Wardrobe Raid- 12.4.2010

IceSkating in the Produce Aisle

Tee: F21; Tank: Abercombie: Seasonal Clearance; Leggings: F21: $3.50; Booties: Gojane.com; Jacket: Aeropostale: Gifted from my brother; Scarf: n/a; Funny Hat...priceless.. hehe no j/k it's from some shop in Mystic, CT. Denali jacket: TheNorthFace: $150 (cheaper on ebay)

Yes you read correctly. I went Iceskating in the produce aisle of the local Harris Teeter.. thanks to it being cold and wet outside and me wearing those totally inappropriate shoes.. I am a complete klutz and have yet to realize that shinny surfaced flooring and wet heels are not a good mix when I occupy them..
So to make my utterly embarassing moment in the store, I skated quite literally through the tomato section to be exact... I hope the veggies weren't trying to tell me something about my outfit... I know the denali and the hat were a bit much but i didn't think it was going to be soo cold out so I grabbed what I could before the alarm went off on my way out... I could only take a quick pix before ducking into the car and the oncoming downpour so you couldn't really see the right outfit .... but you get the point

Cafe du Michelle- Apple Gorgonzola Salad

Apple Gorgonzola Salad

My Stomach is audibly growling rememberint this salad that I made for Thanksgiving lunch at the Bf's fam's house... It went into the largest bowl I had in my possesion which so happened to be a pink and orange ditty that my mom gave me for my housewarming. It intermittently serves as a bread organizer in the pantry..

Ingredients:

2 Bags of Italian Blend lettuce (Since I was in a hurry and did not feel like spending the morning chopping)

(for those with more time, you can chop up some green leaf lettuce, some red leaf lettuce and a heart of romaine lettuce... tossed to mix together)

1 bag of herbed croutons

1 bag of dried cranberries

1 bag of candied walnuts (they're super sweet)

1 Granny Smith Green apple chopped

1 package of Gorgonzola cheese crumbles

Directions:

1. Place lettuce in bowl

2. Add croutons and mix to distribute

3. Add Walnuts, Cranberries, and Apples, mix to distribute

4. Add Gorgonzola and mix.

5. Repeat until there is a good ratio..

Now for the best part.. The dressing.

Homemade Balsamic Vinegarette



Ingredients:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Clove crushed garlic

Red Wine Vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar

1 tsp. Basil

1 tsp. parsley

1 tsp. honey dijon mustard

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Add equal parts to all ingredients listed above into a blender and blend until mixed.

2. Chill for an hour prior to serving





Wardrobe Raid- 12.3.2010

Laid Back Work Day

Faux Fur Coat: Attention: $34.99; Blazer: 15dollarstore.com: $15; Top: Marshall's; Jeans: LEI; Clogs: Payless: $28.99; Watch: Fossil: Gifted; Earrings: F21: $3.50; Pin: Michael's: $1.99 (clearance).

Hmm... whats that over in the trees?

Well, it's not as interesting as my feet... obviously.. I mean look at them... aren't they the most gorgeous feet you have ever seen?? I mean I am in the wrooonng line of work. Should've been a shoe model. I mean they are just fascinating...  I just can't stop staring...(I kidd, I kidd)... I actually am not exactly fond of them. Or as my freind Jenny used to say I have alien toes.. So it's a little bizzare that i can write with my feet and pick up generally just about anything, I guess I'm part monkey.... mom you have some explaining to do!!!!

Ok so I thought some humor would distract you all from the fact that I have not been as active lately posting. But I assure you now that I have passed my accounting course (finally!!!) and have made it over the December hump at work oh ya & lets not forget all that pesky Christmas shopping & decorating out of the way. I can get back to sharing fabulousness with you all.. (atleast I like to think that).. 

Wardrobe Raid- 12.2.2010

Sweater Dress: Kohl's; Tights: Target: $5; Boots: Aldo: $75ish(on clearance); Necklace: F21: $6.50; Handcarves Wooden Bracelet:: Local Boutique: Gifted

So I've been dragging my feet this week in posting, well shoot me!.. (ok no seriously....don't do that). But work & school have me swamped. That and in the last 2 weeks I have had more Murphy days than I could count. Sheesh.. I was productive though.... (well sorta),  in that I managed to put up my tree w/ decorations, help the bf put up his....ok so I was sick on the couch for most of his decorating but I put up a few ornaments (hey that counts!)...So here is my first set of photos by the tree, I love the warm glow the tree lighting gives. Since the weather here has plummeted to below 30s when I get home the majority of my pictures will be indoors & and most likely by said tree.. (real creative..huh?) I promise that if it snows here I will take some outdoor pics... with me in them..

Oh and the blue smudge on my arm is not a new tattoo... its quite literally a smudge from a blue highlighter that I totally didn't know I had until I posted this... Oops!

Budget Friendly Holiday Ideas

Work with What You've Got

Tablescape

This bowls contents tends to get changed up seasonally. I was going to leave the fall scavenged pinecones in it just adding a bit of fake snow, but I couldn't just leave these red beauties in their box again this year. So I swapped out the pinecones with some red ornaments I had and added some holiday cheer to my table. I also added in these silver wire christmas trees that my mom picked up for me and even though they don't match with the "peacock" colorscheme the green runner I picked up on sale at IKEA for all of $.99. Cost me just $1 to set up. The vintage sugar bowl  will get a helping of walnuts whenever I make my way to the grocery store.

Splatter-Free Sparkle

The wooden fruitbowl that resides on my kitchen counter, got a nice pick me up of extra ornaments to add some  cheer to the kitchen. I just made sure there was a good mix of colors and that was that. They are all plastic so if they get an unlikely splatter of something thats being cooked I can just pop them in the dishwasher to get clean.

 My mom gifted (as per the majority of holiday items) me these sparkly Christmas trees. They are from Crate&Barrel, but the budget part is that though they were free for me she bought them on the 75% off day after christmas sale so they were super cheap for her.. And the kicker is you can whip up some DIY ones at home on the cheap...

Materials:

• What you need is come cardboard cones,
• Modgepodge,
• Glitter in colors you intend to use.
• Colored beads if you would like a more textured look
• Foam Brush

(Hint: do this out side on a non-windy day, Trust me you'll thank me later)

Lay out some newspaper or a craft blanket and get a big enough plastic container to fit the largest cone in verically (this works the best because you are less likely to waste glitter it also maked for the easiest cleanup) or you can use paper plates.

Fill the plastic container with the mixed Glitter of choice.

Sift the Glitter so that it coats the entire length of the tree.

Use the foam brush to coat the entire outside of the cone in a thick layer of modge podge.

Then, Holding the top of the cone and the inner (nonglued) part on the bottom and commence to "dip" & roll the cone until it is completely covered in glitter and beads..

Set aside on news paper to dry and repeat with other.

Bonus:

If you have excess glitter/bead mix you can just tip the remaining contents into a plastic baggy or small container for later use. So no glitter is gone to waste

Deck the Halls..'er Bookcase

There aren't really any halls to deck in this home.. maybe Ill get lucky next year and be in a new place equipped with a hall to deck?!? right ... well a girl can dream. In the meantime I have thrown up some garland with more misfits around the living room book case.. And hung it around the top from some old Target stocking holders.. hence the big red stars ..

The misfits always find a home.. these all came from decorations my mom places on my gifts every year... her moto is "every present needs an ornament".. (most of which just may escape the wrath of her glue gun)..

Feel free to share if your bookcases get some holiday lovin' or if you have a clever way to showcase misfits...

'Tis the season

The Peacock Tree.

The inspiration from this look came from the feathered peacock ornaments that are all over the tree..something about going non traditional and venturning in to the Teal, Lime and (non-tacky) gold side of the tree always puts a silly girlish grin on my face.. I also can't hate on this being a fake tree that already comes lit up... It saved me soo much time this year in decorating.

 

 

The Mini Tree

This little ditty sits atop my indoor fire heater that is made to look like a wood burning stove.. It helps ward off the chill on those blustery nights and saves big on the gas bill.

 

Of course Hookah had to maker her cameo, that is her claimed spot to warm her little furry tush.. Last year I was petrified that she would catch fire being as tiny as she is and being the perfect size to fit right up under the grating of the heater.. As I am sure females everywhere know hair is extremely flammable... so I now have to double check that shes not under it before I turn it on.. This is nothing new in this household as I had to check that Giggles the ferret (I fostered) wasn't under the dishwasher when I turned that on.

 

                               

We all Love the Misfits

I have been aqcuiring misfit Christmas decorations over the years and here are a few. They are usually gifted via my mom, and I don't have the heart to leave them in the box so they go scattered about the house in small clusters like the one listed here.

 

Wardrobe Raid- 12.1.2010

Plain With a Gangster Twist

Sweater: Wet Seal; Pants: WetSeal: Clearance; Hair Flower: F21: $3.50; Earrings; F21: $1.50; Shoes: Kohl's: $35

These pants always seem like they would be something a gangster would wear. They are ancient and easinly one of the oldest items in my closet. Additionally the tie up oxfords did not steer me clear of that gangster appearance. I could have honestly thrown on an old school bowler with a plastic  tommy gun and walked out for halloween. But alas, no promises of candy came this day, just work and came home to put up the 'ol tree. This was a total cheat day in that I wore pants and paired it with something in the same color scheme. It didn't involve much thought and worked out rather well. Until next time I just want to know : "Are ju tolkin' to me?"

Wardrobe Raid- 11.30.2010

Eye See You

Cords: F21: $14.90; Cami: polo Gifted; Top: Bitten by SJP; Shoes: UO:$49; Necklace: F21: $1.50; Earrings: Gifted; Blazer: NY&Co.: $35 with Black Friday discount.

Well this outfit was middle of the road for me. By that I mean that part of me absolutely loves it and the other part thinks its rather blah.. However, both of my halves are in agreement that it looked waay better in person than it photographed.. Due to the increasingly shorter days and subsequesnt drop in temperature, the majority of my shots are taking place indoors. Where I run into the ultimate problems of... finding an empty enough spot to shoot, turning on enough lights to not look like I am on my death bed, and lastly being able to pose and keep the curious pups out of the shots. I mean I know that what mommy is doing is always interesting but seriously they don't need to have some body part touching me every second after I enter the front door.

I am the definition of Cuteness!

Alfie got spot in the limelight so i couldn't leave Hookah out.. I am an equal opportunity owner after all...

I mean how can one resist that tiny little face! It gets me everytime in to giving her more treats. I have this pic of her and ever time I see it I squeal at the cuteness.

Wardrobe Raid- 11.29.2010

PieceMeal Remix

Dress: Norma Kamali: $15; Tights: $3.50; Sweater: Victoria Secret; Shoes: Payless: $26.99 ($13.50 w/ Bogo); Earings: Vintage: Gifted; Bomber: Kohl's: $34; Scarf: Old.

This outfit was patched togther with items I had in my suitcase from over the weekend. I decided to stay Sunday at the bf's and had limited things to work with for work come Monday morning. This outift is the by product of that.. Hence the immediate rewearing of certain items.. Not my strongest outfit.. but sue me it's all that was work wearable in the bag... oh ya and it was like 40 when I left in the AM so I froze my lil bum off in only that small jacket! Sheesh the things to do to squeeze in some more quality time...

Wardrobe Raid-11.27.2010

Book Browsing

Bomber: Kohl's: $34; Scarf: Old; Dress: AE: $14.99 Clearance: Boots: Aldo: $150ish; Earings: F21: $1.50

I love the plainess of this outfit. There was not too many pieces and yet I love it. It was great to go to the local Borders that was closing.. everything was atleast 30% off. I picked up some new reading material to add to my endless collection, 2 cook books, and my Christmas cards from Paperchase.. Which have already been filled & sent out.. I'm on the ball this year! for the rest of the day I just hung out at the bfs and watched TV I was on this horrible True Life kick and was soo unproductive all day. Veging out is good to do every now and then, though it also encompassed Sunday too.. now that was bad!

I love the path in my bfs back yard the concrete & greenery make for great outfit pics.

Wardrobe Raid-11.26.2010

Who Me? Dorothy?

Gingham Top: F21:$7.99 ; Jeans: Hollister: Gifted; Red Belt: Payless: $12.99 ($6.50 w/Bogo); Red Suede Pumps: $26.99 ($13.49 w/Bogo); Bracelete: Handmade for a local boutique: Gifted

Alfie has made his Wardrobe Raid debut.. I couln't help but include him in some shots since he is my own personal Toto.  Something about the red and blue gingham shirt screamed Dorothy from Wizard of Oz to me and as I picked up the Alfinator the bf said as much so ya here's my not Halloween Dorothy impersonation.It was comphy and playful and I even managed to go to one store for Black Friday shopping.. My cousin & I hit up Michael's for some bargain craft supplies, and a cart full of fun!..

P.S. Please excuse the runny make up I was running after 6 dogs and 2 toddlers all day.. no time for touch ups.

Wardrobe Raid-11.25.2010

Style with a Side of Turkey?

Dress: Marshall's: $12 (Clearance); Blazer: NY&Co.: $35 ($79 before 50% black friday sale); Tights: F21: $3.50; Shoes: Payless: $28.99; Scarf: AE : BOGO, Hair Bow: F21: $3.50

Well in the craziness of the day I did not manage to get a full outfit shot. But I have these the first one with the loving bf, and the second with my complacent brother.. and yes as usual we don't look realted. But we are! Only he got the white genes in the family hence the light hair & eyes.. as you can see there is just a tad of the sibling rivalry still in me.. But enough of that.  It was cold and rainy all day everywhere but our last stop which is where these pix were taken at my aunt's house.. the is after my 4 helpings of food.. yes that tiny body fit in 4 servings of food, much to my mothers scowling looks :) but I can never turn down my grandma's black beans & rice.. That's right no Cuban Thanksgiving is complete without them. You can see the dishes in the sink in the background... (see proof!)

 I had plenty to be thankful for this year, one of which was the fact that I remembered to bring all of the articles involved in this outfit to the Bf's... So we did have to go on a last minute mall raid to exchange the shoes that arrived at my house the day before in the waaay wrong size.. But the outfit revolved around the shoes and the bf new better than to stand in the way of that. So he was the best sport ever and helped me track down the right pair.. Way to start our First Thanksgiving off on the right foot! (pun intended)...I was so happy to spend this day with family & freinds and that what I made turned out good  (yes that was some self-abdicated props.. what of it?)

Wardrobe Raid- 11.24.2010

A Little Bomber (jacket) Never Hurt No One

Bomber: Kohl's: $34; Brown Cami: Target; Blue Top: Abercrombie: Summer Clearance; Jeans: F21: $16.50; Scarf: Payless:$12 (BOGO= $6); Boots: Aldo: $150ish; Earrings: F21:$1.50

Yup Holding up that fence like a trooper.. Ok so there are more pix with this post than most others.. and that is due to catching the last few rays of  afternoon light the day before Thanksgiving. We got a free pass at work to wear jeans since the office was officially dead!. I put this little outfit together and it was comphy and functional. I was able to get tons of work done because of the ease of movement and well not really caring it I got a little dirty!.
So ya I had some fun with my new camera remote so now I don't have to turn on the timer and run to pose to get a good shot.. I just line it up and click away.. so you can say I got a tad click happy with this outfit.. It also helped that it was a good hair and make up day.. thats always a plus!