Tied With a Bow

My family isn't really too keen on Black Friday shopping, but this year we happened to be shopping ON Black Friday because it was the only day that my mom, my sister and I all had together before she left and I left to go back to school!

We didn't go to Target or WalMart or anything crazy, but instead just walked around downtown Annapolis. Of course, we had to go into the Pink Crab, and I actually found a top (shhh, I don't know about it!) that had sold out in South Carolina so that ended up making it's way home for Christmas. (AGAIN, SHHH! IT'S A SURPRISE!)

I think that big bow ring that, a gift with purchase from the Pink Crab (and I'm assuming all the Lilly stores), was my favorite part of Black Friday! There's a matching earring set too:

These come in all gold (AMAZING) and navy too!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas time, and especially working during Christmas time, is wrapping gifts! These bow accoutrements are right up my alley--too cute!

xxKatie

Big Apple Red

I LOVE red nails.

Some people love red lips, but for me, red nails are where it's at! I think they are very classic looking and I think of red as a nail neutral. I currently am wearing OPI's Big Apple Red and have a very high gloss top coat on top of it! I am off to the beach and I know that Big Apple Red will stand up to the sand and seas.

Red nails are good for summer, fall, winter OR spring, which makes them perfect for transition times too! I love the way they look paired with almost anything. Big Apple Red is one of the best "true reds" that I have, but y'all know I love Essie's Geranium too! That's a ton more orange though, so I stick with Big Apple Red when I want real red!

What's your current color? Fill me in!

xxKatie

The Ring

So awhile back I told y'all about my big 21st birthday gift! My parents and I decided on a signet ring in December. Because of Christmas timing and everything, the ring would not be ready for 6-8 weeks when I wouldn't be home. I got over it, and knew I'd be reunited with my ring over Spring Break.

Well my sneaky Mom shipped it to me hidden among my Valentine's dresses and candy. I was shocked when I first saw it: it was PERFECT!

Sorry it's a little blurry, I have quite a shaky hand in the Macro setting on my camera! Anyway, I went with a traditional monogram with cRa and I wear it on my left hand ring finger. We got this signet ring from a local jeweler in Annapolis where we've gotten a few other pieces before. The script on the ring is special to the jeweler and I have a silver cuff that I got for being my sister's Confirmation sponson that has the matching script.

My right hand ring finger is occupied by my graduation ring:

I posted about this awhile back, I'm still in love with this ring every time I see it. It's a Pandora ring, and part of their stackable line--I see it often on Pinterest actually! I get a little chuckle whenever I see people pin it!

I don't really wear a lot of jewelry regularly, but I wear these two rings 24/7. They both are very special and I am reminded of my family every time I look at them. Both were given to me for momentous occasions in my life and they always put a smile on my face! I know this update took long enough, but I'm excited to share with everyone!

Are there pieces of jewelry in your collection that are special to you?

xxKatie

Hands 101

This is my new color, OPI's "I Don't Know...Beets Me!" and I LOVE IT! For the first time in awhile, I'm thinking for the first time since before Thanksgiving, I picked my color AT the nail salon earlier this week! Shocking, I know! 

It reminds me a lot of one of my previous colors, Essie's "Fruit Sangria" but it's a very wearable pink. I think that pinks like this one are very clean looking. I know a lot of people disagree and only ever wear light pinks, and neutrals, but I'm a pink fan. It's perfect for this Valentine's Day season too! 

It also compliments my birthday gift! I'm not sure if y'all remember what my 21st birthday gift was, but I got a gold signet ring with my full monogram! It arrived home about a month ago, but unfortunately I wasn't home to meet! My sneaky Mom (see video above...that's how I greeted her on the phone afterwards) snuck the ring into one of my Valentine's Day care package bags! I had no idea! 

The shape of mine looks VERY similar to this one. It's traditional, a circle (I specifically wanted that) and sports my cRa monogram! I can't stop looking at it!! It was the best gift I've ever gotten and I'm so thankful for it!! Once this week is over, I'll be sure to post a picture of MY real thing! Our jeweler who made the ring for us, has a very distinct script font that is in another bracelet that I have and is different than most scripts!

What's your current color? Fill me in (manicure joke!)!!!

xxKatie

Signet Rings

Add a monogram to this baby and it's an ideal signet ring! I love the way these look: timeless, clean, and match everything. Signet rings are a wonderful go-to if you need a special gift, are celebrating a hallmark event like a graduation or important birthday or to commemorate something big. 

I'm typically not a gold loving girl, but I much prefer gold signet rings over silver ones. I do however, absolutely adore this old school circle monogram! If I ever got a signet ring, this would be the kind of monogram I'd want! 

Here are several styles! While I do like the single letter engravings, the monograms are so special because they commemorate different times in your life! Some monograms celebrate your childhood and others celebrate a fun, new married life!

There are so many ways to personalize your own signet rings!

Do you have a ring like these? When did you get it? What does yours look like?

xxKatie