Monday, January 31, 2011

Project Preview


wig: savvysheitels.com // t-shirt: old navy // jacket: it's a wrap // skirt: thrifted and altered // boots: steve madden via marshalls

Here is a little preview of a refashion that I'm in the middle of right now. I will put up a step by step tutorial when it's completed. It's great for an ill fitting but nice material t-shirt. Every time I wear one of these that I made before my mom feels the need to point out to everyone we meet that I made it myself and that she thinks I should sell them.

My Rug Has A Hobby

My rug has a hobby, collecting dust. Every few days I steal his whole collection and he starts over from the begining. Today was one of those days.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Jones Design Company


I just discovered the blog Jones Design Company. It's one of those blogs that you just can't stop reading and looking at all the beautiful pictures, so you just continue reading all the old posts until someone desperately needs you or kicks you off the computer. She did a gorgeous faux wall paper in her office and a tutorial for these beautiful yet simple baby hair clips. You should totally check out her blog if you haven't heard of it yet.

1 Year of Parents Magazine for FREE!



You may have already seen this site before, but I just purchased 1 voucher for One-Year Subscription to Parents Magazine. It is a great deal and 5% of the price goes to your school:

$5 for one full year of Parents Magazine ($10 value) or save 60% on two full years at Mamapedia

Here are directions on how to get it for free (or $1 if you already have a Mamapedia account)

Friday, January 28, 2011

'Chocolate Cheerios'

This morning I woke up to freezing cold tiny toes poking me in the back (at about 6am). What Can I say not the most pleasant way to wake up. Then the toes proceeded to continue poking me and crawling on top of me to poke me from all sides. That's what A does when she wakes up in the morning, usually she will take a break to watch some Barney while she eats her cereal, but not this morning. Its hard for me to keep my eyes open for more then 2 minutes if it's before 7am so that it the time we call "wake up time." When A is allowed to tell mommy "wake up now mommy and get me more chocolate cheerios."

In our house we call Multi-Grain Cheerios 'Chocolate Cheerios' I don't know how it happened, but it did. At my last trip to a chain grocery store I saw actual 'Chocolate Cheerios!' When did they start making those?

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Morning Rush


wig: aura geneva from www.savvywigs.com // t-shirt: made by me // purple tank: papaya // skirt: gifted and hemmed by me // boots: steve madden via marshalls abt 4 yrs ago

I got dressed in a hurry this morning running to bring my daughter to school and on days when I don't think about about getting dressed this is one of those a combination I find myself grabbing for quite often, it's comfortable and I can get out the door fast.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

New Frames A Sale & More


I always forget to take before pictures, but this time I was so sure that I already had one, turns out I didn't. So its just a picture of how I redid the pictures in my living room. I know the couch is messy but i didn't feel like fixing it up for the picture. They are all dollar store frames except for the 2 scrolly looking ones. they are Umbra frames that were on sale at Bed Bath & Beyond for $1.25!!

I came into my bedroom and found E holding my box of pins. This is what happens whne you forget to move everything to the middle of the table after finishing your sewing. At least he didn't hurt himself, he got very upset when I took them away.

wig: aura from www.savvysheitels.com // top: made by me // skirt: gap via it's a wrap ($2 and worn on the show dexter) // belt: it's a wrap // shoes: nine west // socks: target kids department

scarf: www.savvysheitels.com // t-shirt: made by me // skirt: land's end thrifted // shoes: banana republic // socks: target kids department // earrings: banana republic

We went shopping on Sunday and Banana Republic was having a sale 50% off sale items, you should go check it out. There were lots of beautiful stuff at very reasonable prices.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Sorry for the slow posting. I've been busy. (I am posting this while walking to school) We are car hunting & i rehung living room pics. Reveal soon!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Date Night


jacket: miss sixty via overstock.com // top: made by me // skirt:h&m // boots: steve madden

Yesterday we went to the Beverly Center and when walking around in H&M I saw so many things that I liked. However as things usually go I didn't buy anything there. I liked the overall look of many of the outfits paired on the mannequins but the individual pieces just wouldn't work for me. This outfit was inspired by those looks. I'm very happy to see that stripes are back in for spring and the classic American style.
After we put the kids to bed my husband and I went on date. We saw No Strings Attached which was the perfect movie to keep my husband and me both entertained. After we went to La SeIne (on Restaurant Row). We sat at the bar this time and while sitting there I thought I saw Alex from Top Chef Season 7. Well yes it was him, Alex Reznik is the chef at La SeIne. You probably remember him as the chef from the infamous pea puree incident. On the show I didn't really like him. He was one of those people I kept on thinking "and why is he still here, kick him off!" (I know they edit the shows to get you to like and dislike certain contestants.) Now that I have eaten his food I think of him differently. I mean I'm no Top Chef, but I did think the food was good even before I knew there was a fancy chef there.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

When my sister and I were in high school we found this incredible chocolate chip cookie recipe. It is so good that it's still my go to recipe for chocolate chip cookies. The recipe I'm talking about is the Neiman Marcus Cookie recipe. You know that famous one with the crazy story about a woman who was at their little cafe and asked for the recipe she was told it would cost her $250 and she thought they meant $2.50. When she got the bill in the mail she decided to sue them. I'm sure this story never happened (some people say it was at Neiman Marcus and some say Mrs. Feild's). However because of this story Neiman Marcus has their recipe on their website.
Recently my husband and I decided we are not eating anymore white wheat, only whole wheat. I made these cookies with King Arthur White Whole Wheat and they came out perfect, soft and chewy.



Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds)

2. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds.

3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips.

4. Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie.

Yield: 2 dozen cookies

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Miracle Days: A Purim Shpiel

My kids could watch this video all day long. If I hum a little bit of the song they both start singing along and bopping their heads.


Visit Jewish.TV for more Jewish videos.

What songs are your kids obsessed with right now?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Jean Paul Gaultier For $1


wig: savvywigs.com // t-shirt: gap resized // skirt: jean paul gaultier (& roughed up a bit) // shoes: reebok via tj maxx // sunnies: thrifted

I bought these sunnies yesterday at my local thrift store while sifting through the bin of glasses. Sometimes you can find real treasures in those bins of dirty looking stuff. These are really comfortable and best part they were $3. Wearing them make me feel ready for the summer (the white rims) especially with all this 80 degree weather we are having in the middle of January.
I got a package from my mother yesterday and it had this skirt in it. My mom likes to shop (that's putting it mildly). She is a master bargain shopper and one of the places she frequents (especially when they are having a $1 sale) is called Opitz Outlet. At Opitz they have samples from showrooms and return and rejects from designers and department stores. This skirt had a snakelike chain sewn to the longest parts of the skirt on either side, but the chain was broken. There is also a loop on the bum of the skirt. Try as I might I just can't figure out how it was meant to be worn (I cut off the chain).


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Resizing Tutorial

This is how I resize t-shirts, sweaters, cardigans etc... it works for everything.
First take the garment you want to resize and lay it flat. Make sure that there are no wrinkles on the bottom side of the fabric. This sweater is my husbands and was just a bit to baggy all around.

Then take another sweater that fits properly and lay it out on top of the first sweater.

Trace along the edge of the sleeves and mark the difference with some tailors chalk (I like to use this form of chalk, it just make me feel more 'authentic' i don't know how else to put it)

Then pin the fabric off to one side of the chalk line, so that the fabric will stay in place and not move around when you sew it.

Sew on the chalk line.

Fold in half to make sure both sides are even.

Cut off the extra fabric. Turn inside out and then you are done!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Real Homes, Real Messes, Real Life… Link Party



wig: www.savvywigs.com // t-shirt: made by me // cardigan: target thrifted // skirt: lands end thrifted // shoes: nine west

It's about 80 degrees outside today so that got me all inspired to dress more summery. It doesn't really make sense to me that it could be 80 degrees in January, I grew up in Minnesota, but that's LA and I love it!

I'm linking up to Decor Chick's Real Homes, Real Messes, Real Life… Link Party


and since for the life of me I can't figure out how to do the whole linking button thing here is a link to the Real Homes, Real Messes, Real Life… Link Party

It seemed kind of counter productive to me to be taking pictures of my mess rather then cleaning it up, but since on a regular day I have to bribe myself to wash the dishes, i now have an excuse not do do them. I need to take picture of my dirty dishes and upload them to my blog yay!
First up my kid's room/ storage room

my desk (my son has a runny nose so there are lots of tissues around this place)

he is also going through the stage where playing with toys mean just dumping everything on the floor

dirty dishes etc...

and yes this is my bedroom (the laundry is all clean) we had to go searching for matching socks before school this morning


After seeing all the other posts of real (messy) homes my neat freak self feels less guilty and more 'normal' about the everyday state of my apartment at the moment.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Fishy the 3rd


scarf: vintage echo (it's a favorite) // t-shirt: gap (i resized it, tutorial on that coming soon) // skirt: gap // crocs: gifted

Last night my husband left for Vegas with one of his friends. They went for his birthday (which was last week) and will be back tomorrow morning. I took the kids to Petco this morning to look at the fish (my daughter finds this very entertaining) and of course I ended up buying a fish. Every time I am on my own with the kids for the whole day Sunday I end up going to Petco and looking at the fish and most time we buy one. In the past it has always been a goldfish, but this time my daughter told me that she didn't want a goldfish she wanted a purple one. We didn't get a purple fish, we got a turquoise one, but it was with her approval. The pictures don't do our new fishy justice, he is quite a beauty. And yes his name will probably be 'fishy' (just like our last 2 fish) my daughter has not yet reached the stage where she can actually think of a real name. So I present to you Fishy the 3rd.

Singin Ay O Spin The Dreidel

I know that Chanukkah was almost 2 months ago but I still can't seem to get this song out of my head.



What song do you find yourself singing non-stop?

Friday, January 14, 2011

Thrifty Finds


The white thing (I have no idea what it is) was $4. It's just so beautifully detailed and looks to me like it would make a gorgeous doll bed someday, that I couldn't leave it there. I bought three books at $2 a piece and True Believer by Nicholas Sparks for $3. I also bought some t-shirts for my son but those were already on the way to the wash by the time I took this picture. Lastly the beautiful wooden pedestal tray was a curbside find!! Saw it right across the street from my apartment building when I came home from shopping (I ran to grab it). It just need a bit of sanding down (there is one gouge out of the top) and maybe a coat of spray paint depending on the look I decide to go for.
Have you found any treasures at the thrift store recently?

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Artistic Abilities


This was the result when I gave my 15 month old son a paper and a crayon for the first time.

"So Pretty Mommy"


wig: savvywigs.com // top: one girl who (thrifted) // skirt: thrifted // boots: steve madden via marshalls (abt 4 yrs ago)

Last time I wore this top my daughter spent the whole morning telling me that I was "So pretty mommy" and "You buy your shirt mommy?" This time nothing. I guess she got bored of it already, well I didn't. You can't really tell from the picture (and yes I know it's a horrible quality picture, but for some reason I really like this one and that's why I'm using it) but the stripes on my top are gold and green. Yes that's right gold and yet in all the pictures I took they looked like a pale creamy sort of color.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Decor Chick

Decor Chick just did another mater bedroom redo which I think is very sophisticated and its inspiring me to redo somethings in my own room (if only I could paint) go check it out here. She is also hosting a giveaway for Olive Bungalow jewelry. They have some really beautiful items check them out here and check out her giveaway here.

Happy Birthday Husband


Yes the photo is a bit blurry but I like it because you can see the joy in my daughter's face at the thought of chocolate cupcakes. She is completely obsessed with birthdays so tonight was very exciting for her.
I took a regular chocolate cupcake recipe (I just googled it, but I can't remember which recipe I ended up using) and made an incredible topping with some red wine, blackberries and dark chocolate. You can taste the alcohol in the topping (it's subtle and I made sure the piece I gave my daughter didn't have a lot of the topping) and the blackberry seeds give some nice texture. The one thing that really takes it to the next level is the chocolate. I used Trader Joe's dark chocolate chips (non-dairy) the quality of their chocolate chips (and for that price) is great, it's better then any other chocolate chips I've tasted before (I'm sure there is better quality out there, but not so sure about better within the Kosher variety.)

Just a BTW the adorable candelabra birthday candle holder was found at Target in the clearance section.

Work Out Clothing



wig: savvysheitels.com // t-shirt: o.c. designs (local shop) // skirt: made by me // scarf/vest thing: made by me also worn here // leggings: forever21 // shoes: reebok via tjmaxx (about 4 yrs ago)

Thinking of Having Kids?

One of my friends posted this on facebook and it was so hysterical I just had to post it here.

Thinking of Having Kids? Do this 11 step program first! by Brenna Gray Foster

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.

2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.

3. Go home.

4. Pick up the paper.

5. Read it for the last time.


Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...

1. Methods of discipline.

2. Lack of patience.

3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.

4. Allowing their children to run wild.

5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...

1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)

2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.

3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.

4. Set the alarm for 3AM.

5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.

6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.

7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.

8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.

9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? T o find out...

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.

2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.

3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.

4. Then rub them on the clean walls.

5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.

6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.

2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.
Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.

Leave it there.

2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.

3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.

4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.

2. Make a small hole in the side.

3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.

4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.

5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.

6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.
You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say 'it's all worth it!' Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!

4 Years





on me wig: savvysheitels.com // dress: gifted // cardigan: the limited // scarf: made by me

Saturday was our 4th anniversary and we went out for dinner last night to celebrate. We went to this new kosher restaurant on Restaurant Row on La Cienega, it's called La SeIne and it just opened a few weeks ago. The food and the ambiance was great, it was unlike any other restaurant I've been to before. Kosher restaurants usually feel like an imitation of the real thing (French cuisine cooked by an American chef) but this place felt authentic (there really is no other way to describe it). There was a great woodsy sort of scent when you first walk in that might have something to do with the wood plank ceilings and cute little fireplaces separating the rooms. There were also cute couches and poufs arranged in different seating areas and a bar that also served sushi. For some reason every restaurant nowadays feels like they have to serve sushi. I don't agree with this. We did order one roll of sushi which didn't look or taste like sushi but it did taste great. All in all it was a beautiful evening out.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Fancy Lady



wig: savvysheitels.com // t-shirt: papaya // cardigan: target // skirt: land's end thrifted // shoes: steve madden via ross

I didn't actually wear those heals the whole day, sometimes I like to put on a pair of heals when I'm washing the dishes (the higher the heal, the better). I will also sometimes put on bright red lipstick. It may seem a little crazy but it just makes the whole experience more fun. Wearing a pair of 3 inch heals while you are washing the dishes can take away the tediousness of it. I don't know about you but washing dishes every day really gets to me and I try to push it off as much as I can. If I add something fun to the experience (like the heals and lipstick) it can kinda take me to a different place. It makes me feel like a fancy lady. Of course after I collapse on the couch and rub my feet for a few minutes before I go put my crocs back on.
Do any of you ever do stuff like that when doing your housework? (If there is anyone else who reads this blog...)

Sunday, January 9, 2011

At Least I Put on Makeup





t-shirt: o.c. designs // sleeveless hoodie: juicy couture // skirt: thrifted // crocs: gifted // beret: parkhurst via savvysheitels.com
daughter's headband: made by me
I was wearing something else for the majority of the day and had just changed. I also had not planned on posting pictures today as I didn't completely get dressed and all that. At least I put on makeup.

Giveaway!

Tessa from Totally Tessa is having a giveaway for a gorgeous infinity scarf. Go check out her blog to see what its all about.
www.totallytessa.com

Friday, January 7, 2011

Frustration



Wig: SavvySheitels.com // Cardigan & Skirt: Thrifted // Shirt: O.C. Designs (local shop) // Boots: Steve Madden via Marshalls


I'm frustrated with about a dozen different things, people and scenarios right now. Least of which is the fact that I can't take a normal picture of myself. I think I need to find a different room to take my pictures in.
I am only posting the very blurry picture because the colors are closer to real life in that photo. Although it all depends on your monitor so it doesn't really matter and anyways that is dependent on other people reading this blog besides for myself and since its probably just me well I'm fine the the blurry photo.