JerseyMaids Galaxy Collection Lookbook Shoot

Guys, this post has been a looooong time coming! Lauren of JerseyMaids started this amazing collection of galaxy themed jewelry a while back, and it has really taken off. She asked me to do a styled shoot with several of the pieces including having them modeled, so I was of course THRILLED! After putting together a mood board with Lauren, I came up with a couple of sets to use. The first was a piece of wood with little holes in it that I found at the antique store. I thought the holes looked sort of like little stars, plus I added some punched out blue stars. Using natural light, I was able to get the moody look she was going for!

I shot the jewelry on my lovely friend Margaret in a vacant house in midtown. I had done the interior shots for the real estate listing and was able to go back and use it for this! It was the perfect spot. We had it completely to ourselves, and despite not having and heat in there, it was cozy. Margaret was, of course, wonderful. Her sweet fiancé, Ben, helped us get some coffee made to warm us up.

The second set I used was shot on a spray paint galaxy painting that I got at the flea market! I also used it for my Space Jam photo. With the addition of the rock, an element Lauren has used in her other photos, it went perfectly with the collection. These were definitely my favorites of the bunch!

To check these out in action, go to Lauren's website or Etsy store. I am usually so critical of my own photos, but I still look at these and love them. I have another shoot like this coming up pretty soon that I'm also really excited about!

I hope you guys are all having a great winter so far. We woke up to some more snow this morning. It isn't a ton, but it sure is pretty :)  I, for one, am ready for warm weather, but I'm going to try to enjoy the snow while we have it.

Culinary Adventures with Margaret

What do you do when you find yourself with a free Saturday evening? (This happens NEVER, by the way) You call up a friend of course! Margaret and I decided to get together Saturday and rustle up some dinner. I happened to have some quinoa that I've been needing to cook so we decided to try a black bean and quinoa "burger." I put burger in quotations because I don't want any of you to think they are actually supposed to taste like a hamburger. It's a patty, but that's about the only similarity!

Here's the recipe we used on Allrecipes.com

It's so stinking easy! You just cook the quinoa first, mash up the black beans, mix in the quinoa and other ingredients (minced peppers and onions, garlic, cumin, salt, bread crumbs, and egg, hot sauce) and form into patties. They cook for about 5 minutes in oil on each side and you're done! I cooked mine on medium/high and they got just crisp enough for my taste on the outside. You can totally tell they are bean burgers because they still have that bean consistency, but as long as you expect that, it's all good!

Margaret had the bright idea to add feta cheese, which is ALWAYS delicious, and I added lettuce for some crunch. It turned out to be a pretty yummy dinner! If any of you try it, I'd love to know. I want to make them again and play with the ingredients a little to make the patties a little less smushy!

Colonel Mustard and the Purple Socks

Yesterday I posted about shopping at Honeybean, and today I'm wearing one of my purchases!

 details:

shirt- Honeybean

tank- H&M

belt- thrifted

necklace- estate sale

pants- Target

shoes- Aerosoles

Yesterday I wore the blue skirt to church, but I didn't leave it on long enough to take pictures (it was a sweatpants around the house kind of day). But today I sported the mustard yellow men's shirt that I picked up! I know it's weird, but it reminds me of my granddaddy. He always wore button down shirts (though never in mustard and always with suspenders) so I feel like I'm channeling him with this outfit.

Since it's a men's cut, it's not really practical to button it all the way down unless I'm tucking it in. The bottom button barely fastens because I have wide WOMAN-ly hips :) I figured wearing it open with a tank and a belt would be just as good! It's easing me into cardigan weather, which I'm actually pretty excited about.

Ok, now I'm going to share another outfit on another girl! 

This is my dear friend Margaret. She is a senior at the school I work at, and we've been buddies now for a couple of years. One of her current assignments is to photograph a staff member in their environment, and she chose me! Since my environment is my desk...that's where she photographed me. If she sends me the photo, I'll post it for you guys.

Margaret has always been one of my fashion inspirations. She has a quirky style and always finds the best pieces at thrift stores (like those booties)! Since she was kind enough to take a few photos of my outfit, I decided I would share hers as well. I just love the over-the-knee socks! I tried it once last year, but I have a hard time making it work. Margaret pulls the look off perfectly.

Thanks, Margaret, for choosing me for your project! I hope it turns out well. And to my readers, I hope your Monday is going swimmingly...or as swimmingly as a Monday can go (so I guess maybe dog-paddlingly)

New from MableMae

A new batch of pictures I took for Lenesha over at MableMae. I always enjoy doing these, and I feel like I've known Lenesha forever! Margaret and I had a lot of fun with this little shoot. She even did some outfit changes for me!

Whew...that was a lot! Head on over to MableMae to see all the great goodies she has to offer! I really love her little hair barrettes. So adorable!