Black Dress Pants: Part 2

Last week we talked a little bit about my love/hate relationship with black dress pants. I feel like they're a necessity to every working woman's wardrobe, but I also think they can be a bit on the boring side. You've seen how I styled the slim leg black dress pants, but here's how I wear my trouser fit dress pants. These are a straight leg style that are universally flattering on everyone! I've had this pair from NY & Co for over 2 years now.

I wear a low heel or wedge with these pants. You never want them to drag the ground, that looks sloppy. I think the key in making these pants look a bit more modern is adding funky accessories like a contrasting belt. I'm mixing black and brown (which is TOTALLY ok to do!) and wearing a tan colored belt with my top slightly tucked in at my belly button, but out everywhere else.

I need to do a count on how many pairs of leopard shoes I have. Can you have too many? Probably not. These babies actually have been with me since the beginning of my fashionable self, which is freshman year of college. So 7 years now! You don't want to know what kinds of stuff I wore in high school. We're talking t-shirts and dreadlocks. Seriously, I had dreadlocks! Maybe when I'm 60 or so I'll get some little dreadies again....can't you see it? I'll be the hippest g-ma around.

My chambray top worked hard in my wardrobe this year, and it's ready to take on winter with a cardigan or a cable knit sweater. This is my "Navajo Warrior" sweater as I like to call it. I'm hoping that on our drive through Wyoming I can join an Indian tribe or at least do a couple warrior dances around a fire pit.

Tell me, how do you like to "funk up" your black dress pants?

Have a good Wednesday, Friends!

What's all the fur about?

I might be a tad obsessed. With a vest. Obsessed with a vest.

I know I usually talk about food on Tuesdays, but I haven't really cooked anything this week, nor do I plan to. My hubs is away and so that means mostly salads for me and chicken nuggets for John. On paper plates. In front of the TV. Yes, we're taking it easy this week. I'm not stressing about my upcoming trip, work stuff, school stuff, or any other "stuff" that could come up. Just playing board games and building Lego towers with my little guy. Life is good.

If you had your heart set on a recipe, I'm sorry. But I will tell you the ABSOLUTE BEST CHEESE EVER is Provel Cheese, especially the Imo's Brand. It's very popular in St. Louis (where Imo's Pizza originated) and not only is amazing on pizza but also salads as well! This cheese will be on my salad tonight! It's available at Schnucks in Cape.

Even though I'm not going out much this week, I have been sporting my furry vest to the office and to outside meetings. The weather has been simply amazing lately, but I still need an extra layer to keep the wind chill out.

What's all the fur/fuss about anyway? :) I'm just taking it easy and being myself this week. Getting things accomplished and relaxing at the same time.

How's your week going? Are you taking time to relax and take care of yourself?

Here's a little challenge for you: Today, even if it's only for 10 minutes; don't do anything. Take a break, put your feet up, and breathe. Thank the Lord for this 65 degree weather, and be blessed. And eat some provel cheese. Trust me you'll love it!

A Lesson in Layering and Airport Security.

As you know I'm taking a little trip soon, but I haven't been on a plane in FOREVER, and I've NEVER been on a plane when it's cold out. I am not checking a bag, just bringing my trusty carry-on; so I need to pack light. The key to fitting more into my suitcase is by wearing my bulkiest layers on the plane to save room for the rest of my clothes. I'm going to be doing a lot of layering here, so stay with me! :)

Step 1: The Baselayer.
I'll be wearing my coziest, comfiest tunic sweater and jeggings. I'm also wearing flats that are easy to walk in and slip off at airport security. I've pinned back my bangs so they don't get in my way, and I'm wearing the rest of my hair in a low, loose pony tail that's on the side so I won't hurt my head when I lean back in my seat.

Step 2: The Jacket.
This is the only jacket I'm bringing on the trip. I cinched in the waist with a southwestern style belt so it doesn't look too bulky.

Step 3: The Vest,
This vest is a must for my trip. It's versatile and will add some warmth to the rest of my layers. Can't you see it with a funky top for a night out in Wyoming??

Step 4: Hat, Scarf, and Mittens.
Finally, I add all my cold weather accessories and tah dah! I'm ready for my flight! I can remove any item at any time and add them to my carry on. I personally want to be bundled up for my layover in Denver, and then to my final destination--Seattle!

Tell me, how do you dress for the airport? Do you like to layer up?

A fancy little trick.

Hey friends! I'm so excited for the weekend! Tonight I'm going to a Dinner Theatre, so I wanted to dress up a bit, but still be warm because it gets chilly in the restaurant. I have heard of a little "trick" of making a dress into a skirt by folding the top of the dress into the bottom, then covering up the "bulk" with a belt. I tried that today on a party dress I have that never seems to get worn, and is way too revealing to wear by itself.




It's a little hard to tell in the pic, but the bottom of the dress is all lace.


I took the white spaghetti strap top and folded it under and inside the skirt. I then tucked my top I wanted to wear into the skirt, added a belt and voila! Instant skirt!

I threw on tights so I wouldn't get chilly, and the shirt is this one I had talked about ordering from J.Crew--clearance baby heck yeah!

The belt hides the bit of bulk from the top being folded under. Looks pretty good to me!

Know any little fashion tricks that you'd like to share?
Oh, and Emily don't be surprised if I wear this top to breakfast tomorrow too. I love it that much hehe...

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Love,
Les

"Spoon Man," Dinner Theatre, Farmer's Market and More..

Hello Friends! Are you thinking about the weekend already? Here are a few fun options if you're looking for something to do!

Today I'll be at the Cape Farmer's Market picking up some veggies to eat this week. I'm going to be practicing some side dishes for Thanksgiving, so stay tuned for those recipes on Tuesdays! Don't forget that Thursday, November 17th is the LAST FARMERS MARKET OF THE SEASON! Stock up while you can! Don't forget that most veggies can be frozen or canned!

Tomorrow, Friday 11/4, Annie Laurie's Antiques will have a special guest, the "Spoon Man" Owen Sloan. Mr. Sloan will be at Annie Laurie's from 10am-10pm showcasing his handmade spoon rings, bracelets and pendants. Laurie will also have some free food at 5pm.You can bring a special spoon of your own and have Mr. Sloan create a piece of jewelry that's uniquely you! I am going to bring one of my Nana's spoons and have him make a bracelet for me. It'll be a neat keepsake :) I'm also thinking about getting a few other spoon bracelets for Christmas gifts! I'll probably be there around noon so see you there!




Laurie with The Spoon Man


Tomorrow night I will be selling tickets at the River City Players Community Theatre's production of "First Thing's First! If you've never been to a dinner theatre show before, you're missing out! The food is delicious and they'll have an open bar as well. Dinner is at 7pm with the show starting at 8pm! Hope to see you there!

Since my hubby is out of town, John and I are going to be spending some quality Mommy-Son time on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, St. Andrew Lutheran Church will be having a FREE Children's Fair with face painting, jumbo jumpers and more. The event is in celebration of National Adoption Month and they will have information on adoption there too--something that I'm really interested in. Also, my good friend Emmy is a youth pastor for St. Andrew Lutheran so any support I can show her and her church is a plus :) I believe the festivities start at 11am and go until 2pm.

Do you know of any family fun events happening in the area this weekend? A good site to check out is semoevents.com. You can search by date and voila! Events in our area! I did a search for this Saturday and that's how I found out about the Children's Fair.

See you at the Market this afternoon?

Black Dress Pants: Part 1

Black pants are pretty essential to the working woman's wardrobe.

Say that five times fast...working woman's wardrobe working woman's wardrobe working woman's wardrobe.....anyways......

Every woman has a pair of black "dress pants" as I like to call them. They work for interviews, business meetings, church, fancy dinners, etc etc.

I for one don't necessarily like black dress pants. They're a tad boring if you ask me, but I know I need them none the less. So I have two pairs. One slim-leg pair, and one trouser-leg pair. They're great for those mornings that you know you can't wear jeans, you're tired of skirts or dresses, and you're a bit out of other options. So I wear them. There are ways to make black dress pants a little less boring! Today I'm wearing my slim leg pair of black dress pants. These pants work best when worn with flats, which are also essential to a working woman's wardrobe.




Flats are from Target. Don't worry, ugly office carpet not included.


One way to make black dress pants less boring is to spice up the shoe. Don't go with just plain black! My leopard flats fit the bill here. Also, mixing prints can be a bit intimidating, but give it a try. Mix small prints with another small print in the same color family. My top has a small black print that compliments the black in my pants and the leopard shoes.

The mornings are getting pretty chilly, so I throw on a blazer, but NOT in black. I don't want to be too "suit like." My tan blazer goes great with the shoes too!

What do you think about black pants? Do you like wearing them, or do you think they're kinda boring? Would you ever mix prints like I did?

Next time I'll show you how to style my black trouser (wide leg) dress pants. Have a good Wednesday!

Dinner tonight: Halloween Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings are obviously not limited to Halloween night. They're a warm and satisfying "winter-time" meal that is easier to make than you think. My mom makes Chicken and Dumplings every year on Halloween because she's a pro at making them and it's a feast that can feed several people. Here's her recipe, I hope you'll try it out!

Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Cook and prep time appx 4 hours.

INGREDIENTS:
* 1 package of Mary B's brand frozen dumpling strips
* 1 whole, fresh chicken, insides removed (there's a little bag inside the chicken with the gizzards and stuff you just remove it and throw it out! Unless you are wanting to eat the gizzards and in that case you're on your own there!)
* salt and pepper
* water

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place the entire chicken in a big ol' pot and cover with water. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat down to med-low, and let the chicken cook down for a couple hours.

2. About two hours before dinner time, take the chicken out of the water and start removing the meat from the bone. It should come apart easily. Throw the meat back into the pot of water and discard the bones. Bring to a boil again, aka turn the heat back up.

3. Separate each frozen dumpling strip and throw them into the pot of chicken meat and water. Your water should be straight up chicken broth by now. Test the flavor of the broth to see if you need to add more salt or pepper. Let the water come back to a boil and then turn the heat back down to low. (I know, there's a lot of turning the heat up and down, but you don't want the dumplings to get mushy.)

4. Let the dumplings cook in the broth for those two hours or so until dinner time. Serve and enjoy!

Mary B's brand is available at Wal-Mart.

When we were kiddos, my Mom would make the dumpling strips from scratch. According to my mom, Mary B's dumpling strips are just as good if not BETTER than the homemade ones. They're also a lot less messy and time consuming.

Does your Mom have a "tried and true" family gathering recipe? Please share!

Since Thanksgiving is coming up, I'll be featuring recipes on Tuesdays that will work as either side dishes for your holiday meal or main course dishes that aren't your average cooked Turkey. I'd love to hear some recipes from you guys too!