Sep 25, 2013
Get Your Pretty On turned one yesterday…and what a year it’s been.
It all started with that first outfit photo where I was so proud of myself for actually getting dressed to have lunch with my daughter at her school. This blog has come a long way baby!
And so have I.
It’s been a daily journey of learning, discovery, friendship, creativity, challenges and growth. I didn’t start it with any goals in mind, it was just a fun diversion and a way to hold myself accountable for getting out of my yoga pants every day. I never could’ve dreamed it would grow into what it is today.
I have all of you to thank for this. Never did I think that anyone would actually be interested in what I was wearing, or my beauty routines, let alone my personal stories and family life. You’ve shown a genuine interest and spurred me on in big and small ways on those days where I wasn’t sure that I could keep going.
[Blouse: Loft/Shorts: Mossimo/Heels: Zigi Soho/Purse: c/o Wallis/Earrings: Loft/Necklace: c/o Bijoux Box/Watch: Michael Kors]
The blogging community is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It is full of the most supportive, encouraging, giving and kind women I’ve ever encountered. Thank you ALL for this amazing year!
Here’s to another year of getting our pretty on together!
AN EXTRA SPECIAL GIVEAWAY
One of those bloggers (and friends) who’s made a huge difference this past year has been Sheaffer. Please be sure to stop by Pinterest Told Me To and check out the amazing giveaway she’s doing for a mom of a special needs child HERE.
#GLAMVACAY GIVEAWAY
Could you use a getaway? Couldn’t we all? Then be sure to enter the #GlamVacay Giveaway announced on Monday HERE. One lucky girl will win a prize pack valued at $600 to plan her own trip. Good luck!
FALL FASHION GIVEAWAY
I’m so excited to be bringing you yet another giveaway with 10 other lovely ladies! We all love giveaways right? To make the pot even sweeter and more beautiful, we’re giving away not just a $550 gift card, but a beauty bag full of 10 fabulous pieces worth over $100! Enter through the easy Rafflecopter below and please go visit these wonderful bloggers!
I Feel Pretty
It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell me what made you feel pretty this week in the comments!
Link up your outfits or anything else that makes you feel pretty. There are just a few simple rules:
1. Follow GYPO. (Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin‘) 2. Link up your pretty post. 3. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link). 4. Visit other pretty peeps. That’s it! Let the fun begin. ‘);
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Getting my pretty on with What I Wore to Work, Fashion Informant, The Pleated Poppy, Shanna, Monday Mingle, Style Sessions, Trend Spin.
Sep 16, 2013
Forget the holidays – back to school is by far the busiest time of year for our family. So over the weekend, my teen daughter Aubrey and I took some time to unwind by hosting a mother/daughter back to school spa party. It was a totally girly afternoon of pampering facials, pretty mani/pedi’s and tasty bites.
The teens tested out products from Clean and Clear® for their facials. Morning Burst® Fruit Infusions™ smoothing facial scrub was one of their faves. Aubrey said it smelled awesome and made her face feel “as smooth as a baby’s bottom”. She’s been battling breakouts since school started a few weeks ago. Between gymnastics practice four hours every evening and the stresses of her first year of high school, establishing a good skin care routine to battle breakouts has been a must. Clean and Clear® makes a whole line of products just for breakout prone skin. She has been using the Advantage® Acne Spot Treatment for existing blemishes and Persa-gel® 10 to prevent new ones.
The moms sipped mimosas while pampering ourselves with calming Aveeno® products. My favorite product was the Aveeno® Active Naturals® Ultra-Calming® makeup removing wipes. They smell incredible and are extremely gentle yet effective. I have very sensitive facial skin. Each time I use a new facial product it takes about a week for my skin to adjust – there’s always some level of irritation or redness. Not the case with these wipes, my skin felt soft, smooth and comfortable after using them.
We finished our afternoon of spoiling ourselves with some pretty new polishes on our tips and toes.
The girls and I had a blast together. It was the perfect way to recharge our batteries for the week ahead while bonding over some pampering treatments.
It’s Your Turn: What’s your favorite way to refresh during this demanding time of year? Tell me in the comments!
This post was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson however all opinions are my own.
Mar 6, 2013
Today I feel very ladylike thanks to this gorgeous spring dress from eShakti.
[Dress: eShakti/Shoes: Jessica Simpson (similar)/Earrings: Target (similar)]
eShakti offers customization options on every piece in their women’s clothing line. I love the pocket details on this dress, which is one of their many custom features. Most of all, I love how affordable their top quality products are. You can’t get customization at this price anywhere else.
SPECIAL DISCOUNT
eShakti is offering a 20% discount exclusively for my readers through 3/20/13. Just use the coupon code GETYRPRETT at checkout at eShakti.com to redeem it.
GIVEAWAY
Don’t forget to enter the lovely Laura’s giveaway to win this pair of pretty ModCloth earrings.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I FEEL PRETTY
It’s time for this week’s link party. But first, let’s take a look at last week’s Pretty of the Week.
She’s Katie of Style Diary! 
Her Dorothy Perkins dress is gorgeous and her blazer, jewelry and heels are accessory perfection. And now on to this week’s fun!
Link up your outfits or anything else that makes you feel pretty. There are just a few simple rules:
1. Follow GYPO. (Facebook, Bloglovin or Subscribe)
2. Link up your pretty post.
3. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link).
4. Visit other pretty peeps. That’s it! Let the fun begin. ‘);
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Getting my pretty on today with The Pleated Poppy, Random Wednesday, Stylelixir, Wardrobe Wednesday, Whatever, Whenever Wednesday, Aloha Friday, Fashion Informant, Six Sisters Stuff
Dec 26, 2012
I hope you and yours had a blessed Christmas. My mind is still reeling that it’s over already but really, our family enjoys the week between Christmas and New Year’s just as much as the time leading up to it. The best part is stepping out of our normal crazy rat race routine to spend some quality time together.
On Friday, hubby and I took the day off together to tie up loose ends and finish shopping. We went to our daughter’s third grade party that morning. It felt even more special to be able to be there with her on the Friday after the Sandy Hook tragedy. So much to be thankful for this year.
Hubby and our youngest, Ava at her school.
Saturday was a fun girls’ day! My daughters and I went to see The Nutcracker. Afterward, hubby surprised us with a night at a hotel. We enjoyed an evening of shopping, having dinner and swimming, before laying in bed, eating junk food and watching Christmas movies. What a fun and special night. We might have to make this a new tradition!
My girls Aubrey and Ava at the hotel.
On Sunday we had breakfast, then headed back home from the hotel. That afternoon, we baked these cookies for Santa. Afterward, we put on our jammies, grabbed some hot cocoa and made our annual drive to look at Christmas lights.
Monday, Christmas Eve, started out as a cleaning day, much to the kids’ dismay. But they quickly cleaned their rooms and anxiously awaited the arrival of a very special guest, my niece Lauren who came home for Christmas from New Orleans. YAY!
Cousins! My niece Lauren and daughter Aubrey.
We went to Christmas Eve services at our church home, Chase Oaks. The service was very uplifting and moving. After, we had our traditional Christmas Eve steak dinner. When we got home, we lit a fire, played board games, tracked Santa on NORAD and watched “A Christmas Story” until bedtime.
Christmas morning, everyone’s wishes came true. SANTA CAME!
He brought me a new set of these wine glasses to replace the mostly broken set I got from IKEA years ago. I’m sort of scared to use them. At least I didn’t care when I broke the cheap ones from IKEA!
[Kate Spade Wine Glasses]
And I must’ve been a VERY good girl this year, because I got these too. HAPPY DANCE!
[Frye “Melissa” Riding Boots]
We had our traditional monkey bread for breakfast. I made a super easy version using refrigerated biscuits with this recipe HERE. It was THE. BEST. EVER.
Then we hosted Christmas dinner at our house for my sisters and their families. I’m the youngest of us three girls. My sisters have always been and always will be my very best friends. We laugh and have so much fun together. I love them so much!
Me, my sister Andrea and my sister Heather (she didn’t get the “hand on hip” memo).
Then to top it all off and make this the MOST perfect Christmas ever…WE GOT SNOW! Yes, a white Christmas in Dallas.
I’m still in awe.
Our Christmas lights in the snow!
This Christmas couldn’t have been more perfect – family togetherness, great food, SNOW and loads of love and blessings.
I hope yours was filled with the same!
Getting my pretty on with Random Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy, Wardrobe Wednesday, Transatlantic Blonde, Life is a Runway
I have all of you to thank for this. Never did I think that anyone would actually be interested in what I was wearing, or my beauty routines, let alone my personal stories and family life. You’ve shown a genuine interest and spurred me on in big and small ways on those days where I wasn’t sure that I could keep going.
[Blouse: Loft/Shorts: Mossimo/Heels: Zigi Soho/Purse: c/o Wallis/Earrings: Loft/Necklace: c/o Bijoux Box/Watch: Michael Kors]
Link up your outfits or anything else that makes you feel pretty. There are just a few simple rules:
