Stray lamb

I think to say that I strayed from my budget this month would be an understatement. It was more like reckless abandon. I refuse to be apologetic or regretful. I will try to be better in April, but who knows - my birthday is coming up on the 12th so I will surely use that as an excuse to buy myself presents, and there is this weather - this grey, cold icky weather that leaves me to spend time clicking around ebay and amazon and dreaming about sandals I want to buy for when it will be actually nice out...

I think you need to imagine this outfit without the boots, tights, or cardigan. That's how I imagined it anyway. And it was awesome. Then the weathermen, talking endlessly about this "noreaster" ruined it for me.

Notice the rain drops? Yup, photos in the rain again. Lovely.

I know I've been negligent about updating the budget sidebar to track just how much over my budget I did indeed go this month. Well, it's all up to date now, and the damage is $257. Technically I should subtract $55 because I had a TJMaxx gift card which covered a couple things. And $100 was for the leather Lucky bag. So if you didn't count that then I'd only be like $23 over budget. See how well I rationalize?

The Rundown

Leopard Skirt Forever 21 - Top Gap - Cardigan TJMaxx - Boots Steve Madden Jessii - Belt Kohls - Earrings Made by Me - Pocket Watch Necklace Etsy - Leaf Necklace Taken for Granite - Tights Simply Vera

Something like vintage

Even though American Eagle forever closed the doors on Martin + Osa over a year ago, earlier this month this little floral top popped up in the racks at TJMaxx.

With the original $70 price tag still swinging, and TJMaxx's $15 tag besides it, I had to bring it home.

I'm ignoring the fact that my sister told me it looks like a curtain. She's said far worse about some of the clothes I love.

I always wonder about how things end up in TJMaxx... I've seen their commercials and all; "swooping in for the left overs when designers order too much" ...but it seems odd for Martin + Osa to make an appearance so long after the stores closed. Oh well, I was plenty happy to see it there!

The Rundown

Top Martin + Osa - Skirt Gap - Cardigan Express - Oxfords G by Guess Wonda - Necklace Klara Design Jewelry - Tights Kohls

Sweet perforations

Despite the fact that I've already mentioned it, and whined about it, I'm still upset that my local Gap closed it's doors on Saturday. Before they did, I had to stop in to say my farewells and, well, buy stuff. The sale tops were buy one get one and I picked up this navy tank with cool cut outs and a drapey sleeveless salmon top.

The necklace is new as well, I made it with some beads I'd purchased over the summer and wasn't sure what I wanted to make with them, until I spotted the "Sweet Drops" necklace at Anthropologie. (I'd happily copy every piece of jewelry they've got in that store.)

                              Anthropologie's                                                          Mine
I noticed that I must be on some sort of mustard cords schedule, because the last time I wore them was February 28th. And I honestly don't think it was any warmer out today than it was then. My toes are ice, but I'm willing to deal with that for the sake of my beloved sandals.

The Rundown

Top Gap - Mustard Cords Gap - Cardigan Avon - Turquoise Sandals Frye - Necklace Made by Me

A shower in technicolor

Last weekend I was up in Cape Cod for a bridal shower; this week was part two at my house. Hosting a party is always a lot of work, it has been a marathon since last Monday trying to get everything ready.
While it would have been easy to have the shower at a restaurant, or to have it catered at home, that is just not how we roll. If you are going to host a party with amazing food, you might as well take all the credit.

A huge cheese platter is essential. I think cheese is probably my favorite food group, though it's right up there with chocolate and pasta. In the back is the Curried Chicken Salad I made. I should have gotten a better photo. It is one of my favorite dishes, a mix of sweet and spicy curries with apples and dried cranberries.

Feast your eyes at the dessert table. I made the Chocolate Muzzettes, {Recipe} The Coconut Cupcakes, and the Fruit Tart. {Recipe}

 

This fruit tart was my baby. I spent about five hours making it and it was divine. The filling is a mixture of white chocolate, cream cheese, and whipping cream. After spreading it over the crust, I licked the spatula, and the proceeded to scrape every last bit out of the bowl, it was so amazing. 

As tempted as I was to post 100 photos of the tart, I kept it to one. However, if you click through to flickr, there are three more.

 

The chocolate covered strawberry bouquet was my Mother's creation, the 'pebbles' in the vase are yogurt covered raisins.

One of my gifts to the bride was a photo album filled with all the photos I took at last weeks shower.

As for me, I'm finally wearing the dress I bought for the shower last August. I should have just worn it at some point during the last seven months, but had this weird mentality about "saving" it.

I had fully intended on having this post up last night, but after the late night on Saturday, followed by a super early morning on Sunday, trying to get all the last minute prep done, then the clean up after the guests left - by 7pm all I wanted to do was relax on the couch and watch The Office (which was one of the better, funnier episodes as of late.) After that, the next thing I knew was that it was 1 AM and I was still on the couch. So no post. Today's outfit will just be on flickr.

The Rundown

Dress Lauren Conrad for Kohls - Cardigan Down East Basics - Shoes Me Too - Belt Thrifted Banana Republic - Vintage Rhinestone Necklace and Earrings Thrifted

 

The favor boxes were filled with dark chocolate covered oreos drizzled in pink white chocolate. 

Congrats to Louise of Coffee and a Cardigan, the Turquoise and Caicos Nail polish Giveaway winner!

Black and white and leopard all over

Today the Lucky Bag's luck was put to the test. I was out running errands and stopped to get a coffee. I went to Dunkin Donuts, where I almost never go because I am a Starbucks girl. I like my coffee strong and Dunkin never gets your order right.
I ordered a mocha latté and put it in the cup holder. Then I took a wide turn and the cup dumped over, spilling its contents all over the Lucky Bag.
Cursing myself and the heavens, I pulled over to try and mop up the mess as best I could with a few crumpled napkins. Bemoaning the fact that of course it had to happen to the new, expensive even at 60% off leather bag and not to one of my many, many synthetic bags.

But here is the lucky part. My mocha latté turned out to be a regular latté (honest to god, they never get my order right!) - so no chocolate, no sugar, no sticky mess.
By the time I got home to assess the damage, I couldn't even see a single stain from where the coffee had spilled. Crazy.

The Rundown

Leopard Cardigan Gap - Toothpick Cords J.Crew - Lace Cammi TJMaxx - Sequin Beret California Hat Co. - Studded Belt Gap - Fringe Booties Steve Madden - Rhinestone Earrings Kohls

This was black and white week, hope you enjoyed it!

Opera Ghost

I have just arrived home from my town's high school production of Phantom of the Opera, and it was amazing.
This is the first year the rights to the play have been made available to the high school and college level, so a very select few were even able to preform it. The town has been buzzing about it since the summer and I made sure to get my tickets early, because every show it completely sold out.

From the moment the overture began to play, it was so loud and intense and overwhelming (in the best possible way) and the huge elaborate set was revealed, it was easy to forget this was a high school production; the talent and incredible voices of those teenagers, to sing an opera - my jaw literally dropped.
To the handful of you who were in the play who might actually read this, I have to say it again, you were wonderful!

As for the fashion; this skirt is one of my creations that is actually a failure. I was so irritated with it that I'd tossed it into the DNR pile, because I didn't think it was worth bothering to try and fix.
The elastic in the waist band didn't get tight enough to wear without the aid of a belt, the material is too sheer to wear without a slip, and before I even started working with the fabric there were two big pulls in it that I didn't notice until I was done.

But I really wanted to wear a white skirt today, and it is too soon to wear cotton eyelet lace (my only other white skirt option), so I tried to make this work.

My other issue with today's outfit is these tights. Last year when I was so desperate to have dot tights and finally found a pair, I decided to be oh-so-clever and get two pairs, so when one got a pull, I'd have a backup. Well, these are the brand new backup pair I put on this morning, and when I took off my shoes tonight I had two big runs in both toes.

Aside from those teensy issues, I really love this outfit. The fabric of the skirt has gold thread woven through it and black and gold is always a rich and wonderful pairing.

The Rundown

Skirt Made by Me - Top Gap - Shoes Elle for Kohls - Tights H&M - Necklace Thrifted - Earrings Avon - Belt Gap

It's black and white week, and it's almost over...

And if you haven't yet entered my giveaway, please do!

I'll zig, you zag

More dark skies, more slushy snowfall... I think I found January's constant bombardment of snowfall favorable to this. Mostly because three months ago it was expected. I was excited to throw on my boots and sweaters and thick tights and just go with it. But now, especially when I see bloggers further south than myself ditching boots and tights all together, this icky weather is hard to deal with.

And apparently, the weather is all I've got to talk about today. I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I actually like this outfit. I think its the cardigan, tights and boots that are ruining it for me.

The Rundown

Skirt Thrifted Ann Taylor - Boots  Migliorini - Cardigan Kohls - Cammi Kohls - Necklace Simply Vera at Kohls - Belt Urban Outfitters

It's black and white week, you love it!

And if you haven't yet entered my giveaway, please do!

And your little dog too!

Sorry, I just couldn't help it. Black and white, striped tights, lion belt, little dog; the Wizard of Oz reference was too much to ignore. But I can assure you I was not going for witch when I put on the striped tights. The stripes are even a bit more subtle in reality, but are accentuated by how sharp and contrasty I like my photos to look.

Someone went to the groomers, and isn't she so pretty?!

Sometimes I struggle to buy wardrobe basics, because they seem so boring. So when I can find a perfectly classic, completely necessary black blazer that also appeals to my pattern loving, leopard print lusting side, I know it was meant to be.

The Rundown

Dress Avon Paint the Town - Blazer Kohls - Shoes Areosoles - Tights H&M - Belt Ebay - Earrings Thrifted - Dog Chloe

You know you want to join in on the fun of black and white week!

And if you haven't yet entered my giveaway, please do!

Spring is here! (so of course it snowed)

This morning I awoke to a grey sky pouring out a wet mess of slushy snow rain that has yet to stop. A perfect way to start the much anticipated spring season, don't you think?

The Rundown

Jacket Target - Top Gap - Leggings TJMaxx - Boots Migliorini - Bag Bandolino - Earrings Arabella

I very begrudgingly put these boots on. Mentally, I'd moved into sandals season. In fact, I'm more than ready to shove my boots and tights and sweaters all to the back of the closet and bring out the summer clothes. Nothing like a cold, slushy day to bring me back to the reality that the calender's declaration of season means absolutely nothing.

If you haven't heard, this is black and white week, so I invite you all to show off your style with a lack of color. (Let me know if you are participating!)

And if you haven't yet entered my giveaway, please do!