1

The bluebirds are nesting…

One week ago, my wonderful grandfather, who we like to call “Bigdad,” turned 80 years old.  My poor Mimi (the grandma) said she doesn’t know what to do with someone who’s 80 years old!  I told her she should trade him in for two 40-year-olds, but she quickly replied with, “I wouldn’t know what to do with them, either!”  Ha!

In honor of my Bigdad’s momentous 80th birthday, I decided to paint him a picture.  I haven’t painted in years.  He’s a bird lover, like me, so this is what I came up with:

He called me the day he got it to tell me that he not only loved the bluebird I painted for him, but just so happened to be watching two bluebirds build a nest while he was talking to me.  Pretty cool, huh?

I love you, Bigdad!!!!  Here’s to many many more birthdays with you!  Love, Ev

Read More

6

Date night bike ride

Cardi: Dillards;  Tuxedo shirt: vintage, thrifted;  Leggings: Target;  Belt: vintage, thrifted;  Flats: Gap; Fish necklace: vintage, thrifted

Ok, so don’t mix the following:  bicycles, beers, tight belts, and mexican food. You will be in pain!!!  The Hubs and I were both strugglin’ after this week’s date night, but it was totes worth it.

We decided that for this date night, we would ride our bikes to our new favorite mexican restaurant, La Cocina, which is right down the street from our house.  It was a very short ride.  And of course I wanted to look super chic while riding.  What do you think?  Did I pull it off?  (Sorry about the blurry picture.)

This tuxedo shirt was one of my finds at Back In Time last weekend.  Its obviously a men’s shirt, but I love how girly and chic it can become with a cardigan and leggings.  The belt is actually a skinny tie from the 80s.

Happy Saturday everyone!!!

Read More

3

Random Conversations with The Hubs – Part 3

This man….he cracks me up.  So I like to share some of our most hilar convos with you.  Enjoy!

(Don’t forget Part 1 and Part 2.)

In which we discuss the movement of the covers in the night:

The Hubs: “Take the majority of the comforter please!  I’ll steal it back from you in my sleep.”

Me: “Lol!  That is so going on the blog.” (grabs phone and quickly begins typing)

The Hubs: “BLOG OFF!!!”

-

While watching Zombieland on Date Night:

Me: “I’m so glad I married you…but if you were a zombie I would kill you.”

The Hubs: “And I would shoot you in the face…”

Me: “Thank you.  That’s all I’m asking.”

The Hubs: “…even if you weren’t a zombie.”

-

While flipping through channels on the tv:

Me: “I can’t believe Tobey Maguire’s not gonna be in Spiderman 4!”

The Hubs: “I can’t believe they’re making Spiderman 4.”

-

While watching American Idol:

Me: “He sounds like a mix between Daughtry and Nickleback.”  (*this is NOT a good thing, people)

The Hubs: “That’s called a tsunami.”

Read More

2

I. Want. These. NOW!!! (UPDATED)

There are two items that I want right now.  The first is allowed, according to my NYR, but the second…well, not so much.

1. Busy Bee Shoppe’s Allison Headband, $30

I love this headband because its a very neutral color and does not stick a foot off the head.  Its more simple.  Just my style.  Of course, I would wear it farther back on the head, not on my forehead, but you get the point.

2. High-Waisted Black Skirt

Photo courtesy of Jessica at What I Wore

I want this exact skirt.  The problem is, I can’t find it in vintage stores, thrift stores, ebay, or etsy.  I’ve been searching for a skirt like this for months now with absolutely no luck.  And because of my NYR, I can’t just go to the store and buy one.  I must find a pre-owned version, even if it has to be hemmed.  PLEASE HELP!  I need one.  NEEEEEED one.  This skirt would be perfect because it can be dressed up or down.  I don’t want one made of jersey fabric, because no matter how nice of a blouse you pair it with, it still won’t be wedding-worthy or cocktail party-worthy.  HELP!  And if you or someone you know can make me this skirt, I definitely will consider that option.

*UPDATE: I just bought the vintage skirt below from etsy…because I finally found something and couldn’t pass it up.  Man I hope it works out!!!

Read More

2

I’m a badass ninja.

Okay, maybe the title is a stretch, but I did just test for my yellow belt in taekwondo and I got it!!!  The yellow belt is the third one.  First is white, then orange, then yellow.

I started taking taekwondo last November as a way of working out without doing the boring stuff like running, aerobics, weight training….ugh.  I can’t stand any of that.  I would rather work out my body and my brain at the same time, which is exactly why I chose martial arts.  Its been wonderful and I’ve actually come a long way in a very short amount of time.  I may not be a ninja yet, but I will be soon!

These pictures are from my test the other night.  Basically, we have to learn sort of a karate dance routine and perform it correctly for our belt.  Its extremely technical, but my brain works that way so its been easy for me.

One last thing, I live by music.  I love music.  So naturally, I have a taekwondo theme song that I listen to on my way to class twice a week.  Check it out here.

Read More

3

Old Meets New

Cardi: Dillard’s;  Dress: Thrifted;  Belt: Thrifted;  Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft (old merch);  Knee Socks: Target;  Boots: Steven Madden Intyce via Nordstrom

Occassion: Running errands, going to see a movie

First of all, let me just point out that this cardigan is new merch from Dillard’s (the store that I have come to hate).  I know that my New Year’s Resolution forbids me to buy new clothes, but I had a gift card and was determined to use it.  Trust me, it was difficult.  I have spent hours upon hours in that place and finally bought a pair of dress sandals and a couple of cardigans.  I’m allowed to use a gift card and not break my resolution, right???  RIGHT?!?!

The dress and belt were two of my purchases this weekend on our fabulous trip to Pensacola.  I couldn’t wait to wear this dress!  Its actually a button down 1980s maxi skirt that I am wearing as a belted strapless dress with a cardi for modesty (I cover up my arms year round).  The belt is a 1980s skinny tie that I simply tied around my waist.  What a great way to mix old and new items to make a completely new look!  I’m loving this ensemble.  Absolutely loving it!

Now, time to go enjoy the new Percy Jackson movie all by myself on my lazy day off.  I’m really beginning to enjoy going to the movies alone.  Its very relaxing.

SMILES!!!

Read More

3

the nerd reviews stuff.

This is the part where I give you my humble opinion on things that you may or may not love.  I apologize for hurting your feelings in advance, but this must be done…for my sanity.

1. Dillards. This is the suckiest store ever.  The only time I ever shop in there is when I have a gift card, but even then it is impossible to find things that are actually okay looking (according to my girl Maura, “it looks like the 80s threw up in here!”). And when I do find great dresses or blouses, its in the expensive and overpriced Gianni Bini and BCBG section…so we can just go ahead and rule that stuff out.  And here’s a little tip for that section of the store: dress like you own the place and maybe you’ll get decent service; wear chucks and you’re screwed.  Those bitches made me sick.

2. Blogs. I enjoy a wide array of blogs: fashion, food, humor.  My favorite blogs are Adored Austin, What I Wore, Joy the Baker, and my new fave, Hyperbole and a Half.  Yeah.  Those blogs are good times.  You’re welcome.

3. Forever 21 Jewelry. I love this store, even though I am forbidden to shop there until January 1, 2011.  Its like crack.  But their jewelry…well.  I’ve had some issues with it.  Sure its awesome because its cheap (um, $4 necklace?!?!?!  SCORE!), but the quality is terrible.  I bought this awesome “gold” owl necklace that is now silver.  Maura didn’t even think it was the same necklace, even though I swore it was.  I love their inexpensive accessories, but be careful what you get.

4. Olive Garden. Ugh.  This is my least favorite restaurant in the whole entire world.  What is with people and their gosh darn love for this place?  Nothing, NOTHING is good, except for the salad of course.  And there is always a ginormous wait at the door, no matter what night you go.  I just don’t get it.  I meeeeaaaan, why wait for a crappy table at a crappy wannabe Italian restaurant when Carrabba’s is right down the street and muy excellente!  Just sayin.’

5. Starbucks’ Hot Apple Chai. Let me tell you about this delish drink.  Its got apple juice.  Its got black chai tea.  It tastes like apple cider with a spicy kick.  Its also got caffeine.  Lots of it.  The funny thing is, nobody ever knows how to make this drink.  Every time I order it, I have to tell them whats in it.  It used to be on the menu, but apparently didn’t sell.  Well, friends, lets all order the heck out of some hot apple chai so the employees will learn how to make it!

6. Printed pieces of paper called “Art.” I don’t get it. People are actually selling and making a killing off of printed pieces of paper with a few words on it.  Yeah.  They’re putting a Beatles song name on paper and calling it art.  Its ridiculous.  Why would you spend money on that when you can print it at home for nothing?

7. Vampire Diaries. Stefan, Damon…you rock my socks off.  You are the bees knees.  You’re the tops.  And it helps that you’re hot.  Too bad my favorite show is not going to have a new episode until March 25, but that gives you time to get on the bandwagon before it starts back up again.  Go ahead.  Enjoy the vampire hottness.

Read More

3

Back in Time

The Hubs (above) and I went to Pensacola, Florida with my friend Lauren (below) today.  Isn’t she gorgeous?  Yeah.  I think so too.

They joined me for a cake competition today.  It was my first…and it was awful.  My cake was horrible compared to the others.  And I’m not just being my own worst critic…the score sheets are certainly proof of that.

But its cool.  If you want to see it, check out my buttercakes blog.  Fair warning, I haven’t posted about the competition on that blog yet.  Lots to cover.  Loads!

We had to drop the cake off by 10am and couldn’t take it home until 4pm, so we had quite a bit of time to kill.  I mean, there were only 20 cakes, so its not like looking at those took forevs, know what I’m sayin?

We decided to go to the beautiful beach and snap a few shots before eating some yummy seafood.  I love these next two pics.  LOVE them.  I must frame them very soon.

We got crabs for lunch (hehe).  It was super yummy, if you don’t count the overpriced lunch menu and the super salty chips.

Bonus!!!  Crabs uses only 100% recycled toilet paper…

…and has excellent margaritas.

We still had 4 hours to kill after getting crabs (hehe), and I just HAPPENED to have the address to a certain vintage store that I HAPPENED to have googled and logged into my trusty crackberry.  Coincidence?

The store is called Back in Time.  This was my first ever vintage store visit in person (ebay and etsy don’t count, right?) and I was in HEAVEN!

I walked away with a long white tuxedo shirt (top left), a 1980s black skinny tie (middle left), a floral maxi skirt that will be worn as a dress (bottom middle), and a fantastic 1970s gold fish necklace.  *Props to Lauren for picking the necklace out for me!*  The floral dress (top right) is a recent addition bought from Gugu’s Etsy shop and the navy slip dress (bottom right) is from Tigerlily Vintage Clothing store on Ebay.  Both of those dresses are waiting to be hemmed, but I wanted to show them off for a hot minute.

Overall, I had a fabulous day, even though my cake was a shameful representation of Hansel and Gretel.  Oh well.  All that matters is that we all had fun!

Read More

2

Not waiting for spring…

Cardi: Dillards;  Dress: Thrifted;  Gray dress underneath: Ross;  Boots: Steve Madden Intyce via Nordstrom;  Necklace: Antique key on chain, self-made;  Shades: Target;  Belt: F21

When: Feb 20, 2010

Where: Pensacola Beach, Florida

Occasion: Disaster of a cake competition…I don’t wanna talk about it.

Read More

0

Sneak Peak!

I found a new vintage store…

…and I can’t wait to tell you about it.

Tomorrow.

Read More