Showing posts with label Gap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gap. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

She Wonders If She's Right This Time

Last week one of my favorite bands, Ingram Hill, came into town to perform.  They are a band I discovered years ago on The Rock Boat.  Their music is fun, light, and pop-y.  The last time they were in town was 5 or 6 years ago.  Then, I came down with a terrible migraine, and while I still went to the show, I had to sit in the back, behind a speaker.  This time around, I was ready to rock.  I went to the show with my friend, Ari, and 5 of her friends.  We were able to snag one of the few tables in the venue, which was nice.  They played a short set, which was preferred as it was a week night (I know, I am lame in my old age).   I sang every song and enjoyed every minute of the show.  There is something about live music that makes me happy inside. Especially music I can sing along with!

I am not sure why I wore this outfit- everything in it is a 100 years old.  Seriously, I don't think I've purchased any of these items (aside from the shoes) within the past 5 years. I woke up late this morning and for some reason this is the outfit I dreamed up in the shower. I thought it was both work and concert appropriate so I wore it for the day.
Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft
Tank: The Limited
Skirt: ? Not sure!
Flower Belt: J. Crew
Boots: Nine West
Headband: Gap

Monday, November 21, 2011

Chili Tasting

Happy Monday, Readers! Last night, I had some pals over for a chili tasting.  Now that it is late fall, I figured chili was the perfect dish... and then it was in the mid-60s.  Sigh.  I can't win.  Anyway, I made 3 different chilies: my mom's famous 3-bean chili, a traditional beef chili, and a turkey white bean pumpkin chili (very appropriate for Thanksgiving week.)  Believe it or not, making 3 chilies didn't take much time at all.  I bought all the groceries Saturday morning, then I browned the ground beef and chopped all the peppers (I bought diced onion already to cheat).  Sunday morning I woke up, tossed everything into it's appropriate crockpot, and headed off to church while the 3 dishes simmered away.  Yes, I own 3 crockpots.  Everyone asks about that.  I need 3. First of all, they are all different sizes which is crucial.  Secondly, when entertaining, I like to have multiple things cooking at once and crockpots are the easiest way to master that goal.


On the left, 3 bean chili
On the right, turkey white bean pumpkin chili.  Yep, my house smelled delicious all day

Traditional Beef Chili (this crockpot needed it's own outlet so as to avoid blowing a fuse)
You know fall clothes are my favorite of all. Well, also close to my heart are fall dishes.  I love dishes.  I love to entertain.  My favorite entertaining season is the fall so I can use all of these fabulous serving pieces! Friends brought all the chili toppings, so I had the serving pieces out and ready to go for their arrival.

3 Tureens of Chili!  I made little festive fall labels for each one, using the French Foliage Stampin' Up set.  The tureen on the far left is from Crate and Barrel, the middle acorn is William Sonoma, and the pumpkin on the end is borrowed from my friend, Jen, who purchased this guy years ago at Target.
 
Love fall dishes!  Most of these are Crate and Barrel.  The acorn bowls are William Sonoma and the leaf and acorn plates are Pottery Barn.



Why plates, you ask?  We needed a little something to set Sara's spicy jalapeno bread and Staci's delicious french bread on to acompany our chili bowls.
What does the hostess of a chili tasting wear?  Something casual.  And, bare feet.  When you are the hostess, you can get away with no shoes.  This allows you to show off your cute, pink toenails in addition to comfort.  Ignore my red face here- I was HOT after running around cooking and cleaning all afternoon.


Cardigan: White House Black Market, Fall/Winter 2010
Tee Shirt: Gap Body
Jeans: Banana Republic Outlet, Fall 2011
Toe Nail Polish: Zoya from Nov. Birchbox
Headband: unsure
 Finally, here are just a few pictures of the guests!  I didn't take many photos, as I was busy playing hostess.  Overall, the night was delightful.  I had a lot of laughs and enjoyed the company of some of my favorite friends.


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Shoe Fettish

Typically around this time of year, I start to "collect" pieces for my fall wardrobe.  Once fall arrives, I slowly debut them to feel like I have many "brand new" items to last me through the season!  I rarely debut more than one new item each week, to keep from over spending and purchasing more new clothes.  I bought the Jenna Round Toe Pumps from Banana Republic a few weeks ago.  I was saving them for the fall, but decided, why the wait? (Yes, you caught me, I sang the Ingram Hill song, Why the Wait quite literally) I might as well wear them now to take them for a little field test, if you will.

A friend of mine was in town for the weekend and we met up for dinner.  I decided to keep the snakeskin print of the shoes the main attraction of the outfit, so I wore all back with just a pop of red on the belt.
Here's an up-close-and-personal view of the shoe, fresh from the box


Shirt: Banana Republic, circa 2009
Skirt: The Limited, circa 2005
Necklace: Express, circa 2004
Belt: Gap, NO IDEA.  The tag says 2001, but I've definitely only had it for a few years.  Perhaps a sister gave it to me?
Shoes: Banana Republic, Summer 2011
This is what my face looks like when I am surprised that I can balance on one foot.
What do you think of all the animal prints coming back into fashion this fall?