Peaches and Lace

    

Cardigan: Xihiliration by Target lace (worn here before - similar here)
Top: Gillian & O'Malley by Target (worn here before - similar here)
Skirt: NY&Co. abstract print (worn here before - similar here, pencil here, as dress here)
Belt: J. Crew metallic skinny (similar here)
Necklace: Laila Rowe (similar here, here)
Shoes: Sofft vivian (worn here before - similar here)

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Juicy sweet Georgia peaches are in season right now, which should have been a sign for me to leave well enough alone. Why mess with nature's tasty perfection? See the sweet little white peaches nestled innocently in the springform pan, unawares of the baking-disaster to follow?
 

I don't bake a whole lot because I'm really a salty-things gal and I don't have an awesome track record with it. I've done the occasional cheesecake or yellow cake or some partly-made Pillsbury something before, but I don't really like having to precisely measure, take out big equipment, excuses, excuses.

But since BF is a peach and dessert fiend, I thought I'd try my hand at this recipe - even though I didn't have all the necessary ingredients. Like real butter. Or a skillet. And too lazy to break out the mixer.

So I ended up with this:

 
Though the cake in the pic appears mildly salvageable, I assure, it was not. The whole thing was about an inch thick, which totally means it didn't rise. And it took 3x longer to cook than the recipe recommended, which still resulted in a goopy middle and now completely shapeless melted soured peaches.

Brave sweet BF still took for himself a piece though and insisted it was good. Though the rest of that thing is still sitting by its lonesome on the counter, waiting patiently for the merciful trash can countdown.

I could go all day with my past cooking fails (ever try to cook puff pastry in the microwave? or puree chickpeas in a blender? or make anything that involves chicken and peaches together? or use cayenne powder in place of chili powder?), but I'd love to hear from you.

Do any of you have any cooking-tastrophes you want to share?

Dots & Stripes Forever

Happy Memorial Day, ladies! Aside from the (hopefully) physical and mental recharge we are all partaking in these past few days, let's also spend a few moments and remember the real reason we celebrate this day - to commemorate all the US service members who have fallen while in military service.

I've had a great long weekend of eating, cooking, park-ing, lounging and generally being a lazy loaf - it's been awesome. So it should come as no surprise that with the great summer-y weather, I've spent my days in general absolute casual-ness:

 

Top: H&M stripe (worn here before - similar here, modern here)
Skirt: UO Cooperative monaco
Shoes: Keds spright wedge (worn here before - similar here, here)
Necklace: White Owl via Etsy (worn here before - similar here)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff trompe l'oeil mac

 

Top: J. Crew factory multi-stripe pullover
Shorts: Banana Republic (similar here)
Shoes: Mossimo by Target wakana (worn here before - similar here)

 

Hat: Christy's & Co. (big enough to fit my giant noggin! - similar here, here)
Top: J. Crew max & molly gallery (worn here before - similar here, here)
Shorts: Old Navy pleated (worn here before - similar here)
Shoes: DVF lush flip flops (worn here before)

 

Top: F21extended hem dot (worn here before - similar solid here, here)
Shorts: Old Navy chambray tie-belt
Shoes: Sofft woven thongs (similar luxe here, reg here)

What have you gals all been up to? Have any of your partaked in some awesome sales, or other grand (there are no small) adventures?

Hope in a Jar

I'm a bit over a week into my new morning beauty routine and though I can't say that I see an incredible overall difference, I do have an awful lot of bottles cluttering my counter now. A few of you asked last week, so here's the mish mash I've been using recently: pore redefining scrub, clinical dark spot corrector, brightening eye treatment, moisturizer with SPF, multi-tasking minerals for eyes in well rested, sheer matifying compact, and some blush, gloss and mascara, if I'm feeling particularly peckish.

Pretty much all this to look like I don't really have any makeup on. I have to admit though, that I think the eye brightener and concealer powder are working for me, when I can apply the concealer correctly! I guess these are the types of products I need to consider using more frequently as I find myself not getting younger day-by-day. So between that nagging thought and copious amounts of Real Housewives on Bravo this past weekend, I can't help but to wonder - if it is this hard to try to look "youthful, put-together and like I'm not trying" right now, how am I going to handle it five, ten, twenty years down the road?

I've never been a beauty queen but I've always been afraid of getting old and all the things (yes, yes, mostly superficial appearance-related - I am that shallow sometimes) that go with it - like grey hair, wrinkles, sagging, paunching, jowling. And I'm not doing all, or much of anything, of what I can to keep myself from aging - but the eating healthier and having a better skincare routine should help. But what about when that is no longer enough?

Am I going to dye my hair to keep away the greys? Yes, I full plan on being one of those 70yo women with a head full of black hair. Am I going to have purchase increasing-expensive creams, serums, ointments to keep the facial sag away? As long as my income continues to go in the same direction as those products costs, yes to that too. Will I supplement my days away with handfuls of colorful little pills, mixers, elixirs? Literal *gag* but I'll probably have one of those massive dated pill boxes on my counter once I take the time to figure out what everything does - mm, mm, vitamin cocktails. Do I have to reassess my closet and toss out the remnants of Forever 21? Say it'll never be so ... even though it probably already is. Will I consider even going under the knife to help myself in a way that Mother Nature can't? I don't know about this one ... but it is probably too soon to say "no way" at this point.

 

I'm not going to ask you gals how you feel about getting older because I think it is apparent that none of us are thrilled over the aspect of our fine lines developing into deep crevices. However, have you thought yet, even briefly, about where or not you would do anything to "battle" it?

Would you be like my mom and choose to age naturally and gracefully, and take all the salt-and-pepper hair and crow's feet with a shrug? Or would you be like my big sis, who still looks like she's in her twenties with her perfectly made-up features and trendy (but still working mom appropriate) ensembles? Or shoot, do you think you'll go full-bore Real Housewives style and get the fancy docs to help you kick Time's butt?

 

Jacket: Anthropologie Coquille cobbled lanes (I literally just wore this - but having no time will do that to a gal, worn here before - similar in grey here)
Top: Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte rose is a rose (worn here before - similar here or here)

Skirt: Ruche bold as love (similar here or as dress here, here)

Shoes: Sofft vivian (worn here before - similar here or here)

Sequins, Florals, Ruffles for the Weekend

A couple of looks from the weekend in celebration of the finally beautiful weather in the SE. I hope you gals are all enjoying the rest of your weekends - can you believe it's April already?

Top: J. Crew island paisley perfect (worn here before - similar here)

Dress: Anthropologie Jonsey night moves chemise (flirtier here or dressier here)

Shoes: Sofft giovanna (worn here before- similar here or here)

Necklace: fuzzyelephant via Etsy (worn here before )

Bracelet: Forever 21 faceted cube spiral (worn here before)

Top: J. Crew sequin boatneck (worn here before - similar here or here)

Shorts: Xhiliration by Target challis

Shoes: Libby Edelman alpha

Necklace: Laila Rowe

Clutch: Old Navy (worn here before - similar here, -ish here)

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Please don't forget to submit your Anthropologie-inspired outfits for the upcoming Respect the Outfits reader feature! Outfit pics, details and links to the outfit post can be sent to respecttheshoes(at)live.com.

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Here are some of the cool giveaways of the week:

♣  Elizabeth from Delightfully Tacky is giving away a pair of over easy boots by BC Footwear. Contest ends tonight!

♣  Kendi from Kendi Everyday is giving away a $50 gift certificate to Spotted Moth. Contest also ends tonight.

♣  Aimee from Song of Style is giving away a $75 gift certificate to Threadsense. Contest ends April 4.

♣  Molly from My Closet Travels is giving away a $25 gift card to Anthropologie. Contest ends April 5.

♣  Elaine from I'm clothed much is giving away a pair of earrings and bracelet from Matasse. Contest ends April 8.

♣  Runway Rundown is giving away three $100 gift cards to Tobi. Contest ends April 8.

♣  Elle from Fast Food & Fast Fashion is giving away a many belles down rhonda dress from High Gloss Fashion. Contest ends April 11.

♣  Meggy from Chasing Davies is giving away a light grey ruffled dress by Shabby Apple. Contest ends April 11.

♣  Shasta from Shasta Anne is giving away a $100 gift card to Forever 21 and a $100 Exxon gift card. Contest ends April 15.

♣  Dea from the dea diaries is giving away a $25 gift certificate to Apothica. Contest ends April 15.

♣  Natalya from Natalya's Closet is giving away a red plaid shirt dress that she made! Contest ends in April, data TBA.

A Girl Today

Doing makeup, hair, nails, fluffing pillows and knowing where to place a vase, eating little half sandwiches with a side of salad for lunch ... these are a few of things I am completely inept at.

I grew up as a baby of the family, but by my birth - I was a total accident by the way, but that's a story for another post and after many beers - my big sis was already firmly established as the "girl" of the family. She was the tall slender one with the perfect skin and hair. And as she got older, she mastered all the fine arts of being a girl's girl - she was, and still is, always perfectly attired (if Emma Pillsbury and Rachel Zoe had an asian fashion baby, my sis would be it), instinctively knew how to apply makeup and play up her glossy locks, and could give Martha Stewart a run for her money in the decor department.

As for little ole Lisa on the other hand ... well, my mom cut my hair real short when I was little and permed it, then dressed me up in overalls and little striped polos. My dad taught me tennis - and gardening - and how to fix a sink. When I decided to give up ballet and piano at an early age, no one batted an eye. When I took up lacrosse, I got a big thumbs up. Through high school, I only cared if jeans fit in the waist and inseam and my introduction to J. Crew was the men's collection (remember the wool rollnecks?) When I stuff my face with a double cheeseburger and chili fries and out-eat most of my guy friends, I don't get a weird look from them anymore. And that's OK and that's just me - I am a little asian bull in a china shop.

 

On the style front though, it took a while for me to find my way. I honestly did not embrace skirts or dresses until after I started blogging just a bit over a year ago. I stayed away from pattern, color and embellishments for about just as long. All the girly accutrements of fashion - accessories, flounce, frill, shine - I am still learning all of that. And colored tights, what is that?!

I spend a lot of money when I go get my hair done every few months because I an inept at doing it well myself and a good cut and color will save me for a few weeks. I rarely do my nails because I am failure at that whole painting within the lines thing. I will get the odd pedi because I don't want to handle my toes, haha. I put on concealer and powder for my face and a light lipgloss-y lipstick because everything else seems to just run down my face. I am just learning the importance of the loofah.

I am a total tomboy at heart and I think you gals can see it come out a bit in my love for plaid and gingham, my general lack of concern towards anything related to beauty. I am fashion latchkey kid, and I've still got a lot of catching up to do.

So what kind of girl are you? What "girly" things do you love, and do you have an inner tomboy?

 

Top: Ann Taylor bib sweater (worn here before - similar here, all-ivory here)
Skirt: Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte circle the globe (worn here before - similar mini here or here)
Belt: J. Crew metallic skinny (similar here)
Shoes: Sofft patent pumps (worn here before - similar here or w/strap here)

Bah Humbug Business Appropriate

Ah, Florida, there's nothing like driving down your palm tree-lined streets perusing amusements beyond my imaginings while the breeze whips through my hair giving my face a frozen teeth-chattering wind burn. This is the first time ever I've turned the heat on in my hotel room in Florida - and I come to see you a lot, ole buddy! What is up?! I spent last night under my covers in bed with the heat going - and my feet were still f-f-freezing!

Of course I find myself here ill-equipped in the attire department - one thin fleece jacket that does not work over my requisite business attire and my $10 side street "pashmina" is going to need to do double duty as both scarf and body wrap today!

See for yourself how I am dressed today - completely not what I had planned and it's boring, but this is my (gulp) weather warmest! And yes, for those of you living in the Midwest, I know you gals are just rolling your eyes at my chatter about 30 degree weather - but if only I had been smart enough to bring my warmer clothes!

Jacket: Anthropologie Sine Brief Meeting (similar here or long-sleeved here or BF-cut version here)
Pants: AT Loft grey herringbone trousers (similar online here or here)
Shoes: Sofft patent pumps (similar online here or mary jane here)

So what do I do to appease myself and my frost-bitten little soul? Be not so good and gift myself some early Christmas presents of course! Such as ...

So have you gals bought yourselves anything sweet for the holidays?

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I'm sure you gals have noticed a few of these badges around our little fashion blogosphere lately:

The fabulous Tara B. from Little Girl Big Closet is hosting a fantastic feature very much in spirit of the season - she and some of our favorite blogettes are putting together fashionable vignettes in the style of the 12 Days of Christmas! I was completely surprised and flattered that I was asked to participate, so please keep an eye out for me! Her feature starts today - I can't wait to see what prettiness all the gals have put together to celebrate the holidays!

Pinkies Up, Please!

I can take myself seriously in my pics for about a minute. Then I look like this.

Top: Anthropologie Little Yellow Button Curated tee
Skirt: Banana Republic (worn here and here before)
Shoes: Sofft Giovanna (worn almost every day)
Necklace: Anthropologie Double Torsade (worn here, here and here before)

After a recent post from the fabulous Melissa regarding commenting, I got to thinking about blogger etiquette. There are a lot of new technology and social media platforms that are being embraced all over the place, and because of that, loads of people have questions around about the right way to interact with others through those tools. I too, am one of those people, especially because I feel like a lot of us tend to forget our general social graces when utilizing these tools.

I think it is awesome that blogs exist for people to share ideas and interests in a fairly informal forum that is easily accessed and distributed. But when was it OK to start leaving snarky anon comments to complete strangers or to steal pics and entire posts from other people just because they aren't in your same blog circle?

I've never tried passing myself off as an expert in anything, so take the below with a grain of salt and understanding that these are my personal views. Here are my unofficial rules for blogging:

1. Be prepared that folks won't agree with you
(If you're going to come out with a personal editorial about your feelings about the folks who run the government or just who makes the better brand of lip gloss, understand that not everyone is going to agree - and that's OK)

2. Be respectful
(As an add-on to #1, disagreeing with someone doesn't mean it is alright to not be polite just because you can hide behind your computer while doing it)

3. Acknowledge your sources
(We get ideas from other bloggers and other sites all the time, what's the harm in sourcing them to give them proper credit?)

4. Responding to comments
(I feel like if someone's going to take the time to read and comment on a post, it should be reciprocated in some way. Do I think that means every comment should be responded to every time? Heck no, who has the time? but personally blog banter is one of my fave parts of blogging!)

I intentionally left this post short (my version of short?) because I'm interested in hearing from you lovelies. What are your ideas of blog etiquette? What do you consider your major blogging Dos and Don'ts?

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)

Giving the Boot

Dress: Banana Republic (worn here before)

Belt: J. Crew embossed

Necklace: Anthropologie Double Torsade (worn here, here in coral and here before)

Shoes: Sofft Giovanna (worn a million zillion times before)

Well I got my new Steve Madden boots in yesterday. And I love them. The color and leather are spectacular (richer brown in real life) and the little brass details are "just" enough. Too bad I'll be returning them.

One thing people always forget to tell you is that when you're short, knee-high boots are too tall for you. Meaning a 15"+ tall shaft (typical for most knee-high boots) usually ends right at the bottom of the knee, so if you think about bending your leg, you get the leather rub right in the back of your knee. Plus there's usually an unflattering gap at the top of the boot because the part that is supposed to be covering the widest part of your calf isn't (because I'm short). So I'm usually stuck looking for mid-calf boots (mid-calf for you regular-heighted folks), that typically have a 13"-ish shaft.

But you're tricky, Mr. Madden. You incorrectly labeled these lovely boots as a 13" high shaft - and even when Lulu's got the boots on their site, they listed them as a 13.5" shaft. So "pooh" to both of you. And just my luck, as of yesterday, Zappos and Piperlime now also have these boots - except only Piperlime has the shaft height right!

Rambling story short? If you're normal height and looking for a casual brown boot, the Madden Olsters are gorgeous and worth a try. But if you're short like me, you may be SOL.