Fun fact about me: I LOVE watching the Food Network and Cooking Channel but I am super picky so I wouldn't eat half of the things I see on the shows.  I hardly ever cook for myself these days because I don't get home from work until 7:30 and just want something super quick: hello frozen pizza, and pre-made - albeit delicious - rosemary and thyme chicken.
When my Marshalls Project Fab resolutions challenge came I knew what I wanted to do.  My first goal was never paying full price for fabulous clothes (post 1 | post 2).  But I also want to try to cook at home more often, it's going to be hard but I know it will improve my overall health and happiness. I really enjoy cooking, it's just finding the time.  I may end up cooking meals on the weekends and then eat them during the week.
Where does Marshalls come in here, you ask? Well, I got 75% of my cooking supplies there! I needed a new pan, some other kitchen essentials that I was missing and a couple things I just wanted for fun (a mandolin!) Everything I bought was a great price (and most of it was found on clearance too!) Let's not forget that good portion of the cookware I already own is from Marshalls or Home Goods. Can you tell it's my favorite store yet?
I decided to have Lydia and Christine over and made a tasty (I hope) meal: Strawberry Balsamic Chicken and Potatoes with rosemary & garlic! For dessert I made my "famous" (to me) Chocohotopots and taught the girls how to make french macarons.  I'm splitting the post into two days because as usual there are too many photos I like! I went from over 400 to 175 and then chose my favorites from that to share.

P.S. Did any of you ever watch The Galloping Gourmet?! I used to watch it every day when I was younger. Yes, I watched cooking shows instead of kid shows (although I watched those too.)

* Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls or The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB.

Monday it was back to the office after 2 glorious weeks working from home.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy going to the office and getting dressed. But when I get 3 extra hours sleep and don't have to do my 5 hour round trip commute I am just so much more bright and happy. It also helps that I don't have to go to bed at 10pm like an old lady.  But it was back to business this week.

P.S.  The Net-a-Porter U.S. clearance sale is in its final week, and you can get an additional 20% off sale by entering GIFT20 at checkout.* The sale ends at midnight PST on Thursday January 16. *The 20% discount code does not apply to the following brands: Givenchy, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, Chloe and Fendi; or items marked "Final Reduction" 

Monday: Sweater: Madewell, Jeans: rag & bone (Shopbop), Boots: Chloé (Roundabout Resale), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Tuesday: Sweater: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Marshalls), Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Wednesday: Top: French Connection c/o Marhsalls, Jeans: Michael Kors (Marshalls), Boots: Cordani (Roundabout Resale),Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Thursday: Dress: Diane von Furstenberg (Coco's), Sweater: J.Crew (Roundabout Resale), Boots: vintage, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Happy Friday before Christmas! We're in the home stretch now! I have quite a busy weekend planned. Tonight starts our official movie watching as a family. We have a schedule for the last few days, but the weeks leading up we watch whatever movies we feel like.  Tonight is It's a Wonderful Life. Then tomorrow I'm headed to my Aunt's and Sunday I'm going to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. I was supposed to go last Saturday but the snow ruined it.  Sunday night we're watching Holiday Inn & White Christmas, two of my favorites. But, my absolute favorite (the whole family's actually) is saved for the 23rd: Scrooge with Albert Finney. It's a musical - if you haven't seen it... DO IT! I have to work on Monday, but hopefully it won't be too crazy. Then I'm off Tuesday and Wednesday and it's back to work on Thursday. BUT we get to work from home until January 2nd when we're due back a the office!

You'll notice a big change in my photos this week. I got a hair makeover for one of the websites at work (I'll post the link when the feature is live). I was hoping for an Emma Stone look (like this) but it turned out a little shorter than I was expecting so it's taking a little time to adjust. I'm not fond of short hair on myself but it does look cute when it's curled. The problem is - I don't know how to do it myself! I didn't wash my hair for as long as I could so the original curls would last.  Guess I have a mission over the next few weeks - find an affordable and easy to use curling iron, and learn how to use it. A co-worker told me to get the Beachwaver, and others recommend a curling wand. But those are all a bit expensive so I might end at Target or I'll see if I can get lucky and find something for a great price at Marshalls.

Monday: Blazer: Etro (Roundabout Resale), Tee: Everlane, Jeans:  Free People, Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt),  Necklace c/o Anjolee, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Tuesday: Sweater: Madewell (Shopbop), Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Boots: Grandma's, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Necklace: Francesca's, Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Wednesday: Sweater: French Connection (Marshalls), Jeans: Jolt (Marshalls), Flats c/o Joie, Necklace c/o O Necklace, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Thursday: Sweater: Stella McCartney (The Outnet), Leggings: H&M, Socks: Marshalls, Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt),  Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Also, I've been trying out a new fragrance this week thanks to my position as a Harper's Bazaar Style Ambassador!  It's called The One by Dolce & Gabanna and it is available at ShopBazaar.com! It is a Limited Edition fragrance for women in a polished gold bottle with notes of mandarin, lychee, peach, a base of lily, and finished with a touch of warm. It definitely has potential to become one of my signature scents!


* Disclosure: I have received free products from Harper's Bazaar in connection with my affiliation with Harper's Bazaar Style Ambassadors.

I'm getting into the habit of picking at least one of my outfits from the previous week and photographing it for the next weeks outfit posts.  This weekend I chose my comfortable, print-mixing look from Wednesday.  After I took the photo in Friday's post and was about to leave for work I decided to throw on my fur vest and didn't have time to re-take the photo, so here's what I actually wore on Wednesday. It's the time of year where I break out my Miu Miu heels at least once a week because they instantly elevate a look. For these photos I also added my new Brilliant Imports snake ring which arrived this weekend, it is definitely going to be one of my new daily rings.

This sweater from Marshalls was actually from the men's section. Luckily for me, it somehow ended up in the women's section and made its way into my cart. I can never resist Marc Jacobs, especially when it is a super comfortable sweater. That's why I love Marshalls, you never know what (or who) you'll find in the racks.

Men's Sweater: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Marshalls), Vest: French Connection (Marshalls), Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Heels: Miu Miu (eBay), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

The first week of December has come and gone. Pretty soon it will be Christmas. Woohoo! But I don't want it to come too fast. I need to enjoy the Christmas music and movies for a long time. I took a night off from Christmas movies last night to watch The Sound of Music Live with Carrie Underwood.  It was so fun, did you watch?  The Sound of Music is one of my favorite movies so I enjoyed seeing it done this way. Carrie did a great job.

Moving on, here are my outfits from this week! We had some nice, warm-ish weather so on Wednesday I didn't even need my coat (I did put on my big French Connection vest though.)

Monday: Sweater: Phillip Lim x Target, Jeans: Current/Elliott (RueLaLa), Flats: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Tuesday:  Dress: DKNY (Net-a-Porter sale), Boots: Zigi Soho (DSW), Necklace c/o Anjolee, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Wednesday: Sweater:Marc by Marc Jacobs (Marshalls), Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Heels: Miu Miu (eBay), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Thursday: Sweater: Everlane,  Jeans:  rag & bone (Shopbop), Loafers: Burberry Prorsum (Net-a-Porter sale), Necklace c/o O Necklace, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

And last Wednesday's outfit:

Sweater: French Connection c/o Marshalls, Pants: Kenzie c/o Marshalls, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La),  Rings: vintage & Mom's

Happy Friday! It has gotten quite chilly over the past week, we even had some snow on Tuesday morning.  Pretty soon I'm going to have to start wearing my real coat.  As you can see I repeated my outfit from Saturday, but no one at work had seen it so I figured why not! I also stayed true to my word (from yesterday) and wore a couple skirts this week!

I'm looking forward to this weekend. Tonight I'm headed to my aunts for a massage and sleepover in exchange for helping her with her website.  Then I'll probably head to Marshalls at some point to shop for my next Project Fab posts! Super excited for these upcoming ones!

Monday: Sweater: Madewell, Jeans:  rag & bone (Shopbop), Flats c/o Joie (also here),  Necklace c/o Anjolee, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Tuesday: Sweater: American Eagle, Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Rain Boots: dav (giveaway win), Necklace c/o O Necklace, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Wednesday: Sweater: Inis Crafts (Marshalls), Skirt: Chanel (Roundabout Resale), Heels: Miu Miu (eBay), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Thursday: Tee: Cullen (Rue La La), Blazer: Marc by Marc Jacobs (eBay), Skirt: Siena Style (Coco's $10 sale), Heels: Dolce & Gabanna (Uptown Consignment), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

I hope everyone had a lovely week. Mine was quite busy and today will be busy as well. But at least I get to work from the comfort of my couch today. In the world of clothes - I have still successfully avoided wearing an actual winter coat, it's still warm enough when I leave work to not need one. Although I did wear my new rain coat from Marshalls this week (once, haha.) I did layer sweaters on top of each outfit though, I'm not trying to get sick! I also wore a couple new-to-me pieces that I snagged while helping Lydia clean her closet. Both are purple, obviously, ha ha.  I was also a bad girl and wore leggings as pants, but my sweater was long enough to cover my rear, so I think it's okay.  I wasn't feeling good that day and didn't want to wear real clothes.

Monday: Sweater: Zara, Leggings: H&M, Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Tuesday: Dress: Michael by Michael Kors (Net-a-Porter sale), Flats: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Wednesday: Sweater: Gap (from Lydia), Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Heels: from Lydia, Necklace: Marc Jacobs, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Thursday: Top: Madewell, Blazer: The Extreme Collection (Second Time Around Vintage), Jeans: Free People (Marshalls), Wedges: R2 (DSW), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

How is it already November 1st?! This is insanity!! I hope everyone had a great Halloween. I just went to my parents house after work, had dinner, watched Wheel of Fortune and It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and then went home home to watch TV until bed. So exciting, right?!

I'm so glad it's sweater season again, I do love wearing all my knits! Speaking of them, I just snagged an awesome new sweater from Madewell for $35 (regular $88!) Unfortunately the color I bought (Navy and Purple) sold out, but there are 2 other color options. They're having a sale that goes through tonight - just enter code SWEETSALE for 40% off sale items and free shipping! :)

Monday: Sweater: Everlane, Skirt: Vince Camuto  (Lord & Taylor), Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Tuesday: Sweater: Zara, Skirt: Siena Style (Coco's $10 sale), Heels: Miu Miu (eBay), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Wednesday: Sweater: Banana Republic, Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Heels: Lanvin (Rounabout Resale), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Saks Friends & Family Sale),  Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Thursday: Dress: ASOS, Jacket: Gap (Coco's), Bow: Made by Mom, Hat: eBay, Booties: no.704b. (DSW), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

It's getting a lot chillier out there! In the mornings I almost need a coat, but by the time I leave work it is a reasonable temperature.  We moved offices this week where I work, which was an adventure. I love the new space, it's a lot larger and we're grouped into smaller rooms (which I like because I'm shy and it's actually helping me talk and get involved a little more.)  However, I don't like the new commute, it's only 5 minutes longer but it seems so much longer because I have to go across more avenues, which are longer.  Oh well, what can you do?

Monday: Tee: Cullen (Rue La La), Skirt: T by Alexander Wang (NET-A-PORTER), Jacket: Theyskens' Theory (Nordstrom Rack), Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Tuesday: Top: Vanessa Bruno (Coco's $10 sale), Cape: cashmere (Roundabout Resale), Jeans: Free People, Boots Alexander Wang (The Outnet), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Wednesday: Sweater: t. babaton c/o Aritzia, Jeans: American Vintage, Necklace c/o O Necklace, Rain Boots: dav (giveaway win), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Thursday: Cream Sweater: Zara, Black Sweater: Burberry Brit (NET-A-PORTER sale), Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

This is what my Thursday outfit looked originally, but then I decided to wear my Burberry sweater instead of a coat, so I had to change my boots too, ha ha.