Fairly Ideal

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T10:10:00.000-05:00

This is the super awesome Valentine my niece Molly sent me. I have no outfit picture to post today because I hate my outfit like 200% and this combo will NOT get worn again.

I bought myself a few presents this week because I got my tax return. I was going to get a kindle, I still may in time, but I decided I wanted these other things instead...

Derek Cardigan 7006 from Costal.com use this link and I get a referral credit. :) I got these for free with the code FIRSTPAIRFREE. Horray for free presents!!

And finally I got the classic 13" satchel from Cambridge Satchel Company. My daily bag is getting a little worn out, so it's time for a new one.

I hope you got a lot of nice Valentines too :)

A Date!

2012-02-11T17:35:00.000-05:00

I have a date tonight, for the first time in almost a year. It's with an old exboyfriend. I know you guys, don't go out with an ex blah blah blah. This one is nice, I promise, and we broke up because he was being immature, and now he's totally mature. So, it's ok. I've also verified this with married mature adult men who would absolutely tell me if I should not bother.

The thing is with him, he kind of doesn't give a shit. I mean he cares about me definitely, he got me a Hello Kitty toaster and pink converse for Christmas and made me breakfast in bed on my birthday. Even though we got sick from it, because his kitchen was exceptionally unsanitary due to his roommate (who was the most disgusting person of all time BTW). Oh yeah and a bottle of wine autographed by Dan Aykroyd.

Boom.

Anyway, I could be all in my sweat pants and no make up for this date and he wouldn't notice, wouldn't care, and tell me I looked pretty and mean it. He would also call me "girl" like that Ryan Gosling meme.

He also doesn't care that I am wearing a pink belt with a green sweater and blue dress. A lot of dudes will not get that, and feel the need to comment on it. Like the jerk that told me my clogs were too red. Seriously, a guy that wears nothing but levis and a rotation of the same 6 ringer t's in the assorted shades of blue had commentary on something I was wearing. That outfit was super cute and I was really in to it. If it wasn't snowing I would absolutely change in to it right now for this date.

I really don't get why guys need to comment on clothes ever. Honestly, other than "your ass is hanging out and I can see your vagina and that might be embarrassing at this funeral" there should be no other comment than "You look beautiful". None. Also you look pretty, beautiful, gorgeous etc. should be said all the time.

This is my outfit for this date. I promise I will buy an actual camera with a timer and a tri-pod in the next calendar year.

Boots were not my first shoe choice, but as I said, snow.

Anyway he's coming to pick me up at 7, and it's 5:30. Yes I am already ready, I tend to get ready really early, for two reasons. 1 - In case there is some kind of debacle that requires me to re-shower. 2 - sitting around for a bit lets my perfume and make up wear off a little so it's not so done and it gives the illusion that I totally sit around looking like this and I did not just spend 3 hours deep conditioning my hair.

That reminds me, I've been using Wen for 3 weeks.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3 - I need to cut my bangs.

All of these pictures were taken after doing my hair the exact same way, using only Wen and the blow out technique in this video. I'm getting kind of paranoid, because I just read all of these articles about people going bald from Wen and I have noticed hair in the shower, but I'm pretty sure it's no more than it was before.

Earlier today I was making a Pathfinder character and watching Teen Witch, and I snapped this photo.

Kitten Photobomb

Recipe: How to ruin your day with bad decisions and self sabotage.

2012-02-10T13:24:00.000-05:00

Previous Day: Have wine and crackers for dinner. Forget to take vitamin d to deal with the fact that pretty much never see the light of day face to face.
Current Day: Sleep in a little too much, don't put fruit in breakfast smoothie because some how that's going to be a time saver as you rush to get to work on time.
Instead of listening to music on the way to work listen to the news.
Resume arguing with coworker about the problem that lead to the sick feeling that lead to having wine for dinner.
Skip lunch!
Instead of lunch read Cat Marnell articles on Janexo.com about Xanax withdrawal and adderall addiction. Think about exboyfriend that is off somewhere being crazy and a menace to society.
Again instead of eating lunch, read articles about how the entertainment industry has made bangs=manic pixie dream girl and consider how none of your past relationships have worked out because guys find out you have feelings and aren't just around to help them find themselves and then bail on you for some girl that didn't have to put up with any of their shit.
Realize it's 1:30 and leaving the office to get lunch is no longer an option and you are going to have to suffer the afternoon on a strawberry nutrigrain bar.
Revisit the problem from yesterday yet again.

Casual Friday

2012-02-10T10:14:00.000-05:00

It's Friday! It has also been a rough week. I did a little retail therapy and bought some really cute tights from Tabbisocks.

It looks like I got the last pair of the Red Riding Hood Tights, since they are no longer available on the website today.

This is what I'm wearing today, nothing special. Jeans are Levis and probably 8 years old. Sweater is from Target 4 years ago and I have no idea if this tshirt is even mine. I realize now I am dressed in Joker colors, so I will spend the rest of the day trying to kill The Batman.

I've had kind of a rough week. I've been to Dallas, Boston and New York. It was an airport to office business trip with no site seeing and sadly no visits to Dallas area thrift stores in search of awesome cowboy boots.

I found this suction cup cat perch this weekend. Ash loves it, and he's managed to go a whole week with out having it taken over by Simon.

I have a date tomorrow, so I think I may actually style an outfit and spend a little time on it tomorrow, and you know, wear make up and do my hair.

My Terrible Life

2012-02-07T09:32:00.000-05:00

About a year and a half ago I started this super crappily drawn web comic. Due to drama, I took it down about a year ago. I thought I had destroyed all of the "comics" but it turns out I didn't! I just found them all cleaning out my desk, so here they are!

Another Weekend

2012-02-05T08:53:00.001-05:00

This morning I got up early with the full intention of destroying my local target and acquiring many Jason Wu dresses. This did not work out as expected. I was kind of disappointed in the line, there was nothing that jumped out at me as "omg must have" there were a couple of dresses I liked and at $40 I would've purchased them under normal shopping conditions, but this was nonsense, and people are greedy. Considering the amount of Missoni for Target that has already wound up at Goodwill, if I really still want those dresses come spring, I will get them for $5 instead. I would really like to encourage people to not buy from the ebay sellers that mark up these items and buy out stores out of pure greed.

OK so I had to go back to target for some Half and Half and hot dog buns, and there were some dresses and shirts back on the shelves, so I bought them. Also I found one of the bags hidden in the stuffed animals, finders keepers ;)

Yesterday I went to my parents house to visit my dog Lucy. She's been recently diagnosed with diabetes and lyme disease, she is also pretty old, so she hasn't been herself.

My sister's family came to visit too, my niece was so hyper. That'll teach me to give her candy.

Normally she's really cute, but I don't know what this face was about.

On the way home I stopped at Christmas Tree Shops and got these roman shades, I really didn't want to be so matchy/matchy with the curtains, but it's CTS so beggars can't be choosy. Not bad for $7 each.

Vicariously Attending Burning Man 2012 Edition

2012-02-01T10:07:00.000-05:00

My friends are mostly Burners, which are people that attend Burning Man. I am not so much a Burner. I am modest, and not that free spirited. But I love art and expression and being along for their crazy ride. I attend a regional Burn once or twice a year and every year I meet amazing people and see amazing things. Typically I come home over stimulated and cranky, because it's just way too much for an introvert. Despite that, I feel it's something I need to experience a couple of times a year, three days of over stimulation followed by two days of being shut in my house figuring out the experience is basically my vacation. I'm sure a psychologist could sort it all out.

Anyway, the reason I will never be a Burner, besides my affinity for full coverage clothing, is that I can not attend Burning Man, pigment free skin and the Black Rock Desert are not friends, not a bit.

So, every year when my friends cheer that they've received their BM tickets and will be dancing around the desert in late August I come up with my own form of entertainment for that week. I send mail, lots of it, to Black Rock City. Yes, BRC is large enough that for those two weeks it has it's own US Post Office, and I am most likely one of the people that keeps it crazy busy. The week before the event as my friend travel cross-country, I am writing them letters, scavenger hunts, stories, ransom notes, and other mini-adventures. I research interesting camps and events online and then suggest my friends go to these things and bring me back a piece of BRC.

This year is exciting, there are a lot of people going that have never gone before. There is a fair chance that I know more about what there is to find in the BRC than they do, and I can't wait to leave my vicarious mark on the playa yet again.

Not a Complete Waste

2012-01-30T10:47:00.001-05:00

I got home from work on Friday and promptly died. Saturday morning I felt a lot better. However this is a tricky flu, I tried to go to the grocery store and almost died again!

Sunday, I was totally better, except for a mild headache. I got to hang out with two cutie pie baby girls, and hold a 1 month old that didn't freak out on me even when her parents left the room. Babies sense I am scared of them and typically freak out. Then I was essentially molested by 3 dogs.

This is what dog molestation looks like from the perspective of the molested.

Then, oh happy times, I spent the rest of the day nerding in a basement.

After a few weekends in a row of no fun at all, I've decided this coming Saturday, weather permitting, will contain the following:

Trader Joes - This is a road trip for me, but seriously I am experiencing a dire Speculous shortage.
Thrifting Yay! - My Things to Look For list is getting long.
Christmas Tree Shops - I want bamboo shades for my living room.

I bet you can hardly stand the excitement.

Nothing of Value

2012-01-28T10:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday after work I saw that the walk-in doctor had no cars in the parking lot, so I walked in. He confirmed that I have the flu (for the first time in my life) and that I waited entirely too long to seek medical attention, so I just need to stay hydrated and since I've been sick for the whole week, I probably am on the last day of it anyway. Also, the case I had was obviously pretty mild if I managed to operate a car and work whole days and feed myself. Regardless, I feel like I've lost an entire week of my life to this bullshit flu. My apartment is a disaster mess.

Come do my dishes please :(

Simon is OBSESSED with my water cup.

Unmade bed makes me sad.

The other thing is I've been laying on the couch most of the week, and I noticed something... watching...

Sick/Blech - What I'm Wearing

2012-01-26T11:44:00.000-05:00

This is why I do not advise taking a bunch of cold medicine and then picking out your clothes.

I have a sick, I don't know what kind it wants to be because I am keeping it at bay with netipot/sudafed/ALL OF THE MEDICINE.

It has basically manifested itself as a huge body ache. I hate being sick. I have no help when I am sick. So now my laundry isn't getting done, bed isn't getting made and, it is bothering me.

As per most sicks, and just being in this office, I am freezing to death and I am wearing my coat.

Dress is from Dorothy Perkins, Cardigan from Target, Accessories from Forever21, Boots are Thrifted

Best Coat Ever Handmade from an Etsy Seller

Thursday Project - Dress Cape

2012-01-26T10:02:00.000-05:00

I have to be honest, this one is almost 2 years old. I made this cape for my friends' wedding in 2010, but it's a fantastic and easy thing to make so here you go.

Step 1, buy some fancy looking fabric, and some fancy looking ribbon.

Step 2, fold the top edge of the fabric in to 2" pleats, press as you go and iron in to place. You may have to check a few times to see if you have enough, the cape should wrap around your shoulders and over lap by about 3".

Step 3, sew a straight stitch to hold the pleats in to place.

Step 4, Fold the ribbon around the edges and pin in to place, sew on. After i did that I didn't like it being square so I rounded it and reattached the ribbon. See how you feel, the square looked better on one of my friends.

Step 5, Add heavy duty snaps at the two over lap points.

Step 6, Add on a pretty pin.

Snow Day!

2012-01-23T14:27:00.000-05:00

It snowed this weekend in New Jersey. I was supposed to help my friends move, so I can't say I was completely disappointed when 6 inches of snow came down.

This is my downstairs neighbor warming up her car to go somewhere in the storm. Her car has bald tires, it also did not return, only she did, so I'm sure she ran it into a pole again.

I took the day to do some more cleaning and organizing, and I let Gameroy my Red Eared Slider hang out in the bath tub.

This went well.

I started to work out how I will manage my projects going forward. I refuse to start projects that I can't finish in a weekend or two. So I've been writing them all on sticky notes and putting them in the front cover of my notebook, then when I think I have time for them, I'm moving them over on to the page for the weekend I'm doing them. If they don't get done, they get moved back to the cover. So far it's working out well.

Just Started Using Bloglovin

2012-01-23T10:15:00.002-05:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Thursday Project - Hall Mirror

2012-01-19T09:57:00.000-05:00

This mirror used to be in my bedroom on the wall. Then I moved a shelf in front of it, so I could only see myself from the chest up, which made it useless, because I already have other mirrors for that. I glued and stapled a ribbon to it to hang it up, but that was boring. There was this sparkly ribbon in the clearance bin at the fabric store.

I under estimated the length and stuff and I had to chop it up, and well, it looks ok, it's less boring anyway.

Yes, that's a cat toy, Simon likes to play with the kitty in the mirror with it.

Delicious Dinner

2012-01-18T22:27:00.002-05:00

I don't know what to call this dish, my friend Don came up with it, but I changed all of the ingredients.

It's Spinach & Feta Chicken Sausage, peppers, onions and garlic.. cook all of that completely, add a little butter and white wine, simmer. Delicious. Don didn't have onion and added corn, also I think his sausage was asiago, not feta [Edit: He requested that I am more specific, his sausage was chicken, spinach, asiago]. He served his over bowties alfredo, I served mine with roasted potatoes. Either way, we both won. Also this happend...

Spice World?

Then this happened...

Then I had a dance party.

Clementine Battle 2012

2012-01-17T10:13:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning I bought a 5lb box of these jerks.

I live alone.

I need to eat 30 clementines in 2 weeks.

According to the internet they go bad in 2 weeks.

I just barely enjoy citrus fruit.

Why is this happening to me?

It was suggested that I bring them to work to share...

but this is my battle

also there are cookies here so who would want fruit?

Why do I do this to myself on an annual basis?

Clementine Battle Day 3: 8 Consumed

Out, damn'd spot! out, I say!—One; two: why, then

2012-01-16T15:49:00.000-05:00

Hark, she speaks. I will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.

This isn't MacBeth, I'm way more off my trolley than that.

A few month's ago my sister texted me raving about THIS carpet stain removal method from One Good Thing, that did not involve dragging out my carpet cleaner. It took me a while to try it because it involved purchasing white towels which I don't own. Anyway, today I tried it on like 12 stains. In some cases it worked amazing...

In other cases ehh, it kind of worked...

Granted this stain was some combo of coffee, red ink, and I forget, all nice and smashed in under the leg of my desk. It is at least 4-5 years old.

A few things to keep in mind with this method.

The ammonia freaked my cats out, I had to wash the carpets after doing this anyway because of this.
You really have to soak the stain, and then keep ironing while it steams up.
Does not work on wax stains.

Gratuitous cat photos.

Yay!

Lazy Sunday

2012-01-15T09:16:00.000-05:00

This weekend has been totally un-interesting. I had to get some minor car repairs yesterday, then I cleaned the hell out of my apartment. We had some flurries yesterday which reminded me that it is winter, despite the constant 50 degree weather we've been having. I don't have anything of importance to write about, so this is just kind of a random update.

This is what it looks like from the front and back of my apartment. In the back there that is Masterfoods, where they make M&Ms it always smells like chocolate here.

The snow then reminded me that I could have snow days and it is pretty awful to be cooped up in a messy apartment. I'm not really effective working from home when there are chores to be done. Anyway I cleaned so much every muscle hurts.

This is where the magic happens. If you see random crocheted doilies in my photos, my grandmother made all of them, probably 30+ years ago. I love them so much.

As you can see this place is full of natural light.

This is my makeshift way of organizing my accessories.

I was pleased to discover I can fill my nail polish organizer!

Ash doing his Hitchcock impression.

Scarves & Belts and my outfit for Monday.

In order for the drawers on this Ikea dresser to line up, they can't have anything in them, which you know, makes perfect sense for a dresser. I think that shelf wants to be another color soon, but I'm not sure what.

While I was in the bedroom Simon started howling like a crazy monster. I found him sitting on the kill mat with his latest acquisition.. a twist tie.

Then Ash had to come over and check it out.

... and claim it for his own.

Poor Simon.

Le Comic

2012-01-13T13:47:00.001-05:00

The other night I was watching House and something wasn't Lupis again. It reminded me that as a child and maybe for a small portion of my adulthood, I thought that Lupis was a disease that caused the sufferer to grow lots of hair and possibly take on the appearance of a dog or wolf. For a while I thought my dog, Springer, gave it to people because she didn't have any hair most of the time. This theory originated when a girl in my gymnastics class was diagnossed with Lupis around the same time that we learned about wolves in science class.

10 points to any of my elementary school classmates that can figure out which teacher this is supposed to be.

I never saw Emily again, I have no idea what happened to her. I tried to search for her on Facebook and it turned up no results. Obviously I can conclude that she completed her transition in to wolf and now lives with her pack in a nice protected park some place.

Why I Like to Buy from Indie Designers

2012-01-13T09:12:00.000-05:00

I suppose it's ironic that I'm typing this in head to toe Target, but it's cold and rainy and I wanted to wear a sweater dress.

This morning the following conversation occurred with an indie clothing designer. She's asked me to not link back to her until after she's finished what we discussed and I can post pictures.

Me: Dear designer lady, I really like your blouses, but you do not carry them in my measurements. Do you plan to offer them in a size larger than medium?

Designer: I don't usually make L and XL because they don't sell as quickly and require more fabric, however, for an additional $5 I will be happy to make anything you like to suit your measurements.

Me: I want blouse x, y, z.. here are my measurements, I will pay pal you right now.

So, I am getting three custom made blouses, and I am not paying anyone other than the person sewing them together. These blouses will last forever, and they really didn't cost any more than a blouse that would not fit properly from a retail store.

Thursday Project - Bows

2012-01-12T09:50:00.001-05:00

Lately I've been wishing for some bows, to pin to my tops or put in my hair. I was looking at them on line and while there are some really cute ones, I can't bring myself to spend $15.99 on something I can't even wear to work.

I went to the dollar store and equipped myself to make some bows.

The black ones were pre-bowed. The spools of ribbon, bag of pins and combs were $1 each. Everything else I already had.

Basically, I glued the bows to the pins and combs, and then I put them on. Not rocket science.

There you have it, it took probably 10 minutes.

What I'm Wearing

2012-01-11T09:55:00.000-05:00

Last night I had 6" of hair cut off. Believe it or not, I am happy about it.
I was just really tired this morning.

Dress - Dorothy Perkins :: Cardigan - Target :: Tights - We Love Colors ::
Boots - Thrifted :: Accessories - Forever 21

This was right when I got home from the hair dresser... Supercuts.

All clothing pieces from the same places as in the above photo.

Thrifterday

2012-01-09T09:19:00.000-05:00

This weekend never wanted to happen. The original schedule was lazy Friday, Saturday hiking and movies with my friends and their dogs, Sunday gaming with my geeks. Over the course of the week, this fell apart and was rescheduled multiple times until Friday when I had absolutely no plans. Saturday morning I was chatting with my friend Sal who was also victimized by the lack of organization this weekend. We decided to drive out to Cabela's in Pennsylvania to see what all the hype was.

Well it was kind of cool, there was lots of camping stuff I couldn't even fathom existed. I didn't buy anything. There were a lot of dead things in there.

There were also a lot of products that made me say, WHAT THE .... The train of thought on this one was "Why would anyone want to attract Raccoons?" then "EW people eat Raccoons??" Now I'm trying to find out if there is some other kind of animal this is referring to.

Next stop was our local comic book/gaming store. Again, I didn't buy anything. I was being really conservative for a day of shopping. Sadly, I learned a hard lesson today at the comic book store. There was a Magic the Gathering tournament going on, normally the store reeks of body odor during these things. There was no smell, so I thought. Come to find out, it smelled bad and I am now immune to the stank of gamers. It was bound to happen.

Finally, after some wrong turns and poor scheduling we went to a Goodwill in Bethlehem, PA. Which is where I acquired a cute mid-century bedside table. Stupid me forgot to take before pictures, I ran home and repainted it right away.

Last night at Target...

2012-01-06T13:52:00.000-05:00

Is Gwen Stefani stalking me?

Probably?

I bought more freaking tights at Target, and like 800 accessories from Forever 21. I have a problem.

My friend Hadria is looking for a way to organize her accessories. She found this on Pinterest.

At the time of the conversation I thought "that's a cute idea, glad my accessories are already organized" I have them hanging on a hanger, with binder clips attached to it. They are organized, but not in this pretty way. This method is a little more work than I care for and a little more rustic than goes in my bedroom, so now I'm looking for other unique accessory organization methods while keeping an eye out for printers' trays at the antique mall so Miss Hadria can make her fabulous display.

Thursday Night Project #1

2012-01-05T09:32:00.002-05:00

This evening I had a sad moment, a very sad moment. The only decent craft store anywhere near my apartment is closed. Apparently it closed on Christmas Eve and I didn't know because I was neglectful and did not visit it over the holidays. I had to venture to the fabric store in the dirt mall which is inconvenient for multiple reasons. Mainly a horrible parking lot and a weird empty mall. Luckily I was able to acquire the things I needed for my projects and found a cute basket on sale.

Project #1 - The TV Stand

This is from Ikea, I purchased it 10 years ago. Say what you will about Ikea furniture but it's served me well on my limited budget. The thing I don't like about this, is being able to see the mish mosh of wires and Nintendos. I decided to solve that problem with a fabric remnant and a staple gun.

I laid out the fabric and my assistant showed up.

He was not helpful.

Then my other assistant showed up.

He was even less helpful.

Eventually I was able to iron the fabric and staple it on.

I really didn't put a lot of thought in to it, I'm sure there could've been alignments and rotary cutters involved, but I went with just trying to make sure the lines are straight.

Now everything is hidden! I also moved the hand weights in to the closet. Now that whole area is full of ice cubes which gets the dents out of the carpet.

2012 Goals

2012-01-04T14:05:00.000-05:00

I actually, fully completed my 2011 resolution, which was to fully organize my apartment and make it in to a space I like. This was a massive under taking. I feel like a GRAND CHAMPION!

When I first moved in I had no money, I furnished it with whatever was free or in expensive and didn't decorate at all. I didn't know about buying furnishings and decorations at thrift stores, but really I barely had money for that.

Then I got my fancy New York City job! Where I had lots of money and access to all kinds of fabulous stores and things for free. So I got lots of stuff. Then I lost that job and got depressed. Then I broke my ankle. Then everything went to shit because I couldn't lift or move anything for nearly a year. Everything was a disaster.

Last January I resolved to get everything where it belonged, to no longer have opening my closets be something someone needed armor for, and to finally make my dining room an actual dining room and not the place craft projects went to die.

So here we are, it's done, and once I got started it really wasn't that hard at all. I donated and sold a lot of things, and found some things I forgot I had. I got my first Christmas Tree, and actually decorated for the holidays. It was wonderful.

What does one do in 2012 when they are Grand Champion of 2011? Try to go bigger? At first when I was riding on the high of accomplishment I was going to resolve to lose 50lbs, but I don't really want to try that hard. Instead I came up with this list, it seems a bit more reasonable.

I'm going to post a separate thing about the cleanse, it's not that bad. It's just lots of greens for two days. I think the last one is the most important. I say yes too much to everyone. I need to learn to say no more.

What I'm Wearing

2012-01-02T11:29:00.000-05:00

I am not sure about this dress. It is really short on me.

There's my assistant again.

I bought these pajama pants on clearance at TJ Maxx. Now I know why they were $3. Went to bed with pants, woke up with assless chaps.

Also, I'm off today, I was going to sleep in. Then, this happened...

It's kind of hard to see, but those are stone masons, cutting apart my steps. Granted they are all kinds of broken and dangerous, but why today?!

Then I was crawling around on the floor playing with my cats and realized I had 100% butt exposure, so I determined this dress is much better worn with full coverage leggings.

It's probably not as cute, but I feel way more comfortable.

What I'm Wearing - New Years Eve

2012-01-01T15:25:00.000-05:00

Oh hey, it's New Year's Eve! The most over hyped holiday ever. My makeup looks freaking good, way too good to hang out at my friends house and play board games. Extra good surprising I spent last night out at a bar that was so smokey I got a nose bleed.

This is the Hawaii Five Bow dress from Modcloth. I need 365 o this dress in different fabrics because it looks so good on me.

This is how I wanted to wear my hair today, but my head is morally opposed to wide headbands, I have to choose between a headband and my glasses. It usually results in a terrible headache.

Finally, the most important party, I made these Peanut Butter Oat Bars for the shindig.

I may have already eaten some...

I hope everyone had a great New Year! xoxo

What I'm Wearing

2011-12-31T10:34:00.000-05:00

Dress: Modcloth/Cardigan: Target/Tights: Hue/Shoes: Target

I've had a lot of really disappointing purchases recently. I've got a lot of money hanging out in pending returns to asos and modcloth. This dress is a little on the big side, I got an xl, which is normally a perfect fit from modcloth, but I don't care that it's roomy. It's made out of sweatshirt material and considering I'm really over tired, I could just curl up in it and take a nap.

Art

2011-12-30T10:03:00.001-05:00

Most of the art in my apartment are photographs by my father. I really like his photography, and not even because I'm obligated to. It is actually really good. My sister has a lot of it hanging up in her house too. He's where we get our creative sides from. Given that, I am a shame to my family for my terrible cell phone blog pictures. But hey here are more!

Christmas brought more things to the gallery wall. My downstairs neighbor's son's slumber party brought much crookedness to everything. At some point I am going to paint this room, so I'm pretty sure all of this is going to get arranged different over time, but for now I will just keep adding to it. The new additions are: Confections #61by Amy Stevens, Little Blue Box by Nan Lawson, and an assortment of thrift store items.

These are pond ice photos by my father. This is the description from his website:

This image was created as ice froze on a pond. The ice is reflecting the clouds in the blue sky on a cold and very windy day. As the wind blew against the ice it created strange forms that simulated creatures. Some people see a face in this photo, others see an animal, some see just a bunch of blue bubbles. This is the type of abstract image that is just fun to look as it tickles your imagination. Also, I fell into the brook at one point which was not fun.

This is my favorite photo ever. It is of The Gates art installation in Central Park. March of 2004-March of 2005 was not an easy year for me. I was a personal assistant in a "Devil Wears Prada" situation. Due to the work hours I'd lost all of my friends and lost touch with myself. I had my wallet stolen in Grand Central they day after I quit/fired that job, which was also the day after I'd just bought a new car, because the week before that my car was totaled in a serious accident. In other words, it was a craptastic year. I went to The Gates with my parents on its opening weekend. I have a piece of fabric from them and met the artists. It was a really nice day and what I consider the start of things turning around. My dad gave me this photo for my birthday in March of 2005.

This is my new shelf in my entry way, I haven't sorted out what I'm doing with it yet, as you can see right now it's the place I put things when I get home. The apple was made my by exboyfriend who I kind of want to punch in the face. I keep it there as a reminder that I want to punch him in the face. The painting on the shelf is from Ikea. The lampshade is boredom and modgepodge. The important thing is hanging on the wall. It is a cover and a poem from an addition of Weird Tales magazine from the 1930s. It's most well known for first publishing "The Call of Cthulhu". My paternal grandmother was a writer, but we really have never seen her work. She kept it very private. After an extensive google session, I came upon this poem. My father reached out to a collector that had a copy of the magazine and he was kind enough to scan it for us. My dad gave my sister and I these for Christmas a few years ago.

So that's the art worth mentioning in my apartment. I'm sure there will be more in the future.

Tightervention...

2011-12-29T19:04:00.000-05:00

Obviously I know a thing or 50 about tights. It is my official opinion that Target has the best ones. That is all.

What I'm Wearing

2011-12-28T09:29:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately I have a full time job and I don't know any photographers that want to take pictures of me every day. So when I have a cute out fit I have to resort to taking a picture of it in the bathroom mirror at work. This leads to awkward poses and ugly backgrounds. Anyway here it is.

Dress: Dorothy Perkins/Shoes: Target/Cardigan: Gap/Tights: We Love Colors (Rust)

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T08:44:00.000-05:00

This is a real card that I had printed and sent to my friends.

New Favorite Product -Got 2B Poweder'ful Volumizing Styling Powder

2011-12-23T11:32:00.000-05:00

I received a comment that I only write about products I like, and I never write negative things. The commenter disliked this. Well, I don't receive hundreds of products each week for review. If I am taking the time to post about something, it's because I've been using it for a while and I like it. Even with the barrel of stuff I received from the Creative Media Marketing PR twitter contest. I am taking the time to use the products before I comment on them. I don't want to write an uninformed review and I'm not doing this to get free products. I believe in being positive and not spreading negativity. If something legit burns my face off I will tell you, until then, deal with the sugar.

Got 2B Poweder'ful Volumizing Styling Powder

I have a lot of very fine, very healthy, very flat hair. Teasing it doesn't even work. This makes teasing work, this makes me rock a bouffant like Adele. I will post some pictures of what this stuff does to my head after Christmas. Because I am going to annoy my mother and wear a beehive to church, probably with this dress from ASOS.

In the mean time, here is a picture of how flat my hair is with out any product in it. I'm not smiling because I'm tired.

Breaking News!

2011-12-22T15:51:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Kate over at Scathingly Brilliant I've been informed that Modcloth is offering their elusive coupon today! The code saleaway gets you 25% off!

More Thrifting

2011-12-22T09:46:00.003-05:00

On Sunday I decided to head out to another Goodwill, this time a local one. It didn't have as many cool housewares as the one in Pennsylvania, but I did pick up a couple of things that were cute.

The green and rainbow throw Ashcat loves so much. It has a Pier1 tag on it. Not the amazing vintage afghan I was hoping to stumble upon, but it does the trick.

This Owl and his Turtle friend. I think I may have owned this as a child, but it met a terrible fate in the dresser collapse of the late 80s where all of my cute glass things were destroyed due to humid weather and a 50 year old sticky dresser. Also, it reminds me of one of my friends because she loves owls and turtles.

These are labeled as "Hand Painted Viking Coasters". They are greener in person, I haven't quite got the hang of lighting things yet.

This carving is unsigned, but I liked it. It looks nice on my side table with the Olfair serving bowl, which I filled with cinnamon pine cones. Behind it is the closet that doesn't close. I have to jam the side table up against it so the cats don't go in there.

Thrifting Saturday!

2011-12-19T09:56:00.000-05:00

This weekend is my little sister's 33rd birthday, marking the few months of the year are ages are only separated by one year. I am not psyched about this because it means my own 35th birthday is all too close. I receive further reminders of the impending doom because she is quite pregnant and due to have future nephew the week of my birthday. So when sister says "only 10 more weeks to go!" I say, oh crud I'm going to be 35 in 11 weeks! I am very excited for impending nephew, sharing my birthday with him (having another person on team Pisces will rock), and hopeful that it will distract me from turning 35.

Anyway I had set aside the weekend in the event that my sister wanted a baby sitter or festivities, but instead she chose to hang out in her amusingly red pajamas and not really do anything. Which left me with a completely unoccupied weekend!

My amazing friend Don was kind enough to cart me all over North Eastern Pennsylvania to check out some Goodwills and discount superstores. Here are my finds:

The leaf bowls are Olfaire pottery, I paid $3.50 for the set. The candle holder is also Portuguese pottery but unstamped, $0.47. I have no information about the slate painting, but I thought it was cool and it was a dollar. I also snagged a new door mat and some flour sifters (note to self label one SUGAR and one FLOUR this time) for less than $10 at some discount warehouse.

I am going to venture out to my local Goodwill today because I feel like there's some mojo.

Jason Apricot Scrubble

2011-12-18T09:55:00.000-05:00

I've had a severe lack of content for the last few weeks, but now I have all of the content! I received my amazing twitter give away win from Creative Media Marketing. There was so much stuff in it, in hindsight I should have taken a picture, but I was way too excited and just dove in. Also my skin has been hideous lately, so it was an emergency situation.

My first favorite product is the Jason Apricot Scrubble . I definitely prefer it over the St. Ives Apricot Scrub, a product I've used for many years. This will replace it. My skin was instantly improved from its state of dry zitty horribleness. It was smooth enough that I could at least cover up the underlying zits and give them enough air to heal. It also didn't give me a the tight soapy feeling I feel after using the St. Ives scrub or really most other exfoliating cleansers.

I definitely recommend this product for winter skin rescue, follow up with a good hearty moisturizer and your skin will instantly come back to life.

Gallery Wall

2011-12-06T07:19:00.000-05:00

For a very long time I've been trying to decide what to do with the very big, very empty wall behind my television set. I saw a picture of a white Christmas tree with this really cute gallery behind it. So I went around my apartment and found all of my small art and hung it up. Additionally I bought some things off of Etsy.

Here is the beginning of my project.

To give credit where credit is due left to right. Gnome door by unknown artist, it was a birthday gift, Irish Blessing plaque that belonged to my grandparents. Gone With the Wind music box plate from my grandmother's collection. A print from my old baby sitter's art show, the first piece of art I ever bought. Look for the Silver Lining print by Katie of Scathingly Brilliant. A couple of Van Gogh prints, one from my parents and one from a former boyfriend. Two framed paintings from Tree Talker Art. Another Flapperdoodle print, something I painted when I was bored, and another of Grandma's plates. I ordered a bunch of things from Upcycled Whimsies that I look forward to adding as soon as they arrive.

How to trick yourself in to believing in Santa as an adult.

2011-12-05T13:40:00.000-05:00

I haven't done a poorly drawn comic in a while, so I thought it was about time. This idea came to me this afternoon after reminiscing with my younger sister about how she ruined Santa for me when I was 5.

That is supposed to be my cat, Ash, and my imaginary boyfriend with a handlebar mustache. Also it is supposed to be my amazing white Christmas Tree (see below).

I experience memory loss, hallucinations and sleep walking from taking NyQuil. Pick what works for you.

After about a half hour in to a NyQuil haze, I will not remember anything.

Be amazed, in other words don't be devastated because your 4 year old sister was like, hey asshole, there is no such thing as Santa, take your wonderment and childhood magic and shove it. My sister has proceeded to ruin everything since. Next thing you know she's going to tell me there's no such thing as the tooth fairy and that was Mom too.

Now behold my glorious tree.

How could Santa not visit it?

Ebates!

2011-11-20T08:04:00.000-05:00

I love Ebates, in the face. I've been a member for one year and I've got over $65 back. It helps that they have discounts for all of my favorite places to shop online. This week I joined Weight Watchers at got back $7! Anyway, I will also get a $5 bonus for referrals, so why don't you all click that link up there and sign up. :)

Custom Made Clogs

2011-11-19T08:31:00.003-05:00

This is a rather late post since I've owned these clogs for over a year. These mary jane clogs from Sven Clogs are magical and I consider them the best money I've ever spent. I think we all get a bit lazy buying discount or inexpensive shoes. They are not good for your feet. Really, nothing beats a comfortable, well made shoe. As I type this I am wearing ill fitting ballet flats I bought for less than $20. They are sad. These clogs are lovely, I'm going to wear them tomorrow.

La Croix Water

2011-11-18T08:08:00.003-05:00

I was first made aware of this awesome sparkling water by Molls 5 Faves on Hello Giggles. Let me tell you, that girl has good taste. I have been drinking this calorie free, sodium free, sweetener free, sparkling water like it's my job. Can it be my job to drink this? That would be amazing. I drive to a Target that is out of my way by almost 10 miles to buy this stuff when my local one is out of stock.

It comes in a bunch of flavors, my favorites are lime, coconut, cran-raspberry, and grapefruit, but really they are all good. Did I mention it's calorie free??

Oven Roasted Sausage and Sweet Potatos

2011-11-17T08:36:00.003-05:00

This is my own recipe, it is a rendition of something my ex-boyfriend's aunt used to make when she would have guests stop by with out warning.

1 lb. Italian Sausage (I like spicy, mild works too)
1 really big sweet potato
1 package snow peas or asparagus
1 tbs olive oil
pinch salt
pinch pepper
1 tbs minced garlic
1 tsp rosemary

Preheat oven to 425. Slice the sausage and sweet potato (really thin), sometimes I cut it up in to triangles too. Put all of the ingredients in to a bowl and mix. Pour in to a roasting pan or baking sheet, spread out evenly. Cook for 45 minutes. It's done when the sweet potato is cooked how you like it.

That's really it.

Pro Tip - Line the pan with foil. If there are any left overs you can just fold up the foil and put it in the fridge.

Better Oats - Oat Revolution

2011-11-16T08:05:00.000-05:00

Taking a step away from beauty products for the day. I picked up this oatmeal a few months ago because it was less expensive than the oatmeal I usually buy. Afterwards I realized it was also healthier, more convenient for work, and much better tasting.

My gripe with the other brand of oatmeal, which is the most well known brand of instant oatmeal in the USA is the really artificial smell and taste most of the flavors have. It also comes out really flat most of the time. This Oat Revolution was none of those things. It's really tasty, hearty like stove cooked oatmeal, and extremely filling. The pouch comes with a measurement tool on it so you don't have to worry about measuring water.

Free Curly Fires 11-15-11

2011-11-15T15:16:00.002-05:00

Arbys is offering up coupons for free curly fries.

Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

2011-11-15T12:01:00.000-05:00

This stuff is next-level amazing. I've been doing the subdued cat-eye thing since the early 90s. It had something to do with one version of the REM Man on the Moon video that made me start. So, essentially I've been perfecting this for 20 years. There have been products that have been decent, but most of them end up mostly under my eye by the end of the day. This product absolutely does not do that. I have slept in it (accidentally) and it stayed put.

At only $18 I think this is the most amazing eyeliner I've worn in my life.

Bioelements Pumice Peel

2011-11-14T13:32:00.001-05:00

Lately I've been entering every single give away on Lucky Magazine's website. I've actually won some stuff too. The first thing I won was some Biolelements wrinkle and eye cream, it was pretty much lost on me because I don't have wrinkles yet. My mom really likes it though.

Included with my price were a few samples of this Pumice Peel. I have combination skin. This stuff was amazing, it sand-papered the crap out of my face and it was all nice and smooth and pretty, for two whole weeks! It is a little expensive as far as my beauty product budge goes, but I think I'm going to buy it. I have never been so adequately exfoliated.