PeopleStyle Watch: September

I know I'm not the only Crab out there that looks forward to fall fashion.  Being a Michigan girl, we get prime fall weather for a good three months.  Jeans, boots, cute little jackets...(sigh) I love it!  I got my September PeopleStyle Watch a few weeks ago and a lot was riding on this issue since I hated the Lucky fall guide.  People didn't disappoint!  So, here are the things I learned, things I'm hunting for and things I'll be dusting off for a chic fall.  Happy shopping, Crabby Patties!

Top 10 Fall Trends (according to People)

1. Bold Red!
         I'll be on the look out for some cute, red skinny jeans.  I think this will
         be the most versatile and easiest way to do this trend.

2. Luxe Ponyhair
         Check.  Got me some leopard print ponyhair platforms.  But I may 
         invest in a bag if I find one...

3. Southwestern prints
         I'm totally hunting for a cool top with this print!  I had a bag at one of
         my consignment stores that would have been perfect, but I
         second guessed myself and lost out.  :(

4. Feminine Menswear
             This so isn't for me.  But bravo to the Patties that can pull it off!

5. Chunky cable knits
         Again, not for me.  Adds inches everywhere it lays...

6.  Heeled Loafers
         I don't think so...

7. Midi dresses
        YES!  I'm definitely adding one if I can find one that fits well and is a
        good price.  I love the 70's!

8. Metal chokers
        Check!  Snagged a gold one at Francesca's.

9. Structured bags
       Probably shouldn't buy any more bags, but I love this look

10. Mixed material coats & jackets
          I would DIE for a knit and leather jacket.  Knit sleeves, leather or suede
       body.  Guess I'll add that to the list of game!

Other things I learned from this issue that I'm really excited for:

Missoni is coming to Target!!  I love, Love, LOVE this line!  I'm not really in the place right now to afford real Missoni, so I'll take their line for Target and rock it!  It hits stores Sept 13.  I'm going to be stalking my computer around 11:30pm on the 12th...Here's a sneak peak!

I'm TOTALLY getting the one on the right!

Another celeb line will be debuting this September at Kohl's.  I'm a huge fan of LC's line there.  Its the perfect mix for someone in her (very early) thirties.  Don't want to be looking like an old lady yet!  Jennifer Lopez will have a collection.  I guess JLo got in touch with Jenny from the Block and decided to come up with something chic for us girls without the 7 digit salary.  I'm pretty excited about this one too!  Check it out!

I'll be on the look out for the gold, sequin top in the bottom right corner.  JLo herself wore it at an event not too long ago...

Ok, it was a Kohl's event but it still looks really good.

Holla!

A Dashing Wedding

I just saw pics from KK's wedding and, with all the hype and build up to her big day, I wasn't very impressed with what I saw.  Everything was beautiful, don't get me wrong.  It was a spare-no-expense blowout, just like the Dash klan wanted.  I was just expecting more.  I'm not sure what, but I just know that it wasn't what I was expecting after we heard about it for months.

As much as I hate to say it, I think Khloe may have had the better wedding.  I'm not a Khloe fan, but I think her wedding was warmer.  And I have a problem with people other than the bride wearing white.  Anyway, I leave it up to you, Crabby Patties.  Who had the better wedding?

Khloe

Kim

Holla!

Let's Get Physical!

Today marks one complete week of classes at the gym.  One of my 30 goals was to get back into shape.  At work, they had an employee health fair where you could get your cholesterol, BMI, glucose, etc tested.  After ALL of my co-workers peer pressured me into going, I found out about the gym that is near my work.  My employer even subsidizes the membership cost (final price for me: $23 a month!).  When I found out that all the classes were included in the membership, I signed up right away.  I don't do the equipment, solo workout thing.  I have to have blaring music and an instructor to follow.  The more not like working out it is, the better.  My schedule is Monday-step, Wednesday-Zumba, Thursday-yoga.  Each class is an hour.  It was my first time doing Zumba last week and I LOVED it!  I was the youngest in the class so I was determined to represent.  I did pretty good.  Forgot where I was for a couple songs and really got into it.  The next day, it felt like had done an intense ab workout.  I was pretty excited.  This week, its the all black Zumba party.  What to wear...

The yoga class started out a little rough.  Its been a while since I've done yoga.  The instructor was focusing on strength and I like to focus on balance and flexibility.  But we worked it out and I ended up liking it.  I'll be going back this week.

My first step class at the gym was today.  I won't be going back to this class.  I'm going to be really sexist right now and just put it out there:  guys shouldn't teach step.  there, I said it.  I have no problem doing a 45 minute, non-stop step class.  That is not what this was.  It was intervals of step mixed with weights and floor work.  I just wanted to step.  I'm telling myself that the guy couldn't keep up with me in a real step class and that's why he broke it up (but really he was using the class as his workout).  I was really disappointed.  And I almost threw up.  That's never happened before.  Husband says it was because I wasn't feeling well all day (which I'm going to go with because the alternative means I'm fat and weak).  

I think I'm off to a good start.  Hopefully I will be able to fit into my ATL jeans by next year (maybe sooner!).  

Holla! 

It's Burlesque!

Just watched the movie Burlesque with Cher and Christina Aguilera and I loved it.  I'm a sucker for a song and dance movie.  I grew up on Grease, Footloose and Dirty Dancing.  It's a little guilty pleasure I allow myself.  :)

The movie was pretty good.  The plot was predictable and acting so-so.  But the songs were fabulous and the dancing was so fun.  I had forgotten how fabulous Cher was too.  She sings the first song in the movie and proves why she's a legend.  I love her.  LOVE HER!  If she ever goes on tour again, I'm there.

I think the only person that would be able to hold her own against Cher (besides Tina) would be Christina.  That girl can blow.  I can listen to them sing all night.  In fact, I think I will...

Holla!

Weekend Update

Ok.  This past weekend, Husband and I went to the Lakewood 400 antique market.  We did WAY better there than at Scott's.  There were a lot of cool things that we couldn't get because we don't have a house yet.  Old Coke and beer neon signs, jukeboxes, and a sweet bowling arcade game to name just a few.  And for the Fiesta ware collectors out there, this is the place to be.  I almost had the night stand I've been hunting for but I read the price tag wrong.  Also, almost had a really pretty jade bracelet too, but the seller was rude (I don't work hard to give my money away and I don't give it to rude people). 

But we did get a few treasures.  Check out our loot!

I have plans for these house letters.  Stay tuned!

I thought these old handles were really cool.  Maybe for updating my desk?  At a buck a piece, I'll make 'em work somewhere!

One booth was more boutique than antique.  But it didn't mean she did not have good stuff!  New wall art!

She also had these cool prints for $5.  Future baby's room!

I think it's a pretty good haul considering I wasn't expecting to find anything.  Next weekend, Pride of Dixie antiques show!  And I have a coupon to get in!

Holla!

PS:  Husband hung the shelves for my walfice, so it's basically done.  I'm just adding all the finishing touches.  No pics until it's completely done!

Little Crabby's Pizzeria

One of my "30 goals" is to try and learn to cook some more stuff.  I have a list of recipes that I hope to one day master.  It's a short list, but really important to me.  Here's a taste: spinach artichoke dip, mac n cheese, my grandma's sugar cookies, noodles...there's a couple more but you get the idea.

Besides developing some skill as a cook, which is just a personal thing, the cooking at home will help with saving money and making us eat better.  I want Husband and I to be around long enough to dance at our grand children's weddings and we won't be doing that with the fast food and Lean Cuisines.  And I also want my children to be able to say that their mom is a good cook.

Husband is already well on his way to being Kitchen Master.  He is definitely the chef in Crab house.  He makes a fabulous baked ziti, brownies, chicken fingers, and white chicken chili all from scratch.  (I use the left-overs to make my co-workers jealous :)  Along with all the things he can make in the kitchen, he is also Grill Master.  (He makes a mean corn-on-the-cob, but I have to pick the corn)

I am not without skill though.  Mama Crab made sure that I was able to make the staples from my childhood and they have been a big hit with Husband and my friends.  The two main dishes are Chicken in White Wine and Taco Salad.  I have also perfected salsa from scratch, crock-pot pot roast and cheesecake cupcakes.

Tonight, I am proud to say that I can add pizza to my list of mastered meals.  While the recipe I tried tonight isn't totally from scratch, it was as close as I'm going to get due to time and space in the kitchen.  I had been eyeing the pizza dough that the Publix bakery sells for weeks.  It looked easy enough, take out of bag, roll out and top.  Yeah.  Never knew that pizza dough liked to bounce back.  I was literally tossing it in the air in an attempt to stretch it out like on tv.  It worked a little and I didn't drop it.  :)  Then I just added Publix pizza sauce, six blend Italian cheese, green peppers and onions, and Boar's Head pepperoni.  But, the thing that I think really made it pop was the pizza spices I got as a Christmas gift from my BFF, Zeminole. 

Husband loved it, I was a proud crab wife and we have left-overs for lunch.  I think we may have a new Sunday tradition... 

Holla! Holla!

Weekend Update

As I mentioned earlier, I was really excited about this past weekend.  I had a lot of plans, ambitions that I wanted to tackle.  Well, kinda crashed and burned on all of them.  I wanted to get my walfice started and completed by Sunday.  Didn't happen.  Wanted to find some awesome deals at Scott's Antique Market on Sunday.  Didn't happen.  Was hoping to get a haircut, clean out the closet, go to Plato's, get all the accessories for my walfice...

None of it got done.  Turns out, making your own shelves takes more than a day if you paint them.  Cleaning the closet (when you're a border-line hoarder crab) takes more than a few hours.  And getting a haircut when you have serious Samson issues is damn near impossible.  Oh yeah, and Scott's is not the place for a thrifty crabby like moi.  Don't get me wrong, they have great stuff.  They know it and price accordingly.

This weekend is a combo of both home and fashion.  Husband and I are hitting up the Lakewood 400 antique show and I have a list of consignment stores that I want to check out.  Since I was so successful at Alexis' Suitcase, I hope I can find a couple more stores that are just as great.  Full report next week!

Oh, and I totally plan on finishing my walfice.  Just one more coat of paint and the shelves are ready to go up!

Holla!   

Better Homes and...

I'm taking a break this weekend from fashion and babies and focusing on the house.  I've spent the past week designing my "walfice" in my head and I hope to start and finish it this weekend.  I call it a walfice because I don't get the whole room (its supposed to be Husband's man room), I just get the wall that my desk is up against.  So, my plan is to make it a sassy little walfice so Husband gets jealous.  (He has now starting talking about jazzing up his desk...)  This mainly involves putting up some shelves for all my project ideas and inspirations.  I plan to paint my desk a cool color and change the handles, but that will have to be for another weekend.

I'm also super excited about going to the Scotts Antique Market on Sunday.  I hope to find some good tables, a funky mirror and some frames to paint (perhaps a new desk too!).  And maybe a treasure or two.  I'll let you know what we find!

Holla!

Unlucky

The other night, I was so excited to find the September issue of Lucky sitting on the counter (that's where Husband leaves my mail). Lucky is one of my two favorite shopping mags (People Style is the other one). I grabbed it and curled up on the couch.  I thought for sure that I would find tons of cute fall clothes and ideas in the issue (it was an extra large).  But, to my disappointment, I didn't like ANYTHING in the mega issue.  Lucky has never let me down before, but in Sept 2011, they did.

Holla.

Alexis' Suitcase

Attention ATL fashion crabbies!  My friend, Q, took me to her new favorite place for fashion deals and I fell in love!!  Its a consignment shop in Sandy Springs called Alexis' Suitcase and it.  is.  FABULOUS!

Q has been telling me for weeks that I needed to go there with her because she finds the best stuff.  Well, she was right.  It wasn't you're ordinary consignment store.  They are more selective than your corner Plato's Closet (which I still love, don't get me wrong) and because of that, more expensive.  But you can walk out with Gucci, Prada, a little LV and DVF and a bunch of other high end labels.  I'm totally hooked.  Check out my first haul...

1.  Chartreuse, leather satchel.  J Crew.  $40

2.  Black suede & gold leather heels.  Enzo Angiolini.  $10.  Very Carrie Bradshaw.  And did I mention they've never been worn?

But the best find was a complete and beautiful surprise.  I am in love with Nicole Richie's style.  She is the ultimate boho and I wish I could have 5 minutes in her closet.  I was so excited when I found out that she was going to be doing a clothing line.  It's called Winter Kate and it's totally drool-worthy.  It's also in the 3 figures for every piece, which this thrifty crab is not going to pay.  But, delightfully, Alexis pulled through and I scored this gorg top from the line for $40!  I think Alexis and I are going to have a wonderful future together...

Holla!

Flea Market Treasure #2

A few weeks ago, I found this great little store in Snellville called Unique Treasures.  I have to say, they did a good job with the name.  There was a fab bench that I'm sure could have come straight out of a Pottery Barn catalog.  But it was sold.  One booth had a beautiful armour that I was drooling over, but it was sold.  I was starting to think that I wasn't going to have any luck in finding a unique treasure.  But then, on my way out of the store, I spotted a great 70's-ish bag laying on the table.  It was Nine West and $10.  Mine.

Holla.

Flea Market Treasure #1

Husband and I have spent the last couple weekends combing thrift stores, flea markets and antique stores for (literally) buried treasures.  My goal is a fixer-upper nightstand for our guest room, priced around $20.  Haven't found that yet, but we have found some great albums to add to my collection.  Then this past weekend, we found these:

If you mess with the bull, you'll get the horns.  You can stop drooling now. 

Holla.

The Necessary Introductions...

I recently turned 30 (in July if you know your zodiac) and it was a very dramatic process.  Thankfully, both my husband and I survived it.  I decided that this year was going to be the year of the Crab, well, one crab in particular, me.  I have a lot of goals for this year, starting this blog being one of them.  So, this will be my modern journal chronicling all the things that are on my mind and the progress I am making in my (ugh) 30's.  Most of it will involve being married (1 year!), my pets, shopping, pretty much anything that I think is interesting and worth sharing.  Typical blog stuff.  My mom taught me that polite conversations never include money, religion and politics.  Well, I'm going to listen to two of those three (its hard to talk about shopping and not money).  If there is one thing this crab likes its a good deal.  I like politics too, but, like mom said...

So, I hope that you readers will find something interesting, or funny, or worth your time every now and then here in these crabby waters.

Holla.