Be Happy

It's a great day to be happy! Enjoy your Saturday!

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DIY Candy Love Shack for Valentine's Day

I'm big on tradition and I'm always looking for new ones to start with my little girls. Since we didn't make a gingerbread house for Christmas, the idea struck me to build a Love Shack for Valentine's Day, and of course my four-year old was on board. It was a fun process, and even though our Love Shack is more messy than pretty, I know making one every Valentine's Day will be something we'll look forward to from now on.  

Since we didn't have instructions or a template, we thought it would be good to use graham crackers to construct the shack. We dipped one side in melted milk chocolate, then used cookie icing to "glue" four walls and a roof together. The cookie icing was also the glue for the decorations; we used Valentine's Day M&Ms, shredded coconut, edible glitter, and pink and red candy hearts (made from candy melts and a heart mold). Conversation hearts would have been cute too, but we're chocolate kind of girls. Plus I forgot to buy them...maybe next year!

Friday Favorites

We're only a week in, but already I'm feeling a little anxious about how quickly the month seems to be flying by--a clear indication that I need to just chill out, right? I'm hoping to steal a few moments to myself this weekend to read a few pages of a book or magazine, and daydream about a tropical getaway. Have a fantastic weekend, and God bless!

DIY heart crayons. These are so cute I'll make them even when it's not Valentine's Day.

This Edith Head quote on celebrity stylist/designer/rockmom June Ambrose's Instagram.

Pink, red, and milk chocolate hearts.

 

The ridiculously glamorous Vanity Fair Hollywood issue.

New York Fashion Week! (Above is a look from the BCBG Fall 2014 collection.)

How to Be an It Girl

Being an It girl isn't just about having confidence to the n^th power (although it does play a huge part), it's also about being smart, charismatic and having an enviable sense of style. Sephora recently sent out a newsletter titled "The Secret Life of an It Girl" that was meant to advertise new beauty products, but actually had some great tips for anyone trying to achieve Beyoncé-level heights of swag. Here's my interpretation.

Start schmoozing
Don't confuse schmoozing with kissing up or being phony. Schmoozing is simply making nice with people who are in a position to help you build your network, and vice versa.   

Make an entrance
Whether it's the boardroom or a birthday party, walk in with your shoulders back, chin up, and a smile on your face. And by all means, don't slink away to the back of the room or stand in the same corner all night.

Never reveal your age
Easy enough, right? Keeping an air of mystery will instantly up your 'It' girl status.
 
Get dolled up
It girls don't wear sweats. They just don't. Even if they're just running out for a coffee they'll look like they spent a couple of hours getting ready. And by the way, It girls have a talent for putting together a photo-worthy look in minutes.  

Erase signs of an all-nighter
Make no mistake, every It girl knows how to party, but she also knows all the tricks to looking like they had a decent night's rest when they show up at the office the next day. An It girl never looks haggard or disheveled, at least not by accident.

Be a fashion chameleon
Everyone gets stuck in a style rut once in awhile, but It girls know how to recognize it and remedy it immediately. Change up your look and never be afraid to try new trends; if something doesn't work for you, just try something else.

Command the crowd 
Whether it's your charm and wit, the fact that you're so well informed, or even just the fantastic new lip color you're wearing, the goal here is to have your friends, date, colleagues, potential employer, whoever hanging on your every word. Be the most interesting girl in the world.   


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Must Have: Peter Pilotto for Target Belted Dress

Peter Pilotto for Target Belted Dress, $49.99

 

The Peter Pilotto for Target collection hits stores and Target.com this Sunday. Come Saturday night I'll be sitting at my computer, index finger poised over the mouse, so that when the clock strikes twelve this lovely little frock will land in my cart with no fuss. I. Must. Have. It! Which pieces from the collection are you hoping to score?