What I Wore Wednesday

Happy Halloween!

Today is a day many teachers dread. I was one of those. The kids are eager to have a party and to eat candy. They want to go trick or treating from the time they arrive. I also dreaded it because i'm not a huge fan of Halloween. I don't know why but, I just don't care for it.

That being said - check out some former costumes I wore as a teacher (just two out of the eight years)...

Howdy Partner...

(notice how skinny I was)

Strawberry Shortcake (my version)

I look like a baby in these pictures! 

Now, not so much a baby.

Here's what I'm wearing today - unfortunately, I couldn't get to funked up because I'm interviewing teacher aides today. I don't want them to think I'm crazy.

I'm Here!

Hello!

It's Monday. Ugh. I mean, Yay! I mean, ugh.

Does anyone else feel blech when it's cloudy for days on end? I do. We were lucky enough to have a little sunshine this weekend but, the majority of the past two weeks have been cloudy. I need a little sunshine! How about you?

So, for now, I'm going to go to work and come home and go to bed. I love the midwest but, I could use  some Florida sunshine about now... Damn this seasonal affective disorder! I swear it hits earlier and earlier every year.

Sorry for being so grouchy. I promise I'll do better tomorrow.

Enjoy your day,
Laura

Miscellany Monday

What a GREAT weekend!

Seriously, there is nothing better than a couple of days with no plans.

On Saturday Bill and I laid around watching TV for most of the day.
We finished the latest season of Damages.
So. Good.

Saturday afternoon my Sister, Sophie and I went to Ulta and Hobby Lobby for a little girl time. I purchased my first sulfate-free shampoo.

I had a coupon for 20% off my entire purchase for being a valued customer! Plus the Biolage was buy two get one free! I also purchased the bareMinerals - Mineral Veil SPF 15 - in the compact.

I've been using the Ready Foundation for about two months and love it! I'm so glad my favorite products come in compacts now. I've been using bareMinerals for about 8 years and wouldn't use any other foundation / powder than this.

With the compact you just tap the brush on the foundation and with long strokes apply it - rather than the swirl technique of the loose power.  The brush that is recommended for use with the foundation is called the Precision Face Brush - I purchased it and it works fantastic!

I love Netflix. I stream it on the AppleTV. On Sunday, while Bill was working I was watching Crossing Jordan while working on Poppy and Pippa products and doing laundry. 

I was able to create, take photos of new items, and list them on Poppyandpippa.com - Check it out below -  I added back the hair tie color choice option sets!

Poppyandpippa.com

I even had a chance to paint my nails.

Have a great monday!

SALE!

SALE! 25% off your entire purchase Today (10/18) and Tomorrow (10/19)! Enter JUSTBECAUSE at checkout to receive this discount! All orders will be mailed on MONDAY!

Dainty

Dainty is not a word anyone would use to describe me.

I'm loud.

Have a ridiculous laugh.

I am not dainty.

But recently I see  dainty (i.e. small, delicate, simple) jewelry all over the place - bracelets, necklaces, and rings.

Love these...

Source: etsy.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: honestlywtf.com via Renee on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Laura on Pinterest

What are you loving right now?

Miscellany Monday

A little randomness.

On Friday my hubby and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary.

We went out for dinner at a wonderful restaurant. I had Lobster Ravioli with Sweet Potato Cheesecake and Bill had the Fillet. It was wonderful.

It was beautiful weather all weekend. Perfect for a "non-professional" photo shoot with my niece and nephews.

Bill and I enjoyed a very lazy weekend. We hung out on the couch watching season 7 of Weeds. Yesterday we watched the Redbull Stratos - Felix Baumgarter jumped from 128,000 feet - roughly 24 miles above the earth. More than twice the height that commercial airlines fly. If you missed it - you need to check out it!

photo via

linking up - check it out!

A Decade.

I've been married for a decade.

You know when people say marriage is hard? I actually don't think it's all that hard. I think Bill and I are supposed to be together.

Don't get me wrong, we have our disagreements. It's never anything that lasts too long and for the most part we just bicker like an "old" married couple.

As I write this I realize that I don't have ANY wedding pictures on my computer. None. Zip. Zilch. We got married before this whole digital craze took off... That's ok though because, I hate our wedding photos. They're so posed and completely not "us." This pic is more like "us."

I'm serious. He's silly. I'm quirky. He's weird. He like old VWs. I like new and shiny. He likes modern. I like contemporary. He listens to Muse. I listen to the Carpenters. 

We complement each other.

I couldn't go on without him.

He is my rock.

Happy Anniversary! 

I love you more than words.

Shop Update and "I Baked! I really did!"

FYI: If you're looking for the perfect Halloween treat for your daughters/ granddaughters/ nieces/ friends/ sisters etc. I have the perfect fat free deal for you! For blog readers only receive 20% off your entire order at Poppyandpippa.com through Sunday. All you have to do is choose the items you'd like to purchase by adding them to your cart and before you check out enter the coupon code greenpenfriend. Easy as pie...pumpkin pie but without all of the fat and calories!

*Check out all of the new items that have been added just in time for the Holidays!*

////

"I baked! I really did!!"
With all of the busyness behind me (for a while) I have some time on my hands in the evening. I've been wanting to make homemade granola bars for a while now. The store bought ones are good - but have very little nutritional value. I found a recipe for Pumpkin Granola Bars on Pinterest. Made them. Ate them. Love them. Seriously - only one change I would make for next time is to add cinnamon and reduce the amount of pumpkin pie spice. Check the recipe out!

Source: thecafesucrefarine.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinteres

Happy Baking and Shopping!

Fall Favorites {My Wish List} Part Three

I have been mildly obsessed with scarves for the past two years. They look great with a few of my other favorites - boots, jackets, and dresses.  Perfect for North Dakota Fall, Winter, and let's face it Spring. Check out {Part 1} and {Part 2}.

SCARVES and DRESSES

Source: polyvore.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: stylezen.net via Laura on Pinterest

Source: jennifer-olexa-williams.polyvore.com via Laura on Pinterest

Miscellany Monday

Random thoughts from the last week.

My favorite day of the entire year is the first day it snows. Yes, I love snow!! Last week we had the second earliest first snow for the year on record. The earliest was two days earlier. We almost had a record. Bummer. This is my car...before I brushed it off.

Sorry for the poor picture - it was taken in the dark (6:15 am)

///

Bill and I left the snow behind in Fargo and made our way to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for three days. 

We saw Louis CK - Bill loves him! 

On Friday we slept in and ate a late breakfast at the hotel. It was good we slept in because we ended up walking about 6 miles (according to Bill's Fit Bit) through Ikea and the Mall of America. We were exhausted at the end of the day. But made some great purchases at Ikea!

On Saturday Bill managed to reserve an iPhone 5 so, I got to lounge at the hotel while he ventured to the mall. Then, we went to visit his brother and wife as well as two of our nephews. It was nice to catch up for a bit. They wouldn't let me take a "normal" picture of them - so here are Dylan (Zombie) and Cody (Clone). Adorable, aren't they? Hehe.

After visiting for a bit we made our way to the outlet mall. I scored some great deals - like 40% off  EVERYTHING at Old Navy. Seriously. It was so awesome! Then we left for home and arrived about 10:00 on Saturday night to a cat who had A LOT of energy!

///

Fall Favorites {and Wish List} Part Two

I have several jackets and cardigans in my closet but, can you really have too many?  Number two on my Fall Must Have list - jackets and cardigans.
See Fall Favorites {1} here.

JACKETS and CARDIGANS

Source: becauseitsawesome.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: bourbonpearlsandwildcats.tumblr.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: longenecker-storyshort.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: puttingmetogether.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: garnethill.com via Laura on Pinterest

Fall Favorites {and wish list} Part One

Thank goodness for Pinterest... or not. I can't stop drooling over the adorable outfits, bags, and boots! My fall wish list is long and rather spendy. So, breaking it down, today I'm going to share several outfits that look fab with brown riding boots. #1 on my wish list -- Boots!

BOOTS.

Source: theguavalife.polyvore.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: ishandchi.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: jennifer-olexa-williams.polyvore.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: dressinterest.com via Laura on Pinterest

What's on your Fall wish list?

Enjoy your day!

Miscellany Monday

A little randomness...

For the past two and a half months I've been consumed by work. Working on the Junk Market for Poppy and Pippa as well as planning a state early childhood conference. As I write this (on Sunday) I realize that my life is going to slow down. A lot. 

So, what's next? 

Well, I have a board report to write for work as well as billing and writing a newsletter. Sound like fun? It sounds like everything is getting back to normal.

I have one goal with all of my extra time in the evening. Exercise. I know I've said it all before. 

Eat better.

Exercise.

Lose weight.

Have more energy.

Live well.

So... starting tomorrow I'm going to give it a try.

Enjoy your day!