{30 Days of Fashion}: Day 7

January 7th, 2011:

Dress; Forever 21
Lace tank; Marshalls
Footless tights; Target
Flats; Target
Heart earrings; Forever 21

Some chilly weather rolled back into South Florida this weekend, so I was able to break out the tights once more. When I walked out the door, I realized that it was a bit chillier than anticipated so I paired the outfit with a jean jacket from Old Navy that just happened to be in my car’s backseat. I love this floral dress because it has that sexy secretary vibe – it’s low cut, but has a classic silhouette. I usually wear the dress sans under tank, but for the office, I had to cover up. The full skirt made me feel Friday-appropriate: fun, flirty and playful!

{30 Days of Fashion}: Day 6

January 6th, 2011

Sweater tunic; Forever 21
Jeggings; Nordstrom Rack
Striped Wedges; H&M

Yeah, I rock jeggings. And what?
I really don’t understand all the hate surrounding jeggings. I love my pair so much, I went out and got another a month later just so I am always stocked. I think they are a great alternative to skinny jeans, if you are looking for comfort and they look spectacular with tunic tops when paired with heels like I did yesterday.

I adore the vibrant color of this sweater top, and although you can’t see it in the photos, it has this punk-y exposed zipper all along the back. Bad assery. Finally, I really love wedges, but am I the only one that struggles to keep them on? My feet always slip out the back of all my pairs to the point that I walk funny while I’m wearing them because I have to make sure my toes are gripped to the edge. This pair is no different, but I could not help myself. Look how cute they are!

ps; it’s really time for us to put away our Christmas tree, dontcha think? ;)

{30 Days of Fashion}: Day 5

January 5th, 2011

Dress; Necessary Objects found at Marshalls
Cardigan; Old Navy
Sandals; Enzo Angiolini found at Nordstrom Rack

I’m sure all you northerners are totally hating on me right now, as I was able to wear a sleeveless dress, without tights and paired with sandals. Welcome to Miami, my friends. Despite having multiple icy cold fronts during the holidays, we are right back to our muggy, humid selves…and it feels so good (that was sarcasm). I scored this dress on the clearance rack at Marshall’s for $10 – I guess people weren’t really feeling the whole pregnant sack vibe, but I think it’s absolutely perfect for work. It’s super comfortable, but I still look “put together.” So don’t abandon those clearance racks, ladies! I’ve found so many gems, I can’t even begin!

Also, check out my new rockin’ do. I got my hair cut (barely) and colored. I decided to go more blonde because I was feeling a little spunky and ready for 2011 to bring me some more fun. I must have done something right because my car finally got fixed today! I will no longer be a damsel in distress!

Until the next outfit…

Culinary Adventures

In an attempt to keep myself motivated in the kitchen, I decided to document what I’ve been concocting here with you all. Hope this plan works out and that I continue to feel as excited about learning how to cook, even if it may seem basic to all of you out there in the blogosphere. I literally started only being able to cook rice…in a rice cooker. My feelings towards being in the kitchen and putting together meals has already changed drastically in only a couple of weeks. I find myself actually having a good time, although, in turn I also have noticed that I can get pretty down on myself when I make mistakes. I have to remind myself that mistakes are bound to happen, especially when I’m still at such a rookie level, but my fear of failure gets the best of me at times.

Last week, I found a recipe for penne with corn and brown butter. It seemed simple enough for a beginner like me to try to tackle so I excitedly went to the grocery store to pick up any ingredients I didn’t have at home. One big gripe I have had so far? There always seems to be one especially annoying ingredient that I cannot find at the grocery store. It is beyond irritating. This time? Oregano leaves. I decided to leave them out of the recipe, which ended up being a bad decision. It was a little bland, but I was proud of myself for browning the butter all by myself. Of course, I was obsessively stirring the butter in complete and utter fright, fearing that I would manage to burn my entire kitchen down, but all was good. I may have been a little too safe, as the hubs told me I could have left it in the pan longer, giving it an even nut-ier taste. However, good news was that I cooked the corn perfectly and no one was poisoned! I paired it with a ready-made organic butternut squash soup and was happy.

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{30 Days of Fashion}: Day 4

January 4th, 2011

Top; Forever 21
Cardigan; Forever 21
High-waisted skirt; American Apparel
Ruffled flats; Kenneth Cole Reaction found at Loehmann’s
Hoop Earrings; Old Navy
Headband; Wet Seal
Watch; Crow

I love me a good high-waisted skirt. Why? Well, it shows off the smallest part of my body and both works for office and play-time. After a very rough Monday, I decided to liven my mood through fashion! I paired the denim-styled skirt with another punch of red (seems to be my color this year, I guess) through an adorable floral top and fun cropped cardigan. I also continued the whimsy with ruffly flats and a sweet little headband to tame my too-long bangs. Although my outfit couldn’t have been cuter, I had another rough day fraught with yet more car troubles. Apparently, my car is not a fan of 2011. But no worries, I’ll whip that bitch into shape.

Luckily, later that night, I was rewarded with a haircut and color (isn’t it the best therapy???), so look out for my new look in tomorrow’s blog post!

{30 Days of Fashion}: Day 3

January 3, 2011

Top; Target
Pants; Forever21
Flats; Target
Cardigan; Old Navy
Apple earrings; Pink Ghost

The first day back at work is always a little painful after a long holiday weekend, so I decided to throw a bright splash of color into my outfit to combat those Monday blues. Every girl should have a pair of super comfy flats, and these from Target are mine! I have worn them to death – I’m actually surprised they aren’t covered in holes by now. My only gripe is that I don’t have an go-to pair in black. I also love adding a little subtle whimsy to my work outfits, just to showcase my personality a bit. This morning it was in the form of a sweet pair of apple earrings from the awesome people of Pink Ghost. I definitely recommend checking out their website – they have a great sale going on right now consisting of accessories, vinyl toys, collectibles and more!

Hope your Monday back to the grind was more successful than mine! I started my morning having to deal with a lot of negativity in the office, followed by my car breaking down again causing me to miss my first spinning class. Here’s hoping the week improves from here on out!

Weekend Highlights

I always look forward to New Year’s after the hecticness of the holidays – it’s like my final and best Christmas present. We don’t have any traditions for NYE, only to spend it having a great time with our closest friends. Last year it was at our place, but I just wasn’t up for it this year with all our holiday spendings, however, we were lucky enough to be invited to a friend’s parent’s big blowout party at their gorgeous home in Cocoplum.

I had a great time with the most special people in our lives right now. I felt very lucky to be able to ring in the year with them all. Plus, the spread was amazing! Such a beautiful home complete with a mini champagne-filled fountain, delicious food, open bar and painter illustrating the entire landscape. See? Amazing.

Unfortunately, I wish I would have taken it easy with the shots – I’m not used to drinking hard liquor anymore since I have been in a pretty committed relationship with beer for the past couple of years. But, it could have been a whole lot worse. My only main gripe was that it put me out of commission all of New Years Day. Boo!

Now that all this partying is over and done with, I’m going back on a strict-ish diet (c’mon, this girl loves food too much) and hitting the gym to take up spinning. This extra holiday poundage is not cool.

How was your NYE?

{30 Days of Fashion}: Day 2

January 2, 2011

Tank; Old Navy
Jeans; Gap Curvy
Watch; Crow
Guitar Pick earrings; gifted
Flippy floppies; Old Navy

Having a productive Sunday after a pretty lazy first day of the year. We had to take my car in for service after it pooped out New Year’s Eve, started cleaning out our closets and finally got around to unpacking those final boxes (7 months after our official move). I have a very long list of to do’s for the house this year and am determined to get them all done by the end of 2011! For these reasons, I had to dress as comfy as I could. I can’t recommend Gap’s Curvy line any more for fellow large hipped ladies. They are wonderful! I always have a very hard time finding a pair of jeans to fit my body type since I have a very narrow waist, but wide hips and thick legs. These jeans always fit me like a dream come true. Plus, they are usually on sale – bonus!

ps; isn’t my house cute? I’m still so in love with it.

{30 Days of Fashion}: Day 1

Welcome to the first day of a new feature on Melificent: 30 Days of Fashion.
I’ll be posting my outfit for the next 30 days and breaking down where I got what.
I hope it can challenge me to really think of fun & creative combinations
as well as push me to look my best every day.

January 1st, 2011

Top; Old Navy
Skinny jeans; Forever 21
Pumps; Jessica Simpson
Flower earrings; Forever 21
Silver bangles; Forever 21

ps; big thank you to my hubs, RGBmonster, for agreeing to be my “photo bitch” for this project!

Wishes for 2011

Credit: weheartit.com

Before listing my New Years wishes for the upcoming year, I’d like to revisit last year’s list because upon reading it last night, I realized that for once in history, almost all my wishes came true. Again, reasons I prefer to say wishes rather than resolutions. They represent something positive, something magical, rather than something that is seen more as a chore than a goal.

1. Continue “working on my fitness.” Do not get lazy. Both the hubs and I worked steadily with our personal trainer until last month, when we decided to terminate mainly due to finances. We have still remained very active and hope to continue to do so.
2. Own a house. Love it. Make it yours. We closed on our very first home in March of 2010.
3. Find something that makes you happy. This is the only wish that I continue to search for, but as I’ve said, I believe it will finally come true in 2011.
4. Raise more money for Autism Speaks than in 2008. I was able to raise over $1000 dollars for the cause and hope to do so again in 2011.
5. Make this blog a priority. Strive to be creative, inspiring & interesting. This blog has been my driving force in 2010, it’s what keeps me going in my darkest hours. And I only seeing it continue to grow and mature into something so much more in the next year.
6. Learn more recipes. I have been actively trying to cook and learn about the kitchen weekly. The new Cooking Channel has really helped inspire me.
7. Just learn more. Period. Although I feel as if I am losing more and more brain power as the years go by, I can also say I learn something new every day. Minor things, silly things, but every day is a new chance to grow.
8. Love without boundaries. I have practiced this every day and the results have been astonishing. My life is filled with so much love.
9. See Muse live. I saw Muse in Anaheim, CA in September. I don’t think I’ve ever been the same.
10. Have more adventures: big or small. 2010 was the year of the adventure.
11. Continue making memories worth remembering for a lifetime. I will remember so many beautiful moments in 2010, and hope to make just as many more in 2011.
12. Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I didn’t just visit it once, but twice! And the first time was grand opening day (see? MOMENTS and ADVENTURES).

But all this is old news, let’s get to the good stuff.
My wishes for the new year, for the much anticipated 2011:

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