New Years Eve Outfit Post

Let's do this in two parts: First, keeping it classy with the outfit post. Second, we'll break it down with the crazy pictures and stories from New Years Eve.

I didn't make much of an effort to find a new dress for New Years Eve this year. Any shopping attempts more or less boiled down to a five minute browse through Target resulting in nothing of interest. I did, however, realize that I have a few good black dresses that tend to be a little "fancier" than the events I usually attend, so I decided to make use of one of those. I refer to this dress as my "Kardashian Dress" because it tends to accentuate my curves and make my rear end look even bigger than it actually is.

Paired with a clearance sequined belt from Target that matched the bow headband from last year and my new We Love Colors tights, it did the trick.

Ashlee's paparazzi shooot and camera with it's super wash-out flash.

Outfit
Dress: TJ Maxx (I think)
Tights: We Love Colors, Red
Booties: Payless
Belt, Headband: Target
Necklace: American Eagle Clearance
Ring, Bracelets: Charlotte Russe

Also noteworthy as far as outfits go are my friend Dana's shoes. I could not help but take a picture to share with everyone, because they were AMAZING:

This Outfit Brought to You by Mary Kate Olsen

This sweater and hat were both on sale (Clearance in the hat's case) at Old Navy last week, and I didn't actually realize they were the exact same color until I got home. I couldn't wait to wear them: I'm not generally much of a hat person but was looking forward to trying something new. I wore it out to dinner and drinks with my dad and some of his friends who were in town and then to Max's Place to see his friend's daughters play at open mic night. I was so glad to finally get to see them play because I had missed Grace's shows several times before. The highlight of the night was their (much better and completely hilarious) accoustic version of "Girls Don't Like Boys" by Good Charlotte.

Outfit
Dress, Purse: Target
Boots: Charlotte Russe
Sweater, Hat, Leggings: Old Navy

Grace, Jess, and Me. Unintentional outfit matching. They were dressed like this for a "red" themed graduation party and well, I was just dressed like this. When Grace took her red sweatshirt off to reveal her white shirt we kind of looked like a jumbled up French flag.

It was unintentional, but the outfit completely reminded me of Mary Kate Olsen. More specifically, the series of internet videos by comedienne Elaine Carroll called "Very Mary Kate." They're ridiculously silly, and they really grow on you. Check them out, but I recommend trying to start from the beginning (They're in order newest to oldest) so it will make more sense.


OH, and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Post on that to come soon. Actually got some good outfit shots, and some COMPLETELY ridiculous stories that I will hopefully be able to share. Hope you all had a great one :-)

New Kids in the Shoe Closet

Never mind the messy hair, or the awkward faces, or the outfit which you have seen a million times. The point of this post is THE BOOTS. I am SO excited about these. As I've mentioned before, I know UGGs are pretty love/hate, but I am definitely a lover. These are the Delaine's I asked for on my Christmas List, and they have beyond exceeded my expectations.

I originally wanted them because they had the rubber across the toe and the rubber sole so they seemed like they would be great weather-appropriate shoes for all the days we have the snowy/slushy thing going on. After I asked for them, I was reading up and realized that the bottom is actually made more like a sneaker. This means that the inside of the sole is SO COMFORTABLE with so much support! They're not as thick as normal UGGs, which is a little sad, but they're still super soft and furry and I am in love!

Did anyone else get anything fabulous for Christmas that you are just dying over?

Christmas Picture Post

Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend! Already have some pictures lined up to do an outfit post featuring one of my presents, and just got a few new things today that I am REALLY excited about making an outfit out of. Hopefully I'll get a little bit more on track here with posting, although I'm going home again for a few days around New Years Eve so that might throw it off again just for a short time.

Chandon and Raspberry Liquer while we man the grill

Well, no one could find our real stockings so mom whipped up some of these classy replacements

Penske loved the scarf... or maybe not

Dane with his IU blanket that I made him

Penguin Pillow Pet (Haha, Thanks Mom)

The hilarious poem on the Pillow Pet tag

Angostura Rum from Trinidad. YUM!

Family picture

Little brother Dane and his girlfriend Chelsea

Christmas craft post to come! I still have to give out a few of those presents to some friends at home so I don't want to give anything away too soon. Also, you can find a picture post entirely of the weekend's food on Wonderland Kitchen, but consider this your warning to NOT look if you are even the slightest bit hungry!!!

Merry Christmas!

And by that I mean I hope you all HAD a Merry Christmas since that was two days ago. To be completely honest, this is the first time I've been on an actual computer since probably Wednesday or Thursday of last week. I only had two days off for the holiday so I made every attempt to take advantage of that with family and a little bit with friends. It was definitely a much needed break! This morning I woke up at 8am (REALLY early for me) to drive back to Bloomington and work a 1-6 shift, but they ended up needing someone else for the floorset this evening so I got another 4 hours in. Now, I am clearly one tired girl and have every intention of vegging out and watching a movie or two. MAYBE unpacking, but we'll see.

Here are two mobile pictures from this weekend, plenty more to come when I get around to it in the next few days. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and the opportunity to spend it with loved ones, and I hope Santa brought you all everything you deserved! ;-)

(Started as a white Christmas for the first time in years...)

(And quickly turned into a red Christmas with Hawks jerseys all around, IU gear, new UGGs, We Love Colors tights, and Angostura Rum!)

Pattern Mixing.

This outfit was from... uh... last Friday. Yeah, you know how great I am with getting things up here in a timely fashion. Sometimes it just seems like I have all the motivation in the world to get stuff up, and others it takes a bit of time. My friend Claire and I went out bar hopping for another friend's 21st, and really I think this dress in some form or another is becoming the "go to" outfit for the winter when I really can't think of what else to wear. Thank god for scarves and accessories.

Found this sparkly silver/white eyeliner in my makeup draws and used it on the inner rim of my eye, but I don't think you can really tell in this picture.

Outfit
Scarf: H&M
Dress, ring, belt: Forever 21
Vet, leggings: Old Navy
Bomber jacket: Target
Bracelets: Charlotte Russe
Boots: UGG

Starting her off with a tequila shot!

("Friends in Low Places")

Sometime early next week I should have a Christmas crafting post up after I've given all the presents out, as well as a few new cookie recipes and maybe some others. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas!!!

This Year's Christmas Card

I was SO excited to finally do a Christmas card this year with my roommate Kelly. I have always wanted to do these, at first as a family when I still lived at home, and then with roommates. When they came in the mail I was literally jumping around squealing with excitement like a kid on Christmas morning. We ordered them from Vistaprint.com when I came across an amazingly good deal on cyber monday. They had a lot of cute cards, but this is what we came up with.

A little background info: we refer to our apartment as 'The Jungle' (both a Guns'N'Roses reference as well as an appropriate name based on the number of live plants we have for a couple of college students, haha) and this picture was taken with her brother on one of the nights of Halloween weekend. We thought it was appropriate :-)





I always loved getting Christmas cards with pictures from family, friends, and even distant relatives when I was growing up and was glad to be able to do the same this year! Did any of you do any cute Christmas cards? I'd love to see them!

Hurry, Santa!

This December has been unusually... winter-like? Temperatures seem to be much colder more regularly with more steady snowfall, and this has led to some COLD FEET! I know Santa will be bringing me these this year, mostly because I picked them out myself and was there when he bought them (Thanks Dad!), but I sure can't wait 'til I can get them back on my feet.

GAP Faux Fur Trim Slipper Booties

Is there anything that you are looking forward to finding underneath the tree Christmas morning?

I Love Rock n' Roll

...So put another dime in the juke box, baby!

Last night was the semester end History of Rock Professors' (Andy Hollinden and Glenn Gass) show at the Bluebird Nightclub and my dad came in town for the occasion. My cousin Megan, upon seeing my outfit, said 'Who are you trying to be, Joan Jett?' Not really a comparison I'm offended by. We started off with dinner at Nick's English Hut with my friend Betsy and her boyfriend Paco and then progressed to the Bluebird to meet up with Lauryn and Nathan.


A good time was had by all, with the exception of my feet which currently hurt from dancing in heels. I can only imagine how Lauryn's must feel... hers were a good two inches taller than mine! I truly think that the entire club singing along to the professors playing "Like a Rolling Stone" will be remembered as a favorite moment from college. I can't wait until next semester when my roommate Kelly is finally 21 and can join!

Outfit
Skirt: Old Navy (hemmed)
Leggings, Sequin Pocket Shirt, Old Navy
Boots, Bracelets, Ring: Charlotte Russe
Vest, Necklace: Forever 21
Purple Bomber: Target

Home-decorated Ornaments

This was a really fun but easy craft that could be done with kids or friends of any age!

I picked up the paper mache stars from Hobby Lobby... the small ones are 2 for $1.00 and the large ones are only 99 cents. I used acrylic paint, "glitter glue", and puff paint to decorate mine, but you could use just about anything and everything. They both come with a small gold string attached that could be sufficient for hanging but they twist up and make it a little difficult so I hot glued some ribbon on instead for the large one.






I think I might have to go back and grab some more to make for our tree and to throw in with other Christmas presents. Has anyone else been doing any kind of holiday crafting?