I'm a Liebster Award Nominee!

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award from the lovely Jenna from Demure in Diamonds. As a nominee, I've been asked to state 11 facts about me, answer 11 questions from Jenna, and then nominate 11 other bloggers! So here we go!

11 Facts About Me

1. I'm a twin! Bet none of you saw that coming! She's about four inches shorter, is a natural blonde and has big, darling green eyes. And for whatever reason, we barely look related but I promise, we were wombmates.

2. I drive a PT Cruiser and I'm not ashamed. That little puppy has survived through two car accidents (yes, trust me with your children, I'm a great driver) and a round-trip drive from Michigan to Texas and back. Her name is Julia the Dinosaur and we are good friends.

3. My style icons are Stacy London and Kate Middleton. Stacy is unbelievably trendy and gorgeous always, and Kate is so classic. Also, Kendi from Kendi Everyday. That girl is a legend. When I'm on the computer, my husband usually walks by and says "What's Kendi up to today?". Weird? Probably.

4. Speaking of Stacy, I've been addicted to What Not To Wear since middle school. Probably my favorite TV, hands down.

5. Just kidding, Lost and Smallville are my favorite TV shows. Long live Jack Shepherd. And Clark Kent.

6. I love cats. It's kind of creepy how much of a baby I turn into when I'm around one. My husband won't let me get one because he's afraid he'll never get any of my love or attention again. He is right.

7. My hair has been every shade under the sun, I think. I've had firetruck red hair, auburn hair, dark brown hair, brownish-purple hair, black hair, light brown hair, and blonde hair.

8. I've lost 50 pounds in the last two years. I know I've mentioned it before, but I thought I'd mention it again. Probably the thing I'm most proud of doing, because losing weight is so hard. I still love chocolate though. Always have, always will.

9. I lived in Austin, Texas from July 2011 to May 2012. It was the shortest and greatest 10 months of my life. If ever given the opportunity to live in Texas, blindly go. Don't ask questions. You'll thank me later.

10. I wear hair extensions. If you already knew that, then I must wear bad ones, because I've never mentioned that in my blog. They're clip-ins, and I wear them to make my hair thicker, not longer, because highlighting my hair has destroyed any thickness I may have had. :(

11. My Christmas tree is still up. Whoops.


11 Questions from Jenna:


1.  Favorite grilling recipe?

Here's the thing. Lynette doesn't cook. Like, almost ever. Unfortunately for my husband, most nights here at our house are Fend For Yourself Night. Although I do make a mean grilled cheese. And that's grilled. Here's the recipe:

Heat up a pan (but not scalding hot, I have learned)
Butter two slices of bread
Throw buttered sides down of bread on pan
Add cheese
Don't let it burn
Put bread slices together and feed to husband.

2. Favorite date night outfit?

Whatever the hubs requests! He loves my clothes, but his favorite thing to see me in usually is just jeans and a brightly colored t shirt. So as glamorous as I can make that outfit (like with a scarf and some bracelets and a pair of heels) is usually what I'll end up in. I have no complaints.. it's very comfortable!

3. Favorite book?

At the risk of sounding cliché, I'm going to go ahead and say the Bible. It's literally one of the only books I've even read in the last few years. But I also love anything by Joyce Meyer.

4. Amazing person in your life and why?

I'm a sap. I'm going to have to say my husband. I know we've only been married a few months and you're all probably gagging as you read this, but words don't even begin to describe what my husband has been through, what he has achieved and how good of a man he truly is. When you often have people at church approach you with tears in their eyes and tell you how your husband has changed their life or the life of their loved one with his prayer or his sermon, it's hard to be impressed by anyone else. <3

5. Polka dots or stripes?

Stripes!

6. Why did you start a blog?

Because I love style, photography, writing, and connecting with people. And because my husband made me do it so that I would stop talking about starting one and actually just start one. :)

7.  Flats or Stilettos?

HEELS HEELS HEELS! All throughout high school I thought I was a giant, just because at 5'6" I still stood taller than half the guys in high school, so I never wore heels. Then I got to college, met my husband (who is 6'8" and taller than any pair of heels will ever make me!), realized what heels did for my legs and how adorable they are with any outfit, and I've never looked back. I pretty much only wear flats if I'm going to be doing a considerable amount of walking.

8.  Favorite thing you bought in the last two weeks?

I've yet to wear it on the blog, but I just got this new magenta cross-shoulder bag from Love Culture that I'm obsessed with. I keep it out in the open all the time just so I can look at it. We're in love.

9.  Best place in the world?

I'm sure there are much greater places then the Smokey Mountains, but I have not been to them, so I'm going to say the Smokey Mountains. Specifically in Gatlinburg, TN. I have vacationed there with my family several times in my life, and actually stayed in a giant luxury cabin in the mountains with my husband for our honeymoon. It was dreamy.

10. Best present you got over the holidays?

This! A Pandora bracelet with a little carriage charm. My husband surprised me with it a few days after the holidays, and the carriage represents our fairy tale love story. So precious and beautiful. :)

11.  Post a link to your favorite shopping site

I actually rarely shop online for clothes or shoes, but I really love Birchbox.com! Since I'm subscribed to them, I've tried a lot of the stuff in their shop so I feel safe ordering from them!

And Alright. I believe I broke the Liebster Award Code of Ethics. I failed at the finding 11 nominees part. Because I went through most of the blogs I follow, and I could hardly find anyone with less than 200 followers! YOU ALL ARE JUST SO GREAT!
So I just nominated my favorite adorable curly-headed blonde, Mo:

Mo from See Mo Go

Rules for My Nominee:

1. List 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.

4. Choose 11 bloggers with up to 200 followers to nominate.
5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award.
6. Thank the lovely blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog.

My 11 Questions for my Nominee:

1. Why did you start blogging?

2. Who are some of your favorite bloggers?

3. Link us to one of your favorite outfits. Tell us why!

4. What does your perfect day look like?

5. Favorite thing to do outside of blogging?

6. Item of clothing you're most proud of:

7. What does your hair care routine look like?

8. What are your favorite makeup items?

9. Where do you work, and is it what you've always wanted to do?

10. Do you have any pets? Do you want any?

11. What's the best thing to have come out of blogging?

Thanks again, Jenna! :)

Four Eyes

Blazer: H&M, $35

Cardigan: Old Navy, $5

Necklace: Gap, $5

Jeans: Rue 21, $9

Boots: Old Navy, $30

Matt was still getting over his cold yesterday, so we decided to see if we could photograph indoors. I don't know if it's just the cold winters here or if I'm coming down with something too, but I couldn't find enough layers to wear yesterday. Three wasn't enough. I couldn't even bring myself to don heels like I normally do. In fact, if I'd been able to belt a snuggie and be considered socially acceptable, I probably would've worn that. 

One thing I've discovered about the indoors, though: I look about ten times paler than usual. Thank God I didn't wear a skirt today, or my bare legs might blind you all. Eek! Paleness like this is almost enough to bring a girl out of her tanning-bed-retirement. Just kidding. It's not enough. But it's close.

And here's something you guys don't know about me.. I wear glasses. Often:

I just don't like mine, and I prefer myself without them, so I don't ever photograph with them. But in case you were wondering, yes, I am blind as a bat. 

Rush Hour

Blazer: H&M, $50

Dress: Forever 21, $28

Belt: Forever 21, $3.80

Heels: Payless, $25

Purse: Target, $9

Bracelets: Beaded - Forever 21, $3.80, Studded - Charlotte Russe, $6

Earrings: Rue 21, $4

I just picked this dress up at Forever 21 a few days ago (it's no longer online, though!). I was shocked to find a dress from there that was borderline work-appropriate in length. I say borderline because I kind of have to tug on it all day to keep it at the length you see photographed, but I'll settle for borderline work-appropriate if it only costs $28.

I had big plans for this cute little dress. Scarves, necklaces, accent colors.... but none of them happened, because the night before I wore this dress, this happened:

That little owl is a heating pad. Matt wanted to make sure you all knew he doesn't need stuffed animals to feel better. That would just be silly... :)

Matt came down with some cold symptoms and I was up for several hours in the night taking care of him. So when the alarm went off the next morning, I repeatedly hit snooze way past my ability to shower or get creative with my outfit, and just ran out the door with what was lying on the floor of my closet. I just consider myself lucky that my slippers and husband's football jersey weren't closer than this blazer and these heels. It could've been ugly. I didn't even grab those bracelets. I found them in the bottom of my purse when I got to work. Bam! Accessorized. 

Anyway, I have high hopes for this dress! It's lightweight and only elbow length, so I'm sure I'll get plenty of wear out of it this summer!

Also, one of my coworkers at work found my blog. And by found it I mean found me looking at it at work and bullied me into letting him see it. Hopefully the secret doesn't get too far though. The last I want anyone to know is that the overdressed receptionist loves herself so much, she posts her outfits on the Internet...

December 2012 Favorites & Unfavorites!

It's time for my favorite & unfavorite products & things for the month of December!

December Favorites:

Click below to see my thoughts, and my "unfavorites"!

Winter Brights

Top: Banana Republic, $18

Skirt: Old Navy, $20

Belt: Papaya, $2

Heels: Old Navy, $17

Scarf: Rue 21, $10

Bracelet: Charlotte Russe, $6

Earrings: Rue 21, $6

I feel like I've been wearing a lot of neutrals lately, so it was definitely time for some color. Including my green nails. And apparently a revealing of my incredibly white legs. While it's 20 degrees out. 

For those of you on Blogger, do you ever check your pageviews and see what people have Googled in order to end up on your blog? I check it every day, just out of curiosity, and have found some hilarious entries. My favorite one is "bare legs uniform". I do apologize to whomever Googled that and ended up on my blog. I sincerely believe I was not what you were looking for... but if you also enjoy style blogs, in addition to girls in uniform showing a little leg, then welcome! I salute you. (Uniform.. get it? I'm funny, right?)

Oh and apparently my post with the Revlon foundation review was all the rage in a Indonesian makeup forum. Took me a while to translate all their Sanskrit into English, but I think they liked me. I think.