Dear D'Arcy – By D'Arcy Vandenberg

Valentine Outfit Inspirations

February 12, 2019

Sweater: Victoria Secret Cashmere line (sold out), similar here. Pants: here. Shoes: similar here. Vest: similar Here Jacket Here Vest.

Tee: similar Here here, Pants: similar here, Shoes: similar here, Jacket: here

(this sweater has hearts all over it) Sweater: similar here, Pants: here, Shoe Clips: similar here, Leather Jacket: here

Sweater (sold out): similar here, Pants: here, Shoes: similar here

Sweater: (sold out)similar here, Pants: similar here, Shoes: similar here

Don’t love hearts? Or haven’t started your collection? Think pink, red, burgundy, leopard, anything in that color way can work to create a fun and festive outfit. You don’t have to have hearts or love written on it! Beanies: Here, Kiss shoes that are so darling: Here Sweaters I love but not shown: Here Here Here Here

A collection of jewelry perfect for the month of love and really everyday! Start your collection today... Bag:Lex and Sullivan, Red Tassel Earrings: similar here, Hot Pink Tassel: similar here, Ombre Pink Earrings: similar here, Heart Hoop Set of 2: here, Love You More Necklace: similar here, Heart Necklace: similar here, Giving Key Necklace: sold on there website , Love Necklace: similar here

Hello Beautifuls, its been a little while since I’ve posted a blog post and I am so sorry! If you follow my Instagram and my stories I explained my little creative funk. Winter sometimes puts me in the blues and then add teaching full time to the mix and it took all my time. I have finished my long term teaching position and and am ready to poor my heart and soul out here. I’ll have to share about my experience teaching here soon! If you want to hear about it let me know!

Valentine’s day is tomorrow and I have been sharing inspiration all over my Instagram for the last couple of weeks and several of you asked to see more everyday outfit inspirations. You ask, I give! 🙂 In this post I wanted to share several looks you could get inspiration from and hopefully copy with similar items you have in your closet. Remember if you don’t have the exact item you can use “like” items… Think graphic tee, sweater, cardigan, leather coat, black jeans etc. I linked items that were in stock and other items that I loved or are similar. (Thank you so much for shopping my links and supporting my blog it really means the world to me!)

I adore the month of February, the month of all things love. My hubbies birthday is first part of the month, then Valentines day and we end with our Anniversary. We have something to celebrate each week and it helps this Winter month to go by FAST. I also love hearts and all things pink and red so i’ve been collecting pieces of clothing, jewelry, and decor that work for the month of love for years! Every year I pick up a couple more things. Don’t worry if you don’t have a huge Valentine collection, just think Pink, red, sparkly and even a touch of leopard. Valentines doesn’t have to be fancy or dressy either (although I always love a chance to dress up), I found I don’t dress up for Valentines (I do for our Anniversary). I normally work and cook a fun festive dinner for my family so I need more everyday looks that are festive and fun. This was the first February teaching school and I wore a fun Valentine look everyday last week and the kids and other teachers loved it. (especially the little girls!) That made my last week of school more fun! One of the things I realized about teaching that kids are so observant and really do love all the Holiday festive clothes and jewelry! (thank goodness I had a bunch of Christmas things to wear for the month of December) If you want to check out my festive Holiday looks I wore they are on my Instagram feed. So after all that… that is the reason for my outfit inspirations! Everyday Valentine’s day looks you can wear day or night.

I hope you find inspiration in this post and if you have questions or an idea you want me to blog about please leave a comment. Have a beautiful Valentine’s Day OX, D’Arcy!

Relaxing and Taking Care of Your Skin During The Busy Season With Saranghae

December 17, 2018

take time to relax with a bubblebath and skin care

The last 45 days I have had the pleasure to work with Saranghae (which means I love you in Korean!) I love that, and I love they think aging is something to be happy about – aging should be celebrated! I have also said this many times. I shared how I felt about aging in an older blog post here. Every age has something to celebrate and yet we don’t have to look our age and this is why I love their skincare line. It’s make a huge difference in the way my skin has been looking! My friends & family has really noticed a difference and have been asking me what I was doing. Well, Saranghae is my secret! I have enjoyed my weekly bubble baths and Saranghae face mask. It’s really important to take care of yourself especially during the hustle and stress of the Holiday season! Take some time for yourself, draw a bubble bath, and put on a face mask! That 20-40 mins will change your attitude and help your face.

Aging and its signs are a natural part of life, it’s inevitable but we don’t have to look our age. Saranghae’s mission is to make people around the world feel beautiful, confident, and proud to be in their skin. Using their Complete 5 Step Routine gives your skin everything it needs to age healthily and beautifully. It would make a great gift fo the woman in your life too!

take time to relax with a bubblebath and skin care

I want to share some of the questions Saranghae asked me before and after I started their program:

How do you feel about aging?

I love the lessons we learn from year to year as we grow older. I also love all the memories we create. Obviously I don’t like looking older! Who does? I feel blessed to have good genes as nobody guesses my age nor my moms! Let’s face it, it’s not all about genes, you have to eat right, drink lots of water and take care of your skin. I have been lucky to not have had to fight acne in my teens or adult years so thats been a plus!

How is using the Saranghae Routine made you feel about your self confidence & how important it is to take time for yourself?

I have loved how my skin is looking and how it doesn’t feel so dry. I really am seeing a difference in my cheeks, not as crepey! As for taking time for yourself, I am a firm believer in taking a bubble bath, having a cup of tea and doing a face mask twice a week. Maybe read a good book while doing both!

Share any improvements you have seen in your skin & how that makes you feel with us?

I shared a little of this above, but also my skin is softer, smoother and the smile lines smaller.

Humor! Any fun stories surrounding aging?

Well, my girlfriends and I have had some pretty funny stories about aging and things that change as we age and the differences we’ve seen specially after 40! Like dry skin, facial hair, falling skin, etc. We don’t take it too serious and try to encourage each other and share things that are working to improve our needs. Saranghae has been the products I’ve been sharing with them a lot lately! One of the benefits of maturity is you build wonderful friendships and with good friends you can be honest about your faults and be more open.

Can you share a message of how aging should be celebrated, shouldn’t be taken too seriously, Saranghae makes you feel confident and comfortable with aging & better in your skin?

As you age you start to feel beautiful in your own skin! In your 20’s your neglecting your skin and trying to find yourself, in your 30’s your busy raising kids, balancing a career and trying to find the right anti aging miracle cream, in your 40’s you find the things that matter most and you stop to celebrate! In my 40’s to be honest is when I’ve paid most attention to my skin, what it needs and ways to improve it! I have loved my skin in the last 45 days and excited to have found something that makes people ask what am I doing? Midlife doesn’t have to show in your skin! take time to relax with a bubblebath and skin care

5 STEP PRODUCTS

Saranghae =Nourishing & Moisturizing Oil & Foam Cleanser

Saranghae= Deep Radiance Essence + Serum

Saranghae =Firm & Lift Cellular Regeneration Cream

Saranghae= Elemental Essence Mask

Saranghae= Focus Renewal Eye Cream

45 days to fall in love with your skin or your money back!

My picks from Amazon Fashion!

December 7, 2018

Some of my Favorite Amazon Fashion picks! Tried and true at a great value. These make for great Holiday outfits and a great gift as well.

Hello Beautiful’s!

I’ve reported on some of the Amazon fashion before {here} and I am telling you there is some great deals and some really good quality pieces. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and really happy with the prices. You can even buy Jcrew on here now! Say what?

I wanted to scour the fashion department and see what I could dig up for you! Some of these items you have to grab quick because it’s a fab deal and lower quantity. Some pieces are great for Holiday outfits and even great for gifts. Mostly I choose pieces you can wear everyday throughout the Holidays and Winter! I see myself wearing the buffalo plaid button up with leggings on a snowy day wrapping gifts!:)

Henley top at a steal! perfect to wear on a casual day or layer under your favorite sweater or jacket. $1.99 Yes… you read that correct..$1.99 size up! At this price you can grab a couple!
V-neck ruffle sweater – One of my favorite sweaters to wear with jeans or with a pretty skirt for the Holiday’s. $49.00 and true to size.
Soft Heart Shape Balls Hand Knit V-Neck Sweater Pullover-Hand knit and so easy to wear. Pair with jeans or dresses for a easy-going also elegant look. Such beautiful quality and a great classic piece to add to your wardrobe. True to size $75
Women’s Turn Down Collar Asymmetric Hem Plaids Wrap Coat– Perfect for the cooler weather and still looking Chic. I love the lines and great for adding color to simple jeans and tee. True to size and a great price $44.99
Heart elbow patches sweater– a Perfect gift and so fun to wear. I get so many compliments on mine. $22.99-30
At the time I went to post this top SOLD out in All 3 colors sorry!
Women’s Long Sleeve Bow Tie Ruffle Collar Lace Chiffon Blouse– What a deal at $18.99 and perfect for your Holiday outfits or for the office. I would even wear it with jeans and heals. Size up
Plaid & check button up top– This top is great to layer with legging and jeans, perfect for a casual day and a steal at $4.99 true to size or size up to wear larger and cozier with leggings! Makes a great gift for the person on your list that likes leggings or a cabin look!
Star knit sweater – Chicwish Women’s Comfy Casual Long Sleeve Shredded Stars Print Black and White Knit Top Pullover Sweater $43.00 Have you tried any fashion from amazon? How about your Holiday shopping are you just getting started or finished? Me? We’ll I have a light year this year. Our boys want 1 larger item and we’re traveling for the Holiday’s this year so my list really isn’t very large. This year we wanted to do things with our family verses purchasing a bunch of gifts for each other. I might miss wrapping the piles and piles of gifts I normally have surrounding the trees! I’ll keep you posted:) on that! Do you love wrapping? I think the gift of a beautiful package is just as important as whats inside….but thats just me.. I love to wrap! Make sure to follow my instagram, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite ways to wrap over there and in my instastories. Happy Shopping beautiful’s! OX, D’Arcy

Ps: Stay tuned for My November favorites, December Bucket list and My Holiday entertaining, decorating and recipes all coming this month! What are you most excited for?

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!

3 Ingredient, Quick & Easy Appetizer Perfect for the Holiday’s

November 30, 2018

Step 1 & 2 &3
unroll the crescent pack and use one section of 4 per each block of cream cheese. stretch dough out just a little and pinch the triangles together.
next: place cream cheese in center and cover with dill.

Step 4
cover the block of cream cheese with the crescent roll leave end unsealed and cut off a 1/2 inch strip from each end then pinch together the ends like shown. I really press everything together until smooth.

Step 5
cut strips into 10 smaller rectangles. Use the 10 pieces to create pedals and balls. Or create your own design. Brush with egg white if you wish. Step 6 repeat with other block of cream cheese and remaining 4 crescents.

Step 7 place in a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees until golden brown. ( the egg white wash helps it brown golden)

Step 8 serve warm with crackers.

Step 9 Spread it on a cracker of your choice. This goes quick and doesn’t last at parties. It take about 15 mins to prepare and 15 min in oven (depending on oven)

Hello Beautiful’s!

I hope you had a wonderful week. I know I love when we get an extra week from Thanksgiving to December. It really does help you be more prepared for the Christmas season. With all the Holiday parties fast approaching, I am sure you will be attending one or two that requires you to bring a dish or appetizer to share. I wanted to share with you our families fast and easy appetizer! Crescent dill cream cheese spread. You’ll whip this up so fast and people will think you slaved for hours. It’s been a favorite in our home for twenty something years and I always have the ingredients on hand so I can whip it up on a moments notice! A great tip if you have visitors popping by.

You’ll need:

1 can of crescent rolls

2 cream cheese blocks

Dill seasoning

and 1 egg for egg whites, brush on top before baking

9×9 baking pan

butter or spray to grease pan

Follow the steps above. I love you can pre make a day or two before hand (Non- baked) stick in fridge. Bake right before you’re heading to party.

I hope you’ll try this yummy dish for one of your Holiday parties and stop back by here and tell me how everyone liked it! Here’s to a perfect and easy Holiday season! OX, D’Arcy

Family Photo Christmas Cards

November 26, 2018

Hello Beautiful’s,

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Basic Invite to create our Family Photo Christmas card this year. I don’t know about you but I love receiving Photo cards this time of the year and seeing how everyones families have grown. Sending out Photo Christmas cards has always been our family tradition and I hope people enjoy getting them as much as we love sending & receiving them.

Working with Basic Invite was a joy to create. I loved the selection and the variety of shapes. Truly custom from picking the card and then making it your own from the shape, fonts, adding verbiage and picking the ink color, I loved metallic & shimmer was a choice as well. You even choose the envelope color (I love the peel and stick closer) and you can have them mail them for you if you wish. It’s a huge plus that they have a fast 5 day turn around and are a local Utah company. Are you sending out Holiday or Business cards this year? Give Basic Invite a try you won’t be disappointed!

Here are some of the option details that makes working with Basic Invite better then other card companies:

Almost Unlimited Colors – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. This is what we feel sets us apart from almost any other online stationery company and is what we feel is our biggest draw.

Custom Samples – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as feel the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order.

Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes – Basic Invite is just as colorful with our envelopes as we are with our invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of our envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed without licking a single one.

Address Capturing Service – Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows customers to simply share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other form of social media to request their friends and family’s addresses which will be stored in the customer’s account and can then be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all Family Christmas card orders.

Foil – Foil holiday cards are available in gold, silver, and rose gold. Customers can choose flat or raised foil on all of Basic Invite’s foil designs.

Over 500 Christmas card and holiday card designs

Right now Basic Invite is offering 30% off with coupon code: holi30

You can find them @basicinvite on Facebook, instagram, Twitter, Pintrest

Thank you for following along with me and may you have a merry season! OX, D’Arcy

My Top Picks for Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday and Cyber Monday

November 23, 2018

Hello Beautiful’s,

I Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and that your ready for the start of the Holiday season! I wanted to share with you some of my favorite deals, codes and links for some of my favorite shopping sites for Black Friday, Shop Small business Saturday and cyber Monday! These deals are Hot and on valid for a short time so grab them quick! (Some of these companies I make a small commission when you shop my link and others I don’t I just wanted to share the deal! So thank you for your support!)

Kut from the Kloth =Today 30% off with code KUTBF and heres an extra $20.00 to use as well KUTCASH4397 * plus you get a FREE light up lip gloss with $100.00 purchase. I bought a pair of Diana grey cords total $29 yippie! SHOP Here
Victoria Emerson= My favorite wraps on SALE for 1 hour $12.99 Shop happy hour….After that it’s Buy one get one free… Using code PREVIEW I picked up a couple for girlfriend gifts and you should too! SHOP Here
The Bagtique= VIP 25% off everything code VIPBFW Storewide and no exclusions! The place to shop for fun bags, accessories and fun pen sets. I got this great silver bag perfect for the Holidays. I also grabbed some earrings & pen sets for a couple of gifts. SHOP here
Shopbop= up to 25%off full price items and up to 75% off sale items and 15% off orders of $200 20% off orders of $500 and 25% off orders $800 with Code MORE18. I bought this cute sweater and some great gifts head over for a great collection of clothing, bags, shoes and accessories. SHOP here
Buxom=25% off the total site code AFFBF18 ! Great gifts and fun stocking stuffers! Really who doesn’t love make up and fun packaging! SHOP here
Nordstrom= They have a SCORE up to 60% off ending Monday! I love Nordstrom and found a ton of great gifts for my boys and hubby plus a couple little things for my up coming trip! SHOP here
BareMinerals =The Stars Align: 20% Off $100+ Use code: SHINE. Valid 11/19-11/24 at . BLACK FRIDAY EXCLUSIVE: Solar Spectrum 10-piece full-size face collection for only $49. A $183 value. While supplies last. Valid 11/22-11/23 . 1 DAY ONLY PRECIOUS METALS: Cream Metal Eyeshadow trio for only $25. A $51 value. While supplies last. Valid 11/24 CYBER MONDAY EXCLUSIVE: Enjoy 25% off your purchase plus Free Standard Shipping on every order with promo code CYBER2018. Plus Receive a full-size bronzer & highlighter palette ($34 value) with $75 purchase. Valid 11/25-11/26 Full-size BRILLIANT FUTURE Age Defense & Renew Serum ($55 value) is on us when you spend $75. Valid 11/27-11/28 FREE SHIPPING SITEWIDE For a limited time, enjoy Free Standard Shipping with code HOLIDAYSHIP. Valid 11/27-12/16 SHOP here bareMinerals.com.
Hunter boots= 30% off entire site. Who doesn’t want a cute new pair of boots for Christmas? I do! SHOP Here
Dolce Vita= 30% off entire site Code BLKFRI30. Well because you know how much I love shoes! Go grab your self a pair. SHOP here Shop Small Saturday being a former small business owner I know how important this is and I can’t wait to get out and shop some of my favorite small businesses! Here is some of my favorite small businesses and if your not local most of them have a website. These are not sponsored in any way just some great little shop I frequent. Emie James 30% off your favorite item Home decor & flowers, Simply Eden Soap Free gifts and different levels of shopping soaps and gifts, Rowan Boutique 25% off online purchase clothing boutique, James Ascher Clothing boutique Buy 1 reg priced item Get 2 items @30% off, The Treasure Basket 10% off All Christmas. Please get out and shop Small Tomorrow, these business owners work really hard and love what they do and without brick and mortar shops our communities would not be as strong. They giveback and support community events and charities. Without supporting them they cannot do the things that make the special. Cyber Monday Most of the deals above are going through Monday but I’ll check back in with more updates and list some other specials as they pop up! So stay tuned. I hope you enjoy some of my Favorite sales grab some great deals and check out some of my favorite Small boutiques! Also I am trying to decide how I want to decorate our home for the Holiday’s so head over to my instastory and Vote…. Red & black or Winter wonderland gold & silver! OX,D’Arcy

Thanksgiving Dining Tablescape

November 22, 2018

Vintage silverware, gold and silver china, gold and silver accessories, woodland accessories, bristle trees, bottle trees, place settings, antlers, woodland.

Vintage pearl& gold silverware {Similar HERE} & {HERE}, gold and silver china, {SIMILAR HERE} gold and silver accessories, woodland accessories, {SIMILAR HERE}&{HERE} bristle trees, bottle trees, {HERE}&{HERE}place settings, antlers, woodland place card holders, layered table clothes{SIMILAR HERE} &{HERE} and gold dipped steam wear glasses {SIMILAR HERE} {HERE} adorn our table top.

Our kitchen coffee & coco bar. Who doesn’t love a warm drink in the winter?

Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours!

I wanted to share our Thanksgiving table setting with you. It’s not the traditional Fall feel with leaves and pumpkins, I went with a winter white, silver, and gold theme. It feels elegant and warm don’t you think? To give it a Thanksgiving feel I picked up this fun silver pheasant from Target and added antlers and wooden details. TIP: for adding layers to your table-scape find items around your home that work in your color/theme. Pay attention to heights, find items from low to high, but not too high that you can’t see around it. I love pieces that are general and don’t scream a certain holiday so you can use them more often. Items like glass, mercury glass, and solid colors like gold, silver, white, and red (red works for Christmas, Valentines day and Summer). Pieces that give your table a glow like candles, votives, and candle sticks are great pieces to collect. Another TIP I love to share is layer your tablecloth, this works great if you don’t have the perfect size for your table. Here I used a large plain white tablecloth that fits the table and to add a pop of design. I used the gold stripe tablecloth that was meant for a smaller table but you would wouldn’t notice it doesn’t fit the table because of the layering. I also like to layer different tablecloths of different sizes if you don’t have one that fits! Just remember they need to be in the same color family for it to work. Our table is for 8, yet I always buy everything in sets of 12. I do this in case anything breaks or if I have extra people we can make a kid table for 4 at our kitchen island. It is also because I am a little bit of a collector….(my boys are going to hate me when I die!)

I just love collecting things to entertain and make life beautiful, I can throw any kind of party on a moments notice because of the pieces i’ve collected over the years! So If you’re wanting to build your entertaining collection keep following along with me. I plan on sharing more of my entertaining tips and collections with you as I have had so many of you ask for me to share this part of my life. Would you like a list of my basic entertaining starter kit? This would be the must have items and then be able to build from that. *If so please leave a comment below.

I love Thanksgiving and spending time with family and friends over good food and I know you do too! So next time make it a beautiful experience and share your love over a beautiful designed table, there is no better way to show off the hard work you spent in the kitchen. TIP: You can build your perfect table-scape weeks before to take the pressure off.

May you have a beautiful Thanksgiving, yummy food and a great time with your family and friends. We’ll be having a Friendsgiving as all of our family is out of town. OX, D’Arcy

PS: Are you excited for Black Friday or do you stay home and put up Christmas? This is my first year not in retail for the Holidays and I can’t tell you how excited I am! I’ll be staying home to decorate and enjoy my family. I will be shopping a little online and I can’t wait to share with you all the deals I found this week for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday! My DEAL post will go live tonight at MIDNIGHT!

This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own and I appreciate your support.

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.

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