Fall Fashion Lusts

Hey, y'all!

Coming home from a vacation to lost luggage isn't ideal, but adding a cold on top of that {for Charles and myself} takes the cake. It's been a world of sweatpants, cleaning, Vicks, and coffee. Yes, I know tea is probably better for me, and most likely better for the sickness, but I can't help it. Snugging with my Cholla and Milli {I missed them SO much while we were in Mexico} and enjoying a big cup of coffee while catching up on my shows {my sweet mother in law recorded my favorite shows while we are gone, cleaned our house, and watched our dogs...I think I'll keep her!} is just what Doctor Michele ordered.

I was supposed to have a Revenge Season 3 premiere watch party here with my two best gal pals, Katie and Angela, but I had to cancel due to this nasty cold. I'd hate for them to catch it, plus, I think it will be a bubble bath, a sausage casserole, and watching Revenge in bed. Plus, I need to mentally prepare myself for working at 6am for the first time in a week and a half {insert thrilled voice here.} Somehow I don't think work will have a mimosa with fresh cut strawberries waiting for me like I had in Cancun all last week.

Even though being sick has disadvantages, it means I get to catch up with you all, and I think this is the perfect opportunity to show you some of my favorite fall fashion trends! Without further adieu..

Sweaters with contrasting colors! Look at this awesome color combination. I happen to own this sweater, thank you Suite One! 

Behold the Steve Madden Annton bootie! I adore these booties. Pair them with a cute dress, oversized cardigan, and some chunky jewelry or pair them with your fave pair of fall skinny jeans!

For some reason, my next obsession will not allow me to post the picture. To view my obsession, the J. Crew bucket bag in sienna brown. To view, go here!

Well, friends, it seems as if my computer needs a break, as it will not cooperate with me. I'll post pictures of the rest soon, but think along the following lines:

• Chunky jewelry
• Oversized sweaters
• Michael Kors watches
• Booties
• Leopard, leopard, leopard
• Leggings and colored skinny jeans
• Big bags

Love love love you all!

Michele Alley!

Back from the Wedding Induced Hiatus!

Happy Fall, Y'all! 

It only seems fitting to say "Happy Fall", since the weather feels totally gorg! Ok, so maybe it is raining and cloudy outside, but the temperature? Spot. On. Of course, I did just get back from Cancun, Mexico so I am eating up this amazing late September weather change. I've even got my Scentsy plugged in with the Glade Fall Hayride scent, and a Kirkland's Cinnamon and Brown Sugar candle lit right beside me, my pups cuddled up at my feet, my husband {yes you heard correctly, I am officially Mrs. Charles Alley} cuddled beside me, and football on the television. Throw in the sound of rain beating on the windows and we have hit the Welcome Home jackpot!

Anyhow, I have to apologize for my brief hiatus. I swore to myself that I would keep up with my blogging the week of the wedding, and then I don't know what better explanation to give you other than, life happened, plain and simple. 

As a treat to you all for my unexcused absence, I will bombard you will posts this week! Are you as excited as I am? Good. 

I cannot tell you how THRILLED I am to finally be married to my best friend. My heart skips a beat when I hear my husband call me his wife. It's an incredible feeling, a true bond. I am blessed beyond measure. 

Something I am on the hunt for is a daily devotional for my new wives. I have looked and looked and I keep finding some amazing looking devotional, and it has been incredibly hard to choose. If any of you new {or "seasoned"} wives have some suggestions, do share! 

"Too much talk leads to sin," so let's get started with some pictures of the past few weeks! I'll do more in detail posts of the honeymoon, the wedding, the reception, etc. in due time, and it will be a whole Wedding Mini Series. Until then, here's a few sneak peaks of my life the past few weeks via pictures...

A little rehearsal dinner fun! It rained ALL day {I was a nervous wreck about it pouring during the dinner} and it cleared up in time for a gorgeous sunset <3

Groomsmen gifts! Crown Royal is the only way to go for our boys!

My BFF Sydney and I getting ready in our oversized monogramed men's shirts! Get them here!

An Arkansas Bride has to watch the HOG game before walking down the aisle!

My two best men on the day I promised "Forever" to Charles<3 

First thing we did as husband and wife was made a trip to the fair for a Gyro! We have the BEST gyro stand in the spring, and the owner makes an appearance again at the fair in the Fall, so we HAD to go get one! Delicious!

Honeymoon at the Riu Palace Peninsula in Cancun, Mexico!  We had a BLAST and were treated like royalty by the people at the Riu Palace. Planning a trip to Mexico? Visit the Riu website! We will absolutely be back, so here's a HUGE shout out to the people at Riu Palace Peninsula.

I've really had a whirlwind of a few weeks, and I mean that in the best sense of the phrase! I'm off to catch up on my recorded episode of Nashville {boy oh boy I can't wait to find out what happens during the season premiere, yet another reason to heart fall} and try to fight with American Airlines until the find the two bags of my luggage they lost, which so far, nobody we have spoken with has been helpful, and we are starting to get furious with their whole company. It's as if they don't even care that all of our luggage {which contains IMPORTANT and NECESSARY personal items} is floating around somewhere unknown to them. It's time to bust out my writing skills and write a highly worded email to their customer service department and give them an earful. 

I hope you have all had a FABULOUS few weeks without me, and get ready to hear from me nonstop. I love you all!

Xoxo, Michele Alley {I know, I'm annoying, but I CAN'T get enough of my new last name}

P.S. Don't forget about the Season Three premiere of Revenge tomorrow. You're welcome <3  

Good books, TV addictions, and a steal of a deal!

Hey, y’all!

It’s a wonderful morning here in Arkansas. I'm on my second cup of coffee! The mornings are cool and crisp, and they are reporting that by mid next week, temperatures are expected to drop and the humidity is expected to take a dramatic dip. There are no sweeter words to a southern soul than LOW HUMIDITY! Isn’t it the TRUTH?

The best part of my week so far is without question the birth of my first nephew! I am a first time Aunt to Thomas Patrick Marsh, the most beautiful 6 pound, 12 oz, sweet baby boy ever! Unfortunately, my precious little nephew lives farther away than I would like, so I won’t be able to officially meet him until Christmas! I could just love on him every. single. day if he was here. Naturally, this means I am looking forward to the holidays all the more this year!

Ok, so is he not THE CUTEST thing you have ever seen in your entire life? I'm in love!

 

In other news, I am on the hunt for a few nice reads for my Cancun vacation! This time next week, I will be sitting on the beach with my kindle in hand, enjoying a margarita and enjoying the company of my husband! I’m really looking for a few “feel good” books for the twentysomething woman {no, I’m not talking about Twilight; no, I’m not talking about 50 Shades of Grey, no matter how much I enjoyed that book…} I’m talking about a good for the soul book. I will most likely end up perusing through the Kindle bookstore to find a few good reads this afternoon, but if you have any suggestions, PLEASE let me know!

I thought it was about time to share my TV obsessions with you. During the summer, I don’t get the opportunity to sit back and catch up on juicy shows as much, because for some reason, I am CONSTANTLY busy. Anybody know the feeling? I’m sure you do. It’s summeritis in its best form. Fall slows down a little bit, I have a chance to breathe and relax! If we aren’t watching the Razorback football games {yay}, I’m probably doing chores and watching Netflix on the iPad. I LOVE that you can watch Netflix / Hulu on your phone and iPad, because when I’m cleaning the house, I can watch as I go. It makes cleaning all the more enjoyable. Just grab your iPad, click on Netflix, and start folding that laundry, doing those dishes, making the bed, etc. It gives you something to do while you do chores, which makes the time fly by. Here’s what you will catch me watching this fall:

Revenge. I cannot express how much of an addiction this show is to me. I. Am. Obsessed! I have gotten several friends hooked on this show {for which they love me greatly}, and we always compare notes. If you’re looking for a darker show that will keep you on the edge of your seat in every single episode, this one is for you. Seasons 1 & 2 are on Netflix and Hulu Plus, and season 3 starts at the end of this month {so I suggest catching up and quick.}

Nashville. Need I say more? I live in the SOUTH people. Anything with the name Nashville on it, I feel obligated to watch. It’s funny, dramatic, musical, all thrown into one! Not to mention, Hayden P. does a fabulous job in this! I found this show on Hulu Plus…not entirely certain that it is on Netflix.

Mistresses. If you want a scandalous show about four girlfriends who all find themselves in rough spots with their marriage…this show is for you. I didn’t think I would like this show as much as I do, but it’s absolutely fabulous! This one is also found on Hulu Plus.

 

Parenthood. Okay, so I’ll admit it. I {along with thousands of other people, I’m sure} started watching this show because I was OBSESSED {still am} with Gilmore Girls. I literally watched every episode at LEAST 3 times, some even more than that. If you weren’t obsessed with GG…HOW?  It’s one of the best shows I’ve ever watched. Lorelei from Gilmore Girls {aka Lauren Graham} plays a major role in this show, so naturally I had to watch. This is a family show about all of the children in a family growing up and raising their own families. It’s got drama, humor, family fun, and everything you can think of in this show. I’ve been drooling over each new episode. There are currently 3 seasons of it on Netflix, and each season is about 21 episodes or so, so it keeps you busy for a while!

 

Orange is the new black. WOW. This Netflix original has taken me by storm. It’s about this woman who got busted for a crime she committed nearly 10 years earlier. She had completely turned her life around, gotten engaged, etc and then she was caught and sent to prison. Not only that, but she was sent to the same prison as the person who got her caught. It follows her around and documents her experiences as well as her fiance’s experiences with her being in prison. So. Addicted. It’s a problem.

 

 

Sitting here talking about all of these television shows that I am “addicted” to makes me feel even more strongly that Charles and I need a hobby. We are thinking that once we get married, we are going to take up bike riding. That way, we can get some exercise, spend quality time together, and get some fresh air! What do you guys do for “married people” hobbies? What do you do for your date nights? I truly believe that keeping your marriage alive and fresh and not getting into a rut can be one of the best ways to stay active in your marriage {says the girl who isn’t even married yet and knows nothing, haha!}

Well it’s Friday, 8 days before the wedding! It’s time to start the pre-wedding pampering! This afternoon when I get off of work {at 3pm, who doesn’t love that?!} I am getting my hair done, because nobody wants to see a bride with dark roots! It’s just plain unflattering. This weekend will be spent running various errands and lots of cleaning and sleeping in {crossing my fingers, because I can’t ever sleep in}. Sunday afternoon, my friend Angela and I are making a venture across the river for a “final fling before the braces go on” event for my friend Katie, over at www.gloriouslyreallifexo.blogspot.com! I can’t wait to spend a fun night, catching up with girlfriends and forgetting about the wedding week stress! Monday night I’ll be getting a facial with my momma {mother daughter bonding time!}, Tuesday, the girls from work are throwing me a shower, and Thursday at 10:00 am starts the vacation time from work for picking up family from the airport, setting up the reception hall, and a big family cookout! Then Friday will be the day for mani / pedi’s, massages, the rehearsal, and the rehearsal dinner. FINALLY, Next Saturday I get to marry the love of my life! I cannot even stand it. I know you all must be utterly sick of hearing me mention it all the time, so don’t fret, because it’s coming to a close!

Some things I’ve been loving:

 

My Custom dress hanger! Want one? $6.99 and this precious hangers is YOURS for the taking. Go here!

 

My Instagram sign for the wedding, modeled by the fabulous Charles. I picked up a $3 frame from the clearance section of Hobby Lobby, got some chalkboard paint and painted the glass, then glittered the edges and used a clear spray over that. I then took some “Chalk paint” and wrote the words. Chalk paint works so.much.better than chalk, I kid you not. Go to your local Hobby Lobby or Michael’s and try some out. The only downfall is, there isn’t a big collection of colors, you are more limited than if you use regular chalk.

I’ve been using VistaPrint like CRAZY lately doing some cute personalization items. I love this site, but at times it can get expensive. Need some new business cards? Want a custom iPhone case? Want a cute new travel bag? Check out this Living Social deal here! This gets you $60 dollars worth of items for only $16! You just can’t beat deals like that, y’all!

 

Ok, all. I promise, promise, promise I’ll keep you updated on my whereabouts this weekend / week. Have a great weekend. Be a blessing, be a friend. Use your words to heal, not to hurt.

The smorgasbord of all posts

Hey y'all! I'm glad you're back!

I figure you might get sick of me this week. I'm going to try my hardest to do a "blog overload" this week, since for about two weeks after this one, I will probably be a woman in hiding due to the wedding festivities!

I have no theme to this post {hence title, the smorgasbord of all posts.} This past week, I have just had a TON of things I have wanted to share with you all. Charles has been making fun of me because of my constant blog talk. Whenever he see's something he thinks is neat, he says, "Oh honey, you better blog that!" What an adorable man! I can't get enough.

As always, I hope you have had a fabulous pre-fall weekend, full of family, friends, football, coffee, and relaxation {and puppy snuggles, we cannot forget the puppy snuggles!} Something I'm always interested in is finding out people's Sunday evening routines, because everyone is SO different. How do you typically wind down your weekend? This weekend, I have opted to end mine with a glass of red wine {yes, Katie, RED, can you stand it?}, a face mask, and some Netflix.

Now, where to begin on the smorgasbord...

For all of you Keurig lovers out there, I HIGHLY recommend the Folgers K-Cups in the flavor Vanilla Biscotti. I ran across this while I was perusing the aisles at Wal-Mart and thought it would put a twist on my typical french vanilla. It is a bit sweet, but not overpowering. I sipped on it on the deck this weekend in the cool weather and enjoyed some much needed "me" time.

Introducing Vanilla Biscotti by Folgers! You better run grab some <3

I also spent my afternoons trying to prep for the honeymoon! When thinking of where I should go to find travel essentials, of course I thought of Target! Hands down, they have THE best travel section around, although I still can't stand how the body wash and the shampoo and conditioner is sub-par at best. On trips, I really like to have my day to day essentials {my sunflower oil body wash, my moroccan oil shampoo and conditioner, my Macadamia oil deep conditioner, my leave in conditioner, my heat protectant, and my Olay moisturizer.} The problem with these products is that they are SO bulky and not in travel sizes {for shame.} I wanted to bring all of my favorites with me so I feel like myself in Mexico, and Target has the CUTEST TSA approved containers. I still haven't decided if I am going to check these products or not, but the fact that they are small and not bulky was the major selling point for me.

These come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I used the green and pink bottles at the top for shampoo/conditioner, and the pink bottles on the side for various hair products and toner. The small, round, blue containers are used for moisturizer, etc.

Since Target is located right next to Ulta, I thought, well why not? I had a 20% off coupon, which I used to purchase two travel sets of new makeup brushes that I absolutely adore! These brushes are the "Real Technique" brushes and were created by a YouTube makeup guru. They are AWESOME. Check these brushes out right here! They are very affordable and are hands down the best brushes I have ever owned. Plus, Ulta is always running some kind of promotion or special deal, so look out for those for an easy way to save a few dollars on your purchase!

Ta-Da! The wonderfully soft brushes that your face will thank you for! Get yourself to Ulta today {or for you savvy online shoppers, head on over to the website with the handy link above!}

Naturally, you have to smell good on a vacation, right? So it only make sense that I had to buy a new perfume for the trip {make that a perfume set..} You guys, I just couldn't resist this deal. Once again, I had a coupon for Kohl's, and "Princess" by Vera Wang was sitting there on a beautiful center display just taunting me, YES, taunting me in all of it's glory. The bottle alone was $50, yet they had a set with the perfume, the body lotion, and a body gloss for $45. I wonder which one I chose? No contest. This is a great scent for those days you just want to feel like a Princess {what can I say, they hit the nail on the head when they chose the name.} If you haven't smelled this perfume, I highly encourage you to go to your nearest perfume counter and check it out. Once I smelled it, I knew I had to have it. Plus, who can beat the packaging?

Here she is in all of her glory! I am beyond thrilled with this purchase! And LOOK at that packaging

The weekend consisted of cleaning and fall decorating! We had about ten friends over Saturday night to watch the Razorback game, so I got to go into hostess mode, which is one of my most favorite modes! I prepared my favorite spinach dip and jalapeno puff pastries for an appetizer, and we had ribs, baked beans, corn, and okra or the main meal! What a wonderful {albeit, a little too hot} evening with good friends! It was a fabulous pre-wedding cookout. The jalapeno puff pastries were a huge crowd pleaser. If you want the recipe, follow this.

Who doesn't love a little fall decor? I went to Hobby Lobby {I know, I know, we have all experienced the Hobby Lobby shopping experience, where "I'll only be there for a few minutes" turns into "Oh my, how did I end up in here for two hours."} I ended up leaving with glitter pumpkins, glitter acorns, pumpkin trays, fall kitchen towels, an Autumn yard sign..the list really just goes on. No matter that I spent too much time at Hobby Lobby when I have about 100 things left to do for the wedding, my house is much appreciative for the festive makeover!

Well, guys, it's been great, but it's time for me to log off for the day! My brother and his wife just had a baby! That's right, I am now Auntie M for the FIRST TIME! I am thrilled beyond words that my sweet nephew is a healthy 6 pound baby boy! I will annoy you with a million pictures next time. Until then!

Michele

Tales of a Grown Up

Well the Labor Day holiday has passed and it is time to start prepping for fall (MY FAVORITE, in case you couldn’t have guessed by all of my other fall themed posts.) I have all of my fall candles / scents out and I fully anticipate putting out my fall decorations this week! It’s just a wonderful time of year. Starbucks has their Pumpkin Spice Latte’s back (granted I have never tried one, mental note to at least try one of these things that everyone talks about like it’s nectar from God...), the sun goes down earlier, and the weather cools off!

This fall is particularly special. The wedding is just 17 days away, y’all!!! Not to mention, September 1^st is when Charles and I celebrate our 5 year anniversary as a couple. I am embarrassed to say that we both forgot our anniversary this year (that makes two years in a row…I’m not old enough to start forgetting things, no excuses!)

Regardless of forgotten anniversaries and holiday weekends, we still managed to have a blast! Charles headed down to the lake Saturday morning, and I ventured down on Sunday morning. Saturday, I spent doing some shopping (Charles wasn’t home to keep me from shopping, I’m weak, what can I say?) and watched the Arkansas Razorback football game with my parents!  I snagged this ADORABLE razorback cooler from one of my favorite local shops in town, Inscriptions. Isn’t it fabulous? What have I told you guys about shopping local?

Is the not THE cutest cooler? It even incorporates chevron, which Charles so thoughtfully pointed out!

 I then sang at an old friend’s wedding, and she was an absolute stunning bride. Sunday was spent catching up on the lake with old friends and enjoying some fun in the sun, because we won’t be able to go back down for about a month due to wedding activities and things of that nature. I then spent all day Sunday relaxing, looking through some wedding ideas, and watching old movies (thank you ABC Family for playing The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, y’all made my day.)

Now I’m in major wedding GO mode. Guests arrive in two weeks, I still have a million tiny little details and things I need to get done. I have some craft projects that I have to work on (super excited about them, I’ll have to show you everything I make in the next few days) as well as finish putting together Thank You gifts for the bridesmaids, groomsmen, groom, parents, flower girls / ring bearers / ushers / etc. , get with the caterers and bakery / make props for the photo booth / purchase alcohol / pack for honeymoon / clean our house from top to bottom (because face it ladies, you don’t want to go into the week of your wedding with a messy house…you should be relaxed and getting PAMPERED. It is all about you right? Oh yeah...and the groom. It’s about the groom, too… =) You also don’t want to come home from your honeymoon to a messy house. I fully intend to start cleaning my house from top to bottom this week, and KEEPING it clean (that will be the hard part…).

I’m not sure about all of you, but it seems to me that when I have an overload of things to do, I do some of my best work! I get everything I need to get done completed if I have a lot to do; my time management skills are off the charts. I’m not exactly sure why I’m backwards like this, but if you’re the same way, let me know, so I don’t feel like a complete loner with these insanely backwards skills.

Now. The fun stuff. I’m searching for some new, products to bring to Mexico with me on the honeymoon. I want things that will allow me to pack light, yet still not have to suffer from the awful hotel shampoo / body wash experiences that I might otherwise have to endure.  I’ve been most concerned about my makeup. I don’t like to travel with my full set of more high-end makeup because so many things can go wrong! You can lose the makeup or drop it and break it, and not to mention it takes up a lot of room. I’ve been browsing around, looking for some small pallets to carry with me that don’t take up a lot of room, but will last me 5 days in Mexico.

One product I was most devastated about leaving behind is my Urban Decay “Naked” eye shadow pallet! I use this pallet daily, but it takes up room, and I would hate to lose it. I was thrilled when I went to Sephora and found this cute pallet by Urban Decay called the “Naked Basics” pallet. I was intrigued, so I picked it up and was even MORE thrilled when I saw that it was extremely compact (the perfect travel size) and it is a MATTE eye shadow pallet. I repeat, a MATTE eye shadow pallet. It seems as though every eye shadow I find as of late is shimmer based and makes me look shiny and oily. It only has a few of your more neutral, every day color, which is fine by me, I don’t anticipate needing any pink or blue eye shadow in Mexico (or ever, for that matter.) Think you’re sold on this product? Well let me sell you even more. Hold the applause..it is only $27! Shut the front door. I’m in love. If you’re thinking of traveling and need some new products, try this one out for size.

In her glory, here is the Urban Decay Naked Basics pallet. So compact and all the colors I need for a short trip

 

I’ll also be bringing my compact NARS blush / bronzer duo, which includes the Laguna bronzer and the Orgasm blush. I’m obsessed with this pallet on a day to day basis, and it is small enough for travel, so I think I’ll just bring it along. If you’re not feeling up to spending the money for this pallet for a travel blush / bronzer duo, try the ELF bronzer / blush dup (found at Target.) It is only $3 and it is so comparable it is scary. If you break this or lose this when travelling, I don’t think you’re going to beat yourself up over it, since it’s so budget friendly!

{Top} NARS laguna / orgasm duo
{Bottom} ELF duo
You can see how similar they are!!

 

As far as travel shampoos go, I really like the Ojon shampoo and conditioners, especially to go sized. They last a while, and they really help your hair settle down and feel silky smooth (with a pleasant scent..I can’t have my hair smell like over processed formula or like a foot..

Perfect travel sized shampoo / conditioner that will keep your hair feeling smooth and silky

I’ll be on the hunt the next few weeks for some new products to take with me and Charles on the honeymoon. If you have travel essentials, let me know in the comments! I’m always curious to see what everyone must have on a vacation, it’s how I find out about new products! I’ll be making a trip within the next few days to Ulta / Walgreens / Walmart to peruse through their new products.

I hope you all have fabulous plans for the week! I’ll keep you updated on the on-going madness that is my life for the next month.

Here’s a quote of the day for you! It is dedicated to Charles for the month of our wedding. “As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen” –Winnie the Pooh.

Until next time,

Michele