12/5/2016 0 Comments MM Look Book: Holiday Dresses 101Y'all, the holidays are fast approaching, and with that comes a great excuse to add some fun new items to the wardrobe! Check out all of my favorite picks for holiday parties below... whether you're attending a wedding, throwin' down with your besties, or going to the office party, there is something perfect for every occasion. Click to shop all of these looks here! Cheers to the holiday season and all of its fabulous clothes and accessories!! Thanks for reading! XX- Molly
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The Harper Feather Necklace by Stella & Dot is my favorite accessory, especially for the holidays!! It's so fabulous, y'all!! While it is flashy and makes a statement, it is also surprisingly versatile. Today, I'll walk you through the 4 basic ways to style this necklace (or any flashy statement piece for that matter!) Take a look... Let's first do the obvious... Formal attire. Feathers and formal...they go hand in hand! This piece was meant for a party! The Harper Necklace is the perfect thing to dress up any basic LBD. The black & gold tones also look stunning when paired with a bright color such as red. Solid colored lace in black, beige, ivory, or metallic would also create a stunning, formal look. Now let's talk about the opposite end of the spectrum--casual, everyday wear. I'm sure most of you are thinking, "how could I ever wear this on a 'normal' day," but you totally can!! You make the rules, so why not add some sparkle and feathers to your ordinary day? Pair her with a solid colored top and patterned jeans. Throw on a pair of flats, grab your bag, and you're ready to run your errands in some serious S-T-Y-L-E! It would also look great with a structured, button-down shirt and colored or black jeans. Let's not forget about date night!! The best night of the week. Here, I have paired her with a form-fitting leather dress and a long, pink poncho to create a dramatic effect. The Harper really pops off of any color, so don't think you should limit yourself to black. Throw on a sky-high heel, grab a clutch, & off you go! And last but not least...the office! Pair the necklace with any type of suit, and you'll be in line for the next promotion! But really, it knocks your tailored look up a notch while still being professional. Don't be afraid to add some sass to your look just because your at your 9 to 5. The Harper Feather Necklace definitely adds spice to any outfit!! Now hurry and go scoop one up for yourself and a friend...you'll love it, I promise!! Thanks for reading...
I hope this post has inspired you to try something new & a little out of the box. When you are confidant, you're whole disposition changes; and I am a firm believer that a little sparkle and some feathers go a long way! Cheers to fabulous accessories! XX-Molly P.S. - A big thanks to my dear friend Santhi, who inspired this post. And a big shout out to my friend Charlotte who is the best Stella & Dot Stylist! It is officially the start of the holiday season, yay! In light of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the near-one-year anniversary of the launch of my blog and little creative corner of the internet, I wanted to thank all of the influential people who have helped me get here! And last but certainly not least, a HUGE "thank you" to all of my friends and family who read my blog, share my posts, and shop my site -- you all are the reason this has been successful! Thank you for your love and support! -Aunt Dana -Aunt B -Aunt Jeanie -Aunt Rita -Teresa Parris -Gammey -Grandma Jean -My Mother-in-law, Pam -My Sister-in-law, Kelli -Santhi -Ashton -By bestie Bri (who taught me how to Instagram like a pro!) -To all of my cousins who are so supportive -To my Kappa Delta Sorority sisters -To my VMI family -And to ANYONE who has ever read, shared, or looked at my blog & website - thank you!!! It's no secret that I love a good beauty product! What I like even more is a good priced beauty product that does the trick just as well as those swanky ones that take all of my money. So, today I am sharing my favorite bargain beauty buys! #1 - Hawaiian Tropic's Silk Hydration This is typically used for sun burn or after sun exposure, but it's also excellent to use after shaving your legs! The aloe is cool and calming while the lotion hydrates--it's the best of both worlds in one bottle! Try it, I swear by it. You'll love it!! #2 - Batiste Dry Shampoo Dry shampoo is a staple around my house! It provides the perfect amount of texture and product to my hair for curling. I have tried my fair share of brands, and I have found this one to be the best! They have tons of options as far as scent goes, and they also offer different colors to coordinate with your hair color. (I use the blonde when my roots get really bad; it provides a light dusting of color to help hide the damage.) #3 - The Conair Infinity X-Pro 1.5" Curling Iron I am often asked about what kind of hair styling tools I use. While I splurged on my DryBar Buttercup hair dryer, I decided to be a little more frugal with the curling iron to start out with while I tested out the style. The style stuck and so did the curling iron (not literally though)! I do love it!! It does the trick just as well as any professional tool. It gets very hot very quickly, but doesn't dry out my hair in the process. #4 - Loreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara This product is simply F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! It gives just the right amount of volume and length, and I love that it's waterproof. It comes off very easily with a little face soap and warm water. #5 - Pixi Make-Up Fixing Mist This rose-water- based make-up fixing mist really works! Living in a humid place, I thought it was a little silly to add more moisture; but after I tried it, I was sold! It really does help my make-up stay put all day! And, it's also the perfect refreshing pick-me-up throughout the day. #6 - Sally Henson, Dries Instantly Top Coat I swear this top coat really does dry instantly... I promise!! This is the BEST top coat I have found. Besides drying at record speed, it's shiny and durable. If you're like me and always try to do a last minute manicure before going somewhere, or if you just don't have time to wait around (like all of us) this is the perfect find! Comment and let me know what your favorite bargain beauty buys are, too. I would love to try them out! Thanks for reading, y'all!! Cheers - Molly Let me start off by saying that our bedroom is no where near being done; however, I am so in love with our new mattress and bedding I just couldn't wait to post about it! The challenge for me here was making the room comfortable for both me and Conner. My personal style is very preppy; and his is, well, not. I prefer loud patterns and bright colors while Conner would be happy with some brown furniture and a discount-store comforter. But, in the words of Leigh Anne Tuohy, from The Blind Side, "It was heinous, and I was not about to let that in my house, so I got something nicer." So here's a little sneak peek and all of the links to shop this look. Shop the look Thanks for reading! Cheers to happy sleeping! XX-Molly So what do you do when your child-hood best friend, who is really like the annoying brother you never had, is getting married!? Throw a stock the bar party of course!! But seriously... friends who are really family is a true gift in life and we were so happy to be apart of this special time. A "stock the bar party" is a fun choice, especially when hosting something for the couple (not just a bridal shower; the soon to be hubby needs some love too). There are TONS of ideas and themes on Pinterest that the options are pretty much endless. Check out our fall themed stock the bar bash below - I even included a tutorial on how to re-create our pumpkin center pieces! These would also be great for a Thanksgiving center piece, hostess gift, or "just because"! Pumpkin Flower Arrangement Tutorial: Items needed: -1 medium to large pumpkin, as round and perfect as you can find! -1 carving knife -1 spoon -Old newspaper -6-8" tall flower vase (this will depend on the height of your pumpkin - choose a vase that is small enough to fit within) -Flowers! Whatever you like best! Instructions: -Carve out the "lid" of the pumpkin. Be sure to make the hole a decent size, as if you were carving a jack-o-lantern -Remove the lid and throw it away. Begin to remove the insides of the pumpkin. Clean it out as best you can but it doesn't have to be perfect. -Place your vase in the center of the hole and stuff newspapers around it. This will help hold it in place so it doesn't move around. -Fill with water and begin arranging! Be sure to cut some shorter pieces so that it covers up the hole. -Now you have the perfect fall arrangement! Cheers y'all - to fall, family friends, a life time of love, & stock the bar parties!! Thanks for reading! XX-Molly Nothing says "FALL-Y'ALL" like an afternoon at the pumpkin patch! I grew up coming to this particular pumpkin patch, Lineberger Farm, and I was so happy that I got to share this special place with my hubby this year! Not only was he my pumpkin pickin' buddy; but he was also my photographer - & he was such a good sport! Check out our adventure and all of my outfit details below! I think this is probably my favorite fall outfit...ever!! I have worn it approximately three times already. Shop all of the details here! Happy Fall Y'all!! Thanks for reading!! Cheers to fall adventures! XX-Molly Fall, football, & Sunday afternoons are just a few of my favorite things! Check out my favorite "tailgate food" recipes below! Parmesan Chicken Wings From the kitchen of my Aunt Dana Ingredients: Chicken wings (I prefer all drumettes.) 1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese, finely grated 2 tablespoons dried oregano 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon garlic powder "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two baking sheets by covering in foil and spraying with Pam (really coat the trays well because the wings will stick). Rinse wings and pat dry. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Spray wings thoroughly with butter-flavored spray then roll them in the cheese mixture, covering completely. Place the wings on the cookie sheets. Bake for 1 hour. Pickle Roll-Ups From the kitchen of my wonderful mother-in-law, Pam Ingredients: 1 jar Vlasic dill pickles 1 package cream cheese - softened Dried oregano - to taste Seasoning salt - to taste Rectangular shaped ham slices Directions: Soften the cream cheese. Add dried oregano and seasoning salt to taste, mix well. Take pickles out of jar and dry with a paper towel. Also, dry each piece of ham with paper towels. Lay out a piece of ham on a cutting board, spread cream cheese mixture evenly over entire piece, place pickle on edge and roll. Slice into rounds with a serrated knife. Repeat until finished. Chill in refrigerator or serve immediately. P.S. Those adorable napkins are from Swoozies - Shop them here! White Chicken Chili From my very own kitchen :) Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 medium/large sweet Vidalia or yellow onions - diced small 1 jalapeno pepper - diced very small 2-4oz. cans green chilies (do not drain) 4 garlic cloves - peeled, finely minced 32 ounces (4 cups) low-sodium chicken broth 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 1 whole grocery store rotisserie chicken) 2-15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon cumin 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoons salt, or to taste 1 teaspoon black pepper 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely minced Diced avocado - for garnish Sour cream - for garnish Shredded mozzarella cheese - for garnish Directions: Take 1 cup of the beans, add to a food processor or blender, add a splash of chicken broth or water and blend until smooth; mixture should be thick In a large Dutch oven, warm oil over medium heat and add the onion, jalapeno, green chilies, and sauté for about 7 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften. Stir intermittently. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir intermittently. Add the chicken broth, chicken, cannellini beans (including blended bean mixture), lime juice, cumin, oregano, salt, & pepper. Bring to a boil. Allow mixture to boil gently for about 7 to 10 minutes. It's unlikely, but if at any point the overall liquid level looks low or you prefer your chili to be thinner, add 1 cup of water or as desired; you'll adjust the salt and seasoning levels at the end. For thicker chili, allow mixture to boil longer and reduce until desired thickness is reached. Add the cilantro and boil 1 minute longer. Taste chili and a make any necessary seasoning adjustments. Serve with desired garnishes & Jiffy mix corn muffins Cheers to fall, football & Sunday afternoons! Thanks for reading! XX- Molly I am a huge fan of holistic remedies, both at-home treatments and doctors that practice Eastern medicine. So, today I thought I would share a few of my favorite basic holistic options. "Holistic," in medical terms, is defined as "characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease." I think this form of treatment is often mistaken for being "hanky," but in reality it has been in existence a lot longer than Western medicine; so why not try it out? Today I'll go over some basics: -Sleeping aids -Stress relievers -Allergy treatments -The benefits of hot lemon water -Plant-based vitamins -Uses for tea tree oil Sleep. We all could use more of it! Getting sleep is important to the overall health of your body. It helps keep you from getting sick and keeps ya looking young and fresh. The sleep itself isn't always the problem - falling asleep and staying asleep can be. Sleep Sound by Gaia, is my absolute favorite, but Melatonin is also a great alternative. These are all natural products that help your brain sort of "turn off" and your body relax. I promise it works wonders and you'll wake up more relaxed and well rested! Drinking a glass of hot lemon water in the mornings (or really any time) has many health benefits! -For starters, it helps hydrate you. -It helps to flush the toxins out of your body after sleeping all night. -It helps activate and regulate your digestive system. -It helps reduce pain and inflammation in joints, especially knees. -It helps maintain eye health. -And if nothing else, it helps prevent wrinkles and acne. For a full list of benefits see: http://www.foodmatters.com/article/cheers-to-drin king-warm-lemon-water for more! Managing stress is a tough task! These are two of my favorite remedies to help take the edge off. - Holy Basil Leaf : A pill form created from the holy basil plant. It originated in India and is used to help reduce anxiety and stress. Natures Way & Gaia are two good brands. -Rescue Remedy is a liquid with no taste. Drop a few drops into your water, or any drink, a few times a day. It helps you with calmness, focus, and relaxation. Bach is the only brand I use. Essential oils have been used for centuries to treat different ailments. Lavender, peppermint, and lemon are used in combination for the treatment of seasonal allergies. 3 drops of each one into a vegetable capsule does the trick. The lavender oil can also be used to help with sleep, too. Dab a little behind each ear and under your nose, and you'll snooze away. Peppermint is great for treating headaches; dab a few drops on your temples to feel some relief. Young Living is a great brand because they truly are 100% essential oils. You do have to order these through a dealer; so if you're interested, send me a message on the "About Me" page, and I can get you connected with someone! My mother-in-law introduced me to these vitamins a few years ago. They are plant based and help keep your immune system strong! I usually take one of each twice a day, two vegetable and two fruit, with a meal and a glass of water. Tea tree oil can be used for pretty much any type of skin treatment--rashes, sun burns, acne spots, scrapes & sores (it's a natural antiseptic), You name it; it treats it. It's great to use alone or mixed in with lotions. The one down side is the less-than pleasant scent that can be quite potent. Well that's all for today! With fall and winter right around the corner, I hope these remedies are helpful in keeping everybody happy and healthy! Cheers to alternative health options Thanks for reading! XX- Molly Who doesn't love a paid holiday? Labor Day is a bittersweet holiday--it's the unofficial end of summer but a great excuse to take a mini vacay! This year we took a hop, skip, and a jump down to Ocean Isle Beach where my grandparents have a home. It's the perfect family beach half way between Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC. I grew up coming to this beach, so it's extra special to me, and sharing it with my hubby makes me extra happy! Check out all of our adventures... Day 1 - We survived hurricane Hermine! That called for lunch at Sharkey's and an afternoon of cozying up on the couch! So glad I packed my Hunter Wellies! By the next morning, the storm had passed, and the skies were clear; the air was fresh, and the temperature was cool-- perfect conditions for a morning run down to the beach! Our cute accommodations for the weekend! Finally some time on the beach!! We were lucky enough to have two perfect days!! Dinner at our favorite place - The Provision Company at Holden Beach (just the next island over). It's definitely a hole-in-the-wall type of place, but the atmosphere is FUN and the shrimp burgers are OUT OF THIS WORLD! A morning paddle board sesh in the canal! It's the perfect way to exercise and look at the pretty houses :) We spent our last night in - ordered pizza, played corn hole, drank gin & tonics, and played one epic game of cards against humanity! It's always sad to leave the beach, but we made the trip home a special one! A pit stop at our favorite Ice-Cream/Farm stand for some fresh fruit & a snack! Peaches & Cream is a MUST. Cheers to a fun and fabulous weekend at the beach! I hope you all had safe, fun Labor Day weekends. Until next year...the beach will be waiting! Thanks for reading! XX-Molly |
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