Blazin' it Up

Does that sound like a drug reference? It's not. I swear.

I always feel so professional when I pop on a blazer. Crisp, tailored, woman on a mission. The, uh,  photo above doesn't necessarily reflect that.

• Blazer - Banana Republic
• T-shirt and Jeans - Forever XXI
• Shoes - Banana Republic
• Necklace - J.Crew

Well, I Live by the Ocean So...

I thought I'd go nautical for the day.

*Warning* Blinding stripes ahead.

One reason for the seemingly vanity gorged outfit of the day posts is so that my dear boyfriend can see that I wear actual clothes during the day. You see, Jeff wakes up really early and is out the door before I'm even out of the shower most mornings. This, my friends, is the benefit of living 1/4 mile from work. I'm also the first one home and, like some, start stripping the moment I set foot in my house. By the time Jeff rolls in I'm just as he saw me last, in a giant t-shirt and yoga pants. I also spend most weekends similarly dressed, as unfortunate as that is, ha! So, to Jeff, "Look babe! All dressed!"

• Top - J.Crew
• Jeans - Club Monaco
• Belt - Gap
• Shoes - Banana Republic
• Sunglasses - lonely gas station on I-35 between Austin and Dallas.

CJ Goes Thrifting...

I cannot walk into a thrift store without heading directly to the furniture section.  It's an obsession, I ALWAYS find great pieces, but alas - I have a one bedroom apartment with no yard.  I can't exactly bring home everything I fall in love with but I can take photos and share with others. 


I have a Saturday ritual that I've been doing for almost 7 months now.   I wake up - go to dance class from 10 - 12 then straight to the farmers market for what I call "last call."   Side note: Lilac season is upon us! Lastly to my favorite thrift store: Salvation Army on 11th/Olympic.  Here are some greats finds from this Saturday...

If only the drawers were bigger.  Glass knobs, Dutch chic design. Dresser: $110

If you haven't already noticed I like bright colors! Chairs: $75 each.

Great 50's dinner high top table and 3 stools.  $150 for set.

The Leather on all of the stools are torn, but I was at Joann Fabrics on Saturday and they have this leather in all sorts of colors.

Ahhh, just love the crush orange ottoman. They even had more than one! $38 each.

Does anybody else have a weekend ritual to share?

-CJ

Southwestern Flair Vs. Parisian Chic, dahling.

 

 

How bad is it to mix browns and blacks? I kind of like it, but certainly couldn't get away with it everywhere!

• Top - Levi's
• Belt and Pants - Gap
• Shoes - Calvin Klein
• Ring - BCBGeneration
• Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs

 

 

Carli says she looks like she's "in mourning." Whatevs, she looks hot!

• Dress - H&M
• Tights - no clue!
• Boots - ideeli.com
• Earrings - Gift from Ashley
• Ring - Vintage

Dots!

 

look at that face! who am i kidding??

How I made the face I did in the top photo without cracking up, I'll never know. I am feeling the 70's thing today and let the good vibes shine through with my flowy top and aviator shades.

• Top - Club Monaco
• Jeans - J. Crew
• Shoes and Necklace - Banana Republic
• Sunglasses - Gas Station (seriously)

XoXo

 So Valentine's Day was over a week ago, but that hasn't quelled our enthusiasm for sharing how we showed love to our darling boyfriends...we made cookies!!

First up is Carli Jo's homemade sugar cookies for her guy, BK.

She used cute heart and "x's and oh's" cookie cutters.

Don't their initials go perfectly together?

 

 

Next up are my cookies for Jeff. Let me be completely up front and honest, I made these cookies...from a can. *hangs head in shame* I DID, however, make the icing from scratch, so I'll award myself two pats on the back.

 

 

 I went with white and light green icing for two reasons: my adoration of all things jadeite, and that was the only food coloring I had handy. 

You can see a hint of what Jeff gave me for Valentine's Day in the photo above. I asked very nicely for hearts and I got an apartment covered in happy red hearts. He's quite a good guy.

So that, along with a ski trip to Big Bear, is how we spent Valentine's Day! How do you celebrate February 14th? Go all out? Keep it small? Forget the day even exists?

<3 <3 <3 to all!
Ashley and Carli Jo

*The cookie and icing recipe came from i am baker, along with the striped cookie decorating idea.

Gourmet dinINg

Rainy days in LA are few and far in between.  It brings out rain boot fashion, horrible drivers, and oh-so lazy Saturday Nights!  Perfect for gourmet dining at home!  I managed to make it to the Farmers Market before the downpour, where I grabbed fresh artichokes (for this recipe I had been wanting to try, and brussel sprouts (for my Bf who loves them.)

Menu:
Artichoke Spaghetti 
Roasted brussel sprouts w/ mushrooms and onions.
Garlic Bread
Carmel Brownies w/ vanilla ice cream.

A meal in progress...

BK ready to tackle the brussel sprouts.

We steamed the artichoke for 45 mins.

Roasted brussel Sprouts.

Artichoke Spaghetti

Carmel swirled brownies.

Artichoke Spaghetti Recipe found at: http://souvlakiforthesoul.com/artichokes-with-spaghetti

What a great way to spend a rainy Saturday night in,

~CJ