A Playful Take on a Classic Button Up

In an attempt for me to cut spending, I've been recycling pieces in new ways to get good use out of items in my closet. For the past two weeks I've styled this classic button-down shirt in different ways. I started with a business look, then a casual outfit, and now I have a more playful take on this wardrobe staple in honor of Valentine's Day. I'm pretty proud of myself since the top was bought for an interview and I figured I'd probably never wear it again!

Let's talk leggings! These are a bit out of my comfort zone but I love the print. I tend to wear a lot of solids and that can get boring so these add a touch of fun. I'm sure you've seen LuLaRoe all over Facebook. Lucky for me, one of my best friend sells it so I've been able to try items on and get a feel for styles before purchasing. Of course the leggings are my favorite because they really are as buttery soft as they're claimed to be. Plus the waistband stays in place, which I had never found 'til LLR.

If you've been on the fence about purchasing, check out LuLaRoe by Jen Torres. She has tons of giveaways and is super helpful!

Linking up for Good HUES-Day, Trend Spin, Turning Heads Tuesday, Trendy Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday, What I Wore, New Year Styled

Getting Into the Valentine's Day Spirit

Welcome to Monday Morning Gossip! Join the fun with my co-host Kimberlee of I Have a Degree in This and me. Here's how it works:

1. Blog about your gossip - all topics accepted so why not link up?!

2. Include the badge (below) in your post and/or link back to our blogs.

3. Add your link to the list below.

<center> <a href="http://www.jointhegossip.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/jointhegossip/d33ab8f8-4a59-478a-a44b-933414b91e6b_zpsfae5b0df.jpg" /></a></center> ______________________ With Valentine's Day this weekend, I can't help but be attracted to all things pink, red, and hearts. Whether you celebrate or not, I think we can all agree that the decorations that go along with the holiday are adorable. 

1. Giuseppe Zanotti Pumps

2. XO Design Cuff

3. Red and White Heart Knit Mug Warmer

4. Stila Lipstick

5. Lovestruck Heart Pendant

6. Rebecca Minkoff Purse

It's All Hearts Over Here

Ah Valentine's Day. I'm single, but I don't care! What is there not to love about the holiday? Hearts, reds and pinks, sweets - it's such a fun day whether you are a party of 1 of in a couple. Don't get me wrong, I'm still jealous of all of you attached people out there, BUT why not use it as an excuse to love ourselves?

This year I have no plans, but since it falls on a Friday I'm debating: hang with another single friend or avoid packed restaurants and movies and stay home? We'll see. If I go out, I want to be wearing this outfit above!

Now for a dose of the most bi-polar happies and crappies you will ever read, starting with the bad news first...

Crappy:

Got laid off on Monday

Happy:

Booked a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Thursday

Now if that's not the epitome of "when one door closes another opens"! Let's be real, I hated my job. My boss was a dick, I was treated like shit, never a part of the team, not doing was I was hired to do. A big miserable nightmare for the past 10 months. So them laying me off was a favor to me. Sure I'm worried about money and getting another job. But I has a feeling this was coming so I was prepared.

Fast forward a few days. My aunt had a cruise planned for the first week of March and she convinced my parents to go, who in turn invited me. The timing is perfect - no job, I've never been on a cruise, and I'm on a 28-day diet that ends the week before the trip (ideally I'd have months to mentally and physically prepare for a week in a bathing suit). So I figure, why not?! We're going to the following places:

Nassau, Bahamas

San Juan, Puerto Rico

St, Thomas, USVI

Grand Turk

If anyone has any must-sees/dos for these places, please let me know so I can plan excursions!

Linking up for Friday's Fancies & Happies and Crappies

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy hearts day! Tonight I'll have three Valentine's: my pup Coco, and Damon & Stefan Salvatore. Sounds pretty magical to me. I hope you have a great day whether you celebrate or not!

Congrats to Selma for winning my Valentine's Day giveaway!!

Randoms & Four Favorites

Let's talk Vine. When everyone was posting their profiles on IG I was annoyed, I admit. That first day it launched I hated Vine. But then I gave in. So now you can add me. I'm Leeann Morrissey ;) And here's my first video. I thought I'd use a treat to take video of my dog. She wasn't having it and snatched that treat out of my hand.

 

On Monday, Kathrin blogged about this but I wanted to share also. I am a selfish friend and a recent text conversation proves that. For those non-iPhone people, I'm in white and Kathrin is in blue.

In my defense Kathrin is my go-to. We've been friends since junior high and she's the one who is always there be it to listen, accompany me to work functions, or go out for a drink...or several I don't need a baby taking MY Kathrin time ha!

And speaking of friends, today is my boss's birthday. Since she's French I went with a theme: Paris mug, Chambord, and Essie polish in "French Affair".

Onto Valentine's Day. With VDay around the corner who doesn't have hearts, red, pink, and pretties on the brain? I mean, if I could decorate with hearts and all year, I would. But I'm pushing 30 and it's frowned upon for a woman of my age, so this time of year I get to live it up!

1 // Super cute chalk board hearts
 2 // Chevron print dress at Target
3 // Pretty J. Crew jewels
4 // Magnolia Bakery Valentine's cupcakes

Now that I've shared my Valentine's Day wishlist, tell me what is on yours!

Linking up for Random Wednesday and Four Favorites

     

Pink Popcorn

Looking for a fun idea for a Valentine's Day treat? Try pink popcorn!

Here are the ingredients you'll need to whip up a batch of this perfectly pink snack:

12 cups of unsweetened popcorn
2 cups of mini marshmallows
1/2 cup of butter
1 package of strawberry gelatin

Cooking Directions:

1. Heat butter and marshmallows in a sauce pan until the marshmallows are almost melted.
2. As the butter and marshmallows are cooking, pop the 12 cups of popcorn (about 3 bags).
3. Pour the melted butter and marshmallows over the popcorn and stir.
4. Pour the packet of gelatin mix over the popcorn and stir.

Total cooking time: 10 minutes

Total cost of ingredients: Under $6 (I bought generic items)

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Linking up with Shanna

Hello, Lovah!

Valentine's Day by LeeannM

Despite the fact that I am single - on the holiday dedicated to lovers - I still adore all of the pink and red hues, hearts, and chocolates that come along with Valentine's Day!

Thank God for The Bachelor, 90210, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, Hawaii 5-O, and The Bad Girls Club plus a bottle of pinot noir and my pup, Coco, to keep my mind off the fact that I will be manless on V Day. And yes, every Monday I watch all of those shows. In fact, I had to cut House, Chase, and Harry's Law because my DVR won't record 27 million shows in one night. I may or may not be addicted to Monday night TV.

Anyhoo, if I were to get all dolled up to spend the night with a loved one, this would be my outfit of choice. Simple, yet elegant. I think it's romance that doesn't shout "Look at me! Look at me!"

And how amazing are the Jimmy Choo Cosmic black leather sequined pumps pictured above? As soon as I get an extra $646 they will be mine ;) Now that's what I call a Valentine!

Happy Valentine's Day

I am single (blah!) and am always single on Valentine's Day. So at this point it really doesn't even bother me anymore.

For those of you who are attached, I hope you have a wonderful day. And for those who are unattached like me, here is an adorable picture to brighten your day!

This photo comes from one of my favorite blogs that I have just recently been introduced to, Frocktart. Be sure to visit her blog and show her some love! That's what the day's all about, right?