New Year's Resolutions 2015

How did we get here?  The last day of 2014!  Every year seems to go by a little faster than the last and so my first New Year's Resolution is to make every moment count.

I have quite a few New Year's Resolutions for 2015 so I'm writing this post to help hold myself accountable!

1. Be Nice - not that I am normally mean or anything but I think we can all be a little nicer and more understanding of others.  I'll be trying to keep this in mind next time someone cuts me off on the highway:

2. Exercise and Eat Healthy! - How original right?  But I'm serious about it this year and I am going to do it for the WHOLE year and not just the first few months (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!).  And this includes drinking as much water as possible all the time - no more soda or coffee!  Well let's not get too crazy - not AS MUCH soda or coffee ;D

3. Don't Stress - I know there are going to be SO many changes in 2015!  Graduating, Starting a job in the real world, Getting MARRIED!, Moving into my own place.  It will be a whirlwind I am sure and I just hope that I can always remember that God has a plan for me and he will make sure everything works out the way it should.

How cute (and true) is this?

4. Believe in myself - I did a pretty good job at this in 2014 and the result was exceeding my goals on Etsy and creating a following on Instagram!  Not to mention surviving 2 semesters of engineering classes with an internship in between on top of all that.  So a huge THANK YOU to every single person who was a part of it!  Hopefully I can keep it up for 2015! 

Always believe in yourselves my friends:

I'm sure I a thousand other things I want to do and a thousand other things I should do but haven't thought of.  But at least these are a start and all live under the over arching theme of living the best life I can and enjoying every day for what it is - good or bad, happy or sad, every day is a gift and I am thankful for everything that happened in 2014 because it's all made me who I am today!

Happy New Year!!  Share your resolutions with me in the comments if you're so inclined, I'd love to hear what they are!

Don't forget to sparkle ~ Katie

All pictures are found on Pinterest.  Check out this board for sources.

Designer Jewelry for Less | Rocksbox

January 2015 update!  Now use code katiexoxo1 to get your first month FREE!  Click here! Good through the end of January.

To me accessories make an outfit.  They're the final piece to the fashion puzzle.  A tiny addition that can completely pull a look together.

One problem is that you practically need a second closet (and bank account) to handle all of it!  Well today I have a solution for you.  This post is my review of the jewelry rental service Rocksbox.

Here's how it works.  You sign up, take a style quiz, and create a wish list.  Then they send you a box of three pieces that you can wear as much as you'd like and keep for as long as you'd like.  At any time you can send them back (free shipping both ways!) and they'll send you three new pieces!

And if you find something you love, you can purchase it for 20% off - bonus!!

So at first, I will admit, I was a skeptic... I thought it was a cool idea but not really for me, I was perfectly happy with the jewelry I already own and didn't think I would be into the hassle of shipping them back often.

After getting my first box I was impressed - I loved 2 of the 3 (one was Loren Hope!!!!), the third was nice just not my style.  But I wanted to make sure and wear each of them at least once, they are designer pieces after all!  Here are a few of my outfits:

Perry Street Maddie Crystal Necklace

Loren Hope Carson Bracelet

Gorjana Mia Tiered Necklace

Perry Street Cicily Necklace

The package it comes in contains the return shipping label and is re-usable so all you have to do is slide the box back in and drop it at the post office - no standing in lines or anything.  Incredibly easy!

A few days later I got my next box in the mail.  Again 2 out of 3 I loved and I mean LOVED - we are talking Kendra Scott here!  The 3rd piece was a beautiful House of Harlow bracelet that unfortunately was too big for my tiny tiny wrists.  So I really loved 3 out of 3 but could only wear 2 of them.

Kendra Scott Rayne in Emerald Cat's Eye

House of Harlow Sunburst Bangle in White

I wore the blue Perry Street necklace on Christmas day and got many compliments from my family!

So now for the fun part - signing up!  Sign up through this link and you will automatically get $25 credit towards the purchase of one of your pieces (and so will I so it is a win-win... big time)!

I would like to thank Rocksbox for my subscription.  Please keep in mind though that this review is 110% honest and written by me!

Don't forget to Sparkle!

~Katie

Last Minute DIY Ornament Gifts

Holy Cow Christmas is in 3 days!  How exciting yet nerve wracking if you aren't completely prepared. Follow this super simple tutorial for ornaments that make a great gift or the final touch on your tree!

Here is what you'll need:
- glass ornaments - this 4 pack from Michaels is already 60% off right now, making it just $2!  You can also get single ornaments at Walmart for $1 each.
-paint - I picked this gold glitter paint from Martha Stewart's line at Michaels (used a coupon for that, of course!)

These are so easy!  Just take the top off and squeeze in paint.  That's it!  Just move the paint around until it looks how you like and you are finished.

This was my original plan - to leave it kind of wavy at the top:

But then I found some red paint in my mess of a craft room and completely covered the inside of this one.  I liked how it looked so I added more to the gold as well.

Then I found more paint and experimented with the others.  The two shades of pink gave sort of a marbled effect.  And the red and green streaks looks pretty cool too!  Just have fun experimenting and giving out these great, personalized gifts.  

A very very Merry Christmas to you and yours this year!  Have a safe and blessed holiday!  XO Katie