What are you thankful for? {Desktop and iPhone Wallpaper}

Across the blogsphere, I see so many sharing what they are thankful fall for as part of getting into the spirit of November. 

When I got to thinking about this, I realized how much I am thankful for the "every day" things. I have an amazing job, loving family and friends and a wonderful boyfriend...I'm a pretty lucky girl! 

I used this as a little inspiration for a November Desktop Wallpaper and iPhone Wallpaper! 

Download these images here. 

What are you thankful for? 

Today's Pickins:

1. Five Fall Sangrias

2. Obsessed with Keds for Kate Spade! 

Check Out LPF Mag Issue #2!

I was SO excited when Lauren posted the issue last night and I couldn't wait to share it all with you today!

As if the magenta and champagne colors on the cover didn't already make me squeal with delight, I found myself gratuitously reading each and every page.

As a design enthusiast, I am well aware that it is a rarity that someone actually reads full articles, which is why the layout, graphics, info graphics, headers, etc must all draw the reader into the text.

Luckily, this text is totally worth reading!

Here are some highlights from Issue #2 of LPF Mag!

{Farm to Table}

I am a huge enthusiast of farm to table movements, especially as an Ag girl! In fact, one of my little sisters from the sorority works at for a Farm to Table restaurant/company in Jax! Besides gorgeous photography, this article offers some easy, yet delicious, recipes to help you bring the farm to table movement into your home!

{DIY Gifts}

These suggestions are the perfect excuse to get your craft on--be it for a friend or for yourself! I love the idea of Red Zinger Vodka. Mind you, this post is being written while I am sipping on Red Zinger Tea...

{Soup Recipes}

As the cold weather has rolled in, I've come to realize nothing brightens up an evening like coming home to a warm bowl of soup! Saucy Jocey's Kitchen is always posting yummy recipes like these--make sure to check her out!

{Women in Business}

My heart was filled with so much joy then entire time I was reading this article--talk about a dream job! LPF interviewed Caroline Boyk, Assistant Print Designer at Lilly Pulitzer! Little Cotton is an artist, so I have always had an interest in illustration and the work that goes into print making. Now, mix that with my love of Lilly! Yes, this interview might be perfect!

Bonus: The link at the bottom of the page takes you Caroline's portfolio, where you can check out her work at Lilly! 

Lastly, here is my contribution to the magazine! 

{Personal Finance}

I was so excited when our contributors mentioned the need for a finance section for the mag that I literally jumped at the bit to write the articles! While finances can often seem overwhelming to the typical young adult (H and I had a conversation this weekend about the need for multiple lines of credit...), it is always important to make sure you live within your means and budget!  Make sure to check out my tips and look for the finance apps to make budgeting even easier!

Check out the rest of the issue here!

Open publication - Free publishing - More christmas

Taking Requests: iPhone Wallpapers!

Hey all!

After making a post on instagram yesterday of my new iPhone wallpaper, I got a few requests from friends asking me to make personalized wallpapers for them!

I wanted to open this up to my lovely followers on here, since I greatly appreciate you all!

Here are a few of my recent makings:

I don't own any of these backgrounds (clearly). 

Gifting for Under $25

Some of the people I love most have birthdays coming up! Seriously, my sister, Big, and Mom all have their birthdays in the same week!

As much as I love big girl paychecks, I am really trying to save, so I still spend as if I was living on a college budget. This leaves me in a bit of a rut when it comes to buying all these birthday gifts, seeing as they can quickly add up!

I’ve been on a mission to find some great gifts for under $25 and I wanted to share these ideas with you!

Here are some of my favorites:

I may be a little biased, but I just love Dixieland Monogram! Not only are her products fabulous, but her little is, too (that’s me!)!! One of my favorite gifts on the site would be perfect for a 21^st birthday---a monogrammed chuggler! It’s a sassy way to help them celebrate the big day and a perfect gift to keep for future tailgates! 

Trendy jewelry from places like Bauble Bar also make great gifts. This is one of my favorite go-to options because I have always been the accessories/ jewelry girl. I love bold statement pieces and trying new trends. By gifting these pieces to your friends, you will often ease the fear of trying something new, too!

A monogrammed wine stopper paired with a bottle of wine and even a DVD from the $5 bin at WalMart would pair for a perfect friend date! She would be able to reuse the stopper after and always have the sweet memories of the late night secrets and fun forever. Awwww!   

Not too far off from the last gift idea is a giftbasket. Gift baskets can be done for just about any occasion or any interest--and ANY price point! I’ve seen everything from tons of mini bottles of alcohol, to cookies, to a Christmas in July gift basket! You can often find great fillers for these baskets in the Dollar sections at Target or Michael’s! Check out these inspirations! 

Of course, always check pinterest for great DIY finds ranging from hair boys, to jewelry knock offs- and even canvas paintings! NEVER discount the meaning of a home-made gift—one of my sorority sisters painted a little canvas for me as a senior gift with a quote that reminded her of me. “People throw rocks at things that shine” is a great reminder of our friendship that is proudly displayed in my room!

What is one of the best, inexpensive gifts you have ever received?

Today’s Pickins:

1. I tried Publix’s Ranch Fried Chicken last night and OMG I wish I hadn’t..it was so good! 

2. This Martha Stewart Sketon Shirt DIY is a cute way to be festive while passing out the candy! 

3. The recipes in this Southern Living SEC TailGating Cook Book look devine! 

4.  Lastly, a shout out ot all of the Big Bang Theorylovers out there. 

Changing Colors

As a Florida girl, I have a hard time remembering that fall is near. It really isn’t until we have our first brisk game day in The Swamp that it really hits me that fall is here.

I’ve always hated the sudden transition from summer hues to fall hues and wish it was a bit more gradual. One of the best ways to mitigate this sudden switch is to transition slowly—and a great way to start that it with your nails!

A secret nail polish addict, I seem to change my color at least once a week and own more nail polish than I have room for. I’ve found that some of the colors I already have had great hints of some fall inspirations which are perfect for the transition!

What are some of your favorite ways to transition from summer to fall?

Today’s Pickins:

1.       Shamrock Shake copycat recipe!? Might have to break my “no sugar” rule for this! 

2.       Making a T-Shirt quilt  is a perfect winter project will all of my old Sigma Kappa tees.  

3.       Brightly colored doors are one of my favorite parts of a home, especially the bright blue! 

4.       Lilly Pulitzer’s Oar dressing room in their new Maryland store would be an awesome recreation in a nautical bathroom!