Neiman Marcus for Target! :)

 

Hey everyone! I hope your week is going well! I'm sure you've heard about Neiman Marcus and twenty four of its designers teaming up with Target to bring a little designer style to you this holiday season, but I thought I'd show you all the neat items you'll find. Some I really love and some I'm kind of disappointed by I felt like some of the designers could have been a little less creative and a little more traditional, also some of the prices aren't exactly amazing in fact to me they aren't even great but hey to each is own. Anyways lets just get started! :)

 yoga mat: $49.99, jewelry box: $49.99

 

 

 

beaded dress: $99.99, floral dress: $79.99 

 ornaments: $49.99, both dresses: $59.99

 pouches: $69.99 each, scarf: $69.99

dog bowl: $29.99, collar & leash: $39.99, tote: $59.99

accent box: $49.99, letter opener: $34.99

dress: $99.99, blouse: $69.99

bike: $499.99, luggage: $179.99

hats: $29.99 together, cookie cutters: $29.99 for five

glasses set of 4: $49.99, tray: $79.99, shaker: $49.99

blouse: $79.99, dessert plates: $39.99 set of 4

lunch box: $19.99, thermos: $24.99

blouse: $79.99, dress: $99.99

iPad sleeve: $39.99, sweatshirt: $29.99

hat: $39.99, vest: $79.99

men's blazer: $149.99, women's blazer: $129.99

travel bags set of 3: $39.99, stationary set: $19.99

trinket box: $69.99, picture frame: $49.99

cape: $79.99, clutch: $49.99

 

sunglasses: $39.99, gloves: $49.99

compact mirror's are $59.99 each.. yeah.

 

 skateboard: $99.99, slippers: $49.99

shot glasses: $19.99, flask: $29.99, men's sweater: $69.99, boy's sweater: $49.99

wrapping paper: $7.99, ornament: $19.99

Well that wraps it up for all the goodies (get it? wraps? hah). Like I said, some of the prices are a bit ridiculous. I mean I love all things designer but I'm certainly not going to pay $70 for a little pouch just because its Marc Jacobs. I do however love the Tory Burch lunch box and that wrapping paper by Rodarte is just awesome and a great price! So I'm glad some of the designers decided to be a little more generous with their prices (thank you for thinking of us aspiring fashionistas who dream of designer!) Anyways you will be able to find all these beautiful items starting December 1st although I'm not sure if they will be in stores or online only but I have a feeling they'll be available in both lol Hopefully this was helpful and insightful to you guys I wasnt sure if I should post it but I kind of enjoyed writing this one :) Thank you so much for reading I promise you guys I will know my appreciation soon! Wishing you guys a wonderful weekend blog you later ;) xoxoEm

Christmas Gifts Under $40 from Your Favorite Stores :)

Hey guys! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and delicious! I know mine was and I'm still enjoying it (stocked up on leftovers). lol So I know I'm a little late on posting my Christmas gift guide considering Black Friday was four days ago but I've been so busy and sick that I haven't had a chance to finish it. Oh well I'm sure you didn't get everything on your list (come on you know you were too busy buying stuff for yourself, its okay we all do it!) Anyways while you were in the midst of black Friday chaos, I was doing my research to find great affordable gifts from your favorite stores for everyone on your list get excited! :)

For The Ladies in Your Life:

Victoria's Secret

Must Have Beauty Essentials Bag  $28

This is a great gift for the beauty junkie in your life! Includes; VS Pro Airbrush FX Perfecting Primer SPF 20, VS Makeup Voluptuous Volume Mascara, Love Spell Hydrating Body Lotion, Skyn Iceland® Icelandic Relief™ Eye Cream, Booty Parlor™ Flirty Little Secret Firming Bronzer, Booty Parlor™ Flirty Little Secret Firming Cream, Booty Parlor™ Flirty Little Secret Luminizing Body Butter and three of their most popular fragrances—Victoria’s Secret Bombshell, Dream Angels Heavenly and Victoria’s Secret Angel. I want this so bad!  

 Limited Edition Gloss & Go Key chain $30

 This is a really cute gift idea for a fifteen or sixteen year old that just got her license or is about to or even one in their twenties, I'm 21 and I would love this! It comes five different colors to represent five of their most popular fragrances gold/dream angels heavenly (pictured), silver/VS bombshell, violet/Sexy Little Things Tease, pink/VS angels and red/Very Sexy

 

PINK Body Mist Gift Set $25

Another great gift for the younger ladies is this PINK body spray gift set. Includes the Wild & Breezy, Fresh & Fierce, Sweet & Flirty and Fresh & Clean scents. You can give it all together or split them up for stocking stuffers or gift baskets. 

Pure Seduction Gift Bag $30

This is a great one for the women who love the VS signature collections, the Pure Seduction gift bag it comes with the complete pure seduction set; body mist, shower gel, the body lotion and this cute bag which they could use for travel or a purse (some people do that okay?)

PINK Bling Tee and Leggings Gift Set $39.50

 Okay I know I'm kind of pushing it with the price but these are great! Who doesn't love leggings?! correction who doesnt love PINK leggings?!! This is a good gift for teens and also girls my age I live in these.

Bath and Body Works

 

Signature Collection Splish Splash Gift Set $32.50

This is an awesome gift for any age! Their scent Paris Amour is perfect for when you're not sure what kind of scents they like (some people are very sensitive to strong fragrances) because it smells good but is not overpowering or annoying. this cute little tub includes the regular size body mist, triple moisture body cream, shower gel, body lotion and an exfoliating sponge.

 3 Wick Candles $20

Who doesn't love candles? I cant think of anyone who wouldn't love getting a candle or two for Christmas or even a candle and a bottle of lotion, that's all my aunts want lol. one of my favorite's Vanilla Bean Noel.

Forever 21

Just Keep Calm Sweater $22.80

Such a cute sweater! This would make a great gift for that complicated teen who tends to look at your gift like it has a disease.. yeah well I'm pretty sure she will have a hard time making that face when she opens this. Comes in black too.

Walmart

 Wax Warmers $15, Wax $2

I love these things! I have one for each of my rooms. These are great gifts for the older ladies in your life they're like a candle but last much longer because you can reuse a single cube until its all gone. I've been using the same cube for weeks and it still smells amazing.

Dillards

Marc Jacobs Daisy Rollerball Set $38

Such a cute gift, I love rollerballs because they last a pretty long time and you can take them anywhere!  I still have one from juicy that I bought 2 years ago. Includes his three popular daisy fragrances; Daisy, Daisy Eau So Fresh, Oh, Lola! 

Mac All For Glamour (holiday face kits) $39.50

I love these satin tufted compacts!! I want one so bad I cant stand it! Get ready to win the award for best gift giver this year I mean come on who wouldn't be happy to get one of these?! Includes Blot Powder/Pressed in either Medium (fair), medium dark(olive) and dark(tan) to reduce shine and Sheen Supreme Lipstick which delivers intense color with the gleam of a Lip gloss.

 

 

For the Men in Your Life

 I dont know about you but the men in my family are ridiculously hard to shop for because they are constantly buying things for themselves. But for the men in your life who dont go shopping  for themselves 365 days a year, here are a few gifts they'll enjoy receiving.

 

JcPenny

Wahl® Lithium Ion Trimmer 

A complete grooming set, the lithium ion trimmer set is the world's first grooming tool with lithium ion technology. It's a powerful, fast-charging tool for trimming, shaving, detailing, outlining, grooming, and touching up.Charges quickly and includes; 4 detachable heads: trimmer, t-blade clipper, dual foil shaver and precision detailer, 3 standard trimmer guides, comb, cleaning brush, blade oil, and charging stand.

Personalized Watch Box $34.99

 You cant go wrong with a personalized gift. I love this leather monogrammed watch box from personalcreations.com but you can also get him a monogrammed pocket watch, an engraved zippo lighter or even personalize a bottle of his favorite whiskey. Its a sure fire way to get him something special as well as something he would not have. (I mean come on what guy is going to go out of his way to buy a monogramming of something?)

Home Depot

 Caliente Cooler Tote with Charcoal Grill Inside $32.98

This is an awesome gift for a new boyfriend or even a dad that likes to go camping or to the beach.
The Caliente is a portable charcoal BBQ grill in a carrying tote that doubles as a cooler. The BBQ grill has a 10" grate providing a grilling surface of 78.5 sq. in. The cooler is water-resistant and holds up to six 12-oz. cans.




So those are just the majority of gifts that I thought would be great ideas for under $40. I didn't want to go into children's gifts because they're pretty easy to shop for I mean you can give them anything and nine times out of ten they're more interested in the cardboard box it came in lol But anyways I hope you found this post enjoyable or helpful I feel like I've been working on it for years so I apologize if it seems rushed, I was so excited about doing it but I didn't realize how busy I was going to be. I'm definitely going to get a head start on my next post so I don't become this stressed next time. Well as always thank you so much for reading I very much appreciated and thank you for the supportive comments please keep them coming! xoxo Em

A birthday party and an outfit post :)

Hey guys I hope you're having a good week so far! Mine could definitely be better I had a few things happen that I'm so so happy about but I'm trying to stay positive and praying continuously for things to get better. Anyways I recently went to a good friend of mine's birthday party which was so much fun I got to see a lot of my friends I havent seen in a long time and there was also a bonfire and a dance party I had a blast!  Getting back to the subject, I wanted to share with you a few pictures from that and details about what I wore to the party so lets get started :)

pretty awesome bonfire if you ask me :)

My amazing friends and I

Me with the Birthday girl! love you sweetie!

sitting around the bonfire, love this<3

Now onto the outfit :)

excuse my messy bench lol, My blazer is from Juicy Couture, my neck tie blouse is from a little resale shop in my home town called Yvonne's, my jeggings are Jessica Simpson, jewelry is all Charlotte Russe

 I decided to go with flats because I was going to be outside alot and grass/dirt does not do well with heels lol these are from Forever

For my make up I went with this pearlized taupe color by Victoria's Secret and a red lip (loreal) to complement my blouse.

And here's the whole look :)

oh and I went to the cosmetics company store at the Tanger Outlets today and they have Mac, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder and other make up brands for less than the department stores so I got some Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation (my first MAC product everr!!) its a regular $30 and I got it for $21 so I was pretty about that, great place to pick up some blog giveaways as well ;) 

And I know I told you you'd find out what giveaways I'd be doing in the next blog post I did but I'm still trying to figure out how the whole process works lol so I promise you when I figured out what to do I will let you know all about what giveaways I'll be doing! :) 

Well that's all for my post tonight, thank you so much for taking time out of your night to read my posts and thank you to those who leave such sweet supportive comments I really appreciate it more than you know I would really like to give those of you who commented a little goodie just to say thank you so I'm working on doing something like that I'll let you know soon! Wishing you guys a good night and a wonderful Thanksgiving may it be filled with love and family and good food!

Easy, Healthy Desserts to make for Turkey Day :)

Hey guys I hope your Sunday evening is going well! So Thanksgiving is this Thursday and I'm so excited because that means Christmas is right around the corner!! :) Anyways I wanted to share with you some really great, easy to make healthy desserts I came across the other day to serve on Turkey day.

 

Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie

When I think of Thanksgiving I think of pumpkin and this is a great little twist on the traditional pumpkin pie plus healthier.  Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including freezing time) makes 10 servings

What You Will Need For The Crust:

• 30 small gingersnap cookies, (about 7 1/2 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 1 tablespoon canola oil

What You Need For The Filling:

• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 pints (4 cups) frozen low-fat vanilla ice cream, softened

 Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan with cooking spray.
• To prepare crust: Combine gingersnaps and raisins in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add oil and pulse until blended. Press evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan.
• Bake the crust until set, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• To prepare filling: Combine pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg in a large bowl and mix well. Add ice cream and stir until blended. Spoon the mixture into the cooled pie crust. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. Let the pie soften slightly in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Cover and freeze the pie for up to 3 days. | Equipment: 9-inch deep-dish pie pan

• Tip: To soften ice cream quickly, microwave on Medium-Low for 30 to 60 seconds.

Nutrition

Per serving: 230 calories; 5 g fat ( 1 g sat , 2 g mono ); 4 mg cholesterol; 42 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber; 179 mg sodium; 165 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (80% daily value)

SOURCE:  www.eatingwell.com

Pumpkin-Chocolate Torte with Pumpkin Whipped Cream

I dont know about you but this sounds absolutely divine to me!

What You Will Need for the Tarte:

• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 cup canned unseasoned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

What You Will Need For The Topping: 

• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons canned unseasoned pumpkin puree

Preparation:

• To prepare torte: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Coat a 9-inch spring form pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper and spray the paper.
• Combine 1/2 cup chocolate chips, butter and oil in a small saucepan. Place over medium-low heat, stirring frequently with a spatula, until melted.
• Beat eggs, egg whites, 1 cup pumpkin, 1/2 cup sugar, cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 5 minutes. Add the melted chocolate and beat until combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake the torte in the middle of the oven until the edges are set and the center just barely jiggles when the pan is gently shaken, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack to room temperature, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Melt the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips (see Tip). Decoratively drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the cooled torte. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours (or up to 1 day).
• To prepare topping: Just before serving, beat cream with 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree. Remove the pan sides and slice the torte. Serve each portion with a dollop (about 1 tablespoon) of the pumpkin whipped cream.

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Refrigerate torte for up to 1 day. Finish with Step 7 just before serving. Equipment: 9-inch spring form pan, parchment paper

• Tip: Melt chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave on Medium (50%) for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted. Or place chocolate in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted.

Nutrition

Per serving: 194 calories; 11 g fat ( 5 g sat , 4 g mono ); 67 mg cholesterol; 25 g carbohydrates; 18 g added sugars; 4 g protein; 3 g fiber; 97 mg sodium; 207 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (90% daily value)

 SOURCE: www.eatwell.com

Mini Caramel-Apple Cheesecakes

 I think they're onto something with these mini desserts, after all that turkey and dressing dessert seems painful but with these its the perfect bite not too much but just enough. Total Prep Time: 30 min makes 6 servings

What You Will Need:

• 5 small to medium gala apples (2 lbs. total)

• 1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter

• 1 cup plus 1 tbsp. sugar

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 8 graham cracker squares, finely chopped

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 11 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

• 2 eggs

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

• 3/4 cup sour cream

Preparation: 

• Peel, quarter and core the apples. Cut each quarter into 3 lengthwise slices. In a large nonstick skillet, melt 3 tbsp. butter over medium-high heat. Add the apples, 6 tbsp. sugar and the lemon juice. Cook, turning occasionally, until the apples begin to caramelize, about 8 minutes. Lower the heat to low, add 1 tbsp. butter and cook until the apples are tender, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• Line 6 cups of a jumbo muffin pan with jumbo liners and preheat the oven to 325 degrees . In a small pan, melt 2 tbsp. butter, then place in a medium bowl. Mix in the graham crackers and salt. Divide the mixture among the muffin cups. Press into the bottoms with a narrow drinking glass. Transfer to the freezer to set.
• In a bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Using a mixer, beat at high speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl twice, until blended. Mix in the vanilla.
• Arrange 5 apple slices in a single layer on the crust in each muffin cup. Reserve the remaining apples with their juices at room temperature in a covered bowl. Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly among the cups; bake until set but slightly jiggly, about 20 minutes. Turn off the oven, open the door slightly and let cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight.
• In a small skillet, melt the remaining 2 tbsp. butter over medium heat. Add the walnuts and 2 tbsp. sugar and cook, stirring, until toasted, 4 to 5 minutes. Cool on paper towels, then break up the candied nuts.
• Arrange the reserved apples with their juices on top of the cakes. Stir the remaining 1 tbsp. sugar into the sour cream. Top the cakes with the sour cream and candied nuts.

Tips and Notes
For a perfectly smooth texture thats not too soft, leave the cakes in the oven (turned off !) with the door ajar for 30 minutes after baking.

SOURCE: Rachel Ray

 Just Like Pecan Pie Bars 

 25 min. Bake: 50 min. + cooling Yield: 64 Servings

What You Will Need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup cold butter
• FILLING:
• 1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 cups chopped Pecans
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract            

Preparation:

• Line a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan with foil; coat the foil with cooking spray and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, honey and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the pecans, cream and vanilla. Pour over crust. Bake 30 minutes longer or until filling is bubbly.
• Cool on a wire rack. Use foil to lift bars out of pan. Place on a cutting board; carefully remove foil. Cut into 32 bars; cut each in half diagonally. Yield: 64 bars.

Nutritional Facts 1 bar equals 157 calories, 11 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 16 mg cholesterol, 64 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.

SOURCE: www.tasteofhome.com

 Sweet Potato Pie Bites

A calorie minded take on the southern favorite made in muffin tins instead of a pie pan

A calorie minded take on the Southern favorite. Made in muffin tins instead of a pie pan and crust.

Read more: http://caloriecount.about.com/sweet-potato-pie-bites-recipe-r355627#ixzz2Cdq7Aggi

What You Will Need:

1 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes 3 egg whites, slightly beaten 1/2 cup brown sugar (granulated) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup evaporated skim milk 6 tbs whipped topping 3 graham crackers

Read more: http://caloriecount.about.com/sweet-potato-pie-bites-recipe-r355627#ixzz2CdlRhRcW

1 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes 3 egg whites, slightly beaten 1/2 cup brown sugar (granulated) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup evaporated skim milk 6 tbs whipped topping 3 graham crackers

Read more: http://caloriecount.about.com/sweet-potato-pie-bites-recipe-r355627#ixzz2CdlRhRcW

1 cup of cooked mashed sweet potatoes

3 egg whites, slightly beaten

1/2 cup of granulated brown sugar

1/2 tsp of cinnamon

1/2 tsp of nutmeg

1/8 tsp of allspice

1/4 tsp of vanilla

1/4 tsp of salt

1/2 cup of evaporated skim milk

6 tbs of whipped talking

3 graham crackers

Preparation: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

I used a pressure cooker to cook the sweet potatoes until very soft and not

stringy.

Mash very well. (I used a regular mixer)

Combine sugar, spices in a little bowl. Last add vanilla with the spices and

then mix into the potatoes.

Now , beat your egg whites and mix it in with the potato mixture.

Slowly mix in your evaporated skim milk.

Pour mixture in each muffin tin, about 1/2 way.

bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes

while pies are baking, take your graham crackers and crush (not too fine)

Cool pies on cooling rack

Read more: http://caloriecount.about.com/sweet-potato-pie-bites-recipe-r355627#ixzz2CdnewkN3

•  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• make sure the potatoes are mashed very well, use a mixer if you need to
• combine sugar and spices in a small bowl
• last add vanilla to the sugar and spices and then mix into the potatoes
• next beat your egg whites and mix it in with the potato mixture
• slowly mix in your evaporated skim milk
• pour mixture into each muffin tin, about 1/2 way
• bake at 350 for 12-15 min
• well the pies are baking take your graham crackers and crush (not too fine)
• let pies cool then add a small dollop of whipped topping and sprinkle pinch of graham cracker on top    

Nutritional Facts: 1 pie is 69 calories, Sodium: 107 mg, total fat: 0.6g, total carbs: 13.8g, sugar: 9g, protein: 2.3g

SOURCE: www.caloriecount.about.com

 These all looked so good to me and I know there's a lot to read but they really are simple to follow and make, I will definitely be making the frozen pumpkin moose pie and the mini sweet potato pies! Let me know which ones you might try or what desserts you'll be making I'd love to hear about them.I hope you enjoyed this post and as always thank you so much for reading. I'll be posting a fashion post before Thanksgiving from last night so please check back for that! :) xoxoEm