January 9, 2015 by gn0mel0ver

Maroon Foggy Fire In The Snow

I took five outfit photos the day it snowed at my house this year. It had not snowed in years and it was too good of a photo opportunity to pass up.

Eck, I am such a blogger.

This outfit ended up being my favorite.

This is surprising to me for several reasons.

Mostly because I hate. Yes, hate. The color maroon.

I don’t know where this hatred came from. But it is there and alive ~~and well~~. And I just learned that marsala is the 2015 color of the year! Which is pretty much a fanciful way of saying “maroon.”

Oi.

Maybe the fashion gurus are on to something. Perhaps it is the name. When I purchased this Free People Embroidered Fable Dress two years ago, this color was called Mulberry. I like that name. Let’s think of some more.

Foggy Fire.

Lusting From Afar Red.

Sunset Sangria.

Yes, I like all of those.

I get more offers to buy this dress than any other item in my closet. The color is discontinued, but honestly, I love the grey color they have in it right now, too. The sweater is an old Anthropologie item I purchased from a sweet reader last winter. They had a a similar sweater this year that is now on sale. I loved that one when I reviewed it and would have picked it up if I did not all ready own and love mine.

What is your least favorite color to wear? Mine actually isn’t maroon. It is brown. I guess I like cheery colors. But now that I can rename the offenders, I am liking their sultry offerings. Perhaps 2015 is the year I change my ways.

Or perhaps not.

It’s too maroon to tell.

December 23, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

A Leopard Cannot Change Its Spots Stripes?

When my husband saw this outfit he was quiet.

Not a word.

Or a peep.

Out of him.

My daughter had no such restraint. “That headband with that vest?”

“No. Just no.”

This, of course, made me giggle.

I had purchased this red and white striped wrap dress from H&M the week before when I went shopping with my daughter. I knew immediately I wanted to wear it over my Bermeja Tunic Dress (sold out, similar dress here) as a vest. It was a bargain at $5. I loved the way Shy Girl Loud Voice remixed the Bermeja Tunic Dress with her vest (I previously styled the Bermeja Tunic Dress here and here). The headband was also from H&M. I believe it was more than the dress/vest at $6. I wanted to crawl into this leopard trend with soft baby moves. It is out of my comfort zone.

So, I took some pictures with the headband and some without.

That way everyone is happy.

Except Murphy.

We took Murphy with us that day to get pictures, because my husband had taken Ollie for a car ride earlier in the day and left Murphy at home with me.

After listening to Murphy crying at the door for a half an hour, I called my husband to inform him that he had broken the dog.

Murphy could not comprehend not going with Ollie.

But Murphy hates car rides.

He gets anxious.

He loves the walks.

He is the exact opposite of Ollie, not only in looks, but in activities.

Ollie had to be carried home after his last walk.

This made it difficult for my husband because he was all ready carrying me.

Murphy was definitely not as good as Ollie during the photo shoot. Murphy does not follow direction well. He is always on the lookout for someone who is going to come and steal all of the goldfish crackers. He has convinced himself it is going to happen and will stay up nights guarding the pantry door.

Being in a desert surrounded by nothing but dirt and brush made him leery. He was convinced The Goldfish Thief was lurking behind every bush.

Nevermind that we did not bring any goldfish crackers on this trip. Goldfish crackers appear like magic and thieves appear more quickly than that.

It is basic dog logic. The only logic that I currently adhere to.

My poor dog. If only he knew…

The only Goldfish Thief around them here parts…

Was the one holding his leash.

Have you jumped on this leopard trend? Do you own anything leopard? Are you yay or nay about the headband? Don’t worry. It won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t like it. I have pretty tough skin… And cheddar cheese cracker breath.

November 1, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Keepin’ It Real: October 2014

I think I say this every month, but… What happened?! How is it the end of the month all ready?! It just does not feel like it should be November yet. October was an easy month for our family. And I very much appreciated that. We now all have our flu shots. No major sicknesses or injuries occurred (except for a minor burn I received from volcanic spaghetti sauce. I have a new scar on my left arm). Who needs tattoos? I’ll just keep splattering molten food on my body (not really. Kids don’t do that at home). Without further ado, some of the highlights and funny moments of the month:

I rented a bounce house for my daughter and a few friends for my daughter’s birthday. I thought she was crazy to want a bounce house at the age of fifteen, but it was a huge source of fun for everyone. My husband, my son and myself got in it when it was dark and watched the stars through the net. We took turns laying down while one person jumped and threw the others into the air with the momentum. There is nothing quite like laying in the belly of a giant inflatable beast and watching the crisp autumn sky. You must try it one day, if you haven’t all ready.

Outfit Outtakes.

Our house last night on Halloween:

It was the first Halloween I have not made goody bags since I moved out on my own. I do not get enough trick or treaters any more to justify making them. But full sized candy bars were had by all last night. And by all, I mean the four trick or treaters we had. I bought ninety candy bars, so that means I have eighty six left, right? My thighs are crying with guilt at the real answer to that.

I have been slowly going through this book. Not allowing myself to read too much at a time. It is like a bag of Lindt Truffles. I only want to savor one page. One paragraph. One line in all of its beauty. I am enjoying it so far. Have you read my favorite author, Patrick Rothfuss yet? If not, do not start with this book. Start with my very favorite book, “The Name of the Wind”. It is beautiful. It is fantasy. He is a brilliant writer.

We went to a Benihana-like restaurant for my daughter’s birthday. I forgot how much fun those types of restaurants are. We need to go again sooner than later.

Coming Up In November:

I Hate Pigeons (I originally had this scheduled for October, but the only picture I could get was of a dove. I was worried it would offend someone with the glowing eyes I set in it. What do you think?)
A Small Set Of Anthropologie Fall Reviews
How I Met My Husband
Is Your Mama A Llama?
Meatloaf Muffins
The First Kiss Of Autumn

How was your October? How was your Halloween? I am so sorry I have been behind in comments. I am catching up on all of them today.

If you want a good laugh today, check out this video on The Bloggess’s website. It is my new favorite thing.

July 25, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

The Beekeeper’s Daughter

I don’t really know what a beekeeper’s daughter looks like in a picture formed in one’s head. Is there a crown of bees involved? Is there a white jumpsuit? A veil?

Well, whichever it is I am sure I do not usually look the part.

Except today.

Today I went full out with the theme.

But hopefully not in an over-the-top way.

I just really love this Modcloth Twofer Honey Dress. I waited for this to hit sale and was ecstatic when it did.

I decided to pair it with some booties. Close-toed shoes are a must in Imaginary Bee Land.

The honeycomb crochet on this top is just really neat. I love the yellow color paired with the grey. I think it looks modernly bohemian. The complaints about this dress were the sides stick out underneath your arms. This does not bother me at all. I do not walk around with my arms above my head, but I wanted to show you what the reviews meant. You can see it in this picture.

These honeycomb earrings are also from Modcloth. I own a very similar pair from Anthropologie last year. The two pairs of earrings are different because one has a slightly larger honeycomb weave than the other.

This is ~~not~~ important.

Do you know I have only been stung twice by a bee? I find this kind of miraculous having grown up surrounded by them. It just proves that they really are peaceful creatures. That, and the fact that honeybees die when they sting you. : (

You should see my dad with a honeybee. It is like watching a bee whisperer. He lets them crawl on his huge rough hands and soothes them with his voice. Sometimes he will bring them to his mouth (don’t do this!) and breathe hot air on them if they are too cold to fly. It is amazing and something I never tire of seeing.

This bee wrap bracelet is the coolest. I purchased mine for $10 from Nordstrom Rack a few months ago and I cannot find a similar one online. My grandma used to collect bee jewelry and ever since she passed away, I have felt a need to continue her tradition.

I also made waves in my hair using a wave iron I purchased last week (more on this soon. I do not want to link to it until I am absolutely sure I will recommend it. So far I love it, but I want to play with it some more to be certain). I used to wear waves in my hair all of the time a few years ago and then I lost my wave iron and my hair remained wave free for too long.

In Imaginary Bee Land, beekeeper’s daughters always have wavy hair.

It is a fact.

Trust me.

I know.

I invented the place.

Do you ever make a theme for your clothes? Have a story in your head for a particular outfit? Please tell me I am not the only one.

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

*This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing an item from a link on this post will result in ~~more fodder for Imaginary Bee Land~~ a small commission for this site.

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

wrap

Maroon Foggy Fire In The Snow

A Leopard Cannot Change Its Spots Stripes?

Keepin’ It Real: October 2014

The Beekeeper’s Daughter