Look what came home with me!

I love my Ben. Yes, he went to the mall with me. And because of him, look what I came home with!

You see, we have always talked about a vacation in Italy. In September, we are going to make it happen! Details are not ironed out yet, but we are going!

Ben decided I needed this hat. It would go so well with a morning espresso. It would be beautiful with an afternoon glass of wine at a streetside cafe. It would keep me shaded on the beach while I gaze at the Mediterranean.

I did go to Sephora, and I got my hair goop. I also picked up a blue liquid eye liner. Just because.

We went to William Sonoma. I bought chocolate to make cookies tomorrow. Ben's coworkers will be the recipients. I also bought San Marzano tomatoes, of which Creamy Tomato Soup will be the recipient, and eventually I will. Good stuff.

We bought a knife sharpener too. All that chopping requires sharp knives!

I tried on shoes. They were amazing. I talked more about why I have not bought shoes since August 12, 2009. I am going to Italy this year. It is worth it. Really. But, damn, these shoes were cute.

Thanks for checking in!

xo

Kel

I bought something!

No worries! Just wanted to make you panic - a little!

I bought a new camera last night. I will be going on vacation next week and spending time in Seattle with my boys, and really wanted a new camera to take with me. I am so excited!

This by no means implies that the Art Director has lot his job. I am not good at self-portraits, as evidenced by this picture. My son Alex calls this type of picture a "myspace photo". Everything is rather out of proportion, but I thought this was a fun picture of the Art Director and I!

I am also sharing a shot of the shoes I wore yesterday. These are from the Betseyville line...they are the little sister, less expensive line to the Betsey Johnson brand. Someone at work asked me if they were new...um, no! I got them 2 years ago on a trip to Nordstroms. They called out to me! I remember making the purchase. I did not wear them for about 2 weeks, thinking I would take them back. It was a total emotional purchase. They are not the most comfortable shoes in the world, but darn it, I get compliments when I wear them!

Today's goals are to get laundry done, figure out what I am taking on vacation, and finally make the spinach and lemon orzo soup I talked about last week. (Yes, that was last week, as in the last time that I posted anything on the blog. I know, bad blogger!) I will also be venturing to the mall, and the mecca of cosmetic stores - Sephora. I am out of my favorite hair goop, so it is a must! I will meander in and out of the clothing stores, if only to get inspiration on how to put outfits together.

Spring, like September back to school time, is a time when I really WANT to buy new clothes. It pains me to not do so! Target has a beautiful line out right now called Liberty of London. I encourage you to check it out. It has been blowing out of the stores; it is fun, flirty and fanciful! I tell you that not only because I work at le Target (french pronunciation please) but because the stuff is damned adorable. Don't believe me? Check this out! $29.99 people! I have seen this dress in person, and would have bought it...if only...sigh...

5 more months...I can do it!

Okay, off to the showers as I just got back from a run..and really am just procrastinating at the moment...maybe a snack first though!

Thanks for checking in!

xo

Kel

Weekend activities!

Hello All!

Sitting here on a Saturday night. Ben is helping a friend with some video work, so it is me, the couch and the computer. I am actually happy to be doing this. Wish Ben was by my side, but I am quite comfortable waiting for him.

I love that it has been almost 2 years together and I still miss him when he is not with me.

Today we took a nice run. There is still a little nip in the air, but I no longer have to bundle up like a ninja.

While we were out, I spotted this little "wooly bear" caterpillar. I don't know if that is the real name for them, but that is what we called them growing up.

I looked at Ben and said "Spring is Coming!" He was perhaps a little startled, because I said it not in my voice, but the voice I would use to mimic my mother.

I remember fondly the first signs of spring; my mom would go to my Dad, give him a big squeeze and say "Spring is Coming!" in this high pitched, joy-filled voice. He would look at her like she was a bit touched much as Ben looked at me today. I think I inherited her love of the spring season. We are not winter people!

After, I took a quick shower, and we headed to the grocery store. Now, I know I am crazy, but I love my trips to the grocery store, I love that it is my opportunity to find yet another healthy food that I have not tried before.

A recent food I tried, thanks to my friend Lynn of The Country Tart , is Chia seeds. I have seen them on numerous food blogs, and decided to try them myself. I ordered them from th website Lynn has recommended at Shiloh Farms. I also ordered French Lentils, Buckwheat Groats, Quinoa Flakes, Adzuki beans, and they also sent me a free sample of Dried Organic blueberries. The chia seeds were great in oats, as well as in Greek Yogurt with honey and dried blueberries. Delicious!

The quinoa flakes? Sorry to all quinoa lovers out there, but I just don't like it! I have made several attempts with quinoa. I am just not a fan.

Tonight I am looking forward to a treat of Popcorn with browned butter, rosemary and lemon. Here is the recipe. I am going to air pop the popcorn instead of pop on the stove.

Tomorrow's recipes are french lentil bulgur salad, homemade granola, a poached chicken and the ultimate treat food, chocolate brownies. I am trying out this brownie recipe. I will try it and send the rest of them to work with Ben!

I also have been dying to make this soup recipe and I think tomorrow is the day!

As for fashion news, I am in the runway show at work on Tuesday. I cannot say much about it, other than it is going to be high energy and fun! I hope to have at least one iPhone picture to share! Ben is not allowed to be there, so I can't have my photographer with me!

Thanks for checking in!

xo

Kel

On the Edge

There are times like yesterday when you get dressed that you know it all works.

There are times, like today, that you are hoping you are not the what was she thinking spokesperson.

You know you have thought it; you see someone, and in your head you ask what was she thinking?

An outfit that starts cute can go horrible wrong. Perhaps something you thought was cute just doesn't work.

My first issue today was that I was breaking our company dress code. Leggings are not allowed. But, I thought if I wore them more like tights I could get away with it! No one sent me home, so I guess it worked.

The part that scared me in wearing them like tights is that this jacket is clearly a jacket in person. It is definitely not a dress. I didn't want people to ask what was she thinking believing that I had left the house without pants!

Whatever people thought, they kept the thoughts to themselves. Women looked, men did too, but I saw no quizzical looks!

This jacket was my Christmas gift from Ben.

The leggings - I have no idea where or when I got them. I know they are not the pair I own from Target. Those are easily identified by the brand tag. I must have picked these up in a boutique somewhere; the material is amazing. It is thick without being heavy. It is opaque without being thick. Does that make any sense? I didn't think so!

Thanks for checking in!

xo

Kel

Sometimes you know when you look good...

And you can tell by the look in your man's eyes :).

I get dressed in the morning, and come downstairs. What I am going to wear is always a surprise to Ben. When he looks at me and pauses, just for a moment, and then says "wow!" I know it is good.

When I put on the shoes I am going to wear, and he says "you know, you are a pretty girl" I know he means it.

He had never seen this dress before! I have had it for almost 3 years. I purchased it on eBay, when I was doing a LOT of eBay purchasing. I was new to it, and it is a little addicting. When I won the bid, I would get so excited!

This dress is a Laundry by Sheli Segal. I really have to agree with Ben. This does look good on me! This is my favorite shape. I love a scoop neck best. I love a figure skimming dress. I love a neutral black dress that I can spice up with a wilder pair of shoes.

Funny that the brand is called Laundry. I literally had forgotten all about it; it was tucked away in the dry cleaning pile! It was cleaned and brought out for you today.

These are Nine West shoes. They are almost 4 years old. I recall seeing a woman at work with these shoes. I went up to this perfect stranger and asked "where did you get those shoes?" She was kind enough to tell me that she had gotten them at Herbergers. I went to Herbergers that night and bought them! They are fun, and actually quite comfortable!

I know you have not been able to vote for a while, but I can't bring it back today! I loved this too much!

Thanks for checking in!

xo

Kel

I Loved this Hat!

But I did not buy it!

Just a quick hello. Yesterday was all about the food. Today I thought I would share some fashion talk!

Ben and I went out to dinner Friday night at a local mall. Dinner and a cocktail, more precisely. :)

I was not ready to head right home, so I dragged walked with Ben from store to store. He is so patient!

I tried in a sexy leopard dress at Cache. No chance of purchasing as that sucker was not going to zip. I really have a wide rib cage area. It makes it hard to fit sometimes!

Then we headed to the Mother ship: JCrew. I am happy to report the JCrew credit card is almost paid off! Not shopping since August has helped!

Ben had me try on this hat. it is honestly the only item I can say I would have left with were I buying. Isn't it cute! It would be great for sitting on a beach somewhere with a cocktail in my hand...

I tried on quite a few things, but nothing wowed me. That is a good thing!

Headed upstairs to make the bed. Today was a good cleaning day!

Have a great night!

Thanks for checking in!

Saturday and I am in lock down!

I can't leave the house today. I am on call for work, and need to be near my computer if I am needed.

It is a beautiful day and would have been a great day to run. Sigh.

So, when stuck in the house all day, what does one do? Bake and cook of course!

I really am not upset at the prospect of staying in all day. I am unshowered. I am in sweats. I will be staying that way all day. Poor Ben!

I just sent Ben to the grocery store with the list of essentials for my day. So, what's cooking you ask?

I have some northern beans soaking to cook up later. They will be used in lunches for the week.

I will poach a chicken. So easy...rinse a whole chicken. Roughly chop an onion. Peel and chop a couple of carrots. Chop a couple of stalks of celery. It doesn't have to be a perfect dice, just get them all in a pot that you have heated some olive oil. Saute the veggies until translucent. Put your whole chicken in the pot. Cover with cold water. If you have the time, throw in some thyme. (Ha - sorry - could not resist!) I also like a bay leaf or two. No salt, but pepper is good. I like it no sodium.

Cook until done. I say done, because I have never actually timed it. I know when it is done, I can tug on the drumstick and the bone literally slides out!

Let the whole thing cool down. Remove the chicken, then discard the skin and bones and now you have plenty of chicken for the week.

Strain the veggies from the stock, and you now have amazing sodium free chicken stock.

Refrigerate it overnight, and scrape the fat off the top in the morning. You can then freeze it.

For dinner tonight I am making this potato chowder recipe.

151 calories before you add the bacon and cheese garnish! Not bad if you ask me!

And the big task for the day? This chocolate chip cookie recipe. The dough needs to sit for 24-36 hours for the best cookie! It is a little spin off of the New York times Jacque Pepin recipe using brown butter. Oh are my co-workers in trouble come Monday! Ben's too...they had oatmeal raisin and browned butter chocolate chip cookies this week...

I hope your day is productive, and that you can leave the house...

Oh yeah, the picture? Not one of my faves ever taken of me...the exhaustion is taking it's toll...

The sweater is a 4 year old one from Target.

The skirt is a Banana Republic wool pencil skirt.

The shoes Betsey Johnson.

All from Thursday.

I promise, while you have not seen the pictures, there have been no repeats!

Thanks for checking in.

xo

Kel