My first order from ModCloth

I've been reading The Dainty Squid's blog for over a year now.  I'm not sure when it started, but she's had tons of clothes and accessories from ModCloth and links to their site in posts and I finally gave in.  I am so glad I did.

My first purchase was three dresses.  I'm obsessed with dresses of late.  These classy, whimsical little numbers were on sale and now they're all mine.  Here's a peek at them, though I'm dying to show you everything right away, I'd like to save them for outfit posts.

Everything is so whimsical, right down to the pretty box.

How nice of them to send me a free gift!

The tags are so...I don't even know how to describe why I love them.  They're being saved for my art journal, though!

Outfits of 2012 - Week 4

My first thought seeing these was, "Really? My mom thought I'd like these?" so I totally understand if you think they're ridiculous and can't even believe they were marketed.  BUT I love them now.  Besides being fun, they're super handy as hair holders.  I hate putting metal in my hair (I don't even own hair ties with the metal, strictly the glue.  Also, all of the brushes and combs with metal bristles and teeth were banished from my drawers years ago.) but these are somehow non-destructive.  If you're gentle.

Cardigan - Target

Dress - Aerie

Tights - Target

Boots - Charlotte Russe
Pink polish - Essie - Bachelorette Bash
Pink glitter - Finger Paints - Hue Left A Message?

This was nowhere near the edge of my comfort zone, yet I feel like I've accomplished something.  And I just love the tights.  I pretty much had a coronary in the aisle when I spotted them.  

Thoughts on books I've read recently #2

Holy hell, Hunger Games, you rocked my world.  If I'd allowed myself the time, I would have read it in one sitting.  It's such a quick, interesting read; a real page-turner, if you will.  I'm so intrigued by the entire story in this book and I just cannot wait to get the second one.  I'm borrowing this book to my stepdad, so once he reads it and just buys the second book, I'll snatch that one for awhile.  :)

It reminded me, just at first, of Unwind.  It got way better and I enjoyed it much more, but the whole setting and heartlessness of everything just reminded me.  I used to hate futuristic stuff like this, but when it's so vivid and realistic and you have likable characters to hold on to throughout, it's brilliant.

I love the way the characters develop in this book.  I love love LOVE the "thing" going on with the two main characters, although parts of it are purely for survival.  I couldn't get enough the two of them bunked down in the cave...sigh.  So basically, totally in love with the first book.  Yay!  Thanks, Heather!  :-D

What I've been working on:

I've decided that 2012 is the Year of the Valentine.  This means that my lucky husband gets a valentine a month for the year.  It's suuuuper corny, but until I have children who can occupy my free time, he will be surrounded with glitter, hearts and of course, love.  These are two of the twelve.

I've also been working on an art journal.  I'm pretty excited to keep it up...for now.  I think once classes start again I'll fall behind on it but that won't be the end of the world.  Anyways, here that is, too:

I'll obviously be adding to the cover since it's still pretty plain.  I found lots of cool ideas on Pinterest I'll be experimenting with as well.

Oh, and quite possibly my favorite ongoing project is the 52 weeks of Instax!  I'm really excited to be doing this for the year.  I need to order more film soon, but it's so worth it.  I feel like it's really coming together.

Fusilli with Spicy Pesto Recipe

Fusilli with Spicy Pesto

Ingredients

Pesto:

• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1 (2-inch long) red or green jalapeno pepper, stemmed and coarsely chopped* see Cook's Note
• 2 cups grated (4 ounces) Asiago cheese
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 ounces baby spinach
• 3 ounces arugula
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound fusilli pasta
• 4 ounces Asiago cheese, shaved

Directions

For the pesto: In a food processor, combine the walnuts, garlic, jalapeno, cheese, salt and pepper. Process until the mixture is smooth. Add the spinach and arugula and process until blended. With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Place the cooked pasta and pesto in a large serving bowl. Toss well and thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with Asiago cheese shavings and serve.

*Cook's Note: For a milder pesto, remove the seeds from the jalapeno pepper.

Outfits of 2012 - Week 3

Look what finally arrived!!!

I was very excited to try this out.  I read quite a few reviews on them before purchasing it and I have to admit, I was scared about burning myself.  The lack of a clamp was both frightening (I'm not super graceful anyway) and stirring.

I like how much better my hair looks than it does when using a "normal" curling iron.  I feel like it looks much more natural.  Also, it took way less time.

Flannel shirt - Target
Skirt - Abercrombie clearance
Leggings & Cardigan - American Eagle
Boots - Charlotte Russe
Necklace - Etsy shop carnivalpetite

Fuzzy Friday #5

I've been getting more and more impatient.  I cannot waaaait until we get a Frenchie.  They're everywhere now and they're so fucking cute.  The fact that most of the ones I see are the same color as Remy (matching puppies?! Hello!) makes it even harder to just sit here and twiddle my thumbs, waiting.

I melt.

*snuggles*

Speechless

I am pretty sure I haven't seen 2 things cuter than this in my whole life.

The little squishy faced one laying down is my first pick...

Awwwwwwwww

And my baby:

I realize that this is not an animal and I'm a little ashamed of being so crazy about leopard print since it supposedly perpetuates the love and manufacture (killing) for the real stuff, but I can't help what I love.  

I just made this and I'm proud and in love, so before my sweet little monster destroys it, here it is:

Outfits of 2012 - Week 2

I'm normally apprehensive about trying new things when it comes to clothing.  Mixing patterns is a pretty scary thing for me.  I actually love how this sweater and skirt came together, but I was worried about going into public in it (not so worried that I didn't go...I needed craft supplies straightaway, no time to change clothes).  I got a few weird looks from some high school girls at Staples, but it could've been my bright green coat or the fact that it's longer than my skirt so I looked like I was wearing only tights.  Whatevs.

Sweater - American Eagle Outfitters

Skort - Express (on clearance! :))

Mustard seed necklace - Thrifted by a friend

Tights - Kohl's or Target...I forgot already

Shoes -Mia from Rogan's

Oh and look what my brother's girlfriend got me from gordmans yesterday!  :-D

Thoughts on books I've read recently #1

Sunday night I finished Water for Elephants.  I loved it.  I've been thinking a lot about it for the past two days and I didn't plan on blogging about it until I couldn't get it out of my mind.  First of all, the young female author continually impressed me with her insight into the thoughts of an aged man.  I literally felt like (and I think any good book makes this happen) I knew the character, like he was a real person, by the end of the story. 
Second, while the book did seem to start off slowly action-wise, the details and background were both necessary and interesting.  I am excited to watch the movie now, but I'll be very disappointed if it strays far from the book.  I always get pissed when I read books and the movies blow (Twilight, anyone?) but I love the details and characters (perhaps it has something to do with the animals, too) in this book much more than any story I've read in quite awhile.
Anyways, I obviously recommend this to anyone and everyone over the age of...like 13.  A few things took me by surprise and if I had kids, I suppose I wouldn't want them reading about those scenarios.

I'm getting really excited for the rest of the week.  Wednesday after work I'm going to my sister's new apartment to help her hang pictures.   Friday night my aunt is going to teach me to crochet!  I'm so pumped for making granny square everything.  I hope I'll catch on quickly so that I can become a pro and learn a few other variations, too.  Wooo!  Hopefully somewhere in there I'll have time for a pedicure because my husband told me I don't love him if I don't let him buy me one.  Well, okay, twist my arm.  <3 

I need things. I'm done pretending I don't.

A spells shirt?!?! Dream come true.

love love love it

Priority #1

and #2

I especially love the bottom photo.  Those dark cowboy boots are slowly breaking me down.  And I need a textured off-white dress to go with them...Also, if we have another ceremony, a big one, this is it.

Real bad.

In LOVE.

I was going to try to be less materialistic.  It's obviously working...


Oh, and I need all of the supplies to try Elsie's projects.