byhillary

Thursday Jan 28th 2012

2012-02-01T10:10:00.001-05:00

You may of noticed I have been posting last weeks photos. They might not be on the day but I did take a photo every single day last week. I haven't done that in forever. Not putting so much pressure on it made it easier.

That said I HATE my bangs in these pictures. eh. oh well. I love the sweater.

Sweater Old Navy

Chambray shirt Lands End Canvas. Bought with free gift card from Lucky.

Jeans Seven for all Mankind

Danskos

I am wearing the same shoes and jeans combo I wear CONSTANTLY yet today I feel I look wicked short. Shows how warped our own senses can be. I wore them yesterday and didn't feel short at all.

It isn't my current style at all. But it is something I would of adored if I had seen someone else where it.... Which I did. I saw it at the store and loved it. Tried it on and said "it really isn't my style at all" then Dave's sister was in the newspaper wearing it and I said OHHHH but I love it. When it went on sale for $3 at Old Navy I got it.

I needed sweaters and I broke my own rule of only buy something you LOVE AND can think of three ways to wear. I do love it but I don't know how to wear it honestly. It was $3 though and it is warm.... and I am always cold...

I hope she doesn't mind if I post this. I did pull it off the internet...

I swear in person we don't look alike. Well she does look exactly like her brother but cuter and I have been with him for almost 16 years so I guess we are in that "weird couple that starts to look alike" territory? She is tall(taller than me), very slender, super althletic. And kinda awesome. I promise to text before we see each other next week and coordinate who gets to wear it.

Dave's whole family is cute.

Smile gives me away as the non related one huh? ha.

Pinterest VS. Reality Volume 2

2012-01-31T08:19:00.000-05:00

For Volume 2 of Pinterest VS reality I present Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese.

Again we had to adapt it to gluten free. Lets be honest even the best GF bread is never going to taste like real bread. It just doesn't react the same when you cook and grill it. That said UDI'S is amazing! Which is what we used for ours.

Since neither of us eat mayonnaise we started with a BBQ base and added spice to it. It was phenomenal. It needs more spice next time. I think we were both gun shy because neither us have ever truly had "buffalo" style anything. I only recently learned I LOVE spicy food.

Not too shabby huh? Next time we will buy some bleu cheese dressing to dip it in and kick up the spice but other than that this is a keeper. We used ranch last night because that was what we had.

Why so many substitutions in these recipes? Honestly I turned to Pinterest to figure out what was for dinner so we didn't have to go to the store the past few nights so these were all me searching for ingredients I had on hand on there. If you want too see what I am pinning and possible upcoming post pins check my food board out here.

Have you made anything on Pinterest? How did it come out?

Pinterest VS Reality

2012-01-30T19:32:00.004-05:00

I want to start a blog series called "Pinterest VS Reality"

I love Pinterest for ideas but lets be honest... it never looks like the picture when I do it.

First up is this Martha Stewart Tortilla and Black Bean Pie.

Of course we modified it to be gluten free. We used corn tortillas which fall apart if you cross your eyes at them. We added chicken and didn't have a spring form pan. That said our result was delicious!

Not as pretty but damn it was tasty. I didn't get a picture of the pie because it didn't come out of the pan in one piece. I put it in a cassarole dish.

I give it an A in taste. If you can make it with flour tortillas I bet it would be even better. (see crispy not smooshy)

Wednesday Jan 25th 2012

2012-01-30T12:53:00.001-05:00

On Wednesday I knew I was going to be out of the house from 7am to 10pm (which to some of you is totally normal. I have a 8-4 job that will NEVER have over time. I am in PJs by 6pm daily) I had to dress for going from work to walking for 4 hours to a author talk at Symphony Hall. (you never know what the heating is like in those old places, especially on the balcony. Surprisingly it was very comfortable)

Sweater $3 Old Navy. It is a smoky grey with a bit of purpleish tinge. I paired a purple scarf with it once I left the house and was freezing.

Jeans Seven for all Mankind

Sparkly blue Dansko

Shirt Target

View from our seats. We saw Michael Pollan speak. A friend has two tickets and at the last minute couldn't go and offered them to us. I hadn't read any of his books. Mostly because I just read trash and the other reason is I am an asshole sometimes. I don't want to read or see something that might pop my bubble. I know. Lame. I didn't want to be scared off by a food (that said I am not ignorant to any of it and eat very well. I just talk a good game.Want vs. actual consumption is pretty damn high for me) I don't know why I thought I would be scared of the books, I am the same asshole who left "Supersize Me" wanting fries. My husband was HORRIFIED.

Actually if I see Morgan Spurlock or someone mentions the movie I want fries. Kinda defeats the purpose of the film I think.

Have you read any of Pollan's books?

His talk was fantastic. I picked up a couple from the library the next day. I really liked his speech. He wasn't even in the slightest bit preachy, he laid out facts and was humorous with it.

Cat fancy

2012-01-30T10:13:00.001-05:00

Last week I showed you the photo above of a project Dave was starting. We wanted to get a vertical scratching post for the girls for awhile but they either weren't the right size or insanely priced for bad workmanship. We also needed two accommodate the one cat who is 50% bigger than the other. (Bet you can't guess who!)

They seem to love it. Daisyboo noticed the treats on the platforms first while Waffle was too busy rubbing her face into the cat nip on the base.

It only lasted about 30 minutes that close to the wall before Waffle used it as a bridge to STAND ON THE BLINDS. Yup her little feet on a tiny unsupported plastic slat. Trying to pull down the twist to open rod.

And a bonus video of Waffle in Dave's big bean bag. She is OBSESSED with it. No joke she spends a good portion of her day on it whether someone is on it or not.

Tuesday Jan 24 2012

2012-01-27T14:50:00.002-05:00

Tuesday it was unseasonably warm so I went with a skirt and fleece tights. I really dug this look. The blouse is one of Old Navy scores for $6. I am proud of this outfit if you don't count the accessories. ;)

Skirt Esprit 2002 $2 (going out of business)

Sweater Banana Republic $12

Shirt Old Navy $6

but then you add the Dankso boots and it is another story. eep.

Not sure why I didn't get any makeup details that day. I only have this front facing camera one. It was the Naked palette again but with the smoky charcoals.

Left is the ring I had made from something passed down to me and right is the ring Dave made from a kit. The colors matches my outfit PERFECTLY. My birthstone is the pink stone.

I had such a surprising response via email and tweets regarding my last what is in my bag post so I took a picture of two things in my bag. My food for the day and what you see below. It explains why my bag was so heavy.

What color combo makes you feel GOOD?
Mine for sure is black white and red OR bright pink. I know this is magenta but it feels kind of the same. Whenever I wear that combo I feel great. Like is suits myself. (not so much in a flattering way but in a "it feels right" way)

I am just forgetful. I DID take detail shots. Just found on my camera. I totally forgot!

Everything is clickable.

Jan 23 2012

2012-01-23T21:06:00.001-05:00

Skirt Target

Fleece tights QVC

Boots Dansko

Sweater NY and Co

Sweater guard Etsy

This weekend we went to Old Navy and I got a crazy deal on a bunch of stuff for Dave and myself. This blouse was $3. It has bright orange butterflies on it that match my alarmingly orange sweater perfectly!

All this for $48. 3 blouses for me, skirt and 2 sweaters and 2 shirts for Dave.

I got such a great deal I had a moment on insanity and smiled with teeth. Don't worry I am over it.

Makeup. Naked palette on eyes, Hervana from Benefit on cheeks and Philosophy Pumpkin muffin lipgloss.

Does anyone know who is on these earrings? It isn't in English. I am guessing they are a blessed metal (medal?) I remember going to Saint Anne de Beaupre as a kid and getting some. I am not Catholic though so my knowledge is limited.

It has been awhile since I did a what's in my bag photo. While I had the lunch room to myself I took advantage!

All this was in my bag. Including the lunch. This honestly is packing light for me. This bag is SO heavy on it's own I don't like to carry it.
Bag L.A.M.B, library books. collapsible Tupperware (this was a gift probably 7 years ago it is actual Tupperware and we adore it. It gets a LOT of use) frappe, water bottle, ww calculator, baggie that used to have crackers, camera, house and car keys, work keys, ginger oil, pill box, korres lip balm (it is the bomb diggity) headphones, sunglasses, wallet.

Mini book review. Eh. That is what I thought about it. eh. Dave kept asking how it was and I kept saying eh. Then he would say "why keep reading?" I dunno. eh. I owe .50 cents on it too because it took me so long to finish.

What did you do this weekend?
We went to a party on Friday (more later) hung at home Saturday and shoveled snow! Sunday we went to Ulta (more later:) ) and went to Olive Garden for the first time in 12 years! And Dave worked on a project. I will give you a hint.

Friday Jan 20 2012

2012-01-20T13:38:00.002-05:00

Little hodgpodgs with my post today. I wear a variation of this outfit once a week and I never posted it from the week of Christmas so when I wore it again Tuesday I only took detail shots. I almost didn't explain but since I got a hair cut and removed the pink tinsel highlights people will notice the discrepancy ;)

Sweater Gap (2003?) Shirt Target, Jeans Seven for all Mankind, Danksos.

I am getting better at making my makeup noticeable under glasses. The key is heavier on the liner then I feel OK with.

It isn't as strong without the glasses as I thought it would be. perception doesn't equal reality eh?

Bracelets. Etsy, Pandora with some Etsy beads, Etsy and Tiffany and Co (wedding present)

Bracelet Tiffany and Co (Christmas present) and Watch Fossil also present (both from inlaws)

I made the earrings on Monday. I love the fuchsia stone. I wish I had written down what it was called.

So here is the couch mere seconds after delivery! The bottom photo is Dave's potatoshop recreation of the couch when we were trying to decide if it would work. He took the green store model and pillows to make it like our fabric selection. Not too bad! I love it. LOVE IT. It is so much better then our piece of crap couch that fell apart in 3 years.

I am home today with a migraine I can't shake. It just won't take a hint and scram. I normally power through them because I don't get enough sick days and physically can't miss work. This one makes things have lovely halos though and the last thing I could do was work at a computer all day. The 20 minutes I spent on this is about all I can handle. Stupid letters keep moving!

Any plans for this weekend?

I plan to enjoy my couch while we get pelted with snow (Here is hoping!) attend a work function with Dave and that's about it! He needs to study for his next exam! (you hear me bub!) He even has a couch in the spare room now where he can study! The only down side is the room is also filled with RC helicopters and lots of fun art supplies and a giant art desk filled with tools. I see a flaw in my plan.....

Sorry for all the weirdness on the blog this week. Phantom posts, posts losing pictures, my template breaking and half my blog disappearing. I was trying to use an iPad app to blog from since I don't have a computer that works and it totally screwed so much stuff up and left me angry, frustrated and in panic mode fixing it all. (OK Dave too. He spent hours trying to fix the code and it looked FINE until I realized it was all posts from that app that screwed it all up) I THINK it should all be back to normal again. I will just have to figure out another solution for writing my posts. Dave has a laptop and he calls it ours and while it is I think of it as him and feel weird using it. It doesn't have any stickers on it and it's grey.. as if.

Had my ears lowered

2012-01-18T13:39:00.003-05:00

On Saturday I chopped about 8 inches off my hair. I didn't measure before but I know where it was and where it is now. (everything is clickable today! Go me!)

Last week curled and straight and immediately upon leaving salon. It was fried. I used to have lots of blonde highlights and as they grew out the ends were hay from all the bleach. I just wasn't feeling it anymore. I got it caught in EVERYTHING and EVERYONE was always pulling it. It hurt. I was also sick of spending over and hour a day into it between washing, drying and styling. I had never had long hair before this. I can now say I have done it.

This was what I brought in to show her what I was thinking.

It was really dark in the house this morning but I loved what I was wearing.

Dress. OLD Loft. I've had it maybe 7 or 8 year? Blazer even older American Eagle. I have never worn it though. Turtleneck and leggins Target. Earrings from my dad.

I am wearing the Dansko Rylan Boot and they are on sale on Amazon for $177. Which is still insane for boots but Dansko doesn't go on sale often, they are comfortable as hell and you will have them forever.

I've had the bag 3 or 4 years. It was L.A.M.B from Nordstrom Rack. The boots as I said are Dansko and Santa brought them.

I did more Naked palette colors today.

Back in December I asked for some advice on Twitter. I had a lot of money left in my medical reimbursment account. If I don't spend it by Dec 31st I lose it all and it is my money! (the past 6 years we always spent the whole amount long before the end of the year. This was unheard of. ) With the new laws you can't just stock up on OTC stuff like the past. Plus I didn't need over $500 worth! I had just got new glasses and Dave didn't want any so I went with the next most expensive thing I could think of rx sunglasses! I went a bit over the top.

I love them. I don't care if no one else does. (although people seem to adore them) PLUS I CAN SEE OUTSIDE IN THE SUN! My squint lines are OOC so this is a nice change!

How have you been? Our couch we ordered almost 4 months ago came today! Daisy and I are currently breaking it in as I type!

Friday January 13

2012-01-13T20:49:00.002-05:00

Yesterday it was pouring and gross I wanted to feel cute and wear things that don't wilt in the weather. Black and white always makes me happy so I just loaded up on it. This blazer is denim and white stripe. I love it because it is so structured but thats why it bugs me too. Kinda stiff. When you have it buttoned you could almost stand it in a corner. I end up wearing it open most the day.

Blazer and shirt are both Loft and a few years old. Earrings Christmas from dad from local artist (he told me proudly.). Bracelet Target. Shoes Dankso (they are dark blue sparkle) Jeans Seven for All Mankind. Watch local store. Ring Marc Jacobs. Bracelet with lock Tiffany.

For Makeup I used the Urban Decay Naked palette again. I mixed Sin and Virgin on inner parts of eyes and did Gunmetal on the outside half. I think this is my favorite combo so far.

This is the BEST lipgloss. I got it at the Inglot store in Vegas. I had never tried anything of theirs and this caught my eye instantly. You can see why.

It looks a normal bright pink but the second you move it you see there is more too it.

It isn't SUPER noticeable once you put it on but you can tell if you know it.

I've only had it a little over a month and I've used over 1/3rd the tube. (I smooshed it around for the picture to fill up the sides. Sometimes I make an effort at a good pic. ;) )

Any plans for the weekend?
We are getting a new cable/internet company installed tomorrow. I am sick of paying through the nose for Comcast. I am also getting a haircut. Not positive on what I am doing but I know I need to do something because I am not happy with it.

ps. I am "trying" to make everything clickable to enlarge from here on out. I might get lazy and go back to my old ways though. eep. I know on phones it makes it easier to see details sometimes. I know I always click on people's photos trying to see more.

What we did this weekend

2012-01-10T22:01:00.007-05:00

This weekend was nice. We got out and went to Salem and actually went to the Peabody Essex museum and saw more than just the bathroom. I know all the good public restrooms all over the state. :) They have a room of nautical themed art and they had a fun little mystery. There is an unsigned painting and professionals are in two different camps over who the artist is. They have you guess who you think it is. Then you can lift a little door and see what the professionals are mostly leaning towards. (I think they said it was on Antiques Roadshow too) This is the painting in question. (click to enlarge for details)

And here are the two paintings each from two artists they debated over. Can you tell which one they decided on? Dave and I guessed. I was right. He wasn't. We then showed the photos to his parents. His mom was right, his dad was not. His mom and I both guessed for the exact same reason. Who do you think it was and why?

We then walked around the town and stopped in a coffee shop. Dave got a smoothie and I got a crepe and we split a delicious iced coffee. (Hey I need to get in my gluten when the getting is good!)

The top crepes are from brunch on Sunday. Dave and I go out to breakfast once every 2 or 3 years. There is virtually no GF breakfast to be had here. Only eggs and he is actually allergic. He got soup and I got a ham and cheese crepe. It was good but it wasn't anything like my coffee shop crepe from Salem.

It will probably be 2 years before we do brunch again. His was less than stellar and I felt bad. He looked cute while waiting though!

My two favorite things at the museum was this tiny carving that was a few hundred years old. It is a monkey hugging an octopus. So up my alley!

and on this equally as old carving of an elephant tusk had a tiny little lady on a balcony with Princess Leia buns!

On Sunday I used my 6 month old Groupon that was a gift for a massage. (it was technically expired but they were so booked up!)

We also met my inlaws for dinner on Saturday at our favorite dive. Woodman's in Essex for gluten free fried clams. It is an hour away from either of us. A friend of the family thought it was hilarious we all drive an hour for a $6 meal. Dude if you ever had it you would too! (if you ever go the kids meal is more than enough food for an adult) We ate out 3 times in 2 days which is so unlike us. We usually cook the vast majority of our meals. But sticking to the crepes I didn't feel awful. I usually hate eating our more than once in a weekend. I always feel so iccccck afterwards. That and I am so fussy and prefer our own custom meals.

OH OH so I am plan on writing up a huge post about the wonders of your local library but in meantime. We got the passes for the museum by checking out a pass at our local library. It took $15 off a person. We got in for a total of $10 instead of $30!

(I am testing another blog app from the ipad so again if you see a wonky weirdness please let me know. Fixing my laptop is on the long list of To Dos)

What did you do this weekend? What did you eat?

What to wear to the party part deux

2012-01-09T19:15:00.001-05:00

I listened to all you had to say (regarding dressing for Dave's work party) and I went through my accessories and grabbed black, silver and red things. I have lots of various silver accessories at various fanciness levels. Again here is the dress.

Starting from the top. (everything is clickable to enlarge.)

Earrings.

Necklaces.

Bracelets.

Large rings.

Random things. Sparkle watch, flower barrettes, pin and a random bow.

Belts.

Shoes.

Kinda fun fact. Every single item here I have bought on sale EXCEPT the things from H&M which were all under $5. I used to use to sell my blog about not having to spend a lot to be fancy. I should find it because I don't even remember the wording. There are few things in life I will ever pay full retail on. Danskos.

Can you tell it has been multiple years since I actually went to an event I had to dress for? Thank you for humoring me!

I had a little helper while I was doing all this.

Holiday party help?

2012-01-09T16:03:00.000-05:00

OK opinion needed. Dave's holiday party at work is being held at a hotel. People are all over the map with dressing. Mostly people dress up but not all SUPER fancy. The invite was black white and red and it said something about it being a suggestion for attire.

(click to enlarge)

I got this dress and sweater this weekend with the intention of wearing it to the party because I knew the dress would get a lot of use. Dave picked it out and it was on massive Sale at Banana Republic. ($40 from $150) On me it fits more Joanie. (by that I mean I fill it out more than the lady in picture) Now I usually avoid shrugs. I feel they emphasize my waist line in a bad way, this is based on nothing but my own self depricating nature. (make look bigger not smaller) But Dave loved it and said it added to it.

Here is the problem. I realized later that it reads more grey then black and white and grey pattern. Also is it fancy holiday party enough? I was going to wear it with either of these shoes and black tights. I also wouldn't wear the included belt I'd swap it out.

Two years ago I wore this dress.

The year before that I wore this.

The tights and sweater were silver sparkle but you can't tell in photo. The dress black satin.

Is it fancy enough? If not I know I will wear it all the time anyways but should I keep an eye out for a more literal red white and black outfit? He works at a contemporary architecture firm. Lots of hip young people and some older who tend to wear something with sequins.

Urban Decay Naked Palette.

2012-01-09T09:38:00.002-05:00

OK I know this has been out forever but I am only getting on the bandwagon. One thing you don't see me do often is neutrals in my eye makeup. Mostly because.. and this is silly.... I have no idea HOW to do them. I have a formula I follow for colors. One light one dark. DONE. Neutrals need a bit more skill in my mind, skill I don't think I have. When ever I look up tutorials they never just use two colors on neutral looks. But I am OBSESSED with how Kristen Bell and Eliza Dushku do their makeup. Or how their artists did for Veronica Mars and any role Eliza does (they always put her in smokey browns) I have been eyeing the Urban Decay Naked Palette for months but didn't want to pull the trigger. Enter Christmas money! After dragging Dave to 3 Sephoras and showing him it and picking his brain if he honestly thought I could wear these colors I pulled the trigger! (Thanks for the new makeup gram! I'll let you use it when you come visit this weekend!)

(click to enlarge)

12 silky soft shades. They are seriously milky soft. I can't even describe them. Just go to Sephora and touch them yourself. It comes with a nice brush (I hear it used to come with a double ended eyeliner) and a small bottle of primer potion. I will go against the popular opinion and I am not wild about primer potion. I must just have very oily lids because it doesn't work the best for me. Don't get me wrong it is good but I've used better (for my type of skin) It may work great for you. Congrats! I wish it did. It is easy to come by. These shades will work on I dare say all skin tones. Only one I had issue with is Virgin the one all the way on the left is the exact color of my lids but on someone a bit darker than me it would be great.

Reason 84932 I am not a beauty blogger. I take makeup detail photos of my eyes with my bangs in the way the whole time covering a good portion of my eye. But when I think about it this is what you would see in real life. My bangs in my eyes. So yeah.. Just keeping it real yo. I should of at least covered the red glasses mark maybe? (rhetorical) I think my favorite so far is Toasted which I have lining my eyes. I stuck with mostly light shades today because I am at my fairest this time of year. (I have a few companies lightest shades they sell foundation and they are all too dark right now. A few days outside and I should be back to wearing them. Happens whenever I hibernate for a week over Christmas.

Since they are super bendable just pile the colors on and buff them. I have on no joke like 4 on my lids. They melt into one another nicely. Even amongst the same company sometimes that isn't the case. You can have 4 MAC shadows and it is a bitch trying to buff them together.

The only dupe I have was Sin which was Eat me Drink me from the Alice in Wonderland palette. But it was my most used color so I don't mind. Urban Decay Naked Palette retails for $48 but that is $4 a shadow which is what you'd pay at the drugstore. It is a great investment piece. If you only do neutrals and smokey shades them this would be the only palette you'd ever need! Remember they make great liners too so they are multi functional. (actually the lightest shades would be killer highlighters on other parts of the face now that I think of it)

Do you have this palette? Could you link me to a look you did with it? Or tell me your favorite combos?

Christmas product reviews

2012-01-04T16:32:00.001-05:00

Nail Polish by Nails Inc
Gifts & Sets by philosophy

Quick review of Christmas items.

I was a smart lady and handed out my $20 off coupons to Sephora and told Santa about the 10% ebates days during holiday shopping time in case he was looking at Sephora at all. (an aside EVERY thing we bought each other for Christmas was on sale or we got an ebate and 95% of things were both. The only thing I got him that wasn't on sale was a small bag of those gold coin chocolates for his stocking) I love when Dave shops for me because he picks things I don't ever notice.

LaVanila coconut and vanilla forever fragance. I don't know about forever but it lasts a really long time and smells exactly how they say. Vanilla and and coconut. No crap chemicals.

Chloe Love sample. This was free. I don't know their cruelty status. I wouldn't buy it anyways because of the price but it is lovely. It is a soft powedy smell which many hate but I guess I like. I wouldn't of guessed I would if you described it.

Nails inc set. Dave got the deep dark green one with the blue-ish sparkle. It is SO PRETTY. The sparkle coat is chunky but goes on smooth and it is so dynamic. I see this looking good on dozens of other colors. I highly reccomend it to someone who wants a funky look.

Philosophy lip set. Tinsel town, Peppermint bark, Cinnamon buns, Marshmallow. YUM. I've reviewed their lip stuff before. I like it. Not too sticky. Smooth. Smells exactly as described and goes on sheer with pop of color.

Philosophy Marshmallow set. OMG if you like melted marshmallow smell BUY IT. It is on sale and an extra 20% off right now and it is holiday only so it WILL be gone in a week or two. The lotion while very fragrance fades fast and leaves your hands INSANELY soft. Dave keeps using it saying "oooh it is so soft" I need to find one that doesn't smell for him because he has very very dry skin and it actually works on him.

Mac lipstick in Plum from the Daphne Guinness colab. I bought this for myself with Christmas money. I never thought I'd wear purple lipstick but it is kinda hot.

He did a great job picking. I love it all and have used it all daily since I got it. Which says something because I am fickle and change it up daily constantly rotating things. I'll have like 4 or 5 I like and just flip back and forth.

Catching up.

2012-01-04T11:46:00.000-05:00

You know when you don't do something for awhile then you just keep not doing it?

I wrote a post like this THREE times. Then my blogger app ate it. My laptop died so I have my ipad at home to type on and without the app I was kinda stuck. Not totally stuck just too lazy to fix stuck. So here I am trying it again one last time. If this gets deleted I give up! :P

Heading back a month. Thanksgiving. We had a very long day. We started out home in Boston and drove up to New Hampshire to my dad's house for the first meal of the day with gram, uncle, cousin (grr), dad and his lady.

It is hard to see here but gram had little sparkles in her bangs. Her and her friends had crystals put in their hair somewhere.

I was told not to bring anything. I of course am my father's child and didn't listen and brought a butter turkey.

My dad had just installed this 100 year old stove. He cleaned it like mad and had the metal redipped. How fantastic does it look. Dinner wasn't cooked on it but some stuff was heated up on it. I made sure I had a seat right in front of it at the table.

This is my dad's side of the family. After this we drove and hour to the next Thanksgiving at Dave's parents house.

When we walked in Dave's sister was holding this tiny baby. She is a pediatrician but I didn't think she brought her work home. I didn't know who she was. I yelled "who is that!?" Turns out Dave's cousin has a two year old little boy and this little girl who was 14? weeks old. She was passed around all night. She cried if you put her down so someone was always holding her and moving around. Dude. I don't know if you know this but babies are heavy. I had no idea. My arms were killing me. I would pawn her on Dave when I thought my arms would collapse. I caught him snififng her at one point.(I actually got a picture of it. ha) She smelled so good. Like a little peach.

At Dave's parents house, their giant house we spend most the time in the kitchen. It is possible not to. It screams HANG OUT IN ME I AM WARM AND THERE ARE TREATS IN HERE. Their pantry is bigger than my bathroom.

I entertained the 2 year old for awhile. He liked to pet my hair. I taught him how to take pictures. This was the first photo he ever took. EVER. He pointed to the left side of the image and told me his gammy was missing. (there is a hand covering her face)

After second dinner we drove back to Boston and less than 12 hours later we were on a plane to Las Vegas. You already saw that but you didn't see this. It was stuck on the same camera. It was the most amazing brie and ham gluten free sandwich. So good.

And here are the rest of my Christmas bounty. (click to enlarge)

I dont' have any pictures from Christmas day. My day didn't exactly go as planned.

OK so I can check this off my never ending to do list.

How was your holiday?

Homemade Christmas part deux

2011-12-26T21:42:00.001-05:00

As I was unpacking the car I remembered three more homemade presents.

Belt my dad made for Dave.

Relish my "step mom" made Dave. ( what do you call someone who is more than your dad's girlfriend but not married)

Two flavors of Chex from my Mother in law.

What did Santa or your holiday bring you?

Are you interested in the other stuff we exchanged. Some is neat and almost all functional! Almost ;)

A Merry homemade Christmas

2011-12-26T13:59:00.001-05:00

Parts of my Christmas were amazing. Some were not. It is always too bad when that one bad apple can spoil a whole wonderful pie. But can only control yourself right?

We had a very homemade Christmas this year and it was awesome. My mom made us a quilt.

My father in law made us a cork board with corks they have collected for NINE YEARS! So it is a super fancy cork board that takes long to cure. Like a good wine eh?

My dad made me an ipad case and a desk! The top of the desk was in my great uncles house when he moved in. It was built in and didn't have a bade. So my dad built the bottom to it and put in a drawer and the chair was found in another family members barn and is over 100 years old. My gram is going to make a cushion for it.

My sister in law made me a pretty glass bead bracelet that I can't seem to take off! It goes with everything.

Dave's mom made him a landscape painting that was sewn and painted fabric! How neat is that?

Gram called up Dave's parents and got pictures of him and made us this little collage. She also made us some of those hangy towels. I love these because the cats can't pull them down.

And my favorite present of all. Dave cross stitched me a sampler! He even made the frame. He found a pattern online and adapted it because according to him it had some mistakes and he wanted the cats to match ours . (even waffle's white nose splotch!)

I wrote and posted this all from my iphone so I hope it all looks OK. I don't have a computer up here so let me know if it looks odd. Hope you all had a great holiday whatever you celebrate.

xoxo

Weekend roundup.

2011-12-19T14:34:00.000-05:00

Nice weekend. Frustrating Saturday trying to run errands to hit wall after wall after wall. But we got most of it done. Sunday a friend was in town from California.

I just stole my style from her. You think I am inventive or creative? I just copy everything thing she does like the annoying little sister she never knew she wanted. Hoodies and dress? All her. The interwebs are so neat. I never would of met her other wise. This is the third time we got to meet up! I steal my style from her 1 year old too.

My tree looks SO much better with all the ornaments removed in a foot radius.

They gave me the prettiest polish too. China Glaze Ruby Pumps I also got my Christmas present from my mom in the mail. She made me a quilt!

Waffle likes it.

After seeing the above photo, Dave's boss (aka Waffle's mom's owner) sent me this.

That is Fig Waffle's mom.

How was your weekend?

Over the river and through the woods

2011-12-13T09:29:00.000-05:00

We have our tree up.

The LED lights photograph blue but they are rainbow colored. (including purple which gram pointed out was different) Our first real tree together. Only took 15 years. We never lived anywhere we could have one really. Florida then tiny Boston apartments. I only had enough ornaments for a tiny 2 foot tree. But that's OK I don't want to load it. Most my ornaments are Hello Kitty honestly. I have 5 different types and over 20 total. I take it back we have a LOT more ornaments but they are all glass. Robots and Star Wars but Waffle can't be trusted. All the Hello Kitty ones just happen to all be plastic and wood.

I made Dave a set of Chicken McNuggest one Christamas after he was first diagnosed and knew he couldn't have them anymore.

We also have this Santa dave has named "fire hazard Santa" which is funny because it isn't. He appears to be 50's - 70's and has one of those old goofy skinny cords and he is all rigged up in the back with tape and string to keep the light in place. We have no idea where he came from. After my birthday we found him on the counter. Neither Dave nor I saw it put there. We called all our family and asked who left it. No one is confessing! Our topper was made by my Great Grandmother who was nearly blind towards the end when she made these. She had eye transplants twice.

Gram came for her first sleepover at our house. I hadn't been able to get her to Boston until recently (we had a horrible family tragedy in the city before I was born) and so I schemed with Dave on how to get her to come and stay over. She was scared of traveling alone. But literally she takes a train 5 minutes from her house, rides it until end of line and we pick her up. Easy. I called her and asked if she wanted to come and stay. She did her typical "well let me think about it' I said NO, no thinking, Yes or No right now. She said yes! ha. I know the trick now. We took her to have Thai food for the first time.

My (annoying) loving father told her is was going to be spicy and she wouldn't like it. What the hell does he know he hasn't ever had it. I had to keep reassuring her it wasn't. We got her Chicken Satay and Shrimp Pad Thai. Not only did she love it she asked for more sauce! We also took her for a chair massage. This type. She says a lot how since Pop passed she doesn't get her neck rubs. It was Pop's birthday this week (which is why I wanted her to come so bad) We also put up the tree and watched Lifetime Christmas movies. It is a well known fact gram doesn't like cats. She is allergic (me too) and thinks they shouldn't go on furniture, beds, bedrooms.. the list goes on. She was worried about it. So we locked her up in our bedroom and kept the cats out at night. But you know what? They totally won her over.

Daisy miss "I hate the world and most people in it. I am fussy" loved gram. I think she is what won her over. She still doesn't want to sleep with them or want them on counters but she gave Daisy a lot of love. She kept calling Waffle cute too.

She is totally cute. As she robs you blind.

How was your weekend?

Oh and I put a tree up at work. This was from our first Boston apartment originally.

I will follow you anywhere you may go

2011-12-09T08:43:00.001-05:00

There has been a lot of news lately about cell phone companies tracking people. I don't get too upset about all that. I assumed they were already! Doesn't mean I agree with it but I assumed it was happening and I like using my phone so it is price I have to pay. In the modern age that is going on everywhere.You are always being tracked. People you meet google you (although I worked VERY hard at keeping myself out of the web. You don't find much about me. Just the stuff my work puts out there and I can't control that. I tried. :) )
Your work watches your computer activity. It is everywhere. I do my best to stay safe and don't sweat the stuff I have no control over.
The reason why?
I am just not that interesting. Follow me all you want. You will get bored and wander away looking for something more interesting. That is what I think when I think of someone seeing my email or text. So hey, why not share where you can follow me on the web?

Here. Obviously.
Pinterest
last.fm (I warn you, it got all kinda of bad taste up in there a little while ago)
My byhillary Facebook page
Goodreads
Email me at byhillary AT gmail DOT com I answer every email. Sometimes I don't have the right answer or anything illuminating to say but I do reply! (If I never replied to you let me know because I am pretty proud of my 100% response record) OK if you are an asshole I won't reply, I will write 4 responses and delete them all, it is the new more Zen me. Angry type, delete. My husband might though.

All that said I take safety very seriously. That is why I don't blog in my real name, I don't share where I live, work or where I am going to be and when. (I will say after the fact sometimes) That is why Flickr and Facebook need to stay friends only but I will tell you it is REALLY boring on there.

EDITED TO ADD
Follow me on Twitter now!
I have been meaning to do it for awhile. I am not sure I can keep it up but I am going to do a twitter just for byhillary. I keep getting requests on my private account but I keep that friends only so come on over and follow my new account. My user name is hillarytweets.

You are so money baby.

2011-12-06T15:30:00.000-05:00

I'm back! Did you miss me? I dropped off the grid for a week and lived it up (as much as my goody goody self can) in Vegas. With no alcohol or caffeine! I know how to PARTY! (Alcohol doesn't mix well with my migraines it took me a long time to realize that but I know now it just isn't worth the pain, I haven't had a drink in years. And caffeine has been a BITCH avoiding but due to my insomnia I am TRYING. I have weak moments, I do admit. I say as I am currently drinking coffee) And let me say I slept every single night in Vegas! I even went to bed early for Vegas time. (It was more like 1-3am my time though)

I took dozens of pictures of the insane food we ate. (edited to add: We weren't that bad though because liposuction is expensive!) We were with some adventurous eaters. (I tried! I did. I am still a culinary wimp though) I have been seeing a LOT of hate across the webs for people who "take cell phone food pics" so I am kind of embarrassed to share them. Not sure why because I don't agree with the hate. I love food pics. It is where I get ideas to try things.

OK I lied here is one.

Our very first visit to In N Out. Three trips to Las Vegas and one to California and we had never went to one before. It was hard to get to because we refused to pay for a cab and there was no sidewalk (LITERALLY! It was a damn highway!) so we took the bus! I don't recommend it after dark there but during the day go nuts! It isn't on the nice Deuce line it was on a little off shoot bus that had some characters. :) But it was a wicked short like 2 minute ride and so worth it for GLUTEN FREE FAST FOOD those four words don't go together. Dave can't go into any fast food place and get fries (or food for that matter. Well there are a few things at some places he can have but what fun if he can't have fries?) They are always unsafe. Since they do burgers "protein style" they didn't even look at him funny when he said no bun. I didn't know about "animal style fries" or I would of done that. Just another reason to go back! I don't even like red meat and I loved this.

I gambled a little. I left with about $35 more than I went with! I can't find two of the photos they must of be on the camera. I only put out $6 myself. I only do machines that speak to me. One was Irish. One was a black cat. One was glitter sparkle kitty(seriously!) I won big on the Luck O the Irish one. Dave had gone the restroom came back 2 min later and I had won. He made me find the machine so he could play. He didn't win but I realize now it is because he isn't even a little Irish! It wasn't Luck o the Scotts.

I want Dave to write up a big post regarding being Celiac in Vegas. Travel is so hard with allergies or Celiac so I thought it would be great to put out there for others future googling the same things we did! We saw a show, people watched, looked at the opulence and enojyed some great food. Oh and Dave went to a conference and worked! But that part isn't interesting. ;)

I have one cute one of us. This is the one I took. We alsmost look same height. Darn short arms.

Then this was his attempt. His arms are much longer and you can more accurately see the height difference even with my 3 inch heels.

and just for fun. I took this of the cats yesterday. Little is bigger than big. By 50% more. Waffle is a pretty average cat, well she is on the tall side (she is second smallest in her littler of 8. They are all much bigger than her!) Daisyboo is just a petite little flower... Fitting. Waffle has a BIG personality. Everything she does is larger than life. Big lover, big asshole, big troublemaker, big cuddler, loud purrer. Daisy does everything more subtly. But watch out she WILL steal things from your purse.

They were having a bitch face-off. This is about 5 feet closer than they usually sit. It is partically cuddling. ha. For them at least.

Gift of healthy happy hair

2011-12-06T09:53:00.000-05:00

The gift of healthy hair. I get a lot of questions about my hair. I figured it made a great gift guide. Healthy hair is a great gift. I have used it all. I have taken the supplements, ate the food they claim will make it better, used the expensive products. And you know some are fantastic but this is the stuff I go back to every single day. I use each of these 5 things daily. And none are over $10.

*A multi vitamin. Any that contains folic acid and lots of B's. You don't need one that has more than 100% of anything. I actually take a pre-natal because it doesn't have Iron in it. (I am iron intolerant since birth. It is fairly common in women actually) A gummy vitamin is FUN to take. You look forward to it. I love mine. LOVE IT. Only take as directed even if you are tempted to eat the whole jar.

*Something to gently remove tangles. I leave mine in the shower and use it once I put the conditioner in. The longer you hair gets the more you will probably need this! *A great shampoo and conditioner. You don't have to spend a lot. Actually it is better if you don't because the longer you hair the faster you go through it! I love this one because it is "gentle" enough for colored hair but it works on anyone colored hair or not. It never makes my hair greasy which is important. Remember only to apply conditioner (any product) a few inches away from your scalp line. That is what keeps the grease at bay)

* A treatment oil. The longer you hair is, the older it is a the more delicate it becomes. It need TLC and a hair oil keeps it soft and happy. I put a nickles worth in my palm and rub it into my ends nightly. It clipped the 4 oz above. I only have a 2 oz bottle which is $10 and it last forever.

leaving on a jet plane, well not really

2011-11-23T10:34:00.001-05:00

A couple weeks ago I told you about a jacket Dave surprised me with when he went out for Halloween candy. I have worn it no joke 3 times a week the past month. Its sweatshirt material, princess sleeves, peplum back and scooped front with mandarin collar. It is like they are in my head and threw all my favorite elements in a work appropriate blazer! And it is Navy blue so it looks good with brown or black. (think navy and black don't go together? I ask you do you ever wear black with denim? yeah that is what I thought. :P )

Back

I wore with earring I made

craft fair ring

mom's bracelet she made

Dansko heels

Multiple animal print scarf of awesome

These are new jeans. I bought a size up hoping they would be more confy. (remember fussy lately) and within half an hour they were too big and I pulled them up all day. Popped in dryer that night hoping they are shrunk up some.
Gap Long and Lean Jeans - Blazer Target - Shirt Target (its my purple smocked peasant blouse) - Shoes Dansko - Scarf from store whose name I can't remember.. it was in Beverly MA on the main drag, it sells stationary

I tried doing a fishtail with smaller sections and in a bit easier fashion then I was doing. I like it SO MUCH better. I was wrapping the hair back around each time. You don't need to though.

This was a sad attempt at an outfit Kasmira did recently. See here.

I don't have a real waist though so I find belts MORE unflattering. I know it is supposed to define a waist but on me it shows how much I am lacking one.

Shoes Clarks (I went through the heels that day! Dude I must walk like an elephant. Up to 5 pairs in as many months) Jeans Gap - Sweater and shirt NY and CO - Belt Target

Patterns.

Do you have any plans for Thanksgiving?
Well for those that live in America I mean. We are going to NH to two different ones. There is going to be a surprise guest at one and I am excited just to see my Gram's reaction. My cousin, her only other grandchild is coming and she has no idea. He is in the air force and is about to ship out AGAIN.

Gifts for the ladies

2011-11-22T09:54:00.001-05:00

My gift giving philosophy definitely varies from person to person but I like to give small luxury items that I know someone would love and never buy for themselves. I can't afford to give my large extended family and friends all big gifts so this works well for most people. Well it works best for the ladies. And that is who I am talking about today. Have you ever heard of Cath Kidston? I hadn't. I was reading my googlereader this morning and some website was all excited Kidston were going to be selling in the US online now. I had to check it out because I liked the article imagery. BOY WAS I SURPRISED! I loved everything. It is all uber-feminine bright colored fun. I had revolted against all things I deemed as too girly for much of my teens and 20's. I thought it made me uncool and unhip. Now in my mid 30's I look at Laura Ashely home prints and swoon. Dude I kinda love those cabbage roses. I still don't want to wear them but I dig surrounding myself with them. I love the tiny cabin in the woods where you only read books and drink tea all day, feel to them. I put together a collage of my favorite things on the site all under $30 which I think would make great presents for a girlfriend or mom or sister in you life. (Heather advert your gaze!)

girl gift ideas by missmatilda on polyvore.com

Click the small image to visit the item in the store. I get NO kickbacks, NO ad revenue, the store doesn't know I am writing this nothing. (sad you have to say that now a days.) But dude I just loved the stuff and I am all about sharing great finds. Why keep it a secret? Share!

Some of my thinking on what I chose...
*Thermos. Dude in this age of saving money and not going to *$ everyday why not bring your own... in style! I want!
*Mug to drink that coffee once you get to work.
*The three small clip coin purses? $7 each, I just wanted to show they have lots of options! Raise your hand if you have a pile full of change in the bottom of your purse because your cute wallet doesn't actual have a spot for change? Oh just me? Or you could get one to put in your car with your quarters for parking or for laundry quarters! (Dude I need three for those three things :) Actually we have a tin that says "ginger spice" on it with our laundry quarters in it. I got it like 9 years ago at Trader Joes because I thought it was hilarious. Also 2nd favorite spice girl. She was my fave until I realized my love went to Victoria)
*Wash case or makeup cases. I am like a vagrant when I pack. Things end up in Ziploc bags. (and I am not talking about on a plane, but even car travel which I do OFTEN) I want a proper travel case that is big enough to fit more than 2 lipsticks in it. The wash case is bigger than the makeup one. (I need to find a proper manly one too. Dave right now packs in my stuff and then complains I didn't bring his right cream or face wash. (poor thing has DH. Tactile celiac.) I use whatever I can grab or have samples too he need to use specific stuff I don't usually touch because it is expensive. Lets be honest too he is better at taking care of his skin than I am. He flosses daily! what?!)
*Gadget cases. They say it is perfect for a small camera. I though it would be great for a phone too and a few cards! I have a clip on the inside of my purse I would attach this to and keep my phone in it for easy access.
*Large clip lock purses. I love the idea of keeping all my purse "needs" in it. Pills, things you want private etc. It would double for a cute clutch for a night out.
*Owl earrings. Oh come on they are cute.

Was that helpful? Would you be interested in more verbose schizophrenic gift ideas?