12/30/11

Fashionable Fixings...Day 4

This...a gift from me!  I am notorious for my eye being caught by other's fashion and style.  Then, trying to recreate it from my own closet.  Sometimes though you just need something new to complete the wardrobe.  I have been on the hunt for new brown boots for over a year now.  When I get in my head what I am looking for I won't settle, even if it takes forever to find it.  That's because I want to own it forever.

Last week at work a client came in wearing the boots that I was meant to have!  Of course I pounced on her to find out where she got them and how long ago she got them.  My fingers were crossed that she purchased them this season in hopes I would still be able to find them.  Just as luck would have it she had only gotten them a few weeks ago at DSW, it's as if it was a Christmas miracle!

I rushed home that night and dug deep through about 50 pages of boots on the DSW website only to find they were sold out of my size.  I didn't give up, these were the ones, we were meant to be together.  I could just feel it in my gut that we would have a long and happy life together!  An hour of Google searching later Piperlime was the matchmaker that finally brought us together.

A lady in the fashion of life doesn't give up on what she knows it is meant be...
Here they are, my new love.  The MIA Xara Riding boot...it's the seem on the top with the heightened cuff on the outside that stole my heart.
MIA Xara Riding Boot





12/29/11

Fashionable Fixings...Day 3

This one will touch the heart of all you foodies out there who are on a constant hunt for new recipes and things of the such.  My other aunt is the cook of all cooks!  She is a lady in fashion of life who know how to be creative in the kitchen, cook for parties of dozens and make us all happy with her dashes of spice!

She was quite generous this season when for Christmas she shared with us all two of her most famous homemade treats.  Everyone in our family received in cute holiday packages her biscotti and croutons made from scratch!

Also, she was kind enough to disclose the recipes for my blog readers!



Chocolate Biscotti
1 cup whole blanched almonds 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup cocoa
4 Tablespoon butter 2 tsp. baking pdr. 1 tsp. Vanilla 1 ½ tsp almond extract
½ tsp. Baking soda ½ tsp salt 2 eggs flour
Some egg white lightly beaten
Toast the almonds in skillet  [sometimes I use raw macadamia nuts and do not use almond extract but increase the vanilla]
Mix the sugar, cocoa [I use unsweetened Ghiradeli] butter, eggs salt, extracts, and soda.
Stir in 1 cup of flour and the almonds.  Then add about another ½ cup of flour.  [This is pretty sticky dough]
Flour your hands and shape into 2 loaves about 8 inches by 2 inches.  I put these on parchment and brush them with a slightly beaten egg white.  Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes at 350 o.
Remove them and cool for 10 minutes.  Turn oven down to 300o.  Cut with a serrated knife and place them on their sides and bake again at 300 o for about 10 minutes.  Let them dry out more if needed
Basic Almond Biscotti
2 to 4 T butter [I use 2] about 2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs 1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp almond extract 3/4 cup sliced almonds
1 egg white, lightly beaten
Oven at 350 degrees
Beat the butter, sugar, eggs and extract until creamy
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and almonds.  Add the
egg mixture to the flour mixture, mixing until a dough is formed.  [It is a dry dough]
Divide the dough in half.  With floured hands, form each piece into a flattish
log about 10 inches long and 2 inches wide.  Brush each log with egg
white. Place on a 10 inch by 15 inch cookie sheet.  [I put them on parchment]
Bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let
cool for 5 minutes
Reduce oven to 300 degrees. On a cutting board, cut logs diagonally into 3/4
inch wide slices.  Arrange cut-side down on the cookie sheet and bake 10
minutes.



I use a sour dough bread, my favorite is day old St. Paul sourdough from CafĂ© Latte, but is rarely available unless you buy it fresh these days.  TJ’s has a San Francisco type that is sliced and I use that too, it’s inexpensive.  I simply butter one side and sprinkle with garlic powder and canned parmesan cheese, turn it over and do the same to the other site.  Cut in cubes and toast in the oven at 350 turning once in awhile until they are done. Store in frig. Because of butter and cheese.

12/28/11

Fashionable Fixings...Day 2

The next gift given to highlight this Christmas in fashion was from my aunt who is alway the hostess with mostest.  It never fails that when the holidays come around she is fully prepared to dazzle us with the in trend hosting goo-gas and gadgets.  We are never with out holiday poppers (a British tradition, which none of us are British, we have never been to Britain, I don't know how this started) and lovely place settings.

This year she has begun a love affair with Anthropology, and I am not complaining.  One, because I am liking the threads she is donning these days.  Two, we got these great mugs as place cards at the Christmas dinner table.

They were filled with candies, treats and special things to spread the cheer!  Each of us got one with our initial on it, how lovely.

She is a lady in the fashion of life who knows how to warm the home and hearts of those who visit!

12/27/11

Fashionable Fixings...Day 1

I have to showcase my top gifted fashionables this Christmas.  Number one received was from my forever in trend mother.  I must confess that my eye for style and love for what's in vogue was passed down from her.  She has worked in the industry for longer than I have been alive!

This women has a closet just for her purses, one for dresses and skirts, one for sweaters (in which there is an amazing collection of vintage ski sweaters that I covet), and another for what's left over.  I can't even begin to discuss her boot collection, that could be a month of blogs in its self.

One piece she has acquired is this amazing black leather wallet with gold hardware.  For the past year every time she pulled it out of a purse of hers (a purse I am sure I wanted), I threatened to steal it from her.  And when I got a great purse that was black with gold how could I not want it.  It would match perfectly!

My mother is of course a lady in the fashion of life, and realized she had live her time with the wallet.  This Christmas Eve I unwrapped a present of sacrifice from her and it was the wallet...



I love it!!!! Thank you mom, I love you too!!!

12/26/11

Stuffed Stocking and Stuffed Tummies...

My holiday was nothing short of amazement.  This year I had a true joy for my family, close friends, and the memories we create together.  I was able to watch children open presents from Santa, adults get gifts from loved ones and me give to others what has been given to me...generosity.

This past year my mind and heart have been hyper aware of how others welcome me into their homes and provide a sense of belonging.  I would be no where near the place I am at in my life with out the relationships I have with those around me.

In the words of Cindy Lou Who "...no one should be alone on Christmas."

And btw, my family nickname is Lindsey Lou Who...

This next year my heart is pressed to pay that forward.  I have learned of too many stories in which some have lost those around them or never had them at all.  And trust me I have plenty of family to share!  My fortune has been given to me in a large loving family where stories, photos, memories, etc. are abundant.  Don't get me wrong... We have our times that belong in a quirky, feel good, seasonal, holiday movie about a dysfunctional family where their craziness can only make you laugh, it makes us laugh too!  However the company we provide can not be replaced and we are so much dang fun!

A lady in the fashion of life knows how to give what she receives.

Merry Christmas everyone!


Ya...that's my tree.  

12/22/11

More...More...More...

SPARKLE!  We are continuing to grab, pull, and get together holiday outfits where we mimic some of our favorite ladies in the pages of magazines or Pinterest!  Here is one of my top accessories to whip out that can make the look complete.  A sequin purse like this makes it easy dress the rest of your self because you can keep it pretty simple.

Don't be discouraged when shopping for such a piece and can't find exactly what you are envisioning.  You can see this one here is really a cross body clutch and I simply made it a hand clutch as I wanted...





 Purse - Salvation Army

***For you gals living in Mpls it is actually from the Target Salvation Army!  For you gals not in Mpls this is a special Salvation Army in downtown Mpls where Target takes their samples and odds and ends.  Makes you want to come and visit me huh...!

12/20/11

Rad Plaid...

As we all get ready to pick out our holiday outfits I am always drawn to the classic tartans and plaids.  Here is one of my favs.  If we ever get snow here in Mpls and have a white Christmas you will see me around town in the Frye boots and sans the suede heels...







Shirt - American Eagle Outfitters
Skirt - American Eagle Outfitters

12/19/11

Holidazzle Razzle...

Here in Minneapolis we have a grand holiday tradition of the Holidazzle Parade.  The parade route is downtown and runs Thanksgiving through Christmas.  When attending it is often paired with a trip to Macy's in hopes to be stunned by the holiday window display and swept into a fantasy by the 8th floor holiday storybook display.

This is a great family activity and lends its self to........

Frozen toes because the parade is at night, crowded streets because hundreds of people come each night to see it, crowed department store halls because you must do shopping while you are there, tired kids that are cranky because they are up way past their bedtime, and grumpy dads and crabby moms because they deal with all of this.

Sounds like fun! Let's go!

However, a lady in the fashion of life takes this all in stride because she knows the memories that will be made and pictures that will last a lifetime.  Also she can wear her new faux fur vest!!!





12/15/11

I'm Blazen...

I have so many blazers and "third piece" jackets that I had to place a rolling rack in my room to store them. They fit in no closet!  

What I hear most often when I am working with clients is that they feel a blazer doesn't fit in any outfit either.  The just can't figure it out, which drives me nuts!  A FEW GOOD BLAZERS ARE A MUST.  A lady in the fashion of life should have the following...

1. Navy Wool Blazer
2. Grey Tweed Blazer
3. Black Jacket
4. One For Fun (any printed or brightly colored blazer/jacket)

This is a great way to wear one.  Stayed tuned and I will outfit the rest!



Skirt - J.Crew



12/13/11

String Me Up...

Recently my girlfriend sent me this picture....from Pinterest obviously!


Because she knows my love for pearls...  

It's a timeless love that never fails me or lets me down.  This is a look that I would totally wear and in fact I have been seen wearing this accessory madness before.  Some are haters some are lovers...

What are you?


       








12/12/11

Fancy Pants Dinner...

Well I guess I didn't really wear fancy pants, but I did wear a fancy shirt and ate a fancy dinner...

My dear friends from college were in town this weekend and we caught up on life, love and all it's mysteries at 112 Eatery downtown MPLS!  They serve food there that will change your life.  There is no wrong order when dinning in this small, dimly lit, swanky joint.  All though our desserts were nothing to send back to the kitchen they can't compare to my friend Julie's bakery treats, who I had dinner with!

She is a must check out...


So now for that fancy shirt...


***New Feature***
Suggested by a follower, when I list the items worn in the post the listing will be a link to the website where you can purchase the items shown.  This will be included when what I am wearing is current or the brand is selling something similar.



12/9/11

I Was Framed!!!

Crafty is not what I was, maybe what I am becoming, but definitely not what I am...yet!  Because of our good ol' friend Pinterest my aspirations are growing.  But I am finding it difficult to make the time to craft because I am spending about 2 hours a day on Pinterest looking at crafts others have done that I want to do! Please someone tell me they can relate, I know you're out there...

Which by the way if you are not following me on Pinterest yet or have not checked it out there is a convenient link there to your right...

Here is my recent inspiration that I did this week.  I have a large painted canvas, that I did paint my self thank you very much!  It was done with the assistance of my gifted friend Megan Moore who is an artist, check it out...



I haven't felt like the painting owned the space, it never had a sense to belong there.  But I like there, so I decided to stencil a frame around it.  Now it looks like it's meant to be there...



Before

After

With the Bedding



12/8/11

Gin and Tonic...

We all have holiday happy hours coming around the corners of life and what's a girl to wear.  That is the everyday question of this blog, but everyday there is an answer!

And today is no different...

What I love in this look is that you have the classic black trouser pant and it makes any outfit conservative enough for the office.  The shine in the blouse is little more fun but the cut and the color make it work day wearable.  And remember you celebrating after work so you want to have something a little jazzy on.

After 5 o'clock add the faux fur collar and you are ready to walk over to Brit's, The Local, or any cocktail joint. 

 A lady in the fashion of life knows how to go from day to night!





Fur Collar - Loft
Blouse - Loft
Pant - Loft



12/7/11

I Love they Way You Smile...

Okay here is the deal, when people are all like..."I love your smile”..." your teeth are so great”...blah blah blah.  I say thank you because a proper lady in the fashion of life knows how to take a compliment in grace.  But really, what I am thinking is you can have this too...it’s totally fake!
This is what you spend on.  A Sonicare Toothbrush ladies and gents.  Believe me, those adds ain’t a lying; you do have that “just left the dentist” clean.  And I drink about a pot coffee a day, never skip a daily Diet Coke, and me and red wine are old friends that catch up frequently.  When you have a special occasion, or need to take pictures for your new on line dating profile (let’s get real, I’ve been there...multiple times) there is no need to fork over 50 bucks on a bleaching kit, or even more sometimes.
So now they can be a little pricy, for a girl or guy on a budget.  But spend on this and here is where you can save.....
I just love me some Target Whitening Mouth Rinse and Arm and Hammer Toothpaste.  Nothing I say or suggest isn’t something I haven’t tried my self.  You be the judge, here are the results in image.



12/5/11

Pizza with Pizzazz...

What did I do this weekend and what did I wear...?

Good question, I went on another first date!  This time out for dinner to Pizza Luce.  We did have a mini snow explosion here this weekend but, a lady in the fashion of life doesn't dress dowdy even when the skies are.




Shirt - Loft
Tank - American Eagle Outfitters
Jeans - Gap
Shoes - Old Navy


12/2/11

Fly Me Away...

I am always caught in a peril when I think about what outfit I should wear when traveling.  Do I go for the whimsical, yet pulled together, cute, casual, comfy look.  Or do I feel more sophisticated this trip and I would like to dress like a first class traveler.  
Uggh, this actually all goes to crap when my flight is at 6 am, I have be there by 5 am, picked up by 430 am, so awake by 4 am at the latest.  Forget the outfit, I am lucky to get my teeth brushed, hair pulled back, and run through the list one more time to make sure I didn’t forget my undies or worse my blow dryer or curling iron!!
So what did I do when I took my little booty on a flight to Boston with one of my besties for my restie (life that would be)?  
Hi poncho, nice to meet you!  I wore this great knit black poncho with an oversized men’s white dress shirt under it and black leggings.  Last to tag along on the adventure across country were my beaten up gray Chucks, they are easy to get on and off at security.  A lady in the fashion of life never holds up a line at the airport because she can’t get her boots off to go through the metal detector.








Poncho - J.Crew
Shirt - J.Crew (men's)
Leggings - J.Crew
Shoes - Chuck Taylor




11/24/11

Thank You for Vintage...

Okay... throwback packaging is not exclusive to football jerseys or soda cans, come on ladies let's get on the bandwagon.  I want to be packaged in a vintage look too!!!

I love the lines, the cuts, the colors and patterns of fashions from days gone by.  My favorite of course being the 70's.  High waisted a-line skirts with a good boot are my top picks.

A lady in the fashion of life know here style inspiration...

What better time of the year to adorn this style than the fall...
And what better holiday to create the look than Thanksgiving!






Sweater - Loft
Necklace - Bitten
Skirt - J.Crew
Boots - J.Crew



11/17/11

Geeky Glam Holiday...

With the season now being upon us and recently posting a pic of a sequin skirt (Sequin + Garment = Holiday Ready...), I am in the mood for the razzle dazzle of the holidays.  

I love mixing together looks that you wouldn't normally pair.  This outfit is like seeing the fashionista eating lunch with the bookwormy science girl in the cafeteria!  Which really... I kinda see my self as both of those characters anyways.  And a lady in the fashion of life would eat lunch with any gal pal!

So hop to it, be a glam gal and an intellect!  Wear gold brocade and penny loafers at the same time.  Don't forget the glass though because you wouldn't be able to read that copy of The Bell Jar you carry around or your recent issue of InStyle.





Glasses - American Eagle Outfitters
Shirt - J.Crew
Jeans - Old Navy
Shoes - Bass Co.



11/15/11

We're Safe...The Post Doesn't Come on Sundays...

This week's spend v. save comes at you from a different angle, or perspective if that makes you feel more comfortable.  I gotta tell you, in the past month and a half I have had the chance to be let into people's lives and their emotions as they are experiencing them.  It is a scary thing to be a part of sometimes, and a sensitive place to be with people.  

More and more my goal everyday is let people know it's safe with me.  Tell me how you feel, tell me how you wish you felt, tell me how you don't want to feel, and tell me all the things in between.  This is how we need to spend our time with each other.  Creating relationships that are adding value and connection, it might just save us.  

We are all human and we need to stop being embarrassed about it because it won't ever change.  We are  not formulas or mathematical equations.  We are more like a 400 level pshyc class rather than honors calc.  No spread sheet will explain what runs through our heads and hearts.

What we can also do it spend time recognizing each other and supporting each other in humble ways.  I love the hand written note that is sent and received via US Mail!  Besides the  thought being kind we need to save the USPS from going bankrupt.

A lady in the fashion of life always has stationary on hand!  I love to shop the dollar zone at Target.  This is what I have found there for cards before and now they have great holiday greeting cards.  Stock up and share with others!


11/11/11

Why So Snoodie...

I love me the snood!!!  I just can't get a enough.  Really it's the perfect substitution for a scarf, and sorry
but I am moving past the scarf!  I need a new love and the snood
is the perfect rebound.  Plus it adds the right amount of sophistication to go to a
book reading at the downtown library in Minneapolis!


What....!  Yes that is what I did and this is what I wore.

I went to Talk of the Stacks sponsored MPR.  The presenter was Will Hermes
reading from his novel Love Goes to Buildings on Fire.
It was great and I recommend linking to his site and checking out his deal.
Loved it!







Snood Shirt - Loft
Blouse - J.Crew
Leggings - J.Crew
Boots - Frye

11/10/11

Sequins+Garment=Holiday Ready

I love to create and I get inspired by others frequently!  Some of my favorite fashion motivators are Pinterest, InStyle, store catalogs  and everyday women.  Every once in a while I love to make what I see happen.  It almost seems like a fashion challenge, on a budget, because I can't buy anything new.  Here is one of my experiments of late...

Seriously get a sequin skirt TODAY!  It is so fun to wear and you feel so glam.






Blazer - American Eagle
Tak - J.Crew
Skirt - Forever 21
Boots - Banana Republic

11/8/11

Work It Out...

 Spend v. Save


Oh gosh, those pretty little things at the gym wearing Lululemon, pooh!  I love Lululemon, they participate in their communities, they empower women, they encourage healthy lifestyle, and all other feel good things in your heart.  I however really really really love Target because they have weekly ad sales, clearance merchandise, inexpensive apparel, and I can buy tampons and milk at the same time!  Say what....!
Here’s the deal, as you can gather I am a girl on a budget.  I want to look cute too when I am at the gym as a single lady, but I can not afford the Lulu.  What does float my boat is a $10 dollar tank and pair of shorts at Target, that’s where I save a bundle on my fitness wardrobe.  Trust me it is durable clothing and comfortable.  I have run 5 marathons, 4 half marathons, and 1 duathlon wearing this stuff!  And I have felt cute and colorful doing it.  I love love love their neon tees and tanks the most!!!  They make you easy to spot on race day for the friends and family who are coming to support and cheer you on.
This is were I choose to spend, my Asics running shoes.  They cost about $100 each time but they will make or break your performance.  You have to have proper work out shoes that support, cushion and fit you right.  I completely recommend getting your shoes at a specialty store.  Here they observe and analyze your foot to make sure you get in the right pair.  A lady in the fashion of life always has the right pair of shoes.

Nothing I say or suggest isn’t something I haven’t tried my self.  You be the judge, here are the results in image.
Twin Cities Marathon 2011




After the Finish Line!