byhillary

Daily wear

2012-06-01T13:48:00.000-05:00

Verhext asked to see the daily jewelry people wear. I admittedly wear a lot of jewelry. I plan to be one of those old ladies with the long grey hair, arms full of silver and bells on my skirts. Or Stevie Nicks.I don't have a camera on me but most of my stuff is still available (minus my wedding and engagement rings) I've posted something similar before but it changes slightly yearly for me.

Rings
Necklaces

I change my earrings daily but I wear the same rings and bracelets daily and usually add to them. I swap between these two necklaces about 90% of the time. The other 10% I actually think to wear something fun from my extensive collection of inherited colored beaded necklaces.

Everything was a gift from Dave except the locket bracelet.
Square was Valentines 2007, Heart bracelet wedding day 2002, Heart ring upper right was Christmas 2008 He hid it in a vacuum box. I refused to open the vacuum because I thought it was a gag gift because we bought it together. All day he said lets open it and try it, lets open it. Finally he put it in front of me and said OPEN IT ALREADY. ha! Heart necklace was my birthday this past year. The bean was my birthday in 2005 but he claims to this day it was from Daisy.

My wedding ring was an estate find. It's 1920's My engagement ring Dave had made in 1998 and I've worn it for almost 14 years now!

It sounds like a lot. Hell I usually wear even more. I don't feel like I wear a lot. My mom always has worn a ton of jewelry so has my gram. It is just what I am used to.

Mom

WARNING if you click the link it will go to the store. You have been warned. I might earn a penny.

What do you wear daily if you wear daily jewelry at all? Do you mix it up? What is your favorite piece ever?

My favorite piece ever is my heart bracelet. Yes because it was my first thing from Tiffany's but also because many years later we finally engraved it. I have posted it before but hell why not again.

I try not to take life too seriously. :) TRY.

Revlon Lip Butter

2012-05-28T17:09:00.001-05:00

Everyone and their sister has already sung the praises of Revlon Lip Butters. They have also posted shiny, clear swatches and given your a detailed review. This is not that.

My review. These rock. Buy some.

These are the 6 I have collected. There are Revlon coupons in the paper all the time. Combine that with the buy one get one 50% off CVS deals and get yourself some of these puppies. The swatches above are three swipes. Mostly because that's what my OCD self does when I apply on my lips. Go left to right. Right to left and once more for good measure.

Cherry Tart and Peach Parfait are nice and semi sheer with good color payoff. Cotton Candy is super sheer but a nice little wash of color. Candy Apple, Lollipop and Raspberry Pie are almost fully opaque on me. But can be applied lighter. Lollipop and Raspberry Pie also tend to stain your lips, which I lik so I can be lazy about applying.

They feel silky like butter. Smell slightly like vanilla, I mean SLIGHTLY. They don't have a taste. They don't last forever on your lips but they feel so good when applied I don't care. Also Revlon is Cruelty Free and they have no SPF (that's a must for me. I can't explain why but any lip stuff with SPF tastes horrific to me. Like bad bad bad.) They retail anywhere from $6-8 around here.

Links are to my Amazon Store. You have been warned. Looks like they are eligible of free shipping too!

Do you have any of these? Which one is your favorite?

Found outfit photo

2012-05-24T08:10:00.001-05:00

Here is another not ever posted outfit. It says on it February 1st.

Dress was from the Gap outlet for like $7 or 8 bucks.It's blue, orange, pink and greige up close so it goes great with all brown accessories. The earrings I made. Boots Clarks OLD, turtleneck Target and fleece legging from I think qvc.

Today is my Friday! Woohoo. I took tomorrow off to make it a nice 4 day weekend. Do you have any plans? We don't yet but I am sure we will do something fun. Dave's big deadline is today and he has been working until he collapses the past couple weeks. He has worked the past 18 days in a row?? (it might be 12. I know for sure since last Monday)

Weekend

2012-05-21T14:20:00.000-05:00

Friday was one of those perfect New England days. It was cool in the shade and hot in the sun. I spent my lunch hour totally surrounded by these flowers.

The entire courtyard is covered in them. I spent my lunch hour noshing on a sandwich and reading.

After work I went for a walk to kill time until Dave was done. He had to work late for a big deadline he has coming up. I got myself a little treat of the pink bracelet to add to my collection. It's my birthstone. I adore personalized things. Each charm means and represents something special.Well except for the 5 Lucky magazine gave me to start met out! They are the bead and plain ones.

There was no way after Dave getting out late, sitting in Friday night traffic were we going to sit in more traffic just to get groceries so we attempted a new to us place that claimed GF options. I got the very not GF gnocchi which I had never had in a restaurant before. I can't rave enough about how perfect texture it was. I am a texture freak too. If I can't stand texture I gag. Totally embarrassing trait. I had just a small portion of this. Filling little buggers.

We had a nice weekend. Well part of it was nice. Part of it wasn't nice. Dave had to work both days but we still got out and went on a little adventure.

I wasn't sure if my outfit was amazing or horrible. I decided semi amazing. It was a dolmen(??) sleeve kimono jacket with a worn grey t, skinnyish jeans and heeled sandals.

Sunshine + BB Cream + front facing ifone camera (low quality) = super amazing clear looking skin! My skin is a wreck right now so I am going to pretend that is what I really look like. DUDE!I don't have any foundation on just the BB Cream which is like black magic. I can't even rave enough about it. I will look to see if I can link you. I got it in a Korean grocery store.

On our drive on Saturday between Dave's epic working sessions we ended up at our favorite farm. I went to visit the pony. She now has blunt bangs!

Same farm different pony that also had fun hair from 2009 in video below. (I just noticed for first time Dave is snickering as he films it)

I got the maple candy I've been craving.

Dave said it was sweeter than he remembered and left him buzzing. I called him a lightweight and snorted more sugar. (kidding!)

I brought home some jam from the farm too. Strawberry rhubarb and spiced apple butter.

Then yesterday Dave worked all day so I took the opportunity to do my nails.I've been so insanely lazy about doing anything to them. I hadn't stamped in I can't even tell you how long.

How was your weekend? What did you do? What did you eat?

other than the gnocchi we had veggie chicken quesadillas yesterday. Much jokes were made.

Outfits from... I don't really know....

2012-05-15T14:32:00.000-05:00

Another outfit from the "to be posted files" I know it is at least a month old possibly more because it is before I cut my hair the second time.

Skirt Dave made
Shirt H&M
Blazer American Eagle (OLD!)
Boots Clarks
Bracelet CSA conference
Earrings I made

I like my makeup here. I know it is from the Urban Decay Naked palette and I think that is Inglot lipgloss.

We had a busy weekend. Saturday we hung out with a friend of ours and drove all over creation. I didn't take any photos but we had a blast. (waves hi caroline!)

Sunday we trekked hour and a half northward to my sister in laws. Dave her and I made brunch for their mom and MY gram! Everyone loves gram. She was being stubborn and almost didn't go (I think she felt they were just being nice) but I know she and everyone else had a great time.

Dave and his sister cooking. I love this photo so much.

The paparazzi in the kitchen was out of control.

Check out Dave's mom's arm party! She was also wearing a peplum shirt. She was SO instyle!! (I might see if I can squeeze into that top... It was so cute!)

Even though I am only a cat mommy I got presents too! My sister in law just came back from Germany and brought me prezzies. German Hello kitty, ginger and smarties? Um who knows me???

My own mom lives over a thousand miles away so we didn't get to see her but that doesn't mean I can't pull out the embarrassing photos!

Mother's day 1992!!! Like my totally bitching neon sunglasses? I am so on trend eh? (can you see the feet on the bottom right? That was willie asleep in the chair!)

Hope you all had a nice weekend! Tell me what you did!!

Look what I found.

2012-05-10T14:35:00.001-05:00

Ever put something away in a great place and say to yourself
"wow that is a great place now when ever I need it I will know exactly where it is!"
Then you forget. Apparently I made a folder called "not yet posted on blog" and for awhile was putting things in there. So here are some outfit photos dating back to December.

These photos make me so glad I cut my hair! oy. It wasn't me anymore. It was also FRIED.

Scarf and shirt Target
Sweater NY and Co
Jeans Seven for All Mankind
Dansko shoes

Sweater Target
Jeans same as above
Dankso
Cami H&M
Scarf Dave made it
Socks Gap. While Christmas shopping I found these cute socks with gold lame stars on them. I wish I had bought all of them. They were like 80 cents.

Stay tuned for I think 3 or 4 more "not yet posted" outfits. Or just carry on.

Mini dress meltdown

2012-05-09T08:46:00.000-05:00

The other day I wore this new dress to work. If you are friend's with me on Facebook you may remember me complaining one day I was mortified in my outfit and wanted to go home. This is it. Looking at this I don't see anything wrong. It's a cute dress, a bit loud but whatever. WEARING IT I hated it. I got to work and I wanted to comb my hair out and change out of the dress. I felt so stupid. I felt like a was a walking joke.

I used the most awkward pose too. The other ones I was all twisted though.

Everything just felt wrong that day. It felt too short, too loud and just plain ugly. I hate when we do that to ourselves. I doubt I'll be able to wear it again. I hate when things show my waist then I hate things that cling away from my waist. I just can't win. That is my own issue I need to work on.

Looking at this I don't know what I was thinking. That's cute! That day it felt like TOO MUCH OMG LOOK TOO MUCH.

I think a lot has to do with people at my work don't dress up for the most part. I don't like to stand out. I don't want to look like the crowd either. I am a contrary little thing huh?

BUT that night my Boden order was waiting for me. I had never ordered from them before and my friend strong armed me into it. (That's the story I am sticking to) I got this sale tunic.

Here is it big to illustrate my issue.

OK so I broke my own cardinal rule and I bought this without thinking about 3 ways to wear it. I bought it strictly on falling in love with it. Which is also a rule so I did it half right. I fully anticipated that it would be too long on me. I didn't know it would be ALMOST dress length but has two large slits up the size. It is also an unlined super thin cotton. More meant to be a shirt than a dress.

How would you suggest I go about it. I am wearing my tights and boots from the top picture. (I literally got in and took it out of box and tried on and sent pic to a friend. See box right)

I don't know if I am bold enough for the leggings and tunic look. With just tights too I fear those slits may be a little too high. I pointed to the slit and my knee cap to help understand. Also my hand is at my natural waist. Don't say slap a belt on it and call it a day. I don't like things belted. I feel like I am suffocating and emphasizing the wrong part.. Belts like I have said about Spanx, mess with my chi.

I think my fear again is that is is LOUD. Not something you would see in my office.

Or should I just have dave hem it to a more me sized tunic?

Actually while we are on the topic. should I hem this too?

Last time I wore this FOUR years ago a similar thing happened. I felt awful after the pictures and took the belt off and I think I put pants under neath it. I know I changed somehow. This also was a super thin silk. I feel like I have too much curves and bumps for such thin fabric dresses. Would it be cute as a top?

OOOOOOOOOORANGE

2012-05-03T08:11:00.001-05:00

OK lets put this out there. I went nuts with the smudge tool. I know bathrooms are totally classy and you all would prefer to see the bathroom in all its destitute glory but.... At one point I went so overboard I totally missed that my hands were no longer human sized. Fixed that at least. Good to see that edumacation isn't going to waste. Dude 10 years ago today I graduated college. Before you start doing math in your head, I did indeed take 5 years to finish. I decided half way through I wanted to start over in another degree. Technically I did that entire degree in 3 years. Not only that but I went from a VERY sad gpa in my first degree to Dean and President's list and Magna cum Laude. Well my first GPA wasn't that bad honestly but I was on scholarship so anything below perfect was well, not perfect.

Sweater Target last year. Never wore it though because of falling off beads. Explains clearance price.
Shirt Old Navy
Jeans Seven for All Mankind
Earrings gift from Waffle. (they are the softest pink)
Ring little store in Rockport (it is also soft pink)
Bracelet my mom made when she was in highschool

Sweater is great right? Dave redid the beading half way down. It was missing pieces when I bought it so he finagled it up to look like it was supposed to be that way. I personally would of cut them all off with my patience level. I wrote a whole post on his DIY skill but felt it was too much so it languishes in the draft folder. I know I roll my eyes when people gloat about how awesome their spouse it. I'll sum it up. He is awesome and can fix just about anything with Youtube and Google. Works out well because I like to break things.
2 flat irons, iPhone, laptop, cellphone.....

When I cut my hair about a month ago I got a lot of "oh you colored your hair" comments. This made me laugh. I am like rings on a tree I have so many growing out colors now.I colored it in October and January and not since. I am trying to grow it out. You know what that means in 2 months I flip out over the roots and redye it.

How are you all today?! What is for lunch??

Warm weather means less clothes right?

2012-04-27T10:01:00.000-05:00

Warm temps mean warm weather clothes. My closet is seriously lacking in spring and summer clothing. I need to build a wardrobe for summer on the cheap but not feel I have to wear the same 7 things like I did all winter. I thought the easiest way to do this was pick a general theme and if I stick with that anything I get should intermix with what I do own and with each other.

I own mostly red, black, grey and navy so I thought I'd stick with that. With a healthy dose of heart, stars, cats, stripes, animal prints and polka dots. Shocker right? I am not a fan of shopping. I like having things but am not crazy about the process. Usually when I have a grand idea in mind I can do better and less frustrating so I hope this does that? yeah? yeah. I plan to add in pops of hot pink because it is a personal favorite.

I don't know how people make such wonderful collages because I find it HARD. I don't shop online much. Ebates tells me 3 times this quarter and 2 weren't clothes. I do sometimes fill a cart then run away. For years I got away with it now stores email you! "hey did you forget something" DAMN.

Here are things similar to what I have in my closet now. Some are exact items (sailor dress, red pants, shoes, denim)

Cardigans
Sandals

Here are looks I'd like to add to my closet. Things that look like this. Not necessarily these items.

Mid-length Skirts
Longsleeve Tops

Do you go into seasons with a theme in mind? Anything you want to add to your wardrobe? Do you make collages of what you want? Does it help?

I am hoping with a goal of what I want in mind it will make it easier to add to it so I don't end up with a bunch of things that don't match one another and I am stuck in the same boat I am now.

Weekend

2012-04-25T08:53:00.002-05:00

Last weekend was the first weekend we had to ourselves in well over a month. We spent it going for a drive up the coast on Saturday and ending up in Rockport MA and over to a part of that town called Bear Skin Neck. Creppy eh?

The town is a little seaside town with all kinds of shops and the most amazing views. I only went in about 4 places because I wanted an excuse to go back it was so pretty.

isn't that statue hilarious?

I got this ring there. I collect cocktail rings. I love how they look on me and it is fun to draw attention to my hands. I am a hand talker. OY BOY. Hard to tell in photos but its a super soft milky pink.

We went to Five Guys too.

One year ago actually this week we went to NYC for a day for Dave's work and I had Five Guys for the first time. I am SO GLAD we don't have one in my town! I still like In N Out better but it quite delicious. Plus the peanuts!

Sunday we just chilled at home and watched Storage Wars all day. Waffle slept all day.

First on her nail clippers.

Then on a pillow. Because she is the princess and the pea.

Rough life kitten.

Some of you saw this is you follow my Facebook page. Remember in the last quiz I asked "what is the first thing people see when they walk in your front door?"An eye level cat. Daisy is on the floor just below this. Waffle was like this as a tiny kitten. She'd climb in the coat rack to get up high to greet us in our last apartment.

So how are you today my lovelies?

Reason why I don't join sample programs

2012-04-20T18:50:00.001-05:00

Everywhere you turn in the blogging world lately you see another review of a sample box program. If you don't know about these yet these are services that you pay a monthly fee and each month you get a new themed sample box. (google them. Not gonna free advertise any since I never tried them) I love the idea. Who wouldn't honestly? What I don't like? PAYING. Why? 'Cause everything you see here was free.

How?

Well some were given to me when I bought something. None of them were "free gift with purchase" though. I know that game and homie don't play that. They put the price point at a stupid level where you HAVE to get at least two products to get it. Nope. But many were given to me when I bought stuff and they were "gifts when you spend xx" But I never spend that amount.

HUH?

I favor big department store like Barneys, Saks and Nordstrom. The main reason? They are more generous with their time and samples.

I am upfront. When someone says "would you like a makeover" I am honest and say "your products are amazing but a bit out of my price range" and you know what happens every single time? "Oh I think we can help you out" with a wink and a smile. I ALWAYS walk away with a handful of samples. In these stores I don't spend much but I try and visit the same sales people. If they recognize you and you are always polite they remember. They don't always remember you don't spend much but they remember you were always sweet and smiled and stopped and said hello. Sales people get brushed off so much that they remember the nice ones. I know I've been there! I brush people off often too. I get in a hermit funk and avoid eye contact.

I have had sales people MAIL me samples. I sign up for those mailing lists and put my name down for calls when special events are going on. I then stop by for some events and I always said hello. I spend $30 bucks every 6 months there but doesn't matter. Once I went to Chanel event. I spent $32 dollars and I left with a makeup bag, small bottle of perfume, mascara, lipgloss and $300 skin care samples!

I also sign up for any free "keytag" type promotions or loyalty cards. That is how I got all the tiny bottles of perfume from Sephora. Every single holdiday I send Dave all the emails and coupons and he cashes them in when and if he shops. I also try and get anything I need that Sephora sells from them to earn more points. Meaning if they carry a product I am in need of I make sure to get it there instead of somewhere that doesn't give points.

Sign up for those email lists. Dude those are sample gold mines! "bring this in on the 20th for free samples of XX" If they require you to buy I don't bite but if it says free I am all over it.

My biggest piece of advice in getting samples? ASK! Dude I am the shy. Wicked shy. It isn't always easy but that is why you bring a cute husband along. Poke him and tell him to go ask for something. Sales people love helping the "clueless guy" (they assume) Or if he is standing with you have him say "do you have a sample of this so she can try it out a few times and see if she has a reaction" Such a smart guy because often I do react! Nothing worse then if you spend money on something that gives you a headache.

I never have to pay for perfumes or skin care ever! (Doesn't mean I won't but you get me) and sorry no you can't have any. Go get your own! What is the worst that can happen? They say no? Try someplace else.

Places I find are uber generous. Nordstrom. Jo Malone. Chanel. Dior. (who cares if you can't afford it! They don't know that!)

Slim into summer

2012-04-20T07:45:00.000-05:00

Please welcome a guest post by Breville Blender

Summer is the best time to start a new, healthy living regime. The warmer weather will soon bring a great range of produce to our shelves, meaning that eating healthily will no longer be a chore. The warmer months should also act as an incentive to get out and about, and get the blood pumping – giving you the chance to slim into summer.

Here are some ideas to get you inspired for a new health kick:

Homemade salmon burgers: Light, healthy and easy to make – salmon is a superfood packed with omega 3 and plenty of vitamins.

Smoothies: The beauty of smoothies is that you can use any fruit or veg you have lying around, making it a great way to use up overripe foods that would otherwise go to waste. All you need is the right equipment – try a Breville blender for easy blending. We recommend strawberry and banana for a healthy and easy snack fix.

Seafood paella: A Spanish rice dish, cooked all in one pan for minimal fuss.

Chilled pea and watercress soup: A perfect summer soup which is easy to make and refreshing to eat.

Country salad: A country salad is hearty enough to suffice as a meal. Simply toss together some salad leaves, capers (optional), lemon juice and olive oil, and finish with a halved hardboiled egg and some chopped ham.

It’s so easy to eat healthily in the summer and you’ll notice the benefits straight away. Fresh fruit and vegetables make you feel and look better – so you’ll soon see the improvement in your hair, skin and energy levels. Plus, a brand new diet will make bikini season a little less terrifying!

As well as eating right this summer, try getting into a healthy exercise routine. You should aim to work out for thirty minutes at least three times a week, but this doesn’t have to be too strenuous. Going for a walk is perfectly good exercise and will mean you get some sunshine and fresh air – both great mood boosters.

When embarking on a healthy diet and exercise regime, make sure you drink plenty of water. This is important all year round, but even more so in summer when the warmer weather will make you more dehydrated. Drink plenty to keep up energy levels, avoid headaches and keep your skin and hair looking fresh and hydrated all summer long.

I like turquoise

2012-04-19T10:52:00.000-05:00

Got a little slap happy with the blur tool in potatoshop today. Honestly I am too lazy to even consider it most days (ok everyday) but the construction stuff on my neighbors porch was so distracting. Then while I was doing that I kinda just started to go nuts. Ha this is why I avoid potatoshop I am totally one of those people that tends to overdo it. Remember Lucille's license photo on Arrested Development? That.

This was with my iphone. Oddly good compared to usual huh?

It felt like everyone and their kid was out this morning while doing this. They must of heard I was trying to take a secret photo and they sent out an APB. My hair was sticking out on one side when I woke up so I just curled the rest to match. Not bad. Lots of people came up to tell me they liked it and I did not as I suggested look like a flying nun.

Dress Land's End. (I got in January but they still sell it)
Boots Clarks (old!)
Sweater NY and Co 2008?
Necklace Avon 2007
Bracelet CSA conference 2007
Earrings I made. (need to take detail)

Avon catalog photo

Someone asked me what my polish was on last photo. They said they were too lazy to look it up. Ha. I am too lazy to find the damn bottle! I know it is by Essie. I did some cleaning on Monday so it could be anywhere at this point. I am known to tuck things in weird places in a panic clean up mode. It was from a summer collection 3 or 4 years ago. Any neon pink with a clear coat would look same. It chips too easy for my taste.

How are you today?
I am ready for the weekend. I have had this dull headache for two day and I can't shake it. It isn't a migraine and isn't a full fledged headache. Just a dull ache in my head. I think it is allergies.

Weekend

2012-04-18T12:21:00.001-05:00

We had a busy weekend. We helped someone move on Saturday and worked until we felt we'd collapse.

I thought this was funny. Around lunch time all the furniture had been moved in and we made sandwiches. It wasn't intentional but everyone noticed that the dining room looked like a restaurant with all the little tables.

Sunday was gram's 83rd birthday. I got up early to make her cupcakes before she woke up. (or else she would of stopped me.)

We took her out to brunch. She goes out to breakfast every week. We never go out to breakfast. Ever. Breakfast is the most difficult meal for Celiacs. Ask any Celiac. But we found a place that not only accommodated but had a LOT of options. It was Roost Cafe in Cape Neddick, Maine. Gram ordered the "crabby granny" ahaaa! They had run out of crab though so she had lobster. She was trying to get them to discount it because she "wanted" crab. OY GRAM. Gotta love her.

Dave got a homemade chorizo (!!) omelet with house made salsa AND TOAST! They make everything in house. Insane right??

I got GF creme brulee french toast.

Later back at her house Dave washed the car and I found a cat trapped in the garage! Dave opened the door to the garage and was looking for a bucket to wash the car with. I saw one up in the attic and I volunteered to get it. I put the ladder up that had been kinda crookedly laid up there and climbed up. It is pretty high and the ladder is pretty old so when I heard a noise at out chest level I thought it was the ladder. I kept looking at it wondering if it was about to break. But then I distinctly heard a meow. I look up and in front of me is a beautiful orange kitten. He (she?) was behind some propane bottles. He started nuzzling up on them and knocked one off the edge! oy vey. It fell about 15 feet and hit the cement floor. Luckily nothing happened. I reached for him and was talking in my gentle voice and he let me pet him and he kept talking the whole time. I said to Dave and gram "There is a cat up here" neither one of them believed me! I kept saying SERIOUSLY THERE IS A CAT UP HERE! I asked what I should do he had to of been trapped up here since yesterday the last time the door was open. Gram went and got a dog treat and a bowl of milk. The whole time I was standing on the ladder. Dave handed the bucket back up to me and said put him in it and lower it down. I put the bucket on the top of the ladder and tried picking him up and putting him it in. He was doing what a cartoon cat does and spreading his legs so I couldn't put him in the bucket. Finally I handed the bucked back down. The cat kept making this motion like he was going to come at me. It dawned on me that maybe he wanted to climb down the ladder. So I did and he came right down like he was an old pro at it and ran into the driveway. He stopped and turned and looked at all us. Gram kept saying "where is the stick where is the stick" Dave said "gram you are NOT going to hit him with a stick" HA! She wanted the little stick dog treat to give him! He ran to the road and crossed and ran to a neighbors house that we assume he lived in.

During all this I was thinking the poor thing had been trapped and he must be starving and hungry and I was worried about him. Dave thought "OOOOH CAN WE KEEP HIM"

Dad showed up about 5 minutes after all the excitement and we had the cupcakes.

It was also Hopi's birthday. My little "sister" she turned 13! Of course she got a cupcake too. Chico did too even though he is a demon spawn. ;) (he is off to the left)

After that we headed back to Mass. On Monday because it is a holiday here we hung around and were vegetables and went for a ride. We ended up in a small town and they had a frozen yogurt place that made their own ice cream. I got something I hadn't had in a very long time. A malted frappe!

I always share with Dave but I really was excited at the idea of a malted so I got the gluteniest flavor with powder gluten! Oh man I drank the whole thing. As I was drinking it I even said "I am going to regret this" I did. OY. Mostly couldn't dream of eating again anytime soon. SO FULL!

Oh on the topic of food. On Saturday we stopped at Calef's Country Store that has been around for 130 years. My meme (gram's mom) shopped there in the 20's! I got this little "thing" It was about the size of a quarter wide. That is a little jelly belly if that helps you guess size.

I have no idea technically what it was. I think it was fudge inside. It looked like a cake ball and the flavor kind of was but the texture wasn't right for a cake ball. It was delicious what ever it was.

How was your weekend?

red yellow green red blue blue blue

2012-04-17T15:42:00.000-05:00

oh hai. I am matchy von matchypants today. Skirt is navy pink and coral. Shoes are coral. shirt is navy, cami, belt and earrings are pink and nails are hot pink. Oh bracelet pink and coral.

Skirt Old Navy
Shirt and Belt Target.
Shoes Dansko from Berks
Bracelet Gap

I thought you could see the nails and belt here a little better. So this skirt came with a blue ribbon which I didn't like. It made to much swooshy noises. I tried a bunch of wide belts because of the large belt loops and I didn't like how it sat because this skirt I THINK should be mid waist. (higher or lower I look SHORT!) I was on the fence with this little belt but Dave said I was over thinking it. OF COURSE I AM. That is what I do. This top I didn't try it on in the store and it is way too big. It is a faux wrap and the top criss crossed over. You can't tell because of how dark it is but I would literally be flashing people all day. I didn't even try it on until this morning. Oh well. They have them at Target right now for about $8. In the proper size it is a cute "dresser" t-shirt which the cross over and the side rouching.

I'll be back later with a weekend post!
Hope everyone is well!
I like to use exclamation points!

Happy Birthday!

2012-04-17T08:58:00.002-05:00

Happy 10th Birthday byhillary!

I originally bought byhillary in 2002 to serve a dual purpose. I was doing craft fairs and selling things to my friends at the time and wanted a web store because that was THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE. I was also about to graduate and I needed a portfolio site temporarily. That is why the b(u)y hillary. It was punny. Buy my stuff and stuff by me. Yeah not terribly original but no one ever questioned it either. I still have a box of business cards from 2002 when Dave designed that first site for me and was working at a graphic design firm with a great printer!

My site has changed a lot over the years. I ditched the flash in 2004 and starting make it more a blog. That content is still out there. I just have no intention to linking you to it. :) it was mega lame anyways. Nothing salacious. Original flash site. You would hover over things and they lit up. Initially I wanted to start a site because my friend Kendra had this amazing site called "I dream in blue" . So amazing. Funnily enough she is probably the only person besides Dave that has been around my site since day 1. In-fact she bought my very first t-shirt I sold! I wish I had full screen shot of 2006 version. I only have the header! (2004 is chopped on purpose :P )

2004 rework

2006 rework

2008 rework

2010 rework

and 2011 rework as it is today.

.

Sadly I don't remember the EXACT date. I know it was April 20something 2002. I would have to dig through old zip disks to find the exact file and I don't think I even have a zip disk reader anymore! Thank you to all who read! I appreciate everyone of you. Well except you over there with the scowl. Oh hell, actually I appreciate you too. You aren't nobody until someone dislikes you! ;)

And a super special thank you to my web monkey who has designed every single thing on this site since the beginning. Thank you for being a perfectionist and insisting every 2 years I overhaul the site and update my little icon with my current hair color!

Take a chill pill hill

2012-04-12T09:06:00.000-05:00

I am a stresser. I am also stubborn so I will not admit when I am stressing. I stress about people, things, work, animals. I stress about being stressed. But the point of all this is music helps me a lot.

One of my all time "best" chill the hell out songs is Dream a Little Dream. It was my wedding song but it was "my song" for much longer than that. As a kid I was obsessed with the Mel Torme version. I would play it on an endless loop. I may or may not of been obsessed when the movie came out with the corys. (totally obsessed) and I may or may not of watched it every single day as I got ready for school. So many amazing people have covered the song. (Zooey!) but my fave is Mama Cass and that was the one we played at our wedding.

Daisyboo is our little stresser. She does not like being in a carrier or the car and she throws a fit to the point she is crying and having a hard time breathing. (same with cutting her nails) She is such a mild mannered cat it KILLS ME when she does that. We have tried a lot of things to try and calm her down and I found the one thing that actually works is singing to her or playing the song on my iPhone for her. What song? You are gonna laugh.

At first I thought I was being the crazy cat lady I know I am turning into and thought I was projecting. Nope I've shown people. She gets all purr-y and snuggly when I play it. Maybe she wants to marry me. Waffle is not a stresser. She is usually the one that causes everyone around her to stress out. She had never responded to music until recently. I was singing Gotye Someone I Used to Know to her the other day and she LOVED IT. I tried it a couple more times and she really likes it. I make up words about her too.

We used to have a Guinea Pig who LOVED Sheryl Crow. He would get all squeaky and popcorn dance around to her.

Do you have a song to chill out? Do you have songs for when you wan to change your mood?

Bush - Glycerine makes me nostalgic.
Soul Coughing - Janie makes me remember falling in love with my husband.
R Kelly - Ignition Remix make me smile. It is so ridiculous.
The Notorious B.I.G - Hypnotize. I instantly start dancing. (I am sure it resembles Elaine on Seinfeld)
Kanye West - Gold Digger if I want to roll the windows down and hand fly.

I may end up deleting this but this is me singing Soul Coughing in the car. I just noticed the date. EXACTLY to the day 4 years ago.

Tiny hearts

2012-04-10T17:35:00.001-05:00

I will allow you a moment to get over the shock you are feeling that I am posting TWO outfits in one day. Don't get used to it ;) If I tell you I won't post and do then I don't feel the pressure to perform. Lowered expectations is the key to happiness. (well for me it kinda is) eh? Basically I ain't your private dancer. Well if you ask nicely I might pretend to tap dance. I have shoes and everything.

I was making a weird face. I had to crop that bitch. Again all front facing ipad pics.

Dress Lands End Supah Sale. I have the same cut dress from 3 years ago in black. The only thing they changed is the waist and I hate this one. It is elastic and doesn't hit right! I couldn't tell online. It was cheap enough I didn't bother to return it. I will just keep covering it up with belts and sweaters.

Boots Clarks

Sweater Forever 21

Watch Avon

I got two comments in person today. No one ever says anything unless it is vaguely rude usually at work. (OH my aren't you trying to be fancy. OH my isn't that bright. Oh you're wearing halloween colors. You remind me of a pumpkin.)

Both comments today involved the word love and one was from the DEAN! Both people told me they loved my sweater! I mean who wouldn't love tiny hearts. (don't tell me if it's you. I will never look at you the same way. It's like not loving kittens. It's a sin I think)

I felt a little like I AM WEARING RED OMG IT IS SO BRIGHT today. People at my work employ a very muted palette. But that's me. The kid who wears a costume to school on Halloween when no one else does. (I may of done that at work once too.)

OK I usually don't like to share stuff like this because honestly the commentary usually gets my hackles up. (The I "prefer this to before." or " I prefered it before" always seem backhanded to me as if the other isn't good) BUT I AM A GLUTTON for punishment. I am thinking of chopping my hair. It's just so limp and I hate it down, I hate it up. Why not chop it?

I am thinking this. Which is a cut I have had a dozen times just teased.

At least now I know what a flat iron is. OY VEY.

Say it isn't so an outfit post.

2012-04-10T09:41:00.000-05:00

Here is my thought process yesterday.
Hey I haven't worn this dress in a long time or this jackety thing. That looks quite nice. **time passes** lunch time rolls around and I am alone in the lunch room. Yeah too bad no one saw this outfit today cause it feels great. Maybe I'll take a picture. But how? I don't have that weird iPhone camera prop thing... hrm. What if I stand the ipad up and use photobooth and the front facing camera. Oh yeah that might work. 5 minutes later I am annoyed and realize that it isn't like my Macbook it doesn't have a timer. Spend 5 minutes on the app store looking for a free app with a timer. Find one. Take a half way decent photo. Try to export it and realize YOU HAVE TO PAY IF YOU WANT TO SAVE WITHOUT A WATERMARK. Damn. This was supposed to be a quick and no stress thing. Take screen shot of it IN the app. Crop a bunch of shit out. Realize the resolution is awful because it's literally a screen shot. Try and blur out the crap in the background to try and make me look more in focus. Get annoyed and decide to make a collage because there are more things to distract from how terrible the photo is of what I once thought was a cute outfit.

eh whatever. Here it is anyways.

Screen shot

My attempt to improve on it.

Necklace Gift from Loft and Lucky magazine
Jacket thing H&M
Dress Marc by Marc Jacobs
Boots Dankso
Purple eyeshadows and peach blush to match the dots of the dress.

So how are you today? Any fun plans this week?
I got nothing. Well we are helping my sil move this weekend and she promised there would be lots of candy from the general store near where her and my husband grew up (my meme used to shop at that same store 100 years ago!) There will probably be Pepsi too because my inlaws are AWESOME LIKE THAT. I don't drink them often but they are my ultimate indulgence. Some people like a glass a wine or a beer. I want a cold cold cold glass of Pepsi.

Recently when I went to my dad's (He gave up Pepsi oh over a decade ago) I opened up his fridge to get some water and I noticed these tiny itty bitty cans in his fridge (ILOVETINYCANS) and I asked his lady person if I could have one because it was weird to see it in their fridge and I didn't know if they were for someone else. She replied "We knew you and Dave would be coming over" Heart exploded! Usually I just would get shit from family (admittedly lady friend would never give anyone a lecture on anything. she is all live and let live) about "do you know how bad that is for you?" yeah my 1-2 Pepsi a week if worse for me than that cigarette you are puffing on dad or that fake sugar you are dumping in your 5th cup of coffee gram. hrm. :P

Wow what a weird topic. Yeah. I haven't had caffeine yet today. Hope you are all well!

What is in my purse (hint) too much!

2012-04-08T12:20:00.001-05:00

I am the type of person that once I get home from work I hang my purse up and don't think about it again until I am running out the door in the morning. Because of that the insides of my purse expand over time. I add and add and try on Sunday to clean it out and start fresh. Every single weekend for a month now we either weren't home or had company. So the much needed clean out hadn't happened. I went to find something today and noticed it was out of hand. Money wasn't even IN my wallet. (I suspect Dave did that.)

This is ridiculous I know. No wonder my shoulder hurts.

We have had some wacky weather here in New England. No snow. No rain. 85 degree days in March and freezing temps in April. My skin HURTS. I feel like everything itches. I have to alternate the lotions with the itch cream daily. Ugh. I never thought I'd say this ever. I wish it would rain! (I HATE rain)

What was inside.

14 lipglosses. 3 lipsticks. 2 perfumes. 1 tub of tinted balm. 2 lotions. While both are heavily( and heavenly) scented they are two of the BEST formulas for my raw skin. Silky smooth. I wish I could find one like the marshmallow one in a scent that didn't make me hungry. Actually I just realized both are food scented! Pill case. 2 Pens. Hand sanitizer. Glasses cloth. Nail file. Concealor pen. Hair comb. Wallet. Stones. Perfume tester I sprayed and wrote name on at store. Straw (necessary when I wear red lipstick) House key. Car key. And a scarf I've been using to sit on in car because I'm petrified of staining new car seats. (don't suggest seat covers. We can't use them due to air bags in seats) oh and BB cream box. Suggested on my Facebook page. Jury still out. It is very dark for me. I wonder if in summer it would look less crazy dark.

Yesterday I got behind the wheel of the new car. (Long story. I do know how but it has been almost 18 years. I've been a city dweller.) It's scary! I am not a fearless 16 year old I can tell you that. Baby steps. I'll get there!

I find backing up the hardest. I do a great 3 point turn though. My friend suggested I try putting my arm back to help with the backing up next time.

I don't know WHY but when backing up I want to instinctively turn the wheel the opposite way. It was a bit sad while doing the 3 point turns because I took driver's ed with my friend that passed two weeks ago. I remember being the captain in his car with my own break and him not listening to the football coach yelling over the Walkie-Talkie, doing as he pleased.

Exciting world of outfit photos

2012-04-05T08:49:00.000-05:00

While backing up my computer I found a bunch of stuff that I never posted. Back in December I took some photos to show you "how I took my pictures" Not because I do a good job of it, nor have any tricks. Mostly because it was boring and it is kinda fun to animate boring shit. Suddenly it is exciting. Like when you create a PowerPoint presentation and add kittens. (not even joking that is happened no less than 4 times in my 6 years working here. Someone putting kittens in a presentation. Not once by me even!)

(not sure why the quality is so bad. This was the first time I did it in potatoshop)

I am always early to work because Dave and I work different schedules and he drops me off. I would get in and run upstairs trying to get it done before the students got in. Look for a spot that didn't clash with my outfit, take some pics, take some details, run back down and set it to upload, realize I hated some of the upclose so I'd go in take a few more in conference room, upload those then leave and get a coffee. You're totally wowed huh? **yawn**

This was the outfit from that day.

Apparently that was also the work holiday party day.

So much food and none of it I would eat. oy. I try not to eat food I don't know what is in it. Visually looking too there were a lot of things I need to avoid in most the dishes. I have a couple of allergies that aren't fun. (Sesame, Kiwi, Mushroom, Yeast and Dairy) I am not just saying that either because I don't like them.

I drink coffee daily but that is only the past 3 years. I never had an issue with it. The other things though? OY. The mushroom thing is just a guess. 4 times in a row having mushrooms I felt like someone was trying to kill me so I decided that maybe I have an issue with them. Strawberries are hit or miss with me. I think same with kiwi. Depends on if they were sprayed or not.

I wonder if you should have tests like that redone periodically? This was from 2004.

Bored to tears yet?

I am off to get a cup of evil coffee. yum

Lets go riding in the car car

2012-04-04T11:06:00.000-05:00

I knew in the last post I would be back in an hour. I meant an hour + 47 hours. So that brings me to now. (Good math huh?)

OK so fun topics. Warning I am going to talk way too much about cars. I know I know WHO AM I?

We bought a new car. What a terrifically stressful experience. To all that have done it without heartburn the entire time my hat is off to ya. We have owned 4 cars.

1. 1987 Camry

Totaled in 1999 when we were at a stop light the day before we were MOVING! oy. Also a week after we turned 200,000 miles. What a fun time that was. Oh the point. It was Dave's parents car they let him take when he moved to Florida 7 months before. "Hi mom and dad, uh someone just hit us, NO NO WE ARE FINE but the car is totaled. umm. Yeah I'm not old enough to rent a car..." After we had turned 200,000 miles on the original clutch, original owners and 2 people learned to drive on it we had sent photos and a letter to Toyota. About a month later after it was totaled and we had a new car we got a letter saying they were excited for us and what a great car it was. Tre sad. We both talk about that car like it was a long lost love.

2. 1990 Camry.
Day we gave it up to 1-800-junkmycar

This replaced the 1987. It was automatic instead of manual. Then we got hit in that car and it was "almost" totaled but they fixed it in 2000 and it was never the same again. OH then someone hit it again in 2001 and this time while parked. Dave came out and the car was sideways in the spot with a note on it. Again they fixed it. No joke it was three years in a row. Every single time the car was stopped when it was hit. We owned this car for almost 10 years. Dave and Dad and Pop did a lot of work on it but other than the accidents we never went to a mechanic. It was really odd experience, since Dave's parents owned the last Camry the insurance paid them for it and they turned around the same day and got the 1990 and SHIPPED it to Florida. It showed up at our apartment on a flatbed truck. When it was hit the second time it took awhile to get it into the shop and I had to ride in the back seat. Then years later because of what had happened the door would have "issues" but never getting into the car, just when getting out. So I'd have to climb out the window. Once I did it at someones house I was meeting for the first time. I was like WHAT A GREAT IMPRESSION. My ass climbing out the car window.

3. 1997 Ford Taurus.
We went car less for about a year then Pop stepped in. He didn't like us not having a car even though living in the city we technically didn't need one. He took it upon himself to buy a car, fix it up and then one day take us into the garage show us say "what do you think? How about $500" We were so confused! We had no idea what was going on. After he died we learned he spent a long time with gram hunting for cars "good on gas mileage" and took this home and spent weeks working on it. It was a TANK. I swear it was the biggest car in the world. (It felt it at least) and sadly it didn't even last us a year. It died when Pop did. I wish I was kidding. The day before the funeral my cousin's friend said "there is something seriously wrong with your car" and he looked at it and fixed it up so it was drive able for us. It had no heat, no ac and sounded like someone was choking it and the frame was cracked. We had to salvage it. The thing that broke on it was something Pop never would of seen. We only knew because they put it on a lift for the state inspection.

4. 2001 Jeep Cherokee.

This is what it was like to own the Jeep. I can't tell you how much money we would of spent if it weren't for my dad, Dave, a manual and their ability to look things up on youTube. They will have to find a new way to spend quality time.

We got this car from a friend of my dad's. He wasn't even selling it but my dad talked him into it. We paid cash. It lasted us exactly 1 year and on the anniversary of the funeral we bought a new car. Odd coincidence but honestly it wasn't going to pass the inspection that was up. It too had a cracked frame. We got this on the 1 year anniversary of the funeral. Pop would of HATED us owning it. He was very anti jeep. Not safe, not good on gas mileage. grumble grumble. (my dad has the same one but in black.)

5. 2012 Subrau Impreza 5 door.

Dude Pop would LOVE THIS CAR. Awesome on gas mileage, won safest small family car, got a great deal on it, got exactly what we paid for the jeep on trade in. We looked into a lot of other cars but Subaru had everything Dave wanted. Sustainably made, good gas, very safe, good to drive and did I mention safe.

I am sure our neighbors laugh as we stand outside and stare at it. In disbelief we own a car from the same decade. Living in Boston for the past 10 years we never needed a car but now we drive daily instead of monthly. Dave has to drive out to his job site more now too. Ugh I would get so freaked out knowing he was on the road for 4 hours in the Jeep. I thought one of the wheels would pop off and leave him stranded in the back woods with no cell service.

Gram's reaction upon seeing it for first time. You can see her saying "oooh"

We took her for a ride. She didn't want to get out. Hard to tell from my cellphone pics but it is a deep plum color.

First person to spill something in it is going to get shanked.

2012-04-02T07:35:00.003-05:00

Oy sorry to go MIA life got well, tough. Sometimes life is so complicated you can't even think straight. Last week one day we bought a car and 12 hours later I heard this happened. Before you visit the link, know it is about a human tragedy. A horrible tragedy of a friend of mine. I can't even write it here because I am still so angry.

One minute I was excited and thrilled and scared because we were buying our first new car and then instantly I didn't care about anything. I dropped off the internet for a week. I stopped playing games (I had over a dozen going at once) and honestly was furious every time someone "nudged" me. I told people on Twitter and Facebook what happened but honestly, most people just ignored it. I probably would have too. Dozens of times I probably saw a friend or an acquaintance post something similar and I stopped for a second, thought "how terrible" and moved on. If I did that to you ever I apologize. I get it. I get it now. This is not the first person I have lost, but it is my first friend. I have lost people I loved with all my heart but something about this just rocked me. I think because WE ARE THE SAME AGE. I sat next to him in class for years. I would snark with him on Facebook, hell we had just days before, never knowing what was real or fake because all we ever talked in was sarcasm. Everyday this past week I went and looked at his page and all the funny things people are saying about not being too much of a smart ass to god. And you know what? That would be how he wanted it. If he could see this he'd probably say something vaguely rude and hilarious and tell me to knock it off.

I'll end it on this note. I know you hear it over and over but seriously. Don't drive drunk. You aren't just putting your life at risk and if this story doesn't show you that then I think you need some help.

I am actually going to turn the comments off on this one. I will be back in an hour with a topic of lighter note. I just wanted to share with you in hopes it makes one person stop and think abou their actions before they get behind the wheel.

Our weekend

2012-03-19T18:53:00.005-05:00

Weekend of ups and downs.

Ups:
Got to see my grandmother, father and "step" mother (technically not married but doesn't matter)
Beautiful weather.
Random act of kindness from a stranger. (more below)
Seeing how happy the kittens were when we got home.
Opening the window at home and letting fresh air in again after 5 plus months of too cold.

Gram's gluten free crepes with baked apples. Super plus side of a French gram! I grew up with crepes.

Seeing how gram interacts with her little brother. They tease each other like any other siblings but there is a lot of love in that teasing. She is 82 he is 76. (They are 2 of 15!)

Seeing the couch gram reupholstered. ALL BY HERSELF. Yup she is 82. She used to do it from the house to make a little money but she always had pop to help. She did this all herself. The boy carried it to the basement and up but that is it. She said this was one of the easiest couches she ever did.

Fabric before.

After (everyone is scared to sit on it!)

My dad yet again fixing my car. I can't even tell you how awesome he is. He has spent no joke at least 40 hours on my car since we got it only a year ago this week.

Downs:

My great uncle passed away. He has been really sick and in a lot of pain.
Dad and Dave spending the day fixing the car. It is amazing that it was fixed but he has been sick for 2 weeks and he spends his first day off under the car. My dad works 6-7 days a week too. :(
Dave and I fell in the parking lot after some extreme shopping cart stunt. His right hand is pretty banged up and he clonked his head. I was a bit tossed around and sore but I am OK.
Cleaning the blood off the back of the car so people don't think we have bodies in our trunk.

Oh so the random act of kindness. I participate in them myself. Making someone smile is fun, and I have received many from friends, but this was a first from a total stranger. (I am not counting all the nice things waiters and waitresses have done or sales people) Dave and I were hitting up the one Starbucks for I swear like 20 miles in Dover NH and we did the drive through. As someone who has lived in the city for a decade drive throughs are a novelty to me and a Starbucks drive through just doubles my glee as we used it. We each got over priced giant coffees for the drive home and I got a little pie. As we drove up the woman told Dave while smiling the biggest smile. "Your order has already been taken care of" My instant reaction was to whip my head around looking for the yellow convertible that had been ahead of us. It was pulling out of the lot and the woman turn and looked at me smiled and waved! It made our day. Since we don't do drive throughs the paying for the car behind isn't something I had ever thought of but I am going to purposefully go to one and do it. I called my gram and told her and she said my pop used to do it do it for service men in Dunkin Donuts or restaurants. I actually know what the convertible's license plate said because it was so unique but I am not going to look it up because I know that wasn't her intention. I just plan to pay it forward. Good karma is good for your soul.

On a purely fashion related note. I have been wanting a pair of red pants for quite some time. I actually had bought a pair a few years ago but HATED them when I wore them. They just seemed like too much. I donated them and decided to look for something more in a cropped ankle cut instead of the flares I had.

Enter these.

I loved them at the store. I imagined wearing them 3 ways (as is my rule)

I got home and my shy kicked in. I immediately felt stupid and like it was a dumb purchase. In the light of my bedroom I felt like they were TOO too. I mostly feared I shouldn't be wearing a slim cut pant. Do you have any advice how I can wear them. Not just "oh with a black shirt and flats" More how I can, taking my style into thought, can wear them?

This was from immediately before I bought the pants. How cute is he? Poor thing had the flu for 2 week and this was his first real "outing" he wanted soup.

I had this. Chicken Dynamite. OMGITISSOHOT.

and a gratuitous kitten photo to round it all out.

Kitten sized samples! Fancy kitty feels fancy! (see I told you that all you gotta do is be nice to a sales person! I got 5 samples just for being nice to a random sales girl. Asked about a tatoo and told her how much I dug her look. She did burlesque!)

Quiz Time

2012-03-15T08:06:00.001-05:00

I have been doing these for 5 years on here and over on Flickr so I gotta be honest I have no idea what has and hasn't been asked anymore. I figure you might either so I am just gonna wing it today.

As always PLEASE copy and paste the questions in your comment. PLEASE do not just number them. That requires people scroll up and down (on their phones most annoyingly) and it just makes it not as fun to read your answers if we have to go back and forth looking for questions.
Ya got me? Good!
Lets play!

1. What word or phrase do you hear all the time but honestly don't know what it means?
2. What word do you HATE? (not new slang. Make it a legit word)
3. What is the last thing you ate?
4. What time did you get up today?
5. If someone handed you a kitten and asked you to name it what would you name it? (say you hate cats and you watch how fast I figure out how to ban you from the INTERWEBS. Not that anyone would be you know I like to be fiesty)
6. Favorite cartoon character. (not including muppets)
7. Did you ever wish you had another name? What was it? OR do you have a fake name you use in public sometimes? Like in restaurants.
8. I just walked in your front door. What is the first thing I see or you hope I DON'T see?
9. Are you wearing shoes? Describe them.
10. What is your writing implement preference?