Adding A Pop Of Color To My Kitchen With Ace Hardware!

Ace Hardware has provided free paint samples. I was also compensated for my time and this blog post. All opinions and positions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ace Hardware.

When I tell people that I have a green kitchen, usually they look at me like I am crazy! It wasn't always planned to be that color, but like most things in my life, I take the plunge and act impulsively. Let me start off by saying I LOVE COLOR. I don't always experiment with color in my wardrobe, but as far as decorating, I am a huge fan of it. Most of the rooms in my house are different colors, and I have different colors of furniture to accentuate the walls as well. 

I want to start off by saying that I have wanted to do something to my kitchen door for about a year now. The door was untouched with a light wood shade and frankly, it was pretty boring. How do you have the coolest green kitchen and clementine accent wall, followed by a boring wooden door with an old doorknob that was starting to rust?

I started doing some research on cool colors to make a kitchen really stand out, and I finally decided on a shade of yellow. I made this inspiration board below to help guide me.


And here's the finished product!

I am so excited about the new door reveal! I am obsessed with this new color from OPI by Clark & Kensington.  It's called "Need Sunglasses" and it's perfect for another pop of color in my kitchen! I know you're probably thinking that it's super bright and crazy, but that's what's fun about it. I love my colorful kitchen, so I feel like this is the perfect final touch! I also really love that it matches the first letter in my EAT sign. I kept the white border the same and also changed the doorknob, which I think made a huge difference. So what do you guys think? Do you love pops of color in your home? And if so, how do you incorporate it into your style? 

Ace Hardware is running this awesome chance to win a $10,000 PAINT MAKEOVER!! You can also win $50 gift cards every day for the next 31 days! #31Daysofcolor 

Here is some more info from the experts on this color: 

This color is unexpected when used on your front door (or kitchen door in our case!)

Bright colors like this will help you feel alive, invigorated and energized.

Balance this color with plenty of white, light gray and other neutrals.

Going to The Paint Studio at Ace is like going to your neighbor. 

Compensation was provided by Aces via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Ace. Thank you for supporting companies that support Little Tree! 

Embrace Your Favorite Boots With DSW

Compensation was provided by DSW via Mode Media. 
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of DSW.

Hey guys! I am so excited to be partnering up with DSW again today! Nothing says winter like a great pair of boots. This pair especially has become my favorite staple for the winter months. I know they aren't your traditional "winter boots" but the detailing is just gorgeous. I love how the chains wrap around the boot, and the different buckles & accessories make them a one of a kind pair. I like to dress up all year round so these boots fit my style perfectly.

I wore these boots to a family party and they were a huge hit. They paired perfectly with my skinny jeans and peplum top. Since the winter limits all of our style, the small details really make the outfit. DSW is the best stop for all your shoe needs. Make sure you stop by and find the perfect pair of boots for your style this winter.

Dolce Vita Yazmina Bootie

DSW is the destination for savvy Shoe Lovers everywhere. Customers experience a breathtaking assortment of designer brands at irresistible prices everyday.

 

Personal Style & Red Carpet Love // Skinny Cow®

When I think about style, I like to compare my style to certain celebrities in different ways. I love the casual look that some celebrities wear on a daily basis, but more importantly how that incorporates into their red carpet style. For a few years I have LOVED the style of Vanessa Hudgens. I love how effortless it is, and how elegant she looks on the red carpet. Her usual boho-chic street style transforms into classic and gorgeous on the red carpet. 

I love being casual every day of my life. My every day wear (in the summer at least) is a pair of cut off shorts, a crop top, and a flower crown. I love anything with fringe, and of course anything that is reminiscent of the 70's. I feel like Vanessa Hudgens embodies the flower girl to a tea. She rocks out during the week, but then when it's time to dress it up-she can do that too. I can definitely be the same way in my personal life. I have my casual moments, but when I dress up, I LOVE it. In this outfit I channeled more of a rocker vibe. I love faux leather & fur, so I combined the two, plus the flower crown and felt like it all meshed so perfectly. 

What's perfect with this outfit? The accessories of course. Vanessa loves rings and jewelry, and so do I! And what's hidden in my bag? Skinny Cow® Blissful Truffle Candy Bar which comes in Milk and Dark Chocolate Flavor. Can you say YUM?! Perfect snack for on the go, and it looks pretty too! It's the best size to fit right inside my going out clutch when I need my usual chocolate fixes. With a layer of soft truffle, it's the perfect spin on the classic chocolate bar, and your perfect ally when you are on the go and need a moment to yourself to indulge and recharge. Sometimes the heart wants what it wants, am I right?

Nothing is better than feeling good, but when you pair it with looking good, you have yourself the perfect match. 

What do I love most about awards season?  It's all about indulging - from fashion, movies or celebrity news to scrumptious eats.  This season, I'm giving the award for 'Most Indulgent Candy' to Skinny Cow® Chocolate Candies. OMG - yum! Make the most of your awards season, indulge and find happiness in every bite.

Compensation was provided by Skinny Cow® via Mode Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Skinny Cow®.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

Hey guys! I am so excited today to be partnering with DSW for two fun outfit posts! One of the things that I love most about winter is layering and wearing boots. I love layering with tights, socks, sweaters and scarves. One of my favorite trends is layering high socks with riding boots. I have a pair of brown boots, but have been looking for the perfect pair of black riding boots. Nothing is better than stepping out on a cold day, and having a pair of knee high boots to accompany you on your day. I finally found the pair I was looking for, and couldn't be happier with my choice.

These boots from DSW have quickly become a favorite of mine, for more reasons than one. One of those reasons being that I have tiny feet (size 5), and most stores don't carry my size. DSW has my size, they have tons of styles to choose from and their prices are completely affordable. Those three reasons are why I'm hooked! I am so happy to have a pair of boots that can carry me into next year. These boots can easily be worn with a dress in the spring too, so I am excited to transition them into the next season.

I chose a big comfy sweater, and tight skinny jeans to wear with my new boots. I love how these boots dress up my casual outfit. They're perfect to run around in and I can't wait to rock them for the rest of the winter! Winter is on its way out but DSW has amazing choices for boots that transition through the seasons!

Ralph Lauren Mila Riding Boots 

DSW is the destination for savvy Shoe Lovers everywhere. Customers experience a breathtaking assortment of designer brands at irresistible prices everyday.

Compensation was provided by DSW via Mode Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of DSW.

Awards Season & Skinny Cow® Caramel Divine Filled Chocolates

Who doesn't love awards season? Ever since I moved into my own place I have wanted to throw a red carpet party and invite all of my friends. For most girls (bloggers especially) award season is a really fun time to bond with your girlfriends, talk about who is wearing what, and of course to enjoy the ultimate indulgence- chocolate. ENTER: Skinny Cow® Caramel Divine Filled Chocolates.  The velvety chocolate with luscious caramel, turns everyone into a chocolate lover!

My favorite part of award shows is definitely watching the red carpet with all the celebrities. I love scouting the designers, and of course seeing who is wearing what. It's also really fun to catch up with all of your friends and have a girls night. It's the perfect reason to throw a party (as if you need one!)

So how do I plan my perfect red carpet party? 

First, make sure you invite all of your best girlfriends- the more the merrier. 

Next, don't skimp on the goodies, make sure you have enough Caramel Divine Filled Chocolates for everybody at the viewing party!

And last, but not least, make sure you live tweet your thoughts and stay involved in the discussion online! I love reading other people's opinions about the awards show, and it's fun to be in the loop of the latest twitter trends and hot topics! My friends and I usually keep one computer or iPad on to take turns posting our thoughts!

Overall I think the importance of these shows is about bonding with your friends, and enjoying deliciously decadent chocolates. Am I right? What's better than friends, fashion and chocolate? Nothing I tell you! 

What do I love most about awards season? It's about indulging - from fashion, movies or celebrity news to scrumptious eats. This season I'm giving the award for 'Most Indulgent Candy' to Skinny Cow® Chocolate Candies.OMG - yum! Make the most of your awards season, indulge and find happiness in every bite.

Compensation was provided by Skinny Cow® via Mode Media. 

The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Skinny Cow®.

DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater!

Who doesn’t love a tacky ugly Christmas sweater? It’s so easy to put together at home , you’ll wonder why you never tried it before! I went to a craft store nearby and purchased some fun things from the Christmas aisle. I had such a fun time making this sweater and I can’t wait to wear it at one of my upcoming holiday parties. I originally wrote this post for Glam in their Season To Sparkle section. Check out this DIY and other awesome holiday inspired posts for the season.

Items needed: Red sweater (I purchased mine at the thrift store for $3), Snowflakes, Sparkles (different colors), Snowflake confetti, Pom-Poms, Fabric Glue, Christmas tree stencil (I used this one) Sharpie Marker, Scissors, Sequins, Jingle bells, Needle & Red Thread , Dark Green Felt, Random Christmas decor of your choice.

-First, use your stencil to create a drawing on your felt
-Use the sharpie marker to outline the tree,also using a ruler or measuring tape for straight lines
-Cut out the felt in the shape of the tree
-Put fabric glue on the back of the felt tree cutout and paste it on your sweater
-Start decorating your tree accordingly, I decorated the tree with pom-poms, snowflakes, sequins
-Once you let your items dry for a few hours, finish by sewing on your jingle bells. Since they’re a little heavier you’ll need to pass some thread through and make a simple loop to keep the bells in place.

Tips & Tricks:
-Pick up your sweater from a thrift store or second hand store. You’ll find a sweater that’s much more unique, possibly vintage, and best of all, it’ll be a lot cheaper than buying the sweater brand new!

-Buy a variety of crafts and decorations to add to your sweater. Sometimes the most random pieces end up looking awesome!

-Plan out your sweater prior to putting it together. This will help guide the sweater decorating process once you start. A plan is always a good idea so you have ideas in your head before diving in. This will save you time, and will also help from making mistakes. I googled DIY Christmas Sweaters prior to starting mine. I decided to go with a Christmas Tree themed sweater, but there are many other options and ideas out there. Be creative, and plan ahead! 

A Letter To My Beautiful Head Of Hair

We all have a love/hate relationship with our hair, here's my story..

Dear Hair,

It's been a long road, with you and I. We've had some great times, and some awful times. Most of the times I would like to remember, but there are some I don't mind forgetting. As I sit here and reminisce about our relationship, I want to remind you that I will never go back to 16-year old Maria ever again. I'll never bleach you, or get highlights that are orange-red. I will never dye you a black-maroon color ever again because my punk rock emo days are over. I also will never be cutting straight across bangs again, because we both know it just didn't work for either of us.

I know you've been feeling quite flat lately and I have the perfect solution for us! L'Oreal Advanced Haircare is going to be a huge life changer for both of us.  I know we normally don't like trying new things, but this is different! Their volume filler line makes hair feel fuller instantly. We always wanted something this great to come into our lives, and it's finally here. Their thickening shampoo & conditioner have become my new favorites, and I know you feel the difference too. You feel voluminous and beautiful, and better than ever. I also love their filler fiber amplifying concentrate.  This way, the volume will never leave, and we can feel glamorous together, forever!

I've cut you short, and I have kept you long. The great thing is, the good days are finally here to stay. We've been better then we've ever been before, and I know it's only going to get better between us. 

Love,

Maria

"We ladies know that not all locks are created equal, and so does L’Oréal Paris. With the Advanced Haircare line, Glam girls have the power to pick their shampoo, conditioner and treatment based on their specific strand needs, taking their tresses to luxurious levels. Beautiful hair has never been more personal.”

Compensation was provided by L’Oreal’s Advanced Hair Care via Mode Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of L’Oreal.

FALL in Love With Fall Booties From DSW

Who doesn't love the Fall? When the season rolls in it's time for new shoes, some fancy layered clothing, and hats of course. Summer is great of course, but nothing beats the feeling the Fall gives you. There's something about the crispness in the air, and the changing colors of the leaves that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Fall for me means finding the perfect staples for my closet, and that of course means finding the perfect shoes. Today, I am teaming up with DSW to show you guys how I style a pair of my favorite booties.

When you find a good pair of shoes, you never want to take them off! It's important to find a pair that can be worn in a few different ways, because that's the beauty of a closet staple. I love these booties, and I love how versatile they are. I decided to dress them up into three looks. My first look is a comfortable "day" look. This is something I would wear just lounging around the house, or going out for coffee with some friends. 

My second look is a look I would wear from day to night. It has a little bit of an edgier look, which  love! I usually throw a beanie on, and a moto jacket on a daily basis, so this look is a breeze. I don't usually wear heels so wedges are perfect for those days when you want to be comfortable all day long. I love being able to keep a pair of shoes on my feet all day without feeling tired.

My third and final look is the dressiest look of all. As seen in the outfit above, I love faux leather right now! This faux leather pencil skirt is great for date night , or a night out with my girlfriends. I layered a bodysuit & fancy bralette with a kimono to bring a little bit of color into the outfit. I love how the booties transitioned into any outfit I wore them with.

Which look is your favorite? 

That's the best thing about shoes, they can be worn so many different ways, and every outfit makes them shine in a different way. If you didn't already hear, October 25th is National Shoe Lover Day! Make sure you stop into your nearest DSW to celebrate this awesome day, and treat yourself. 

Who’s ready for October 25? It’s National #ShoeLover Day, and we’re partying it up with DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse. Tell us why you love shoes and how you’re going to let loose on the big day!

DSW Zumba Bootie
Look 1: Poncho (c/o PBJshop) / Leggings / Hat
Look 2: Bag / Beanie / Moto Jacket & Jeans / Flannel
Look 3:  Bodysuit / Bralette / Leather Mini (c/o Lulus) / Kimono (c/o Marshalls)

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by DSW via Mode Media.The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of DSW.