Who Said Solid Was Boring?

I have told you that I am really into rusts, browns, mustards, saffrons...those types of colors right now. As I went shopping with my mother last week I realized that I was picking up the same type of blouse each time. Solid colors, 3/4 length sleeves--told ya that was my favorite thing to wear with boots in the fall. There is no feeling like clipping off a Tibi tag off a new shirt, but this gal is on a budget that doesn't allow too many of those to be snipped off right now. I have felt like every shirt that I find on blogs, collages and Pinterest are all hundreds of dollars. This past week I hit the jackpot finding some cheaper alternatives that are still cute and well-made.

The dress that I am wearing next week for my birthday came from Sosie, but they have lots of great solid-color shirts that I really like, too.

Modcloth also has great options for solid-color blouses. Both of these sites have tons of other adorable shirts that have patterns, too. ;)

It's starting to get colder here, so I guess I will be doing lots of layering with these basics. That is the great thing about all of these, you can wear them with lots of different bottoms, cardigans, vests and jackets.

Thanksgiving Table Manners

Sweet Southern Prep posted these table manners last week that originally come from Jack Hayford, a minister in Van Nuys, California. When I saw these I thought they would be perfect to pass along for everyone to read before we part ways for the holiday this week. Some of them even have verses to go along with the main point. Enjoy your Sunday!

Thanksgiving Table Manners

Come home and embrace the family.

For many people, there’s at least one family member we aren’t looking forward to seeing at Thanksgiving. But the challenge is that we are called to embody the love of God and embrace them. And if you’re the one asked to bless the table, don’t pray an evangelistic sermon at those who don’t know the Lord. Give thanks and pray about how much God loves every person there.

“I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.” (1 Cor. 11:17)

Regard your host with proper praise.

Anyone willing to host a group in their home for Thanksgiving deserves honor—if not a medal—even if the food they serve isn’t as good as yours. Go with gratitude, and regard your host with proper praise.

“I received [this Table] from the Lord...” (1 Cor. 11:23).

Enjoy the feast for all it’s worth.

Folks, this is not a day for dieting. Go for it! Over the years, I’ve found a tremendous joy in fasting a day or two earlier in the week to prepare my heart before the Lord. (Be sure to start eating again the day before Thanksgiving, so your system is ready to enjoy the feast!)

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).

Unusual prayer is fitting here.

This is a day when we ought to give more dimension to our prayer. It’s not that brief prayers are insincere, but at the Thanksgiving table, it’s appropriate to make time for gratitude—for the family, for the gift of life that has sustained us to this point. And thank the Lord for our nation. Whatever may be America’s failings, God has been merciful to us.

“For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (1 Cor. 11:29)

Wash your hands before you eat.

That may seem unnecessary to say, but it’s one of the keys laid out by the apostle Paul as he wrote about manners for the ultimate thanksgiving Table.

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup...For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged” (1 Cor. 11:28, 31).

Do all you can to share the day.

Every time we partake, we proclaim the Lord’s death. We share the day of salvation at the Cross, and today is the acceptable day of salvation.

Don’t miss dinner, even if you’re late.

Last year, a couple of our kids had to go to another dinner, and they arrived late. But it didn’t make any difference because we were all together. There are people who haven’t come to “Dinner” yet, but it’s not too late. Until Jesus comes, the invitation is still open. So you come!

Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate

Guilty as charged for not making this yet, but when I spied this delicious drink I just had to share it before I got the chance to make it. I am so tempted to make one of these right now, but I unfortunately do not have any white chocolate. It has officially gone on my Thanksgiving shopping list, as I will be serving this next week to friends and family.

Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

1.5 cups whole milk

1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

pinch of ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

pinch sea salt

2 ounces white chocolate (roughly chopped)

Directions:

1. In a small sauce pan over medium heat, combine milk, pumpkin and spices. Cook string constantly until just simmering.
2. Remove from heat and add chocolate ( reserve some for garnish)

3. Just before serving, top each mug with a generous mound of whipped cream, a few shavings of white chocolate, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Serve immediately.

Notes:

To store, let cool, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat to serve. Recipe can easily be doubled. Yields 2.

via

Warm Artichoke Shrimp Dip

 

Warm Artichoke Shrimp Dip

Ingredients:

2 (14-oz) cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs

2 garlic cloves, minced

2  Tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 lb. peeled, cooked shrimp, chopped

Garnishes:

lemon zest

peeled, cooked shrimp

Pita crackers

breadsticks

Directions:

1. Combine artichoke hearts and next 5 ingredients in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

2. Stir in shrimp.

3. Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers and breadsticks.

When Everything Runs Out

This is my second post about makeup this week, but only to a certain degree. I really could see myself spending a small fortune on makeup, yet somehow I always cringe at making the purchases. Therefore, I tend to run out of everything at the same time. Does this happen to any of you? I need new Bone eyeshadow. I needed new blush two months ago and have made-do with bronzer. I do a touch of this here, and a little touch of that there and make it come together somehow. Maybe I should have added Sephora gift cards to that birthday list yesterday.

The next worst thing to run out of is your skin care regimen. Two weeks ago I ran out of my night cream and I have been scraping the dregs of my day cream and eye cream. I told Bryan that it was that time when I had to make the splurge and purchase them all at the same time. My skin is very sensitive and dry, so there are very few products that I really trust. I have been using my current brand for the past two years. I have been thrilled with it, but lately I have felt that I needed a change. After talking with a friend, and skin care expert, I decided to try Murad. Does anyone use this? My shipment is due in the mail on Friday and I am very excited to try all of my new products. (After dishing out a wad of cash, I did feel lightly better when I saw my Ebates rebate pop up in my account.)

Lastly, I have run out of my shampoo and conditioner. My shampoo might last two more days. My conditioner was gone with today's shampooing. Now the great deliberation of what to use next. Do you switch up your hair products? I tend to get stuck on something for a while and then switch to something else. Biolage is the one that I literally crave the smell of sometimes and have to purchase it for that reason. I do not think I am ready to switch from my Moroccan Oil conditioner. The mission is to find some today at a local salon.

Does this ever happen to anyone else? How could I have run out of all of these items at once? C'est la vie!

........

In other news, this was a message that I received yesterday morning, shortly after my post for the day went up. Only a dear sister would be so sweet (insert sarcasm).

Not too long after that, my mom called to say that she had just seen the best birthday list ever. She really wanted to purchase everything on the list for me...but wasn't going to do it this time around. C'est la vie! (De'ja vu) Happy Thursday, everyone!

Birthday Wish List

Oh, the Birthday List! We have a love-hate relationship with each other. Growing up, I always made lists and taped them to the refrigerator. Now, often times I order my own gift or pick something out for my mom to give me. Why do we have a love-hate relationship? Well, probably because I don't get the majority of what is on my list. When you see the collage below you might know why. This year I already know what my parents are giving me, and yes, it is on this list. I also know what Bryan is giving me, and no, it is not on the list. Ugghhh, I really try not to like nice things, but it just happens. Quite honestly though, I am always satisfied with any gift I receive, whether it be a cute scarf or my Kate Spade dessert plates (my mother-in-law surprised me with some in the mail last year!).

1. Tom Ford Jennifer sunnies. Love.

2. West Elm monogram necklace from Max and Chloe.

3. Tory Burch boots. Bummed they are sold out everywhere in my size.

3. Tibi Gold Lace blouse.

4. I really want a bedroom set from Restoration Hardware. Gift cards are gladly accepted. ;)

5. Anything your heart desires to give will greatly enjoyed, too!

My Bobbi Picks

For being a girly girl, I am usually blah when it comes to my makeup. I'm not going to lie, I pretty much stink it up. For those of you who disagree, you really are too kind. I have gotten a little better with my eyes, but I never try new colors or anything bold or daring. As far as brands go, I am all over the place--from Georgio Armani lipstick to Arbonne powder and Laura Mercier concealer, I've got quite the random selection. As I was scouring blogs this weekend I stumbled upon Bobbi Brown's Brown Tortoise Shell Eye Palette. I think I have to have it.

Then I got to looking on the Bobbi Brown website. There are tons of beautiful things out for the holidays. The Classic Go To Pallette is the perfect stocking stuffer, due to it's size and price. It would easily fit in a clutch for all of your holiday parties.

Nobody asked me to do a post on this, and I don't want to sound like a commercial, but I think the hues of the colors in the Party Eye Pallette are soft and create a glow on your face. 

 As many holiday parties as we all will be attending, this Chocolate and Gold Eye Palette might just be the perfect holiday eye palette that I have seen so far!

What caught my eye in this Lip Gloss Trio was the one on the far left, the bronze color. It would look wonderful with all of the fall hues that we are wearing right now.

What do you all think? Do you stick to one certain brand most of the time or bounce around? Has anyone gotten any of these products yet? If so, please tell me what you think about it/them. Out of all of these, I think the tortoise shell collection will soon be in my possession. Be sure to go through ebates, it has a rebate of 6% right now!