Inspiration...

Where does your style come from? I've read many comments about how stylists can be inspired by artists. I've never tried that.  And then one day, I saw this beautiful tweed dress. It was a bit pricey and a little bit daunting. I love tweed. At heart, I'm a nerdy academic. Tweed, corduroy, turtle necks, thick framed glasses, you name it, you can count me in.

A whole dress made of tweed is a lot of texture and to be honest I didn't want to spend that kind of money during the holidays on myself. I settled for staring at the dress longingly each time I went by. And then one day it happened. I was cruising the clearance section and there was my dress, in my size, waiting patiently for me to come get it. The tweed's pattern has a beautiful warm set of colors for autumn/winter.

I'd never owned a tweed dress before and trying to figure out how to style it is pushing me to explore new things. I cracked open my art catalogue and found this lovely painting by Georgia O'Keeffe.

Have you ever used a painting as inspiration for an outfit? If you have I'd love to hear about it or see the photos! xoxo

{image sources: me}

Stylish Growing Pains

What was it like for you growing up and discovering your style influences? I had my head in the clouds and was busy dreaming away with my rose coloured glasses on. I definitely had my own distinct flavour of style developing and one of the big hitters that influenced me was Jackie Onassis. 

Oh Sammy, I think I love you...

{image source: me using a nikon D60, gimp and picnik}

Have you ever had a sandwich so good it became love at first bite? I think I just did!

The Fab Miss B

{image source: The Fab Miss B a blog by Becky Kazana}

Confession time. I am a massive sap who has a thing for everything wedding. My friend Lindsay is getting married next year and it has gotten me gaga over wedding stuff. And that's how I stumbled upon Becky Kazana.

Tiny Tight Rant

{glitter leggings image source: Zara.com}

Side bar all you fabulous fashionistas. I need you to sound off on this. Zara has these fabulous glitter leggings for everyone to wear. I would love to hear your thoughts on whether or not this:

{glitter tights image source: via Amazon.co.uk}

equates the same thing. Are tights the same as leggings? If you see someone on the street wearing these glitter tights as trousers/leggings, what would your reaction be? This is what I saw this morning dropping my kids off for school. A mother, dropping her kid off at school, wearing glitter tights as trousers. I'm talking full view people. The shirt stopped just above the hips. Personally, it was way too freaking early in the morning to be seeing something like that without having had a cup of coffee. What are your thoughts? Am I just a prude or is this just too far? Let me hear your thoughts!

xoxo

Fun Times at Funchal by Night

Do you remember my first run at trying Portuguese food? If not, you should definitely try checking that out again. It will really help get you up to speed on just how much the Foo Fairy likes keeping me company through life and what kind of starting point we were at on this particular journey.

That moment...

{Beachcomber cafe, Barton On Sea}

Busy days. Fleeting moments. Sometimes we blink and it's all gone by. But then there are these days. These moments where we take a chance to pause. And it's all so very perfect.

Those simple moments with the perfect person and a cup of coffee in the quiet with the sun. 

I hope everyone's weekend is filled with perfect moments. 

xoxo

And then there were police...

{image of West Quay from their site}

How do you spend your Saturdays? This last Saturday, my daughter convinced me to go to something called The West Quay shopping centre. I have been here since June and had managed to keep my shop-o-holic bottom out of this place up until then. The press release images of this place do not prepare you for the reality of this place.

And this is why your arteries hate you...

It came to my attention yesterday that I deal with most things in life through food. Thanks to a wonderful fellow blogger over @ Saturday's with Maggy I was reminded of a fabulous and versatile dish that provides endless amounts of comfort for me. Hashbrowns! The best thing about them is how easily you can personalize them to perfection. For a great guide on how to make your own, jump on over to Gwen's site! She does them up right and her picture is way prettier than mine. Still feeling blue? I have another dish for you. 

Wear It Out

One of my biggest loves in life is fashion. At the same time, one of the things that bugs me the most is mass consumerism. Wear It Out has married the two in a way that makes me very happy. It's all about up-cycling.

Handmade By Menina Feliz

The girly girl in me that loves everything vintage and retro fell in love with Menina Feliz's designs. There were so many gorgeous gift ideas at Menina's stall at the fair it was incredible.

Nicholas John Frith

I'm so happy to introduce everyone to Nick and as promised, I'm dutifully declaring my vested interest in this particular post. Nick was one of the local artists at the fair that I mentioned here and here. He's also a part of our very extensive family. 

OOTO

 I'll be "out of the office" for a small bit due to medical stuff. It's very hard for me to deny the luring siren's call that is the blogosphere, but it seems sitting up, typing, and other normal human activities are a bit beyond my capacity for the moment. I'll be back as soon as possible!

xoxo

Chelsey's Bakehouse

Chelsey's bakehouse literally lured me from Carlitta Monchitta's display with their amazing treats wafting through the air. I imagine, it was a bit like watching Yogi Bear whenever he sniffs a picnic basket out.

Carlitta Monchitta

It's getting down to that time of year where people start buckling down for Christmas. What better way then to give something unique or handmade? When I found out there was a local folk arts and crafts fair, I was over the moon. I had so much fun this past Saturday. I had no idea what to expect and the place was a little bit manic. There were so many amazing and talented local artists. One of my favourites was Carlitta Monchitta. She makes Japanese inspired vintage jewelry. Quite honestly, they're amazing.

And Then There Were Mushrooms Everywhere

I was wandering around the internet early this morning and came across an article heralding all the wonderous benefits mushrooms have and how healthy they are for you. The article didn't list their sources of information,  how they were good for you specifically, or how to prepare them to get the most benefit from them. I get funny about things that call themselves informational articles that don't actually contain much information. The topic tends to hijack my brain. I get all geeky, hit the books, research like mad, and then my brain gets so full of whatever I've gotten obsessed over, it explodes and I'm left with something like mushrooms falling straight out of my head. If you want the low down on these little nutritional jewels, read on!

Fabulous Fitness by Me

{possibly some of the ugliest boots you'll ever see}

Alright, alright. Calm down. I know the boots are ugly but, these boots are also magical. You didn't guess that did you? They could quite possibly be a new world wide phenomenon.

Danger Mouse Goes Shopping

{The only dry moment on my shopping hunt}

I was on a mission last month. Certain fashionistas challenge themselves not to buy anything new for a specified amount of time. I found the idea intriguing and I suppose it must've been a warning sign of a new side of me emerging. A side of me that actually likes a good challenge.

Danger Mouse Lives!

{Me in the wrinkly Danger Mouse t-shirt facing the unknown}

I hope you're wearing your best poop kicking boots because we're really stepping in it today.

Yesterday, one of the locals overheard me mention I'm a journalist. (That's my way of not having to explain, "I have a lifestyle blog where I report on stuff while trying to be funny and people humour me by leaving nice comments. And someday, I hope to actually make some money doing it. Journalling that is. Not, doing it. Jeez, get your mind out of the gutter." See how much easier it is to just say "I'm a journalist?")  And all of a sudden, this woman who'd overheard my comment leapt on me like a child on a piece of dropped candy.

Rachel's Killer Kitchen Tips

{my fabulous kitchen table full of clean onion, garlic, and ginger root}

What's with the oddly near awful photo of vinegar with something that looks like a dead monkey's paw you ask? Why, it's a killer kitchen tip of course! (And the monkey's paw is really ginger root for anyone who was truly worried.)