High Five For Friday!

Is it just me or did this week fly by?

I'll be spending the weekend baking cookies, doing laundry, and cleaning my house. Which honestly, I never mind housework in the fall. I'm going out of town next weekend, so I'm sure I'll be prepping for that, too.

As always, linking up for H54F with highlights of my week...

1. This guy cracks me up. He always looks so pitiful

2. This one is a nut job, too

3. I saw this sign Tuesday. Where do people come up with this stuff?

4. Parenthood Season Premiere. Best show on television!



Via



5. Oatmeal Pumpkin Crème Cookies

Dear Jessica

My 30 Before 30 List includes writing a letter to myself to open when I'm 40. I haven't yet done that, but I thought writing a letter to my 20 year old self could help get me started. I mean, to know where you're going you have to know where you've been, right?

Dear Jessica,

Let's just get straight to the point, shall we? He's not worth it. Break up with him immediately. He'll tear you down and break your spirit, and it won't work out any way. You'll never be the same, but you'll find someone better in a place you least suspect and when you're not looking.

Don't be so hard on yourself. You're OK just the way you are. Don't ever believe anyone who tells you differently. Stop caring about what everyone else thinks. Once you start living for you, you'll be so much happier. Learn to let things go. It's OK to walk away from things simply because they don't serve you any longer.

You're not old. Not even close. Stop thinking you are. The older you get the more you'll realize just how young you are. Take a chance, do something crazy. Don't work for your dad for that year before law school. Things will be fine if you do, but you'll wish you took a chance and did something fun and exciting.

Get to know yourself. You'll spend a lot time with you over the course of your life, and it's worth it know who you are. You're worth it. Stop being afraid and stop playing it safe. The things you think matter don't matter at all. They never did and they never will.

My best advice to you is to be present, be kind, be graceful and gentle when you can, but don't take anyone's shit, except when you deserve it. Learn to know when you deserve it.

Busy Busy

It's such a busy and exciting day for me!

I collaborated with Lindsay at Pursuit of Pink for a Wore post. Go over and let me know what you think!

I'm also guest posting on A Dash Of Gold today. Be sure to check out my office makeup essentials!

Happy Wednesday!

Exciting news!

Love & Loyally is now accepting passionfruit ads!

I'm so excited about how much this blog has grown! To say thank you, I'm offering the first 5 purchasers a free 30 day ad. Just click here and use promo code LOVE at checkout!

Layers & Leather

After a month hiatus, I'm back with a Style Statement post!

In case you're unaware, a Style Statement is phrase you choose to define your style. I've chosen "Classic Casual" as mine. It makes getting dressed and buying clothes so much easier. To learn more, you can click here.

Jacket: The Limited; Shirt: H&M; Jeans: Old Navy; Clutch: J.Crew; Shoes & Scarf: Target

This look is the kind I intend to sport all autumn long. I'm loving layers and mixing textures, like with this leather jacket and scarf. It fits my "Classic Casual" Style Statement, and it's perfect for staying warm on cool fall days!

I'm linking up for Style Sessions, Trend Spin, and What I Wore Wednesday.

Weekend Shenanigans!

Happy Monday! Oh, and happy fall! I've decided the first week of fall deserves to be welcomed with a nothing but positive attitude, so my goal is to be cheerleader peppy all week long! I apologize in advance.

This weekend was a great one. I felt at peace, which is something I haven't felt in a long time.

I found this article called after a friend shared it on Facebook. Wow, did it hit home. This one in particular. I'm thinking this article deserves a full post!

Even though it rained cats and dogs Saturday, Kris still took care of the yard. Isn't he a hard worker?

Five and I walked the Canine Cancer Walk yesterday. She was scared of the loud music, but once we distanced ourselves from it, she did great!

My pick for best dressed at the Emmys. Allison Williams. Simple, but so chic.

Via

Hands down my favorite part of the weekend was combining Special K Cinnamon Pecan & Mutligrain Cheerios. It's a bowl of heaven.

I'm linking up for Weekend Shenanigans!

High Five For Friday

This week hit me like a mack truck. Work didn't care that I just got back from vacation, had travel delays, and was dog tired.

Here are 5 highlights from my trip:

1. Syrah on the vine

2. Columbia Gorge

3. Oregon Coast

4. Windmills. I thought these were beautiful!

5. Tailgating for UT. Tough loss.

Linking up for H54F! Have a great weekend!

Jewelry Update

I love jewelry. I do. I love looking at it, touching it, how it makes me feel, etc. I could go on and on. The fact that I work in the jewelry industry is like a dream come true.

Except, I always wear the same jewelry. I am no good at mixing it up when it comes to my jeweled accessories. I have no idea why.

I always wear my both my wedding band and engagement ring. I also always wear my anniversary band on my right hand. I have a pair of morganite studs I wear in my ears. I wear those or diamond studs. Occasionally, I'll throw on other earrings, but that's rare.

In an effort to be inspired and get out of my rut, here are a few things I love.

What jewelry do you love to wear?

Traveling...

As I'm typing this, I'm sitting in the Atlanta airport. We flew overnight from Portland and should be in Knoxville in a couple of hours. I'm heading straight to work from the airport. Wish me luck, that should be a blast. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a real post, but you can see snippets from my trip on Instagram @jmanninggarner  

xoxo

Fall Workwear under $50

I'm so happy Nicole offered to fill in for me today! As soon as I saw her blog, I knew I'd love her! Her bio pretty much sealed the deal! She has great tips for shopping on a budget, as evidenced below; you should check her out!

OK, Nicole, ready, set, go!

Hey there, Love and Loyally readers! I’m Nicole from A Dash of Gold and I’m so happy to fill in for a day while Jessica’s out on vacay! I love to write about affordable workwear, personal style, drug store dupes and life has a young professional living and working in Washington DC.

As fall approaches, I’ve had to resist all the fantastic sales and tempting new trends. It’s still to warm for fall clothes here but I’ve had a lot of fun scoping out deals for office workwear.  Cognac and oxford blood are my favorite colors for fall and it looks like this season will be full of them!

 

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

Stop by A Dash of Gold sometime soon, I’d love to have you! Thanks for reading!

xo,

Nicole

 

Wine Country!

It's All About the Journey

Because I'm traveling, Jill so graciously offered to do a guest post for me. Here's what you need to know about Jill:

Her blog is called A Journey To A Life Well Lived, hence the name of this post. Aside from blogging, she's 1L at Ole Miss Law School, but I can forgive for being a Rebel (Go Vols!). I love her blog, because she's so honest and sweet, and it really comes through in her writing. On top of that, she's dog lover, and has 2 sweet pups, just like me. I swear one her littles looks just my Bourke, So hop on over and check her out.

OK, Jill take it away!

Greetings, all!

Jessica was lovely enough to have me be a guest poster while she's away on vacation.  This is my first time to guest post, and I'm sure Jessica has laughed a time or two due to my newby-ness questions and mistakes.  She's been very kind, though!  I'm in my second week at Ole Miss Law and I'm sick...what the heck!  It's just a cold, but still.  It's put a damper on my running, playing with my dogs, and socializing, but I'll make it through.  I've been really good about getting dressed in real clothes and doing my hair and makeup.  Small victories, right?

Just because I’m under the weather doesn’t mean I can’t bring a little fun to the blog.  So, without further ado, I wanted to share a few things I’ve gotten recently that will really come in handy as I continue my legal education.  Namely, I want to share some recent clothing acquisitions.  Deep stuff, I know, but I’m really excited about them!  I took advantage of the Labor Day sales last week, and I scored some great things!

[1] I got this on sale last week.

[2]

[3]

[4] Same pant, different pattern and higher price :(  I do LOVE that red print, though!

Close-up of the jacquard.  Love it!

[5] Similar

My favorite of these new things I bought are those Halogen pants.  Aren’t they amazing!?  I’m trying to branch out in terms of pants, and I definitely think these pants meet that qualification! Nordstrom has some great clothes, and when they put on a sale you can get said clothes at a steal!  However, they go really fast (as evidenced by my new clothes no longer being available), so you have to get them without hesitation.  I'm sure that sentence gave my mom a heart attack.  No worries, Mama!  I'm done for fall now...

All of these pieces, save the dress, will be able to be worn through fall and winter, which means that they were really good purchases.  Plus, all of these pieces can be worn in more than just one way and in more than just one setting, so they are very versatile!  I am trying to space out my new clothes so that I don’t wear all the fun, new stuff right away. 

So, what’s on the agenda for the remainder of the week?  Well, first and foremost, I will get better.  It’s a must.  Next, the first home game of the season is on Saturday!  Hotty Toddy!  I can’t wait to head out to the Grove and celebrate.  I think I’ll wear my new Vince Camuto dress this week J  My Sooners are also playing, and I hope to be able to catch a bit of the game!  Boomer Sooner!

Have a great weekend, and I hope your team wins their game (unless, of course, you’re Southeast Missouri State, or West Virginia).  I hope you will join me over at my blog!

Until next time.  Your Daily Cairn:

My little nurse taking care of me.  She is actually resting her head on my face; don't ask me why.  Mr. Gatsby is in my lap and is pouting because we're not playing on the stairs.

 

 



Weekend Shenanigans!

I spent this weekend getting ready for our trip (we leave tonight), but still, it was a good one. Uneventful really, but good.

Saturday, I went on my morning run. To the McDonalds drive-thru. Give me a break, I got an egg white mcmuffin.

Then, our yard got re-sodded. Proof that we really are adults. Boo!

A trip to Walmart showed me that, apparently, storing cereal with fertilizer is perfectly acceptable. Who knew?

Linking up for Weekend Shenanigans!

The New French Manicure

I think it's safe to say that French manicures are past their prime. Most women, myself included, are becoming increasingly bolder with nail polish. That being said, a neutral, classic nail definitely has its place and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

I found this idea on Pinterest, and knew I had to try it. It's perfect work or when I need to be a little more buttoned up.

I used OPI Samoan Sand & Xtreme Wear Black Out, but any neutral polish + black polish will work.

Start with clean, dry nails. Apply 2-3 coats of your neutral shade. I only applied 2, but I wish I had applied 3.

Tape off a diagonal line on the tip of your nails. Like a lop-sided French line.

Paint 1-2 coats of black polish. 1 coat worked just fine for me. Let dry.

Remove tape & finish with the top coat of your choice.

Voila! You have yourself an updated French manicure. I got tons of compliments on mine!