Monday, February 28, 2011

disney fashion inspiration II

I really enjoyed doing the last disney fashion post and I enjoyed reading the comments on it, so I thought I would do another one to start off the week. :)

Here's Snow White in all her glory.



And here's her modern inspired outfit...



And here is Alice in Wonderland.



And modern Alice's outfit...





Image credits: Snow White (dress: Sugarscape, cardigan and purse: kaboodle, shoes: miu miu, necklace: house of dereon) Alice (dress: bluefly, shoes: wittner, blazer: arden b, purse: prada


Sunday, February 27, 2011

Friday, February 25, 2011

disney and fashion?

I love Disney movies. What little girl doesn't? I loved this series of blog posts even more. Basically, someone created a series of outfits based on scenes in Disney movies like Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and my personal favorite, The Little Mermaid. So thanks to my friend Kristy who shared this blog series with me, I'm now inspired to do my own fashion inspiration by Disney post.

The author of the blog series has done some of my favorite Disney movies...but not ALL of them. So, for today's post it will be about the Disney fashion inspiration from the movies Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Pocahontas. Interestingly enough my sister has dressed as Belle from B&TB, an Arabian princessy-thing and Pocahontas for Halloween. But she has also (as a child) claimed to be a Native American child that was found in a river basket by my parents when she was a baby. HA!

Where my post will be different is that I will do one outfit for each of the iconic outfits of the princesses. So, the teal outfit for Jasmine, the fringed outfit for Pocahontas and the yellow dress for Belle. Here. We. Go...

Here's Disney's Pocahontas just in case you need reminding.



And the modern outfit inspired by her...



Here is Belle from Beauty and the Beast.



And her inspired outfit...





And finally, we have Jasmine from Aladdin. (with Rajah the tiger)


And the outfit inspired by her...


Which Disney movie is your favorite?

Image Credits: Pocahontas (Interlud dress, Cuddly Ruff necklace, Corso Cosmo sandal, Barsa ring, ASOS body satchel) Belle (Chloe dress, Fred Flare ring, Plumberry clutch, Style CEO flats) Jasmine (Zimmermann dress, Max & Chloe earrings, Lanvin flats, Etsy headband)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

confession and inspiration

I have a confession to make.

I have seriously fallen off the bandwagon when it comes to keeping up with my diet and exercise. Like SERIOUSLY. Like, I ate a whole sleeve of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies while watching NCIS last night. Ugh. I'm ashamed to even admit it. (and I even started keeping them in the freezer so I'd be discouraged from eating too many at a time...you know, because they're frozen...)

I'm going on vacation to the beautiful Isle of Palms, SC at the end of May and I desperately need some sort of inspiration to keep me on the straight-and-narrow, so to speak, before then. I want to be able to wear cute clothes. I want to be able to show a (little) bit of leg and not feel like I'm a) blinding others by my whiteness and b) blinding others by my fatness. :)

So for me, inspiration can come in many forms. Often, it comes from reading my friend Jill's blog on her weight loss journey...even though sometimes it makes me feel guilty for slacking off. Another form of inspiration is seeing an outfit or article of clothing (maybe a swimsuit) that I LOVE and make it be my goal to be able to wear it comfortably. Often this is not about size but more about how comfortable I feel in it. And finally, another form of inspiration is a new kind of workout regimen. I've gotta change it up a little, you know?

So for the first source of inspiration, I'll continue to read my friend's blog and share in her journey. For the second part, well....



So, what do you do to get inspired to exercise and eat right? I'm all ears...

*All clothing from...you guessed it...Old Navy. Ah. Glitter jelly flip flops. :)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

grand opening!

Today is an exciting day, my friends!

Today is the grand opening of my new AND awesome Etsy shop!!

I am so thrilled to be able to open up an Etsy shop. There are some gorgeous and amazing things on Etsy and I'm happy just to be a part of it. For the longest time I've thought about selling some of my photography (and eventually other crafts and handmade items) on Etsy but never had the guts to actually make a shop. Well, after talking to a friend of mine who has one, I decided to take the plunge. Even if I don't sell anything it's still awesome to actually have done it.

Please come and visit me at my Etsy shop and browse around. I'll be listing more items soon!!!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

top 5 tuesday: amy butler design

I am in love with Amy Butler's designs. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure why I love her designs so much because I generally like a more simplified look (read: stripes and solids) in my bedding. However, these are absolutely gorgeous. Amy Butler's work can be purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond and from her site.

Oh and just take a look at this beautiful inspiration page.

I just recently read another blog interview with Amy Butler and I realized that I hadn't ever gotten around to blogging about her yet, so today I will! Here are 5 BEAUTIFUL pictures from her bedding line.







Images source: amybutlerdesign.com

Friday, February 18, 2011

a new [ad]venture

After being so greatly inspired by this shop, this website and this photographer, I've decided to begin a new adventure into photography. I do enjoy it and almost always am lugging my camera around. My desire to begin documenting the world through a lens coupled with my most recent purchase (thank you tax refund) will enable me to start my adventure.

Though I don't intend to make it a career because I am still very much an amateur, I do anticipate being able to share some of the fruits of my labor with my blog readers. If you're interested in checking out some of my work already (pre-fancy camera) you can look here.

(Incidentally, I apologize for all of the linked words in today's post. I've developed a growing fondness for them.)

So, to whet your photography appetite (note the gross sarcasm), here is a little collage of a few of my favorite shots I've taken. I hope to keep you all up to date on my new venture!!!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

shoes on sevens

I'm starting a new recurring post on my blog. Here's the background story...

I've long been (accused of??) associated with having lots of shoes and in fact, I do. I've also lovingly been referred to as the Imelda Marcos of my time. Well, a girl DOES need to have options, right?

So, in an effort to share my love of shoes with the readers of my blog I will be doing a recurring post called Shoes on Sevens.

On days of the month that end with a 7 (7th, 17th, 27th) I'll post a picture of whatever pair of shoes I'm wearing for that day along with information about where they came from, if available.

You may not care at all about this post, but I am very excited. So, here's the inaugural picture of what I'm wearing today. Hopefully as time goes by, I'll be a little more creative with backgrounds and poses, but I figured I'd keep it simple for the first one.



Odell Ruffled flats by Mossimo Supply Co at Target

lemon condensed mini pies (low-fat)

With the weather in my portion of the country getting warmer, I want to share a wonderful recipe with all of the blogosphere. This is a perfectly simple and low-fat dessert that is just as good in the wintertime as it is in the summertime. I love serving it after a heavy dinner because it's almost like a sorbet (except it tastes 100 times better...and sorbet is gross...). And with it being in mini pie shells, serving portions are just right!!

Lemon Condensed Mini Pies

Ingredients:
1 6-pack of mini graham cracker pie crusts (I use the ones made by Keebler)
1/3 cup of lemon juice (or more depending on taste)
1 can of sweetened condensed milk (can be substituted with sugar-free but it makes it a little bit sweeter)
1 container of fat-free frozen whipped topping thawed (that's Cool Whip y'all)

Combine Cool Whip, 3/4 of the can of sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice and mix until smooth and creamy. (I use a hand mixer to make it quicker. The first time you make this, you may want to experiment with the right amounts of sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice. Meaning, you might want to add more or less of each one to get the taste you want. I like it to be more like a hint of lemon.)

Pour mixture into pie shells until filled and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

Serve with crumbled graham crackers on top.

This exact recipe can also be used for a normal sized pie crust if you prefer.



Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

diy picture frames and easy art ideas

I have quite the collection of random picture frames but not enough art or photographs to put in them.

If I learned anything by being a frugal decorator, it's that you can frame ANYTHING. Literally. I've framed cute greeting cards, postcards, artistic advertisements from magazines, photographs, photographs of photographs and even cute sayings or scriptures that I've written and glued onto torn paper. If I like it, I'll frame it.

With that in mind, I also like different and unique frames, however, these can cost a pretty penny at many stores. So, what to do? Well, I'll just embellish my own, thank you! I started out with a simple black frame from the dollar store and some old beads (leftovers from my jewelry making days). I picked some with a similar theme (I was going for a beachy, sea glass look) and just hot glued them in a haphazard fashion and kept adding until I achieved the look I wanted. I think these turned out pretty well.


Oh and here's a picture of some of the torn paper scripture art I did today. It works for me. And when I get tired of it, I can just make a new one!!


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

top 5 tuesday: most favorite blooms

TODAY IS MY 100th POST!!!! YAY!!!!!!

Back to my regularly scheduled program. I've got flowers on the brain. Yesterday, because of Valentine's Day, there were a ton of them out at Target and the grocery stores. Plus, I stinking love flowers (pun intended) anyway and usually have some around my house at any given time. I got to thinking about what my favorite kind of flowers are because I generally don't go the roses or daisies route. I like unique and different ones. So, without further adieu and in random order, here are my top 5 favorite flowers.

1. Daffodil (narcissus jonquilla) Though there are many, many forms of these. My most favorite are the solid yellow ones. I loved that in Willy Wonka they were edible teacups and saucers.

Source: Original

2.  Poppy (Papaver somniferum) I love the traditional red one but there is also a Himalayan Blue Poppy that's beautiful.

Source: gallery.hd.org

3. Blue Irises (iris spuria) This reminds me of one of my favorite Vincent Van Gogh paintings. I think these flowers are just gorgeous.


Source: Joebarrphotographer.com

4. Sunflower  (helianthus annuus) Even as a young girl I loved these flowers. I went through such a sunflower phase that I had a sunflower bedroom with a sunflower border, yellow walls and sunflower bedding. This flower just makes me happy to look at it.

Source: Original

5. Plumeria (frangipani) These are exotic and unique. They come in the most beautiful array of colors, I've seen. This one, specifically is Tahitian Sunset Plumeria.

Source: thamesnursery.net
What are some of your favorites?

Monday, February 14, 2011

Sunday, February 13, 2011

workout playlist

Happy Sunday y'all!

I'm always interested in finding new music for my workout playlist. After a few repetitions, I get sort of tired of the songs for awhile, so I constantly switch around my playlists.

Here are a few that I'm working out to now. Maybe this will give you ideas to switch up some of your songs, too! I welcome any and all song suggestions...anything with at least 140 BPM will work!

Beat It by Fall Out boy
I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas
Mr. Brightside by The Killers
Taking Over Now by Desperation Band
Carry Out (feat. Justin Timberlake) by Timbaland
Graceland by Paul Simon
I Saw the Light by David Crowder Band
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Pump It by The Black Eyed Peas
Cupid Shuffle by Cupid
Boom Boom Pow by The Black Eyed Peas

Friday, February 11, 2011

Thursday, February 10, 2011

recycled pets

I don't consider myself a super-passionate person. I like and enjoy many things and I have my own formulated opinions on various topics but I don't really have a "soapbox" about anything. Except for animal adoption. That is the one area where I find myself getting passionate about spreading awareness of it.

You see, I just can't rationalize buying a puppy from a breeder when there are so many already who are homeless. Nothing against dog breeders (the good ones) but I just don't like the idea of perpetuating a pet overpopulation problem with breeding more dogs. There's absolutely no reason someone can't adopt or rescue a dog instead of buying from a breeder and as a matter of fact, there are MANY perks...

1. They are usually already housetrained/crate-trained/obedience trained and socialized. This is wonderful if you're introducing them into a family with children and or other pets or if you don't want to spend the time housebreaking them.

2. They usually have their vaccinations. Even adopted/rescued puppies or younger dogs have at least their first round of shots.

3. You are giving a loving home to a homeless pet. Enough said.

And you can't use needing a specific type of dog for allergies as an excuse! I am HIGHLY allergic to dogs yet found the perfect little non-shedder on Petfinder. You can find mixed breeds, purebreds and even designer dogs (Labradoodles and Puggles) and breed-specific rescues (like Lucky Labs of North Carolina) if you're interested in a certain kind.

With all this talk about "going green" this is one area where people still don't. They want to buy new instead of recycle used. Why not recycle a pet and give one a new leash (ha!) on life? You won't regret it.





This is my Hewitt and this picture was inserted solely for emotional persuasion! :)

Now, I'm off my soapbox!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

it's official...i've got spring fever!

Ugh, it's only the beginning of February but I've already got spring fever! I can't WAIT until the weather warms up. The good news: Paunxatawney Phil saw his shadow so we'll have an early spring. The other good news: Spring officially starts on March 21st. The bad news: It's freezing cold out today and we may have snow flurries where I live. :(

So, to get us all in the spring mood, here are some beautiful pictures I found on Coastal Living.




Tuesday, February 8, 2011

top 5 tuesday: valentine's edition (freebies)

Valentine's Day is looming. For some it's exciting, for others it's annoying. Yet regardless of whether or not you've got someone to "lurve" on Valentine's Day, we've all got people in our lives that we want to tell how much we love them. I mean, I'm getting my family V-Day cards this year...

So, for today's Top 5 Tuesday, I'll give you 5 free original Valentine's images to use as you'd like. Maybe you want to make a cute Valentine for a co-worker or friend...or for your mom or brother..either way, I hope you enjoy!!


 Doodled Hearts on Paper

 
 Pink Sparkly Bokeh Hearts
Teal Sparkly Bokeh Hearts

Scribble Hearts

Bubble Heart with Message

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

sew simple: tank top tote

This is the easiest sewing project EVER and it can be done with or without a sewing machine.

I originally found this project on Craftbits.com but I tweaked it a little to make it work with what I had.

Unfortunately I don't have a "before" picture of the tank top...but I do have an "after" complete with the 4 instructions to make this.


And the result is a cute tote bag that is recycled and cool! This was actually a maternity tank that I had (hence the empire waist piping) so the end result is more like a slouchy hobo bag, but I've seen it made with an A-Tank (also unfortunately called a "wifebeater") and it was just as cute.

Using a sewing machine makes it go by faster, but it's just as fine to not use a sewing machine because you're essentially just sewing the bottom shut. Go over a few times to reinforce it.

Happy Crafting!


Friday, February 4, 2011

splurge vs. steal: laptop bag

I'm desperately in need of a sturdy laptop bag. Lately, I've resorted to either carrying my laptop in my arms like a large book (and the charger in my purse) or in a semi-flimsy shopping bag.

I know.

It's pathetic.

So, I'm on the lookout for a sturdy and stylish laptop bag.

Here's one that I lurve! It's called the Virginia Canvas Laptop Tote by Rebecca Minkoff.



But for a cool $175, it ain't happenin'.

So, upon further investigation, I discovered this beauty called the Seaside Wayfarer Messenger from Pesky Cat Designs on Etsy.



And did I mention it's on sale for a sweet $55.00? Seems a bit steep but it's handmade...which is always better than store bought. AND it's nautical. Oh snap. I believe Valentine's Day is coming up and I do LOVE this bag.  Ha! ;)

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

the great game whose name we cannot refer to or we'll be fined

Yes, ladies and gentlemen...I'm talking about the Su...the Sup....hang on, let me try to get it out. The SUPE... dang. I just can't. Literally, I can't. Which, in my opinion, is ridiculous, but if these people want to trademark two highly generic words into a phrase no one else can use, then that's their own prerogative. So, I can call it the Big Game or the Thanksgiving of Snack Food, but for all intensive purposes for today's post, I'll just refer to it as the "Steeler Slaughter". ;)

For many moons I've had theories on the supposed winners of these big games. For some moons my theories have been completely inaccurate, but for others, they've been perfectly on point. Like last year. Drew Brees is cute and therefore the Saints won the "Big Game".

My theories will skim the line of accuracy again this year as I predict the winner of the Thanksgiving of Snack Food. First of all, I despise the Steelers. I'm not exactly sure why, but I've never appreciated or liked them. Maybe it's their horridly tacky colors. Maybe it's their name "Steelers". More than likely, it's their fans, which interestingly enough seem to make Charlotte, NC their second mecca. I see more Steelers junk here than anywhere else...except Pittsburgh I'm assuming. I don't know why exactly other than the reason other northerners come and infiltrate the south...our weather and our women...but I digress.

Anywho, so because I loathe the Steelers so much, I predict that the Packers will win. But beyond that, my theory expands to a conspiratorial level. 1) Green is my favorite color. Green is not only one of the Packers' team colors but is in their name. 2) A meat packer can kill a steel worker with a meat hook. 3) There are more cows in Wisconsin. I eat/drink cow products. Cows cannot survive in pollution (i.e. Pittsburgh).

So, Green Bay wins.

*NOTE: If it was up to the quarterbacks to make the decision...it would still be Green Bay even though neither the Ben nor the Aaron are really that cute. The end.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

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