High Five for Friday

pants and shirt: kohls   jacket and shoes: target

1. As a week full of many sick days, I'm thankful for some extra outfit pictures I haven't used, like this one.  Definitely beats showing you pictures of me in sweatpants.

2. Have you heard about the Boy Meets World Sequel? Apparently they are making a spin off with Cory and Topanga's daughter called Girl Meets World.  This was my favorite childhood show and yet another reason why I want cable!

3.  My sister in law made this tree skirt last week and am I super impressed.  I told her she needs to make one for me.

4.  The company My Memories Suite generously gave me a chance to review their scrapbook software and it came at perfect timing, as I was able to use some of our pictures from getting our Christmas tree.  I had so much fun playing around with all the different options.  It was really easy to figure out and I plan on using it a lot.

Years ago I made scrapbooks and did a few for our wedding, and dating years, but I love this so much more! You can make your own scrapbook and then print it from home or use their printing company to turn it into a book.  You can also make cards, videos, photo books and more!

Here's another one I made from our trip to the Dells in the Fall. 

5.  And the best part is that My Memories wants to offer one of my readers a chance to use their product too.  Enter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Memories Suite is also giving you a code to use towards $10 off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store!  Just use code: STMMMS16589

Hope you have a great weekend!

Want to be this happy?

Want to be as happy as my dog Molly?

Who seriously smiles in every picture we take.

Then you should sponsor my blog in December, 

as I'm quite confident I can help grow your blog or shop.

Current Stats: 

(hey look - I used an abbreviation without even thinking about it.  I think I can handle stat.)

Followers via GFC: 1,115 +

Daily page views during the week: over 600

Monthly page views: 16,000

I currently have a few large ad spaces available for $10 and medium spaces for $5.
Email me at katiejvale@yahoo.com or read here for more information.

And if that doesn't make you happy, perhaps another polka dot outfit will.


dress: old navy   sweater: banana republic outlet   boots: dsw  necklace: groopdealz

Hope you're having a great week so far! 

My husband is learning

vest: tjmaxx (similar)   shirt: old navy (similar)  jeans: kohls  boots: discovery (similar)

The other day Chris told me that he watched a segment on a morning show about what fashion trends were in, so that he could tell me what I needed to buy so I could talk about it on my blog.

Let's just pause and say "Awwwww. That is so sweet of him to think of me and my fashion choices."

He told me one of the trends was fur vests, which I already wanted.

Especially after seeing this outfit, I knew I wanted to try to copy it.

source

However, once I did buy this vest, he is convinced it's because he told me that was trendy.

He also told me that I should try "block coloring" now too.

At least he got the fur vest part right.

Happy Wednesday!

How to have a good Thanksgiving

1. Don't waste any time taking an outfit picture.  Consider a family picture even better.

dress: old navy   necklace: carolineg  boots: dsw 

2. Chase your niece and nephew around to try to get a picture with them. 

3. Once you catch them don't give up.  Even if they cover their eyes or don't look at the camera.

4. Count your self very lucky when you finally get a good one.

5. And even luckier when they jump into your pictures without being forced.

6. Take at least one picture of your meal.



7.  Do lots of sitting around, watching episode after episode of Friends or admiring a fire and Christmas decorations.

8. Be so thankful that Christmas is four weeks away and you get to do it all over again!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Something to make you smile - a huge giveaway!

Want a sure thing that will make you smile?
Spend some time with my little niece and nephew.
Cutest, sweetest and most fun one and three year old out there.
No contest.



And if that doesn't make you smile then the chance to win these 10 awesome prizes sure will!
One winner gets them all.

Want to be included in next month's giveaway?
Email me at katiejvale@yahoo.com and check here for more information.

from The Lady Okie


from Life and Times of Alison and Justin

from Sparkles and Shoes


from Dancing with Ashley

from Yours Truly

from Still in St. Louis

from Momma's Me Time

from Penniless Socialite

from Life as Mrs.


from Calm Delight

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering!  Winner will be contacted after December 2nd.  Good luck!

High Five for Friday

dress: old navy  boots: kohls  scarf: store in Lake Geneva

1. I believe that I do not need any more scarves, however I keep wanting to buy more!

2. Sisters. Target. Starbucks.
  Those three things make me very, very happy.

3.  Today we are off to cut down our Christmas tree.  This is probably my favorite day of the year and will definitely take up a whole post soon.  Here's a picture from last year:

4. I do have some Christmas presents already, and now that we'll have our tree after today it is time to start wrapping some gifts! I love this idea for making gift tags using paint chips.

source

5. December is drawing near and I have a few large ad spaces for $10 and medium for $5 available! Check out more information here and email me at katiejvale@yahoo.com.
I'd love to help promote your blog or shop!


Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are still getting to spend today with your family!

Savoring moments

Every year at this point I just wish time would slow down.  I greatly look forward to Thanksgiving, decorating for Christmas, holiday movies, Christmas music, wrapping presents and everything else that goes with it. 

But it always seems to go to fast.  

So this year I am going to do my very best to savor every moment and enjoy the little things like a sunny fall day to the big things like spending time with my family.  

Hoping you have a relaxing next few days and soak up all the holiday goodness in them. 

And while you're at it you should soak up some lovely new ladies and the blogs they write.  

First is Lisa from Momma's Me Time

Lisa is a blog that I've read since I first started mine.  Except having the most beautiful hair ever and being able to do awesome things with it, our blogs have a lot in common.  We both blog about DIY projects, outfits, real life and faith.  I love Lisa's blog because she shares a mix of things from fashion to what's on her heart and you will love her right away! 

blog // twitter // facebook

Next meet Amanda from The Lady Okie.

There are multiple reasons why I love Amanda's blog. She used to live in a suburb of Chicago but now lives in Oklahoma and blogs about life as an Okie. She is a runner and has done many half marathons but is currently training for a full marathon this Spring.  She is quite crafty and blogs about different DIY projects she makes.  Definitely a great blog to check out!

blog // twitter // pinterest

And last is Nikki from Miss B to Mrs. L

First of all let's just say that Nikki is a gorgeous bride - I love this picture! Nikki is a newlywed who loves books, the color pink, high heels and her dog.  One of my favorite things about Nikki's blog is that she writes honestly about life as a new married couple, from money, to life as a dog owner to advice and life in between!

blog // facebook // twitter

Hope you get a chance to go show these ladies some love! 

and hope you have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving. 

and hopefully it's doesn't sound to cheesy to say that I am so thankful for those of you who read my blog, leave comments, email me back and forth and share your life with me too.  Because I really am!

Interested in being one of my sponsors in December?  All large ad spaces are $10 and medium are $5.  Check here for more information!

Ugly Shoes

shirt: old navy  jeans: kohls  wedges: old navy  scarf: DIY

There are many times when I know Chris disagrees with my fashion choices.

Like a few weeks ago when he said,

"I was surprised so many people said they liked this outfit. I think it looks silly."

And here is another example: 

I bought these wedges for under $4 at Old Navy a year or so ago.

They felt really high for me at first, so I wasn't quite sure how often I'd wear them. 

And truthfully I've only worn them a few times because I'm having a hard time finding how to wear them. 

A few weeks after I bought them Chris and I were at Old Navy and we walked passed these shoes and he said, "Those are SO ugly, who would buy them?" 

"Um. . .. I already did." 

Needless to say he couldn't understand why I would and thankfully I could justify it by saying it was cheaper than his lunch that day. 

Don't forget to enter to win this statement necklace!