Giveaway! JessLC SOC Chic (Closed)

So I was chosen as one of eight bloggers to do a giveaway for Jess LC So Chic all week. That means eight blogs, eight necklaces, and eight chances to win guys. Not only that, but aren't these lovelies awesome! I chose the Match Made in Heaven necklace, which is for those who have that most special connection with someone in their lives. Mushy, right? And don't you just love the sweet angel wings?! If you would like to purchase one of these beautiful necklaces {btw}, please know that the purchase supports the cause of Imerman Angels, a cancer support charity.

This giveaway will be open from August 1-5, so I hope to see all of you chatting away in the comment section below! And don't forget to scroll allllll the way throught this post and pay yourself a sweet little visit to allll of the other bloggers who are participating in this massively wonderful giveaway! {Really, they are gorgeous, y'all!}

Got all that? Awesome!

Love,

Ramsey

Signed, sealed, delivered

So, I think I remember promising something about a little video on how to curl your hair with a flat iron. And lookie what we have here. I also have a makeup one coming up. That is if my computer decides to quite being a massive load of stinky pants and cooperate. Also, if there are any professional videographers out there who would like to film my tutorials from now on, bring it. Otherwise, you guys get an amature mix of jumbled words and complete inability to look the camera in the eye. So yeah, may this be a teaching experience for you, but if you could care less, feel free to laugh your buns off at my awkward expense. Right on.

Flat iron: c/o Misikko/by HANA

Heat Spray: Treseme

Happy Saturday sweethearts!

Love,

Ramsey

Cheater Cheater Red Velvet Cupcake Eater

Shirt: Banana Republic, Shorts: F21, Belt: c/o Madison {Sparkle Designs}, Shoes: UO {$100 summer}, Bag: LV, Jewelry: Thrifted, Guess, Movado, T and Co, F21

To all of you lazy bakers who are bonkers over red velvet but faint at the sight of the mile-long ingredient list thereby associated: the following is your cheaters' guide to a right decent cupcake {It's not Lucy and Leo's. But it ain't bad, folks!}. You are welcome. And your husbands and boyfriends too.

Follow instructions for 1 box of red velvet cake mix. {Ammendment: I would suggest replacing part of the water in the recipe with buttermilk. This is the only thing I would change next time around.} Might I also add that it is amazingly magical to watch the chocolate-looking cake mix turn red when you add liquid? Right back to second grade guys. Then to jazz that mess up, you're going to dump in about 1/3 cup of sour cream. And don't play around with low fat, no fat mess either. Go for the gusto! If you really want to impress, that is. Also sprinkle in about 1 tsp. vanilla extract {Homemade taste in a bottle. My dirty little secret. And you thought I always played nice.} Now you are ready to scoop the batter into your cupcake cups of choice and bake as directed until a toothpick poked around in them comes out nice and clean. Allow to cool. I would suggest doing something super fun and distracting {like a loooong bubble bath} while you wait, so you won't be tempted to rush it. Now for the icing, beat together 1 stick of butter and 1 block of cream cheese. Throw in 1 heaping tbsp. of sour cream for good measure. Now dump in a box of powdered sugar {slowly, lesson learned the hard way} and just let the mixer do it's thang for about 6+ minutes. If you need a little milk down in there, have at it but drizzle sparingly as a little goes a long way. It is an extra pretty process if you have a stand mixer. Especially if it is yellow. Or you can use a hand mixer to pre-burn all of the calories you will soon be eating. Put your fluffy frosting in a pastry bag {if you are Martha Stewart or something, but who are we kidding?!}. Chunk that stuff into a freezer bag, cut a hole in the corner and call it good. Frost all but one cupcake with your makeshift piping bag. Crumble that little cupcake and sprinkle it all over it's fellow brother cupcakes. This makes the cupcakes look super fancy and adds to the foolingness that they are actually from-scratch. Trickay. Extra points if you put them on a pretty tray to make them feel special. Nothing gives a boxed cupcake the warm fuzzies like a pretty tray. Now slap on an apron and call yourself Betty Crocker! Or call yourself Betty White. It's kinda whatever. But do go make these cupcakes.

Love,

Ramsey

Where's the party?

Top: c/o Karen Kane, Skirt and Belt: F21, Shoes: Target, Jewelry: Marriana, T and Co. Thrifted, Ralph Lauren, Guess, F21, and Movado (gift), Bag: LV

I'm pretty sure I gave new meaning to the phrase "all dressed up and nowhere to go" today. I must have been asked a total of five times what kind of party/event/photo shoot I was headed to this afternoon. If only they knew that this outfit was put together out of the enormous "no" pile of clothes that has been hoarding the space on my bed for I won't tell you how long. I was too lazy to dig through drawers. Actually, I was afraid that the scary cousin of the monster in my closet would pop out due to all the angriness I've been stirring up in them with my indecisiveness and determination not to tidy up. And this bun? It would have stayed sans hairspray, my hair is in such desperate need of a wash. Can we say sanitary?

Regardless, I'm flat disappointed noone took the hint and invited me to a fancy-schmancy party. After hearing tell of it all day, I would have certainly liked to attend one. I think this skirt would be perfect for some twirling and booty-shakin'. I even wore special matching undies. Just incase. Shame. Better luck tomorrow. I'm thinking of going big with a Carrie Bradshaw tutu. Over the top? Maybe. Have I been watching too many Sex and the City reruns lately? Probably.

Love,

Ramsey

Ok fall, you can hurry up now. School, you can wait.

Shirt: F21, Skirt: Belk ($100 summer), Bracelets: Premier and Forever 21, Watch: Gift/Movado, Boots: Vinatge (mom's)

Why doesn't the weather cooperate with how we want to dress? Today I felt very fallish. So I wore my cowboy boots despite the fact that it is still technically summer. And they did not make it fall. Though the weather may have cooperated a slight bit with a hint of cool breezes and rain. Not amazing, but it's a start. Tomorrow, can it be winter? I have a box of cool-weather clothes itching to get out on the town. The mall was just full of jackets today, all taunting me with their snuggly goodness.

Today was a successful day at being a girl. Some days I feel that I'm better at that than others. I managed a bit of time at the office, followed by shopping with mom {who bought me a gorgeous new skirt for school at Ann Taylor!!}, cupcake baking, painting of the paws and claws, and a Sex and the City marathon. Victorious! I don't know how I'll one-up this tomorrow, but I'm sure I'll think of something. Suggestions?

Love,

Ramsey

Oh, and here are some cuppy cakes to brighten your Tuesday. Enjoy.

I dig animal print

Blouse and pants: c/o Karen Kane, Shoes: Steve Madden, Bag: LV, Necklace and Shades: F21, Watch: Airport shop

I've never been an animal print kind of a girl. But I picked out this blouse on a whim and when I pulled it out of the box it was literally screaming at me to put. it. on and wear it to work. And I aaalways listen to talking clothes. Nevermind the fact that it was 100 degrees out and I was in pants and sleeves. That's why offices have air conditioning.

We had a fun little weekend. Friday, we tried a new restaurant with friends called the Midtown Filling Station and it was da bomb. I mean, how could you resist a place with gas pump fronts mounted to the walls and a hostess stand made of old tires? Plus they served up all of the favoritos like mac'n'cheese, burgers, sammies, and tater tots {tater tots!!}, but with a gormet twist. Seafood and andoulli sausage make mac'n'cheese boss. I wish I had taken pictures, but I was shoving an open-faced, loaded sandwich in my mouth. Just take it from me, we were pigs. And it was well worth it.

We also had a girls night and saw Friends with Benefits. It was rauncy, but wet-your-pants hilarious. I would not recommend it to pregnant women or anyone with bladder-control issues. And then, of course, I had to come home and teach myself how to do the Mila Kunis eye-makeup look. It really gives light-eyed girls that sultry pop that comes with having dark eyes and me lovie.

How was your weekend? Let's reminisce and forget all about the fact that today is Monday together, K?

Love,

Ramsey

Hair

I've been quite the lucky girl lately as far as mail is concerned. Particularly in the aspect of hair. And as such, I would like to introduce you to two of my newest goodies which I happen to be totally infatuated with. El numero uno: this lovely flower band from Jenny at Whimsical Headbands. Seriously, I'm not sure what I would do without something to keep my braided/bun(ned?) hair in check and looking cute with all of the humidity that's been hanging it's hat around here lately. That stuff really is a booger. But retro/hippie looking headbands are certainly the answer. Check, check, check it out.

Fun little sundress is from my friend Maddie's cute online boutique, Sparkle Designs. If you haven't checked her out, you are missing out on all sorts of really reasonably priced dresses and tops that are super fun for wearing.

In other amazing hairness news, I got the motherload of all products from Mr. Fed Ex Man. A HANA flat iron from Misikko. Let me tell ya, this thing is a beast. And I mean beast as in the best flat iron. I straightened my mom's hair as an example because she has about 5 bazillion x more than me and it was and extremely humid, rainy day (code mega 80s hair. Which would be good if it were about 25 years ago. Unfortunately it is no longer 25 years ago and humidity-infested, frizz hair is no longer cute.) That 'do lasted all day long. All. Day. Long. I live for perfect hair like that. Its not too skinny and not too fat, it is juuuust right (I was goldilocks in my past life), making it perfect for a speedy flattening job. And this flat iron gets super hot. But if you aren't into that, there are a TON of heat settings so that you can warm it to the perfect temperature for your hair. Which completely rescues you from having to double and triple swipe each piece (because double and triple swiping ain't hip folks). It looks super natural and silky smooth. Misikko also has a full line of Morrocan Oils for extra silkiness for your locks. Have you tried this stuff? For realz, it's really delicious-smelling and so works. I condition my hair with this wonder juice and love it to pieces! Finally, it comes with all sorts of cases for travel and storage and the absolute prettiest packageing eva! I am a sucker for pretty packaging and storage. Not that you would know it looking at my room. Just sayin. Anywho, this one is definitely worth a try. I'm a CHI girl, but honestly, I may have been converted! And I'm thinking I throw together a little tutorial for curling hair with a flat iron sometime soon. What 'cha think?

(My pretty Mommy)

Love,

Ramsey

The Lake House

If professional relaxation was a sport, I tell ya I'd be a champ. We had the grandest time just chillin' for the past few days and I'm quite convinced that I need to go back. Like right now. We are also now convinced that we need a cute little puppy. All of that sweet little fuzziness and puppy breath stole our hearts. All of this relaxing has taken my work ethic and smashed it like a nasty spider on the bathroom tile. I've been furiously editing pictures all morning and daydreaming about sleeping on a pontoon boat. If you have the chance to spend a few days on a lake, pontooning, jet skiing, eating enormous amounts of delicious food, and otherwise just enjoying your little self, I highly recommend it. I also highly recommend the following recipe for Banana-stuffed french toast. Don't ya just love when something comes out just like you wanted?

Love, Ramsey's Banana-Stuffed French Toast:

Layer 1/2 of a loaf of Italian bread onto the bottom of a large, buttered baking dish. Spread with a mixture of 3 (highly ripened, brown) bananas, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1 block of cream cheese, and 1/4 cup powdered sugar all smashed together. Layer on other 1/2 of bread. Whisk away at 6 eggs and 3/4 cup milk with a little cinnamon sprinkled in for good measure and pour all of that on top. Now stick your casserole in the oven at 350 and wait patiently until everything smells really nice and cinnamony and the egg is cooked. Serve with powdered sugar and warm syrup.

Now you should all go grab your darling aprons and make french toast and then crawl back in bed and enjoy it. Doctors orders.
Love,

Ramsey

P.S. Check out my feature on Frock Candy!