By: Samantha Hawes
I know some of you were really quite bummed that you didn’t win the POPSUGAR box, but as promised, I have another giveaway for you! After buying one of these for myself, I decided that y’all needed one too. It’s just too cute to keep to myself! I have also included a TON of ways for y’all to enter to win, including a “refer-a-friend” option that allows daily submissions. Get a head-up on the competition. 
Good luck!
XO – Samantha
I have a SUPER EASY, no sew, DIY Halloween costume tutorial for you guys today. This is best suited for children’s costumes, unless you wanted to cut your shirt and have a midriff and short skirt, which I don’t recommend. Let’s not use Halloween as an excuse to wear 3/4′s less clothing.
Ok, let’s do this! All you need is:
*1 Adult sized T-Shirt in brown, or a color of your choice (I used a women’s small)
*Scissors
*20 minutes
*Cute Kid
THAT’S IT!! This should cost you $5 or less. Michaels sells T-Shirts in every color for $5 (plus you can use a 40% coupon practically year round)
Begin by cutting the bottom hem off the shirt (SAVE IT, it will become the belt)
Cut 3″ slits every 1-2″ along the bottom.
Tie a knot at the top of each piece of fringe. Pull and stretch each piece to create thin, curled strips like mine.
Cut off the sleeves of your shirt. Save the sleeves if you plan to use them as shoe covers.
Cut the sleeves apart (as pictured above)
Lay one “sleeve” back up, and leave the other sleeve down to create a one-shoulder look. Cut the folded over material into strips, and repeat on the back of the shirt.
Tie knots at the top of each strip, as you did along the bottom. Tie two pieces of fringe together on the left side to create a shoulder strap. You will tie the right side of the dress together (under your child’s armpit, if you want a one-shoulder strap look) after the dress is on, which will allow you to customize the fit.
Use the bottom hem that you saved to make a belt.
My daughter doesn’t have long enough hair for “Pocahontas braids”, so I gave her pigtails instead, and threw on a brown headband. If you don’t have a headband, cut a strip from your leftover shirt scraps, and tie one on.
Optional Accessories (Photos of optional accessories below):
*Feathers for the headband
*Moccasins (We used Freshly Picked Moccs)
*Beads for fringe
If you do not have “Indian themed” shoes, don’t worry. You can use the leftover sleeves, cut slits in them, and tie them around your child’s ankles to create a fringe over ANY pair of shoes.
Cut the end (wrist section) of the sleeves, leaving about 4″ for fringe
Cut 4″ slits, and pull/stretch each piece of fabric to create long, curled pieces of fringe
Slip those bad boys onto your ankle, and viola! You could wear these over any pair of shoes, or flip-flops.
I already owned the shirt, so this project was 100% FREE for me, but again, Michaels sells basic shirts in a variety of colors for very, very cheap. You could substitute the brown shirt for lime green and make this a Tinkerbell costume, or use an orange shirt for a Flintstones inspired outfit as well.
Camryn decided she wanted to add feathers to her headband, and beads onto each piece of fringe (which was a long and tedious job for mom) so here she was at our local Halloween festival wearing her colorful version.
Do NOT try to steal a girls chocolate.
The beads and feathers only cost me $4 at Michaels, and I have a TON leftover for future projects.
She’s still insisting on being Buzz Lightyear Halloween night, and is making my husband and I be Jessie and Woody, and our dog is Bullseye. Should be interesting.
Hope you all enjoyed this quick and easy, last minute Halloween DIY !
What are y’all dressing as for Halloween? Maybe we should do a contest on Facebook, and y’all can submit your costumes, and we can all vote for our favorite. Any prize ideas? Leave me a comment below with your ideas!
XO – Samantha
1.|| This delicious pumpkin spice protein smoothie from LuluLemon. Healthy and yummy? Yes, please!
2.|| Have you heard about Martha Stewart’s opinion on bloggers? Leave me a comment below telling me what you think about her viewpoint. You might be surprised to know mine…
3.|| Crockpot applesauce – Camryn helped me make this on Monday, and we’ve been eating it all week. It’s so easy, and tastes like heaven! Peel & core 10-15 apples (basically fill your crockpot with apples), sprinkle cinnamon & sugar over apples to taste (I used about a tablespoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of sugar). Cook on high 4-5 hours.
4.|| Pantone named the spring 2014 colors, and the color of the year – Dazzling Blue! I’ll be guest blogging next Wednesday over at “Can Ya Heel Me Now?” and talking about how those colors translate into shoes and your wardrobe.
5.|| Loreal’s Color Riche Nail Lingerie. My ring finger has the “Elite Chic” sticker over Revlon’s Gray Suede (which might be my all time favorite polish). It’s beautiful in person!! I’ve been wearing it for 2 days, and no chips, or peeling of the sticker. I’d like to try a few brands of these 3D nail art stickers to review for y’all soon.
6.|| I had the in-office Glo Whitening procedure done on Tuesday, and also purchased the take-home system for continued whitening, and touch-ups. I have incredibly sensitive teeth, and was nervous that I would feel that terrible tooth pain associated with whitening, but I had very little post-whitening discomfort. The system comes packaged beautifully and reminds me of Apple packaging. I plan on doing a full review of this product, with before/after photos, next week after I’ve used it more. I’ll include links on where to buy, and how to save money while making this “splurge purchase” as well.
7.|| Sign up to be an Ulta Member, and receive 20% off your entire order until 11/2
8.|| Clever Halloween costumes – As a mom, and a lover of Harry Potter, #3 was the obvious winner for me!
9.|| After our rainy weekend, where I nearly lost my mind from being a caged animal, I started looking for activities to help Camryn and I survive this coming winter. This list will be a huge help!
10.|| This weekend I am taking the Tobias chair from ikea, and giving it my best “Ikea Hack”, and hoping it turns out similar to this. Mama needs a new office chair. I’ll share pictures next week.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
XO – Samantha
I have been testing out a few face masks, and I wanted to share some of my favorites with you.
#1|| Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask : Retails for $55
This mask contains 4 acids – lactic, glycolic, tartaric, and citric – to gently exfoliate the skin, revealing a healthier, glowing complexion. It is suitable for most skin types (those with very sensitive skin should avoid) , but those with mature skin, or who suffer from acne-scarring, sun damage, and blemishes will receive the best results. Ren’s products come in very clean, no-fuss packaging, and I quite like that this mask has a pump. When applying the mask, you’ll notice the thick honey-like consistency, and the slightly warm sensation. It contains citrus fruits, as well as grapes, and papaya which make this mask smell INCREDIBLE!
The directions say to apply to clean, dry skin, and wait 10 minutes before removing with the provided muslin cloth.
Unlike most masks, results are typically noticeable immediately. I’ve used this product for nearly 2 years, and every time I remove the mask my skin is significantly more radiant, and feels so soft. I notice that my foundation applies more evenly, and doesn’t have any dry patches after I’ve used this mask. This is definitely my holy grail mask as of now.
#2|| Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial: Retailes for $45
This mask is like your favorite moisturizer on steroids! Sephora describes it as “A weightless soufflé powered by super-charged proteins that melts into skin and works overnight for intense, immediate moisturization.” It has a lotion texture, but feels slightly like a gel when you apply it. It soaks into the skin quickly, but leaves behind a silky, slightly wet residue. I enjoy the smell of this mask, it reminds me of the Olay lotions.
I use this mask when my skin is feeling dehydrated, or needs that extra TLC. Because this mask is clear when applied, and simply looks like a moisturizer, I like to take this with me on flights. Planes are so harsh on your skin, and always leave my skin looking dull, dry, and just plain sad. I like to apply this mask as soon as I get on the plane, then I cleanse my face after I land and reapply this mask before bed. My skin feels plumped, hydrated, and radiant the next morning.
#3|| Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores: Retails for $16-$24
This is the mask I grab when I have a breakout, or notice blackheads popping up. The active charcoal “acts like a magnet to draw out deep-dwelling pore-cloggers”, and the white china clay helps to absorb environmental toxins. There are a million products on the market that advertise to “reduce pore size”, but your pores don’t just open and close. If your pores look large, they are probably clogged with dirt and oils that need to be extracted. Skip the gimmicky products and just start exfoliating regularly, and grab yourself a bottle of this. Bonus: Since it’s gray, you can convince your boyfriend/husband that this is a “manly face mask”, and help his skin out too! 
The mask is creamy, and dries like all other clay masks. Apply, let sit until it hardens, and then remove with warm water and a washcloth. Easy!
Here are a few masks that I want to get my hands on ASAP:
Dr. Jart+ Water-Full Hydrogel Mask: Retails for $9/per mask, or $45/5 masks
GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment: Retails for $69
Those will definitely be in my shopping cart as soon as Sephora starts their Beauty Insider Sale!! Do you guys have any other face mask recommendations for me, or masks that you’d like to have me review for you? Leave me a comment below.
I’ll also be posting about the masks I’ve tried and liked the LEAST for you soon.
A review post on face masks just wouldn’t be complete without a creepy selfie of me getting my “mask on”, now would it?!
XO – Samantha
I am so thrilled to introduce my very first guest blogger, the lovely Kayla, from Kay’s Couture! Kayla has a great sense of style, and she puts together really beautiful outfits that are accessible at every girls price point. She is also one of the sweetest girls I have met since starting my blog, so I would love for y’all to show her some support.
You can find me over on her blog, so come say hi!
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1. In 10 words or less, describe yourself.
Im loving, outgoing, protective, stylish, responsible, hard working and maternal.
2. “In my dreams, I live in…”
In my dreams I live in a moderate sized home, with a nice open layout, lots of windows, and a big kitchen. I want my home to be cozy but still lavish, the bigger the house the more there is to decorate so I don’t want anything too big, I don’t want my house feeling like a museum. Definitely an open layout so that my future children can roam freely. I love sunlight so windows are a must. Everything looks better in natural light and it created a brighter environment. The kitchen needs to be a good size for company, and of course family time (i’m all about the family).
3. “If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be…”
If I were a pair of shoes I would be a cap toed flat in a fun color. The cap-toe comes from my protectiveness. I love flats because I am a true believer in comfort and the fun color shows my fun side.
4. What beauty product can’t you live without?
I really can not live without There Real mascara by Benefit. It really gives you great long lashes and is definitely worth the twenty something dollar price tag! I love false lashes but this mascara is great for everyday use and is build-able for a more dramatic look.
5. Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging to express my style and to put my foot in the door for personal styling. I believe that looking good makes you feel good and i’m all about positivity. I want to make people feel good by looking there best. Theres nothing better that looking in the mirror and feeling like a million dollars.
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I am absolutely loving those gold toe shoes. Thank you so much Kayla!
XO – Samantha
Hello!
I promised you a home tour, so here we go! I want to kick things off in the heart of my home, the living room. This room wears a lot of hats; it’s where we play hide and seek as a family, watch Sunday football and morning cartoons, it’s where I unwind at the end of the day with a glass of wine (and become a vegetable while watching trash T.V.), where my daughter and I have dance parties when Daddy’s at work, and on occasion, where my husband and I eat dinner when it’s just the two of us. This is the most “loved” room in my home.
There are a few additions that I’d like to make to this room. A large area rug in a neutral color, with a greek key border, would be at the top of my list. We had a cowhide rug, but our dog would run into the living room so fast that no matter what pad I used, she would slide across the room taking the rug with her. A pair of velvety x-benches on either side of the living room table would be second on the list. I love the structure that x-benches lend, and they provide extra seating (or foot rests) when needed.
Alright, enough chit-chat, here’s my living room:
(Photos By Samantha Hawes)
I’ll share pictures of my media wall/bookcase soon. It is currently under decor-renovation.
If you haven’t entered the GIVEAWAY for the Popsugar Must Have November box, then go enter now! There are 3 days left.
I am thrilled to announce that PLAYDATES + PEARLS will soon be welcoming guests! One of the reasons I started blogging was because I love the sense of community, and the awesome friendships that are formed with fellow bloggers. I have been meeting so many lovely women in the last few weeks, and I want to share them, and their blogs, with all of you!
I have put together a couple of fun questions for all of our guests to answer, which will provide you with a sense of who they are, and what their blogs are all about. I will have someone new guest posting every Wednesday, and I will be a guest over on their blogs, which I will link to so you know where to find me.
Here’s a look at what you can expect:
1.|| This beautiful blue & gold kitchen – I could really have fun cooking dinner in here! You think they knew Pantone would pick “Dazzling Blue” as the 2014 color of the year?
2.|| I have been using the Cambell’s Slow Cooker sauces the last few weeks, and YUM!! My favorite so far is the Moroccan Spiced chicken. I love pulling out my slow cooker in the fall and winter and having warm, comforting meals, that take very little effort.
3.|| After reading this article over on Kristin’s blog, I was so inspired to start taking classes with shootFLYshoot. I’ve had a Nikon DSLR for over a year, and it’s been on my to-do list to finally learn how to really use it. I love that their classes are done through videos, because I’m a very visual learner. Who wants to take a class with me? Let’s do this!!
Makeup Debate
4.|| Is wearing makeup a betrayal? This girl was given quite the transformation, and has a lot of people saying it’s deceiving. Leave me a comment below telling me if you think she’s “tricking” guys.
5.|| This print is so sweet, and would look great in a girls bedroom, or nursery. The words really resonate with me.
6.|| I bought these jeans last weekend at H&M for only $19.95 and I’m in love. They do not feel like $20 jeans. I am definitely buying a few more pairs!
7.|| This hilarious article about kids that were raised right. #22 is so stinkin adorable.
8.|| Saks is having their Friends & Family sale – 25% off with code FRNFAM. I want these, these, (in my dreams) this.
9.|| These gorgeous BipAndBop tassel bracelets. If you missed yesterdays post, BipAndBop has generously given all of my readers a 15% discount. Use code “SAMANTHA” at checkout. (Valid until 10/31)
10.|| The Kate Spade collection for Swoozies is out, and in typical Kate fashion, everything is adorable. These will be my holiday cards.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Don’t forget to enter the POPSUGAR must have giveaway if you haven’t already.
XO – Samantha
Let’s talk jewelry, because I know y’all are as jewelry crazed as I am. Nothing changes an outfit, or creates a more fun, trendy, polished, romantic, playful, colorful, or edgy look as easily as jewelry does. It’s the finishing touch; the icing on the cake.
Here are some pictures of my recent “arm parties”:
As you can clearly see, I believe in the saying “More, is more, is more!”
I have been posting my tassel bracelet all over Instagram and tons of you have asked me where I purchased it, and how you can get your hands on one, and the answer is BipAndBop. Lucky you, BipAndBop is offering all of you a discount for the next 2 weeks! Head over to their shop and use code “SAMANTHA” for 15% off YOUR TOTAL ORDER. My beloved tassel bracelet comes in a variety of colors, and is so affordable. BipAndBop has so many other pieces that I am lusting over! Mom…Husband… I hope you’re taking notes. Christmas and my Birthday are right around the corner
With so many beautiful choices, how’s a girl to choose? These would make great Christmas gifts too, so be sure to grab something for your Mom, Sister, Daughter, or Friend!
Don’t forget to enter into the POPSUGAR must have giveaway if you haven’t already, and share on Facebook for 5 extra entries.
XO – Samantha
It’s that time…time for one of you lucky ducks to win one of my absolute favorite things. Instructions on how to enter are at the end of the post, so stay tuned…
So lets talk about what the POPSUGAR must have box is. It’s a box of full-sized products, handpicked by the editors at POPSUGAR magazine, with a focus on fashion, beauty, home, fitness, and food. The box is currently sold for $35 per month, or you can save by buying a 3,6,9, or 12 month subscription. The box ranges in value every month, and speaking from my own personal experience, they are always a great value. Here are a few products that have been in some of the previous POPSUGAR boxes:
Here are the items that were in Octobers must have box, which have a value of $117.27 – Not too bad for having only paid $30, after applying my REFER5 discount.
Image Via
The POPSUGAR box is not only a great gift to yourself, but the items also make great Christmas or birthday gifts for loved ones. My mom and I both have subscriptions, and we are so excited each month waiting for our little surprise to arrive!
So, here’s how you can enter to win the November POPSUGAR must have box:
That’s it! The winner will be selected at random, and I will contact you for your shipping address.
Leave me a comment below telling me the item you’d be most excited to receive in the November box if you won. I would love a chunky knit infinity scarf, or a rich body butter to fight dry skin in the cooler months ahead. Some peppermint bark candy bars from William & Sonoma wouldn’t hurt either.
If you love what you see and are interesting in subscribing to PopSugar’s Must Have monthly box, use code REFER5 to save $5.
