My Best Friend is Having a Baby!

I really couldn’t think of a super creative or cheeky title for this post. Probably because I’m just so downright excited that I am going to be an aunt! Erin and I have been friends since we were little kids playing with our Breyer horses and driving go-carts through the mud. Yea. We had an interesting and awesome childhood! Now, she and her wonderful husband Travis are going to welcome a little baby boy into the world next month and I just can’t express how happy I am for them! AND how happy I am for me! I can’t wait to spoil this little guy tee-totally rotten!

We took maternity pictures a few weekends ago and here are a few of my favorite shots!

She isn’t due until the first of next month, but everyone is thinking that Lucas is going to make his appearance sooner than later. Needless to say, I no longer put my Iphone on “do not disturb” at night in anticipation of the “the baby is coming!” call! I know Erin’s mom is hoping that Lucas will at least wait until after Saturday to appear that way he won’t be a guest at his own baby shower!

Don’t you worry! I will let you know AS SOON AS Lucas arrives!

Danni

Review: Physicians Formula Mineral Correcting Powder

     I picked up Physicians Formula Mineral Correcting Powder at Target for around $13.00 about a month ago. I gravitated towards this one because of its claims to “correct the most common skin imperfections, smooth skin texture and even out skin tone. Pink brightens, Green tones down redness and Yellow adds warmth.” Despite these lofty claims, this product totally delivers. 

This powder goes on smoothly over foundation and totally changes your complexion. I have found myself wearing less and less foundation thanks to Physicians Formula! I have strong red undertones in my skin and I have combated that with different foundations and powders for years, however this powder totally evens out my skin tone without making me look pasty or dull. In the place of my redness, I am left with an even complexion and a beautiful glow. If you are looking for shine control, you will also not be let down by this compact. Despite my skin’s tenancy to become oily midday, this powder totally prevents that while also keeping my foundation in place. Need another bonus? All Physicians Formula products are cruelty free! So you can buy without harming any critters in the process.

If I had to list a con to all the pros of this makeup, I would have to say its the brush. Though this is not an issue for me since I never use the brushes that come with compacts. But if you do, beware because the brush is very small and course. My advice: grab a regular powder brush and don’t let this tiny con prevent you from trying out this amazing product!

This is without a question my all time favorite powder and I will certainly be buying it again! If you decide to try it out please let me know what you think!

Danni

How to Build a Versatile Wardrobe Part 2: The Game Plan

Now, let’s hope at this point that you have successfully completed The Purge! CONGRATULATIONS! Purging your closet is not easy! Consequently, you deserve a big fat congrats for getting through it and you are now one step closer to creating your dream, versatile wardrobe. So, now what comes next? When taking on any large or potentially difficult task it is always helpful to have a Game Plan and that is what we are going to talk about today.

Since you have hopefully let go of a lot of your clothes, it is clear that you are going to need to do some shopping. However, some of you might feel really lost when shopping. It might be hard for you to find things that fit properly or you might just feel really overwhelmed when you step in to that large department store. Creating a Game Plan will really help you tackle the large task of building a new wardrobe and make it feel much less daunting. So here are some questions that you need to ask yourself prior to embarking on your shopping trip that will help you feel more prepared.

What do I like? That might seem like a really strange question, but sometimes our wardrobes really do not reflect what styles, trends, and fashions that we actually like. It is easy to convince yourself that you can’t wear a trend or use your old clothes as a security blanket or to be afraid to branch out. So, before hitting the mall, browse Pintrest, fashion magazines, catalogs, blogs, etc and find outfits that you really like. Save them on your phone or print them off your computer. Then you will have them for reference and be able to look for those pieces once you are actually at the clothing store.

What do I need? Now this probably seems like a really huge question however the answer (even if you don’t realized it) is almost always BASICS. Long sleeved t-shirts, solid basic t-shirts, camisoles, solid oxfords, a fitted blazer, and jeans. If you do not have any or many of these (that fit well! And if they don’t fit well, you should have already tossed them out!) in your closet, they need to be a huge part of your game plan. Endless outfits can be created through mixing and matching these pieces.

Where am I going to go shopping? Figuring out where to find clothes that really fit you well can be hard. The fact is, you are probably going to have to visit several different stores. Don’t be discouraged! This is normal! Also, if you are used to shopping at one particular store – branch out. Remember, you threw out a lot of those old clothes for a reason! Going back to the same place you bought them might not be the answer. Pre-shopping isn’t a bad idea either. Visit different retailers’ websites and see if they have items that fit your style. This might save you some valuable time by prevent you from wandering into a store that totally does not compliment your size or style. If you possible, it is always a good idea to bring along a honest friend on your shopping adventure. A second opinion is usually never a bad thing.

How much is this going to cost? Set a budget prior to shopping and do not go over that budget. If you love to shop like me, this might be hard. In order to not be tempted, I usually withdraw cash from an ATM prior to shopping and leave my debit and credit cards at home. That way I won’t be able to exceed my budget even if I, in the moment, want to. If you foresee yourself having trouble staying on budget, you might want to do the same. Better to be safe now than poor later. Unfortunately, clothes are not cheap. So, in order to stay on budget and make the most of your money, prioritize what you items you spend the most on. Invest in quality pieces that you know you will wear forever (black pumps, a blazer, oxford shirt, etc.) and do not spend much on trendier items that will only be cool for a season or two.

All righty! I hope this advice will help you towards your goal of achieving a brand new, versatile, “I love my closet so much” wardrobe! Stay tuned for the next installment of this series COMING SOON!

Danni

How to Build a Versatile Wardrobe Part 1: The Purge

Do your clothes make you look like you belong in a different era? Do they fall off because they are too big or are they uncomfortable because they are too tight? Do you feel like you are in a fashion rut? Have you not been shopping in years? Or do your shopping trips yield little results? Does shopping make you feel overwhelmed? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this series is for you!

This is the first installment of my “How to Build a Versatile Wardrobe” series! In this post, I’m going to walk you through a very important part of creating a great, new wardrobe: purging. Getting rid of some of your old pieces is essential to creating a new wardrobe but it can sometimes be easier said than done. For some reason, we can get really emotionally attached to clothes or we hope that someday they will fit again but, in reality, they are just clothes and it is better to have ones that look and fit good than have a bunch of old pieces that are simply just taking up space. So, how do you decide what to get rid of and what to keep? Here are some tips to help you make great fashion decisions.

When considering whether or not to keep or get rid of an item ask yourself these questions:

Does it fit? Although it will take a while, make sure to try on everything. Don’t tell yourself “well it doesn’t fit right now but it might if I lose/gain weight”. NO! Dress for the body you have now. Size is just a number and you might be surprised at how great simply wearing clothes that fit can make your body look. If it does not fit or the fit is not great, toss it out.
Is it in good condition? No matter how much you like it, if it has holes, looks terribly worn, is really faded, or has any stains, its time to let it go.
Is it outdated? If you bought it years ago, have had it since high school (all that Hollister and Abercrombie stuff from junior year…), or it is something that you know is no longer in style (fanny packs I’m talking to you!), get rid of it. Clothes and accessories that are from a different decade, are really worn, or are too young/old for you never, ever look good.
Will you be tempted to wear it somewhere you shouldn’t? Everyone needs some clothes for lounging around, mowing the grass, and cleaning the house, but if you are ever tempted to wear your toilet cleaning clothes to dinner or out shopping remove the temptation and throw it out.

This might have been okay then, but please don’t let this be you now!

Now that you have gone through all your clothes, what do you do with them?

Sell them! Taking your old clothes to a local consignment store can make you some extra cash to go towards your new wardrobe!
Donate them! Anything the consignment store doesn’t take, donate them immediately. As in, swing by the Goodwill or Salvation Army before going home! Why? Because if you take those purged clothes back home you might be tempted to hang on to them and unfortunately they might sneak their way back into your closet. Sneaky little boogers…

For some, purging is the hardest part of the process. Letting go isn’t always easy! But after you have removed some of the problems from your closet, you have a clean slate and are ready to start creating that fresh, new, versitile wardrobe!

xoxo
Danni

p.s. Check back! “How to Build a Versatile Wardrobe Part 2: Creating a Game Plan” is coming soon!

DIY: Burlap and Holly Berry Letter

On a recent trip to Michaels, my mom and I both bought some really big, really cool wood letters for around $2. I didn’t know what I was going to do with it at the time but I figured I would figure something out. While browsing Pintrest, I found this picture and fell in love.

Since we are moving into the Christmas season, I decided to keep the rustic feel of my inspiration letter but take it into a more Christmas-y direction. Here is what I used:

I also used a small piece of sandpaper to rough up the letter a little bit to give it that vintage look. I also turned to Pintrest to figure out how to make a burlap bow. This tutorial was great.

She used burlap ribbon but I didn’t have any so I just used actual burlap. Also, she used floral wire which I also didn’t have (and was too lazy and cheap to go out and buy) so I just hot glued the entire thing. Here is the final product!

I’m really pleased with how it turned out! It has surely got me in the Christmas spirit!

xoxo,
Danni

Fall Fun

Fall is such a beautiful time of year! Especially here in the mountains! Blue skies. Gorgeous leaves. A trip to an old hunting cabin had no shortage of these fall staples.

The sunrises and sunsets have been gorgeous lately as well.

Our roosters enjoying their breakfast.

Little Pig isn’t so little anymore.

Or pound puppy Tikka has more than doubled in size too!

These little ones are less than a month old. My little bantam hen hatched them out herself!

“No more pictures! Let us sleep!”

xoxo
Danni

OOTD: Maxi Dress for Fall

I’m obsessed with maxi dresses. They are such a comfortable and easy summer staple. But do we really have to put them away when summer is over? Of course not! They are so easy to layer and are perfectly suited for fall weather. Here is how I transformed my solid black maxi dress into a fun outfit for fall.

I scored this maxi at Old Navy a few weeks ago for $5 (woohoo!).

I also got this tee from Old Navy for $3 (wow!). I bought it a few sizes too big so it would be slouchy.

Taddaaaa! By just simply popping that $3 tee over the dress I have a great fall outfit! Not only was this outfit incredibly cheap, but it’s also comfy and fall appropriate.

Are you still rocking your maxi dresses this fall?

xoxo
Danni

5 Easy Tips to Make Your Nail Polish Last Longer

Taking the time out of your busy day to paint your nails is not always easy. I love having freshly polished nails, however I sometimes have to force myself to sit down, take the time, and just paint them. Because it takes such an effort for me to actually give myself a manicure, when I do I really, REALLY want it to last. There is nothing more aggravating than spending thirty minutes on your nails just to have them dull and chipped the next day. So not cool.

The bottom line is: we all want our manicures to last longer. Preferably until we just get tired of the color. Here are some simple tips that will help you get closer to achieving that goal.

1) Start with a good basecoat. Yes, it is an extra step so it adds a little bit of time and work to your manicure, but it is so worth it in the end. It often will double or even triple the life of your manicure. Before applying the basecoat, it is essential that your nails are super clean and dry. This assures that your basecoat and polish will adhere properly; if there is any oil, dirt, or resudue polish will not adhere to your nail. The basecoat that I recommend is Orly Bonder Rubberized Basecoat. Read more about it here.

2) Steer clear of hot water and hand sanitizer. I’m totally not telling you to skip showers in order to preserve your nail polish. Everyone would rather you have chipped polish than stink! Instead when you are doing chores or something else that involve your hands being submerged in hot water for a long period of time (i.e. washing dishes, hot tubs, long baths, etc) try and keep your hands above water as much as possible. A quick fix for the dish washing problem is to simply wear gloves (or have your husband do them! Ha!).

3) Update your topcoat. I’m assuming here that you are using a topcoat in the first place – which you should be. A quality top coat is essential to preventing chips and keeping your manicure shiny. However, though you may be using a topcoat, you might not be updating it. What I mean is, after about two days of wear, your topcoat will typically begin to wear off and your nails will be more susceptible to chips and will lose shine. To prevent this, just slap another quick top coat over your nails every few days and, if you do have any chips, another thin coat of polish will quickly take care of that. You will be amazed at how great this keeps your manicure looking.

4) Speaking of topcoat, don’t forget to apply it under the tips of your nails. The very tips of my nail is where my worst chipping always occurs. But, after I began extending the application of my topcoat over the tip and under my nail, my polish has all but stopped chipping. My favorite topcoat is Revlon Quick Dry Topcoat and you can find out more about this product, including where to buy it, here.

5) Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize. Wearing rubber gloves when doing housework can really prolong your manicure, however applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your nails and cuticles will not only moisturize but also provide protection for your polish. Applying a quick absorbing moisturizer frequently and liberally to your hands will keep your cuticles and nails healthy and, in turn, make for an altogether better manicure.

If you follow these tips, you might really be surprised at how well your manicure will wear. I have had my polish last for more than 10 days! Though many would disagree, I really do not think it matters much what actual brand of polish you use. I have oftentimes had just as much success with a $5 bottle as a $25 bottle. In the long run, it is more about proper application and maintenance, not labels.

I hope you enjoy!

xoxo
Danni

OOTD: Army Jacket

I just had to share with you the beautiful sunrise that I experienced a few days ago! I love mornings!

I am so obsessed with this army jacket right now! It is a little oversized which makes it so comfy and the color goes with everything! I was somewhat skeptical at first, but it really is the perfect fall jacket. For this outfit, I just paired it with a tshirt (from Old Navy), a simple black skirt (from Maurices), booties (from Target), and a fun camo scarf (also from Maurices)!

Ike said “show the camera some love!” Lol

Now, I have to post just a few more Kyleigh pictures. I just can’t help myself.

OOTD: comfy cozy

Sometimes I have those days where all I want to do is stay in my pjs. All. Day. Long. Even though I love clothes and putting together new outfits is one of my favorite things to do, there are still times where I just want to be comfy and cozy. Luckily, I have a wonderful job that allows me to wear great fashion, express my own style, and permits cute, comfy outfits like this one!

A simple oversized sweat shirt, leopard scarf, leggings, and knee high boots kept me both comfortable and stylish for a day at work.

Leggings, sweatshirt, leggings, scarf from Maurices. Boots are Madden Girl by Steve Madden also from Maurices.

And Kyleigh because she is so darn cute! 🙂

xoxo
Danni