Friday, Happy Friday

It's Friday. Hallelujah and Amen.

I thought today we'd talk about things that made us happy this week or, at the very least, things that made this workweek a bit more bearable.

1. The discovery of two new, really good songs: "Dancing in the Minefields" by Andrew Peterson, which is undoubtedly one of the most romantic songs I've heard in a long time and "Strip Me" by Natasha Bedingfield, a total girl power tune that's, coincidentally, not at all about taking off one's clothes.

2. Fun Size Snickers. You see, I've eaten half the bucket a few pieces here and there this week, reminding me again why I don't keep candy in my apartment. I just can't justify throwing out nearly an entire bowl full of deliciously caramel-y, peanut-y, chocolate-y goodness. And for some reason, eating 4 Fun Size bars doesn't make me feel nearly as guilty as when I devour an entire regular size bar. This is the warped way in which my mind operates sometimes...

I digress.

Either way, they have impacted my palette in a postive way this week.

3. This video from YouTube. Watch it and giggle.




4. Knowing that in only 13 days, I'll be in Nashville watching NeedtoBreathe with my sweet guy, (we'll call him "S"), pictured below. Forgive my lack of make-up, fashion and hair fixing...it is what it is : )

5. Being able to actually tell for the first time since I began this new program that my intense workout sessions have been paying off! I've always been pretty physically fit, but I'm seeing new muscles in my legs and arms that have never been there before...exciting stuff for this girl.

6. ...which means I can definitely splurge on something good for dinner tonight! S and I and his sweet sister and her hubby are all going to this great Latin fusion restaurant in downtown Bentonville tonight. They have amazing queso and chips and the BEST entrees. Cannot wait to fill my tummy : )

So I gotta know, what's made your week a little sweeter/happier? Do tell.

Have a great weekend.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Laced

via CoCo Kelly

I decided to announce the 4Sisters1Closet giveaway yesterday because, well, I just couldn’t keep the secret any longer. Our regular Trend Watch Wednesday posts will resume next week, but I just couldn’t stand NOT talking trends at all this week.

All of you fashionistas out there are probably very aware of the lace trend that started back in the spring and is still going strong this fall. Although I don’t own a ton of lacy garments, I love the feminine, vintage vibes it throws out.

Stores like Topshop and Ruche have offer tons of options when it comes to choosing the right lace for your closet.



*collage by A Blonde Ambition, images from credited sources below

1. Cotton-lace Sheath Dress by Catherine Malandrino
2. Underwired Rose Lace Bra by Topshop
3. Lace Panel Tier Vest by Topshop
4. Lace Covered Stone Studs by Topshop
5. Jillian clutch by Clara Kasavina
6. Lace Pearl Stretch Bracelet by Topshop
7. Lace skirt by Pamela Roland
8. Leslie Lace Zip Ankle Boot by House of Harlow 1960
9. Skirt by Leyendecker
10. Dress by 213 Industry

A few tips for doing lace right from the pros, courtesy of GoGirl Magazine:

-"Lace works best with something boyish: when there’s a masculine touch, the look goes from whimsical to cool and edgy"- Emma Cook, Designer

-"Lace is great for layering to create texture and depth in an otherwise bland outfit. Try layering black lace over black chiffon or a pale pink slip dress or white lace over more white."- Amanda Harlech, Muse and Consultant to Karl Lagerfeld

-"Mix lace into your daytime wardrobe and style it in a less predictable way."- Nanette Lepore, Designer

-A great go-to lace look? “A lace cami with high-waisted trousers…stunning.”- Kelly Harrington, Designer, H&M

Lace. Give it a try.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Give Yourself a Hand{bag} Giveaway

We interrupt this regularly scheduled Trend Watch Wednesday to bring you something very special....and very wearable! I hope to high heavens you girls are ready to swoon this morning, because this giveaway is downright fabulous.

Let me preface this post by saying, it took everything in my blonde, southern bones not to just keep this for myself.

The Loot

The amazing peeps over at 4sisters1closet are going to give one of you lucky Blonde Ambitioners the chance to win your very own Follis "Claudia" bag! Valued at $95, this bag features oxidized chain and ruched detail. Follis, (Latin for "leather bag"), combines the purity of high-quality, finely crafted basic leather bags with a super chic sensibility of style. It would be the perfect accessory for all of your looks this holiday season!

Seriously girls, who wouldn't want this bag?!

The Name

4Sisters1Closet is made up of mother and daughter duo, Kathy and Dana, and was started out of a love for fashion and family. Dana, (who I might add is super sweet), became interested in the fashion scene at an early age and loved experimenting with new designers and styles. With stints at DKNY Jeans and InTouch Weekly, she really knows her stuff!

Amrita Singh Citla Necklace, $30; Ban.do Vintage Bow Headband, $50

Kathy, a graduate of University of Florida, pursued her own career in the fashion biz after raising her 4 daughters. Mother and daughter came together to create their ideal "closet", a collection of new and emerging designers to be housed under 4Sisters1Closet.

Sergio Zelcer Wymer Patent Leather Platform Pump, $130; Amrita Singh Bridgehampton Bracelet, $45

The Rules

• Visit 4sisters1closet and tell us what your favorite item is (other than the Claudia bag): 1 entry
• Visit 4sisters1closet Facebook page and "Like" it: 1 entry
• Become a follower of A Blonde Ambition blog or tell me that you already follow: 1 entry
• Leave a comment telling us where you'd carry your new "Claudia" bag by Follis: 1 entry

Also, please don't forget to leave your email address if you don't have it listed on your blog or profile page!

Giveaway begins today, November 3, 2010 and goes through November 15, 2010. Entries must be received by midnight on November 15. This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States. Maximum of 4 entries per person. Winner will be selected at random.

A chic bag that all of your girlfriends will envy, (and likely want to borrow)...sounds good to me! How about you?

P.S.- One of my great blogger friends, Fashion Momma, is hosting her 200 (plus!) Followers Giveaway! If you're in the mood for some honest, hilarious writing that's full of fashionable tidbits, ya'll need to get over there and start following her ASAP. Plus, the prize she's giving away is pretty stinkin' fabulous (wink, wink!) Click here to check it out!!

Good luck, girls!

Be blessed, lovelies

Surviving the Holidays: {Gifting!}

via Gifted Magazine



It's officially the start of holiday season here at A Blonde Ambition and this is your first Surviving the Holidays post of the series! (If I had one of those "applause" prompter signs, I'd totally be lighting it up right now so ya'll could clap.)

I love Thanksgiving. I love Christmas. I love New Year's. But I have a love/hate relationship with getting ready for it all.

Oh now, don't get me wrong, I get so friggin' into decorating and gift-buying and whatnot, but preparing for all the madness always gets me a wee bit stressed out. Does it have that affect on any of you, too?

Anywho, to help myself and hopefully one or two of you out there, I thought we'd tackle the holiday preparations in small bites with this post series, aptly named Surving the Holidays.

Up first....gifting, baby!

I'm a pro at buying things for both myself and other people. But mostly for myself.

However, since it is the season of giving, I try to put my selfish ways aside and focus more on friends/family.
I'm selfless like that.

I did some online browsing yesterday and put together a few collages of stuff I would want if I were buying gifts for me, (*ahem...*cough...hint, hint*) And because some of us have boyfriends, hubbies or kiddos, I threw some stuff in for them, too.

Up first, stuff for the girls!

The Best is Yet to Come print from Eva Juliet, $25; Juicy Couture Pave Bow Wish Ring, $38; Fox Eraser Set from Oh My Cavalier, $6; Cool Jewels ice tray from Spoon Sisters, $9.95; Grey Ruffle Scarf from Terrain, $38; Linnea's Lights Macintosh Apple Candle, $28

Next, a few items for the guy(s) in your life.

Cedar laptop skin from Karvt, $36; Drumstick pencils from Fred Flare, $12; The Man Can from Amazon, $48; Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Personal Training Unit, $144; Gordon Rush- Grayson shoe, $195

And for the little ones...isn't this stuff just presh?

Side Pocket high top slippers from Wooly Baby, $38; Clare doll from Sophie and Lili, $25; Foodie Face Plates from Delight, $13.50; Wooden Trike from Hazelnut Kids, $126; Art Time Easel from Hazelnut, $150; A-Z Alphabet Memory Game, $25

Don't worry, I'm sure I'll have boo-koos of gifting posts between now and December 25th, but this is just a little something to get us inspired. Get our palettes going, if you will.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to add some things to my Christmas wishlist.

P.S.- If you REALLY want something awesome for yourself this holiday season, come back here tomorrow for perhaps my favorite giveaway to date....it's a dandy one and frankly, I'm really sort of ticked I have to give it away. But I lurve y'all, so it's yours if you win. It's valuable and ALMOST sold out in stores!!

Be blessed, lovelies-

Highlights, Halloween and Everything In-Between

Hellooooo there, friends. Glad to see you back here on this glorious day. First, a positive: It's now the beginning of November, so my Surviving the Holidays post series can resume once again...(please, try to contain your excitement.) More on that extravaganza later...

Now for a negative: Welp, it's Monday...boo and hiss.

But back to the positive!

Yes, I will be doing my infamous Surviving the Holidays post series again this year and, frankly ya'll, I'm stoked. If you're a new reader this year, (which according to my site meter thingy, like 550 of you are), let me tell you what STH is all about. Or "ab-oot", if you're Canadian : )

From now until New Year's Day, I'll do a post once a week on everything holiday-related. We'll cover riveting topics like "How to make a homemade pie crust if you usually buy one from Pillsbury like me" and "How to avoid gaining 30 pounds when indulging in foods like pumpkin pie and candied yams", which I'll probably let the Muscle Maniac handle.

Oh it's exciting, let me tell YOU.

I think since Wednesdays are reserved for Trend Watching (TWW fans, holla!), then I'll pick Tuesday for Surviving the Holidays. That way the other three days of my blogging week with be completely random/most likely fashion-related, to keep you all from going into holiday overload.

Moving on...

I got my hair done Friday. Highlights, per usual. See exhibit A, below.

Last night, the BF and I made delicious chili and hot dogs (YUMMMM!) and watched the Ghost Hunters Live Halloween episode on SyFy. I had not ONE single trick-or-treater, which is kind of the norm at my apartment complex, since the majority of the tenants are 20-something, corporate up-and-comers.

Guess I'll have to eat all that left over trick-or-treat candy by myself : )

I won't feel too bad indulging in a little candy this week, because I've been hightailing it to the gym practically every day lately. Yesterday, I worked out for over an hour with MM in a super-intense cardio sesh and man, am I feeling the burn today! My rear and backs of my thighs are a little sore today, so I guess that means it was a successful workout, huh?

Alrighty, well I'm off to do some real work now. At my real job. Sigh...

Have a terrific, (or at least bearable), Monday!

Be blessed, lovelies-