What I've Been Up To

Hello Gorgeous! Long time, no see! As you probably know, my schedule has been extremely busy lately, but I wanted to take a few minutes to share some of the fun things I've been up to. Of course, most of my time has been devoted to school (I defend my masters in just 8 days), but here are some of the highlights from the past month!


My fiance and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary!

And I wore this little number to our celebratory dinner. This Free People dress was also featured in a post back in May. Here I styled it with my new boots by Nicole and a tan cardy.

I also went to Seattle for a conference!

And drank an average of 2.5 lattes each day...

And found this huge ass leaf. :)

And this past weekend I took my etsy shop on the road as I participated in my first craft fair! I made lots of new designs in preparation. Here are just a few:

Paracord Survival Bracelet - $10

Braided Triple Wrap Bracelet - $20

Beaded Adjustable Macrame Bracelet - $18

By the way, Black Friday & Cyber Monday are just around the corner and I will be offering some great deals! On Friday, you can get 10% off plus FREE SHIPPING with code BLKFRISHIP! There will be other deals on Shop Small Saturday and Cyber Monday as well, but the deal on Friday will definitely be the best, so be sure to shop my etsy store, Tara Lane Designs, on Friday!


So that's what I've been up to! What have you all been doing lately? I've been missing you!

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More Wedding Ideas

Good Morning, Gorgeous! I have been procrastinating on my work this morning by browsing Etsy for some great wedding ideas! I created a list of some of my favorite finds, and wanted to share them with you!

Click here to see my original list and check out each gorgeous item!

I love the idea of having lots of personal touches, and the contrast of nature and luxury. What do you think of these finds? Which are your favorite? I'd love some feedback!

Also, don't forget- there are only a few days left to enter the Jezzy Belle's Vintage Giveaway!

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I Miss You...

Hello Lovelies. As I'm sure you've noticed, I've been on a bit of a hiatus since last week. I'm sure you've missed me (right?!) and I've missed you too (like the deserts miss the rain). Unfortunately, I can't guarantee that I'll be back to posting daily anytime soon.


If you have been a reader of Haute Lunch for a while now you know that I'm a grad student and sometimes my work load can be pretty heavy. This semester has been particularly intense and I don't see a break heading my way until I defend my master's in late November/early December. Until then I'm hoping to be able to post every other day or so, but there might be weeks like this past one that I just have to put the blog on the back burner while I burn the midnight oil reading, writing, grading, and analyzing data. I hope you all will stick around and know that I'm still reading every one of your comments and love hearing from all of you!


Check back tomorrow for a brand new post and don't forget to enter the Jezzy Belle's Giveaway! Thanks for all your support!

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Remembering September 11, 2001

Today, the 10th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, is a sad day for our country, but also a day of hope and remembrance. I encourage you to take a moment to remember those who have fallen and think about the impact this tragedy still has on our country and the world today.

Photo courtesy of Time Magazine

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Best Blog Award!

Hello Gorgeous! A little over a week ago Teresa from Teresa - Life and Style awarded me the with the best blog award, but I'm just now getting around to posting it. I was super flattered that she forwarded this award onto me, and I'm glad she was given it was well, because she really does have one of the best blogs around (a must read for me)!

As usual, I must reveal 7 facts about me, so here they are!

1. I think Gibbs (Mark Harmon) from NCIS is pretty good looking for an old guy (shh...don't tell the finace). ;)
2. When I was little I loved to play with Barbies and always wanted to go over to my friend's house because she had an entire Barbie city in her toy room!
3. I took dance lessons for 13 years and learned everything from tap to hip hop and acrobats to riverdance!
4. I really love nail polish, but hate wasting it, so I always have an internal struggle when I see a new color I like in the store (I already have more than I could use in the next two years).
5. I will NOT buy anything full price. Ever.
6. If I weren't in my current career path, I would love to either be an FBI/CIA agent, a bakery owner, an interior designer, or a full time jewelry designer. :)
7. I think baby wombats are some of the cutest animal babies of all. If you've never seen one, here's a picture so you know what I mean:

Definitely one of the cutest animal babies ever, right?!

Ok, so now I'm supposed to forward this award to 15 other blogs:

1. Average Girl's Guide  2. Chic 'n Cheap Living  3. Chicago Quirk  4. Defining Tabitha              5. Defying My Closet  6. The Fabulous Life of the Not-So-Rich & Infamous  7. Feather Factor    8. Glam Kitten's Litter Box  9. Modanista Junkie  10. Oh To Be A Muse  11. Real Girl Glam     12. Red Lip Gloss  13. Scribbles from Emily  14. Smart n Snazzy  15. This Free Bird

Finally, I have to fill out this Q & A:

Favorite Color: All of them, but maybe coral, cobalt blue, and turquoise a little more than the rest. :)

Favorite Song: I'm such a big music lover. I could never limit my favorites down to one, but my favorite Led Zeppelin song, "Fool In The Rain," has been in heavy rotation lately.

Biggest Pet Peeve: Impolite people. If I help you with directions, say "thank you." If a blind girl is walking in behind you (or anyone for that matter), hold the d*** door for her/them (I've seen this happen). If I just had shoulder surgery and my arm is in a sling so I can't hold on to the hand rail on the bus, give up your seat you lazy frat boy (this has also happened to me)!

When Upset I: Cry. :) Sometimes I don't cry, but I want to. In that case I usually just sit quietly and think or take a walk.

Favorite Pet: Sneaker was definitely one of my favorites, as is my current cat, Noodle, but I really love(d) all of my pets. I also adore Sadie, who is my fiance's family's dog.

Black or White: I love to wear black & white together!

Biggest Fear: Snakes, large spiders, scorpions, and large bugs (especially those that are large and have stingers). Ick!

Best Feature: My loyalty and love for my friends and loved ones. Also, I have pretty awesome legs. ;)

Everyday Attitude: Laid back. I am usually in a pretty good mood.

What is Perfection: Non-existent. Many things are close to perfection, but nothing is ever truly perfect nor would I want it to be. Life's little imperfections are what keeps things interesting. :)

Guilty Pleasure: Ice cream!!! I also love this drink at Nordstrom Cafe that's called the Mocha Cookies & Cream Ice Storm (it's made with espresso, chocolate, and oreos...awesome)!

Thanks to Teresa for giving me this award! I hope you all have a fabulous day!

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Why I Love Blogging

Hello Lovelies! Over the last few days since my cat Sneaker died, I have received so many messages from my readers and fellow bloggers offering their sympathy and support. This support and camaraderie is one of the things I love most about blogging! Not only am I able to share my passions with others, but I also get to meet lots of amazing people. Along the way, I have formed some close bonds with people I would have never met had I not began Haute Lunch, and I'm so glad I did. All the messages I have received have meant so much to me, and really brightened my day. One fellow blogger who I have become great friends with, Teresa from Teresa - Life and Style, even surprised me with a lovely bouquet that totally made my day.

My beautiful flowers and the super sweet gal who sent them to me!

If you've spent more than a day or two in the blogosphere, I'm sure you know exactly what I mean when I say that this community is one of the most supportive, caring, fun communities to be a part of! I want to thank everyone who as been a supporter and friend, and especially Teresa for bringing a smile to my face at least once everyday since I found out about Sneaker's death. If you've never visited her blog, you absolutely must. Not only is she one of the sweetest people I've ever met, she also has amazing style, lots of creativity, and great taste in men (see this post to find out what I mean). Teresa is also hosting a giveaway right now, so be sure to check that out as well! 

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Tough Decisions

I don't usually like to post anything too horribly personal or emotional on here, but today I'm going to go a bit way off topic. The cat that my family got when I was 12 is getting pretty old, and he hasn't been doing very well lately. He's a big, furry guy and at one point weighed 25lbs, but now he's just a measly 8lbs. My mom took him to the vet again today, and they currently are holding him to run a couple tests. These tests alone cost $150, and the vet wants to do even more that will cost another $500. I love Sneaker to pieces, as does my mom, dad, and sister. However, I come from a very modest upbringing, and my family doesn't have that kind of money. I know my parents wouldn't hesitate to pay any amount help Sneaker if they had it, but they don't. Unfortunately, since I'm in grad school, I don't have it either, which is why this is really hard.


What would you do in this situation? Would you scrap together everything you had to gets the tests done and risk the vet not being able to help your pet anyway? Any thoughts (and prayers) you can offer would be greatly appreciated. I was closer to Sneaker than any other pet before, and it's really hard to see him so frail.

Sneaker and I in his glory days (2002).

Sorry for the depressing post. I promise the next one will be a bit more cheerful.

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