Scentsy Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations, Mary G. and Valerie F.! You won the $20 gift certificates to Courtney's Scentsy store! I have already emailed you and Courtney so you can be in touch with her! Thank you so much to everyone who (properly) entered and I hope the two of you get some lovely things with your credits!

If you haven't checked out the Poshlocket giveaway, you'd better get over there! We're giving away a beautiful fabric and metal cuff bracelet!

Stay tuned for the winners of the Old to New in October giveaway from Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique! We should have those together by the end of this week!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween officially marks the beginning of the Holiday Season! If you know me or are anything like me, you know that I'm ready to tear down the pumpkins, hang the mistletoe, and start listening to Christmas classics right around... tomorrow. Husband can usually reign me in for an extra two weeks or so, but forget putting the tree up after Thanksgiving. I never thought I'd buy into a fake Christmas tree, but I'm so glad he convinced me because now I can have it up for as long as I want! Yes, I do realize I'm off the wall crazy about holidays. While Pinteresting over the past few days, I found some Halloween decor that I wish I could have pulled off, but time and funding didn't really allow for extras this year.

Ideally, I would have liked to do something like these babies:

first

second

third

But I ended up with something more like this:

You can't tell, but the strings of lights in the vases are candy corn lights. Notice Courtney's Scentsy warmer incorporated into my decor while I wait my beautiful new Jane warmer! One thing's for sure and that's that I have the CUTEST kid on the face of the planet. Little S. will be trick-or-treating tonight, dressed as Foofa from Yo Gabba Gabba!

Foofa image via

The likeness is uncanny, RIGHT? I'm going to try my hand at dressing as Toodee to please the small fry, so we'll see how I do with my thrifted blue dress, turtleneck and shoes along with my WLC tights in Medium Blue. Hopefully my little Foofa won't be disappointed! We hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween! Take SMALL bags for your kids to trick-or-treat with and go HOME when they're full! That's called candy portion control!

Don't forget to enter the Poshlocket giveaway for a chance to win this gorgeous cuff bracelet!

Poshlocket Giveaway!

When Poshlocket contacted me about reviewing a product and hosting a giveaway, I couldn't have been more excited. Ever since our working relationship began, I've been so impressed with Poshlocket's classic, but unique jewelry choices. When choosing my favorites earlier this month, I highlighted the metal and fabric collection, which I absolutely adore! I was lucky enough to receive the Stacey Three Chain Fabric Bracelet and I'm in love. The thickness makes such a statement and the fabric has splashes of green, lime, royal blue, turquoise, and white, all separated by bold black lines. Sometimes, statement pieces are tough to style more than just a handful of ways, but my Stacey is going to go with virtually everything in my wardrobe! Most of the metal and fabric pieces come with a choice of silver or gold, too, which is super convenient!

*Apologies for night time quality photos- I forgot to take pictures when I wore this to church!

dress: Merona for Target

cardigan: New York & Company

belt: New York & Company

shoes: Ross (gifted by Rochelle)

solitaire: Zales (Christmas gift from Husband)

initial necklace: The Word Jewelry

bracelet: c/o Poshlocket

Because I have gobs of adoration for the fabric and metal pieces, Poshlocket has offered to giveaway one of the items from the same collection! Up for grabs is the Jenny Fabric Weave Cuff, valued at $26! And that's not all! You get a free pair of fabric and metal earrings shown on the site! The Jenny is also offered in gold or silver and the earrings will come in the same metal as your bracelet.

Mandatory entries (only ONE comment needed with all of the following info):

- Follow my blog via GFC! Please let me know in your comment.

- Visit Poshlocket and tell us your favorite item!

- Follow Poshlocket on twitter OR "like" Poshlocket on Facebook.

Extra entries (one comment per):

- Follow Poshlocket on twitter OR "like Poshlocket on Facebook (which ever one you didn't do for the mandatory entry).

- Tweet this giveaway, linking back to this post and including @the_littlebit and @poshlocket so we can count it!

- Subscribe to Poshlocket's mailing list and let me know!

Giveaway open until Friday, November 4 at 11:59 pm, ET. Open to US and Canada.


And remember, TODAY is the last day to enter the Scentsy giveaway!

Old to New in October: Butterflies

Natasha of Required 2 Be Inspired and I are hosting Old to New in October. The premise of this month-long project is to take something you already own and don't love and turn it into something totally wearable, again! It saves money and helps you recycle your wardrobe while getting crafty!

When Old Navy gives you butterflies, you try for a year to style them and then you chop them up and do a DIY. I loved the print on this dress when I first got it and then I had the toughest time styling it, so it's been in the "to do something with" pile for a while. The ruffle on the bottom was also a turn-off because it felt very little girl-ish. Good thing I have a little girl, right?

I took the slip out of underneath the dress and cut the hem to use for later.

Then I chopped the dress almost in half and laid the grey over the unfinished hem to see how my concept would look.

I couldn't bear to toss the old ruffle, so I made an elastic waistband skirt for the small fry so she could rock the butterflies, too. I can't wait until we go out in our matching outfits. We'll be so awesome.

And here's my finished product! Just a sweet little top that I can wear with skinny jeans and a blazer or cardigan- SO much better than the crazy dress I thought was so cute last summer!

Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique has graciously agreed to sponsor our entire Old to New in October project and will be providing some lovely prizes for not one, but THREE winners at the end of the month!

To qualify for any prizes, you must link your refashion project either here or at Required 2 Be Inspired on any Thursday during October. Each time you link up, it counts as one entry! The first prize winner will be chosen by Anika Burke, Natasha, and me based on the most creative and wearable project. Two other winners who have linked up throughout the month will be chosen at random! To be qualified for the random draw, you must link back to Anika Burke in your post. You can simply say, "Old to New in October is sponsored by Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique!" Or word it however you'd like, but as long as you do a project, link up, and link back to the online shop, you're in for the random draw!

- First place (most creative/wearable): $20 credit to www.anikaburke.com PLUS the Elegant Rose flower bracelet and two matching accessories!
- Random draw: 12 piece prize pack (12 Anika Burke accessories!)
- Random draw: 3 piece prize pack (3 Anika Burke accessories!)

 

Buy Glasses Online & Don't Break the Bank!

As a glasses and contacts wearer, I am always searching for a fast, easy, and affordable way to purchase my eyewear. GlassesUSA.com has presented itself as a perfect solution for all of us four-eyed fashionistas! With high quality frames and lenses, GlassesUSA offers a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee along with generous refer-a-friend program. I don't know about you, but I haven't found customer service like this at any of my local eyewear centers!

There's something for everyone on the site and here are my top three favorite pairs of eyeglasses!

Noah Gray - $48.00

BS14 Demi - $85.00

iSee Tortoise - $78.00

As you can see, I like vintage-inspired tortoise print glasses with thick frames! Do you know how much I paid for my frames, alone? $152! And those prices you see above INCLUDE the lenses!!! I was completely shocked at the array of choices and killer prices that GlassesUSA has to offer. I know where I'm going next time I need to purchase eyewear! You can even go to the website and "try on" frames using the Try it On Mirror! How awesome is that?

When choosing to purchase eye glasses online, you should always consider checking GlassesUSA. We shop Zappos for beautiful, sale-priced shoes, TJ Maxx for discounted designer items, and wholesale grocery stores for our food and toiletries. Why not treat our eyewear the same way? We all know that it's easy to find good deals when we search for high quality items in the right places!

Whether you're looking for bifocal lenses, transitional lenses, or a pair of glasses to add some spice to your wardrobe, GlassesUSA should be added to your favorites! Don't forget to check out their Fall sale, too! GlassesUSA was kind enough to provide me with promo codes for you to get in on some sweet deals!

* Buy any 2 pairs of glasses and get all 3 protective lens coatings and U.S. shipping for FREE!

Use code: PERFECTPAIR

* Buy one pair of glasses and get any other pair for FREE! (can't beat this one!)

Use code: BOGOUSA

* Take 10% off of ANY order.

Use code: Blog10

Don't forget to check GlassesUSA out on Facebook and Twitter so you can keep up with promotions, deals and steals, and products!

* This post is sponsored by GlassesUSA.com and all opinions are my own.

Trendy Tot Tuesday: A Princess

I had to pull out the big guns for church on Sunday. Little S' long-sleeved dress selection is nil, so that's on the list of things to thrift and consign over the next few weeks! It's chilly outside! A few months ago, my MIL hit up a children's clothing boutique that was having a major closing clearance. Little S. scored some beautiful items, but most of them were size 4T. She wears mostly 3T now, so I figured that this dress would work so long as she didn't walk on it (and she didn't).

dress: small boutique in VA from Grandma

tights: Koala Kids via Babies 'R Us

shoes: Stride Rite from Grandma (previously worn for flower girl duty!)

bow: Target

She's like a little angel. I can't get enough!

Broke Out the Boots

You know it's fall when you're hitting up the pumpkin patch in your boots. I was so excited to take Little S. and my brother, his girlfriend, and her daughter to one of the local farms right outside of town to have a little family outing and get pumpkins for Harvest and Halloween! I can't wait to carve and roast those yummy seeds!

 sweater: LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's

cami: Rue 21

skinnies: Charlotte Russe

boots: Silhouettes

necklace: The Word Jewelry

There's nothing like the changing of seasons. Smells, memories, family time, the best part of my wardrobe... I'm already loving it all and fall has really just kissed us. Speaking of changing... are YOU changing something in your wardrobe this week? Remember, Thursday is Old to New in October with Required 2 Be Inspired and me! Hopefully you'll be here to link up with your project so you can be entered to win some fabulous prizes from Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique!

And remember I have a Scentsy Blog Party going on right now! Check it out to place your orders and enter to win some AMAZING gift certificates that will set you right up for the cool weather and/or holiday season!

BeautyMint is Coming!

StyleMint and JewelMint entered the fashion and beauty industry and they took off like rockets to the moon! Now, we are being graced with BeautyMint!

From BeautyMint:
BeautyMint is Jessica Simpson's new personalized skin care line, which is launching at the end of October. Celebrity skin care expert Nerida Joy and Jessica Simpson teamed up to create a personalized, monthly skin care system that will feature exclusive products that combine the most advanced anti-aging technology and science with nourishing botanicals. Members will take Nerida's online Skin Care Consultation to identify their unique skin type and concerns so BeautyMint can personalize the right system to target each member's needs.

I don't know about you guys, but I have some seriously troublesome skin! I'm very much looking forward to the launch of BeautyMint and being able to try a skin care line that will be targeted for me. I've tried everything from Clinique's 1-2-3 step system to ProActiv to Avalon Organics. Still, I have very tiny sebaceous acne that remains all over my forehead all.the.time. It's not just before or during my period. No, then I get the giant scar-bearing red spots on my forehead, chin and cheeks. When BeautyMint contacted me about their upcoming launch, I couldn't have been more excited. As soon as I am able to get my hands on some of the products, I'll definitely be doing a review since I haven't found anything that works just right!

I need to get this stuff fixed.

Even better that just personalized skin care? BeautyMint is donating $1 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for EVERY registration they receive on www.beautymint.com. How simple is does that make it for us to help out? Just click the link and enter your email! You'll be entered as a member and receive information about exclusive offers for your own products!

Like to watch instead of read? Check out BeautyMint on YouTube!
Social media guru? BeautyMint has facebook and twitter, too!

p.s. - Don't forget to enter the Scentsy giveaway!!

Sponsor in November!

Do you have a blog, Etsy shop, small or local business? Sponsor a little bit of this in November for a dedicated, communicative, and helpful advertising opportunity! Email me about packages and *excellent* rates because I'd love to work with you!

Project Self: My Scale is Broken

I took a week off last week... not because I wasn't working on Project Self, but because I was exhausted and didn't have anything to write about. Well, I sure as heck have something to write about THIS week. Guys, my scale is broken.

image via

I have been walking my butt off and really looking at my food intake and I swear, I cannot get past 179. What is going ON? I cannot be plateauing at 179. There are way too many more pounds to go in this game. Lessening my calorie intake is NOT an option. Cutting more simple carbs would be nearly impossible. I'm not giving up my one time a week pasta. So what gives? When you run into a time like this, what's your go-to problem solver? HELP!

last time I weighed: 180.6

current weight: 179

down: 0.8

lbs. to go: 59

I hope you link up with your Project Self- tell me how your week went and how your goals are going! And if you have any advice, I'd love to hear it!

Old to New in October: Glitterized

Natasha of Required 2 Be Inspired and I are hosting Old to New in October. The premise of this month-long project is to take something you already own and don't love and turn it into something totally wearable, again! It saves money and helps you recycle your wardrobe while getting crafty!

What girl doesn't love a jar of glitter? I know that ever since I was a little girl, I've adored all things sparkly and although I never owned a pair, to this day, I covet the red ruby slippers you can find at Target, Walmart, etc. In fact, it took every ounce of my being not to purchase the little girls' size 5 red ruby flats at Target last week. It's not just the red, though. The whole glitter thing is gorgeous and so girly. I knew I'd have to find a pair of my ragged shoes to DIY for one of the October projects and here's my take:

I took a very sick, sad, 5-6 year old Old Navy Mary Janes:

How I did it:

1. Cut straps off shoes (you can still see the tabs in the final product)

2. Stuff shoes with newspaper

3. Cover shoes in glue

4. Dump glitter on shoes

5. Let dry

6. Mix Sparkle Mod Podge in a spray bottle with water, shake, spray shoes

7. Let dry and wear!

This was relatively simple, but very messy. There's glitter all over my front porch, despite vacuuming and using gobs of water to rinse it. Oh well, I guess if I love glitter as much as I claim, I'll be happy with a glittered porch.

You can still see some white in with the glitter and that's because I couldn't wait to take pictures. The Mod Podge is still soaking wet in the final product photos and it's night time, so there isn't enough shimmer to show! I can't wait to dump the glitter out when they're dry and wear 'em in the sunlight for an outfit post!

Remember to link your refashion to this post or to Natasha's at Required 2 Be Inspired! And don't forget about the prizes and our lovely sponsor!

Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique has graciously agreed to sponsor our entire Old to New in October project and will be providing some lovely prizes for not one, but THREE winners at the end of the month!

To qualify for any prizes, you must link your refashion project either here or at Required 2 Be Inspired on any Thursday during October. Each time you link up, it counts as one entry! The first prize winner will be chosen by Anika Burke, Natasha, and me based on the most creative and wearable project. Two other winners who have linked up throughout the month will be chosen at random! To be qualified for the random draw, you must link back to Anika Burke in your post. You can simply say, "Old to New in October is sponsored by Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique!" Or word it however you'd like, but as long as you do a project, link up, and link back to the online shop, you're in for the random draw!

- First place (most creative/wearable): $20 credit to www.anikaburke.com PLUS the Elegant Rose flower bracelet and two matching accessories!
- Random draw: 12 piece prize pack (12 Anika Burke accessories!)
- Random draw: 3 piece prize pack (3 Anika Burke accessories!)