29 September 2014

Hamatreya Skirting and Get in my Belly

hamatreya + stripes

I've been a busy little domestic bee this weekend with a top-to-bottom house cleaning, some nesting (I know it's been like three months since we've moved, but we're still not settled), a trip to the farmer's market and bits of home cooking.

I tried making roast for the first time, which ended up being a breeze, thanks to this slow cooker pot roast recipe. I only got a two-pound roast and didn't include potatoes but kept the rest of the ingredients the same and still ended up with a nice flavorful meal.

yorkshire pot roast dumpling

We decided to go full carb loading on the side and made mashed potatoes with yorkshire pudding which turned out super impressively high. I may have had more than more share of them, especially with some strawberry jam for an after-dessert dessert (that's right).

On Sunday morning, these easy apple dumplings filled the tummy nicely, especially with a few scoops of vanilla (ice cream for breakfast is acceptable on the weekends, right). I guess we made a weekend out of consuming cozy brown foods, haha. My dietician and trainer would both likely be aghast at me, but that's partly I don't have either.

What edible goodness have you consumed this weekend?

hamatreya + stripes hamatreya + stripes

Top: J.Crew perfect striped (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Skirt: Nathalie Lete via Anthropologie hamatreya (worn here - sim pricey, sim in dark blue, black for a deal)
Necklace: J.Crew crystal cluster (worn here - sim, sim, steal)
Bracelets: Banana Republic (sim), F21 (sim)
Shoes: Guess kissani (worn here - sim, pricey, with a big beautiful bow)
Bag: Brahmin anytime (worn here - this season's version, sim, sim)

hamatreya + stripes

hamatreya + stripes

26 September 2014

KL Get Happy

ottoman shift

First, this dress ... then a trip ...

ottoman shift ottoman shift

Dress: Boden ottoman shift (on sale, worn here - same in this season's hues, sim sleeveless, sim)
Shirt: F21 (worn here - sim in lace for a steal, pricey, luxe)
Earrings: J.Crew crystal shimmer (worn here - sim, sim)
Bracelets: J.Crew (sim), J.Crew factory chainlink, Old Navy (sim)
Shoes: J.Crew paulina in nightfall floral (worn here - sim, pinker)
Bag: J.Crew claremont (worn here - sim, sim)

ottoman shift

ottoman shift

Though I took this trip earlier this month, I didn't want to forget to share some snips of my first visit to Kuala Lumpur. I think I pretty much ate an all-carbs diet while I was there, filling up on my share of Asian bakery breads, fresh-made breakfast roti, and anything made with rice. The weather and people were lovely, I was glad I had an opportunity to visit.

KL1 KL2 KL3
My hotel was located right across City Centre Park from the Petronas Towers - what a spectacular view to walk out to every day! ♥ Showing some love to Malaysia (rings are from F21). ♥ Another lovely park view.

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♥ My trip coencided with the Mid-Autumn Festival - so when in an Asian country, eat moon cake! Top floor of my hotel - it's the hotel pool/slash bar and you literally had to walk along the edge of the water to move around. I'm surprised no one fell in! ♥ Bukit Bintang - party area filled with bars and restaurants ... and endless happy hour ...

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♥ How many shops can you fit into one building ... ♥ The twin towers by twilight. 
 ♥ Just part of a yummy Chinese spread.

KL10 KL11 KL12
I love soup dumplings. ♥ Spoiling myself a bit with a spa evening at the Impiana
 ♥ Pool bar by night - it's called the Sky Bar at Traders.

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When life asks you why ... ♥ Yes, we had Mexican food for dinner one evening. And the use of Asian chiles in some of the salsas made them pleasingly tongue-numbing hot. ♥ My first glimpse of Taiwan since my teens - unfortunately just a short layover in Taipei.

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♥ Hello Kitty rules at Taipei Airport. ♥ As well as a menagerie of other cutesy friends. ♥ Sure sign I'm back in 'Merica - my flight home had a special VIP passenger (on her way to Dollywood).

24 September 2014

Rosy Skirts

floral rose

I'm grandma chic in today's outfit. I loved the print and flow of the skirt so it was a no-brainer to purchase, but now that I'm wearing it, the print and the length is making me feel more old lady-like than I'm ready for. OK, and the fluffy spotted sweater probably doesn't help either, but it was the first thing to catch my eye in the morning, and it was all me who put this entire outfit together and wore it.

Intrinsically I don't think there's anything wrong with this outfit, it's pretty and swishy, but it doesn't necessarily make me feel like I can take on the world. Maybe more like, I can take myself to file those books and then make it out of the library in time to get the early bird special.

Ah well, I guess next time I don this skirt, I'll need to edge up on the rest of the outfit to look a little more age-appropriate and contemporary. Maybe this mixed-material denim jacket that I ordered recently will fit the bill better.

floral rose floral rose

Sweater: J.Crew factory charley in pom-pom (worn here - sim, in different hues, over-sized poms)
Skirt: Asos midi in floral rose (sim, pencil, steal)
Necklace: Purple Peridot (worn here - the original, sim, tasseled)
Bracelets: Rachel Leigh (sim), J.Crew factory (sim pave), J.Crew (worn here - sim)
Shoes: Zara cap-toe court (worn here - sim slingback, wedge, lower heel)
Bag: Dooney & Bourke cabriolet dome (worn here - sim, sim, sim)

floral rose

floral rose

22 September 2014

Can't Hide the Floral

hidden floral

Hey, look at me, wearing printed pants! I think other than camo, these are pretty much my first printed pants ever. Yep, just call me Miss Adventurous here. I've had small forays into red skinnies, green khakis, and a few other hues before, but when it comes to pants, I'm mostly pretty basic black or blue.

When J.Crew debuted this print a while ago, I adored it but my initial reaction was to reach for the skirt version. So when I finally talked myself into them (with the help of my fellow bloggers - all looking so good in their patterned britches), unfortunately my size was all sold out. I figured it was Ye Ole Gods telling me that those funny printed baggy pants were not for me.

And then J.Crew had a massive % off sale promo a few weeks ago and lo and behold, these pants were in the sale section and my size was magically available. So it was meant to be, right? And maybe it was also meant for me to buy this sweater to go with the pants ... and hell, at this point, the brooch too. The cool necklace from Simply Livly? That was just topping, but made for a perfect finishing point!

hidden floral hidden floral

Sweater: AT Loft colorblock boatneck (sim, cardi)
Pants: J.Crew turner in hidden floral (same in solid & medallion print, sim colorful)
Necklace: c/o Simply Livly silver metal fringe
Pin: AT Loft blue fringe
Rings: F21 cutout twisted set & c/o JewelMint (sim)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson jaide (worn here - sim, sim)

hidden floral

hidden floral

19 September 2014

Appropriately Marled

marled

Granted most days temps still get up to the low '80s or high '70s, but there's a definite chill in the air (finally) here in the Southeast now. Much cooler mornings means that I can break out the long pants and light sweaters to wear without sweating it. And as the weather continues to cool, I'm looking forward to actually being able to sit out on my porch in the evenings without passing out from heat stroke or getting eaten alive by mosquitoes (though those little buggers seem like they're getting their last hurrah of the season in right now, at least with me - eaten alive here).

Have a good weekend, ladies!

marled marled

Sweater: Old Navy marled (sim tunic, long cardi)
Jeans: J.Crew distressed matchstick (worn here - sim, steal)
Necklace: Anthropologie half & half fringe (sim, pricey)
Bracelets: Sage K and Co (the original, sim mixed metal), F21 (worn here - sim, sim)
Rings: F21 (mixed from this set & this sim one)
Shoes: Vince Camuto bello (worn here - sim, sim)
Bag: J.Crew claremont (worn here - sim, sim)

marled

marled

17 September 2014

Abstractly Rosy

abstract rose abstract rose

I know everyone's pretty much got fallen leaves, suede booties and pumpkin spice errthang on the brain right now, so I'm sure my outfit is reading as more April than September, but oh well. I got this dress recently and felt the obligation to wear it despite the season (and it's still like 80 degrees where I am).

This dress was a surprise find at Forever 21, which other than for it's awesomely cheap trendy jewelry I actually have been staying away from for a while now. Let's call it me finally maturing a bit as I'm realizing that though I can physically fit into a piece of clothing does not mean it's meant for me. Forever 21's target demographic is most likely not the office gal. But sometimes they have a few winners that are too wallet-friendly to resist (like this J.Crew-esque tee worn here, or this awesome dress I've had for a few seasons now) and appropriate for someone too old for short-shorts.

abstract rose abstract rose

Dress: F21 abstract rose skater (sim more colorful, sheath)
Sweater: Old Navy lightweight (sim, striped)
Belt: Anthropologie scalloped fleur (sim, darker)
Bracelets: J.Crew (sim, deal, turquoise), F21 (sim set)
Rings: F21 faux pearl set
Shoes: Banana Republic ivonne (sim, sim)

abstract rose