Hello 2012, nice to see you

How can it be that 2011 is almost over?   The hubs & I are spending NYE w/my sisters family and  her wonderful neighbors.  They normally have a progressive party, but this year it is at one house.  It is an indoor/outdoor BYOB bash.  Bubbly is chilling and I will bring an easy appetizer (taco dip w/blue corn chips).  The most difficult thing to decide is what to wear.  My dressy outfit is no longer a choice.  I think I will rock my sequined top, skinny jeans, a dressy cardi, boots and of course, my Kate Spade ring. 

Lady Marmalade Ring

 I will toast y'all as I ring in the new year.  Who would have thought that my anonymous blog would be read by so many.  Thanks for reading what I have to say.  Y'all are the best.  Cheers to a very healthy & happy 2012.     

Photo from hdwallpaper & kate spade

Post Christmas hype

This past weekend was simply wonderful.  We spent it with my family, as usual. The hubs will be going home to Colorado in January and does not seem to care as much about where he is on Christmas.    Friday night  I watched my brother play hockey, he skated when we were kids but this is his 1st time playing the game.    Saturday was the Feast of Seven Fishes and mass.   I made shrimp & pesto and the hubs grilled some mahi mahi that he caught.  Mom even let me fry the oysters and dinner was fabulous, as always.  I'm so lucky that my Mom is such an amazing cook!

I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas and everyone seemed to like their presents too.   I'm looking forward to wearing my new polka dot sweater on Thursday or Friday.  Boss is off so that means I can rock some jeans.  Now, to style my casual outfits.....

I think this may be perfect for Thursday....   Lunch break is over, back to work for me!   Hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas too.   

Photos from Polyvore

Merry Christmas

Cheers to all the blogs I follow and those of y'all that follow mine.  Have a very blessed Christmas and enjoy being with those you love.     

Oh baby!

My wonderful hubs thought he was being helpful when moved around some items in our pantry when putting the groceries away.  I was the lucky one to have the olive oil bottle fall off the shelf and splash my Uggs.  Normally I'm barefoot, and it would have been a skin softening & floor treatment. 

Above is after my 1st at attempt at removing the oil.  The hubs offered to buy me a new pair and later told me the lines give it character.  I told my friend Lisa about what happened and she told me to put baby powder on it and even had some baby powder in her desk for me to use. 

The hubs thought I was crazy when he came home and saw the powder on it.  After a few hours, I vacuumed off the powder (and the family room).

TA DA!  Still some lines on the upper, but nothing like what it looked like after the incident.   I told the hubs that Lisa saved him $150.   I'm going to take her to lunch for her great advice.  I called my Mom to tell her about baby powder on oil and she informed me that she has been using it for years.  Oh well, I hope some of y'all learned this trick from me. 

Christmas shopping is in the bag

I am so proud of myself this year.  I only bought one thing for me while I was out shopping for Christmas presents.  Don't get me wrong, I was tempted several times.   I did get a cute sweater from Old Navy.  I asked for a polka dotted one from my Mom & since I have no clue as to if I will get it, I got this one for myself. I'm going to wrap it tonight along with all the other gifts and put it under the tree.  I think it is the perfect gift from my pups. 

I bought two belts and a buckle (hubs picked it out) at a craft fair while I was in Atlanta a few weeks ago.   That made me want to get a fun buckle for the holidays.   Below is a pic of one I ordered from MnMTreasures on Etsy.  It's very cute in person & you can't beat the price.   The jeans are Levi's bought for me by the hubs.  He saw them, held them up & thought they would fit (bonus that they are boyfriend jeans).  I love how he pays attention to what I wear. 

I hope y'all are in the Christmas spirit.  It has been a rough year for me and my family.  I'm hoping that putting on some Christmas tunes and wrapping will help me get there.  I did enjoy watching Elf on Sunday.  Have a great day!

All snood in the hood

All snood in the hood by blondegigi featuring knitted shawls

I have a hot pink one and think I need to add a few more to the collection.  I love how you can go from light and lacy to a chunky cable knit.  They are a great item to use for layering and are cute enough to stand alone.

Jacques Vert knitted shawl, £19
Rocha.John Rocha turquoise sunglasses, £20
TopShop cable knit scarve, £22
TopShop knit scarve, £20
Miss Selfridge acrylic scarve, £20
TopShop cream shawl, £16
Red Herring grey shades, £11
Miss Selfridge scarve, £14
Oversized scarve, £8

Shopping attire

Shopping attire by blondegigi featuring a cable sweater

If you see a blonde dressed like this out Christmas shopping, come on up and say hey.  I still can't believe it's December 10th.  Just hope I buy more gifts for others than I do for myself.  I just love a sale, don't y'all?

Fat Face cable sweater, £38
Alice In The Eve vest, $60
GAP skinny jeans, $70
Frye leather boots, $228
Envirosax pouch bag, $50
Nocona belt, $75
KG Kurt Geiger hat, £13
Burts Bees Lip Balm Tin Beeswax, $3.49
RAFFIT RIBBONS Winter Snowflake (Large), £50
ELLE DECOR Artificial Orchid Plant, $45

Worth every pound

Had to go there, more than once

Beignets are beyond words

Introduced hubs to my Dads fav sandwich

A dive but some of the best friend chicken & jambalaya

Jackson Square

Mississippi River

Lafayette Cemetery

Commander's Palace - my parents fav place when we lived here

House in Garden District

Fence & tree- together forever

Oyster & champagne beignets that melted in my mouth

Gumbo & pomegranate martini @ Jackson

Char grilled oysters @ Acme

Peacemaker po boy & sweet potato fries

 

I've wanted to go back to New Orleans since Katrina.  Years ago the hubs & I wanted to do habitat for humanity, but it never worked out, so we sent them money instead.  This trip was for our anniversary the hubs knew how much I wanted to go there to eat and support the area. The food was amazing, I'd go back in heartbeat.  Cafe Du Monde was a must for breakfast.  The beignets are sweet and the perfect balance to the chicory coffee they serve.  I introduced muffuletta to the hubs and now he wants me to make them.  We walked around Jackson Square, and the rest of the French Quarter, stayed in the Garden District and admired the lovely homes. We ate our way across town.  I tried to take a picture of the alligator & sausage cheesecake from Jacques'Imo's, but it did not turn out.  I highly recommend ordering it if you go and wash it down with a watermelon mojito.    Sorry about the quality of the pics - all are from my phone. 

  

Packing up for NOLA

Packing up for NOLA by blondegigi featuring a long sleeve cardigan

I should be riffling through my closet getting ready for our belated anniversary trip to New Orleans instead of playing on polyvore.  I can't wait to experience the city as an adult.   Above is a few of the outfits I plan on packing for our trip.   I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I'll see you when I get back.  (I hope I'll be able to fit in my skinny jeans after all the eating I plan on doing!)

Happy Thanksgiving

The hubs & I host the family on Easter.  Oh how I wish that we could get everyone to our home for Thanksgiving instead.  I would love to set the table and incorporate all the lovely colors of fall.   Maybe one day, but for now it will be off to my parents.   I hope y'all have safe travels and a wonderful Thanksgiving. 


photos courtesy of Southern Living

Monday made fun

My animal obsession continues.  So hard coming to work today knowing I will be in NOLA next week.

p.s. I'm also carrying a black KSNY bag and a super cute monogrammed travel mug.

Monday made fun by blondegigi featuring a long sleeve cardigan

H M wrap around dress, £13
J Crew long sleeve cardigan, $80
GUESS by Marciano black boots, $161
Cartier jewelry, $3,875
Sterling silver ring, $395
Charm jewelry, $175
18k jewelry, $175
Onyx necklace, $65
Ghibli skinny belt, $60

Animal obsession

I'm adoring the look of animal prints.  I just can not seen to get enough from a leopard trench to my snakeskin dress.   I hope this more than a passing trend!

Animal obsession by blondegigi featuring printed scarves

MICHAEL Michael Kors faux fur jacket, $140
By Malene Birger layered skirt, $159
Dkny, £95
Charlotte Olympia high heel boots, $809
Gucci black pumps, $695
Sam Edelman leather boots, £185
Jigsaw ballet shoes, £89
Mango stiletto heels, £110
Dolce Gabbana leather handbag, £1,399
R J Graziano bangle bracelet, $50
Printed scarve, $50

Fashion fast

I'm hypoglycemic and never fast,  I just can't do it.   I will be fasting for as long as I can after reviewing my shopping habits of late.   Boy, those sales are adding up and I'm not liking the total on my statement.  I need to add up the original prices and compare it to the amount I actually spent.  That will definitely make me feel better.   So while I skip the sales,  I'm going to enjoy some serious window (via computer) shopping.   Hope y'all like what I find and forgo (for now).

Gap fur lace-up boots $148

                                They just look so warm and comfy for when the temps start dropping.

KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor $249.99

                                                              It had me at adjustable slicing level.  

 Tory Burch skinny cuff $95

                                I really would love the ones from  Hermés, but that is just pushing it!

Vince sequin pencil skirt  $ 345

                                                This would be so much fun to dress up and down.  


I could go on and on with so many different items.  I think I will stop for now and dream of what I will be able to splurge on after my fast.  And the sales will abound, since Christmas is right around the corner.

Three for me

A very quick way to get calories in if you are hypoglycemic like I am.  It drives the hubs crazy since it hits me  on our way out for a great meal or sometimes after eating.  I have to eat/drink something right then or I faint.  I have learned to keep honeystix in the cars. 

 

honeystix from Honeyville

So, I decided to get a medic alert bracelet after fainting alone in a public place.  I never wore one for a horrible reason, because they were ugly.  I saw a cute one on a co-worker from Lauren's Hope and I ordered mine that day.  After that I started making my own.   Here is a sample of the many I have made.

I received this two years ago as a Christmas present from a friend that only gives things she loves (just like Oprah).  I added my monogram in purple (bought off of etsy) and I take it everywhere.  It keeps hot drinks hot and cold ones very cold.  I love it and use it almost daily.  This time of year it holds a lot of pumpkin spice coffee.

Contigo travel mug

Taking an everyday item and adding a personal touch to it makes it special.  I have a thing for monogramming: travel mugs, laptop, kindle, jewelry and even wine glasses.  I hope y'all make things special too.

photos courtesy of Honeyville and Target

Monday Mourning

Yes, I'm sad that the weekend is over.   I like to wear cardi's instead of jackets, makes it less business and more me.  I think I need to donate some of my suits,  I'm not giving them the love they deserve.    I'm thrilled that it is a 4 day work week.   Already thinking about what I will cook for our company this weekend.

Monday Mourning by blondegigi featuring leather high heels

Tiered top, $43
Old navy cardigan, $25
GAP bodycon skirt, $50
Cole Haan leather high heels, $250
Kate spade tote, $425
Cartier watch, $4,650
Tag sterling silver jewelry, $350
Beaded jewelry, $150
Sophia Chloe yellow gold bangle, $145
Ettika tahitian pearl jewelry, $80

Quinoa for breakfast

I came across this recipe Thursday and decided that I needed to try it.  I love the nutty flavor of quinoa and was curious as to how it would taste.

Boil with cinnamon sticks

Simmer for 20 mins

walnuts, honey, brown sugar & cranberries

finished product

I ended up adding a few dashes of cinnamon and it was really good.  It is super easy to make and a nice change from oatmeal.   Now to see if it keeps me full longer than my usual breakfast.   I'm so glad it's the weekend and I plan on enjoying the day.  Shrimp & grits are on the menu for tonight.   Must be a grain kind of a day.   Hope y'all have a great one.

Crafty Anniversary to me

Yesterday was my anniversary and my very sweet hubs sent me roses at work.  I'm leaving them at the office since I spend more time there. 

I have been looking for a fun wrap bracelet and came across this diy blog and decided to give it a try.  I make jewelry and for awhile had a store on Esty.  I have since closed it and now just make things for family, friends and me! (I have always been my best customer).

 

 

I needed a hand massage when I was done.  I do plan on making more in the future and will add about a 1/2 an inch to the length.  I also wish I could have found wider hex nuts.  Overall, I'm very pleased with my attempt at making them.  

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

One of my favorite things to make & eat in the fall.  I even bought an extra pumpkin just for the seeds.  It  was not carved for Halloween, it's decorating my front porch.... just waiting.  Shhh, don't tell what is in store.

removed & cleaned

seasoned with old bay & olive oil

toasting  in the oven

small mason jars make a cute container

garnish on homemade pumpkin soup

 The hubs & I enjoyed pumpkin soup on the porch as the kids were trick or treating.   The turnout was not great from the rain we had.   Oh well, there is always next year.