Belle of the Ball

Pre-Deployment Ball Time! For the most part, I like Military Balls (that's what she said,) but I am dreading dress shopping! I've been to my share of military events over the years and let me tell you, dresses that might have worked at prom when you were 17 might not be considered appropriate for the ball. Girls, lingerie is not pretty in public. Ok?!  And let's face it, I'm now 31 and a mother of 2. I'm not exactly feeling ballgown-sexy. Ugh, let the games begin.

So here is what I was thinking...

Last week I won a $50 gift card to Shabby Apple via an awesome blog called Arrow in the Eye. Heard of her? No? Go check her out!

Since I'm cheap money conscience, I was determined not to spend any extra money if possible. So instead of shopping for one of their amazing dresses I ended up going with a pair of rose bud earrings, a black metal headband and a red sash. Sadly, these three little things added up to about $50 + shipping. My hope is that I just stocked up on the accessories needed for the Military Ball; all I need now is the perfect black dress. 

shabby apple goodies by ballisticgypsy featuring stud earrings

Stud earrings
shabbyapple.com

red satin sash
shabbyapple.com

Metallica
shabbyapple.com




Here are a few ideas that I am toying with the LBD and red sash from above.

LBD by ballisticgypsy featuring a pleated chiffon dress

TFNC pleated chiffon dress
$56 - bankfashion.co.uk

Red top
$64 - feverdesigns.co.uk

Jessica simpson
dillards.com

Alexander McQueen crystal clutch
mytheresa.com

red satin sash
shabbyapple.com




Or this insanely elegant look here....

 

Perfectly Plum by ballisticgypsy featuring lace pumps

Bottega Veneta ball gown
net-a-porter.com

Dune lace pumps
$110 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Beaded clutch
amazon.com

Lucite jewelry
alexisbittar.com

Nail polish
jacob.ca

[ Stewart / Stuart ]

Blogging is one huge 'LOOK WHAT I CAN DO' from the Madam Martha types all the way to the MadTV types. If the phrase 'Look what I can do' is lost to you, check out this video to bring you up to speed. Its ok. I'll wait. I know its a 7 minute long clip, you can fast forward to 4:15 to jump right to the reference.

now that thats done.

Look What I Can Do ~ with a Chi!

***************

One of my little sisters came for a visit after my trip to Missouri. You see, she was suppose to be here while the hubs had surgery on the nerves in his ankle. However, his surgery was pushed back a week and he ended up having it just three short days ago. He's recovering well (more on that later.)
Where is my entertainment now, sis! The hubs is laid up in bed sleeping most of the day away and she is now back in Mo. So what do I do to pass the time? I'll blog about what we did :)

While she was here, we did a little quality bonding, sister time playing with hair.  I got this idea off Pinterest, but I chose not to do it quite as she has done. Look at me putting my own twist on things.. so punny. My sister recently had her hair trimmed and braiding just didn't sound like something I wanted to do with her shorter layers. I ended up pulling together small bunches of hair, spritzing them with some Redken fabricate 03, twist, then use the Chi to warm things up a bit. I used my fingers to move the hair around a little and pull apart the heated up twisties. I think the finished product was perfect.

She had some waves, some volume, some sass and some texture. Not to shabby for a first try.

As far as my sisters visit- we chatted, we bonded, we watched the Game Show Network, we fried potatoes at midnight,  we laughed, we goofed off, we thrifted, we shopped, we swam, we ordered delivery. We had a much needed visit with each other. Its hard to believe that she (and her twin) were just 8 years old when I left home. Wow. My son is 8 years old now. Its crazy to think of how much of their lives that I missed out on while starting my life. {insert sad face here} and my little brother too. Can't forget about him... err I say little, but really he is going to be a senior in high school. He's no longer little. He's a big kid.

I love my life. I do not regret 'running off and getting married' and moving away when I did, but I do regret not being there for those three. I am 12 years their senior. It is still hard to say good bye to them. 

Wishing

What I Wish I Wore Wednesday

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hit the books by ballisticgypsy featuring fossil wallets

Frock Frill batwing shirt
$16 - bankfashion.co.uk

Jessica Simpson bootcut jeans
lordandtaylor.com

Jessica Simpson bootcut jeans
lordandtaylor.com

Sesto Meucci flat shoes
neimanmarcus.com

Fossil wallet
$44 - johnlewis.com

Eva Hanusova boho jewelry
endless.com

Isharya floral jewelry
boutique1.com

Madewell MADEWELL Delfonics® For Top Hat Pens
madewell.com

It's on Like Donkey Kong

I'm pretty much obsessed with big, odd, or funky earrings.  
Below are a few of my more commonly  worn earrings. I have plenty more stashed away in a jewelry box on the counter. 


I thought I had posted a tutorial to the framed earring hold I had made years ago. Alas, after much searching, I could not find it. It's fairly easy; unfinished frame from Michaels Craft Store, pretty paint, lace, screen & sand paper from a home improvement shop. Put them all together and sha-bam. Loveliness on a wall.  

These amazing earrings here

have a large owl on them. I love it.

Even better, they were a whopping $1

Can't beat that!

Little Sister Rock Star

How do you refashion or up cycle kid clothes when you have both a son and a daughter? 

Turing big brothers long sleeve t-shirt into a little ripped up t-shirt fit for a rock star!

• We used some 'girlie' colored Sharpies and colored in some of the drawings on the shirt.
• Cut the sleeves- then tug to pull the t-shirt fabric so it rolls up a little.
• Cut about an inch off of the bottom of the shirt- then tug to pull the t-shirt fabric so it rolls up a little.
• Cut around the seam on the neck line- then tug to pull the t-shirt fabric so it rolls up a little.
• Since she wasnt about to wear a shirt that was baggy and felt like "pj's" I also cut a few slits down the back of the shirt. Remembering to then tug to pull the t-shirt fabric so it rolls up a little. Then I cut the slits in the center and tied them off giving her a fitted look. 

*Don't forget to make sure your little Rock Star has a tank top on under the over-sized boy cut up t-shirt.

Here is our interpretation of an over-sized big brothers t-shirt turned Ripped Up Rock Star. 

Inspired by: Roller Derby Fashion

3.5 months, not bad

Do you remember me talking about 'The Great American Apparel Diet' a few months back? No? Here's a quick recap: 

           In my post 'Simplify' I vowed NOT to buy any new clothing for six months. TGAAD is actually intended to last for 12 months. I started out small. Baby-steps. Once I make it to my 6 month mark, I believe I will continue on for the remaining 6 months.  So this whole Apparel Diet thing sounds like an easy thing, right? It wasn't at first. It is hard to brake a habit of any kind. I am just barely over half way to my mini goal. I have not bought one single thing. Sadly, this truly amazes me. I really thought I would of had a harder time with this 'diet' because, like many of us out there, Retail Therapy is a go-to stress reliever. Plus, its fun. Instant gratification.

This diet, challenge, vow, or whatever label you want to call it as, has made me change the way I think and behave. I no longer stand in my closet, disgusted with what I own, thinking 'ah, I need a new top', or 'these jeans are just not doin' it for me, I need to get a new pair.'   NEED.   I do not NEED anything new. I do not NEED for anything, but the necessities.

I have reevaluated my belongings. I have forced myself into playing around with what I own. Accessories are key. I am even revamping a few older things here and there. Pinterest, the root to all things crafty, has a ton of ideas listed in case your brain starts to freeze up. Like mine does. Often. Too Often.

Cue instant ideas, yay!

source

source

source

source

Care to join me? If so, come back and share your link. I would love to follow along. 

note:  winning things (like this) from blog giveaways are totally ok ;)

Simplify

I have been inspired.

 The Great American Apparel Diet

{no buying for one year}

I know that I am NOT that dedicated nor do I contain that kind of self-control to last me an entire year, like the ladies who took the Apparel Diet this past year.   

[That’s Insane!]  HOWEVER, I am going to take on my own mini variation of their Diet. Instead of no buying clothes for a whole year, I am setting a personal goal to not purchase new clothing for 6 months.  [Baby Steps, People]  I am going to allow myself the occasional Goodwill snag, but that is it.

I figure with now having a mortgage and extra bills, this is a fine time to really start limiting myself and learn more about the art of simplifying. 

Start Date: September 1, 2011 End Date March 1, 2011

So this means I need to get my shopping fix tomorrow :)

Current closet condition:

*Feel free to join me on this little journey

Three Shades of Awesome

I am Taking Awesome 
To The Next Level

I'm embracing my nerdy side with my wanna be 1990's shades

Word.

Fruits and Veggies

Tangerine and Potato
Time flies and you don't get it back. Enjoy each moment.

Combine the two and you never know 

what the outcome will be, but its sure to be an eventful day.

The lead up-

*Oot Oot Girls Day*

The Tang's take on the day-

*Adventures of Potato & Tangerine*

The *kid-free* day started with an agenda. 

Goal 1- Get SGT to get bangs!

Goal 2- Tattoo Shop!

Goal 3- Have a memorable day out with a good friend.

Done, Done, and Done. The day was a complete success. 

Acta non Verba.

 SGT rockin her new bangs as we are headed to the tattoo shop

 I seriously considered getting this little guy in honor of my brave little toaster car {love}

 My tattoo artist- Brian

 Acta non Verba y'all 

(more about that here)

I ❤ Savannah

Seed Bell Keychain

This is a handcrafted keychain made with seed bead, glass bead, brass, stone and waxed cotton cord.

measure 7 inches length

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

[not made by me]

 

I just received my Etsy order.   This key chain is AH-Mazing. 

It is gorgeous and absolutely perfect for me. 

Hand made from Thailand and worth the wait for it to go through customs to get here. 

I love it so much {XOXO} I just had to share it with you all :)

Check out some of the awesomeness they have available HERE !

Seed Bell Chain + Buddha Chain = 
Perfection  On A Chain

Namaste

Linked to:
Reasons To Skip The Housework

What I Would Wear

If I had it all to do over, 
these would be the things in 
my wardrobe. 

Natural Beauty by Raw Potatoes featuring antique silver jewelry