Feb 28, 2014

Confidence Girl

Cardigan: gift, Shirt: Eddie Bauer, Pants: Kmart, Boots: Seychelles

Sometimes my confidence is sky high. Sometimes not so much. I don't know if you feel the same but sometimes I have a hard time feeling completely comfortable around other women. I guess I've just been burned so many times or maybe it's just because I am so self conscience? I'm also a huge introvert so it takes an act of Congress for me to make the first move. That's why I generally gravitate towards women that are extroverts. They get the ball rolling and then I feel comfortable to jump in. 

I've been around someone who has judged me a couple of times, several times now, basically on just my appearance. It happened again last night and I have to remind myself that she just doesn't know me. Yes, I do like to get dressed up and look pulled together. But I don't do it to make other people uncomfortable. At the same time I don't feel like I am that high maintenance. I am pretty casual in my appearance overall. Much more casual than I used to be. There was a time that I would've never left the house without full makeup and hair done. I don't know...I guess I really should just approach her about it but I do not like confrontation and shouldn't I just let it go anyway? I do not want to argue I really don't. And I'm not even angry. I'm hurt and confused. It is making me self evaluate.

As women I think we should build each other up instead of tearing each other down. I don't want to show up in sweatpants and old tennies because I wear those kinds of things at home! I want to put on something different when I head out. I used to dress up all the time when I was going out to the local watering hole. I used to have more money to go out to eat, drink and see shows. Now, we have one income so we don't go out as often and I also got sober because I was/am an alcoholic. So when I do go out now, I wear something that I love and that I feel good in. Plus, I don't know about you but when I wear sweatpants I don't feel good. It's like I have less energy or something. I get a bounce in my step when I'm wearing something that I feel fabulous in. Should we change who we are to make others feel more comfortable when they are around us?





I love all these colors. Makes me happy happy! Here's an oldie goldie photo shoot of mine with graffiti.




Feb 24, 2014

Spring Fever {Target}

Feb 20, 2014

Refurbished Girl

Cardigan: Thrifted Eddie Bauer, Jeans: Thrifted, Tank: Thrifted, Boots: Steve Madden, Scarf: Target

I was over the moon when I purchased these Steve Madden boots back in 2010 but they have been very neglected as of late. They had some stains on them and just general lackluster that happens with lighter colored shoes. I grabbed some leather conditioner and tried to clean the spots. It did clean the stains, but it darkened the leather. So I had to wipe down the whole entire boot. Which turned out surprisingly well! I feel like I have a new pair boots! When life hands you leather conditioner...



I have been inspired recently about all the messy braids making the way around Pinterest and those krazy Kardashians girls. I thought I would dress up my ponytail a little bit today and give it a try. I think if I didn't have as many layers it would've looked even better. 



Feb 19, 2014

After Church Girl

Dress, Sweater & Long Sleeve: Consignment shop, Boots: Keen

Just playing around after church when the snow was still lingering....






Feb 18, 2014

Snowy Valetine Girl

Blazer: Thrifted, Dress: Roses, Tights: ? Booties: Madden Girl, Bag: Avon (old), Brooch: self made (woot!)

I have had this red dress for over a year but I haven't gotten around to wearing it. It is short sleeved so I decided to to use black as my second color. I usually do not like pairing black and red together - I don't know why. Maybe it was all of those Babysitters Club books and Claudia that only wore black, red and white. I guess it just always feels dated to me!


We kind of wing Valentine's Day every year. Sometimes we go out, sometimes we stay in, sometimes we forget. But this year was special because we brought my son along. My husband showed my son how to formally ask a lady out on a "date", pull her chair out, napkin on your lap, etc. It was fun. My son said he had a wonderful Valentine's Day. That my MY heart bust. If he's happy, I'm happy. I was and still am so overwhelmed at how sweet and kind my husband is to his stepson.



I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day wearing red or all black or boycotting it all together! There have definitely been years that I have done that! This year though I am very thankful and I feel very loved.



Feb 15, 2014

Old Friends Girl

Sweater: Target, Skirt: NY&Co, Tights (2 pair): Ebay, Socks& Necklace: Modcloth, Boots: Seychelles

I was so excited to be able to meet up with my dear friend since high school last Tuesday for lunch. I was literally jumping up and down when I saw her! It is so nice to catch up. Thanks Tracey!

I have been ready to wear this skirt with a long sweater and these wine colored tights for basically forever. Ok, maybe like 2 months. I was waiting on some ankle boots to complete the look and I got those checked off my list at Christmas. It finally all came together and lunch with a friend was the best time for it's debut!





The obligatory jump pose!


Feb 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day {Chocolate Edition}

We've been a wee bit snowed in for the last two days. I was searching in the cabinets for something fun to make and ran across this Make Your Own Chocolate Kit that my son got for Christmas. I thought I would give it a try because, let's face it, who wants to be snowed in without chocolate am I right? Then the little light bulb went off and I thought: perfect Valentine's Day gift for my hubby too. Double win.

Here is the kit we had. You can get it on Amazon for $10.99 plus shipping. It makes about 20 pieces.  The package says 8 oz. The fun part? You can add anything to the dark chocolate. Like raisins, marshmallows, peanut butter (my fave), peanuts, etc.


The contents are organic Costa Rican cocoa butter, cocoa powder, confectioner's sugar, starter crystals, a temperature indicator, paper candy liners, instructions, and the story of chocolate. They also give you some cacao beans to taste. This is easy to do with your little one to help them see where chocolate comes from and how it melts. They are also good taste testers!


The directions are super easy to follow. My motto for 2013 and forever is "don't make it hard on yourself". So I used the microwave method! It worked perfectly.


I melted the cocoa butter. This smells sooooo good. Keep melting it until it is all liquid.


Then I added the sugar and the cocoa and stirred until well combined. You could literally stop right here and eat the whole bowl. What? Did I say that?


They give you a stick on temperature indicator to put on the side of your bowl. The directions say it needs to be 94 degrees when you add the starter crystals (makes chocolate hard). I found this to be the least helpful. It never really worked for me so I just went by the consistency of the chocolate.
 


You're letting the chocolate cool down at this point so go ahead and get your paper liners ready with whatever you want to add or just leave them plain.


I added the starter crystals. See the little lumps?


I popped it back into the microwave for 10 seconds because as I was stirring I noticed they were not disappearing. I figured I had let the chocolate cool too long. This is where the temperature indicator kind of failed. But it wasn't a big deal. Here's what it looked like after the zap in the micro. Perfect.


Time to add to the paper liners.





Put them in the fridge for 15 minutes. When they come out they will be hard. Here's a peanut butter one that I topped with some sea salt. This was my favorite combo. I know you can make your own chocolate at home without this kit but if you want to have a relatively easy and fast way to make fancy pants chocolate then this is it. No mess, no complicated recipe and your kids can help. 



This is what I gave my hubby with a little Valentine's Day card that I put together in the throws of the snow storm. I think he was pleasently surprised!