Outfit Post: Tough Girl

Jacket – ASOS/Tank top – Wal-Mart/Maxi Skirt – TJ Maxx/Shoes – Thrifted/Necklace - Ruche

I’m not gonna lie…I’m pretty freaking proud of this outfit. I got this bomber jacket from…are you ready…ASOS. On sale of course. It fits so perfectly, is buttery soft, and is pretty much amazing, like every other item I’ve purchased from that website. I AM ADDICTED.
I was really excited to rock it on the first night of Oktoberfest.

The thing about a bomber jacket, even if it’s faux leather, is that it makes you feel like a badass. Mix in a black and white palette, and I felt pretty cool (even though I’m far from tough…or cool for that matter…). I bought the maxi skirt about a week ago from TJ Maxx…10 dollars. I’ve been wanting one for a while, and I actually got two different ones from there. This one is excellent…I love the print.

It was unintentional, but pretty much all of my friends called me Marnie all night. I definitely did feel a bit Stevie Nicks-y. These lace-up boots I bought at a thrift store in Jim Thorpe added to that effect. These were a total find and I love them so very much. I’m lucky they were my size!

The final piece is this elephant necklace. My mother gave it to me. Years ago, I purchased one from a flea market that was gold and just as big. It broke. But somehow my mom found a new, just-as-large elephant necklace in a less gaudy color. Regardless, I consider it my bling. Elephants are by far my favorite animal. I will gladly represent them in large necklace form.

Oktober in September

What a weekend! PA Oktoberfest was definitely a success. This was Mohegan Sun’s first year, and I think they did a pretty good job with it. Hopefully, it won’t be the last time they hold the festival! 3 days of good food, yummy pumpkin ales, and seeing lots of great people! I was there Friday and Saturday night, and both times were very fun, albeit a little crazy. I don’t have many pictures, but that’s what happens when you’re busy having a good time! I’d been looking forward to this for quite a while, so I’m bummed that it’s over. Always next year, right?
This weekend was definitely one for the books…I wish it didn’t have to end.

Just Because it’s Friday…

Last Friday, Brad bought me flowers just because. And now, another Friday is upon us! It’s insane how fast the weeks seem to go by. The work days drag on and on, but before I know it, I’ve already said farewell to another week or, even crazier, a month. We are already past the halfway mark for September. And no doubts about it, fall is coming. The weather is not expected to go higher than 60 degrees here in NEPA.

This weekend, I will be enjoying the PA Oktoberfest. This is my first Oktoberfest, and I’m super excited! Pumpkin ales, catching up with friends, authentic German food….not quite sure there’s any way it would be a bad weekend! I hope that whatever you do, it’s great!!

Outfit: Sunshine and Bows

I wasn’t planning on two outfit posts this week, but I’m sort of in love with this new dress. I’ve said it before, but there’s nothing better than dressing up after a rough day/week at work. Unfortunately, I’m stuck with a uniform that leaves me feeling plain and boring. So throwing on some new clothes and some red lipstick, and seeing the bright sunshine, was an instant pick-me-up.

I am just completely obsessed with this pussybow. How can you not love sweet little bows and collars? They make girly, cute dresses even girly-er/cuter. The color also excites me. Ever since I saw this, I’ve wanted to pair this hue (the dress is considered “Golden Oak”) with a red lip. I have yet to master the perfect crimson lips, but I think I did alright for my first shot.

Dress – ASOS (Only one size left, I got lucky!)/Sweater – Old Navy/Belt – Forever 21 (Came with these capris)/Shoes – Target

MUCHOS GRACIAS to my excellent boyfriend and his amazing Canon 7D for these pictures.
They were the best outfit photos (in my opinion) yet, and he always makes me laugh and brings out the best in me!

Outfit: Slouchy

This was my outfit for our little brewery/beer tour in Philly on Saturday. It ended up being the perfect outfit for the ever-unpredictable temperatures both at home and in the city of Brotherly Love. Once again, I’m wearing an item from ASOS. These Paperbag Peg Pants are definitely a new favorite for my closet. I am just obsessed with trousers and a high-waist. The slider buckle closure was just icing on the cake!

I topped off the outfit with a shirt I’ve had since 2007, a tank top I got from Old Navy. (Now that Missoni for Target has been released and promptly out of stock for the most part, I can’t help but notice that’s it’s like a poor man’s wider version of this print…) I love wearing it with any and everything. It’s been a go-to for jeans/shorts or even tucked into skirts and it has yet to do me wrong. Just another closet classic that won’t be parting with me anytime soon. My shoes are from Target last year and they are the best sandal/flat in-between shoes.

Top – Old Navy (old)/Pants – ASOS/Shoes – Target/Purse – Marshall’s

Yards Brewing Company

Prepare for a beer-heavy post!

For about a month now, I’ve been planning a little day trip to Philadelphia with my dad and some of my favorite dudes. The whole reason we would be going? Beer! My dad is somewhat of a beer/microbrew connoisseur, and strange, rare brews make him really happy! I wasn’t really sure where to begin with planning, so my dad recommended Yards Brewing Company, which is a Philadelphia brewery.
Free tours, free samples…sounds good to me!

As soon as we walked into the doors, we were offered a free cup of beer. Then, once you start the tour, you’re greeted with two more samples. They were in small plastic cups, but it was potent all the same. Once the tour was over, we headed back out to the tasting room and each enjoyed a glass of Cape of Good Hope, which is a very popular seasonal brew.

It was an excellent day. After a week of rain and floods in NEPA (still praying for those affected by the floods!), we had blue skies and warm weather to enjoy the city with. There are a bunch more photos from our day trip, but I’ll share those later.

If you’re in Philadelphia and are looking for free/cheap fun, check out Yards Brewing Company!!!

Pancake Breakfast

While I tend to get a case of the grumpies on Sundays, I love Sunday morning breakfast. The day is usually wide open to relax, wander around or do a bit of shopping (I bought all 4 seasons of Mad Men on DVD for $40 bucks…SCORE!) so we get out of bed a little later than usual and take our time making something tasty. This week was gluten-free pancakes, made with almond flour (which was used in this previous recipe).
I was excited to try something new with the almond flour (we don’t do a lot of baking, and I didn’t want the rather expensive item to go to waste!), and also indulge in some pancakes. Brad tried a different pancake alternative before and…I’m not a fan. At all.

Facing the facts, nothing will ever be as good as a stack of traditional, yummy, buttery pancakes. These pancakes have a dryer, nuttier (obviously) flavor/texture. However, the almond meal was a good gluten-free alternative for those that simply cannot eat gluten/wheat.
I drizzled mine in syrup, of course. Brad mashed a couple of fresh berries and made himself an interesting jam/syrup.
All in all, it was a great breakfast and a successful recipe!

Super simple ingredients. Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, the flour, and 3 eggs.

Batter up! (Oh, cheesy….)