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Saturday, December 8, 2012

Beaded Pinecone Ornament DIY

Beaded Pinecone Ornament

So here's what you'll need...


1) Glue Gun
2) Glue Sticks
3) Scissors
4) Ribbon or String
5) Pinecone
6) Beads

And here are a few more ideas for using your ornament...


Napkin ring


In vase or bowl for table centerpiece
Enjoy!
J.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Out and About in Austin

Happy December!
  I can't believe I'm saying that already!  Partly because of the amazing weather we've had...the 1st of December was in the 80's, sunny and lovely.  I'm not sure about the sun but it's still supposed to be 81 degrees today.  No complaints really, that's why I moved from the mid-west in the first place!  And I took full advantage of it yesterday! 
  It started out early, the dance studio I teach at had their annual holiday show, Breakfast With Santa, and I wish I had taken photos but it's really kind of too crazy for that.  However, I'm pleased to say that my little group of performers did fabulous, (despite the dress rehearsal the night before.)  They made me proud! 
After, the BF and I decided to head to the Triangle for a bite to eat, which was perfect because a couple of my co-workers were there at the Violet Crown Arts Festival, showing their wares.  I love the clean modern shapes of these pieces...


 The black on black earrings are my favorites! 


You can visit their site, jpear Design if you like what you see here.

After, we ate at Galaxy Cafe...

(Photo via)
Once again I failed to take pictures of because the BF and I were involved in a heavy duty, super intense discussion about the our future which superseded any pics of my French Breakfast, which was a slice of quiche, 1/2 a bagel and fruit cup.
  Anyway, we roamed the Triangle for a while before heading back to the car, and we stopped at one of my favorite local shops, SoLa.  I found so many great and reasonably priced items for people on my Christmas list!  Plus, I found these for myself... 


Yup, I fell into the "one for you, one for me" shopping trap but these were only $15...super sale!  I'd love to wear them today, but that requires a fresh pedicure...

  You would have thought this was plenty for today, but no, the studio still had one more holiday show, this time at the Georgetown Stroll.  Georgetown is a little further north of Austin, and is adorable.  The Square is filled mostly with restaurants and antique shops which aren't really me...

but I love the nostalgic feel of it at holiday time...


What are you doing this weekend?

J.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Can I Rock A Party Frock For Day?

I have a co-worker who can rock a party dress like no other...she doesn't save them for parties, but instead wears them wherever and whenever it pleases her.  I've even seen her take out the trash in a party dress!  This girl is getting her money's worth for sure.
I, on the other hand, have only worn my party dresses for just that- parties.  Usually weddings and I'll wear it more than once, provided that it hasn't already been seen by the crowd that I'll be part of on any particular occasion, but really all they do is hang out in my closet.  So out of curiosity, could I wear a party dress for day?  Well, turns out I can...


 
It took a little more thought to style it down for a day at work.  I've had this Nicole Miller dress for years, and normally I wear it with a red sash belt, my favorite Christian LaCroix evening shoes, and more bold make up but clearly, that would not be a day look.  

 
Flats, instead of heels made a huge difference!  I bought these hand dipped dyed darlings a few weeks ago and love them!  Strangely enough they go with way more than I thought they would.  (But, I do admit that I miss the height.) 


Instead of the sash, and because of the fact that it's strapless, a little shrug/cropped cardi was necessary for work.  But, because it's a party dress, I couldn't resist a little sparkle around my neck.

It was fun to step out of my box for a day, and I got loads of compliments on this look, but it is very different than what I usually wear to work.  But, just thinking about cost per wear changes the way I think about those semi formal barely worn dresses that happen to be taking up valuable space in my wardrobe, because this is not only party dress that I own...so you may be seeing more of them soon.  It is after all holiday party season, and how much easier is it to go from work day to night party when you're already wearing the dress?

J.

Monday, November 26, 2012

I've Only Changed My Clothes-I'm Still Me

It's been a long weekend alone for me...well, me and the cat anyway.  The BF and family members were gone for the holiday which left me with enough free time on my hands to do all the girly things that should be to young for my age/enjoyment bracket, instead of doing the things that I should have been doing but since there was no one here to remind me to do those things, I just enjoyed myself.  You know, trying things like completely different makeup styles, spending hours making different outfits in my closet and braiding my hair...


I purchased this sequined tank at Old Navy about 7 years ago, and this is the first time I've ever worn it.  It really should have left my closet years ago, but sheesh, it was only $10 and full sequins, not just the front but the back as well!  Seriously a steal...and now I finally found a way to wear it without feeling like I'm wearing a dance costume! 

Anyway, playing with how I look started to get me thinking, what if you could change over a long weekend, become a completely different person?  Ok, maybe longer than a 3 day weekend, but I knew someone who did just that over a summer.  She left the 7th grade as Naomi, you know, typical shy but fun girl with a bad sort of pixie cut (NOT cute,)


 (photo via )
and returned to 8th grade as Madonna, I swear to you!  Eye liner, big hair, and slinky dress, (extremely slinky for 8th grade!)  The boys went crazy, and they were right, she was a knock out, with an attitude to match, and most certainly defined herself as an individual in my small town.  Her personality matched her new look.  No longer was she the mousy girl I remembered but much more outspoken and definitely not shy!  This was a whole new person!  Secretly I was part in awe, part jealous...she was brave! 

And while I admired her spirit, I was not that bold...although I did go through a neon puffy paint phase...(I was a crafty kid.)
But what about you?  Are you or have you been brave enough to do a complete body/mind change?  Does what you wear reflect in your personality?

J.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Super Easy Impossible Pumpkin Pie

Super Easy Impossible Pupmkin Pie

So here it is in picture/word form:


Top Row-
1 can Evaporated Milk
1 can Pumpkin
2 tablespoons Butter
2 teaspoons Vanilla
1/2 cup Bisquick
3/4 cup Sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Eggs


Enjoy!
J.