Let's Misbehave

Via

It's Thursday and time to have some fun and maybe even misbehave a bit.  The weekend is upon us, do you have any plans?

Here's a few ideas to get the weekend activity wheels turning:

1. Test run that pumpkin pie recipe for Thanksgiving. Hey, you can never have enough pie, right!?  Perfection takes practice, by golly!

2. Buy some metallic nail polish and paint those pretty nails of yours

3. Find yourself at a local used bookstore and splurge on a few paperbacks. There is nothing better than getting lost in a literary adventure from the comfort of your own home.

4. Take out your planner, call an old friend and get crackin' on your holiday social calendar; the season will come and go sooner than you know it--make sure you spend it with those you cherish most. 

5. Do something outside; fresh air is never a bad thing.

6. On another note, if you haven't seen the newest major motion picture of The Great Gatsby by Baz Luhrman, you really ought to.  *This is in reference to the picture above, a scene from the movie.

Wherever your weekend takes you, I hope you find a way to misbehave a bit before the week starts all over, again…

Take Time

Read a book.  Call an old friend.  Go thrifting.  Make a craft.  Visit a pumpkin patch.  Light a candle.  Take a walk with no direction in mind.  Bake some tasty confections.  Listen to your most favorite music.  Paint a picture.  Dance.  Brew some tea.  Paint your nails.  Rearrange your furniture.  Buy a new pair of boots for the season.

Whatever you do, make your soul happy this weekend!  

There is no better time than now.

A Fresh Home Accessory

Pike Place Market Sketch and Peonies

What is a more beautiful home accessory than a fresh bouquet of flowers?  

One of my favorite flower variety is the peony and they just so happen to be in season right now in the Pacific NW!  Last weekend I walked down to the Pike Place Market in Seattle and picked up a very gorgeous mixed variety bouquet for under $10 dollars.  The assortment of fresh flowers at the Pike Place Market will never cease to amaze me, no matter the season!

Last night on an evening walk with my dog I passed by a Trader Joe’s and they had fresh bouquets of peonies for only $7 dollars.  Depending on where you live, the peonies may have already hit peak season but here in the Pacific NW they appear to be widely available.  You have my permission, indulge!

Holey Moley

Ripped Jeans, GlitterGirl

Many may say, “why in the world would you buy a pair of jeans with holes in them?!” My answer to you: fashion, duh!  How to wear ripped jeans with a little class?  Boyfriend style!   

The boyfriend style jean is a relaxed-fit jean that flatters most if the pant fits correctly.  You will want to make sure that the jean is snug enough around the waist, toosh and thigh to ensure that you don’t create a saggy-baggy-booty.  However, pay special attention that the jean doesn’t fit too tight—you want to appear relaxed!  You may also want to consider a boyfriend jean with a higher-rise; a higher rise jean is generally more flattering, anyway.  As color goes, you can get pretty creative with this.  I like both darker-hued blue jeans as well as light distressed blue jeans. 

Remember, the point of this style is to be relaxed; hence the tattered look.  However, make sure you don’t have gaping holes in (suspicious) places and pay special attention to making the outfit appear feminine.  A simple way to make ripped boyfriend jeans appear feminine is to pair with floral, pastel or stripes on top.  A flowy, long-sleeve blouse would be a complimentary option, too.   

Add a blazer and you are ready for weather elements.  Accessorize up or down but make sure you are wearing some fabulous footwear.  I would suggest a bootie or pump over a wedge—or flats if you feel most comfortable doing so.   

Remember, wearing ripped jeans shouldn’t be for the workplace but rather for social outings such as lunch with girlfriends, a day outing in public, a coffee date or running errands. However, if your work allows you to show up to work with holes in your jeans—more power to ya!

Before you “trash” this style, see if it is a style that works for you!  You may have just found a fancy substitute for your go-to weekend yoga pants. . .

Getting Some Air

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In today’s case "getting air" may mean being swept away in a treacherous wind tunnel.  We are anticipating a Pacific winter storm from the west to roll in this evening and dump 3 to 8” inches of snow.  I am comfortable with the prospect of more snow (more snow = more skiing on the weekend and I am totally okay with that!).   

However, being outdoors today is just plain uncomfortable, the wind gives no mercy!  I am looking forward to Zumba after work and creating a delicious pot of turkey chili with my sweet babe this evening.  Reading a book or magazine could easily be worked into the evening agenda, too.  Monday, you’ve been good to me.  Thank you!

Lights, Camera . . . Action!

Truffle Popcorn

Oscars, yes?

One of my favorite lifestyle/newsletter/websites, GlitterGirl, released some totally to-die-for recipes to make on Oscar night and I am intrigued.  With five recipes suggested; all require just five ingredients or less (hello simplicity!) and all are a healthier version of something you might otherwise make.  Perfection?  I think yes.  And, who can resist sweet potato fries, macaroons and truffled popcorn? 

Utter the word “food” and I’m instantly convinced.  Oscars, you better bring it this year! 

Happy Weekend, Friends!  Do something special for yourself.

Blazer

Blazers; there's nothing more simple and polished then a tailored jacket.  The thing I love most about a blazer is you get maximum polish for minimum effort (i.e. when you are scrambling to get ready in the morning for work).  Also, blazers come in all sorts of textures (light cotton, lined-wool), styles (cropped, boyfriend), colors (black, light blue, . . pink) and weights (summer vs. winter weights). 

Anyway, I was out shopping with my fashionista friend (Ms. Meghan Bas) last weekend we unearthed some pretty serious blazers during our excursion. 

The first find we found was a closeout deal from Ann Taylor Loft.  The blazer is exquisitely made of black wool/tweed with faint white speckles with an applique that runs along the bottom hem and breast flaps.  This blazer was a quaint $24 plus tax and I am certain I'm going to get a lot of use out of it!

I also managed to snag a fun and fabulous bright pink blazer from H&M!  This blazer will transition into Spring very well and I am looking forward to wearing this bold new style. 

Get wild, be crazy.  Buy a fabulous jacket and rock it!

All You Need is Tea & Warm Socks

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Words of Wisdom

Oh, Monday.

Baking is usually a weekend activity for me but I have an urge to bake some homemade chocolate chip cookies.  Chocolate chip cookies are my absolute favorite and I am very excited to use my red KitchenAid hand mixer I got last weekend to bake my French fruit tarts.  

And really, it is quite simple.  All you need is tea, warm socks... and chocolate chip cookies.

Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

barely adapted from Anna Olson, Food Network Canada

Ingredients: 

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened 

3/4 c. brown sugar 

1/4 c. granulated sugar 

1 egg 

2 tsp. vanilla extract 

2 c. all purpose flour 

2 tsp. cornstarch 

1 tsp. baking soda 

1/2 tsp. salt 

1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.

3.  Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.

4.  Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges.  (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes.)

5.  Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes.  Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.  Try not to eat them all.

I will let you know the level of heavenly these cookies turn out to be.  

To the kitchen I go!

Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving!

Poster

"People who love to eat are always the best people"- Julia Child

Well if Julia Child said it, it must be true!

All my love to you and yours for a relaxing, happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend.

Five things I am truly thankful for:

1. A supportive, loving family
2. Creative, fun-loving friends
3. A cozy, loyal puppy dog
4. Chocolate and other delicious treats
5. Magazine subscriptions, access to blogs, salmon, gold-hued things, sunny sunshine, an education, PBS documentaries, floral print, leather, flashy jewelry, the great outdoors, cozy coffee drinks, music, high heels, a great job, and really stinkin' sweet boyfriend....