I want your everything, as long as it's free

Happy Thursday!

I have to admit that I do a lot of web surfing during my work day (tsk tsk!), and last week we moved into a new building with new clear cubes. So now, looking at my favorite blogs in a tiny resized browser window has been nothing short of cumbersome. I mean how do I explain fashion blogs being relevant to my boss during our 1:1? Well maybe my old boss, but the new one? Not so easy.
So I created a rough draft of this post in MS word. No pictures, but below I give you links to a few of my favorite websites that also give you something free (how’s that for cheap thrills?).

Girly: The Brightside Project
What: Giveaways to up and coming artists and businesses.
How: The creators of the website wanted to bring a bit of sunshine to their visitors everyday by offering a featured product (for free to win) and the story behind its creator. In order to win you must answer their daily question.
Plus: You get information on fabulous products you ordinarily would not hear about from small business owners (most of them women).

Brainy: Free Rice
What: Vocabulary/geography/ language lessons (for you) and Rice (for the hungry)
How: You are quizzed on topics such as vocabulary and geography and for every one you get right; 10 grains of rice are donated to the UN World Food Programme.
Plus: It’s a game, it’s a charity, and it’s just plain fun!

B-a-n-a-n-a-s

Yum I love banana bread (without nuts)! 

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar (set 1 tablespoon aside for topping)

1/3 cup butter softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (set 1 teaspoon aside for topping)

2 eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 super ripe bananas (store in fridge for about 2 weeks)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray
2. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg)
3. Beat sugar and butter together until fluffy. Added eggs, vanilla, and butter milk and mix until incorporated
4. Mix in dry ingredient until incorporated
5. Pour batter into loaf pan. Sprinkle reserved sugar and cinnamon on top of batter and bake until cake tester comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Best ever comfort food

The children are bored on Sundays

Check out this very quirky short film/mini movie starring Shirley Manson (love her) and Elijah Wood (go Frodo!) for Oliver Peoples sunglasses. It has a total Wes Anderson a la Royal Tenenbaum's feel. I love it!

Patterns and Texture

Happy almost Friday! Great deals at UO! They have a pretty good selection of items $9.99 and under. 
Kimchi Blue Pleated Satin Skimmer $9.99(Was $28.00): The pleats make this shoe more interesting than a plain flat, and the satin is great for dressier occasions.

Kimchi Blue Zip Front Terry Silken Two-in-One Dress $29.99 (Was $58.00): This price point is great for taking a risk on mixing patterns. The colors are muted and soft but the exposed zipper makes it more grown up, and it has pockets!!

Liberty of London for Target

While everyone else is waiting for Zac Posen's line for Target, I'm ready for color and patterns! Liberty of London is the UK's version of Lily Pulitzer (in my opinion). Patterns, short dresses, and home decor (and more)! Find more info at Target. Launch date: March 14th. I want the cute teapot below!

 

Picture: Simply Stated Blog by Real Simple Magazine

Pucker Up

A week ago I had a great conversation with a very sweet friend. It was going so well then we somehow stumbled on the fact that she does not enjoy sour treats. Dude - what.is.up.with.that? It's ok, we're still friends but I didn't bake these for her.

Lemon cupcakes with raspberry cream cheese frosting. You are missing out Dana Chau!

 

 

Forals and Stripes

Hello! After a stint of hardcore concentration on work, I'm back! It's Thursday, so let us go to our cheap finds. We're visiting where else but Forever21. This spring expect to see a LOT of nautical stripes and floral patterns.

Water color floral dress:$24.80. This dress has potential. At first I thought that it was a bit too 80's, but I decided if it was styled correctly, (jewelry, belt, etc) we can bring this sweet dress up to date (and date worthy)!

Vivid floral tunic: $19.80. This is labeled as a tunic, but its long enough to be a dress. The colors offer dramatic impact and the floral print is not too saccharin. 

Striped Slub Cardigan: $11.50. I'm glad that open cardigans are here to stay. This nautical stripe short sleeve cardigan will be great over a simple tank and shorts. Add pop with colorful flip flops!

Striped Boyfriend Shirt: $10.50. I own this shirt, and I love the boyfriend fit. Very casual yet you can dress it up with jewelry. $10.50!!!