thankful

I'm thankful. I'm thankful for my supportive family and friends, the amazing opportunities that are presented to me, and for this great holiday. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because I get to spend time with my mother in the kitchen, watch my dad and brother fry a turkey, and relax with friends. 

Yesterday, we prepped for our Thanksgiving feast (of 12 people) by setting the table, baked a pumpkin cake, and I baked my first apple pie! It was harder than I expected... but it's scrumptious. I also made my thanksgiving flowers. I went to Central Market, and bought a gorgeous assortment of blooms...

Today, I'm making stuffing and sweet potato casserole... it's topped with marshmallows and brown sugar, YUM! 

I hope y'all have a delightful day. 

thankfully, 

m

the aftermath... 

thanksgiving flowers

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, thank goodness! Time for delicious food, fellowship, and beautiful floral arrangements. One of my favorite parts of "turkey day" is creating the floral centerpieces and arrangements for my guests to enjoy. I love the warmth of flowers' colors, and how any room can be immediately transformed with fresh flowers. There are so many fall flowers to choose from, like sunflowers, peruvian lilies, dahlias, chrysanthemums, roses, hypericums, and succulents. I can't wait to venture to the flower market this week and create the perfect Thanksgiving floral arrangement. Here are some beautiful arrangements I'm using for inspiration...

I'm thinking for my vases... I will use either clear, bubble vases or mercury glass vases. Maybe I'll even mix & match! 

be on the lookout later in the week for a new post... I'm going to bake my first pie. 

m

(images via pinterest) 

m's guide to parties

It's party season! Lots of good food, friends, and my favorite party accessory- glitter. Here's a guide to throwing the perfect party: 

party prep
Guests rarely recongize the little imperfections in your home (like the cobweb in the corner), so try to not focus on those... Instead focus on: is my home inviting? does it smell good? is there ample room for seating or dancing? Here's a few more tips for party prep success...

• music 
• there should be a good mix between modern-day & holiday music. 
• keep it loud enough to hear, but your guests shouldn't be yelling over the music (unless you're having a dance party, which I fully condone).
• food 
• it should be easy to prepare with lots of choices. 
• whatever you can do the night before, do it. 
• ask your friends to help, hello potluck!
• decorations 
• do it the day before, duh. So if you forget anything, you have the next day to grab it! 
• decorations should encompass the theme of the soiree and your personality, keep it simple. 

The best party tip I have ever learned is to have an empty dishwasher before the party begins, from my beautiful mother. 

throughout the party

Even though you're playing hostess, it's important to enjoy the party! I've also learned to not stress if the party doesn't go exactly as planned... sometimes things simply can't be avoided. It's also important to let your guests decide the schedule! If they're not done with dinner... you don't want to move on to the gift exchange. Let them enjoy your hard work! 

post party
The party's over... now what? 

• clean up the dishes & food after your guests leave. The dishwasher will be empty, so it'll be an easy clean! 
• leave the decor up until the next day- you'll remember how fun it was as you clean. 
• if your guests left dishes- return them within the week (cleaned), with a thank you note. 

I love parties. I plan to throw several over the next month. Here are some of my favorite party inspirations... 

love the black & white with color 

neutral & fabulous

cutest DIY, just put glitter in the water

sip, sip, hooray!

adorable brunch table setting 

happy partying!

m



(images via pinterest)

a winter accessory: the vest

I love this time of year... the temperatures are dropping, the leaves are crunching, and the air smells so fresh. Here in Oklahoma it's finally cold enough to break out one of my favorite winter accessories, the vest. Whether it's goose-down or fur, a sassy vest can complete any outfit. Here's some of my favorite vests: 

• old navy
• $24, on sale! 
• available in coral (shown), raspberry, black, white, navy blue, olive green, & pink

photo credit: old navy 

• gap
• $70, on sale! 
• I love the neutral grey with polka dots.

photo credit: gap

• jcrew
• $120 
• avilable in neon flamingo (shown), saddle, black, navy, deep rivera (blue), & dark poppy (red)
• I LOVE this color.. and it proves that neons can be worn during any season.

photo credit: jcrew 

• forever 21
• $30 
• such a unique faux-fur pattern, love it! 

photo credit: forever 21

• h&m
• $35 
• available in natural white (shown) & beige 
• this is a great cheap chic find...

photo credit: h&m

• nordstrom
• $38 
• I like this vest because it can be styled casual/edgy.

photo credit: nordstrom

Any vest can be dressed up or dressed down with the right outfit. I love pairing a puffy vest with a chambray top and colored corduroys. A fur vest can make any outfit look glamourous. Today, I'm wearing a puffy tan vest with a bright pink & red scarf.

It's the perfect afternoon to get a Starbucks drink and relax with friends.

stay warm,

m

my exciting news...

For the past month, I've been praying for an opportunity that encompasses my strengths, creative passion, and of course, something fun! I'm very excited to announce that I have the privilege to intern with Leslie Herring Events for the Spring. I can't wait! She is truly inspiring and I'm anxious to begin my internship. Some of my duties will include venturing to appointments and consultations, preparing for weddings and events, and blogging (my new favorite hobby). 

I know some of y'all may be thinking... she's an elementary education major, why is she interning for an event planner? Well, I've always loved planning events. My mother has always said that I throw parties for the excitement of planning, decorating, and watching my guests enjoy them. I thrive on the excitement! I'm delightfully waiting to see where this internship will take me...

Also, I love weddings (who doesn't?!), so I decided to gather a few sweet pictures of some of my favorite weddings... 

wedding in Dallas, TX. photo credit: style me pretty

wedding in Scottsdale, AZ. photo credit: style me pretty

hey gorgeous' very own wedding photo credit: hge

photo credit: leslie herring events

photo credit: leslie herring events

photo credit: hey gorgeous events

photo credit: brides of north texas

beautiful new year's eve wedding. photo credit: style me pretty

new year's eve wedding. photo credit: style me pretty

Wish me luck on my internship!

m

bestie spotlight

It has been such an exciting time for my sweet friend, Ashtin. She was just elected PRESIDENT of our sorority! I couldn't imagine a better person for the job...she is loyal and a true representation of Kappa Kappa Gamma. I'm so excited for her! Not only will she be president and be moving into the sorority house with me (yay!), she will also have a full plate of Public Relations classes and activities. We became friends through our sorority, then we lived together last summer. Now we're inseparable...so here she is folks, my besite Ashtin Evans!

Here are some of my favorite memories together... 

ou/tx weekend

skit night at Kappa 

ou game day

big/little reveal at Kappa- this pic is the perfect representation of us...

She also turns 21 on Monday, so exciting! 

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Tuesday & enjoying the cool autumn weather. 

m

a fall accessory: the floppy hat

While shopping in Dallas, I fell in love with a beautiful floppy hat. Ever since, I've been thinking about how fun and cool they are. I decided to research this accessory and share with y'all my favorite floppy hats. My friend and I even had a little photo shoot featuring the floppy hat. My hat (pictured) is from Savvy, a small boutique in Norman, and was only $30! I love it... 

Some of my fashionista besties are also rocking the floppy hat... 

rachelle's hat is from urban outfitters, $40

mady's hat is from free people, $56

Here are some more finds: 

• roxy autumn felt hat
• available in black or fireside (shown)
• on sale for $23 

photo credit: roxy

• bcbg lace-cut floppy hat
• available in black or merlot (shown) 
• $78 
• this is the hat I fell in love with in Dallas... 

photo credit: bcbg 

• charlotte russe heart-cut floppy hat
• available in tan (shown)
• only $15, major deal!

photo credit: charlotte russe

• nordstrom felt hat
• available in black, charcoal (shown), taupe, & wine 
• $38 

photo credit: nordstrom

I love pairing the floppy hat with a cozy sweater, a chambray top and fun necklace, or even a sassy cheetah top. Happy fall accessorizing! 

m

thank you to my sweet bestie, Katie for taking the pics!

m's holiday gift guide

The holidays are quickly approaching and it's time for caroling, eating too much, and gift giving. I LOVE giving gifts to everyone, so I thought I would create a list of my favorite gifts to give this holiday season. Enjoy! 

gifts that keep on giving

• birchbox 
• for the trendy person in your life (male/female) 
• $10/month or $110/12months 
• umba box
• for the crafty/trendy person in your life 
• $25/month or $23/month (12 months) 
• for the makers 
• for the fashionista in your life 
• $29/month (no obligation) 

gifts for him

for tech-savvy gentlemen: 

• byrd & belle leather iPhone wallet
• $32 
• available for iPhone 4/4S & iPhone 5/5S/5C

photo credit: byrd & belle 

• Laser Putter
• $25 
• clips on to any putter to ensure the perfect putt 

photo credit: restoration hardware 

• Opena Case
• $20 
• phone case with a nifty bottle opener 
• available for iPhone 4/4S & iPhone 5/5S

photo credit: opena case

for the book worm: 

• Monsters by Rich Cohen 
• $17 
• get it here
• A Long Way Gone- Memoirs of a Boy Solider by Ishmael Beah 
• $8
• get it here

gifts for her

for the girly girl: 

• Kendra Scott earrings
• $52 
• wide range of colors & styles 
• I love giving these earrings, they are so versatile and classic! 

photo credit: nordstrom

• alpaca infinity scarf
• $65 
• available in camel (shown), white, grey, & black 
• this scarf is classic and chic... I have my eye on it for myself. 

photo credit: cuyana 

for the book worm: 

• Love Does by Bob Goff 
• $12 
• get it here
• Cupcakes and Cashmere by Emily Schuman 
• $17 
• I recently bought this, I'm obsessed. 
• get it here
• Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
• $18 
• who doesn't love reading Andy's stories about crazy Miranda Priestly?
• get it here

for the kitchen & home 

• golden monogram mug 
• anthro
• $10 
• so cute & personal! 

photo credit: anthropologie 

• "made with love" cookie stamp
• anthro 
• $8 
• available in green & red 
• adorable gift for someone who loves baking...

photo credit: anthropologie 

• capri blue candle
• $19+
• different patterns & colors (how cute is this holiday metallic jar?!)
• my FAVORITE candles, ever. 

photo credit: capri blue candles 

• owl cookie jars
• $26 for a set of two 
• owls are my favorite animal to decorate with, love them. 

photo credit: world market 

for the flashy photographer: 

• Diana F+ mini camera
• $79 
• anthro 
• this camera is full of personality and flash, no pun intended. 

photo credit: anthropologie

• Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera
• $100 
• Fujifilm 
• available in fun pastel colors (my favorite is the pink), as well as black & white 

photo credit: urban outfitters

I hope this guide is helpful throughout your holiday gift search! I have my eye on a couple of items...as well as a few more. 

happy shopping & gift-giving! 

m