Skinny Jeans and New Tops

Last month I picked up a new pair of skinny/straight jeans during one of Gap's flood subscribers' inboxes with codes and 40% off emails. While I love my pair from Alloy, I need a pair that provided the kind of coverage a 30 year old lady needs. After doing some research online and in the store, I settled on a pair of Real Straight Jeans.

And I freaking love them. Not too tight, but slim enough to wear tucked into boots, they are so comfy (stretch is key). Not tucked in they will be perfect for the ankle length style that is both popular and flattering for me. The only thing is the length. They are crazy long. I cut them and intend to get them to a tailor before spring (or Florida) come.

They'd look great with any of these tops.






Top to bottom: Striped Scoop Neck Top, Kali Embroidered Tunic, Ash Knit Top, Colorful Macrame Top, Embroidered Paisley Peasant Top and Here & Now Tee.

Christmas Gifts!

Here's a handful of our Christmas gifts. Can you match the gift to the person in our family?



Gap boucle jacket, Beatles Rockband, J Jill sundown sweater jacket, Cuisinart multiclad sauce pans, Olive Kitteridge (Jan. book club pick), Kong air squeaker ring and Under the Dome.

This Week in Yaays and Boooos

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

Stephanie Nielson: Plane crash survivor regains hope

If you read other blogs or happened to catch Stephanie Nielson's story on the Today show, Oprah or any other number of media outlets, then you know the tale of tragedy and triumph she and her family have gone through after a plane crash in August 2008. Even if you don't know the story, you won't want to miss this 10 part series done by the Arizona Republic. Eye opening, truthful and inspiring. Photo from Arizona Republic.

Fun Christmas tree alternatives from Apartment Therapy



Fun grocery store stocking ideas from Marta Writes. Photo from Sharpie.com


Dunton Hot Springs, a ghost town turned into a resort. Stay there yourself, or you and your 41 closest friends can rent the whole town! Found via Cup of Jo.


New ski gear! Picked up some Under Armour ColdGear Base Layer 2.o leggings for skiing. So warm! But my personal favorite are my new North Face Montana mitts--kid size. My hands are small enough to fit youth sizing, which are $20 cheaper of course!



Awesome, awesome clothing deals from 6 p.m., found on their twitter page. Awesome.

Boooooooo

Sinclair Broadcasting Group vs. Mediacom Communications dispute may keep Iowans from seeing the Hawks play Georgia Tech in Orange Bowl.

Holiday Gift Idea #6

Since seeing this photo of Katie Holmes in a polka dot scarf, I've had my eye out for one. Such a chic and sophisticated look.

Photo from SplendidCity.com


This version from American Eagle is cute and affordable.

This Week in Boos and Yays

Yayyyy!

Colorado trip confirmed, planning commenced. Photo from here.


Holiday cards ordered from Cardstore. Bonus was the option to have our return address printed for free.

Got a cute green peacoat from Old Navy. The web site only shows cream, but the green is la-la-lovely.


Sutliff hard cider from Lisbon, Iowa. So tasty and fresh, not that sicky sweet taste you get from drinking most ciders.

Speaking of drinking, we watched the Student Prince this weekend, which was very good and spawned this song you may recognize.


Booooooo
No Rose Bowl for the Hawks. Sad face.

Fried computer hard drive means the only copy of our holiday card list is paper, and out of date. I have to retype it and look for new addresses. Also, the Paper Source stickers I wanted to use on the envelope are sold out. Boo hoo!

Rugby Stripes

There's just something about rugby stripes, no?




Scarves, purple hat, Hawk hat and Hawk scarf.

Ruffles at Old Navy

I know ruffles are very on trend right now, but I love them all the time. Old Navy has some cute stuff, even if their dresses are made for teenagers with no discernible curves or hips.



Top to bottom: v-neck, sateen top, jacquard top, wristlet, sateen skirt, ballet flat, hobo, crepe dress, sateen dress and gauze dress.

Yo Pajama, Pajama

Over the last few years I have really come to love classic pajamas. Great for lounging around the house, I especially like wearing them when I'm a guest at other people's houses because I know I'm guaranteed to be warm and cozy when I get up to drink coffee in the morning or want to hang in PJs for awhile.

My pair is from the Target sale rack and I may have paid $15 to 20 for the top and bottom. I've been looking for a new pair and I can't believe how expensive they are!

All of these from Sleepyheads.com range between $50 and $140, with most in the higher range. So cute, but so spendy! Where can a girl get a pair of cute cotton classic pajamas with a nice pattern and decent price tag? No flannel, no cartoon characters, no solid colors, no ruffles or sets with a tank top and pants. No holiday prints, no fleece. If I can get a pair of cute cotton pajama pants at Old Navy for $6 on clearance, why can't I find some good jammie jams?

Clearance Deals at Target

This weekend I picked up some cute summer stuff at Target on the 75% clearance rack.

But first, let me direct your attention to one of my favorite dresses, on clearance for $9.98. I bought this in grey in August 2008 and it is so flattering. Available in grey, black and purple. I'm wearing it here-very flattering ladies.

This weekend I picked up some cotton maxi dresses for $6.24. I've not embraced the maxi dress because of my short stature, but I thought these would be good for hanging around the house/boating/as a beach cover-up. They are almost two to three times as much online.

My Weekend

Oh snap. No computer connection yet. Still a great weekend was had.

Friday night we went to see Zombieland. It was just what the doctor ordered: funny, silly, heartfelt and blood an guts ala the Simon Pegg variety (Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz). The line into the actual movie was almost to the door of the theater, something I’ve never seen, but it was actually the line for Paranormal Activity. Serious buzz on the flick.

Saturday we went to Hairball with McDonoughs. I think my brother-in-law Bill died and went to 80s hairband heaven. My favorite was their killer Prince impression and Guns N Roses stole the show. Didn’t realize I still know all the words to Welcome to the Jungle and Paradise City.

Yesterday I got an awesome massage at the East Village Spa. Seriously, I’m walking on sunshine.

Got new distance glasses (wanted to use up my flex spending before everyone and their dog scrambles in December). I’m usually really cheap when it comes to glasses, which in turn saddled me with a pair I really haven’t liked for the last five years. I love my new ones (in brown).

Last but not least I picked up a sweater and some thermal shirts for my beloved. For several years we’ve been getting these great Merona wool sweaters from Target. Lightweight but stylish, they are really versatile and look great on Anthony.

Need a Good Layering Turtleneck?

Found! I picked up this ultrafine turtleneck in grey last week and it is the perfect layering turtleneck. Stretchy, lightweight and long, it will work great under a jacket or dress. Very flattering.

And while I don't personally need a new fall bag, I saw this one in the store in mustard and it was BEAUTIFUL!

Trendy Knitting Shrugs and Shawls

I'm a little stream on consciousness with my blogging, no?

Whatever I'm thinking about or is on my mind is what I post. Right now, I...am....cold. Oatmeal for breakfast, baths and tea at night cold. Sleep with socks on because I don't want to turn the heat on cold. Wool coats, tights and three blankets while I'm watching TV cold. I can see my breath when I let Micky out cold.

It has been a chilly, chilly fall. I keep waiting for one or two 65 or 70 degree October days, but we may be SOL.

Loving these shrugs and shawls from Trendy Knitting's Etsy shop.

Layers, Layers, Layers

Fall is my favorite time for clothes because it is such a fun time to layer. For me, I keep certain pieces fresh all year long by changing the layers I wear underneath. In the summer I may wear my green cardigan with tank top of a similar or opposite shade of green. Fall and winter find the same sweater over a striped turtleneck.

Fall is just about the best time to find new layering pieces. The last few years I've been focusing more on printed or striped layering pieces.







Top to bottom Draped Top, Keyhole Top, Gauzy Top, Stained Glass Top, Supersoft Layering Rugby Top, Heritage Circle Tunic and Elbow Sleeve Tunic.

A couple of years ago I got a grey and black turtleneck just like the Elbow Sleeve Tunic and it is one of my favorite layering pieces. Lightweight and stretchy, it looks great under a jacket, sweater or dress.

Knitted Shawls and Wraps + Preggo Lady Style

We are getting ever so much closer to seeing if our fried hard drive is retrievable. Yippy.

Check out these supa-amazing knitted shawls, capelets, etc. Found via Jillian Frances. She lives in Des Moines and while I don't know her, I like to comment on her blog. Her jewelry is quite lovely!

Also check a new blog for hip preggo ladies, Stylish Mommy Goes to Work. Written by our friend Jenny, who is perhaps the most stylish and able to work it women I know, her blog is sure to have lots of good ideas and tips for the challenge of growing a baby in your belly with style.

This Week in Yays and Boos

Yaaaaaayyyyyyy!

• Whitney Deal's Etsy shop
• Homemade pizza tips
• Celebrity idiocy (not yay for what is inevitable, but for the ridiculousness)
• Kseniya Simonova's sand painting
• Pumpkins, squash, cool nights, more inspired cooking
• Concerts!

Boooooooooooooo!

I don't want to shut Glee down, but they need to step it up.

Pictures Soon?

Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures soon. Until then, just revel in the knowledge that I had a great weekend. The weather was amazing + good times with good friends (and good bloody Marys).

In the past three days, I've had two pumpkin coffees from Brueggers. Delicious! I'm all about the Pumpkin Spice latte at Starbucks, but I try to keep my fancy dancy brewed drink consumption in check. I looked online to buy it, but I'm not sure I want to spend the $$ for shipping. I also found a recipe for making it yourself. I may try that this weekend before I order anything.

In other food tidbits, I shared one of my favorite recipes with my coworker Lisa last week. Pastor Ryan's Mexican Lasagna. So good for entertaining. Sharing and getting recipes makes me deliriously happy.

Last but not least, the sweater I linked to is now on sale for $47.60 (hello random price). You won't regret it. I've had mine for two years and its in great shape.

Tonight we are off to see Bruce Springsteen AND the E Street Band. We've been so busy, I haven't thought to much about the show. Waking up to know we are going tonight is a little like Christmas morning. I'd be hard pressed to name my favorite Bruce song, but I'll give it a whirl.

I'm Going Down
Glory Days
Darlington County
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
The Wrestler
Anything from the Seeger Session, but especially Pay Me Money Down

Can you tell which album was my first?

Premium Beer Cans, Reworked J. Crew Pants, Design Blog Love

I just looked at the tags for this post. Hitting all the bases this morning. Our computer is up and working, but we have some reconfiguring to do before we can start saving stuff (pictures). So bear with me for a little bit longer.

My company has yet to make the switch from Internet Explorer 6, even though the rest of the world has. So, that means I can't see the pictures on a lot of the blogs I read and have to wait until I get home to see them. These two were worth the wait. A spotlight on Honey Interiors, plus a before and after kitchen remodel. Love!

Someday I'll be a better sewer. Until now, I will admire people who can turn J Crew pants into skirts. This post made me feel better re: my hot pink J Crew chino capris. I like them, love the color, got an awesome deal. But...they just don't quite work, you know? Curse of the shorties I guess.

Why do I like these Lands' End shoes so much? Also, this sweater.

Last but not least, I was inspired to look a little harder for decent brews in a can after complaining about it yesterday. After my pilates class I stopped at Ingersoll Wine & Spirits, which I believe to be the best shop in town and the place I discovered Layer Cake wine, and found Fat Tire cans. Yay. Score!

This Week in Yays and Boos

Yay!

• Fall TV coverage from Entertainment Weekly
• I don’t care what anyone says, this song makes me SO happy. If I was in college, this is the song I would get ready to before going out
• Shepherd’s Pie the best thing is that this recipe makes two pies. One for now, one for later
• This sweater, in deep rose. Delicious
• Iowa vs. Arizona with some of our bestest buds

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

• Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters review
• This whole business from the VMAs + this

Grrr! Busted Stuff

What happens when you buy a brand-new, fancy schmancy computer? The hard drive dies 9 months later of course!

After all kinds of research, as well as personal input from family and friends, we decided to go with a Dell because we'd heard so much good stuff about their service and products. This is no Dooce washing machine issue, but still frustrating that a brand new computer just up and died plus it took Anthony four hours, as well as countless hangups and redirects to get someone to help him. Keep your fingers crossed that all of our important stuff is still out there somewhere.

So until we are up and running again, my posts will be sans images to illustrate my thoughts and observations. Got a topic you think I should cover? Elastic pants? People who dress like circus performers? Glee? Salad Bars? Let me know.

Meanwhile, how cute are these cropped cords from Gap? I'm really liking the gelded gold ones. Did you know cords are up to 15% off right now? Loving this black wrap dress and all the jewelry in Crystal B.'s shop.

Hmmm...what else? I enjoyed this article yesterday about a local tomato grower. I just listened to The Cruelty of Children podcast, which reminded me how much I love to hear David Sedaris read his stories. Getting read to settle into The Help for September's book club.

Skirts Found

At Old Navy.

Perfect Khaki Pencil Skirt

Fine-Wale Cord Skirt