Is it really Halloween week already?  Usually I'm really excited to dress up, but this time around, I'm really sad because that means my DIY Halloween Costume series is just about over.  So much sadness but I had such a blast putting costumes together for you guys.  I'm so happy I did this because it really rekindled my love for crafting that I was slowly drifting away from.  I'm so inspired to put more series together!  Anyway, for my last costume, I made a suit that I completely identify with: Cookie Monster.  Fact, you cannot leave a cookie around me.  I WILL EAT.  This costume may look overwhelming because of the tulle skirt, but I promise it's super easy.  Let's go over what you need!

The "It" Sweater for Fall

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Sweater: Shein (shop all colors here) // Jeans: HM (shop similar here + here) // Shoes: Christian Louboutin (shop here)

Hello friends!  This week has got to be the hottest week of my life.  It's been a solid 100 degrees the last three days and maybe I'm really exaggerating, but I just can't take this dry heat anymore.  I know, other places of the world have it worst, Melissa, you're being a total first world problematic child right now.  I get it, but I just really long for fall weather!  I have tons of sweaters I want to wear as soon as possible, like this red bell sleeved number.  Off the shoulder tops and bell sleeves really took over this last year and it's no surprise that a bell sleeve concept will continue to remain relevant during the colder seasons.  What I really love about this particular sweater is the fun layering both sleeves have.  It's such a flirty sweater, I can totally image myself pairing it up with a pencil skirt and heels as soon as this weather decides to straighten itself out.  Anyway, this sweater is under $25 and it comes in several different colors including blush pink, white, black, etc.  I seriously want every color and if you're thinking what I'm thinking, meet me on Shein's website to shop this sweater by clicking on the link above.  See you there!

Xo,

Melissa Victoria

Piñata Halloween Costume

Hey hey!  I'm back with a new costume this week and let me tell you, this one was super fun to make.  Who doesn't love a piñata at birthday parties?  It's my absolute favorite part and always look forward to what kind of candy or goodies will pop out.  Anyway, this costume was just as basic to make as they come.  I basically took a dress I found at a thrift store and glued party streamers from the Dollar Tree all around the front of the dress, then added a little tail to complete the look.  Let's go over all the details!

Almond Milk Overnight Oats

Hey guys!  Can we all agree Monday's are so difficult to begin if breakfast isn't involved?  Maybe it's just me, but I never feel like I'm starting my week off to a positive start if I don't fuel up.  Another issue is I also love my sleep, so waking up super early to cook is not in my books.  It's no joke that I'm a hibernating bear, but that's okay because it just means I have to plan ahead!  By taking my two needs, sleep and breakfast, I solve my problem by putting together my meals an evening ahead of time.  I know overnight oats are a total thing, so I figured I'd share my recipe...you know, for my other fellow hibernating bears.  Here's what you need:

Milk - I use Almond Breeze Almondmilk

Oats - I buy a tub at Whole Foods

1 Banana

3 Strawberries

Granola

Honey - optional

How To

1. Pour 1/2 a cup of oatmeal into your cup

2. Add 3/4 cup of almond milk over your oats

3. Let this sit overnight

4. In the morning, cut up fruit of your choice and sprinkle it over your oats

5. For a little extra sweetness, add some honey and enjoy!

It's that easy!  I know there are several recipe's online I love to recreate, but this one seriously takes zero effort.  It's extremely nutritious and nice to just grab-and-go every morning.  Anyway, enjoy!

Xo,

Melissa Victoria

Selena Quintanilla Costume | Bustiquela, es un bra!

Hey hey! I've been thinking about this costume all week long and just couldn't wait to photograph it.  As a little girl, I used to pretend to be Selena Quintanilla herself lol.  I'm VERY sure I was just one of a billion other people in the world who shared this same mentality, and still, whenever I listen to her music I flip on my Selena switch and sing my heart out. It only felt right to make one of her iconic bustier's a part of my DIY Halloween Costume series.  To complete this look, I just tossed on some black high wasted pants I purchased from American Apparel, black booties and a belt with silver buckles.  Okay, you will need:

Starbucks Frappuccino Halloween Costume

Happy October!  This month, I'm so excited to launch a mini series of super easy do-it-yourself Halloween costumes, beginning with this Starbucks Frappuccino dress.  I wore this costume two years ago at a work event and never really posted anything about it, so I figured this would be the most perfect opportunity.  Making this costume is so inexpensive and if you're going for something cute, I would totally recommend making this.  Okay, let's go over materials and how to put it together!

You'll Need:

1 Starbucks Logo (print the logo below)

1 Slip or Beige Dress

1 Sheet of Green Cardstock Paper

7 Felt Sheets

6 Safety Pins

Scissors

Glue Gun

Optional: Orange Glitter

1. First you'll need to cut out the below image and use the circle to trace more circles over your seven felt sheets.  You should end up with one logo and seven circles. 

2. Turn your logo around and glue one felt circle on the backside of the logo.  Next glue the felt side of the logo to the middle of your dress.

 3. With your six remaining felt circles, fold each one in half, stack two halves on top of each other and then fold in half again together.  You should now have triangle shaped felt pieces.  Take your safety pins and pin each felt piece on the folded side. 

4. Next, take your last three safety pins and attach the felt to your dress.

5. Fluff out the pieces to create a foam-like top.  If you notice they're too far apart, attach each piece to the next piece with your glue gun.  

Optional Step: You can add orange glitter to your felt pieces to become a Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Think of the glitter as cinnamon!

 

6. To make the straw, simply roll your card stock piece of paper into a tube, then glue the end of the paper to the tube. 

7. Pick up a Starbucks to-go bag and use it as a trick-or-treat bag!  

I told you that was super easy!  Below are pictures of what the costume looks like on.  If you guys have any questions at all, comment in the section below or email me.  I'll chat again soon and be back with a new costume next week!

Xo,

Melissa Victoria

Beating The Monday Blues with Romwe

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Tunic: Romwe (shop here) // Shoes: Marc Fisher (shop on sale here)

Every Sunday evening, I like to spend my time browsing Pinterest for fun new ideas or just cultivating future home decor and such.  As much as I love to be prepared for the new week, I just feel like that 'homework' should be left to the following day to worry about.  You know that quote, "A Sunday well spent brings a week of content"?  I totally believe in this and rarely do I feel like Monday is a horrible day.  Trust me, with a full time job and blog, I always feel like I'm working even over the weekends.  However, my time over the weekend is taken very seriously and 100% believe this is the key to entering the new week well rested and motivated.  Tackling five days of 8+ hour shifts is no joke, you guys!  In this post, I wanted to share with you all a few ingredients to starting the week on a positive start and kicking those Monday blue's all the way to the other side of the planet.  Let's get started!

1. Take a Wellness Bath

I can't live without a bathtub and don't ever want to learn how.  I need to take a wellness bath at least once over the weekend, usually on Sunday's, to just meditate and relax.  As soon as the bathtub starts to fill up, I spray eucalyptus oil into the rising steam and breathe in as much of it as I can.  Bath bombs are also awesome to use and I totally just jumped on the train!

2. Read a Book or Magazine

Detaching oneself from technology and picking up a more traditional method of gaining information is so soothing to me.  I work in social media so I'm always on a computer.  Learning how to keep training your brain to read and expand your vocabulary is super beneficial!  Try reading at night instead of using your phone until you fall asleep. 

3. Online Shop

Contradictory to my last tip, lol, I do enjoy an hour of online shopping.  It's so fun to browse for new online boutiques and see if any items are a winner.  The dress in this post is from online shop Romwe and if you like my dress, you can shop it here!  This was an online shop win for me and super cute for every season, especially the ones spent around a beach city.

4. Cook

Making sure you have food prepped and ready make getting to work in the morning so much faster - and cheaper.  I luckily have a huge cafeteria at my job, but I still love to bring my own food.  Take the initiative to cook before Monday and  I promise you will even save yourself a couple dollars at the end of the week. 

Well, these are my core rules to starting a successful week!  Don't forget you can shop this dress via the available links in this post.  Let me know if you have any trouble locating this dress and also let a girl know how you prepare for a blue-less Monday in the comments below.  Tootles!

Xo Melissa Victoria