Although it's a longstanding Southern tradition, I'm actually new to the monogramming bandwagon. Aside from some Lillian Vernon school supplies, I never had many thing with my initials on them, so I guess I'm making up for lost time now. I love the look of classic monograms (not too swirly!) and was happy to come across Marley Lilly via Pinterest.
They take initials seriously over there. These ladies are personalizing things I didn't realize that you could put letters on. Check it out:
I seriously want a monogrammed wine tote and one of those luggage tags for when I travel. Those workout tanks looks cute, too!
If housewares suit your taste, I can attest that West Elm makes some great options too! The clearance corner at the Dallas store was full of cast-offs and I was seriously wishing my initials were SCA. These are my favorite pieces:
Good morning! Sorry for the silence yesterday, but Sunday night's Super Bowl party went much later than planned and I just wanted to sleep when I got home. However, we had a great time and these cookies I made were a hit. Who knew that cake mix, light cool whip and an egg would make something delicious?
Anyway, I'm back and I have a little shopping dilemma of my own. You see, one of my talents is that I can justify almost any purchase. (This may also be a weakness, I hear.) However, on Saturday I found a deal that took me by surprise. I was shopping for casual dresses at Nordstrom Rack, and right there on the rack was a tan leather moto jacket in my size for $200. And it was made by Michael Kors. And it fits.
I shop too much to think that these deals are common, so of course I bought it for fear of regret later, but now I'm on the fence because I really wasn't planning on spending 2 months of my shopping budget in one go, and it is 95% perfect. I wish I did not have chest pockets, but I can live with them since the other options I found are all $300 or more. I will also need to get the sleeves taken up about 2.5 inches.
However, I find myself wondering if I'll really wear it as much as I think I will, not because of my own imagination but because of weather. Here in Texas, jacket weather doesn't really get going until November and we're back in shirtsleeves in March. However, I also do not have a light jacket at all, and usually wear a zip-up fleece even when it doesn't look great. Don't get me wrong, I could make all kinds of outfits with this jacket, but I mostly go to work and the gym, so I'd end up carrying it around or hanging it up in my office.
What would you do? Accept this gift of good fortune from the shopping gods or take it back and save money for warm weather clothes I can wear from April to October?
Good morning! I hope all of y'all are having a great week, and preparing for a fun or relaxing weekend ahead. I'm going to be spending time with my sister, teaching some people to blog, and doing a little shopping before N and I join our friends for a Super Bowl party that I don't have to host! (I'm kind of excited to just show up with dip and cookies)
Until then, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:
1. On Sunday afternoon I'm going to a bridal shower for my friend Natalie, and the more I think about it, I realize that's sort of a hard event to dress for. Thankfully, Texas is having a random heat wave and it will be in the 60s so I can wear something like this, but with a more fitted blazer and different dress, without trying to be casually cold-weather fancy:
2. Who else watches New Girl?! This week's episode was the best yet, and I want to play True American and kiss Nick Miller behind the iron curtain. (Yes, I'm happily married... what of it?)
Let's re-live it, shall we?
3. This week I made this recipe, but with some tweaks and it will be a new staple in my life. Here's what I did:
Replace russet potato with sweet potato and cut into slices
Cut zucchini and squash into slices
Skip the sauteed onions step because you are lazy
Drizzle olive oil in the Corningware and arrange vegetables in a spiral-ish shape
Sprinkle a little more olive oil on top and bake at 375 for 30 minutes with foil on the pan
Remove the foil and sprinkle parmesan cheese and garlic salt over the veggies and roast for 30 more minutes without the foil
Admire your creation, but forget to take a picture of it
original image via fortheloveofcooking.net
4. I found myself making the above dish because I love zucchini and squash, but also because I've been ordered to adopt a low glycemic index diet thanks to my new friend PCOS. Thankfully, it appears I have a very mild case, but I am now kicking myself for not seeing my doctor when I first started to suspect that something was wrong. I could have started addressing this over the summer, but instead I made excuses and just tried to convince myself that everything was normal (thanks to google and people who overshare on online forums) and wait until my yearly check-up.
So, the moral of the story is that if you think something is up, make an appointment. You know your body, so don't try to convince yourself that it's nothing. That said, if you have any great low GI recipes, please send them my way! (And don't worry, I'm going to be just fine.)
5. This tutorial changed my life, as I was apparently the last lady in America who did not realize how easy it is to make wavy hair with a flat iron.
Update: This contest is closed - the winner was Angie!
It's been a long while since I've hosted a giveaway for you nice ladies, but I only like to offer things I'd want for myself and today's prize does not disappoint!
We all know that I love me some LOFT, and they are so sweet to count me among their LOFT Girl brand ambassadors. I shop there often (with my own money!) and just this weekend I scored four perfectly-fitting sweaters for under $60! Needless to say, I was thrilled to receive their Spring 2013 look book along with this amazing necklace from the new collection.
However, since all of you are so sweet to support my little blog, I thought it would only be appropriate for me to share the wealth and offer this gorgeous necklace to one of you! Hot damn, y'all are lucky! (I kid... kinda)
Here's how to enter:
Leave a comment on this post (Disqus thread only) telling me how you'd style this necklace Make sure you supply an email address or a link to your blog so I can contact you!
You cannot say you'd wear it with a little black dress because that is too easy (my blog, my rules!)
If you create a Polyvore set using the necklace, put the link in your comment and you'll get an extra entry
So simple! I can't wait to see how all of you would wear the necklace. Be sure to leave your comment by 9pm central time on Sunday, February 3rd. I'll announce the winner on Monday!
Good morning! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm not thrilled to be back at work, but I sure am glad not to be worrying about interviews! That's why I was eager to help Mary, a reader who is about to interview for her dream job as a teacher at her old high school. She wants some ideas for what to wear, since she'll know some of the staff from her days on the swim team. I think her dilemma is a common one, so I've put together a few options that would be good for an interview.
Disclaimer: I should say that I have worked at marketing agencies for 8 years and in my industry, we walk a fine line between "I tried" and "I'm not boring and corporate". If you know what's expected for interviewees in your industry and what I'm showing is too casual, by all means ignore me!
First of all, if you have a suit that fits you well, then wear it. Your jacket should be able to close, it should NOT make you look like a linebacker. If the jacket isn't slimming, it probably doesn't fit well. I don't like pairing standard button downs with a suit since it can seem super stuffy and boring, so I tend to wear a silky tank or fine knit shell with a fun necklace.
However, if you do not own a flattering suit and will not have occasion to wear it after you are hired, I would not advise investing $200+ when you can look just as put together with basic pieces you may already own. Like this:
For most interviews, it's a good idea to stick with neutral shades and dark blue or green. Even in a creative industry, I wouldn't march in wearing a pink blazer since you never know when you'll run into a traditionalist. I also like wearing the pieces that make up a suit, but not necessarily ones that match, or pairing a blazer with a sheath dress instead of a skirt of pants.
You'll want to keep your jewelry interesting, but not distracting, and definitely not loud. I once interviewed a woman wearing a stack of jangly bracelets and that clinked together as she made gestures and it was really distracting. The fact that I still remember it shows how off-putting it was.
The same goes for shoes - nothing too sexy, and definitely not a pair you can't walk naturally in.
Finally, although it should go without saying, there's always some person who has no concept of where necklines should stop. So I will type it: If you can see any cleavage at all, it's too low. If you can't lean over to pick something up without flashing the room, it's too low. If you have any doubt at all... it's too low.
And with that, I bid you good luck! Stand up straight and remember why you're awesome!
