Happy National Vodka Day!

I am here to share the exciting news: its national vodka day!

Just in case you didn't wake up late this morning and think "well I am already late might as well catch up on facebook, twitter and instagram" like me! This morning was my entire 5 alarm symphony was no match to my laziness. I suppose staying up after the debate googling the Lilly elephant print was not the best idea. Any who! After reading 9000000 debate statuses I happened upon a hidden gem: "its national vodka day...." To keep it classy I will leave the exact status off the blog.

In honor of National Vodka Day here is one of my favorite seasonal cocktails!

Pumpkin Spiced Martini

1 part Vanilla Vodka

1 part Pumpkin Vodka

1 part Irish Cream (or Pumpkin Spice flavored Irish Cream)

Garnish with Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Pour in shaker over ice. Shake. Strain. Serve!

                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                     Picture from Great Performances

If it Doesn't Move, Monogram it!

I have been asked questions on instagram lately about my Marley Lilly Clutches. I recently purchased the basic 3 styles they offer: The Peyton, The Luxe, and the Penny.  I feel like I can't get enough, and for under $40 I can certainly afford a few more! I do recomend paying more attention to the names of the colors versus the color of the images. I noticed that were differnt veiws of the same item and the color looked very differnt so I kinda expected it. But for example the image to the far right is bright pink, and the purse in person is a bight pink.

 

                                    

I love them all but for various reason.

The Peyton is prob my fav. It reminds me of a motercycle bag, and it's the most versital in my opinion. I would concider it a bit of an oversized clutch... which I tend to lean toward. The material looks very leather like and with the zippers on the front I am able top put my make up, keys, sunnies, and cell inside without it looking bumpy and over stuffed. The con is the color selection is not as great as some of the other options. I opted for black. It reminds me of a motercycle bag. They sell it as a clutch but it does come with a strap. You could sew it on but honestly it would make a rather large cross body anyways.  

The Luxe! The perfect GNO or summer clutch. I LOVE the brass closer on the front. Its so classic. In my oppinion this is the perfect size clutch. The con is that  the  the hook that conects the chain strap is to small to connect it to the hook in the the bag.

The Penny! This is the perfect size for carrying documents or an Ipad. It's the biggest of them all, and can fit an IPad with room to spare. This would make a great interview purse if purchased in a nuteral color. The con is that its so large and thin if you put anything in that isn't flat it looks really over stuffed. Even my ipda along with bronzer a brush, macera, and car keys made it looked over stuffed.

Thinking Pink!

Welcome to October AKA Pink Month! For October I have made my blog... and most of my life pink!

Breast cancer is something near to my heart. I'll blog more about that and this weekends event tomorrow.

Today I thought I would start the month off by spending some (of you) money on all things PINK! 

My most recent OBSESSION is my Old Navy Track Jacket. It is the perfect go to running or erands jacket! Its just the right leanght so its below my waistline, but not so long that it looks extra long. I am 5'8 and I have a hard time finding athletic attire that doesn't creep up while i work out, or bend over. The sleeves are also Plenty long, and have a cute and comfy thumb hole!

Ulta has some great deals both online and instore. There are a couple cute ways to donate, and several items I already purchase packed in Pink! What girl doesn't need a pink lip stick?

     

 I have serveral items from Marley Lilly lined up to wear this month. This being Day 1!

I am obsessin over this necklace and earings by Ann Taylor Loft! They are designed by Guliana Rancic and  25% of each item's purchase is donated to Breast Cancer Research.

 

Cheers To finding a Cure!

XOXO Elle

The Rack Pack

This Saturday I participated in Race for the Cure Cincinnati, along with 19,000 other Cincinnatians and many other around the US. I will never miss it again. Yep, that pretty much sums it up!

Cincinnati.com

(From Cincinnati.com)

There were people shoulder to shoulder on a 5 lane street at least 1/2 mile deep.

Every. Single. One. had a signed tagged to their backs with "In memory of..." or "In celebration of..." pinned to their back. I saw one lady with 14 names.

(from Cincinnati.com)

"Aunt Carol me miss you"

"I am running for my Mama! Ever single step is for you."

"My Brest Cancer Sisters"

"My Wife. My Mother. My Aunt. My sister."

I ran for: "My Grandma Stewart"

She was diagnosed when I was a very little girl. Too Little to understand at all. I never went to the hospital, I never knew of a surgery or chemo. To this day all i really remember is what I thought was a small pillow she put in one side of her bra. I remember knowing she wasn't well but she never stopped allowing me to be a spoiled little brat. I spent every day of every summer with her. Just me and her (and I am sure some imaginary friends.) And yet I never feel like it was enough time. She passed away when I was 18 of a complication from some surgery she had before I was born.

I never released how breast cancer effected so many people. I set out for just another 5K, and was speechless as I walked through the 19,000 others. I was nearly in tears at the support of families gathered in matching grab surrounding a pink shirt survivor, and so so impressed when I saw a group of about 10 twenty something boys all next to their mothers. It was amazing  standing at the ZTA tent as they placed a pink ribbon on a pink hat for each year the survivor had so far won the fight... and they almost ran out of room on the hat.  If you have never done this event, you absolutely have to get your butt outta bed next year and get walking. I promise, you will thank me.

Cheers to finding a cure!!!!!

XOXO Elle