2014

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Winner of the Anthropologie e-Gift Card and Cravings?

Congratulations to Keiko for winning the Anthropologie e-gift card! I hope you get something good!

This question and answers set for the giveaway was my very favorite. I feel like you can learn so much about someone through their pets. And it was so nice to get to know each of you better. I do not typically respond to comments on giveaway posts (since I manually type in each person’s name and then go back and recount and recount to make sure I am correct, it would be too confusing), but I will be responding to each entrant throughout the week because your comments touched my heart so much. And I have so much to say to each of you! It will take me awhile, so please bear with me. : )

Today my daughter turns fifteen! Fifteen! It is a big age. In some cultures, it is the age of becoming a woman. I am going to bury my head in the sand for a bit and pretend that that is not happening.

The only thing she has requested today is for me to come up with an elaborate cracker spread. I was at a loss as to what to do, but yesterday I met a woman who majored in cheese and crackers. She knew every kind of dip and what kind to get. It was kismet. She should really consider getting her doctorate. The lady knows her stuff. I will Instagram some pictures of what I make my daughter today. I am going to do my best to make it special, along with some surprises (horseback riding lessons! Be still, my heart). Since she is sleeping until noon and will not read this post, I can write that.

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I also got her this cool ring. Guess who is going to steal borrow it?

Happy Birthday My Sweet Girl!

This month I splurged on a few items. I bought this jacket and I cannot recommend it enough. It is amazing. I own it in brown but I love every single color it comes in. I have a post coming up about it next week, but it is just my favorite thing ever. Eighty degrees in California? Leather jacket. I scoffed at all of the sandals I saw traipsing past as I sweated in enjoyed my find.

I am pretty content this month. I am not really craving much of anything. Especially after all of my indulgences. Burp. There is this coat that I think is gorgeous, but I bought a dress last week (it is on my Instagram) when I went to a holiday workshop. I decided instead of making a list of things I am craving, I am going to post things I am glad I all ready own and that I am excited to wear this coming cold season:

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The Miles of Henley Dress. I own this in three colors (previous posts here and here), so it is fair to say that I recommend it. I think it is so pretty and I love that there are a variety of ways to layer it. I also like the price.

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I think this season is the season of grey tights. I bought my fleece lined ones (also in black in the picture) from Nordstrom Rack this week for $8 each. And the Hue grey cable tights were $11. I am excited to wear them. The fleece lined ones are so cozy. I have tried them on all ready.

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The First Kiss Dress. I wear this dress all of the time. I bought it in the spring of 2013. I can wear it for three seasons in Southern California. And I have. When I purchased mine, it came in only one pattern and now it comes in a few more. I will style it in an upcoming post. I have the black and white version and I hope they bring that color combo back. It is my favorite.

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I will be wearing my Anthropologie Ponte Bell Skirts (previous posts here and here) with tights (possibly the ones above) all season. The brand is Girls From Savoy. Their online store happens to have a skirt that looks like the same skirt in different colors. I have no idea if it is actually the same shape, only that it looks like it might be. It is on sale and available here.

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Also, my vintage boots. I have seen them on eBay for a little more than what I paid for them at the flea market ($50) but they have lasted for years and years (they are probably older than me) and I think a vintage pair of boots should be in every girl’s closet. I own three pairs, but these are my favorite.

What is your seasonal favorite that you all ready own? I plan on combining and layering my collection of slips with cardigans all winter. Are you craving anything? Did you get to one of Anthropologie’s Holiday Workshops yet?

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Ollie and Me: On The Prairie

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Ollie loves car rides.

No. I mean really, really loves them.

He doesn’t care where you take him. He just likes to get into the car and go.

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The sad part is that he is so short he cannot really see out of the window. This does not bother him. Ollie is a glass half full kind of dog.

On this day my husband decided to take him a little bit past the house. I asked my husband if I could join him and perhaps get some pictures of the outfit I wore that day.

He agreed.

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Ollie did not.

When we got to the location I decided to see if Ollie wanted to pose with me.

You would think based on the photo above that he was not so happy about this (seriously though, how funny is that face? His is pretty hilarious, too).

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I decided to show him how much fun taking pictures can be.

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He decided he really, really liked getting his picture taken.

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I think it is because he got a lot of love.

Who am I kidding?

He always gets a lot of love.

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Dare I say it? It looks as though he enjoyed it more than a car ride.

Blasphemy!

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I think he might be happier than I am with this outfit, too. I paired my grey dress from this post (which has become a layering piece ’cause I shrunk it) with a flannel skirt (similar here) and fringe vest (similar super fabulous vest here) that I scooped up for $10 each at a consignment store last winter. The belt was from Anthropologie.

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If you have a dog do they like car rides or walks better? What is your best score at a consignment shop?

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Ollie did so well taking pictures with me that I might do it again soon. It was much more fun than taking pictures by myself.

And the best part was… He got to get a ride back home.

His modeling fees are odd. But cheap. I pay him in car rides.

No need to tell him we were going back that way anyway.

P.S. * I shared this on The Pleated Poppy and Because Shanna Said So!

*two more photos that did not make it to the blog post can be seen on my Instagram Account (thegnomelover).

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NOW CLOSED: 19th Blog Giveaway: $25 Anthropologie e-Gift Card

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered.

Nineteen months of blogging! Thank you all for your encouragement. Your presence. Being you. I cannot express how much of a joy it has been to meet all of you. Now that I am on Instagram, it has been even more fun to see some of your faces. Thank you for letting me into your lives.

Time is passing so quickly. I had no idea what I wanted to give away this month. I meant to go out and actually pick something up, but then I stayed at home and read three books instead. I have not been to any stores. Not an Anthropologie. Not a Nordstrom Rack. Or a World Market. Not even a Target. In weeks.

I should change my blog’s name to Doesn’t Ever Leave The House, Not Ever, Unless We Run Out Of Pringles Salt And Vinegar Chips. But that would be too long. And giving away a case of salt and vinegar chips seems extreme, even for me.

So, let’s keep it simple.

This month I am giving away a $25 e-gift card to Anthropologie. Because even though I have not purchased anything there in a few weeks (although I know without a doubt I am purchasing this jacket soon), they remain my favorite store.

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To enter for a chance to win the $25 e-gift card:

Please leave a comment with your pet’s name. I would love to hear the reasoning behind the name, but that is up to you. If you do not have a pet or if that is too personal, any comment will do (as long as it is positive). Pets have been on my mind this week. Murphy got sick, but his blood results came back great. It must have been a bug. We named him Murphy because we missed out on a dog on a Bichon Frisé rescue site named Murphy. The rescuers told us they had another dog that would be perfect for us. He was a rescue they had named Ryder a few weeks earlier. He had been left to starve in a foreclosure. He weighed less than ten pounds when we adopted him and now he weighs twenty two. We renamed him Murphy, because we loved that name from the first dog and that was that.

You may earn a second entry into the giveaway by becoming a registered reader of this blog. There are many ways to do so on the right hand side of this page. If you are a registered reader please leave a second comment stating such. The second comment is your second entry.

Limit two entries per person in the forms specified.

The giveaway runs from October 10, 2014 12:00 a.m. PST to October 16, 2014 9:00 p.m. PST. I will be choosing one winner from the comments entered on this post for the $25 e-gift card to Anthropologie using random.org. I will contact the winner on October 17, 2014 and display the winner’s name on this blog on October 18, 2014.

Thank you! Thank you for entering. For being awesome. I love you guys!

By commenting on this post, you are entering this giveaway for a chance to win one $25 e-gift card to Anthropologie and agreeing to the rules outlined in this giveaway.

I will attempt to contact the winner three times with the email address provided. If I have not heard from the winner within fourteen days from the first attempt at contact, the prize will be forfeit and a new winner will be drawn.

Past winners are welcome to enter.

* Negative comments (chosen at the discretion of the owner of this blog) will be deleted and that entry will be forfeit.

*This post contains an affiliate link. Clicking on the link will result in a small income for this blog.

*this giveaway and post is not sponsored by or affiliated with Anthropologie.

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Keepin’ It Real: September 2014

September did it. It almost broke my blog. It almost broke me. I was feeling so incredibly down. But I am feeling better. Some situations have not improved, but I am doing everything in my power to make them better. And that is all I can do. It seems as though September was felt this way by a great many people. This post by Dane on the blog, Dooce, helped bring a little more insight into what I was feeling.

And I am one day late with this post. I had been counting down the days until September would be over, and yet, my blog calendar was off. Blame it on the date on my bread (which said it expired on 9/31/14, but I forgot to get a picture of it). My husband told me that since the date does not exist, it must mean that our bread is good forever. I did not test his theory. We ate it last night with Spaghetti Carbonara.

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I have been cooking and cooking all month. Nothing makes me feel better than whipping up something good in the kitchen. I even experimented with my cookie recipe. I cannot wait to share a new trick I learned.

Outfit Outtakes:

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It would not be a close up without me scratching my nose (original outfit post here).

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And having a moment with my son (original outfit post here).

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I needed an easy read. I used to hate books filled with short stories, but as I have gotten older, they have become some of my favorite reading materials. I love David Sedaris and I am halfway through this book, “When You Are Engulfed In Flames,” I found in the Barnes and Noble bargain bin a few days ago.

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September was my no-buy clothing month. So, how did I do? Well, I would love to say I made it through the whole month. But that would be a lie. I am obsessed with Otomi and when Carolina K’s (one of my very favorite designers) Aurora Dress in the Otomi-like print went 50% off, I had to buy it (my husband made me. He said the dress was perfectly “me”). It is VERY short. I layered a tulle slip underneath mine to add some length. It is dramatically low-cut, so I layer in the front, as well. I took a medium. I LOVE it. Heather from The Peacock Fairy recently wrote a post about her new Otomi inspired dress. It is so pretty.

I also finally purchased this dress when it went more than 75% off during Anthropologie’s latest promotion and this skirt (because of the over 75% off price and the Otomi-like print). So, three things went home with me. I should feel guilty, but I don’t. All three items have lifted my spirits in this hard month.

I am only purchasing things I truly, truly love. I am still not looking to purchase any clothing in October, but if something amazing comes along, then I will contemplate it. In the meantime I am having a great time shopping my closet.

Oh! I almost forgot. I also purchased an accessory with a gift card (making it free! Thanks Mandi), but I am not linking to it due to the customer service I received from the company.

Some random info: Someone wrote me awhile back about my Mara Hoffman Eye Wrap seen here. I am sorry, but I cannot find that email. I am still not selling mine (in fact, I cannot wait for it to get cold enough to wear it), but the preview for The Golden Tote in October looks like it might have it? I am not sure. I am simply basing my guess from the picture of the clothes found here. I have never purchased from Golden Tote, but if you are looking for that wrap, you might want to check their site on October 6th. UPDATE 10/6/14: The wrap is not the same as my eye shawl. It is missing the eye on the back. Sorry for getting anyone’s hopes up!

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Coming up in October (I still have not posted my Pee Wee Herman story. This is because I am searching for the prop I lost in my house to photograph. Hopefully it will go up soon):

Ruffle Me This
I Hate Pigeons
Tamale Casserole
Sunny Skirt
How The Jenni Got Her Gripes

How was your September? Are you glad the month is over? Any plans for October? My daughter turns fifteen in a few weeks and I am at a loss as to what to get her. She has requested no clothes (be still my heart). Any ideas?

*If you missed last month’s Keepin’ It Real Post, it can be found here.