I'm Not an Open Book That You Can Rifle Through

Today is my beautiful roommate's birthday.  We've been roommates ever since we went to Penn State together, with the exception of one year when she lived with her boyfriend... which is a long time to be roomies!  The plan is to go out to dinner and have some drinks with her friends to celebrate her life and sunshine.  I am looking forward to toasting to her tonight!  Sometime next week I will post the birthday card I made for her.  Cheers to you, Sarah!

Here's an OOTD :)

Dress: White House Black Market
Boots: Nine West

Oyamel

Yesterday, after I posted that winter had, in fact, arrived, spring came back!  By late afternoon it was 60 degrees and sunny.  Sigh. 

Last night, in the mild January weather, some friends and I went to Oyamel for dinner.  Oyamel is a Mexican restaurant serving antojitos- Mexican small plates.  When we arrived, we had a 7:30 reservation and unfortunately, they were unable to seat us until closer to 8.  Because of the inconvenience, they gave us a free round of drinks.  I was with 3 friends who do not drink, so basically I had a free round of 4 drinks all to myself. 

We had a 5 course meal (not counting chips, salsa, and guacamole) and everything was delicious from the cactus salad to the chicken tacos.  I am eager to go back again to try more dishes. Nearly every dish had avocado and cilantro which made me very happy.

Here are some snapshots of the scrumptious food, as well as an outfit of the day, which is inspired by my older sister, Jen, who can dress up a button down shirt like no other.

Delicious guacamole...

This was probably one of my favorite dishes.  It is ensalada de chayote- squash salad in a hibiscus dressing.  I discovered I could eat hibiscus dressing everyday for the rest of my life and die a happy girl.  SO GOOD.  Almost like a raspberry dressing, only better.

Sopa Tarasca estilo (black bean soup) served with a crispy ancho chile and, of course, avacado!  (That's the second plate in the background... all the soup toppings)

Costilla de res con pipian.  This was NOT my dish, but it was so tasty, I wish I had ordered it!  This is braised short ribs in a cilantro sauce. SUPER tasty!

This was my dish... a traditional tamal verde.  Very good, just not as unique as the short ribs.

Taco course!  I had tinga poblana... by this point in the meal, I was so full, I couldn't eat much of it.

For dessert, Pastel de tres leches con pina.  I didn't touch this because 1. it isn't chocolate and 2. I was about to burst

My many, frothy beverages for the evening

Skirt: Banana Republic, 2011
Button Down: Talbots circa 2004
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft circa 2006
Boots: Nine West
Socks: J. Crew, 2011

Winter has Arrived!

Finally after all of this mild weather winter is HERE!!  It's been very bitterly cold- something I hate.

Over the weekend when I was at my parents, it was 11 degrees in Pennsylvania. You read that correctly, ELEVEN.  GAH!  That is cold.  Luckily, my sister Erin let me borrow her electric blanket so I was able to sleep snuggly. Saturday night, however, there was a power surge and the whole neighborhood lost power for a few hours.  When it is 11 degrees outside and you don't have any power, your house becomes chilly awfully quickly. Thankfully the power and heat were restored in the morning.

Dress: J. Crew 2011
Belt: Anthropologie
Boots: Nine West

I realized I haven't worn this J. Crew stripey dress since the end of October.  It was definitely time to bring it out again!  This dress arrived in J. Crew last June.  I am not sure why, as it is a jersey material and appropriate for the fall/winter.  I'm also fairly certain this dress shrunk in the wash because it definitely wasn't this short the last time I wore it!  I think I can pull it off with tights, but then again, I am under 5 feet tall so it makes me wonder what taller girls are doing about this shrinking dress. (It is not a petite size).

Baby Love

Over the long weekend I went to Pennsylvania for my cousin Katie's baby shower.  She is expecting a baby girl in March.  My cousins Emily and Ally threw a darling shower for her.  Everything was pink and purple and it was lovely catching up with the family, especially some people I wasn't able to see over Christmas.  Here are some pictures from the event:

The Mommy to Be posing with her gifts

My cousin, Ally made all of these beautiful cupcakes for dessert!

This is the outfit I bought for my future second cousin :)

My sisters (Erin in Banana Republic and Jen head-to-toe J. Crew)

My cute cousin Emily, the hostess

The fam!  Sorry this picture is so fuzzy :(

With the future Mommy!  I wore my vintage skirt from Etsy and a pink button down from Banana Republic

Can't wait to meet Baby Girl Matras!

When The World Ends

On Monday I stayed home from work because I was feeling under the weather.  I was bummed, because I had planned to wear Anna Sui's Map of the World skirt!  I completely forgot about this guy, and I only wore it once in October.  Luckily, after a brief snow flurry, the weather went back up to the 50s and I decided to wear the skirt toward the end of the week. 

I am still not sure that I have a top that really works with this skirt, but I am trying to pair different things with it- suggestions are welcome.  The last time I wore it (here), I paired it with the wind rippled tee in maroon.  I decided the colors in the skirt are a bit more orange than maroon, so this time I paired it with Anthro's torsade tee (2009) and a mustard cardigan.

Skirt: Anna Sui's Map of the World Skirt for Anthropologie 2011
Top: Torsade Tee, Anthropologie 2009
Cardigan: Jackie Cardi, J. Crew Outlet 2011
Stockings: J Crew fishnets, 2011
Shoes: Nine West, Spring 2011
Necklace: 1luckysoul (Etsy)

I definitely need to get more wear out of this beautiful skirt.  The major problem I have with it is that it snags so easily! Is there something you own that you wish you wore more frequently?  I feel that way about half of my wardrobe.

To bring out the blue in the skirt, I decided to wear my nautical necklace from 1luckysoul (on Etsy).  The picture is a bit blurry, but you get the idea!

Oh, Baby

Frequently, I've been experiencing an event cycle.  One year will be jam packed with weddings, then the next year or 2 is jam packed with baby showers and new births.  They cycle repeats itself every so often.   I am currently in my third cycle of the extreme wedding attending/baby boom.  This year, tons of friends, colleagues, and family members are expecting new bundles of joy... and I can hardly wait to meet them all!

This weekend, I am going to a baby shower in Pittsburgh for my cousin, Katie.  She and her husband, Chris are expecting their first baby girl in March.  Stay tuned for fashionable shower pictures next week!

Over the weekend, I decided I better crank out some baby cards as this is the first baby shower in a long line of showers to come this winter/spring. If you are a friend who is expecting and want to be surprised by your baby card, STOP READING!  You'll see a picture of it below as well.  Everyone else, read on.  Since I had to make quite a few cards, I decided on something quick, easy, and neutral.  I used the Fox and Friends stamp set.  I love this set and have only ever used it once before.  I used Certainly Celery cardstock and ribbon on most of the cards. Then I made two cards in Pretty in Pink for 2 friends I know for sure are having baby girls (including my cousin Katie).  I used Very Vanila cardstock and the 1 and 3/4 inch circle punch, too.

Like what you see and want to order Stampin' Up! products of your own?  Click HERE and then select shop now to order.

Deal of the Year

Awhile ago, I added Anthropologie's Banded Lace skirt to my wishlist.  I thought it was pretty, elegant, and neutral enough to wear frequently.  As it is a pencil skirt (not a good match for my body) I wasn't sure of the fit.  The skirt is sold online only, so I didn't have the option to head over to Anthro to try it on.  Also, the price tag was a little steep- $148 for a skirt is a bit over my budget. 

I waited for sale though, and it happened to go on sale during the simultaneous 50% off sale.  I scored this guy for a mere $39 dollars.  Yes, you read that correctly. I save $109 dollars on this skirt.  That is an amazing deal no matter how you slice it.  When it arrived, it fit well.  It is probably a LITTLE too tight in the thigh, but you can't tell by looking at it. While 2011 is long gone, I am fairly certain this is the best deal I received on any article of clothing all year.  This confirms my fashion belief that good things come to those who wait.

Shirt: Banana Republic circa 2007
Skirt: Banded Lace, Anthropologie 2011
Stockings: Banana Republic Outlet
Shoes:  Ann Taylor Loft
Necklace: Express

What's the best deal you've every come across?