October Favorites

November 12, 2018

October Favorites!

I am a little late to the game on posting October Favorites! But better late than never right? October was a crazy month and It’s one of my favorite months too! (maybe because it’s my birthday month?) Anyway posting a monthly round up of my favorite things from that month featuring anything I loved, from fashion to podcast I am listening to. On Instagram it has been a popular posts of mine so I thought I would share a more detailed favorites from the month here on the blog! This will be a NEW monthly post (hopefully closer to the end of the month)! This will feature any random things I loved through out the month including products I used up! October brought us all the Fall feels with cooler temperatures and pumpkin spice starting to make its way into everything! So here is what made its way into my heart, home and body this last October!

October Favorite: Fall Fashion

One of my favorite things is dressing for fall! I love the layers and finding fun pieces. This jacket I found last year at Nordstrom rack and am linking a (similar one DEAL Here and Here) pants and sweater are linked in photo below.

all black outfit, fall outfit, fall vibes, photos,

Fall leaves are gorgeous this time of the year and perfect for stunning photos! Loving all the Fall vibes. Outfit details: Sweater {here} {similar here} black jeans {similar here} Another October Favorite: over the knee boots {similar here and Here}

On my Instagram I shared this post with my feelings on aging, read it here. October is my birthday month and I always enjoy the beauty of Fall and the feelings you get from the cooler temperatures and color change. Outfit details: Duster {similar here and here}, distressed jeans {similar here and here}, tee shirt {here}, and another one I love {here}, plus a killer deal {here}. Let’s not forget these supper cute booties {here}, October favorite for Sure! My leopard cardigan made the cut as well for a October favorite {here}, and this Sweatshirt {here}, plus these pj’s {here}.

October Favorite Books

One of the books I read Wildchild is my months fav! I couldn’t put it down! Here are a couple more books I read: Good, Better, Best by Sue McCarthy, Audacious by Beth Moore and The Participation Game by Norty Cohen. I love to read and I love a real book to hold, not a fan of my kindle except for travel. How about you? I normally don’t get 4 books done in 1 month either but being a teacher you read when the kids do! I enjoyed each book and was excited to learn business techniques, more about faith and a book for the joy of reading and taking you somewhere different with a story line you could relate too. What are you reading? On my nightstand right now is Joanna Gaines book (I have had since she released it! Maybe a year or two?) In my school bag is The Career Code.

A book about the photographer, model and magazine world. Was such a fun read I couldn’t put it down!
A quote from the book Wildchild that I loved and couldn’t have said better! ” Style makes you different, fashion makes you the same!”

October Favorite Products

I used up, well maybe my hubby helped a little! Wink wink! Loreal Revitalift Intensive Overnight Mask: wear in the evening after cleaning face. really moisturizes but feels really thick. Glo Hydra Radiance Moisturizer: daily moisturizer that makes your skin really glow, almost dewy, I would purchase again. Hyaluronic Acid Anti Aging Serum: Use after your toner & helps even skin tone and tighten skin, I think my skin looked clearer (not that I have any kind of acne) just fresh looking. Revision Skincare Retinol Complete: use this at night only and after serum, I used around my eyes and smile lines. I feel like it helped reduce the lines. I think it’s a smart product to use in your late 30’s to 60’s. If you have been following you know how important skin care is to me and that I am always trying new products out to see what works and what doesn’t. I try to share my results with you over on Instastories and every so often I’ll do a beauty routine or round up over here on the blog. Please let me know on what social platform you want me to post results?

New here? I am 47 and nobody ever guesses my age:) some of that I can thank my mom… The other is because of my skin care routine. I do a face mask twice a week (used to be once a week until I learned 4-5 months ago you should do two a week! I use a cleanser, everyday and a scrub maybe 3 times a week, I do use a toner, then a serum, retinol is new to my routine and only at night and I finish with a moisturizer. At least one night a week I sleep with vaseline all over my face because Utah is so dry! I am sharing this with you so you can understand my routine and know I try a product out for the whole month sometimes two before I share it. I want you to know I support products I love and I am not always sponsored by the product. What’s your favorite product? Will you be trying one of my October favorites? Please let me know below!

October brings the most beautiful sunrises. This photo was on my morning drive alongside the lake.

October Favorite Podcasts

I am listening to and can’t get enough… I don’t even listen to music in the car anymore!

Favorites List:

The Influencer Pod: Cast if your an influencer or in any kind or marketing its a must!
Joel Osteen: Christian.
Style Collective: Great if you’re self employed.
Wit & Wisdom: Also great if you’re self employed.
Pop Fashion: You guessed it Fashion based.

My October Favorite Random Things

This month I adored this lipstick (here), my favorite blanket to snuggle up with (here), and my favorite seasonal mug (here), both I used to snuggle up and watch Hocus Pocus at least 25 times during the month of October! My favorite NEW TV shows: God Friended Me and A Million Little Things!

And now the really good stuff! Fall means comfort food, homemade soups, mac and cheese, chicken pot pie and yummy pastas! Here’s my easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe (here) and I will continue to share our families favorite dishes with you since its some of my most engaged posts. Below is my oldest son Hudson’s easy Spicy Rigatoni Recipe! Your gonna love it, and it’s so very easy!

My Sons Easy Spicy Rigatoni Recipe:
For a quick and easy throw together meal that feels like you slaved in the kitchen. You’ll love this Spicy Rigatoni Recipe. Our family loves Buca di Beppos Spicy Chicken Rigatoni. One day Hudson my oldest decided he was going to recreate it, in a fast college student way! He did and it is really yummy.

You’ll Need:

1 box rigatoni Our Favorite HERE

1 16 oz jar of your Favorite Marinara sauce (we like garlic and basil) It’s WHOLE30 HERE

1 16 oz jar of your favorite Alfredo sauce but your only using about 10 oz (we like this one HERE)

1 half pint heavy whipping cream using 1/2 off the container (we like this one HERE)

1 small bag of frozen peas

2 tablespoons of fresh minced garlic

1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper HERE

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup parmesan cheese to top off HERE

Optional Add Ins: 3 Grilled chicken breast cut thin and pan fried or grilled.

In a large pan bring to boil water for pasta and follow direction on box. In a medium sauce pan pour in jar of Marinara sauce, add about 10-12 oz of the Alfredo sauce and 1/2 the container of the cream let simmer and add in all the seasonings. Don’t add peas to sauce until very end (about 1 min to sauce) right before you drain pasta and are ready to dish up, you want the peas to be warm but still have a little crunch. Plate pasta, cover in sauce and top with parmesan! So good and dinner in less then 20 minutes! Serve with a salad and garlic bread!

My favorite pasta serving bowl (HERE) and the best strainer (HERE)

Did you do anything from my Fall bucket list HERE?

I hope you had a beautiful October and enjoyed my list of my favorite October things! I also hope you try a couple of them maybe this November. I can’t believe it’s already the 2nd week in November and I have some exciting things planned for the blog. I love November and the reminder of all the things we should be grateful for. I will be sharing my gratitude list, easy way’s to give back and some fun shopping guides for the up coming Holiday season. I will also post shopping guides for my Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday picks along with Holiday outfits, a couple of our favorite Holiday recipes and of course my Thanksgiving table scape and peeks at some Holiday decor! So stay tuned as I have exciting things to share! Have a beautiful week! OX, D’Arcy

THIS POST may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I only promote brands that I truly love and believe in! Thank you for the support!

Recipe for Chocolate Kahlua Cake

October 22, 2018

Happy Monday Beautiful’s!

You guys asked for this recipe when I shared a photo of it on Instastories. So here’s a little background on how this yummy little treat made it into my recipe box. Back in the days when I did scrapbooking retreats, I had a dear friend Judy make this to die for cake and would bring it to the party! Everyone in attendance would rave and would silently be hoping for it at every retreat. We were blessed with this cake every time Judy came.

This cake is so decadent and rich, if you’re a chocolate lover you’ll think you died and went to heaven. My oldest son adores this cake and Judy would be so sweet to make it for him on several birthdays.

One year we were delighted when she shared the recipe with us and now I can share it with you.

Nobody thought by the taste that it could be a box cake mix and so easy to make! I am so happy I could share it with you and hopefully it becomes a family favorite for you too.

Judy’s Chocolate Kahlua Cake

1 Duncan Hines devils food cake mix

1 Small instant vanilla pudding

1 Pint sour cream

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup Kahlua

2 eggs

12 oz bag Semi sweet chocolate chips

Place mix in bowl & whisk in pudding mix. Add all other ingredients one at a time except chocolate chips. Mix with electric mixer. Add chips into mix before spooning into greased and floured bunt pan or mini bunt pans.

Bake at 350 for 50 mins depending on oven, then cool on rack for 20 min.

Then invert pan or pans on rack so cake will slide out, cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar.

Serve with vanilla bean ice cream, or with Judy’s favorite: moose tracks ice cream!

My mom was in town for her birthday (she always travels out for both our birthdays, hers is the 12th and mine is the 20th) the boys made her make this recipe! Nothing like making you own birthday cake! HEHE… I am finishing up Whole30 and didn’t want to be tempted….so no cake for me! I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and let me know if you tried this recipe. OX, D’Arcy

A couple of my favorite Baking tools from Amazon Here, Here, Here, and Here

Leopard Trend and My Picks You Don’t Want to Miss!

October 8, 2018

Leopard Button-Up Top {here} H&M deal $29.99 Black Jeans {here} Black Scarf {similar here} Boots {similar here} Belt {here}

fall photo shoot in Little cotton wood canyon

Outfit details below! This look would be cute with a black top or even a denim button up and black pants.

lace dress {here & similar here} leopard clutch {similar here and here} heals {similar here}

Leopard Trend: Leopard prints are everywhere for Fall and one of the best ways to elevate your everyday style. I have always had leopard print in my wardrobe. It’s a pattern that you can have fun with and a little touch can add interest & playfulness to your outfit. Animal prints have long been a wardrobe staple for stylish woman, but get ready to see this trend really take off.

I love that this year it is a huge trend and showing up in a BIG way from jackets to handbags. You really can’t go wrong with adding a little bit of leopard to your wardrobe. I like to think of leopard as a neutral and it is a print that never really goes out of style… You can mix it with patterns and have fun with it! It’s not just a pattern to wear with black or brown, mix it up, play with the print, try it with a plaid, denim and even lace like I have shown. Go ahead, give leopard a try!

Enjoy your week and remember, if you need outfit advice or help with a outfit leave a comment below and all be happy to help you out! OX, D’Arcy.

PS: Do you love leopard print?

Here are some of my favorite way’s to play with this on trend print & some of my favorite pieces to purchase:

Leopard Cardigan {here} {similar here} Plaid Top {similar here} Jeans {similar here} Booties Old {similar here} Arm Candy {similar here}

Olive Coat { similar here} Striped Top {similar here} Leopard Clutch {similar here} Jeans {similar here} Shoes {similar here}

Leopard Jacket old {similar here} Gingham Top old {similar here} Jeans {here} Louis Vuitton bag Retired {similar here} Booties {here}

I will be wearing these alot! Brit : Ultra chic & versatile zippered ankle bootie by Pic & Pay {here}

I can’t get enough leopard this Fall and these earrings are so lightweight you won’t want to stop wearing them! By James Ascher

*This post may contain affiliate links at no fee to you. All opinions are my own. I only promote brands that I truly love and believe in. Thank you for all your support.

Fall Bucket List 12 Must Do Fall Activities

September 30, 2018

white kitchen, marble, super white quartzite counter tops

Bath and Body Works Fall candle collection, my favorite is leaves. Costco Fall flowers & candy corn make it feel like fall! My shirt is by Trunk old, similar here & here.

Hello Beautiful’s! You know how much I love Fall (it’s going to be my Birthday month!) and how much I love to do & enjoy all things Fall! So I thought it would be fun to do a Fall bucket list to share with you, since you loved my Winter bucket list last year (If you missed that check it out here!). I hope it inspires you to get in the spirt of the season and check a couple things off the list as well! OX

PUMPKIN PATCH – Well of course, an annual event around year! Even if my kids are big and over it! I still drag them out for a family day (normally it’s bribed with food). I always have a large assortment of pumpkins on our porch, steps and entryway. So this is a great time to have everyone pick a verity and help decorate!
HAUNTED HOUSE– A perfect date with the family, my boys will be really into this! I haven’t been to one since high school, so wish me luck!
A day in front of a fire with a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, a candle burning and a great book!
Go on an OUTDOOR HIKE, where the colors are stunning and the air is crisp!
Go to a COLLAGE FOOTBALL game! We have to go support Auston Tesch #53 for Weber state at least once a year! It’s always fun and last year my mom was here to go support him too!
Take a FALL DRIVE where the leaves are in full glory. I love grabbing a warm drink and taking a drive with my hubby to see the color’s. It’s fun to grab a meal out and make it a date. When we lived in California, we would go with the entire family,(my mom & my sister) to Oak Glen and pick apples, boy do I miss those days.
Make a HOMEMADE PIE, I haven’t made a pie from scratch in a few years. I used to love making apple pies, when we had so many apple trees in California! (I need to plant a couple apple trees)
JUMP INTO A PILE OF LEAVES and get a cute picture! I will wait for my boys to rake all the leaves up! hehe
Make a big POT OF CHILI (my veggie chili recipe is below) and watch Hocus Pocus! I mean what is fall without watching Hocus Pocus at least 10 times!
Create a FALL WARDROBE CAPSULE, these wardrobe capsules have been all the rage, (have you heard of them?) with fall being most peoples favorite time to shop, it’s a great time to create one for you. Help yourself to get inspiration and pick out classic pieces to build your wardrobe for Fall.
Spend the WEEKEND with GIRLFRIENDS in PJ’S watching HALLMARK MOVIES. Of course we’ll do face mask, drink wine and eat all kinds of yummy food! Who’s ready for a sleep over?
Enjoy a FIRE ON THE DECK making s’mores, under cozy blankets enjoying the crisp fall air! I will be decorating my back deck for fall this year! Unfortunately it’s a short season here in Utah, So I have never decorated the back deck for fall. This year we are going too spend more time wrapped in blankets enjoying the crisp air.

Corn Maze Fun: Outfit details- Cardigan old: similar here & here, Black tee Here, Shoes similar here, Camo moto pants, Old: Similar here and here here

Louis Vuitton, fall nails, purchase color here and Starbucks. Three of my favorite things!

My Easy Veggie Chili Recipe: (slow cooker) So easy you’ll make it a ton!

1 large can of chili beans and sauce

1 can each of pinto, kidney, red beans drained and rinsed

1 large can of tomato sauce

1 can of crushed tomatoes

1 cup of water

1 each of a red, yellow, green bell peppers, washed and chopped

1 large onion chopped and browned

4 cloves of garlic chopped browned

1 tablespoon of butter (for browning onion and garlic)

1 tablespoon of chili powder

1 tablespoon of onion salt

1 tablespoon of kitchen bouquet (browning seasoning)

1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

crushed red pepper seasoning to taste

shredded cheese (for topping)

Brown the onions and garlic in the butter, then add everything (except cheese) into the crockpot on low in the morning and come home to a yummy meal! You can brown turkey or meat of choice with a chili seasoning packet and add that, but you’ll need another can of tomato sauce. Serve with corn bread, fritos or soda crackers!

Extra toppings optional: sour cream, green onions, hot sauce I hope you try it and let me know what you think. It’s a family favorite around here!

As promised I shared ALL the weekend sales on my instagram stories under Shopping!

I picked some of my favorite things and shared the deals, so go check them out!

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time out of your day to spend a little bit of time with me. If you have any question, please remember to leave a comment. I love helping my friends out! OX, D’Arcy

7 Way’s to transition Summer clothing into Fall….

September 17, 2018

Summer whites work for Fall too! Break the white after labor day rule! Pair with your favorite tank or tee, I paired with my Pumpkin spice latte tank from last Fall. I love wearing the Summer cropped jeans into fall and winter because they work so well with the ankle booties and laced up ballet flats.
White blazer {here}
Jeans {here}
tank similar {here}
shoes similar {here}
necklace similar {here} {here}
rings similar {here} and similar {here} {here}

Mixing it up for a fun Fall transition outfit🍂🍁
Camo, leopard, denim and a little bit of leather make for one of my favorite combos!
Fashion tip✔️ Play with your textures and prints!
Jacket similar {here} {here} {here}
top similar {here} {here}
Jeans similar {here} {here}
clutch similar {here}
Belt similar {here}
shoes similar {here}{here}{here}
lip stick {here}

Taking Summer clothes to a Fall🍁🍂 look… Summer Kimono Similar {here} & cami similar {here} {here}paired with leather jeans {similar here} and {here} and studded booties {here} similar {here} earrings similar {here} perfect for cooler days🍁🍂 I wore the kimono as a bathing suit cover up and with a tank and shorts all Summer long. I love it works perfect for a Fall transition piece.

Summer Tank tops are perfect for layering with your favorite cardigans, paired with distressed jeans and leopard flats!
Tip: if you don’t own leopard shoes…. buy a pair, and treat them like a neutral ! They go with everything ❤️
Tank similar {here}
Jeans similar {here} {here}
Cardigan similar {here} {here}
Shoes similar {here} {here} Here}
hat similar {here}

AC/DC was my ring tone on my phone for years, it made my oldest fall in love with the band as well!
Rocker tees are one of my favorite things and I love layering over them for Fall🍂🍁 with your favorite blazer, leather jacket, sweater cardigan!
Some of my Favorite Rocker tee brand
similar {here} and similar {here}
Jeans similar{here }
Leather jacket similar {here}
Shoes similar {here}
Great cardigan {here}
Blazer {here}

Olive palm pants paired with a denim shirt and layered with a long lightweight cardigan! Still warm enough to wear your wedges and accessorize with fall toned accessories.
palm pants similar {here}
cardigan similar {here}
denim shirt similar {here}
wedges {here}
sunglasses {here} Bag {here} Belt Here Similar {here} Bracelets Similar {here} {here} {here} Ring similar {here}

Taking your Summer printed tops in to fall by pairing with jeans instead of shorts or skirt. Layer with a sweater! I love that in the Fall you can still wear your Summer wedges (I like to wear sandals as long as I can) but my tip would be accessorize with more Fall toned jewelry. My palm leaf top similar {here}
jeans similar {here}
wedges {here}
a fab cardigan {here}

Fall a season almost everyone I know adores, specially after a supper hot summer like this one. I wanted to share with you some tips to dressing for the cooler temperatures without breaking the bank. I love transitioning summer clothing into your fall wardrobe. It helps your wallet as well. Tank tops can be used for layering under your favorite plaid button up or denim shirt and when temperatures drop even lower you can add a sweater or jacket to that, for a cute multi layered look. Your summer floral prints work great with plaids and denim. Dresses can be worn with boots or booties, layered up with a blazer or denim jacket. I love that you can mix summer pastels with grey tones for a soft fall look and summer brights work with black and the bright oranges, yellow, and reds work with brown tones. As I stated above it’s best to wear your Fall accessories and jewelry and put your spring accessories and jewelry away for spring! Fall accessories help pull your fall look together when using clothing pieces from your summer wardrobe.

Some of my favorite fall looks have summer pieces layered up. I’ll be creating a bunch of flatlay outfits to help you get inspired this week and sharing in my instastories and saving to the highlights (flatlay) I know you guys love seeing flatlays and I hope you get great inspiration to create fun outfits of your own. So make sure to follow along on instagram this week.

Just a little update on my family, I know several of you have messaged me and have been praying. I want to say thank you so much it means the world you care so much to keep us in your prayers. My boys are healing, Hampton chipped his knee cap in the process of dislocating his knee and he’s doing physical therapy in hopes to avoid surgery and to get strong enough for ski season. Hudson is recovering from his appendectomy surgery and so far so good no infections. He started his Big boy job this last week and is getting into the swing of being an adult. My Step dad Steve is waiting results on the spot on his lung, kidney and liver. We should here something this week, on Tuesday he has a 5 hour biopsy on the lung. We welcome all the prayers you want to send in his direction. Thank you very much for taking time out of your day to stop by and read apart of my life, I appreciate you! OX, D’Arcy

This post may contain affiliate links, all options are my own and I only share things I truly love.

Best Homemade Salsa Recipe

September 10, 2018

All the ingredients for a big batch of home made salsa. Makes 3 quarts

Fresh Veggies from the garden.

chopping all the veggies, I cut everything in this size.

Green chilies, Green salsa, garlic, oregano, onion salt

Everything is cut up and all ingredients in the pot, before cooking!

salsa as it is cooking down.

After cooled pour into blender and blend for a minute, or to the consistency you want.

chips served with the salsa. Add cheese to one for a variation.

Finished salsa without cheese

Salsa with cheese

Homemade Salsa recipe:

12 fresh tomatoes

Or 3 cups tomatoes

1 bunch cilantro chopped

2 7oz cans Green chili peppers chopped

1 12oz green chili salsa

1 large yellow onion chopped

1 bunch of green onion chopped

2 or 3 jalapeños chopped

2 large tablespoons Oregano

2 Large Tble spoons of Onion Salt

2 lrg Tble spoons of chopped Garlic

Add All ingredients into large pan and bring to boil on stove top, stir and then let simmer on low for about 1 hour. Let cool, this takes a couple hours. Then pour into blender and blend until consistency you like. Pour into containers and chill.

I like to serve 1 bowl with cheese and 1 bowl without, with your favorite chips!

Perfect for Large crowds & football season!

We’ve been making this recipe since I was a kid. My mom got this recipe from a dear family friend and we’ve enjoyed making it ever since!

I hope you will enjoy it as much as we have! OX, D’Arcy

Happy tee, I showed you how I cut the neck out of my tees to make an off the shoulder tee, in my instastories. These cute Happy tee’s are made local here in Utah. I was wearing this tee when I was sharing recipe on instastories and got a ton of questions on it, so I wanted to give you the link to purchase these cute tees HERE. Go check them out, it’s a woman owned company and she makes darling tee’s.

Check out my Fiesta bar cart styling perfect for serving that chips and salsa! View Bar cart in more detail HERE.

8 Amazon Fall Fashion Picks

August 25, 2018

Happy weekend beautiful’s!

I wanted to share some of my favorite Fall fashion picks from Amazon fashion. Yes… Amazon has fashion at great prices! I know some of you know this, but I wanted to share incase you didn’t. I have purchased all of these pieces and have been impressed with the quality for the price. Great pricing! I picked great wardrobe building pieces that I feel you could mix and match all these pieces to give yourself multiple looks without having to purchase a ton of pieces. I am always one to pick great basics and dress up with a fun trendy accessory and of course killer shoes (you know how I love shoes!). I’ll be doing some outfit styling with these pieces soon and share the looks with you! I do let you know if you needed to size up, down, or if it fits true. I hope you’ll grab a couple of my favorite fall basics!

ZANZEA Women’s Sexy Long Batwing Sleeve Loose Pullover Casual Top Blouse T-Shirt

$17.59 It is a baggy fit, very flattering, and the back covers your bum. Off the shoulder design with long sleeve, high-low hemline, perfect with leggings and skinny jeans. Super comfy, affordable, and cute for tailgating and easy to wear on the weekends! I got my size which was fine, I think I am going to order another in the next size up to have it go more over the shoulder and even a little longer to wear with leggings!

Women’s Solid Casual Cozy Knit Open Front Long Cardigan Sweater

$32.99 Long knit cardigan casual & comfortable. Open front with no button closure, pockets at sides pairing simple tees and denim for a easy casual look or pair with slacks and blouse with heels for an office look. True to size.

Happy Sailed Women 2018 Casual Chiffon Button V Neck Blouses Shirts

$15.99 Everyone needs a great basic top that can get dressed up with jewelry. This chiffon blouse is soft, lightweight, and perfect with skinny jeans or a pencil skirt! I love it, available from size small to xxlarge, I sized up!

Women’s Spaghetti Strap Off Shoulder Long Sleeve Top Asymmetrical Hem Loose Fit

$17.99 Sexy style, off the shoulder, flared sleeve, asymmetrical hem, long sleeve, loose fit. Great with your skinny jeans and leggings for daily wear, school, vacation, work, outdoor, travel, casual and easy to wear! I am thinking tailgating and easy weekend wear! Great deal at $17.99! Size down, comes in small to xlarge.

Women’s Roll up Long Sleeve Boyfriend Button Down Plaid Flannel Shirt (S-XXL)

$21.99 Two chest pockets, plaid pattern, button down shirt. Wrinkle-resistant, button up closure, casual, boyfriend style. Easy to wear, goes well with denim jeans, and layered over graphic tee. Layer it up even more with a boyfriend chunky cardigan. I grabbed the black and white but loved the red and white as well!

Silver Jeans Co.. Women’s Aiko Mid Rise Skinny Jeans

$88 Skinny jeans with a medium-dark indigo wash and zip cuff, mid rise. We can never have to much denim right? These fit true to size and do stretch a little. I love the little zipper side detail, 80’s flash back to 8th grade! The wash works perfect for casual daily wear.

Women’s Sleeveless Basic Racer Back Tank Midi Cotton Casual Dress

$17.99 This dress is perfect for every season, you can layer it up for fall and pair with boots or wear in the summer with flip flops. I have this in a couple of colors and it’s so easy to wear. Size up! Perfect for traveling with as well. Available from small to 1x.

Women’s Boho Long Sleeve Open Front Chunky Warm Cardigan Pullover Sweater

$25.99 Oversized boyfriend sweater perfect for layering and adding a great texture to your Fall outfits. Size down in this sweater unless you want it really oversized for leggings and tunics. I got this sweater in color khaki and it has a touch of pink in it, almost tea dyed. Sizes small to xx large.

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to check out some of my favorite fall basics great for building your wardrobe! OX, D’Arcy

This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I only promote brands that I truly love and believe in! Thank you for the support, I greatly appreciate it!

12 Beauty Items I Used Up This Summer!

August 22, 2018

12 beauty Items I couldn't get enough of

Products I fell in love with and couldn’t get enough of this Summer!

1) Briogeo, Rosarco Milk Conditioning Spray, 2) Burt’s Bee’s, Herbal Insect Repellent, 3) Bloom, Hydrating Almond Scrub.

4) Nelsonj, Hair Mask, 5) Johnson’s Baby Oil.

6) Sklar Isle Candle, 7) L’oreal Revitalift For Eyes, 8) Hydrocortisone Cream.

9} Smith’s Rosebud Salve! I can’t live without this product! It’s not only for lips, you can use for cuticles, skin, blemishes and even diaper rash (I am way past that stage)!

10) Chanel Lipstick, Boy #54 11) YSL lipstick, Rouge Volupte 12) Mac, Mehr A46

Hello Beautiful’s,

Knowing you lovely ladies love tips and want to know about great products that I truly use, I thought I would share the products I couldn’t get enough of this Summer! I used so much, that truly these products shown are all empty, used up and I need replacements! First off I want you to know this post isn’t sponsored in any way! These are products that I can say I love and will continue to use! Who doesn’t want to know about helpful products that really work to fix a problem? So lets get to the problem fixers!

1)Briogeo Rosarco Milk Conditioning Spray

This leave in conditioning spray is lightweight that contains a nourishing blend of rosehips, argan, coconut oils, and Vitamin E to combat dryness, restore shine, heat protect, strengthen hair from root to tip. Use on damp hair, I loved that it helped with my tangles.

2) Burt’s Bee’s Herbal Insect Repellent

Living in the mountains, the bugs come out in full force on Summer nights! We love to sleep with our windows & doors open and entertain outdoors, so this product is a must! I love that it’s all natural and doesn’t have a horrible scent!

3) Bloom Hydrating Almond Scrub

The dead sea minerals in bloom products energizes, hydrate and nourish your skin inside and out. A rare blend of dead sea mineral salt and ground almond shells, this product gently exfoliates the dead layers and removes impurities for smooth radiant skin. So important for the Summers usual dry & tan skin! I love the glow of my skin after using!

4) Nelsonj Hair Mask

Oh.. The smell of this product is amazing, they need to make it into a candle! So dang good! This hair mask is so important for Summer hair, it helps with tangles, controls frizz, prevents hair color from fading, seals split ends, and protects from chlorine & salt water. It also helps restore silkiness & shine, while enhances natural body. So you can see why this is a must have product for Summer!

5) Johnson’s Baby Oil

Not just for Babies! I’ve been using baby oil since I was a teenager. I love this product and its smell. I use it in shower after I have towel dried off. This helps keep the moisture in and keeps your skin baby soft! It states it locks in 10 times the moisture, I think it might be true!

6) Sklar Isle Candle

Ok, so not really a beauty product! It’s a home product but it feels like a beauty product to me! Candles are always sold in the beauty department, so this made my list! As you can see from the picture it’s almost gone. I have one in my bedroom and my bathroom, the smell is so light and almost powdery smelling! I adore it for Summer, don’t get me wrong it’s perfect for year round, I just switch to Fall scents come September! I was so excited they came out with a perfume, I grabbed the roll on!

7) L’oreal Revitalift For Eyes

They say you should start with an eye cream in your 20’s… Well I was late to that game, but I’ve been pretty dang good about it in my 40’s (giggle)! I love this easy to apply applicator and that you can use anytime of day. You only need a small amount and it absorbs fast, perfect to use right before your morning make up routine! I noticed it plumps up those tiny fines lines perfectly!

8) Hydrocortisone cream

This year I had a issue with a heat rash, sometimes on my chest or my back! I have never had an issue with this before and I am hoping I won’t keep having this issue as I age and when I go in the sun. I love the sun and Summer, I am very good about sun screen and always have been since I was a early teenager. I try really hard to keep my face out of the sun, but boy do I love to be tan! Anyway, I had this issue with this rash a couple times this Summer and the Hydrocortisone helped clear it up! Took those bumps out right away!

9) Smith’s Rosebud Salve

I can’t live without this product! It’s not only for lips, you can use for cuticles, Skin, blemishes and even diaper rash (I am way past that stage)! Utah is so dry and this product is a skin saver! This makes a great gift too! A must have in every beauty drawer and nightstand!

10) Chanel Lipstick, Boy #54 11) YSL Lipstick, Rouge Volupte & 12) Mac, Mehr A46

These are my 3 favorite lip colors year round and look great with every skin tone. I love that it looks great with sun kissed skin as well as my winter pale skin. I do like a brown pinkish lip and these fit that bill! If you haven’t ever treated yourself to a Chanel or YSL lipstick, you really should! I can’t tell you how smooth and buttery they are! YSL is probably the silkiest lipstick I have ever put on my lips! This particular Mac lipstick stays on forever, like a lip stain. It doesn’t state it but I have several Mac lipsticks and this is the only color that does it, but it stays on almost all day! I replace these 3 colors all the time, but this summer I went through all three tubes at the same time, I used a lot of lip this hot summer! Yes, I have more on order as I type this!

I hope you enjoyed reading what I used up this Summer and had some suggestions you might not have heard about! I really am happy to share my beauty treatments with you and happy to answer any questions you might have, just drop a comment below or send me an email! OX, D’Arcy

This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I only promote brands that I truly love and believe in! Thank you for your support, I greatly appreciate it!

How to make the BEST Banana Bread!

August 20, 2018

Something you may not know about me? I love to bake, and after sharing some of the things i’d been making on my instastories, I got an overwhelming response to please share recipes. I love to give you what you want, so I made a new category here on my blog to share Recipes. It’s under Lifestyle in the drop down and I hope you’ll try the recipes I share. I will be sharing family recipes and ones I have created. Bare with me as I promise my food photography will get better!

I love to entertain as you know, and I’ve been cooking and baking since I was so young! I won the BEST apple pie in the 3rd grade and would have been one of those kids vying to be on today’s Baking kids championships, had we had those then! My time it was country fair and school baking competition, Boy times have changed! Not that I am a fancy baker (I am not) I just love to bake good basic’s!

Once Upon a time, years ago I put on scrapbooking retreats and I cooked all the meals, 3 meals a day plus snacks. The ladies always raved about my food and wanted me to create a cookbook and while I said I would, I collected mine and my families recipes, but I never put that book together! Maybe one day I will, but until then i’ll be sharing my favorites here! My plan if all goes well, is to share a recipe with you every Monday. So here’s goes my first Monday Recipe, My Grandma’s Banana bread or muffins recipe, with a couple of improvement’s! My grandma Mercer made this bread every Christmas and sometimes we’d get lucky and get it for a family gathering throughout the year. I started making this bread when I got married and giving out to our neighbor’s, Ups, mailman and friends for Christmas. I’d make 24 loaves! I’d save every brown spotted banana and threw it in the freezer. At first my hubby would question all the bananas taking up all the freezer space, but now nobody say’s a thing! They get really excited if they see them defrosting in the sink!

My Boy’s are terrible… They’ll each eat a loaf in a day if i’d let them! When I make a batch I alway’s make multiple batches. If making for my family i’ll do 4 batches, and make two trays of muffins and 4 medium loaves, then i’ll freeze 1/2. When I make at Christmas i’ll make 8 to 12 batches and make some medium loaves and the rest mini loaves to give as gift’s.

My Grandma’s recipe called for 3 overripe banana’s, I do 4 and I make sure the bananas have been frozen and then thawed. This makes for the most moist banana bread you’ve ever have. I also added chocolate chips or nuts, my grandmothers was just plain banana bread. You can leave out the Chocolate chips or the nuts if you wish, the main recipe won’t change.

Recipe: Best Banana Bread with Chocolate chips

2cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 overripe bananas

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted & cooled

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For a variation add chocolate chips ( 2 cups) walnuts or pecans (1 cup)!

powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease your muffin or loaf pan’s. Mash the bananas with a fork in a small bowl and then whip them, set aside. in large bowl add butter, eggs, vanilla beat well. Mix dry ingredients, fold in the banana’s and chocolate chips or nuts or both. Pour batter into loaf or muffin pans. Give the pan a good rap on the counter to get rid of air bubbles! Place in oven, oven’s all range in heat temperatures so time could vary, so I say start checking in 45 min but could go as long as 1 hour. Test by sticking a toothpick in center, if comes out clean, it’s done! Makes 1 large loaf or 2 small loaves.

I hope you enjoy one of my families favorite treats! Ox

Remember I am not trained in baking or cooking in anyway, I am just a wife and mom cooking for family & friends. Please let me know if you tried the recipe and how they turned out! OX, D’Arcy

I Got HACKED..! Don’t Let It Happen To YOU!

August 17, 2018

Last week one of my worst nightmares happened! My instagram was hacked and being held hostage for ransom, they said if I did not pay they would delete it! Talk about panic, wanting to throw up, and shaking. I was so nervous, 2 years of hard work and content… This is my business, how could this happen?

HOW: Thursday, August 9th… Morning, my normal routine, did my post, answered DM’s and was going through my emails….and came across a collaboration that looked interesting (I get collaborations in my inbox daily so it isn’t new). It was from a representative of the store The Kivari_the_Label (this is a real company) and asked me my rates and wanted to know if I wanted to collaborate. It was a little broken English but not different then some of the companies I get from China. The email also had a link… I did not click on the link (I never do) I thought I knew better… I looked up the company’s website and instagram to see if they would be a fit for me and my brand, it was darling and had clothing I would love to collaborate with. I then answered the representative, stating I would love to work with them, attached my rates and media kit. NOW THIS IS WHERE HE GOT ME…. In short he replied, stating great which items was I thinking would work with a LINK… I CLICKED, it didn’t work!!! shaking my head NOW! I answered him back saying your link is not working….He didn’t answer back, which isn’t unusual, companies get busy and can take a couple days! (note: the hacker did not work for Kivari, He was just acting like he was!) I go about my day and checked on Instagram at about 3:00 PM, answered some messages, scrolled through and put my phone down (this became relevant later)! At 5:20 PM I got an email saying that my email account was changed on my Instagram, obviously I didn’t do this myself. So I clicked on Instagrams revert button… and it wouldn’t work!! Crap why isn’t it working? I then got on Instagram tried to log in, nothing.. I had to make an account so I could start emailing all the Instagram sources I could find! Its after 5:00 and nobody is working at Instagram and good luck trying to get some one to help you! I then got on message boards, a couple of blogger pods and groups… Posted what happened and was seeing if anyone knew what to do?? I got an outpouring of love & support and ideas of what to try! I also got tons people saying this is happening everyday and to read this blog MISS Tara Belle, I read and messaged her! Then later this blog got hacked Peppered in Style, and then this blog too Raelyns Roulette! Oh my gosh, how many people is this happening to? Girls with a following of 30,000 to 101K my gosh! People kept telling me, my account is being held for ransom you’ll get an email! Hours go by and still no email, it’s now late Thursday, no email and no help from Facebook/Instagram! I stick to trying to research for help and keep digging up people this has happened too, and the girls with the blog post, start to answer me back! Some paid and didn’t get their account back, one waited until she could get some help and one paid the day the email came and she negotiated ransom down and she got her account back! I still hadn’t gotten an email! At this point I am getting really worried, the more I investigate and I still DON’T have an email as to where my account is or what is happening! I finally had a friend on telegraph show me how to get to a place on Instagram that lets you click “I’ve been hacked” and it emails you a form! On that form it ask’s a series of questions and when was the LAST TIME you had control of your Instagram… I was glad I could remember 3:00! It’s now past working time on Facebook… I think I did this process at least 4 times, and didn’t hear back. People said it takes a long time to hear from Facebook/Instagram sometimes even 5-10 days!! It’s late and I don’t get any sleep… I dose off at some point & wake up to the dreaded EMAIL saying my account had been HACKED and that if I don’t pay in Bitcoin, my account will be deleted! WHAT??? I panicked…. I don’t have Bitcoin, I haven’t heard a thing from Facebook/Instagram…. what am I going to do? I emailed the criminal back to stall… I don’t have the money, I don’t have a bitcoin account etc., this goes on throughout the day and at the same time, I am getting the word out and sharing my story as much as I can and It’s really not looking good! I am thinking “Man, how am I gonna stall the hacker long enough for someone to answer back with help?”, should I just pay the ransom?

Then I prayed! I prayed God would put the right person in my path that would help me, that could lead me in the right direction! I prayed all day long, I asked friends who believe in the power of prayers to pray…. and guess what?? At 8:52 Friday night I get a message from Aurora McCausland A fellow blogger, but a total stranger that I did not know, had heard my story and wanted to help! She too had been hacked and she GOT HELP from a real person at Facebook with a direct email and wanted to share it with me and she also stated this man helped 3-4 others get their accounts back! She calmed me down by saying “do not answer the hackers emails any more, they’re just empty threats, he wants money he is not going to delete your account!” She was lucky to get her account back the day it was taken, but a couple of the others had to wait 3-5 days as well, due to the weekend. She said “Just try to stay calm, I am confident you will get your account back!” I emailed her contact and got an OUT OF OFFICE until Monday the 13th, this email will be deleted, basically email me again on Monday! OK, I will email Monday morning! Meanwhile I g0t contacted by Catherine Grace O’connell founder of Forever Fierce Revolution, stating she wants to help and will get in contact with her Facebook contact on Monday! She also wanted me to join her facebook group and share my story… I received an out powering of love and women wanting to help share my story and follow me! I was for very grateful for these ladies and to God, answering my prayers, He’s sending me people to help! I am at more peace on Saturday, but yet still scared and my mind wondering…What if I don’t get my account back? I starting praying “Lord I am giving this up to you! This is your battle, I trust in your outcome!

Sunday morning, I finally had a good nights sleep and I woke up to Olia Moda also a fellow blogger (her Blog here) with quite a large account and 4 1/2 years invested in her business, that her account had been hacked on the same day as mine and that in long short, she paid the hacker and he did not return her account! I felt so horrible for her, I am truly more sick for her because she has double my following and 2 1/2 more years invested then I did and she PAID these criminals! I seriously wanted to throw up for her! I was however grateful I had made the decision not to pay! I tried to encourage her like Aurora had me and thank goodness she also had faith, her account was going to be recovered! She also had a contact that she was trying to get into contact with and was going to share my story with her contact! Great, I now have 3 ladies with direct contacts at Facebook and Instagram!

I decide there is nothing I can do, I have given it to God and I am taking a break from any message-boards, and social media! I am spending the day with my family on the lake. We had a great day and I didn’t think of my loss, I didn’t touch my phone once….until after 6 PM! We were getting off the boat and heading to car and I see a text on my phone it’s Olia her account has been found!! I am texting her back with tears in my eyes and my phone rings, it’s Olia! I say in tears: “Stranger friend! I am so happy for you!” I truly was so excited her contact had recovered her account, it felt like we had been friends for years and the excitement I felt was unexplainable! Two strangers that became friends due to an event that brings us together and I honestly never thought of my account! To feel that joy for someone else, words can’t express! She then stated her guy had my info and make sure to have a brand new email account ready! We hang up, it was very emotional, I can’t even explain! I seriously cried tears of joy on the drive home. She will be sharing her story soon on: www.oliamoda.com, be sure to check it out too!

Sunday night, at 8:48 PM I get an email from Aurora’s contact that I had emailed (remember he’s on vacation and it’s Sunday). He emailed me stating he’s asked his team to look at my account and to please make sure to have a new secure email ready! I hadn’t looked at my mail…He emailed me again at 10:53 pm stating he needed a secure email account and I should hear from him by noon tomorrow! I noticed his email at 12:09am I emailed him back stating how grateful I was etc. and give him my new email. Talk about being at peace that someone was on it! At this point I never thought, “what if they can’t find it”! I dosed off and at 3:00 AM, It was like God whispered in my ear “look at your email” I shot up, opened my email and there it was….. My Account recovered and ready for a new password! I wanted to scream and dance!! Thank you, lord! I am so very grateful for yet another stranger working on a Sunday and opening an email, that said would be deleted! I wanted to hug and kiss him!! I emailed him back with gratitude and immediately TURNED ON the TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION!

I had to share this Photo, it’s how I felt when I got my account back!!

So, NOW.. I have shared my story! Here’s what you need to do, even if your business is not a blogger or influencer! On all of your accounts, from banking to social media, turn on Two Factor Authentication, this is normally found under the privacy and security of any website or app! This helps keep your accounts safe by sending a code to your cellphone number when someone is trying to sign into any of your accounts! In other words, if someone has your password and two factor authentication is on they still can’t access your account because they don’t have the passcode that was sent to your phone, so TURN IT ON NOW! It is the only thing that will truly keep your accounts safe.

*Can’t find the Two factory Authentication on your instagram? In the right corner of your main page, is a little Gear/cog/circle…click on that, then Privacy and settings, then scroll down, you’ll see Two factor Authentication, Click and turn on!

Also don’t click on links from unknown sources (on my blog you know my links are safe)! Hackers hide spyware in links, spyware can find out everything you’ve been up too and will take all of your information! (think of all the times you entered credit card number’s from shopping online!) Keep your identity and information safe!

If you get hacked…don’t panic! Even if you don’t have a direct contact, fill out the “I Got Hacked” form. It’s located on the log in page on Instagram, then go to forgot login, then on this page is trouble logging in. If you look to the middle in small print it says: “need more help?”, click this, it will take you to Request Support, scroll down to my account was hacked, click and add any additional details! This generates an email with questions, fill it out! Now this can take a couple days to get a response! BUT guess what? They do respond… so for those who get told, “Don’t count on Facebook or Instagram to help.” Don’t listen to them, I got an email back from Jeremy on Monday afternoon! I explained I was already helped and thanked him for contacting me.

Share… share your story on all social media, we need to make people aware of what’s going on and the dangers! Don’t be embarrassed, it’s happening to so many people and we need to talk about it! There will alway’s be criminals, but remember there is truly more good people in this world then the criminals and we can help each other out! Share, support, and stick together! Sharing also helps you get help, from an unknown source!

This is a Cybercrime, call and report it to your police department, if your police department doesn’t have a Cybercrime division your states FBI department does! (I am collecting names for our Local FBI as I write this)

REMEMBER: Don’t Click on Links You Don’t Know!

I will forever be grateful to all those who shared their story with me, sent encouraging notes & DM’s, followed me, followed my blog, asked me to join their group or pod, shared my story on their social accounts, sent over tips and even said prayers! I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and met some wonderful new friends!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my blog! OX, D’Arcy.

NOTE: As I am writing this post, I have learned of a NEW way hackers are bypassing the two factor authenticities, to get to Influencers accounts!!! They are sending a DM from the verify center which looks like it’s from Instagram… They are asking to give your account a verified badge (the little blue check by your name). It states your account has been viewed by instagram and is eligible, then to complete the verified account badge, you must specify that the account is up to date, this comes with a button: Verify My Account (a link), this is not from Instagram, DO NOT click on the button!

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