Hide and Seek

I haven't been around much and I feel really bad about it.  Unfortunately, the midwest has been hit by some crazy storms lately and I usually hate to be on the computer when it is severe outside.  Not to mention, yesterday I had my wisdom teeth removed.  Luckily, I am not in a lot of pain.  I do look like a chipmunk though!  My cheeks are swollen so I have been spending a lot of time with ice on my face. 

However, last weekend, I had a great day passing through some garage sales and thrifting downtown with my good friend Andrea.  I managed to buy two leather vintage purses, a belt, a hat pin and three dresses!  We went to an amazing vintage stores in Chicago named Seek.  I suggest if anyone is in the Chicagoland area, they go here!  I wanted to buy so much but, limited myself to the three dresses and the belt.

Dress: Vintage from Seek

Necklace: refurbished (by my brother) heart watch pendant from the 1970s

Bracelets: gift from a co-worker (from India)

Shoes: Seychelles

 Dress: vintage from Seek

Necklace: refurbished (by my brother) heart watch pendant from the 1970s

Belt: thrifted

Heels: Jessica Simpson

Coach purse from a garage sale for $12

Dooney & Burke cross-body purse thrifted for $25.  

 Belt from Seek

 Bird hat pin.  Thrifted for $1

Everything comes in Threes...

I feel bad that I haven't posted in so long! Life has just been so busy.  We have been dealing with a leak in our roof and it doesn't help that there has been a crazy amount of rain lately.  Luckily, none of the water in making it into our house.  It is simply ruining one of our eaves.  I also have been really busy at work trying to pursue an open position in another department and the normal business craziness!  Lastly, I have become addicted to the gym.  Finally I am starting to see results hence, I have been more encouraged to go.  Sadly, all of this takes time away from blogging.

So, as a makeup, I have compiled a few of my outfits from the last week!

Dress: Modcloth

Vest: Modcloth

Shoes: Seychelles

Belt:Thrifted

Blouse: Forever 21

Skirt: Rummage sale find

Flats: Target

D

Dress: Libertine

Skirt: Thrifted

Sandals: Target

Cardigan: UO

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Dress: Vera Wang for Kohls

Heels: Target

Charm Bracelet: Vintage

Oh Zooey and Jason!

Attempting to go see She & Him tomorrow night!  yay!

And now I just want to share the fabulousness of Jason Wu's 2011 Resort Collection

All photos via Vogue.com

When the sun shines through the clouds...

That title is very optimistic but I specifically chose it because it is opposite of what I am feeling.  I know I have mentioned my husband is an unemployed architect....well, he hasn't been grated extended unemployment so that means we have to pay for our mortgage each month out of our savings.  Luckily, we have been really good savers over the last few years but, nothing is more frustrating and ego-hurting than having to see your money be eaten away.

But, I have been optimistic mainly because I have to be.  I think that is why I have been wearing bright colors lately.  They make me happy! 

Blouse: Thrifted

Necklace: Made by my grandmother in the 70s

Skirt: Banana Republic from about 7 years ago

Bracelet: Street vendor in Costa Rica

Shoes: Seychelles

Busy Bees and Bad Blogging

I have to admit that I have been a pretty bad blogger lately!  I used to update almost everyday and now you are lucky to get two posts out of me in a week!  However, in my defense, I have been extremely busy!  Between weddings, housework, working out, learning to use a sewing machine and various summer parties, my schedule has been stacked full.  By the time I get home, I am just too exhausted to post anything. 

I did want to share my Saturday outfit with you though.  I am mostly excited about the blouse I am wearing because I scored it for a whole $1 at the local thrift store.  I went to go drop off some packages at the post office (which is conveniently next door) and I thought, "I have 10 mins to stop in!"  Best 10 minutes ever spent!  I managed to get this blouse, another similar one but with sleeves, a sparrow hat pin and a gorgeous yellow Pendleton summer sweater! 

Blouse: Thrifted Donna Karen

Necklace: Vintage beads my grandmother brought back from Morrocco

Skirt: Thrifted Gap

Purse: Thrifted Hunt Club

Belt: Target

Shoes: Target (sorry they got cut off!)

I also managed to bake something on Sunday afternoon.  It isn't a hard recipe (and it can't be because I seriously lack baking skills).  Its a recipe that has been in my family for a long time and it is basically just called Meme's Apricot Cake.  Meme would be my French grandmother.  And I have modified it a bit by using cinnamon in the batter (which my grandmother would have had a heart attack over as she claimed the French do not use cinnamon...) and I used peaches in this one instead of apricots.  (I apologize I dont have a picture of it cooked!)

 Meme's Apricot Cake

Ingrediants:

1 can of apricots or peaches in syrup

1/2 cup of sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup of sifted flour

1 cup of milk

1/2 stick of softened salted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a spring form pan or regular round baking pan (12 in is OK), spread butter within the entire inside (it doesn't have to be neat or spread evenly...just as long is there is a bit everywhere).  In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon; wisk milk into mixture creating a batter.  When batter is smooth, pour in the buttered pan and spread to make even - DO NOT mix it with the butter...simply make it evenly distributed on the bottom.  Drain can of apricots (or peaches) and lay them into the batter.  (NOTE: if you are using apricots, make sure the round side of the halves are facing up).  Place pan on top rack of the oven and cook for no more the 45 minutes.  

And Voila!

Burning Eyes

I had an outfit post planned but, I had an unfortunate incident with a face lotion that apparently contained an ingredient I am allergic to because it made the skin all around my eyes burn.  I am talking like having sunburn on the skin all around your eyes.  It is painful and has me in hot flashes!  Hot crazy is that.  Needless to say, I didn't get around to taking pictures of anything...

But I did want to post so I just wanted to share something I have recently fallen in love with...

Why why why does Modcloth have to post this top when I am on a buying strike??  I just can't deal with it!  We all know my obsession with owls.... 

I am now sad.

To descend down again...

Ok, so I am a little bummed.  I apologize ahead of time for my pessimism.  Its just... my husband was working a contract job with my company.  We ate lunch together everyday, drove in together everyday and had fun talking the same corporate language for 4 months.  And now his contract it up........and he is once again unemployed.  Now, I am not ungrateful.  Far from, to be honest.  I am extremely humbled by the generosity and opportunity people from my company have given our little family.  We were able to save a lot of money that would not have had.  We got to share a lot of time together at the beginning of our marriage.  And he created some great friends and links within his career network.  For that, I am ecstatic about.  I just wish he didn't end.  I pray now he can find another job in our horrid economy....

Ok, ok.  Enough of my woes.  Onto fashion.  On a GOOD note, this amps up my thrifting need.  Maybe also some care package swap opportunities if anyone is interested!  I am always up for a good swap.  I plan on hitting the thrift stores tomorrow afternoon.  My husband will be spending the day studying for yet another (there are 7 of them) architecture exams.  I usually leave the house and go to my mom's or shop when he studies so I do not bother him.  He only has a few left and finishing them to become licensed can open up some opportunities in the job market. 

This outfit is something I threw on last minute yesterday.  I actually hopped on my blog and clicked around in the morning because I just could not figure out what to wear.  Luckily, I got some inspiration from Amanda at Off Of Broadway.  I love her style and ability to use thrifted and vintage pieces to create her style.

Cardigan: UO

Blouse: Thrifted Mint2

Skirt: Thrifted

Belt: Care package gift from Meaghan at left hand endeavor 

Necklace: reworked 1970s pendant watch from my brother

Heels: Faryl Robin