Fashion Friday & Friday's Fancies - Spooked.

It's my favorite day of the week, Friday and you know what that means!  It's time for Fashion Friday and Friday's Fancies.  Yay!  It's my usual Friday link-up with two absolutely fabulous ladies Kori from Blonde Episodes and Alison over at {long distance loving}.  Today's theme is "spooky" in honor of Halloween and you'll notice I'm not sporting a costume but I did design a

pretty snazzy outfit if I dont' say so myself.  Hmmm, what do you think?  It's definitely something that I'd wear.  Maybe, a little treat to my closet?  Hmmm....   

Halloween has always been a super fun holiday for me.  You see it's my Gramps b-day so, growing up it was always a fabulous party at my grandparents and trick-or-treating in their neighborhood.  I used to go around the block with all my cousins and a few "adults" in tow.  It was a ton of fun!  I loved it can't you tell.  Too bad I still can't go out and about and trick-or-treat.  Now, at 35 I do enjoy passing out candy to the kids - it's so much fun!  Can't wait until Monday after work. 

Have a wonderful Friday!  Any fun Halloween plans this weekend?  If the answer is "yes" please do share all of the juicy costume details.  Fun, fun, fun.  I'll be staying in most of the weekend getting ready for Blondie's Shop participation in the Boutique.  Tonight I'm catching up with my girlfriend, Staci that I haven't seen in forever and she's also going to help me a bit in the shop or rather design studio (aka the kitchen counter).  Saturday evening I'm headed to my sister's for a bbq, friends, and a fun evening full of old horror flicks.  On Sunday I'm headed to the grandparents for a birthday bbq for Gramps.  Oh, and I can't forget a quick stop by the parents house to "meet" the new puppy and confer with my Mom about the setup for the boutique...don't worry I'll include details at some point this weekend. 

Have a great weekend and be safe.  Check back over the weekend for some fun posts and the announcement of the giveaway winner, courtesy of juliethefish designs. 

A little Halloween Cheer - Boo! by hpranitis featuring low rise jeans

Travel Tip Tuesday {of sorts}.

I found this sign on pinterest.  It's divine don't you think?  It was very "fitting" the other day when I found it.  It "fit" my mood. 

Alright, I'm going to be candid.  What's a girl do when she has unused vacation time?  And quite a bit I must add.  Oh, and she's on a "tight" budget.  Yep, that's me.  Sometimes, things don't go as planned and you have to deviate or I like to think take the "alternate" route.  Unfortunately, I won't be going to Europe this year, but it will happen next year, period.

I'm taking some vacation time and going to visit family and friends.  I used a combination of miles (US Airways) and a cheap one-way ticket on Southwest.  A pretty ingenious way to do it if you ask me.

In a few weeks I'm heading to Detroit to see my Dad and Step-Mom, and Chicago to see fabulous friends and family (yes, more family).  I'm a tad bit bummed that my step-sisters, Georgia and Katherine won't be there, but that's even better because I can have 2 more weekend adventures to visit them.  They both read my blog too so, they'll like that.  At least I hope they will!  I'm excited to see Brenna, Bill and Lily too.  I'm going to plan on seeing my cousin's new baby and all of my aunts and uncles.  I'll be a busy little bee, but it will be a ton of fun! 

So, the airline ticket(s) were under $100.  I'll be staying with family and friends, for free.  While with my Dad I won't need a car.  And while visiting Chicago I'll have a car to use if needed, but I most likely won't need it.  The free car use in Chicago is super great and not something I was expecting, but a super cool bonus!  This trip I hope to spend part of Friday downtown.  I'm going to try my best to hit at least one museum and walk along the lake front, Buckingham Fountain, see the skyline, etc.  Typically touristy things.  I definitely miss back home.  Yep, I'm originally from Chicago.  But, I'm not ready to give up life here in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, Arizona).  Nope.  Not ready.

A few travel tips for today:

• Check the weather for my upcoming trip for packing purposes; utilize one bag and only 2 pairs of shoes.  Boots, a must.  And a sassy pair of flats.  Clothing...another blog post will cover this.
• Check to see what transportation is available from Midway Airport downtown.  Let me clarify:  find the cheapest.
• Check the museums for coat checks to see if I can "check" my suitcase.  I seriously don't want to "pull" it through the entire museum - unless, of course, I have to.
• Check train schedule from Downtown to my final destination.
• Almost forgot, this is V.I.P.!  Announce on FB pinterest.comof my upcoming trip to see who I can meet up with while downtown and in the burbs.  Drinks with friends in the city is always good and since I won't be driving (train) a nice glass of vino will be fabulous! 

These are my "quick" tips for today.  And ones that come to mind because of the trip I just booked last Friday evening.  More details to come.  Check back soon.  Have a wonderful Tuesday.




PS - This was suppose to post at 12:01 a.m. but Blogger decided otherwise and so, I am posting it now.  Enjoy!

"Maniac" Monday!

I woke up this morning knowing, yes, absolutely knowing that I was to "rock" today!  It's Monday and you've got to start the week with a bang and a bit of pizazz.  The day flew by...or at least I like to think it did.  Sometimes on Monday mornings I feel like an absolute maniac.  Yes, you read that correctly - I do.  Your probably wondering "why"...well, let me tell you why.  Typically it's because I haven't finished everything I want to from my 2-day personal days that I take every week (Saturday and Sunday).  These days are work days for me, but "personal" work days.  It's the 2 days a week that I complete all my personal "to-do's" that I can't do during the week.  Yep, I cram it all in and it literally leaves no down time.  Nope, none, nada, zilch.

Long story short on at times on Monday's mornings as I great ready for work I feel like an absolute "maniac"!!!  I'm trying to get ready and put my "work face" on and put my work to-do list in order.  Yes, I am thinking about my to-do list before I even get there.  I use a lot of sticky notes.  Yep, I do.  And at home too!  Sticky notes are my friends.  Who doesn't love them, right?  I thought you'd agree with me.

Today it got dark rather early.  Well, actually it was overcast all day and dusk set a lot earlier than normal due to the clouds.  Not really.  I know it's fall and it gets dark earlier.  Also, I need to call the east coast tomorrow so I need to figure out the time difference (note to self).  Yes, a nice little random note to myself in the middle of my blog post this evening.  But, you see there is a method to my madness...  One of you fabulous ladies from the east coast is going to "comment" and let me know whether it's 3 hours or 4 hours.  I'm leaning towards 4 because Arizona doesn't change and daylight savings hasn't happened yet.  Anyhow.

So, I pull out of the parking garage and it's 88 degrees outside and it's dusk.  It was a surreal feeling of sorts this evening.  Truly it was.  And I still can't put my finger on it.  Yes, I did open my sunroof and roll down my windows and feel the wind in my hair.  A refreshing feeling after being in the office all day today.  I stayed in for lunch today.

I worked on blog posts this evening, watched Hart of Dixie, and finished this scarf.  For some reason I'm unable to write and complete a blog post in one sitting...when, I've picked a "set" topic...I wonder why?  Any writers out there that would love to comment, I'm all ears?  I have an outline as well.  It's basic, but it's an outline.  Maybe it needs to be more detailed?  I have an outline of all of my posts bulleted and then sub-categories for items in the post or multiple series posts.  Hmmm, I think I need to streamline it.  Imagine that...organization may be the key?!

Alrighty, I thought I'd write a fun little post about today and I did.  I sort of enjoyed the dusk setting quite early today however, I will love it even more when the temperature cools down too.  I'll get a taste of cooler temperatures in about 2 weeks.  I have a little adventure planned...check back tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by ...this & that... and have a wonderful evening!  I hope your "Maniac" Monday rocked. 

Sassy Stylin' Sunday - Versace for H&M.

Без названия #2776 by olesyal featuring silk tops

A Blondie's Shop update.

Wow!  I've had a busy weekend working on Blondie's Shop and blog writing.  I finally have all of my new items listed.  Finally.  Whew, done at least for now...  Here's the new items for your viewing pleasure, 26 news items to my shop.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

To view more items check out Blondie's Shop!