Fashion Friday: Cotton Candy Pink & Olive Green

Today's Fashion Friday post features the Coral Pendant from Rica Jewels. If you have been reading for a little while now you know that I love crystals and stones - I have them scattered about my house. When Daniela from Rica Jewels asked me to pick anything from her shop for this collaboration, I knew this had to be the piece.

Coral Pendant from Rica Jewels 

Isn't it gorgeous?! I love the sterling silver against the different shades of red and orange. I placed the pendant on a silver chain I had, but this would also look great on a black or brown (faux) leather cord too.

I feel like coral is complimented well by green, especially muted shades like this. I pulled everything together with a pair of lacey pink shorts. I'm not really a fan of the hot pink and lime green combo but the more earthy versions like this cotton candy and olive pair, I love!

Our Doberman, Chloe, was a bit needy while we were taking these photos so I figured I would include her. :) She must know the loud noises of the fireworks are coming tonight. What are your plans for the fourth? We're going out tonight on a friends boat to watch the fireworks from the bayfront in downtown St. Augustine. I have been wanting to watch them that way for a few years now and I can't wait!

Forever 21 Lacey Pink Shorts (similar) / Olive Green Tube Top - old (similar) /
Vintage Louis Vuitton / Aspiga Beach Sandals /
Rica Jewels Coral Pendant

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

Shop Collection

Yikes! "One Day Without Shoes"

Well today's the day, One Day Without Shoes as celebrated by TOMS. Many individuals go barefoot for this event once a year to raise awareness for children's health and education. If you see any barefoot individuals today, now you know why.

I will not be participating in this. For one my boss would never allow it and two, I'm sorry - my birthday pedicure from Friday is too pretty for that right now. However I am rocking my TOMS in support. ;)

What about you, will you be going without shoes today?

DIY Wine Cork Board and the "Zig" Eye

Phew! After having time off, this first full week back to work was a long one. Ziggy and I give it the "Zig" Eye.

My min pin Ziggy

Now that the weekends here though I'm ready to have some fun and get some things taken care of. My to do list this weekend is lengthy, but I will check it all off by Sunday night. For starters, this tree must come down!

Here's a project I finished up over the break. I had been collecting wine corks for some time now and wanted to actually do something with them.

 I bought the frame at Hobby Lobby for under $3.00 a couple years ago and hadn't done anything with it since this photoshoot. The A is from our wedding reception centerpieces, and the burlap was leftover from the runners. This project was practically free other than the craft board (under $2).

First I cut the wine corks in half lengthwise with a steak knife (be careful!), this took the most time and I finished it over a couple sessions.
Next I cut the craft board to fit under the frame, then hot glued the burlap to it. I started to lay out the corks how I wanted them and placed the frame over top to make sure they fit snug. Going through the corks and seeing the one from Biltmore Estate and a few Moet made me smile to remember the special occasions those wine bottles were opened for.
After I had my desired layout, I started to hot glue, row by row. Last was affixing the "A" to the corner and finally gluing the frame to my board.

via Instagram

I'm happy with how it came out and I expect to have this board for a long time. Whenever I look at it a lot of memories will come back to me. :)

How was your first full work week of 2014? 

Do you have any wine cork projects that you've finished or would like to do?

DIY Clay Heart Drop Necklace

If you're into DIY and blogging, you've surely heard of P.S.- I Made This. Her new book P.S. You're Invited is full of crafts for your home and your wardrobe.
The first project I've tackled is the heart drop necklace made with polymer clay. I'm super crushing on burgundy(/oxblood/vamp/what are we calling it this year?) and this necklace is perfect!

Rolling it out was a little harder than I expected, put some elbow grease in it!

I used a toothpick instead of a cocktail straw as recommended, it worked fine.

Next it went in the oven, then once out and cooled I assembled it with the O rings and looped it up on the leather cord.

 Yes my tree is still up, it probably will be until mid-January. That popcorn garland took a good couple hours, and I want to enjoy it as long as possible.

 I finally got my hair dyed dark "for the winter" today. Since I went blonde over the summer (big mistake) I've been battling the fade. My stylist left some peekaboo highlights in it of the lighter color to break it up too.

Thought I would bring Ziggy in for a little bit of dog modeling. I think I more so creeped him out with the self timer. But his spiked burgundy collar matched too perfectly to not include him.

I've gotten a surprising number of comments on the necklace, and for under $12 you can't beat it!

Have you splurged on a drop necklace yet or made one of your own?

Merry Christmas!

Our min pin Ziggy wishes everyone a Merry Christmas! Please note the prissy man paw. haha

On one hand it's hard for me to believe another year has past, on the other I can't believe how much happened over the past 365 days. Last year on Christmas I was hoping for an engagement ring (got it 5 days later), and this year I'm having my first merry "married" Christmas with my husband. :)

We cut out the vinyl letters for our personalized 1st Christmas Ornament at Dee's shop.

That ring shot ;)

In 2013 I've had a sick dog who is now in the best shape since we adopted her, established deeper relationships with friends, learned a lot about myself and have grown in love.

Hand Painted ornament I did a few years ago for my oldest dog Kaya.

I hope you are enjoying your Christmas surrounded by loved ones, lots of cookies, and a little bit of egg nog!

Merry Christmas!!

Kaya loves her new winter hat. :)

Insta Me aghan: Life Lately

'Tis the Season for Hot Cocoa Almond Milk in adorable mugs!
Now if only I could have some snow in my life!

Shopping on Black Friday with my friend Kelsey! Find anything good on your shopping adventures?

Christmas came early!! New Vintage LV from the hubs. <3 td="">

Taking Chloe to grandma's for a visit. She was a little cramped. :/

Tackling new ingredients in the kitchen: Israeli Couscous and Fennel.
Highly recommended, I will be cooking with them both again soon!

Follow me on Instagram @justmeaghan

Insta Me aghan: Doing Fall Things

Good Morning! Here's an instagram update of what has been going on lately in my world.

 Over the weekend Dee and I carved pumpkins with his brother Carlos and his girlfriend Dana. We went to a church around the corner from our house to pick our pumpkins and then made a party out of it- hot chai tea, creepy music and all. How sweet is my sugar skull carving? :)

I took a long walk with our big dog Chloe through a trail by our house. The hanging moss on the trees is gorgeous when the sunlight shines through. And how about these beauty berries, what a bright color!

After our walk and carving pumpkins I had a hot mug of apple cider and cinnamon while watching The Holiday. Now that my pumpkin is carved my brain is ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas... NEXT!

After heading to bed a little early last night, I woke up around 6:30 today and made a batch of blueberry muffins, cheater style. It was easy and at 7 AM after my 5 minute meditation (the first in a long time), it worked. :)

Do you have any morning rituals that you do before starting your day?

Insta Me aghan: Enjoying the little things

 

It feels like the last few weeks have just flown by. I'm constantly feeling like I can't catch up and there's so much more I would like to do in a day. Mainly relax and read, be it blogs or books.

Top to bottom, left to right:

Calamari francese, caprese salad and a leaning chocolatini from Romano's, where 

I spend my Friday and Saturday nights either hostessing or bar tending.

Chopping chocolate for the ganache on this week's Sweet Sunday post. Way better then chopping onions!

Doggy baths to make everyone smell like flowers!

A blueberry beer I enjoyed during a sunny afternoon shower.

Lunch of eggs poached in marinara sauce with a good book.

Preliminary designs on my business cards, they have been majorly revised since then and 

will be here this week, just in time for CFL Blog Conference this weekend!!

I hope you have a great day and have some time to enjoy the simple things in your life. :)
Follow me on Instagram @mmulligan!

9/11 -We will never forget.

Insta- Me aghan: Dog days of Summer

It's that time of year again where every day is hot and popsicles and A/C are a requirement!

Ziggy went to go visit some new dog friends.  The top 2 pictures were on the way there,
 where he first discovered the vents; the bottom is after getting chased around for
 almost an hour by 2 dachsands in the hot Florida heat. hahah He enjoyed it though!

A little late to share, but here are my July 4th nails- gone fishin'.

We bought some cheap Popsicle molds and Dee made Horchata pops for us! Delish!

Grilled Avocado, Spinach, Pesto, Mozzerella & Goat Cheese Sandwich - Nom Nom Nom!

Peonies & Friends!! A little surprise from my love when I came home for lunch this past week. :)

Nerdy Driving Picture- You can really see the true colors of my Ombre hairstyle here.
Thank goodness for A/C!!

This was beautiful, this image is untouched, no filter and taken from my iPhone
The rays were coming through in lines like that and projecting over the entire sky.

 Follow me on Instagram @mmulligan, I love new followers as much as you! ;)

Peanut Butter Doggie Biscuits

So I have had a dog bone shaped cookie cutter I've been holding on to for a couple of years now and finally have made the time to use it for the dogs.  (It made a few sugar cookies last Christmas for us :)

Here's the recipe I used, everything organic of course!

Mix together 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 tbsp baking powder, add in 1 cup of peanut butter and 1 cup of milk.  Mix everything with your hands, yup get in there!

Flour your surface and roll out your dough ball.

Cookie cut away!

This recipe made almost 50 biscuits, they are obviously edible for humans, although they don't taste so great.  Maybe with more peanut butter they would be better if you were trying to make them for you and your dogs. :)

"Come on now Mom! This is not funny! Give me the cookie! NOW!"

Bone Appetit Pups! :)