Mysterious Ways

It was one of those mornings, after one of those weeks. Walking to work with an attitude that would have scared a gang of thieves (okay, minor exaggeration). I'm 4 blocks from work, stopped at a light when a woman on a bike says, "You look so picturesque". I smiled, I couldn't help myself. It's true, God works in mysterious ways.

A Midsummer Night's Eve

A Midsummer Night's Eve Party - August 21, 2010

(Markings by Lisa)

After a two month sabbatical from blogging...

It's been a busy summer! That's my only excuse for not updating my blog in two *gasp* months. I spent a week in California at Gleanings for the Hungry as an adult leader with my old youth group. Then I took a weekend trip to Oregon to do engagement photos for a couple friends (yes, some of my favorite pics from that shoot will end up here eventually). And last weekend I spent in Victoria, BC with my little sister. Hopefully, additional updates will follow.

This week I'm busy working on a friend's 30th birthday party. The theme is "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Ooohh-la-la is right! ;) We're making decorative hair clips for the guests (in case they don't feel dreamy enough) and I got inspired to make a couple of clips for myself.

What to do with a random yard

I had a yard of fabric sitting in my sewing box that lacked specific purpose. I've been wanting to make a tote, so here's my practice run. Next time I'll add a lining & use a thicker, canvas like material.

OCD Alert?

To avoid adding 20+ minutes to my morning routine because of a oh-dang-I-can't-find-anything-to-wear crisis, I spend 1 hour every Sunday afternoon putting together my outfits for the upcoming week. (This means I actually wear my clothes that require ironing.)

This time, I decided to try on & take a picture of my proposed outfits. Genius! The camera doesn't lie, it either works or it doesn't. So now I know I'll like my look for the week & get to work a little earlier...or sleep in ;)

On a side note, my obsession with taking picture of outfits I like really paid off when it came to packing for a Memorial Day weekend getaway. I just scrolled through my album of outfits & voila!

This is for you, mom!

I asked my mom to pick up silk scarves during a recent trip to Italy. I just love the patterned one (see photo) she brought back. Goes really well with the blue linen dress we found at Anthropologie during a recent mother-daughter shopping experience :)

Shoes: Spring Treasures

Have I mentioned how much I love Anthropologie? I stopped by to check out their weekly sale items (added on Tuesdays) and saw these shoes. Perfectly cute & comfy with that vintage feel. Best of all, the shoes are also available on Endless & I was able to use a 20% off discount. Can't wait to get the shoes tomorrow!

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

Oh, Anthropologie...you steal my heart in so many ways...like finding these beautiful shoes on sale (in my size!). I believe this is the first pair of orange shoes I've ever owned :)

(shoes by Everybody, on sale for $89)

Let the planning (or eating) begin!

September is still the target for departing for a year in Paris. It's time to figure out those fun things like: Can I access my bank while in Paris without exorbitant fees? What type of Visa do I need? What's a safe, reasonable & charming neighborhood to live in?

Researching is great, but food is better ;) So my future Paris flatmate and I began our evening by familiarizing ourselves with a French dish that altered the lifestyle of Julia Childs. Dinner: Sole Meuniere, roasted potatoes and a simple salad with Parmesan & a vinaigrette (with shallots, yum!). Research never tasted so good! (The Sole Meuniere is a simple, elegant dish that tastes amazing--I highly recommend.)

So many details to figure out, but if French cooking accompanies them then il sera bon.

Summer's almost here, right?

These Sam Edelman sandal's beat out the adorable Franco Sarto's (bottom). Yesterday was their first day "on the job" and I love them! Comfortable, easy to walk in and totally cute :)

"Spring" Favs

Yesterday, we spotted snowflakes so I'm a little unclear if Spring is actually here? I've learned my lesson after a couple mornings walking out the door assuming it would be...well, Spring! Brrr!!! Too early to get rid of the winter wool coats. Enough complaining :)

Above are a few of my favorite items that I'll continue to incorporate into my styling this Spring.

Look #1
-Love the boots by Apepazza (@Endless)--they go with everything.
-Love the brown tweed coat (it magically finds it's way into an outfit nearly every week) from Anthropologie, sold out.
-Most of my scarves were for winter use, so I was delighted to find the purple & green silk scarf (yes, from Anthro, sold out. I'm wearing it now!).
-You can't see it well, but the gray top underneath is a fantastic tank from Anthro. It has a really flattering fit, even on those "fat days".

Look #2
-The bright yellow purse (@Anthro) just makes me smile. This will be great for summer!
-The plaid dress has great pockets & adds a different color pallet then I tend to have in my wardrobe. It's also from my favorite store ;)
-The belt is from H&M, one of the best places to get basic pieces and fun accessories. Nearly helps me justify my Anthro visits.

Look #3
-The jacket is from Anthro. Love that it's short-sleeved, has a great texture and that beautiful pink lining.
-It's hard to see, but the LBD is a hand-me-down from my Aunt (who has fantastic taste in clothing). Perfect fit & a soft, almost suede, feel.

Mmm.... Food

The last 3-4 weeks I've spent nearly every evening cooking. It's that OCD part of me that just remembered how fun it is to make delicious dishes ;) I'm hooked & I can't stop. Here's a couple dishes I made:


(Left: Ratatouille before cooking, Right: Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower)

I'm working on my French cooking skills, though I haven't pulled our Julia Child's cookbook (yet!). "French Women Don't Get Fat" has fantastic, simple recipes and I also like "The Paris Cookbook" (great Parmesan bread).

Now to focus on learning French!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Found this pin in Boston & couldn't resist. I'm a European mutt of sorts (German, English, French, Irish & Scottish or GEFIS?), but I'll cling to the small portion of Irish blood running through my veins today. Gártha!

Soon! Soon!

I'm putting together a fun collage of my favorite Spring fashion items. Great ideas, so little time. It's coming soon! In the meantime, please enjoy this melancholic distraction ;)

(Photo by Amanda, Seattle's Greenlake 200?)

My unexpected week of fashion

Monday: Watched Project Runway, Season 6 (disc 1). I wish I was advanced enough in my sewing to design clothing. Someday!
Tuesday: Watched Avatar in 3D at the IMAX, second viewing. For some reason I'm feeling blue this spring ;)
Wednesday: Off grocery shopping... a girl has to eat!
Thursday: 9:30am fashion show at corporate get-together. Evening, watched The September Issue. While the early morning show was RTW, it was fun to watch! Anna Wintour sure knows what she wants, so does the inspirational Grace Coddington.
Friday: Watched Valentino: The Last Emperor. There are dresses you'd sell a kidney for....I have two of those right? ;)

Dinner makes me happy!

Yummy Santa Fe Chicken Chili!! Thank you Gluten Free Goddess ;)

ps. hate it when I can't flip my iPhone pics in blogger...please tilt your monitor 90 degrees to the left for proper viewing. *grin*

How can you avoid over-consuming?

Find the perfect question.  Oui! The perfect question.  Looking towards my September move and the reduction of my life to a couple of suitcases the following comes to mind:

• I hate moving.  Carefully packing & hauling around heavy boxes.  Ick!
• I need to save money for the move.
• I have too much stuff.  What to do with it all?
• I'm only taking two suitcases to Paris. 

So what is a girl to do?  After a few closet purges & trips to Goodwill, I discovered my all important question: "Would I take this to Paris?"  (OR, if all my stuff is packed into two suitcases would this make the cut?).  Every time I go shopping or clean out my closet I ask myself that question.  You wouldn't believe the money I've saved & junk I've gotten rid of.

So what's your question?  

Parlez vous francais?

I don't, but I'm learning :) A friend gave me the Rosetta Stone French Level 1 program for Christmas. What a perfect gift! I'm a beginner, but find the Rosetta Stone program uses a variety of learning techniques that are registering with my brain. Hopefully it sticks! My goal is to practice 1 hour a day (on weekdays) and find a few native French speakers who are gracious enough to hear me butcher their language.

Au revoir!

Outfit: Rockstar :)

Outfit: Wet & Dry

Pardon the messy background. I've started taking pictures of outfits that I like. As someone who walks to work, I have to be prepared for rain or shine (yes, that does mean I bring shoes to the office sometimes). Here's the wet & dry version of my outfit.

hairdeco

I found this $3 treasure at Anthropologie the other day. Out of sheer laziness, I tend to avoid "hair things" (or hairdeco), but I'm making an exception :)

Then & Now: The Passport

Thank God it's time for a new passport!

 

2000 vs. 2010

Bonjour Paris!

I visited Paris for the first time when I was 17 years old. It was love at first sight. I decided then and there that I wanted to live in Paris for at least a year....at some point in my life. Two more visits (age 19 & 23) and I was utterly convinced; Paris is the place for me!

11 years later and I'm looking forward to seeing this dream come true. I plan on moving to Paris this Fall (yes, 2010) with a couple of friends and staying for a year.

So much to do, so little time! Job, visa, housing--not to mention, learning French :) I'll keep you posted on my progress. Here's to the beginning of a grand adventure!

Au revoir!
Amietta
(my French name, given to me by a barista in Paris who didn't understand "Amanda")

My Take: 50's Proper

I'd love to live at Anthropologie. Each morning I could wake up and find the perfect outfit. Until the day I'm given that opportunity, I'm going to borrow a few ideas.

Anthropologie's "Quiet Hours" outfit, 50's Proper Style

(apologize for the crummy photo)

My Take

Metro Moments: The #43

There's nothing quite like the #43 from Capitol Hill at 10:45 on a Monday evening.

Enter, two drunken friends. To ensure I'm not getting too lonely with my book & "bite me" attitude, these gentlemen divide & conquer. One sits behind me, screaming about how great President Obama is (he was just informed that the tax payers foot $8 out of the $10 it cost/per fare). The other sits right in front of me...just inches away, despite the empty seats behind me.

"Can I tell you something", he slurs. I barely look up from my reading to offer a polite grimace.
"Don't tell my old woman, swear on a stack of Bibles". This is always the beginning of a good metro conversation.
"You're very pretty". To which I respond through barred teeth "thank you?".

The conversation continues in a cyclical pattern for a few moments until the gentleman sitting in front of me says, "do you always wear black? You should wear some colors that pop". To which I begrudgingly admit that I do when I'm in the mood.

(How ironic that my colors this evening are grey, black & grey.....still he persists).

"Would you like?" He hold out a can of beer he's just pulled from his right pocket. I grimace again and say "no thanks". He reaches around into his inside jacket pocket and pulls out a different beer, holds it out to me. I communicate the universal head gesture for "no".

"You're weird", he says, "but that's okay".
"To each his own", I offer up as my last words (I hope).

"Don't tell my old woman, swear on a stack of Bibles", he says "you're look good".

*ding* Thank God it's my stop, any more compliments and I'm sure to be visiting a therapist to discuss my ego issues.

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This Metro Moment brought to you by:
Amanda, an Amused Adventurer

PS. I do intend on getting back into blogging this year. I couldn't resist sharing this moment. Back soon!