Falling for winter

Is it really that time of year? October is here, whether I like it or not. No more tube tops, flip flops, and spending mindless days under the sun. As I try to embrace this season, the colder season brings more preparation.

I'm getting ready for some fun adventures this month. I plan on drinking lots of hot chocolate, conquer the corn maze, visit a haunted house, and host a scary movie night. All filled with great company and pictures to come!

My recent purchases for the fall season included a new pair of brown Alloy boots, a black bomber jacket from Target, and a cream Forever21 scarf. I can't wait to wear!

(source)

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This month, I'm reading Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey. I recommend this read for any woman that doesn't understand the intentions of men. Steve Harvey has put women in the driver's seat of their relationships.

Another joy of mine, or maybe more a a slight obsession, is Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. The price however, I'm not in love with. Luckily, I found this wonderful DIY: Pumpkin Spice Latte (Just Like Starbucks) recipe.

Pumpkin Spice Latte
makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin OR 1 teaspoon of Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup (your choice)
2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute - you can halve this amount
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.)

Directions:
In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. If you don't have a blender, don't worry about it - just whisk the mixture really well with a wire whisk.

Pour into a large mug or two mugs. Add the espresso on top.

Optional: Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

I have used this same website before when I was craving caramel macchiatos. Yummy fall treats are helping me warm up to winter.

September is long gone and only three months left in this year. I plan to re-evaluate the New Year's resolution list, dust off my diary, pack up my summer clothes, and enjoy what's left for 2011. 

Until next time,

Here's to always being your B.E.S.T!

 

Sassy Sunday

This is my seventh month blogging and I would like to introduce a new addition to my site: Sassy Sundays. While relaxing after church or juggling the endless to-do list, you can look forward to a new post! I will highlight how to truly be your BEST.

Be Fashionable
Embrace Individuality
Stay Classy

Treat Yourself

Here are my four picks for this week:

Be Fashionable

Caboodles.com just keeps reinventing their amazing product. The company now has Ready-To-Go Specialty Cases. The cases are made in two sizes medium and small. Of course I bought one of each! The colors vary from leopard print to solids. Besides the fun colors, it is also functional. In a rush to put your war paint, I mean make-up? Toss your eyeliner, lip gloss, foundation, etc. in this case. If fits perfect in a purse, gym bag or luggage. 

Visit caboodles.com where to buy section

 Embrace Individuality 

This section I feel is the most important. Why try to be anyone else? Admiring people for their talents, accomplishments is noteworthy, but sometimes it's better to just focus on your strengths and abilities. This week challenge to commit to the promises you keep. Especially the ones to yourself.

I promise myself_______ say it out loud or write it down. This promise is hopefully a step toward a better way of life. You never know what you are capable of, until you try.  

"We lie the loudest when we lie to ourselves" -Eric Hoffer

Stay Classy

Handwritten thank you cards are a great way to show your appreciation to someone. It's traditional, but sometimes pleasantly unexpected. If you are feeling really creative, decorate your own!

Treat Yourself

The best combination next to coffee and creamer is chocolate and love. Chocolove makes wonderfully delicious dark chocolate. I dislike dark chocolate, but not anymore! Buy some. There's a love poem inside every wrapper.

Now, I better take my own advice. Something sweet for you:

Dear Readers,
I appreciate your support, comments, tweets, and e-mails.
Here's to staying true to yourself and striving to always and forever being your BEST!

Family road trip and finding clarity

I had the opportunity to go on a family road trip this weekend. We headed to Mesa, AZ to see people that are dedicated to their health and fitness. Although, this was not the first fitness competition I have attended, I am still amazed every time!

Packing is always exciting, but I find unpacking to be a little cumbersome.
Items: pink and green polka dot duffle bag, orange reptile-scale purse, and Victoria's Secret PINK water bottle.

The trip was close to six hours. I found eating fruit-shaped lollipops as a good way to pass time, while listening to the car Ipod. I think it's good to travel in order to get away from the everyday hustle.

Made it to Arizona. At a rest stop wearing a graphic tee-shirt and gold-tinted aviators.Flying on an airplane would have been faster, but you can't see this from the plane:

Fraggle Rock!

Another thing that is exciting about new places are new food choices. I finally had the opportunity to try an In-n-Out Burger. Yummmm....delicious.

If you couldn't already guess, I was not a competitor in the competition. :) Of the female bodybuilders, one woman was 70 years old. She looked like she was in her forties and happy as ever.

Inspiration can be found anywhere. This time I found it along with some clarity on this southern dusty road trip. Now, back in the Land of Enchantment, it's time to get busy working on my personal goals.

Ah, I almost forgot to share! I started the trip with a lollipop, so I had to end with one too. Ever had a strawberry scorpion sucker?  

As always, thank you for reading.

Here's to always being your BEST!

Crafty Corner: DIY watch adjusting

I am all about DIY (Do It Yourself) projects. I bought a metal watch that said on the label "adjustable." I took that to mean that I would be able to tighten the band with a metal clasp.

Well, the label was right. The watch was adjustable, you just have to take out the pins! I began to freak out because I really wanted to wear the watch the next day.

My crafty sister went on YouTube found this video and we were able to make my watch band smaller in less than 30 minutes. We did have to improvise because we did not have this fancy watch kit. However, we used a paperclip, a small hammer, and our dinner table.

Simple teamwork and a watch that fits. Hopefully this video will save you a trip to the jeweler.

Until next time,

Here's to always being your BEST!

Sassy summer recommendations

Summer is my favorite season! Mostly because the sun is shining, endless pool days, and summer fashions. Besides wearing simple dresses, thong sandals, and glitter lotion, I also made time to celebrate the area I live.

I was not able to take a long road trip, visit a water park, or eat an endless amount of lollipops. I did however get to enjoy a mini vacay at the White Sands National Monument, lay out at a pool, and got my fair share of sweet treats.

Meet Earth's natural exfoliate 

my one-day mini vacay

Sassy sand

uninterrupted sunset ♥

Before your summer ends I recommend to take time to enjoy being outside. There's not an age limit on who can play in the sand. Plus, we're always going to be busy, so we might as well, just have fun.

My summer sweet treat creation: rice crispy treats with rainbow sprinkles.

Brownie pan product=Amazing!

Rainbow sprinkles just make everything better

Hot and gooey

Perfect pieces every time

food styling 

If you're not able to leave your home, apartment, etc. well, make your it a place to relax by being shabby chic. Skinny Girl Margarita vase made with flowers bought from DollarTree.

Skinny Girl Margarita Vase

Take some time for yourself, don't worry about the calories, and decorate your home to make the most of this beautiful season! Most importantly, decorate your soul and not with things, but with the people you care about the most.

Stay lovely and true to yourself. Until next time,

Here's to always being your BEST!