Five Things Friday

Five Things Friday by erin-rucker-richardson featuring rampage shoes

1. Rampage Icon Boot in Cognac (these are from Belk and are on a crazy good Black Friday sale $19.99!!!)  My sweet husband got these for me for Christmas and I have been wearing them nonstop!! 

2. Monogram Tote from  I Flew the Nest...seriously is it not GORGEOUS!!!  It is a perfect size, looks so classy and It has a big zip pocket in the middle and two big side pockets for ultimate organization.  I am in love!! 

3. If I Stay I got this movie for Christmas and finally got around to watching it.  I read the book a couple of months ago so I knew the story.  I thought they did a great job portraying the story and keeping with the book.  Makes you really take your life into perspective and hold your loved ones a little closer.  

4. Downton Abbey The premiere just came on Sunday and I was so excited!  It was a little slow but midway through it picked up and I am so excited for this season!  

5. Tarte Bon Voyage Collector's Set and Travel Bag So my husband go this for me for Christmas and I am absolutely in love with it!!  First of all how beautiful is that cosmetic case?  Gold foil ahhh!  The eyeshadow palette is gorgeous, there are some beautiful nudes in it both matte and shimmer.  The lip products are beautiful, a perfect lip color like your lips but better.  I haven't tried the other items yet but I know they will be beautiful!  Unfortunately this was limited edition from Sephora but you can get it on amazon.  

Stuff the stocking guide for girls

stocking stuffers for girls by erin-rucker-richardson featuring a maybelline mascara

1.Orbit Sweet Mint Gum- $3 for a pack of 3, candy of any kind is great for a stocking, this jus happens to be my favorite gum. 

2. Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit- $16, This all-inclusive kit is designed to help women survive beauty, fashion, and personal care predicaments. Fix flyaways with a teeny-tiny hairspray and bobby pins, stop runs in your hose with clear nail polish, or mend a fallen hem with double-sided tape. This collection does it all—and it comes in an adorable, multicolored glitter Pinch-perfect pouch.  Contains everything you need from bandaids to hair spray.   

3. Eos Visibly Soft Lip Balm -Coconut Milk- $5.90, This stuff is on trend at the moment, smells great and is so cute!  

4. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rollerball set- $20, Ever since I tested this at Sephora I have been OBSESSED with these scents.  The white is a daytime floral scent while the black is more nighttime deep musky scent.  With this set your girl is guaranteed to like at least one of them, and I like to mix them together for a scent just for me.  

5. Forever 21 teardrop earrings set- $5.90 These are absolutely beautiful but super affordable.  She gets both silver and gold options too which adds versatility.  

6. Maybelline New York The Colossal Volum' Express- $4.97 makeup is always a good option and mascara is a good bet.  This one is great and is inexpensive.  

7. Hair Tie Set- $2.90 These have been so popular this year and are so cute!  I found a set of 5 at Forever 21 for under $3.  

8. OPI Nail Lacquer Gwen Stefani Holiday 2014 Collection Christmas Gone Plaid - $7.60 I love getting nail polish in my stocking and this color is just beautiful for Christmas! 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope you have a day spent with family and friends overflowing with blessings and love.

I found this free printable and thought it was too nice not to share, so Merry Christmas to you!

Check out Kristin at the Yellow Brick Road for this and other printables.

I have this one printed out and hanging in our living room as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

I am so thankful for Jesus coming down as a precious little baby knowing that He was born to die for our sins on the cross so that we may have everlasting life with Him.  What greater gift could there be?

Five Things Friday

Five Things Friday by erin-rucker-richardson featuring 3 wick candles

1. Lost- My husband and I started watching Lost after dating for a year.  We wanted something to watch together and this fit the bill.  After 6 seasons (and 2  1/2 years later) we are finally finished!  Oh my goodness if you haven't watched this...start!  It is crazy, confusing, and compelling.  If you are looking for something interesting check it out! 

2. J. Crew Classic Pave Link Bracelet- I got this bracelet as a bridesmaid gift for the wedding I was in last weekend.  I absolutely love it!  It is beautiful and so classic, and perfect for layering in an arm party.  It is a pricey bracelet but right now it's 30% off.  

3. 3-Wick Candle in Merry Mistletoe- mmmmm smells so delicious, I told my husband it smelled like a Christmas Man.  The descriptions says: a flirty and festive blend of cranberries, pears, frosted citrus and a hint of holiday greenery.  I love the blend of citrus and pine, one of my favorites for sure.

4. With Love by Hilary Duff- This is a hard to find oldie but it smells absolutely delicious!  This is an oriental spicy fragrance perfect for winter but also not too spicy for summer.  Top notes are spices and mango, middle notes are cocobolo and mango blossom with bottom notes of amber and musk.  If you find it try it!  

5. OPI: Lacquer NLF17 Bastille My Heart, 0.5 oz- Looking for a Christmas nail color this one is perfectly sparkly and red.  Perfect for parties!

Christmas DIY: wedding invitation ornament

Being newlyweds we don't have a large supply of Christmas ornaments yet so I have been looking around for DIY ornament versions.  I also wanted a way to commemorate our wedding in an ornament.

Here's what you need:
-clear ornament
-scissors
-wedding invitation or program
-ribbon

What you do:

1. Take your program/invitation and cut it into strips.  These can be as large as you want them to be.  Also be sure to cut in the direction of the text so you can read what it says.  

2. I chose to stick my strips straight into the ornament but you could also roll them up like the sheet music ornament diy if you wanted.  

3.  You can stop here but I also chose to add a bow to the top in our wedding color.  

I love being able to look at the ornament and remember our special day.

Christmas DIY: ruffled burlap tree skirt

Since we got married we didn't have a tree skirt for our Christmas tree.  When I looked online for them they were all WAY more than I wanted to spend.  I found one I was absolutely in love with on etsy but $100 for a tree skirt was a little pricey.  I decided I would try and DIY this.

What you need:
-2 Rolls Burlap Garland
-hot glue
-tree skirt or fabric (I got a felt tree skirt at the Dollar Tree)

Here's what you do:

1. Lay out your tree skirt and smooth out all the wrinkles.

2. Take your glue gun and glue a line of glue on the tree skirt.  Quickly with your burlap ruffle it along while pressing it on the glue.  If you are confused about the ruffling check out a picture below, really you just lay it out and bunch it together.  Don't worry too much about it being perfect.  When you get to the end cut and glue.

3.  Using the burlap as a guide lay it over the first layer to determine where to start your glue.  Then continue with the directions above to finish the layers.  You can do as many layers as you want.  You can also add things like lace or other fabric.  

Here's the finished product!  I love the rustic look and besides a couple glue burns it was very easy!! 

I love the rustic charm of mine and all my supplies were things around the house, but it costs less than $10!!

Five Things Friday

1. Itsy Bitsy Sterling Silver Dachshund Stud Earrings: are these not the cutest little earrings ever??  Seriously they have little wiener dogs on them.  Just so happens I have a little wiener dog too so they are just perfect.  I love how small they are but still have a preppy fun attitude.  I mean who wouldnt want cutelittle  dogs on their ears?  Oh and did I mention they are on clearance for less than $10??  

2. Merona Timeless Collection Large Hobo Handbag: I picked this bag up last year and it is still one of my favorite handbags.  It has three compartments in it which makes it an organizing paradise. It fits over my shoulder easily and isn't heavy.  The material is so soft and I love the cognac brown color.  

3. Groopdealz Designer Inspired Herringbone Puffer Vest: can I just say FINALLY!!!  I have been drooling over the J Crew version of this vest but could never spend $200 on it.  Groopdealz made the dream cone true by bringing an inspired version for $30...yes that is correct.  I have been loving mine and throwing it on over everything from flannel to sweaters.  I'm having so much fun pattern mixing and experimenting.  Now I'm not jealous of the Instagram #ootd with this vest because I am one of them!  (The deal for this on groopdealz is back!! Check them out before they run out!)

4. Cuddl Duds Flannel Sheet Set: how have I loved this long without having flannel sheets...seriously I tortured myself with cold cotton sheets in the winter.  Not anymore.  Now I have soft, warm, cuddly sheets just beging me to curl up in bed and warm up.  Ahh...is there anything more comforting that flannel sheets in the winter? 

5. Burt's Bees Lip Balm, Pomegranate Oil:  I discovered this one when my husband borrowed my regular Burt's Bees and I dug this one out of my stash. Oh my goodness the smell itself is enough to obsess over.  It works just like the other Burt's Bees but for some reason I like the feeling of this one better and it doesn't have a nasty taste like other chapsticks.  

Let me know what you guys have been loving this week! 

Top 10 Christmas Movies

Looking for some movies to get you in the holiday spirit?  Here are my top 10 Christmas movies, some classic some new.  I hope it gives you some ideas of what to watch this season.

1. The Muppet Christmas Carol: This is probably my all time favorite Christmas movie.  I can quote it word for word.  I love the classic Christmas Carol but add in the muppets and some wonderful songs and you have a movie with heart, humor and one that my family has fallen in love with.  

2. Eloise At Christmastime: I love Eloise, I think she is just adorable.  I loved her first movie but put her in a Christmas movie and add a romantic story line and I am sold.  And really with Julie Andrews how can you go wrong? 

3. It's A Wonderful Life (Black & White Version): Classic Christmas movie of a life changed and the importance of family.  If you haven't seen it, check it out you won't regret it.  

4. The Santa Clause: One of my husband's favorites.  I love the creativity of the story and the lesson of believing in things you can't see.  Tim Allen is also one of my favorites, the second one is good as well with a cute romantic story line.  

5. The Holiday: Looking for a holiday chick-flick?  This one is adorable, not layed out like a normal chick-flick so its creative and quirky.  The characters are great and I love the story line.  This one has a Christmas background but you could watch it all year.    

6. Home Alone: Christmas classic of the poor child left home and having to defend the house with crazy antics (love the cutout people party) and discovers the importance of family.   

7. The Nativity Story: This one is the true meaning of Christmas.  Tells the story of Mary and Joseph and their great purpose in Jesus's birth.  I love how you see the portrayal of Mary and how strong she was.  What I really liked about the movie was seeing the side of Joseph who is left out a lot, he was such a strong man of God to go through the things they went through.  Their faith is an example to all of us.  

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas: Classic Charlie Brown Christmas because "That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown" who better to hear it from than Linus?

9. The Christmas Miracle of Johnathon Toomey: This is a movie I only recently discovered last Christmas.  We had the book when I was younger and I always thought it was such a sweet story.  I don't' want to spoil it for you but it is a redemption story that just might come with some tears.  

10. The Original Christmas Classics Gift Set: I am probably cheating with this boxed set but you can't have Christmas without the classics (Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and The Little Drummer Boy)

What are your favorite Christmas movies?  I am always on the lookout for new ones.  Let me know suggestions! 

Christmas DIY: sheet music ornament

I participated in the Southern Weddings Christmas Ornament Swap and decided to make these beautiful sheet music ornaments.

What you need:

- clear ball ornament 

- sheet music (I just googled Christmas sheet music for mine, about 2 pages per ball is plenty) 

- ribbon

- scissors

How to:

1. Cut the sheet music into strips horizontally 

2. Roll the strips up and stuff them into the ornament.  Don't be too particular about the size, different sizing makes it interesting.  

3. Tie a bow on the top of the ornament and hang it on your tree.  

Christmas Gifts for Girls

Just some ideas for your girlfriend, bff, sister or any lady in your life:

1. Sephora Perfume Sampler $60, such a cool idea, she gets an array of samples and then is able to see which one she likes best, take the coupon included and get a full size of her favorite! 

2. Target "retail therapy" wallet $6.99, little wallets are such a cute gift and how adorable is this on?

3. Monogrammed Ball Cap $10.95, ahhh I love personalized gifts they are so dare I say it...personal.  

4. Blanket Scarf $29.95, these are crazy BIG this year and this one is so soft and perfect

5. Birchbox subscription service $10, monthly subscription of beauty products delivered to her door (she will think of you each time it arrives) 

6. Topaz stone earrings $12.99, so glamorous and classy yet so very affordale 

7. Ulta Gift Card, what girl doesn't want a gift card to a makeup store 

8. Bath and Bodyworks candle $22, best candles ever!  Great gift for any girl and smells so good!! 

9. Monogrammed pajama pants $30, comfy, cozy, monogrammed pajamas so amazing! 

10. Rain Boots in a cute print $70 oh my goodness are these not adorable, perfectly preppy rainboots

My Christmas Wish List

Alright so I have never done one of these posts before because I feel like its a little weird to just put out there everything you are hoping for...but I had so much fun creating this on polyvore that I had to post it.  Plus my husband needs help shopping for Christmas so here is a BIG hint ;)

Definitely am not expecting even half of the things on this list, these are just some things I have been eyeing and have been wanting for a while.  Maybe it will give you all some ideas for your Christmas wish lists...I always like seeing what other people want (does that make me weird??)

• I have quite a few books on my list (I recommend checking out half.com for the best deals): 
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• The One & Only by Emily Giffin
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
• Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews
• The Selection Series by Kiera Cass (The Selection , The Elite, and The One
• Rampage Icon Boot in Cognac (these are from Belk and are on a crazy good Black Friday sale $19.99!!!)
• I fell absolutely in love with this Monogram Tote from  I Flew the Nest on etsy...seriously is it not GORGEOUS!!! 
• Navy Monogrammed Baseball Cap- I love the look of these monogrammed caps and I want one in navy but with a white monogram.  This one is from LEmbroidery and Design. 
• I love the simplistic look of the Dual Birthstone Ring with my birthstone and my husband's birthstone, so sweet! 
• Amazon Gift Card gift cards are always a safe bet :)
• I have always loved the idea of the Sephora Perfume Sampler.  You get all these samples to try and then you decide which one you love take your card from the box and get a full size perfume of whatever you pick...so neat and personal!
• Essie "Shine of the Times" is such a beautiful and unique color that turns any color into a beautiful iridescent shade, so pretty.  Found the best deal at ulta.  
• Random but a girl always needs some dry shampoo and the Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo -- 7 oz is my favorite.

and last but not least I really really really want the Brother PE770 embroidery machine .  This thing is an awesome embroidery machine but is a little pricey, so I might just have to wait and save....

That's my list, what are you guys hoping to get for Christmas?  I would love to see, I'm weird like that :)