Freshen up your Spring Look

Happy Friday my fashionable friends!

 

It’s been a cloudy, thunderstormy, muggy week here in Fort Fun, and I’m loving it! I’m patiently hoping that the rivers around where we live are filling up so that we can go floating sometime soon and take full advantage of the spring.

I know that in the spring, people tend to get out a lot more, or at least around here, we all do! We have been cooped inside for so long, we are thankful for the opportunity to get out in the sunshine and enjoy the extra daylight.

With people getting out more, people also tend to have more events. My spring and summer seems to be full of baby showers, bridal showers, concerts, dinner on the patio, cookouts, and the like. I wanted to show you a few examples of what I would wear to certain events during the spring and early summer!

 

All of these clothing options are brought to you by Suite One boutique in Fort Smith. Any {and all} of these outfits would be perfect for a spring or early summer night out, afternoon barbecue, or the like. I happen to own a few of these peices as well, so I know from a firsthand account how great these items look and the heads they can make turn! Loose, flowy floral tops are going to be a constant trend, as well as maxi skirts, graphic tee's, and floppy hats!

We've all been caught getting that last minute invitation to go to a barbecue, so having these options on hand can make it easier to find an appropriate outfit on a minute's notice. You also don't want to show up empty handed, so keep on reading for my favorite {and most requested} summer barbecue treat that's easy to whip up on a minute's notice!

 

Ingredients:

• 2 bundles broccoli, florets only
• 1 red onion, chopped to your liking
• 1/2 cup raisins {optional, my husband hates them so I don’t include them in mine}
• 10 to 12 slices bacon, fried and crumbled {turkey bacon for a healthy substitute!}

 

• Dressing:
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar {can substitute white vinegar if you prefer}
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Prep:

Combine salad ingredients; top with dressing mixture. Chill if desired {it tastes SO much better} and serve!

I hope you've all had a great week. I can't wait to share mine with you this Sunday! Until then!

Day 1: Bridal Portraits!

Hey, y'all!

It's WEDDING SERIES TIME! And what a better week to do it than the week that Charles proposed! That's right, Charles proposed last year on November 2nd {which is saturday} <3 I can't believe it has already been almost a year since then and we are married! Enough of that, and on to a few of my favorite Bridals!

Just as a reminder, all Photos were taken by Beaty Photography. Go visit them here!

Me and the awesome Beaty Photography team! {Emily was put on bedrest a few days prior, so we held up her picture so she was there in spirit!}

Can't wait until tomorrow...XO

At least it's ALMOST Friday..

Hey, y'all!

Ok. You caught me. I'll admit it. I stayed out too late last night {...yes, 10pm is too late for me when I wake up at 4:30am..}. I'm not feeling my best or most productive this morning. I wanted to throw my iPhone when the alarm went off {mental note to change the alarm music, it's way annoying} but I got right up, brushed my teeth, picked out my clothes, did my hair and makeup, albeit not to my best abilities..and shuffled on in to work. Typically I don't get my morning cup of coffee until 7am..I'm a creature of habit y'all, but I couldn't resist grabbing a cup to wake me up. Plus I'm sitting right under the air conditioner at work and I'm FREEZING, so I needed something to warm up my body and to warm my soul. Coffee is a game changer, I don't know where I would be without it..

Here is the reason for my "too late" night:

Bonfire nights are clearly the best kinds of nights. Plus, how can you really beat a fire like this? Answer? You can't.

I opted for my wine colored long sleeve Piko top with my Liz Claiborne cheetah print scarf from JC Penney. I paired it with my columbia jacket so I could stay warm ;) I love these nights!

 

 

We headed out to a neighboring town {because they don't let you have this much fun in the city limits} and had a few drinks, ate some good food, and engaged in great conversation while sitting by the fire. I needed that escape after my horrible, horrible Wednesday. It was a truly gorgeous day, but I had a long work day and I left with a headache and a to-do list. Never fun...but look at the pretty sunset I captured while we were heading out to the fire!

The husband informed me that he had a potluck at work today, so I whipped him up a dessert to bring, and I doubled the recipe so I could bring something to the bonfire last night {because a lady never shows up empty handed..thanks mom}, so I made this quick and easy {cut me some slack, remember, I had a horrible day and I was in a hurry} dessert that I used to make for all of my little boyfriends in high school..behold the "magic bars":

Yummo! Here's the recipe:

• 1/2 cup {1 stick} butter
• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 {14oz} can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/3 cups coconut flakes
• 1 cup nuts {optional}

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, or 325 for a glass dish. Melt butter and pour in a 13x9 dish.
Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top of butter
Pour condensed milk over crumbs
Pour butterscotch and chocolate chips over condensed milk
Coconut flakes over chips
Nuts over coconut flakes
Bake for 25 minutes or until slightly browned! Cool for best taste. Cut into bars and voila!

Have a blessed Thursday {here's hoping for a better day}!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. It is not as the world gives that I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid.”  John 14:7

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!