November 17, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Pretty Pleats With A Necklace On Top

Way back in the peak of summer I fell in love with The Solana Swing Dress from Anthropologie. I reviewed it here. But I vowed to wait for a good sale price. I very much wanted both colors it came in: grey and pink. I liked the pleats. I liked the swing shape. I knew it was a dress that I could carry into all seasons.

It finally went down to less than $30 during a recent sale. And so I scooped up both colors, and happily awaited their arrival. I even took pictures in one of them while I was extremely sick (still am. I don’t know what to do about this illness) so I could show the dress while it is still available. This dress escorted me to the doctor’s. It is a keeper. Here is the deal, though…

In the reviews, two separate people stated getting any sort of water upon the dress resulted in a permanent loss of the beautiful pleats. I am terrified of even brushing up against the sink in this or going near Ollie, the drool monster. I will try dry cleaning, but I also worry they will want to iron it or steam iron it. Therefore, it may never, ever, ever get washed. That’s not too gross, right?

I ordered both dresses in a size medium, but the pink dress is noticeably longer.

I decided to pair the grey dress with a white long sleeve shirt and wear it more as a jumper with tights.

We took the dogs for a drive and I decided to pose with Murphy.

I initially wore my hair in a new ponytail style, but it was too windy to keep it.

Murphy was being kind of crazy, so I switched to Ollie.

But Murphy looked sad, so I decided to take them both for a walk.

This did not really help, because what they really wanted was my husband. They adore him the best. That is because he adores them the best. Funny how that works.

They finally got what they wanted. My husband is aghast that I took his picture. He doesn’t need to know I then posted it on the internet, too. Let’s just keep that between us. And, yes, I love a bearded man.

And I love a good scarf. I purchased this scarf from Anthropolgie many years ago. It has always been my favorite.

Do you “do” pleats? Do you wear long sleeves under your sleeveless dresses in the winter? What should I do about cleaning the dress? Any suggestions?

*I shared this on The Pleated Poppy and Reasons To Dress.

September 6, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: My New Favorite Sandals

I knnnnnnooooooowwwwwwww. Sandals?! It really is not the time for them. And yet, it is. It is not fall yet. Now is a good time to stock up (or stalk up, whichever creep level you feel is appropriate when pricing out shoes) on sandals for the spring and summer of 2015. Almost all of the sandals I have seen in stores are now on sale. I purchased so many boots on sale last winter that now I only need a black pair to complete my collection. Shopping between the seasons is the best way to accumulate items for a wardrobe on a budget.

I picked up these Julianna Hough Teresa Sandals two weeks ago for $25 (regular price is $60. Link goes to a different site, in case you do not live near a Nordstrom Rack. The link price is a little more).

I loved the eyelet design on the back. They are sweet and comfortable. I like the color, too. I purchased mine in a pretty beige color that reminds me of my favorite tall gladiator sandals. Here is a peek at an outfit post coming up with these shoes. They go with so many items in my closet. I have a very high arch and I was scared that the high back of the sandal would rub on my ankle, but they surprisingly do not. I took my regular 7.5 shoe size. They have a zipper in the back making them easy to get on and off without messing with any buckles.

I also purchased them in this lovely brown color for my daughter. They came in a pretty black color, too. My sister came over to my house and tried my sandals on. She was going to go and get some herself. I hope she did (did you Mandi?). Nordstrom Rack had a lot of them in stock just last week.

Did you know Julianne Hough made shoes? At first I was incredulous, thinking that she could not possibly make comfortable shoes. She is a dancer. A beautiful, beautiful dancer. I wanted her to stay in her perfect little box that society or myself had put her in and perfectly dance away. Barefoot. But I tried them on. Swallowed my inner envy that the girl can do anything. And I am now happily walking around town in them. Maybe even spinning. Just a little.

With only a bit of jealousy to my step.

You can barely see the green envy of my sole.

Just don’t look too closely.

January 8, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

These Boots Three

At the beginning of the season, I saved some boots to my wishlist at Anthropologie. I ignored the pretty dresses. The flowy tops. The treasure I was seeking was more sturdy than that. I do not have a lot of shoes. I do not really care that much about them (I know! What kind of girl am I?). But I do love boots. And this year, I was determined to get one or two new pairs on sale. I watched in panic as the boots I liked began to sell out in my size. Was I doing the right thing waiting for sale?

I was thinking probably not, but I knew I had a budget to stretch. I could afford one pair of boots full price. And not the super expensive boots, either. Reasonably priced boots.

But even though they were reasonably priced, that did not mean I thought it was reasonable to pay that amount.

I thought if I could be a patient girl then perhaps I could pick up two pairs when they hit sale, instead of one.

I have never been a patient girl.

But greedy girl?

Oh, yes. And greedy girl beats out patient girl every single time. Meaning, I had to be patient in order to get more.

First, the Tara Saddle Boots went on sale from Anthropologie for almost half off. I snatched them up. I handed them over to my husband to wrap for Christmas.

And I waited. The Seychelles Woven Trail Booties also went on sale. But I was a careful stalker. There were three colors in these. I was not picky. I liked them all. Inevitably I felt this would result in a popback (when an item sells out, but then someone return it. It “pops back”).

All of the colors sold out. I moved on.

Then one day, my size popped back in the white color. And I ended up paying $30 for them instead of $140. Score!

There was one more ~~victim~~ pair I coveted. The Joyfele Faye Boots at Anthropologie. At their first cut price they were still too much money for me to pay. Then they got cut again to 64% off.

I ordered them. They came. I handed them over to be wrapped.

All in all, I paid $18 less for all three pairs of my new boots than what I would have paid full retail price for just the Joyfele Faye Boots.

Greedy girl is grinning.

Patient girl is proud.

Who is going to tell them they both got beat out by Sensible?

Not me.

Or I.

Or she.

Did you pick up any shoes this winter? ~~She~~ Me I have to admit that while I like my new boots, I still don’t have the passion. What are your thoughts? Do you love shoes?

November 28, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkey and stuffing
Giving thanks over gravy
Why won’t my jeans close?

In lieu of my usual “It’s The Little Things” today, I will be updating sporadically throughout today with things I am grateful for. I want to keep things in perspective.

My grandmother (who was the heart and soul of the family) passed away in January and today is going to be especially hard for my family. I will first travel two hours to my dad’s house, where my kids have spent the last two nights. We will prep food there (with my sister and her family) and then make our way about 1/2 a mile up the road to where my grandmother’s house is. My mom and her family will be gathered there. My heart is heavy. We will stay an hour and then go back to my dad’s house to eat.

Busy day! What are your plans? Because I feel my day will be filled with a lot of sadness, I am going to focus on the positives.

First up, coffee. Cuban coffee to be exact. Lovely goodness! I could not and did not get out of bed without it.

I made chocolate pie last night. I also made my husband some cranberry sauce. I believe he is the only one who likes it. Today, I will make green bean casserole.

I was also in charge of bringing the rolls and other pies. I ordered a pecan, pumpkin, and coconut creme from Marie Calendar’s. The yummy rolls were baked fresh at Great Harvest yesterday. I am grateful to be able to pick up yummy food and not mess up my kitchen making all of those things. I also am bringing wine. ‘Cause. Big grateful there. I did not even remove it from the trunk last night. I was scared I would forget it. Shudder.

This is what I am wearing for the drive and prep work. I am grateful to have scored these Mother’s Brand Jeans on clearance. If you have not tried Mother Jeans, you are missing out. Imagine my jeans were pulled down right.

Your bum will be grateful.

I am playing around with photo apps! Bear with me!

And we’re off! I hope your day is going great! What are your plans?

We are at my dad’s house. We are about to go outside and play a ball toss game. Here are some pictures I took on the drive to my dad’s house. Isn’t it beautiful? Look at the snow!

Played a game with my daughter. Had fun! The kids helped made these balls by drilling holes in them with my dad.

Then sat outside by the fire with my dad and talked for an hour with a glass of wine. So relaxing and nice. Grateful for this time.

Making green bean casserole on the grill outside. An adventure! We should eat by 5:00!

Turned out great! Of course, I do not eat this. Nor will I try it, but it looks yummy!

We finished the night with pie. We will be back on the road in ten minutes. It was a very nice day spent with family. I am incredibly thankful for the one I have. I hope everyone’s day was great!

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

clearance

Pretty Pleats With A Necklace On Top

It’s The Little Things: My New Favorite Sandals

These Boots Three

Happy Thanksgiving!