Inspiration Monday

Good morning friends!!!  We survived last week's earthquake, tornadoes, flooding and hurricane Irene!  Wow, what a crazy week! We were fortunate that we only lost power for about 8 hours and the hub is still vac-ing up the basement but other than that, we're good!

My dear friend Dawn over at Suitcase Vignettes has been without power since early on Saturday - before the storm even hit!  I hope they turn her back on soon because I know she's itching to be blogging again!

So this week over at two birds they are doing the Inspiration Monday photo and it's of Olivia Wilde who I happen to think is just gorgeous!  She looks so hip and stylish in her black and white stripes...

I have absolutely NOTHING in my wardrobe like that but here was my interpretation!

I actually wore this on Friday when I was running around in search of bottled water and D batteries (NONE to be found!)  I mean if it was the end of the world, I wanted to look a little stylish!

Top and Capris:  Fashion Bug

Shoes: Ann Klein

Bracelet: Vintage (EBay)

Sneak Peek of the Week

Happy Friday!  Even though the weather is crazy, it's still Friday and that's always a good thing!  I realized that I didn't do an outfit post this week so I figured I'd do one for today.  I love to wear black but I've tried to get away from it over the last few years - not completely, but I try to branch out to other colors.  A few years ago, I opened my closet and it was mostly full of black or black & white clothing - just snuck up on me!  When I go clothes shopping, I'm automatically drawn to the black items so if I see something I like in black, I try to find if it comes in other colors.  I mixed it up by adding gray slacks instead of black and sprinkeled in a dash of white accents. 

Top: R.Q.T.

Slacks: Fashion Bug

Jewelry: Vintage Bracelet & White Milkglass necklace (EBay)

Ring: QVC

Shoes: Madden Girl (DSW)

Goofy look on my face: Priceless

Thirsty Thursday!

Good morning friends!  Such an exciting week this week!  We had our earthquake the other day and we are now bracing for Hurricane Irene!  Between the flooding, quakes and now impending hurricane, it has been a CRAZY August.  We even beat all records for rainfall for the month of August.  Let's hope the Fall is a little less exciting!

A coworker was telling me yesterday about her recent trip to New Orleans and how they had this libation called "The Hurricane" which was mighty powerful.  I thought, what better drink to feature for TT!?!  Thing is, there are many variations of the Hurricane but since she was in New Orleans, I'm featuring their recipe. 

HAPPY THIRSTY THURSDAY!

Hurricane - New Orleans Style!

1 oz white rum
1 oz Jamaican dark rum
1 oz Bacardi® 151 rum
3 oz orange juice
3 oz unsweetened pineapple juice
1/2 oz grenadine syrup
crushed ice

Combine all ingredients, mix well (shake or stir). Pour over crushed ice in hurricane glass. Best enjoyed through a small straw. Garnish with fruit wedge if desired.

I have not had one (yet!) but apparently if you need to calm your nerves, this baby will do the trick!

CHEERS!

Tasty Taters!

Good afternoon friends!  We had quite an exciting day yesterday in the Philadelphia/New Jersey area with the residual effects of the earthquake they had in Virginia.  When you're in a high rise in the middle of center city Philadelphia, there really isn't anywhere to run so I'm glad it was just a little shaker here for us!

Today I just HAVE to share an absolute miracle for mashed potato lovers - like me!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE homemade mashed potatoes (LOVE).  I've tried all the others but nothing comes close to homemade.  Until now.  Introducing Idahoan mashies!

These are the ones I tried.  Un.be.lievable!  I didn't even need to add anything to "doctor" it up.  AND...Ready for more good news?  They were only 110 calories, 3 g of fat per 1/2 cup serving!

It gets better.  They are super simple to make.  I had to keep re-reading the instructions because I thought I was missing something.  I did them in the microwave according to the directions (add to 2 cups water, stir and nuke for 3 mins. - that's it!) and they came out smooth and creamy and oh, soooo yummy!!! 

AND...Ready for more good news?  (I know!  MORE good news - it's crazy!)  They now come in single serve pouches.  You betcha these are going to be on my grocery list this week!

AND - if you can stand it - they also come in different flavors!

No one has been able to make easy mashies that I like unless they were homemade.  I don't know how they did it, I'm just happy they did!

Have you tried these yet?  Let me know what you thought.

Rocky Horror Picture Show - LOTS OF PICS!

Well, as previously mentioned, the hub and I went with fellow blogger Dawn of Suitcase Vignettes and her hub to a midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show...

The hub and I are HUGE fans of Halloween and decided to jump at the chance to "dress up"  The movie was actually at the tail end of the Monster Mania conference so we knew others were going to be dressed up too.  We took the time before the show to have a couple beverages and goof around...

The hub - handsome devil!

Me and the hub - cute couple!

My friend Fluffy!

Run Fluffy Run!

Rob & Dawn

Dawn and the "Hound from Hell" my baby, Harley!

Then it was off to the show!  If you've never been to a live showing of the movie, you should.  The movie itself is very risque, bawdy and campy - oh my!  The actors do a live version while the movie plays and there are props that the audience uses and a back and forth dialog between the characters and the audience - not for the kiddies!  Here were some pics of the production:

All in all, I thought they did an excellent job and I think the audience (well, most of the audience!) had a good time. 

I was really impressed by some of the girls on the stage who wore very skimpy costumes even though they may have had a few extra pounds and/or dimples or bumps here or there.  Even if I had what the media considers a "perfect" body, I don't know that I could have put myself out there like that.  They were just having fun and being themselves!  It's nice to see plus size gals (and guys!) just being who they are and letting their inner beauty shine!  Afterall - beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colors!

Casual Sunday...

Good evening friends -  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I'm so sleepy - the hub and I went to the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show last night with Dawn from Suitcase Vignettes and her hub and I didn't get to bed until almost 4:00 a.m.!   I'll have to get some pics posted soon...

I had some errands to run today so I figured I'd make an outfit post while I was at it.  My latest obsession has been with vintage jewelry - more specifically, glass bead vintage jewelry like this hand knotted milkglass necklace I bought on EBay.  I love the feel of the glass beads because they are so smooth, they make the neatest little "click click" noises, they have a nice weight to them and they are always cold so they feel nice on a hot day!  I've been collecting quite a few pieces lately and currently have my eye out for a vintage, black, faceted, glass bead, flapper-length necklace!

Top & Jeans:  Fashion Bug

Shoes:  Cole Haan (via Goodwill)

Jewelry:  Vintage milkglass necklace (via EBay), white vintage bracelet (Leru via EBay), turquoise & silver bracelet (Kohl's) and ring (thrifted)

Thirsty Thursday Recipe!

Have you ever been lazing around on a day off, maybe by the pool or on the beach or folding laundry, and somewhere around lunch time you suddenly think - I could go for a drink!  No?  Oh, OK, it's just me then....  Anywhoooo - here's a refreshing way to cool off AND enjoy a nice cocktail (without being too obvious).

Welcome to THIRSTY THURSDAY!

Watermelon Margarita Ice Pops

5 cups chopped seedless watermelon (1 1/4 pounds)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

3 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup silver tequila

Equipment: 8 (1/3-cup) ice pop molds and 8 wooden sticks

Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup, pressing on and then discarding solids. Skim off any foam, then pour into molds. Freeze 30 minutes. Insert sticks, then freeze until firm, about 24 hours.

If you decide to give this recipe a go, invite me over let me know!

CHEERS!