After-work Outfit (Thursday)

Despite trying to eat frugally at home this week, I went out for a friend's birthday dinner at a good Persian restaurant.  Since Sahiti asked for it, here's an outfit picture!  Imagine this with straight leg navy khaki pants instead of leggings, and it's what I wore to work too.

 

Tunic and cardigan: American Eagle

Leggings: American Apparel

Shoes: Naturalizer

Necklace: Tiffany's

Frugal Eating

In order to save money this week, I tried to cook as many of my meals as possible.  Some of the highlights - smoothies made with frozen fruit and greek yogurt, caramelized bananas, and Moroccan chicken.  The smoothies I made with fruit that I toss in the freezer right before it gets too ripe to eat (bananas and strawberries this week), low fat plain greek yogurt, soy milk, and honey.  They're so tasty!  The caramelized bananas I threw together one night when I wanted dessert (and I hadn't put all of the bananas from the bunch in the freezer yet).  The moroccan chicken I made because I love moroccan food.  I find that it's hard to find moroccan food that isn't super expensive in restaurants though.  Luckily this was fairly easy to make and super flavorful!

Caramelized Bananas

Moroccan Chicken and couscous

Recipes: 

Moroccan Chicken from Recipezaar made with 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1 can chickpeas, 1 can tomatoes, 1 onion, 1 carrot, remaining recipe as written.  Made in a crock pot on low for 7 hours.  Couscous is Archer Farms brand.

Caramelized Bananas:

1 ripe banana sliced, chopped pecans, maple syrup, and Southern Comfort liquor sauteed until soft and caramel-like.  Finished with sea salt.

Shopping Uptopia

So I read a lot of blogs written by girls that love Anthropologie.  I love it as well, but rarely shop there.  One of the reasons is that there isn't one near me (the closest one that I ever go to is in Santa Monica).  Another reason is the cost of the items.  I do like using it for inspiration though, so when I saw that my mall is getting an Anthropologie, I was ecstatic!  Also, I was very sad to see the Pottery Barn in my mall was closing, but it's being replaced with an Urban Outfitters!  Another favorite store of mine that I rarely go to (it's in Santa Monica as well).  I've been waiting for these two stores for quite a while now.  Every time I go to the mall and ask, they've pushed back the opening dates.  Currently, Anthropologie is scheduled to open mid-April, and Urban Outfitters is scheduled to open late May.  Mind you that when they first put up the sign for Anthropologie, the opening date was March 1st.  Whenever they finally decide to open these stores, the mall near me will officially be shopping utopia.  I'm not kidding - currently we have: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Target, Sephora, Apple, Forever 21, H&M, American Eagle, J Crew, Banana Republic, Victoria's Secret, White House Black Market, Free People, Bakers, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, etc, etc, etc....it's a huge mall.  It has a full range of stores from Sears, which I like for things like tools, to a stretch of stores such as Jimmy Choo, Louise Vitton, Cartier, Burberry, and Armani Exchange.

Update:  I just checked Anthropologie's website - it's opening 4/2.  Yay!

Yet another update: http://www.hillsofwoodland.com/2010/03/29/rumor-mill-puts-anthropologie-at-westfield-topanga-opening-for-monday-april-5-2010/

Update (on 4/6) - Urban Outfitters is now scheduled to open mid July at the earliest, but the customer service guy at the mall said most likely August because they were behind on the construction already.

Great Race of Agoura Hills

I ran the Great Race of Agoura Hills 5k this morning.  The results were just posted.  I ran it in 37:12, 53 out of 83 in my age group, 777 out of 1146 overall.  I'm pretty proud, that's my fastest time yet!  I'll post pictures as soon as I get them.

Sequin Dresses

I recently purchased a sequin dress from eBay, and although I haven't worn it yet, I love it!  I did a lot of shopping around for this purchase, so I wanted to share some of my finds with you.

The original that I fell in love with:

Free People Sequin Slip in gold/white - $68.00

Lower priced options:

Urban Outfitters Silence & Noise Sequin Slip - $19.99 (from $32)

Forever 21 One-strap Rosette Sequin Dress - $27.80

Forever 21 Tiered Halter Sequin Dress - $32.80

What I ordered:

Free People Sequin Mesh Slip in Confetti - $29.99 on eBay!

and since it's mesh, I plan on wearing it with this slip that I already own:

Arden B Cameron Basic Tunic Cami

Sunday Color

I don't wear this top often, because the print is a little unusual.  But the tribal feel and bright coral color make me think of vacations, so wearing this does make me happy.  (It also has nice wide straps.)  I've paired it with my usual shorts, a light cardigan, and coral beads from Mexico.  If I were on vacation, I'd change the shorts to a black skirt or pants and possibly put on my black bead necklace with a ribbon bow closure for a nice dinner out.  Since I'm home, I cooked.

Tank: Ann Taylor Outlet

Shorts: American Eagle

Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet

Necklace: cruise stop in Cozumel (summer 2003)

Oven-Roasted Vegetables with Shrimp and Whole-Wheat Pasta

Happy Spring!

I decided to dress for the very warm weather Friday after work.  I've been dying to wear my new sundress.  I paired the girly dress with boots and a blazer to keep it from looking too much like something a 14 year old would wear.

Dress: American Eagle

Blazer: Ann Taylor Loft Outlet

Boots: Franco Fortini

For today, I shopped my closet.  I haven't worn this skirt in years, and I haven't worn the top in a while either.  I'm honestly not sure I like the outfit though.  I think it makes me look heavier than I am.  The top does tie in the back; it made me feel like I was wearing an apron in a good way.  Next time I wear this skirt, I'll probably just cover up the top of it.  The print is too cute to give up on it though!  It's pears, apples, leaves, and flowers.  :)

Top: Guess

Tank: Old Navy

Skirt: American Eagle (from high school)

Shoes: Clarks

Necklace: Tiffany's

Also, you are probably wondering what the orange thing hanging from my door is ... it's a felt fish "stocking" for cats.  I bought it after the holidays and use it to store a bottle of cat treats.  I use the treats to distract Zadie when I'm trying to get out of my apartment with my arms full.  She likes to try to escape into the hallway.

Bang troubles...but cute outfits.

Wore this outfit on Friday for a friend's birthday dinner.  I was excited to finally wear this tank for the first time.  I bought it over my Christmas holiday when outlet shopping with my mom.

Tank: Ann Taylor Loft Outlet

Blazer: Old Navy

Jeans: Paige Denim

Heels: Target

Ring: Forever 21

And I'm posting another work outfit!  I was considering returning the Liberty of London for Target clothes that I bought, but I was too excited to wear them.  It was a shame to cover up the cute elements of the top, but I had to stay modest for work.  I took off the cardigan while running errands after work (Monday).  You'll see the tunic next week with my black khakis from H&M that I'm finally getting from the tailor's tomorrow.

 

Tank: Liberty of London for Target

Cardigan: Nordstrom's Juniors

Pants: Ann Taylor Loft Outlet

Belt: ribbon came with the pants

Shoes: Bass (brown pumps with a button)

Proof that I wore green today for St. Patty's day.  I left work early today for an ophthalmologist appointment, and they dilated my eyes.  Since it was 80+ degrees today, as soon as I got home I changed into shorts (wore the top to work with a high necked camisole and jeans) and sunglasses to protect my SUPER sensitive eyes.  Also to hide the fact that I looked like a weird cartoon character with my freakishly large pupils that lasted for several hours after my appointment.  The shirt has nice seaming and pleats on the bust which you can't see in the first picture because I couldn't resist scooping up Zadie while taking pictures.  I did get a photo in my amazing/useful prescription sunglasses that I spent the afternoon in.  I am really posting it though to show off my nails.  I painted them with Essie Mint Candy Apple - possibly the only shade of green that looks good on nails!

 

Top: Target

Shorts: American Eagle

Flip flops: Clarks

Necklace: Forever 21

Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Nails: Essie Mint Candy Apple

Cat: Atlanta Humane Society

All of these pictures are evidence that my bangs are NOT growing out even.  They're super awkward, and I consider pinning them up every morning.  Not sure if I should get them trimmed so they are even or just let them grow out.

Liberty of London for Target

AMAZING!

I think this line was made for me.  And I don't mean the clothes, they're just okay.  I mean the housewares.  They're fantastic!  I spent a lot more money than I intended, but I love the stuff I bought.  I also feel like I got good deals.  Things I purchased:

2 black and white plates, 2 pink small floral plates, 4 pink large floral salad plates

4x6" frame, 2 canvas milk crates

Blue scarf, pink wellies (I fit into children's size!)

Sleeveless top, printed tunic

So although I love everything I bought, I may return some of the clothing items.  I already own a lot of clothes.

A Work Outfit

I know this doesn't happen very often, but I'm actually going to post a picture of what I wore to work today.  Shocking, I know!  I don't normally post work outfits because they are just not inspired.  Well for work, I'm only inspired to cover my assets.  Fashion rarely plays a role in anything.  I try to at least buy nice items so whatever I throw on in the morning is decent.  Today's outfit actually got me compliments.  I took the picture after getting home though, so I'm looking a bit...silly.  That's what work does to me.

Top: Target

Cardigan: Nordstrom's Juniors (similar)

Undershirt: Ann Taylor (similar)

Jeans: Lucky Brand

I promise I did wear shoes today.  I wore my Naturalizer oxfords, but when I took the picture I was already in slippers.  So the cutest part of this top is actually the racer-back, but I had to hide that with a cardigan for work.

I feel like adulthood is a never ending test, and I'm failing it.  How does one study for life?

Update:  A very smart friend of mine told me today that "you can't do everything on your own...that's not how it works".  It's as much of an answer to my previous question as anyone could give I think!

Jean Paul Gaultier for Target

So I had fully intended to do a big post to review the new line at Target, but alas, almost everything is sold out, both online and in my store.  I could not believe how picked over everything was at 9:30 this morning in store.  I tried on everything I could find in my size and took pictures, but honestly, I was unimpressed by the line.  Most everything is made of polyester or a weird nylon similar to a windbreaker.  I did purchase one item, the lingerie tank top in blue.  Although it is nylon, it is a fake silk feel.  The seaming is wonderful on this.  Much better than most $20 tops.  Another favorite of mine is the twist shoulder drape top in black.  It did not drape on me anything like it does on the model online, but it was still quite flattering on me in a size large.  However, I cannot rationalize paying $23 for a black polyester top.  The fabric just doesn't work for me.  I also recommend a few items if you can find them: lingerie lace trim dress in either pink or green print for anyone taller and leaner than me.  The large went to my calves!  Also, the halter eyelet dress was amazing.  It was much too much volume for me, but I imagine it would look great in a smaller size.

Overall, the scene at Target this morning was crazy.  The cashier told me that when the store opened at 8 am, women came in and bought multiples of everything in the line, spending hundreds of dollars each.

I'll spare you the fitting room pictures, but here's the picture from Target.com of the shirt I purchased.  It's a tunic length on me, and I bought a size large.

Lingerie tank top by Jean Paul Gaultier for Target

I didn't know it could rain so much in LA.

I went out with a bunch of my girl friends on Friday night to a cool lounge in Malibu.  Unfortunately the lounge was pretty dead and I forgot my camera, but we all got dressed up cute and had fun chatting.  I took my outfit pictures after I got home.  You can't see it well in the pictures, but the t-shirt is sheer enough to see the lace of the body suit thru it.  I definitely dressed very sexy!

T-shirt, body suit, and skirt: American Apparel

Jacket: Delia's (from high school!)

Shoes: Target

Jewelry: Forever 21

Earrings: The Icing

I got my new sundress from American Eagle in the mail today!  I love it!  I tried on the style in another pattern in the store, and they ordered me this one with free shipping.  Great customer service.  And no, I did not actually wear this today.  It was chilly and rainy in so-called sunny LA.  For reference, I'm normally an 8 or 10, and this is an 8.  The straps are removable and adjustable.  It does stay up strapless, but I have a large bust.  Also, on the model online it's much shorter.  I'm 5'1" and it hits just above my knees.

Dress: American Eagle

Headband: American Apparel

Shoes: Nine West

Waiting On Karma Pie

For anyone that has seen the movie Waitress, you'll understand.  Today I just needed to make a pie.  This is a combination of a cherry pie recipe, my mom's crumble topping, and chocolate.  Because every bad day needs chocolate.

Waiting on Karma Pie (aka Chocolate Cherry Almond Pie)

2 bags frozen tart cherries (approx. 5 cups)
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 frozen deep dish pie crust
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped almonds
8 teaspoons flour
6 tablespoons brown sugar

Place cherries in medium saucepan and place over heat. Cover. After the cherries lose considerable juice, which may take a few minutes, remove from heat. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cornstarch together. Pour this mixture into the hot cherries and mix well. Return the mixture to the stove and cook over low heat until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and let cool. If the filling is too thick, add a little water, too thin, add a little more cornstarch.


Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Pour cooled cherry mixture into the crust. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter.  Cover crust edge with foil.
Bake for about 20 minutes. 
While baking, mix together 2 tablespoons butter, almonds, flour, and brown sugar.
Remove pie, top with chocolate then crumble topping.
Bake for about another 30 minutes until topping is set.
Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool.

My luck lately (ie the last month or so) has sucked.  There's no nice way of putting it.  Things are so far from going my way it's not even funny.

On a related note, I bought a few days of "The Fresh Diet" on Groupon.  It's horrid.  Out of 3 weeks, they've only actually delivered food once.  (And the food that day was bad...made me sick.)  Whatever you do, don't waste your money with them!!!  They're awful.  I thoroughly regret wasting my money on it.  I would have been better off throwing the money in the trash.  More details to come...I even have pictures of the offending food.  I'll try to wait and review it after I receive all the days I paid for...if that ever happens.