Hot Holiday Heels

I have a few dresses in mind to make for parties and events over the holidays that will necessitate some pretty accessories. I really like all the heels below, but can't make a decision. I'm looking for festive and trendy. I'd also like to wear them more than once. I really like the details on some of these with the fringe, sequins and metal hardware.

Valentino ankle strap high heels / Zara ankle wrap shoes / J.Crew platform high heels / Zara leopard print heels / Manolo Blahnik pointy toe pumps / Ivanka Trump strappy heels / Valentino bow high heels / Christian Louboutin heels / ALDO glitter wedge, $105 / ASOS heel sandals, $72 / River Island zebra heels / Promise Shoes high heel sandals

Tell me about it, Stud.

A few weeks ago I got really into studs. I bought a few studded items and then wanted more and more. I have been seeing studs everywhere. Dan likes to ask if I rode in on my motorcycle, but I think if worn appropriately it can be really cute!

Bracelets from Forever 21

Purse from H&M

I found this sweatshirt on Pinterest and then couldn't find the original link (hate that). I hunted it down and found that it's not available in the US. I started thinking of ways to DIY. I checked JoAnn Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, and Michael's none of which have the studs similar to the sweatshirt. BUT today, I found them on the H&M website!

H&M

I have a million other projects in the works right now, so I don't know if I will get to this. I'll definitely share if I do!

 Here are some other DIY stud ideas. 

Studded shoulder dress from Zara. 

Studded leather notion I found at Walmart of all places! 

Hips Don't Lie

Like most of my projects, I got all excited about this dress. I have been really into this drop waist style this season, not actually owning anything of course but the idea of it.  I loved the leather collar and wanted to add that as well.  I saw this dress online and many others and thought how easy it would be to just whip up and wear, like the next day.

I used a pattern for the dress part and then just gathered material for the skirt part. I originally thought the torso area was too long and therefore removed the skirt, cut, and replaced the skirt. Now this is the dress.

HIPS. Holy Hips. It looks awful on me and I'm pretty sure anyone else that would try it on. The proportions are just off plus I think this style dress just isn't that flattering. I'm kicking myself for cutting the torso down, but I just don't think it was working either way.

Keep in mind the dress isn't hemmed and the neckline and armholes aren't finished. I don't really see any point finishing it or adding the leather collar if I'm not going to wear it.

I'm bummed about it because I thought it would be so cute and trendy.

You win some you lose some. I'm over this trend and I hope it's over next season! On to the next dress...

Christmas Decor

I have to admit, I have become obsessed with decorating our house for Christmas! I'm pinning all over Pinterest and pricing out artificial trees with more excitement that really necessary. I know it's not even Thanksgiving and some people get really upset about skipping holidays, but I have already broken out my "classic" Christmas cd (Britney, NYSNC, Gaga, Mariah!) and am planning all the details of how we will celebrate this year now that we have a new house!

I am holding out on decorating until after Thanksgiving.  I started this post a few days ago and apparently can't contain my excitement nor wait another week. Our house is currently a mash up of Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations, nothing really in it's true place. I keep telling myself that I'm just "seeing how it looks" "getting ideas" "beating the rush" ha!

So what if it's a little early. To each her own.

Here are my favorite deals and steals I've spotted...

Funny Christmas cards at Urban Outfitters. 

This is not a deal or a steal, but I want it. 

large plastic ornament bulbs for decorating at Joann Fabrics.

Sequins ornaments at Big Lots. (you'd be surprised by their large Christmas section)

$0.98 chargers at Walmart. Scoop em up! 

Ornaments that remind me of the game Twister at Hobby Lobby. 50% off. 

Gold paper mache reindeer. Michaels. 40%off 

Just trying out our stockings and thinking about how to decorate our non working fireplace. Ideas? 

Even Pancho is getting into the spirit. See all that spirit?!?

Stay tuned for more and more and MORE holiday posts! 

Friday

Sometimes I get all motivated and pull out all my fabric and patterns only to leave it and never make a decision or start a project.

Currently, I'm getting excited about holiday dresses. Hopefully, I can get some inspiration soon and figure it out or put all this away. 

Sometimes I start a project and leave it 3/4 of the way finished because I lose interest. 

Leather and lace peplum top I'm working on. 

I really need to work on my follow through. :) 

Happy Weekend! 

Honey Pecan Chicken

I have been using Panko A LOT. I was making this recipe every week when I decided to give it a rest but still needed something to make for dinner using chicken. I was trying to make sweet potato fries for the first time and needed something to go with that. I brought out my Panko box and saw a recipe on the back. I didn't have the same ingredients so I just used what I had and it turned out so great that I made it again last night. I haven't mastered the timing for the sweet potato fries yet, but when I do I will post that too.

Honey Pecan Chicken
Ingredients:
2-4 chicken breasts
1/2- 1 Tbsp honey
1/2 cup (or about 3/4 of an individual light vanilla yogurt (could use plain))
1/2tsp salt
3/4 cup Progresso plain panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix honey, yogurt, and salt in a small bowl.
3. In another bowl mix bread crumbs and pecans.
4. Drag chicken through yogurt and then coat with bread crumbs place each piece on cookie sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes until chicken is done. You may need to turn chicken.

Enjoy! 

Sweet Potato fries. These were SOOOO good! I didn't even know I liked this delicious food until recently. I made these based off several recipes so I don't have good directions to share yet. Once I master them, I'll let you know how to as well!