Mulled Spiced Wine

One of my favorite warm drinks in the fall is mulled wine, it's so easy to throw together and just tastes like fall.

Ingredients

1 bottle of merlot
1 bottle of cranberry juice
Spiced apple cider packet or several cinnamon sticks

Directions

Pour juice and wine into the crockpot or a large pot on the stove over low heat. Mix in spices and let simmer for a while. Serve with a ladle and add cinnamon stick(s) for garnishing. Refrigerate any leftovers and reheat as desired.

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Beer and Bacon Weekending

Even though I ended the weekend on a low note, it was a fun one spent outdoors until Sunday when I landed on the couch with doggy snuggles and football. I'm going to the doctor today, but the severe pain and white patches on my tonsils say strep throat is most likely my diagnosis.

Friday, I volunteered with some work peeps for Habitat for Humanity. I've always wanted to volunteer for that, so I was excited when it was announced at work that they were organizing a day for us to volunteer nearby. I spent the majority of the time helping to paint the window frames and the exterior of the house before helping with some pesky nails in the pre-treated wood in the framework which was no joke!

Saturday, was time for some craft beer and bacon tasting at the 2nd annual Beer & Bacon Festival. So much deliciousness!

I enjoyed unlimited beer samples, grilled cheese with of course bacon, bacon wrapped jalepenos, pork sliders with bacon, and maple bacon cupcakes. Every single dish could not have been more delicious... so good!

Being home all day on the couch Sunday meant some online shopping... between the Sephora VIB sale, Nordstrom 40% off sale, and some F21 finds my wallet is a bit lighter.

Joining Leeann and Kimberlee for Monday Morning Gossip

and

Biana for Weekending

and

Lisa and Bella for Weekend Recap

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Nordstrom Sale Picks

There are two things exciting all of us right now, and one of them is the Sephora VIB Sale and the other is the Nordstrom 40% off sale. I built up quite the wishlist at both stores, but had to behave myself when it came to checkout time.

1. Michael Kors Hayley Leather Boot I have some great riding boots from Target, but I've had my eyes set on a fancy pair for a while.

2. T Tahari Belted Wool Blend Coat I haven't gotten a new "winter coat" (living in FL doesn't require a real winter coat) in several years, and I'm kind of obsessed with this beautiful white coat.

3. Michael Kors Vivian 57mm Sunglasses I still love my Marc Jacobs sunglasses I got from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and they even replaced them for free when a screw got loose and my lens popped out while in the Bahamas. So, after having such a great experience with them I may just have to get all my sunglasses there from now on...

4. Solid Woven Cashmere Scarf Such a beautiful and soft scarf that's just begging to be worn, plus it comes in a variety of colors.

5. Kate Spade Idiom It Takes Two Bangle It's no secret that I have a slight obsession with KS bangles, and this is the perfect addition to any collection.

6. Capelli of New York Glitter Clutch I've been on the hunt for a clutch for the upcoming holiday season and various weddings, and this one is perfect.

7. Steve Madden Delerius Pumps Fabulous pair of nude pumps that'll go great with pretty much everything.

8. Kate Spade Veranda Place Pouch Such a pretty makeup pouch for traveling or fun overnights.

What are some of your picks from the Nordstrom sale?

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Friday Favs

This week has been insanely busy, but I've loved every second of it.

1. Went to go see Boyz II Men at Epcot on Tuesday night, and they put on an amazing show! I'm sad it's only 3 of the original 4 guys, but they still sound the same and put on a great performance.

After the concert, we all went to ride Soarin' before the park closed and then for some food and drinks at ESPN Zone on The Boardwalk. Highly recommend the Mai Tai there... delish!

2. I was so excited to win Pamela's Kreativ Case giveaway, and my pretty new case arrived this week. I loved the combo of glitter, chevron, and mint... definitely perfect for me.

3. On a morning Starbucks run, I was just a wee bit excited for the return of the red cups. It's the little things guys... it must be a mental thing, but my chai tea latte just tastes better in the red cup.

4. Could not be happier for the annual Sephora VIB sale, my favorite time of year to stock up on some of my fav items.

5. Loving some of my recent finds on Pinterest:

Linking up today with Lauren for High Five on Friday, Rebecca for That Friday Blog Hop, and Amanda for Friday Favorites. Hop on over and join us! Happy Friday!

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Sephora VIB Sale Wish List

It's my favorite time of year! Well... almost... but you can't beat the annual VIB sale where us VIB gals save 20% off our entire purchase at Sephora. It's the perfect time to re-stock every day items, pick up Christmas gifts, and finally try out items that were too much of a splurge without the discount.

To get ready for the sale tomorrow, I did some inventory on my current "loves" list at Sephora to see which items I may finally pull the trigger on.

1. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - I've been a loyal Erase Paste user for years to cover up my hereditary dark circles under my eyes, but ever since Biana recommended trying out this concealer I've been intrigued.

2. UD Primer Potion - aka my holy grail of all products. This little tube keeps my eye makeup fresh all day and even into the night for after work happy hours and outings.

3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette - Such a gorgeous palette that I just can't bring myself to purchase due to the price, but with the sale it may be time to go for it.

4. Classic Crease Shadow Brush - I've been looking for the perfect brush for applying shadow in the crease of my eyelids.

5. BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector - I've been on the hunt for the perfect primer to keep my face looking matte even in the heat of Florida summers. So when the always flawless looking Deborah recommended this primer, I immediately added it to my wishlist and it's definitely time to finally try it out.

6. Sculpt Curling Wand - I'm such a dunce at doing my own hair (hence the need to go to a blow dry bar before big events) so I'm hoping that a curling wand will help me get those beautiful waves that a lot of you girls rock so effortlessly. *Fingers crossed*

7. Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head - I'm definitely overdue to replace the brush head on my Clarisonic Mia. Better yet, I should pick up a 2 pack while I'm at it....

8. Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hair Spray - I was skeptical at first of this product since I have such fine hair, but it really does give my hair the extra "oomph" it needs and feels thicker after blow drying.

9. UD Naked2 Basics Palette - I'm just a total sucker for all the Naked palettes, each one has been absolutely amazing in it's own way. I may need to add this one to my collection.

10. Tory Burch Eau de Parfum Spray - Such a pretty feminine scent and bottle, love the whole package.

What's currently on your Sephora wish list for the big sale?

Becca Bumble and bumble Clarisonic Hourglass Cosmetics NARS Cosmetics Sephora Tory Burch Urban Decay

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Pumpkin Pie Dip and A Giveaway

One of the many items on the menu for my friend's Halloween themed baby shower over the weekend was pumpkin pie dip. Such an easy and yummy dip to whip together for a fall party or holiday gathering.

Ingredients

1 block of reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup of pure pumpkin puree
1 cup of powdered sugar
1/2 cup of reduced fat or fat free sour cream
1 tsp. of cinnamon
2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. of ground nutmeg
1 cup of fat free cool whip

Directions

Combine cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth on low speed
Add pumpkin puree, sour cream, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until combined
Fold in the cool whip
Refrigerate for an hour before serving
Serve with graham crackers, gingersnaps, and apple wedges.

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Link-up Rules:

1. Follow Emily and myself on GFC and Bloglovin

2. Link up your favorite recipes or food related posts

3. Grab our Recipe Swap button and link back to both of our blogs

4. Be sure to visit other blogs and find new recipes!

Ladies co-hosting in the giveaway include:

Lisa @ Showered With Design // Katelynn @ XO, Katelynn // Liz @ The Fitness Blondie //Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis // Brianne @ Being Bracco // Karissa @ Karissa and Company // Rebecca @ Renovating Rebecca // Amanda @ As The Wine Cork Turns//Anne @ Love The Here & Now // Justine @ Life As A Baltimore Girl// Just Jessie //Janessa @ Running on Empty //Amber @ InDuffinitely Me // Emelia @ Dream Big and Buy The Shoes // JC @ Sweet Love and Ginger // Kate @ Green Fashionista // Brianna @ Sincerely Brianna Leigh//Kelsey @ Random Randts // All The Joys // Molly @ Awfully Big Adventure //Kelsey @ Blonder Side of Life// Just Georgia Peachy//Meghan @ Champagne and Suburbs // Amanda @ Knock on Wood //Mary @ Eat Drink and Be Mary//Misty @ Handbags and Handguns //Ericka @ This Crazy Thing Called Life // Nancy @ Sincerely and Sarcastically// Classy & Sassy Mrs. //Keeping Up With Ashley & Cody

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Recipe

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Halloween Baby Shower Weekend

What a whirlwind weekend! I spent Friday evening handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters, finishing up projects, and baking for my friend's baby shower at the house the next day. A far cry from dressing up and going to an annual Halloween party, but I enjoyed every second of it. Wine, baking, and handing out candy to the kiddos was the perfect night in.

My tuckered out girl who was exhausted from ~~barking at the doorbell~~ "answering the door" all night.

Saturday, was the co-ed Halloween baby shower at the house per request of the glowing momma-to-be since it's her favorite holiday. I was nervous about finding that fine line between decorating for Halloween and a baby shower without it being too scary or cheesy. So, I went with the "Little Pumpkin" theme.

Since there were about 60 people who RSVP'd yes, I was at a loss for what I could do for Halloween themed affordable favors. So, I took to Pinterest *of course* and saw an idea for mini-marshmallows as "Ghost Poop", chocolate chips as "Witches Warts", candy corn as "Jack-o-lantern Teeth", and Golden Grahams as "Monster Scabs".

I wanted to make sure the momma-to-be had a fancy fun drink, so I made a batch of "Preggatinis" which were made with sparkling cider, OJ, and grenadine.