It's a handmade kinda Christmas.

If you happen to be on my Christmas list please ignore this post (or humor me and act surprised) since there is a VERY good chance you will be receiving something along the lines of ....

recipe 

Bacon Salt! The PERFECT addition to my favorite cocktail (the Bloody Mary) 

.... and obviously if we are true BFFs your favorite cocktail as well :)

how to

Or this ... because we all know I love me some chalkboard paint!

make it

Or if I'm feeling super crafty maybe these little Anthro knock-offs...

details

Or maybe these .... depending on the difficulty level. 

I'm sure hoping these babies are easy to make because as much as I would love to give every person on my list the Godly gift of Bacon Salt, I don't think the vegetarians in my life will be thanking me. Or maybe they will?

make them

If all else fails, this is it. Actually, thats a lie. These are happening regardless. Everyone needs coasters for their bacon salted bloody mary glasses on Sundays. duh.

how to

Truth be told, I've tried to make a few different versions of these and without fail there are either too much or not enough ingredients .... and lets be honest, the thing looses all of its "easy" appeal if it's missing 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/2 cup of flour because it wouldn't fit in the jar! Another thing, where the heck do you get glass milk jugs?!

details

I'm still trying to figure out if I were given one of these if I would be impressed or weirded out....

Do people think I stink? Or that I'm lazy? Or did they really just want to show off their Pinterest follow-through skills? rub it in.

worry wart.

Shirt: Anthropologie

Skirt: LOFT

Sweater: Jcrew

Shoes: Cole Haan

Apparently I forgot how to get dressed this morning. 
I think my Nyquil and Afrin usage is finally starting to effect my brain. and it's usefulness. 


This weekend was filled with LOTS of sleeping, movies, sleeping, and .... dog seizures. You read that right - Remy suffered his first dog seizure this weekend, and it was honestly the scariest thing ever. I don't think I will EVER be able to have kids, or at least have kids and allow them to live a normal life, because I would go absolutely INSANE worrying about them. I all but started seizing myself when little re-rod was having seizure after seizure. it was horrible.


Sunday however was a different story. My college roommate came to town to hang out - and that hanging out consisted of a bloody mary brunch, pedicures, hair cuts, starbucks, and chiplote. all of my favorite things in one day. ending with a "big fat gypsy wedding" marathon and all new episodes of Keeping up with the Kardashians, and Ice Loves Coco. the best part of Sundays. duh. 


How as your weekend?

vacation 101

Sweater: Jcrew

Dress: Anthropologie

Shoes: Nine West

I know, I know .. this sweater AGAIN. What can I say? It's Friday. I'm sick. And it was what was on the couch when I was walking out the door. You may call is laziness. I just say I'm saving water aka: "going green".

Is it me or is EVERYONE (and their mom, sister, dog, and cousin) on vacation this week!?!

Did I miss the memo? I mean … I normally make bragging and announcing my time off number one on my priority list of things to do before leaving for vacation (or any amount of time off for that matter). I’m almost certain that every person in my office knows when, where, for how long, and that I will NOT be checking email a full week in advance!

Priorities people. Geez.

Speaking of which, I will be out of town for work/pleasure beginning July 1. And just in case you were wondering (because I'm sure you were) BECAUCE a portion of my “vacation” is for a work related cause, I WILL be checking email. Dangit.

In other news:

• I’m still sick, but have discovered the power of Afrin thanks to one highly addicted little sister.

• Casey Anthony Trial. It’s still going on. Spoiler Alert:  (Apparently) Cindy Anthony is the culprit of the 84 chlorophyll Google searches. Thank you Yahoo news for crackin’ the case. 

• It’s raining. Why? Because it’s Florida – and it’s summer time. Nuff said. 

• I’m super excited to try a new mixed drink (recommended by a co-worker who probably discovered it while on vacation) at the bar downstairs after work …so what if I’m sick? Apparently the drink does not have an official name ….. maybe that’s something us Hookers (Hook & Stylit Readers …. duh ) can come up with!?!

Public Service Announcement (to those with ADHD):

• Dayquil and Adderall when combined is like speed.

• Adderall cancels out Nyquils effects. It’s a fact. I tested the theory last night. 

maxi love affair

Dress: Anthropologie

Sweater: Nordstrom Rack

Belt / Shoes: Target

Does anyone know the legal way to change your first name?
I'm thinking I may want to make it official and change my name from Maggie to Maxi.I figure since maxi dresses are my absolute favorite article of clothing on the planet, I might as well pay tribute and change my name to honor the greatest item of clothing ever made. I really think I would have loved living back in the olden days where women wore long dresses because they were expected to - I wish someone would expect me to so I could get away with wearing these gems everyday of my life. I fear that until a time machine is invented, if I were to wear my maxis everyday I would just be considered weird. 


Weird but (hella) comfortable. I think this type of decision involves a pros/cons list and a legit game of rock-paper-scissors with John (who will obviously be playing on the side of weirdness).


I got all caught up explaining my Kmart adventures yesterday, that I forgot to mention that I lost Remy! More like Remy is an idiot and lost himself, but non the less, he was lost. in my house. Let me remind you that I live in a midget mansion and the chances of me loosing my dog in these cramped quarters are about the same as me loosing John in here. not a chance.


Normally I leave Rem-Rod in his crate, but because I only planned to be gone for a few minutes I left him out and locked the front door. When I got home, I unlocked the door, no Remy. very weird.
I opened every shower curtain, called for him, looked under the beds - nothing. not even a whimper or a cry for help. WTF. At this point I was ready to call the cops and file a report saying someone had stole Lil Rem right out of my house. 15 minutes of terror later I opened the last closed door in my house. my closet. There is he was, all 30 pounds of him, on the other side of my laundry basket just chillin'.


stupid dog. 


On the subject of stupid - check out this gem my mom brought back from Europe for John. He's always the lucky one.

i love k _ _ _ _ ?

Shirt: Gap

Tank: Target

Pants: Gap

Shoes: Nine West

I bought this shirt a few weeks ago at the Gap when all their tops were 50% off AND I had a $20 dollar off Gap rewards card. Basically, the Gap got robbed that day. I was able to walk out with this $50 shirt for a cool $6 bucks. bring it on Gap.


A very weird thing happened today. I think some would even consider what happened a revelation of sorts. An epiphany might be pushing the envelope a little much, but none the less I came to a realization.


Kmart is cool. It dawned on me as I was roaming the aisles looking for a slip (finally) .... that I could actually see myself wearing some of the clothing in their womens and juniors sections. Yes, I did ask myself if my one glass of wine had somehow gotten my drunk, if my cheapness had reached an all new low, and if maybe I had walked into the wrong store? 
Answers: No, maybe, and no.
I was very surprised to see magazine worthy maxi dresses, Jcrew(ish) looking bathing suits, super cute bathing suit cover-ups, and more importantly .... CHEAP slips!
Once you get over the fact that you are shopping in Kmart - there is an endless world of clothing possibilities. 


Who knows what's next... Wal Mart? Crazier things have happened.

Here's a few of my Kmart favorites - eat your heart out Anthropologie. you've got some stiff competition.


(You can weigh in and rate these kmart gems over at Outfitchec.com)

i just wanna party

Dress: Anthropologie

Shoes: Tory Burch

This outfit is a direct result of forgetting to (again) press start on the dryer. As much as I love the accessibility of this dress, it is just another reminder that I need to buy a nude slip! Today I also learned how to be lazier about doing my hair: 

1: shower

2: blow dry

3: only straighten your bangs

My fun filled weekend was indeed - fun. What my body didn't get in sleep it made up for in wine. Easter Sunday came early ... 6am early, for sunrise service on Vilano beach. As much as I hate waking up early, I am reminded once a year that 6am has its perks - shown mainly in the form of beautiful sunrises. It was even pretty with my sunglasses on - early mornings, bright sun and wine hangovers don't marry very well. Easter also marked the end of lent - Frozen yogurt is back on the menu with a vengeance! 

 Remy (sans beard) on Easter Sunday.

 

This would be my sister. Sound asleep. At church.

A beautiful Easter morning St. Augustine Sunrise

I recently stumbled across this blog, these women, and this shop. I am green with envy that these lucky ladies get to do what they LOVE every single day of their life.  I am obsessed with their attention to every detail and the mixture of soft and hard textures that these beautiful ladies incorporate into each display they craft. Being the event planner that I am - I want to plan an party worthy of having the ladies of Conservatorie design centerpieces, showcase every white flower they can think of, and transform my small little midget mansion into a mini Anthropologie. but I don't want that party to be a wedding. I repeat: No Wedding. Is it at all possible for me to just have a party where flowers, handmade invitations and dressing up is allowed? The aforementioned party will also have live banjo music, sweet tea (and beer) served in mason jars, burlap table clothes, a homemade photo booth, white curtains and hanging candles. Now will someone please just give me a reason to throw a party?!

Congratulations to Danica for graduating!!! 

I had such a WONDERFUL time celebrating if you and your family :

chicken, it's whats for dinner

Dress: Anthropologie

Shoes: Target

I'm switching things up folks. After days and weeks and months of careful style blog creeping, I have come to the conclusion that in order for me to be an"official style blogger" I need to post my pictures before my jabber. why you ask? because that's what everyone else does. And yes, if you told me to jump off a bridge because everyone else was doing it, I would probably do it too.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for a good (or bad) trend.


So John doesn't know it yet .. but we have a bet going on. I'm secretly betting him that I can cook dinner using ONLY what we have on the shelves of our pantry and fridge for one whole week. Yup, I'm boycotting the grocery store to prove to John that we don't have to grocery shop for every meal and that we don't have to go out just because there may not be an obvious meal choice sitting right in front of us. BUT what IS sitting right in front of us is CHICKEN. an entire jumbo, Costco sized bag of chicken. Bonappetit! PS: By "whole week" I mean Sunday-Thursday. "Cooking on Friday night" is not a magazine a subscribe to/work for.


Don't let my summer-esque outfit fool you .. nope.. i didn't wear it to work. This little number went on a field trip outside the closet to an AFTER work farewell party for my aunt, who is leaving us (for a ONE week) to visit Ireland. I kindly requested a picture of her making out with the Blarney Stone as a souvenir. I'll keep you posted. 

my apologies.

My apologies for my posting absence. things happen. 


So much for taking a drinking vacation this week. peer pressure.
It was like the week of break-ups, make-ups and friends in town. I cannot be expected to listen to break up stories and speculations without drinking. duh. It was also the end of the sales meeting. enough said. i drank in excess. Not to mention, I totally forgot that the Gators were playing yesterday, and lets just face it, you can't be expected to watch basketball (or any sport for that matter) without drinking. So yes, I caved.  

Ellie resorted to the beer straw

The explanations above should sufficiently explain my absent blog posts.


In addition to caving on my drinking promise, I also caved on my promise to (try) and not shop till i save more pennies. (I've said it before, IM WEAK) I caved BIG time on that little shopping promise - John may not agree with my reasoning, but in my defense I wasn't shopping for fun, I was shopping for necessities. 


MAC foundation = necessity 
6 Bath & Body Works triple thick lotions = necessity
Anthropologie denim dress = "necessity"


YUP - that's right. MORE DENIM!

New denim dress (from the "grocery"store")

As far as John's concerned, Anthropologie is a grocery store, specializing in gourmet food. similar to Whole Foods, but wayyy more expensive. I'd like to keep him knowing as little about Anthropologie as possible - I think it's for the better of our relationship.


In other news I have an update on John's good friend Nate Dogg. 
Snoop Dogg, another BFF of  Mr. Nate Dogg, paid tribute to the assumed rapper/drug dealer by getting a giant tattoo on his arm. I'm crossing my fingers that Wal-Mart will soon release a temporary tattoo version that I can buy for John, otherwise I fear I may come home to a full body tribute. and that I cannot handle. 

Snoop's (were on a first name basis)tribute 

For your reading enjoyment:
(Tid-bit)This evening's text conversation with John:


Me: the tea you made is REALLY GOOD! nothing like washing down double stuff Oreos with sugar water. thanks!
John: Whats r song? Do we have one?
Me: "because i got high" duh.
Me: j/k 
Me: Alan Jackson's "when somebody loves you" - really John? This was the song that was playing the first time you told me you loved me!
John: it was? i did?
John: i think i was drunk. maybe?
Me: i love you too.
John: you like my tea?

hood lesson #1

Similar to my weekend staples (WS) collection, I also have a special sales meeting (SM) collection. It's an entire collection of boring, work-ish, boring, dressy, boring, uncomfortable clothing. In other words it sucks.


After careful evaluation this afternoon, well basically after I took my outfit pictures, I've come to the conclusion that my SM collection sucks. 


tomorrow my friends, i'm stickin' it to the man and wearing jeans. thats right, JEANS!


I'm not saying that today's outfit is all that bad, but I know what the rest of the collection consists of, and well - it aint pretty.


Today the lady across the streets house was broken into. they took everything. Don't get me wrong - that SUCKS and I would never want anything like that to happen to me .. but it made me think, how come they chose her house? Was mine too hood looking for robbery? Does it not look like I have anything bling bling - nice inside? Does my 22 pound wheaten terrier's little yap sound intimidating? 


Hood Lesson #1:
Contrary to common practice, instead of keeping your yard cleaned up and your grass mowed. The more you blend in and the crappier you can keep the front of your house looking, the better off you are. 


John and I have decided to add a "beware of pit bull" sign to our front door and empty beer (cans) on the yard - just to keep up appearances.  I'm still on the fence about trading in my white barbie car jeep for a black chevy impala with rims and tinted windows - I'll keep you posted.

Shirt: Anthropologie

Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft

Pants: Gap

Shoes: Nine West