All that Glitters and Shines

I love all things sequins! I wish I owned more of it. Or really I wish I had more places I could wear it. With the holidays approaching, are you breaking out your glittery garments? Maybe try something new this year, like sequins pants or shorts! I really like the sequins maxi skirt too!

 

Motel black dress
asos.com

Naven open back dress
pacsun.com

Crop shirt
$36 - newlook.com

ONLY black blazer
$29 - newlook.com

Wayf track pants
nordstrom.com

J Crew long skirt
jcrew.com

Gold sequin shorts
sheinside.com

Maxi skirt
dailylook.com

Jimmy choo shoes
net-a-porter.com

BCBGMAXAZRIA pink purse
bcbg.com

Topshop pink purse
topshop.com

Yoga Pants/Leggings

Last winter I searched high and low for yoga pants. I was looking for a pant I could wear to the gym. I tried on pants everywhere, Lululemon, Gap, Nike, Under Armour, Old Navy, seriously you name it, I tried it. Nothing seemed to work. According the founder of Lululemon I probably shouldn't be wearing yoga pants to begin with, but everyone else does and I needed a pair too, damnit.

Spring came and my need for pants was no longer there. All was forgotten until this fall I started running outside and I had a need for the pants again. Maybe I am a little picky, but I didn't want to be that girl at the gym with the see through pants or awkward camel toe. But I also don't want to pay 100 bucks for pants. What's a girl to do?

My friend sent me THIS blog. Hilarious and helpful! Perfect, I never really even thought of wearing the same "work out" pants as leggings. It's a MUST read!

And just like that, I ordered my pair of Zella leggings and I love them already! They are really thick and tight, holding it all in. Plus they are decently warm for outdoor activity. I have only worn them to work out, but am anxious to wear them this winter as leggings. They are reversible and I have considered turning them inside out for another wear. Is that gross? I'm not sure. That's gross, right?

And, while I'm at it. I'll just let you know that I am on team: "leggings are NOT pants". I admit there are people who can pull this off, mostly of the younger high school/college age. The general public cannot. SO PLEASE, please, please - wear a shirt that covers your ass. And while you're at it, figure out appropriate undergarments.

That's my lesson on leggings for the day!

Weekend Wrap Up

I had the most productive weekend possible! Dan was out of town, so I made a list and checked it off. Most of it boring stuff like cleaning and laundry, but other fun stuff too like shopping and sewing.

 Made this plaid skirt for my friend Danielle. 

Went on a long run Saturday. Took this picture afterward to show my mom and sister I'm ready for the Turkey Trot on Thursday! 

Found this Trina Turk dress, perfect for the holidays at TJ Maxx.

 Saturday was obsessive tartan day. I bought plaid napkins, wrapping paper and fabric. Plus, I had on my new Lord and Taylor scarf. Someone is ready for a very tartan Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas... I watched Christmas Vacation. Best. Movie. Ever. 

Continuing in the holiday spirit, I made 2 loaves of Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread to take to work. 

 Started getting ideas for my holiday table scape. (new plaid napkins, World Market chargers, and polka dot fabric from Joann Fabrics). 

Almost finished this skirt, but realized it's not going to work. More in another blog. 

And just for fun-  These are my brother's kids. If you know my brother, this is nothing new. He's a hunter and apparently his kids are going to be too. Hilarious!! 

Pumpkin Spice Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'd have to say these are my favorite pumpkin cookies that I have made, and I have made several pumpkin cookie variations. The pudding mix makes them extra soft and just the right amount of pumpkin spice flavor. This recipe is definitely a winner!!!

Pumpkin Spice Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies
(original recipe)
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 box of pumpkin spice pudding (dry)
1 1/2 sticks of butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp honey
1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips or chunks

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix flour, baking soda and dry pudding in a medium bowl. In another larger bowl, using a mixer, mix butter and sugars until fluffy. Gradually add eggs, vanilla and honey. Once thoroughly mixed, slowly add flour mixture. Dough will become tough and you will need to use spoon. Add in chocolate chips.

Using your hands form 2 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. I like to use parchment paper for easy cleaning. Flatten balls slightly with palm of hand and bake 8-12 minutes.

Enjoy!

Edgy

Nordstrom Dress // ASOS Mirrored Pants // A Wear Leopard Coat // ASOS Dress
Forever 21 Gloves // Nasty Gal Heels // J.Crew Bag // Forever 21 Hat

I love all of these pieces, not together of course. Each is a little "edgy" in their own way, something not everyone (especially not in Indiana) would be comfortable wearing.

Notice I am still pining after the leopard coat.

Happy Thursday!

Also-
There are 15 days left until Thanksgiving 2013
There are 16 days left until Black Friday 2013
There are 42 days left until Christmas 2013
There are 48 days left until New Year's Eve 2013 

WOOHOO!

Making my Case:

I need a leopard coat. I've been secretly lusting after one for awhile now, but something is holding me back. That something is my husband. Understandably he does not like animal print. I get it. A few years ago it wasn't popular, it looked trashy, like maybe you were hookin' on E. Washington St. But not anymore!

Animal print comes and goes in fashion and currently it's in. I have every leopard accessory I need (belt, shoes, scarf) but I need to go bigger! I need a full coat.

Here is my case:

Look how chic all these women are! (this could be me)

Models wear them: Kate Moss

Jackie Kennedy wore animal print

 

Princess Kate Middleton wears animal print

 

 Fashion bloggers wear animal print

 

I should have an animal print coat.

 

Here are some great options! And my favorites are the top 3 and under $120!!!

 

 

 

Picture sources: US Weekly, The Sweetest Thing, What I Wore, Who What Wear

Plaid skirt

I made this plaid skirt yesterday. I was really wanting a plaid skirt (see this post) and wanted to challenge myself to make this without a pattern and in an hour. I failed. It took me 2 hours. I'm not sure when I will learn that no sewing project will take me less than an hour. The easier I think a project is the longer it takes. I added pockets to this skirt, which is what took longer because I added them too high and couldn't get the elastic through the waistband.

 

But really, this is an easy skirt that anyone can make!

 

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and want to make more skirts using this same idea of an elastic waist with pockets.

Holidays are Here!!!

Hooray! The holidays are here! I know people hate that the world seems to skip over Thanksgiving and move right along to Christmas, but if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Actually, I decorated and got overly excited about Halloween several weeks too early and couldn't wait for it to be over, so I don't intend on doing that with Christmas this year. Although truth be told, I'm listening to Christmas music right now and already started my list. Sorry, I'm not sorry.

Anyway- let's get back to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a great holiday too. Actually it's a nice time to be with family without the present giving stress. Whew! All ya gotta do is eat and sit around, so that's good! I personally can't wait for the day when someone asks me to host Thanksgiving! Besides the actual turkey making, I think I would totally nail it! The event planner in me LOVES a good table setting and since we are currently in the market for a new dining table, I can't help but think about how I would decorate if I were hosting the holiday at my house.

source

source

 

I really like the use of gold accents for the holidays and I actually even bought the polka dotted burlap fabric in the 2nd photo a few weeks ago with anticipation for our new table. I can't wait to use it!  Some other fun gold table accents:

Gretel home Zag Tray // C.Wonder Cake Platter // West Elm S&P set
CB2 Place Settings // Jayson Home Table Runner // CB2 Candle holders // Crate and Barrel Glass
CB2 Bowl // CB2 Cubes // World Market Charger 

Plaid Coat

I saw a girl at brunch on Sunday in the cutest plaid coat. I never knew I needed a plaid coat until I fell in love with hers. I've been thinking about it all week and I still can't find the one she had on. I have come to the conclusion that it's vintage (or just last season). I'm on the lookout now. Here are some other cute options.

ASOS // Dorothy Perkins
The Corner // Express

Crock Pot Spicy Italian Roast Sandwiches

This is one of my favorite crock pot recipes because it's SO easy and has a great flavor!

Ingredients:
2-3 lb chuck roast
1 jar of pepperoncinis
1 packet of dry Italian dressing mix

Directions:
Place all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve on crusty buns for sandwiches.

Plaid Skirts

I am kind of having a moment with all things plaid right now. Button downs, blazers, scarves, skirts and even home goods. I'll save those other items for another post though. Let's talk about plaid skirts. I like the look, but I think it's a fine line between kilt and school girl. I really like the skirts posted below especially the on from JCPenney's. I'd be interested in seeing that one in person.

Top 2 skirts from J.Crew Factory. Bottom ASOS and JCPenney.
 

I also found some fabric that I thought could work to make a skirt as well.

 

And then I found all this plaid taffeta at the fabric store, which got me excited for the holidays. I am not sure what to do with it, but I think it's so pretty! Mini skirt? Table cloth?