Ainslie Pretty

I can be anything I want to be!

2010-06-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

There are certain parts of being an adult that I really enjoy.

I can have ice cream for breakfast if I want it, and I usually do
I can go to sleep whenever I want too
I don't have to clean my room, I can just shut the door
I can eat mashed potatoes for dinner and nothing else
I can watch whatever I want on TV.

But I think the best thing about being an adult is having health insurance. Sure I had it as a kid...well my parents did. But it is nice to know that if I fall down and hurt myself...well I can just go to the doctor and everything will be fine. Or if I am afraid that I have so weird viral infection and over react I can make an appointment with my dermatologist and she can tell me that it is just allergies. BUT....the absolute best thing is that I could finally get a pair of prescription sunglasses! I went to my trusted SEE Eyewear, where they were having a SUPER SALE! These puppies came home with me and have upped the "Mary looks like a character form the 1950's" ante! Oh boy...being old rules!

Tell me what you want, what you really really want....

2010-05-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

THIS...hair that is

Like a russian doll it's so hard to tell what goes on inside behind your painted shells

2010-04-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

I now have cable television. Which I tend to think is a GREAT thing. I am not ashamed to admit that I like TV...a lot. But I think that it might become a bit of a problem. I get home at 5:30 and go straight into my room throw on some sweatpants and head for the couch (it is a glamorous life I lead). And while I enjoy this I feel worthless...I feel like I need to be doing something. So today after work (while lugging around my gym bag, because hey at least I am going...well sometimes) I am going to hop on the bus, wait for another bus and make my way over to Jo-Ann Fabrics. I have decided to make this little gal...
She was found at the amazing Burda website, as one of their free patterns! I am not sure who she will go too (I think I might need to keep her), but I know that she will give me something to do. She is based on the pattern created by Rebecca of Blinking Flights. If all goes well I think I am going to have to break down and buy one of her patterns that she sells on Etsy. They are just too cute. Ok...back to work for me.

If I had loads of money this could happen.

2010-04-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

I am in a financial cul-de-sac...and so I will dream shop instead of really shop...blerg!

(Frances May)

(Frances May)

(J. Crew)

(J. Crew)

(J. Crew)

(J. Crew)

BEARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

I heart them....

Style Rookie

2010-03-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

I have a new style muse and she is 6. Is that bad?

Photo: Katie Did

Testing a theory...

2010-03-12T14:38:00.000-08:00

I have always wanted to have blonde hair. I have always thought that it would be fun to be a blonde. I mean really...perhaps they do have more fun and perhaps gentlemen do prefer them (hell at this point I could use all the help I can get on both fronts). So after being a brunette for 28 years (yes I just revealed my age...what kind of lady am I?) I went to my trusted Sine Qua Non salon and said...MAKE ME LOOK LIKE THIS:

And well for the most part I kind of do....

Then I started thinking...well I have this super blonde new hair, I need new glasses to go with it. I am not very rational sometimes. I was reading on one of my favorite blogs (For Me, For You) about Warby Parker. They are amazing. Their glasses are only $95 (including lenses) and for every pair they sell, they donate a pair to someone in need. The social worker in me screamed "BUY YOUR GLASSES HERE. NOW!". So I listened to said voice (I listen to these voices a lot) and now I am rocking the following:

Sorry for the horrible photo quality...blasted phone camera.

So a couple of big changes I suppose and lots of little ones. But I promise I will be better at documenting my craziness. If for nothing else but proof to show my eventual therapist.

There are no models in Kansas....

2009-09-30T21:31:00.001-07:00

So what were you doing when you were 15 years old? I was sitting around listening to KKRD (probably NSYNC never mind you the Backstreet Boys they sucked), pining way for Justin Moody and fighting with my mom (sorry about those years ma). I was also wearing semi-baggy jeans bought at Maurices with my plaid shirt tied around my waist. I was trying so hard to emmulate Angela Chase but embarrassed to admit it. Laura and I were also pretty busy with Titanic. Hell we are still busy with Titanic as some things never change.

My cousin Katie's cousin Lindsey...what is she doing you might ask? Oh you know just opening the Prada Spring 2010 show...thats all. No biggie...she probably likes KKRD as well...so basically we are the same!

Prada Spring 2010

Philosophy Spring 2010

Lula #9

Sigh...

2009-09-22T10:36:00.001-07:00

Hipster hearts are all breaking today...the lovely Zooey Deschanel is officially off the market as she wed Ben Gibbard this weekend...SIGH

Watch this and fall in love....

2009-09-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you again NPR...

Like Missing An Old Friend

2009-09-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

Not having the internet at home has done a lot of things to me. For one I can't online date like I used to...there was a time when I was going on date after date after date after date...and now...I sit at home and watch Band of Brothers or The West Wing. I am not really complaining about this though. Most of those dates were BAD dates and I don't really have it in me to go on another bad date...so I guess this aspect of being internetless is a good thing. The downside is that I have been missing some quality NPR time. I miss listening to This American Life and All Songs Considered. I am now out of the loop news-wise and this is something that I am ready to have change.

Today at work (where I have the internets) I listened to the new album from Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver). Its from his newish(?) band Volcano Choir and I am just smitten. You can go to NPR and listen to the whole thing...about 24 minutes is my favorite bit.

Wants

2009-09-16T10:21:00.001-07:00

I want a pen pal...

You CAN buy me love....

2009-09-09T12:14:00.001-07:00

I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!

The world is a vampire, sent to drain (Get it....The Smashing Pumpkins....I am too funny)

2009-09-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

After looking at what was done this past weekend...I am pretty sure it is an addiction...my love for all things pumpkin...

PUMPKIN WHOOPIE PIES: Were made on Saturday night. I had just seen Julie and Julia and felt a great need to cook/bake something. I read an article, this article, in the New York Times about how the Whoopie Pie is having its moment. So I used this recipe and had myself a great big ol' tummy ache...but it was so worth it!

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE: I generally don't like Starbucks. Actually its not a general thing...I don't like Starbucks. That is until September. September equals Pumpkin Spice Latte Time! Also known as "Mary is always happy time". My favorite thing about this latte (besides the fact that it taste so f-ing good) is the story that Audrie tells me about when she worked at Starbucks. Just saying that this syrup and ebay are destined for each other!

PUMPKIN ALE: I have said often times that I don't like beer. I actually managed to go all throughout college and grad school without playing beer pong, flip cup, etc...in fact I have no clue what these games mean, I just hear them talked about on This American Life. I have always thought that beer was disgusting and said that I would get my bread in a solid form thank you. That is until Ben and Martha and Audrie wore me down. I have finally started to appreciate the liquid. Monday Audrie and I had a picnic in my park and she bought this beer...it is the best thing since sliced bread I tell you! Who knew that beer would taste better with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg? Well I guess the fine people at Kennebunkport did!

Goodnight....

2009-08-06T21:10:00.001-07:00

Today marks a sad day...the death of John Hughes. Mr. Hughes taught me what being a teenager really mean and taught me that it was ok to be different, hell it was better! I forget how much I love Pretty In Pink, that is until I watch it. I still think it is ridiculous that Andie chose Blaine over Ducky...but deep down I know that Hughes wanted the underdog to win. So thank you for all my great childhood memories.

You must be a masochist to love a modern leper

2009-08-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight was one of those nights where I had loads of things that I wanted to accomplish, instead I listened to this over and over and over and over again....Lazy git!

Hey Hey Hey

2009-07-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

I have an obsession....ok I have more than one. But today I will share two with you. The first is...well its taking pictures at the Mac Store. What can I say...I think I look best on the camera contained within the lovely new MacBooks ok!

Ok and my next obsession....ok not obsession but crush...HUGE CRUSH....Illinois Airship....oh goodness....

Hello there!

2009-07-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

This morning Ben and I meet up at The Grind Cafe for a morning coffee and to say good-bye (I will be in Kansas for a week and he just got back!). We need a little friend time. The Grind always has art work up, but I generally don't really care for it. Not that it is bad art, it just usually doesn't appeal to me. Well today it was a different story! The featured artist is Laura George and it was ADORABLE! I am pretty certain that when I get back from my adventures in Kansas this little guy will be coming home with me!
In other etsy news....Kate from For you, For me has created a line of jewelry. I have been quite a fan of her prints for awhile and have at many times decided that I need one. But now I am certain that when she makes more of these lovely necklaces I will HAVE to purchase one!

Lemon OUT!

2009-05-29T09:04:00.001-07:00

There are only a few people that I really look up to in life, most of them being real people (my mom, sister, grandma, Laura....etc), but there is one fictional character who takes the cake...LIZ LEMON! My love for her is un-matched. What got me thinking of her today is this website: Scanwiches! It just seems like her cup of tea, which of course makes it my cup of tea!

Paper Heart

2009-05-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hello...new love...
So this adorable young girl, Charlyne Yi, is staring in a new movie with the equally as adorable Michael Cera. Oh goodness I have fallen in love. Hurry August 14th...get here!

Watching the ship come it...

2009-05-11T07:17:00.000-07:00

My breakfast is healthier than yours....

Yea Yea Yea (this title makes no sense)

2009-05-04T09:33:00.001-07:00

This is what I am doing in my free time today....why is it that all the boys/men I have crushes on seem to fall in this category?

Hanging tough....

2009-04-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

Can I maintain my street cred if I drink my coffee out of a "Far Side" mug everyday?

Blerg!

2009-04-23T12:30:00.001-07:00

This is what vacation does to you...

BEST WEEK EVER....

2009-04-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

This woman is coming to visit me today...she will be here for a week...that time is not long enough...I am 27 and not ashamed to admit that I am a complete Momma's Girl...I LOVE MY MOM!!!!

Week of Outfits!

2009-03-27T08:10:00.001-07:00

Monday:
American Apparel Skirt
Frye Boots

Tuesday:
Silk Dress: Vintage
AA Tights
Miz Mooz Boots

Wednesday:
UO Dress
AA Winter Weight Leggings

Thursday:
Banana Republic Dress
AA Tights

Friday
Target Pants
AA Cardigan
Target V-Neck
UO Necklace

Extra Extra Extra

2009-03-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

I am ready to move...not because my building smells (which it does), or because I am sick of living alone (which I am), or because I am tried of having the same people as me for money every single morning (totally over this), but because I want a reason to buy new "art" work for my home. I want more walls to hang it on and more space to fill up. Here is what I am thinking I need....
SFGirlByBay

This first print I am really in love with. The story behind it is as follows "Commissioned by the British Ministry of Information in 1939, the original poster was meant to be distributed in the case of a catastrophic event, such as a German invasion. That invasion, of course, never happened. The 2.5 million copies of the posters were never distributed, never seen by the public and were eventually pulped." No not only would I have a great print hanging on my wall, I would have a great little tidbit of history...and who doesn't love that????

SparklePower

In the time of a recession I think this message is quite important...sure I may not be able to buy those Christian Louboutin shoes that cost $1,200, but I can buy this poster for $8 and feel mighty good about myself?

HammerPress

And then there is this beauty. I heart Sufjan Stevens...but even more I heart HAMMERPRESS...AND THEY ARE FROM KANSAS CITY!!!! True I am not from Kansas City and I no longer live in Kansas, but I love looking at their posters and knowing exactly what the venue looks like that the concert was in. It just feels like home....So if anyone was thinking to themselves "you know that Mary Rose sure does need a gift..." holla at a girl!

BFF

2009-03-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

There are just a few things in life that can make me really really really happy. There are just days where I get really down and need something to pick me up...one of those things is of course the musical episode of Buffy Once More With Feeling. To me television has never been better and I am instantly in a better mood. Another of my pick-me-ups is any kind of cupcake. No matter how blue or how down I am, put a cupcake in front of me and I am five again and instantly think..."wow things...don't suck....". But the end all be all of my pick-me-ups is....This program just feels like a best friend. The one that makes you get out of bed and take a walk with them when all you really wanted to do was lay around and be sad. It is the best friend that makes you laugh and cry at the same time. It is the one thing that has never ceased to bring a smile to my face. I think that a radio show might be my best friend. Or my devotion might be because of this guy...

Oh Ira...how I love thee....So the point of this ramble is that This American Life is going to have a live broadcast (which is not something rare...they do this on occasion)....BUT THE BEST NEWS EVER????? It is going to be broadcast live to theaters across the nation....and one of the guests is JOSS WHEDON. As Ben put it...this is like a Mary-gasm! So on April 23rd I know that no matter how bad my day might be...I will have the best night of my life!

My Last Name Is Control

2009-03-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

Two things really....

The first is that I cut it off....ALL OF IT (ok all but maybe three inches).

The hair was cut by the ultra cute Brad Hough at Sine Qua Non Salon. It is the best haircut i have had in years. Two: It is almost spring here, which means the return of my flats and (my favorite part) no socks!

Also I have "Nasty Boys" by Janet Jackson stuck in my head. Have for three days now...I really need to get a new song stuck in my head....

Harry Potter. Harry Potter. Ron Weasley!

2009-02-23T11:31:00.000-08:00

I was recently tagged in a Facebook Note by a new friend here in Chicago (yes I am branching out and opening myself up to the possibility of making new friends...it is my Spring-Time resolution, since I don't believe in New Years Resolutions). It was a note about classic books that apparently the BBC reckons most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books on the list. I have read quite a few more...but Harry Potter alone would put me at 7!!!

My love for Harry Potter is a bit silly I suppose...being that I am 27 and count the series as my favorite book (because I like to think of it as one LOOOONNNNGGGG book). Or the fact that when Book 7 came out I was at the Borders on Michigan Ave. dressed as a Hogwarts School girl...

But I digress...so what had me thinking about all this (other than the fact that I am usually always thinking of Harry...) are the fantastic covers that artist M.S. Corley created...if you wanted to get me a gift...one of these prints would totally be boss!

Blitzen Trapper

2009-02-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

I am in desperate need of new music...lucky for me Pandora came through...

And wouldn't you know it...they are playing two shows tonight...BOTH SOLD OUT! Blerg....

I'm In Love With The Morton Salt Girl...

2009-02-17T11:08:00.001-08:00

When I think about what I would ultimately like to look like...I think this pretty much sums it up...

And perhaps when I grow up...I can look like Betty Crocker...
(Image courtesy of Susan Marks)

Those Bangles....

2009-02-16T12:48:00.000-08:00

Mondays can go and you-know-what themselves...that is what I am thinking today....

DAKOTA!

2009-02-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

It is very nice to see a young girl in Hollywood actually look like a young girl. Too often I think these girls cake on the make-up and borrow their mom's push-up bras....Dear Dakota Fanning...she has done it right. She looks 15 and yet still looks stylish!

Hey It Was A Book First...

2009-02-06T13:27:00.001-08:00

So I am not going to lie...I really want to see this....

Three Inches...

2009-02-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

After many, many, many months of neglecting my hair I made an appointment with the Aveda Institute (home of the $16 hair cut!)...granted it is a school and I am always a bit nervous about this...I figured "hey its just hair right?". So at 8:30 on a Saturday morning I went from this...

To THIS...

I kind of feel like a 12 year-old with the new hair and new glasses. But last night Ben told me I looked like Amelie...So I am going to say the haircut was a success!

The Robots Are Out To Get Me....

2009-02-04T16:07:00.000-08:00

As a blogger I would say that having a working computer is pretty key (that and a strong internet signal)...well my friends I have neither.

So this is a bit dramatic and my computer looks nothing like this one...but you get the point...broken

Poor Gertie (yes I named my computer) is in need of repair. However those money-grubbers over at the Apple store want to charge me anywhere from $150 to $300 to fix her and well I just can't afford that right now. Why you might be asking? Well because in the same week my phone decided to stop working as well. Yes I have had the same beast for the past six years and it was bound to happen, but seriously...both in the span of 14 days? It just seems unfair....So now I must wait until I get my income tax return and hopefully this will purchased to solve all my problems (well at least my techy problems right?????).....

It Girls....

2009-02-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

An It girl or It-girl is a charming, sex young woman who receives intense media coverage unrelated or disproportional to personal achievements. The reign of an "It girl" is usually temporary; some of the rising It girls will either become fully-fledged celebrities or their popularity will fade. The term "It boy", much less frequently used, is the male equivalent.

The Original....

Clara Bow

Now...

Cory Kennedy
I prefer Clara....

fashion (turn to the left)

2009-01-29T07:28:00.000-08:00

Somehow I forgot that Paris Fashion Week was going on...I must have forgot to buy my plane ticket...alas...(oh I also forgot all about NY Fashion Week). I must admit that I generally don't like spring collections. I am just more of a fall gal. I like the texture and dark jewel tones that designers use...but Paris you have stolen my heart....

Givenchy

Christian Lacroix

Dior

Chanel

All Photos Style.com

Next week...NY Fashion Week...I promise

Poor little ole' Nickel

2009-01-28T10:11:00.000-08:00

I finally made my way to the Shedd Aquarium. It is actually a bit embarrassing that it took me three years to make it there...what kind of Chicago resident am I? I went on a date, that went well I think. Well it went well enough that we are meeting again this Thursday. Yes I am sacrificing watching The Office and 30 Rock for a boy...Silly Mary? Maybe....The best part of the Shedd is Nickel the Turtle...

Not going to lie...I am actually a bit nervous about the date this Thursday...which after the number of dates I have been on is silly (I have been on hundreds of them)...wish me luck? I think that I am just thinking about it too much...I mean really it is a second date. It shouldn't be that bad. But I already feel like I might have messed up...I mean when he called I answered my phone "Hello this is Mary"...stupid work-mode! GRRRR...I am beginning to think I like the idea of arranged marriages!

now it's time to say goodbye...

2009-01-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

With everything that is going on in my life, I simply don't have time to blog at Ainslie Pretty anymore. It's sad, I know. Don't worry, Mary and I are still friends! And she will continue to blog about all things pretty. I will, however, be a slave to my book learnin' and wedding planning. You can see what I'm up to at my wedding blog. Hopefully I will have time to update it more often than I have here. Thanks again for reading what I have to write!!

Hugs and Kisses,

Martha

Gary Indiana....Gary Indiana...I mean Indianapolis

2009-01-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

My MLK weekend was spent with these lovely ladies...

Doing these following things...
This is Good Earth Health Food Store...It was basically like Whole Foods, but without all the stuff that you don't want. It was so delightful and is located in a very "cool" neighborhood called Broad Ripple, which is much like Downtown Lawrence.

At the grocery store I tried Stonewall Jerquee...way too salty but it was good to try to get to eat "Beef Jerky" again, because it is possibly one of the only things I miss being vegetarian.

Luna Music....where I picked up Kings of Leon and Wig In a Box. Such a lovely little INDY (pun intended) record store.

The Steer-In was introduced to me by Laura as "the kind of place we always wished had existed in Lawrence". At $1.75 for a fried egg sandwich, it did not disappoint.

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park. This is the site that RFK gave a speech on the day that MLK died. Cities throughout the US erupted in riots, and Indianapolis was quite that night and there was no violence. They had a copy of his speech at the momument and it was one of the most moving things I have ever read...

Indianapolis was a lovely city...and I already miss my people there....

---MaryRose

Good Ole Four-Eyes

2009-01-15T11:23:00.000-08:00

Oh in other news....(man I have been slacking on here)...I GOT NEW GLASSES. Everytime I go in for an eye exam I walk out feeling well really dumb. I mean they make you take your current glasses off and try to read, which you know that you can't. Oh it is just embarrassing and well I couldn't afford new glasses before. I have something like -4.50 in one eye and -4.0 in the other. So you could say I am kind of blind, which means that I have to get high index lenses. This really doesn't mean much to me, but means lots of money to the eye doctors. At this last appointment the doctor told me that my vision had gotten better, but that I needed reading glasses. READING GLASSES!!!! I AM ONLY 27!!!! HOW CAN THIS BE????? The nice doctor told me it was just a suggestion and that it was so mild, that it wouldn't be necessary...yet. After a month of looking for glasses that looked like this...

I have settled on these....

Sure they are a bit dorky...but aren't glasses in general a bit dorky? I am just going to have to learn to embrace that inner dork...

---MaryRose

Totally Made For Walking

2009-01-15T11:08:00.001-08:00

I have always coveted other peoples boots. Sure I have some good ones, but everyone elses boots are always cuter, cooler, more perfect, the right shade of brown to go with that dress of mine, blah blah blah....what can I say. However this winter I have come into my own as a boot owner. And it all started with these little beauties...

Oh Miz Mooz you have treated me so well through the fall and winter. Truth be told this is the exact boot that I was looking for last year and couldn't find. I swear last year there was not a single brown riding boot to be had in Chicago....Next up in the boot collection...
Now I am the first to admit that I really didn't NEED a pair of black, patent leather boots. I mean who really NEEDS those (well besides women that spend a lot of time on street corners)? But they were only $60 at Marshalls...and I am not one to pass up a good sale.

And now for the best of the bunch...

I have always, always, always wanted a pair of Frye boots, but knew that I could never afford them. Sure I could save up the money for the perfect pair, but then I would be too worried about getting the dirty or walking in them that I would never wear them and who needs that kind of stress? Well on Tuesday I had the day off so Audrie (the new roommate) and I decided that we probably needed to go downtown and stop into Urban Outfitters. Say what you will about that store, but they have the best sales! So much to my surprise I saw a box of Frye boots tucked away on a shelf down below, grabbed for it and saw that they were only...wait for it....$40! Sure they are a size 8 and I wear a 6.5, but come on...so now my feet and ankles are happy with me and I have moved on to coveting peoples bags.

---MaryRose

Oh Ziggy...

2009-01-08T13:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday You Gorgeous Man!

New Love...

2009-01-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

I read a lot of blogs...I would say that much of my day (especially Sunday mornings) is spent looking at what other people have to say. I like to look into their lives and imagine what it would be like to be that creative, eat that food, wear that dress, marry that man, take that picture. I also feel like with this new phenomenon you get a chance to "meet" people that you never would have before. Now this is not to say that I have become friends with people whose blogs I read, but it is something that could happen. For example, the lovely Molly of Orangette met her husband through her blog and Ms. Jenny Gordy of Wiksten Made met her best friend Elly through Flickr. I am just amazed at what blogs can do and how they can change someones life.

Which brings me to A Cup Of Jo...now I am not saying that Joanna Goddards blog has changed my life, but it has definitely made it more enjoyable. I think that I am going to be spending a lot of time reading what this amazing woman has to say...thank you blog gods for leading me to her world...

Photo from A Cup of Jo

---MaryRose

It's ALIVE

2009-01-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

It would appear as if Martha and I fell off the face of the earth...I am here to assure you that this is not the case. We are alive and well...I PROMISE...look here is a picture to prove it!

I promise that we will back to this blog as soon as life calms down and the holiday season is officially behind us!

Toodles,
Mary Rose

Hello Winter....

2008-12-19T08:22:00.000-08:00

"Oh Hi Mr. Winter...so you thought you would drop in huh?"
---"Well it has been awhile since we last met. How are you MaryRose?"
"Well truth be told Mr. Winter I am cold and wet."
---"Yes sorry about that...I promise I won't be around long. I will only be around until March, April at the latest."
"APRIL!?!?!?! Are you kidding me?"
---"What MaryRose I thought you liked winter? I thought you loved coats, and hats, and scarves, and sweaters? When did you change?"
"I changed when you decided to stay around for five months! Mr. Winter I am breaking up with you!"

----MaryRose

A Long 48 Hours....

2008-12-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

This weekend was spent doing:

Celebrating the birthday's of two lovely gals. Though I will have to admit at the beginning of the evening I was a bit of a Scrooge...it was cold and I was in a funk. But the night was delightful even though a great deal of time was spent playing games on Ben's iPhone. It was also pretty clear to me that I am not cool enough to live in the Ukranian Village...

Small Bar

Saturday I stayed in bed until 3pm. Of course this sounds bad, but one must remember that I live in a studio and my bed is in fact my couch...though I did move to the one chair that I have a couple of times. The only time that I left the apartment was to purchase some Mint-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. It was my only friend that day...well that at Sex and the City.

Saturday was also spent cleaning my apartment. I get such great satisfaction when cleaning...of course it takes no time at all for me to dirty it up again...silly MaryRose!

Sunday was the following: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Dark Knight, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It was a day devoted to fantasy....and probably one of the better days in recent memory.

Seeing how I ate mint ice cream for dinner on Saturday, I figured it would probably be a good thing to have a few vegetables in my stomach on Sunday...so vegan stir-fry it was!

This recipe consisted of:

Fried Tofu (I bought the pre-fried variety)
Garlic
Spices (I used paprika, tumeric, curry powder, cayenne powder, cumin, salt, and crushed red peppers). I kind of just eyeballed everything
Sesame Oil
Broccoli
Red Peppers
Snow Peas
Bean Sprouts
Frozen Peas
Baby Corn
Red Curry Paste
Soy Sauce
Coconut Milk

Pretty much saute everything together before putting in the coconut milk until the vegetables are done. When the veggies are done I put in a small can of coconut milk. After adding the coconut milk I covered my wok and let it simmer for 5-10 mins. Served over rice.....SO GOOD!

So there you have it...my weekend in a nutshell.....What did you do?

---Mary Rose

Oh (sparkly) Christmas Tree!!

2008-12-09T13:23:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is officially upon us! Ben and I decided to put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Smokey was pretty excited by that idea. It is our first Christmas with a cat. Luckily, he has only knocked one ornament off the tree so far and it wasn't breakable!

Here, Smokey is getting to know our tree.
Our lovely decorated tree! We definitely aren't very matchy-matchy with our tree... We have some pretty childish ornaments actually. A robot here, a cowboy there, and lets not forget about my favorite pink elephant!

The robot is our only ornament we've bought this year, but we couldn't pass it up. It is just too cute!

---Martha!

Christmas Should Come Early...

2008-12-08T14:22:00.001-08:00

In case you were wondering what I would like for Christmas this year...let me just show you....

WikstenMade

----MaryRose

You see how picky I am about my shoes...

2008-12-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

One benefit of my job is the fact that the organization that I work for (Chicago House & Social Services Agency) has many fancy benefits throughout the year…one drawback is that we as employees must volunteer for at least one of them. Meaning I won’t get to partake of Champagne Wrapture 2008! Instead I will be GIVING TREE ATTENDANT number 3!

I am excited about this don’t get me wrong, but it leaves me with the age old dilemma…what do I wear? This is what I was thinking…

Hmmmm....

---MaryRose

Monsters and Bandits....

2008-11-28T19:50:00.001-08:00

The recession has brought MONSTERS into my life...MONSTERS I tell you!

Ok so this is only partially true...I would probably be making my nieces and nephews monsters for Christmas this year anyways...but just the same. Much easier and cheaper to make these little creatures for them then it would be for me to make my way to the one remaining Toys R' Us in Chicago. Truth be told...Ugly Dolls...always thought they were cute and ALWAYS thought "I could totally do that". So I put my needle and thread where my mouth was and got to crafting!

I hope that my little monsters like their little monsters. On another note my wonderful sister-in-law sent me the best birthday present...The Little Bandits from Emily Martin. I tried my best bandit disguise on tonight, but in true MaryRose fashion...

---MaryRose

F$CK I'm old!

2008-11-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

There are many things in this world that I get really excited for. Cupcakes, new music from Richard Buckner, Harry Potter, Rotofugi, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Whedon world, stationary, bird tattoos, scarves, Kennedy’s, pumpkins, etc. So it didn’t come as a surprise to me to be ultra (borrowing this expression from the new roommate Audrie) excited about the Twilight saga. I mean really vampires, love, emo teenagers, macabre. What more is there to love? So when Mallory told Martha, Ben and I that we simply must read the books I was too happy to!

A few months ago my heart was broken. I had it all planned out…for my 27th birthday weekend I would be seeing Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I mean really there isn’t anything better than Harry Potter on your birthday. So I took book six off my bookshelf and began to re-read it in preparation. Then I found out…PUSHED BACK TO JULY 2009 SO IT COULD MAKE MORE MONEY! My heart = broken. But the good news was that the Twilight movie had been moved up from its original December release date to November 21st. Hello…new plans for said 27th birthday. In reality all this movie did was make me realize wow…I AM 27 YEARS OLD. So thanks Catherine Hardwicke and Robert Pattinson. Thanks!

---MaryRose

(oh by the way Twilight 2…also known as New Moon, as been given the go…guess I will have to feel old again).

I saw Cady Heron wearing army pants and flip flops, so I bought army pants and flip flops.

2008-11-25T16:48:00.000-08:00

So... getting engaged and going back to school apparently takes up a lot of time. I apologize for ignoring my blogging duties. I am a busy lady! Not too busy to covet expensive bags online of course! If only I had an extra $2000 lying around... Seriously though, I do love Proenza Schouler's new bag line, PS1. Much better than all those Louis Vuitton initial bags out there! To say the least.

Anyhoo, I've been trying to think of wedding ideas lately. It's slightly overwhelming. I discovered a cute little blog called Julie Plus Todd. It is pretty much adorable and seems right up my alley, as I want to DIY as much as possible. She has a lot of great ideas. Definitely worth checking out just for everyday things as well.

---Martha!

Haute Chocolate

2008-11-23T20:06:00.000-08:00

To me winter really only means one thing...hot chocolate. And I will admit that I am a fan of dear ole Swiss Miss, but thought I would break out of my "Wichita, Kansas" bubble and try to make my own. Yes that is right...I decided to make hot chocolate...from scratch. And let me tell you this...SO GOOD!

Here is the recipe that I used...and you probably should to!

1 tablespoon cocoa
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 cup milk (I used soy)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
dash of cinnamon

Combine cocoa, sugar and water. Stir together until boiling. Add milk and vanilla, heat. Add dash of cinnamon...SERVE IT UP!

---MaryRose

To cut or not to cut

2008-11-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

So here is my dilemma....I am at the point where my hair is longer than it has been in years and I am getting the itch to cut it. Which is something that usually happens to me. I always tell myself that I should have long hair when in fact I feel that short hair fits me better. But....come on...long hair is so COOL! What does a girl do? Here is what I am thinking, if I had long hair this is what I would want....

But short hair is just sometimes so effortless looking...and I am pretty comfortable with the shortness...and it would make me look sassier...

HELP!

----MaryRose

If you want to sing out...sing out!

2008-11-14T07:37:00.000-08:00

I have said it before and I will say it again…I LOVE HAROLD AND MAUDE! My love for this film began during my Introduction to the Film Medium class at KU. My professor, Prof. Kevin Willmott, showed the film during our summer class and I just fell…hard. I just have decided that when I am in my 80's I hope to be as cool as Maude is...she is my new role model. And so now with the help of the lovely ladies over at WhoWhatWearDaily I can dress like my role model as well. Good to know that I am not the only one who loves Maude! "Maude may have been a crazy old lady, and Harold was definitely in need of more than just his weekly therapy sessions, but the funeral-going duo certainly had style."

Photos by WhowWhatWearDaily

----Mary Rose

Woo hoo!!!

2008-11-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

What a week I have had! Ben and I got engaged this weekend! It came as a complete surprise to me. It's a very exciting time for us right now. My lovely ring:
I also finally ordered some boots online. I got them today! I feel like they will open up my wardrobe a lot. I am sure I'll be wearing more dresses this week!
To top everything off, I found out I was accepted to Columbia College Chicago! I'm super excited/super nervous. I should start school in January! I have a feeling I'm going to become very busy very soon...
-Martha!

Hallowe'en

2008-11-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

So I realize that I am a bit late on this post (nearly a week!). But just the same...I thought it was probably a mandatory thing. See the thing is...my internet at home (which I pirate), hasn't been allowing me to post any pictures! I mean really...how can one have a blog without pictures? Silliness! So without further ado....

So Hallowen'en actually started a week early for Martha, Ben and I...but more on that in a bit. For the actual night I dressed as a wholesome Girl Scout (none of that "sexy girl scout" business for me thank you) and Martha was the most adorable Daisy Duck. Seriously...ADORABLE. Of course most people had no clue what she was...stupid people!Daisy, Dinosaur and Ronald McDonald. Our friend Imran was fairly scary as Ronald McDonald and he got the most play of the night. What can I say "sexy" girls love them some hamburgers!If you will look to the left of the photo you will see Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's. This was probably my favorite costume of the entire night. Of course we would see this girl at the Rainbo Club...all the cool kids go there.

Here of course is Martha as the adorable Daisy Duck.....

And finally my 12-year-old costume...the squirrel. I wore this to the party the weekend before Hallowe'en proper and felt like a small child. Which to me is usually a good thing, but when you are surrounded by "sexy" nurses, and "sexy" doctors, you begin to feel a little out of place. Plus going to the bathroom in this thing....WAY TOO HARD! All in all this year Hallowe'en was good...but we missed all of our friends from Kansas!

---MaryRose

rainy day woman

2008-11-06T14:57:00.000-08:00

Of course on my day off, it is raining. I like the rain... when I am inside cuddling under my grandmother's quilt, but today I really needed to get out of the apartment. I decided to do a little thrift shopping. Nothing makes me happier than finding hidden treasures for less than five dollars.

I'm really happy to have found a grey leather purse. I'm ready to switch from my giant holds-everything purse.

My new quilted skirt! Sadly, it is a little snug, but I think it will still work. I can see wearing it with a black sweater and shimmery black tights at a holiday party... Maybe that will give me an excuse to buy these tights from AA. Hmmm...

we gotsa table!

2008-10-29T19:48:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I know the whole "i want to be a cat" post was pretty pathetic. So how about a real one?

Ben and I got a new kitchen table! Now our apartment is really starting to feel like a home. A plus- my owls have a new home. The table actually has a kind of swirlie pattern on the top... sorry for the poor photo quality.

-Martha

Hotel...day two

2008-10-28T15:54:00.001-07:00

Today I decided that I needed to so some online shopping (mostly at Forever21 and ebay). I was in the mood to buy buy buy, but nothing struck my fancy. So I though perhaps I just needed some inspiration. I need a visual of how I would like to look. So I turned to....Michelle Williams. She is just the epitome of cool (right down to her Ray Bans and high-top Converse Allstars). She is able to wear these trendy pieces (I could never pull off Ray Bans) without looking like it is forced. Jeesh....I want her closet (and mayber her hair...but that is another post altogether).

Photos by People.com

----MaryRose

i want to be a cat

2008-10-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

I am totally jealous of my cat Smokie. He lays on the radiator all day long soaking up the delicious heat, while I wrap myself in blankets trying to stay warm. Today, I wish I could be Smokie.

HOTEL!!!!!

2008-10-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

I have been spent to Springfield....which of course makes me think of the above picture. Here for work...bored out of my mind. Thankfully I have found a free wi-fi signal and able to look at the following.....

Photo avrilloreti

In case you didn't know...mustaches are so boss right now. Everyone that is cool has one.

Photo by The Sartorialist

God I want to be the girl above. I think I might be able to pull this look off, but I am not sure I can pull off that smile. She is just TOO CUTE!

Photo by Hel Looks
17???? This girl is only 17!!!! I heart her!

Ok so I am going to go and watch The Departed now. I so do love free cable!

----MaryRose

Rocky, you went the distance.

2008-10-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it is because I love the movie Rocky, and this has endeared him to my heart, but Rocky Votolato is just the best. I know that nostalgia has a big part to play in my love for this man. Listening to his music just transports me back to my Junior year at KU and the times I spent with Laura. I love when music can just take you back to a specific place and feeling.

---MaryRose

Tai? Why would I go out with Tai?

2008-10-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

So I have discovered that with my new job (which I will get to in a moment) I need to rethink my wardrobe. While it is true that most of it will translate well into the "business casual" dress code, I still feel like I am playing dress-up most days and that I don't feel like ME. And since I don't really have a lot to play with in my closet (especially when it comes to pants, I HAVE NONE!), I turned to Poly Vore. This website is AMAZING! It is like going to Cher Horwitz' house and playing dress up! They have everything you could ever want. I am totally a fan. So here is what I came up with. This is what I think I should probably start looking like when I walk into my office....This seems like a "grownup" MaryRose.

So about my job. I am now working as an HIV Prevention Counselor. Which if you have heard me talk in the last two years is perfect for me. I am all about the safer sex and harm reduction. I work at an agency called Chicago House and Social Services. I have a desk (which now has flowers and a mini pumpkin thanks to Margurite Gardens) and everything. So far no new friends have been made but I am hopeful that soon Cher will find me, make me over and let me eat lunch with her and Dion.

----MaryRose

My thrifty finds of the week.

2008-10-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

In the past year, I have fallen back in love with thrift shopping. I took a long break, mainly because in Kansas I was tired of the same old vintage shops. Since moving to Chicago, I have found a few that have easily become my favorites. I got a raise at work so I've been celebrating too much by shopping... here are some of my finds from this week:

One of my favorite shops is Clothes Optional in Lakeview. They don't have a website, but the people on Yelp have some good things to say. I always seem to find something there, even if it is small. This week I found this great blue sweater will a back zip for only $15.

Another one of my favorites is Brownstone Antiques in my 'hood of Andersonville. They have a ton of antiques and a tiny corner packed with vintage clothing and accessories. Today I scored a fuzzy beret, wool plaid scarf, and a pin for $11. They always have so much to look at and can sometimes be overwhelming, but it is totally worth it.

I love these stores, but I do need to see what else there is out there. So next time, I will report back with thrifty finds from another store...hopefully!

--Martha

Friday Musings....

2008-10-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

My Friday thoughts have led me to the following:

The political posters that are out right now are just, well they are just amazing.

I desperately want to see the movie Happy-Go-Lucky. But of course it doesn't come to Chicago until the 21st of this month. Its star, Sally Hawkins, might just be one of my new all-time favorite people. She just seems so delightful and she should probably become my friend.

I am in love with Emily Martin's (The Black Apple) paintings. I just can't seem to get enough of them lately. They are the perfect depiction of what fall feels like to me. And she paints squirrels. Can it get much better?

Crush of the day / i really wanna lose 3 pounds

2008-10-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

Ah, Mean Girls... Anyhoo, I finally saw the Notebook a few weeks ago, which has made me fall in love with Rachel McAdams even more. She made the Vogue Best Dressed List this week, in what she is wearing above. She has impeccable style and never looks overdone... Plus, the fact that she is in a La Perla dress is even better. ---Martha

the cuteness

2008-10-06T12:40:00.001-07:00

I'm in love. With a blog. My friend, Tessa, from Kansas has the most adorable blog and Etsy shop! Please check out the adorableness right away! You won't be disappointed!

say goodbye to these!! (boots and shopping buddy, weep, weep)

2008-10-06T12:16:00.000-07:00

As I'm sure you've already heard, Mary has a new "grown-up" job. Which is totally awesome, except that now I don't have a shopping buddy anymore! Stupid jobs! So, here I am with Monday and Thursday off, and Mary, the luck gal, gets the weekends off! What a novel idea! Anyhoo, I'll be okay. I will survive. I have a few projects in mind the keep me busy.

The first one being a less than fun project of returning these booties I bought a few weeks ago

at Nordstrom Rack.

After debating for weeks, I've decided to return them. They are adorable and I love them, but unfortunately I don't think they are really my style. They are a little too Peter Pan for me. Plus, if I return them, I can buy these instead! Much more practical and versatile. I'm sure everyone would appreciate it if I just bought them already. I've been talking about it for far too long. Okay, okay, if it will make you all happy, I will finally buy my purple Hunter Wellies!! Just get off my back already! Geez!!

I've been planning on making my niece a stuffed animal for what seems like forever. Mary found a book that I plan on stealing an idea from, creating a patchwork elephant. I'm going to try and do it myself so I don't have to buy the book... I'm a little cheap that way. I have yet to begin this project, so I will post more later about it! --Martha

my side of the story...

2008-10-04T17:54:00.001-07:00

I was trying to decide what to say about Ben's art show, but I'm fairly certain these photos will sum up our evening:

Giggling because we are winos. My boss, with the curly hair, and her husband, Ted. We love him, but Mary wishes Ted was her husband...

These Friends of Mine.

2008-10-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

Perfection.....

---MaryRose

Rosie Thomas....

2008-10-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

I have a new job....a "real" job as I like to call it, though it is more of a career I guess you could say. I am finally using my over priced education and doing what I hope I love. And while I love the idea of having a salary and most important health insurance, I am most excited about the fact that I now have weekends OFF! I almost don't know what to do with myself. It has been years since I have had both a Saturday and Sunday to myself. Usually when I had this time off I was on vacation somewhere...not anymore.

Today on my first Saturday off I spent time with Martha and Ben at Marguerite Gardens (Martha's work). Ben was then kind enough to accompany me to Target, where I needed to pick up a new bike seat because mine was stolen! JERKS!

And so here I now am....enjoying time at home listening to Rosie Thomas. She is pretty much my new favorite person. It is funny to me that I have had her album for a couple of years now and am just listening to it for the first time. I would recommend that you stop reading this now and go to the record store to pick it up (These Friends of Mine if you are wondering what I am listening to). She is just so delightful and she sings with Sufjan Stevens. Can it get any better? Oh Rosie.....
---MaryRose

Vampires? YES!

2008-09-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

I love vampires. There I have said it…I LOVE VAMPIRES! I guess it began during childhood (my love for all things macabre really began during this time). I remember watching the Monster Squad all the time and just falling in love with the vampires and werewolves of the story. Then there came Buffy…she is one of my favorite people (and yes I have come to terms with the fact that she is a fictional character and I think of her as a “real person”). I would almost venture to say that my love for Buffy is a bit unhealthy, but I won’t go there. It is just healthy enough. Two of my favorite Chicago moments have been the Buffy the Musical Sing-A-Longs; a venue for me to totally geek myself out with other Buffy aficionados. But of course these were canceled and I was at a loss.

Enter Edward…the new love of my life. I remember hearing Martha talk about the Twilight Saga some time ago. Mallory had been reading it and told Martha that it was pretty amazing and that we should get to reading. Of course I didn’t really know what it was about and it was put on the very back burner in my mind. This brings us to last Thursday when I finally picked up my copy of Twilight (the first book of the series). I read this book in two days time and rushed to Target to pick up my copy of New Moon (the second book in the series). This book was finished in three days time, which lead Martha and I to Borders to pick up Eclipse (the third book in the series). It is a new obsession. So I now must leave you dear readers and venture back to Forks, Washington and to Bella and Edward and Alice and Jacob and…..

MaryRose

Oh and the movie comes out November 21st...you should probably watch the trailer.

yay for birthday surpises!!

2008-09-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ugh... It has been so long since I have posted anything! I've had the busiest September. First, I had my NYC trip, and then I had a friend come visit me for my birthday. Little did I know, I had three other friends planning a surprise visit! It was a super awesome surprise! Plus, I got to make countless Full House jokes since we had SIX people in our one bedroom apartment! Always a fun 90's sitcom!

Anyhoo, we did a lot of shopping, and a lot of walking. On my birthday we went to the Violet Hour for fancy drinks. It's such a fun place to go and it's always nice to have an excuse to dress up purty!

Needless to say, we all had a great time... Surprise visits are the best thing ever! Also, we all (except Mary) wore dresses in the purple/blue family, which I thought was funny since we were at the Violet Hour!

prepare to be amazed!

2008-09-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

Ben and I got back from New York last week. We had a lovely time. We got to see our friends, do some shopping, go to art museums. It was an all around good time. I realized while I was there that I need to shop at Anthropologie more often. Yes, it is super expensive, but they had pretty good sales. While there, not only did I find some adorable bow earrings, I found this pair of Frye wedges for only 40 bucks! A great deal if you ask me!

I plan on wearing these cuties on my birthday with a cute little dress from the Salvation Army! (sidenote: In the photo, I am wearing a pair of jeans I got for TEN DOLLARS!!) So, the moral of the story is; sale shopping is good. I'm going to try and do more of it! --Martha!

RENEGADE

2008-09-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

This weekend I attended the Renegade Craft Fair with two of my besties...Imran and Ben. Despite the torrential downpour we made our way over to Wicker Park and tried to stay dry. Of course this was made more difficult by the fact that my rain boots had a large hole in the side. The duck-tape just didn't do the trick. I am sad to say that no pictures were taken because we were afraid that our cameras (mine digital, theirs on their iPhones...no I am totally no jealous of them) would be destroyed. But I am happy to say that I got to see some of my favorite bloggers and crafters in real life. I am in love with Berkley Illustration. Their animal prints and just such a delight. I picked up this little guy for 8 DOLLARS! I couldn't believe it! Imran purchased this little delight for his friend.

I was also so excited to see Barry's Farm. Though I have to say I don't think they were as excited to see me. I informed them that I had been drooling over their Monster Laptop case for over a year now and she said "Yea it was blogged about a lot recently." Whatevs!

I also scored a subscription to Ready Made for $5! This should give me some great ideas for our craft nights planned for this winter. Oh boy it was a good day.

---MaryRose

Clicked my heels (oh the Wizard of Oz reference was bound to come up some time...)

2008-09-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

It is Saturday night and I am home baking chocolate chip cookies listening to iTunes...so really listening to a very random assortment of music. Though all my music seems to sound the same (clearly this needs to be addressed, but at some later date). It is Saturday night and while everyone else is probably out having a grand time in their respective cities I am here...baking...but I could not be happier because I am baking said cookies in my NEW APARTMENT! That is right...I have moved...into my own apartment! It is a delightful little home. I have lost all my roommates and ventured into the world of 'aloneness'. So far things have gone swimmingly and most of my belongings are out of their boxes. I am on the fifth floor of my building and have taken to looking out my windows across the parking lot and into other peoples lives. Creepy? Perhaps...but come on...Martha said that hopefully I won't have a Miranda moment "oh yea you live below the guy I have been cruising!"

Here is to hoping!

----MaryRose

a note from Martha

2008-09-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I admit, I have been lazy about posting lately. I haven't even broken in our new blogspot account! Anyhoo, Ben and I are getting ready to go on a mini vacation to the lovely New Jersey/New York area to see two of our besties that we haven't seen in over a year! Yikes! We are both so excited.

I have been attempting to create the perfect weekend wardrobe that fits in one half of a duffel bag... not so easy. I have the clothing down, but the shoes are a whole other story. Basically, I just hate all my shoes. I hate them. It is impossible to make cute and comfortable shoes. The two just never coincide. I must suck it up and figure out what to pack. Only one more day!!

Aside from planning our trip, I have been glueing a lot of buttons to things. I have started making earrings, which are super fun, and I'm going to try to sell them somewhere once I get more posts.

I've also glued buttons to a pair of black flats. It was super easy, and brought life to a pair of otherwise boring shoes. When I bought these shoes they had big gems on the toe, which I liked for about five minutes and then took off. I had been waiting around trying to decide what to do with them, and then one day I just started glueing buttons. A child could've done it... but it was still fun! Except when I glued my thumb and forefinger together...

If you want to copycat me, all you need is super glue, a lot of buttons, cheap flats, and season 2 of The OC... or whatever dvd you like I suppose!

---Martha!

Fall Is Here...Ring the Bell

2008-08-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

OK so maybe fall isn't really here...but the weather in Chicago would have you believing otherwise. It has just been beautiful out. The bike rides (yes I started riding a bike again) that once brought about a nice sweat now require that I wear a jacket. I love this time of the year. It just feels like the air is laced with anticipation or hope. Fall will forever hold a special place in my heart and the clothing is my favorite thing about it. As I have been making the rounds on my favorite blogs I see too that everyone else is equally as excited for autumn. Of course the dilemma is always the same...what do I wear? What new pieces do I buy?

The above is the new Built By Wendy Fall 08 Collection. I am fairly certain that I need every single piece. Can it get any better? Not only does it have the perfect plaid shirts that I am longing for (I have decided that I just need to make one), but it has the corduroy jumper I would covet. I think this collection would feel right at home in my closet!

The always fantastic Jenny Gordy of Wiksten Made debuted her new fall collection last week and I just can't get enough of it. This outfit is just the epitome of everything I want this fall...vibrant color, mixing of black and brown, scarf, flat boots. NEED NEED NEED! I do believe that the Alison Skirt would be perfect with my mustard color tights, thats all I am saying!
And then there was TOAST. This amazing British company has just about the perfect fall catalogue right now. Every single picture is amazing and I just want to be a TOAST girl. That is now the number one goal in my life...to eventually look like I walked off these glossy pages!

----MaryRose

Welcome to the new house

2008-08-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

HI! Martha and I would like to welcome you to our new home. Its true we did so love our other home...but the rent was a bit steep...so here we are. All moved in and settled. We hope to bring you the same entertainment that we did over at ainsliepretty.tyepad.com. ENJOY!

---MaryRose