2 Girlies, 1 Dress: Chevron Wrap

 Dress: All Work & Play Wrap Dress by Kiyonna (size 0 for Kate & 4 for me) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Bandolino, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Christine Wallace, gift from Kate

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this dress 2 Saturdays in a row...then bought it. I nearly sent it back, but then the girlie told me it was on its way to her & we have not worn the same dress since May! Obviously...I love this dress...great wrap & length...but really...it's all about the pattern & colors...shades of pink, red, burgundy, black, & coral in this fabulous chevron print & wonderfully textured fabric. I felt this Kiyonna fit me slightly smaller than that brand usually does, but mostly it felt tight in the arms. Otherwise, stunning. 

Kate & I are laughing or being silly in most of these pictures...above, we are making fun of me because I kept thinking I was going to fall while walking out to this location. While I love this abandoned decaying building (that they are restoring)...I'm not sure why I felt it was necessary to trek through the snow to have photos here among the weeds & orange poles. 

The first Saturday I wore this dress was the week David Bowie died. We listened to my favorite album, Ziggy Stardust, at Kate's place (also, Pin-ups, because it was there). She got this record from her dad's collection & we think it is the original 1972 release (my copy is from the 80s). David Bowie was the one for me...stranded on a desert island with only one artist's music...I'd pick David Bowie (followed by Billie Holiday). I discovered him through a book on Andy Warhol at the library...then when I saw this album at a record store in 8th grade...I had to have it...it remains my favorite. David Bowie's always been with me...through the difficult teenage years, he gave me strength to be myself...no matter how ridiculous I wanted to dress or cut & dye my hair. I know his death doesn't take anything away from me...I have his music...but I liked knowing he was out there...happy & having a good life. Still, I am mourning him the way I would a friend. Thank you David Bowie for all the times you've been there for me & the misfits of the world...& for all the gifts you've given to the world of music...none of it would be the same without you. 

The day David took our pictures...Kate & I went to farmers' market, then out to lunch after photos to a brand new restaurant...Banzo Shük. It is my new favorite place...as we were eating, I was dreaming of when we could come again! We shared 2 pitas...the Batata Falafel (sweet potato) & the Seasonal Veggie...O!M!G! SO good! They were amazing together, but if I had to pick one...it was the sweet potato. Delicious. 

What's local? The girlie. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Stila eyeliner in Deep Burgundy; Kat von D eyeshadows in Rewind, Destroyer, Swoon, & Love; MAC lipstick in Dubonnet Amplified, & Skyfall nail polish by OPI. 

The Return of St. Peter's Fish Fry

 Dress: Dominique Dress in Green Paisley by Igigi (size 26/28) via Gwynnie Bee, Try then Buy (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: ?, thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Andiamo, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to work & then out to fish fry. I bought this Igigi dress during a GB sale in December because...paisley! And Igigi. I see this as more blue than green though. This wrap dress is perfect & lovely in every way. 

While waiting in line to get into the basement of the church for fish fry...we are in the hallway of the grade school & there is always something cute that catches my eye...

St. Peter's takes a break after their October fish fry for the holidays, so its been a while...Fish Fry, yay! 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeshadow in Fringe & Urban, Kat von D eyeshadow in Legend, NYX lipstick in Russian Roulette, & O'Hare & Nails Look Great nail polish by OPI. 

Linking to Visible Monday over on Not Dead Yet Style.

One Dress, Two Ways

 Dress: Corina Dress in Sable Pastiche by Igigi (size 26/28) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Pink Cardigan: 

Peach Cardigan: City Chic (size XXL)

Black Tights: Catherines

Peach Tights: We Love Colors

Boots: Fluevog

Shoes: Aariat

Pink Necklace: Wendy Baker

Gold/Black Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Black Button Earring: The Gilded Gypsies

Black Earring: etXarte

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this dress 3 times...to work, Savers 50% off sale (twice), & to cook dinner for Kate. I adored the cut & fit of this dress! Perfection! The defined empire waist, the length, the flow of the skirt, the neckline. Love. However, as beautiful as this scarf-like print was up close...even a few feet away the tiny pattern read as grey & too pastel for me. A bit of googling turned up this dress in aqua tropics as well...I hope they make this available in other fabrics...pretty please?

The first time I wore this frock...I challenged myself to style it outside my comfort zone. Play up the pastels, eek! What do you think? This is my first time wearing this CC cardigan & peach tights...what was I thinking? The cardigan...should it stay or should it go? We had to take photos inside because it was -1 out on this day. A client of ours commented..."you look good in peach...much better than combat boots." Good thing he didn't come in the next day...

This felt more like me...I wanted to wear a black cardigan...but...my clothing situation is such a mess...I couldn't find one! However, this pink cardigan allowed me to wear the lovely pink necklace Wendy so generously gifted to me in honor of my embracing the pink. 

We love Savers 50% off sales! On the first day, David found ~25 pairs of dress pants with the tags still attached...for $5 each. Either someone died, or the guy finally decided...I've had these pants for a decade & I'm never going to get them hemmed. So, I now have a project...learning how to hem pants (I've got one pair done!). I found 8 cardigans, 2 sweaters, a black velvet jacket, blue patent leather shoes, & 2 pairs of velour pants (to wear around the house) for myself...& 2 cardigans for the girlie that I keep forgetting to give her. 

When we went back on MLK day...I found an additional 4 cardigans...

Kate, David, & Rye! I already shared the food pics with you on my last post. This is how we do dinner at our house...

Pretending to read Moby Dick in this marvelous round room full of windows on the Edgewood Collage campus...

We have very few indoor locations with decent lighting & this one only works when school isn't in session. 

My make-up with the peach included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, UD eyeshadow in Fireball, Anastasia eyeshadow in Orange Soda & Black Diamond, NYX lipstick in Hippy Chic, mixed with Bite Beauty's Blood Orange, & Go With the Lava Flow nail polish by OPI. 

The lighting outside is so much nicer...

My make-up with the pink included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, Too Faced eyeshadow in Totally Fetch & Cotton Candy, Anastasia eyeshadow in Black Diamond, a mixture of NYX lipstick in Hippy Chic & Bite Beauty in Cranberry, & OPI nail polish in Go with the Lava Flow. 

Jerusalem: A Cookbook

My plan for 2016 was to pick a different cookbook each month & make meals out of it. January was to be Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi. I tried about a dozen recipes from this book last March before drifting off to other things...oh, look...shiny! For 2 weeks, the majority of our dinners were from this book. However, last Sunday was our final meal as David asked for a break...although both of us enjoyed nearly everything we put in our mouths...it turns out that no matter how delicious something is...you tire of the similar flavor profiles. So, I have to rethink this idea & come up with another way to cook us new & delectable delights. Perhaps a new cookbook each week, coming back to the ones we enjoyed to delve deeper? Still thinking on this. 

I am documenting this here for my own sake, so I will remember what I made & more importantly...what I'd like to make again. The first thing I produced is our favorite from the book, this was my 4th time making it...Chicken with caramelized onion & cardamom rice. The photo on the left is mine & the one on the right is from the cookbook.  I am a huge fan of one pot meals, & this dish is just so comforting & fragrant.

Another comforting chicken dish that I overlooked before because there is no picture...cookbooks should be required to have photos of all the recipes. Chicken sofrito served with roasted cauliflower & hazelnut salad. These were so good together. 

Wheat berries & rainbow chard with pomegranate molasses, delicious! The first time I made this on its own, this time I served it alongside burgers on the grill. 

Grilled fish skewers with hawayej & parsley served with roasted butternut squash & red onion with tahini & za'atar. The fish was nothing special & I wouldn't make it again, but the squash was amazing. 

This next meal was such a failure, we ended up throwing it out. It was edible, but we just weren't into it. Kofta (lamb & beef meatballs) served with a fresh vegetable salad. 

Below...another mind blowing chicken dish (which I substituted for quail). Braised quail with apricots, currants, & tamarind served with brown rice with toasted pine nuts & the most fabulous spinach salad with dates & almonds. I could eat this meal once a week. This is a fantastic salad to make in the winter when the frost sweetened spinach is available at farmers' market. 

Salmon steaks in chraimeh sauce served over Israeli couscous with root vegetable slaw with labneh. Chraimeh sauce is glorious. What a find...I doubled the recipe & bought a baguette for dipping...David licked the pan clean. The root veggie slaw was good, but I wouldn't make it again. 

Our final Jerusalem meal from last Sunday...obviously Kate was involved because there is wine...sparkling wine...because I like bubbles. A lot. Butternut squash & tahini spread served with pita is most definitely going to show up at parties in the future...YUM! The Swiss chard fritters were a nice bit of green, but rather boring. Chermoula eggplant with bulgur & yogurt was not bad...I would try it again when eggplants are in season. And the only dessert I tested from the book...Helbeh (fenugreek cake)...it sounded too interesting to pass up. Kate & I liked it, but David was not a fan. I'd make it again to serve at a tea party...quite exotic with the perfumed rose & orange blossom waters flavoring the syrup that is poured on top. 

Blue, Black, Orange, & Yellow

 Dress: Fit & Flare Dress in Black & Blue by London Times (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Lane Bryant

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Naturalizer, thrifted

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Earring: The Gilded Gypsies

Bracelets: Vintage, thrifted

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to farmers' market & on another day to work. I LOVE these colors together!! It was extremely difficult not to buy this dress...it was ~$30...BUT...I don't need any more clothes. The fit & length were great, with the exception of a bit of gaping at the bust/armhole intersection, but a cardigan covers up that lone flaw. This dress is thick enough that it wouldn't be comfortable to wear in summer, but all other seasons are go. The textured fabric is a touch I love on solid colors & of course...the fit & flare is my favorite shape. Oh, how I wish the red & black version of this dress had come in my size. That one I would have kept. I adored the cheerleader vibe of this dress. 

Winter farmers' market bounty...that Cranberry Walnut bread is my new favorite...I would have never even bought it if they weren't out of French Walnut one week. I don't even like cranberries. 

After market...I dropped the girlie off in the Arboretum so she could hike...

See why I don't need any more clothes? Because I can't stop buying things! But...sale. It's all the fault of The Girls of GB...who can't stop sharing links to good deals. From Modcloth...I had to have that adorable poinsettia dress for next Christmas, a chartreuse cropped cardigan, a rust Charter School cardigan (my first, I've been wanting to try one), & an Effie's Heart button dress. 

From City Chic...a paisley summer maxi, a blue & black peplum top, & a chiffon jacket. Ok, so I didn't really *need* any of this...but these 2 orders came to ~$80 total...that's practically thrift store prices for cute new clothes. Justified. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero, UD eyeshadow in Gonzo, Kat von D eyeshadow in Analogue & Legend, Bite Beauty lipsticks in Mimosa & Blood Orange, & Atomic Orange nail polish by OPI. 

Summer Dress in Winter

 Dress: Sleeveless Fit & Flare Dress by Julian Taylor (size 24) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Avenue

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Moda Spana, thrifted

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Earring & Bracelet: Babil & Bijou

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit to work, get a bang trim, & grocery shopping. I had this dress back in the summer & wore it twice because I loved it SO much. I should have bought it for $50 on Amazon when I had the chance as by the time it got back to me 6 months later...it was not as vibrant. This is a great year round dress as I think the scuba fabric transitions nicely to cooler months & there are endless combinations of color to pull out of the pattern for cardigans, tights, & shoes. I wish I had worn it one more time before sending it back. 

Time for a bang trim! It's been 4 months since I've had a haircut...however, I am enjoying the length over the winter.

Grocery shopping at the co-op. Not as satisfying as farmers' market, but nearly as friendly. I love vegetables...some of that rainbow chard came home with me. 

I have decided to do something new this year...each month I will pick out a cookbook & make meals from it. January's cookbook is Jerusalem. I actually made about a dozen recipes from it last April, but I never got around to posting about it. There will be a photo & recipe blog post about it this time for sure...once or twice a month.

My make-up with this outfit included...Voodoo eyeliner by Urban Decay, UD eyeshadow in Sin, Sugarpill eyeshadow in Love + & Poison Plum, Apricot lipstick by Bite Beauty, & OPI nail polish in Apple of My Eye. 

Music & Coloring

 Dress: Elysees Dress in Bicycle Print by Effie's Heart (size 4x) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Nine West, thrifted

Necklace: Babil & Bijou

Earring: etXarte

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this whimsical dress to see a band with Kate & on another day to a coloring party. Made of the typical heavy t-shirt material Effie's Heart makes a lot of their dresses out of, with pockets...this was a fabulous fit & length on me...super casual...this is my version of wearing jeans. I liked it a lot better than the chipmunk dress...my biggest complaint is the awkwardly off-centered keyhole...it wasn't quite off to the side enough & I kept finding myself trying to make it centered. Also, the grey bicycles were too drab for me...although I loved the way the burgundy tights & lips added a bit of color...& I was excited to be able to wear the grey shoes I picked up for $4 at Savers. Grey is not my color, however, these reminded me of army green Nine West shoes I had back in the 80s...so I had to have them. Fun dress to wear a few times...unless you are a penny farthing rider..then this dress is a must own. 

Kate & I went to Mother Fools to see Blair Clark perform some songs from his latest EP with Leah Brooke (both formerly of The Sills)...they were opening for Blood & Dust from the Bay area...but we really came to see them. Jason joined us & everyone drank tea but me. 

The following day David & I went to a coloring party. A colleague's partner had just published a coloring book & they were celebrating. I LOVE coloring...& David doesn't care for it...however, we learned something interesting on this day...

I need to color either a picture or shapes with a pattern. The pages from JoAnne's book were abstract doodles...sometimes while I was coloring between the lines, I would find myself following a never ending maze. David seemed to enjoy the dream labyrinth, but I wished there was a definite beginning & end. So he most certainly enjoyed coloring on this day more than I did. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue; Urban Decay eyeshadows in Heroine, Bondage, Sonic, & Last Sin; & Bite Beauty lipstick in Tannin.