March 27, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Being Home

I have a theme (or a bad habit). And that theme is I will have a post ready to go for my “little things” weekly section, but something else will inspire me more. So, that post gets pushed off indefinitely. And I write some random things instead.

But they come from the heart.

That’s gotta count for something?

Right?

While we were in Vegas, we had a good time, but there is just something wonderful about coming home. I wanted to share the little things that made my heart sing yesterday.

It’s good to be home.

Coffee! From a pot! From my very own pot! Oh, how I missed this. The hotel we stayed at did not have a coffee maker. I yearned for it. And I yearned for a cup of coffee that cost less than $3.

And water. In a glass. Filtered water in a glass. Free filtered water in a glass! Know my soul is splashing in this container right now.

My pillow. My very own pillow. Devoid of stranger’s drool. How I missed thee.

My kids. Okay. No pictures of them, but they were the best part.

My puppies.

It is funny, because Ollie could care less that we are home. If anything, he is sad, because our house-sitter lets him sleep in our bed (resulting in our whole bedroom getting scrubbed before I will go to bed). Murphy was extremely excited. But then he spent the whole night guarding the bed in case Ollie got any ideas that he belonged there.

Fresh baked cookies. These are my new favorite cookies. I will have the recipe up next week. I have been thinking about them all week.

What’s your favorite thing about coming home? What do you miss the most?

It’s The Little Things: Enjoying what you have, where you are at. In other words, home.

Also, the sound of ch-ching! is absent in my house. I find this to be my most favorite thing so far about being back. Unfortunately my mind has not quite come to terms with the silence. And even now as I lay in bed in the dark, slot machines are invading my quiet.

But it still does not compare to my very least favorite thing:

Laundry. Ugh. Laundry. How I did not miss thee.

Let me get back to being grateful for water while I fold clothes and lose money to the slots in my head.

P.S. Tomorrow I will have a huge post up about our Las Vegas trip. Complete with a picture of our wedding from fifteen years ago (just don’t tell my husband I’m putting it on the blog!). : )

March 23, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Stylin’ The Torsade Dress

A few weeks ago, Anthropologie’s Torsade Dress* popped back for me for $30. And I pounced on it. I had been waiting for it for this price because $98 was just too much for me. Unfortunately when it came, it reeked of garlic. This is a mystery I would not like to examine further. This might seem gross. But it was an easy fix with a quick wash in the washing machine. Although if I had to guess, I would say the dress was worn previously by some awesome female vampire hunter. This makes the dress more special. Sadly its special garlic powers washed out of the dress and thankfully I was able to wear it.

But now am weak against vampires. Oi.

Here is the dress as it is. Without playing with it. This is actually the way a vampire hunter would wear it except my accessory would be a wooden stake. I just wanted to give you that visual.

* Pairing the dress with different colored bottoms will momentarily confuse the vampires in order for you to get away.

I thought it would be fun to pair it with rain boots even if this outfit will probably never make it to my reality with California’s drought. I think the teal matches well. I would love to have the opportunity to wear this.

I also hope any vampires near me are having their own drought as well.

My favorite way I paired it was using it as a top. I have been wanting a floral top with some pink in it to pair with my red and white striped skirt. But I did not want to pay for one. And I am not sure the exact shirt I had in my head exists in reality. Then I happened to see these two pieces next to each other and I could not wait to try it!

Or you could use the dress as a skirt. This is perfect for those chilly nights when you need to arm yourself with more than just garlic.

Do you own this dress? A floral dress? What is your favorite way to style it?

* This is the link to the dress, but it is sold out. However a brick and mortar store might still have it if you call customer service. I cannot, however, guarantee that your dress will have any anti-vampire properties. Sorry about that.

** This has not been proven. If you happen to see a vampire, I doubt that the way in which you style this dress would be enough to scare them away. Well, unless you covered the dress in mirrors. But I think I would rather take my chances with the beasts.

* P.S. I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

March 22, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

I Will. I Do. I Do. I Will.

I don’t know why, but I am addicted to those bridal shows on t.v. I don’t care what show it is. “Say yes to the dress” in any city, “Four Weddings,” and even sometimes, “Something Borrowed, Something New” (although I hate this show with a fierce passion. Fierce. Passion).

If it is on, my brain becomes fixated on the white flowy gowns.

Here is something funny I heard a mom say to her daughter on one of those shows when there were not enough sequins on her dress: “It needs more embezzlements.”

Yes, it does.

I bet a dress like that would ~~take~~ go for a lot of money.

My husband and I got married in a whirlwind of quick planning in Las Vegas. We loved every second of our wedding. First, that my mom planned it. We would never have done it otherwise. The cake was delicious (the most important part). It was quick. It was easy. I loved my dress. It was supposed to have a bow removed, because the original wedding was planned and all ready had a deposit at a different venue for July. Plenty of time to order a bowless dress.

Well, a little something unplanned happened. And my dress was not going to fit when July came. So, we quickly planned a wedding for March.

My dress arrived. With the bow. This is where the good part happens. I had gained a little weight (see unplanned occurrence above) and the zipper broke an hour before the ceremony. But the bow hid it! Providence.

I would only change one thing about my wedding. Okay two. My dad got so nervous about walking me down the aisle that we practically ran. Seriously, he still laughs about it.

Second, what my husband said during our vows. Growing up, every little girl dreams of the “I dos.” Some of them may even practice saying them in preparation for the day those two words actually get to come out of their mouths (definitely not dressed in white and definitely not involving a dog if any kind).

Here is a bit of trivia I was not privy to until my wedding day. Little boys. Well, little boys don’t think of that moment at all. I am pretty sure that until their actual wedding day, those two words never even enter their minds.

Sometimes they never do enter their minds.

Even on their wedding day.

I wish I had known that.

It was finally my our moment.

I listened to the officiant rattle off the long list of things my husband was to agree to. And then we waited for his answer.

“I will.”

I did a double take. Wait. Wha?! What happened to “I do”? This was not what was supposed to happen! My OCD flared up. Now, my answer would not match his! The officiant turned to me and began to recite the terms I was to agree to. I didn’t hear any of it. All I could think of is, what the heck am I going to say?!

Silence.

I realized it was my turn to answer. My moment.

So, I pulled a Jenni. I just repeated both things. And I added an extra one in to make up for my husband’s edited version of the words. It had to be even. You know, OCD and all of that.

This is what I said, ” I do. I will. I do.”

I think my husband realized at that moment what had happened. He had married a crazy lady. The rest of the ceremony was a blur.

A beautiful blur.

But now whenever I watch any wedding show on t.v., I wait for those two words to be spoken. Inevitably, about a third of the time, “I will,” is said.

I looked it up and the consensus is divided on which saying is correct. I guess it just depends on what sounds best to you. What your venue might prefer. What you ~~and your dog~~ practiced when you were little.

This just shows you that you really cannot know what is going to happen in life. Planning has never been my forte. I never thought I would be married in Las Vegas. Or that my wedding would be moved up by many months. I couldn’t predict that my husband would not choose to say the words I had rehearsed in my head for decades. But do I cherish the impulsive memories? Will I look back in fondness at the unexpected surprises?

I will.

Do you remember which words were spoken at your wedding ceremony or the last one you attended?

I do.

P.S. Yesterday was my fifteenth wedding anniversary. I wrote this in honor of it. We are at this very moment in Las Vegas celebrating where it all began. I have posts scheduled every day while we are away. If I do not get to your comments today, please know I will respond A.S.A.P.! But it might not be today. : )

Thank you! : )

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!

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

to

It’s The Little Things: Being Home

Stylin’ The Torsade Dress

I Will. I Do. I Do. I Will.

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