4/30 aka Ladies, lock up your brothers' ... closets

Shirt: Elle for Kohls, Jeans: Old Navy, Belt: thrifted, Shoes: thrifted

 Between my middle school and adult years, I experienced minimal movement in the growth department and thus found minimal motivation to stop shopping in the children's section. Don't worry, don't worry. You won't ever catch me in a crop top or school girl skirt. This isn't a Britney Spears' video. But when items like flip flops and flats look just about the same in a girl's style as they do in a woman's, and the price is so much better, you can bet your bottom dollar you'll find me in the former section at Old Navy, pretending to be shopping for my non-existent niece.

This particular outfit, however, has a few choice item from my new favorite department - the boys'. Sure, I could have splurged on a pair of Sperry boat shoes to get my nautical fix, but why bother when I thrifted this boy's pair, brand new for $4. And the belt? Also thrifted. And I'm guessing from the stamps it once belonged to someone who never outgrew his Thomas the Tank Engine phase. But for 99 cents? I'm all aboard.

Weekenders

All I have to say about this weekend is, my boyfriend is better at bubble letters than your's.

Oh, and in addition to the decor we cooked up a some of this, this, and this for our little superbowl party. Yum!

Did you have a good few days? Munch on any delicous eats?

2/30 and 3/30 aka my face isn't lookin' so good, so why not admire my shoes?

Top: Gap, Jeans: Old Navy, Shoes: Candies for Kohls, Bracelet: Nordstrom Rack

After photo shoot numero uno, I thought I was feeling just a wee bit better about outfit posing and was excited to show off my mad skills. Derek and I located this scenic barren little spot in our apartment complex and went to work.

Definitely still in need some practice but I do have excuses. The squinty eyes look and the gaze upward? Those are a result of two things. 1. A too bright sun and 2. Our handy complex maintenance man, Lefty, standing behind Derek and saying over and over again, "Mighty fine day for some picture taking ... miiiighty fine."

As a result of these distractions, you get a nice close-up of my shoes for outfit two and an extra shoot to boost! Outfit number three below.

Shirt: Calvin Klein from Marshalls, Pants: Gap, Belt: Forever 21, Shoes: Candies for Kohls, Necklace: c/o The Afternoon

Whoop it up

One of the drawbacks of working from home is that you never leave the "office" and since I use the same computer for work and non-work activities, I usually shut down my office inbox right when my day ends. Lately, however, my pesky little computer has decided I'm not working long enough, and continues to pop-up Outlook inbox alerts, even when my inbox is shut-down.

After all the pretty images I search for on you, Computer? This is the thanks I get?

Anyways, one of these out-of-place alerts decided to interrupt me with some really non-fun emails last night as I used him to copy the marinade on this recipe. Guess he didn't feel like chicken tonight.

So what did I do? A little of this you ask...?

No, no. I'm a peace-keeping individual. Instead, I just poured myself a tall glass of wine and proceeded to make and eat myself some whoopie pies. And Computer? He went to bed hungry. Boo-ya!

Coconut Cream Whoopie Pies

Adapted from Dolcetto Confections
Makes about a baker's dozen

Ingredients:
Whoopie Pies:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tablespoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated
1 egg
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:
I was rushed so I confess to using a can of vanilla cake frosting (holds crossed fingers in front of self). Don't hate me. But you could use any basic frosting recipe.

Topping:
1/3 cup coconut

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and grease two baking sheets.
2. Mix together dry ingredients and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla and beat until combined. Gradually add flour mixture and beat on low speed until combined.
4. Drop generous amounts of batter (a very overfilled spoon will do) onto prepared baking sheets, 1-2 inches apart or use a whoopie pie pan.
5. Bake about 8 minutes or until risen and springy.
6. Remove from baking sheets and let cool.
7. Meanwhile, heat a small pan over medium heat and toss in coconut. Toast for about 5 minutes, tossing continuously until slightly browned on the edges.
8. When pies are cooled, divide into sets of two and generously frost one pie and add a pinch of toasted coconut.
9. Top the pie with its other half and squeeze gently so the frosting rims the edges.
10. Roll the pie edges in the toasted coconut until covered.
11. Serve with a glass of white wine, cozied up on your couch.

1/30 aka I won't be changing careers anytime soon

Shirt: Herve Bernard from Marshalls, Jacket: Banana Republic thrifted, Necklace: thrifted, Belt: thrifted, Jeans: Old Navy, Boots: Endless.

Hello, hello!

I know I promised just one post with all my 30 for 30 outfits compiled each week, but I can't lie, I've been getting really excited checking out some of the other remixers' blogs, and wanted to make sure to get up outfit number one in case anyone stops by! Then I swear I'm back to the old plan.

So here's pretty much how the first photoshoot went:

Me (in my head): OK, pose, pose, over the shoulder, sexy smile, leg pop, skinny arm. You're lookin' good girl!

Derek (after about 10 seconds): Why don't you stop and take a look at what we've got?

Me (realizing what Derek already knows: I look constipated and/or insane in every photo): Accck! What am I doing wrong?

Derek: Why don't you come over by the door instead, turn to the side, give a little bit of a smile like this (demonstrates several poses which I mimic. New pictures turn out great).

So the moral of the story here is, my boyfriend is a better model than I am. Great. Looks like I have an ANTM marathon in my future.

And to make sure you get a good laugh with your morning cup of coffee, here's a sample of what my pictures looked like without Tyra Derek's direction.

A tray a day ...

After loving the results of this thrift store tray makeover, I've had my eye out for more abandoned trays to style-up, so I was quite excited when I stumbled upon this detailed tray at the thrift store for $3.

It looked pretty good as it was, but I thought it could use a little pop to make it fit well in our colorful apartment. I knew I wanted to place either fabric or paper on the bottom of the tray, so I had my eye out for a piece of glass that was the right size to place on the bottom. I came across this t-shirt frame at Micheals, on sale for $5, and the glass was a perfect size for my tray.

I discarded the rest of the frame, sprayed the tray with a bright green, used hot glue to place this scrapbook paper cut out (.19 cents) on the bottom, and placed four small dots of hot glue on the glass to hold it down.

And here is the result! I'm in love.

On the nightstand, it's the perfect place to hold my book and discarded jewelry. But it's permanent home will soon be as a little wine/liquor bar on top of the antique stereo console Derek and I are refinishing. Stay tuned for that!

In the meantime I'm thinking of opening an Etsy store dedicated to my love of trays. Trimmed & Tray-lored anyone?

30 for 30, before I'm 30?

My first attempt at fashion blog posing. Can't keep a straight face. Looks like someone needs some practice.

Over the weekend, inspired by some of my favorite fashion bloggers, I decided to participate in Kendi Everyday's 30 for 30 challenge. If you haven't heard of it yet, you choose 30 items from your closet (accessories not included) that are the only things you can wear for the next 30 days, and share pictures of your ensembles on your blog.

The remixing of clothes doesn't scare me so much, but I can tell you that I'm rather terrified to post pictures of myself for all to view. That may sound silly since I often post weekend or vacation pictures, but, I'm feeling terribly self-conscious about my ability to pose for the camera as cutely as girls like Emily and Sydney do.

So while my outfits may not be high fashion, and my poses rather unmodelesque, I do hope that the project will inspire me to get creative with my closet, and also provide you with some budget shopping tips and perhaps a good laugh at some awkward pictures of yours truly.

And since this blog is meant to be lifestyle focused, I won't detour from my regular recipe, project, and DIY postings. I also confess, that because I work from home, I sometimes spend the entire day in sweats, and I won't include those days in this project. With these two caveats in mind, you can expect one weekly fashion-related post that will include all my remixes from that week and a hope that I find enough days to get dressed up that I finish my 30 for 30 before I'm 30, six years from now.

So without further ado, here are my 30 for 30 picks, also known as, that which must be moved before Derek comes home and freaks out about my mess!

The whole crew:

Details:

Top row: Gap, Urban Outfitters, Kenar from Marshalls, Ralph Lauren at Marshalls, Elle for Kohls
Second row: Target, Banana Republic (thrifted), Vera Wang for Kohls, Lauren Conrad for Kohls

Third role: Marshalls, NY and Co., Ralph Lauren from Marshalls, Old Navy

Fourth role: (green dress) NY and Co., Tommy Hilfiger at Marshalls, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Old Navy, Gap

Fifth role: Lauren Conrad for Kohls, Old Navy, Polo at Marshalls, Calvin Klein at Marshalls, Marshalls,
French Connection at Marshalls
Shoes: Boots from Endless.com, Old Navy Flats, Candies for Kohls heels, Red heels from Kohls, boat shoes thrifted.