Nobody Leaves This Stage Without Singing the Blues

I had to put that as a title...Adventures in Babysitting is one of my FAVORITE films!!

Yesterday, I got my stuff I bought from Lane Bryant. I was so surprised I got it overnight...that was FAST. I'm ecstatic...I'm down a dress size. I'd like to say a dress size and a half...teetering between a 20-22. BOOM! I'm very happy about the shoes. I have to take them back though. They're too big.

I will have to say, I only bought these shoes because they were on sale. The retail price for them was $69.95. I'm sorry LB, but your shoes are NOT worth 70 bucks! But I got them for $24, so I'll stop complaining.

Also...starting to make some more changes in my diet. I'm trying to transition from a meat based diet to a plant based diet. I will probably NEVER be a vegetarian, maybe like a 80% vegetarian. Baby steps. I did make these zucchini boats last night. Delicious!!! Zucchini, red bell peppers, mushrooms, jack and parmesan cheeses...MMMMM. Brought some for lunch today. I hope they reheat well.



Oh well...going to edit and post the movie reviews later today! You guys have a GREAT weekend!!!

Janelle

An Affair to Remember: Eliza Parker Preview

Have you ever fell in love with SOMETHING you just can't let go? Have you ever loved a piece of clothing you never want to take off?

Eliza Parker goodness...

My story begins as any story would. Once upon a time, I went to a preview show for Eliza Parker. I was so excited to have the brand here for Midwest Fashion Week. I'm a huge fan, but have to confess I don't own a stitch of EP. I'm a bargain shopper and Ms. Eliza is one of those things you have to save up for...until tonight.

I visited the website when I found out Eliza Parker was participating in fashion week so I can link their site to a Facebook status. One dress caught my eye...the Monaco Dress. 

Christine & Jess of Eliza Parker

Me, Christine & my friend Angela

I digress...let me tell you...Jess and Christine (of Eliza Parker) are the sweetest people you will ever meet. Not saccharin sweet...but Paula Deen butter and sugar sweet. I love them! They are like girlfriends you love to take shopping with you. They also shopped at Kohl's while they were here in Indiana...you HAVE to have patience for that! Very laid back...great people!

When I walked into the Skyline Club, which will be a whole other blog post in itself, I saw that Monaco Dress! I tried to resist it, but when another attendee tried on the dress, she looked gorgeous!

I had to try it on...I fell in LOVE instantly! Jess gave me a size 14/16 to try. I flinched but tried it on. It fit like a glove. You know I wear a 22/24! The belt didn't fit though...the ladies threw in their Interlocking Belt...for FREE! PLUS...she discounted the dress...$229 discounted to $150!!! I had to buy it. Even though I used half of my vacation flight money...it had to be done! It was a must! (Good thing Jay later agreed to buy the dress for me...I love him!) I'm a EP convert; I will spend the money for Eliza Parker. I'm hooked now. 

What is my face doing?

Well I didn't want to take the dress off, so I kept it on for the duration of the preview...went and ran errands. Heads turned and I got multiple complements. I didn't want to take it off. I'm actually sad now. It's 10 p.m. and my dress is now laying across the love seat. I hear her little voice. Janelle, why did you take me off? Don't you love me? I love you little dress. You make me feel special and pretty...don't ever change!

Me & Jess

Jalene, of Wisdom Wealth Abundance, one of the producers of the event.

Sola, of Midwest Fashion Week, one of the producers of the event.

 

Jess & one of the beautiful runway models for Saturday's fashion gala.

Pull the Thread: Avid Accents Review

I ordered a cardigan from Avid Accents about a month ago. Avid Accents is an online boutique selling both plus and standard size apparel and accessories. The price points range from $10 to $25.

 I haven't worn the sweater yet, so this weekend I decided to give it a try.

Let me just say, when I got the package I was at work. Everytime I receive clothes at work, it brightens the rest of my day. Opening the package, I found a little hand addressed card with a coupon code AND a free pair of earrings. It was a plus the purple leaf earrings matched the cardigan perfectly. Too bad the holes in my ears are now closed and I've been forced to wear clip ons. (I've had my ears pierced four times since birth; I refuse to get them done again.) So the earrings {sniff} will be regifted.

Notice the coupon code.

I LOVE THIS SWEATER! It is truly one of my favorite things in my closet. The construction of the garment is beautifully done (which scared me because the sweater was only $15). The material is breathable and the colors are vibrant. The only thing wrong was the belt that was included; It didn't fit at all. But I had a black belt in closet anyways, so I wore that instead.



Cardigan: Avid Accents (retail $15)
Black Tank: Old Navy
Belt: Lane Bryant
Jeans: Source of Wisdom from Torrid 

I got many compliments about this cardigan and shared my experiences with Avid Accents with everyone that asked. I will be ordering from them again! Stop by their website RIGHT NOW for 30% off the retail price on ALL their items.

~Janelle

Really? Fashion Duct Tape

I'm starting a new column of my blog. It's called "Really?". It will focus on things that make me scratch my head.

Duck Duct Tape Patterns is available in an assortment of colors and designs.

Remember when duct tape was used to just tape things together. Duct tape is used more for fashion purposes now than it is used for a household helper. Saw on the telly last night the Duck brand is now selling patterned duct tape. So for all you people that want to make your accessories or prom dress, you can now choose from zebra or leopard print duct tape. There is a quirky website where everything is made out of duct tape. Duct tape seems to be the new medium of fabric now.

Janelle

Pretty In Red

I always loved the movie "Pretty In Pink". I didn't enjoy it for the actual plot, though poor girl and rich boy falling in love with each other through adversity and the disapproval of others, is a picture perfect story. I loved the movie for its wardrobe.  The costume pieces in this movie inspired the real life street couture of the 80's. Molly Ringwald's character, Andie, constructed her own clothes. I will always remember Iona's, Annie Pott's larger than life character, Asian/Warhol inspired frock. I was a kid lusting for their sense of style. 

(Scenes of Iona and Andie - From retrochick.co.uk)

Being a compulsive eater, I decided to start using my boredom and hunger to channel my creativity. My new project is to make clothes. God knows, I'm not a fashion designer, but I figured it would be a fun task. My first project was to complete a tu tu. I executed my first project perfectly. I'm proud of myself that I finished. Thanks to blogger Amelia Pontes (ameliapontes.blogspot.com) and her resurrection of her closeted tu tu, I wanted to free my tu tu this weekend. I must admit it was fun gallivanting around Indy in my masterpiece. I got a few stares, some great comments and even embarrassed my boyfriend by displaying my ballet positions in the middle of the Castleton Square parking lot!

(Blk tank-Old Navy, Red tank-Torrid, Tu tu-Janelle, Deconstructed legging-Torrid)

(Probably going to be the last hot weekend of the year!)

Janelle

Nashville Booty!

LOL!! I'm not talking about booty the body part! I'm talking about the great deals I found at JCPenney this past weekend on my trip to Nashville. I generally don't wear accessories. I always get hung up, caught on something or I always break them. I have a ring (not engagement) from my boyfriend he bought me a few years ago, and I don't even wear that. But because of my hair changes (coming soon in another post), I feel that accessories are needed to play with my outfits and keep me from looking like a drunk auntie or a guy.

So while my friend and her friends were shopping, I snooped around the accessory section at JCPenney in Cool Springs Galleria as well.

The gold and pearl necklace was originally $26. I bought it on clearance for $5.17. The silver and jade necklace had the original price of $28. I bought it for $8.40. I also purchase two hair flowers for $6.99. The original price...wait for it...$12.

I saved a total of $45.44 on Saturday. I'm proud of me! Now to wear them...maybe I will this week with the booty I bought from Torrid. Just ordered some earrings from eBay I should be getting soon. I'll share once those come in.

~ Janelle