Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Last-Minute Halloween Costume Idea

I am cheap. I'm not quite Extreme Cheapskates-cheap, but I'm pretty cheap all the same. Therefore, I do not like to spend any money when I dress up for Halloween. No buying or renting costumes for this girl; when I can't borrow, I make do with what I already have in the closet. In the event you share this tendency for frugality with me (or maybe just waited too long to secure a costume for tonight), I thought I would share my wonderfully easy and inexpensive costume from last Halloween: blackmail.


All you have to do is wear all black and safety-pin envelopes and other mail to yourself. Clever, right? I also thought it might be fun to wear an "envelope" clutch with this costume, so I included some of my favorites from Polyvore above.

So tell me, what are you dressing up as this Halloween? Do you have any easy and inexpensive costume ideas? I won't be dressing up as anything tonight, as I'm currently in a small college town and don't want to risk running into any of my collegiates at the local hotspots. That might get awkward. ;) Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Fall Friday: The Football

I already shared my love for fall foliage, fall fashion and more fall fashion. This week, I wanted to share one of my greatest loves in the autumn season: football! More specifically, college football. Even more specifically, Tiger football.


I know the Tigers haven't been performing too well this season, but I don't mind. The way I see it, no one expected us to perform well in the SEC. When we lose, no one is surprised. When we win, it will be awesome and everyone will be impressed! I like to set my expectations low so they are harder to disappoint.... Well, with my sports anyway. I always root for the underdog. :)

Which team are you rooting for this season?

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

InstaTuesday: NorCal Edition

I have been sorely failing to update you on my adventures as a Leadership Consultant, but I think I just found the perfect link-up to help me share my travels thus far. I ended up sending my camera home pretty early on in my travels. Now that I have an iPhone, it just seems silly to carry around another cord and another charger for my camera, especially because I don't do anything with my photos anyway. Therefore, Instagram has become my main form of communication, so what better way to share my adventures than with some Instagram photos through Taingamala's InstaTuesday Link-Up?

During my days off this past weekend, I traveled to Sonoma, California, to spend some quality time with my mother, brother and sister. These weekends are usually full of wine and sunrises, but this weekend we decided to venture outside the wineries and do some family-friendly activities. Enjoy!

Driving out of the city to wine country on Friday night.
Nothing quite beats waking up to this gorgeous view every morning.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Blogger Book Swap

In case you haven't noticed, I really like books. And as much as I love my Kindle, there's nothing quite like a good, worn paperback novel. If you agree, then I have some good news! My fellow avid reader and blogger friend Jessica at Sweet Green Tangerine asked me to co-host a used-book swap with her, and I was delighted to oblige!

First, the rules:


Second, the button:

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Third, my own shameless plug: I'm hosting a book challenge from November 1 to January 31 with all kinds of fun reading challenges (which Jessica contributed to!). If you choose to participate, feel free to use the button below. :)

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I can't wait to find out who my book swap partner is! I already have a few good books in mind for you. :)

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Turtle Tuesday.

Did you know I love turtles? Well, I do, and today I wanted to share some adorable turtle pictures I've found on Pinterest over the years. Enjoy!


Monday, October 15, 2012

Semi-Charmed Winter 2012 Book Challenge

Photo via Ana Luisa Pinto on Flickr; Design by Megan C. Stroup

Welcome to the Semi-Charmed Winter 2012 Book Challenge! I had so much fun hosting the summer challenge that I decided to do it again. It will be a little shorter this time (four months was just too long), and I will also only be hosting monthly check-ins instead of weekly. Thanks to everyone who submitted category ideas for this challenge!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Photo a Day: September


I have to admit, I think I did a pretty good job with September ... at least during the first half of the month. Here's the round-up:


Friday, October 12, 2012

Fall Friday: Friday's Fancies (Week 13)

I know I just did a fall fashion post last Friday, but {av} is hosting a "Leaf Love" Friday's Fancies link-up this week, and I thought it might be fun to play along. Plus, I keep finding great autumn outfits on Pinterest that I want to share:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

I originally created an outfit centered around this fabulous sweater, but then I decided I should let the colors of the fall leaves inspire me, as {av}'s theme suggests. I also threw in hints of navy, just because I like it, and a little beanie that I would never be brave enough to wear. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel silly in hats? Anyway, this is the final product:

Leaf Love



Click the button below to see what other leaf-inspired outfits bloggers created this week:

Monday, October 8, 2012

Traveling Consultant Essentials

Wow; I can't believe I've already been on the road for two months! In some ways, it seems like way more than two months ago that I boarded my flight to my first chapter visit at Washington State University. In other ways, I feel like I just started! Now that it has officially been two months, I wanted to share some of the lessons I've learned this year. Today, I wanted to share with you the items I packed that have proven to be the most helpful on the road:

Travel Needs

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

1. I keep three different sizes of Ziploc bags rolled up in my suitcase and secured with a hair tie. You never know when you might need one!
2. I felt silly buying a black silk robe at first, but it has been so convenient. I thought the robe was a little sultry for my purposes, but it was a $50 robe on sale for $8 at Kohl's, so I could not pass it up.
3. Did you know that I love scarves? My infinity scarves even double as blankets on plane rides!
4. Did you also know that I love stationery? I have about three boxes in my suitcase. Priorities.
5. This is absolutely the number-one smartest item I packed this year: a compact multi-outlet extension cord. It perfectly fits my personal phone, PiPhone and PiPad chargers, so I can always keep my most important electronics fully juiced. I have no idea how I would find enough outlets to do this without this handy little cord. It was actually one of the last things I packed, too—purely on impulse.
6. These nude flats from Payless have been my lifesaver. They match just about everything and are so practical. I found them in leopard the other day and am thinking I need to expand my collection!
7. Finally, a traveler can never have enough dryer sheets. I put them in my shoes and between my clothes to keep my suitcases smelling fresh, and they are great for helping to de-static my hair in the morning. Oh yeah, and I do laundry with them sometimes.

What are your travel necessities?

Friday, October 5, 2012

Fall Friday: The Fashion

Left: 1 | 2 | 3                                                             Right: 1 | 2 | 3

Welcome to my second installment of Fall Friday! Today I wanted to highlight the wonderful fashion of fall. I absolutely love fall clothes: the boots, the sweaters, the leggings, the cardigans, the tall socks ... I just love the layered look!

Clockwise from top left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

I probably wouldn't wear the leather pants in the bottom right picture, but I love all the other looks! Scarves, tights and cardigans are my jam. I especially love boots and tall socks over tights.

What is your ideal fall outfit?