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.

It wouldn't be a photoshoot with Lydia without tons of photos to share, so here are some extras that didn't make the post cut! I started out with almost 150 pictures, so narrowing down is always tough!

Outfit #1: Dress:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (Marshalls), Sweater: Ralph Lauren c/o Marshalls, Booties: No.704b. (DSW), Necklace: Geoclassics, Bracelets c/o 31 Bits

Outfit #2:  Jeans: J Brand c/o Marshalls, Sweater: Vertical Design c/o Marshalls, Boots: Chloé (Roundabout Resale), Bag: Chanel, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's 

Here is the second of my outfits from Marshalls (see the first)! Unfortunately my gift card only covered the sweater in this outfit, but the dress was totally worth it! Especially since I almost bought that exact dress on Gilt Groupe a few months back for $115. You truly never have to pay full price for fabulous as long as you head to Marshalls!

When I first picked out all the pieces I brought to my dressing room I didn't even think about pairing these two pieces together. But after I put the dress on I noticed that the orange in the sweater matched exactly - serendipity! I love how the sweater adds a bit of a rustic feel to the dressier dress.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dress - $198 (regular price) -> $99.99 (Marshalls price) -> $69.99 (clearance price)
Ralph Lauren Sweater - $125 (regular price)  ->  $59.99 (Marshalls price) -> $44 (clearance price)

Dress:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (Marshalls), Sweater: Ralph Lauren c/o Marshalls, Booties: No.704b. (DSW), Necklace: Geoclassics, Bracelets c/o 31 Bits



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

We're just over a month into 2014 and I made a couple goals for myself. I don't really make resolutions because I know I won't keep them. But these two goals are something I always strive to do and one is a lot easier than the other.  Marshalls recently challenged me to shop in their stores to help out with these resolutions/goals...no problem!  The first, which I'm featuring today is to never pay full price for fabulous clothes!  I headed to the store knowing there were a few staple items I wanted, but didn't want to pay an arm and a leg. Thankfully Marshalls was there to save the day!

I went in with the objective of finding one great outfit, fortunately (or unfortunately for my wallet) I found two outfits I couldn't leave the store without!  This first outfit features something I have been hunting for since last year: black skinny jeans.  I have wanted to find a pair of J Brand black skinnies and every time I headed to Marshalls they had some - just never in my size (or the ones with the buckles at the ankle, which are cool, but not exactly classic.) I ended up with these "Danica black zip" skinny jeans, not exactly what I wanted, but they fit like a glove!  I then found an adorable fox sweater to pair with them! Did I mention it was all on clearance! Here's the breakdown:

Song of the Day: Foxy Lady (Jimi Hendrix)

J Brand Jeans $220 (regular price) -> $69.99 (Marhsalls price) -> $49.99 (clearance price)
Vertical Design Sweater - $80 (regular price) -> $39.99 (Marhsalls price) -> $29.99 (clearance price)

Jeans: J Brand c/o Marshalls, Sweater: Vertical Design c/o Marshalls, Boots: Chloé (Roundabout Resale), Bag: Chanel, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's 


Stay tuned for my next goal in a couple weeks: cooking at home more instead of just heating up Trader Joe's premade chicken or Ellio's pizza. 

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

It's the time of year to start thinking about Holiday gifts! With a little help from Marshalls I got an early start on my gifting.  Everything you see below I bought at Marshalls!  I fell in love with the blanket I got at Marshalls a couple months ago so I decided it was the perfect gift for Lydia and Christine.  The blankets were already wrapped making them super easy to give.  I also wanted to give them a couple little trinkets as well so I picked up these fun wrapped chocolate bars and adorable ornaments (a moose and giraffe!)

Marshalls is the perfect place to shop for your gifts, they have everything you could need. Clothes, shoes, accessories as well as a wide selection of home goods.  Have someone that loves wine? They have unique wine glasses and more. They even have a selection of books and journals for the writers and readers in your life.  And the best part? Everything is below retail price - you'll never pay full price for fabulous gifts!

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

This past Saturday I had a date night with Christine and Lydia thanks to Marshalls! They sent a gift card to a local restaurant, Outriggers, and a gift card to buy an outfit!  I went shopping a couple weekends ago and narrowed it down to two outfits - see the shopping post here.  On the actual day I decided to go with my leather skirt option...sans tights.  It was a little cold, but definitely worth it for my fun look!

We started off our date by going to the restaurant to take photos before it got too dark. Then we headed to Marshalls which was only 2 minutes from the restaurant to do some shopping. I picked up a fun Christmas bowl, rice cooker and another little bowl while Lydia did some of her Christmas gift shopping!  Then we headed back to the restaurant for our meal, which was delicious!

My two lovely dates for the evening:

Kenar Sweater - $24.99 at Marshalls, compare at $50
Sans Souchi Skirt - $12.99 at Marshalls, compare at $18
Other items: Miu Miu sandals (eBay), Chanel purse,  Skagen watch (Rue La La), vintage & Mom's rings, Gorjana Griffin necklace (c/o), Acanthus 'Gemma' necklace (giveaway),  old necklace and coat from Lydia


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