Purrsuing Charlotte

Saturday I participated in the Panther Purrsuit, a social media scavenger hunt that centers off of Twitter. I wasn't sure what to expect at first but as Saturday drew closer and the friendly trash talk began. My teammate, Samantha and I were sponsored by Painting with a Twist (@PWATCLT) and could not have been represented by a more fun company! Thanks, PWAT!

On Saturday I wrested with what to wear with my PWAT shirt and masquerade mask. My original plan to wear my burgundy pants that would match the feathers in my mask but considering the pants are a tad bit long it is a must that wear heels/boots with them. At the last minute I decided to go with jeans and burgundy flats.

Meet-up was at 1pm at the Panthers Practice field, Samantha and I (Team CLT Masquerade) were ready to take on the competition. We spoke with some of the Allen Tate representatives who were there to help facilitate the Purrsuit, Allen Tate was one of the sponsors of the Panther Purrsuit.

The first three challenges took place on the practice field. Whoop. Whoop. Who would have ever thought I would be playing games on the practice field of the Panthers. Challenge #1: Kick a field goal - the further back the better score. Sam and I both gave it our best try. I even put on Sam's tennis shoe, no go. Then I tried to kick it with my flats on. Lets just say the ball flew...and about 5 sec delay so did my shoe. Quite humorous to all who saw this. Gotta laugh. That is what this is all about.



Challenge #2 was much easier than kicking a field goal. It was an improv with an Allen Tate rep. Funny. Goofy. Just watch the video above. Challenge #3 was just as fun a 3-legged race run with an Allen Tate rep. Which I ran, and thought it to be with great time.





Once the challenges at the practice field were done...we were off! The first stop was suppose to be ride on the Gold Rush to the Allen Tate office which turned into a walk through the Culture Fair. What I loved is that we used QR codes to get to our next destination and some were even audio personalized. How awesome, great job guys! We had two challenges at the Allen Tate office, kind of like a Price is Right game attach prices to the home in the greater Charlotte area.

The final challenge at Allen Tate was Pictionary...and while most of my friends know I get quite excited when  I play Catch Phase, same way with Pictionary. 





After our awesome Pictionary round at Allen Tate next up was heading back to the car...we may or may not have been cursing the Gold Rush. Next stop was Classroom Central where there were 3 challenges. Challenge #1 learn a Panther cheer with two of the Panther cheerleaders. Done and done. Next up a shopping spree through Classroom Central. Which there was a video...but it never got uploaded. So sad. Stupid wifi. Next up the scavenger hunt in the Suburu on South Blvd. cars. We did pretty well and found quite a few items.

Our next stop was Queen City Audio Video & Appliances on Queen City Blvd. This stop was fun and I must say a bit relaxing. We had to study a cheat sheet of movie preview we were going to watch on a 3D TV and answer the questions.

Then another improv skit this time it was cooking Thanksgiving dinner with Sir Purr! Get ready to laugh.



Our final stop of the Purrsuit before the finish line was Circle K. I was afraid we were going to have to down a big gulp are something seeing we were given two buy one get one free coupons for a large drink size. We got there and got our free drinks. Holla. We were oh so thirsty.

Final challenge play Pepsi pong. Sam was awesome and we got some really great points to add to the rest.

Our finish line was at the Epicenter. Though we didn't win any prizes we had a blast and I cannot wait for next year. Being a rookie I made notes for next year...and this year was awesome but next year will be epic.

After the Panther Purrsuit I had a Halloween Costume party to attend...though my costume was just a carry over from the Purrsuit games. I was just oh too tired to change.

Top Row: Michelle. Sarah. Jen. Katy.
Bottom Row: Caitlin. Britney. Me. Tiff. 

It was so great to see some of my fave Charlotte bloggers! I didn't stay long but I had a great time and Michelle is an incredible hostess.

That was my Saturday! I hope you all had an incredible weekend as well.

Meow!

Miss Sixty Belted Dress

One of my favorite prints in fashion is leopard print. It is bold and it has so much potential. Like the above dress. Look how amazing and classy that dress is! Doesn't it make you want to go somewhere fab and hold you head high just knowing you can conquer the world in your leopard print dress? The plus about that dress, you can see how great it looks with some strappy heels it would also look just as great with a ankle booty or a closed toe pump. So many options.

Ruched Top Dress

The problem with leopard print is it can be easily over sexified. Okay, I know I got this dress off of Victoria  Secret but I knew the quickest way to prove my point. Too many times I see this when it comes to leopard print. Its like, how can we make this dress sexier? Lets put it in leopard and make it look like lingerie. And while this one isn't so bad...there are one's that are basically just made for the street walkers. Ladies, please keep it classy and stay away from the following dresses.

Obviously this is on clearance for a reason

I don't care this is Burberry...this looks like a dress a hooker was wear running away from the cops

There are no words...

So remember my fashion lovers leopard isn't something to be afraid of it is something to embrace! Just stay away from looking like a complete cat or basically a street walker. Here are some great ways to incorporate leopard print into your wardrobe and still look classy.

Perfection

Leopard Print Short...Bold! I DIE!

Accessorize in leopard! 

A leopard print shoe is must! MUST! 

Take a chance. Be brave...and I am going to do everything I possibly can to avoid the oh so corny and over used phase used when talking about leopard print (you know which one I am talking about). Leopard print isn't scary, it is bold, but who doesn't want a bit of bold in their wardrobe?

Back to Normal

photo credit

On Friday, I had to get a shot in my Kardashian for the headaches that were borderline migraines and migraines that I was having for almost a week. And now I am back to my vibrant self. Yay! I can hear the cheers waving through the internets as you read this.

I've been working on the same post for the past few hours and now it is midnight...so it is going to have to wait until tomorrow, which I am uber bummed about. So I am going to leave you with a little sneak peak at what it is you will be seeing on the blog tomorrow. It is something I wanted to write about for awhile and it kind of got stuck into the archives.

Okay my fashion lovers until tomorrow! Muah.

My Pounding Head!

Hello my lovelies. I've missed you and I am sorry I've been dealing with severe borderline migraines and migraines since Saturday. Thankfully I have a doctors appointment at 9:15 on Friday morning for what will most likely be a shot in my wanna-be Kardashian booty...it is more like a J-Lo.

I would like to give a big shout out to my rock-star parents for going to pick-up my meds that were called in for my on Tuesday night. They drove from their house to my pharmacy to my house! It really meant so much to me when just walking made me want to cry. thank you! 


Now, my pup on the other hand...I do not know what has gotten into her but aren't dog suppose to have some sixth sense that their owner is not feeling well? Isn't that in their biology or something. My pup is missing that.

So I found this thing on Pinterest and figured it would be perfect to make up for the lack my blogging this week.  It is funny and quirky...

I love this...except for #30

I hope you all enjoyed this. I know its not very fashion forward but I needed to blog something. I miss you all, hopefully after 10am tomorrow I will be feeling 100% again. 

xoxo - my fashion lovers!

The Fur Craze

Hello my fashion lovers! I've missed you and the intoxicating glow of my laptop (though I have to admit with my  current headache that I've had almost all day - it is making me cringe just a little). I was sick on Monday and Tuesday...I didn't turn on my computer nor did I tweet for those two days. I have to admit it was kind of nice but I did miss posting the winner of the giveaway. However it did get posted today! Check it out in case you missed it.

As much as I love expensive things my non-profit salary doesn't allow me to splurge on all the pretty things my fashion heart desires, so many times I have to improvise. Which I have become quite good at, I was trained well by my mom and MawMaw and I hope that I can use the blog as a tool to teach you all how to be smart shoppers as well.

One of the hot items for fall is fur (faux or real - this isn't a place for that debate) so take the luxe material and a girl's 2nd best friend, a handbag..of course...and you get an amazing piece for fall. I did a little bit of searching and found some very expensive handbags that will make you drool, I promise...I had to wipe drool off my keyboard a few times. But if you are like me, they will make your bank account cry as well, I think my bank card is hiding knowing that I have real bills to pays and a dog to feed. Then I will show a very affordable handbag that will make your bankcard come out of hiding.

Raven Kauffman Tote ($395)

Milly Kiki Shoulder Bag ($475)

Lanvin Fur Trousse Shoulder Bag ($2,900)

As you can see these bags can carry a pretty price tag, not terrible...but of course the one I am in love with is almost $3,000...another is almost $500! sigh. Thankfully there is a solution. Can I hear everyone cheering?

Forever21 Faux Fur Shoulder Bag ($29)

$29! You totally read that right! And how freakin' adorable is that bag? I am in love.

Well, my fashion lovers, I hope you enjoyed my more affordable find! Have you had a great find lately?

Shoe Giveway Winner!

Sorry for the late post, I didn't even turn my computer on Monday or Tuesday.

 I was sick in bed. Boo.

The winner of the shoe giveaway is Tiff from Love Sweat and Beers! 

As soon as you shoot me your email address (myfashionableaffair@gmail.com) I will send it to to sponsors of the contest and you will get to pick out your shoes! 

Congrats, Tiff! 

I Have Books!

photo credit

Okay, so I am cleaning out my upstairs closet! Yay. While I was cleaning out my closet I've come to find how many books I have that I am not read again...or ever for that matter (some of the books I have never read) nor am I going to display anywhere. So here is a list of the books I have and I am trying to get rid of. If you want one or some or all..just email me at myfashionableaffair@gmail.com. If you don't like in the QC no worries, I can work out shipping!

• A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
• Cold Mountian by Charles Frazier (paperback; like new)
• At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks  (hardback; like new)
• A Million Little Pieces by James Frey (hardback; like new)
• Mr. Maybe by Jane Green (paperback; used very good condition)
• Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (paperback; used good condition)
• Stupid & Contagious by Caprice Crane (paperback; used good condition)
• Trading Up by Candace Bushnell (paperback; like new)
• The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks (paperback - reprint; used)
• The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank (paperback; used good condition)

The following a Christian study books

• Avoiding Mr. Wrong [and what to do if you didn't] by Stephen Arterburn & Dr. Meg J. Rinck (paperback; new)
• Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller (paperback; new)
• Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge (hardback; like new)
• Cracking Da Vinci's Code (paperback; new)

photo credit

Just a Quick List

She likes to sleep in too!

This post is going to be a quickie...a list making post! I stayed up too late on Sunday night watching the premiere of Dexter (any Dexter fans out there?) followed by the last disc of the Vampire Diaries Season 2 while I was doing laundry. The next thing I knew it was 1am or so. Then last night I watched Monday Night Football and which I again stayed up until 1ish. And though I do that quite often on the weekend, when I don't have to get up early in the morning...definitely not a morning person.

So onto my quick-list-like blog:

• I love my Tampa Bay Bucs! 
• Did you see last night's post about the giveaway - that I kept misspelling? Well, if you haven't checked it out then I highly recommend that you do! It is a SHOE GIVEAWAY! 
• My blogger buddy at PinQue is in the Lucky Life Editor contest....let me just say, Michelle is an awesome fashion blogger! Go to her blog, then vote for her! She is also having a giveaway...a $100 Visa Card Giveaway!
• I am checking out this tunic at Anthropologie after getting an email that there is additional 25% off.  
• I have someone working on a new logo and layout for the blog! Yay!! 
• I bought the pup Hide A Squirrel today, and she LOVES it. She just played and played and played. 

Okay, well this was short...sweet...but posted! Don't forget fashion lovers, go comment on the giveaway post! 

Such a Tease (GIVEAWAY POST) - ENDED!

The contest has ended - the winner will be announced on Monday!

So I said twice last week that a sponsored giveway was coming...and it never came. I got crazy busy from Thursday night's post of the grand opening of Versona, followed by the celebration of Jessica's office and business, the failure of my pie...

Today, my fashion lovers... especially my shoe lover you don't have to wait any longer is is the giveway. Everyone get excited. So I received the Collette by Naturalizer in the mail last week on Wednesday evening. I was so excited, I ripped the box open like a little kid on Christmas (or like I still do on Christmas). And I have to admit I was so excited by what I saw. The shoes are absolutely adorable...and I have to admit I had this preconceived idea that these shoes were for an older woman. How wrong I was. I made sure my outfit for work the next day would include these adorable shoes. These shoes went great with Thursday's outfit of jeans but it also went really well with my black Banana Republic dress and yellow sweater from Anthropologie today. I was really impressed how comfortable they were. I wore them all day without any complaints....even though I was breaking in brand new shoes.






I encourage you to check out the above video for a behind the scenes look at the fall campaign for Naturalizer. Here are some of the fall shoes from the Naturalizer collection. Tell me which is your favorite! Or you can check out the website and the new arrivals...you may find something else you just love! 
I also encourage you to like the Naturalizer page! The winner of this giveway will win (drum roll please)......

A gift card to receive a free pair of shoes from Naturalizer.com (the pair of Naturalizer shoes, information and gift card for giveaway was provided by Naturalizer and Brown Shoe Company, through MyBlogSpark)! Free shoes...how can you go wrong there?!

Collette

Arness

Dinka

Irma

Kendall

Lennox 

Valya 

Hello, adorable...am I right? So leave a comment, let me know that you liked Naturalizer on Facebook. Tell me which of the above would you get with your free shoe? Since I already have the Collette, I am thinking I am in love with Arness because I don't have a flat black boot as hot as that one. Also, be sure to be following me on Twitter and to like My Fashionable Affair on Facebook with updates on the giveway. Entries for this giveway will be accepted until Friday (all day Friday)! 

Weekend Update: Celebrations & Failures

On Friday, after all of my errand running and spending a ridiculous amount of money at BJ's - how does one single person do that? I have to say that about 35% of the bill was on dog food that will last me about 2 months  or so. That evening I went to Davidson to celebrate the success of my friend Jessica and her beautiful new office for her photography business. She has had so much incredible success and I know that she will continue to have great success. 

She had goodies for us at her office before dinner at Flat Iron. The first time I went to Flat Iron I really liked my dish (the shrimp and grits) but I was in love with the goat dip and I think that is what stuck in my memory. This time the dish fell flat...nice play on words, right? But the company was fantastic. It was a great night. 

My living/dining room with wood floors

On Saturday morning my dad and I went back to Lumber Liquidators to return a piece of trim that was damaged and to also return a piece of trim from the transition pieces but it did not also work for the fireplace trim work. Thankfully this trim and exchange only cost me $5 and some change since I purchased an additional piece of trim. Much nicer of a price tag than my first two visits - the first to purchase the wood floors and the second to purchase all the trim. 

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

That afternoon I went to Trader Joe's and Harris Teeter - spending more money on food to make the pie above and picking up a few other things to stock my kitchen...I have to admit it was quite empty. I had plans to have dinner at my friend's, Irene & Wayne's house that evening - they were serving up a low country boil. Since fall really hit the Queen City this weekend I was craving something with pumpkin and found this recipe for Chocolate Pumpkin Pie on Pinterest. Read below before making the pie. 

Lillian!

After the little one went to bed and after dinner we sat out on the back deck around the boiler tank/fire and to finally enjoy the pie I baked. Except the pie...the pie....the are no words to describe how bad the pie was. I just asked everyone to stop eating it. I didn't want people swallowing down bad dessert for the sake of my feeling. So if you come across this recipe on Pinterest and think, oh I should make this it looks easy and sounds yummy. Warning: it is not! 

The pup...after her bath

Today was low-key and nice...just the way I like it. Went to the early service this morning, followed by lunch at my parents house until the pup got me shunned from the house because she rolled around in something gross. So I came home and bathed her. She doesn't like the bath part but she loves being dried off and running around the house foolishly. I heard a crash downstairs but I didn't think much of it, but since she woke up from our Sunday afternoon nap she has been limping. Not crying or whimpering. I am hoping she just pulled a muscle or something. But I am one worried pup momma! 

How was your weekend? Are you loving the fall weather and now it is October...I am.