July 10, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Now Closed: 16th Blog Giveaway $50 Modcloth Gift Card

This giveaway is now closed and no longer excepting entries. Thank you!

Because I am in a happy, festive spirit. I still have the birthday glow, so to speak (by the way, thank you so much for all of the birthday wishes! You made my day), I am going to do a bigger giveaway this month. Also, I am in love with Modcloth and since you get free shipping on orders over $50, I decided to give away a $50 e-gift card to Modcloth this month so that shipping would be free for the winner.

I am so excited!

I love doing these giveaways once a month. It makes me so happy to give back to you for sticking by this crazy, rambling blog. I can never thank you enough. But thank you, thank you. And thank you! One day I hope to meet some of you in person. It feels like we are friends from afar. I would love to get to actually chat with my friends! Maybe some day…

On to the giveaway:

Oh, but first, I wanted to show what I have purchased this month from Modcloth. I actually succumbed to Modcloth’s recent huge sale by purchasing this Twofer The Honey Dress now that it is 50% off. It has the word, “honey” in it. It is crocheted. And this beekeeper’s daughter could not resist it, even though it is also the dreaded word, “sleeveless.”

I also purchased these Honeycomb Away With Me Earrings to wear with it. They were $13 and I think they will go perfectly with the dress. So, the whole outfit will be booties or wedges, dress, earrings, and a gold cuff. I love picturing an outfit coming together in my mind…

Oh! Was there a giveaway going in here? That’s right. I do not want to keep boring you with my purchases.

Now, really, on to the giveaway:

There are three ways to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $50 e-gift card to Modcloth:

To enter this month, please leave a comment on this post telling me the last time you ate something with honey in it. Or the last time you went somewhere with your honey. If that is too personal, simply leave any ol’ comment as long as it is nice.

To earn a second entry, please be a subscribed reader of this blog. There are many ways to become one on the right hand side of this page. If you become a subscriber or are all ready a subscriber, please leave a second comment stating so.

The third and final way to earn an entry is to pin something from my blog or to share something from this blog on Facebook. Just come back here after you have shared and please leave a comment stating which you have chosen to do.

That’s it. Easy peasy! Or easy bee-zy! You can enter by choosing to do one or all three ways. Limit three entries per person.

Good luck! And thank you to all who enter for a chance to win!

The giveaway runs from July 10, 2014 12:00 a.m. PST to July 15, 2014 9:00 p.m. PST. I will be choosing one winner from the comments entered on this post for the Modcloth $50 e-gift card using random.org. I will contact the winner on July 16, 2014 and display the winner’s name on this blog on July 17, 2014.

Thank you everyone for entering! And for reading! And for stopping by! You’re the bee’s knees! ; )

By commenting on this post, you are entering this giveaway for a chance to win one $50 e-gift card to Modcloth 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.

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

* This giveaway is not associated with or sponsored by Modcloth. I just like their stuff. : )

*this post contains affiliate links, purchasing from the links will result in a small commission for this blog.

July 5, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

An Antique & Artsy Date Night

A week ago, my husband and I ventured out on a date. We are always hungry early, and so like the old folks that we are, we decided to leave our house at 5:00. Being the procrastinator that I am, I had not changed clothes for the date. It was 4:45 and I was still in my pajamas…

From my closet, I yelled over my shoulder to my husband, “I have nothing to wear!”

To which I heard a grumbled, “Seriously?”

And then my muffled response, as I choked and gagged on my gluttonous amount of clothes, “I’m just kidding!”

And his muttered-under-his-breath-but-consciously-loud-enough-for-me-to-hear-from-the-bedroom-to-the-closet reply, “No you’re not.”

And he was kinda right. I never know what to wear on a date. I love free-flowing bohemian maxis. My husband likes short fitted dresses.

Never the two shall meet.

I ended up picking this Modcloth dress (similar here) from last year that I had purchased when I went and saw Cindy Lauper (post here and here). It was a good choice, because my husband really liked it.

It was his choice as to where we would eat that night and he picked a trendy little hipster restaurant in the old part of our town. That part of town is now filled with antique stores and gourmet restaurants. My husband loves the hamburgers there. I love the decor.

Look at this chandelier made from honey bear jars. Wicked cool right?

I can’t believe I just said, “wicked cool.” Next thing you know, I’ll be saying “uber”. If that happens, just hang me up with those bears, okay?

Let’s pretend that never happened.

I took pictures of the art on the walls, whilst unbeknownst to me also attracting the attention of the chefs.

I pored over the menu, even though I always get the same thing.

The hamburger.

I had to include the funny picture, because I hate pictures of me eating. Don’t you?

It was a beautiful evening and we planned on just heading home and watching a movie.

Oh! But before I move on, I have to talk about dessert! We had amazing homemade cheesecake. Or restaurant-made cheesecake. All I know is that it was good and made on the premises. I do not like going to restaurants that serve desserts they have ordered from other companies.

We decided to walk down to my favorite antique store. Thankfully, my husband likes antiques as much as I do. Although on this night, he was antsy.

Look at the cool letters with my husband’s and my initials. I want them. Desperately. I think it is kismet that they happen to be our initials. I also love the colors. But they are very expensive. So, I am holding out.

Maybe one day…

Other antiques we liked: an old door. Oh! The colors on this door (but I all ready have this one). Another want. An old toy horse. A really cool tractor part that had the prettiest patina.

Then we made our way outside where unbeknownst to us, there was an art festival going on that had started mere minutes before. The artists were setting up booths and some were doing sidewalk chalk art. The picture above is the beginning of an art piece by my children’s art teacher, Lisa Owen Lynch, setting up her awesome Star War’s Princess Leia drawing. We randomly ran into her and it was neat to see her at work.

Look at her shoes! She is the coolest!

And we left her just as the hair was coming together. She is so talented. My kids are very lucky to get to learn from her.

I ended up purchasing a small bird painting for $30 from one of the artists there. It looks like a strange bird at first, but it is actually two birds. Because of that, I thought it was weird and neat enough for a place in our home. Plus, the colors are great. The artist was super sweet, too.

I love that what started out as a simple dinner turned into a fun antique browse and art walk. There is something romantic about spontaneity. And I treasure when an evening turns out better than planned.

Where have you gone on a date recently? Do you always decide the restaurant or do you trade off with your partner?

June 24, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Anthropologie Early Summer Reviews

I was at an Anthropologie a few days ago, waiting to meet my father at a nearby restaurant so we could eat lunch and I could pick up my kids after their camping adventure with him. I was not planning on doing reviews. But so many great pieces beckoned to me and so I decided to share them with you.

I did not buy anything, because I had splurged on this dress and this vest during the tag sale. But I added many items to my wishlist. I was surprised, because nothing popped out at me online, but I loved them in person.

First, I wore my Modcloth dress from a winter sale, that day. It is long sold out (similar dress here), but Modcloth always has fit and flare dresses that are great year round. And this dress has been on my wishlist forever, but always sells out in my size before I can buy it. The necklace is Simply Livly’s Turquoise Necklace. And the shoes are Anthropologie’s Almanac Sandals, now on sale.

I love. Love. Love. Love the Dolan Horizon Lines Maxi Skirt. It is $88. It is elongating. It is not too clingy. I am definitely picking this up soon. I am wearing a medium and apparently I am not wearing it right. I guess the waistband is supposed to fold over on itself, but I prefer it this way. It is big at the waist, but I think a small would be too clingy around my thighs and hips. The colors are muted and remind me of watercolors.

And the Gabo Eyelet Tee is so good. So, so, so good. Well, except for the price. I am going to try to hold out on sale for this one. It is artsy and just unique and different (which is kind of what I am exclusively looking for lately). My husband says in no way should I ever wear these two together. And I know they clash, but I like it. What do you think? I do see what he is talking about, so you won’t hurt my feelings either way. I am wearing a medium here and that is what I would buy. It has big holes with no lining so it will definitely need a camisole underneath it to wear out into public. To wear for pictures on the public internet? Meh. That’s up to you.

If I did sleeveless, I would be all over the Tulipan Tank Dress. It is comfortable. It is flattering. I love the two different colors on the dress. It comes in four different color combinations. It does run big. I am in a small in this dress, so I worry the more petite girls might be sized out of this. I have this in my wishlist, because I would definitely buy this for a sale price. It has a weird criss-cross back and my bra straps did show, so that is something to consider, because I hate wearing special bras.

I adore everything about the Embroidered Cutwork Dress. I love that it comes in black and white. I have so many white dresses, but I have wishlisted this dress in both colors. This dress is a tricky one in terms of sizing. I am wearing a small in the picture above.

And a medium in this picture. I am unsure which size to get. I am leaning towards small. I will be patient with this one and wait until sale. It is a basic piece and I like how it can be dressed up or down. I also like the length of the dress as it is not too short.

I wish you could have seen me in the dressing room trying to put on this shirt. What? Jenni, that is not a shirt. That is a romper. Um, yes, I eventually did figure that out, but it took me an embarrassing amount of time to put this on. First, because the leg holes confounded me for a shirt opening and second, once I realized it was a romper and not a shirt, I had to decide if I was actually going to try it on.

And I did.

For you.

I am wearing a medium.

I am just not a romper girl. I jiggle too much to be a romper girl. I think this will be amazing on so many girls. I have a friend in particular who would rock this romper. Kerri, I’m talking to you. But it is just not for me.

I would be pulling it down all day. And it would eventually look like this. I think we can all agree that would be a bad call.

I was intrigued by the pattern of this skirt, on the hanger. It is called Apolline Maxi Skirt. I do not think this is a maxi skirt. More like a midi. I did not find this flattering on me. I am wearing a medium. It is a flimsy material and I think the price tag is high for it. It does receive good reviews online. It is just not for me.

The shirt in the picture is great. It is the Lace Lined Tee. I am wearing a medium. It has great details and I have wishlisted it.

I also tried on the Carte Neoprene Skirt with the top above. It was on my store’s last chance rack and happened to be my size 6. I think I would size up to an 8 in this. It was a little tight. It is also, short, short, short. No surprise, my husband loved this skirt. I loved the map design on it. It was different and cool. The material is really odd on this. It is thick and slippery. I think this one is a pass for me, because of the length. This would be great on the younger set.

I tried on the Mira Shirtdress. I think the pattern is pretty and the colors are great. I am not a shirtdress girl. I would say this runs true to size. I am wearing a size six here. If you are a shirtdress girl, then I think this one is cute.

I have been waiting for the River Fade Dress (previously called Bavay Dress) to hit sale for months and months. Now they have renamed it and put it back in the new arrival section, so it looks like I will have to wait even longer.

The dress did not disappoint in person. I love that smooth easy feel that chambray can take on. The dress is very flattering. I am wearing a medium above.

And the small here. There really was not much of a difference between the two sizes. I think I would order a small if it ever goes on sale. I love everything about this dress, although my husband said it reminded him of a kangaroo.

Great. Just call me Kanga.

Have you tried on anything you love lately? Did you buy anything during the tag sale? Isn’t it hard to wait for sale?

*This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on or purchasing from certain links may result in a small commission ~~to feed Roo~~ for this blog.

May 18, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

One Last Look Overall

Before the blasted heat wave hit California, we were enjoying gorgeous, beautiful weather. The kind of weather that made you feel like all of the taxes were worth it. The gentle breeze just blew them away.

I decided to get one last wear out of my overalls (previously shown here and here) before the sweltering heat began. I think these overalls have sold out, but I am also lovin’ the Free People Railroad Printed Overall.

I adore yellow and black together. This obviously having nothing what so ever to do with growing up on an apiary.

Nothing makes a day better than getting love from a dog. He is my gentle giant.

The top is from Anthropologie last year. It has hedgehogs all over it. It is sold out but Modcloth always has amazing printed shirts in their online store. I have my eye on this and this.

Are you ready for the heat? Have you been wearing overalls or gotten nuzzled by a monster? Trust me that doing both will make your cares go away. Or at the very least, doing both will guarantee that the drool from the messy-but-sweet creature will be confined to just one article of clothing.

* I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

*This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on or purchasing from select links will result in a small commission for ~~cleaning monster drool~~ this site.

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

modcloth

Now Closed: 16th Blog Giveaway $50 Modcloth Gift Card

An Antique & Artsy Date Night

Anthropologie Early Summer Reviews

One Last Look Overall