OOTD: BCBG Top Worn as a Skirt

Outfit details: Dress: ROSS, Skirt (worn as top) BCBG, Belt: ROSS, Shoes: BCBG, Jewelry: Cookie Lee, Headband: Dollar store

I scored this lovely red flowey pleated skirt at the Salvation Army in Roseville a few weeks back and was excited to finally incorporate it into an outfit. To be 100% honest, it is actually meant to be a strapless flowey top, but for this purpose it looked much better as a skirt. I wore it over-top of my short sleeved jersey dress from ROSS to give the look of separates. The length of the black dress provided a nice lining and extra coverage under the skirt. I wore a thin black wrap over my arms earlier in the eve as it was still quite chilly. The outfit needed to be dressy, modest and comfortable since the event was for work- a suprise birthday party for the husband of one of my bosses. I was responsible for decorations and helping coordinate the festivities at the event location so she could bring him in without him suspecting a thing. I'm happy to say that everything went as planned and boy was he suprised!

My sister was there too, since she nannies their two sweet kids. She showed up wearing the same exact color scheme as me. See, we sisters think alike.

Oktoberfest By the Bay

All Aboard!!

My first train ride. My future brother-in-law-in-law, E pumps me up... and with uncertainty on my face, I say, "Let's do this!"

 

I didn't know you were allowed to drink on the train. Other passengers filed in after us, had cases of beer, champagne for mimosas, and byobs (bring your own beer steins). They obviously were headed to the same venue as us.

Hydrating pre-event with coconut water.

At least it was indoors!



Tokens were used to purchase everything: food, drinks, dessert, souvineers. (Each token was worth $2. And an 8oz beer was 3 tokens, 5 for a large, and 6 tokens to fill a beer stein (that is after you bought one for $10).


Prost!

Outfit Details:
Sheer Leopard Top (ROSS), Black Lace Camisole (ROSS), 3/4 length sleeve "Motorcycle Jacket" Sweatshirt (ROSS '10), Jeans (Old Navy via Thrift Store), Shoes (Champion via Payless '08), Jewelry: necklaces (thrifted), bracelets/earrings (Cookie Lee), headband (Dollar Store)


Live Band!

 

 Loved her outfit. She by far was the best dressed!

 Lederhosen Boy



First weinerschnitzel! And here I come to learn that weinerschnitzel does not have anything to do with weiners. Not a hot dog, not a keilbasa. It was delicious. Though, sadly, after I'd eaten it, I discovered that it is breaded veal :(

My stylish sister-in-law K

Walking to dinner. Exploring the city.



On our way to dinner, passing by AT&T park.

And an important note to self- we made the right choice attending the Saturday Session 10-5pm. I fear the crowd and restroom facilities may have become a bit more wild and unmanagable had we done the saturday 6pm-midnight session. We went light on the beverages and food while there and then met with friends for dinner post event at the "Thirsty Bear".



Image Source: Link

I wish I was able to take pictures while there because the service was great and the food super yummy, but due to unforseen circumstances our group had to order our food to go so we wouldn't miss the train back. (Boy have I taken forgranted country life- my own transportation, no tolls, fees for parking, traffic whew) Although our dinner was a bit jumbled from our run to the bus stop (which was running late) to take us to the train station, the trio of mini sliders were still awesome and the salad I ordered came with edible flowers in the spring mix. It also was yummy! The hubby and I would love to go back sometime when we are not rushed and try more of the menue and order the beer sampler.

Song of the Day: Gemma Bier Trinken by DJ Ötzi

Black and White

Photos taken courtesy of my brother, M. Thanks!

Outfit Details:

Dress: Thrifted New

Shoes: BCBG

Jewelry: Cookie Lee

Headband: Goody

OOTD- Back To School

Today was back to school night for my little brother. I accompanied my parents to his classes and revisited my old middle school. Only my former english teacher remained as part of the original staff when I attended. In all it was a nice nostalgic visit and little brother is doing well in school. :)

Outfit Details:
Top: thrifted, Skirt: gifted, Shoes: BCBG, Jewelry: Cookie Lee

Mandy from A-Z

A. Age: 27

B. Bed Size: Queen

C. Chore I Hate: Putting away laundry. Because it's never ending. I'd prefer to scrub the toilet or scoop the litter box over that any day.

D. Dogs: I'd love to have a dog someday, but right now in our current living situation it wouldn't be practical. I've grown up around dogs. When I was 2 my mom's great danes Candy and Shiba were my personal ponies (seriously I thought they were ponies), later age 5 my mom's Cocker Spaniels- Snuggles and Baby were my best friends. One summer, when I was 7, my grandmother's mutt Sam saved me from a rattlesnake. My husband promises me that when we finish building our house, he'd gladly get a dog. I have had my heart set on a beagle or lab, or weimereiner, but really any dog from the animal shelter would make us happy.

E: Essential start to your day: I'm usually on the run, so always a handy piece of fruit (banana with peanut butter) or oatmeal, or waffles with greek yogurt spread on top (my brother got me hooked on this when he was a kid).

F. Favorite Color: Hot Pink, Aqua and Coral (these colors always make me happy)

G. Gold or Silver: Gosh I have to pick? I'm a jewelry consultant- I wear both! Although I tend to wear more silver than gold, what matters most is that it compliments my outfit. I love silver with blues and grays and black, and golds with browns, maroons, white, corals and pinks.

H. Height: 5' 1/2" although I believe my license shows something around 5'2" This girl IS vertically challenged.

I. Instruments: Does the phone count? I can play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the key pad. In elementary school my girlfriend Karmy and I would leave just "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on each other's answering machines to let the other know we called. No words no names, just 3, 2, 1, 2, 333, 222, 336...  haha. I bet you're trying this right now as we speak, aren't you? Ha! Caught ya!

J. Job Title: my 9-5 is medical office scheduler, but I also answer to Cookie Lee Jewelry Stylist, vintage jewelry re-designer, part-time blogger, full time wife, sister, daughter, someday boutique owner

K. Kids: None yet and none on the way. But hopefully once our home is complete and life is back to normal we hope to start. First we will have a puppy... and then within the next year (after my 10 yr high school reunion) we'll hope to work on that :)

L. Live- Northern California

M. Mother's Name: Norma.

N. Nicknames: Manda, Mandalin, Mandor, Mandy Pandy, Mandy-Moo, Manny (my friend's 2 yr old calls
me that- it's freakin adorable), Handy Mandy (this began with my wonderfully "handiness" around the office and then one of my bosses kids named me that after the cartoon character)
O. Overnight Hospital Stays: Last year I went in for an emergency appendectomy. Thankfully working as the receptionist for my own doctor has it's advantages. We caught my weird tummy pain and fever early before it had time to burst. Which is awesome- less cleanup, shorter surgery time and less time out of work. I "came to" after surgery one of the nurses held up a picture of my appendix for my unaided eyes to see, and I said "looks like chicken", and "Can I keep it?". Now I have 2 small scars on my tummy and that's it.

P. Pet Peeves: Talking with food in your mouth, sayin' "ya know what I mean" (after every single sentence), putting the roll of TP on backwards or not at all, people who don't take the time to put themselves in others shoes (don't yell and demean the person making your burger)

Q. Quote From a Movie: "That lil' guy? I wouldn't worry about THAT little guy." Super Troopers

R. Right or Left Handed: This chick right here is a lefty. Yeah baby! Left hand high five to all my southpaws!

S. Siblings: One sister, and one brother- both younger. Fun fact: we all have names that start with M. Coincidence?

T. Time you wake up: between 6:15 and 6:45. It all depends on if I hit snooze the max 6 times or not :)

U. Underwear: What are you eating under there? Under where? You're eating underwear-Gross!? Yes, I have underwear and I wear it. All shapes, styles, fabrics and colors. Undergarments are very important. Not only do they provide a comfortable and hopefully breathable layer between yourself and your clothing but they can provide support, enhance shape/contour.

V.Vegetable You Hate: I try not to discriminate, and I certainly won't turn my nose up at a veggie just because I haven't given it fair chance. I love veggies. But when it comes to olives or peas*gag*. I mean if it's laced throughout my meal I'll eat it. It it's on top or loose I'll eat around it or pick it off. I just don't like the flavor. The green, the black, even Kalamatas. And what's most crazy is I loved them as a child, and could be found frequently wearing black olives as fingertips and then devouring them one by one.

W. What makes you run late: Hitting the "dismiss" instead of the snooze button on my phone. My kitty darting out the door between my feet when my hands are full. Last year I came out to scrape ice off my windshield and got in the car to realize I had ice on the INSIDE of my windsheild as well.

X. Xray's You've Had: Maxiofacial for braces, folded tailbone (word of the wise- never attempt to crawl into the top of an empty water heater box in order to scare your little sister- ouch!)

Y. Yummy Food That You Cook: I'm not much of a cook. I'm more of a baker, but I've hoped to work on that for sake of my husband and our future children. Do check out the Basil and Penne Pasta Recipe though- it's delish!

Z. Zoo Animal: Zebra, Panda and Kangaroo


Tell me a little about yourself!  And if you decided to join in, link back to my blog so I can find you and read about your A-Zs! Questions inspired by the get to know me A-Z list from Liz of Srslyliz.com

OOTD- LABOR DAY WHITE

OUTFIT OF THE DAY

I'm wearing white after Labor Day. Yep, I've done it, so what's it to ya : ) And it brings up a very good question- How and when was it decided that it was a fashion faux pas to wear white after labor day.

Time Magazine's "Why Shouldn't We Wear White After Labor Day" article asks that very question.

Shouldn't the same apply to no red after Christmas, no pastels after Easter, and no green after St Patrick's Day? Well, either way, I love this top! I bought it over 3 years ago on my honeymoon in Hawaii, and it's been sitting in the back of my closet until now. I threw together a few accessories and tada!

Outfit Details:

Print Top- Bought in Oahu, White Capris, Belt- Payless, Shoes- Payless, Bracelets and Silver Pendant- Cookie Lee, Green Beaded Necklace- Vintage, Handbag- Guess

FBFF- Goals and Dreams

1. Fess up - if you could do anything professionally what would it
be?
I would have my own fashion boutique. I've dreamed of this since I was a little girl. I have been entertaining the idea of an online boutique or etsy store to fullfill this dream. I've been a crafty girl and love making things so it would have to be part hand made items as well.

2. What draws you to this?
My absolute love of all things fashion.

3. When did you first start dreaming about this ideal? About 10 yrs ago. My friend Michelle and I had a project in our highschool government class where we were required to create a fictitious business and do all the research amongst our community. My first choice was a clothing boutique, but we decided to have a little fun and think out of the box. We figured our little town needed something fun for kids our age to do. So we created a rough business plan of a "Roller Skating/Bowling Alley by day and all ages dance club at night"- we even had floors that would come out over the bowling alley half. It was a neat idea, but still left me with my original sketches and not only the want but the dreams to start my own business.

4. What's holding you back from going all in?
Time and Money. That's probably the number one and two reason for a lot of people. I work 40hrs a wk, my husband and I our building our first house, I have my jewelry business for eves and weekends and my blog of course and now I want to do what?!

5. Sometimes the first step is the hardest... what's one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?

Try out my success with an etsy or ebay boutique and see how it goes.

Ruffles and Bows

All Ruffles and Bows


This BCBG skirt is a thrifted find. When I discovered it hiding on the wrack, I fell in love. Mostly with the flared ruffle waist, belted bow and heavy woven metallic fabric. However, I'm not so much a big fan of the pocket hem. As my hubby noted, this skirt has a striking resemblance to a utility bucket organizer.


Pockets!



Now this is what I call a "utility skirt". 


Photo: Home Depot

Look familiar?

Bow-tiful!

Outfit Details:

Navy Dress- ROSS
BCBG Skirt- Thrifted
Mustard Pumps- Xhileration by Target
Jewelry- Cookie Lee

Recipe: Pesto Penne with Eggplant





This is only my second time ever eating eggplant. The first time was marinated and then grilled on the BBQ. My mom-in-law's garden had just produced a whole basket of eggplant, both white and purple varieties, so we were excited to find a recipe and to cook them up. I will admit I was a little nervous at first how it was going to turn out, since I'd heard that if you prepare this veggie wrong it may turn out bitter. But all in all the recipe turned out wonderfully delicious, and we have since made it twice for friends and family. You could definately add cubed chicken or shrimp to the recipe and I bet it would be 10 times better.

Ingredients

Pesto:

• 2 packed cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (see Cook's Note)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
• 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup (1 1/2 ounces) grated Parmesan

Pasta:

• 1 pound trenette or other short-cut pasta
• 1/2 cup (1 1/2 ounces) grated Parmesan, plus 1/2 cup
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 (1 1/2 pounds) medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (we used both purple and white varieties)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions




My husband reminds me, STEP 1: Pour yourself a glass of wine :)

Pick fresh basil from the garden



Toast Pine Nuts

Cook's Note: To toast the pine nuts, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven until lightly toasted, about 5 to 6 minutes. (We toasted these in a pan on the stove, since the oven was occupied). Cool completely before using.



Rinse Basil





For the pesto: In a blender or food processor, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add the oil until the mixture is smooth and thick. Add the cheese and pulse until just incorporated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.

For the pasta: 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. Put the pasta into a large serving bowl and add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan. Toss until coated.

In a large, nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring frequently, until the eggplant turns golden brown, about 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly. Add the pesto and toss until the eggplant is coated.

Add the eggplant mixture to the serving bowl with the pasta and toss until all of the ingredients are coated. Thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve.

The finished dish

All photos by me :)
Recipe Via Foodnetwork.com

OOTD- Scarf As a Belt

Outfit Details: Ombre' Skirt (JCP), Tank (Old Navy), Multi-Strand Pearl and Bead Necklace (Cookie Lee), Key Necklace (DIY), Sandals (Old Navy), Print Scarf (thrifted).

OOTD: At the county fair...

"Goin' to the fair and I'm bout to dirrrrrty" (To the tune of  "Chapel of Love") It is no joke, you will get dirty. You wear your oldest shoes if you don't want them ruined, or you wear old flippy floppies and just wash off your feet when you leave. I chose the latter of the two.



Hubby and I in front of the big ferris wheel.

 

Oooh Ahh..



One of my favorite 1st place fair entries this year, was in the age 12 and under category and was Wall-E made out of recyclables. How cute is this?

Outfit Details:
Top: Xhileration
Jeans: Old Navy
Sandals: Target
Flower: DIY
Jewelry: Cookie Lee
Handbag: Nine West