PEOPLE Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive: Part 2

So, the PEOPLE Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive was....... not Ryan Gosling. I think I'm going to start a campaign for him next year. I mean, how could he not be The Chosen One? However, many (ahem, Erin) was totally spot on with your Channing Tatum comments! Kudos to him, but Ryan was robbed! 

Now that I'm over my initial shock, I picked up their most recent People Magazine issue with another familiar hot face to read while waiting for the hubs to get off work and in between running errands.

Yummmmmmmy. Last week, the men at my work were talking about Brad Pitt and so I jumped in about how well he's aged (something the boys agreed with too). He's always looked good. He's not one of those men who look good at only a certain period of their life. He's always looked handsome, rugged, and charming. 

In the issue, they had pictures of his hair through the years and it only solidified my above statement about him always being gorgeous, but that I prefer him with long hair (a la River Runs Through It) and the buzz cut (a la Oceans 11 and 12). There's just something to me about a man with a buzz cut. I also dig him with or with the scruff. Ok, I like him all ways. There, I've said it.

Were you happy with Channing Tatum holding the coveted title? How do you like your Brad Pitt?

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media

Group™, but all my opinions are my own http://cmp.ly/3/KqtZiE

InstaLately Link Up 8 + Scientific Skin Giveaway Winner!

My bubble necklace finally came in from GroopDealz and I went with the blue! I love it and can't wait to wear it again. It's really noisy though when I walk, I feel like people can hear me coming! 

I've been dying to wear this knit sweater this season. It's short sleeve, but it has a cowl neck and long so it's perfect to keep you warm, but not hot. I found it a few years ago at Forever 21 after being on the hunt for a similar look I saw Blake Lively wearing on Gossip Girl. I paired it with my favorite wine colored pants and my trusty Steve Madden boots. I think this is my new favorite winter outfit. 

This past week, my work celebrated our end of year party with a winter carnival theme. I worked the cotton candy machine all day and ate it until I was about to burst! 

I love when you're not sure about what to wear, make, or style your hair and inspiration just hits you right in front of your face at the right time. Thanks Instyle for helping decide what to wear out for a night on the town!

My glasses finally came in this week and I'm in love with them! 

Will def post some pics of how they look on soon. 

The winner of my Scientific Skin giveaway is 24 Kaitlin L! 

I'll email you today for your info! Congratulations!

Thank you Scientific Skincare and everyone who entered!

InStyle and People Style Watch

I think my love for magazines is apparent. My top two favorite that I HAVE to get month to month is both InStyle and People Style Watch. I rely on these two magazines for the latest fashion and beauty news. In both magazines I find a lot of inspiration for blog posts, fashion, beauty, plus they have the best features like celebrity looks for less and products at all price points for trend items.

This week through Friday December 7, when you buy both InStyle and People Stylewatch together Target is giving a $5 giftcard! Hello. Add to cart. The summer, fall, and holiday issues are always my favorite, and definitely a must-have in my book.

My hub works Saturday morning, so it's the perfect time for me to catch up on my girl stuff. This past weekend I swooped up the most recent issues and dived in. Like I said before, the holiday issues are one of my favorites! All the glitz, glamour, and holiday gift ideas have me starry-eyed.

Here are some of my favorite features in each magazines, and images that inspired me that I hope to recreate on my own:

Each People Style Watch includes a breakdown of their cover girl's style and beauty. This is one of my favorite features! Little styling tips that are the celebrity's signature, easy ways they always look put together or accessorize. The dress above in the bottom corner, a look for less, is from LC's line at Kohls! I'm en route to check it out asap, it would be the perfect holiday dress!

Changing up your hair style can be the easiest way to update your look with little cost. I love having new ways to do my hair, little things I can perk up an everyday style, and make a ho-hum outfit looks feminine and cute. Plus it's good to have some go-to do for bad hair days. Polished ponytails? Perfect for day after curls that are messy from a night's sleep!

Theses are the holiday hair looks I plan on re-creating. Both should be simple enough, yet a completely different style than my usual. I'll definitely post pictures of how it turns out!

I've been a subscriber to InStyle for years! It's on my Christmas wishlist each year and is the gift that gives all year round. The beautiful ads, celebrity interviews, and of course the beauty and fashion trends keep me coming back for more.

A newer feature to the magazine that I'm all over is their Inspired by Instyle! section where readers send in pictures of how they recreated looks from past issues. Um. That's half my OOTD, nails, and hair looks I've recreated here on the blog. I love seeing how other women interpreted what they saw into their every day lives. Sometimes seeing how they created the looks help me to find a way to create them myself in my own way.

Man of Style is another article I look forward to each month. It's always hot actors with new projects out and include some of the sexiest pictures. This month features Eddie Redmayne of Les Miserables (which I'm seeing day after Christmas if it's the last thing I do!) and he's my new man crush. Each article also includes little pieces of what women who've worked with them have to say, and always includes a little secret from the set! Then, of course, an article on their personal style.

I'm so happy I read this over the weekend! Saturday was my girlfriend's birthday celebration and I had no idea what I wanted to wear. It was rainy and cold, so I didn't want to wear a dress, when I saw these Perfect Party Pairs, I knew right away what I wanted to wear: my liquid leggings, black heels, a basic top, and a statement necklace. Thanks InStyle! Made my life so much easier. With printed pants making such a huge statement right now, this article has the perfect pairings for the holiday parties! Then I love pairing Jazzy Tops with just Basic Jeans. Something about the mix works so well for a night out.

I'm pretty sure women everywhere love Carrie Underwood. Her hair and makeup are ALWAYS perfection. I was so excited to see her featured in this month's Beauty Talk. She talked about her beauty routine in her teens and her fitness regime, then my favorite part- her beauty must-haves. I was pretty stoked to see we use the same moisturizer (Olay Complete) and nail polish (OPI Bubble Bath).

What is your favorite sections of magazines? What magazines are your must-haves? Do you find a lot of inspiration from the articles?

 This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own (or whatever wording you would like to use here) http://cmp.ly/3/KqtZiE

Recipe: Homemade Cheesecake

For Thanksgiving, I made Cherry Cheesecake and it was delicious! It literally went in seconds at the family party. It's not too sweet, and very light so in my opinion it's perfection. I love cheesecake, but hate when it's too sweet that I can't even finish a slice. A woman I work with gave me this recipe after she brought it in for a potluck and I couldn't believe it wasn't store bought. It looked as good as it tasted. After making it for the holiday, my husband asked for me to make it again for another family party- but with an extra one to keep at home for him to eat himself! That's huge. He's even pickier about his cheesecakes! 

Here's what you need for ONE pie. The pics show the ingredients for the two pies I made this weekend.

1 pie crust 

 (graham cracker or Oreo)

8 oz Cool Whip 

(light tastes good too, but the fat free is not a good substitute flavor/texture wise)

8 oz Cream Cheese

1/4 cup Sugar

1 can Comstock filling 

(you can choose what you like, cherry, strawberry, etc. The cake is also good by itself, so it's just really a matter of preference) 

When I'm getting ready to make the cheesecake, I leave the cream cheese out for a bit to soften it up, making it easier to blend.

Then blend all three ingredients together until smooth.

Spread the mix into your chosen crust and let sit at least 8 hours. My GF also advised to make each cake individually because if you do a double batch it doesn't turn out right. I haven't tried this myself, but she's been making this cheesecake for 20+ years so I just take her word for it! Also, the Comstock filling is kind of too much for one pie alone so I split it between two. Again, just personal preference! Top with your favorite filling and serve! Easy peasy.

What are your go-to desserts? Have you found any new ones recently?

Fave Things I've Learned from Sites + Monthly Must-Reads: November 2012

What are 3 of your favorite things you've learned from other blogs/youtube?

Oh how I love blogging so much! I've "met" so many people, learned so much, and have been inspired in a million different ways. I've made connections with people and have had so much support from each of you. It's been an incredible experience. This month's question is sharing some of our favorite things we've learned, and I knew right away what mine was. Now, I'd like to feature all of you since you've each inspired me in one way or another, but I had to choose only 3. Maybe in another post?

Cara from MaskCara's site is incredible! She's a gorgeous woman and has the most amazing tutorials for hair and make-up. It's seriously life changing! I've learned new ways to curl my hair, new products to buy (she uses a huge mix of high and low end brands, which I love), and ways to contour my round face and pudgy cheeks. Did I mention that she's great at replying back to questions on her posts? Amazing. I love her.

Steph of Hair and Make-up by Steph has taught me a ton of hair tricks too. Her instructions and pictures are easy to follow. From her I finally was able to master curling my hair with a straightening iron. Something I've been trying to learn forever and watched a ton of YouTube videos without luck. I emailed her about some issues I was having with getting one side to curl and she responded so quickly with some extra tips for me.

Then, obviously... I had to include Pinterest. Making women everywhere bakers, cooks, crafters, fashionistas and workout fiends. From Pinterest I've also found new blogs to follow, it's how I actually found the above two sites, plus Devon Rachel, Pink Peonies, and countless others.Where would we all be without Pitnerest? It's one of the world's best inventions. Ever. Like ever.

What are some things you've learned from blogs? Are my picks any shock to you? Beauty and Pinterest. I'm so predictable.
Question of the month: What are 3 of your favorite things you've learned from other blogs/Youtube?

• Alison*Elle - Alison has found her perfect sweater.
• Beautygirl24 - Noelle was finally able to layer for the chilly weather, and decided to try it with burgundy and fuchsia.
• Ella Pretty - Ella shares recent outfits and her Black Friday purchases.
• Lindsay J Everyday - Lindsay debuted her new bangs and found a new love for glammed up collars!
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen is ready for the holidays and has her wishlist made!
• Schnelle Couture - Danielle has popped and is making the most of her pregnancy style.
• Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette is remixing a summer silk tee by adding a dark blazer.
• The Currently Obsessed - Mehreen is preggers and is taking us on her journey !