Seeing stripes

My favorite pattern to wear...stripes! I found some really cute striped tops to share.

Seeing stripes by eporter-217 featuring a heart sweater

Last minute Halloween costumes

Halloween is just a few days away and somehow the month has slipped past me.  In an effort to come up with a costume I searched Pinterest and found some cute ideas that can (mostly) be made from what you have around the house already.
This scarecrow is my likely pick for last-minute costume.  I am thinking my floppy beach hat will make the perfect choice.  I am thinking of getting some hay and forming bracelets at the end of my sleeves on my flannel top and my jeans to complete the look.

 

 

Cute collar tops

I make the most of having short hair by accessorizing my collar whenever possible.  Long hair tends to cover the collar area but those of us with short hair can really take advantage of a great top with a lot of collar detail. An exposed bold zipper on the back of the sweater or a necklace that ties in the back makes a look even more special.
I love scarves and am so excited to start layering tops over the next couple months.  On the days a scarf isn't practical I will be wearing something fun like these tops.  Here are a few of my faves.     

Cute collar tops by eporter-217 featuring folding t shirts

Christmas gift ideas

OMG! It's the 25th and that means Christmas is just two months away.  I am not usually an early Christmas shopper but the ladies in my office have been chatting about their holiday buys and I saw online that Pottery Barn had a sale last week so I decided to order a few goodies.

The mason jars came in and they are adorable.  I got several of them personalized for different people on my list.  PB blankets are always a good gift.  I have had mine for nearly 10 years and have purchased them as gifts over the years and always get good feedback.  My ornament hasn't come in yet but I can't wait to check it out.

Christmas gift ideas by eporter-217 featuring a cable knit throw

Simple salsa

As you know by now, I am not what you'd call an expert chef.  I love to bake desserts and apps and I rely on Simon to cook everything in between.
This simple salsa recipe is really easy to make and is so tasty.
I shop at my local Publix Supermarket and all of these items are in the produce section.

The recipe I use is from Concord Goods.  It calls for one pound of ripe, juicy tomatoes and diced onions per packet of dry salsa mix.. I have found that plum tomatoes are good because they are easy to dice and are juicy but not too juicy.  I also added green onions to the recipe.  The recipe says that each packet makes a cup of salsa but with extra tomatoes you can stretch it to make a little more.

I love tortilla scoops style chips so I can get a big heap of salsa with each bite.

What is your favorite salsa recipe?  

Always pay full-price for your clothes

Eeekkkk....did you just read that right? Yes you did.
I am officially "getting old" and suggesting you no longer buy clothes on sale.  This is probably a major violation for girl code but I let me explain more.....
My husband is constantly complaining that my closet is too full.  Too full?  I feel like I have nothing to wear at least twice a week.  How can that be?
Well, I decided to clean out my closet, once again and remove clothes I am not wearing.  Truth is, if it was convenient to get rid of these clothes easily, I'd probably get rid of half my closet.
As I am bagging up my goods to donate, I realize there are more items than I care to admit, that have very little (if any) wear.  How did this happen?

I BOUGHT THEM ON SALE.  Yep, I just realized this.  If I bought only what I needed, I'd have half my closet and way more outfit options.  How have I been caught up in this for so long?
My suggestion to you?  Quality is way better than quantity.  Buy better clothes, shoes and accessories and buy less of them.  Stop shopping the sale racks and buy when you need stuff, not just because of the sale sign.
I will say there are a few exceptions.  Basic cardigans on sale are a good buy.  Cardis are a great cover-up for short sleeve tops or dresses and perfect for a chily workplace.  Most any slacks or skirts either black, navy or camel are okay to grab on sale.  A white button-down is also a safe bet.  
If it has a pattern and you find it on sale, resist making the purchase.  Mostly these are items in a seasonal transition and you will get little wear before the season and/or trend changes.

Okay, you are armed and ready!  Shop, shop, shop...but only when you need something and it's full price.  :)

Here's to a closet full of stuff we'll actually wear.  Happy shopping ladies!

My favorite celeb styles

Reese, Kate & Olivia.....my favorite celebrity styles.  Polished, classic and effortless.  

Who is your favorite styled celebrity?

Career Talk: Use your calendar to get a raise

October means we are in the homestretch of 2013.  You've worked hard all year and employee reviews are on the horizon.  Now is the time to start preparing for your 2014 goals.

Depending on what you are reaching for; whether it is a higher salary, a different position, a more flexible schedule or anything else, follow these tips are you are well on your way.

You can become a top member of your team by changing one simple thing.  Don't just follow-up, follow through.  There is a big difference between the two and if you can master follow through, relentless follow through, you will immediately start writing your own paychecks.

Follow up means to pursue.  Follow through means you will see the task through to the end.  See a task to the end and you will become one of your organization's most valuable employees.

I work for a homebuilder.  I oversee a team of about 20, plus more than 100 trade partners and suppliers and nearly 100 homes under construction.  If you've built a new home before you know how emotional it can be.  You are living in your current home, working, raising a family and oh yeah....also building another home. We can't tell our buyers exactly when the home will be ready for move-in and they are trying to plan their lives.  Will they be in the new house for Thanksgiving?  Christmas?  Next, add three months straight of rain and now a government shutdown, which has halted loans closing.  Now imagine all that and multiply by 100 because each of our 100 buyers what to know what is happening NOW.

Seeing a task to the end means calls, emails and more calls and emails.  Calling once to follow up isn't good enough. "I called her but she hasn't called back" doesn't cut it for top performers.  Call today, call again tomorrow and call again the next day until you get the job done.  I have a really great team but my top performing superstars all have the same mindset, follow through.  Relentless follow through.  Your Outlook calendar or your cell phone calendar is the key to making this happen.  Make yourself a reminder to follow up and make another step towards getting the task done.  

If you call on Tuesday, make a reminder to call again on Thursday.  Then, depending on what happens Thursday, decide what to do next.  After the call, send an email.  The key is to keep the conversation moving.  There is no way you can remember to do all of your follow through without some sort of reminder system.  I love my iphone calendar.  I have my default reminder to happen 15 minutes before my event.  No matter what the day brings, I can get back on track with my reminder popping up.

Take this approach with each of your tasks and you will be one of your team's most valuable members and it's those most valuable members that get the raise, get the promotion, and get to control their own destiny.  
  

Fall Faves: Summer to Fall Crossbody bags

It's cooler outside and that means lots of fall outings.  The crossbody bag is the perfect way to stroll around without the hassle of a handbag.  Although I wear mostly neutrals, I came across some bags that are the perfect size to add a pop of color.
I use to think that a dressy handbag should be saved for special outfits, but today it seems jeans and a white tee make the perfect back-drop for a fancy bag.
If you are new to crossbody bags, I have personally found that a flat back that is somewhat thin (more envelope shaped, rather than box shaped) is especially comfortable to carry.  Which of these looks is your favorite?

Summer to Fall Crossbody bags by eporter-217 featuring brown leather messenger bags

My favorite exfoliator

If you have not tried Isle of Luxe products, they are a must!  I have been hooked on their "Glowing Body Polish" for a couple of years now.  I found this great product at the Grand Marlin restaurant and I make it a habit to grab a jar of this exfoliator each year when I go to Pensacola.

  

    

I keep a small glass dish with a plastic scoop in my guest bathroom so our friends and family can treat themselves when they visit.  Everyone that has tried it, loves it.  A small scoop goes a long way.  I also keep a foaming handsoap on the sink and have found that one pump of soap and a small scoop of the body polish make the perfect combination.  Your hands will be silky smooth and it has a very light coconut scent that smells like a vacation.  Christmas is right around the corner, a jar of this would make the perfect stocking stuffer.  :)

Here is the official description from their website:

Glowing Body Polish- Glass

Our signature sea salt scrub that leaves a glow from the Islands...A unique blend of exfoliating sea salts and rich oils that leave skin feeling luxuriously smooth and lightly scented. Restores radiance and naturally cleanses while imparting a soft Glow to your skin. Use as a daily luxury for hands, feet and body. 
Size: 16oz. Glass Jar. Choose Gift Wrap for easy gift giving! Includes cellophane wrap and gift tag. 

What to wear on casual Friday

My office wear is business casual but on Friday we can wear jeans.  Since I am on the short side, I have found that ankle-length is a good choice so I can wear flats and not worry about the legs being too long.  I wear a modern straight leg and I love a dark rinse.
Since denim is on the super casual side, I like to wear a cute top like this lace one and some cute accessories.  I am a scarf lover so I am especially excited fall is here.  I will be in scarves non-stop.

Casual Friday by eporter-217 featuring a black bedding

Fall Faves: Cute Cape Coats

Fall Faves: Cute Cape Coats by eporter-217 featuring a belted cape coat