Halloween Special: Easy Caramel Apples

While I was home for fall break this weekend I got a chance to make the simplest caramel apples.

What I used:
Red Apples (but I think green would taste better)
Caramel Sheets
Wax Paper/Cookie Sheet
Oven

What I Did:

    

End Result:

Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday to my Nana!

xoxo.

   

catch ya later

I'm jetting off to Dallas/Austin for fall break!

xoxo.

Fashionable Football Saturdays

I pulled together a couple of different looks you can wear tailgating and to the game on Saturday, no matter where you go to school.

game day outfits by hktinsley featuring frye boots

Look One.
When I think football games I think cowboy boots. I paired them with a flirt shirt and feminine top (also seen in my last polyvore set) in my school colors to show my school pride!

Look Two.
This outfit is geared towards an SEC football game. Girls in the south love to dress up and football games are no exception.  I picked out a TIBI dress, since the brand is so youthful and contemporary.

Look There.
In my opinion this outfit would fly at any tailgate, at any school, no matter who you are (fan, student, alumni). Everyone should invest in a great pair of riding boots for fall.

We have a week off here in Tuscaloosa, so I expect everyone to be working on their outfits for the biggest game of the year on Nov. 5. Roll Tide!



xoxo.

DIY Halloween Costumes.

I feel like girls sometimes get backed into a corner for Halloween costumes. As far as pre-packaged costumes go, they are usually "sexy" Fill in the Blank, that cost nearly $50 and look extremely cheap. I rounded up some great alternatives that are way cuter and cost efficient than anything you can find at Target.

1. Carrie Bradshaw
There are three different ways to go about this. The First Way is in my opinion the most iconic. Every girl knows the opening credits of Sex and the City, where Carrie gets splashed in her Tutu. This outfit would be so easy to put together, all you need is a tutu, pink tank and some stilettos. If you more of a DIY girl check out the tutorial Lauren Conrad featured recently. The second way is to go for the high fashion look, Carrie was never afraid of what she wore. Lastly, the Halston Heritage dress. You could go for the investment and buy the exact dress or you could save on this look alike for around $20 at forever 21.

2. Blair Waldorf (Back in the Constance days)

The key to dressing like Blair Waldorf is colorful and classic. For this look you'll need bright tights and flats, a mini skirt paired with an oxford and blazer. All of these things can be items you already own or items you can use to build your wardrobe. To polish off the outfit add a structured bag and fun headband. 

3. Kate Middleton/Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

Feel like you were meant to be born or marry into Monarchy? Then channeling everyone's favorite princess may be just the outfit for you! You can go all out with the princess bride look tiara and all. If you're not that flashy go for a toned down look with a royal blue quarter-sleeve dress (similar to the one Kate wore to announce her engagement). J.Crew has a dress that would work great, not only will you be looking like the Duchess herself, but it would also be an investment for your closet. If you are looking to spend a minimal amount of money, wear a shift dress you already own and add a outrageous hat to get the Kate look! Don't forget to wear a large "Sapphire" ring.

 

Still not satisfied? Head on over to What I Wore. She has been putting together some creative and fun costumes! 

xoxo.

The third Saturday in October

This weekend was the clash of crimson and orange! Everywhere you looked there was a spot of Tennessee orange, luckily the crimson prevailed in this old time rivalry! 

My sweet friend Emily's parents tailgate!

Orange beer from Knoxvegas (taken with instagram)

Reliving Freshman year

 Jersey Day! (not to worry we will be dressing our best for the LSU game!)

My Sweet friend Mary Beth

Typical

(Taken with instagram)

End of a great day!

Thanks Kristin for taking pictures!

xoxo.

College Prep Giveaway!

Love your school colors? Love Jack Rogers? If your answers are yes and yes, check out the College Prepster's current giveaway!

(Via College Prep)

Here is the link for a chance to win your own College Colored Navajos!

xoxo.

Weekly Blog Roundup

Here's this weeks blog roundup:

One. The Perfect Pear
Lauren has it all!

Two. Deliciously Organized
Can't wait to try this lip scrub!

Three. Cupcakes and Cashmere
I can't believe I haven't mentioned this one yet! Emily is SO great, it's one of my daily reads!

Four. Sanity Fair
Dallas Shaw tweeted about this blog and I instantly feel in LOVE!!

Five. The Sartorialist
High fashion all the time.


Sorry for the lack of pictures, but be looking forward to next week! It's all Halloween themed aka LOTS of orange!

xoxo.

Frost Yourself

Loco for Lulu by hktinsley featuring a pearl necklace

I LOVE Lulu Frost! They have such fun and youthful pieces that I can't get enough of. Lucky for me Lulu Frost designs for J.Crew from time to time and offers great pieces at a faction of the cost! Want to check out more on Lulu Frost? Head over to their tumblr page.

These are what I'm currently lusting over:

$155.00 lulufrost.com

(Incase MG is reading)

xoxo.

Simmering Soup

Since it is actually starting to feel like fall around here, I have been constantly craving soup!

Here are a couple of hearty soup recipes to warm you up on a brisk fall day.


Chicken Noodle Soup
My mom always makes homemade chicken noodle soup and I can never get enough of it!

Taco Soup
A easy and flavorful recipe!

Don't have the time to whip up these recipes? If you have a Corner Bakery or La Madeleine near by, drop in and buy a jar of yummy Tomato Basil soup!

Happy cooking!

xoxo.

How-To: Sparkle Pumpkins

This weekend I tackled my sparkle pumpkin project and couldn't be happier! I improvised on Martha Stewart's directions.

Materials Needed:
Pumpkins
Krylon's Glitter Blast
Glossy Top Coat
Acrylic Paint (optional)

Directions: 

1. Coat first pumpkin with Glitter 

Let dry then repeat

2. Paint Stem then finish off with Gloss

And Voila! 

Before:

After:

Easy and Painless!

xoxo.

Well Done Weekend

Here is a quick glimpse into my weekend:

There was crafting, hw, sleeping, BIG/LITTLE! (I'm so old, I'm a grand big!), and fresh coat of girly nail polish (lovie dovie by essie). Hope your weekend was as enjoyable as mine!

xoxo.

Weekly Blog Roundup

Here are my favorite blogs this week.

One. Dilly Dallas
Dilly Dallas is the blog of creative illustrator Dallas Shaw. Her work has been commissioned by Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren, DKNY, and my fav Jack Rogers.  This is one of my daily must reads.

(Via Dallas Shaw/Jack Rogers)

Two. Refinery 29

I'm not going to lie, Refinery is very overwhelming. I didn't know where to start first, so my suggestion is to sign up for their daily email so you can navigate the wealth of fashionista info they contain. 

Three. The Glitter Guide

I first started following The Glitter Guide on tumblr this week, then I fell in love with their regular site. They featured this AWESOME DIY necklace this week.

(Via The Glitter Guide)

Four. The Now

I was so excited to find out that the girls that run this blog are from Dallas! I always love to see what other Dallas natives love about our city! 

Five. Simply Irresistible

Lara of simply irresistible has guest bloggers that do city guides, they are so great! She also did a Glitter Pumpkin DIY... (PS the girls from The Now wrote the Dallas city guide!)

(Via Simply Irresistible)

xoxo.

p.s. you can follow me on tumblr now! shereaditinablog.tumblr.com

I spy a weekend project

These glitter pumpkins are on my weekend DIY todo list.

(via Apartment Therapy) 

xoxo

October Essentials

October Essentials by hktinsley featuring embroidery dresses

1. Zara Pokadot Top: $60, 2. Ralph Lauren Belt: $47, 3. J.Crew Jeans: $98, 4. Anthropologie Dress: $358, 5. Lulu Frost for J. Crew Earrings: $65, 4. Tod's Loafers: $395, 5. Essie Polish: $8, 6. Crystal Mask: £1,530 

Thoughts behind my polyvore set:

To me the month of October is all about orange, even though I have a few friends who dipute this and claim to be "allergic" to orange aka the Auburn/Clemson haters. For me, as soon as I saw that Anthropologie dress, I was in LOVE (I guess the years of growing up in a U of Texas house wore off on me). Next, I'm a firm believer that every girl should have a pair of straight leg jeans in a dark wash. You don't need any loud embellishment or colorful stitching, a plain classic pair will carry you from season to season. The pink belt incorporated for breast cancer awareness. Lastly every girl needs a crystal Halloween mask. 

xoxo

Healthy Hair is Happy Hair

About a year and a half ago I cut off 11inches of my hair for Locks of Love. It was something I had always wanted to do, but now I'm dying for long hair again. In order to grow my hair back out I'm trying to keep it as healthy as possible.

Here's what I'm doing to keep my hair healthy.

One. Say goodbye to the straightener and blowdryer.
I know it's a tough relationship to part with but, in order for healthy hair to happen it's necessary. It's common sense, how can applying that much heat be remotely healthy for your hair? If you must keep the hot tools around opt for a newer model blowdryer and learn to blowout your hair straight to skip the straightener.  (if I'm in a time crunch, I only use the cool feature on my blowdryer)

Two. Find the right brush for your hair.
According to Good House Keeping online when it comes to brushes, "Bristles are the key to preventing breakage".  Pick out a brush with soft bristles, that you will clean regularly. These soft bristled brushes lead to less breakage in your hair.

Three. Use healthy styling products.
Earlier this week I was really looking into investing in Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, it is $23 for a 4 oz bottle. Since I'm not blowdrying my hair I thought beachy waves would be a cute and easy style. After reading some reviews, I decided that the Surf Spray would be the last thing I should put in my hair. Apparently the product dries out your hair terribly. Ask your hairstylist for a list of healthy products for your hair type.

Four. Trim your hair often.
Everyone has heard the myth that the more you trim the faster your hair grows. It actually doesn't work this way, but getting rid of the dead-ends makes anyone's hair look a million times healthier.  Thinking about this, I'm due for a trim (hopefully Dom can fit my in during fall break).

End of freshman year, me and Dom after the big cut.

xoxo.

midterm Tuesday

Taking the day off due to midterms, wish me luck!

xoxo.

current obsessions

Here's what I'm loving this week:

One. Sephora by OPI "Only Gold for Me Top Coat"

 little sparkle (Taken with instagram) 

Two. Cable Knit Sweaters

Cute and Comfy (J. Crew)

Three. Leopard Print Phone Case

The best purchase I made all weekend (J. Crew)

Four. Tortoise Shell Barrette

Ann Taylor Loft

Happy Columbus day! "In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue"

xoxo.

Weekly Blog Roundup

This week I've been all about clean cut lines and the classics, so I'm sharing my favorite preppy blogs.

One. Vickers & Patrick
This is the blog of New England designer Kiel James Patrick (known for his bracelets) and his girlfriend Sarah Vickers. After reading I want to have a New England weekend getaway ASAP.

Two. Unabashedly Prep
I have fallen in love with F.E. Castleberry's photos. He actually took photos of KJP and SV in this month's issue of Matchbook Mag.

Three. Prepfection
She just seems to pull all the things I'm currently loving together.

That's all I have for y'all, it's been an exhausting week (homecoming at the Capstone).

xoxo.

Polish Party: Fall 2011

I love love love nail polish! Unfortunately most of my colors are a little too summery...

(my bathroom)

I'm trying to build up a better color collection to transition into the cooler weather. My current go-to fall polish is OPI's Jade is the New Black, while I love it, I need to spice things up a bit. So here are my favorite polishes I'm currently lusting over for the fall.

butter LONDON '3 Free - Wallis' Nail Lacquer 

Chanel- Black Pearl

Deborah Lippmann- Fashion

Plus all of Essie's Fall collection

Also I'm currently in pursuit of the perfect red and I'm open to all suggestions! 

xoxo.