hermione

So my co-worker forced me to dress up for Halloween by threatening not to invite me to her birthday party this year. Thus, I became Hermione from the magical Harry Potter series-- partly because I already had the outfit and partly because I secretly love her. Lets face it, she is the smartest of the 3 main characters and she is always cute--who doesn't want to be smart and cute....but with magical powers?? Not this girl.

Anybody else dress up??? 

I didn't end up wearing my costume this weekend at all, only to work today. But it was probably a good idea that I didn't wear it on Saturday when we went to Knott's Scary Farm because then everyone would have seen the pee running down my leg all night---seriously. It was SCARY! I'm not sure it was worth it though because I spent most of the evening buried in the back of my husband and puncturing his forearm with my nails. Oh, what a night full of good, clean fun. 

rust

So in honor of it being Friday and all, I decided to do a "work to date night/weekend wear" post. I am all about an easy outfit that can double for both work and non-work events. Saves me time and energy, and after a long week, that's exactly what I need. 

This rust-colored sweater is going to be one of my favorites this winter---it is ridiculously soft and warm! Can you believe I got it for $8.00?? I feel like I should turn myself in for stealing...

Ok I'm gonna keep it short today. I know we all have exciting Halloween fun to get ready for. Enjoy your weekend and don't do anything I wouldn't do (remember my #2 story from a few days ago). 

HAPPY HALLO--WEEEEEEEN!

we love colors

Highlight of my day: a 2 year old dressed as Yoda from Star Wars (he had the brown robe complete with the Yoda ears=ADORABLE!)
Today was the Harvest Show at the school I work at and all of the kids got to wear their Halloween costumes. They had been practicing songs and today they performed for their parents. It is days like today that I can't believe I get paid to watch the cutest kids on earth sing and dance in costumes!
Of course this is only a few days after I had to wrestle a 1st grader to the floor to keep him from kicking teachers in the face and throwing my stapler against the wall behind my head [in heels and a skirt, mind you!]......you gotta keep things in perspective I guess.
Today was also the first day that I had to break out the tights. Which reminds me that I need to order a few more pairs in some fun colors. I really like this company We Love Colors--what color tights are your favorite this winter? I need some opinions as I am not the best tights-wearer yet...I'm trying to branch out and be more creative but sometimes I cringe at the bright yellow tights I see people rockin'. Thoughts??!!

soakin' it up

Well, October is coming to an end pretty soon here and so is the sun....winter is a-coming, even to So Cal. I am having a goodbye party for my bare legs, sleeveless shirts, and sandals. On the upside, I won't have to shave my legs for at least the next 3 months, errr, I mean as often. And I get to live in my boots!! (Coming soon I promise). Anyone looking forward to the cold, winter months? It'll be nice to have a change......seriously, the constant sun and warmth of So Cal wears on a girl. It's a hard life, it really is. 

give and take

Last night, I FINALLY purchased the boots that I have been wanting FOR--EVER! My husband was sick of my constant whining and ridiculous schemes to earn more $$ to buy them [egg donation was looking pret-ty good], so we made a compromise...and what to do ya know? The boots are on their way to me as we speak!! 

Can't wait for you to see them in all their glory :) 

Because of this act of self-indulgence, I have to watch my spending and use my creativity with the things I already have. I have to keep convincing myself that this is a good thing, but like all addictions, there will be withdrawals.

So instead of going grocery shopping tonight (yes, boots are worth more than food in this house), I found a recipe that I could make with what I already had in the fridge. 

Taco Salad w/Ground Turkey

Ingredients:

1/2 cup prepared salsa (as hot as you want...I'm a wimp so I chose mild)

1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

1 tsp. canola oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb ground turkey

2 large tomatoes, diced

1 14-oz can kidney beans, drained (I used black beans instead because that's what I had)

2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. chili powder

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

8 cups shredded romaine lettuce (I also added a little spinach in with the lettuce)

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (didn't have cheddar so I threw in some mozzarella)

Directions:

1. Combine salsa and sour cream in a large bowl, set aside.

2. Heat oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often and crumbling with wooden spoon, until cooked through (about 5 min). Add tomatoes, beans, cumin, and chili powder; cook, stirring until the tomatoes begin to break down (about 2-3 min). Remove from heat, stir in cilantro and 1/4 cup salsa mixture.

3. Add lettuce to remaining salsa mixture in the large bowl, toss to coat. To serve, divide lettuce among 4 (we did 2 plates because we eat a lot after a hard day's work) plates, top with turkey mixture and sprinkle with cheese. 

Ha ha, do you like how step #2 is actually like 5 steps in one? I love when recipes do that, makes me think that it will take no time at all to make. But actually, this recipe only takes about 30 minutes, tops.  

Ok, so the pictures don't quite do it justice.....scout's honor it does NOT taste like pig slop. 

Enjoy :)

dorothy

I feel a bit like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz in my ruby red heels. You like?? I love adding a pop of bright color to a neutral outfit. One of my many tricks....
I had a pretty uneventful weekend. Lots of house cleaning (we're having friends over this coming weekend so we need to at least appear clean), football watching (my fantasy team won!!), and sleeping. I won't apologize for my laziness...this is what the weekends are for. It only got a little out of control when I forced my husband to hand-feed me grapes and carry me around the apartment on a pillow.

the challenging mesh shirt

I probably changed my outfit at least 4 times yesterday. I was having some problems styling this mesh shirt I got from Old Navy. This is the first time that I've worn it and I wasn't going to give up finding a way to wear it. I ended up putting my purple plaid button up shirt from Urban Outfitters underneath....what do you guys think? I was going for a comfy Saturday look that I could wear while grocery shopping, cleaning house, and helping my husband with his beer brewing (he's really into it right now). I would consider this a success for me on a Saturday....I had to fight the urge not to stay in my footy pajamas all day on the couch watching Grey's Anatomy re-runs. 

yay for weekends!

So I think this is an appropriate outfit to post today since it is Friday and all. I actually wore this last weekend....this dress is definitely too short for the office so I have to get it in on the weekends when I can. Is anyone else completely exhausted from this week?? I could probably sleep for days! That being said, my brain is total mush right now so I'm not sure anything intelligent is going to come out of this post...I think I'm gonna stop now before I say something I'm gonna regret tomorrow. I once told my husband about how I took a #2 in the middle of my driveway because I was too busy playing outside to go in....he never looked at me the same. I was FOUR, people!

my day job

  

So if you haven't already figured it out from my outfits, I work 8-5 M-F in an office and have to dress "business casual." I work at a private school and get to deal with all sorts of fun...nose bleeds, screaming 2 year olds, dead animals, escaping children, pulled fire alarms, not easy things to deal with when wearing heels. Right now, I am sitting on my lunch break listening to Harry Potter the Deathly Hallows on tape--my co-worker is obsessed. Overall, its a good job for me to utilize my creativity when planning what I am going to wear. I like the challenges it brings...plus I get to eat the leftovers of children's lunches whenever I want. Don't hate me.

illusions

I know I know, short people shouldn't wear crop pants. I've heard this before but I just can't seem to follow the rules. Just like I could also be found wearing white pants after Labor Day, and double-dipping.....stick it to the man! But seriously, I think I need a second opinion on this whole crop pants thing....I tried to counteract this "rule" by wearing nude shoes which are supposed to make your legs look longer.

[This coming from a girl wearing work out shorts to make her husband think that she worked out before he got home....don't judge, you know you've done it!]