Any tips???

I've been having a slight issue with the dryer at our rental. Every once in a while I'll pull my clothes out to fold and there are black marks on them, in random places (translation: the front!!).  It doesn't matter what setting the dryer is on, be it high, medium (as it was in this case), or delicate.  It's super frustrating.  They look like burn marks or something like grease.  They stain so badly.  Any tips on getting them out, what to do with this shirt that p.s. I JUST bought Friday 1/27. Sheesh! I really like the top, and went against my usual tech nique and paid full price for it, so I can't return it. (Ya, although I'm the princess of returns, I can't do this honestly.)
Help! Suggestions welcome!

Late night ombre? Why not?!?

Okay, so I've tried to post this blog now going on 3 times, and I finally got it to post... I do most of my blogging mobile, and I think there as a glitch.  So......... let's hope the third time's a charm!

I've seen this ombre polish color scheme for a while, on pinterest, etc.  and I decided to give it a go.  If you had seen the time stamp of when I was to originally post, it was 1:11 a.m.  That was no joke.  Why I decided to do this little project so late in the evening, I'm not sure. But I did.  And yes, I had to work today.  I was watching the style network (one of my faves!), and the show was, "How Do I Look?"  Have you seen it?  It's kinda like TLC's "What not to wear," which is pretty much my favorite show.  Anyway, I couldn't get away from it, and I'm watching the clock get closer to midnight, thinking, I better get started!  So around midnight, I set up camp in my bathroom, to get started on this lovely project. I have gel on my nails right now, one of OPI's light/nude colors - "passion."  I do like the way they keep my cuticles in check, but I like the lighter colors so that I can polish over. You know I'm addicted to polish... why commit to one color?!? So I filed them down, buffed and laid out my colors.  I was excited to have a nice blend, corals to pinks.  Colors are listed below, thumb to pinky:
essie - too too hot
essie - peach daiquiri
essie - mod squad
revlon (speed dry) - candy
essie - poppy art pink
essie - good to go 30 sec quick dry top coat.  I don't do any mani's w/out this top coat.  If you don't already have it, I suggest you go spend the $10 and fall in love w/this quick dry like I did.  I'm talking no sheet marks on your nails when you do your polish late at night like I do... I'm fancy, and I approve this message.

Note to self: when you mention that your stomach isn't feeling right to your husband, even if it's a couple of hours prior to your bathroom-turned nail salon polish fest, don't be surprised when he hollers at you from the bed, "you okay in there?!  I thought you fell in..."  Because he will. I totally thought he was asleep, and was holed up in my bathroom for about 30 min when I heard that.  It scared me, and I quickly jumped off my perch and flashed him my brights, assuring him that I was okay.  LOL.

I would like to try this in grays or taupes to nudes, so that may be my next project.  And you know, that may require some new polish purchases... I'm just sayin'.  Have any of you tried this ombre polish?

xoxo

"so put-together"

I figured I would knock two of my advertised topics out at the same time - girly AND inspirational! ;)
Just the other day, two people told me that I was so "put-together." On the same day!! I beamed when they told me, so proud! I had on my "uniform" which consisted of boot cut jeans (old navy, diva cut, $20), a white cami/tank, a tan heather open cardi w/dolman sleeves (target, $20), an olive green/purple/grass green striped scarf (world market, $12?), and my tan suede peep toe heels (with little bows, rack room $24). Almost forgot the best parts!  Essie armed and ready on my nails and carrying an olive colored long champ inspired canvas tote (old navy, $15 on sale!) First off, I shop sales and bargains.  No, I don't shop at tjmaxx or ross or marshall's for clothing, I've got zero patience for that. Maybe for shoes and purses though.  I'm talking old navy, target, forever 21, and stein mart - that's where I shop to get my basics and then scarf or accessorize these looks to make them mine.  (P.s., scarves @ stein mart, $9.99! Why wouldn't you get a pashmina'ish scarf?!?!)  If you have some staples, you're good to go.  I am definitely a blue jeans girl.  They are a staple in my wardrobe. I bought about 5 pairs when old navy had them on sale for $20, last year. And I bought them online, too! I know, risky. I lucked out and only had to return one pair because they were too long. So, with the denim in check, I go to my top half.  I pretty much layer all the time, it's just easier here in Florida and it makes it comfortable when going from hot to cooler temps. So it's usually a tank or blouse (print or solid), and a cardigan - button up or open. I particularly like the cardi's bc they conceal things... be it unshaven armpits (don't judge!), rolls, lumps, whatever.  I rely heavily on my spanx to take control of my midsection's imperfections, too.  I strongly support spanx and recommend them for all sizes!  They're wonderful!  And then as y'all know I'm a big supporter of scarves, so they're worn a few times a week. (Tip: it's the easiest way to dress up a plain top, or one you may have a spot on, or a logo/embellishment you may not like.  Put a scarf on it!)
I figured that I couldn't exhaust my style, so I've found and have purchased a few tees from old navy and forever 21.  I love the silky tops, short sleeves, and for fun, hey, you guessed it, throw a scarf over it! ;) 
Oh gosh, come to think of it, I've got too many purses and handbags , and I only carry about 4!  (Colors: tan, olive, navy and black. I sure would like a gray one...) Time to streamline and let go of some dated ones, but sheesh, that's a whole 'nother day. 
I kinda got off track, but I wanted y'all to know what I'm working with.  My point (that I didn't make sooner) is that you too can look put-together, on a daily basis, and more importantly - on a budget!!  With a little creativity, mixing colors you may not normally, pairing a cardi with a blouse you may already own, throwing some pearls on, wearing your fancy shoes with your jeans, getting a pretty scarf - you've got it!   It's pretty easy.  No need to go overboard when you're trying to pull of a polished, classic look.  I'll touch base with more accessorizing & makeup later... but for now, go have fun , smile and wear your outfit knowing you are so put-together, too!
xoxo

P.S. - I made this!

I stumbled upon the cutest video a few months ago on pinterest while looking at scarves, and loved it! It was "P.S. I made this..." and it was a ton of d.i.y. projects for fashion.   I tried out one tonight, the scarf with fringe.  I'm going to try this out on some different tshirts, but this will do for now! It's a lite coral/pink and white.   And it's suggested to leave some for my furry baby Coco.
How do you feel about fringe??

Armed & ready.

Thought I would share a pic of my newest nail polish purchase/mani. I picked up essie's "armed and ready" the other day. I had seen it a couple of times and loved it but wasn't sure. It's a pretty dark olive greenish gray, with a golden shimmer (in the lights). Very pretty neutral. Love it!

gotta have faith...

I've started reading the book of Matthew this month.  Our church has a "guide" of daily readings, and this month is 1 chapter each day - in Matthew and in Proverbs.  I'm a little behind so I've only read Matthew.  One chapter that really got me thinking was chapter 8.  No verse in particular, but really just the whole thing is about miracles that Jesus is performing.  Leprosy, paralysis, fevers, demon-possession, just to name a few.  What was so amazing about it was that the people that were healed - all they did was believe in Jesus' power. They had faith.   They believed.  So it got me thinking, what would I do if Jesus was standing right here in front of me?  Right here where I could see Him.  Would I ask Him to heal my sick relatives? To bring someone back to life? To heal my friends' families? (To clone Coco and give me 2 more?)  What would you do?  Would you be able to just throw all the doubt out of your mind, and believe 110% that whatever He said He would fix/heal/correct/resurrect, He would do just that?  Have you ever stopped to think about it?  I can read and listen to the bible, and the miraculous details of the works Jesus did {specifically while on earth}. And I know I've been witness to things He's done here in my life. But in this day and age, it's weird to think that someone could touch a lame person, and make them get up and walk.  Or put some mud on a blind man's eyes, wipe it off, and they can see.  Jesus performed so many miracles in His short life on earth, and how amazing would it have been to witness them, first hand?  I don't want you to think that  I don't believe, by my questioning.  I'm afraid to even hint at disbelief, but it's just different, I think, in the present, technological time.  (I won't go into all that, but I do think that we are sometimes in a world that strays from any kind of spiritual guidance, and we're more dependent on other things... my mind isn't letting me go there right now, b/c I'm trying to stay focused... lol!)
Anyway, I think that if Jesus walked into this room I am sitting in right now, and sat down next to me, I would totally throw all of my doubt or questions or whatever guilt-inducing feelings  out  the window, and never look back.  So what good would that do if I didn't have faith?  We really need to have faith, "trust or confidence in a person or entity."  In this case, to be confident in Jesus' power. Our faith plays such a major role in our walk with God.  How willing are we, on a daily basis, to fully and completely have faith in God's healing powers? Does it matter how I feel, depending on my level or degree of faith? To a point, yes.  I believe that God/Jesus is capable of performing miracles, when He sees fit. I know that all things are on His time, not mine or yours.  When I pray for someone, and ask for His healing hand, I also pray that He does so according to His will/that His will be done.  Maybe because my human mind is telling me the outcome may go either way - positive or [seemingly] negative.  I do think logically, and sometimes I fear that may control my prayers, rather than my faith.  But I know, deep down, that I have faith.  God is so good, and He has done wonders for my life, my family, my marriage.  I feel His presence daily and even when I kinda wished I didn't. It's comforting to have that faith.  Faith is all about throwing caution to the wind; it's about setting aside all the doubt and believing - blindly.  As for the moving mountains, I'm still working on that faith.  But I'm excited to get my mind and heart thinking about this. I believe that the whole reason I know that God has put this in my path for some reason - and I'm ready to dive deeper into faith and believing, whole heartedly, in my God and His powers.  
Matthew 9:28-30 "'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' 'Yes Lord,' they replied.  Then He touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you.' and their sight was restored." 

little ham.....

Coco got the bone from my Christmas ham & I had to share it with y'all.

Don gave it to her and she took it out to the middle of the yard and went to town.  She worked on that thing for quite a while!  Afterwards, it was nap time for her! Thank goodness this little doggie has a stomach of steel!  (only had one mishap w/her, but we think it was a parasite or something.) Bon appetit!