Almost Fake Eyelashes

My Instagram friends already know about my latest discovery in the art of obtaining longer, thicker lashes... in an affordable manner. So for those of you who are not on Instagram here's the original photo I posted Friday evening after a little stroll through Ulta.

 

 

Here's what you'll need for this little project...

 I used Mabelline's new mascara, Cat Eyes. (I still prefer the Mabelline Falsies over all!)

 

 

Yes, this powder is only $3.49 at Ulta.

 

I actaully was reading September's People Style Watch and it was recommended so I went online to Ulta's webpage and they were already sold out. I called the Ulta in the next town over and they were sold out as well... but I drove by there anyway to get a braid headband (which was on sale...heeeyyy) & I happened to find ONE bottle left - it was hidden at the bottom of the display.

 

Sidenote: this is the same concept as Two Faceds product, Better Than False Lashes Nylon Extensions.

 

 

Steps 3 & 4 can be done as many times as you'd like until you like the look! I'm always in a hurry so I typically only do one swipe of the volumizing powder. The more... the merrier.

 

 

After I actually fixed my hair and put all my war paint (my dad's term for makeup) on... I took a better photo.

 

*apologies for the creepy-not smiling-iphone-front-camera photo*

In other news...

 

I already IG'd this as well- but J. Crew's sale rack was rockin' last time I was in there... it was all marked down and an additional 30% OFF.

 

So I snagged this $75 dollar turquoise/white gingham shirt for.... $18!

 

 

And, on whole other note. John is in his psychatric rotation this month and the night before he started he set out a tie/shirt combo for his first day on the job. He came home that day without his tie on and explained that he would not be wearing ties during this round. SO... that cute guy bought himself a bowtie. I walked into our bathroom Sunday evening to find him listening to a British man on YouTube teach him how to tie his bowtie.

 

Does it get any cuter?

 

 

Bring On The Winter Weather

You can thank Frankenstorm for this post... 

I have been meaning to do it for a while but it's been beautiful out and I've had a to-do list as long as my J. Crew Wish List. So, here's to Frankenstorm/Hurricane Sandy for giving me a break and forcing me to stay in, rest, & enjoy  time with my husband. To those of you in the storm's path, stay safe and I will be praying for you!

John & I went to church this morning, came home, ran down the street to a local bagel spot and had a delicious brunch. Here's a pic from our cozy little brunch date!

And for kicks, I found out late Friday evening that I was to dress in costume for work... we ran out to WalMart & grabbed the only costume they had left in my size. 

The Sweetest Thing goes Egyptian...

Of course the kids all thought I was Jasmine! I didn't mind that though ;)

I've mentioned before that I'm from a very small town in Arkansas. Population 8,000. Of course, the Carrie Underwood song "Thank God for Hometowns" fits that town to a T. 

Anyway, some of my girlfriends from high school are still there, they are moms, wives, and working women so they don't get a lot of opportunity to get out & shop a lot. 

Nonetheless, I'm dedicating this post to all of my alma mater amigas. I have gotten a few Facebook messages from my sweet friends back home asking questions and making requests and this post is in response to this message...

So first & foremost... Let's start with WHERE IN THE WORLD can you shop in that part of Arkansas?

1. HOLLYHOCKS (Clarksville)

One of my FAVE boutiques in Clarksville, AR is Hollyhocks! "Like" them on Facebook! PS. She carries those fair isle sweater leggings that I wear a lot! 

2. WALMART (Clarksville)

Yes, I just said Walmart... I have friends who wear colored skinnies from WalMart and love them! But, more importantly, we were doing our grocery shopping this afternoon and I saw some super cute oversized, bright cardigans! These would be so nice over a dress or with a pencil skirt for work! Also, every winter I get a new pair of opaque tights from Wal Mart in brown & black. They do have leggings but I feel like tights are dressier and a little more professional. The thicker, the better.

3. TJ Maxx (Russellville)

TJ Maxx is my one of my favorite places to shop. Honestly, I do more shopping there for John since he has to dress up daily. But, there are so many good brands at affordable prices. Unfortunately, it can be hit or miss depending on the location. I suggest getting boots/shoes here! 

4. Francescas (Fort Smith)

The new Francesca's in the FS mall has been a blessing! Francescas has tons of little dresses that would be perfect for the tight + boot look.

5. Target (Fort Smith)

It's been hit or miss lately, for me personally, but it's also a good place for affordable shoes/boots and dresses.

6. Old Navy (Fort Smith)

"I can't afford this at J. Crew so I'll see if Old Navy has their own rendition of it yet." (because they typically do!)

Seriously, Old Navy is my fall back plan. 

6. Forever 21 (Fayetteville)

Of course, this is my top pick! 75% of my wardrobe is Forever... they should have a deal with medical schools or something bc it's medical student budget friendly! 

Dress // Boots // Tights // Necklace

The shift dress is one of my choice pieces in the winter months. I love them because they look good on most any body type. The link will take you to the Old Navy website and you will see several other prints that this dress comes in! I loved the leopard print the most! However, you would get more wear out of the solid color dresses. You can change up jewelry, add a scarf, wear flats, or add a cardigan to make it different.

Dressier, flat boots here.

Or, depending on how dress code requirements you may have to have boot with heels, here.

Dress // Earrings // Tights // Booties

This look is one of my favorites! When I worked for a network integration company I did this look daily for business meetings & customer visits. I had to look professional - yet I didn't want to be boring. I would buy cheap dresses at Forever 21, wear tights, & heeled (comfortable) booties. Additionally, wearing a black blazer over this will dress it up and make it appear more professional.

Something to think about, also, is jewelry. I know some jewelry is uncomfortable depending on what you are doing all day - but I think EVERY adult should wear a watch! That was one of the first gifts I bought John. In college, my advisor told me to always wear a watch when interviewing for jobs because it shows that I am time conscientious.

More dress options:

My favorite {I may or may not have already ordered it} here.

Adorable shift dress in black / Tiffany blue here. {nice & long, too!}

Classy, comfortable wrap dress, here.

I hope this helps... a little! :)

Saw it, Pinned it, Did it.

Let's face it, I don't do link ups. However, my entire Blog feed was full of  "Saw It. Pinned It. Did It." posts so I figured I'd link up since today's post is about a Pinterest outfit that I wanted to re-create. (visit Katie's blog to link up.)

I don't know about anyone else, but I get my house nice and clean in the mornings simply because I'd do ANYTHING but get ready! So, this morning I was behind on getting ready so I just went to my Pinterest Board and decided I'd put together an outfit inspired by one of those cutie Pinterest models! Of course, I put my own spin on it...

"SAW IT"



via

"Did It."



Blazer // Shirt // Pants // Boots // Scarf // Bracelet // Bag (Speedy Inspired)

(pardon my very candid photo.. we are were doing photos for work so she snapped this really fast on my phone and couldn't see the screen)

That's right. White pants. I say - wear white all you want, but with darker, warmer clothing.

I switched out denim pants for white pants.

And used a Mocha colored top instead of white.

Some of those links just lead you to the website because they are items that I purchased a long time ago and are not in stock!

Make-Up Best Buys

A few of my drug store favorites...

• Hard Candy Primer can be found at WalMart. I was using the Benefit Porefessional until a girlfriend recommended this - shockingly, I prefer the $6 primer over the $32 primer! I have oily skin so I use the basic one but my friend uses the illuminating and she's always getting compliments on her glow!
• Revlon's Color Stay Foundation can be found in most places. If you are a new reader, you'll find that I've tried many foundations and I always go back to this one. {with exception of Kat Von D's new foundation which is in a previous post}
• Maybelline's Falsies is just plain awesome. You'll see what it does to my lashes in the photos below. The key, however, is applying it correctly. Many girls don't apply their mascara in a way that makes their lashes look thicker.
• Maybelline Age Rewind is for under the eyes. I use the illuminating and I use it in all of the places on my face that I want to be illuminated since I try to do some contouring. It's just a good brightener to make you look more awake and to make your eyes bigger.
• E.L.F. Eyebrow Wax/Powder is.the.bomb. I realize that most women don't consider this an essential... but you should re-think it! Just an FYI - a good eyebrow lesson will rock your world. The Benefit Brow Bar gave me lessons and re-shaped mine. It's something that, as cheesy as it sounds, changed my life {and my look}.Your eyebrows anchor your face - so give them some attention, since that's kind of important.

Of course, the most important thing you can do to your skin is take care of it and prevent wrinkles/scars/etc. I swear by NeriumAD.

 

What are some of your drug store favorites?

 

Boot Sock 101

As promised, I've put together a little Boot Sock 101 for you. As always, I'm not a fashionista/expert/guru/etc., in fact, I grew up in a teeny town where we had 2 restaurants and a Wal-Mart so I truly am not well versed in fashion. 

Didn't think it was totally necessary to do this post until I got a few requests... & I was convinced I should do the post when I heard that some gals think gym socks & Ugg boots make the appropriate boot sock look.

Unfortunatly, I don't know that that's necessarily why the boot sock was created. Idk though.

First and foremost, I hope you already have a favorite boot. Boot weather has arrived and I don't wear much else but boots when it  gets chilly.

My favorite boot is from the Antonio Melani Fall 2010 Collection... they are worn out but I won't stop wearing them until the soles are worn off.

They are brown but the certain parts look more black which is nice because I have never found a pair of black boots that I love, love. So the black on the toe means I have permission to wear them with black. Additionally, mine have a gold zipper and gold hardware, which is ideal for me because I only wear gold. (Here's a pic - only thing I could find on the inter-webz.)

When I wear boot socks I always wear these for 3 reasons which are important:

1. They are not too high. They hit right below my knee. So, shoot for a boot that is NOT over the knee.

2. They aren't "big" or "loose" - they fit around my leg snug.

3. They go straight across. Some boots don't go all the way around... straight... umm I hope this makes sense. Some make a "V" shape in the front and you totally don't want that. My second pair of brown boots that I alternate with make a "V" shape, therefore I never pair them with bootsocks.

Here are few good options. I even included a black pair that I actually do love, love.

I think it's important to get the right shade brown - because, if you do - you can wear them with more colors.

The boot socks I wear are both Free People. Unfortunatly, the cream, ruffly ones sold out a few months ago. But here are a few good options.

I think the key colors for boot socks are cream, navy, maroon, & black.

Make sure and get some that are cable knit or have buttons/lace/etc. Please, do not wear your gym socks... or in my case, my dad's gym socks.

Now, for what looks good with boot socks.

Pretty much anything... obs not a fancy dress.

But, they go great on a comfy day where you are wearing sweater leggings or plain leggings.

They look terrific with colored denim. I wore mine with purple, polka dotted pants.

Jeans...

Dresses...

The list goes on...

Glam Grab Giveaway

And the winner of the Glam Grab Accessory Auction is...

My sweet friend Rachel at Simple Little Joys! Please, read her blog. She has an amazing weight loss story and I love reading about how hard she works to be healthy & happy.

Congrats, sister friend!

 

E-mail me with your 411.

 

My next post coming up, by request, is a Boot Sock How-To... I realize it's not that hard but word on the street is a How-To would be beneficial.

 

Here's a teensy preview.

 

 

If you want any info on my boot socks use this link to read more.

 

 

Married Birthdays are the BEST.

Yooooo....

 

So, first things first: one more day until the GlamGrab Giveaway ends. Remember to "like" Glam Grab Accessory Auction on Facebook for one entry... be a follower of my blog and write a comment to let me know. AND for extra entries - mention this in your blog or a tweet... or share on FB! (refer to the previous post for more details, links, etc. on this contest)

 

Okay, real quick if you don't remember or are new - here's the necklace being given away... {Tory Burch Inspired... I wear it as much as I do my five bubble necklaces.}

 

 

And now... our first married birthday together.

 

Mr. Baby Deliverer got the afternoon off so he brought me lunch and did some labor for me. I had a lot of new merchandise to put out so he helped clean up shop.

 

 

Then, I got the e-mail that my dear, darling phone arrived so he went to pick it up. It wasn't a birthday present :) I was due for an upgrade and sold my old one on Craigslist for more than this one cost!

 

 

Oh. Best feature of the new phone: the bossy GPS lady! She's got my back, that's for sure. I think I will get lost half as much now.

 

 

Oh, then yesterday John took me to Knoxville so I could hit up the Dillard's and eat PF Chang. But instead we ended up in Nashville! The weather was perfect for boot socks... yyyeeeyah!

 

 

THEN, on the way home from Nashville, John took me to see West! The best birthday present of all was finding out that he is CANCER FREE! I won't say much else because I cry everytime I think of it. God is SO good!

 

 

At work on Saturday these cupcakes were delivered from my sister! Red velvet, pumpkin spice, confetti, etc. Needless to say, I've been hyper all weekend. And so has John...

 

 

One of my favorite things is getting pictures of my neices & nephews... I am still a little devastated Carolina, Olivia, & Bo have not called me!!!!! Amanda sent me this picture of Georgia Kelley! She gots herself a new "do" and I have been looking at this picture all weekend! Maybe it's her little pants... or her sparkly Toms... oh wait, no, it's that SMILE!

 

 

Oh and last but not least... the WEATHER is a present in and of itself! I LOATHE heat/sweating/sun/etc. so being able to wear a sweater and boots was quite the treat! {oh, and I said I would do a weekly what I wore post... and I forgot last week... and somehow the last one I did got deleted!}

 

Alright, how was your weekend?!

 

Have you entered to win that Tory necklace, yet? Why not? Do it!

A Year Ago Today + ToryBurch Inspired Giveaway

A year ago today yours truly was sipping on a tall, white chocolate mocha, while making plans to get a nice, shiny coat of You Don't Know Jacques gel on my nails.

Notice that sparkly thing on my ring finger? That was brand new. Okay, maybe not brand new... most everyone has heard the story of how I snuck into John's closet while he was in a deep, boring study of the human body and found that, excuse me, the ring.. and I tried it on & texted photos to my girlfriends with the caption, "lookie what was in John's closet!" Clearly, I'm not ashamed, I mean, it makes for a good story. Of course, he wasn't happy when he found out about my little discovery, but I believe it helped him plan and execute a more secretive proposal.

John knows that October is my favorite month out of the year. The weather, fall fashion, food, fairs, birthday presents, football games, even the smell & crispness of the air, just everything. So he proposed on October's Eve... perfectly planned, I must admit. I just knew he'd do it on my birthday since, well, sometimes he's not the most creative... but he definitely pulled one on me!

I got off work on Friday and it was cold and rainy out... he informed me of the reservations he'd made & I knew something was not right. {John & the word "reservations" do not mix well together.} So, I did what any ridiculous girl would do... I began picking off my nail polish right in front of him simply because he'd made a deal with me that he wouldn't propose if my nails looked awful. Clearly, he didn't take the bait on that. 

I'll skip all the details about the snooping I did to find out if he would be proposing that night.

So, after dinner we headed back to my house to pick up a movie he'd rented for us to watch. This little movie was how I just knew he wouldn't be proposing. Who Red Box's a movie the night of their proposal? {answer: a guy who knows his girlfriend is a SNOOP.}

When we walked into my house, I saw the candles and stuff in the living room and stopped. Not because I thought he was proposing, better yet, I lived with two of his classmates who are Indian and I knew they had some rituals and such so I didn't want to disrespect them by busting in on their traditions! {hello, run on sentence. sorry grammar freaks... aka Mom}

John pushed me into the living room. And all I did was cry. I didn't even say yes. But, I did put the ring on very quickly... definitely wasn't too flustered to ignore the shiny, rock he was offering.

He did it. John surprised me! It was all so perfect. So perfectly Emily & John'esque. I wouldn't have changed a thing... except for maybe my nails.

So, yah, a lot has changed in the past year. We have moved to a new city. I have a new, super cute last name. I'm a wife. I like to cook... who knew? I like to hike... okay, no, maybe I don't like to hike but John does so we go a lot. And the whole calorie burning part of hiking isn't so bad either. John's half-way to accomplishing his dream career. And hey, I blog now.

I thank God every day for John. 

He's the perfect match for me! And me, for him. We joke that I hold the key to the real John. He comes across as a shy guy.. but he's not. His family questioned me when I said he talks my ear off {yes, that's because usually it's vise versa} and even he admits that there's something about me that makes him want to get chatty! It makes me feel special.


Alright, I'll stop with the mushy talk and move onto something a little more exciting!

I recently received a beautiful Tory Burch inspired necklace that I'm just crazy over! Thus, I became a fan of Glam Grab! Are you familiar with Glam Grab? You should be! Tonight's one of their auction nights.

Here's the deal. On Monday evenings at 7:30 and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. Glam Grab does an "auction" type thing. They post several photos of adorable jewelry and people simply comment with "Grab" under the photo. The next day or later that day they will send you an invoice and then ship out the goods!

So let's take a look what will be on tonight's Glam Grab Auction...

Get registered here.

Well, here's the good news. GlamGrab is sposonoring a giveaway here on The Sweetest Thing Blog! 

Here's how you can enter to WIN the same necklace I am wearing in the above photo!
1. Be a GFC follower of The Sweetest Thing & leave a little comment.
2. "Like" Glam Grab Accessory Auction on Facebook & tell them I sent you!
3. If you want extra entries... tweet about it! (@emilyanngemma)