December 11, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Two Vests and A Jacket

I never, ever thought I would have a fashion blog. It seems weird to me to show pictures of myself and talk about what I am wearing. I am still finding my style as I play around with my new body type.

But my mother LOVES this part of my blog. It is her very favorite.

And I want her to be happy.

And I LOVE clothes.

In fact, I have so many outfits backlogged, I might do three outfit posts in the next two weeks.

Merry Christmas, Mom! ; )…

Oh! And this is kind of funny and awful at the same time. You are going to notice in the next few weeks, that the pictures of me standing in front of my fireplace will be full of Christmas cheer. Also, I have a garland strung across that says, “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Well, when I pose in front of it, sometimes only two letters show.

Great!

In the future, if I can remember, I will take the garland down before photos. But if I forget, sorry in advance!

This vest is so old, I cannot even find the name for it. I bought it from Anthropologie years and years ago. I love the polka dots and cheerful color. The jeans are my favorite brand, Mother Brand Jeans. The super cute necklace was c/o Simply Livly on Etsy.

Please. Please. If I am ever too lazy to go out to my car and get my regular lipstick from it… Show me this picture! Holy garishness!

This is almost my exact outfit from my Thanksgiving post with a different necklace and shirt. The plaid was from Nordstrom Rack (also seen here). The vest is my favorite new staple. It is the Ruffled Sweater Vest from Anthropologie.

“Why are you wearing your pajamas, Mom?” My son asked me this question as we were getting ready to leave on our hunt for a Christmas tree.

I looked down. I had to explain that I was not wearing pajamas. That these were pants. But it did make me slightly self conscious.

I threw on a bright scarf to draw some attention away from my bright legs, and we were off.

I first spotted these Tartan Charlie Trousers on Sayaka on her blog, Happily Ever Anthro. She looked so adorable in them. I checked the price. $29.95 down from $118. They had my size. Sold.

(The pants are now $19.99, and sold out. But last week, I saw three sizes back in stock. If you like them, you might be able to call the stores and find them.)

Since then, I have paired the pants with my bunny shirt like Sayaka is wearing. But I am not comfortable with my butt (I started to type bottom, but felt like a fake, and the other word seemed too blunt for my blog) being exposed, so I like them better for myself with this super long tee from last year.

The jacket is the Auden Denim Jacket. I waited and waited for a great sale on this denim jacket. I am including a link, even though it is sold out, because it keeps popping back in stock. I took a size 8 in this jacket.

My only other denim jacket is ten years old. It is a size 12, and really too big. I love this jacket! So happy to have snagged it on such a great sale price!

What is your favorite cold weather staple?

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

December 5, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Striped Terry Blazer

I purchased this Anthropologie Striped Terry Blazer on a major sale months ago. And I am just now getting around to sharing the pictures of how I am styling it?! I believe this was in August. Or September.

One of those months. They all blend together, kind of like the three pounds I gained this week from the three pies I ate. Dinner tonight? Salad. Oh. Who am I kidding? Is a Snickers bar a vegetable?

“Sigh.”

The major selling point to me with this blazer (besides the price tag) was the material it was made from. Terry cloth? It invoked images of bubble baths and showers. Plus, it had stripes. Grey stripes! Red stripes! Yes please.

First up we have the blazer styled with a simple orange embroidered tee I purchased years and years ago. I actually own this shirt in three different colors. I bought a mustard colored one from eBay for $4 last year. The jeans in all of these pictures are from The Gap ten years ago. The boots are vintage from the flea market. I chose to include two pictures, so we can see the weird poses I make with my hands. They like to do odd things for my pictures. I think they are trying to spell “p-i-e.”

Then I paired it with a bright blue henley.

The crochet tank was $15 from Marshall’s over the summer. And the floral tank was $10 at Nordstrom Rack in the spring.

I like the mix of patterns and textures here with the blazer.

Do you wear blazers with jeans? How do you make them more casual? Did you know terry cloth could be worn outside the house? Or the bathroom?

And what did we decide about the Snickers bar?

It’s definitely a root vegetable. Right?

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

December 1, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

H&M Lately

First: I want it noted that this year (2013) from 12/1 to 12/2, H&M is doing a huge online sale. I ordered quite a few Christmas presents early Sunday afternoon. It is 40% off entire regular price order over $50 + an additional 25% off sale purchase + free shipping. The code is 7376. This is a fantastic offer! H&M is all ready a decently priced store. This discount is kind of spectacular. Happy shopping!

Now, on to my story about this store from two weeks ago:

I dropped my daughter off at the mall with her friends. However, the thought of her at the mall by herself made me hyperventilate. Okay. She wasn’t by herself. She was with six other girls. One of whom was seventeen. But still. It’s a scary world out there…At the mall.

So I stayed. That way I could scope out any potential predators. Or stalkers.

Or deals.

Selfishly, I had a craving for those fried cheese sticks at the Corn Dog Stick place. I have no idea if they still sell those there. It’s been almost twenty years since I have had them. On my way to the food court, I stopped in at H&M. I needed a simple long sleeved black t-shirt. I knew they had them here for $12.95. I entered the store.

And there I stayed for the entire time. There are some fantastic items there right now!

If you text your email address to the number in store, you get 10% off your purchase to be used that day only. I think you can also give them your email address at the register. The best part is, after I did this, they also emailed me a coupon for 20% off one item.

They have the best sweater tights there right now. They are spendy at $12.95, but I loved this gold color. And I got them for 10% off, so they ended up being more of a decent price. I believe during the Cyber deal these are now $5.25 in the sale section.

I got my black shirt.

Look at this tube scarf. So easy. The color is brilliant (perfect with the trendy army jackets popular now and jeans). $12.95 (plus discount) = a steal.

They also had: Bunny. Pajamas. Bunnies on pajamas. Who needs sheep? I bought them, but they are in the wash. No pictures. Sorry!

They also have a new “lodge” line with some fabulous Fairisle sweater items. Unfortunately, they did not have my size in a gorgeous dress, but this line is really cute for the right body type (mine not being it).

I never did get my fried cheese (perhaps that is for the best), but I did find some amazing inexpensive pieces.

The only deal I bought for myself with the 40% off Cyber Sunday/Monday sale (besides some basic tanks for $3.57, 2 pairs of $7.46 jeans, a pair of black sweater tights and a scarf) was this vest. I normally do not do the fur thing, but I loved the pattern. We will see what it looks like when it comes. I kind of hate the tie waist. If I cannot fix that, I will not keep it.

The skinny jeans that are on sale for $9.95, are now $7.46 with coupon code!

Have you been to H & M lately? Are you going to partake in their fabulous online offer?

P.S. Johnny Was is also offering a Cyber Monday sale with 35% off purchase with code ENJOY35.

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

vest

Two Vests and A Jacket

Striped Terry Blazer

H&M Lately

Happy Thanksgiving!