NEW Template

Using Blogger's Template Designers, I have a new layout!! YAY! It's still a work in progress and I'm sure I'll be making some changes this week/month/year. I've stuck to the basic feel and color scheme I had before, but I wanted to ask you ladies if you have....

Any suggestions?

Is the colors and fonts easy to read?

I used the Picture Window template, but I can't figure out how to use the handy tabs at the top. I know I found something somewhere, but now I can't find where that important information is! Anyone know how to do it?

ALSO, I follow your blogs from blogger, but my picture doesn't show up under your followers. I've tried fixing this 1000s of times and it should be showing, but it's not. SO FRUSTRATING! I need help. All help is welcome.

**01/05/11 Update**

Thank you for all your comments and feedback!! I've finally fixed my picture and name showing as a follower so you should all be able to see it now! Yay! I've also changed the color on the sidebar, let me know if it's easier to read now or if you have any suggestions!

OOTD

Wow, look at me getting a start on my resolutions!! Woohoo! This outfit is SO much cuter in real life, I attribute the fact of the not-so-cute picture to these reasons; 1. It's on a cell phone, 2. Poor lighting and 3. I don't think the color of the wall is doing anything for my complexion. Oh well, lesson learned!


The Fiance thought my outfit was cute today so here it is for my first OOTD this year! I was inspired by the below pic of Eve, something simple, comfortable and cute. My hair is from yesterday, I just brushed the top to smooth out the frizzies and teased my crown for some volume.  Also, I'm not wearing any make-up- I'll definitely be wearing some in ALL future pictures I post on here!! I just didn't feel like waking up today or getting ready. I'm wearing a crew neck sweater from Old Navy, basic white tank underneath, Mossimo leggings and leopard print flats from Target.

I've had some recent questions about how I curl my hair, see my How-To Post HERE. My hair holds a curly really well naturally, but curling it the way in the How-To post helps for any hair type to hold a curl longer. For my hair above, I curled it yesterday but I left the last 2 inches of each section loose for a more natural wave. How do you curl your hair?

Resolutions 2011

Last year I had a few resolutions (see my OG post here and my latest update here) that I kept throughout the year, but this year I want to do something different. I think that each month I'll have a new goal(s) for that particular month and see how it goes. Each month I'll choose one or a few items I want to get done, work on, or start doing that are either personal, blog related or something else entirely. Doing it this way I feel that if it doesn't work out I won't feel so bad and the ones that do work out I'll simply jump for joy!

So without further ado, here are my goals for January:

1. Start and finish my wedding invitations
I'm seriously dreading this task. My template is almost ready, I'm shopping for paper this weekend, and I've been approved to print them at work on my own time. I have plenty of people who are willing to help me and a craft day for my fave ladies this month so I'm sure I can get it done, but I'm still dreading it anyways. Any tips?

2. Post one OOTD each week
I've really enjoyed doing these posts and have gotten great feedback from you ladies! Thank you so much for your suggestions, comments, and support! This resolution I may try and keep throughout the year, but like I said we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping that this will also get me out of my current work attire rut of plain and boring with nearly no makeup. It's been poor weather out here in CA and the rain makes me useless. Hopefully I can spiff up some and show off.

I have some great ideas for future months and I can't wait to get them started (example: quit cussing- such an ugly habit I've somehow picked up and a new template for LLP), but this month is a bit too busy to get some of them done.

What are your resolutions for the new year? What are things you want to accomplish this year? What are you looking forward to doing?

** Don't forget to enter my New Year Giveaway sponsored by CSN HERE**

The Fiance is doing some Wedding HW!

When I went to my Fiance's house Thursday night I found this little handy dandy book on his dresser! It cracked me up! Turns out his mother found it in their office and gave it to him as kind of a joke. I flipped through it and it has some great ideas, but we're pretty much on top of everything.

This weekend we finished our registry, but let's be honest- is a registry every complete?? I'm sure I'll be adding and changing it up in the next few months. We also picked out his suit, finished our wedding website, blocked out rooms at a hotel, booked our honeymoon and the finished the bridal shower guest list. Whew busy busy! It was a great way to start off the new year!

How was your New Year's celebrations? We kept it pretty low-key, just hung out at a friend's place. I didn't end up wearing the dress from my Go Jane review, so I think I'll save it for my bachelorette party. I also have a resolution post coming up as well!

New Year = New Giveaway!

With the new year here (how it got here so fast beats me!) I'm sure many of you will want to start working on some goals. What better way to help you accomplish them than with a $50 to CSN??? You can get a leather messenger bags for your new job, or cookware for more home meals, or home decor to start on your guest bathroom. CSN has over 200 online stores where you can find everything you could possibly need or want. I've worked with them in the past (see my post here) and have won a blog contest myself and have been happy and satisfied with their service and products.

This contest is open to any US and Canadian readers, here are the ways to enter:
1. Leave a comment with your name and email
2. Additional entry for being a Love Lipstick and Pearls follower/subscriber (check out the link on the left to become a follower through Blogger, Google Reader, Yahoo etc)
3. Additional entry for "liking" Love Lipstick and Pearls on Facebook
**Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each additional entry**

The contest will close January 10, 2011 and a winner will be chosen using random.org announced at noon Pacific Standard Time.

Good luck to each of you!