Inspiration

I hate feeling bad when walking around fashion stores. Being that fashion is a passion of mine it is bound to happen. I know I can not afford a Chanel piece or a Trink Turk dress not matter how I try and work it- even when I find it for 75% off at Nordstrom Rack- and this does make me frustrated. Just recently, I picked up a Chanel jacket- looked at the stitching, lulled over the craftsmanship, put into check my desired and need to purchase such a great piece at such a steal price, and put it back down. I don't think I had ever touched a Chanel jacket before. Heartbreaking... foregoing a passion is hard.

Luckily, when I am in a good frame of mind I am constantly redirecting my thoughts when this happens, and turning these browsing encounters into inspiration trips. I look for what is out there- decided if I like it, how to emulate it, how I can make it my own, and how I can recreate it a lower price point- but still wear quality. It can be hard to do sometimes. I will admit that Target and sales are my best friends on this endeavour. Before I share some current inspirations- I must admit my look is all over the place. For example, I was once told by a co-worker that I reminded her of Kendra Wilkinson from Girls Next Door (a show I think is campy cute but does not dictate what I think of as beauty) because I was wearing a hoodie, little boys Nike skater shoes, tight jeans, and an ever so present blond bang bouffant pull back. On another day you can find me traveling through Belltown or Ballard in cream luxury alligator print heels, crisp dress pants, and an Ella Moss top. On another occasion I am in a Becca Rory outgoing sunflower yellow silk shift dress with a ruffle down the middle being told I am "sunshine" by a extremely kind homeless person in Seattle. I think that whenever a person puts a smile on another's face that it shows they are kind*. Basically, I can't predict my wardrobe any more than anyone else does. My closet is jam packed and like most people consumed with fashion I claim I have nothing to wear. On a recent browse through a outdoor shopping center, with places to stop and take in the city, I realized that I know what I like, regarding fashion, when I see it- but I really would have to think hard of what designers I like by name. In one store, Mercer, names started popping into my head so I paused to write them down- happy that was able to put communicate what this passion of mine knows. These names where the first to come to me- Phillip Lim, Diane Von Furstenberg, Trina Turk, Corey Lynn Carter, Marc Jacobs ( sometimes :) ), and Zac Posen.

Spring Ready-to-Wear just showed in New York. Every time fashion is in the news I get excited. I have learned that Style.com (owned by Vogue) is a good place to pretend that I made it to New York for every show. I jumped on Style today to see what my just identified designers did for the season. What fun* I am inspired even more now to kick my own tush to achieve the best me physically. I have been trying to put off buying clothes for two reasons- I own a lot of fabulous pieces that don't fit me right now and because I do not need to by clothes to fit the body I have at present. Hopefully I am at a place that will soon be over. Workouts- here I come!

These are a snapshot of what I found that caught my eye the most- they speak volumes of the trends that are coming (this way I know what to snag in fashion sleepy Seattle on sale and at Target before others pick up on it!)~

3.1 Phillip Lim Diane Von Furstenberg

Phillip Lim Diane Von Furstenberg

Phillip Lim Diane Von Furstenberg

Diane Von Furstenberg Marc Jacobs

Diane Von Furstenberg Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Zac Posen

Zac Posen

Zac Posen

Things I noticed- Ruffles, emphasis on waist (yes-please!), soft colors and jewel tones, lots of fabric, and statement accents like necklaces and head dresses. Plus- Marc really loves the early 1900's! I am going to use all this flashes of color and construction and keep my eyes open wide. I think that in the last couple of days I have rediscovered a deeper passion for something that is important to me. Fashion has always been a part of me but... I have never let myself think of it as my art or an intrinsic part of me. I am now letting it sink in deeper that it is my creativity- just like cooking. I am sure there is many more browsing and maybe shopping trips ahead for me. I have found the best ones happened unplanned.

Just for fun~ I did pick this up last weekend at Anthropologie for $19.95 discounted from $88. It fits perfectly on the bust and it is a can be a winter cold green or a summer pastel. Layers make it work!

Sugar High Friday~

Since I am starting to bake more I have decided to participate in Sugar High Friday. It is September 26th- and it is a day to celebrate cupcakes. Cupcakes have been making a comeback lately. My beloved Trophy Cupcakes, a huge weakness right now, was just featured on Martha Stewart where they introduced thier S'mores Cupcakes to the world. I am still in decision mode for what I am making Friday. This Friday I will be doning my girly birthday present apron and getting my kitchen aid dirty. I am leaning towards remaking black bottom cupcakes with a twist- maybe a strawberry cheesecake version? We will see. So I don't eat them all I think I will be making a trip to the Grandparent's on Saturday with treat- or so I tell myself*

The cold weather inspired my good homemade dinner~

Last night I was prepared to put something frozen in the microwave and heat it up for dinner. Not the best- I know* I have been making an effort lately to eat what I have- trying to save money so I can go out and explore. I starting browsing my cupboards in my mind. Fueled by my recent need to start baking again I settled on making chili and cornbread. Because I have this crazy need to make most things lean I picked up the computer to find a recipe for cornbread that was at least cut in calories. I searched myrecipes.com, allrecipes.com, Taste of Home, etc. I really did not have any luck. I even used my effective searching techniques. I guess the cooking world does not want lean cornbread. There was one recipe in Cooking Light, but it only had 3 out of 5 stars. Since I found nothing else, I looked at the reviews- which stated lack of flavor and decided to go for it anyway.

Southern Cornbread

1-cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup yellow cornmeal

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1-cup skim milk

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 egg, lightly beaten

Vegetable cooking spray

Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine milk, oil, and egg; stir well. Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.Spoon batter into an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes or until done. Cool 5 minutes in pan on a wire rack.

Yield: 9 servings

CALORIES 145 (0.0% from fat); FAT 4g (sat 0.0g,mono 0.0g,poly 0.0g); IRON 1.2mg; CHOLESTEROL 24mg; CALCIUM 78mg; CARBOHYDRATE 23g; SODIUM 217mg; PROTEIN 3.9g; FIBER 0.9g Cooking Light, JANUARY 1997

I found it beyond easy to make. Minutes were all that was required and 20 minutes to bake. No fancy equipment needed- I didn’t have to whip out my birthday gift kitchen aid to do this endeavor. *Be aware that the full 20minutes is needed even if the toothpick came out clean. When I took mine out early and cut it open there was still a dense raw section close to the top by the steam vent. I decided that bread was light and tasty. It is great right out of the oven. Maybe my taste buds are different or I have never had the “real” homemade cornbread, but it was a quick addition to a cold weather meal. I liked it and discovered that it tastes great with my favorite Brummle & Brown on it! Give it a try*