Eliza Magazine

I just ordered a subscription of the Eliza Magazine. I am excited. I ordered it partly for me, but partly for my daughter. I want her to know there are alternatives to the fashion magazines in the stores that are full of clothes we could never afford, wear, or feel comfortable in.

From their website:

"ELIZA Magazine is created for women who want to be stylish, sexy (ed. note: okay, so my daughter is not allowed to be sexy), and engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and lifestyle.

The ELIZA reader is educated, creative, fashion-conscious, and on the hunt for clothes to feel comfortable in. We continue to pick up the scent of fashion and modesty and deliver it to your door season after season."

If you are thinking Little House on the Prairie, you can browse their past editions online and see that yes, indeed they have some very cool stuff (nary a bonnet in sight.) Can't wait for it to come in the mail.

How To Spend Labor Day

We are in a hot bed of infection around here. This is the tally thus far:

1 - Child home from school last week.
1 - Child home from school half day.
2 - Children throwing up.
3 - Children with debilitating fevers.
2 - Number of Days fever lasts.
4 - Children with sore throats.
4 - Children needing Tylenol, cuddling and various other kinds of medicine.
2 - Children with Spider bites.
15 - Number of Spider bites on just 1 child.
1 - Spider bite that got as big as my hand.
1 - Trip to Urgent Care that was closed.
1 - Trip to Urgent Care that was open.
1 - Trip to Pharmacy that was closed.
1 - Trip to Pharmacy that was open.
1 - Prescription of antibiotics for said Spider bite.
1 - Phone call in the middle of Sacrament Meeting.
1 - Counselor who got blindsided with my Primary Sharing Time last minute and got to run the show by herself and now deserves a spot in heaven for her goodness.
5 - Number of Family Members who missed all or most of church Sunday.
4 - Number of concerned phone calls from church members.
1 - Number of concerned texts from church members.
1 - Child who inexplicably, hilariously, with great relish and imagination, takes on every symptom of all her sick siblings. (Ahem, A.) When she has not been truly sick herself.

1 - Number of Parents at home to take care of sick children.
1- Number of Parents who were out of town.
(He was cheering on the COUGARS for their victory over Oklahoma, which by the way is completely and utterly an excused absence. I am thrilled he got to go.)

0 - Number of fun things we can do for Labor Day at home with sick children.

My Turn

My personal stylist came over to help me coordinate my closet. I often text Heidi pictures of outfits before I leave the house, to make sure I am not embarrassing myself. She is really worth having on the payroll. Of course we took loads of pictures.

I can wear this with wellies . . . . . . . . Or loafers.


Change the shirt, wear it with navy casual shoes or giraffe print ballet flats.


Belted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . or not
Black shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . or ballet flats


Brown sweater with turquoise heels or flats


Maybe add a sparkly belt.


I almost gave away this striped shirt.




I never wear this shirt either. Now I have several options.


I have owned this green sweater for years and never worn it.




I am digging the ruffle. . . . . . . . . but I like the turquoise shoes too.


I wore this today. (but I changed into my COUGAR blue for the game.)


(Some chubby pics - I have no idea why I look kind of chubby in some of these pictures. I blame camera error. Vain, so vain.)


Please note in this second photo I am wearing 2 different shoes. Both go with the outfit and we were getting lazy - didn't want to take two pictures.


I have never worn this turquoise shirt, I will now.


SO. Armed with new ideas, I got myself dressed to go run errands. (Yes, I am wearing my wellies.) How do you think I did?

A Family Update

Already? www.carie-list.blogspot.com

Spooky Strawberries

I saw these here. Originally posted here.

Two Long Months

I was introduced to the Nestle Mini Chocolate Chip refrigerated cookie dough by my friend, the Enchantress. It has since become a long time staple in our house.

After being taken of the shelves for "reports" of "E. coli" Nestle refrigerated cookie dough is back in a grocery store near you. I have missed it greatly these last 2 months. We are having some tonight for fhe dessert.

The Perfect Skirt

Absolutely adorable. Available at Old Navy for a song. Whenever my little one wears it she can't stop twirling or touching the fabric. Happens to match perfectly with her Crewcuts sweater. Highly recommended.

Decisions Decisions

It's never to early to be thinking about Halloween costumes. My youngest decided she wanted to be Madeline for Halloween a few weeks ago.

But then I saw this in the Pottery Barn Kids Catalog and it is really giving Madeline a run for her money:

So Madeline or Cupcake?

Creme Brulee French Toast

I have eaten this recipe twice before making it myself for the first time. It is so delicious and I was surprised just how easy it was to make.

Creme Brulee French Toast (via Epicurious.)

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• an 8- to 9-inch round loaf country-style bread
• 5 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

In a small heavy saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over moderate heat, stirring, until smooth and pour into a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking dish. Cut six 1-inch thick slices from center portion of bread, reserving ends for another use, and trim crusts. Arrange bread slices in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit.

In a bowl whisk together eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, Grand Marnier, and salt until combined well and pour evenly over bread. Chill bread mixture, covered, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.

Preheat oven to 350° F. and bring bread to room temperature.

Bake bread mixture, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 35 to 40 minutes.

Serve hot French toast immediately.

Some notes:
*Several reviewers said to skip the corn syrup.
*My friend uses the Round Chullah Bread from Atlanta Bread Co. I used 2 loaves from Jimmy Johns (2 loaves fit in a 9X13).
*You can substitute Orange Juice for Grand Marnier

True Love

We have been enjoying some unseasonably cool weather for the month of August. I am taking full advantage of these days while training for my half-marathon. Thankfully, I have yet to run at the gym in 3 full weeks of training. Miraculous.

This morning I began my run under a cool, overcast sky. Absolutely perfect running weather.

A light drop of rain.

Another.

Another.

Then Complete Downpour.

(This is what I looked like after the run. Maybe you can't tell from the front view, but I am so wet water is dripping off me. The side view shows the contrast of the dry and wet. Also, check out my hair: it was straight when I started my run.)

I am from the Pacific Northwest, so rain doesn't really bother me. But thunder and lightening? Probably not such a good idea to run in a lightening storm.

Not 5 minutes after the storm began, I see a familiar car pull up to the side of the road.

It's my husband. He was worried about me. He stopped his work, got in the car and drove around until he found me.

It's just a really good feeling to be loved.

Family Stuff

www.carie-list.blogspot.com
Posting about the family. Isn't it about time?

Reprieve

For the first time in a few years Gap has very little I am interested in. Some of these clothes are just pretty terrible.

For example: Denim shirt. Really? I wore this in 1992. Although mine didn't have the Member's Only tabs to roll up the sleeves.

I also most assuredly hope these are not making a comeback. Who can wear these pants (or are they tights)?

Or these, really, even the 6 foot Size 0 super model can't make these look good.

And exactly what is this supposed to do, make your hips look extra wide, just for fun?

So Gap, I thank you, my husband thanks you and our budget thanks you.

Flowers + Lamp

I took the flowers off a hydrangea and used my hot glue gun to attach them to this old lamp shade. One row on the top, two rows on the bottom.

In other news, I found this pillow sham at Marshalls for $3. Completely (freakishly) matches her bedding. As much as I love her bedding, I was getting tired of the perfectly matching set. This sham goes perfectly without being the same pattern.

Have you heard?

Some of my favorite sites (lately):

My friend posted about this amazing site months back. Pandora describes itself as "the personalized internet radio service that helps you find new music based on your old and current favorites."



You type in a favorite song or artists and it determines a playlist based on your selection. I am listening to a "Ben Folds" radio selection as I type this post. It is great way to find some new artists. They really have an uncanny ability to match music tastes.

Sensibly Styled posts daily fashionable modest clothes.

Stephmodo has got to be the coolest person on the blog circuit. Really. She is currently remodeling a vacation home in France but somehow you still feel like if you knew her, you'd be really great friends.

Three Wolf Moon Shirt on Amazon


Have you not heard of this? This fantastic shirt currently has 1351 reviews. All hilarious.

For example, from the review that started the phenomenon:

The pros of Three Wolf Moon shirt? “Fits my girthy frame, has wolves on it, attracts women.”

The cons? “Only 3 wolves … cannot see wolves when sitting with arms crossed, wolves would have been better if they glowed in the dark.”

Some sampling of the other reviews:

–“Once … while wearing the wolf shirt I was mistaken for Schneider, the building superintendent on ‘One Day at a Time.’ ”

–“If you are planning on spending exactly $9.14 on yourself this year, this better be the purchase.”

-"You don't put this T-shirt on your torso, you put it on your soul."

-"Unfortunately I already had this exact picture tattooed on my chest, but this shirt is very useful in colder weather."

-"So I'm looking for threads that say, "Hey baby...I'm real boss!" when I stumble upon this epic creation. The wolves spoke to me in a language all their own."

If you are looking for tears-running-down-your-face-ab-busting laughter, click on the link and read the reviews.