J.Crew French Hen Meets Oliver Twist

 I snagged the J.Crew French Hen sweater during a transient pop-back in size XXS. Cluck! or perhaps Clutch! It is so out of stock now that the link to the product no longer exists. This sweater has transgressed into ebay existence, which is kind of like an afterlife.

Sweater: J.Crew | Pants: H&M | Shoes: Target

I am wearing it with a T-shirt underneath so I am rather well-protected from the itch of the wool. The arms of this sweater are strangely tight, therefore I doubt that I could layer a long-sleeved shirt underneath.  But other than that I have no complaints.

The print of these H&M pants evoke Dickensian England to me. I should wear them with a sweater vest and a Sherlock Holmes sleuth cap.

Some details I like about these pants, including the back pockets (mockets), the subtle stitching.  I also like the ankle zippers, which can be seen in another photo.

I've had really good luck with pants from H&M.  These pants are a size 4 and fit with enough room in the hips to be comfortable all day. I usually opt for size 4 in H&M pants for this reason. Did I fail to mention that these pants were only $15? My H&M purchases usually ring in under $20...

I've been searching high and low over the last several months for a neutral colored top that is not white or black.  I found this turtleneck at H&M along with the pant friends.  I believe this color is best described as greige (beige + grey) and I hope to wear it with everything henceforth.

1. Shoes: Blink via Zappos
2. Shoes: Steve Madden

Blazer: Forever 21 | Shoes: Banana Republic
this outfit may involve just a few too many zippers

In summary, I now own Oliver Twist pants and a Hen sweater:

1. In the H&M dressing room.  I did not elect to buy this top even though it is also greige.
2. Greige from top to bottom!
3. Pink works well with greige.
4. So does baby blue. Blazer: Talbots
5. Cluck cluck.

In the future, I would like to devote a post to all of the clothes and accessories I own that feature animals. Stay tuned!

Weather Shift

Um, who turned down the thermostat on this part of the planet??  I had to wear a sweater AND a wool coat this morning. I hope I make it through this winter, because I've never endured any winter while utterly unarmed with thyroid hormone.

In the meantime, I can dream about the kind of weather that permitted these outfits:

Top and Pants: J.Crew, Shoes: Target, Belt: Gap, Necklace: H&M

Top: Marshall's, Pants: H&M,  Shoes: Target

1. Top: ?, Skirt: Target, Shoes: Banana Republic
2. Dress: Anthropologie, Boots: Etienne Aigner
3. Top: Romeo and Juliet Couture, Skirt: J.Crew, Shoes: Talbots, Belt: thrifted

A word on the Anthropologie Pieced Column Dress....I scored this from Gabe's for $20!!!

Krazy Kolored Pants and My First Peplum Top

I say some pretty self-explanatory things in my blog titles, causing me to have little to say down here in the regular text portion of my blog post.  As a preamble to the colorful pants you are about to witness, I must congratulate Forever 21 for manufacturing pants to my liking. 

1 & 2. I saw these monochromatic outfits on JCrew and decided that I wanted to look like a Blue Man.  Top: Target, Pants: F21, Shoes: UO
3. Top: Ann Taylor, Pants: F21, Shoes: BR (you can't see them!), Belt: JCrew ~ I am missing this belt currently :(
4. Top and Pants: JCrew, Shoes: Steve Madden

Ok, a word about those J Crew pants. They are the Hutton Trench Trouser and, on me, they are 1. too big and 2. wrinkly. Shame. I originally tried them on in a P00 and muffin topped my way out of them unattractively.  This was the first time that J Crew sizing was too small on me. Then I exchanged them for this pair, which was a P2 (I made this choice based on how extremely tight the P00 was around my waist).  The P0 is no longer available otherwise it would seem like the logical sizing, no? Oh well, I will keep these, iron them, always stand up straight, and perhaps wear a thick sweater tucked in with them. Problem solved.

And now, my first peplum top:

1 & 2. Top: Marshall's, Skirt: J Crew No. 2 Pencil in Feather Paisley, Shoes: from Vietnam
3. Skirt: J Crew (No. 1) Pencil in double serge wool
4. Skirt: from Vietnam, Belt: J Crew, Shoes: UO

And in real life, the shirt and new F21 pants are worn to Niagara Falls!
I am wearing my mom's Danskos because it was freezing.
I am also carrying my Benetton purple nylon bag and wearing a thrifted moto jacket.

Shirt: AE, Shoes: Sears, Belt: F21

Ok, in truth, these blue pants are a little big loose around the hips.  But this can be negotiated with a belt and by striking only certain poses and...standing up straight.  I had a brief stint when I thought I would take them in at the hip by hand.  But then visions of muffin-topping deterred me from going through with that operation.

Another iteration of these awesome pants at Niagara Falls. With a UO tee.

These outfits were from BEFORE the wedding.  For that particular week (which was in April or May, I can't remember), I carried my MT bag everywhere:

1 & 2. Dress and Cardi: Ann Taylor Loft, Pants: J Crew pixie, Shoes: Sam Edelman for AE
3 & 4. Tee: UO, Jeans: Seven, Shoes: from Madrid

And that is all...up next, all about the time that we bought way too many bananas and what I baked with them.

Hypothyroid Outfits

Did I lament about my lack of thyroid hormone lately? I almost fell asleep in the middle of the sentence. Luckily I have not fallen asleep while driving, which is my greatest fear.  I am sadly up to 2 cups of coffee a day to stay awake.  Alas, caffeine interferes with the absorption of levothyroxine. But look, I have successfully awoken at least 8 times in the past few weeks in order to wear the following outfits as well as take photos of them!

1. Sweater: gift from Mom, Turtleneck: JCrew, Skirt: JCrew, Shoes: from Vietnam
2. Sweater and top: gift from Aunt, Belt: JCrew, Pants: JCrew Pixie Pant, Shoes: Banana Republic
3. Sweater: same as #1, Shirt: JCrew, Pants: JCrew Minnie pants in Parsley, Shoes: Calvin Klein
WOW I am heavily representing JCrew in this assortment of outfits!

Here, I demonstrate the addition of a scarf that I bought from a street vendor while visiting Pittsburgh!
Other than that, I am wearing my beloved dress from Vietnam as a jumper.
I am holding Nutrigrain bars.
My boots are Nine West and belt is from JCrew. They have matching studs. 

1. Shirt: from Vietnam, Sweater: gift from Grandma, Pants: H&M, Shoes: from Vietnam, Coat: Anne Klein. I accessorized here!
2. T-shirt: Zara, Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft, Shoes: Sears, Bag: Marco Tagliaferri
3. Dress: H&M, Shoes: Urban Outfitters

This is an oooooold shirt from Gabe's. I am experimenting with a new photo locale in my apartment.
Jeans: Forever 21, Shoes: gift from dear friend Sansrita, Necklace: gift from dear friend Jen

Did you see the artwork in the corner of the above outfit picture? That was by the hand of yours truly. Oil pastel over a linoleum block print.

I noticed that I have a label called "shopping spree" for my posts and feel amiss that I have not composed a post worthy of that label lately. This, of course, is directly related to the lack of shopping spree in my life.  I have been too hypothyroid to shop.

Of Pixie Pants, Other Apparel, and Pie

Wow, I am so glad I own the J Crew pixie pants.
Last year I proclaimed my love for them a few months after finally getting them.  I felt that paying $88 was a little silly for a pair of glorified leggings.

Then they went on sale. $_$  Unfortunately they seem to hardly ever go on sale anymore.  They are definitely nicer than leggings and the signature back seams and zipper are still well-loved by all, especially me.  I wear them a LOT and they are still as nice as ever! Yay!






Here are few as-of-yet unposted outfits featuring my beloved Pixie Pants:

1. Sweater: gift from Mom bought in France "Funky Diva", Shoes: leopard flats from Fashion Bug.
2. Top: J Crew, shoes: Bandolino
3. Top: Free People, Boots: paris hilton
4. Top: J Crew, Shoes: I Love Comfort from Sears, Earrings: leopard thrifted

I also have been wearing a lot of clothes lately, being forced to go to work everyday.  I finally got around to uploading all the pictures of them from my camera.  Well, I guess I'll go ahead and post them here.

I couldn't decide which shot to use for these so I selected them both.
Also shows the versatility of each outfit to exist in slightly different angles and poses.
1. Top: Trucco from Madrid, Cardi: American Eagle Outfitters, Pants: from Vietnam, Shoes: Calvin Klein
2. Top: Mango, skirt: from Vietnam, Belt: Talbots, shoes: unknown
3. Top: J Crew, Pants: H&M, Shoes: from Vietnam

1. Top: J Crew, Skirt: Anthropologie, Shoes: unknown. Necklace: I revived my Target necklace!
2. Top: Delia's, Coat: gift, Pants: from VN, Shoes: Talbots
3. Top: H&M, Skirt: Anthropologie, Shoes: leopard flats, Necklaces: Target and F21
4. Top: Adidas (old), Cardi: Target, Pants: H&M, belt: J Crew
5. Dress: Ann Taylor, belt: thrifted and very old, Shoes: VN
6.  Top: F21, Skirt: gift from Mom bought in France, Boots: from Madrid

Again, couldn't choose one pose, they are just all so good.
1. Sweater: unknown brand, tank top: Delia's, Pants: J  Crew Minnie bi-stretch wool, shoes: unknown brand
2. Top: J Crew, pants: Vietnam, Shoes: Banana Republic, Necklace: J Crew
3. Top: Mango, Skirt: J Crew petal skirt, Boots: from Madrid.  WOW I really like this outfit! Note to self: wear this again, consider jewelry.

1. Top: elephant top, need I say more? Scarf: Urban Outfitters, Pants and belt: J Crew, Booties: unknown brand
2. Top: Banana republic, Skirt: Anthropologie, Boots: Paris Hilton via Macy's, Earrings: you can't see them but I made them!
3. Going out outfit. Top: unknown, from Gabe's, Jeans: Seven, Shoes: from VN

Lately I've been in the cardiology ICU, which I consider to be a slightly hateful place.  Lately meaning for the last 2 days.  I think I am coming down with a le-cold (rhinovirus).  I will refrain from further discussing my sentiments regarding the CICU on the blog.  Back to something more palatable:

Mere moments later:

Mike has struck again!

Engagement Photobook

I would like to share our engagement photos in the form of pictures of the photobook I made with them!

Credits

Photography: Paul Meyer Photography

Photobook: AdoramaPix

Outfits

Quyen #1: JCrew coat, Banana Republic dress, Urban Outfitters heels

Quyen #2: Anthropologie dress, Paris Hilton boots

Earrings-Charlotte Russe, bracelet-Anthropologie

Mike #1: suit and shirt tailored in Vietnam, JCrew tie, Neil M loafers

Mike #2: Sweater from Kohl's, JCrew pants

Thanksgiving Cooking and Recent Outfits

During the week preceding Thanksgiving, everyone had turkey on their brain.  All around the hospital people shared their plans of cooking, travelling, and taking time off.  As her roommate approvingly listened in, one of my patients told me her recipe for stuffing.  She said that even her daughter's boyfriend, a chef for a prominent restaurant, praised it.  I asked if she would write it down for me. No need, she said, it's super simple.  She listed the ingredients, no measuring cups, just instinct.  Never the same each time but always a Thanksgiving highlight for her family.  Luckily, I discharged her from the hospital in time to work her kitchen magic.



Vegetables dusted with spices.



My patient's stuffing recipe developed into my first Thanksgiving dinner, cooked by me! Hosted by me! I had to emphasize the fact that I cooked since it rarely happens except for on this blog, where it seems frequent due to publishing bias.  But note that I haven't posted for a month and during that time I definitely was NOT cooking.



Hey look, what's that?! You guessed it---MATZO BALL SOUP.  Yummie.
 Please refer to this post for the recipe and similar pictures (minus the Cutco knife and new polypropylene cutting board).
On this particular early Thanksgiving morning, I used chicken wings and drumsticks, you can see them peeking out
from underneath the lovely veggies.


Believe it if you will, I woke up at 6:30 AM as if it was any other work day and set out to chop celery, carrots and onions with my new Cutco Chef Knife.

Ok, then I baked an unplanned cake.  But you know, I had to bake something since I am the proud new owner of a Kitchenaid Mixer.  I had to bake something impressive.  No credits to me please; that Mixer is the Boss.



Extra points if you spot the cookies.
They are special Arrested Development cookies.
I had made the batter for them in a massive quantity earlier that week


I only own 1 cake pan so I had to wait before baking the 2nd cake.  But this provided time for the cakes to cool and prepare themselves for

BUTTERCREAM ICING.



nb: cake made with shortening, icing used margarine in lieu of butter



One day, I'm going to tell the gory tale of my buttercream icing failures.  In my misadventures, I learned about emulsifying oil-based and water-based products.  I learned of the importance of using metal/glass bowls over plastic bowls.  I learned about the bain-marie.  I learned about the sugar ball in water test.  I learned that there were Italian, French, and American schools of buttercream frosting.  In spite of all this knowledge, my buttercreams had a paltry success rate....that is until the Kitchenaid Mixer intervened.  That and I patiently let the stiffened egg whites sit in the fridge for a good 1 hour until their temperature equilibrated with the butter.  Let's just say that there were now 10 egg yolks leftover between the cake and the delicious perfectly-executed decadent phenomenal exquisite buttercream icing. 

And then it was time for the Famous Stuffing:



Is it weird that writing about the stuffing caused me to go prepare myself some leftover stuffing?



And onto the dinner party.....!



Mike made the matzo balls! They are buoyant and delicious.  The soup was light and flavorful with lots of veggies.



My friends endured my cooking and agreed to spend Thanksgiving evening at our humble little home, complete with 2 card tables pushed together to become a dining room table + a sheet masquerading as tablecloth.  Alas why am I so honest?



Clockwise on my plate: turkey breast, cranberry sauce then mashed potatoes made by Shana, mashed yams by Mike, stuffing.
I am thankful! And full!



Not too full for a little cake.
See the baked pears? Mike made them!



And as promised, a smattering of recent outfits! **Thanksgiving hostess outfit



1. Top: JCrew, JCrew pixie pants, Bandolino shoes
2. Sweatshirt: JCrew, Tshirt: from Gabe's, JCrew pixie pants, shoes: from Vietnam
3. Top: unknown gifted, Skirt: Anthropologie, Necklace: gift, Devil Horns for Halloween
4. Top: Free People, pants: from Vietnam, shoes: Banana Republic
**5. Tank top: F21, Sweater: KensieGirl, Skirt: from Vietnam.  



Wanted: Pearl Necklace

Woah, blogger keeps on changing! I have been in a perpetual state of the rug being pulled from underneath me.  No, I am not falling down a lot...except for in the figurative sense. Attending: what are the 5 most common causes of brain farts? Me: uh, 1. Ingestion of too much cheese, 2. uh...Iron deficiency? 3. Infection....
Please feel free to substitute all that for actual medical terminology.
At least I dressed myself to go to work.



1. Dress from Vietnam (it randomly fits me better now!), grey tights unknown brand, booties unknown brand
2. Ann Taylor top, Loft pants, Calvin Klein shoes
3. UO dress and hat, Target cardigan and necklace*, Calvin Klein shoes

 *sad: I am mourning the breakage of this necklace.  Necklaces are not meant for brandishing. Nor for striking Mike with. Nor should I end sentences with prepositions (get out of my head, Mrs. Maloney from 10th grade English!!)



I just think its funny that I have THE SAME EXACT expression in #1 and #2! haha!
1. H&M blouse and pants. Banana Republic wedge booties. F21 necklace.
2. Dress from Vietnam, tights from Target, BR wedge booties
3. Tshirt Charlotte Russe, Aeropostale tank, Target leggings, shoes from Vietnam, thrifted necklace



1. "French" outfit: shirt from Gabes, Anthropologie San Pedro skirt, Gap belt, J Crew flats
2. Shirt from Vietnam, Old Navy skirt, Gap belt (the brown one's sister), UO tights, unknown brand oxfords
3. Target cardi and dead necklace, UO dress worn as top, Charlotte Russe earrings, JCrew double serge pencil skirt (1st generation), Calvin Klein shoes

 Sometimes, I loooove my clothes and think that they look like sheer genius (like the UO dress worn as a shirt in combination with the mustard yellow skirt).  I love playing with colors and feel elevated and giddy when colors unexpectedly complement one another.

Other times, I get frustrated and break my necklaces.  Sigh.  I was on the lookout for another one, but there is none exactly like it, with its little glass beads as spacers and accent bead with the rhinestones.  Therefore, I have been crawling on the floor gathering all the beads.  Alas, I looked everywhere around the site of the incident (the crime scene) but could not find the accent bead.  Then, yesterday, my dad picked it up under the kitchen table! Huzzah! Soon, you will meet Pearl Necklace, the Reincarnation, muahaha.

I love my Anthropologie San Pedro Skirt!

Ugh, I had a terrible night on call.  I am post-call and haven't slept yet since I can't...let's just leave it at that.

Four words: second cut/damage discount.  So lately, I've been reading the blogs of Anthropologie lovers who know how to find a great deal so I decided to wander around near Anthropologie yesterday and see what would happen. Original plan was to buy flour since I had used up all the flour during my Cinnamon Bread Adventure.  So I headed for Trader Joe's conveniently located next to Anthropologie.  Accident or Divine Intervention?  Or completely volitional on my part. (Never allow self to wander near an Anthropologie unless serious mission in mind. Also, aren't all TJ's near Anthro's anyway?) I was pretty excited when I saw this skirt, only a 0 and 4 left.  Blah blah, if you go to that link (which I did AFTER I had already bought the skirt) you might not be so keen to get this skirt.  Conversely, ogle and sigh below at Anthro's gorgeous styling of this sleek Eva Franco skirt with its well-positioned diagonal seams and luscious turquoise tweed fabric:

Image credit: Anthropologie

So how did this skirt only score 3/5 on the reviews?

Alas, I agree with the reviews: Fits small and snags like a professional snagger!  Unhappy! Actually the 0 fit me just shy of snug, no need to throw up my breakfast to be able to zip up or anything.  Unfortunately, while trying it on just now to take pics for the blog, I may or may not have passed out from overheating.  So summer skirt, I think not due to polyester content.  Maybe if I don't like it anymore I can re-spin the polyester into a single mitten or something.  Just kidding, you'd have to pay me for me to learn how to do what I just said.
As for the snags, they were only noticeable when I was holding the skirt closely up to my face.  They disappeared while I was wearing it (not sure why), and while I was clutching it to my bosom all night (hey! don't judge, I was on call and needed comfort!).  But I whined to the SA and she took off 15% and gave me her blessing to vanquish the snaglets with scissors, which I also did while on-call.  Sigh, so why was my call so bad?
As a cure for the spiraling of terrible on-call events into a downright disaster (no details here my friends, HIPAA prohibits), I came home and immediately put my skirt on again.  Unfortunately, all of the handling of the skirt overnight and the careless refolding sort of uncrispened that back pleat.  Nothing I can't take an iron to...if the thought ever crosses my mind again.

Here is our friend, the Anthropologie Eva Franco San Pedro Skirt in Turquoise pictured with:
Top: JCrew, tailored. Now it is so tight that I have to detach my arms at the shoulder in order to get in and out of it. FAIL!
On the other hand, it does look much better.  Oooh please disregard the VPL, I am post-call, not going out into public!
Belt: Gap
Wedges: Banana Republic
Flats: JCrew

Ok, ok so the secret is....I had an original turquois skirt love.  No surprise, it was the No. 2 Double Serge Pencil Skirt in veridian green.

(cue: angelic vocalizing)

This green is too sophisticated for my poor post-call addled brain. I have to be honest, this skirt's coloring is more mesmerizing than the Anthropologie one.  I WOULD consider it if it went on sale. Hey! don't say that that's impossible, after all, I got last season's yellow double serge pencil skirt on siggily sale!

Ok, stay tuned for some baking by me!