Noviembre!

Can you believe it's November?  This week was all sorts of crazy due to Hurricane Sandy.  We lost power for over 24 hours but thankfully were otherwise unscathed.  I know many people in our area are still without power and I can't even imagine what an inconvenience that is.  Not to mention the temperature has dropped to the 40's and the thought of no heat makes me want to cry.

Let's move on to some awkward self photos in my bathroom, shall we? 

 

 Being a nurse and basically living in scrubs means I have very little time to dress like a normal human being.  Today, fortunately, is not one of those day.  Even though we have no food in this house (thanks Sandy!) and there are 29489048 errands I could be running, all I have accomplished on this Saturday is working out, showering, and dressing myself.  (PS it's 3pm)

 

 

 I finally feel like one of the cool kids because I have a chambray shirt.  No clue how to wear it other than with leggings and boots, but alas I have one and that's what matters.

 

I do not, however, own a normal sized mirror that can accommodate my whole body in heels or a husband readily available to take my picture!

 

 

 Look at this sassy ring I bought the other week at Nordstrom.  It's a stretch for me but I kind of love it despite my general love of delicate jewelry.

 

 

And lastly, because this made me laugh (and I was too embarrassed to re-pin it for fear of my Facebook friends judging my distasteful sense of humor).  You're welcome.

1...2...3...

It's starting to look lovely in our neck of the woods :)

 

It's been busy around here.  Lots of changes in the works (I'll give you a little hint: I'm interviewing for jobs....again...)

 

I took a break from the chaos and went to King of Prussia today for a little shopping and decided I needed a few treats.

 

1.  I found these adorable bracelets at Forever21.  Together they cost just $12.  Worth it??  I think so.

 

 

 2.  I've been looking for nude flats for a little while (I bought a pair awhile back that are NOT comfortable and likely 1/2 a size too small.  Big disappointment there).  These ones I snatched up at Nordstrom Rack for $29.  Love.

 

 

 3.  And lastly, these lovely dark skinnies from Nordstrom Rack as well.  They're Paige and originally $179 and I paid $80.  Jeans are difficult and I'm a firm believer that if you find a pair that fit you perfectly, you need to buy them.

 

 

 

 

We Bought Mums...Happy Fall!

It's officially fall in our household, as we bought mums today. I love love love mums and this is the first year I've purchased them.  Growing up my mom hated them because they're generally yellow and orange (colors she detests) and an ominous sign of a new school year (and for a school teacher, autumn is somewhat depressing I suppose). Anywho, take a gander at these beauties:

 

 

 

 

I also busted out the crock pot yesterday for our first crockpot meal of the season.  I made Skinny Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps (recipe here).  They were the bomb.  I added avocado and extra hot sauce as well as substituting blue cheese dressing for salsa.  They were delish (and messy) and I will certainly be making these again sometime soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh hey it's AUTUMN! My very favorite time of year :)

 

I made this little flower arrangement and am working on getting out the autumn decorations around the house.  We have a mantle in our new home which I am excited to decorate for each holiday.

 

 

So last night I decided the husband and I could use a nice home cooked meal after a long stretch of work/being on call.  I found a couple recipes on Pinterest that were SO GOOD.  Omg.  Rarely when I try something new does it turn out awesome, and for that to happen twice in one evening??  Unheard of in our house.

 

I made Autumn Chopped Salad and Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings.  Obviously I took pictures as evidence (no one would believe me otherwise given my spotty track record of cooking).

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 I wanted to post the recipes, but for some reason Pinterest is down (HOW CAN THIS BE?!?)

 

 

What I Didn't Buy

I went to the Gap this week and found an awesome sweater. It was on sale with an additional 30% off, bringing it down to just $20.  It was super soft and comfy.  I just couldn't pull the trigger and buy it because I didn't feel like it was terribly flattering.  Something weird was going on with the arms and I felt kind of like a linebacker in it. 

And if I've learned anything in 27 years, it's that if something feels "off" in the store, by the time you get it home you will hate it.  And never wear it.  And eventually donate it with the tags still on it.

 

I've also learned that wearing makeup if I plan on taking awkward self photos would be a nice idea.  Just sayin.

 

Friday's Letters

 

 

Dear Husband, it's really sad that after a glorious 3 day weekend together we both had to return to work and now it's Friday and I think we've only had dinner together once this week?  Unacceptable!

 

 

 Dear Pinterest, why are you so funny?  And why must you make my life appear to be much craftier and full of delicious creations than it really is?

 

 

 

 

 Dear Nevada, I cried a little when my husband removed your license plate from my car.  Guess we officially live in PA now.

 

 

 

Dear Philly, keep it classy...

 

 

 

 

Dear Niece and Nephew, I miss you soooo much.  I think it's been about 3 weeks (a month?) and I just want to  quit my job and become your full time babysitter. 

 

 

Happy Friday!

 

How much leopard is too much leopard?

 Today got off to a REALLY bad start.  I woke up to a text stating "are you awake?  call me when you get up" (pssshhh NO I was not awake!).  J was on call last night was was starving when he got home.  I got my lazy butt out of bed and we went to a local diner to grab breakfast where the waitress spilled hot coffee all over my lap.  It was awesome. 

 

After running my bum off at the gym (finally got a gym membership!!) I decided to treat myself to a trip to King of Prussia.  KOP is the Holy Grail of malls.  It's literally the size of a small town.  I found this sexy sweater at Forever21 and wasn't sure if it was trendy animal print or obnoxiously leopard.  Bought it anyway.

 

Like my greasy post-workout hair?

 

Also "needed" this sweater (sequins are subtly sewn in and it's fabulous!).  Got home and realized I have one sort of like it....but not with sparkles!



 

oh hey leopard print bra strap...

Before I could conclude my trip to the mall, I stopped by Nordstrom.  I had previously been lusting over a Chambrey shirt at Madewell (that was $90, what the hell??) when I found this gem for $49.  Also bought the leggings even though I firmly believe LEGGINGS AE NOT PANTS (except occasionally I break that rule).

 

 

So I'm officially ready for fall.  I even had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the year this week.  Bring it on.