Soft Rock Randomness

Here's my outfit from last Friday. Oldies but goodies that I either never wear or haven't worn in eons:

 

Dress: H&M (worn here before - kinda sim here, -ish here, luxe here)
Jacket: F21 knit moto (worn here before - similar here, here)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction pine a colada (worn here before - similar here, luxe here)
Bag: Nine West crossbody clutch (similar here)
Belt: UO Deena & Ozzy stretch (worn here before - similar here)

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Thanks to AmyK (and Anne) for the blog tag! Without your style and humor, my little blog galaxy would be two stars shy and glow a little dimmer - plus I'd be a scrambling for a topic today.

So what's the tag? List seven bits of randomness about myself. As I am all about the random, it was actually kind of difficult to narrow things down / remove the absolute weirdness to the following:

1. I am a dominant leftie. Which means rightie is usually relegated to "hold this steady" status while leftie is the brains of the operation. Which also means I am still traumatized by that 3rd grade exercise about segregation my teacher did where she proceeded to tell all the lefties in the room that they now had to sit separate from the righties and couldn't participate in gym or lunch, and in the span of five minutes turned half a dozen 8-year-olds into hysterical sobbing wrecks - got the point of that exercise, still damaged by it, thank you.
2. When strangers are nice to me, I am immediately on the mental offensive. Maybe it is the NY-er in me, but I've grown up being taught not to trust people I don't know and these gosh-darn-nice-for-no-reason southern folk sometimes freak me out!
3. I would like to own a bed and breakfast someday. Well, actually I probably don't considering the work involved - but I've read enough soppy love story borderline romance novels in my youth to be in love with the idea of owning one. Where else would handsome young strangers with damaged hearts go to escape from their lives and hopefully find passionate new love with the innkeeper?
4. I like to eat dinner or lunch foods for breakfast. Like cold pizza, or a bowl of ramen, or a sandwich with chips. I prefer it over eggs or cereal, and honestly I have it in my head that it is better for me if I ate my biggest calorie busters early in the day.
5. I have probably an unhealthy love for Anthony Bourdain. Now this is probably not news to some of you, but I don't just tune into his show every time it airs (which is like every two hours, so I can't be the only one who is infatuated with the Bourdain) - but I dig him in that I-would-love-to-hang-out-with-you-and-eat-good-food-with-you-and-maybe-roll-around-in-your-sheets-and-rifle-through-your-cabinets-and-sniff-out-your-frig kind of way. So just wee culinary hero worship crush.
6. I love to stare at my pup. Her face is just full of expression and character - from her happy-go-lucky "I'm going to pounce on you" look to her closed-eye grimace when she is emphatically scratching herself. I can entertain myself for hours just staring at her. Which of course freaks my dog out.
7. As much as I truly enjoy blogging, I also enjoy not blogging. Weekends are blissful blog-free times.

So instead of just passing this on to one individual, I'd like to virtually tag all of you! Please share in your weirdness here - you gals have any fun, juicy, hilarious bits of randomness you would like to share?

D'Armee vs. Navy

Oh I wonder how many cheesy military references the inception of this dress' name is responsible for. So of course I totally had to up the smirk-inducing factor by going full-on girly with my ensemble today, including the Shirley Temple-esque curls (still working out the "kinks" with the curling iron, OK - though the bobby pin was all me).

BF and I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part I yesterday evening. And though I know the character are supposed to be full-blown teenagers and the actors are even older than that, it was still cringe-worthy to me when I saw Harry help Ginny zip up her dress (really, girlfriend, you're not rockin' a bra or slip or anything?) and {spoiler} even eye-covering in that nightmare scene where Ron saw manifestations of Harry and Hermione totally hooking up. Can I help it if I still envision those multi-millionaire actors like wee little wizards running around in their too-big robes, frizzy hair and squeaky voices?

 

Not sure if my hesitation and squeamishness is due to feeling all nostalgic about these characters/actors not being all young tiny children anymore - or if in the way back of my mind, it is just a reminder to me that if they're getting older, than also means I'm getting older.

So apparently I strike out with a head full of "good ship lollipop" curls and a work-appropriate version of a little sailor outfit. Watch out, at this rate after Part II comes out, I may end sporting my version of a baby new year costume.

Dress: Anthropologie Parameter d'armee (worn here before)

Belt: J. Crew skinny (similar here)

Shoe Clip as Brooch: Lilywinkel via Etsy (worn here before)

Tank: Gillian & O'Malley via Target (similar here)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction swim n fool (worn here before - similar luxe here, reg here)

Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff pouch (one of a set - larger version seen here)

Is it just me, or has anyone else had difficulty leaving comments on Blogger today?

The Short of It

I found out yesterday that my pup has mange. And I'm not sure if I look good in cropped pants. And I have doubts whether this outfit works together or is too hodge podge-y. So that's about it for my day - how are you all doing?

No worries about the Pacey, ladies, she's got the demodectic kind, which is very treatable especially because we caught it early before we had to permanently rename her Patches. Plus it's not contagious to humans or other dogs so Pacey doesn't need to be sent to survivor island. And she can't re-catch it, so there'll be no burning of the bed or the couch.

So what about these pants? Should short people just not wear crops? Is there no such thing as a work-friendly crop, regardless of how much that Ann Taylor lady tries to tell us otherwise?

Top: H&M tiered (worn here before - similar here or here)

Sweater: Xhiliration by Target lace (or similar high-end here)

Pants: Loft marisa city synthetic cropped (or similar here)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction swim n fool (worn here before - similar here or w/bow here)

Necklace: Anthropologie jahara (worn here before - similar here or here)

Understanding Evolution

Don't forget, my Anthropologie giveaway ends tomorrow night - enter HERE!

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Believe it or not, but I'm a fairly recent convert to style. I spent my earlier years and high school being a major tomboy who was into sports more than clothes, and I pretty much wore whatever. I got a little into the whole fashion thing when I went to college and got to spend every day immersed in Manhattan and the diversity of the people I got to meet, but I am pretty sure I was still hopelessly inadequate. I wore jeans most always and only broke out the ill-fitting skirt suits when it was career-planning time.

It wasn't really until my first forays into the working world where I really started caring about what I wore - I borrowed a lot from my big sis and perused the sales racks at Banana Republic like nobody's business.

Through the years my style has changed and I became unafraid to wear skirts or dresses or to look nice - but working in a corporate environment usually means you are left with a very corporate wardrobe - lots of J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Zara. There was a red pump or leopard belt here or there, but on most days, one look at me defined me as a corporate white-collar office kind of gal.

It wasn't really until last year when I moved to Atlanta and got put into a more casual work environment that I started getting more creative with my ensembles and buying casual clothes - ballet flats, fun dresses, kooky belts, chunky necklaces. And then late last year when I discovered fashion blogs - Anthropologie, H&M and Forever 21 became shops I started frequenting, prints and color and pattern mixing became the norm. I became unafraid to experiment and try things I wouldn't normally even consider!

Being a latecomer to the whole style arena, I think of myself as still trying to develop my own sense of style. I don't even know what to consider myself as currently, but would love to evolve into one of those timelessly classic gals who can look chic in a simple tee and jeans (I guess like Molly Sims or a more colorful Caroline Bessette) and who seems to know their own style very well. Gah ... wouldn't it be embarassing to be prancing around a few years from and overhear some gals whispering about how my look is "so 2010."

Dress: Anthropologie Maeve Staysail (worn here and here before in black)

Belt: H&M (worn here before - similar online here)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Swim n Fool (worn here and here before - similar online here or here)

Necklace: Anthropologie Grandma's Treasure Trove (worn here before)

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How has your style changed over the years? Is it still evolving? Where would you like to see yourself style-wise in the next few years?

Thanks to the beautiful Debbie for this great topic!

The Antonym to Cognizant

So I've spent a good part of last night between True Blood, Gossip Girl and No Reservations trying to put together a blog post. I wasn't trying to be especially meaningful or witty - I was just trying to find one idea I could type together that would actually make some sense, but all I've got was a whole lot of nothing.

And I spent a better part of early this morning trying to put together that same post but I am at a throwing-my-hands-into-the-air-in-frustration-and-defeat phase. I know I shouldn't blog because I feel like I have to - and I don't feel like I have to, I really do want to - but all I've got at the moment is a bad case of blogger's block.

So as a cheap blog cop-out, I'm looking to you for help. Got any questions you would like for me to answer? Anything you would like to know about moi? What do you do when you're looking for blog inspiration?

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And in other "news," here are my OOTDs from the last few days:

Top: Target slub tee (similar here in white - Target sleepwear makes the best casual tees!)

Skirt: NY&Co. abstract print (worn here before - kind of similar online here)

Shoes: Vince Camuto (worn here, here and here before)

Belt: J. Crew skinny metallic

Necklace: Laila Rowe

Top: Anthropologie Iris & Navy Sweetheart sweatshirt (worn here before)

Shorts: Old Navy cotton pleated (worn here and here before)

Shoes: Mossimo by Target (worn here, here and here before - similar-ish online here)

Dress: J. Crew cotton (big sis hand-me-down which I think is a cast-off bridesmaid dress - do you think the color washes me out?)

Belt: Urban Outfitters Deena & Ozzy stretch (worn here and here before - similar online here)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Pine-A-Colada (worn here, here and here before)

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FYI, I think Google proved my blog is cootie-free now - I no longer see "this site is potentially harmful" messages popping up. Yay for getting out of Google detention!

Chilling Out Maxing Relaxing All Cool

Hey ladies, just a heads up that posting and commenting may be a bit sporadic over the next few days and through the weekend because I'm taking a psuedo-stay-vacation. Psuedo because during this time I'm going to be paying my fam a visit in NYC and then the grams a visit in DC. So pretty much when I'm back at work next week I can get some sleep!

The BF and I are both playing hooky today so I'm super-cas. We'll both be packing (he's going to see his fam in TN over the long weekend), walking a quick 2-mile trail near our home, and paying Mr. Ikea a visit. Then Thursday (Anthro sale day hopefully!), I'll be jetting off - so stay away hurricanes!

Do any of you have any plans over the Labor Day weekend? Will you guys be off doing exciting things or laying low and chilling out?

Top: Target slub tee (find them in the sleepwear section - love them!)

Skirt: J. Crew cotton pin-striped (worn here and here before)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Pine-A-Colada (worn here, here and here before)

Necklace: Laila Rowe

Checkered Floral

Ugh, I think my hair is officially getting to gnat's nest stage, which means I'm a few weeks overdue for a hair cut. How is it my hair can go from "great cut and color" to "what the-?!" seemingly overnight?

I usually hate to go to the salon because sitting in a chair making small talk for two hours is booooring, plus I feel guilty because recently I've been "cheating" on my stylist with another stylist from the same salon. So yes, I do plan my appointments on the days when my original stylist is off so I can see the new gal. I feel bad because my original stylist and I had kind of bonded - I know all about her family and goings on, and we always catch each other up when we see each other ... but let's face it, the other stylist does better hair. Is there some sort of salon etiquette for changing stylists?

Anyway, here's my today (yes, I wore almost the exact same outfit before):

Shirt: Lands' End Canvas poplin gingham (worn here, here and here before)

Skirt: Ann Taylor (worn here before)

Belt: J. Crew metallic skinny

Shoes: Sofft Giovanna

Here was me all casual'd out for some weekend shopping. Can you believe I didn't buy anything at the mall? OK, I did go home and order the Brief Meeting blazer online - what am I going to do once free shipping at Anthro ends?! (I seriously refuse to pay shipping for anything clothing-related. I know I'm weird, but it bugs me out!)

Top J. Crew Island paisley perfect (worn here before)

Shorts: Banana Republic cotton chino

Shoes: DVF Lush flip flops

Bag: J. Crew quilted tote

And below was my dress for date night out with the BF over the weekend. I had already made a mental note that this dress is a wee too short for work - well, I have added another note that it may be a wee too short for cocktails too, especially after cocktails! 

Dress: Forever 21 silk solid flora (worn here before)
Belt: J. Crew metallic skinny
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Swim n Fool (worn here before)

Frilling Roams

I know most of us have almost had it with customer service (or lack of) from a lot of our fave retailers lately, so I was really pleasantly surprised when I got a call from Lands' End customer service today over my recent return. All they wanted to do was let me know that my return had been processed and informed me that my next order will have free shipping for my "inconvenience".

Now I know that Lands' End always has some good discounts floating around and I'm sure what they did for me was just standard procedure, but this little gesture that cost them almost nothing went a long way for me. I think a lot of retailers today forget about how small things will resonate with their customers - thanks, LE.

What are the particular retailers out there that you find have superb customer service?

Here's my OOTD - gloomy morning equates to dark pics, sorry!

Sweater: Anthropologie Guinevere Roaming Frills
Dress: Ann Taylor Loft poplin striped (worn here and here before)
Necklace: Anthropologie Nueva Granada (worn here, here and here before)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Pine-A-Colada (worn here, here and again)

Over the weekend I made my first fall purchase in the form of Steve Madden's Olster boots (we can't count the Uggs because those are winter shoes - is this shopaholic rationalization?) I've been on-the-fence about getting them, but they're currently 40% off and an additional 20% off with free shipping with code "RMN20F" (I think this deal ends today) - so how could I not?

If you've been eyeballing these yourself and miss the Madden deal, they are currently also on sale at Shoes.com - always free shipping, and get 20% off with code "VISA" (not sure when this expires, but it still works).

Minty Spaghetti

Feeling a bit whimsical today. And better lighting.

Dress: H&M (thanks, sis - worn here before)
Sweater: Mossimo by Target cropped cotton
Belt: Anthropologie Infinity (worn a million times over)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Pine-A-Colada (worn a million +1 times over)

Thanks for the good comments about the Texas Spaghetti. I actually never heard of the dish until my BF (who went to college in TX) cooked it for me a while ago - since then we have it on fairly regular rotation (once every couple of weeks because we always make TONS) and I've been the one making it (BF says I make it better than he does - true comment, or is he just getting himself out of having to cook? Hm).

I don't know how "Texas" this actually is, since to me, it's just a kind of amped up meat sauce. I actually thought the name was made up until I Googled it today, but Texas Spaghetti actually exists - in about two million variations. Here's a rough recipe for the dish as I know it - great thing about this is that you can pretty much add what you want to taste. And yes, I make it a little different every time ...

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble ...

"Texas" Spaghetti (loose recipe)
1 green pepper chopped
1 lb ground beef
1/2 large onion chopped (or 1 medium chopped)
5 cloves garlic chopped
1bx spaghetti
2 jars spaghetti sauce
Chili powder
Cayenne pepper
Black pepper
Salt
Bay leaf
1 jalapeno chopped (optional if you like your sauce extra kicky)
Other options: fresh chopped basil, sprinkle of nutmeg, dash of cinnamon, chopped rosemary

1. Saute all the onions and peppers in olive oil until softened, about 5 min. (make sure the pan will be large enough to accommodate the sauce later on)
2. Add garlic to the mix and saute another 3-4 min.
3. Sprinkle in some pepper and chili powder
4. Add ground beef to the mix and saute until all the meat is cooked through, about 5-7 min.
5. Add bay leaf, tiny dash of cinnamon (if you like it), and about 1/2 tsp each cayenne pepper and chili powder
6. Add in first jar of sauce and mix in - let simmer for about 10 min, stirring occassionally
7. While sauce is simmering, cook the pasta to the directions on the box
8. After 10 min, add in about 1/2 the second jar of sauce and let simmer a few more minutes - add pepper, salt and other seasonings to taste
9. Reserve about 1/2 C the pasta water - drain the pasta and put back into cooking pot
10. Spoon the sauce over the pasta and mix in well - add dashes of the reserved pasta water and the uncooked sauce if things are looking a little thick
11. Cover the pot, flame off, and let sit for about 5-10 min. to let the pasta suck up the good sauce

Makes enough to feed 4-6, depending on how hungry you are. I usually serve mine with some garlic bread and a simple salad - and I always have a ton of extra sauce, so that can be served on the side in case others want a bit more. And don't worry about over-cooking the sauce as long as you have it on simmer - the time just lets all the spices and ingredients blend in flavor (look at me sounding like I know what I'm talking about - ha ha).

The finished pasta in pot. Saucy goodness - def not authentic Italian.

Tonight's dinner is going to be a "doozy" - grilled hot dogs with fresh corn, beans, salad, assorted chips. What can I say, BF and I are addicted to the Ball Park brand Angus beef hot dogs - soooooo good, for reals.  :o)

Strawberry Shortcake

I'll be heading out this weekend for a two week long business trip jaunt. Netherlands and Florida, here I come! So unfortunately I don't think I'll be posting a ton since my work outfits will be of the standard business suit variety and I don't get too creative when it's time to pack my life into a little suitcase - or rather, I have NO IDEA how to be creative when packing.

I try to make outfits before packing and then squeeze in an extra top or pair of shoes here and there, but whenever I get to where I'm going, I'm always ALWAYS left perturbed and kind of outside-of-work outfitless. Plus most of the people I'm with while traveling are long-time road warriors and they sit comfortably on top of their little boxes of vanilla outfits. Egads, does this mean I'm turning into one of them?

Do you gals have a plan of attack when it comes to packing for biz trips?

I wore this blouse just last week but I love it so much. It's so bright and summery, and is made from such a light and easy fabric. I didn't fail to notice that Edme & Esyllte has an ivory version of this blouse out now - it is hard not to chomp on that immediately. And shoot, with free shipping upon us at Anthro, I kind of want to chomp on this, this and this too. But I'll be good for now ...

Top: Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte - Rose is a Rose (worn here before)

Skirt: Zara elastic-waist striped (seen here before)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Pine-A-Colada

Bracelets: Old Navy and J. Crew

On a yummier side topic, the BF is on a big dessert binge and we had strawberry shortcake last night. Some delicious fresh sliced berries with tons of vanilla bean ice cream and some store-bought angel food cake (there's cake under there somewhere). Yes, we still have 3/4 of a pineapple cake and large chunks of an also-delish watermelon still to gobble. Plus a pineapple we have yet to cut into.

Maybe we should just skip the dinner tonight and dive right into the good stuff.

Twisted Baker

Alright, ladies, you can tell me the honest truth with my outfit today - did my unconventional "belting" (i.e., not belting) mess up a perfectly OK ensemble?

For some reason I was set on wearing this belt to "pop" my outfit, but it's too big to fit at the high waist. So I thought what the heck, and essentially twisty-tied it. I felt pretty alright about this look but did get some odd glances during lunch. Not sure if folks were thinking I needed a belt-buckling 101 class or I had a piece of lettuce on my cheek - either way, people were nice and talked to me reeeaaalllll slow-like.

Dress: H&M (thanks, sis)

Cardigan: Banana Republic (old as heck)

Belt: J. Crew embossed leather

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Pine-A-Colada

On to other things - last night we made the effort to make a "real meal" and christened our new grill (it's a cheapie from Char-Broil, but it works and fits on our tiny back deck) and the BF grilled us some NY strips while I did the sides.

Yes those were fresh green beans but my BF grew up with a traditional southern mama and can't stand to eat green beans that have not been cooked to within an inch of its life. So we're taking small steps with the green veggies.

And BF got real creative and tried to make a pineapple cake with the help from a Mr. Duncan Hines - and one 9" springform pan and one pie dish - and two cans of crushed pineapple and about 30 minutes too many in the oven. He was trying to replicate the "best cake ever" - the coconut pineapple layer cake from Vito's in Orlando, and he ... well ... not sure much with the "close." I commend him at least for trying and baking.

(Though this does make us even for my peach "biscuit" incident of '08).

A Late Dress Week Addition

I'm back from a day of frolicking at the Renaissance Festival (BF and I actually went - and though we're exhausted, we both actually had a really good time!) FYI to you Atlanta-area folks - this weekend at the festival is two tickets for the price of one, and I totally think it's worth going. And I highly recommend planning to pay for your tickets with cash - zero line waiting.

More on the Festival laters, but I thought I'd drop in a quick post to cover my outfit for going to dinner with the BF tonight. This is also my late addition to Dress Week, being hosted by Melanie at Unravelled Threads. Thought I'd keep the accessorizing simple since there was already a whole lot going on with the print:

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft poplin striped (seen here before)

Belt: Anthropologie, from the Swirling Villages dress by Moulinette Soeurs

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Pine-A-Colada

Thanks to Melanie for hosting Dress Week!

Medieval Schoolgirl

My BF is a lucky duck and he flew out yesterday to go to Prague on business (you don't even need to say it, I am already thinking it). Lucky for me, his trip is a short one and he'll be back in time for us to spend our extended weekend together.

He did leave it to me though, to plan some local outings for us when he gets back, so we don't just waste another weekend with mindlessness, so I am excited about that ... except that I don't know of any fun outings (I need to go to Anthro to return something - does that count?).

I ended up doing some light online searching and seems like there's a Jazz Festival going on (jazz is kind of meh for me) ... and ... and a Renaissance Festival? Is that for-reals? Like bestill my fluttering true medieval nerdy King Arthur DOES exist heart - or just gaggles of two-bit Robin Hood wannabes carting cotton candy in a plastic tub?

Can any of you gals in the ATL area recommend any cool day trips or events going on this weekend?

Here's my OOTD. Not sure how I am feeling about this look - it seems a little too sweet for me, but I do like the top (thanks, sis) and am wearing my almost-never-leaving-my-feet sandals. Is it because this outfit mildly reminds me of a schoolgirl uniform?

Baubly.

Top: Ann Taylor jeweled bib sweater
Skirt: J. Crew cotton striped (worn here and here before)
Belt: Anthropologie Infinity
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Pine-A-Colada