Lovely snapdragons and such

I know I'm constantly singing the praises of Trader Joe's, but there's a reason for that. One big reason (besides their wonderful pretzel bread) are the gorgeous flowers. Every time I go there, I find a new selection to choose from. I've gotten everything from irises to carnations, and have never been dissatisfied with the quality. Plus the prices are great—these snapdragons were $5.59 per bunch (I have a bunch of white and a bunch of pink here). Most of the flowers run around $5 a bunch, and even the pricier ones, like lilies, are still a deal at $7 and some change per bunch.



And yes, that's this print...



...in the background on my living room wall. I love looking at its pretty colors whenever I walk in the room.



And I just finished placing an order at Michael's for this print (above) to be custom framed as well. It's going to look like this.



It's an odd size and large, so unfortunately I can't just grab a frame and mat off the shelf and do it up nicely.



These lilies were on my display table for over a week, but were starting to lose petals, hence the purchase of the snapdragons. But then I realized there were a few flowers that hadn't opened yet and the lilies had some more life in them, so I just swapped the lilies over to the tv stand, and the snapdragons to the display table.



And of course these mums were on the tv stand, so they had to move upstairs to our bedroom. Pete probably wonders why I've gone so flower crazy, but they're cheap and pretty and I have lots o' vases for them.



But I couldn't resist this pretty iridescent vase from Target. The color in the very first photo in this post is more accurate. It's normally a $40 vase (which I would never spend on a vase like this) but it was marked down to $9.98. Quite a bargain, eh? And the custom framing job on the black and white image was half off. Oh yes, I am forever finding great deals on the clearance shelves at various stores, as well as having become a coupon-weilding fiend!

Capiz Shell Floral Pendant Lamp from Target

I think this pendant lamp from Target is absolutely gorgeous. And I don't think it'd be bad to mix and match modern with traditional in my home—I do it all the time and I don't care. I definitely want to get a chandelier someday for our dining room if we buy this house, so I'm keeping my options open. So very lovely!

Target storage ottoman vs. Crate and Barrel ottoman

I finally found a leather(ette) storage ottoman for Pete's music room. I had seen this one at Target for $79, but hesitated, thinking I'd find something cheaper.



Anyhow, I ended up getting this Crate & Barrel ottoman at the C & B Outlet for a steal. It was originally $149 and marked down to $59, listed as "worn" on the sale tag, but I can't find any wear. But, I don't think it's quite what Pete had in mind.

So when I saw the Target ottoman on sale for $59, I snatched one up.



And look, it's got storage for Pete's music books!



The C & B ottoman can go in our living room for extra seating, for which we are always lacking. And we live in a shoebox, so small and portable is good.



I would love to buy an actual nice, leather ottoman, but a) they're too much money for us to spend right now, and b) it would be mauled and nicked and stained from all our animals and visitors. A friend of mine once said he spends extra money on quality things, so that they last a long time and don't look crappy. But I have trouble spending money on nice furniture because it all gets so beat up in this house. If it's something I can literally lock away, like my china and vintage tea cup collection, then fine, I'll spend some extra cash. But I don't want to have a house of museum-quality furniture that I'm still paying for long after it's beat to death.

Here comes the sun

I gave in. Funny thing is, I had a previous item in my Target online shopping cart from eons ago, so when I went to add the mirror, I had to delete that item (it was laundry-related stuff). When I checked out, I got a $5 discount that had been applied to that old shopping cart. I don't remember what the discount was for, but I think it's so cool that it was still valid after being in my shopping cart for 8+ months. All the more reason that getting the mirror was meant to be.

Thanks, Target.

Add a little sparkle—or a lot

A little as in this Galaxy Wall Mirror from Target. I am in love with this thing and I always stop by to lovingly caress and admire it when I'm in the store, like I was today. The price is reasonable and it's soooo cool. I should just get it over with and buy it. I know I'll cherish it because I still adore the sunburst-like convex mirror I bought from Target a few years ago. (Izzy took this self portrait of herself in it with my iPhone.)



But then I see this online:

And I'm torn as to whether I should buy the petite model or go all out for the huge one. I can just imagine the big one in the spare room, right over the daybed, reflecting all the glorious sunset hues in the afternoon. It would be stunning and so lovely. And there's free shipping available.

I think I've already answered my question.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Cleaning Products

What is it about things smelling so good that put me in an aromatic heaven? Things like Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Cleaning Products. I happened to pick up a bottle of the Lemon Verbena Countertop Spray at Target last week, and I'm hooked. I admit I also ordered some more products that aren't carried at Target, like the Geranium and Baby Blossom scents.

I love love love walking into my house and smelling freshness, not funk. Who wouldn't?

Hunter Red Rain Boots

I admit I'm drooling over these rain boots by Hunter, especially on a rainy day like today. Yes, they're pricey, but they're oh-so-cool and colorful and happy looking. If I could find them cheap, I'd snatch them up in a heartbeat.



And if I pair my boots with the cute umbrellas I recently bought from Target, I can splash in the puddles without worry.

Now I just need a cute raincoat. Hmmm....

A bit of glamour for $5.74 (plus tax)

From Target...can you believe it? (Please excuse my hideous fading pedicure.)

Pretty pencil skirt and slick black boots for an icy Thursday

Ann Taylor Loft wool pencil skirt with velvet trim (from thrift store), Nine West "Exotic" boots bought on clearance at DSW


Closeup of the skirt and velvet trim/bow detail (slip's showing!) and boots, plus the sweater knit tights that I never wear but really should, because they're so pretty (bought them from Target a few years ago)

(Boy, I should really invest some time in some new and different camera angles and outfit shots.)

Booties and boots and pumps, oh my!

First of all, a very warm and heartfelt thanks to all of you who have left your get well wishes for me. I'm very touched, and I must say I have missed visiting and conversing with you all. I am feeling slightly better, and I have some down time, so I thought I'd write a post. I'm trying to get back to my regular schedule of daily blogging (including reading other people's blogs), but I'm still not quite 100% (or even 70%), but I'm better. I do really miss working out and being active, but I must take it easy to get over this stupid cold. But anyway, thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Anyhow, I had really wanted to share my spoils with you from this weekend, but couldn't due to illness. So I'll start with the footwear. Yes, shoes! Are you surprised? Then you don't know me very well, ha ha.

Back to the shoes...First, my niece Isabelle and I headed to Target on Friday night to get some groceries and such. When we were almost done with the food shopping, she asked me if I was not going to walk through the shoe aisle. I laughed and said, "Seriously, Iz, do you think I would not look at all the beautiful shoes while I'm here? Ha!" Once in the shoe department, we had fun trying on various shoes and doing little shoe parades for each other in the aisles. Then I rounded the corner and saw these funky Sigerson Morrison for Target booties on the clearance rack, the last pair in my size, and just begging for me to try them on.



So I did, and it was instant love. And they were marked down quite a bit, so I figured I'd take them home with me, introduce them to the others, you know...make them part of my collection.

Then I had a salon appointment at Ulta in Naperville on Saturday (for a long overdue haircut), which was conveniently located next to DSW. So of course I had to stop by. Isabelle was again in tow, and she marveled at all the beautiful shoes on display as we roamed the aisles. I was on a mission, and I could focus on nothing else.

I was on the prowl for the perfect high shaft boot, which, alas, I did not find. Not that there wen't tons of kickin' boots to choose from. Oh, no no no. The problem was I couldn't fit my chunky calves into the shafts of 99% of the boots. This doesn't just seem to be my problem, however. I've heard from numerous women—even small, petite, skinny women—how they have difficulty fitting into most boots, and they tend to be on the snug side (if they're able to zip them up at all). This was my problem, and it was very discouraging. And while I'm trying to shake off those 20 pounds, which will help (I've already lost a few), I will never be one of those women whose boots are gaping and slouching all the time.

So I had run the gamut of boots and nothing was fitting right. I had just about called it a day when I remembered to check out the clearance shoes, which I normally do first. I scanned the shelves and wasn't finding too much. Then I reached the end of the last aisle and looked down, and lo and behold, there was a pair of CL by Laundry black boots!



I couldn't believe it. The papers were still stuffed inside them, so I wasn't quite sure why they were on clearance. I looked them over and they seemed okay, but I figured they wouldn't fit. But I couldn't resist trying. So I tugged them on, pulled up the zipper, and...they fit. They fit! Yes, they were rather snug, but again, I'm getting in shape and losing weight, so that should get better in the next several weeks and months (still in time to wear during winter/early spring). Isabelle happily approved of my selection, and I practically hugged them to me like a baby, in case someone tried to snatch my treasure away from me.

That was such a find, I was glowing for the rest of the afternoon. I also snagged this wallet.



Which was a welcome relief, since mine has been falling apart for the last year or so now. The only problem is it wants to pop open all the time (too many cards, not enough cash). But I figure I can stick some slim magnets inside the metal bars so that there is extra holding power when the wallet closes. That'll be my project this weekend.

Then Izzy and I were off to the mall to search for that ever-elusive black A-line skirt. We went from store to store but didn't have much luck finding anything. So after an hour or so of fruitless searching, I spied a Payless store right outside the JCPenney store entrance, and we bee lined right for the size 8 aisle. And of course the first thing my eyes landed on were these lovely orange wool Lela Rose for Payless D'Orsay pumps, complete with bows.



I have seen them every time I go to Payless, but never bought them, thinking they don't match with too much and that I can't justify buying them. But has that ever stopped me? Of course not. And they actually do go with quite a few colors: brown, tan, cream, white, even black (although that starts to look very Halloween-ish to me). And they were finally on sale, so I couldn't pass them up.

After that purchase, we decided to call it a day. Aunt Chris had spent enough money on herself, and we were tired. So we headed home to look at fashion blogs and eat ice cream (well, Izzy did, anyhow). After a soothing cup of chamomile tea, we called it a night.

Next up: My spoils from a jaunt at Goodwill!

Sweet turquoise for a dreary Friday

These were my shoe of choice yesterday. Not a great shoe for fitness walking, as I found out during our afternoon break, but what high heel is? Anyhow, they were delightful the rest of the day, I can assure you. Lately I am finding myself wearing heels on Casual Fridays. Why? Perhaps to put a smile on my face, to make me feel more put together (which I haven't felt lately), and of course to wear pretty shoes!

If you like these, why not get a pair for yourself? They're on clearance right now at Target (although apparently only in the stores and not online, judging from these prices). Get 'em before they're gone, because they are already one of my favorite of mary janes, and I'm sure they'll be yours, too. Oh, and I have them in sunny yellow, too.

Feelin' frisky in leopard print?

Hardly. I wore them today cuz they're comfy and cute, and that's about it. I wasn't feeling super wonderful today, but I sure did enjoy looking at my feet from time to time. Got these at Target last summer but they're long gone now. Just a furry memory.

Today I feel...

Stressed? Indifferent? Bored? Fabulous, perhaps?

I love this vintage-looking mood-o-meter magnet I got from Target a few months ago. Every time I see it I have to laugh, unless of course I'm in one of the darker moods depicted. I have one magnet at home and one at work, so I'm always conveying to people what mood I'm in. And they're fun and super easy to use. Just slide the little "Today I feel..." frame over the photo of the woman that best resembles your mood for the day. I find that mine is often over the "Stressed" woman, especially while I'm at work, although it has also been over "Chatty", "Indifferent", "Bitchy" (that one seems to occur monthly), and, rarely, "Ecstatic" (while we were on our honeymoon). I wish I could offer you a link for purchase, but it no longer seems to be available for sale at Target. How does that make me feel? Hmmm...

Toasty warm coats from Target

I think I'm loving these bold and colorful coats from Target this season. Swingy shapes and mod detailing like big buttons and upturned collars give the collection a young and playful look. Now that we have officially had snow flurries in the Chicago area (say it ain't so!), my thoughts turn to something warm and functional, yet stylish and fun. I like the vivid colors and flattering cuts, and the prices are pretty reasonable, too. Now I just have to work up the nerve to dash outside in the cold to go coat shopping at Target!