tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40220865437827434522024-03-15T20:10:20.704-05:00From the Mixed-up Files...Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.comBlogger794125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-78905317138186133722018-02-19T18:30:00.000-06:002018-02-19T18:30:31.862-06:00Fictional and Factual Fashion with eShakti<p style="text-align: center;"><a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-terse="true" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/726275877379055242/"></a></p>
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I apologize for the alliteration in the post title. I couldn’t help myself.
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I love fashion. If I were to get deep about it, I’d say that clothes and accessories are a way to express myself when words fail. But really, it’s a fun hobby of mine—consuming it, discussing it, reading about it, and even writing about it. In my first book, <i>Front Row</i>, fashion on a budget (and dirty laundry) almost became another character in the story, especially in scenes like this:
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<a href="http://rebekahnbryan.com/2018/02/fictional-and-factual-fashion/">Continue reading on rebekahnbryan.com --></a>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-15402431350671596362016-12-30T20:20:00.000-06:002016-12-31T06:56:49.374-06:00Customized Party Dress from eShakti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've worked with eShakti <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-review-of-my-eshakti-experience.html" target="_blank">once before</a>, so I was excited when they contacted me again, offering me a sample. I love that they let you to customize their dresses by changing the neckline, sleeve length, and tunic length, depending on the style. Not only that, you can input your exact measurements for a perfect fit. And best of all, they're very reasonably priced.</div>
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Since I wanted something festive to wear to my husband's work holiday party (and possibly again for my Valentine's birthday!), I went with the <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/ProductDetailoption2.aspx?productid=CL0044573" target="_blank">asymmetric bell sleeve jacquard knit dress</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://www.eshakti.com/ProductDetailoption2.aspx?productid=CL0044573" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbNb00Q-0oiCrr2J4GB0UUduYf9Bce8OGusog_IIWQiUB9LIoyxzYek3glPLVSzoGVRHU2XBM4wFy9wHEZ9uv6uuuhuxSvEkqKkCiPygga-5p4VpyU_yT27RAV7pVG5srwXpLyeO89UwI/s1600/CL0044573MV.jpg" /></a></div>
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I then customized it by bringing up the hem to mini length and opening up the neckline to a boat-neck style. I kept the sleeve length as is. My measurements were saved from last time I used the site, so I left those as is except for adding an inch to the waist measurement just to be safe.</div>
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I wasn't sure what my husband was going to think about the trendy bell sleeves, but he liked the dress, and so do I! I'm sure the short length helped with his opinion although it's quite a bit shorter than my usual comfort level. Nothing a pair of tights can't fix. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_4YbpLgNSRTUmXNfv99sGtnuunLqLgCnzxUzBsBxG0mrYVOxb1gK6aTzN9HZhD8K5eAmMVGfvBR61iN7P1UTj08kzYZ9DRnu66DHHkxq5-fLphFMbEp9w86dneknNyTRyAhL1tZe93eS/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_4YbpLgNSRTUmXNfv99sGtnuunLqLgCnzxUzBsBxG0mrYVOxb1gK6aTzN9HZhD8K5eAmMVGfvBR61iN7P1UTj08kzYZ9DRnu66DHHkxq5-fLphFMbEp9w86dneknNyTRyAhL1tZe93eS/s640/IMG_1812.JPG" width="344" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress: c/o eShakti; Necklace: Christmas gift; Tights: Spanx; Shoes: Vince Camuto</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YnicExc0FnspgisAZ5PoU_BIYng03BBS7xQPP8xGV-R9oV9VioILlwCCTrllkaL3crQcWZNLdCPlND-yAa3YCxUf9EyhrfNuxRSNh6rtvOfE9S4ayZ8Bi57oQP3lHKxv6qzHeudUv8xc/s1600/IMG_1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YnicExc0FnspgisAZ5PoU_BIYng03BBS7xQPP8xGV-R9oV9VioILlwCCTrllkaL3crQcWZNLdCPlND-yAa3YCxUf9EyhrfNuxRSNh6rtvOfE9S4ayZ8Bi57oQP3lHKxv6qzHeudUv8xc/s640/IMG_1816.JPG" width="392" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvUyavBjA2loA3dUDR3HE0LQ550q8VExDoc25YBHtUmKVVNQWvLcUZDjWD2rAQaYgvaipV9v_rTaXtgivl3EoRj8i_ruK8LRRRI-Lop8gIHphvI-hoFQrZIZ1_slKhVKepxbffuw1Bbu_/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvUyavBjA2loA3dUDR3HE0LQ550q8VExDoc25YBHtUmKVVNQWvLcUZDjWD2rAQaYgvaipV9v_rTaXtgivl3EoRj8i_ruK8LRRRI-Lop8gIHphvI-hoFQrZIZ1_slKhVKepxbffuw1Bbu_/s640/DSC_0092.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
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Holiday Party Makeup:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPKE2uIqT1ooCVEB9UCZO9mnpqLNxRaoKs93hM82hukMHe9dsMefcSA9AHtRaEIIixJ1rTBA7-wbkSVXLi1Df3k8xfHh10LJSLmC9PwohfZXP4RwDFs0QOYyahqxFNQ-VKIyshMN0J6rA/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPKE2uIqT1ooCVEB9UCZO9mnpqLNxRaoKs93hM82hukMHe9dsMefcSA9AHtRaEIIixJ1rTBA7-wbkSVXLi1Df3k8xfHh10LJSLmC9PwohfZXP4RwDFs0QOYyahqxFNQ-VKIyshMN0J6rA/s640/DSC_0103.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
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Happy New Year! We're ready for you, 2017!</div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-54304378146032700532015-01-07T19:48:00.000-06:002015-01-07T19:48:00.046-06:00I (Self-)Published a Book!If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you may have already seen the news, but I wanted to let anyone who was still subscribed know that I self-published a book! My 2012 NaNoWriMo work-in-progress (that I first blogged about <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2012/11/nanowrimo-day-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>) is now a real, live novel. You can purchase it on either <a href="https://www.createspace.com/5100536" target="_blank">CreateSpace</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Front-Row-Novel-Rebekah-Bryan/dp/1503227898" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.createspace.com/5100536" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://zme-caps.amazon.com/asset/SSE/content/5100536/THUMBNAIL_IMAGE?versionId=2&awsClient=416214191754%3Auser%2FMainsite&urlMethod=GET&expires=31536000000000&requestId=2de66b65-96c0-11e4-874a-31aa3bf72922&sig=9326bea693d8e6af5e42896b237db6a1e787c2bfcdd8eb14c69c17261587b19a&serial=1" /></a></div>
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Obviously, I don't update this blog anymore, but if you want to keep up with my noveling adventures, here's where to find me:<br />
Website: <a href="http://rebekahnbryan.com/" target="_blank">rebekahnbryan.com</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rebekahnbryan" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/rebekahnbryan</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RebekahNBryan" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/RebekahNBryan</a><br />
Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11880945.Rebekah_N_Bryan" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11880945.Rebekah_N_Bryan</a>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-1712260621543568542014-09-29T12:59:00.000-05:002014-09-29T13:07:01.389-05:00More Elie Tahari for Kohl's Fitting Room ReviewsSince I had to take something back to Kohl's today because the security tag was left on, I decided to try on more of the Elie Tahari collection while I was there. <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2014/09/elie-tahari-for-kohls-fitting-room.html" target="_blank">Here</a> is my first set of reviews from Friday. Everything pictured here is an XL.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYA2pUoXxY3V2qNueiWJ41HzE6c1nlV2owle67ICrG3rLbkAq-KBsM-qYIxXoi012Vw9c5LfMPThVkyAmBgYYh4qqVPImzJ5FeYdaGKPGq3pRmAK-FwHUdpr_yZWXPQxrXP-T7mI4ZMc/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140929_090813186_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYA2pUoXxY3V2qNueiWJ41HzE6c1nlV2owle67ICrG3rLbkAq-KBsM-qYIxXoi012Vw9c5LfMPThVkyAmBgYYh4qqVPImzJ5FeYdaGKPGq3pRmAK-FwHUdpr_yZWXPQxrXP-T7mI4ZMc/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140929_090813186_HDR.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1820818/elie-tahari-for-designation-open-work-chenille-sweater-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Open-work chenille sweater</a> on sale for $48</td></tr>
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Funny story. I didn't realize I had this sweater on backwards. The split is supposed to be in the back, which I think I would've liked a little better. As is, it highlights my biggest problem area - my mom gut. Check out the product photo to see how it should look.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH7llkoJuro80d06LKXu4hztcZAwdwSQBe2by4apJ61p9tVrSeflhBMeen0W9vOmjTMjhb6URqeUbEsMrk4n7mOrXyGYsq9yl6SK2FRKugcQyi9rqMXP9BnrMCVIA7GEv6X2L_609SDE/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140929_090929608_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH7llkoJuro80d06LKXu4hztcZAwdwSQBe2by4apJ61p9tVrSeflhBMeen0W9vOmjTMjhb6URqeUbEsMrk4n7mOrXyGYsq9yl6SK2FRKugcQyi9rqMXP9BnrMCVIA7GEv6X2L_609SDE/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140929_090929608_HDR.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1820802/elie-tahari-for-designation-ombre-convertible-cardigan-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Ombre convertible cardigan</a> on sale for $66</td></tr>
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I tried this cozy, comfy sweater on Friday but forgot to get a picture of it. I still like it - the gray version and the cream version. The scarf is detachable. I didn't purchase it, but I did add it to my Christmas list.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdRVktyJo6Xj5uJWJiko8P2qYgf7xuNFeGEvjiveqZgU7GKEwuJ54T6Ji9QCHfQey7Kx-NvnuMGlCHdp5ms-ala4qqW7RhvpPCg8lHPkzpOw3Kv3R2_tW1yd461zBTzi5zEq-HGIi5fE/w325-h553-no/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdRVktyJo6Xj5uJWJiko8P2qYgf7xuNFeGEvjiveqZgU7GKEwuJ54T6Ji9QCHfQey7Kx-NvnuMGlCHdp5ms-ala4qqW7RhvpPCg8lHPkzpOw3Kv3R2_tW1yd461zBTzi5zEq-HGIi5fE/w325-h553-no/" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1821522/elie-tahari-for-designation-drape-back-mixed-media-top-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Drape-back mixed-media top</a> on sale for $36</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXwZwcNKwHshuTItUkJZfRBIwlaaAZiTh_eqElIqvkG5okOkuZAu2L4DumKkkC2ySSHG884eTXYDf88LpisEHJcidmGK4IC9f1lpAmMizQ4WNkW0j8NlGmeszi9Ni5aHXQw0XK699LH4/w316-h553-no/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXwZwcNKwHshuTItUkJZfRBIwlaaAZiTh_eqElIqvkG5okOkuZAu2L4DumKkkC2ySSHG884eTXYDf88LpisEHJcidmGK4IC9f1lpAmMizQ4WNkW0j8NlGmeszi9Ni5aHXQw0XK699LH4/w316-h553-no/" width="311" /></a></div>
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Quite a few of the tops in this collection were wrinkly in the store - this one included. It's fine, but it does nothing for me. You can't really tell in the above picture, but it has some extra draped material in the back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhRo_EqlMG6GrzyMgoZ7i8-xBiOsMDrXWvGBnRTwH3G6xIOpxjbAw5du8wsAWGNFcWsPsLFEHyMbSwt35TuxNjtNjRGjNg1IOttyMEA1_Q9sGvyHc95fLoyZAaRWvfgVA-DFkDjeax_M/w405-h553-no/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhRo_EqlMG6GrzyMgoZ7i8-xBiOsMDrXWvGBnRTwH3G6xIOpxjbAw5du8wsAWGNFcWsPsLFEHyMbSwt35TuxNjtNjRGjNg1IOttyMEA1_Q9sGvyHc95fLoyZAaRWvfgVA-DFkDjeax_M/w405-h553-no/" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1850487/elie-tahari-for-designation-mixed-media-high-low-hem-tee-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Mixed-media high-low hem tee</a> on sale for $33</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuroBO3RzCmgsXLb167F7U2_OumAgZ7NVVGHyTjhgu-fbdFogDA5Wq9bZae12zYzcIoY95f2xU5ZYg4q4AYoFTL2vRGTVFScAiv9-41dOCjfsT3qFlpQsbTVOQeBDNAJd0M-BBFkRVo_0/w435-h553-no/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuroBO3RzCmgsXLb167F7U2_OumAgZ7NVVGHyTjhgu-fbdFogDA5Wq9bZae12zYzcIoY95f2xU5ZYg4q4AYoFTL2vRGTVFScAiv9-41dOCjfsT3qFlpQsbTVOQeBDNAJd0M-BBFkRVo_0/w435-h553-no/" width="311" /></a></div>
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I like this T-shirt and almost bought it. I had it in my cart but later reconsidered. The notch detail in front is cool and different, but where the black part hits me is not the most flattering. It was made from a very comfortable material, too, but I had to pass it up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw71iemZ1DpnaqNo_YJ8GixNXY5M-6gN0oIxi-BdTKZLoSAyl1RsRZzQkL_X71D4r_2FjY1OOiDNoz-fT6uSxj3xyd5ez18sBunPsrYwaJSM0e-F_X3zXj6cP-LZMFSnE7mhV5_E9X0Wg/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140929_091338559_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw71iemZ1DpnaqNo_YJ8GixNXY5M-6gN0oIxi-BdTKZLoSAyl1RsRZzQkL_X71D4r_2FjY1OOiDNoz-fT6uSxj3xyd5ez18sBunPsrYwaJSM0e-F_X3zXj6cP-LZMFSnE7mhV5_E9X0Wg/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140929_091338559_HDR.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1821662/elie-tahari-for-designation-faux-fur-sweatshirt-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Faux-fur sweatshirt</a> on sale for $55.50, <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1822972/elie-tahari-for-designation-textured-midi-skirt-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Textured midi skirt</a> on sale for $40.50</td></tr>
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Another wrinkly top. I actually really like this sweatshirt, in theory, with the faux fur panel in the front. It's just not something I needed. Plus, my daughter watched <i>Tarzan</i> on repeat all weekend, so I couldn't help but think "gorilla" a little bit (<i>GO-RILL-A</i>). But besides the wrinkles, I thought this was a cute, casual sweatshirt.<br />
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I ended up buying the sweater skirt! I loved the stretchiness and the length, and I felt bad for taking so much into the fitting room that I had to buy something. With a coupon and a $10 reward, I ended up getting it for $22. It's described as "midi," and I s'pose it would be on shorter ladies. On me, it hit right below my knees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z54FP2aVpS4aMNdgRerYYkkBYaAyR1HHVQnHBUyCus2YqrKXyMbmDtcL6Tl2cD7f2rNpNyXIemKMB6djQgIKRU0cy7v2l0s5bwGk-zTxgEUUzzN9w6XWkikZiSl9FJgd945gQrWAG3M/w329-h553-no/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z54FP2aVpS4aMNdgRerYYkkBYaAyR1HHVQnHBUyCus2YqrKXyMbmDtcL6Tl2cD7f2rNpNyXIemKMB6djQgIKRU0cy7v2l0s5bwGk-zTxgEUUzzN9w6XWkikZiSl9FJgd945gQrWAG3M/w329-h553-no/" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1821771/elie-tahari-for-designation-chenille-sheath-dress-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Chenille sheath dress</a> on sale for $58.50</td></tr>
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This sweater dress is something else I tried on Friday but forgot to get a picture of. It could've worked with Spanx, but eh. I would like it on someone else though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyw3pcJaRY2ngb0E1t7ymIXRs0mMNmeuwoiKrsju9IZNOP8yZY5GIvLy6RXcNOa4w1mw7dxGCpkL2JBI6RTd-KhwfMs9Osf6gzn9Zf9JxP6Fn2tbo7SJDcEBvTSuq5RzZQ_s53CFeEelI/w418-h553-no/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyw3pcJaRY2ngb0E1t7ymIXRs0mMNmeuwoiKrsju9IZNOP8yZY5GIvLy6RXcNOa4w1mw7dxGCpkL2JBI6RTd-KhwfMs9Osf6gzn9Zf9JxP6Fn2tbo7SJDcEBvTSuq5RzZQ_s53CFeEelI/w418-h553-no/" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1850493/elie-tahari-for-designation-mixed-media-sheath-dress-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Mixed-media sheath dress</a> on sale for $63</td></tr>
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Such a cool dress. The sleeves are made of a stretch fabric, but the dress is not and fit me pretty much how every sheath dress fits me - loose on top and tight on the bottom. The zipper details on the bottom half add some edginess. I much prefer this black patterned version to the solid blue version. If I had anywhere to wear this dress, I might've just bought it and took in the top to fit better. But alas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllwRwkHTueIb9sjck2a2-Sawf7qznqlDFbFE9j4HPd1n7Ce8aQz1O-8Pz0Ww62HIDzHiZiwa4JcECCPKbmnW0pWEO_LnR4u03hi8aEUKyb4zciYdVuKZZ6N18V6WvwJCrsCZVIMFRrZk/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140929_091908797_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllwRwkHTueIb9sjck2a2-Sawf7qznqlDFbFE9j4HPd1n7Ce8aQz1O-8Pz0Ww62HIDzHiZiwa4JcECCPKbmnW0pWEO_LnR4u03hi8aEUKyb4zciYdVuKZZ6N18V6WvwJCrsCZVIMFRrZk/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140929_091908797_HDR.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1820681/elie-tahari-for-designation-nyc-mixed-media-sweater-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Mixed-media sweater</a> on sale for $45</td></tr>
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Ew. The notch detail at the hem made my hips look wide, and slouchy doesn't really work on me. This could be cute on someone else, though. On the other hand...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAKLw6TRR_HQaU34NDL__vHYT5vws8RX9i9NSm8vqre9VLSZ10p8RsP_BDH28qC3_yAaEjBFvUSgT6IZyDj9RfIGJFhVMuzycU-eZEn7Jo6mOrWwzgKmwPoXDomS2krf8Wo3FYgytyBM/w349-h552-no/IMG_20140929_092000885_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAKLw6TRR_HQaU34NDL__vHYT5vws8RX9i9NSm8vqre9VLSZ10p8RsP_BDH28qC3_yAaEjBFvUSgT6IZyDj9RfIGJFhVMuzycU-eZEn7Jo6mOrWwzgKmwPoXDomS2krf8Wo3FYgytyBM/w349-h552-no/IMG_20140929_092000885_HDR.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1820724/elie-tahari-for-designation-ribbed-funnel-neck-sweater-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Ribbed funnel neck sweater</a> on sale for $48</td></tr>
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I can't see how this would be cute on anyone. I don't even like it on the model.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-89204819342926353802014-09-26T14:30:00.002-05:002014-09-29T13:01:57.771-05:00Elie Tahari for Kohl's Fitting Room ReviewsHi! I'm back for an ad hoc post on the <a href="http://www.kohls.com/sale-event/elie-tahari-for-designation.jsp" target="_blank">Elie Tahari for DesigNation collection</a> at Kohl's, which is in stores and online now. I'm about 3 weeks postpartum (check out <a href="http://instagram.com/mixedupbek" target="_blank">my Instagram</a> for pics of the new baby!), so right now I'm in size 18 pants and probably size 16 dresses for reference. I grabbed everything the store had in an XL, but one thing I did miss out on because they didn't have my size was the <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1821717/elie-tahari-for-designation-nyc-skyline-fit-flare-dress-womens.jsp" target="_blank">skyline fit & flare dress</a> - not that I need another dress in my closet anyway. Also, lately I've only been buying and wearing things that are nursing friendly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9Z5fnk-jOXuFk9AozA22XpT8s34u9ZpKGj3fevPoltPCLxM-7vB2EjhlVkUTDwfEWK0pGBo5LR3Vg4UU-K4yqPydf2UajhX6ZjcK-NcOhMUpv_MXOge8tauhlzNUcgQid06k3cFh244/w350/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9Z5fnk-jOXuFk9AozA22XpT8s34u9ZpKGj3fevPoltPCLxM-7vB2EjhlVkUTDwfEWK0pGBo5LR3Vg4UU-K4yqPydf2UajhX6ZjcK-NcOhMUpv_MXOge8tauhlzNUcgQid06k3cFh244/w350/" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1820837/elie-tahari-for-designation-mixed-media-pleat-back-sweater-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Mixed-media pleat-back sweater</a> on sale for $48, <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1850499/elie-tahari-for-designation-french-terry-jogger-pants-womens.jsp" target="_blank">French terry jogger pants</a> on sale for $37.50</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CEclIrk-VWlRso2rZxJY4OV64vTfJYYoiLPItGWNXNKtVst30hqhyrRx-aT5pO-QGcgaqsa_a9CJpoIDR_ios086OXKkG1V_L9SmcqpsrSfmLtNvFIeReCk2EUJM6Y95hXFz28Zdy7o/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CEclIrk-VWlRso2rZxJY4OV64vTfJYYoiLPItGWNXNKtVst30hqhyrRx-aT5pO-QGcgaqsa_a9CJpoIDR_ios086OXKkG1V_L9SmcqpsrSfmLtNvFIeReCk2EUJM6Y95hXFz28Zdy7o/" /></a></div>
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The sweater was huge and unflattering on me, but the pants were fun. The pants ran big, so I would size down if you're interested in those. You could probably size down in the sweater, too, if you didn't want it to look quite so huge. I passed on the sweater obviously, but the pants were my one purchase from the collection since all I basically wear on maternity leave is yoga pants. Now I can mix it up a bit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvyk8qzHANVGdjhZkCtWSoRlKOMueZKooSKzLP0EYd5S8raDHuAQVjzoz3WJAJwgMtaWc9IRcLKjMs7HFubZOQjCwvqk5RFOWE1GEN32lu4ywTDnZqlu_KDQcNqujBAMTDJmg4UQS6Hs/w487-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093344084_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvyk8qzHANVGdjhZkCtWSoRlKOMueZKooSKzLP0EYd5S8raDHuAQVjzoz3WJAJwgMtaWc9IRcLKjMs7HFubZOQjCwvqk5RFOWE1GEN32lu4ywTDnZqlu_KDQcNqujBAMTDJmg4UQS6Hs/w487-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093344084_HDR.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1821453/elie-tahari-for-designation-graphic-mixed-media-tee-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Graphic mixed-media tee</a> on sale for $36</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxugXfjoGeKhpF794KkurAGxuAzjUc8jEuGpY4Am2H-7N48au8OG1fNgIOiaWLBUM1jxvsqQ0FERY-7CewaBwDiSZPXc49BtRQreOBugEiQBZaRPItUF9XzhHLoSaNF7MK9eVRmbD0Ic/w595-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093405129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxugXfjoGeKhpF794KkurAGxuAzjUc8jEuGpY4Am2H-7N48au8OG1fNgIOiaWLBUM1jxvsqQ0FERY-7CewaBwDiSZPXc49BtRQreOBugEiQBZaRPItUF9XzhHLoSaNF7MK9eVRmbD0Ic/w595-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093405129.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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This t-shirt was fine. Not very flattering on me, but I could see how it would be cute on someone else. The two XLs I picked up were both kind of wrinkly, but laundering it once may remedy that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcuJOnjWpTWlkbvopaJDxelexyvBGF3YuL67zdiVjBVVy4t4g_luJiiHp0d7WPOTCDPoqzfbxLLZ80P_xk2ztc6ASQJ7WM2JNVgRjQas8QkzsMdqwOKsiIbkQ7YDXuGAvTZoOPL-6lNs/w547-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093600905_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcuJOnjWpTWlkbvopaJDxelexyvBGF3YuL67zdiVjBVVy4t4g_luJiiHp0d7WPOTCDPoqzfbxLLZ80P_xk2ztc6ASQJ7WM2JNVgRjQas8QkzsMdqwOKsiIbkQ7YDXuGAvTZoOPL-6lNs/w547-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093600905_HDR.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1823083/Elie-Tahari-for-DesigNation-Ombre-Georgette-Tunic-Women-s.jsp" target="_blank">Ombre georgette tunic</a> on sale for $48, <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1884550/elie-tahari-for-designation-mesh-ponte-leggings-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Mesh ponte leggings</a> on sale for $37.50</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5MA0GQtyNT_mljUhH6xxXTQh6kcBMYIE9VKdOIpbhphTPQqJe94xrSOJDUkXlZuAxmRklPp_VEnFtC4GzvjGdX7ic5gusYX0FqnEkzUKV5CLBfbCQCL3b3vxWje_7aEJIYZzImFi6KI/w615-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093611069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5MA0GQtyNT_mljUhH6xxXTQh6kcBMYIE9VKdOIpbhphTPQqJe94xrSOJDUkXlZuAxmRklPp_VEnFtC4GzvjGdX7ic5gusYX0FqnEkzUKV5CLBfbCQCL3b3vxWje_7aEJIYZzImFi6KI/w615-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093611069.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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For people with a straighter shape, this tunic would be great. On me, it was tight in the stomach and hips area but fit fine in the chest. The sleeve length was perfect. Usually shirt sleeves hit me somewhere around the wrist. I see online that these leggings come in short and long lengths, which is intriguing to me. I did like these, and they would fit even if and when I did lose more weight, but I just didn't feel like I needed them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknFxd_9E4934dpvTkGTc5yn_klNeST3JKFCD7Q_1xJClcv3qewfA8NvgzxPcYo2nNLfBI67u_2dQaSMyhn5IxGCFM6SZWqJ-87kTBCu09n4LfBNcQdClX5Dm3gGWiCpQfmwfgd8UQTyI/w487-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093737762_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknFxd_9E4934dpvTkGTc5yn_klNeST3JKFCD7Q_1xJClcv3qewfA8NvgzxPcYo2nNLfBI67u_2dQaSMyhn5IxGCFM6SZWqJ-87kTBCu09n4LfBNcQdClX5Dm3gGWiCpQfmwfgd8UQTyI/w487-h865-no/IMG_20140926_093737762_HDR.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1821976/elie-tahari-for-designation-faux-suede-motorcycle-jacket-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Faux-suede motorcycle jacket</a> on sale for $75</td></tr>
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I have no complaints about this jacket. It fit well and looked chic, but the length was tricky on me. Plus, it's not something I needed. It also comes in <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1850496/Elie-Tahari-for-DesigNation-Faux-Suede-Motorcycle-Jacket-Women-s.jsp" target="_blank">cream</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSM_LGPna0O_Q3YmTgS-0gIk-EWbS8Ep_xgZOtgWAHEN1E1WI7J45EQ2NYwL3OR81Huas8ePAvU95gwq3h3Gkem3XkUk7qi1JosrGcMHkr0dTO1w6DnuXM-eTmtZTIMtxd0FMlcIasLU/w550-h865-no/IMG_20140926_094916806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSM_LGPna0O_Q3YmTgS-0gIk-EWbS8Ep_xgZOtgWAHEN1E1WI7J45EQ2NYwL3OR81Huas8ePAvU95gwq3h3Gkem3XkUk7qi1JosrGcMHkr0dTO1w6DnuXM-eTmtZTIMtxd0FMlcIasLU/w550-h865-no/IMG_20140926_094916806.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1821427/elie-tahari-for-designation-chrysler-building-chiffon-top-womens.jsp" target="_blank">Chrysler building chiffon top</a> on sale for $40.50, <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1850523/elie-tahari-for-designation-mixed-media-leggings-womens.jsp?color=Fawn%20Beige" target="_blank">Mixed-media leggings</a> on sale for $40.50</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5GzIQpBnbFQ8vcOGi4FuaCwcBQZdq7ST4iI2OVOVGlFVJWGKgo-lM8vbwOMfeJa5r7aWPhwWiPMnP1OJJjQT6hkpH4NkImugWypqLG6JgZb49TuHBa-qHSQc9d5n73iJql0dQNAjaVE/w617-h865-no/IMG_20140926_094934829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5GzIQpBnbFQ8vcOGi4FuaCwcBQZdq7ST4iI2OVOVGlFVJWGKgo-lM8vbwOMfeJa5r7aWPhwWiPMnP1OJJjQT6hkpH4NkImugWypqLG6JgZb49TuHBa-qHSQc9d5n73iJql0dQNAjaVE/w617-h865-no/IMG_20140926_094934829.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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This top didn't interest me at all on the hanger, but I love it on. I have no use for it right now because it's dressy and not nursing friendly, but I'm hoping it'll still be around when I go back to work. The pants - ick. The color showed every lump and bump - I'm not sure if these would work on anyone besides the model. They certainly weren't for me. To be fair, the leggings also come in gray and black.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7IkV6u6swJ-Vmove-KcplLwPY4JKzgcZUobgVuuxZN5IfjXVzMnFWSAaPHerozyQO-QCzYbSnHzqGn6FjT7AeeCB1X6cM3sbVZzzb_gs4F7Tl6o4Ur9st4Qbc3uPVQACn8gLnul0RSw/w588-h865-no/IMG_20140926_100029211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7IkV6u6swJ-Vmove-KcplLwPY4JKzgcZUobgVuuxZN5IfjXVzMnFWSAaPHerozyQO-QCzYbSnHzqGn6FjT7AeeCB1X6cM3sbVZzzb_gs4F7Tl6o4Ur9st4Qbc3uPVQACn8gLnul0RSw/w588-h865-no/IMG_20140926_100029211.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1850471/Elie-Tahari-for-DesigNation-Mock-Layer-Sweater-Women-s.jsp" target="_blank">Mock-layer sweater</a> on sale for $48, <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1906707/rock-republic-mesh-scuba-leggings-womens.jsp?color=Black%20Python" target="_blank">Rock & Republic mesh scuba leggings</a> on sale for $36</td></tr>
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I liked the idea of this top, but the proportions did not work on me. The Rock & Republic leggings were fine - I just grabbed them to have something to try this top on with. They seemed to fit a little snugger than the Elie Tahari leggings.<br />
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<b>Want more reviews?</b> Check out <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2014/09/more-elie-tahari-for-kohls-fitting-room.html">part two</a>.</div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-8154861086253930462014-03-04T06:50:00.001-06:002014-03-04T06:50:45.873-06:00Oh HeySo yeah, I'm pretty much done blogging, at least for now. I may pick From the Mixed-up Files back up in the future if the muse descends. But I wanted to pop back in quickly to review my goals for 2013 because I actually did pretty well. As a reminder, here are the goals I set for myself on <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2012/12/year-in-review-and-goals-for-2013.html" target="_blank">December 31, 2012</a>:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Celebrate my 30th birthday in New York - <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-heart-ny.html" target="_blank">DONE</a>! Between that and my <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/02/more-miggs-please.html" target="_blank">actual birthday celebrations</a>, I could not have asked for a better way to ring in my 30s.</li>
<li>See another Hanson concert (at least one) - <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/06/tonight-is-first-night.html" target="_blank">DONE</a>, <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/10/lets-get-fired-up-hanson-in-milwaukee.html" target="_blank">DONE</a>, AND <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/10/lost-without-you-hanson-in-chicago.html" target="_blank">DONE</a>! </li>
<li>Finish revising my novel, get a few more eyes on it, and decide what to do with it - Still working on this one. But I have started.</li>
<li>Participate in NaNoWriMo again in November - <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/12/nanowrimo-wrap-up.html" target="_blank">DONE</a>!</li>
<li>Develop and add more structure to the blog - I think I was a lot more style- and outfit-of-the-day-centric in 2013, so we'll consider this done.</li>
<li>Continue to attend blogger meetups - <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/07/project-runway-season-12-premiere.html" target="_blank">Sort</a> <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/10/fashion-week-mke-music-icon-night.html" target="_blank">of</a>? There were bloggers at both those events.</li>
<li>Get pregnant - DONE!!!! </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
So yes, the point of this post was really to announce that my husband and I are very excited to be welcoming another member to the family, coming in September! Since I've now announced it everywhere else, I wanted to make it known on my blog, too. Thanks for reading!</div>
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Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-6028733596249860312013-12-11T06:12:00.000-06:002013-12-11T06:12:55.199-06:00Blue Nile Branch Necklace Giveaway WinnerAnd the winner is...<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a8fff32/" id="rc-a8fff32" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
Congrats, Susan! I'll be emailing you shortly to collect your information.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-83786710532498081222013-12-09T00:00:00.000-06:002013-12-09T00:00:16.315-06:00My Husband Hates This SweaterAnd my mom's not crazy about it either.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1TAp1-Q6OcZXoxtu5sY5a7pbs91EKydaTCAMHa796YgwKUX1yXkzW2QQXB3LVQoSwp3us6w9YrkBxX40zo3DA6ldgs6lVMjoQBX08PFwVVrmYlTvw9VLbAH8lhT1uZLn2mGThSuTME7D/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1TAp1-Q6OcZXoxtu5sY5a7pbs91EKydaTCAMHa796YgwKUX1yXkzW2QQXB3LVQoSwp3us6w9YrkBxX40zo3DA6ldgs6lVMjoQBX08PFwVVrmYlTvw9VLbAH8lhT1uZLn2mGThSuTME7D/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
But hey, it perfectly matched the <a href="http://www.twobirdsboutique.blogspot.com/p/inspiration-monday.html" target="_blank">Inspiration Monday</a> picture for today, so I had to wear it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv2stjfBRw_LzO9poaZdrJ0zPWLYmkO3nwVbHWdmvESiakr4tOxU93r9hfBC8lpbSKybvORbt0v2jl4CZg-sySSy6l8LarJOsBqnMSAjVw8j0obJ6cB03eD_7z7JhqCR_zQr34Vgm0fWC/s640/marion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv2stjfBRw_LzO9poaZdrJ0zPWLYmkO3nwVbHWdmvESiakr4tOxU93r9hfBC8lpbSKybvORbt0v2jl4CZg-sySSy6l8LarJOsBqnMSAjVw8j0obJ6cB03eD_7z7JhqCR_zQr34Vgm0fWC/s400/marion.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsqXkKKJwUfcwUcBFa29MOd3lUHHxkcwzPgd0BPGGGKSC_tRMfo9CTV5Va0HqNfRaGfgHq6kCAzP0lv4CkoQGgI3CGVNxH2ZubddKoMpb-_FqkaXRX2GryBbpmafYS4hH3RWETVpeKWor/s1600/IMG_1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsqXkKKJwUfcwUcBFa29MOd3lUHHxkcwzPgd0BPGGGKSC_tRMfo9CTV5Va0HqNfRaGfgHq6kCAzP0lv4CkoQGgI3CGVNxH2ZubddKoMpb-_FqkaXRX2GryBbpmafYS4hH3RWETVpeKWor/s1600/IMG_1413.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sweater</b>: Yoki via Zulily; <b>Scarf</b>: H&M; <b>Jeans</b>: Kut from the Kloth; <b>Boots</b>: Madden Girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLUqZiijI05y7buqZ0X-AaNZDwlEo7ZDwo7AgkxK_3ifmcb15fN_QHlycv8dyOaFUa-8VXDBxyC__SnGnunlxSnfCclfGlRn50BBxFtMDLYL2IaQe7wiClXagNuPhgCe2e5rPUKr-v7J1/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLUqZiijI05y7buqZ0X-AaNZDwlEo7ZDwo7AgkxK_3ifmcb15fN_QHlycv8dyOaFUa-8VXDBxyC__SnGnunlxSnfCclfGlRn50BBxFtMDLYL2IaQe7wiClXagNuPhgCe2e5rPUKr-v7J1/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-45681993396868187492013-12-04T00:00:00.000-06:002013-12-04T05:51:15.362-06:00Blue Nile Branch Necklace GiveawayMy first experience with Blue Nile was back in college when I used their Build Your Own Ring® feature to create my dream engagement ring and freak out my boyfriend at the time. So I had a nostalgic chuckle when they contacted me about participating in their holiday-inspired "Get One, Give One" jewelry campaign. I chose this adorable and somewhat whimsical branch necklace to keep and give away. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0wSnFEeJim2YI6DwrWr3GP5lIYKbGKkUEj7fZ8jatg4gOXA_HfDsMNduPuhG69H7HURM9n-wWYWuuXZpgp90RWByuPtM2tMde9Wb65cFlicT5vOFjVcW22sbLtR7UlLA-ip3alVantMo/s1600/43235_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0wSnFEeJim2YI6DwrWr3GP5lIYKbGKkUEj7fZ8jatg4gOXA_HfDsMNduPuhG69H7HURM9n-wWYWuuXZpgp90RWByuPtM2tMde9Wb65cFlicT5vOFjVcW22sbLtR7UlLA-ip3alVantMo/s1600/43235_main.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bluenile.com/branch-necklace-sterling-silver_43235" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71zdr5gQd9K_3YhjO_buYSxaV7RlHuyt5pnse7Alqmq8VnZIVaSuLB3CuecV5_GhJacMqrnZJCwawcryf8CvdJr31ouqEHGczpOh1L705KVZroB05WHbyHK4mOcKg0f4qPK6z66Qq7xH8/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71zdr5gQd9K_3YhjO_buYSxaV7RlHuyt5pnse7Alqmq8VnZIVaSuLB3CuecV5_GhJacMqrnZJCwawcryf8CvdJr31ouqEHGczpOh1L705KVZroB05WHbyHK4mOcKg0f4qPK6z66Qq7xH8/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJHCPdOkWkVMKPHJ5_yM47ltWA3ypmkCC3OL3jknvk_IWYWTIR4ZcCUvGJlNRwdajYs92t7NK30z8OlHUu9pYpJPflU2JrQ4CzrtfnuKlJWC9PbA2wEKi-6cdU3CPA99nRrCbZ72aSv8t/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJHCPdOkWkVMKPHJ5_yM47ltWA3ypmkCC3OL3jknvk_IWYWTIR4ZcCUvGJlNRwdajYs92t7NK30z8OlHUu9pYpJPflU2JrQ4CzrtfnuKlJWC9PbA2wEKi-6cdU3CPA99nRrCbZ72aSv8t/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWklDlDavMwJ2LK1w3W2Bg3prlIR9NP7i-wjotSg3vZSYvJT_QuTeU5-nnRfW7B9fwpNMes9CXX-7dhPY-3iqXTobqrqZBcH1UE3pkZxgZEdQkflxITvHrykwacxzOivzyv4v5rCPWJ9h/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" /> <img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvqoVQ6WrcdpAs_pfC_aFe7-hU_e_5va_FtWkqq5-Q40jXk7YkNgA-MhS9XoPx7SU4dRDbg0DvAe11WjvLwMiXjhDnGn8EjGEKvb0uTwIs5KuhwX03jNvRZoB_nwKCLSFlqZ_N-pfTy2P/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG" />
</div>
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a8fff32/" id="rc-a8fff32" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<br />
<br />
Giveaway Rules:<br />
1. Open to residents of the United States and Canada only.<br />
2. After the giveaway ends on 12/10, I will announce the winner on the blog and email the winner on 12/11. If the he or she does not respond to my email with his or her address in 48 hours, I will select a new winner.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-22019026639919810482013-12-03T18:32:00.000-06:002013-12-03T19:55:42.006-06:00Literary Stylings - FloweranthaThis is the last time I'll mention my <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> novel for awhile, I promise. I admit, it's a little (a lot) presumptuous and self-serving to use my own unpublished book for <a href="http://fashionforgiants.blogspot.com/search/label/Literary%20Stylings" target="_blank">Literary Stylings</a>, but the alternative was Nick Carter's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Facing-Music-Living-Talk-About-ebook/dp/B00F60XFC4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385997683&sr=1-1&keywords=nick+carter" target="_blank">self-help book</a>, and I didn't want to make light of his situation. Plus, I'm still jazzed I finished a first draft of the thing, so I wanted to share a bit of it.<br />
<br />
In one scene, the male main character's mother lent dresses to the two girls traveling with him. One of the dresses was pink with puffy short sleeves, and the girls wore tall leather boots.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEICVcud7BYZsTzCS4juZY9kqYhzb2xCSR6aXmTv2u0ZayvLWS_TnIs2oNRzQsDjjDucZe9jcSel22HPALOR0IAasSgNksTHj8-ezioaBJI7ZfmiZ4gtDBDePe-BtCyH91D4yfKgX59o9/s1600/flowerantha-outfit3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEICVcud7BYZsTzCS4juZY9kqYhzb2xCSR6aXmTv2u0ZayvLWS_TnIs2oNRzQsDjjDucZe9jcSel22HPALOR0IAasSgNksTHj8-ezioaBJI7ZfmiZ4gtDBDePe-BtCyH91D4yfKgX59o9/s1600/flowerantha-outfit3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress</b>; H&M; <b>Blazer</b>: Narciso Rodriguez for Kohl's; <b>Boots</b>: Madden Girl; <b>Necklace</b>: c/o Blue Nile (giveaway coming tomorrow!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When Bridget saw me in my pink dress, she insisted on matching.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiO3B8rjVVGF0Aghw9MFe57TE9v4NRoX9lXmq-TyAppsBXIqJgSlti8N73WsKQ4zdBGUIy5xAVBQHeDLru_khw0pi1wFZkEx_7OV2bInvx0Jzw-u8L3vNXEi7-5vOdnNidrEGmOpckXDBF/s1600/flowerantha-outfit1.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNr-Zli0pTZqLMVOZL3_VGnTN3kmMfoRMTE_Knqxga8rdqhv6bIp7gCo5Lel_qqCAawxBwiM1NjCdGUlankMboj_aCuU3cfyiHqZgRE4eptieCv_pvtehbA00TxaM0om3ci7S35sqRYcJb/s1600/flowerantha-outfit2.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<b>Novel Excerpt:</b><br />
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<i>Bushraal’s mother looked slightly agitated. “You may borrow some of my things. I am not sure if we will be able to find anything to fit,” she said, eyeing Beverly in particular, “but at least you will be clothed. Follow me.”<br />
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Beverly and May Lynn followed Bushraal’s mother up the stairs and into her bedroom. A giant canopy bed stood against the back wall with a dressing table on another wall and three wardrobes lined up side by side on the third wall to the left of the door and across the room from the bed. Bushraal’s mother dug around in a trunk at the foot of the bed first. While she dug, Bushraal wandered back in and sat backwards in the dressing table chair. She looked over at him. “Have you no decency, son? There will be women changing in here.” <br />
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His cheeks turned a little pink, but he said, “I am simply making sure you do not pick anything too fussy. They need to blend in and look like Floweranthans.”<br />
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“Bushraal, I am a Floweranthan,” his mother reminded him. “They will look just like me.” She returned to her digging and pulled out a long, green dress with white lacy ruffles at the sleeves and neck and an empire waistline. She looked at the dress and then at Beverly. “You may be able to squeeze into this. I wore it when I was pregnant with Bushraal. I was absolutely huge back then.”<br />
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“Mother!” Bushraal hissed under his breath. <br />
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Beverly’s face was beet red. She took the dress and mumbled, “Yeah, I’m really tall. Thanks,” and she disappeared behind the dressing curtain beside the wardrobes in the corner of the room.<br />
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Bushraal’s mother left the trunk open but rose from her knees to open the middle wardrobe. “Here are some more things I kept from when I was younger in case I ever had a daughter. I want to keep the nicer things for Rosie, but I am sure we can find something in here.”<br />
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“Anything is fine,” May Lynn said. Bushraal shot her a sympathetic glance, and she returned it with a sweet smile. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Bushraal’s mother pulled out a dress similar to the one she had pulled for Beverly except that this one was much smaller and had short sleeves and a lower waistline. “Here, try this one,” she said, handing it to May Lynn. Taking the dress, May Lynn joined Beverly behind the curtain. Bushraal averted his eyes, looking anywhere in the room besides that direction. <br />
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When the girls walked out from behind the curtain, Bushraal stood. The pink dress suited May Lynn perfectly. Beverly’s green dress was a little more of a problem with the hem falling to the top of her boot and sleeves hitting just below her elbow instead of her wrists as intended. <br />
<br />
“Well, these look better than expected,” Bushraal’s mother said. She stood up from the bed and fluffed out May Lynn’s sleeves more and smoothed the waist of Beverly’s dress, tugging it down a little. “Really, other than the length, you look lovely in this,” she said, looking up at Beverly and trying to atone for her harsh earlier comment.</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>***</i></div>
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By the way, I recently saw a tip on Twitter that said that "look" is one of the words overused by novice writers. I used it <i>nine times</i> just in that tiny excerpt. If you didn't notice, bless you. If you did notice, and if it made your eyes bleed like it did mine, I apologize, and I'll fix it in the rewrite. Heh...<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">
I'm also linking up with the <a href="http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2013/12/beebangled-fashionista-style-hop/" target="_blank">Fashionista Style Hop</a>.</div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-39826598047199054402013-12-02T18:04:00.000-06:002013-12-02T18:50:38.661-06:00NaNoWriMo Wrap-up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1mNaYj-mXmCIDA-7xsl7H7XP4Xxa3lxgwLLujekZHDLAcKIomN2FqqntPNN_d9Z2zyUv5GCuWCHPrPTfqRRsBgLDYMICm4Bd1uYj-Q-QVUVvda4Evd1RP9quAMhY6-oZsfO_F-NRh08c/s1600/2013-Winner-Facebook-Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1mNaYj-mXmCIDA-7xsl7H7XP4Xxa3lxgwLLujekZHDLAcKIomN2FqqntPNN_d9Z2zyUv5GCuWCHPrPTfqRRsBgLDYMICm4Bd1uYj-Q-QVUVvda4Evd1RP9quAMhY6-oZsfO_F-NRh08c/s1600/2013-Winner-Facebook-Cover.png" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
Another year of <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> has come to a close, and I can officially call myself a winner again!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAZ44nRnfu-tC8VllayvORDPA8uKedAAZDI98wBD21wh5UbHS3LnFWgPGv_kEuBVAKptKs29qy2oKqJauwSXfimWKR4J6Lh5zNEkEsi3pfsaB2sB-4zk7JtxQh2efpykTI5v8R8lT2rs6/s1600/nano2013stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAZ44nRnfu-tC8VllayvORDPA8uKedAAZDI98wBD21wh5UbHS3LnFWgPGv_kEuBVAKptKs29qy2oKqJauwSXfimWKR4J6Lh5zNEkEsi3pfsaB2sB-4zk7JtxQh2efpykTI5v8R8lT2rs6/s1600/nano2013stats.jpg" /></a></div>
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Thank goodness for write-ins because I'm not sure I would've caught up otherwise. I was too shy and too busy last year to attend any write-ins (which are basically a bunch of NaNoWriMo participants in a room together with laptops), but I'm so glad I made it to three this year, including the one I hosted! I met three creative, like-minded ladies (who are all writing very different novels, which is a good thing) that live nearby, and I hope I get to read all their finished products in print some day very soon. At the write-in on Friday, they even gave me a great plot idea when I got stuck. Thanks, ladies!<br />
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Sunday, I attended the Happily Ever After party, and it was a lot of fun! Going into it, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm really glad I went. My <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/golden-grahams-smores/5a2f5df0-3c93-4bed-9fbe-20c1ebafc8b3" target="_blank">s'mores bars</a> I brought were a hit. (They always are, even when I forget to add the vanilla, d'oh!) I'm already look forward to next year.<br />
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I also got to FINALLY finish a work in progress that I began when I was 11 years old. Except this time, I wrote it from a different character's point of view, and I think it took the story in a completely new direction that I was pretty happy with. My brother (who remembers me writing the story the first time around) said I should put it out on its 20-year anniversary next year. So maybe I'll give the self-publishing thing a try.<br />
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But for now, my next plan is to go back to last year's novel and continue revising because I think that one has better potential to actually become something. Then I have to decide if I'm going to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo in the spring and summer...one thing at a time.<br />
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Here's what I wore to the party and for <a href="http://twobirdsboutique.blogspot.com/2013/12/inspiration-monday-vomino-effect.html" target="_blank">Inspiration Monday</a>. I did consider wearing leather leggings like the inspiration picture shows, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Not in broad daylight. I went with studded instead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cLCGGGrNZ_smys7yLBfs4DjHAwqqEkld8GHo0Cb_-z4itaBCty3VOFPP2vM-_a1LPV6KX9ukhDI4uRvocIXqbaXyh_2f7Ws0XRECSEy1WyVPN-NUBneSq20q8686EA7-zzSVbyQYSCtv/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cLCGGGrNZ_smys7yLBfs4DjHAwqqEkld8GHo0Cb_-z4itaBCty3VOFPP2vM-_a1LPV6KX9ukhDI4uRvocIXqbaXyh_2f7Ws0XRECSEy1WyVPN-NUBneSq20q8686EA7-zzSVbyQYSCtv/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sweater Dress</b>: H&M; <b>Leggings</b>: Target; <b>Boots</b>: <a href="http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?catId=cat10088&subCatId=cat10045&skuId=133322060&productId=73337&lotId=133322&category=&catdisplayName=Womens" target="_blank">Payless</a></td></tr>
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<br />Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-53933179534058611752013-11-30T08:34:00.000-06:002013-11-30T08:34:14.428-06:00Bayside BashOn Wednesday night, my friend Erin and I attended the Bayside Bash, which is an 80s and 90s-themed party held at Turner Hall Ballroom hosted by Dustin Diamond (Screech from <i>Saved by the Bell</i>). Dustin lives in Wisconsin, and I know he had one of these parties last year, but we didn't make it to that one.
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Erin and I went as two beloved characters from the 90s:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLE8ppTc9SwMwFwIWn9iZSqjN3vF_nFNm-fGCi3StaCdUbfemY0FKQm77SurYZ2ePxY-nTWpx2eL19JujSUuIH1UAYlLxEucV2Rvs1554lSMuurynWHTnP7s_WGWjI54C5X5aGif0nHe1/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLE8ppTc9SwMwFwIWn9iZSqjN3vF_nFNm-fGCi3StaCdUbfemY0FKQm77SurYZ2ePxY-nTWpx2eL19JujSUuIH1UAYlLxEucV2Rvs1554lSMuurynWHTnP7s_WGWjI54C5X5aGif0nHe1/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cher from <i>Clueless</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clarissa from <i>Clarissa Explains It All</i></td></tr>
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A lot of the crowd went with 80s attire, but I did see some grunge and some that were inspired by Saved by the Bell, including a really accurate Kelly and Zack. There was also one guy in a Top Gun flight suit, which was a fun idea.<br />
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About an hour into the party, the DJ announced that Dustin Diamond was in the house. He and his gorgeous wife retreated to a table, and it took us awhile to get the guts to approach him. After we saw a couple other people ask for pictures, we went for it. He was very nice during our 10-second interaction.<br />
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Me: You know, I should've carpooled with you guys today. I'm from Port Washington, too.<br />
Dustin: Haha, I love that.<br />
Me: OK, thanks.<br />
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Maybe 10 minutes later, Dustin got up to announce that people could come over and say hi, take pictures, and that he would be selling T-shirts later that said "Dustin Diamond Made Me Screech." And he encouraged us all to keep drinking. When he was on his way back, I approached his wife, still at their table.<br />
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Me: Would you and Dustin want to do a shot?<br />
Wife: No, thank you, we're not big drinkers.<br />
Me: I thought we were supposed to get drunk!<br />
Wife: You guys should get drunk! <br />
Me: OK, I just wanted to check.<br />
Wife: Thank you though!<br />
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She was very nice about it. Erin and I didn't stay much later than that. We left at about 10:30 because we're old, and we didn't see much action happening. But who knows, maybe all the excitement kicked off after we left.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-23971988473860656212013-11-26T18:14:00.000-06:002013-11-26T18:14:00.018-06:00Borrowed from MomBeing without a tripod is quite inconvenient. Try to ignore the kitchen table on the left and the box on the right...<br />
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It's pretty nice having a mom with good style who I can share some clothes with. When I saw a picture of her and my grandma on Facebook from their sorority's 100th anniversary party, I commented on how I loved her dress with the leather accents.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5JyeGxkk4-k7ojqHpd_VUfpLD1gbDHA-ao1g08oMzaEPu0dBW43aDlfLqbTKM-x894LCaW6kQDysFEJTRTa9WmUPVspLhQYq94rAbYuapMuju9MeaXaQDlS08LWZn2ZN3YDS8_2LKMYH/s1600/860334_10152169819572345_683965719_o.jpg" width="500" /></div>
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And then, next thing I knew, my mom brought it to my house this weekend for me to borrow! I didn't know it when I first saw a picture of the dress, but it has a pepluuuummm. I love a good peplum.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLSPIbLzqHCBmurSdFR9dC5w20h-I2L6lQNd3BMuu6SWamUDQ6DNNrzjKIZM9LzWban0BmzrqIOBdLuZbfowcQlae19y14eigEn3Uz0zyDN0SU_U5bPogrYbFbocFqU_F8DQoNShsi-Np/s1600/momsdress3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLSPIbLzqHCBmurSdFR9dC5w20h-I2L6lQNd3BMuu6SWamUDQ6DNNrzjKIZM9LzWban0BmzrqIOBdLuZbfowcQlae19y14eigEn3Uz0zyDN0SU_U5bPogrYbFbocFqU_F8DQoNShsi-Np/s1600/momsdress3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress</b>: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Calvin-Klein-Womens-Sheath-Leather/dp/B00BG0TJKK" target="_blank">Calvin Klein</a> (borrowed); <b>Shirt</b>: <a href="http://www.target.com/p/3-1-phillip-lim-for-target-long-sleeve-blouse-floral-print/-/A-14617735#prodSlot=large_1_30&term=phillip+lim" target="_blank">Phillip Lim for Target</a>; <b>Booties</b>: Steve Madden</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lex3T7BQdXIWVmd2dM9pbQ408ItKRnZRQe2SCeYCJzWxeK9B_X3Lm_fwhfMObk2PqxreQ5xIv-dymfk5ZOpYZ0LldcH8ifAuWM-_0nbrk9Q-wAAHxCaecViXDZpdnxI8hxcbpWN9-zIJ/s1600/momsdress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lex3T7BQdXIWVmd2dM9pbQ408ItKRnZRQe2SCeYCJzWxeK9B_X3Lm_fwhfMObk2PqxreQ5xIv-dymfk5ZOpYZ0LldcH8ifAuWM-_0nbrk9Q-wAAHxCaecViXDZpdnxI8hxcbpWN9-zIJ/s1600/momsdress2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Thanks, Mom!</div>
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I'm linking up with the <a href="http://www.modlychic.com/2013/11/fashionista-style-hop-nov-26.html" target="_blank">Fashionista Style Hop</a>.</div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-51261270534411877332013-11-12T19:47:00.000-06:002013-11-12T19:47:00.092-06:00I Finally Found the Perfect Sweater DressIn fact, I found two of them. Thank you, <a href="http://www.zulily.com/invite/rbryan985" target="_blank">Zulily</a>! (<---That's my invite link, by the way.)<br />
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Zulily is trouble. It's one of those subscription shopping sites that have new deals every day on heavily discounted items. This one is targeted for parents and sells mostly stuff for children and mothers.<br />
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In general, I should not buy clothing online because once I get the clothes in the mail and try them on, the fit is usually not ideal. Like one sweater I bought from Zulily that was delivered a couple days before these dresses, for instance. Or the fleece-lined tights I'm wearing below, which I bought off of Groupon. They were too short, so I ended up cutting the toe seam off, and now they're footless tights. They're super warm and comfy otherwise. If anyone wants to take the new-in-box black pair off my hands, they're yours for $10 including shipping. The size range is 5'5"–6', 165–250 lb.<br />
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I wasn't terribly optimistic about these sweater dresses, but the price was good, and I've been on the sweater dress hunt for years now. They are both pretty much perfect. Not too tight, not too boxy, and not too short. And machine washable. I went with XLs in both because sweater dresses always run small on me, but I may have been able to get away with larges in these. But I'll take the extra room.<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyakfqdN4wys2xCR8-gHGPXPhm3PMTcRn4LxAJh5CwSyTUs7W36rc9hGOFL6SKKjGRnXskNFcbTwZS-4dYoKSGYkKl1UOslmSqcw2QD-uX5lYcB3QMzy2U9tN2Z4E1cn7rU5-K8xTNkHyt/s640/IMG_1178.JPG" width="292" /> <img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTliKpGel7O8GGiGCALevsuLCd8lXt3Gn1aqxtiBzfC6JQQUnsW8F5jlfqGBuGFhE3aLIV-OP5ZkJakHv3653vDoGpspttjJQ2b6jX3rhn8xKQhd1gAQ5LwTQrdypHaXdsiwtnfwNhcZs7/s640/IMG_1190.JPG" width="264" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Left - Dress</b>: Jessica Howard via Zulily; <b>Tights</b>: HB by Harve Benard via Groupon; <b>Shoes</b>: Chelsea Crew<br /><b>Right - Dress</b>: Lennie for Nina Leonard via Zulily; <b>Boots</b>: Kohl's; <b>Bracelet</b>: c/o Wantable</span></div>
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The navy blue Jessica Howard dress is <a href="http://www.bostonstore.com/sc2/shop/women/dresses/sweater-dresses/jessica-howard-boatneck-sweater-dress-with-pleated-skirt_661264.html?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=661264&utm_source=GOOG&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=CI&CID=GOOG-CSE-CI" target="_blank">available at Boston Store</a> (or any of the other <a href="http://www.bonton.com/sc2/shop/women/dresses/sweater-dresses/jessica-howard-boatneck-sweater-dress-with-pleated-skirt_661264.html?query=jessica+howard+sweater+dress" target="_blank">Bon-Ton</a> department stores), and the colorblocked Nina Leonard dress is <a href="http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Lennie-for-Nina-Leonard-Womens-Colorblocked-Cowl-Neck-Dress/8459057/product.html?refccid=VPYRHPAJIMLKFTSPFDOW7WSEN4&searchidx=6" target="_blank">available on Overstock.com</a> for just a little more than what I paid for it. If you love sweater dresses as much as I do but can never find one that fits right, I highly recommend both of these.<br />
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I'm linking up with the <a href="http://www.modlychic.com/2013/11/fashionista-style-hop-nov-12.html" target="_blank">Fashionista Style Hop</a>.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-84947620431347559852013-11-11T18:38:00.000-06:002013-11-11T18:38:00.846-06:00Milwaukee Public Museum OutingYesterday, I visited the <a href="http://www.mpm.edu/" target="_blank">Milwaukee Public Museum</a> with my husband and daughter (both of their first times!) and my mom. I can't remember the last time I was there - maybe for a field trip in grade school - but I forgot how cool that place is. My favorite part is still the Streets of Old Milwaukee.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Streets_of_Old_Milwaukee.jpg/1024px-Streets_of_Old_Milwaukee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Streets_of_Old_Milwaukee.jpg/1024px-Streets_of_Old_Milwaukee.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Public_Museum" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></td></tr>
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Bridget's favorite part was either the butterfly exhibit or seeing the lions in the Africa area. We actually had a very helpful security guard show us where the lions were because Bridget was on a mission. We went through the whole museum rather quickly since obviously my almost 3-year-old had no interest in reading all the plaques. My mom compared it to how quickly I got through the Louvre...when I was 22. But what can I say? Art museums aren't really my thing even though I appreciated the experience.<br />
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Anyway, I wish I had taken more pictures while I was there because some of the environments they have set up would be great inspiration for my novel. In fact, I wish I could just sit in there all day on my laptop and write in different areas of the museum. I wonder if people ever do that. It was pretty dead on Sunday because we went during the Packer game, so it was really nice. The only part I didn't enjoy was the live butterfly exhibit. I was hiding behind my husband the whole time while my daughter was living it up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big creepy bug right outside of the live butterfly exhibit</td></tr>
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OMG I just saw while poking around their website that they have sleepovers in the museum. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/From-Mixed-Up-Files-Basil-Frankweiler/dp/0689711816" target="_blank">From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler</a>, anyone? I could live out my blog's namesake, which might be awesome. Maybe when Bridget gets older.<br />
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After the museum, we grabbed a late lunch/early dinner at <a href="http://ajbombers.com/" target="_blank">AJ Bombers</a>, and I had my usual - the bacon burger with chunky peanut butter on it. Soooo gooood, but I actually prefer it without the bacon.<br />
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Speaking of my <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/participants/ritzgrrl/novels/the-people-of-flowerantha/stats" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> novel, it took me basically all day except for the 3 hours we were in Milwaukee, but I wrote a little over 3,000 words yesterday and got back on track after hardly writing anything on Saturday. And honestly, I could wrap up the story today, so I either need to come up with more twists or figure out how to write a really, really epic battle scene.<br />
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For those of you who are here for the clothes, I promise my next post will be an outfit one. No mention of my novel there!Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-47573709455895931702013-11-05T00:00:00.000-06:002013-11-05T08:30:27.479-06:00Literary Stylings and Another NaNoWriMoI haven't been doing many outfit posts lately, but I do have a stack of books I'm trying to get through (very slowly). I'm reading <i><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fangirl-rainbow-rowell/1114258557?ean=9781250030955" target="_blank">Fangirl</a></i> now; then on deck I have <i><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/facing-the-music-nick-carter/1115448404?ean=9781939457882" target="_blank">Facing the Music And Living To Talk About It</a></i>, which is written by Nick Carter about overcoming his addiction, and <i><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/longbourn-jo-baker/1114590780?ean=9780385351232" target="_blank">Longbourn</a></i>, which is basically <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> mixed with <i>Downton Abbey</i>. I accidentally purchased a Barnes & Noble membership, so I'm trying to make the most of it. Looks like Bridget's getting a lot of books for Christmas!<br />
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Also, I thought this particular book was appropriate for Gracey's <a href="http://fashionforgiants.blogspot.com/2013/11/literary-stylings-4-blind-assassin.html" target="_blank">Literary Stylings</a> linkup this month since I've decided to embark on another year of <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/participants/ritzgrrl" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>. The author, Rainbow Rowell, wrote the book I'm featuring during the 2011 NaNoWriMo session. You can read her pep talk <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/pep-talks/rainbow-rowell" target="_blank">here</a>. Pretty awesome and inspiring!<br />
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<i>Fangirl</i> is the story of Cath, a Simon Snow (think Harry Potter) fanfiction writer making her way awkwardly through her first year of college. I couldn't spoil it for you even if I wanted to since I haven't finished it yet, but it's pretty good so far. It's exactly the age group I wrote my last NaNoWriMo novel for and about, so it was good research for me to compare the tone of her story to mine to make sure I'm on the right track. Present tense, meaning my novel I wrote last year is not any more done than it was a year ago. No surprise there though. After I finish my current NaNo project, my goal is to pick last year's back up and wrap it up by summer of next year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9781250030955_p0_v4_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9781250030955_p0_v4_s260x420.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fangirl-rainbow-rowell/1114258557?ean=9781250030955">Source</a></td></tr>
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I have two Slytherin Harry Potter shirts (I know), so it was pretty easy to come up with an outfit for this one. Plus, the book said that the only things in Cath's closet were T-shirts, cardigans, and jeans. I thought about posing with my Malfoy wand, but I couldn't bring myself to nerd it up that much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQSNmo2FMWHK3zeBo_HQ0MRQKO49Lv_iTkxjXX_ipXZqX1auGmRl3QUFMrrWB6-KMbK7SfQDuTU40OKyEgoF5TqUpjZxIiKNZrDouNQaq1XWkxjDOd9FasQw2MD6uT74WV-mVWS3OkX22/s1600/IMG_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQSNmo2FMWHK3zeBo_HQ0MRQKO49Lv_iTkxjXX_ipXZqX1auGmRl3QUFMrrWB6-KMbK7SfQDuTU40OKyEgoF5TqUpjZxIiKNZrDouNQaq1XWkxjDOd9FasQw2MD6uT74WV-mVWS3OkX22/s1600/IMG_1177.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>T-shirt</b>: Wizarding World gift shop at MCO airport; <b>Cardigan</b>: Forever 21; <b>Jeans</b>: New York & Company; <b>Sneakers</b>: Converse</td></tr>
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<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/participants/ritzgrrl" target="_blank"><img src="http://nanowrimo.org/widget/LiveSupporter/ritzgrrl.png" /></a></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-56275565392177523392013-11-01T18:11:00.000-05:002013-11-01T18:11:44.206-05:00A DIY HalloweenI hope you had a fun Halloween, and TGIF!<br />
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You've already seen <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/10/sixties-style-halloween.html">what costume I wore</a> last weekend; now here's what Bridget wore trick-or-treating and what we both wore yesterday for our respective Halloween parties.<br />
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For trick-or-treating on Saturday, we went with a simple Doc McStuffins (Disney Junior show) costume comprised of pieces I found mostly at Old Navy and her doctor's kit her Nana bought her. Obviously, most of the clothes are from the toddler girls' department, but I found the white shirt from the little boys' area of the store.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1710295/">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pumpkins we brought home from the pumpkin carving party we attended earlier that day. My husband did both of these - Dracula Mickey and Frankenstein Goofy.</td></tr>
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For Bridget's Halloween party at daycare, which of course was inside so I didn't have to worry about her being warm enough (which she still wasn't during trick-or-treating, even with her heavy winter coat on), I got a little more creative. Bridget's favorite movie of the moment is <i>The Little Mermaid</i> (Thanks, oh-so-illusive Disney vault! We've been waiting for this one!), so I decided to attempt to make her a mermaid costume.<br />
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I was going to do a tutorial on the mermaid tail I whipped up, but I was winging it as I went along, and I would've done the waistband differently had I thought about it more. If someone is really clamoring for step-by-step instructions, I can make a separate post about it.<br />
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Even though the tail came out a little wonky, Bridget LOVES it, and that's all that matters.<br />
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Normally, my company doesn't get that into Halloween. We do have a costume contest, but not many people enter. This year, someone on my team suggested we do a group costume, which I was all about since I can't resist dressing up every year anyway. We ended up with a group of 17 minions, Gru, and Dr. Nefario. If you haven't seen <i>Despicable Me</i> yet, you should. It's good.<br />
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After purchasing the yellow shirts and hats for the minions, we DIYed the hair with pipe cleaners, the goggles with mini pie tins and elastic (they served free pie in the cafeteria one day, so a group of us sat around hitting people up for their pie tins after they were done), and the overalls with duct tape for those of us who didn't own overalls or suspenders.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being a troublemaker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole group</td></tr>
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We ended up getting second place out of three in the group competition. Wah wah. The winners deserved it though.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-50059474609276980512013-10-30T06:05:00.000-05:002013-10-30T06:05:30.041-05:00Anjolee Bracelet Giveaway Winner<a id="rc-a8fff31" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a8fff31/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
Congratulations, Jasmin! I'll be emailing you shortly to collect your information.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-29566202958986531582013-10-28T18:35:00.000-05:002013-10-28T18:35:00.658-05:00Sixties Style Halloween<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrWyR1tn2E-mYP8ftnJ-N1c0fdhRMXVKGj3ysODLQVzyRcYx1UPWYoRfJMP86uVHkgJyFaqkBFDrvfj1XGEAA-YjriHh8dI-91FflwmJyMym_P_E5vPlM1dPLIueYsQU9144XXDzc443d/s1600/bloghalloween4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrWyR1tn2E-mYP8ftnJ-N1c0fdhRMXVKGj3ysODLQVzyRcYx1UPWYoRfJMP86uVHkgJyFaqkBFDrvfj1XGEAA-YjriHh8dI-91FflwmJyMym_P_E5vPlM1dPLIueYsQU9144XXDzc443d/s1600/bloghalloween4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T, birthday girl E, K, and me dressed as Beatles fans Saturday at Lucille's Piano Bar</td></tr>
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The idea to be Beatles fanatics for Halloween originated from a suggestion in the comments on <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/09/literary-stylings.html">my post</a> about an outfit inspired by <i>The Help</i>. After letting that idea marinate, I expanded upon it and asked my friends if they wanted to participate and dress up as something we're very familiar with - fangirls. We took to Pinterest and Google to get some inspiration.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://174.129.228.134/bpldc/05_02_010065/streams/JPEG_500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://174.129.228.134/bpldc/05_02_010065/streams/JPEG_500" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bpl.org/collections/online/sportstemples/display.php?pid=bpldc:05_02_010065&KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.friendsreunited.com/film-a-hard-day-s-night-premiere/Memory/badef99b-91d2-4420-97c6-a00c00e2d43a">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ff/aa/63/ffaa63727f52b23322f267d5794815eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ff/aa/63/ffaa63727f52b23322f267d5794815eb.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/music-the-beatles-concert-manchester-1963/Memory/1ff63357-ec69-4531-bb11-a0da00d29ecb">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2012-05/69762554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2012-05/69762554.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/sun-magazine/bal-bs-sm-beatles-p-20120504144251,0,7814587.photo">Source</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/24/bf/bf/24bfbffa38f83c3e6860fd8ed8b1c545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/24/bf/bf/24bfbffa38f83c3e6860fd8ed8b1c545.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one's just funny.</td></tr>
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I found that I had a couple dresses that are vaguely 60s-ish, so I lent them out to E and T after I decided to go with a plaid skirt and turtleneck. K picked up this gorgeous <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1507979/catherine-malandrino-for-designation-applique-shift-dress.jsp">Catherine Malandrino for Kohl's dress</a>, which was perfect for the inspiration. We ordered a dozen Beatles buttons on Amazon and divided them up among us, and then I printed out the large ones on photo paper. T brought along some vintage teenybopper magazines, and she and I located cat-eye glasses. Mine used to be sunglasses that I dug out of Bridget's toy basket. Finally, we wrote on our arms to get the full effect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgdq1EZTzsKEcMtKfAgUmrjw63Nagvv8jyurQwokv50iLCH-9i-H3qAjKoz9TdeagObmteCcCnCzgBWuDiwP40v6CpSa5lB-vV_yvPLNLAGusmMMPfulrpgnBBhUC9M2HqDJTcEY5jTfP/s1600/bloghalloween3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgdq1EZTzsKEcMtKfAgUmrjw63Nagvv8jyurQwokv50iLCH-9i-H3qAjKoz9TdeagObmteCcCnCzgBWuDiwP40v6CpSa5lB-vV_yvPLNLAGusmMMPfulrpgnBBhUC9M2HqDJTcEY5jTfP/s1600/bloghalloween3.jpg" /></a></div>
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The best part was that one of the pianists at <a href="http://lucillesmke.com/">Lucille's Piano Bar</a> that night was dressed as John Lennon! We couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab a picture with him.<br />
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Although we didn't win or qualify for the costume contest that night, I think we looked the part, and having one of the Beatles present didn't hurt.</div>
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Here's a closeup of my hair and makeup from that night. The <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24565163@N02/2468895316/">hairstyle idea</a> came from <i>Breakfast at Tiffany's</i>. But, you know, messier and not as big because my hair was being completely uncooperative.</div>
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Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-84029050695160540672013-10-22T00:00:00.000-05:002013-10-22T00:00:03.242-05:00Anjolee Gemstone Bracelet GiveawayTwo years ago I <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2011/12/anjolee-jewelry-review.html" target="_blank">reviewed</a> a very pretty ring from the high-end diamond jewelry manufacturer and retailer Anjolee. When they contacted me recently and asked if I would like to review one of their bracelets, I wanted to share with you this time! Anjolee offers a large selection of <a href="http://www.anjolee.com/bracelets/diamond-bracelets" target="_blank">diamond bracelets for women</a>, which are all fully customizable, and I chose the alternating gemstone drop bracelet in garnet to give away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuIep8XJbLaudqT3IVYxam66dmumlp_lA3qzmJx2UcPny1A_QOZWxEnR0_9wW375vK20txSfVgwyJ9w26w0qnkbpY1upaZIlQny3IfBZ63yOY5A4s-b3BOLHGPdTn4s34mUQ4jL_KUBbW/s1600/anjoleegiveaway1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuIep8XJbLaudqT3IVYxam66dmumlp_lA3qzmJx2UcPny1A_QOZWxEnR0_9wW375vK20txSfVgwyJ9w26w0qnkbpY1upaZIlQny3IfBZ63yOY5A4s-b3BOLHGPdTn4s34mUQ4jL_KUBbW/s1600/anjoleegiveaway1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi678P5h5GE2Gs7mMiTTzXnpXEv-SkevHWINLKU_RCDqNVHcpoLhL4rZNkD7WF1Ij1CRn6m1iW50uGRUWWZlwqJSe16oJun5LqcYq05Plv3rLy-XpEF194LYVN00mAGiZpVsWUT1LTMVrhv/s1600/anjoleegiveaway3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi678P5h5GE2Gs7mMiTTzXnpXEv-SkevHWINLKU_RCDqNVHcpoLhL4rZNkD7WF1Ij1CRn6m1iW50uGRUWWZlwqJSe16oJun5LqcYq05Plv3rLy-XpEF194LYVN00mAGiZpVsWUT1LTMVrhv/s1600/anjoleegiveaway3.jpg" /></a></div>
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I love wearing bracelets and feel naked when I don't have something on my wrist. This lovely, dainty bracelet would be perfect to wear for the holidays or any day. Red goes with everything!<br />
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I have to admit, I had a little trouble figuring out how to get it unclasped, but that was probably mostly due to my being unfamiliar with fine jewelry. After a few attempts, I was able to undo the clasp, but I couldn't tell you how I did it. On the bright side, I think it would be easy to take on and off with one hand with a little practice.<br />
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To enter to win this bracelet, use the Rafflecopter form embedded in this post. The only mandatory entry is to leave a comment. All the other options are for extra entries. Good luck!<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a8fff31/" id="rc-a8fff31" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
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<br />
Giveaway Rules:<br />
1. Open to residents of the United States and Canada only.<br />
2. After the giveaway ends on 10/29, I will announce the winner on the blog and email the winner on 10/30. If the he or she does not respond to my email with his or her address in 48 hours, I will select a new winner.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-424689110396068202013-10-15T20:17:00.000-05:002013-10-15T20:17:14.003-05:00Lost Without You - Hanson in ChicagoDay Two of the Anthem Tour was more about hanging out around the city than sitting in line, which was kind of a relief. Unless you do the Pass the Line deal at the House of Blues, there's not much point to standing around. At least in our opinion. We usually just get there right before the show starts and stand in the back unless one of their 1-mile barefoot charity walks is scheduled, which was the case on Sunday.<br />
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We left home with plenty of time to spare and surprisingly did not hit any traffic. Since the Chicago marathon was going on the same day, we wanted to be prepared for extra travel time. With about an hour to kill before the walk, we found a sunny place to sit and warm up. It was pretty chilly in the shade.<br />
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As usual, the Chicago walk was fairly crowded, so we didn't try too hard to get by the guys this time. And again, Taylor was absent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DSoOUK4P5paYR8d1Ax-CRzkr2BnouxxxoEHoadk6LtF5MkQAxRQ0Ply4fF_YjZC7Va5K81mArUciIZOzGW-QbiNCxvqgo9oYZWJIvWf8-5YVY3rjDD8VWDFN0O8l4hVxlRl4FcP9CJe5/s1600/hob101313-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DSoOUK4P5paYR8d1Ax-CRzkr2BnouxxxoEHoadk6LtF5MkQAxRQ0Ply4fF_YjZC7Va5K81mArUciIZOzGW-QbiNCxvqgo9oYZWJIvWf8-5YVY3rjDD8VWDFN0O8l4hVxlRl4FcP9CJe5/s1600/hob101313-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac, the hat...why?</td></tr>
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On the walk back to HOB, I was next to Isaac for a minute, but it was too much work to hold that position. Plus, I couldn't think of anything to talk to him about that day.<br />
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After the walk, we decided to venture back out and made our way over to Millennium Park and the Bean.<br />
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I took the opportunity to get an outfit picture this time. I had gotten the idea that for this show, I would recreate an outfit I wore to the Bay Beach amusement park Hanson show in Green Bay on June 19, 2000. My outfit of pleather pants and a sort-of v-neck shirt has been an inside joke with us since, so I thought it would be fun to pay homage to that. Plus, I wanted an excuse to buy faux leather pants again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApGB9HAdlECx0-pgFm6nhLVNCbjDeFdvPa-FXkpgoDM02Yi29FWQSbCtX1HnZ-4Sy4Wb7cVcz5EwpjutCijZHK5_jNdiL_XKrcTOE6aQF7EGG49ZwDBsh8qVBARuUsqZ7ou-2VwEkPykb/s1600/hob101313-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApGB9HAdlECx0-pgFm6nhLVNCbjDeFdvPa-FXkpgoDM02Yi29FWQSbCtX1HnZ-4Sy4Wb7cVcz5EwpjutCijZHK5_jNdiL_XKrcTOE6aQF7EGG49ZwDBsh8qVBARuUsqZ7ou-2VwEkPykb/s1600/hob101313-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2013 Outfit - T-shirt</b>: Land's End; <b>Pants</b>: <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1486689/rock-republic-pieced-faux-leather-leggings.jsp">Rock & Republic (Kohl's)</a>; <b>Blazer and Sunglasses</b>: Target; <b>Necklaces</b>: Forever 21 probably; <b>Shoes</b>: TOMS; <b>Bag</b>: Christian Siriano for Payless</td></tr>
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Clearly, I needed a lesson on venue-appropriate clothing choices back then. Pleather pants at an amusement park??<br />
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I have to say, I definitely enjoyed sightseeing over standing in line all day. We grabbed an oddly delicious and satisfying hot dog in Millennium Park and each got a mocha from Caribou Coffee for the walk back. We also ducked into the Disney store for a few minutes, and I bought Bridget a Little Mermaid doll. I couldn't go in there and not buy her something.<br />
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Before going into the venue, we toasted to T's 60th Hanson show (K and I are now at 49, and E is right behind us at 48) and our collective 16-year fandom.<br />
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As annoying as HOB can sometimes be, Hanson loves it there, and the shows reflect that. In my opinion, the set list was even better than Milwaukee's; we were dancing around and having fun the whole time; and I got to hear one of my new favorites, "Lost Without You," and an older favorite, "Lost Without Each Other." Yeah, Hanson tends to write songs with basically the same titles a lot. It's a thing.<br />
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I didn't take any pictures since we were near the back, but I did get one video of Isaac's solo, "For Your Love" again.<br />
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Really, the only disappointment of the night was not being able to try the MMMHops beer. Apparently, they had sold out of it well before we leisurely sauntered in. It's a pale ale, so I probably wouldn't have liked it anyway, but someday I'll still have to try it. My friends went to the second HOB show the next night, so they did have a taste.<br />
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You can see all my pictures from the weekend in my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153374395235298.1073741830.731200297&type=1&l=385d4f3bb5">Facebook album</a> or read about my <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/10/lets-get-fired-up-hanson-in-milwaukee.html">Milwaukee concert experience</a>.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-30452616000735308852013-10-15T20:15:00.000-05:002013-10-16T20:26:56.299-05:00Let's Get Fired Up - Hanson in MilwaukeeWhere to begin? I guess 6:30 AM on Saturday morning is a good place to start. That's when I pulled into downtown Milwaukee and swung around the Pabst Theater to scope out the situation. I'm not sure why I was surprised, but there were already quite a few people lined up for the Hanson show that night. I drove around for a bit and found a place to park. When I got in line at almost 6:45, I was number 24. That's how crazy we Hanson fans are, folks. Many of the people ahead of me had camped out, but I think the group right in front of me had only been there for maybe an hour when I arrived.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLrXBXp342xla1rFUADTPpdRDg5i8QEyskQOU67B8kmt5lh17HslLQniIYRv3wxaJuet5zPTq6IrT8nW_rV1iD94RXCzUOEMuRRIDK5mPHAGQaD3XwiZOOpue9sJX_wYgjp12UWCIg4fR/s1600/558427_10151620052890426_1220163195_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLrXBXp342xla1rFUADTPpdRDg5i8QEyskQOU67B8kmt5lh17HslLQniIYRv3wxaJuet5zPTq6IrT8nW_rV1iD94RXCzUOEMuRRIDK5mPHAGQaD3XwiZOOpue9sJX_wYgjp12UWCIg4fR/s1600/558427_10151620052890426_1220163195_n.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Pabst's Facebook page. This was taken around 8 in the morning. You can see my empty red chair in the middle and my friend E to the left of it. I must've been off getting coffee at that point.</td></tr>
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As you can imagine, the rest of the day was a lot of sitting around, waiting for something exciting to happen. Here are the highlights with an approximate timeline.<br />
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<b>10:30</b> - Our friend K arrived and joined us in line. I had given the three groups behind me a heads up that a couple of friends would be meeting me later, and they were fine with it.<br />
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<b>11:30</b> - Some drama broke out about line jumpers behind us. The cops got involved. No seriously.<br />
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<b>12:00</b> - A truck pulled up, and the crew started to unload equipment. I recognized a guy from high school and tried to chat him up in hopes of getting some VIP access. I didn't really know how to make that happen, so I basically engaged in a few minutes of small talk and then walked away.<br />
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<b>12:30</b> - Hanson's tour bus arrived, and we welcomed the excitement. I saw Isaac come off the bus and was dumbstruck by how good he looked in his leather jacket, scarf, sunglasses, and hat. I'm used to seeing him in a suit, but I prefer his laid-back look. Although I had jumped on the Zac fan train for a few years there, that moment brought me back to my Isaac fan roots.<br />
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<b>1:30</b> - K's friend R arrived, and we educated him on all the craziness he witnessed while we waited for the 1-mile barefoot charity walk to begin at 3.<br />
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<b>3:00</b> - The walk commenced, but Taylor was nowhere to be seen. We hung out by Zac for the first half mile and Isaac on the way back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac making sure we all get across the street safely</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-walk speech</td></tr>
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I paparazzied my friends by Zac, got a few pics with them by Isaac, and then got to have a couple conversations with him myself, which went something like this:<br />
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Me: Isaac, your foot, what happened? (He had a bandage wrapped around his foot.)<br />
I: Oh, it's nothing.<br />
Me: Oh OK, nevermind then. (I almost said something about it being a sore subject, but it sounded too punny in my head. At least, I hope that stayed in my head. I can't remember for sure.)<br />
I: It's on the top. It's not walk related.<br />
Me: That's good to hear.<br />
I: It's more...ignoring something for too long.<br />
Me: Ah, gotcha.<br />
<br />
We then stopped and waited for the light to turn green, and a girl took a picture with him. When we started walking again, there was no one else walking by Isaac up in front, so I felt like I had to say something else to him. I'm kicking myself because I had my camera out, on video mode, and pointing at myself and Isaac during this next conversation. The only problem was, apparently I did not push the button to start recording. Arg!! Luckily, my friend K got a couple pictures and a video!<br />
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(Also, my outfit was inadvertently but conveniently very similar to the <a href="http://twobirdsboutique.blogspot.com/2013/10/inspiration-monday-is-it-bad.html">Inspiration Monday</a> photo for this week, so I also wanted to link up with them. I wish I had gotten a full shot of the outfit I was wearing that day, but I never think of it at the time. Too much other stuff going on.)<br />
<br />
This conversation isn't accurate at all. I think Isaac was rambling more than what I actually remembered to write down afterwards. But here's the gist, which I updated on 10/16 when I saw the video clip K got of the conversation:<br />
<br />
Me: I'm really excited for MMMHops tomorrow. (They were debuting their beer, MMMHops, at the two House of Blues Chicago shows.)<br />
I: Yeah, we were hoping people would be. I hope we have enough.<br />
Me: I was wondering about that. Should I only have one? Is there enough to go around?<br />
I: Haha, you should have as many as you want.<br />
Me: OK done!<br />
I: You should have as many as you want. Um, heh.<br />
Me: so it's just going to be at the bar?<br />
I: It's gonna be at the bar, yeah so, there should be plenty left to go around, but it's our first time, so we'll see how quickly it goes. (Foreshadowing...)<br />
<br />
After the walk, I stood right by the guys on the steps for their post-walk speech.<br />
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<b>4:30</b> - We listened to the sound check going on inside from our spot in line, and I headed inside the adjoining hotel to charge my phone for awhile.<br />
<br />
<b>5:30</b> - Our friend T showed up with her friend D. They went across the street to kill time at the Newsroom Pub.<br />
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<b>6:15</b> - R and I got bored and joined them for shots.<br />
<br />
<b>6:45</b> - Doors opened!<br />
<br />
Although the Pabst is a seated venue, they used the area in front of the seats for a pit, which is where we ended up. The four of us got spots about three people back from the stage on Taylor's side. Everyone in front of us had either gotten there way earlier than we did or had a meet & greet, so I was pretty satisfied with our spot. Plus, I'm a head taller than everyone else anyway (sorry, people behind me).<br />
<br />
It felt like forever before the opener, David Ryan Harris, went on at 8. He was pretty decent, but most of his songs were pretty chill, and I wasn't feeling very amped up at that point. His set finished at 8:45, and we waited impatiently until nearly 9:30 before Hanson came on. That's when I decided I would never stand on Taylor's side again. He kept having to tell the fans in the front to move back and be nice to each other because one little person fan in the front row kept getting slammed into.<br />
<br />
Besides that, the show was great. I loved hearing the new songs live and thoroughly enjoyed the covers they did of "Happy Together" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." I was also glad that they decided to bring back the portion of the show where each guy performed one of their solo songs. Many of us Isaac fans felt shafted on the last album with no Isaac leads, so hearing him sing the new song "For Your Love" was a treat.<br />
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<br />
<b>11:30</b> - After the show, we filed out to the bus to wait for the guys to come out. Zac came out almost right away and signed autographs from the bus window since there were so many people.<br />
<br />
<b>1:00</b> - Isaac came out and signed a bunch of autographs for people. K got a picture with him, and then E pulled me into her picture with him, which I am very grateful for. I was a couple fans back, and I don't think I would've gotten a picture otherwise.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbF3xoqBP_4-6dItmbGS_ywFqJ2uTQUg2I_wU7n7RiHR9iniTVW0Y4PWGHti6dWguH9n065HKh4juajlr4hrikTlDJzXErUwW3d7DDTLcfu2tMJ8JgY4F8TX6qUE03_qPGi4b1VUfP4HzF/s1600/1374266_753463047434_904022689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbF3xoqBP_4-6dItmbGS_ywFqJ2uTQUg2I_wU7n7RiHR9iniTVW0Y4PWGHti6dWguH9n065HKh4juajlr4hrikTlDJzXErUwW3d7DDTLcfu2tMJ8JgY4F8TX6qUE03_qPGi4b1VUfP4HzF/s1600/1374266_753463047434_904022689_n.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, all three of us basically have crazy eyes in this picture, hehe.</td></tr>
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<b>2:00</b> - Taylor came out for the handful of fans that were left, and E got a picture with him. Very soon after that, the bus left, as did we.<br />
<br />
You can see the rest of my pictures from the weekend in my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153374395235298.1073741830.731200297&type=1&l=385d4f3bb5">Facebook album</a> (hopefully that link works).<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I was pretty tired Sunday morning when Bridget woke me up at 7, but I was ready for another day of <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2013/10/lost-without-you-hanson-in-chicago.html">Hanson excitement down in Chicago</a>.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-28120535416086343602013-10-08T06:07:00.000-05:002013-10-08T06:07:00.721-05:00A Review of My eShakti ExperienceI was pretty excited when <a href="http://eshakti.com/Products/FALL" target="_blank">eShakti</a> contacted me and offered to send me a sample from their fall collection to review. From seeing so many other bloggers rock their dresses, I was curious to learn more about eShakti, especially their many customization options. You're able to order a standard size or enter your measurements for a more precise fit, and they offer sizes 0 - 36W. Depending on the style, you can also specify skirt length, sleeve length, and neckline style.
<br />
<br />
After browsing the site, my favorite dress was this <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0028970/Drop-waist-ponte-dress" target="_blank">drop wait ponte dress</a>...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0028970/Drop-waist-ponte-dress" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.eshakti.com/clothImages/CL0028970V.jpg?s=y" width="209" /></a></div>
<br />
...but I had already determined I was going to go with a sheath silhouette to take full advantage of the customization. Normally, when I try on a fitted dress, the top is too big and the bottom is too tight. I was hoping eShakti's customization options would solve that for me.<br />
<br />
It came down to the <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0028654/Graphic-print-colorblock-sheath-dress" target="_blank">graphic print colorblock sheath dress</a> and the <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0028919/Colorblock-graphic-print-knit-sheath" target="_blank">colorblock graphic print knit sheath</a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0028654/Graphic-print-colorblock-sheath-dress" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.eshakti.com/clothImages/CL0028654L.jpg?s=y" width="214" /></a>
<a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0028919/Colorblock-graphic-print-knit-sheath" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.eshakti.com/clothImages/CL0028919P.jpg?s=y" width="215" /></a>
</div>
<br />
I liked the neckline options of the black and white one better, but I wanted long sleeves, which that one didn't offer, but the red one did. As a tall woman with long arms, actual long sleeves are hard to come by. I had visions of looking like Jennifer Lawrence in her Prabal Gurung dress from last year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.starandstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Jennifer-Lawrence-Prabal-Gurung-Pre-Fall-2012-Longsleeve-Dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.starandstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Jennifer-Lawrence-Prabal-Gurung-Pre-Fall-2012-Longsleeve-Dress.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.starandstyle.com/jennifer-lawrence-looks-fascinating-in-calvin-klein-at-the-cinema-society-calvin-klein-collection-screening-of-the-hunger-games.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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After asking a friend's opinion, I decided on the black and white one with 3/4 length sleeves and a boat neck.<br />
<br />
My dress took 7 business days to arrive, right on schedule, and I received a text from DHL the day before with the tracking number and instructions for if I was not going to be home when the package was delivered. Of course I wanted to try the dress on the second I got home and ripped open the box.<br />
<br />
I was surprised to find that eShakti had sent me two dresses. At first, they looked identical, but my husband guessed that one was probably a different size. I didn't believe him until I tried them on - one was noticeably more fitted than the other one. While the slightly looser one skimmed my stomach and better camouflaged anything I was self conscious about, I felt a little frumpy in it. I didn't want to have to wear shapewear, but after trying the smaller dress on with some not-too-uncomfortable Spanx, I was in love. It was <i>exactly</i> what I wanted, and it fit better than anything I could find in a store. I could definitely see myself ordering something else from eShakti in the future.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJntmXAgiabXQ2jjkX5U47QjqKcsz07IGN214TD1xpWPMLt92DnsA9EdPOHYMaHxusi41aZQptauKFVsswP9QoU9qgEgk4f7TST8Sp62QsysV1BNpBo67NJiosO1_yx63rzpQ1KRO5FZzP/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJntmXAgiabXQ2jjkX5U47QjqKcsz07IGN214TD1xpWPMLt92DnsA9EdPOHYMaHxusi41aZQptauKFVsswP9QoU9qgEgk4f7TST8Sp62QsysV1BNpBo67NJiosO1_yx63rzpQ1KRO5FZzP/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dress</b>: c/o eShakti; <b>Shoes and Sunglasses</b>: Payless; <b>Bracelet</b>: c/o Wantable; <b>Bag</b>: Badgley Mischka via T.J.Maxx</td></tr>
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You can check out eShakti on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/eshakti" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/eshakti" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. I especially enjoyed looking through their <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/eshakti/real-fashion-for-real-people/" target="_blank">Real Fashion Real People</a> board on Pinterest to see how other customers wore their purchases.<br />
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<br />
In case you're curious, because I sometimes am, here's how I measured up, using the graphics on their website to figure out where to put the tape measure. I took most of the measurements myself, but my husband helped with the shoulder and the upper arm. I rounded up on some of these because they didn't have half inches.<br />
<br />
Height : 5'11"<br />
Length of arm: Long<br />
Upper arm: 13"<br />
Hip: 46"<br />
Waist: 33"<br />
Under bust: 34"<br />
Bust: 40"<br />
Chest: 37"<br />
Shoulder: 17"<br />
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Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-25503337332567555802013-10-06T19:50:00.000-05:002013-10-06T19:50:08.641-05:00DIY Embellished Sweatshirt TutorialWhen I <a href="http://mixedupfilesofrnb.blogspot.com/2011/12/is-it-friday-yet.html" target="_blank">first</a> trimmed the sleeves of this sweatshirt with lace a couple years ago (using <a href="http://apairandasparediy.com/2011/10/diy-jason-wu-inspired-lace-embellished-sweatshirt.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>), I didn't have enough lace to do the shoulders. Cut to now, when I got the idea to make kind of lace epaulets to finish it off. I can't remember where the idea originated, but I may have gotten it from Miranda on Project Runway with her military background.<br />
<br />
This may be self explanatory, but here's a little step-by-step tutorial for you anyway.<br />
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Materials you'll need:
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<ul>
<li>sweatshirt</li>
<li>lace trim</li>
<li>six buttons</li>
<li>tape measure</li>
<li>scissors</li>
<li>thread</li>
<li>needle</li>
<li>pins</li>
</ul>
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Optional materials:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>needle threader</li>
<li>thimble</li>
<li>sewing machine</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
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<div>
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1. Line up the lace how you'd like it. I doubled it over and placed the folded end toward the shoulder. </div>
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2. Cut the lace for one shoulder and then lay it on top of the remaining lace to cut a second piece of the same size.</div>
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3. Pin the lace to the shoulders. <br />
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4. Hand or machine stitch around the edges. I used a needle and thread and stitched all the way around through both layers, but you could play with sewing only the bottom layer for a more three-dimensional look to the epaulets.<br />
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5. Use a tape measure to determine where you want to place the buttons.<br />
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6. Mark the spots with either a writing utensil or pins. I chose to put the buttons at 1-1/2, 2-1/2, and 3-1/2 inches from the neck.<br />
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7. Sew each of the buttons into place while trying to ignore my un-manicured nails.<br />
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Done!<br />
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<br />Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022086543782743452.post-6256930477518040922013-10-01T20:14:00.000-05:002013-10-01T20:14:00.733-05:00Fashion Week MKE - Music Icon NightMilwaukee's first Fashion Week took place last week; and while I would've loved to attend all the events, the only one I made it out for was Music Icon Night, held at <a href="http://milwaukee.spingalactic.com/" target="_blank">Spin Milwaukee</a>. Fans of Project Runway may remember Spin, the ping pong nightclub, from the episode last season where owner Susan Surandon came on and asked the designers to create uniforms for the staff. Uniforms which, by the way, the employees were not wearing.<br />
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My friend Sabreen joined me, and we also met up with our friend Katie who was on the Art Bus, which made a stop at the party. After buying some drinks at the bar, we dodged the ping pong tables (I only got hit with a ball once - not too bad, hehe) and shuffled over to the runway area to find a spot since we were not VIP enough to be on the bleachers, haha. We ended up in a pretty prime location behind the press area at the end of the runway.<br />
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Guests were encouraged to dress as their favorite iconic musician, but I only saw a handful of people dressed up, including the fashion show emcees dressed as LL Cool J and Beyonce. The main event of the night was a T-shirt fashion show with designs from <a href="http://www.mkehome.com/" target="_blank">MILWAUKEEHOME</a>, <a href="http://www.americangreedapparel.com/" target="_blank">American Greed</a>, <a href="http://wiskullsin.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">Wiskullsin</a>, <a href="http://www.reginaldbaylor.com/" target="_blank">Reginald Baylor Studio</a>, I Am Milwaukee, <a href="http://www.gettheledoutonline.com/" target="_blank">Get the Led Out</a>, <a href="http://www.wiscokidclothing.com/" target="_blank">Wisco Kid</a>, <a href="http://www.newdclothing.com/" target="_blank">Newd Clothing</a>, and <a href="http://lovenailtree.com/" target="_blank">Love Nail Tree</a>. For some reason, all my pictures of the male models turned out better than the ones of the female models.<br />
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Sabreen and I had America's Next Top Model on the brain since we were missing it to go to this event, so we couldn't help taking the role of the judges a little bit. Our favorite walker was definitely her:<br />
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Larry Sanders from the Milwaukee Bucks closed the show.<br />
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After the show, a little bit of lip sync karoake kicked off, starting with LL Cool J, Prince (seen below, highlight of the night), and then Beyonce. I also saw a Madonna and Katy Perry wandering around.<br />
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You can see the rest of my pictures from the show in my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.433614703414838.1073741825.314032755373034&type=1&l=9e9e89347d" target="_blank">Facebook album</a>. Hopefully, we can look forward to Fashion Week Milwaukee for many years to come. It's definitely an exciting time to be a fan of fashion here. Now I have to get some of those awesome T-shirts to flaunt my MKE and Wisco pride.<br />
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Here's what I wore:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNC4eLiwxa_3ON-ipCcvy84iRHWxIXIU4hxEYDVLy-bQwrLg7D-rBgluAYzHoDi2-6vuh9UWMgHY6xIgIMkCxFBJ7d9InzonWQIamF8cSU278WjlIOdrKeBUadbRhJ9qzMUaDMKq5GZEi1/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNC4eLiwxa_3ON-ipCcvy84iRHWxIXIU4hxEYDVLy-bQwrLg7D-rBgluAYzHoDi2-6vuh9UWMgHY6xIgIMkCxFBJ7d9InzonWQIamF8cSU278WjlIOdrKeBUadbRhJ9qzMUaDMKq5GZEi1/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Blazer</b>: LC Lauren Conrad (Kohl's); <b>Tank Dress</b>: Forever 21; <b>Pants</b>: <a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1486689/rock-republic-pieced-faux-leather-leggings.jsp" target="_blank">Rock & Republic (Kohl's)</a>; <br />
<b>Shoes</b>: Vince Camuto via Boston Store; <b>Clutch</b>: Melie Bianco via DSW; <b>Cocktail Ring that you can't see</b>: c/o Wantable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I was originally planning on going as Celine Dion because I thought it would be easy. Then, I ran out of time and couldn't curl my hair, so I had to make do with tons of back combing, bobby pins, and hairspray. Plus, I wanted to wear my new leggings right away. Funnily enough, <a href="http://www.barelypractical.com/" target="_blank">Corleen</a> and I were both wearing the same leggings except hers were from H&M. Great minds think alike!Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155961748607627711noreply@blogger.com3