Spring 2014 {Fashion Watch}

So college has been keeping me a bit busy lately. But, I'm glad I've found a bit of time to get a post up for the spring fashion colors and trends. It's so nice to see some bright colors after a long winter of darker colors. Take a look at a few designers that I think capture this season in its prime.

Chanel 

The Chanel spring 2014 line is as colorful as can be. Although their classy pale pinks and whites are seen as well. The dress above gives an array of many of this seasons colors. 

Dolce & Gabbana

 Can we just take a minute and bask in the beauty of this Dolce and Gabbana dress? The pale pinks and delicate cherry blossom design are beautiful! The material is also sheer and light, typical for a spring dress. However, the length and fit are new for this season. I'm already getting a "delicate vibe". 

Marchesa

I'm loving the sheer material in this Marchesa dress. The mint green is also an important color for this spring!

 Michael Kors

This season, Michael Kors didn't use as many bright colors as his fellow designers. But the natural blues and browns add such class! 

Oscar de la Renta

There are no words to describe the beauty in this dress. The colors (including my favorite spring 2014 color: mint) all look wonderful together in the dress and pull it all together. I also love the more open T- styled cut for this dress! It works beautifully with the pattern.

 Ralph Lauren

Classy as ever. Ralph Lauren pulls off a black and white classy spring look! 

Roberto Cavalli

A bit different from the rest I have added, however, this work caught my attention. I'm loving the whites and the hinted neon. Also the dramatic lace in this collection. 

Tommy Hilfiger

Last but not least, Tommy Hilfiger. This outfit is bold and loud. Royal blues and greens and even a hint of yellow. And check out that look on the model's face. She knows she's walking in this spring's next trend. 

Summer Strawberry Lemonade: A Refreshing Drink for the July Heat!

Check out this great recipe for strawberry lemonade! Yum! This refreshing lemonade will be great to have with some friends or family, or for yourself, poolside. My grandmother absolutely loves lemonade. Growing up, she always had a pitcher of the it in the fridge. To this day, she still does. Doesn't this sound refreshing?

INGREDIENTS:

• 3  or 4 lemons

• About 3/4 cup sugar

• 1/2  teaspoon  salt

• 1  cup  strawberries, hulled

• Ice cubes (optional)

• Thin lemon slices (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut the lemons in half and ream juice from them. Pour the juice through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup and discard the seeds and pulp. You should have 1/2 cup. Cover and refrigerate.

2. Place 4 cups water, 3/4 cup sugar, salt, and strawberries in a pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir often with a spoon and, using the back of it, crush the berries. Continue to boil, stirring often, until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Let cool, cover, and refrigerate until well chilled.

3. Pour the chilled syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher; discard the pulp. Add the lemon juice to syrup and stir well. Taste, and adjust to desired sweetness.

4. Pour lemonade into glasses. Serve with ice cubes and garnish with thin lemon slices.

Note: Recipe makes four 8 oz. servings. Double to refresh more of your friends! 

Summer 2013 Fashion Obsession: Maxi Skirts

Hello all! I've missed blogging oh so much! The past 6 months have been hectic in preparing for graduation and college. But, things have slowed down and I'm ready to get back into blogging. Thanks for sticking with me readers! :) I hope that this summer, I can bring to you interesting, encouraging and inspiring posts for your closet, mirror and your heart!

To start us off…I'm going to share with you my newest obsession in fashion trends for the summer! Maxi skirts! Maxi skirts can bring elegance and a soft side to any outfit. They're perfect for summer evenings or a walk on the beach. I've found several DIYs for Maxi skirts that you can find on my Pinterest page (click here to see it). But below are just a few pictures of inspiration for your maxi skirt obsession!

With Love!

Shelby 

Valentines Day: Lovely Nails!

I'm so excited to start posting Valentines Day themed posts! Valentines Day is one of my favorite holidays! :) And you don't have to have to be in a relationship to celebrate it! A few years ago, I absolutely hated Valentines Day because I was always the single one who never got any Valentines. But as I've gotten older I've realized that Valentines Day is about friends and family, the ones who have always loved me!  Rather than some guy who hasn't known me very long. :) To get you in the Valentines Day mood, try one of these terrific nail designs!

Christmas Snacks: Chex Mix!

Chex Mix is my favorite snack to make during the holidays! If you haven't made this fun snack before, I encourage you to give it a try! It's a pretty straightforward recipe. You can also find several variations of the recipe. I think that this season, I'm going to try and make the bold chex mix.

Original Chex Mix Recipe

3	cups Corn Chex® cereal
3	cups Rice Chex® cereal
3	cups Wheat Chex® cereal
1	cup mixed nuts
1	cup bite-size pretzels
1	cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces
6	tablespoons butter or margarine
2	tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2	teaspoons seasoned salt
3/4	teaspoon garlic powder
1/2	teaspoon onion powder

1.	In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.
2.	Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container.
Oven Directions Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Favorite Christmas Movie: Home Alone

Home alone is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. Macaulay Culkin's character, Kevin, gets left home alone when his family goes to spend their Christmas in Paris. He has to defend for himself against the "wet bandits" (a pair of robbers that clog the drains and leave the sinks on of the homes that they rob). Kevin's set ups to outsmart and hurt the pair of robbers will leave you laughing your socks off. :D If you have seen Home Alone before, check out a few of these pictures! 

Stocking Stuffer Idea: Homemade Lip Moisturizer

I've found another great stocking stuffer idea! If you're the crafty type, try making this Homemade Lip Moisturizer! If you'd like to add some color to your moisturizer add in some of your favorite lipgloss or lipstick! Also, you can add in shimmer or glitter!

This recipe makes enough to fill  6 to 7 – 1/2 oz containers depending on how full you make them.

Ingredients needed:

3 Tbls Coconut Oil

3 Tbls Honey

1 Tbls Beeswax

Using a small saucepan over low heat combine your coconut oil, honey and beeswax.  Stir continually until it is all melted and combined 5-7 minutes.  Remove from heat and carefully spoon into containers.  I used a measuring spoon to fill my containers to ensure I didn’t spill and each container received the same amount. I put 2 1/2 teaspoons in each container.

This is what they looked like right after they were filled.

This is what they look like as the started to cool and harden.  I allowed them to fully cool, about three hours before placing the lids on them.  I also tried to whip the mixture after it was melted to see if it made a difference and then spoon it in.  You can see from the photo below, other than looking messy I didn’t notice a bit of difference, so save yourself some work and spoon it in.

Have some cute little sticker labels made for the tops of the tins and you have some super cute little frugal yet practical homemade gifts!  I have been using this since we made it and love it!

Via: http://thefrugalgreenishmama.com/2012/05/diy-homemade-natural-honey-coconut-lip-moisturizer.html