December 17, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

When Baking Goes Wrong… Distract Them

I have been sitting on these pictures for months. I really liked the outfit. I really disliked the recipe I made that day. So, I was unsure what to do. Should I still show the outfit or scrap it?

Well, with all of us baking this holiday season, there are bound to be some mishaps. If the same happens to you, just know at least you will probably be fully clothed when it happens. Winning.

Although showing a bit of undergarments is a sure fire way to distract folks from bad food.

Or not.

I have a chicken empanada recipe that is out of this world. It is my sister’s favorite thing that I make. And if memory serves me, my daughter’s too. Although I have never shared it here…yet. I am a bit slow on the draw.

I decided to try making sweet empanadas. Sounded simple enough. Just fill pie crust dough with a filling (I originally typed “feeling” and that would probably have turned out better), crimp, sprinkle with sugar and bake. But the lemon curd filling oozed out everywhere and the Nutella ones I made dried out and it was all a big disappointment. My husband and my mom both liked them, but in my opinion, they were not worth making again.

What are you baking this holiday season? I am making pie crust cookies. And chocolate chip cookies. And when I want something simple, I pick up the prebaked sugar cookie shapes at the grocery store (available at Albertson’s where I live) and dye vanilla frosting then let the kids take over. For dinner last night, I made Tyler Florence’s Pot Roast Tacos. The night before I made a very easy lasagna I will be sharing here next weekend. Tonight I am making Beef Enchiladas with the leftover taco meat. Tomorrow will be Pioneer Woman’s Perfect Potato Soup. Do you plan your weekly meals in advance? I love to cook. And I am trying not to fry my brain as I work out exactly how many more presents I still need to pick up. Smells like Christmas… And singed hair.

I am oblivious to the future of these pastries as I happily wear Anthropologie’s Horizon Lines Maxi (sold out, similar here), Free People’s Shadow Hacci Top, and Cosabella’s Never Say Never Sweetie Bralette in this picture.

December 5, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

To Keep Or Not To Keep?

That is the question. Definitely not as deep as the original philosophic query but it has its place.

I think.

Maybe not.

Oh goodness, I cannot decide if this post is obnoxious or not. Probably a little of both.

When Free People had their annual 25% off sale a few weeks ago, I bought a few items with the intent of my husband gifting a few to me for Christmas. As one does.

But I am unsure of two of the items and do not know how to style the third.

First up, Free People’s Eyelet Duster. I had originally given this top bad reviews because when I had purchased it two of the buttons had fallen off. But for the sale price coupled with the discount, I felt it was worth it even if I needed to replace the buttons. I am definitely keeping this. I like it with skinny jeans and tights. Underneath it for the picture is a white tank slip, but I did not style it with any accessories because I need ideas. I love the shape. I like the color. But I do not know how to accessorize it. What do you think?

If I keep these boots, they will have to be wrapped up to be placed under the Christmas tree from my husband. I am simply trying them on here to see what you think. I was in love with the idea of red boots. Especially red tall boots, but now I am not so sure. Are they too superheroy? Is that a good thing? A bad thing? Too Kinky Boots? Too tall with the width of my thighs? Too attention grabbing? Just… too? Is the shape good or bad? Do you think I should exchange them for black or khaki? I do not have either of those colors in boots. I have tried them on with a few things in my closet and the two grey dresses I tried on with them look better with these. In fact, I love them with grey. But what else could be worn with them? Do you think skinny jeans? They are very comfortable. Which to me is very important but… I really am on the fence with these. Please let me know what you think.

Finally, This jacket (sold out, but I am sure a few will popback over the next few weeks or check the availability in store). I LOVE the embroidery and colors but I am not so sure it is flattering on me. I would not wear it with this outfit, I would wear it with jeans, but I had to put it on quickly as we were running out of daylight. I am just so unsure about all of the zippers. The pockets are not deep enough to be useable. But that embroidery… Gosh, I am such a sucker for embroidery. This would be another Christmas present from my husband if you think I should keep it.

So, that is what I purchased in November. I also grabbed this dress in indigo during that sale at Free People, but I love it and it is a no-brainer. I am wearing it with grey leggings and tights with brown boots and brown accessories during the winter. In the summer, I will wear my gladiator sandals with it.

Thank you so much for any advice you can give. I know this is such a weird and maybe inappropriate post especially coming after yesterday’s heavy one. I never do things in a manner that makes any sense. I need to make my returns next week so I decided to ask for help and I, Thank you! Thank you for any you can give!

December 3, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Three Stripes You’re Out-fit

I could not resist this Anthropologie Tartan Blanket Coat. I tried to. Oh, how I tried to, as I attested to in the review post I recently did.

I was going to wait and have my husband gift it to me for Christmas. But I wanted to get as much use from it as I possibly could with this slight winter we have been having here.

I cannot resist fun.

Ever.

It is my downfall.

I don’t even want to tell you the temperature it was in Southern California on this day. I will say it was the coolest day we have had this fall, but my husband laughed at me when he saw me in this hat (sold out, similar hat here).

I need to protect my tresses. I only wash them every three to four days. This was day four. I had waved my hair (post about how I do that here) so it still looked okay. But a hat seemed like the logical solution for the roots and it is honestly the only hat that I own.

Also, I like a flowy top. I’m not pregnant. That ship has sailed. I just thought I should put that out there ’cause this top looks like I am trying to hide something.

Just hiding dirty hair here, folks.

And look! I accidentally wore three different stripes on this day. That’s gotta mean something.

I don’t know what. But somethin’.

I wore this to grab breakfast with a sweet friend.

She very politely said nothing about my odd dressing.

I have worn this combo before. On Halloween to be exact. The striped dress is from Target (previously worn as a shirt). The purple top was an $8 popback from Anthropologie. These tights are my very favorite and less than $10 (also available in leggings). And the hat was a clearance find at Free People a few years ago.

I will be wearing this tartan coat as often as I possibly can here. If it is less than seventy degrees, this is what I will be wearing. I would not wear this in the rain. I do think it might get ruined if it gets wet. It feels like felted wool. I imagine this would shrink. For fit purposes, this is the XS/S.

Are you wearing a favorite coat this season? How do you decide whether to keep a splurge-worthy garment? Does it have to be practical or unique? My answer is always unique.

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

November 5, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

The First Kiss Of Autumn

One’s first kiss is usually not special. At least mine wasn’t. I was seventeen.

First kisses can go either way.

I was not going to go on another date with my husband after our first date (I was twenty one and it is a long story for another day), but he asked if he could kiss me when he dropped me off back home. I did not have the heart to say no. He kissed me. And I happily never went on another date with another person.

He knew how to seal the deal.

As he tells it, he knew that if he kissed me I would go on another date with him. And he was right.

We were married four months later.

Free People’s First Kiss Dress is definitely on the positive end of the first kiss spectrum. It is one of my favorite dresses. I purchased it last year (previous post here).

It now comes in more colors but I continue to love the black and white.

I paired the dress with Anthropologie’s Vegan Leather Bomber Jacket (previously styled here).

If I were ever to make out with an inanimate object, this jacket would be it. Wait. That might be too much information. Can we forget I said that? Kiss that thought good bye.

It is absolutely perfection. Lightweight. Slimming. It looks great more fitted like I purchased it (size medium) and looser the way my daughter wears mine.

Are any of your fall items kissable? I love so many of my cozy items.

Which other items do I love? I will have to leave that a mystery for now.

I don’t always kiss and tell.

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

Free

When Baking Goes Wrong… Distract Them

To Keep Or Not To Keep?

Three Stripes You’re Out-fit

The First Kiss Of Autumn