Alessandra Ambrosio: Holiday Glam

Isn't this look just perfect for the holidays?? 

What girl doesn't like a little sparkle here and there?  Or gold and silver hues??  I love the combination of both!  I would never have thought to pair both silver and gold together in an outfit but this picture completely changes my mind!  Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio was photographed by Giampaolo Sgura and styled by Anna Dello Russo for the December issue of Vogue Nippon.

Would you ever wear gold and silver together?  Or this much sparkle?

Do you think it's as perfect for the holidays as much as I do??

    I love the blue and the gold glam look as well, although I would never wear blue lipstick!  Would you?

                               Stunning eye makeup throughout!  And her hair has amazing volume! 

(picture credit)

What will you girls be rocking this holiday season??

Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

Not very often do I post recipes on here, but I came across this one just now, and had to mention it!

Perfect use of pumpkin flavoring, and just perfect for this time of year as well!

PUMPKIN SWIRL BROWNIES

This recipe was found on Betty Crocker's website.  I get their newsletter and always enjoy seeing the latest goodies posted!  If you haven't checked out BettyCrocker.com, and you love to bake or cook, this will be such a great resource for you!  So be sure to check it out!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 2hrs 30 mins

Makes: 16 brownies

Filing:

1 package (3oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)

1 egg

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Brownies:

1 box Betty Crocker Premium Brownies Ultimate Fudge

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons water

1 egg

1. Heat oven to 350 (325 for a dark or nonstick pan).  Grease bottom only of a 9-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray.  In a small bowl, beat all filling ingredients with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth.  Set aside.

2. Make brownie batter as directed on box, using 1/4 cup oil, 2 tablespoons water and the egg.  Spread 3/4 of the batter in pan.  Spoon filling by tablespoons evenly over batter.  Spoon remaining brownie batter over filling.  Cut through batter several times with a knife for marbled design.

3. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted 1 inch from side of pan comes out almost clean.  Cool completely.  Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.  Store covered in refrigerator.

Ok, girls how can you resist this tasty recipe?  I know most of us are chocolate lovers!  This recipe had outstanding reviews, and people also wrote how even if you aren't a huge pumpkin lover, these have just the right amount.  It sounds pretty simple to make, especially because you don't have to make the brownies from scratch.  I can't wait to try this out!  Will you?

I get in the baking mood like crazy around the holidays!  What about you girls?  Any recipes you love to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas??  Or any new ones you can't wait to try?

picture and recipe from www.bettycrocker.com

Weekend Recap and Giveaway Results!

Hey girls! I hope you all had a good weekend!

My husband and I didn't have any big plans. It was just kind of nice and relaxing.

Did you do anything fun or exciting??

Since Sunday morning I've been feeling kind of lousy. Sore throat and sick to my stomach.I don't know why. I've been drinking lots of tea with honey, and hoping that will cure my sore throat.

(picture)

 I've also been eating ice cream and sipping shakes which also help with a sore throat but do not help with the waistline! I'm feeling chunky today!

Hopefully I will be a 100% here soon.I think it's just been going around unfortunately!

Onto something that's not unfortunate at all, is that I won Sherin from HiFashion's giveaway!!  I was so excited to hear I won the DKNY Be Delicious perfume giveaway Sherin was holding!

(picture)

I've been wanting this perfume for a long time now, but I just don't like to spend too much money on perfume, so most of the time I end up sticking to body sprays, but I can't wait to receive this in the mail! I know it smells so good! I'm in need of a new scent too! Thanks Sherin!

Any new scents you girls are loving these days?

I'd also like to share with you the winner of my Misikko Giveaway!

I love being able to pass on such good products to my readers! I wish I could send them out to each and everyone of you. There can only be one though, and she is:

Through Random.org, #27 is the winner!

SilverBella

Congratulations!  I will be emailing you shortly! I hope you enjoy the Misikko hair products as much as I did! And thank you so much Misikko for this fabulous opportunity for my readers!

Well, that's all for now girls.  Have a lovely afternoon!

Florals

Hello my lovely readers!  So the other day I shared with you a few pictures from the dressing room at Kohl's, this top is the one I actually bought!

It's from Lauren Conrad's collection.  It's a xs but it's quite large on me. 

I think the style is suppossed to be a bit big anyway, but I decided to belt it to have a more fitted look.

I've been on the hunt for a floral print top and this loose fitting, silky one works out quite well.  I think it will fit along quite well with my wardrobe! 

Have you girls bought anything new recentely?  Maybe something you wouldn't normally have purchased but thought you might give it a try?  Any certain print your on the hunt for?

Top: Lauren Conrad Collection for Kohl's

Skinny jeans: Forever 21

Ankle booties: Colin Stuart (courtesy DesignerApparel.com)

I'm very pleased with this purchase.  I actually only paid $14 in the end, after it already being on sale at 35% off and than having $10 Kohl's cash.  So I think that's a pretty good deal!  I don't like to spend to much on my clothes!  How about you girls?  Are you a bargain shopper?  Or maybe a big spender? 

I don't like to talk about finances all that much on here, so feel free not to answer.  I just wondered how many of my readers look for good deals, like myself.

Sorry to make this quick but I have to go!  I hope you girls are having a fabulous weekend!

Don't forget to enter the Misikko Giveaway!

Dreams and Heels

Hello Girls!  I hope you are having a lovely day!  I just finished up working.  Nothing too exciting there. 

Same old same old.  I know I don't go much into detail about where I work, besides that I work along side my husband, and that we are both in manager positions.  Anyway, it's not my dream job, but it's a decent one.  

What would your dream job be?  Would it have anything to do with fashion?  Or do your dreams lie elsewhere?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

Onto an outfit I wore the other day: 

I can't get enough of my ankle booties!  As you can probably tell, I wear them as much as possible!  They have a 4 1/2 inch heel!  Can you believe it!  It's the closest I've ever come to being any where near my, at least, 6 feet tall husband!  It's nice! 

My husband thinks heels are unnecessary though!  Maybe most men feel this way!  He doesn't like when I wear heels because I walk slower in them.  I don't notice much of a difference, unless I've been walking in heels for hours.  Plus, I enjoy being taller!  I've got to face the facts, that I'm not growing anymore! :)

Too bad once winter comes with ice and snow my heels, for the most part, have to stay in the closet!  

I'm not coordinated enough to wear high heels on sleek ice or in 5 inches of snow!  Indiana winters can get pretty nasty!

 

You can't really tell in the pictures above that I'm wearing my new Betsy Johnson earrings, courtesy DesignerApparel  

Sorry for the close up of my ear!!  But I had to show you the little details of the earrings!  Aren't they super cute??  Pink is my favorite color, and I love bows, so what a perfect combo!  I've never owned anything from Betsy Johnson before, so it was pretty exciting to receive them! 

white button down & skinny jeans: Forever 21

white tank: Charlotte Russe

Earrings: Betsy Johnson

Ankle Booties: Colin Stuart from Victoria Secret

(both earrings and heels courtesy DesignerApparel)

Well, I got to run, but be sure to enter my Misikko GIVEAWAY if you haven't already!

Ends October 25th at midnight!!

Have a great night girls!!

Murano Glass Gifts

Hey Girls!  I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

I wanted to take the time today to share with you a company called Murano Glass Gifts, that offers unique and beautiful pieces.  Ranging from jewelery, like earrings, pendants, and necklaces, to vases, figurines, and centerpieces.  This website offers a wide range of original pieces, that would make great gifts.  What's so special about Murano Gifts, is that they offer two categories on their site: Murano Glass and World Art Glass. 
 

All items in their Murano Glass category are 100% Genuine Murano Glass hand blown in Venice, Italy by master artists! The Murano Glass pieces also come with a certificate of authenticity as well.

     Take a look at some of my favorite pieces:

Charm Necklace White

Stunning little details on this necklace above right?

Murano Glass Heart Pendant  
Retail Price: $127.00 
Sale Price: $82.00

Love the shiny gold of this heart pendant!

Murano Glass Heart Pendant  
Retail Price: $127.00 
Sale Price: $82.00

Beautiful red and gold!

Candy Murano Necklace Pink 
Retail Price: $230.00 
Sale Price: $145.00

Cute and Fun!

Chloe Earrings
Retail Price: $88.00 
Sale Price: $57.00

Pretty! 

Saint Andreea Multicolor Vase

Murano Glass Vase Aqua/Blue/Amber

What do you girls think?  Do you like any of the ones I selected as my favorites??  Aren't the coloring of the vases absolutely gorgeous??  They would look beautiful with a lovely flower arrangement in them, wouldn't they?  You can certainly tell the quality of the glass in all of these pieces.  The heart pendants are probably my favorite from all the jewelry.  The first necklace has stunning details doesn't it?

For more info on Murano Glass Gifts, check out the following links:

Murano Glass Pendants

Murano Glass Necklaces

Murano Glass Earrings

Murano Vases

Art Glass Vases 

Hope you girls liked these cute pieces.  I love being able to introduce my readers to new companies and products!  I hope you girls like hearing about them!

Have a great day!

(sponsored post)

In The Dressing Room............

So I stopped at Kohl's the other day and tried on a few tops.  I thought I would share some of them with you.  Take a look:

This first one I decided wasn't really my style and was too big for me as well.  Do any of you like it? Please excuse my terrible expressions throughout! hehe

This sweater would definitely keep me warm during the winter.

And I love the opening in the back.  Gives the sweater a extra special touch.

 The detailing near the top is original and unique.  Kind of has a toughness to it. 

I didn't like how this one fit me either.  If I didn't have my arms around me at all times, it would look frumpy!  

So I chose not to buy it, but maybe you girls might?  Both are from Kohl's and are from the Lauren's Conrad collection.

I did, however, buy a lovely green floral print top from Lauren's collection that I can't wait to wear and share with you girls!

Any of you try on anything interesting or fun lately??

Oh, and my US and Canada readers, please don't forget about the Misikko giveaway

or the

Lulus discount code: HOTSPOT

I hope you're lovely weekend!