Coated & Jeweled

Tee (similar) - Loft / Jeans (similar) - American Eagle / Heels - Sole Society / Bracelet (similar) - BaubleBar

I feel like I've been having this problem lately, where I feel like I've been neglecting the trendier items in my closet (like these coated jeans), and then feel like I have to wear them.  I give you exhibit A.  I was trying to get dressed for a dinner date with a friend, and decided I had to get some use out of my coated denim.  And then spent forty five minutes in my closet trying to plan an outfit around them.  I should have given up and just worn something else, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.  The struggle is real.

Another problem I've been having is shooting a bunch of pictures, thinking they look fine, and then loading them onto my computer the next day and realizing they were all out of focus.  D'oh.  I should really just check them sooner, but I usually take pictures of my outfits in real time (read: as I'm about to run out the door) so there isn't time.  So sorry about the blurry pics you guys, I'll try to do better!

Linking up with Life & Style and Friday Fab Favorites.

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Irish Carbomb Cupcakes

Yes, you read that title correctly.  These are, in fact, Irish Carbomb Cupcakes, and the ingredients list includes Guiness, Irish Whiskey, and Baileys.  Except, unlike the drink, they don't tend to make you fall off of your barstool, and are super delicious.  

The first time I made these was for a friend's 21st birthday a couple of years ago (okay, it was a younger friend, it has been a loooong time since I was 21). We took a limo into Chicago from the burbs and ended up dancing til 4am at the Hangge Uppe, where we somehow managed not to get kicked out despite being repeatedly told to stop climbing on things and hanging off of the ceiling. 

My life has changed a little bit since then.  I haven't seen 4am in years, and the thought of attempting an Irish Carbomb makes me a little nauseous.  Despite the fact that I'm massively more lame these days, I'm still quite fond of a good old fashioned alcoholic dessert.  

A couple of weeks ago some of our friends decided to plan a progressive dinner through our neighborhood, where we stopped at different houses and had a couple of small plates and a drink at each.  We were the last stop, and so were tasked with making dessert, and I thought it was the perfect time to pull out my favorite recipe once more.

A couple of tips for making these: 

1.  You may be very excited about the idea of making an alcholic cupcake.  You may think, "Hey, there's not much booze in this at all!  I can barely taste it!  Maybe I should add some more..."  You're going to want to ignore that thought.  Don't, whatever you do, add more alcohol.  If there's one thing I've learned after years of making these babies, it's that people really like the idea of eating booze, but don't actually like it in practice.  Really, would you want to take a big bite of something that's normally sipped or shot?  I've made the mistake of adding too much booze before, and they are not fun to eat.  

2.  I don't care what Deb from Smitten Kitchen says, add a normal amount of frosting to them for god's sake.  The frosting is the best part, so don't skimp.  

The original recipe can be found at Smitten Kitchen.

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The Last Shorts of the Year

Blazer - JCrew / Tee (similar) - JCrew Factory / Shorts (similar) - Gap / Flats (similar) - Tory Burch / Necklace (similar) - Baublebar

Shorts and I had a pretty good run this year.  I wore them with blazers, with long sleeves, with graphic tees, and with boots.  But I think it may be time to pack them up until next year, because, well, last weekend, I had to put on a winter coat.  Don't worry shorts, we will definitely meet again.

Have you packed in all of your summer clothes yet, or are you trying to sneak in a few more wears?

Linking up with Style Me Wednesday and Life & Style.

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This Weekend...

This weekend I...

...Went on a little spree in the Halloween section at Target (well really, what visit to Target isn't a spree?) and came away with an adorable pumpkin jar that I promptly filled with four bags of fall M&M's.  Let's just say, Jeff was a bit happier with this Target trip than most.
...Finally watched Neighbors and I don't know why I waited so long.  It was freaking hysterical, I was dying.  While I loved the fighting and whatnot, I think the best part was the relationship between Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne, they were so funny together.
...Went shopping with the boy, and felt like I was in the Twilight Zone - he came away with bags of stuff, and I was empty handed!
...Hit up one of the bars in our neighborhood for one of our favorite types of date nights: beer and wings.  We like to keep it classy.
...Went to a big party at my grandma's house, where it turned out she'd managed to invite tons of family members I've never even met before.  Hanging out with my aunts and laughing about our shared obsession over WGN news ("Did you see the time they reported a fake plane crash?" "Did you see the time they failed on reporting a bridge collapse?") made for quite an amusing evening.

I hope you had a good one!

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Easy Party Snack - Seasoned Oyster Crackers

Are there any foods that really remind you of being a little kid?  For other people it may be pudding cups or a Fruity Pebbles, but for me it's these seasoned oyster crackers.  My family used to serve these at every party, and the kids would pound these down.  They're really addictive, I remember eating them until I felt sick.  I was looking to make a little party snack for a tailgate down at Illinois a couple of weekends ago and I decided to bring them back.  They are just as good now as my childhood brain remembers.

Seasoned Oyster Crackers (makes a ton!)

You'll need:

2 12oz packages oyster crackers

1 cup canola oil (or similar)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1-2 tsp dill weed

1 package Ranch House dressing (use dry, this can be found in the salad dressing aisle)

Mix oil, garlic powder, dill, and Ranch together in a large container with a lid. Add crackers and coat evenly.  Cover and let sit for at least one hour.  Serve!

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Navy + Green

Blazer and Skirt (similar) - JCrew / Sweater - Banana Republic / Boots - Sam Edelman / Watch - Kate Spade

 Do you find it weird that a lot of the pieces at JCrew Factory this season are remakes of last year's pieces from JCrew?  I know this is something they often do (like the infamous herringbone vest), but walking through the factory store last week was literally like looking through my own closet - there are so many repeats of things I purchased last year.  It's great if you want to grab something you were lusting after last year (I definitely recommend checking out this skirt!) but for me it's not so bueno to shop there this year since there isn't a lot of new stuff.  Although based on yesterday's budget post, I probably don't need to buy anything else this fall.

Linking up with Life & Style,  Monday Bloom.

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September Budget

Welp.  This really shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone (especially me) since September is usually a busy shopping month, but I went a wee bit over budget this month.  What really did me in was getting this new job, and then remembering that all of my flats were falling apart.  While I had been wearing Payless flats for the past couple of years, I really wanted to upgrade.  So when I saw that Kaitlin had scored some adorable Tory Burch flats at Nordstrom Rack, I had to go on the hunt myself.  And naturally, not only found and bought a Tory Burch pair, but also threw in another comfy find, because, well, I got a little excited.

Here's the damage for September:

Loft Button Back Sweater - originally $44.50, on sale $22.25.  Already worn here.

Loft Super Skinny Jeans - originally $69.50, on sale $41.70.  I have been a real Gap jeans girl for the past couple of years, but when I tried to re-purchase my favorites the fit was different and the knees were really baggy.  Decided to give Loft a try instead and they are perfection!

Vince Camuto Elisee Flats - originally $98, on sale $59.97.

Target Pleated Circle Skirt - $22.99.  Already worn here.

Sole Society Gayle Heels - originally $74.95, on sale $22.49.  Already worn here.

Gap Outlet Boyfriend Cardigan (in gray - similar) - originally $40, on sale $20.

Gap Outlet Boyfriend Cardigan (in blue - similar) - originally $40, on sale $20.

Old Navy Quilted Vest - originally $34.94, on sale $19.46.  This is a near perfect dupe of JCrew Factory's solid vests, just sixty dollars less.  I usually get larges from ON for outerwear, and had to size way down to a small tall for this.

Loft Colorblock Tunic Sweater - originally $59.50, on sale $35.70.

Loft Jeweled Oxford - originally $59.50, on sale $35.70.  This still may go back, it's just a little too big. I would just exchange it in stores, but I need a tall.

Tory Burch Flats - originally $225, on sale $159.97.  My huge splurge for the month, but I love them!

JCrew Popover - originally $64.50, on sale $32.25.  This was to replace the same shirt that's now too big.

Total Spent: $492.48

Total Saved: $340.90

So, you know, just two hundred dollars over budget.  September is traditionally a high spend month for me, and October is usually low (last year I did a shopping ban for the month of October and only cheated once!) so hopefully I can get back on track.  We're now in the fourth quarter of the year, so here's a recap of how I'm doing budget-wise so far:

September - $492.48

August - $289.18

July - $273.81

June - $256.12

May - $266.42

April - $270.70

March - $281.80

February - $263.22

January - $431.92

Total budget so far: $2,700

Total spent so far: $2,825.65

That's a whole lot of dollars.  How did you do on your budget for September?

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers.

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