The Polyvore Files: New Year's Eve

Happy almost New Year's bloggers!
I can only trust that you lovelies have some amazing plans in store for this Tuesday night. I couldn't be more ecstatic for the night since one of my best friends in the whole wide world told me that he'll be coming to visit. And I'm just saying without him, I probably would've just stayed in watching Dick Clark's special as I shove my face full of chocolate and holiday popcorn. Instead now, we've got plans to actually go out and freeze our booties off. Anyways, if  I didn't have the most perfect dress picked out (from last year, actually), I'd have to go with one of these classy looks below.

And in case you missed it last week, you can now link up here for the Polyvore Files link up as well. I'm too excited to be co-hosting here with Joni at Six Cherries on Top. There's no prompts or rules, just post what you've been working on and see what other bloggers have come up with!

New Year's by kara-stone featuring a macrame bracelet

My Mindy Project

Please tell me that you've all seen the Mindy Project? If not, here's some great examples of why it's probably the best show ever:

And I'm sure most of us have read Mindy's hilarious book:

Anyways, yall are probably wondering why I'm talking about Mindy Kaling nonstop. It's because I recently discovered she has a card game, of sorts, called "Questions I Ask When I Want To Talk About Myself."

                                                         

There are 50 cards/topics in the box. As a New Year's resolution, I'm planning on tackling one question a week on the blog. Hence the title, "My Mindy Project." I hope you'll read along with me through 2014, as I open up probably a little too much, cry a little too much, and hopefully get to know myself a little better.

What I Wore Wednesday: Christmas Edition!!

It is the MOST wonderful time of the year, can we all agree on that? Yes? Great! 

Here's my Christmas Eve outfit: 

And my Christmas outfit:

I have been rocking the mess out of the cardinal red colors, and have absolutely fallen in love.

Have the safest holiday ever, and a very very Merry Christmas!

The Polyvore Files

Do you ever have that piece of clothing that you kind of just have to have? For me, it's this silky pair of pants from Aerie. I've been wanting/needing/drooling over them since they came out, and they finally went on a pretty little sale this weekend. So since I was spending a little time lusting, I decided to add some other items I've been in love with for awhile now. First, we've got this lovely handmade jewelry from Geoflora. And then secondly, I've got this pretty little Gucci bag. I'm not one to care much for designer bags, but I wouldn't hate getting this one for Christmas.

Linking up again with The Polyvore Files. And a little piece of exciting news, starting next week, you'll be able to link up your outfits here as well. The lovely Joni and I will be co-hosting this link up from here on out, and I couldn't be more stoked!

Currently...

Watching: Scrubs on Netflix! It's one of the many shows I wasn't allowed to watch growing up (I feel a post coming soon about this), so I'm getting to see it all for the first time!

Listening to: Christmas music, of course! Especially the She & Him album. Their version of The Christmas Waltz is by far my favorite song this month.

Thinking about: My dream office. Especially now that Nate Berkus has his own line of office supplies. I think we know where all my Christmas gift cards will be going.

Source

Trying to figure out: How to have a view like this. So far winning the lottery or marrying ridiculously rich seems to be my only option. ;)

Source

Looking forward to: Christmas Eve! I just found out that I won't be working like I thought. I'm super ready for family time.

Reading: This is secretly the reason I wrote this post. I just got my new Nook charger in the mail, so I've already downloaded three books. This is what I read all day yesterday:

And I've definitely got some Jodi Picoult that I'll be starting today!

Making me happy: I just got a lovely email from Joni at Six Cherries on Top offering me to be the new co-host in The Polyvore Files link up. Anyone who's seen this blog in the past few weeks can probably just imagine how ecstatic that makes me!

The Polyvore Files: Christmas!

Hello lovelies! It's time for my absolute favorite link up of the week, The Polyvore Files! This week is all about Christmas, and honestly, who in the world can say no to that? This is the outfit I've already bought for our family Christmas (40% off on Black Friday!), so I thought I'd share a cozy scene around it.

Christmas! by kara-stone featuring a round coffee table

And the lovely Joni has added a few questions to this week's linky to get us really in the mood for Chrismtas. 10 days away!!

What is your favorite holiday movie? Just to pick one?! Yikes. I think I'm going to have to go with A Charlie Brown Christmas on this one. It's just such a classic!

What is your favorite soup to enjoy during the winter? I'm actually not a big fan of soups! But I will always love a good loaded mashed potato soup. Roly Poly in Louisiana makes the best!

I'm drooling just looking at it!

Which do prefer, coffee or hot chocolate? Coffee, coffee, coffee. Not even a question! But I will absolutely drink hot chocolate this time of the year.

True story.

What is your favorite tart or candle scent for this time of year? I just about died when I saw this candle in Anthropologie a few weeks ago.

I simply cannot say no to a yummy smelling candle, or Anthropologie for that matter!

White lights or colored lights on your Christmas tree? White, for sure! Maybe once I have kids I'll have colored, but for now, I love the classic look of Christmas. :)

Sunday Social!

Happy Sunday morning, ladies. I hope you're enjoying the last day of the weekend, I know I am! Two of my very best friends are coming to see me from North Carolina today, and I couldn't be more excited! Have a lovely week and make sure you link up too! :)
1. What are your favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials? I absolutely adore The Santa Clause, Elf, and the Home Alones. 

And if I'm ever in a super sad mood, I'll watch the Christmas Shoes. It hits me right in the feels every time.
2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do? I never have before, but this year, I have felt so compelled to give to The A21 Campaign. It honestly terrifies me to know that this is going on not just in other countries, but especially in America.
3. What is your favorite toy received as a child for the holidays? Ohmigosh. A gigapet for sure. My parents wrapped it in a clothes box, so I was seriously disappointed for more clothes. Then I'm pretty sure I screamed for a full 8 minutes.

4. What was your must have item in high school for the holidays? I think my freshman or sophomore year of high school, my aunt bought me this iPod mini! I already feel old knowing kids now wouldn't know how to use it! But let's blame that on Apple and their constant need for new models every year, and make me feel a little younger.

5. What do you do on Christmas Eve? This will be my third year working on Christmas Eve. It's not the worst thing in the world. I'll still have the night off to be with my family and open our one present early!

Friday Inspiration

Source: designblogcrush.com

For a lot of us bloggers with a smaller "fan base," you can get discouraged really easily. For example, say you post a WIWW that made you feel really good about yourself, but less than ten page views, no comments, not even from your mom. It can sting a little, to say the very least, BUT at least you tried. You had the confidence to post this picture, or spill what's on your heart, or posted your favorite recipe. So who cares if nobody sees? Before you go hitting that delete button, think about that post and how passionately you might have felt writing it. Even if no one else saw the beauty in it, you did.

Maybe I'm the only one who struggles with this, or maybe only two people will see this, I just thought it was a perfect message on this lovely Friday. Keep your chin up!

The Polyvore Files: Comfy Cozy Style

So I know when I first started The Polyvore Files link up, I said I'd only do it on days I didn't feel like doing Sunday Socials. But honestly, how do you pick between the two most amazing link ups possible?

I'm doing something a little different this week though. I usually just post an outfit, but seeing how this outfit is so cozy with just a pair of leggings and a long sweater, I thought I'd add some comfy cozy home touches too. 

Comfy cozy :D by kara-stone featuring Pier 1 Imports

No lie, I went to check out Joni's bloggy after posting mine, and saw she used the exact phrase, "comfy cozy" too. It's just that time of year!

Sunday Social

People who have been around my blog for awhile just know that Sunday mornings are my favorite mornings. I grab my coffee, get on the couch to check PostSecret, and do my Sunday Social link up. And now that I've got TWO link ups that I absolutely adore, I get to do double posts! See the post above this one for The Polyvore Files.

1. What is the wallpaper on your cell phone? My precious puppy, of course!

2. What do you keep beside your bed? Well this is slightly embarrassing. During the Christmas season, I had to put half of my Christmas village on my nightstand. But my computer and phone are always in my bed with me. Sometimes it's nice not having to share a bed with anyone. :)

3. What is your least favorite chore? Dishes that are actually in the nasty water. Give me a dishwasher ANY day!

4. If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be? Does going to work count here? Or styling my bangs? It's SO obvious the days that I don't touch them.

5. What do you do to vent anger? Make a cup of hot tea, snuggle my puppy, and call my sister. I can't even tell you how many conversations I've started with her saying, "I. AM. LIVID."

6. What is your favorite holiday of the year and why? Christmas... Is this even a question? Family time, snow, fireplaces, decorations, I just can't see the bad! 

The Polyvore Files

Two posts in one day?! Might be my first time trying this, but I can't help I found two link ups that I adore on the same day! Have you heard of The Polyvore Files yet? It's a super new link up that is probably the most perfect one in existence.
This week, in honor of the beautiful ending to the Bama-Auburn game, I am focusing my outfit all around Auburn's colors. Now let me clarify, I usually don't pull for Auburn. I don't keep up with their scores, heck, I don't even know their quarterback's name. BUT as an LSU girl through and through, I despise Bama and all things Nick Saban.  Don't know this great moment I'm talking about? Watch it here!

Here's what I would have worn if I were able to witness that glorious moment in person:

Auburn by kara-stone featuring uniqlo jeans

Sunday Social!

1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Just look at that beauty!

2. What is your favorite smell? Bath and Body Works' Eucalyptus Mint.. It's basically my life.

3. What is your favorite TV commercial? HUMP DAYYYY! Yeahhhh.

4. What is your favorite day of the week? Without a question, Sundays. The only day of the week I know I'm not working, all new PostSecrets, and some of the best blogger link ups!

5. What is your favorite way to waste time? Pinterest, Netflix, and Candy Crush. 

6. What is your favorite article of clothing? My beautiful cardigan I bought last week!!! Didn't hear the story? Check here, and come back Wednesday to see it in action.

Go link up with Sunday Social!