April 9, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

A Cheap, Easy and Waughty Mess

I realized recently that I had not shared a good many of my outfit photos from the wintertime. I do not know what happened? I guess I just would rather talk about dimes falling out of my underwear than clothes. ; )

I purchased this easy little dress (called the Eyelet Twofer Chemise) in the winter of 2012 from Anthropologie. I have always liked it. Probably because it was called a “chemise” and I cannot resist wearing such items out in public. It is easy to layer. It is one complete piece, so it is also easy to wear.

I guess what I am saying is… I’m easy.

Yep.

Bet ya didn’t know that.

This outfit is kind of a hot mess. But I had fun with it. And in it.

I guess what I am also confessing today is, I’m a mess.

An easy mess.

Sigh.

This whole outfit from head to toe cost less than $80. So, I guess there is that.

Did I mention I’m kind of cheap, too?

With one of my Christmas gift cards, I bought this beautiful Arslan Sweater Coat on sale from Anthropologie In December. I have only worn it once. However, my dear friend borrowed it for a trip to Canada last month. So, this sweater has traveled more than I have! Don’t tell Humboldt Tunic. He will not be able to contain his jealousy.

I paired the sweater-coat with a lingerie piece my husband gifted me as a Christmas gift. I like to wear my underwear as clothes, too.

I am weird. Or naughty. I’ll go with weird.

Or waughty.

I have shared much more than I meant to in this little outfit post today. We learned that I am an easy, cheap, waughty, messy girl. Darn! I was hoping I would secretly learn I was elegant or sophisticated.

You can now add delusional to the mix, too.

Are you ready for winter to be over? It is 95 degrees here today. I am happy to see spring, but I am hoping this is not a sign of things to come!

P.S. A new monthly blog giveaway starts at midnight! : )

March 21, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Please Help Me! What to bring to Vegas??!!

I know. I know this post is ~~kind of~~ lame. And self indulgent. But I REALLY need help. My husband and I are going to Las Vegas for three nights tomorrow. I purchased some pieces I think say “Las Vegas.” But I am at a loss as to what to bring during the day. And today is Friday. We leave tomorrow morning. I have not even begun to pack.

Panic.

For evening, I have the Scalloped Shift Dress, Lace Study Dress, and Scalloped Leather Skirt.

I do not know what to pair with the leather skirt for the evening time. I want to look sexy, but not trampy. And it has to be dressy enough for a nice dinner. And it has to be something I all ready own in my closet. You can see my dilemma. I was thinking a tight lace top, but is that too…too?

Or is this dress a better substitute for any of the above?

I also do not feel like my bohemian style is appropriate for Las Vegas. I am thinking about just bringing jeans and a skirt or two. Maybe the Sketchbook Dress?

Am I overthinking this?

I am just so excited to get away for some alone time, I don’t want to be self conscience.

Here is one day outfit plan with my Ping Skirt.

And maybe my Humboldt Tunic? Except, I will wear pants this time. Probably. Maybe. Hopefully. With my pink AG Skinny Velvet pants? Or like this?

Maybe my Ruffled Skirt? Except this is sweet. Not sexy. Is there any way to make it that latter word?

I also recently bought this Free People Lydia X Maxi Skirt from Nordstrom Rack. I am not sure how the heck to style it. Maybe a long sleeve white or black t-shirt? But what shoes? And what jewelry? Maybe this could be a daytime outfit?

And when I say, “outfit.” Please know I am insinuating a top with that skirt. Not my belly. That would be the opposite of sexy.

I LOVE this dress, but my husband does NOT. Does that make it an automatic “no” for a romantic getaway? Keep in mind on one of the days, I am going shopping (doing review posts for BOTH Free People and Anthropologie. If there is something you would like to see, please let me know and I will try to find it in the store to try on) and he is playing in a poker tournament. Maybe this could be my brave girl out look?

Any help or advice would greatly appreciated. Any clothes I should take instead?

Thank you! Thank you!

February 15, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

I can’t… I Just Can’t… Lace Study Dress

Something happened to me a few months ago. Something amazing. I have come to the realization that I can’t pay full price. I just cannot do it. It drives me crazy. It seems I no sooner buy something full price, then it goes on sale. Then I feel betrayed. By that piece of clothing. And I rarely wear it.

So without a gift card, I pretty much only purchase on sale. And it has to be a good sale, too. At least 50% off…

Wait! Oh! My! Gosh! Did you see that? Did. You. See. That? Did you see the new Byron Lars Lace Study Dress? Holy Wallet!

CLUNK!

That was the sound of me falling on the floor after seeing that beauty.

CLUNK!

That was the sound of my husband hitting the floor after he saw the price tag.

CLUNK!

That was the sound of my pocket book being thrown down to scoop that beauty up for my husband’s birthday dinner and our anniversary trip to Las Vegas.

Now my pocket book sounds like this:

What you didn’t hear that? If you listen closely, you can very slightly hear the rustle of. The faint rumble. The breezy swooshing. Of…

Nothing.

Sob.

Anyway, I have had two kids. I have a belly. Yes, I am totally going to blame my children for my protrusion and not my overeating or lack of exercise. It was the reason I had kids. Speaking of which, kids will take every sense of vanity from you. I remember very clearly my friend asking me at nineteen what my best body part was. I thought long and hard. Yes, this is when I had to actually think because there was more than one to choose from. Ahhh. Youth. Anyway, I chose my stomach. And the universe laughed at me. And my thighs clapped. Sigh.

My husband actually tells me he likes my stomach. Which is super sweet. And enabling.

My point being, that yes, even with a shaper underneath this dress, my body is not perfect. And that is okay. I still like the dress.

And I am okay with my belly. Shhh. Don’t tell it that. I don’t want it to think of it as a challenge.

But seriously, I did not have one piece of tight clothing in my closet besides pants before I purchased this dress. It filled a void in my wardrobe. It probably will be the only tight piece of clothing for a very long while.

My husband LOVES this dress. I mean loves. He wants me to wear it at every outing.

Enabler. ; )

Anyway, what was I saying? Oh, yea. That I won’t pay full price. Yea. That’s right. Never again.

Wait! What’s that?…

Do you have a strict “sale only” philosophy?

I am in love with the Lace Study Dress. It’s the stuff sounds are made of… Pocket books die for…

And bellies proudly salute.

February 9, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Date Night: Silver Linings

Last night (Saturday), my husband and I embarked on a trip to celebrate his birthday. We went to a play at The Pantages Theater and out to dinner. Unfortunately, both the dinner and the play were really awful. I am not going to dwell on that, though. I just wanted to show the good from our night out. Because even a bad night has some good in it.

I saw this building and thought it looked like a giant robot trying to tell us something. I think I know now what he was trying to say.

The pattern on my Anthropologie Lace Study Dress looked just like the pattern in the sky.

Los Angeles at night.

The restaurant had Kung Fu Girl wine!!! I am not kidding! That made me smile.

Me, oblivious to the meal awaiting me.

Please. Please do not put blueberry compote in your creme brûlée. It is not as good as it sounds.

Me in front of The Pantages.

My son just downloaded a texting app on his Kindle. We don’t let our children get cell phones until they turn thirteen. Texting him was the highlight of my evening. He kept cracking me up and making me smile with his sweet notes. I am sure you are happy I am not sharing the elaborate description of Ollie farting that he sent me.

The gorgeous Pantages Theater.

My best bite of the night.

Have you gone on a date night recently? Where did you go?

P.S. I am writing this at 1:00 on Sunday morning. It is my husband’s actual birthday today and I want to work hard to make sure it is better than last night. If I do not respond to comments from yesterday and today’s posts today, I promise to do so Monday during my giveaway. Thank you so much!

Have a beautiful silver-lining day!

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

lace

A Cheap, Easy and Waughty Mess

Please Help Me! What to bring to Vegas??!!

I can’t… I Just Can’t… Lace Study Dress

Date Night: Silver Linings