Personal Style: Rule of Three

I didn't go anywhere today. But I thought, "Why not get at least a little bit cute?" Normally, I would have worn this shirt with ratty jeans (okay, pajama pants) and flip flops. I thought, there must be something simple I can do to work this and still feel "at home comfortable." I did technically break one rule with the brooch. Aren't brooches for like cardigans, jackets... basically things with a lapel? Well, I've always thought so, but I enjoyed using it on an old tee, and I think you can do it too.

So, I invented the Rule of Three.

*Three minimal accessories to posh up an otherwise unremarkable outfit.*

1. Red lipstick Rimmel moisture renew in Red Alert 900... (will do a post on wearing red lipstick soon)
2. Vintage brooch
3. Awesome shoes.... ones that compliment your outfit but are still comfortable.

I had a belt and rolled jeans to make 5 things I normally wouldn't do while just lazing around the house in a few pics, but the 3 pieces work just fine for me to turn a boring outfit into something a little less boring.

I even jazzed up my mom ponytail, by making it a tad higher than usual, wrapping it loosely for a bit of a mess and pulling the top part out like a crazy woman and twisting in a bobby pin for a bit of 'oomph'.

Sparkles... old vintage brooches can be found anywhere. I got this at an antique mall for very cheap. Tip: Brooches can be heavy.. if pinning on a loose shirt, grab it through a bit of your bra strap to stabilize it better.

 I loved these shoes like a lot. Thrifted, of course. They were too big... so I just tucked the strap since there were no holes for my size. Maybe I'll drill 'em later, but maybe not, the tuck looks kind of cute.

 See, cute but maybe too much going on with the belt and the side tuck. You think?

 hubs told me to walk as I stood there cluelessly...

 He always manages to get a bum shot.

 

My pound puppy, rescued when she was 4 months old... before I even met my husband.

She's almost 9 now, I love my Jackie Chup, though it makes me sad to see her aging,
and even sadder knowing what this lady did to her dog!

This is what he calls a 'perspective shot" So people can see how low I am to the ground since I'm barely 5"

Love him too, such a sweetheart. When we were dating and first married, people used to stop and

ask him if he was a model. Made me feel like a toad... a happy one, but a toad nonetheless.

So ladies, remember the Rule of Three. What small 3 things can you do to jazz yourself up today?

*shirt: target/ jeans: delias thrifted/ brooch: vintage thrifted/ shoes: apt 9 thrifted/ belt: vintage thrifted*
*linked to Clothed Much's Rule Breaking Monday... visit for lots of other rule breakers

*linked to Mom of Two Boys Fashion Fridays

Sweet Treats: Banana Bread Chocolate Chip and Blackberry Muffins Recipe

I was going to make banana bread. My last loaf was amazing... except for the entire burnt two inch layer on the bottom in that we had to hack away the delicious bread to eat. Let's just say, I'm still learning how to use this decrepit oven of mine.

I thought I would try muffins this time due to the tragedy of my first and last bread experiment. I used a very basic recipe, then as I loaded up the tin for the second batch thought, "Hey, lets have fun with this and try a few things out".

*please excuse my not so beautiful looking pan, thanks*

So, for one row of muffins, I added raisins. Another row, semi-sweet chocolate chips. Another row, blackberries... and one little muffin I mixed in all three (that one coveted muffin was delicious, especially all warm and gooey and smothered in butter!) I'm glad I mixed in some flavor, b/c quite honestly the first batch of banana/walnut muffins were a little bland.

So, as you can see, I still managed to burn these babies a smidgen... even though I seriously cooked them for almost 10 mins less than the suggested time. Maybe I had it set on the wrong heat? Yeah, that must be it... I will be more careful next time, because there WILL be a next time. I used his banana bread recipe and added a few things:

♥ Banana Muffins with Mix-Ins ♥

1/2 c oil
2 eggs
1 c sugar
4 mashed bananas (mashed very, very smooth.... no lumps!)

~mix all together in a bowl, then add in:

2 c flour
1 TB baking soda
1 pinch salt
3/4 c chopped walnuts
cinnamon
dash pure vanilla extract
1 c of either~ raisins, chopped blackberries or semi sweet chocolate chips (c. chips+blackberries are awesome)

~ Grease/flour muffin tin or use cupcake liners. Bake at 350 degrees 25 mins or until toothpick inserted in  center of muffin comes out clean. Top with a bit of butter (I use Smart Balance, makes me feel healthier) and serve.

 *If you are in a major blackberry mood, then try my scones or these ideas*

OH! Linked up to Sweet as Sugar Cookies' Sweets for Saturday
and  The Vintage Farmhouse

  

Personal Style: Denim Ballerina

 

  
I have been looking for the perfect denim jacket oh for about, five years now. I finally came across two contenders while thrifting the other day. An adorable Banana Republic one and this. I don't know why, but the lack of lapels really struck me, it seemed more effortless to wear and less 'jackety'. I also really love the faux epaulets look with the shoulder detail and the fact that the sleeves rolled easily had me sold. Once I got it home, I was worried it would be crazy hot, but I got lucky in that we had a cool morning!

You know, I'm going to be 30 in a few weeks. I can honestly say I didn't start to notice those 'fine lines' around my eyes/nose until about 6 months ago. I can tell you though, I honestly love them and am so happy to be aging. That said of course, I'm so glad I've been working out these past few months. I've noticed a spike in my energy level and am starting to lose a bit of the stomach pooch... still got a few inches to go! Hair was inspired by Sydney's Daybook bun tutorial and twisty belt knotting by Elaine of Clothed Much, (I did mine a wee different, but her tutorial is better). Not really digging the boots, can't decide if it's the cut or color... maybe both...

jacket: thrifted/ boots: candies/ cuff: thrifted/ earrings: jeweled ambrosia (handmade by me)

shirt: look for fiddleheads/ belt: calvin klein thrifted/ jeans: vanilla star/ bag: ralph lauren thrifted

 

 one of my little guys

my other little guy

*linked to Mom of Two Boys Fashion Fridays

Inspired Home: Natural Winning

 love the airship art!

Amazing designer, Design star winner and host of the show, secrets of a stylist, Emily Henderson recently shared her home with Victoria of sfgirlbybay. She posts some of her styling secrets here, and blogs here. Her little interview is wonderful, so be sure to check it out.

Her collection of old portraits and paint by number art is not only interesting, but fairly easy to acquire, I see them all the time while thrifting at thift shops, flea markets, garage sales, etsy and ebay...

 Chairs! my fav. And do you notice there is a lot of greenery in her home?

There are also a lot of natural elements to be found. Something I am needing to work on.

 

I've been on the lookout for a good aztec vibe rug... you can see a little peek on one here.

 Kind of loving the cow hide rug, and the cognac tones.

 

 

 You know, I haven't put up my daisy chandelier yet in this home, in part due to the chain.

This photo is making me rethink that decision.

Rule Breaking Monday with Clothed Much: White on White

YES! I know I have no posing abilities!! I will try and improve :)

As a stay at home mom, I *rarely* get dressed up, and that's saying a lot for a hairstylist who used to live to get all fashioned out. So, for my very first outfit post and Clothed Much's Rule Breaking Monday, I thought this white on white outfit was appropriate. I tend to shy away from color (I'm trying to change that), so all my cardigans are white or ivory. I didn't think a white blouse would work under a white cardi, but I kind of like it. I loved this swiss dot blouse, but it does a weird poof thing when I tuck it since it's an empire waisted tie shirt and is an awkward length untucked, so I needed to cover it since I haven't hemmed it yet.

{cardi: target/ skirt: h&m thrifted, blouse: jc pennies, belt: thrifted vintage, necklace: vintage rhinestone}

I see now how this cardigan has a bubble shape right above the hem and doesn't work with the belt, and I'm not feeling the pleated skirt either, but at least it helped control the shirt poofiness.... oh well, better luck next time!

*Don't forget about my jewelry shop sale and jewelry giveaway here!*

Jeweled Ambrosia Jewelry Sale 40% off and Giveaway!!!

I seriously need to revamp my jewelry shop, Jeweled Ambrosia.AND my Twilight inspired Jewelry shop. It has been far too long since I have added new pieces and updated my photos. Because of this, and because I have my eye on a pair of shoes I would love and other boring things to pay for..., I'm doing a major Spring cleaning sale... 40% OFF the entire shop! Just check out your pieces, leave a note to me in the invoice about the 40% off sale and and I will send you a revised invoice.

To WIN a free piece of jewelry, post this sale on your blog, facebook, twitter, and follow my blog, my Twilight inspired jewelry blog or Jeweled Ambrosia facebook. Leave a comment for each place you repost/follow and I will draw a winner to recieve a free piece of jewelry!

Thanks a million!

Fashion: Blooming Lattice Cardigan

I love how last year's green anthro blooming lattice cardigan (modcloth has a similar version here) has been styled so many ways. I am in total want of a version like this, or most especially a mustard color. But, seeing how Texas weather turns hot so quickly, I'm sure I will have little time to acquire and even wear anymore cardigans this year. The girls at anthroholic paired this cardi wonderfully as well.

(4 fashion girls is an ebay store)

Cardigan belting, for or against? I might need to delve into this more...
Some grrreat belting advice from A Day in the Life for those who don't think it can work for you.

Sweet Treats; Baked Oatmeal Recipe

This recipe is so easy, fast and delicious! I've made this baked oatmeal before with peanut butter, but my family didn't like it too much, I think I added way too much salt (so my fault). But this was perfect... even for the pickiest eaters. I just topped mine with drizzled honey and chopped fresh strawberries. Serve it with bacon for a yummy breakfast.

Ingredients:
 3 c quick cooking oatmeal
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c milk
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon


Topping Ideas:
fruit~ strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, raisins)
drizzled honey
chopped fresh mint (optional garnish)
yogurt, maple syrup and raisins
warm milk with sliced banannas
whipped cream and chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into a greased 9x9x2 baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30-40 mins or until set and edges are lightly browned. (My oven runs hot, so it only took about 26 minutes).

OH! Linked up to Sweet as Sugar Cookies' Sweets for Saturday linky. TONS of amazing sweets there today.

Inspired home: Dark and Inviting

 I'm drawn today to these images from interior designer, Abigail Ahern  book, A Girl's Guide to Decorating. There is a rustic, regal feel, with a cooling urban atmosphere in her home. (Her sister Gemma's home is a dark beauty too). The dark and neutral tones and textures feel so homey to me right now.

In her recent blog post, she talks about figuring out your decorating style. She says,

"I follow my heart and my subconscious and although hard to define its a funked up, idiosyncratic tour de force (can I say that about my style)? For some of us it can be over whelming its visual overload out there what with cool interiors stores, magazines, galleries, blogs, fab bars and so on. Pull back and try to analyse what appeals what pushes your buttons or makes you heart beat a little bit faster – tear out images from magazines, flag blog images you respond too and before long you will have a folio that begins to build a story of how you want your space to look. Its worth noting anything that shouts Ta Da when going through images as this is what turns a space from ordinary to extraordinary. It could be a super sized lamp on a tiny desk, a beautiful patterned rug skimming a floor oh and remember it takes time. A simple fact you can’t define your style if you haven’t invested time in knowing what’s out there its as simple as that."

 Apartment therapy describes her book as, "Abigail Ahern's rooms are dark and seductive as photographed for her book, A Girl's Guide to Decorating. These rooms wrap you up like a cozy blanket when you're reading on the sofa late at night."