Tuesday, June 21, 2011

I Love it When a Plan Comes Together...

First up, thanks to all of you who have sent good vibes, prayers, and well-wishes out to my dad. I am happy to report that he is now home and recovering. Aside from being basically malnourished and dehydrated (he REALLY doesn't take proper care of himself) the reason he couldn't walk was attributed to "neurological neuropathy from acute spinal arthritis." He spent a week and a half in the rehab section of a nursing home and has not only graduated to using a walker, but he is moving walker-free around the house! He only needs the walker for longer outings.
Needless to say, I am SO RELIEVED about his progress.

Now, onto something more frivolous: clothes!!

Collage

Blouse: Heritage 1981 via Reddz Trading
Cardi: Target
Pants: Marshall's?
Shoes: Aeropostale
Cami: Kohl's
Earrings: I forgot earrings! oh no!!

Closeup:
Full

I really love it when I throw on an outfit with little effort and minimal accessorizing and it turns out looking put-together and polished. (Though, after looking at these photos, I think I have made the decision to always wear my nude cami under this top, instead of white.)
I am totally in love with this new-to-me blouse. I love the reddish-coral color (which also happens to be big for spring/summer) and I love that it has not one, but 2 shades of blue in it (aqua and true-blue) so it pairs so beautifully with this aqua cardi. I also love the dainty pleats up near the neckline.

Tonight I am going to my second-ever blogger meetup.
Just two months ago, I attended my first meetup, where I got to meet the lovely Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen, and I also met a handful of new-to-me DC-area bloggers.
I am looking forward to seeing some of these gorgeous gals again tonight and hopefully meeting a few more new-to-me blogs. I love expanding my personal blogosphere! (Of course, being the ever-responsible blogger that I am, I totally forgot to bring my camera today. Oh well -- I'm sure there will be plenty of photos to be shared!)
So ladies, if you are a DC-area fashion or beauty blogger (or heck, even if you don't have your own blog, but want to be in on some DC-area fashion and beauty happenings), check out the newly-launched DC FABB site. There is a link to a list of other DC-area bloggers as well as a tab that lists upcoming meetups and events.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

Share the recipe to your favorite seasonal dish... the one you love to make and love to eat this time of the year.

Every year for Christmas, I love to bake cookies for my friends and family.
But I don't make the usual chocolate chip. I like to hunt down recipes that are unusual and out of the ordinary.
A few years ago, I found this recipe and fell in love with it, but I had to hold onto it until spring/summer, since that it when Rhubarb is in season. Since then, I have made these cookies a few times, and they are always a hit.
The best part, though, is that the dough freezes nicely, so make a large batch of it, and freeze it so you can have these cookies year-round!




Frosted Rhubarb Coconut Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup Crisco
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups diced fresh rhubarb
3/4 cup flaked coconut

Frosting:
1 3oz package cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp butter, softened
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar


Preheat oven to 350.
In large bowl, cream together shortening and brown sugar.
Beat in eggs.
In a second bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add to creamed mixture.
Stir in rhubarb and coconut.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.
Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Transfer to wire racks to cool.

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla.
Gradually beat in confectioners sugar until smooth.
Spread over cooled cookies.




Check out some of my other recipes at the blog I created to store them: Foster's Kitchen. I'd love to hear your feedback if you try any of these, and if you have any amazing recipes to share, I would LOVE to try them ouy!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Mayor of Squintsville...

I swear, I wasn't angry when I took these photos. It was just super sunshiny, and I didn't want to wear my sunnies in the pictures.

Collage

Top: H&M
Skirt: consigned
Shoes: Target
Belt: NY&Co
Earrings: old

Closeup:
Full

Summer has bitch-slapped the DC area. Seriously, guys, it has gotten H-O-T HOT.
(Ironically, this morning was actually cool enough that I pulled the sleeves back down on my cardigan and it is only supposed to peak in the low 80s.)

Brilliantly, I decided to sign up for a running class. (Yes, some of us actually need instruction on how to do this.) Running on 100+ degree weather when there is like a billion percent humidity? SMART. Yep, that's me. But after all the complaining I have done about how I don't like the changes in my body over the last several years, I have finally decided to DO something about it. In addition to the running class, I have also purchased a Groupon for one of the local dance/fitness studios in my area. And I'm attending a Weight Watchers at Work open house meeting this week -- pretty sure I'm going to start that program. I'm not looking to revamp my entire lifestyle, but I'm trying to be more active and make smarter choices.

On a personal note, my dad has spent the last 2 weeks in the hospital. Without going into detail, he doesn't take care of himself, and his health was at an all-time low. At the same time, he also has to learn how to walk again. He is now temporarily in a nursing home for physical therapy/rehabilitation.
I saw him this weekend and he looks much better, but has a lot of work to do.
I would appreciate any prayers and positive vibes you can send his way.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

What are the top 5 Summer trends that you are looking forward to wearing this season? (Can be anything from makeup, shoes, accessories, clothing, etc...)

I actually found more than five summer trends that I'm diggin, so here is a whopping eight of them!

(1) Fly Away with Feathers
Feathers
(source)

Feathers are a huge trend for Summer 2011. You see them everywhere from earrings, to headbands, to necklaces, and most recently, people are sporting temporary feather hair extensions. I love that this trend is simultaneously soft and natural while also being totally rocker-chic and bad-ass.

(2) Bright Bottoms
Bright Pants
(source)

Bright pants, especially colored denim, is a big trend this Summer.
Personally, I'm not so sure I will be buying a pair hot pink jeans anytime soon, but I could definitely see myself picking up a pair of chinos or work trousers in a Kelly green or Cobalt blue.

(3) Braid it Out
Braids
(source)

Ladies, braids are everywhere. Well, everywhere except on MY head (that's sort of the downfall of super-short hair).
Everything from french braids to cornrows, milkmaid braids to fishtails.
I have seriously been feeming for some long hair, just so I can play around with this one. Besides, braids are the perfect summer hairdo: you can dress them up or down, they keep your hair out of your face and off your neck, and they are the perfect hairdo when your hair *should* be washed but you really just cant be bothered.

(4) Pleats and Thank You
Pleats
(source)

Gals, these are NOT your mother's pleats.
(OK, maybe they are your grandma's, but not your mother's!)
I'm seriously in LOVE with the ASOS skirt pictured above, but pleats are also popping up on dresses, tops, and even pants!

(5) The Long and Shorts of It
Shorts
(source)

I admit that I haven't owned a pair of shorts (outside of my husband's old soccer shorts, which I only wear for exercising, painting, and cleaning) in several years. I have heavier thighs, so I just thought they were a fashion no-no for me. But with all the styles of shorts available, it's just not true -- everyone can wear shorts!
Hack off your old jeans and make yourself a pair of jorts. Class it up with a crisp pair of bermudas. Go girly with a high-waisted scallop-hemmed pair, or dress them up with a blouse and heels.

(6) White Hot
White
(source)

White is a cool trend left over from Spring that has caught fire for Summer.
It is a great neutral for hot weather since it doesn't attract the sun the way black, navy, and brown does. It pops better than olive or khaki. Maybe it's the fact that with our hectic lifestyles whites have so much potential to become NOT white, but there is just something about it that screams crisp, polished, and put-together.

(7) Join the Tribe
Tribal
(source)

Tribal prints, most notably Ikat, were all over the runways, but you can find them everywhere in every price range. Tops, tanks, skirts, shorts, dresses -- even jewelry, scarves, and purses. Tribal prints are great for summer if for no other reason than, when the heat is on and you want to wear the least amount possible, these prints are so vibrant that you can ease up on accessories. Sure, you CAN layer on the jewelry, but it's always nice to be able to throw on a dress that does all the work for you.

(8) All that Glitters is Gold
Gold
(source)

Some of you may argue that gold isn't a trend, since it has always been around, but as a self-confessed silver-phile (Sal can understand me on this one, since she is as obsessive about silver as I am), I have recently found gold appealing to me in a way that it hasn't in years. I have very few gold pieces, but I recently picked up a gorgeous set of gold bangles and a few gold chain-link bracelets that I have in mind for a certain DIY project. I've also been keeping my eyes open for gold earrings and necklaces.



What about you, readers? Have these trends piqued your interest?
Are there other trends that you're itching to try out for summer?
Do any of the trends I've mentioned make you break out in hives?
Share your thoughts!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. When it comes to packing for vacation what’s your mantra?

"Pack Everything"
hehe

2. What are your must packs?

I actually have a checklist saved on my computer that I use whenever I need to pack. Some things get crossed off for shorter trips, and it might be time to revise the list.

3. What are you happy to leave behind?

I'm the kind of person that likes to be prepared, so if there is room, I will bring anything. Leaving things behind is not my strong point!

4. Any packing secrets that help you get everything into one suitcase?

I have a few beach vacations coming up this summer, so I am going to try to think of packing as a wardrobe capsule challenge and sketch out how different pieces can go together. Hopefully this will help me pack minimally.

5. Beach reading... what are you taking with you to read in the sand?

I have a Kindle, but I need to download some new books!
I have a few "beach books" in mind (this is what, in my family, we refer to as books that aren't good for anything other than lying on the beach -- sorta like guilty pleasures), but I really need to come up with some actual good books that I would like to read. Any recommendations?