Mani Monday Leopard and Watermelon

Linking up Mani Monday's with Heather http://www.glitterandglossblog.com/2012/07/mani-monday-with-guest-blogger-sara.html has been so fun!! Even my daughter wants in on mani-mondays!! The watermelon's are hers....She did a coat of pink, tips in green and added lil black dots for seeds. She never ceases to amaze me with her cutie nails and makes momma proud!! 

My pics aren't as good..taken before I headed into work

I used Cover Girl's "Ruby Ring (OLD) and added Sally Hansen Lacey Lilac (I've used this color so much this spring - LOVE it more than I ever thought I would) spots which I outlined with black polish and added a few scattered black spots.

A day in the life.....

In case by now you haven't noticed, each saturday I (TRY) to feature pics from the week....snippets of my life....here is this week's "a day in the life"

Patriotic Cake (that is low cal too! Pound cake with Cool Whip, blueberries and strawberries)

Since it's been in the 100's in the midwest, we decided to see if the expression "so hot you can fry an egg on the sidewalk is true" We tried one on the patio...

And one on the blacktop....

 (Both cooked although I don't think either resembled a "fried egg" and it did take several hours!)

 We didn't go see fireworks so I let the kids do colored smoke bombs and sparklers...after setting the smoke bombs off the colors were SO VIBRANT I wanted to capture them somehow....the photo's are what I came up with....

We did some art! My lil guy painted this "construction truck"...he did such an amazing job...a very talented artist he is!

Oddly, I didn't get a pic of lil Miss doing her art (maybe because it was a 2 step process....first she painted her canvas and then she did this....

As for me, I worked on this....I am going to sell these in my Etsy shop and maybe at the French Hens market in August. If you are interested in purchasing, give me a shout!

While getting groceries at Walmart I spotted these fun summery sweeties...

 Look at the lil cutie shells! and of course since it came in a pack of 3 I decided I needed to wear 2 at a time!! I found that toe ring while going through my jewelry box (there's one with wooden beads and a pearl - SO CUTE but so uncomfy on my toe).

What have YOU been up to this week?!?!?

Foodie Friday Chicken Pot Pie SHORTCUT

Now that I am working (albeit part time, it's still an adjustment for me). The kids were begging for Chicken Pot Pie, so one afternoon after work I decided I was going to make them Chicken Pot Pie...but since it was already after 4pm, I KNEW I needed to figure out a way to make it "homemade" but FAST!! Enter supermarket help....Pre-cooked oven roasted chicken slices, frozen mixed veggies and pre-made pie crust.....

I followed the basic principles of pot pie (I didn't have any flour SO I substituted Cream of Mushroom soup, added 3/4 cup of milk, sauteed onions and celery a package and a half of diced chicken and 2 cups of frozen mixed veggies...bring to a boil and dump into pie crust)

Bake at 375℉ for approx 45 minutes or until pie crust is golden brown....

VIOLA!!! (I didn't let the pie set up after I took it out of the oven hence the extra side of filling)

Do you have any EASY fast delish recipes?!??! Share them please :)

Try it Thursday Fedora with Sequin Trim

As an artist or crafter, we see it and imitate it - right?!?!? Several weeks ago I saw this hat at Macy's and fell in L O V E!! I couldn't stop thinking about this FAB fedora.....(but at $35.00 I wasn't getting it)

 Are you now thinking "wait, I thought she wasn't getting that fedora?!?!" Well, I didn't....I made my own version of it....I happened to be at Hob Lob and saw this lonely (and on clearance for $7.48 fedora) and thought hooray!! I can make my fedora and this one has more of a linen material so it feels like I can wear it with more....

Now onto the try it part.....to get the sequin trim I so desired, I purchased a roll at Hob Lob and I also purchased some velcro dots (these are from JoAnn's). the velcro dots are stick on one side so they adhere to your product, so all I had to do was peel and stick! Since this isn't something that will be handled heavily, the peel and stick velcro worked great! My intention is to make several more hat trims so I can simply alternate them to coordinate with any outfit (which is why I didn't glue the trim directly on the hat).

Lemme know if YOU try this or something similar! 

WIWW TAKE A PIC and then decide

It's already hump day!! Linking up with Lindsey http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2012/07/what-i-wore-wednesday-74/ for WIWW Wednesday....Here I give ya a re-cap of what I wore the past week and I ADORE hearing from you!! 

Thursday....Court, Dentist and errands....Doesn't EVERYONE wear leopard to court?!?!?

 What I am wearing:
Leopard Top - Old - Rue 21 maybe?
Denim Capris - Chicos

Friday

 What I am wearing:
Fedora - Thrifted
Dress - Wal-Mart
Feather Necklace - Target via the thrift

Saturday I met my girl in the city for lunch and wanted something fun and chic....HERE IS A PRIME EXAMPLE of taking pics and figuring out what works....I looked on Pinterest for inspiration....and found this....

Here was my interpretation......Not bad BUT not what I was looking for that day and I was having a bloat-y fat day and this showed all the wrong stuff for a day like that....

I also found this on Pinterest...

And my interpretation based on what was in my closet - the blurriness of the picture doesn't matter because the outfit was a major NO-GO...the style of shirt was all wrong....

You KNOW how the saying goes....the third times a charm!! This was the last outfit I pinned and while it seems "safe" and "boring"....

It was what I FELT best in...and when you feel good you look good - No matter what you're wearing!!


NOW, notice this picture wasn't my FINAL choice (look at my shoes) which one would YOU have worn? Black or pattern wedge?

Right across the street from my girl was this FAB MURAL! I LOVE everything about it! The colors are FAB together....coordinated with my outfit and it was done free-hand by Ruben Aguirre Jr whose work you can see here http://theshiftchange.com/ he's done several pieces all over the city of Chicago. LOVE his style!!

Accessories make EVERY outfit!! 

Monday was work day.....

 What I am wearing:
Denim Jacket - Old
Scarf - Chico's
Tank - Old
Skirt - Macy's
Necklace - Consignment Shop

Tuesday I went to my parents....I'm not wearing anything special BUT if you care about the deets, here they are:

 T-shirt - Old - Maurices
Capris - Old - Maurices
Shoes - Sperry

While out running errands I spotted this guy....

Wednesday....Independence Day...July 4th

My girl and I are sporting matching tee's!! Purchased at Wally-world....Hope everyone has a SAFE and HAPPY 4th!!

Thrifty Tuesday

I had errands to run last week in my old neighborhood and while there I stopped into the Goodwill I frequented often (so much so that the gal who always rang my purchases asked how I have been and said she hasn't seen me in a long time - lol!!). I hit the JACKPOT!!! I went ahead and posted pics of my purchases and HOW I plan to wear them (oddly enough most pieces I chose coordinate)

This top seemed very Chico's.....

And when paired with the belt and necklace - it's PERFECT!!! The necklace was originally from Target - BRAND new and retailed for $39.99 and I paid $9.99 - NOW, for me this is a HUGE price to pay at the thrift for a necklace BUT I have had my eye on this line since it first arrived at Target.

 The 3 pieces total $14.00 - a A STEAL for a pulled together look - don't you think?!?!?

Here are the accessories....I also got 3 wooden bangles for $1.49

Another look I got that same day and while I may not ordinarily choose this shirt I again was reminded of Chicos....Animal print and natural....

BRAND NEW from Target 

Here I paired the top with a simple cord belt I purchased the same day.....I will also accessorize with this FAB ring....

Another piece I have been watching at Target and snagged for $4.99 (originally retailed for $12.99)

I'd LOVE to hear about your favorite thrifted piece OR FAB find!!

Mani Monday and A sale

I am linking up with Heather at Glitter and Gloss http://www.glitterandglossblog.com/2012/07/mani-monday.html. My mani Monday that I am posting today is NOT mine, it's my daughters!! (my nails are a seafoam green color...if I can snap a pic I will add later!). She did her nails for the 4th...don't they look ADORBS?!?!?! 

 She polished them with a white base coat and then used red and blue and her AS SEEN ON TV "Salon Express" nail stencil discs to create the design. I was Über impressed and feel so proud!!

I have been doing a lil organizing and have come across stuff that I have purchased and never worn of thought I might lose that extra 10 pounds to squeeze into and haven't SO my loss can be YOUR gain!! If ya see anything that strikes your fancy, shoot me an email or leave a comment. the first person to contact me gets the item...prices INCLUDE Shipping....So on with the show!! 

Black 100% cotton dress with adjustable straps and an elastic panel across the back for a perfect fit for the "girls". This dress is labeled a size 4 BUT fits more like a medium....NEVER been worn but has been washed....Classic black with fab white embroidery. This item is $10.00 which INCLUDES shipping.

 BRAND NEW WITH tags from Target.....dress is sleeveless with adjustable straps and front zipper. Features a fab chevron pattern in greys, blacks, purples, pinks and whites.....size XL. Retailed for $24.99  will ship for 12.00 (which INCLUDES shipping).

GAP sweet pink lightweight 100% cotton knit tank with racerback. Size small with a lil stretch - would also work for a medium BUT would be more fitted in style....

 Features a sweet lil side pocket and cotton "canvas like" ribbing up the sides and trim....

will ship for $10.00 which INCLUDES shipping

 This next item is the RED skirt that is featured with the GAP tank....Skirt is a size 14 from Casual Corner WITH stretch....Had a front button and zipper - perfect skirt to take ya thru the rest of summer - can be dressed up for work or worn to the farmers market!! Will ship for $8.50 which INCLUDES shipping

BRAND NEW with tags Leopard belt with a Silver skull buckle. Belt is a size large and originally retailed for $24.99. Will ship for $10.00 which INCLUDES shipping

DON'T FORGET LADIES....belts accentuate your waist when worn as shown and hide any sins!! 

Leather and silver "vintage" Liz Claiborne belt...size S/M. Will ship for $10.00 (which INCLUDES shipping - heavy - belt is covered in metal squares).

BRAND NEW Wedges that are labeled a 7 1/2 BUT fit more like a 7...woven "straw like" material accented by brass colored metal grommets and studs that feature a cork wedge. These will ship for $12.95 which includes shipping

More Clothes and accessories / handbags to (HOPEFULLY) be posted this week!! 

Can't wait to check out your mani's!!