Shopping and Raviolis~

My weekend went much like expected and there was many things to smile at. On Saturday my boutique sale ended up being a pay to get in event so I headed to the Rack in hopes of finding some fabulous pieces to fill my shopping void. You never know when that perfect Diane Von Furstenberg dress for you can be found at discount. One can hope. When I headed home against the crazy abnormal but fun wind, that felt like a tunnel of spin, I had a bright blue Nordstrom Rack bag filled with stacked pointed black patent heels (A new little known house brand called StarLing- worn and refurbished), stacked red patent round toe shoes with a cork heel (you don't want to know who they are buy- she sings country now and her shoes are a guilty pleasure), and silver bullet looking Nikes to encourage my new workout groove. Mission accomplished! Being that I was in downtown Seattle, I thought a quick lunch in the market would be great but was met with lines of tourists, and headed back to my car empty handed. A emergency stop off at Metropolitan Foods for sushi happened on the way home because of my faint head. Sometime between starting my day at the gym and lounging watching a UFC match with a favorite new fight(Forrest) on Saturday, I also stopped by Archie McPhee in Ballard, and was a little disappointed. I couldn't really pinpoint what I expected the Seattle landmark store to be but was let down all the same. So much hype! I did discover that it would be a handy place for adding randoms to a Halloween costume. I am all sorts of excited about Halloween this year. I even kicked off my weekend with a quick trip to Target where I purchased a silver and black cobweb table runner that now serves as the center to my Halloween table scape. When you grow up not really celebrating Halloween it is fun to participate as an adult.

On Sundays I am usually always found at one time or another wandering the Ballard Market. On this weekend's trip, with Pumpkin Ravioli recipe in hand, I was lucky enough to find Sage at the only booth in the market offering it. Score*I also picked up a Pear from a small fruit stand from Cashmere. It had one smiling person working at it and it was fun to interact with him. I purchased the Pear to fulfill my lunch of pancakes with pears and an egg attempt. I came with the idea in the car after mentally combing my cupboard for lunch ideas without much needed purchase. As I anticipated, the pears were a perfect addition to my heart healthy pancakes and my egg was overcooked. I attempted to make an egg over easy and got egg over hard. Next time I will let it only be on the flipped side for 1 minute vs. 2-3 minutes. On a bright note the sage I picked up was the perfect addition to my sauce for the raviolis. I quartered the sauce so to only have as much as I needed, and found that it kept its consistency and was able to be reheated without solidifying or burning. I also added more peas then called for and found they paired nicely with the other taste elements. Fyi* I started the sauce about 3/4th of the way though cooking the raviolis since the recipe called for them to be cooked individually. I made 6 raviolis in totally for dinner that night and felt very full on that portion. The remainder of the filling I stored in Tupperware for version two this week. Upon seeing the results I decided that version two would be triangle style ravioli with a reduction in filling and only one won ton per pasta piece.

I also must note that on Sunday before my Pumpkin Ravioli dinner, I also browsed shops along Ballard Ave. when I stopped by the market. I love the vibe of Ballard on Sundays and it seemed like the perfect time to pop into little shops that are somewhat intimidation when there are not lots of people and business around. I was pleasantly surprised. I found-
Damslfly- a cute shop with clothing, baby items, purses, and knick-knacks
Camelion Design- an interiors store with great candles and ideas
There were a few others, but I was having so much fun smelling new candles for a me scent and looking at housewares to write their names down.

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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!