post #37 - F5: Lazy Weekends, Fall Decor, Boots, Target, and a New Blog Design!

It's Friday? Five Things for September 13.

Hey there, pretty blog friends! Hope you've had a super week!

5 highlights of this week...

1. Lazy Weekends

Last week, I backed out of going to the Clemson game and stayed home with the pup. I started Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market with a girlfriend. Milly naturally made friends with the biggest horse dog there, we enjoyed mimosas, and I got some peaches, kale, goat cheese, and crab + avocado ravioli.

{nice and tired when we left.}

{my "single for the day" lunch - lavender goat cheese, pretzels, and cookie butter! mmm}

I watched the Georgia/South Carolina game with Jo's mom and called it a night. The next morning, I headed to the Panthers opening game in Charlotte with some coworkers. A fun time was had by all!

2. Fall Decor

I finally put out some fall decorations! I picked up the glass leaf plates at TJ Maxx over the weekend and love the touch they add to the table. And pumpkin candles...*insert sigh of happiness

{our kitchen table is ready for fall!}

{pumpkin spice candles make me a happy girl!}

3. Boots

Is it time for these yet? I'm quick to put on my cowboy boots - in fact, I wore them to our first football game against Georgia. But, when are we officially allowed to start wearing our riding boots? I got a pair of brown Nine West riding boots last year for Christmas that I love, but this year I'm in the market for some black ones. Is it just me, or are decent looking black ones harder to find? Let me know if you have any suggestions. Until then, I'll just keep dreaming about these.

{stuart weitzman 50/50 stretch over the knee boot}

4. My Target Haul!

After Christina posted an Instagram picture of her Pumpkin Spice M&Ms, I knew I'd be heading to Target to pick some up. Naturally, I didn't leave with just M&Ms. I tried to find the new Essie shades I talked about here and here, but of course they were sold out. I think I found the next best thing in Sally Hansen's Insta Dry - "Gone Grey." I also found some great smelling citronella candles for 70% off!

{clear organizer for work, sharpie pens, pumpkin spice m&ms, nail polish, & candles. + lots of diet coke, not pictured ;-)}

5. Blog Designs!

My little blog is still growing! It's been so exciting to keep gaining followers each day on BlogLovin, Google Friend Connect, and Facebook. (Not following yet? What are you waiting for!) The only thing that's been getting me down is my blog design. Right now, I'm using a freebie - I can't quite decide when the right time is to bite the bullet and purchase a paid design. Here's where I need your advice, experienced bloggers - at what point did you purchase a blog design? A certain number of followers? Page views? Are you happy with your designer? Could you justify the cost?

6. A Little Humor For Today

I had to add a 6th this week. This link is too. funny. Dying. Like, tears might be escaping. 

Thanks for following along with my little old life! Your comments just make my day ;-) And if you're not following along yet, I'd sure love to have you along for the ride!

Xo - Morgan

post #11 - F5: Pacific Blue, Danielle Bradbery, Ultimate Organizer Bag, Birthday Coupons, & Zucchini Pasta!

Linking Up Again - my favorites this week!

Happy Friday, friends! I am so ready for the weekend! This is the first weekend that we haven't had plans in quite a long time. I'm so ready to catch up on studying, puppy playtime, and things around the house!

 It has been a bit of a dull week around here, filled with too many video lectures and too much rain. But, there are still some things that I'm loving this week and that have helped to make the gray Carolina skies a bit brighter!

1. New Color, Y'all!

My nails stink. They will never look this pretty. But after I saw this polish on one of my friends a few weeks ago, I had to try it! After all, this is probably the last summer that I will professionally be able to rock blue nails. These are clearly not my nails - I bite and pick at my nails and they're certainly not fit for a picture. But this color is fantastic, and I love it. [[Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Pacific Blue]] And it makes my abused fingernails just a little bit happier. That's all.

(picture credit here)

2. Danielle Bradbery

Monday and Tuesday nights have been a little intense in our household lately. My husband and I started watching The Voice last season and are completely hooked. Last season, I loved Cassadee Pope...but this season, I am a huge fan of 16 year old Danielle Bradbery! Y'all...this girl can SING! She reminds me a lot of Carrie Underwood when she was first starting out on American Idol. (Yes, I watched that season 100 years ago). I love her voice and am constantly impressed with her performances week after week. Not to mention, she's absolutely precious. And her coach is Blake Shelton. 

Don't watch The Voice? Check out some of my favorite performances of hers here or here. Disclaimer - Shake the Sugar Tree might be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Sorry I'm not sorry.

3. Samantha Grace "Ultimate Organizer" Bag

My fifth annual 21st birthday is next week, and I received an early birthday gift from my in-laws on Monday. Since Jo and I are going to Vegas in August (one of my favorite places and I'm soexcitedsoexcitedsoexcited) to celebrate our first anniversary and being finished with the bar exam, my sweet step mother in law gave me this Samantha Grace "Ultimate Bag". It is see through with a cute pattern on the top. Mine is the yellow and white striped one pictured here, but there are lots of options. My favorite feature (and the reason for the gift) is that it can replace a Ziploc bag in carry on luggage and will effortlessly make it through security. (Is that possible? That may be an exaggeration. I don't think going through security is ever effortless) I've never seen these before, but I will definitely be keeping them in mind now for future gifts! And they can go in the dishwasher. Need I say more? (Ahem, conditioner or lotion spill that will literally never stop feeling greasy no matter how many times you try to wipe it out)

4. Birthday Coupons

Ok, I'm not going to pretend not to be loving these. With all the rain, and bar prep, and stuff, I haven't felt like making lunch this week. (Or usually ever, oops). Awhile ago, a sorority sister from college posted on her blog (The Reedy Review) about restaurants that send coupons or give discounts on your birthday. I signed up for several of my favorites then, and had forgotten about them until this week! I plan on cashing in my McAlister's this afternoon, rain permitting ($5 off, not too shabby) and will be enjoying a free Cupcake at Cupcake sometime soon. Probably tomorrow, since they have Salted Caramel Chocolate on Saturdays. Noms. See Laura's post here to see if any of your favorite restaurants do special birthday treats!

(as I said, 5th annual 21st? lets be serious...I will probably be in bed by 10:00 on my bday. mornings come early, yo)

5. Still wanting more Zucchini Pasta...

Can I make this again next week? Is 3 weeks in a row too much? Maybe next time I'll substitute tomatoes for the red pepper. Or add chicken? Or feta cheese? And sub the sauce for lemon, poppyseeds, oil, & vinegar? Hmm. Possibilities are endless. See my post from Tuesday here. Mouth. Watering.

Thanks for reading! If you want to see more, please like Makeshift Margaritas on Facebook and follow me on Blogger to stay up to date. It's so easy! And, as always, I love reading your comments! They brighten my video-lecture filled day!

And, a big thanks to the blogs below for providing such a fun link-up!

MBC

www.the-good-life-blog.com

www.alizadventures.blogspot.com

www.northcarolinacharm.com

www.hellohappinessblog.com