Dreaming big

The hubs and I bought one ticket and I'm not surprised that is not the big winner.  I would definitely go on a shopping spree prior to picking up the jackpot.  Oh well, one can always dream.

 
Dreaming big by blondegigi featuring leather shoulder handbags

Birthday BBQ and SBS

Thanksgiving was spent with my family enjoying being together and too much food.  My brother-in-law imbibed more than his share of wine. He was our entertainment and kept on referring to the Bourbon balls I made as "party balls". He is not going to live that down for a while.  We stayed away from the malls on Black Friday, but we did venture out for the hubs birthday dinner.  We took part in Small Business Saturday deciding to take a road trip and stopping in tiny towns along the way.

 Birthday boy wanted ribs

 Antique stop along the way

 and he wanted more ribs on Saturday

found this in a small town antique store

some cotton from a local field

It's time to get  in gear for Christmas.  I tried to shop on J. Crew's site yesterday for Cyber Monday.  My order would not go through & finally  I gave up and decided that I will do it the old fashioned way.  I'm going to take a day off work and go to the mall.  I have to ship all of the in-laws presents out west, so I better get cracking!  I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and got some great deals over the weekend.

Comfy Thanksgiving

Here is what I'm thinking about wearing on Thanksgiving.  I was going to wear a new dress and some killer boots, but it will be at my brothers house which means NO SHOES.  I prefer pants when having to spend the day in slippers.  Plus the pants have enough give to let me go back for seconds....

Comfy Thanksgiving by blondegigi featuring leopard print scarves

A new cocktail

The hubs ordered a great drink at the oyster bar we went to for our anniversary.  He is a Bourbon drinker and the Bourbon Bramble caught his eye.  I ordered a fruity drink that had Prosecco and I wished I had his drink instead.   We googled it during dinner and found the recipe on Saveur.com.  We then headed off to our local ABC store for the ingredients and it has turned into a new favorite drink.

Ingredients

1 ounce elderflower liqueur
1 ounce bourbon
1/2 ounce creme de cassis
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for at least a minute. Strain into a rocks glass or coupe.  Makes one cocktail.

We never got around to buying pumpkins for Halloween, so my Mom gave me hers.  The seeds are roasting as I type.  I'm also going to make some Bourbon balls for Thanksgiving.   I still can't believe that it is on Thursday.  I better talk to my Mom and see what I'm bringing to the grand meal. I hope y'all a great weekend.  Don't forget to shop small businesses this holiday season.

top photo courtesy of saveur.com

Casual Friday

My boss is away and I could not resist wearing my boots.  These boots are so very comfortable.  I may even have to wear them when my boss is in town.  I hope y'all have a great weekend and enjoy the wonderful fall weather. 

Casual Friday by blondegigi featuring a kate spade satchel

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for so many things in my life.  My sister's hot water heater stopped working and she went in the attic to see what kind it was for the repair guy.  Well, she took a wrong step and fell through the ceiling into the room below.  She landed in the hall bathroom - in the tub.   She was taken by ambulance and has a broken foot.  She is very lucky that she did not hit her head or break her neck and/or back.   This little true story made me think about hot water.  It is amazing what a hot shower or bath can do for you.

custom shower big enough for two

claw foot tub for soaking

outdoor shower for when(if) we get a pool.

We have a claw foot tub that is original to our Victorian home and it is the focal point of our master bath.  Now that I'm thinking about it, a long bubble bath is in order. 

 Please keep the victims of Sandy in your prayers.  Text RED CROSS to 90999 for a $10 donation.     

photos via home renovations, jennings and gates and cabana luxury housing.

Canberry Craze

This weekend I tried cranberry moonshine, made oatmeal craisin cookies and now I'm thinking of other ways to incorporate it into the holiday season.  Of course it will be on our table on Thanksgiving.  I think a trip to the Body Shop is a must. 

Canberry Craze by blondegigi featuring a nail lacquer

Veterans Day

My Daddy was a Marine and I have a soft spot for them.   Yesterday was the Marine Corps 237th birthday and today is Veterans Day, so I had to include it this amazing picture.

The hubs went hunting again this weekend.  He started when he was 5 years old.   That seems so young, but they do a lot of things differently out west.  I sent some oatmeal craisin cookies along with him.  I even put some marshmallow fluff between a few for fun. 

I hope y'all had a great weekend.  I loved the 70+ degree weather the past few days.

Marine monument pic via PBS

Thankful Thursday

I could not get it together this morning. I normally know exactly what I want to wear to work, but not today.  I spent way too much time looking at my closet trying on different outfits and shoes.   Good thing the hubs will get home later than me so I can put it all away. That spurred me as to what I'm thankful for today.  

I have a closet full of clothes and accessories to choose from. 

photo via houzz

I try and purge my closet with the changing of the seasons.   I donate to a charity that sells everything for $1 and give my business attire to a charity that provides to woman that are starting over after leaving abusive homes.  In the wake of Sandy, I feel guilty that I have so much.  I am truly blessed.

It is never too late to text REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10 donation.  

Red with envy

 I adore leopard prints.  Here are a few ideas when pairing them with red. 

Red with envy by blondegigi featuring high heels

Etsy

Yesterday I wore the infinity scarf that was in my FNO swag bag.  It was the perfect accessory to keep the chill off and looked great with a black sweater dress, tights and booties.  I decided to look for one that was more colorful.  That lead me to etsy's and Fruit of the Spirit where I found one that was exactly what I wanted.  Love the pattern and even how she styled it with a jean jacket.

 

  I can not wait for the election to be over.  I do think there should be a cap on the amount of money parties and special interest groups can spend on ads and mailers.  I live in a state where it could go either way and I look forward to no more robocalls!  I hope y'all voted today.  I have a book to read while I wait in line this afternoon.   I will make sure to eat a big lunch, cause I hear the lines are crazy long.

The weekend

I keep thinking about the people that lost everything to superstorm Sandy and it breaks my heart.  I did the Race to End Women's Cancer in Washington, D.C. yesterday and I kept thinking how my toe may hurt, but I still have my home and closet full of clothes.  My sister is a cancer survivor and she did us proud.  

 Please donate if you can.  I prefer to donate to the Red Cross since .91 cents for each dollar donated is used to help the victims.   

The hubs and I went out to dinner Friday night to celebrate our anniversary.   He was so sweet and gave me a beautiful ring and asked me to marry him all over again.  I loved it but was sad to have to send it back.  My sweetie ordered my shoe size and not my ring size.  I told him he should return it and we can donate the money to Sandy relief.  He said no. 

I have sent some money to the Red Cross, but I feel the need to do more.  I am so very blessed and I need to pass on those blessings.   I have a dear friend that is in fashion in NYC, I'm sure she can hook me up with another way to give.   

photos via facebook and bluenile

Thankful Thursday

I'm going to post a few things that I'm thankful for leading up to Thanksgiving.  I'm very thankful that my family and friends are all safe after Sandy destroyed so much for so many.

I saw a bunch of trucks heading north to help out with the aftermath of  the hurricane/superstorm.  

That women have the right to vote.