JLW Tossed and Found Rummage Sale 2013

 Attention, all fashionistas and bloggers in the DC Metro area!
Have you heard of the Junior League of Washington's annual Tossed and Found Rummage Sale?
Where else can you shop names like Badgely Mischka, Carolina Herrera, Dior, Armani, Burberry and more on an average shopper's budget?
Proceeds from the sale are used to fund the Junior League of Washington’s community-based programs and literacy activities.

This year's sale is this weekend, March 23-24 with a preview day Friday evening, March 22.
Saturday and Sunday are free to attend, and tickets for Friday evening are $45.

I've never had the ability to attend in the past, but I've heard great things about it. I'm planning on attending this year!

For more information on the Junior League of Washington and the sale itself, check out JLW's website.

Hope to see you there -- and if you see me, please feel free to say hello! I love meeting new people, and it never hurts to make more thrifty friends! Better yet, if you're planning on attending, leave me a comment and I will try to keep an eye out for you!

echo, echo, echo...

popping my head into this dusty little corner of the world to see if anyone still looks here.
if i were to start posting again, would i have an audience to come back to?

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.
This week, we're going old school to the creation of those forms we used to fill out on Facebook a few years back.


No holiday party is complete without:

The yule log on TV in the background, s Secret Santa swap, and a game of Apples to Apples.

My favorite Christmas song/album:

My favorite Christmas songs are "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses and "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. However, my favorite Christmas Album is the Mr. Hanky's Christmas Classics from South Park.

Christmas Wrapping:


Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy:


My favorite seasonal recipe:

My dad's roast potatoes are the best. No one can ever replicate them.

The perfect New Year's Eve outfit includes:

If I'm going out, sequins, a tiara, and a noisemaker are a must. If I'm home, it's PJs all the way!

At the parties, I'll be drinking:

Diet soda with vodka. It's Weight Watchers friendly!

Eggnog, good or bad?

Ick.

Did you ever take pictures on Santa's lap at the mall?

Of course! Heck, I'd still be doing it if hubby wasn't so camera shy.

Gingerbread Latte or Peppermint Mocha:

I. Heart. Gingerbread. Lattes.
No, seriously, ya'll. I can avoid Starbucks 11 months out of the year, but as soon as the gingerbread lattes come out, I'm like a crack fiend.

Worst gift I ever got:

I'm grateful for any gift I receive. However, there was one year that I received IOUs for gifts that never materialized.

Best gift I ever received:

There are a few, but I remember when I first bought my house, I was SUPER-PSYCHED to receive a power-drill. I still love that thing.

My family has this weird tradition:

Christmas crackers are an English tradition. Our family has never had a Christmas without them -- except the year it was my turn to buy them. I did buy them...but then I left them at home in the closet when we went to my parents' house. Along with the gifts for my nephews. Christmas FAIL.
And this year it's my turn again...

My best bargain find for a gift this year:

Since we got married last fall, we didn't get our wedding photos back in time to give them out as Christmas gifts.
This year, thanks to the wonderful deal emails that I receive daily, we have put together a wonderful photo book for each of our parents and hubby's grandparents. I think the total for 4 books was something like $40 plus an additional $6 per book for shipping. so $16 a book? Yes, please.

If I could only buy all my gifts from one place, I'd shop at:

The internet. It's this really cool place...

Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman:

Olive, the other Reindeer. ;)

My favorite holiday memory:

I have so many. I especially have always loved the Christmas Eve church service, where everyone gets a candle and they turn the lights down low while we sing a few hymns. By then, the shopping is done, the gifts are wrapped, the plans are made, and it brings me back to what Christmas is really about.

My favorite Christmas movie:

The year Without a Santa Claus.
If you aren't familiar with it, let me introduce you to Heat Miser and Snow Miser:

Heat Miser:


Snow Miser:


The best part about holiday decorations is:

The lights!

Rip off the wrapping paper or neatly pull off the tape:

If you ain't rippin' it, you ain't doin' it right!

Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life:

Can you believe I've never seen either one?
Though, thanks to Phoebe on Friends, I don't think I will ever watch It's a Wonderful Life.

It doesn't feel like the holiday season until:

I've actually started shopping for my loved ones. That really gets me geared up!

All I want for Christmas is:

 Flat, brown riding boots. Specifically these or these.

Friend Fridays...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Do you have plans for Halloween? What will you dress up as this year?

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I know some people just don't get it, but I have always loved the idea of getting dressed up and pretending to be something you're not, but only for a day. I have also always loved coming up with costumes different from everyone else and trying to create them on my own. Sure, I have bought costumes sometimes, but I'm always most proud of the ones I whipped up on my own.

2. Where do you go for costume and makeup inspiration?

I've never been great with makeup, especially Halloween makeup -- I get this great image in my head of what I want to look like, then it never quite comes out right. As such, I focus more on the costume. I have found myself inspired by current events, movies, songs, inside jokes, and memories of my childhood.

3. What was the best costume you've ever donned?

I've worn a few that I was proud of, but in recent history, there are 2 that stick out.
The Halloween before I got married, I wore an old wedding dress and a knitted hat and arm warmers that looked like dragon scales. I was Bridezilla. (I figured it would be the only time I could get away with being Bridezilla!)


A few years before that, my bf at the time dressed up as a Snidely Whiplash-type character, and I was the damsel in distress --tied to the train tracks and all!



4. What's the most creative costume you've ever seen?

Any costume that people actually make themselves impresses me, especially when it's the needle-and-thread or paper-mache type of thing. When you can tell that people spent real time crafting their costume, that's awesome!

5. No holds barred if you could dress up as anything, what would it be?

I don't know, honestly! Last year, hubby and I were at Disney World for our honeymoon. We were allowed to dress up (they usually don't allow adults in costume, but they do during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party), but we went low-key as GI Joe Characters. This year, we are heading back to Disney for our honeymoon. I don't think we will be at the Disney Halloween party this year, and we will be home on Halloween day. I have bought pieces of a pirate costume just to have something, but I think we may be too exhausted to dress up at all. We shall see...

Friend Fridays...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Do you ever see a fad hit the stores and immediately dislike it?  Has that fad ever began to grow on you?

Honestly, my natural instinct is to immediately dislike MOST fads initially. Shopping tends to be difficult for me because most often I wander through racks of clothes at most stores thinking to myself, "Meh."
Oftentimes, though, after a fab has lingered for a while, my eyes adjust to it, and I'm better able to evaluate whether or not it would work for me (for my shape, my lifestyle, my budget, etc). I might start seeking out the perfect piece that incorporates the fab, but makes it accessible and just right for me.

2. Has the popularity of a certain piece of clothing or line ever convinced you to try on something (or purchase something) you  dislike?

I have never really been someone to plunk down money for a name. I have almost always just bought the clothes I like.
That said, I can think of a few things I have bought that at the time I thought I liked, but in retrospect, I probably bought for the name. I remember owning an entire Champion outfit back in middle school and a pair of Fila sneakers in high school. They were popular brands, and I was an unpopular kid. The math just worked out.

3. Have you ever changed your mind about a trend after seeing it  around for a while?

I think when a trend has been around for a while, our eyes begin to adjust to it. It grows on us. Sometimes dislike turns to toleration which eventually can turn into open-mindedness if a look lingers long enough.
Growing up, I was taught that tights with open-toed shoes was a big no-no, but nowadays I sport that look without batting an eyelash. When ballet flats first re-emerged, I found them frumpy and a bit little-girl looking. Now flats are my saving grace when I just can't wear heels.

4. Do you feel a certain pressure to have specific items in your  closet because 'everyone' else does?

I don't feel pressured to own something because everyone else has it. If anything, that's more motivation for me to NOT cave into a fashion fad. I don't need to stand out like a neon sign, but I do like to be a little bit different from the crowd. After all, as George S. Patton said, "If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."

5. Be honest, what do you think of the Missoni line? Did you grab any  items? Is it worth the eBay prices?

I used to hate the colors and the chevron stripes. Both have grown on me, but I wasn't so overwhelmed with the collection that I felt the need to go get any of it. Looking online, I found a few pieces I thought were sorta cute, and if they were in my closet, I would wear them. But no, I definitely don't think they are worth spending the amount of money people are asking on Ebay. I have seen several bloggers wearing Missoni-esque pieces that they thrifted for pennies. Why blow your budget on a name?

Giveaway...

Allie over at WardrobeOxygen is giving away a $50 giftcard to Drugstore.com, sponsored by BlogHer.
I know I'd love to win this one, but if you'd like a chance to win it for yourself, check out Allie's post here!
And of course, if you win, I totally promise I won't wrestle you to the ground and steal your prize...

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

Since fall is just around the corner (or already tapping on the door for some of us), the focus of this week's Friend Friday is our five favorite fall fashion trends.

The first thing I noticed when looking into this year's fall fashion trends is that so many of them remind me of revamped versions of what I wore back in high school. The 90's a re back with a vengeance, kids.

(1) Patterns: Polka dots and Plaids

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Stylish gals love their patterns, and this fall is no exception. Polka dots are classic and never go out of style, but they are even bigger than ever this fall.

And remember donning your dad's flannel shirt with some combat boots? (No? Was that just me?) Well this fall's plaid is a little less Angela Chase and a little more Kate Middleton. Fitted and classy, not oversized and clashy.

(2) Colors: Mustard and Jade

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Mustard has been a popular color for several seasons now, but it always makes a resurgence in the fall. Along with browns, tans, and rusts, mustard is a typically fall color.

Jade is sort of new to the popular colors group this year. While jewel tones are never out of style, it's not often that a particular shade is pulled from the pack and spotlighted. It's sorta like in Heathers or Mean Girls, only without the backstabbing and murder. And what with green being my favorite color, I'm sure I will have to rein myself in with the Jade for a while...

(3) Skirts: Leather and Midis

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Leather skirts are HUGE for fall, and let me tell you, I want one, y'all! (You can tell I really really really want something when my twang comes out in writing.)
Midi skirts are also still hanging around from this summer.

While leather minis and flowy midis are still as popular as they have always been, one particular shape of both that is prominent for fall is the longer pencil skirt -- the type that comes to just below the knee. This shape offers more covereage for cooler temperatures. In addition, it also adds a little conservativeness to the already-sexy leather skirt and reins in the free-spirited mentality of the midi.

(4) Ring Around the Collar: Peter Pan and Chokers

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This fall seems to be the season of the neck, no?
Gals who have been into vintage clothing have been coveting peter pans collars for ages, and now that look is becoming easier to access with these youthful, fun-spirited touches being added to tops, dresses, and coats everywhere.

If, like me, you prefer the look of peter pans collars on others, chokers may be the neck-enhancing trend for you. Now again, I'm not talking about the oversized cross on a velvet ribbon that we all used to pair with the aforementioned flannel shirt or babydoll dresses we wore back in high school. Instead, think funky, chunky baubles. It's a statement necklace of a whole other kind.

(5) Hard and Soft: Goth Looks and Lace

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Ahh, the goth look. It will always hold a place in my heart. Yes, I was the gal who occasionally may have worn ripped tights and a dog collar to the mall.
This season's goth look is a little less "I will eat your soul" and a little more romantic. While I wouldn't put her into the Goth category, Audi does a good job of employing these romantic touches to create awesome, unique looks. Think Edwardian era and romantic --lots of lace, ruffles, and frills, just in dark tones like black, burgundy, and eggplant. (I do, however, recommend using in small doses, so as to not look like you are in costume.)

And speaking of lace, back when we were discussing trend for spring, I also mentioned lace back then. Well, yknow, it still holds true. I guess we just haven't gotten enough of it. The key to wearing lace in the fall is to have it be a detail in a layered outfit: a lace-trimmed cami peeking out form beneath a sweater, lace tights under a tweed skirt, a lacy blouse paired with a velvet blazer.

(and one to grow on...) Bright Coats

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There is something about cooler weather that intrinsically makes us slink back to wearing darker colors. Subconsciously, we think a black sweater will keep us warmer than the same white sweater, and of course those chocolate brown pants will keep us toastier than the same pair in khaki. But in a sea of darkness, a nice bright coat is like a beacon of hope; a reminder that, yes!, we are still our happy selves and totally not preparing to hibernate all winter long. (Because yes, in my mind, fall is just Winter: the Introduction.) Bright coats just scream cheerfulness, and really, we could all use a little more cheer in our lives, no?

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

Image Source

1. Fess up - if you could do anything professionally what would it be?

Oh crap, this is the whole "What do you want to be when you grow up" questions, isn't it?? Yknow, I still have yet to figure that out!

When I was little, I wanted to be a Rockette. Then I decided I wanted the job Tom Hanks has in the movie Big. At another point, I was intrigued by the idea of doing something in forensics -- but then the idea of dealing with dead bodies oogied me out. When I was heading into college, I was *thisclose* to being a Psych major, because I was really convinced I wanted to be a psychologist.
Honestly, at this point, I still just don't know!

For the sake of being able to answer the rest of the questions, I will say an Interior Designer/Decorator, because this is the one career that has piqued my interest all my life.

2. What draws you to this?

I love the idea of decorating -- it's kinda like getting dressed for your house! You can create a feeling, evoke a time and place... You can take something that's not practical or functional and make it so. I think the main thing that appeals to me about it is that it's sort of a more technical way of expressing my creative aspirations -- and that is just so very me.

3. When did you first start dreaming about this ideal?

I remember when I was a kid in elementary school, we took one of those career aptitude tests. This is actually the career it chose for me, and for just the very reasons I stated above -- it is a good mix of technical and creative, concrete and abstract.

4. What's holding you back from going all in?

Well, lack of knowledge, for starters. And let's be honest -- laziness. Plus, unless you land million-dollar contracts or one of those shows on TLC or HGTV, I'm not sure that it pays amazingly well ("I'm not sure" being the key phrase -- I really don't know), and I will be blunt -- I need money to support all of the hobbies/habits I have in my life.
Beyond that, there is fear of failure. What if I put all this work into something and my client hates it? And speaking of clients, the main thing that turns me off is that I would actually have to put together a design based on what someone else wants, instead of what intrigues me at that moment.
What, I'm supposed to care what someone wants in their own home? Pshaw.

5. Sometimes the first step is the hardest... what's one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?

Well, hubby and I are currently starting the process of figuring out if we can afford to buy our own home. There will be meetings with money-people and realtors and lots of house-hunting in our near future. I have always held back on really decorating the places we have lived together because they have all been rentals -- why put that much time, effort, and money into something that we will only live in for a year or two? (Did I mention that I am both cheap and lazy??)
But once we have our OWN home, I would LOVE to turn it into exactly the type of place we want to live, to create a home that works just right for US.
After all, if I can't even create my own perfect oasis, how can I even consider trying to do that for someone else?

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

Actually, this week's Friend Friday is a visual one sponsored by Miss Rockwell of the blog Lifestyles of the Thrifty and Shameless.
For her selection, Miss Rockwell requested all of us to share photos of our manicures.

Now, I have been keeping up my manicures all summer long -- ever since winter ravaged my nails, I love to keep them in shape and colorful! Sometimes I have a bright color, sometimes it's dark. I have done glitters, jellies, cremes, appliques... you name it!

For this week's post, I had originally wanted to do something that would make my readers ooh and ahh, but unfortunately, I have had the week from hell. Mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. I just didn't have it in me to do much more than simply paint my nails.
However, I did recently buy a fun new super-glitterly polish while on vacation that I have been dying to try out, so I took this opportunity to do so!

I recently picked up a bottle of nail polish from Claire's called "Bedazzled" (I think). I normally don't buy Claire's polish because the one bottle I bought many years ago was terrible, but recently, I had heard ok things about their polish. But really, the main reason I bought this bottle was because it reminded me SO MUCH of "Happy Birthday" by Deborah Lippmann.

Let's Compare.

My bottle of Claire's "Bedazzled" :


Deborah Lippmann's "Happy Birthday" :


Multi-sized, Multi-colored, Multi-shaped glitter.
Check, check, and check!
Why spend $15+ when you can pay $5 or less and get the same thing?

Now, let's see this gorgeousness on my fingers.


Sooooo sparkly...



It only took me 2 coats to achieve uber-sparkles. One coat even looks good on its own. I could also see myself doing 3-4 coats to seriously cover all visible bare nail or even applying a coat of this over a multitude of other solid colors.
Seriously ya'll, this stuff is like a party in a bottle -- oh wait, Deborah Lippman already said that on her site.

I can only say that after the total crap of a week that I had, it's wonderful when something as simple and silly as glittery nail polish can put a smile on your face.
It certainly did that for me!

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. What part of the world do you blog from? (feel free to be as specific or as vague as you are comfortable with.)

I work in Washington DC and live in Maryland. Sometimes I blog from home, and sometimes I sneak in a quick post in my downtime at work.

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live what would you say?

In DC, the general look is businesswear: suits or business casual, mostly. Where I live in MD, people have money and often dress in clothing that reflects that. Does that mean they are always well-dressed or tasteful? No. But they do look expensive.

3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the mold?

At work, I follow the rules while bending them as much as I can. I don't even own a suit, but thankfully my office is business-casual. I express my creativity as much as possible, and I think I manage to do so while still being office-appropriate.
Outside of work, I think I totally break the mold. I don't spend tons of money on my clothes, I don't care to wear name brands, and frankly, I don't even dress like a lot of my friends. I'm not sure exactly what my look is, other than "me."

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world did your clothing choices evolve?

I traveled ALL THE TIME growing up. my parents are from England, and my mother worked for an airline. Travel was our MO!
I think what I loved about traveling was seeing all the differences across the country and around the world. There was so much variety, and to me, it pretty much just solidified my desire to be unique...or at least to not worry so much about trends. Did I ever follow trends growing up? Sure. But only the ones that actually piqued my interest.

5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what would you be?

I'm not sure. But definitely not DC. heh.

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. As a someone who writes/blogs about fashion, have you placed
yourself into some sort of blogging category?

I actually don't consider myself so much a fashion blogger as a personal style blogger. I think fashion bloggers actually follow the world of fashion, trends, runways, brands, couture, etc. I don't follow any of that. I may pick up on what's trendy from the blogs I read or the people I see, but that's about the extent of it. However, I have always reserved the right to blog about anything that catches my interest, so long as it is related to the world of fashion and style.

2. What keeps you from or encourages you to label yourself as a
certain kind of blogger?

While labels are useful tools to help describe yourself, your outlook, or your blog, they also serve the dual purpose of putting you in a box. Once you label yourself a certain way and present yourself that way to people, it becomes more difficult to do or present something different. Too often, people become trapped inside the box and can't find a way out.

3. When picking blogs to read and follow are you drawn to ones that
indicate a certain group or way of thinking/being?

Yes and No. There probably is a certain theme I am most drawn to in the blogs I read, but I don't actively seek out blogs that say/do/show something specific (ie "I will only read blogs about thrifting" or "I will never read blogs if they participate in the 30x30"). My decision to read a blog is based on a multitude of different criteria, most of them subconscious.

4. Do you think there are benefits in labeling yourself or others?

As I said before, labeling does have the benefit of helping to more quickly identify things. If I know someone is a daily style blogger who likes to thrift and remix, I have an idea of what their blog is like, and I know I would be more likely to be interested in that blog than, say, a blog that is all about high fashion.
However, those labels alone won't keep me reading a blog. And certain labels may turn me off of reading a blog that, otherwise, I may actually have been interested in, had the label not lost my interest.

5. Agree or Disagree -- We're all just people; we don't need all the
labels.

At the heart of that statement, I agree.
However, I think we, as people, have a certain need to qualify things. We want to know what is similar and what is different. We want to be able to quickly identify things, and thus, labeling happens, even if we don't want it to.

I think what we really need to do is to understand that while we may throw a label on something (or someone), that label is not the end-all be-all definition. People aren't black-and-white -- we are much more complex and there are so many subtleties that it is such a shame to not explore further. Further, people change! We grow and evolve, and if you've thrown a label on me in the past, you may not see who I am today.

So I guess what I'm saying is, sure, feel free to write a label on my forehead, but do it in pencil, not permanent ink.

Giveaway...

Thanks to this wonderful world of blog-land, I have discovered my love for dresses and skirts. They really are a girl's best friend! You can go up or down a few pounds (or many pounds) and somehow, they still fit and flatter. They are MUCH easier to find and more forgiving than pants. Dresses -- YAY!

As such, the gals over at The Pretty Life Anonymous are hosting a giveaway of the Ashley Dress by Mikarose.

Now, I would love to win this lovely dress for myself, but I just couldn't live with myself if I didn't share the opportunity with you too, dear readers.
If you'd like a chance to win the dress for yourself (or hey, for me!) head on over to their giveaway post.

Don't say I never did anything for ya. ;)

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

I missed the questions from June 24, so I thought I would take the opportunity to answer them now.

1. Since you began blogging do you notice a change in the types of
things you gravitate towards while shopping?

I definitely buy more dresses and skirts than I used to. I am more willing to try different things and things that I assume won't be flattering on the off-chance that they are. I have rediscovered my long-lost love of thrifting. I have been pulling more pattern and color into my wardrobe. I have also discovered a slew of stores (both online and brick + mortar) that I wouldn't have known about or considered had I not seen their clothing on other bloggers.

2. Do you find, as a fashion blogger, that you dress differently from
your family and friends? Do they comment on that?

Like everyone else, I think I kinda of always dressed differently -- for better or for worse! Nowadays, I am a little more fashion-forward than most of the people I see on a regular basis (but I am only speaking relatively here -- I don't think of myself as being very fashion-forward at all!).
There is a set of ladies who work in my office who comment every day on my outfits -- they think it's awesome that I have a blog (they are some of the only people I know who know I have a blog) and every day they comment on how "cute" I look. I must admit, it's a really nice ego-boost. ;)

3. What's the weirdest fashion that you secretly like, even if you
aren’t bold enough to wear it?

Nothing specific comes to mind. It's not "weird" but for the longest time, I was afraid to try leggings/jeggings because I thought they wouldn't work with my plus-sized body. Now I own 2 pairs of jeggings and leggings are on my must-have shopping list.

4. Looking at current trends – what would you like to try but need to
build up the courage to do?

Again, nothing specific comes to mind.
I did just build up the courage to make yet another drastic change to my hair. If you're my friend on Facebook, then you already know what it is, but if not, you will have to wait a little while for photos.
(Nothing like a juicy teaser to keep people coming back!) ;)

5. Toot someone's horn – what fashion blogger out there inspires you
with her bold fashion choices?

Audi, Christine, Suze, Terra, and Erin, just to name a few!

Honeymoon Dress...

When hubby and I got married 8 months ago, we honeymooned in Disney World at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Having gotten married at the end of October, we predicted autumn-like weather for our time there, and holy cow, were we wrong! We had packed mainly jeans, tshirts, and hoodies, but we were so hot on our first day out, I knew we wouldn't make it through the whole week dressed like that. Luckily hubby had brought a few pairs of shorts, but I don't own shorts and hadn't thought to bring a skirt other than my dressy outfit. I knew I had to remedy my sartorial situation STAT!

Our first day out, we decided to visit Animal Kingdom. I spied this dress and instantly fell in love. It was a tad more expensive than I normally would have paid for a piece like this (yay, tourist-pricing!), but I knew it would be a nice souvenir of our honeymoon, since I would be able to wear it again! (And I did -- every day that week -- talk about a capsule wardrobe!) I knew once I got home I would be able to wear it on weekends and after work, but I wanted to find a way to make it office-appropriate. On weekends I would just wear this dress solo, but for work, I wanted to ensure there would be no wardrobe malfuntions, so I opted to wear both a bra and a cami underneath, just in case. All straps are hidden by the cardi, which was also needed for extra warmth in my overly-air-conditioned office.


Dress: Disney World
Cardi: Target
Shoes: Fioni via Payless
Ring: Laila Rowe
Earrings: gift

Closeup:


I love being able to make more casual clothing work for the office. While my office is business-casual, we are really allowed to lean a little heavier on the casual side. I'm lucky in that respect. I know not everyone would be able to wear a dress like this one to work, but I love that I was able to pick up a fun reminder of my wedding and honeymoon that won't just sit on a shelf. Every time I wear this dress, I remember all the fun we had and how lucky I am to have such a fabulous husband.

Do you have any souvenir clothing that has special memories for you?

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. What’s your go-to outfit formula?

I don't know that I have one specific formula, but I guess for work, when I don't feel like thinking about it, I usually grab a dress, a belt, and a cardi or else I swap the dress for a top + skirt. If it's cold I will layer under the dress and throw in a pair of tights.

2. How did you come about this formula?

I hardly wore dresses + skirts before I started blogging, and I almost never wore belts. Now, those are my favorite pieces -- dresses and skirts are more forgiving to my figure, and belts help define my waistline.
I rediscovered dresses and skirts after I discovered the world of blogging, and now I'm hooked!

3. Do you have different formulas for different occasions in your life?

I suppose I do -- when it is the weekend, I tend more towards jeans and tshirts, though I usually try to dress it up either with a better-quality T with a fun pattern or feature and a nicer pair of shoes.
If I'm headed to a concert, I love wearing my over-the-top jewelry, some crazy hairdo, and a little too much makeup. ;)

4. Has it morphed over the years?

Certainly. I used to be strictly jeans-and-a-tee for weekends. Work was just pants-and-a-top. Nothing interesting. Nowadays, when I walk into the office, people are checking in to see what interesting piece or combination I'm wearing. I have to say, it's really flattering!

5. Which other blogger’s outfit formula would you like to swipe?

I'm so schizophrenic with the styles that I like; it's so hard to choose!
When I'm feeling funkier, I would totally go for something along the lines of Audi or Erin.
When I'm feeling more classic, I love the clean lines of Allie.
I also really love the looks Hillary pulls together.

I Love it When a Plan Comes Together...

First up, thanks to all of you who have sent good vibes, prayers, and well-wishes out to my dad. I am happy to report that he is now home and recovering. Aside from being basically malnourished and dehydrated (he REALLY doesn't take proper care of himself) the reason he couldn't walk was attributed to "neurological neuropathy from acute spinal arthritis." He spent a week and a half in the rehab section of a nursing home and has not only graduated to using a walker, but he is moving walker-free around the house! He only needs the walker for longer outings.
Needless to say, I am SO RELIEVED about his progress.

Now, onto something more frivolous: clothes!!



Blouse: Heritage 1981 via Reddz Trading
Cardi: Target
Pants: Marshall's?
Shoes: Aeropostale
Cami: Kohl's
Earrings: I forgot earrings! oh no!!

Closeup:


I really love it when I throw on an outfit with little effort and minimal accessorizing and it turns out looking put-together and polished. (Though, after looking at these photos, I think I have made the decision to always wear my nude cami under this top, instead of white.)
I am totally in love with this new-to-me blouse. I love the reddish-coral color (which also happens to be big for spring/summer) and I love that it has not one, but 2 shades of blue in it (aqua and true-blue) so it pairs so beautifully with this aqua cardi. I also love the dainty pleats up near the neckline.

Tonight I am going to my second-ever blogger meetup.
Just two months ago, I attended my first meetup, where I got to meet the lovely Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen, and I also met a handful of new-to-me DC-area bloggers.
I am looking forward to seeing some of these gorgeous gals again tonight and hopefully meeting a few more new-to-me blogs. I love expanding my personal blogosphere! (Of course, being the ever-responsible blogger that I am, I totally forgot to bring my camera today. Oh well -- I'm sure there will be plenty of photos to be shared!)
So ladies, if you are a DC-area fashion or beauty blogger (or heck, even if you don't have your own blog, but want to be in on some DC-area fashion and beauty happenings), check out the newly-launched DC FABB site. There is a link to a list of other DC-area bloggers as well as a tab that lists upcoming meetups and events.

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

Share the recipe to your favorite seasonal dish... the one you love to make and love to eat this time of the year.

Every year for Christmas, I love to bake cookies for my friends and family.
But I don't make the usual chocolate chip. I like to hunt down recipes that are unusual and out of the ordinary.
A few years ago, I found this recipe and fell in love with it, but I had to hold onto it until spring/summer, since that it when Rhubarb is in season. Since then, I have made these cookies a few times, and they are always a hit.
The best part, though, is that the dough freezes nicely, so make a large batch of it, and freeze it so you can have these cookies year-round!

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Frosted Rhubarb Coconut Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup Crisco
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups diced fresh rhubarb
3/4 cup flaked coconut

Frosting:
1 3oz package cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp butter, softened
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar


Preheat oven to 350.
In large bowl, cream together shortening and brown sugar.
Beat in eggs.
In a second bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add to creamed mixture.
Stir in rhubarb and coconut.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.
Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Transfer to wire racks to cool.

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla.
Gradually beat in confectioners sugar until smooth.
Spread over cooled cookies.

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Check out some of my other recipes at the blog I created to store them: Foster's Kitchen. I'd love to hear your feedback if you try any of these, and if you have any amazing recipes to share, I would LOVE to try them ouy!

Mayor of Squintsville...

I swear, I wasn't angry when I took these photos. It was just super sunshiny, and I didn't want to wear my sunnies in the pictures.



Top: H&M
Skirt: consigned
Shoes: Target
Belt: NY&Co
Earrings: old

Closeup:


Summer has bitch-slapped the DC area. Seriously, guys, it has gotten H-O-T HOT.
(Ironically, this morning was actually cool enough that I pulled the sleeves back down on my cardigan and it is only supposed to peak in the low 80s.)

Brilliantly, I decided to sign up for a running class. (Yes, some of us actually need instruction on how to do this.) Running on 100+ degree weather when there is like a billion percent humidity? SMART. Yep, that's me. But after all the complaining I have done about how I don't like the changes in my body over the last several years, I have finally decided to DO something about it. In addition to the running class, I have also purchased a Groupon for one of the local dance/fitness studios in my area. And I'm attending a Weight Watchers at Work open house meeting this week -- pretty sure I'm going to start that program. I'm not looking to revamp my entire lifestyle, but I'm trying to be more active and make smarter choices.

On a personal note, my dad has spent the last 2 weeks in the hospital. Without going into detail, he doesn't take care of himself, and his health was at an all-time low. At the same time, he also has to learn how to walk again. He is now temporarily in a nursing home for physical therapy/rehabilitation.
I saw him this weekend and he looks much better, but has a lot of work to do.
I would appreciate any prayers and positive vibes you can send his way.

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

What are the top 5 Summer trends that you are looking forward to wearing this season? (Can be anything from makeup, shoes, accessories, clothing, etc...)

I actually found more than five summer trends that I'm diggin, so here is a whopping eight of them!

(1) Fly Away with Feathers

(source)

Feathers are a huge trend for Summer 2011. You see them everywhere from earrings, to headbands, to necklaces, and most recently, people are sporting temporary feather hair extensions. I love that this trend is simultaneously soft and natural while also being totally rocker-chic and bad-ass.

(2) Bright Bottoms

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Bright pants, especially colored denim, is a big trend this Summer.
Personally, I'm not so sure I will be buying a pair hot pink jeans anytime soon, but I could definitely see myself picking up a pair of chinos or work trousers in a Kelly green or Cobalt blue.

(3) Braid it Out

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Ladies, braids are everywhere. Well, everywhere except on MY head (that's sort of the downfall of super-short hair).
Everything from french braids to cornrows, milkmaid braids to fishtails.
I have seriously been feeming for some long hair, just so I can play around with this one. Besides, braids are the perfect summer hairdo: you can dress them up or down, they keep your hair out of your face and off your neck, and they are the perfect hairdo when your hair *should* be washed but you really just cant be bothered.

(4) Pleats and Thank You

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Gals, these are NOT your mother's pleats.
(OK, maybe they are your grandma's, but not your mother's!)
I'm seriously in LOVE with the ASOS skirt pictured above, but pleats are also popping up on dresses, tops, and even pants!

(5) The Long and Shorts of It

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I admit that I haven't owned a pair of shorts (outside of my husband's old soccer shorts, which I only wear for exercising, painting, and cleaning) in several years. I have heavier thighs, so I just thought they were a fashion no-no for me. But with all the styles of shorts available, it's just not true -- everyone can wear shorts!
Hack off your old jeans and make yourself a pair of jorts. Class it up with a crisp pair of bermudas. Go girly with a high-waisted scallop-hemmed pair, or dress them up with a blouse and heels.

(6) White Hot

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White is a cool trend left over from Spring that has caught fire for Summer.
It is a great neutral for hot weather since it doesn't attract the sun the way black, navy, and brown does. It pops better than olive or khaki. Maybe it's the fact that with our hectic lifestyles whites have so much potential to become NOT white, but there is just something about it that screams crisp, polished, and put-together.

(7) Join the Tribe

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Tribal prints, most notably Ikat, were all over the runways, but you can find them everywhere in every price range. Tops, tanks, skirts, shorts, dresses -- even jewelry, scarves, and purses. Tribal prints are great for summer if for no other reason than, when the heat is on and you want to wear the least amount possible, these prints are so vibrant that you can ease up on accessories. Sure, you CAN layer on the jewelry, but it's always nice to be able to throw on a dress that does all the work for you.

(8) All that Glitters is Gold

(source)

Some of you may argue that gold isn't a trend, since it has always been around, but as a self-confessed silver-phile (Sal can understand me on this one, since she is as obsessive about silver as I am), I have recently found gold appealing to me in a way that it hasn't in years. I have very few gold pieces, but I recently picked up a gorgeous set of gold bangles and a few gold chain-link bracelets that I have in mind for a certain DIY project. I've also been keeping my eyes open for gold earrings and necklaces.

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What about you, readers? Have these trends piqued your interest?
Are there other trends that you're itching to try out for summer?
Do any of the trends I've mentioned make you break out in hives?
Share your thoughts!

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. When it comes to packing for vacation what’s your mantra?

"Pack Everything"
hehe

2. What are your must packs?

I actually have a checklist saved on my computer that I use whenever I need to pack. Some things get crossed off for shorter trips, and it might be time to revise the list.

3. What are you happy to leave behind?

I'm the kind of person that likes to be prepared, so if there is room, I will bring anything. Leaving things behind is not my strong point!

4. Any packing secrets that help you get everything into one suitcase?

I have a few beach vacations coming up this summer, so I am going to try to think of packing as a wardrobe capsule challenge and sketch out how different pieces can go together. Hopefully this will help me pack minimally.

5. Beach reading... what are you taking with you to read in the sand?

I have a Kindle, but I need to download some new books!
I have a few "beach books" in mind (this is what, in my family, we refer to as books that aren't good for anything other than lying on the beach -- sorta like guilty pleasures), but I really need to come up with some actual good books that I would like to read. Any recommendations?