HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Just stopping in to say hi to my lovely readers! I hope that all of you have a very safe and happy Halloween! To all of my snail mailers, I bought Halloween cards for all of you a couple of weeks ago, but didn't get them sent out in time {I blame the flu}...however, I still wanted to send them so they are on their way now! Better late than never, right?!

As you are reading this, the boyfriend and I are relaxing in San Diego! We loaded up the car last night after work and drove to the bf's grandparent's house in Carlsbad. We had to get out of crazy LA {Halloween is quite the scene} for the weekend. I moved here two years ago today and when we first got here, my parents and I were staying at the Hilton at Universal Studios. I made the mistake of driving to Sunset Blvd. to meet the bf outside of his film school and we ended up getting stuck in traffic for almost 3 hours because of all the Halloween crazies out and about. I'm serious. The freeway was in total chaos and it took that long to go about 6 miles. It was such a nightmare!

But this year, we are having a great time just relaxing! I'm planning on eating...a lot! We went here last night {the best pizza in CA} and are planning on hitting up Phil's BBQ and Hodad's Burgers too! Plus the bf wants to get a California burrito at some point...good thing I packed a pair of forgiving pants {i.e., leggings}! Plus we are going to Fashion Valley and maybe I will be coming back with something from Lilly's Original Collection or the Tory Burch Reva's I've been dying to get! A girl can dream right?!

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies and I'll see you all in November {yes, I am that dorky}!! Hopefully I will have some pictures for you!

Winners!

Thanks so much for all of your well wishes!

I am on my way to feeling like my old self!

It's about time I announce the giveaway contents and winners!

I hope you like the contents - we seem to have
many of the same fall favorites...
CANDLES, SCARVES, and STARBUCKS!

So without further ado,
here is the first giveaway package!

1. Slatkin & Co. 14.5 oz. filled candle in Pumpkin Patch
2. beautiful GAP scarf
3. Philosophy's Caramel Apple shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath
4. Papyrus Note Cards in pink
5. Burt's Bees Beeswax lip balm
6. Beaded Hoop earrings in pink
7. Merona 3-pack patterned socks in mustard yellow

and
the winner is:

i.me.mine

The second giveaway package is very similar to the first,
but with some subtle differences!

1. Slatkin & Co. 14.5 oz. filled candle in Autumn Apple
2. Philosophy's Pumpkin spice muffin shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath
3. Papyrus Note Cards in green
4. Merona 3-pack patterned socks in green
5. beautiful NY&Co. scarf
6. teardrop earrings in gold and coral
7. Burt's Bees Beeswax lip balm

and
the winner is:

Katie from The Perks

Congratulations ladies! Thanks again to everyone who entered my surprise giveaway - I had so much fun with it, I might have to do a winter one as well :)

xoxo

ps: sorry for the horrible pictures!
oh and i used random generator to pick the winners.

no winner yet...but i have a good reason.

thank you to all of you who entered my surprise fall giveaway. i'm sorry to be late announcing a winner, but i promise to do it soon. i haven't done it yet because i have been sick with the flu and an upper respiratory infection since last tuesday. i missed work wednesday, thursday, and friday...i was still feeling horrible all weekend. i came to work today only to be sent home a few hours later because of my state of health. i haven't been this sick in years. thanks for being patient with me while i get better, i'll be back to announce the giveaway winners very soon.

Exciting News...to me at least!

I bet you have all been dying to find out my big news {yeah, right}...

I finally have my own office at work!

Me at my new desk!!

The owl bookends are so fun!

My pink lamp in the corner!

Isn't the clock cute too?!

I asked if I could paint the walls pink too, but my boss wasn't very into that idea...can't think why not!! Ha! I haven't finished accessorizing yet, but I plan on buying some posters to frame for the walls. It's strange having an office after being in a cubicle for 2 years, but I am so excited about it!

I'm also really excited about surpassing 100 entries for my Surprise Fall Giveaway! I can't wait to draw two winners over the weekend...please go enter if you haven't already!

Have a GREAT day!
xoxo

~*Inspired by Fall*~ Surprise Giveaway

Thank goodness the weather is finally cooling down in Los Angeles! Granted, it will most likely be hot again in a week or two {heck, maybe even tomorrow}, but let's not go there. For now, I'm feeling FALL in the air and that makes me smile! This is by far my favorite season, yet I detest the color orange and I'm not too big on Halloween! But I do love the cool chill in the air, the clothing options, and not having to get a pedicure every week :)

(source)

I'm feeling inspired by the weather and I wanted to host a fall giveaway. BUT...I wanted to do something a little different. I borrowed this idea from the lovely Dollface {thanks S!!}, but I've seen some others that have done it and I think it will be so fun!

I've compiled a basket of my favorite fall items for the winner, but I'm not going to show the goodies just yet...so you're entering the giveaway for the sheer surprise and excitement of receiving the unknown!! Of course the basket is filled with wonderful items that you will love!

Entering is easy - just leave a comment on this post with your number one, must-have for fall. It can be anything {and make sure it's really a favorite because it could be added to the basket if you're chosen as the winner}!

Deadline to enter is next Friday {October 23}. I'll draw a winner the next Monday and reveal the mystery contents as well!!!

***Thank you all 588 of you for following my little blog! I want EVERYONE to enter this giveaway - even if you've never commented before or you just started following yesterday! This giveaway is a way to thank all of you and show how much I love ya'll! And, if 100 people enter, I'll draw two winners to receive a surprise package from me so tell all of your friends too!***

scarf awesomeness :)

a big thank you to the lovely mrs. b.e.g. of brown eyed girl for being my scarf swap partner! she sent me the loveliest scarf that will complement many of my fall outfits and as a bonus, nail polish in the most perfect shade of hot pink! it took me all of 5 seconds minutes before i started painting my nails and wearing my new scarf around the house...just ask yoyo, he was there.

so thanks again b.e.g. and katie from loves of life for hosting such a fun swap!

Bloggy Love!

Ooh, I am SO excited! I just found out that I won a super fabulous giveaway for a Boatman Geller melamine plate in my choice of design! I chose the Madison design with a classic monogram in the center. If you are wondering where I entered this giveaway, let me tell you! I have a wonderful blog friend, Bronco Mom over at Powder Puffs n Pearls, whom I "met" a few months back. She was just starting her blog and she asked me for some advice {not that I had anything useful!} on blogging. I started following her right away and since then, she has become quite the blogger! Bronco Mom recently had her blog made over by The Design Girl and it looks tres chic!

I am very excited and honored to have won her giveaway for the plate. I know Bronco Mom has plans for future giveaways soon, so please go visit her and welcome her to the blog world! She is wonderful and she also has an amazing recipe for crockpot Brunswick Stew that she was kind enough to share with me and I will be trying it out this weekend!

Thanks again Bronco Mom!

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Thanks to a couple of lovely ladies who recognized me for awards!

The "Your Blog is Over the Top" Award from the lovely Maria over at Personalized Sketches and Sentiments. I hope you all pay Maria's blog a visit. She is the sweetest blogger and always leaves such nice comments! She is also supremely artistic. I am always blown away by her artwork.

Here are the Rules:

1. You can only use one word to answer the questions!
2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!
3. Alert them that you have given them this award!
4. Have Fun!

Now, for the Fun Part:

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? straight
3. Your mother? kind
4. Your father? awesome
5. Your favorite food? Mexican
6. Your dream last night? vivid
7. Your favorite drink? water
8. Your dream/goal? happiness
9. What room are you in? office
10. Your hobby? baking
11. Your fear? worms!
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? alive
13. Where were you last night? couch
14. Something that you aren’t? organized
15. Muffins? cupcakes!
16. Wish list item? Cadillac
17. Where did you grow up? Georgia
18. Last thing you did? lunch
19. What are you wearing? clothes :)
20. Your TV? grande
21. Your pets? sweet
22. Friends? fabulous
23. Your life? busy
24. Your mood? happy
25. Missing someone? family
26. Vehicle? SUV
27. Something you’re not wearing? glasses
28. Your favorite store? JCrew
29. Your favorite color? pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? months
32. Your best friend? far
33. One place that I go to over and over? email
34. One person who emails me regularly? Dad
35. Favorite place to eat? PF Chang's {not one word...oops!}

I tag: Jenny at Lucky in Love, S at Inner Workings of a Real-life Barbie Doll, Gwen at Confessions of a Control Freak, Ashley at Ramirez Family, Katie at Katie's Life Journey, and Amanda at Amanda's Sunshine. If you ladies already have this award, then consider yourself especially loved!

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"Superior Scribbler Award" from Taryn over at Mr. Jones and Me! This was awarded to me some time ago, but I so appreciate it {please don't think my late posting has anything to do with my excitement over receiving the award}! Little Miss Taryn is getting married November 21 and I'm just so excited for her!

Here are the Rules:
1. Each Superior Scribbler (SS) must pass the award on to 5 most-deserving blog buds.

2. Each SS must link to the author and name of blog from whom he/she has received the award.

3. Each SS must display the award on his/her blog and link to this post which fully explains the award.
4. Each blogger who wins, must visit this post and add their name to the Mr. Linky list at the Scholastic-Scribe's blog so we can keep track of all who wins this prestigious award!

5. Each SS must post these rules on their blog.

I tag: Brandi from The Life of a Small Town Girl, Perambulations through Pittsburgh, Katie at The Perks, Stace at Seashells and Sunshine, and Amy at The Un-wife Housewife Life. Again, if you have received the award already, then consider yourself extra loved!

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Thanks for sticking with me through this long post! I have some exciting news this week, but am waiting until it's official to share with you! Hopefully by the end of the week or early next week!!! And I haven't forgotten about my giveaway promise - the announcement is coming soon, I promise!! xoxo

Snail Mail is Closed for Now.

Thanks to everyone new that signed up for snail mail from me...makes a girl feel loved ♥ I had over 30 lovely ladies sign up yesterday so in addition to the original list, it gives me about 50 people to write on a regular basis. I'm going to close my snail mail list for now, but if you didn't get on mine, please go and sign up for Kate's (Nautical by Nature) or KAG's (Monograms and Martinis in Manhattan/Boston) snail mail list! They're both fantastic!

Thanks and have a great weekend!!!

Re-organizing my Snail Mail List!! Join in if you'd like!!

THANKS TO ALL WHO SIGNED UP! I AM NO LONGER TAKING NEW SNAIL MAIL BUDDIES, AS MY LIST HAS REACHED OVER 50!

Please think about signing up for Kate's or KAG's snail mail list!!!

xoxo

Hi Lovelies!

As many of you know, months ago I started a snail mail list and began sending mail and little goodies to readers that expressed an interest in it. I had many people sign up, and I was very good about sending cards to all of my participants...unfortunately, somewhere between February and now, my snail mail project has become a huge, disorganized mess!

I would like to formally apologize to those of you that I haven't sent a little present to - I know there are at least 8 or 10 that expected something, but I failed to deliver on my promise. Please understand that this was never my intention, and I still would like to send something to you! If you could be so kind as to refresh my memory on if you ever received anything from me, I would greatly appreciate it! This is who I have as not receiving a gift: Brittany, Amber, Rachel, Adrianne, Andrea, Elizabeth, Marissa, and Britt. If I left you off of this list, PLEASE let me know!

I love to send mail so if you were on my original snail mail list, and still want to receive notes from me, please just leave a comment on this post. I already have your address so no need to fill out the snail mail form.

Didn't get on the list the first time? That's okay! If you would like to receive snail mail from me, now is the time to sign up! I even made a form and everything so I can be more organized!! I'd love for you to sign up as I am planning to send Christmas cards over the holidays!

Life Update!

Well, once again it's been a week since I've written. I apologize for my lack of interest lately, not sure what has gotten into me. I do promise that I am interested in all of you though!

Here are some tidbits from the last week or two:

• Kate and I went to lunch last Saturday. She brought me the cutest cupcake cosmetic bag and a book to read, The Devil in the Junior League. Here I am with my new treat, and Kate is posing with her birthday present {anchor notecards, of course}! Don't forget to stop by Kate's blog to enter her birthday giveaway bonanza and wish her a happy birthday too!
  

• On Sunday, we met up for lunch again, but this time with Danielle too! We went to Toast and I still didn't get my celebrity spotting. After lunch, Danielle and I headed to Beverly Drive to do a little window shopping and girl talk...very fun!

• I am loving all the great television lately. I mean, I'm guessing this could be part of the reason I haven't been blogging, I've been glued to my living room couch! Some favorites {both old and new} for me: One Tree Hill, Trauma, NCIS, NCIS: LA, Glee, CSI: NY, Bones...
  

• My dear friend {and favorite blogger} Summer sent me a surprise in the mail! Some very fun and colorful cupcake liners and a rubber stamp in the shape of a stand mixer...so cute! If you are not already reading b is for brown, I only have one question for you, why the heck not?! Summer is awesome with a capital A.
  

I wanted to say a big thank you to all of my new followers! I haven't been posting as frequently recently, so I do wonder how you found me. However it was, thanks for following me and making me feel special :) Leave me a comment and let me know who you are too! Speaking of followers, it's probably about time I do another follower appreciation post...hmm, look for that soon!

In other news, I am in the midst of planning my fall giveaway - so excited for it, but I still need to pick up a few things. Fall is my FAVORITE season so this will be big! The giveaway will be next week sometime, and it has a fun surprise twist to it! Until then, have a great rest of the week and a happy weekend {almost there}!