5 More Things for Friday

This little blog is just full of random this week!  I shared last week's five things on Monday, and now I'm getting caught up with a few more things worth sharing on the internet.

Here we go:

1.  I seriously want to paint something emerald green, but I don't know where I'd put it.  First world problem, indeed.

Source: thelennoxx.com via Haley on Pinterest

2. Which bathroom color scheme do you like better, assuming the floor will be our wood plank tiles that are very similar to the second photo? 

Source: houzz.com via Haley on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Aimee on Pinterest

Skirt Suit + Target Tanks = Holiday Chic

One shopping resolution I've actually done a good job keeping this year is my decision to buy fewer outfits when I have an event to attend and nothing suitable to wear.  Instead, I like to buy one affordable piece and mix it with things I already have.

Luckily for all of us, Target has a couple of great options that I think will mix nicely with a basic black blazer and pencil skirt, and both are under $25!

Striped Tank  |  Gold Tank

skirt suit deconstructed > party outfits by cardiganjunkie featuring black jeans

A basic black interview blazer becomes part of a casual-chic holiday party outfit when paired with the striped tank and black skinnies.  I'd wear my new favorite leopard wedges, but black pumps would work too.  Then, as a second option, the black pencil skirt can be dressed up with a matte gold sequined tank top. 

That's two party outfits for under $50, and you can pat yourself on the back for wearing items from your closet.  Win-win!

5 Things Friday... On Monday

Hello ladies!  I hope you will all excuse the silence around here lately, but I was thoroughly engaged with family activities all weekend, culminating in my grandpa's funeral and my mother's birthday.  This weekend was not one of the best, but I arrived home with an even greater appreciation for my family and all that I have. 

However, now that I'm back in the swing of things, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. Charming Charlie published this guide to necklaces and necklines, and I think it's really useful.  So many people seem to think a necklace should only touch skin but I LOVE layering necklaces over my shirts.  See, it works!

Source: sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net via Haley on Pinterest

2.  This is the perfect wallet.  I kinda wish I didn't have a great one already. 

Source: jwkstyle.blogspot.com via Haley on Pinterest

3. I'm still obsessed with navy blue paint.  I am loving this shade in Aerin Lauder's home:

Source: Uploaded by user via Haley on Pinterest

Hooray for Hoarding: Domino Magazine is Still Perfect

I have a bit of a magazine addiction.  I've been in self-imposed recovery for a while (I only subscribe to Lucky and InStyle now, and occasionally buy Living Etc or House Beautiful) but my wonderful hoard of decorating magazines remains on a dedicated bookshelf in my office.  Lately, I've been grabbing a pair of magazines at random before going to the gym and spending an hour on the elliptical trainer getting lost in gorgeous rooms I'd mostly forgotten about.

Today I perused the November 2005 issue of Domino, and was reminded of two spaces that I've had in my head for seven years.  That must mean they're great!

The first is the living room of Sara Ruffin Costello:

Source: flickr.com via Haley on Pinterest

I love the paint color and the fabric choices, and find it so cheerful without being juvenile.

Game Changers: Products I Love - Volume 3

Every so often, I like to share great products that I've recently discovered.  Today I have a few more that may change your daily routine, as they've done for me!

Essie First Base Base Coat and Super Duper Top Coat
I know I've been breaking the cardigan rule of manicures by skipping a base coat, and my $1.50 Sally Hanson top coat was not adding much protection against chips.  Since Ulta is constantly offering $5 off a $10 purchase, I decided to splurge on a base coat and top coat made by my favorite brand of polish.  As I type, the navy blue polish I'm sporting has been there for 8 days and it still looks great!  For $8 each, I think I'm getting my money's worth by not repainting my nails every 4 days.

Dove STYLE+care Invigorating Dry Shampoo
I've mentioned my devotion to Suave dry shampoo a few times, but I have officially switched brands!  The Dove version is $2 more per can, but each one lasts so much longer and the scent isn't as obvious.  The effects are just as good, if not better, since it's harder to overdose and end up with crunchy roots. 

Bourjois Little Round Pot EyeshadowI absolutely love my Bourjois eyeshadow, and was thrilled to learn that it's once again available in the US.  My favorite shade is Tabac Blond (pictured below) and it's perfect for my dark brown eyes and pale complexion, since it gives me a hint of smokey shadow for day and looks great when I layer my MAC paint pot (in Indianwood) over it when I'm getting getting dressed up.  Plus, it stays put pretty much all day and I do not get to say that very often!

Have the rest of you discovered any game changing products?  Do tell!

P.S. If you're new to this series, you can check out my previous posts here and here

What to Wear: Thanksgiving 2012

Good morning!  I feel like Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year, but luckily there's not much preparation required on my part except for a bit of baking and packing a bag.  Like I did last year, I've put together some outfit ideas to serve as inspiration for those of you preparing for a special gathering with family or friends.

Thanksgiving 2012 by cardiganjunkie featuring skinny cropped pants

In my family, nobody really dresses up for the meal.  Everyone will be wearing jeans, and anything much dressier than a crisp button down shirt will feel out of place when everyone else is wearing Texas A&M sweatshirts (whoop!).  However, some of you will have the opportunity to pair a great beaded tank and blazer, or a cozy sweater and colorful pants, or impress your boyfriend's family with a chic combination of skinny cords and a unique cardigan.  I'm kinda jealous!

What's your favorite Thanksgiving ensemble?  Is your family the casual type like mine, or do you dress for dinner?

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday!  Can you believe this is our last weekend before the holiday rush begins?  I'm not prepared, compared to my usual level of early shopping and list-making, but it's still one of my favorite times of year.  This weekend I hope to knock out a couple of DIY projects and maybe get a jump on all the blog post ideas rolling around in my head.

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

1. Ever since Alex over at Things That Sparkle blogged about the amazing Commando tights that don't dig into your stomach, I've been curious since I HATE tights and pantyhose.  However, at $30 per pair I didn't plan to partake since I can (and do) put a runner in tights after one wearing.  Luckily, I found about 100 pairs of them for $11 each at Nordstrom Rack and decided to give them a try.  They are awesome, ladies!  I got the thick black ribbed version and will be wearing the heck out of them in the months to come!

2. I've been tasked with updating my wish list, and one of the main items I'm hoping to get (besides my 2013 list of books) is a great black leather clutch.  Somehow I don't have one, and I'm looking for a really classic style that I can carry for years.  I was excited to find the J.Crew Factory Vero clutch - it's real leather, and super functional, and under $100!  (Are you paying attention, husband?)

Guest Room Makeover: Everything Under $50

Hello!  Sorry for the silence yesterday, but I had no decent ideas to write about and I was putting the finishing touches on what I am going to show you today!

Ever since we finished our big DIY projects around the house, I turned my attention to sprucing up our guest room, that I'd hastily "decorated" for $150 in 2010.  I didn't have a lot of money to throw around this time either, but I relocated a lot of stuff I already had and found some great deals that came together in a way that makes the room much more soothing and special.  Plus, I didn't pay more than $50 for anything I purchased!

 

Check out more pictures, plus the source list after the jump...

Currently Wanting: Winter Wedges

Happy Monday!  I'm not excited for the weekend to be over, but I hope you all had a nice break and are ready for some important shoe discussion.

It's funny how certain fashion trends have a way of worming their way into your heart.  I said for two years that I did not like skinny jeans, and now I have several pair of slim cut pants and jeans.  I said the same thing about booties, and now here I am wishing I had a pair like the ones below to pair with jeans and pants while the weather is cool this year.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

See, look how cute we'll all look:

5 Things Friday

Good morning! I hope you all had a great week.  I'm looking forward to one of our annual parties on Saturday, where my husband and I will entertain about 30 of our closest friends in the backyard.  Fun times!

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

1. Our Fall party each year is what we call "Fry-Day".  We set up stations with several kinds of batter, and all of our friends bring foods to fry.  My favorite concoctions include: fried marshmallows in funnel cake batter, beer battered bacon-wrapped shrimp, sausage and cheese on a skewer in cornmeal batter, and funnel cake battered Twinkes.  Mmmmmm, tasty!

Here's a fried marshmallow recipe from Southern Living:

Source: thedailysouth.southernliving.com via Tracy on Pinterest

2.  This week I was thankful to work with lots of cool people.  Even during a stressful day, there was no shortage of important shoe purchase opinions.  My cube neighbor Ann agreed with me that I'll never regret purchasing these shoes and I'm pretty excited to wear them all year long!

Source: zappos.com via Haley on Pinterest

Cute Christmas Idea: Custom Cartoon Portraits

If you're friends with me on Facebook, you may have seen the custom portrait I had made for our Christmas card this year.  I'm in love with it!  It captures N and our dog Maggie so well it's eerie! 

I must say animated me is looking pretty cute, too.

Since I'm so enamored with my new find, I thought it would be fun to pass the idea along and offer some exposure to Jordan, the sweet artist behind the Etsy shop Jordyluxe.  You can commission a portrait with as many people and custom items as you'd like for what I think are super reasonable prices.  The end result is an 8x10 inch jpeg image that you can use however you'd like. 

Check out Jordan's work - she also offers custom cards and wedding stationary:

Copy(wild)cat Chic!

I was flipping through a jcp ad just now and did a double take.  And since I'm a blogger, I had to tell the internet.

For those of us with the guts to rock a leopard swing coat, this $80 option from jcp looks eerily similar to this $425 option from Emerson Fry. 

 I'm not saying the quality is equivalent, and I'd likely replace the buttons on the jcp coat with a set that doesn't look so plastic, but for less than 20% of the price the jcp coat is a good option if you can't afford to splurge.

Enjoy!

5 Things Friday... On Monday

Good morning!  Hopefully you all had a great weekend - mine was full of parties and wine and sleeping late.  Just like I like them.

Since I didn't share my weekly roundup of random stuff on Friday, I'm posting them today.  So, without further ado, the five things I deemed worth sharing on the internet:

1. I can't say often enough that cobalt blue is a year-round color.  I scored this great dress from LOFT and it will work for events in the fall, spring or summer.  If the skirt weren't so floaty, it would work in winter as well.

2. I did not have a good day on Friday, it was just long and stressful.  As I often do, I gave myself a 5 minute "smoke break" on the internet and then I was shocked.  Did y'all know that the volume buttons on your iPhone headphones function as a camera remote?  What else don't I know about this little phone?!

Source: mostlylisa.com via Haley on Pinterest

See you next week!

I know you're all expecting 5 Things Friday, but to be honest, I just ran out of steam this week.  Work is crazy right now, and I've got a busy weekend ahead.  Your 5 Things post will come next week, with lots of other cool stuff that's currently bouncing around in my head instead of in html.  Have a nice weekend!

If I could do this right now and not end up chatting with HR, I totally would:

Source: via Mara on Pinterest