Weekend Instagrams

This weekend kicked off the start of several jam-packed, travel-filled weekends. The hubs and I took off Friday after work to Seneca Lake to have dinner at our favorite castle (where we were engaged), breakfast at our favorite '50s retro diner, and outlet shopping. I was also so happy to meet up with one of my "nestie besties" who lives in NY.

If that wasn't enough to fill our itinerary, we raced home Saturday evening to meet up with our friends for Mexican and ice cream.

Big things ahead -- Massachusetts, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, Pittsburgh, weddings, amusement parks, GNOs .... it's going to be crazy, but awesome! I'm sick of whining every September that we didn't take advantage of nicer weather to do more "stuff." 

OOTD: Summer Stripes

I posted a few months ago about my love affair with stripes. Apparently the affair is still going strong.

L: Dress - Target; Shoes - JC Penney
R: Dress: Ross; Shoes (not pictured) - Target silver flip flops

Please excuse my blindingly white limbs. It's just too darn hot here in the Northeast to worry about my flabby appendages. But maybe the stripes will distract.

In more culinary adventures, I made a diet soda cake this morning. But my impatience got the best of me, and I flipped it out of the cake pan before it was done cooling. Oh sad sad cake - you're ugly, but delicious.

Sunday evening duties call. Hope you all had lovely weekends!

Love List: July 2011

1. Benefit They're Real! Mascara

I was thisclose to going back to my search for the ultimate drugstore mascara until a new ULTA opened in my town. The timing coincided with the release of Benefit's They're Real! Mascara. At least at $22 a pop, it's SLIGHTLY cheaper than Diorshow. They're Real is my new holy grail mascara. It gives incredible feathery length, does not smudge, and feels soft to the touch. The only con to it is it's practically impossible to remove it at the end of the day! 

2. Pencil skirts

Never in my life did I think I could pull off a pencil skirt. I'm quite voluptuous, especially my lower half, so I feared them. But then I caved, mostly in part to a $3 ponte knit NY & Co. Outlet skirt. Stretchy fabrics are a wonderful, wonderful thing. I'll be on the hunt for more this fall. (top in pic: Ross)

3. Pinterest

You're all savvy people, so I know you're aware of Pinterest. I don't find it quite the immense timesuck as others, but I still adore it and its resourcefulness. As of late, I've been able to gather lovely inspiration in preparing for my friend's bridal shower AND potential matron of honor hairstyles. :) If you need an invite, let me know. And if you don't already follow me on there, viola. 

Weekend Instagrams

  

Weekend highlights: ULTA grand opening, homemade turkey burgers, champagne cocktails, county fair, Starbucks cake pops, girlfriends, elephant ears, alpacas, county fair caloric indulgences, Benefit They're Real! mascara, Golden Girls reruns

Recipe Rave: Chicken Marsala

I can't tell you how many times I've thought to myself or said outloud, "I would love to make chicken marsala." For some reason I found it threatening and elusive. Finally, after hearing me talk about ordering chicken marsala off a restaurant menu Saturday night, my husband suggested we have it for dinner yesterday. And because I didn't really have much else going on, and it had been a long time since I cooked something more elaborate than turkey tacos, it was game on.

Note: I'm not showing off any food photography skills here, so disregard that aspect!

I don't consider myself a good cook AT ALL, so I was shocked at how yummy this turned out. Instead of pounding chicken, I used thinly cut breasts, and sat it on whole wheat linguine. There were a few things I would change next time, but I can't stop patting myself on the back for FINALLY attempting something I've wanted to do for so long. 

What's the one recipe you've wanted try but haven't yet? 

Fun, Food, and Fantasty on the Fourth

Some people spend their Independence Day afternoons at a backyard cookout, drinking beer, and watching fireworks. We were not those people this year. Instead husband and I went with our friends to a local amusement park. I hadn't been there in 8 years, and my husband in 14 years. It's ridiculous we let so much time go by considering how cheap and close by ... and FUN it is. We plan on going back in a few weeks!

Note to self -- I'm not fit to ride certain rides that make you spin and fly at vertical angles.

And yes, I wore a short dress to the park! I literally don't own a single pair of shorts or capris, so dress it is. But my latest trick is to put spandex shorts under which not only helps modesty, but also comfort walking around.

The Fourth of July also marked the 8 year anniversary of me meeting my would-be hubs, so the date always holds a special place in my heart. <3

OOTDs: Shades of Summer

I feel like I have so many more outfits and shopping purchases to blog, but that has taken a backseat due to a completely messy bedroom! I finally cleaned up a bit of the scattered piles of clothes that fill up around the mirror, so OOTDs are back!

I've already bragged about my favorite little summer cotton LDB from Walmart (and its teal sister). But adding my favorite chartreuse cardi and a black power pin made it seem a bit more interesting. And the maxi dress was a TJ Maxx find from yesterday. Floral print, smocked waist, ruffle neckline ... as Chloe from The Chloe Conspiracy would say "grabby hands!" My friend Kate suggested this brown braided belt to go with it - great choice! If only maxi dresses were appropriate in my workplace, I'd have so many more.

The dress even complements my new OPI nailpolish from my Elfster "elf"! (Strawberry Margarita)

This weekend we're continuing our mini front porch facelift. We replaced our VERY old and beat up storm door with a full panel one, replaced our welcome mat, and hung a basket of flowers. Next up is replacing the exterior lights and mailbox. It's improved so much with those tiny little fixes!

Happy 4th of July weekend to all my American friends!