Style Me Bloggers Secret Santa Reveal!!

This Christmas season I participated in a Secret Santa exchange with some of my favorite people…my fellow bloggers from the Style Me Pretty Challenges!!!  Love that these ladies and I have become such great friends!!  Deena, (our leader and organizer of all things Style Me Bloggers Link-ups…God Bless her!!) of Shoes toShiraz organized the exchange for us using an online system called Elfster.  So cute and super fun!  I signed up for Elfster and was able to get notifications when someone posted in the group!  It also had a cool feature where you could create Wish lists.  I didn’t use this feature this time around though, because our exchange had a stipulation…

We had to get the person we picked a gift specific to our region!  At first I had a tough time with this!  I wanted to send my person wine from the Vineyards out East on Long Island.  Little did I know you can’t ship alcohol (which I for one, think is pretty silly!!! HAHAHA).

As for me, I was so excited to get my gift in the mail!! Lana from Two Teens and their Mama was my Secret Santa. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her blog!  Be sure to check it out!!  Living in Washington State, close to the Seattle area, she sent me some awesome treats!! Should have thought to take pics of the gifts before I opened them...I'll do better next year!!  :)

Starbucks Hot Cocoa because their headquarters is Seattle!

Seattle Chocolates in a gift box shaped like the ferry….which immediately made me think of Grey’s Anatomy and those aerial shots of the ferry McDreamy takes to work!  (I know…I know…I watch too much TV! #solitarylifeprobs

And Sockeye Salmon, specific to the Pacific Northwest, in a beautiful gift box.  Salmon is one of my favorite foods.  I knew I’d save it for a special occasion!  I have decided to serve this as one of the entrees when I have Christmas Eve at my house. I’m excited to tell my family about the Gift Exchange over dinner!!

Chocolate, Starbucks and Salmon...pretty much my favorite things all in one fabulous gift.  THANK YOU SO MUCH LANA!!  Love it all!!

Lana also included a sweet message on a gift tag that now hangs in my tree!!  

I had such a fun time participating in the gift exchange.    I was Sarah's secret sender.  Check out what I sent along to her here!  Who knew that 2014 would be the year of the Style Me Challenges, and because of them, I’ve had the opportunity to meet these amazing woman!  It really is all thanks to Alison and her idea to create these challenges!  It is with gratitude and hugs that I say a big thanks!    

 If you've been following my blog and thinking about joining one too, please read my letter to Alison {here}!  It's been a fabulous, fashionable adventure!


Merry Christmas to you all!!
Katie

An InLinkz Link-up

The Winter Challenge seems to be flying right by...

much like the remainder of this year!!  I have been really slacking when it comes to blogging lately, but I have lots on tap for the rest of the week, so please come on back and check out what's happening with me!! And after Friday, I'm on VACATION for TWO WEEKS!!  I am committing to spending that time blogging and reading (something other than schoolwork).

Back again with another set of Winter Challenge outfits, thanks to Alison at Get Your Pretty On!  I'm having a fun time with these outfits, even though I haven't been faithful to every outfit!  And I am actually liking the different way the outfits are being delivered this time around!  With so much going on this time of year, we are getting a week's worth of outfits all at once. (I didn't fully realize this the first week!)

In last week's post,  I showcased the first two outfits in the challenge.  These next few are the rest of the first week and the start of week two.  And I will be honest...I've already been "off" challenge a bit.

Wednesday, Day 3, called for a poncho, long sleeved tee and plaid scarf with skinny jeans and booties.  I didn't have the poncho but since my blanket scarf is huge, I didn't really need it!  For work I opted for more of a Fall Challenge outfit.  I wore my mustard boyfriend cardi, with this blanket scarf and black pants.  I went out to dinner that night and followed the winter challenge outfit more closely with this...

Love my TOMS booties...so glad I finally bit the bullet and bought them!!

Thursday's outfit, Day 4, I ended up wearing on Sunday! The weekend outfits I opted out of, but will definitely be saving them for more dressy occasions!  This was pretty much spot on!  Plaid button down, black skinny jeans or leggings, and white puffer vest, with booties and accessories.  I opted for the black skinnies because I thought my booties looked a little weird with the leggings...I have to figure that one out!!!  But I like wearing my booties with cuffed jeans!  LOL

Friday's outfit, the more I wore it, the more I liked it!  Long printed cardigan, neutral top, skinny jeans, fur scarf and riding boots.  This was my interpretation.

This cardigan was the only thing I ended up buying specifically for the challenge, because I had nothing like it! I got it from Piper Street.  It's no longer available but there are lots of new similar styles {here}. I was unsure of this with the fur scarf, and honestly that didn't last long!!  Any thoughts? Leave them in the comments below!

Like I mentioned before, I opted out of the weekend outfits but my Saturday outfit was pretty challenge inspired, so I thought I'd share!

I'm not gonna lie...I may wear this scarf every other day!!

Monday, challengers rallied in support of a fellow challenger by wearing #tealforterri.  Terri is currently battling GCT, a rare form of ovarian cancer,  Teal is the official color of ovarian cancer.  My teal sweater worked with the other challenge pieces from the day. The puffer vest and dark skinnies with uggs.  This was obviously my after school look.  I wore the sweater with black trouser pants to work!  Learn more about Terri {here}.

Tuesday's outfit of the day, called for a dressy sweater, dark skinnies and riding boots.  Super easy!  Wore the sweater with gray ankle pants for work but changed into the challenge outfit for PT later on in the evening.  Got lots of compliments on this!!  It's hard to see but this sweater, rather than being bejeweled (since I ended up wearing that sweater on Monday) has gold thread embellishing the front.  I got it a few seasons ago!

Today, I will be off challenge!  It is Polar Express Day at school and I get to wear my pajamas!!  I'm pretty excited about it!!!

What have you been wearing this week? Link up with us below...we can't wait to see!  And don't forget to check out how these beauties styled their challenge looks!!

Shoes to Shiraz | Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | R Squared  

Two Teens and Their Mama | Foxy's Domestic Side |  | Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life 

Sheila's Potpourri | Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After |  Sprinkled Just Right 
Quilty Joy Joy | From Plaid to Pearls | Daily Style Finds | Fast Life Slow Life
 The Blondissima | Looks Like Lauren


It's hard to believe this is my fourth challenge.  Much of 2014 has been spent participating in Style Me Challenges.   If you've been following my blog and thinking about joining one too, please read my letter to Alison {here}!  It's been a fabulous, fashionable adventure!

Katie

Linking up today with:

Alison at Get Your Pretty On

Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy

 Because Shanna Said So

Sarah at Tucker up

Madeline at Cappuccino and Fashion

An InLinkz Link-up

Dear Alison

This being the holiday seaon, my fellow challenge friends and I thought it would be a great idea to reflect on these challenges and express to our fearless leader Alsion, how she has helped us!

Dear Alison,

As I sit down and try to reflect on what the 4 challenges I have participated in this year mean to me, I am finding it somewhat difficult. When I first saw your tweet about the inaugural Spring Challenge as a way for busy moms to get out of their yoga pants rut, I was definitely interested but wasn't sure it was for me. I was not a mom, or a wife for that matter...just a single girl into fashion. I tweeted you and was so happy you got right back to me saying the challenge was really for anyone who likes causal, easy pieces. I went ahead and jumped right in, joining. I had a similar style to yours and figured this challenge “thing” just might work for me. 

Little did I know that one challenge would turn into 4! The challenges are much more than styling clothes. It's women of all ages, different backgrounds and experiences, from all over the world coming together and sharing a love of fashion and style, but also boosting one another's confidence and encouraging one another. Women so often try to compete and end up tearing each other down. This group IS SO NOT THAT!! This group is a safe place where I feel comfortable expressing myself and sharing because these women have become my “friends”!  So many challenge outfits are my go-to outfits and I find myself reaching for challenge pieces more than all the others!  Most of all it's just a realy fun time!  And who knew that I would connect with so many other bloggers and we'd begin a series of blog posts around shared experiences, within the challenges, but extending way beyond.   You did that...you brought us all together!
As the year comes to a close, I just wanted to say THANK YOU...when I look back on 2014, it will be challenges that help define and shape it! Thanks for making me feel pretty both inside and out...My heart is full!  So is my closet!!  :)

Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy Christmas and all the best in 2015! 

Katie

The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life

**For anyone who has been reading the blogs and following along with us during the challenges, get in on the fun for yourself!  You won't regret it!  Find out more about Style Me Pretty Challenges HERE!

The Winter Challenge Fun Begins!

Teaming up once again with fellow fashionistas from the Winter/Holiday Challenge, that we've began participating in this week with Alison at Get Your Pretty On!  This is my fourth (and most likely, final) challenge.  Can't even believe how fast time has gone.  When I started these challenges in the Spring, I could never imagined what it would turn into.  It's been so fun, a confidence builder, and a way to make new friends and style sisters.  When I thought about signing up for this challenge, I was a little unsure, given the time of year and everything going on!  But I knew I didn't want to miss out on the fun...in the challenge, in the group and blogging with the girls.  Shout out to Deena for another beautiful graphic!!

Shoes to Shiraz | Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | R Squared  

Two Teens and Their Mama | Foxy's Domestic Side | Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life 

Sheila's Potpourri | Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After |  Sprinkled Just Right 
Quilty Joy Joy | From Plaid to Pearls | Daily Style Finds | Fast Life Slow Life

I just figured out that we are getting the outfits a little differently this time, but I'm still gonna blog about them as I have in the past.  So today is the short and sweet version...the first two outfits!

I was super excited to have the day off Monday for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, so I was able to follow the Day One Challenge outfit pretty closely! When I went to celebrate my sister's birthday, I got lots of compliments on this!

 Cable knit sweater (JCrew Factory)

Dark Skinnies (actually my Hue denim leggings)

Faux Fur Scarf (similar)

Riding Boots

I really loved this!  So super easy to pull together and throw on!  The scarf is pretty large and only goes over the neck, doesn't loop around like the typical infinity.  I liked the way it laid though, and that it covered the little embellishments that go down the front of the sweater.

Day two, I was already a little off!  The weather here was THE PITS!!!  Freezing cold, pouring rain, 60 mile per hour wind gusts and flooding. So yea...the day was a good as you can imagine! I truly believe that on days like that no one should have to leave their bed.  After all, it looks like night all day!!
BUT, if there is one silver lining, when it comes to rain days, it's getting to wear my WELLIES!!! So I swapped out the riding boots for them!  It was a faculty dress down too, so I was grateful for that and with the weather, opted for more of a sweatshirt tunic, rather than a tunic sweater. On the challenge list for the day was a puffer vest, I swapped that out too...for my rain coat!!

So I guess, this outfit is not very challege-y after all!!  The only thing on point were the leggings!  I look forward to wearing the true challenge outfit someday soon. Because I just love my puffer vest !!

Next week I'll have lots more looks from the challenge to share!  Please come back for a look!!

Have a great Wednesday...Have Fun and Look Fabulous!!

Katie

Linking up today with:

Alison at Get Your Pretty On

Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy

Sarah at Tucker up

Madeline at Cappuccino and Fashion

Hard to believe....

that Christmas is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!  Where does the year go!  My house is all decorated and I am ready, but I just can't believe it's come around so quick!  Today I'm linking up with my fellow fashionistas from the Style Me Challenges to share my favorite holiday meal!  These days, any holiday meal I share surrounded by my family is my favorite because... I get a good meal!!  HAHAHAHA!!

This solitary life is the pits when it comes to eating.  Some don't believe I eat....but I do!!  It might not be the healthiest meals on the planet, but it's food.  So what if I tend to live on quesadillas, rice, and cereal MOST days!  On Sundays, because I have the time, I'll try to make an actual meal...usually salmon or chicken.  I mentioned in a previous post /here/ that I don't really like cooking for myself because by the time I spend all the time preparing the meal, I hardly want to eat it!!  Ugh...but anyway...back to our regularly scheduled program!!

My favorite holiday meal is probably Christmas day dinner, because, ALL of my family eats it together. With my sisters married, some time is spent with their in-laws during each of the holidays.  But for the past, I don't know how many years now, we've all spent Christmas day together at my sister's house.  The gathering includes my Mom and Dad, my oldest sister her husband and three boys, my sister and her two twin girls, my sister and her husband (the hosts!) and their two girls.  It also includes my Aunt and Uncle (my dad's brother) and their young son.  This tight-knit group is what I consider my immediate family.  And this is the only time throughout the year that we are ALL  together sharing a holiday meal.

Usually it's lots of different apps, we don't have at our typical get-togethers, most times, Prime Rib for dinner....and of course drinks!!  It's just a really crazy, fun time spent together talking, laughing and often reminiscing!  And since last year, it's become our most comfortable meal.  The "good" china and gobblets may be out but we're all cozy in our PJ's!!  Actually this might also be a big reason why it's my fave!!  :)

And I don't have a pic of all of us eating out Christmas dinner but I do have a pic of all of us in our PJs!  My family just might kill me!!  :)

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays!!  Filled with a meal shared with the ones you love, lots of fun and good cheer!


Have a great weekend,
Katie

Go check out my Style Me Blogger Friends and Link up with us to share your favorite meal!!  And a big congratulations to our last link-ups Giveaway Winner...

 Rena McDaniel

Enjoy your prize!!  More giveaways coming up soon!!!

Shoes to Shiraz | Two Teens and their Mama | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | R Squared 

Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | Family Love Inspiration Education  

The Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life | The Blondissima | Familiar Joy

Positively Learning | Quilty Joy Joy | Daily Style Finds | Sheila's Potpourri | Puppies and Pretties She thought she could | Looks like Lauren | Foxy's Domestic Side | 
Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After | Wardrobe Therapy

A grateful heart

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!  Spending Thanksgiving on the beach in the Outer Banks! It hasn't been the best week weather-wise, but I've had time to relax, read and spend quality time with family.

Being here for thanksgiving is very different for my family and we are not ALL together, but I'm still of course, giving thanks for all that I have.

A roof over my head, food in my belly, and people who love me!!  Really don't need more than that!!
(Even though I am feeling sad I lost out on buying that 50 inch TV this morning for $199!! HAHAHAHAHA...just kidding!!)


Some things I've seen floating around today that I wanted to share!!  From the heartfelt to the funny...

Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout!

and my favorite from this year.... LOL

On a serious note, I'd like to wish all my family, friends, followers, and blog readers a very Happy and blessed Thanksgiving.  I hope you too, are enjoying the day with good food , good wine and most of all lots of laughs!!  Have a great day!!  Gobble til' you wobble...and shop 'til your drop tomorrow!

Be on the lookout for a vacation wrap-up on the blog next week!!

With a grateful heart,
Katie

A Vacation Read...

This week I am spending the Thanksgiving week on vacation at the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  For the first time, my family is away for the Thanksgiving holiday.  It is quite different from the many summers we have spent here.  We arrived on Saturday to bright beautiful sun but it was quite chilly.  Sunday was pretty cloudy with some rain and after a beautiful, sunny, 75 degree morning and afternoon yesterday, it has been raining ever since.  All this rain, however has allowed me to spend lots of time reading!  I LOVE reading but am not often able to get through a book during the school year!!  I brought three books with me this week.  The first one I received, as part of the Blogging for Books program. I signed up for Blogging for Books after finding out about it online.  I signed up, was able to pick a book that interested me, and received my book in three days.  I believe it was the day the book hit the shelves of book stores.  That was back in October...I have finally sat down to read it.  And plowed through it in a matter of hours.  It was that good.

The 13th Gift tells the true story of a grieving family at Christmas.  The author Joanne Huist Smith is also the narrator.  The family has had an understandably rough time, after the death of their husband and father in October.  They are broken and disconnected and facing their first Christmas without him.  Then 12 days before Christmas, the family starts receiving mysterious gifts on their doorstep. Each with a little note...like in the Christmas carol.

Without giving too much away, I will say that I really enjoyed this book's mix of mystery and heart. I was rooting for this family and am happy that in such heartache they found a glimmer of hope.  It also shows that there ARE good people in the world.  And a little kindness can go a long way.   I was happy with the way the story wrapped up and was sorry to see it end.  I know the book was autobiographical, but I do hope the author continues to write. I highly recommend this book...a great read for this time of year!!  And I think it'd make an awesome stocking stuffer! :)

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing Blogging for Books!  Until next time!!

Have a happy Thanksgiving...enjoy family, good food and lots of laughs!!

Katie


*FTC Disclaimer- I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  All opinions are my own.*

And in case you missed it...don't forget to enter the Style Me Bloggers giveaway for some Christmas Cash {HERE}!!!!