Get Your Bake ON!

My Grandmother's vintage apron

Pecan-Pumpkin Cheesecake, will have a praline topping...YUM

My famous corn casserole

I love the smell of Thanksgiving in my house right now. My mom is hosting, so I am bringing sides and dessert. On the list: lima bean casserole, green beans, corn casserole, rolls with homemade cranberry-lemon butter, and pecan-pumkin cheesecake with a praline topping. The plan is to do prep work today and bake the rest tomorrow. This afternoon we will go out and deliver meals for VISTE which we do every year. This year I think they have around 1200 meals to deliver. I was recently asked to serve on their board, and I couldn't say no. They provide such an AMAZING service to our community. So what are you cooking and what are your plans for tomorrow? Enjoy! XXOO

Give Thanks

Give Thanks by cathykhayes featuring leather shoes

Zara print shirt
30 AUD - jeanswest.com.au

Burberry Prorsum pink trench coat
€4.995 - montaignemarket.com

Hudson Jeans hudson skinny jeans
$350 - stylebop.com

Dorothy Perkins leather shoes
£25 - dorothyperkins.com

Zara bowler handbag
$129 - zara.com

Anton Heunis drop earrings
£95 - flannelsfashion.com

Chunky bangle
€21 - shopfriiscompany.com

Oliver Peoples square sunglasses
$360 - boutique1.com

Oasis silk shawl
$25 - oasis-stores.com

NARS Nail Polish -Kismet
$17 - barneys.com

Pressed Flowers - Greetings of Grace
$1.39 - greetingsofgrace.com

Let's Catch Up!

Top: J. Crew, Skirt: Banana, Boots: Steve Madden, Jewelry: Random

This was mile 7 and I was still smiling! Didn't start to hurt until mile 9

My "little" friend Trish! We have run 2 1/2 marathons together!

I love Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for, starting with the pictures from the top all the way to the bottom. My littles had their Thanksgiving program last week, and my husband and I were there along with my mom and dad. It was so cute to watch them perform their songs. Healthy children are something that I never want to take for granted, even though being home with them all week long will surely have me pulling my hair out! :) Sunday was the Women's Half Marathon! I finished in 2:08:55. My PR is 2:04, but I wasn't complaining, I was really proud of myself. I actually shaved almost 8 minutes off of the last 1/2 marathon I ran in March. It is inspiring to see all shapes, sizes, and ages of women out there "just doing it"! The kids and hubs came along with me and we had a really fun weekend hanging out in St. Pete. Fun parks, GREAT restaurants, and YUMMY gelato. 11 weeks to go until the next 1/2! Have a GREAT week of Thanksgiving!

Giveaway-Classy Sudz Handmade Soaps

Well, I haven't styled anything this week except for my running gear! The Women's Half Marathon is 3 days away-YAY! I thought in the absence of my style showcase, I would offer a giveaway! The winner will receive these three fabulous soaps courtesy of Classy Sudz, another little hobby of mine. These are coconut lime verbena, champagne mimosa, and cranberry-orange. The soaps are all natural glycerin soaps, non-comedogenic, and have the best lather EVER! All you have to do to enter is follow my blog, post a comment, and like Classy Sudz on facebook! I will announce the winner next week on Tuesday the 22nd! Good luck!

Weekend in Review!

JUST love this!

Lemonade infused beignet! HEAVEN! 

SO many fun goodies! 

Court and her drawer/shopping basket! Haha

Amazing yumminess! 

Dressed in the party colors as requested! Pink, silver and black!

What a full weekend! Friday night we had family night with the kids and Saturday I had a date with one of my "new mommy" friends who needed some fresh air and girl time! We went to the Fancy Flea, a vintage flea market filled with all things FAB! We traveled down to the local farmers market and enjoyed beignets and coffee at the Poor Porker-an ADORABLE traveling food cart visiting all the way from LA. The owners are super cool and I hope they stay a while-I didn't even feel like I was in Lakeland. Saturday afternoon was my daughter's soccer game, and then that evening was my friend and client's birthday "gala". SO fun with yummy food catered by Frescos and of coarse a BEAUTIFUL cake by none other than Sweetcakes. My 1/2 Marathon is ONE WEEK from today-I am super excited! I did my long run on Friday, it went well except for the awful cramp at mile 11...urggg! I am praying this doesn't happen on race day. So now your turn-what did YOU do this weekend?

Sweet Surprises

Dress & Belt: J. Crew, Blazer: Victoria's Secret Catalog, Shoes: Sam Edleman

My nieces and nephew

I love to mix frilly things I would wear in the summer with blazers and belts for fall! What I love even more is seeing surprise pictures of my nieces and nephews posted on my FB wall! My sister lives in France, she and her husband adopted these three from Brazil a couple of years ago...so I haven't even met them yet. Aren't they ADORABLE????? She made sure to point out the little one was sporting the flag! :) They went through years of IVF treatment with no success. But as you can see from the picture above, God had other plans and boy did he come through....well, He always does!

Weekend in the Woods!

My sweet childhood friends Paris and Angela

Lakeridge Winery Clermont, stopped on the way (Don't waste your time!)
Wine was NOT good! 

Alexander Springs, crystal clear water! 

Paris and I pre-nature walk

Angela and I

Nature Walk

Napping on a tree! :) 

A game of Shanghai! SO fun! 

We dined on spinach and feta omletes, chicken kabobs and yummy s'mores! 

Andrea joined the party for the last night! Yay!

What better way to bond with your girlfriends than a camping trip? I am SO glad that my best friend Angela knew what she was doing, hahaha! I pretty much just took orders, that girl knows how to camp! We had so much fun sitting by the fire, playing cards, going on walks, and just talking. I love my girlfriends and what they bring to my life. Sometimes the days just pass by with the same old same old and it is really nice to have a break from reality, although a hotel is usually involved! :) I am still trying to wash the BBQ smell out of my hair-but when I get a whiff....I just laugh at something silly that we did or said and it brings a BIG smile to my face. I love these girls....and I am so grateful to have them in my life! Have a GREAT week!

Calling All Girl Scouts!

I haven't been camping since I was a child. This weekend, it is just me, the girls, and the wilderness! We are headed to Alexander Springs for a girls getaway camping trip. I have no idea how this is going to turn out as my idea of camping is "glamping" in a cabin or something!!! My childhood BFF is planning the menu, and has mapped everything out for us. Not to mention that we have rules...no make up and no accessories- other than the off fan repellent pictured above, which is FINE by me! I am actually looking forward to NOT thinking about what I am going to wear. Stay tuned....the pictures should be entertaining!

....and the Things of Earth Will Grow Strangely Dim.

While running this morning, this song came on Pandora. It spoke to me. You see...I let things bother me way too much. I tend to blame the people in my life that have hurt me, but when I dissect it further-I see that it is my issue. I have control over my thoughts and I can choose to stop dwelling on how my feelings have been hurt, or what people have done to offend me. I can choose to turn my eyes upon Jesus and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. It works!!! I promise!

31 Days in the Same Dress??

(Just a few of my favorite looks in the dress)

As most of you know, I spent the last 31 days in the same dress. For those of you who didn't, welcome to the after party!!!! Why? The October Dress Project, and for me specifically: I am a shopaholic. Last year, I watched my MOPs friends Jennifer, Karissa, and Ida, (pictured above) participate. I was so inspired that I chose to follow their lead in November, and I dragged my precious friend Trish along for the ride! Each time I have been blessed in different ways. I learn how to use what I have in my closet, and choose to resist the urge to buy more. My eyes are opened to how spoiled I can be, and I realize just how much I have. Over the past few years, I have become wise to the amount I have been spending and now I am much more conscious. I have also learned the art of thrifting and that gives me more of a thrill than a shopping spree at Neimans...well almost ;) Here are the top questions I was asked during this project and my answers!

Q: Why are you doing this? Is this for charity or a cause?
A: Yes, the cause of reminding Cathy that she couldn't want or need another thing!

Q: Are you allowed to wash it?
A: YES!!! I washed in the evenings and hung to dry.

Q: What is the longest that you went without washing?
A: 4 days, (gently worn, I promise!)

Q: Did it hold up?
A: Pretty much, except for the hook and eye clasp. I had to sew that back on.

Q: Did you like this dress better than the black dress you wore last year?
A: YES! Strapless was a GREAT call for layering. Plus this dress had a great shape and the denim fabric allowed it to go with anything.

Q: Will you wear it again or burn it?
A: Actually, I think I will wear it. I have not put the black dress on since last year, but this one was a much better choice!

Q: Will you do it again next year?
A: I want to say no, but I probably will.

Q: Are you going to shop on November 1st?
A: I thought I would have been dying to....but I didn't!

Finally, I have to say I am thankful. I am so thankful for what I have. I am not perfect, my marriage is not perfect, and my family is not perfect. I am a work in progress, and I am thankful for a God who is patient enough to show me just how blessed I am through little projects like these! Fellow October Dress Project participants....I salute you, and send my love....we are DONE!