Daily Dressing

Wow, is it really the last day of October?  Happy Halloween!  I am sure many of you have dealt with stormy weather this week (and I hope that you are safe and sound!), but it is still close to 80-degrees most days here in California.  I guess I can't complain, but some part of me is really wanting a fully fall day.  Yes, sweater mornings and evenings are here, but these stubborn summer afternoons are still lasting.  Hence- still bare legs and light layers.  And ice cream.  And candy.  Oh well, after all the trick-or-treaters tonight, there won't be any candy left!

I hope these outfits give you some new wardrobe inspiration, and be sure to let me know your favorites in this week's Weekly Wardrobe Win!

< Outfit 1: black, white, and blue all over >

Occasion: work

Dress: Pink Rose (also seen here; similar)

Blazer: Jennifer Lopez (eying this one now)

Heels: WHBM (last year; this season)

Purse: Liz Claiborne

Sunnies: Jessica Simpson

Jewelry: unknown necklace, Briel (watch), LOFT (bracelet)

< Outfit 2: browns and blues >

Occasion: work

Sweater: ON (tunic option)

Skirt: BR (old)

Purse: TJ Maxx

Heels: Nine West (similar)

Jewelry: Target, BR (necklaces), Ross (eatch), BR, F21 (bracelets), Target, Kohls (rings)

< Outfit 3: fall lace >

Occasion: work

Dress (worn as skirt): TJ Maxx (also seen here)

Sweater: Gap (similar here and here)

Jacket: H&M

Heels: Carlos Santana (another fall option)

Purse: Liz Claiborne

Jewelry: BR, J.Crew (necklaces), F21, BR, FOA, Stella & Dot (bracelets)

< Outfit 4: chambray + spots >

Occasion: work

Chambray: Target (similar)

Skirt: F21 (similar)

Belt: BR

Bag: Ross

Heels: Calvin Klein

Jewelry: Reaction (watch), BR, Stella & Dot (bracelets), Target (necklace)

< Outfit 5: orange you glad... >

Occasion: casual work day

Jacket: Gap, thrifted from Crossroads (another bright option here)

Shirt: Tryst

Jeans: BR

Heels: BCBG (similar)

Purse: Nine West

Sunnies: Ross

Jewelry: LOFT (necklace and ring), Simply Vera Wang (bracelet)

< Outfit 6: sweater weather and blue lace >

Occasion: weekend brunch

Dress: Pink Rose

Cardigan: BR (old; similar)

Scarf: old, unknown

Boots: TJ Maxx (love these)

Bag: Ross

Jewelry: gifted (ring and eye bracelet), F21 (bracelets), The Limited (earrings)

 < Outfit 7: all checkered out >

Occasion: weekend running around

Shirt: F21(crushing on this pink option)

Skirt: ON

Shoes: Union Bay (similar)

Bag: H&M

Sunnies: Steve Madden

Jewelry: BR, LOFT (bracelets), heirloom (ring), Simply Vera Wang (necklace)

 < Outfit 8: watercolored and buttoned up >

Occasion: church

Dress: Anthropologie (currently crushing on this dress)

Cardigan: BR (similar)

Heels: Simply Vera Wang

Purse: Nine West

Jewelry: F21 (earrings), BR, F21, J.Crew (bracelets), Target (watch)

Weekly Wardrobe Win

Sugar 'n' spice popcorn

 < Supplies: One big mixing bowl, popcorn, butter, cinnamon sugar >

On a cozy movie night in, one of my favorite treats to make is this easy-peasy, oh-so-delicious popcorn mix.  I have loved this snack all my life, with many thanks to my grandma who would make this as a special treat when I was growing up.  In fact, we *maybe* even used to sneak this into movie theaters every once in a while.  So no matter if you are curling up on the couch or out to see the newest flick, this simple popcorn recipe will be the perfect pairing for the show (and it might even make for a great week during stormy weather!).  I have shared this with a few friends, and they have loved it, so I hope you do too!

Sugar and Spice Popcorn

Ingredients: Popcorn, a few tablespoons of butter, cinnamon sugar

Directions: Pop popcorn.  Melt a few tablespoons of butter, and poor melted butter over popcorn.  Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over popcorn (until you reach the desired amount, and mix well.  Enjoy!

PS- Want something else to enjoy? Enter this giveaway today!

Wonders from the weekend

< Enjoying fall decorations everywhere, preparing a group favorite- 7 layer dip, traveling in the glorious sunshine, birthday presents all ready for delivery, and breaking into the Halloween candy >

Happy Monday, 3P wonderfuls! Hope your week is off to a great start, whether you are enjoying sunshine, typical fall coolness, or weathering the Sandy storm today! I know many of you spent time preparing for this coming week, and I did too- prepared for Halloween with some themed activities, prepared for this week and straightened up all the little piles around the house, and mentally prepared for the schedule ahead by allowing myself some down time. All in all, a fabulous weekend it was, indeed- it just ended all to quickly! It is with a very grateful heart and a refreshed state of mind that I am approaching this week, head on!

Whatever you are facing this week (hurricane, anyone?) make it a great one! And remember to enter my 3P giveaway!

4 (x2) pins for Friday: Made in America

< Nanette Lepore is one of my favorite designers! > 

Happy Friday, my wonderful 3P pretties!  I am so glad that Friday is here and the weekend is near!  I am also sharing something else that makes me really happy- clothing that is made right here in the U.S. When local creativity is played out right here on our own soil from design through manufacturing, nothing beats that, right?  So a big thanks to Nanette Lepore, Splendid, Earnest Sewn, and Steven Alan for helping out our American economy and producing wonderful clothing designs right here on our homeland!  I will now be on the lookout for great sales from any of these designers! (See these clothing picks and more here.)

I hope the weekend is long and enjoyable for us all!  I will see you back here next week!

P.S.- Have you entered the 3P giveaway yet?

< Comfy, cozy clothes, and the perfect t-shirt! Splendid really is, well, splendid! (jacket) >

< Every item is sewn right here in the U.S.! Hooray! (shop here) >

< Not every item is made in the U.S., but Steven Alan has a great selection of locally made designs (shop here, here, and here) >

Its a... giveaway! (closed)

As a big thank you for all the 3P support, I am happy to announce the first giveaway here on Particularly Practically Pretty!  The lucky winner of this contest will win a Kenneth Cole Reaction bag, Revlon nail polishes (in Lilac Pastelle, Devil's Candy, Tuscan Sun, and Steel-her Heart), an Elf 5-piece eyeshadow set, BCBG Generation earrings, and Burt's Bees Simply Shimmer in Fig, Peony, and Champagne.  These are all new items I have purchased myself, and no endorsements are involved with this contest.  Hopefully these treats will make a great little addition to your fall!

To enter:

- follow me on Facebook

- follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (tag me, @3Pprettyblog, and use the hashtag #3Pgiveaway in your tweet)

- leave a comment and let me know that you have entered!

For extra entries: 

- follow me on Bloglovin'

- follow me (@3Pprettyblog) on Instagram

- follow me on Pinterest

(be sure to let me know which extra entires you completed in your comment)

This contest will run through Sunday, November 4th.  The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced on the blog on November 6th.  Shipping only within U.S.

Thanks again for all of the encouragement and support you 3P readers provide, and good luck! 

Weekly Wardrobe

Happy Wednesday, 3P pretties!  Here is another week's worth of outfits for you to enjoy.  As you can tell from these pictures, the weather has pretty much been sunny one day. rainy and windy the next.  Hot tea one day, ice tea the next,  coat one day, short sleeves the next- you know- typical fall weather!  I am really looking forward to more sweater and scarf weather in the future, but I am also glad that I have been able to embrace my skirt-loving tendencies and enjoy the last days of bare legged weather!

  PS- vote in this week's Weekly Wardrobe Win and let me know your favorite outfit!

< Outfit 1: maroon me >

Occasion: work

Jacket: The Limited (old)

Tank: Simply Vera Wang

Skirt: H&M

Heels: Nine West (old)

Purse: Olivia + Joy

Sunnies: Ralph Lauren

Jewelry: Necklace and chain bracelet (Stella & Dot), Ross (watch), The Limited, BR (bracelets)

< Occasion 2: rainy day red and blue >

Occasion: work

Rain jacket: F21 (also seen here)

Dress (worn as skirt): The Limited

Chambray: Target

Sweater: F21

Rain boots: Hunter

Purse: WHBM

Jewelry: The Limited (earrings), BR (necklaces), Briel (watch), Tiffany, F21 (bracelets)

< Outfit 3: satin and wool >

Occasion: dinner night out

Dress: Simply Vera Wang (old)

Coat: H&M

Purse: TJ Maxx

Booties: Target

Jewelry: Target (earrings), Kohl's (necklace)

< Outfit 4: daytime sparkles >

Occasion: work

Shirt: Target

Skirt: LOFT

Purse: BR (old)

Heels: Jessica Simpson

Sunnies: ON

Jewelry: F21, The Limited (necklaces), Briel (watch), LOFT, Tiffany, F21 (bracelets)

 < Outfit 5: foxy sparkles >

Occasion: work (outfit inspiration came from this outfit)

Sweater: TJ Maxx (last seen here)

Skirt: The Limited (old)

Belt: Nine West

Booties and purse: Target

Jewelry: Target (earrings), BR (bracelets)

< Outfit 6: cozy sweater day >

Occasion: casual day at work

Sweater: Kirna Zabete for Target

Jeans: BR

Purse: Olivia + Joy

Heels: Target

Jewelry: BR (earrings), J.Crew (necklace), heirloom, Target (rings), BR, Kate Spade (bracelets)

< Outfit 7: maroon dress and a touch of cargo >

Occasion: Saturday errands

Dress: Target

Jacket: ON (old)

Shoes: Union Bay

Purse: TJ Maxx

Sunnies: Steve Madden

Jewelry: unknown, heritage (necklaces), BR bracelets), LC Lauren Conrad (ring)

< Outfit 8: hot day spots >

Occasion: church

Dress: LOFT

Belt: F21

Heels: Simply Vera Wang

Purse: The Limited (old)

Sunnies: Jessica Simpson

Jewelry: Reaction (watch), Tiffany, F21, The Limited (bracelets)

Weekly Wardrobe Win

Basket of baked goodness

 < Pumpkin pie spice in the making >

As I mentioned yesterday, I spent some time over the weekend baking up a storm.  Part of this time in the kitchen was meant to inspire the start of this year's holiday baking (which it did, indeed), but the main reason for all of this culinary action was to create a basket of baked goods for a sweet friend's silent auction for her organization, For One Another.  Thanks to theme inspiration from both my grandmother and one of my best friends, I baked a few pumpkin treats and made a "fall themed" basket.  This included a mix of banana pumpkin bread, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (some plain and some with chocolate chip cookies), and rice krispy treats with reeses pieces.  Whew, all this baking really made me realize how much I do love baking!  I then wrapped everything up individually- the bread in several layers of saran wrap, the muffins in gallon baggies, the cookies in a plastic container, and the rice krispy treats in decorative treat bags- and arranged it all in a basket.  Thanks to cellophane and a big bow, the basket of baked goods was all ready for the silent auction table!

PS- The proceeds from the silent auction this basket was sent to go toward my friend's next mission trip to bring clean water to people in Ecuador.  Interested in helping?  Click here to donate now- every little bit helps!

 < My key to a stress-free baking session: keep everything sequestered to one counter! >

 < All baked and ready to be packaged: the banana pumpkin bread, the rice krispy treats with reeses pieces, and the pumpkin cream cheese muffins! >

< I love how clear cellophane can make anything look professionally wrapped!  I faked a big bow by looping the ribbon together and stapling it together, then glued a silk sunflower in the middle. When the list of 'basket of baked goodness' items was attached, this basket was ready for the bidding! >

< And because I baked a few extra portions, I was able to enjoy some pumpkin bread and a pumpkin cream cheese muffin the next morning with a cup of hot chai. Yum! >

Wonders from the weekend

< Baked up a storm... more on that later this week! >

Well hello, Monday- why did you come so soon?  This weekend flew by for me, but was filled with fun times, a few accomplishments, and the first bit of fall weather.  To be honest I really wish it was still the weekend (who doesn't?) but I am determined to stay positive and make it through everything that is going on this week.  And to keep myself looking forward a bit, here are the fun things I am adding to my list of things to do this fall: visit a local orchard and go apple picking, carve pumpkins, make some hot toddys on a cool fall evening, and start baking for the holiday season.  

I hope all you 3P wonderfuls had a great weekend too, and whatever you are facing this week, make it a great one!

< Visited a street fair on a sunny day, and saw these two poodles with colored hair designs... >

< Arranged some mini-pumpkins by the fireplace and especially enjoyed them one afternoon >

< Enjoyed a delightful and delicious teppanyaki dinner with good friends >

 < Indulged in some relaxation and enjoyed browsing through these catalogs >

Obsessed: this week

< Sneak peek at supplies for an upcoming DIY project >

TGIF, 3P wonderfuls!  This week has flown by, but it has been a great one.  There has been so much love on the blog this week, and I thank you all for your support- I could not keep blogging as I do without you! To follow in the footsteps of traditional 'Obsessed' Friday posts, I am happy to share a few things I have been obsessing over this week.  Yes, I do strongly believe that its the little things in life that can bring the greatest joys, so here's a peek at the little things that I have been obsessed with this week.

Have an amazing weekend, 3P style, and I will see you here next week!

< The fabulous shoes that so many of you were kind enough to send in for Tuesday Tootsies >

 < Already thinking about Thanksgiving table centerpieces... yes, I am loving fall! >

 < Coach's Legacy Collection... beautiful bags, and some clever mix and match kits too! >

< And yes, getting excited for the Christmas season too!  Loving these adorable little ornaments from West Elm >

Little fall moments

< Hats that are totally perfect for fall! >

When the calendar says it is more than halfway through October, and even when it is still 90-degrees outside, all I can think about is fall!  Crisp, orange leaves, carving pumpkins, hot cider, warm scarves, tall boots... you know- all these great things that we all appreciate about cooler weather.  In honor of the cooler days (eventually) headed my way, I am happy to share a few of my favorite little fall things with you.  Things like the above hats, which I can dare myself to wear one of these days (I am not really a hat person... yet).  And watch out, these little things might be making their way into more pictures on the blog in the next few weeks!

< The first of (hopefully) many fall leaves in our backyard >

 < A cheetah print head scarf from J.Crew (similar here and here) and a bejeweled necklace from LOFT (last year; similar here) >

 < Warm chai drinks and these adorable pumpkin placemats (other options here, here, and here) >

< Darker and jewel-hued nail colors, and a few of my favorite fur stoles >