Today's Outfit: Rising Tides

Did any of you watch the VMA’s last night? What was your favorite performance? Of course, my favorites were Gaga (there is NO denying her skill as a performer), Adele, and Beyonce. I’m kinda obsessed with the fact that there is a baby inside Beyonce’s belly.  Mainly because I have always admired them as a celebrity couple, and I think they have a fairly decent chance of being good parents. Plus that woman is fierce.
Today starts the second week of classes. One week down, 9 to go! Woo! I have a lot of cool things to look forward to during those weeks though. Plus, my classes are actually interesting and I think a couple might actually be FUN! (cue gasp) Anyways, I hope you guys have an excellent Monday and get to come home and snuggle with the ones you love.

How adorable is this pack of mints??





Dress, Shirt: Anthropologie; Necklace & Bangles: Click Boutique & Gallery; Purse: Michael Kors; Shoes: Volatile

Today's Outfit: I'm A Collector

Happy Sunday :) This is actually an outfit I had saved in my drafts. I’m still in my PJs today and plan on staying that way for a while.
Last night, I watched Everything Is Illuminated and loved it.  I’d seen it before when it first came out, but I remembered next to nothing about it. That’s why I named this outfit “I’m a collector.”  In real life, I think I’m closer to a hoarder, but those are just words. ;) I’m not totally sure his reasons for collecting, other than it being “Something to do,” but as a child I was always obsessed with keeping things for “posterity.” When I was like 7 or 8 I had this Fisher Price stool and I decided to write “10 10 220” on the bottom because I was convinced that it was going to change the world. I think that is one of my more hilarious Mary Anneisms. And, of course, I still have that stool. Maybe I’ll hand it off to the next generation so they won’t forget the 10 10 220 revolution.



Can you see my yellow nail polish peaking through my shoes? :)

Dress: Lauren Conrad for Kohls; Shirt: Armoire; Belt, Bangles: Click Boutique & Gallery; Shoes: LF Magazine St; Bow: Forever 21

Today's Outfit: Tickled Pink

I have been in love with this shirt and skirt (although I never planned to wear them together) since I first saw them in the online store. I’ve had them saved in my wishlist, but they were just too out of my price range. But yesterday, when I went into the New Orleans store, they were both on sale! Swoon! :) I also did well on the Macy’s sale today. It’s where I got the MK purse, which was my “thank you for not wasting thousands of dollars on Zeus” happy. And…..I’m in love! Actually, I”m kind of obsessed with this whole outfit. Would you judge me if I wore it every day next week? What about every other day?
I also got TONS of compliments on this Click necklace every where I went today. I think this outfit really lets it shine. :)
My parents and I ate lunch at Lilette’s on Magazine St.  It’s one of our all-time favorites and my parents actually eat there about once a week. Our waiter kept saying the funniest things and by the end of the meal we were all out of breathe from laughing so hard! I love those moments. :)  I’ve had a pretty great day and I think I’ll make it better by doing my nails tonight. I hope you all had good days, as well. Catch ya on the flip side. (Yes, I just said that)






Shirt & Skirt: Anthropologie; Belt, Bangles, & Necklace: Click Boutique & Gallery; Shoes: LF Magazine; Purse: Michael Kors; Shades: Ray Bans

Today's Outfit: Local Color

Happy Wednesday! I’ve been relatively productive so far this day. Hooray! I finished making the order of cookies for a friend’s party that are due today.  Now, I just have to work up the courage to go grocery shopping. Ugh. Not super fun, but it’s got to be done! 

Last night, I went to Tabella with a few friends.  Have any of you eaten there? I really enjoyed my meal.  Oh, I also had my first ever Brett Farve sighting in Hattiesburg yesterday! He doesn’t pop up as often as you’d think.  Autocorrect really wants that to say Brett Farce and I think that’s pretty funny, actually.  

I also liked the outfit without the cardigan:

Dress: Armoire; Cardigan, Belt & Bangles: Click Boutique & Gallery; Tights: Hue via Macy’s; Shoes: LF on Magazine

Today's Outfit: Birds of a Feather

This week I have gotten off by a day. So every post this week has actually been what I wore the day before. It feels weird to me, and I have been meaning to fix it, but doing things this way insures that I can post at a decent hour. Posting a day behind has also helped me stay consistent and is definitely more convenient, but it almost doesn’t feel as authentic. What do you guys think? Should I continue posting a day behind, or post what I wear on the same day I wear it? 

Well, for now, I am still a day behind. I have a lot to do today and a lot to think about. I struggle making big life decisions. I have a long history of making the wrong choices and having to waste time/money/energy (and lost friends) trying to fix those mistakes. It isn’t pretty, and has left me an indecisive mess.  Although lately I have been making better choices, I think, so maybe I’ll actually be able to handle this one. I guess we’ll see. 

Here is yesterday’s outfit! I love this lace jacket. I actually just bought some white lace shorts.  Adam saw a picture of them on my phone and joked that I should wear a whole lace outfit.  I already have a white lace tank, so I guess I’m set! 

I don’t know why it has taken so long for me to take this picture! I’ve always meant to, but forgot when it was time to snap them! Luckily, Jason and I are on the same page! I wish my eyes weren’t so serious though. But in the one where I’m smiling it looks like I’m eating the mustache. No thanks!

Dress: Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s; Jacket: American Rag via Macy’s; Shoes: LF on Magazine; Necklace: Click Boutique & Gallery

Homemade Anniversary Cupcakes

Yesterday was my brother and sister-in-law’s first anniversary as a married couple! To help them celebrate, I baked them some sweetheart cupcakes that were a blast to make.

Here is how you can make your own:

What you’ll need to make the cake mix:

2 cups white sugar, 1 cup butter, 4 eggs, 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 cups all purpose flour, 1 tablespoon and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1 1/4 cup milk

(not pictured: milk)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth.

In two separate bowls, use food coloring to make the red and pink batter.

Line cupcake pan with paper cups. Put a dab of white, red, and pink batter into each cup. Fill 3/4 of the way full.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Use a toothpick to know when it’s done.

To make the frosting, here is what you’ll need:

6 cups confectioner’s sugar, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 3/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons evaporated milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa, and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter until smooth, then gradually beat in sugar mixture alternately with evaporated milk. Blend in vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. If necessary, adjust consistency with more milk or sugar.

Note: I’ve linked back to the original recipes, but the measurements I have posted here are slightly different.

Behind the Scenes

Want to see what goes on behind a photo shoot?  Yesterday, I got the opportunity to sneak a peek behind the veil and watch the magic happen. The shoot was for a bridal editorial and a lot of local businesses contributed in addition to it being shot by a local photographer. It was a lot of fun to watch and took my mind off the impending final.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from yesterday’s adventure:

Wedding Dress courtesy of Forrest Paper & Bridal Company; Bridesmaid Dresses courtesy of Click Boutique & Gallery; Photographer Daniel & Steph; Props courtesy ofMcKenzie’s on Main; Shot in The Venue at The Bakery Building