What I Wore Wednesday {Falling for Brown}

Linking up again for WIWW over at The Pleated Poppy!  You can check out my Weekend Wrap-Up post from yesterday (Here) to see what I wore for the Halloween themed Farmer's Market this past weekend.

Today I pulled out my clogs, which I have had forever.  I can't remember where they came from, maybe Target, or Payless, or TJMaxx... anyway, I love them!

My most favorite way to wear them is paired with Jeans and a solid top.

 Today the color was brown, and I felt perfectly dressed for a comfortable fall day... and shopping at Target, where I picked up some cute clothes for the little chicks!  Did you know: Gwen Stefani has a children's clothing line for Target coming out this month?!? It's true!  Eeeeeep! How exciting!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

P.S.: Don't mind the dust and lack of molding on my floors, the hubs and I just installed them this past weekend... I still have a crick in my neck and bruises on my legs to prove it!  Aren't they fabulous though!?

XxOo~ Melissa

Weekend Wrap-Up {Halloween Fun & Random Acts of Kindness}

I hope you all had a safe and fun Halloween!  

Yesterday was a busy day, as was this past weekend, which explains for my lack of anything blog related!

I'll wrap-up my weekend with pictures and share something fun to boot!

For starters, we celebrated Halloween at the New Bern Farmer's Market on Saturday by dressing up and handing out candy....

to get in to the spirit, I made up these cute little ghost squishies for the kids:

 Here I am dressed as a Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) painted face girl.  This Mexican Holiday is actually celebrated Nov 2nd and 3rd.

 Here is a close up of my make-up, which was fun to do:

On Sunday, the hubs and I put in our new wood laminate flooring... We. Love. It! 

Note: My knees are killing me and I've been taking motrin since... yikes!

 Finally, Here are my little chicks all ready for trick-or-treating:

Rapunzel and Day of the Dead girl. :-)

I made Rapunzel's hair, via Pinterest inspiration, 

using yellow yarn and ribbon.. no sew, no glue.  *Woot!*

For the Dia De Los Muertos headpiece, 

I used a thin headband, black netting, some BHG flowers and a hot glue gun. *Wink*

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This week I am also linking with Alyson over at Eisley Rae for Random Acts of *Holiday* Kindness.

Basically, it's sharing what we have done, or plan to do in my case today, to pay it forward and bring happiness to someone else with a Random Act of Kindness.

I had intended to do this yesterday, but WILL do it this week.

I'm going to make a sour cream coffee cake for "Granny".  She is my friend's Mom, but also helped out by sitting for Trista for almost 5 years that I worked at the Animal Hospital.

Always there if we needed her, even keeping T when she was sent home sick from school if I needed to be at work... really such a lifesaver and sweet lady... and awesome cook!

I haven't been by to visit with the little chicks in a while; we went over yesterday for trick-or-treating and I decided I would make a plan to visit with her more often...  

so, for starters I'll bring a cake. Yum.

Source: americastestkitchen.com

You should link up, too!  It always makes us feel good to make someone else happy!

P.S.~ Are you ready for the start of the Holiday Season?!

XxOo~ Melissa

Check It Out! {October Sponsors}

Really, is October almost over?!  I can't believe it has flown by so quickly... wait, yes I can... the older I get the faster time moves.  It's true.


I'm happy to say I've had two new buttons on my sidebar this month from two lovely ladies and I'm ready to introduce you!

{Sponsor Love: Check them out!}

Meet Rachel of The Chatty Mommy:

I am a stay at home mom of 4, two girls, two boys with a great husband I have known since we are 13.
I love the Lord and am so thankful he is in control of my life.
I love to do crafts, cook and talk!  I am a bad at housekeeping, but always striving to be better.
I love blogging, reading them and writing mine.

Rachel also hosts a Friday Follow Link Party on her blog... be sure to check that out, too!

 

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My Next October Sponsor is Andrea of Bubblewrapp'd

You may remember Andrea from her Guest Post During my Celebration Week when she gave us real advice on Balancing our Handmade Business with Family.

She also has a great etsy shop where she makes and sells super cute blocks for your home, like this "Love Like Crazy" block:

{Via Bubblewrappd.etsy.com}

or to gift, like this Wedding Block Set:

{Via Bubblewrappd.etsy.com}

Way cute, right? And reasonable! Check her out!

* * *

 Thanks bunches, ladies, for allowing me to share you with my readers!

Have a Fabulous Weekend!

XxOo~ Melissa

Inspiration Workshop [Favorite Recipe: Black-eyed Pea Chili]

Linking up with Gussy Sews' Inspiration Workshop today and the prompt is Favorite Recipes...yum! 


I'm going to share a recipe that I picked up a few years ago when I was working at the Animal Hospital.  One of the Dr.'s Wives was a super awesome cook and it was such a treat for her to bring lunch or dessert up to us!  I've tweaked her recipe to make something that fits my family's taste and we all love it.... it's our perfect cool-weather-comfort food.


Black-eyed Pea Chili w/Cornbread

You will need:
1lb bulk sausage (I use Bob Evans, but you can use whichever... mild or hot)
1c chopped onion
1c chopped celery
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
2c frozen cut Okra
3 cans Black-eyed peas
14oz can diced tomatoes
salt & pepper to taste
1tsp Italian seasoning
2Tbls sugar


Brown your sausage in a dutch oven or, in my case, a large stock pot (which came with my cookware).  Stir the sausage so that it crumbles; drain. 


Add chopped veggies with frozen Okra and cook over low heat until veggies are soft and translucent, being careful not to cook the Okra to mush.


Stir in black-eyed peas, along with the liquid in the can; add tomatoes and spices.  Simmer on low heat for 20-25minutes.


In the meantime... make your cornbread.  I'm almost heasitant to share my secret Cornbread Recipe with you, but... well... it's Jiffy Cornbread Mix.  I love it.

I also eat a piece before my family sits for dinner... and I don't feel bad about it. *wink*

To Serve:
Place a wedge of cornbread in the bottom of your bowl, top with Chili and add sour cream and shredded cheese to taste.... Enjoy!

**This recipe makes enough for my little family of four, PLUS I can freeze the leftovers (in a plastic container) for dinner another night!  It tastes even better reheated!






XxOo~ Melissa

What I Wore Wednesday {Everyday Chic}

The weather is acting like it wants to feel like fall here in Eastern North Carolina.  The past few mornings I have awoken to crisp cool air... I know this because i'm snuggled under my blanket and the a/c is off, *wink*.  I almost welcome it when I let the pups out in the back yard... "Ahhh, Fall"... but I try not to say it too loudly because I don't want Winter to hear and think it needs to show itself any sooner than I'd like.  I don't like winter.... unless it's Christmas, in which case I can get over it and am happy... but then I'm back to my disdain for the season.

With the cooler weather I can break out my 3/4 sleeves, cardigans and sweaters, though it never really gets cold enough to wear a heavy sweater for long, so my collection over the years has dwindled to maybe one or two... I'll save those for a Winter WIWW post....

Today I'm linking with Ms. Lindsey of The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday {WIWW}... I'm calling this one {Everyday Chic}... Why?  Well, I've decided that this Fall/Winter I'm going to go easy on myself and not stress about my lack of beautiful sweaters and such... instead, I'm going to stick with simple, everyday solids:

Solid tanks, short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves and long sleeves.

I'll pair them with everyday cardigans, wraps and such, as needed for the weather.


How is this {Everyday Chic} you ask?  Well, that's where Accessories come in to play!  Now, for a gal who makes handbags and such I will admit I've never been one to really accessorize beyond the bag... and shoes, I do love shoes.  But, I've decided it's time to really make accessories work for me and really live  by my slogan "Everyday Chic for Everyday Chicks!".

The plan:
Use Everyday Clothes: Solids and some prints, but keeping it simple, things that can be dressed up or down, because honestly... that is what I do anyway!


Stay Everyday Chic: Add accessories to make my outfit {Everyday Chic}!

WIWW: Use at least one WIWW post a month to show off my {Everyday Chic} creation!

Here is my first {Everyday Chic} outfit, Enjoy!

Sunglasses {Reaction by Kennith Cole via TJMaxx}

Necklace {Twillypop.. LOVE!!}

Gray Cardigan {Candies via KHOLS}

Pink 3/4 Sleeve Shirt {I've had forever}

Navy Cami {Target}

Jeans {Red Camel via Belk}

Shoes {Walmart on clearance}

Okay, seriously... this {Twillypop} necklace may or may not be the inspiration for my current accessory obsession; which may or may not be an excuse to buy more accessories... just sayin'.

I've been stalking eyeing Sara's shop for a while now and last week I came across this gray necklace with the pink rosette (my most fav color combo right now) and had to have it!!

I. Love. It.

I bought these shoes on clearance at Walmart last year, or maybe the year before.  I'm happy to say that they have actually lasted, are comfortable, and I really like them... which is very rare with a Walmart clothing/shoe purchase, from my own experience. (Which is usually why it takes a clearance item for me to buy in the first place... it's easier to keep my expectations low.  I'm not sorry, it's true.)

How do you stay Everyday Chic?  What's your favorite Accessory?

Want to see some fabulous Thrifted outfits? Check out my bloggy gal pal Abbie at Five Days... 5 Ways & Secondhand or Bare Bottom, she's a Rockstar when it comes to thrifted outfits!  

XxOo~ Melissa

Halloween Manicure [A Cracklin' Good Time!]

I was walking through the store planning on picking up some black nail polish so that I could try the tips in this Pinterest Pin.... {http://pinterest.com/pin/270105382/}.  But then I came across these:

Halloween orange: {Check}
Dark Gray Crackle: {Check} and how awesome, am I right?!


Using the idea from the above mentioned Pinterest Pin, I grabbed my masking tape and craft scissors and set out to make some fun Halloween Nails!

What you'll need:

~Solid Nail Polish, preferably a color that is going to stand out from under your crackle
~Crackle Nail Polish
~Clear Top Coat Polish
~Masking Tape
~Craft Scissors

Start by painting your nails with the solid color polish... in my case, Halloween Orange!

Once the top coat is dry, use your craft Scissors to cut small strips of Masking Tape to put on your nails:

Once you have the tape on the way you like, it's time to get Cracklin'

You will have to work quickly as the crackle drys fast.  

Also, you don't want to put on more than one coat.

Once you've painted on the crackle, it's time to peel off the tape!

Add clear top coat and you're set!

I painted one hand using the tape and the other without:

I totally love the old, spooky, Halloween feel of this look!

Have you tried Crackle polish, and if so, what are your thoughts?  What other fun nail art have you tried?

XxOo~ Melissa


*Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Salon Perfect, I just happened upon this particular polish in the store.  I got the idea for  using tape to design my nails from the above mentioned Pinterest pin.  Thanks bunches!

Halloween Craft w/ Jen of Sunny Vanilla [A Blog Swap!]

Today I have swapped spaces with Jen from Sunny Vanilla.  I'm blogging over there while she hangs over here and shows you a sweet little Halloween tutorial... Enjoy, and be sure to check out her blog when you're done!  

XxOo~ Melissa

* * *

Hello So Chick Readers!  I'm stopping by to hang out with you all today and share a fun and "ghoulish" kids tutorial with you.  My name is Jen and I'm the gal behind Sunny Vanilla.  I'm a lover of  hamburgers, sewing, hangin' with my fam, and of course crafting.  This little project was inspired by an archived Martha Stewart Halloween project.  I hope you and your kids have fun with this one.  And if you don't have kids, try it anyway.  It will make you feel 20 years younger!  

Here's what you'll need:

needle and thread or white yarn

parchment paper

Elmer's glue

black sharpie

Start by drawing {I just used the freehand method} a ghost with your glue.

 Draw as many "ghouls" as you want to.  I made three big ones for me and three little ones for my little nugget.

 Let the outline dry for a couple of minutes and then fill in the body with glue.

 You will end up with something that looks like this.  Now lay the parchment paper on a flat surface and allow it to dry for at least one day.

 Once it's dry {I waited about 24 hours}, very carefully peel off the ghoul like this.

 You'll end up with a bunch of these guys.  Feel free to trim off any edges so you have smooth lines throughout {or leave them there for a rugged ghost look}.

 Now give your ghoul a face. 

Gently thread your needle through the top of the ghost.  Add as many or as little as you'd like.

Now you have a ghoulish necklace!!!

Thanks for letting me hang out with you all today.  Hope you have a chance to come check out Sunny Vanilla.  Happy Halloween!