What I love about Texas are the seasons I didn’t get to experience in California.  However, when it turns from the 80’s, down 30 degrees, then back again, it can be crazy on the health and completely unreliable…

So what CAN I depend upon?  My collection of faux fur jackets, of course!  Check out this $9.99 beauty from Goodwill – tossed it over a turtleneck and jeans, and I was ready to meet up with my friend, Mimi, at her ribbon cutting.  Super easy, extremely cozy! 🙂

What are you doing to stay warm and healthy during this topsy-turvy forecast?

MsMona

Ladies luncheons are always filled with incredible inspiration!  These three sassy dames – Ms. Betty Jo,  speaker Dee King, and Ms. Pat 🙂 – just made my day at Christian Women’s Connection.  They all have this infectious energy that made me even more grateful to be part of this group!

I had been waiting for the weather to cool down a bit so I could pull out this lovely red duster.  It’s difficult for me to find my favorite blue-red, so you bet I scooped up this beauty with the $8.00 price tag!  I just layered it over a Lane Bryant clearance dress and topped it off with a sweet $3.99 feathery fascinator from Ross.  Along with everything else in this world, each piece was a gift from God. 🙂

As our winter weather approaches, what will you be bringing back to the front of your wardrobe?

MsMona

I’ve recently started volunteering with “Society of Women Who LOVE Shoes”, a non-profit organization focused on helping women and children suffering through domestic violence.  Although monetary donations are happily accepted, I learned that ONE pair of shoes can bring so much joy and confidence to a woman trying to exit a turbulent relationship.  Well sign me up, Sister 🙂 – let’s give these ladies some support!

The Husband took me to the latest SWWLS event at a swanky little club in Dallas called the Candleroom.  I threw on this simple floral babydoll I picked up on a Macy’s clearance rack with a bolero jacket.  Love it when a cute top doubles as a mini dress for me!  Woo Hoo!  The lace accents were a bonus and added that little feminine touch I needed for the evening.  OMG, aren’t my gals, Katrina and Andrea, just beyond gorgeous?! :)  It was wonderful to volunteer with them!

Sometimes I take my shoe closet for granted.  Now I try to remember the woman who would be excited to have just one pair for her first job interview, or something comfortable enough to walk the kids home from school.  Doesn’t she deserve a great pair of shoes as much as the next girl?  Thank God for SWWLS and their mission of “Healing one sole at a time.”

Volunteer in a city near you, or start a local chapter.  Join me, won’t you? :)  Facebook.com/SWWLS.Dallas

MsMona

Halloween festivities at the North Texas Chamber was crazy fun! :)  We enjoyed a chili and dessert cook-off, face painting, the BACARDI® Vampire Bar, and dancing the night away!  Loved wearing my over-the-knee faux leather boots (only $24.99 at Ross), but there must have been a full moon that evening because my dogs weren’t barkin’ – they were HOWLIN’! 🙂

My costume was…well, I called it “Ringmaster of the Dead”.  One of my FAV skirts is actually two clearance pieces tailored together so the circle-shape stays fluffy.   I added this cropped satin bolero with ruffled trim (a $9.99 bargain at Torrid), and the most adorable $10.00 headband from The Icing!  Adhered to it is a mini black top hat, tulle, and boney white hand with dark red blood droplets all over it.  I KNOW, right?! :)  click on the image to see more detail

Lynn is my creative buddy – just look at how totally vampy she is in her DIY costume!  Misty, our fabulous “Witchtress of Ceremonies”, kept it simple with her sassy stockings and matching fascinator.  These ladies, and many more, did a wonderful job putting this event together!  Can’t wait for the next NTC par-tay!

MsMona

I promise:  we didn’t call each other! :)  But instead of catching more Z’s, looks like we were all up choosing our favorite zebra-print fashions for the day!

The great thing about black & white is that this duo is a classic – pair it with ANY color and you’ve got yourself a fabulous outfit any time!  Since it was cold enough to wear my (new with tags) $16.00 fuzzy resale find, I went with simple black pieces underneath and a splash of fuchsia.  For a safari-themed luncheon, I added faux fur slingbacks and a printed purse to this patent-trimmed trenchcoat, a crazy $15.00 Macy’s clearance buy!

When was the last time you and your palz had a matching mind moment? 🙂

MsMona