Musings/Life Update

Hi everyone! You'll have to excuse the slight blogging hiatus. My birthday was Nov. 1 and my Spin instructor certification was the day after. Since then I have been regrouping/refocusing to ensure an amazing start to my new Spin venture. I have been writing playlists and practicing speaking in front of a room with everyone staring at you (a big fear of mine). I am looking forward to teaching my first class and hoping everyone will enjoy my take on Spin!

Tank can be found on Etsy and (in a size medium) on my Christmas list.

Now that I am back to blogging, I had to share some of the happenings around the C house these days...

Decorations go up....decorations come down... - 

The time after Halloween and before Thanksgiving has always been a weird time for me (decoratively speaking). I don't decorate for Thanksgiving as I include it within the Christmas season, but I also don't want to put out our Christmas decorations too early (a moment of clarity perhaps?) But that doesn't stop me from still buying a few things here and there to prepare for the season....

This cute sign is a #DollarStoreFind...I should be heading back to the dollar store this week to stock up early because all the good stuff goes quick!

My MIL got me a Disney gift card for my bday and that was put to good use getting some Disney holiday wares. These mini platters are going to look perfect wherever they end up living for the season!

The shoes that my menswear dreams are made of... - 

As I was scrolling through Instagram the other day I came across these amazing loafers that will hopefully make their way into my wardrobe before the end of the year...

Ugh, I love them so much and have already conjured up a million outfits to pair with them....I'm dreaming of a loafer filled Christmas....

Thank you! - 

I just want end this blog post with a big thank you to all of the Decidedly Delightful readers! As 2014 is coming to an end, I think I have reached my goal of blogging more and becoming more of a presence in the social media/blog-o-sphere world and I have all of YOU to thank for it. I am so appreciative to everyone that has come to me (in real life and on social media) to tell me how much they like this little blog of mine. I put a lot of work into it and I am so glad people are enjoying it as much as I enjoy writing it. I love you all and I can't wait to finish out this year and see what 2015 holds!

Musings

Plato's Closet and Clothes Mentor - 

After my "fashion pop-up shop" on eBay ended, I decided to take any clothes and shoes that didn't sell to Plato's Closet and Clothes Mentor. As luck would have it, The Mister and I visited his family in the Capital Region last weekend where they have both of those stores.

For those that are unfamiliar with what Plato's Closet and Clothes Mentor are...they are basically a consignment shop that gives you money upfront for your gently worn clothes/shoes/accessories. They usually don't take everything you bring, and they don't give you an exorbitant amount, but it's nice to walk out with cash for clothes that you are ready to part with. Plato's Closet is more of a Forever 21-ish/Wet Seal/targeted at a younger crowd type of store..whereas Clothes Mentor is more for the "business casual" crowd. Luckily I had items for both stores and made out with $40 all together. I usually just donate my clothes, so being able to walk out with a little bit of money was a bonus.

LA Fitness Show Up -

A few weeks back I had to brave the monstrosity (#Dramatic) known as LA Fitness. My trainer took a much needed vacation but I still wanted to get my three days of spin in...so I printed myself a three day guest pass and went to workout at a place that has steroid warnings in the bathroom. Long story short, while I am using the last day of my guest pass, I see someone doing push ups in the yoga position known as "crow." I, of course, see this as some sort of challenge that the universe has now placed on me and proceed over the next few weeks to learn how to do it. I posted the video on Insta/FB (#Duh) yesterday and thought I would share it here today as I am pretty proud about learning it. My next short term goal is to be able to get myself up into a handstand...for Instagram, of course...

Fall 2014 -

It's only August, you say? Well, for a Fall lover like me (my birthday is the day after Halloween, I was literally born into it) once August hits it's time for me to start thinking of blazers, skulls and some Football food (oh my!)..And let's face it - blogging is just better around the holidays. So, while I am enjoying these last few days of warm weather, I am having visions of (glittery) Halloween decorations in my head.

4th of July Fun

Due to the weather, the C family had a super low key 4th of July. I did my usual table set up and my parents came over for a fish dinner. The Mister cooked and although I got pictures of all the tables set up before we ate, I was too busy eating to get pictures of anything while the food was plated. Alas, I still got some pretty good shots!

With the exception of the platters/vase/flowers I got everything at Tarjay. 

Star shaped rice crispie treats

Since I have a new found obsession with Cookie Butter, I thought I would try a cake creation made with boxed chocolate cake and Cookie Butter as the frosting. I can honestly say it was not as good as I was expecting it to be. I am happy I tried this creation though because I was planning on making Cy's birthday cake like this...since it didn't come out as planned, I will be placing a cake order for his b-day!

Red, white and blue buffet :)

Just an added note - This whole week coming up I will finally be chronicling our wedding. I will be spreading it out along the whole week so be prepared for an influx of wedding madness with a few tips and tricks added in that we learned along the way. I can not wait to finally be able to give our wedding the blogging it deserves (almost 3 years later)!

4th of July Fun

As I mentioned in a previous post, our entertainment center changes with the seasons/holidays. Since summer is in full swing and we are almost half way through June, I decided it was high time to unearth all of our 4th of July decor. A lot of it is from my buffet table from last year...

The crown (Hobby Lobby) has made a reappearance for the summer. The I <3 USA sign was purchased at Michael's on sale at the end of the 4th of July season last year. I found the printable online and got the frame at Christmas Tree Shops, I found the flags at Wal Mart along with the vase on the end, and the two floral accents up top were crafted by me with dollar store finds. Both the black stand and silver vase with pearls were found at Hobby Lobby as well. 

I also like to head to the Target dollar bin around Memorial Day and pick up some 4th of July themed paper goods. Tarjay never fails to impress me with their holiday merch!

(Cupcake ware purchased at Christmas Tree Shops last year)

Having all of this stuff inspires me to do another 4th of July buffet table this year. We'll see what I can conjure up! 

Happy Summer!

Flash Back Friday {Decorating Your Hotel Room}

Since I have Disney on the brain at all times, I frequently look at all of my Instagram pictures from our last trip (doesn't everyone do this?). The Mister advises me to do this when I am asking him if we can go on another Disney trip soon. It usually curbs the asking for a few days. :)

While going through pictures the other day, this one popped up -

 

Since we went to WDW during the Halloween season and our house is decorated during this time, I thought I would bring a little taste of home.

 





I know that I am probably the only crazy one to go over the top like this..but, I will still include a few deets about this little Halloween vignette -

I got everything at Target or The Dollar Store before we left. Everything I brought with us was flat and could be packed. I got the purple bucket ($1) and the gourdes in the bucket ($2.99 for 12) at the Target we went to in Orlando to stock the room. And last but not least, 3M Command Strips are your friend.

xoxo

Musings

I am committing the biggest sin of holiday decorating right now. My Valentine's Day decorations are still up. (#cringe) Yes, you read that correctly...my entertainment center still looks like this and we have family coming on Friday for a visit. So, it looks like a trip down to the basement for some Easter decor is in order. I am like corporate America...I bring out my holiday decorations way too early. Says the girl that takes her Halloween decorations out on Labor Day.

I follow a page on Facebook that is called "Offbeat Bride" they are a sister site of "Offbeat Home." And today they posted this amazing DIY project (non wedding related) that I (& The Mister) are totally doing. I love simple and cheap DIY projects like this. And I love me some bookends.

Off Beat Home

I mentioned this very briefly in my flob - I can not wait for Bravo's new show #SouthernCharm to premiere. I am kind of fascinated with the whole "old money" culture. And Southern Charm is going to showcase just that...Bravo Style.

#RichByBravo

On the topic of Bravo...There is also another new show premiering called "The People's Couch." It had a limited run a few months back. I hoped it would get picked up and it did! It is based on the UK show, Googlebox. It's considered a "social series" and it turns the camera around on the viewer. So basically you are watching people watch TV. The Mister and I always have a running commentary of every thing we watch on TV which makes this show very relate able. And if they ever do castings in anywhere outside the greater LA area, I am their girl! 

Halloween

Oh, it's only January you say? Well, Halloween is on my mind at least once a day, all year.

Today, I played this for The Mister. 

Sidenote - When do you stop dressing sexy on Halloween? I hope it's never.