Groopdealz weekly deals! J crew inspired vest!!

Cabin Fever Sale at GroopDealz

Stay cozy this winter in seasonal prints and soft cardigans. Offer ends on 1/9.

If you have been looking for the J.Crew vest here is the dupe! 

I have both of these and wear them all the time!! 

Designer Inspired Herringbone Vest $32.99

Designer Quilted Vest $24.99

nominated for an award??? what???

So ya'll know my blog was started about 2 years ago and I started it to just have fun, jot my thoughts down and share my ideas with people.  I am a shy person so I feel better able to express myself and my opinions if I write them.
I was so excited when I got a notification that I was nominated for the Liebster Award:

The Liebster Award is given from bloggers to bloggers and I was nominated by Felecia at A Taste of the College Life.  Thanks Felecia!!  My blog has started out small and has been growing pretty steadily in the last couple of months...all thanks to you guys!! 

Here are the rules:

11 FACTS ABOUT ME
1. I grew up on a farm and raised/showed Simmental beef cattle for over 10 years.  
2. I can make my tongue into a 4 leaf clover...seriously 
3. When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina 
4. I sometimes still watch Disney channel shows (Jessie and Good Luck Charlie are cute) and love Disney movies
5. I love to do DIY, my dad calls me Martha Stewart 
6. I am from a small town that only has a caution light 
7. My husband is my college sweetheart  
8. Thrifting/deal finding is my sport...seriously I am a master deal finder
9. I love vanilla coke 
10. I get really excited for fast food breakfasts...I could live on Chick-fil-a biscuits 
11. I am a natural redhead and have never died my hair 

QUESTIONS FROM A TASTE OF THE COLLEGE LIFE:
1. Why/When did you start blogging? I started blogging in March of 2012 just as a way to express myself and get my opinions out there.
2. Where is your favorite place to blog?I usually blog at my desk in our office but I also like to blog on the couch while I watch TV which is definitely more comfortable but I guess for the best blogs no distractions I would say my desk.
3. Do you have a favorite sport/team?I really don't have a lot of opinions about sports but I do like the Panthers, Clemson and NC State and of course my alma mater Appalachian State
4. If you were a shoe, what kind would you be?Probably a cowboy boot, I feel like they have the best stories
5. What is one of your earliest memories?Let's see I don't remember a lot from when I was really little I can remember my pink room, lots of barbies and my dollhouse
6. When did you decide what you wanted to be when you grew up?I still haven't...is that a bad thing?
7. What is your favorite book turned movie? Did the movie live up to your expectations?I don't really have a good answer for this but I guess I would say The Lord of the Rings, I actually read the book after the movie so I don't know if that counts but the movie is GREAT!  Oh and Marley and Me was a really great representation of the book.
8. Do you have a staple recipe that you cook for any event?Not yet, I have been making these Spinach Artichoke Dip Mini-Bites recently...
9. What is your favorite color and why?I really like green and blue and I always gravitate towards those colors in clothing...probably because they make my eyes pop and my mom always said red hair looked good with green.
10. If you could be a Disney character who would you be?Hmmmm my favorite is Ariel and I would probably pick either her or Belle.  I mean she is a mermaid and Belle has that library, its a win win either way.  11. What do you do to relax?I like to watch netflix, read, and cuddle with my husband and my puppy...oh and I shop 

QUESTIONS FOR MY NOMINEES:
1. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
2. If you could be a character from a TV show who would it be? Why?
3. Secret Obsession?
4. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be? 
5. Embarrassing story?  Don't be shy ;)
6. Best present you have ever gotten?
7. What do you do first thing when you wake up?
8. How do you take your coffee?
9. Coolest thing you have ever done?
10. Cats or Dogs?
11. Favorite item in your closest?  Why?

AND MY 11 NOMINEES ARE:

1. Mom Meets Marriage
2. Ms. Vixen
3. AshleyZoe
4. Orthodox Sunflower
5. La Bella Vida Design
6. Keeping Up with Makayla
7. Style Island
8. Bella and the City
9. Kimberly's Chronicle 
10. The Life You Love 
11. Wanderlust in the Midwest 

These are all just a random bunch of blogs featuring an assortment of topics but check them out and help them grow!! 
Thank you again Felecia for nominating erinssharings!!

How to Combine fonts on an embroidery machine

Alright so this post is going to be a little specific to my ladies that do embroidery...or maybe you don't but you might one day.  Some of you may know I got an embroidery machine on Black Friday.  I have been wanting one for so long because I have been wanting to do my own monogramming.

I have the Brother PE700II Embroidery Machine with USB Port and love it.

So I started to try and do monograms and bought some fonts and things and realized that I would have to calculate where each letter starts and ends and how  line them all up together...it was a big headache and all my designs came out horrible.  I was really discouraged and decided to look up what I should do.

I found the Combine Design Program Version 1.1.112 software.

This is a software program created to merge PES files together and save as one file.  It will allow you to save in a 4x4, 5x7, or a 7x5 hoop size.  This software is perfect for those needing to combine letters from a digitized font and save the word, name or monogram as one single file to load to your machine.

So what is does is take your fonts that you import into the program and lets you arrange them to suit you then you save them as one file and transfer it to your embroidery machine.  Then you can set up your machine and it will do it all as one, no stopping and figuring out where to put the next letter and you don't' have to calculate it.


It works with Windows 7, 8, vista, and xp.  Unfortunately it does not run on Mac software or iPads or android tablets.

Watch the tutorial below:

The best thing is that this program is just $11, yes there are nicer programs out there but really this is all I need it to do.

I have been so happy with this program and highly recommend it if you are struggling with combining/arranging your fonts when embroidering.

Walmart Winter Beauty Box Unboxing

A couple of months ago I heard about the WalMart beauty box from youtube and though it looked interesting.  They were all sold out of the fall boxes but I signed up for the winter box and received it at the beginning of December.

These boxes are $5 and they happen seasonally.  You have to sign up for each one separately and they well out quickly so don't wait around!

Here's what was in mine:

- Dove Body Wash - Deep Moisture (travel size)

- Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion (travel size)

- COVERGIRL Colorlicious Gloss Candylicious (full size)

- Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract (travel size pack of 10)

- John Frieda Luxurious Volume Shampoo & Conditioner (foil packets)

- L'Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare Color Vibrancy Shampoo, Conditioner, and Instant Shock Treatment (foil packets)

- Flower perfume (paper sample)


All in all I am pleased with the box, I would prefer not to get foil samples but I did get some good products in here.  I did get a full size lip gloss that is neat but not really my color.  I did really like the wipes and the lotion.  The travel size items are really great for the holiday season since I did a lot of traveling and they came in handy.

Have you tried out the Walmart Beauty Box yet?  What did you think of yours?

10 favorites of 2014

10 things for 2014 by erin-rucker-richardson 

Here are the top 10 of my favorite things from 2014.  Yes a lot of them are recent and fall/winter related because I have a bad memory and can't think of things I loved at the beginning of the year but here alas here are my favorites of 2014:

1. 1989: Ok you knew this was going to be in my favorites I mean how could it not.  Taylor Swift did it again.  She is one of the few people who I can listen to an entire CD and love every single song.  If you haven't heard it (first of all where have you been) do yourself a favor and check it out!  

2. J crew pave link bracelet: Love this bracelet, goes with absolutely everything and looks classy! 

3. Harvest Snaps Snapea Original Green Pea Crisps: favorite snack hands down.  Perfectly crispy and salty and have this unique flavor and texture that leave you eating half the bag in one sitting...seriously I warned you.  

4. Almay Intense I-Color Bold Nudes, For Blue Eyes: This the the perfect eyeshadow.  It is so easy to apply, lasts all day and makes my blue eyes pop.  Seriously it even tells you where to put it.  Couldn't be easier and for less than $5 this one beat out my Naked and Lorac palettes.  

5. Essie Luxe Effects in Shine of the Times: This is the perfect glitzy top coat.  It is so unique because it has this amazing holographic effect that turns whatever polish you have on into a beautiful magical shade.  And it is different with each polish.  

6. Spotify: Free music...does that even need a reason why it is in my favorites other than that??  I mean really I can listen to new music and old music for free...seriously if you don't have any account sign up.  

7. Plaid Blanket Scarf: Beautiful, comfy, warm and absolutely perfect for layering.  This scarf is amazing!  The only thing I would change is to have gotten it earlier so I could wear it for longer.  

8. Designer Inspired Herringbone Vest: I am in love with this vest.  It is absolutely perfect and looks just like the J.Crew version only a fraction of the cost.  Unfortunately they don't have it on groopdealz anymore but they have added them a couple of times so keep your eye out.  

9. Aquaphor Healing Ointment Dry, Cracked and Irritated Skin Protectant: Ahh Aquaphor, this is seriously a life saver for dry chapped lips.  I use mine all the time and my lips have never looked better.  

10. Brother PE700II Embroidery Machine with USB Port: yes you read that right I got an embroidery machine!!  I actually ended up buying one for myself.  Overstock had a great deal on them for Black Friday and I couldn't help myself.  I am still learning how to operate it but have already monogrammed a few of my clothes and things so its a hit with me.

What were your favorite things for 2014?  I would love to try new things for 2015, let me know below!

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!