Olive Green Purse Crush

I've been dreaming about getting an olive green purse for the past couple of years ( along with a gray one which I got for Christmas this year!)

This one might be perfect!

What'dya think?

Saving is boring

sometimes......I know its the grown up thing to do and can get you what you want in the end by saving your pennies but its still boring. This weekend we went to a movie and had about 45 minutes to kill till the movie started. We wandered into GAP and I saw these amazing sunhats. I tried one on and fell in love. Knowing my track history, I would buy it and it would sit in my closet with the tag on it unworn. So, the hat remained at GAP and I remain boring.

Floppy Straw Hat from GAP

The link to buy that hat from GAP is under the pic in case you're interested! They don't have the black and white one online but they have a chocolate brown and a natural one.

Things I've been Wanting

I picked out this amazing Marc Jacobs purse for my bday and I've been wearing it ever since. I'm smitten with it! Its super buttery, well constrcuted, ( heavy!!), and great little pockets inside. If I was brave enough to spend another wad of cash I'd get this amazing yummy aqua colored version.


Also, when I was in SF, my bestie had these shoes in a blueish tinted snake skin. I've been thinking about them on a daily basis. They're pretty much sold out everywhere but these natural snake skin ones are still available...I might have to indulge! I love how they look and they are super comfy from what I tested out in my friends shoes. Love love love them!


Happy Wednesday! What are you craving?

Raech

A post birthday spending spree...

Ok, so we all know that I have a highly inappropriate love affair with Anthropologie. Well my lover sent me a 15% off coupon for my birthday to be used by 4/30. I opened it up in the beginning of the month and was super excited to use it and planned on getting some things when I was in San Francisco but the dressing room turned out to be 100ft long waiting line and the bestie and I were with 2 boys who weren't really interested in going to Anthro in the first place or waiting for us for 2 hours. Sooo, I quickly tried on this little guy

and fell in love with it! Its a super soft cardigan and I can wear it to work and look put together and nice. I actually got a green and white one but anthro isn't showing that color available online. So, for one shirt I didn't want to use the coupon. I knew that if I went home and could spend some more leisurely time looking around Id probably find some more stuff that was more my speed. Well luckily yesterday, I double checked the coupon, and lo and behold it expired that day. I managed to leave work early enough to hop over to the Anthropologie on the promenade and this is what I found!

A yummy Santiago Huckleberry Voluspa candle


A French Cade and Lavender Voluspa candle ( aka hot man candle)
I didn't get this navy sweater but I'm toying with getting it. I have lots of black stuff and some brown stuff but no navy things...Hmmm...maybe I'll wait for it to go on sale. They were out of my size in the store and it was too late for them to check the call center.




Luckily, my really attentive cash register lady found this sweater in back and I went for it! Its partially made out of silk and super soft and flowy. Its a nice neutral color and I could wear it with lots of different stuff.
The bf hated this pattern but loved the fit. I loved both the fit and pattern. So I vetoed his opinion :)
and the last item is this charcoal gray fitted sweater. This sweater is professional and put together looking. Its very tight and fitted. I fell in love. Also, the bottom where it is stepped is permanently constructed that way so you always have the perfect ruffled look.
The lucky part, I set a budget, and stuck to it. I actually came under! I do need to get new jeans but that's a different store and maybe a good project for today!

Happy Weekend!

Raechel

P.S. I am sorry my blog posts have become more erratic, spuratic, and maybe boring. I am hoping that once I get back into things I will be back to my old self! Also, if you are still coming back thank you! I try my best to make sure I get a couple of posts in every week at the minimum!

The Great Cookie Debacle of 2010

Last night I had a vision, I was at whole foods and I wanted to make something simple for dessert and suddenly it hit me. Dark chocolate chip cookies with chopped dried cherries. It'd be the chocolate and cherry version of oatmeal raisin cookies. I knew this was going to be amazing. I would win an award for the best new novel cookie creation. OK, maybe that isn't going to happen but I was happy with my ingenuity.

Now someone else that I live with doesn't like soft doughy cookies. He likes them crisp and chewy. So here is where my problems started. Trying to please others. It just doesn't work. Just kidding. I was happy to find a recipe that would work for both of us. I don't care what texture my cookies hold as long as they taste excellent. So I did a quick google search for thin, crispy chewy chocolate chip cookies. I found this recipe from Sunset, a legit source or so I thought. I mean come on Sunset you're one of my favorite travel/food magazines out there but you did me wrong.

This is what I wanted.



This is what I got.


Also, as a side note, this is one of the best looking cookies from the batch. I have more cookie crumble gooey messes than what you see above.

So here is my problem. What did I do wrong? There were 8 reviews. 1 was bad and 7 were excellent to good. So...what did myself and this other reviewer do wrong? The cookies taste fantastic in case you were wondering. I highly recommend the dark chocolate/dried cherry combo.

I've been researching the reasons why my cookies failed. Apparently making candy isn't the only temperamental kitchen art. So are cookies. Too much flour, not enough water, shortening vs. butter, longer cooking time, higher temperature. The amount of variations from recipe to recipe can drive a person bonkers who just wants a reliable source. I should have gone with the Nestle's toll house recipe but instead I try to get fancy. Serves me right.

To end this in a postive light. I purchased a new jacket/shirt that I can't seem to take off.



I love it. I bought it at GAP when Leslie was here visiting. I scoffed at the price $79.50. I put it on hold promising myself that if I couldn't stop thinking about it I'd go back and buy it. Guess what after a couple of hours of shopping I passed up Louis Vuittons, Tiffanys and the sort to go back to GAP and get my new friend. Since the picture absolutely sucks that I took here is another example of it.



So far I've worn it with jeans and cute ballet flats, black t-shirt and black yoga pants with flip flops and the outfit you are seeing jeans, black tank top, and tall boots. LOVE IT. go buy one. I imagine jacket and I will be friends for many many years. I can imagine the safaris I'll take in it, visiting the Eiffel tower, and drinking beer in Belgium all while wearing my favorite jacket. P.S. it looks super cute with a black scarf. I'm completely smitten with this jacket if you can't already tell.

Ok, crazy over now.

raech

New Shoes

After doing a couple of returns at Anthropologie I had a bit of cash leftover and I desperately needed a new pair of black flats. We had a bit of time to kill before the movie so we went to DSW and I tried on every pair of black flats that the store had. I found these cute flats by Blowfish for $39.95.



They are super comfy until after wearing them for a few hours last night I got a wicked blister on the back of my foot. Le Sigh. Why can't new shoes already come broken in so I can just wear them for 12 hours at a time without any problems. I guess today I will be wearing flip flops or some shoe that doesn't rub on the back of my heel.

Happy Sunday

Raech

Welcoming in 2010!

We decided to do a bit of errands today. I had 4 items to return to Anthropologie and We decided to carouse around and see what else was good.

I ended up returning my 4 items and getting 3 tops plus a giant anthro gift card ( and in giant I mean lots of money). I'm trying to hold off on buying any new stuff until my birthday. Since, I am at home all day long I don't need any new clothes and this way I can get something fun for my birthday! ( only 3.5 months away!! yippeee!!)

I had a pottery barn gift card so I snagged up this little Stag Bar Helper. I think it will look awesome in the bookcase and when I'm bored with the tools hanging I can just remove them and have the Stag head.



After shopping and what not, we decided to come home and have some dessert. I made a kaluha chocolate cake mix with kulaha chocolate frosting and we drank a nip of kuluha. Narm is all I gotta say about that business.



And just incase you were dying to know. I wasn't intentionally holding the bottle of kuluha like a mic. I prefer to use my sticky paper hair remover roller for a mic.

Hope you are spending your first day of 2010 doing something fun and being with the people you care about.

XOXO

Raechel

Hiatus

Dear Mr. Shopping-

I have meant to talk with you before this but it always seems to slip by. See this shopping thing we've got going on just doesn't work. I've been having a deep love affair with you for way to long and every time I think that we've broken up you lure me in with your shiny packaging and pretty things. Its over.....well until January 1st.

XOXO

Raechel


via


Ok...so I'm going to try a shopping hiatus. Not sure how this is going to work or if at all. I'm not going to buy any new clothes, jewelry, shoes, purses, etc...for myself until January 1st! Thank god I only have 59 days left. Phew this is going to be rough.

Happy Saturday

Sooo much stuff is going on this weekend! I spent Friday afternoon shopping with my friend, Mel. I had to return a necklace at Anthro and so I did some shopping in the clearance section and I picked up these few items.

I already have this shirt in kelly green but its sooo soft and nice I would wear it everyday if I could. Its so comfy!



This watermelon pink sweater that is really light but I could layer with a long sleeve t-shirt and wear later when its cooler out.



Probably my favorite score was these Rust colored high heels. I absolutely love the color and they are deffinetly a throw back to the 70's. Especially at $29.95



To end the day we took a peek at DSW and I scored these shoes for 40% off the already clearance price. Love love love. I'm thinking an awesome gold necklace with these shoes and that watermelon pink top would be an adorable summer outfit.


Today I am going to ballet class in a few hours and afterward we are going to go to The Renegade Craft Fair. Its in Los Angeles this weekend for the first time! I'm sooo excited about this. I'm hoping to get some new artwork for my bedroom. Check it out if you live in Los Angeles!



Finally, we are going to go see Ray LaMontagne on Sunday evening



at the Hollywood Bowl



Which is one of the most beautiful venue's i've been too. Its set in the mountains of Los Angeles and the concert will probably start just as the sun starts to set. I absolutely can't wait. I think it will be a perfect ending to a great weekend.

Hope your is great as well!

Cheers-
R

Rent.

Hi Mr. Rent Check-

I know that you come every month and I know that you are a pretty stable guy and you always want the same amount, but I really dont want to pay you this month. I really would rather put that money in my savings account ( or buy everything off my wishlist at Anthropologie)


So speaking of Anthro. I am searching for a bedframe for our bedroom and I love this one from anthro. Its absolutely amazing ( and $5,500) eek! Ok. So that is way out of my budget I was thinking like $200 max...Maybe $500 if I bought it from a store. Welp! Why do I torture myself by looking at things like this!


link

So anways, I guess I'll be sending that icky poo rent check in a few days and sleeping on a bedframeless bed!

So enough depressing blogs! Jeez! I'm uber excited for my Salsa Dance Class tonight!!

New shoessssssssssssssesies

I went to run some errands yesterday and stopped in at Ross Dress for Less..similar to TJ maxx if you arent familiar with Ross. I found these two pairs of shoes and had to have them! I havne't bought real dress sandals in like 2 years. I'm having a hardtime commiting to some and these were cheap $15.99 so I figured If I wear them once at least I'll have used my money but hopefully I'll get lots of wear out of them. The other ones are the little sassy purple faux croc flats. I have a purple belt that I like to wear but I really wanted matching shoes and voila I found these for $11.99. Not to shappy coming out of Ross with two pairs of shoes for $28.00 plus tax. Sometimes you just gotta wait for the good stuff to come to you.

I think I'm going to head down to forever 21 today and see if I can snag some shirts. I really want something cute and F21 provides me with that. I am very seasonal and like to get new clothes every couple of months. So I really should restrict myself to only shopping at F21 but their return policy really irks me! You can't get your money back you can only exchange it for something else or get a gift card. These are my 2 latest finds. I :heart: them and wore the tunic

to Jack's 25th b-day and the other shirt

I absolutly love and pair it with this summer cardigan from Anthro.



So lets keep our paws crossed that I will be able to find some awesome new stuff today!

Happy Humpday!

Hello Kiddies-
Yesterday we headed out to the desert an went to Calico the Ghost town.
It was established in the late 1800's and went from like 10 people to 2,500 back down to 8 people who still live there.

It was fun. We ended up paying a couple of bucks to pan for gold
and to go into an old abandoned mine.
I saw black widow

and thought I was going to die, but instead did some dancing on a bridge!

The dancing wore me out so we went and got Sarsaparillas


and hung out at the Saloon

and took some cheesy pics of ourselves escaping the dangerous mine!

and ended the day with some shopping at the outlets. Hello Banana and Gap I've missed thee!

Today, I think that we are going to go to Long Beach Aquarium and visit Paulette, a macaroon shop that I read about on one of my daily blog porn reads!

Cheers-

R

Argh

I am in lock down in the house. I have a screen for a new t-shirt drying in the garage. It is light sensitive so it needs to remain in complete darkness until I'm ready to expose it. Its kind of a pain in the ass. The only dark area is the garage and it will be ready by lunch or sooner but I had big plans to go to the gym and I can't get out of my house! oh well

I'm making a nice long workout playlist on itunes. It consists mainly of miley cyrus(laugh away) , b.spears and lady gaga. Maybe a few Queen songs as well.

On good news I've been reading up on all of my fav blogs. I've found a few new ones as well. See post below about anthro lady.


I love this top from anthro....hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...maybe a trip down there is in order. I did break one of my dresser drawer pulls and well if this happens to end up in my shopping bag who am I to make it get out?

Hello Loveys

So many apologies for being silent since Thursday I believe. I had one of my bestest friends in town from San Fran and we spent all weekend drinking and dining. It was a lot of fun and now its time to get back to the real world! I of course did a little bit of shopping and so here's a sneak peek at what i bought. I've been eyeing this thing up since before Christmas