Accessorizing to Create the Perfect Fall Wedding Look

Jewelry, I have always believed, is a very personal accessory.  It reflects ones' personality and how it is worn can compliment or take away from an outfit.  There are many things to consider when choosing a piece of jewelry to complement an outfit.  And with fall wedding season upon us I thought it only fitting that we create a fall outfit complete with accessories to create an aesthetically pleasing ensemble.

Fall...what a wonderful time of year to plan a wedding.  The colors are alive and vibrant, welcoming the new season and when invited to a fall wedding event you will want to choose the very best look.  And looking your best doesn't simply mean just choosing a dress and pair of shoes; finish the outfit completely with all accessories looking as though they were simply a part of the ensemble and not a second thought, thrown together at the last minute.

Let's begin with the outfit.  There are several different types of necklines that you may be wearing and different types of jewelry are appropriate for each.  The wrap dress is one of my favorite go-to dresses for almost any occasion and everyone knows that Diane Von Furstenburg is the queen of the wrap dress.  The neckline of the wrap dress is usually a statement in itself, therefore, I tend to keep it simple with jewelry and perhaps only choose a pair of earrings and bracelet.

Whenever I first saw this DVF wrap dress it said, "fall".  The aquamarine and black fine print are rich and beautiful for a fall wedding event.  

I was introduced to Via Spiga shoes years ago and instantly fell in love with them.  Beautifully made and classic; they can literally be worn forever.

This shoe is the perfect choice to wear with the wrap dress.  Almost a bootie but with a dressier, feminine look with the peep toe and skinny heel. 

 Now, let's look at the jewelry to pair with this outfit.  As I mentioned before, jewelry is very personal and I have found that over the years a classic piece of jewelry is always a great investment piece.  And if you haven't started purchasing some investment pieces for yourself then I have just the place to start; AUrate New York.  Crafted in New York by some of the finest artisans, their pieces are not only beautiful and timeless classics but they are also ethically created.  "They source their material in accordance with the highest standards of social, environmental and human rights practices. Their diamonds and pearls are also purchased from conflict-free regions, in compliance with all applicable  United Nations resolutions."  And if that is not enough to impress you, for each piece of jewelry you purchase from AUrate, an economically underprivileged child will receive a book.

These tapered, solid earrings in vermeil are absolutely gorgeous and the perfect accent to the wrap dress.  These earrings are  also customizable and can be upgraded to 14K or 18K. 

Finish the look off with this great leather envelope clutch and cashmere wrap and then you are set for the occasion!

This Italian-made Black Leather Envelope Clutch is the perfect bag for this outfit.  Sleek and simple and just the perfect size to take to a formal event.

For those chilly fall evenings don't forget a wrap.  This Black cashmere wrap , not only cozy, but classic as well, will keep
you warm and looking put together throughout the evening.  

                                                                                                         

Remember, every occasion is an opportunity to set your style apart from others.  This classic fall ensemble is sure to have heads turning and people asking about your effortless style choices.









                                                             CREATE THE LOOK

                                                                DVF Wrap Dress

                                                          Via Spiga Ida Peep Toe Pump

                                               AUrate New York Tapered Solid Earrings

                                                                 Black Leather Clutch

                                                                Black Cashmere Wrap

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Homemade Face Paint Tutorial Just in Time for Halloween

What kid doesn't just LOVE face paint?  I know mine do.  Every time we are at an event that has face painting, we're in line to choose our favorite animal or character to be for the day!  While we were on vacation this summer, we even found some face paint in a toy store, bought some, took it home and voila...we had an afternoon of such FUN flitting around pretending to be all sorts of creatures!

But what if I told you that Personal Creations has written a blog post that tells you how YOU can make your own face paint in the most awesome colors?  Well, I just couldn't resist telling you about their Home Made Face Paint Recipe and not only that but also how to create the prettiest colors!

These are two of the adorable designs you will learn to paint, step-by-step in this article...and just in time for Halloween!

I believe that a child's imagination should be enhanced in any way possible. Whenever I see the smiles on the faces and the laughter in the air from creating something homemade and  simple I know success has been achieved!  Visit the Personal Creation Blog to find out how to make your own face paint, create a palette of beautiful colors and follow the directions on how to paint a ladybug, crown, puppy and flower!

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Family Fun Night

I don't know about you and your family, but MY BIG, FAT SOUTHERN FAMILY just LOVES games!
From the oldest to well...almost the youngest (since we do have a few babies) everybody loves playing games.  And I have a cabinet full of them and have also begun to collect children's games as well.

 One of things my crew love to play is card games.  Y'all, these card games could go on forever!  And they have gone on until late at night.  But, oh what fun is had at the table with a handful of people and a deck of cards!

My favorite game is Mexican Train Dominoes.  If you have never played this game then you need to!  It is a domino game with a little different twist and is so much fun.  Often times if we start it too late in the evening we will just leave everything where it is and continue the next day.

One of the newer games that my son brought us to play is called, Ticket To Ride.  This game requires a little more strategy but everybody loves playing it.

      Pick-Up Sticks!  Do you remember that game as a kid?  Well, it's still as fun as ever.

And my little kiddos are really into playing games right now with this classic version of Candy Land being their absolute favorite!

Family game or movie nights are not only fun but also a great way of bonding with your family.  In this day and time, people are so busy with their personal lives and outside commitments that often times family moments and memory making get left by the wayside.  And honestly, that is quite sad.  These are the moments that you will all remember.  And so I challenge YOU to make an effort to spend more time with your family doing fun things!  Perhaps set up a monthly family night where everyone takes turns bringing their favorite game to play.  And while the adults are enjoying a game,  dim the lights and put a movie on for the kids.  Give them popcorn in little bags and recreate the theatre experience in you own home.  And if you need a little help choosing a great movie for them, head on over to PureFlix. There you will find literally thousands of wholesome movies for every age.
They also offer educational videos for homeschool curriculum.  Check it out here!


So... unplug for the evening!  Yep, get off of those cell phones and social media; they can do without you for one evening.  Just spend an evening reconnecting with your family; talk, laugh and get to know what's going on in each other's lives while enjoying a FAMILY FUN NIGHT of game playing!

     

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Fun Educational Kid Activities

I was first introduced to education.com back in July whenever I posted about a great educational summer activity for your kiddos.  I was so impressed with this site and all of the great resources it provides for not only educators, but also traditional and home-schooling parents as well.  And as a former educator myself, I know how important it is to keep students interested in learning with games, puzzles and any other variety of learning materials.  So today I would like to share a cute little  ocean-themed crossword puzzle (and key) with you to share with your little ones!


Under the sea what could it be?  Make a spelling splash with this fun ocean-themed crossword puzzle.  

There are so many more great activities you can find on Education.com.  You can browse the site by activity, grade, subject and lots more!  There are even lesson plans for educators to peruse.  Teachers will love that there are so many activities to choose from that will enhance almost any learning unit and students are sure to love you for choosing something that makes learning fun.  Explore more         
spelling fun at Education.com!

 

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