Seeing Red

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I love the look of a red lipstick-- on other people.  I have tried several different reds on myself, but have not found a shade I can pull off.   There's just something sexy and confident about wearing a red lip.  I tend to like the nude colors best, and I've started wearing some pink shades, but its time to embrace the red! 

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My top 3 choices are all from MAC

Russian Red

Chili

MAC Red

HairDo or Dye

Right after my 30th birthday, I started noticing grey hairs.  Like literally, a few weeks after I turned 30! (smh)  Honestly, I freaked out.  I mean it was only one hair (at first), but it just let me know that I was getting "old".  I had already been dyeing my hair for the last 10 years because I liked experimenting with different colors.  But for some reason, having to dye my hair just changed things.  Since that first sighting, I have been getting my hair colored every 8 weeks or so.  The experimentation with color went away with my 20s, and I have just rocked variations of dark brunette locks.  That is, up until about a year ago when my hair got damaged (long story) and I had to lay off color for a while.  The recommended four months somehow became 14 months, and it wasn't until my hairstylist nagged begged asked me when I was going to color again that I noticed a lot more.  Lets just say I can check the 30-35 in my age and grey hair category.  When you have a thousand or so hairs on your head, that number doesn't seem like a lot, but it is when you can see them right here, and here, and over there and, well, you get my drift.  

 I have accidentally been wearing my hair in a subtle ombre style since last year, and since I'm finally ready to dye my hair again, I am faced with some tough decisions.  Should I continue to embrace the ombre trend (which I'm not sure is still relevant enough to be called a trend), or go with some face framing highlights.  Either way, I'm going to have to get 2 different colors, dark brown for all over and a copper highlight.  My first choice is the latter, but I still love the look of ombre. 

Ombre:

Face-framing Highlights:



Actually, seeing them together, they are not very different from each other.  I don't think I can go wrong either way.  I will let you know which one I go with in a few weeks.

Lunch Break

I went to Hobby Lobby a few days ago during my lunch break to get some fall decorations. They have such great finds, usually 50% off, or if not, you can usually get an online coupon, so you can never go wrong in there.  They already have their Christmas decorations out.  I really have to restrain myself, because there's just so much I want to buy.  I decided while I was there that I would do one season at a time, so not to go overboard.  But I can't wait to go back for Christmas decorations.  I still can't believe I had never heard of Hobby Lobby before 2 years ago! 

I got 2 types of gold chargers.  I am going to alternate them on the table.

I couldn't wait to test them out

I will be using this runner on Thanksgiving

Cute pumpkins.  Honestly, I am on the fence about these.  They will probably go on the entryway table, which is where I photographed them.  But I think I may already have cuter options in storage, so they may be returned.

Decorative beads I'm going to put in small vases on the dining room table



And I will be using these to decorate for Thanksgiving as well.  I will put one at each setting. Not sure what the husband will think, but what can I say, I love glitter!

I still need to get some candles, but waiting until they are 50% off, which will probably be next week. I was undecided about a few things and so left those behind.  One of the things I left were some autumn placemats.  They look just like these. I would use them from September until before Thanksgiving. Actually I'm still on the fence about them.  They may be a bit much, since I will be using the beads.   I will probably only use the four like I did on the above picture.  I may just have to test them out and see how I like them.  Guess I'll be stopping by Hobby Lobby tomorrow ;)



"Maxi"-mum Exposure

Even though I'm a little shy of 5'2, I am in love with maxi dresses, and I have accumulated quite a few over the last few years.  They are just so comfortable and can be dressed up or down.  I especially love traveling in them.  Forever 21 is great because it has cute trendy pieces for cheap.  Here are a few I have recently picked up from there.

And some I'm thinking about acquiring 

And one that's in my checkout right now- Hurry, 30% dresses until 7/21

Arden B

Breakfast of Champions

I love traditions. One that my husband and I started while we were dating is to go out for breakfast every Sunday after church.  I know that's nothing new since most people do it, but its the simple things in life, right?  Our new favorite spot is the Original Pancake House.  I grew up in Nashville where The Pancake Pantry reigns supreme. This is the line most of the time its open, and I'm talking rain, shine, hot or cold.

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I always recommend this place for anyone visiting Nashville because not only will you get ah-maz-ing pancakes, but the omeletes are too die for and you will probably see someone famous. Since moving to Charlotte 2 years ago, I miss being able to hop over for my usual buttermilk pancakes. IHOP is good, but its just not the same. 

Well, when my sister in law told us how good the Original Pancake House was, we just had to give it a try.  And let me tell you, its giving my fave a run for its money!  I'm talking fresh sqeezed orange juice and whipped cream from scratch, and you get a lot for what you pay for. Plus, the wait time is less than 20 minutes.  If you have an Original Pancake House in your area, and haven't tried it, you are missing out.  Here are some pics I took yesterday when we were there. I had the bluberry belgium waffle with blueberry syrup, soo good.

Neon Crush

Having grown up in the 80s, I am so excited that neon colors have come back around.  I miss the days of Jem and the Holograms, Ms Pac-Man, Miami Vice and Thriller.  Have y'all embraced the neon trend? 

Currently crushing

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       American Apparel Nail Polish $6- yes please

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image from singer 22

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My favorite way to rock the neon trend right now is with nail polish.  But, I hope to get some colored denim in my wardrobe soon.  A Birkin would also be nice- it'll have to stay on my dream wish list.  I wonder if one of the Kardashians would lend me one of theirs? 

So, how do you neon?

Stars and Stripes

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend.  My weekend was packed with activity and we had a blast!  I love spending time with our extended family, plus we were able to get a great deal on some new barstools for our kitchen.  I can't wait to show it off once everything comes together.  Which leads me to this post.

Since moving into our dream home, I have become obsessed with design blogs.  It is amazing how much talent is out there.  Currently, our home is all the same color.  And although it's a pretty color, the house doesn't feel like our home to me until we incorporate some of my our personality on the walls.  I'm not planning on painting everywhere, but I do want to paint our dining room, master bedroom and bath, and the kitchen to start.  The first room on my agenda is the dining room.  I'm not yet sure what color I want to go with, but I know what type of style I am looking for.  For the past few months, I have fallen in love with stripes. Whether it be vertical or horizontal, wide or thin, walls or curtains, they just add something special to a space.  I love the look of monochromatic stripes.  Here are a few inspirational rooms:

Unfortunately I don't remember the websites where I found these pictures, so if you know the source, please let me know so that I can credit them.

And the room that inspired my stripe obsession is from Honey We're Home. Here is her mudroom before:



 Stripes added:

Final look:



Megan has decorated her home so beautifully, and she has one of the most breathtaking closets I have ever seen.  So head on over there and see for yourself.