Weekend Shenanigans

So... is it weird that I have never been to a corn maze before in my life? Yup. It's true. I kid you not my friend.

Nate and I decided we were going to get festive this weekend and get in the full fall spirit with pumpkins and corn mazes. So we ventured out to Kens Korny Corn Maze! This was my before the maze - "Hunger Games-esque face". Ha. <ready to take on the maze>

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

Forgive me if this is common knowledge but I really didn't know what the premise behind the corn maze was. I thought you just go in and try to get out = drop the mic.
AND YOUR DONE? Not so much.

It turns out there is WAY more to it. 

Everyone gets a flag and the goal is to make it through the maze and find all the letter stamps in the shortest amount of time. The letter stamps are little boxes with a stamp for your card to mark that you've been there. The record is 30 minutes... And let's just say Nate was on a mission to beat it.

<ie. studying the corn maze from above>

                    

     

This sign at the entrance was reminded me how short I am.

Yes, even corn is taller than me. I'm a struggling 5'2 on the cusp of a dream for 5'3... I think.

<boots = Ciao Bella avail on BlueFly HERE>
<jeans= skinny mid rise 7 For All Mankind: jeans avail HERE
 (A little pricey but a good pair of jeans is worth every dime. #truth >
<scarf H&M similar HERE>
<J Crew Red Cardigan similar HERE>  on SALE -- and for 30% more off Use code TGIFALL

When you start the maze you get a flag to take with you so they can find you if you get lost. Nate and I chose the "Life is Crazy Good" flag cause life has thankfully been crazy good lately.

 I let him lead the way - he was loving the adventure.

             
                   

We didn't beat the 30 minute record but hey - 40 minutes isn't bad, right? So we conquered the corn maze. Then we went boldly in to the night with "I conquered the corn maze" stickers.

This is Nate's "alright now ... where is our next adventure" face.

                      

Oh and last weekend I forgot to post that we went to the NC State Fair. We had so much great food: Wisconsin Cheese, fried oreos, gyros, fried mac n cheese fried reeses wrapped in bacon <um, ya I said wrapped in bacon> - the list goes on.

We were on fried food overload -- how can something that tastes so GOOD be so BAD. Ugh, once a year.. once a year.

<every time I bit into something I am pretty sure I saw myself on the treadmill sweating as I ate it haha -- thats gotta count for something :) >

We are finally getting to see more of North Carolina and I am a really enjoying our new home.

Let me know if you think there are some cool places in Raleigh we need to visit...
I am always looking for good weekend adventure ideas.

Happy Sunday!
XO,
Alex

Sweater Dresses Are All The Rage

Hello. Lovers.
Is it just me or has this felt like the longest week EVER!?!? Um ya. TGIF ...almost ;)


Just when I was feeling my most exhausted... I decided to do a little shopping <ya that makes sense> and I realized everywhere I turn its sweater dresses galore. I suppose it all makes sense with fall in full effect and winter weather slowly creeping in.

So I've been wearing quite a few of these sweater dresses on the show... I added a cute bow belt to mine and dressed it up with some sweet pink NYX lipstick/dainty diamond earrings and a bling bracelet <oh and my fav pink jess simpson pumps>.

The Limited Black Cowl Neck Sweater > Avail Here in Red and Black

Bow Buckle Belt: HERE

Jessica Simpson Pink Pumps: SIMILAR HERE

  

Gem Stretch Bracelet: HERE and ON SALE ;) yeh!

Tear Drop faux diamond earrings: HERE

     Sweet Pink NYX lipstick: HERE

Have you seen any fab sweater dresses lately>?
xo,
Alex

Food Lion Frugal Cook Off

There's only a few things I will clear my schedule for and they all start with the letter F: 

Family, Fashion & Food.

Tonight I was asked to judge the Food Lion Frugal Cook Off it was such a blast of fun and I got to meet some fabulous fellow bloggers. Carolina Mama Blogger Malise Terrell & Little Steps, Big Picture Blogger Kristie Funchess won the competition!  CONGRATS!
           
                            

           They had to make a $15 meal in 45 minutes and lets just say they killed it with a

Turkey Burger Surprise / Squash Parm French Fries AND an an apple with onions sauteed plate that was TOO DIE FOR. 

All the meals were delicious but this one had the other judges and I just literally over the moon. It was yum yum in the tum tum. Everyone went home with a gift card for themselves and a gift card for their bloggers.

All the bloggers were so fun to meet!! The winner -- Malise is quite frankly the sweetest woman I have ever met in my life and WOW can she cook! Check her out here: carolinamamablog.com ]-- I hope we all get to keep in touch!! 

       

                 

The best part about blogging is all the fun people you meet! 

Congrats to everyone who participated. Woot Woot!

AND of course a big thanks to Food Lion for letting me be a judge.

Also if anyone has any amazing recipes feel free to send them my way!! I'm on the hunt for new dinner ideas ALL the time!

XO,

Alex

3 P's: Pretty Red, Polka Dots and Pearls

From left to right:

Velvet Dot Sheath Dress//The Limited: HERE 

Split Cowl Neck Sweater Dress// The Limited: HERE 

Boston Proper Mixed Media Fit & Flare Dress: HERE

Accessories:

 

Mixed pearl necklace//The Limited: HERE

Pearl bracelets// The Limited: Similar HERE

Lacy Statement Earrings// The Limited: HERE < on sale >

       

Crystal Tortoise Necklace//Boston Proper: HERE

DANCING, DRESSES, BRACELETS & BEETLES, OH MY!

Oprah once said: “Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.” 

Well we kept our shoes on .... but we did dance today on the show LOL

We interviewed the famed New York City ballet dancer/choreographer: Jaques d'Amboise.
Literally he is 83 years old and freaking still working it on the dance floor. And luckily I could still work it in my Colorblock Stretch Ann Taylor Sheath Dress. 

We definitely got our dance on. 

BUY THE DRESS HERE FOR 40% OFF 
YUP. YOUR WELCOME ;) its basically free.
USE THE CODE: FALLSALE

<<<side note: Its available in Regular, petite, and tall. 
If you're short like me -- petite is the way to go and maybe one size up
 --because they run a little long at the bottom.>>

                        

Thanks to Ann Taylor for the to die for jewels that added so much to this dress.

I have all the deets below:

                    

Beetle Ring: AVAILABLE AT 40% off here

I basically stacked a bunch of Ann Taylor bracelets together so any bangles will work = good news they are all on sale. With the code: FallSale

< there are several bangles all sold separately -- but if you search bangles they should all come up>

BAGUETTE CRYSTAL BRACELET: AVAILABLE ON SALE HERE

MODERN CLASSIC SKINNY HEXAGON PAVE BANGLE:ON SALE HERE

PEARL BANGLE COMES IN GOLD OR SILVER:  ON SALE HERE

ANDDDDDD... THESE!!!

BEETLE EARRINGS: literally I'm obsessed with these. 40% off here

Nail Color is Roadhouse Blues by OPI HERE

Sweet beetle daydreams,
Alex

This pic got me thinking what If I had a twin? HA.

                       

THE Black Flats You HAVE to HAVE & Another LBD

So, you know that moment
when you're about to go out...
but it turns out it's going to be something low key <bummer I am already in heels>
and you feel like you want to wear heels & you want to feel dressed up..
<....BUT you might be overdressed.... or maybe its a casual night>
but you still want to feel dressy....

So your like... "um, I guess I'll wear flats..."

THESE are THOSE FLATS.

           

ALDO Midnight Black and Sparkly like a freaking sparkler and I AM OBSESSED.
P.S. YOUR WELCOME ;)

Get them HERE AT ALDO ON SALE for 25.00 - Yes, I said 25 bucks. I cant even handle it.

THE PIC ON THE ALDO SITE ....DOESN'T DO THEM JUSTICE.

                     

<EXCUSE THE blurred photo we were in a rush.>

You can make any outfit stand out with these cute ballet flats.

- Ballerina.
- Pointy toe.
- Sparkly upper = um, yes! Need I say more...

AND THIS...
This fab Black Dress is available online right now.
....at Cache > HERE
The leather detail is EVERYTHING.

                  

                      

                          

         

                       

Happy online shopping. xo

Alex

Fall Weather & Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin Spice Latte's are EVERYTHING.
Literally sometimes I feel like my whole life revolves around the happiness that is Pumpkin Spice.

Yes, I give it capital first letters - ha - thats how important it is to me.
Trader Joe's makes some pretty fantastic Pumpkin EVERYTHING... during this season. There is an amazing Pumpkin Swirl Brownie recipe on the Trader Joe's site I had to share AND I am dying to try.

(**No -- you wont see fancy pictures of me trying to make something amazing with pumpkin spice because I'm a messy cook and lets just say that I am convinced those blog food photos that FOOD bloggers posts are a lie - or if it's true I am honestly jealous because we all know were messy in the kitchen ha -- or at least I am :))**

Anyway - I finally feel settled in and moved in to Raleigh. So far I LOVE it here.

I feel like I can finally breathe a sigh of relief because we are moved into our new apartment, I had my hair done yesterday (thank the lord) ha! And I am dreaming of a white christmas. (Literally - I hope it snows.) Is that bad? I just feel like I have never had a real christmas tree - snow outside holiday. Maybe that's because I am a true Floridian. Uh yah -our idea of Xmas is fake icicles hanging from buildings. So needless to say I'm ready for the real thing! Let it snow! Please and thank you.

P.S. I took my first trip to Chapel Hill and got to see The Top Of The Hill and the gorgeous university. It was really breathtaking and fun to finally get out and see FALL happening in full motion...

                

  

                   

I bought this mirror cause I think it lies and makes me look thinner haha. Now thats a good reason to buy a mirror. You can get this fab lying mirror at LOWES - it wasnt available online :/

Scarf: H&M - similar HERE
Top: H&M - similar HERE
Jeans: 7 For all Mankind: HERE - these jeans are AMAZE
Boots: Ciao Bella : Available and on sale HERE

Happy Sunday, xo
Alex