New Swarovski Elements App + Bracelet Giveaway

I think it's safe to say that I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to jewelry.  So, when Svarovski reached out and asked me to review their new iPad app and offered a great piece from the Elements collection, I decided that I'd probably enjoy checking it out and then pass the swag along to all of you (since nobody really wants to read about something I got for free).

If you've got an iPhone or an iPad, I suggest you check out the new Swarovski Elements app that is basically a free monthly magazine with GORGEOUS imagery.  If you like high fashion photo spreads, you'll enjoy seeing the jewelry styled in such amazing ways.  I'm completely in love with the glam, art deco feel of the Elements collection, plus some of the more rocker chic pieces.

See, look:

The nice people at Swarovski have sent a Twisted Glamour leather and crystal wrap bracelet worth $77 and I will mail it to one lucky winner this weekend. 

 Here's how to enter:
- Leave comment on this post by noon Central time on Friday October 5th.  Be sure to include your email address if you don't have a Disqus account! 
- For an extra entry, download the app or like Swarovski Elements on Facebook and then tell me that you did

Good luck!

5 Things Friday

Good morning!  I hope everyone has had a great week, and has fun plans for the weekend.  I'm going to celebrate a friend's birthday tonight then wait around for Home Depot to measure the bedrooms in my house for new carpet any time between 8 and 5.  Wahoo.

Until then, here are five things I deemed worth sharing on the internet:

1. If you have not watched Celeste and Jesse Forever, I highly suggest that you check it out.  Rashida Jones was amazing, which I was not expecting, and Andy Samberg is always a cutie.  It's surprisingly poignant, and I will admit that I cried a little bit.

 2. I require this bank from Modcloth ($24.99).  It's still crazy weiner dog lady, but in an understated way.

3. It's very hard to make a dark brown leather sofa look feminine, but this person (who I cannot find in a reverse image search) managed to do it.  Take note, Craigslist sofa shoppers, this type of piece is easy to find and less icky to buy used since you can actually clean it!

Source: confettimeplease.com via Haley on Pinterest

4. Last week I had a couple of hours and some paint, so I finally got around to painting our back door.  What are your thoughts on the white trim?  My husband isn't a big fan, but I think it's interesting.  (Please excuse the crappy phone picture, my new iPhone is backordered and if I turn on more light there is tons of glare)

5.  You should check back on Monday to enter to win this amazing Swarovski Elements twisted glamour bracelet!

And with that, I bid you good weekend!

Be My Guest: Metallic Cap Toe Shoes via Oh Hey Whats Up

Good morning! Today I'm excited to share a post by my new blog friend Corrin - a fellow Texan who just so happens to have great style.. and a black and tan weiner dog like me.  Let's just say we'd be IRL friends if she were local.  She blogs over at Oh Hey Whats Up and I just blew through her archives last weekend and discovered all kinds of great things!  She also has quite the Twitter following, and I encourage you to check her out.

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I love a good cap toe shoe, but a metallic cap toe shoe? Irresistible.

I’ve been on the hunt and I’ve found that this trend is expensive! Hopefully major retailers have some more affordable options in the works for this fall but in the meantime, here are a few affordable styles I’m eyeing as well as some not-so-affordable designer styles I’m dreaming of.

And if you’re feeling crafty, a cap toe DIY from Refinery29.

Affordable Metallic Cap Toe Shoes by corrinrenee featuring mary jane pumps

ASOS Perry $58

Romwe Metal Toe Cap $64

Audrey Brooks Helen $70

Dolce Vita Smoking Shoes $79

Top Shop Magpie $24 on sale

Michael Antonio Rosemead $49

Metallic Cap Toe Shoes of My Dreams by corrinrenee featuring cap toe shoes

Top Shop Global Glitter $130

Beau Coops for Karen Walker $224 on sale

Marni Cap Toe Platform $755

Sigerson Morrison Loafers $450

Schutz Edna $150

Kate Spade Eddie $228

Jeffrey Campble Zorro $225

Sigerson Morrison Wendy $795

Yves Saint Laurent Rita $1,695

Corrin lives in Austin, Texas, and blogs at www.ohheywhatsup.com. She loves fro-yo, fashion, and can really cut a rug.

iCan't Decide - iPhone 5 Covers

Like so many others, I pre-ordered an iPhone 5 and cannot wait to rid myself of my janky Samsung smartphone that turns itself off and on all day long.  Unfortunately, N waited until lunch time last Friday to call in the order, so I still have two more weeks to wait.

Until then, I'm trying to decide on a case.  Here are my top ten picks:

iPhone 5 Case Options by cardiganjunkie featuring tech accessories

Which one is your favorite?  The personalized ones are all around $50 each, which is probably more than I want to spend, so I'm leaning towards the yellow ikat or the gold chevron.  However, I change my mind daily.

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday!  I've been excitedly waiting for today since my husband has been on a business trip  since last Thursday and it's been pretty lonely around here.  I can't wait to go out for good meals and have someone (who is not a dog) listen to me as I browse the internet making comments about what is interesting on Vulture.com and Pinterest.

In the meantime, here are five things I deemed worth sharing on the internet:

1. This week I discovered a new show that I'm so in love with.  Has anyone else watched All on the Line with Joe Zee?  The premise is that Joe, the Creative Director of Elle Magazine, visits fashion designers who are struggling to sell their line and offers Tim Gunn-esque guidance while tapping his industry connections to get them in front of retail buyers who have the option to pick up a capsule collection that is designed for the show.  Because it's Sundance Channel, there is a lot of stuff that wouldn't fly on a major network (no bleeping of words, so be aware if that bothers you), and some of the struggling designers are actually names you've heard.  He helped Project Runway alum Kara Janx get her line into Neiman Marcus, and as she said, "it was a big f***ing deal."  The new season premieres Monday night at 9:00/8:00 Central.

2. This fall, our big house renovation project will be redoing our disco fabulous guest bathroom.  We're going to replace everything, and I'm excited to pick out new finishes that will work with the rest of our house (because a gold and white swirly countertop does not).  One thing I just discovered is marble subway tile and I really want to put it on the walls around our tub!  It runs about $5.50/sq foot, which is not cheap but definitely doable in a small space.

However, I want opinions on something.  Should two bathrooms in the same (one-story) house have similar finishes?  The flooring will be different, for sure (wood grain plank tiles), but I'd like to use a different countertop material and marble tile instead of greige.  You can see the master bathroom here, and an idea of what I want for the guest bath below.

Source: oakridgerevival.blogspot.com via Haley on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

3. I love that Nina Garcia is doing a jewelry line with BaubleBar, and I especially love that you can get pieces like this art deco necklace for under $40.  I want it!  Wouldn't this be amazing with a simple black crewneck sweater and pants?

Source: baublebar.com via Haley on Pinterest

4. I'm not sure why, but it seems like maxi dresses go away when the weather starts to turn cool.  However, I'm loving how Tamara of Glam and Glitter has brought her dress into fall by adding a cardigan and scarf.

Source: chicisimo.com via Haley on Pinterest

5. I love everything about this hair and makeup look.  If N and I attend a Halloween party this year, I'm doing something 60s inspired.

Source: browse.deviantart.com via Haley on Pinterest

If not, I'm just going to do this with cheap eyeliner and scare the kids at the door:

Source: favim.com via Haley on Pinterest

And with that, I bid you good weekend!

Mixing Prints for Beginners: Just Add Leopard

It's funny how there are some fashion rules we tend not to break because our mothers told us not to.  I've always been hesitant to mix prints because when I learned to match clothes, I was taught to pick one and pair it with solid pieces.  I still follow that rule for the most part, but I've started to get braver and mix things up a little. 

I think the easiest way to mix prints is to make one of them leopard.  It goes with so many things!

Don't believe me?  Here's how to start:

mixing prints: add leopard accessories by cardiganjunkie featuring leopard print scarves

Leopard print shoes, belts and scarves go with classic patterns and neutral colors without drawing too much attention.  I do this often and get a few comments, but it's pretty tame!  You can do it!  Then, when you're ready to up the ante: