall and winter months mean hello chapped lips. I just got around to picking up the new Raspberry Pomegranate EOS lip balm (love it)

3. During exam time I have a love/hate relationship with my leggings (yes, they become pants) Although, if you are like me you are always making sure that your leggings aren't see through. I found some excellent black cotton leggings from Charlotte Russe for $5... can't beat that!

4. For me, fall weather means warm and home style cooking. Lately my crock pot has been working double time (thanks little buddy)... mmm homemade chicken noodle soup!

5.  yeah yeah, I am well aware that I shouldn't be binge watching Netflix during exam time. But, but, but... I can't help it!

6. As you already know my Lilly agenda doesn't leave my side (or bag) and exam time is the perfect reason for that. Helps me keep my head on straight! Let's be honest, otherwise I would lose it.

7. Colder weather makes me crave hot beverages. Here is one of my favorites! Try it with a little sugar and lemon.

8. Another thing I revert back to during exam time is the 90's... bring out the hair claws! It is just too easy to wake up and not care so I love pulling my hair half up with one of these babies.

9. It's scarf season ladies!!! There really isn't much need for an explanation here. Break em out!

10. I recently got a new color from the Color Club collection and have fallen in love... Baldwin Blues.

NYE

This year when I think about my new years eve outfit of choice I have been seriously leaning towards black and gold! I have really fallen in love with this color combo lately, and can't wait to show off a black and gold outfit of my own tomorrow night. Here are some suggestions. 

Cheers to an absolutely fabulous new year! 

xoxo

OOTD: Christmas eve

Every year my family attends our Christmas Eve service at my church. Here is what I wore! 

LBD-the loft
red pumps-steve madden
pearls-my mothers :)
color on my nails-Russian roulette:essie

Connected to a Cricut!

Christmas has come and almost gone... and it left me with a new toy! As a future teacher I am constantly thinking of ways to spice up my first classroom environment (also ways to make life easier for myself) This year I received a Cricut Mini for Christmas and can't wait to put it to work. There are so many adorable crafts, cards, and cuts you can make with this awesome machine. Not to mention my sister got me the perfect cartridge to match my Owl theme for my classroom. I am so excited to show everyone how much of a "hoot" my class will be. Stay tuned for a ton of fun crafts and projects. 

tis the season

For a Little Christmas Sweater Fun!

Wanted to share some sweaters I have fun in during the holidays. 

my bestfriend and I in front of her mom's stunning christmas tree

having way too much fun in the christmas sweater my dad finally passed down to me!

thanksgiving?

wow... well to say the least my thanksgiving break was absolutely NOT what I had planned for my life this year. Though I thought I would share what I wore for thanksgiving dinner at my grandmother's house.

What I'm wearing:

white cable knit sweater-old navy

jeggings-forever 21

riding boots-breckelle's 

navy and white infinity scarf-old navy

purse-thrift shop (:

on my nails-Color Club "Baldwin Blues"

P.S. welcome to my room at my parents house!

OOTD: exam week

Please just bear with me as I am playing catch up from a major hiatus I took from the blogging world. Here is another one of my exam week outfits. 

what I am wearing:

black basic tee

black and brown chunky sweater

jeggings

black bow flats

awfully simple yet always delicious

As I have already mentioned in some of my previous posts is how much of a lazy college cook I am. Even though I will defend my crock pot till the end, last night I stepped away from the plug and ventured to the stove! If you have not already heard of the new Kraft boxed meal starters go find them near you! I can't express how awesome these little boxes of joy are. What these boxes of sauces are is a recipe starter and on the back it gives you the rest of the ingredients (normally minimal) that you will need to complete the meal. Personally, my favorite part about these boxes are that they think "outside of the box" (hehe) on what is for dinner. Prime example: last night I made Chicken Bruschetta... tell me the last time you made a meal like that from a box. So ladies (and gentlemen) here is what you are looking for in your grocery store next time you venture out.

In this picture I have already used some 1/2 of simmering sauce already. 

When you look on the back of the box beneath the extra ingredients that you will need it takes you step by step in making the recipe.

Step 1: boil bow tie noodles (as instructed on the noodle box) and strain.

Step 2: cut 1 and 1/2 pounds of chicken breast into strips, pour in half of the garlic herb simmering sauce, and cook until done .

Step 3: add noodles to the chicken and the rest of the simmering sauce and mix lightly. 

Step 4: add the chucky bruschetta finishing sauce to the top and sprinkle parmesan cheese over all of it and cover and let cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes. 

Step 5: ENJOY!

It is really that simple guys... Now if you have read some of my previous food posts you can probably tell that I am not in my own kitchen. I am currently home on break at my parents house and so this is my mother's beautiful kitchen! So since I am home I had to find a side that mom had in the kitchen and I decided to make my favorite kind of brussel sprounts (soy sauce and lemon brussels) 

 Simple: add olive oil to a hot pan, add in your cut (in half) brussel sprouts, wait till those are sizzling and then add in soy sauce and a bit of lemon juice, cook until you think they are soaked enough for your preference. YUM!

exams, projects, and papers. oh my!

Exam week is upon folks. The time that all college students dread and all college girls become major bums in how they dress and get ready in the morning. Believe you me, that has been my way of life for the past three years of exam weeks. This year I decided that if I try just a little bit to put a small amount of effort into my exam outfits it may end up benefiting me and my attitude towards the day. I thought I would share my first outfit with you. 

yes, those are my socks, I added my riding boots to the outfit.

Super simple, but better than sweats.

woah! can you tell that it is exam week from the looks of my room? SO SORRY!

What I'm Wearing:

high-low pull over-old navy

jeggings-forever 21

Riding boots-Breckelle's

Fall Flare

Wow! It sure has been awhile since I have posted, and since fall is pretty much almost over I thought it would be a good time to post some of my fall house decorations. Better late than never, right?

I know it's not too much, but it is enough for a college girl that loves to decorate for different holidays. 

I hope y'all had a wonderful fall!