Goings on + recent buys!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you had an amazing holiday!

I know it's been a long time between blog posts and I promise to do better in 2013.  My life has been a bit crazy with my new job, family obligations and just plain life!  I thank you for the numerous "check-in" emails I've received and appreciate you for sticking with me for this long! Just to prove to you that I'm only a slacker when blogging is concerned, here are some of the notable things I've done since November:

Yanked a tooth

Got freaked out by a rat...lolz @James' face!

Brined a turkey...it's buttermilk in case you're wondering!

Painted my nails (well, one hand...I always get too lazy to do the other hand...)

Went to  "Medieval Manor" for Rosa's bday

Tried sun-dried basil chicken sausage...tasted worse than it looked

Spent time with my "little sister" (by the way, if you have the time, please consider being a Big Sister/Brother!)

Dropped toys off at a shelter

Built a dollhouse...took me 5 hours but luckily I had this!

Bought stuff

Baked cookies

Watched "Sabrina"

Painted my nails

Bought stuff

Makes me look extra busy right? He he he.....

So several posts ago I shared with you my plan to open my own online clothing shop. I have put this plan on hold for now and have been focused on designing and crafting my own line of skirts!  I don't want to share too much right now because everything is still in the conceptualization phase but I encourage you to stay with me to see what awesomeness I have planned for 2013! Here is a sneak peak of a smocked skirt/dress I made for my daughter Ava.  I am working on mine as we speak and will be sure to model it when it's done!

Isn't the pattern and color fierce??? For those that can't tell, the pattern is a series of Africa continents that have this cool gilded effect....all on a fuchsia background! :swoons:

So I want to talk a bit about recent purchases. I know I'm not the only one who took advantage of all the sales this month and in November.  I'm not gonna even lie, I was pressing the "submit order" button so much that I formed a callous on my index finder! Here are some of the things I've purchased recently:

Bought the entire outfit

I've been eyeing this Zara bag forever and finally got it! I'm still waiting for it to arrive...

My first pair of Frye boots!

Peplum pants! I've been sweating peplum pants ever since I spied Nastygal's version.  These aren't the exact same but they're close.  I got them here in a size L and they fit great with room to spare!

Bought a Furby...ok, so I bought it for my son but still.  Have you seen these things??? How you treat them affects their personality! I'm scared  to go home now because the Furby we have has turned evil from the kids mistreating it!  It talks in a gravelly voice, burps, and laughs maniacally for no reason...there is no OFF button people!! It's like I always say, it's all fun and games until your Furby turns evil and wants to murk you in your sleep.

Now it's time for you to fess up! What big/small purchases have you made recently?  Is there anything you've been eyeing but haven't yet bought? Please share!

A lament...

So I have some bad news...my camera is broken! Well, I actually smashed it in a fury but still. So this means that my outfit posts are going to be on pause temporarily until I get my act together. Luckily, I did take some outfit pics pre-smashage so I can definitely share those with you.

Quick vent: what the heck is up with all the leopard patterned...everything I am seeing lately? It's a bit overkill in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I am all for animal prints in small doses but this trend seems to be on steroids or something. What do you all think? It seems that everywhere I turn I'm seeing something that shouldn't be in leopard print completely covered in it...let's give this trend a rest ok? ok. thanks.

So onto the pics...I want to share with you a couple of pics of me in my tribal tunic dress from Fashion to Figure. It was my very first purchase from them ever since seeing this particular piece on Gabi's blog. I had it in my closet forever and finally decided to dust it off and see how I could style it. I'm on the fence of the pic of me with a red clutch. My inital thought was to give the outfit some color because I can't do 100% monochromatic anything. I don't know if the sheen from the clutch throws it all off--it seems as though the red should be more of a muted red...what do you think? The actual tunic is divine. It is super soft and has amazing stretch to it. The one thing I do not like about it is the fact that it has attached sleeves. I remedied that problem by using a belt which I think gives the tunic a bit more contour.

And because I am who I am, I decided to take another pic of me with a black clutch. I don't know which I like better though...

Tunic/Dress: Fashion to Figure
Boots: Eddie Bauer
Belt: Style & Co via Macy's
Bracelet: Ashley Stewart
Earrings: H&M
Red patent clutch: Aldo's
Black satin clutch: Payless

Since purchasing this piece, I've made several purchases at FTF since. They seem to be a great company who are very attuned to their client base. I am looking forward to see what else they have in store in the coming weeks!

Be sure to stay tuned for more outfit posts and some additional contests! Please comment below and let me know what you think about the outfit!

Pirates Boot-y

Banana Republic lace up shoes
$225 - bananarepublic.gap.com

ASOS flat lace up booties
$60 - asos.com

Chinese Laundry Chinese Laundry Nevada Panelled Over The Knee Boot...
$174 - asos.com

I never thought I was a boot person until recently. For me, boots conjure up images of teetering, precarious bodies doing there best to stay upright while walking. While I know not all boots are made with 5 in+ heels, this image has stayed with me since forever. I'm very flat-footed so I tend to gravitate towards boots with little to no heel. From time to time, I will come across a boot with a heel that causes me to swoon. Case in point, the BR boot you see above...perfection right? What kind of features do you look for in a boot? Are there any boots out now that are on your "must-have" list? Just so you know, I purchased the ASOS flat lace-up booties and they are divine (and vegan)!