OOTD- Pleated Pink Midi Skirt

This skirt cost me a whopping $12 at H&M.

And it wasn't even on sale- that was the full price.

Love that store!

Is there anything better than huge platform polka dot mary janes?

Happy Monday!

Dressed to Impress: Jessica Chastain

She stole the show in The Help and has been turning heads on the red carpet ever since.

I love this girl- she always looks good!
(And she has the prettiest skin! I like a peaches and cream who can represent the pale
& not overly spray tanned.)

Short & Sweet

Who says redheads can't wear red?

Love this red carpet moment.

Such a good performance.

Great pops of color.

Turquoise statement earrings + purple gown = genius!

Black & White cocktail dress...

Interesting details...

My 2 favorite colors!

Is there any color she can't wear?

This lovely lady has now earned her a coveted position in my
people-to-watch-on-the-red-carpet file.

She has certainly made quite a splash in HWood and has got my attention!

So excited for the OSCARS!

Recent Acquisitions (Budget Friendly)

Some new purchases that are making me smile:

$5 for 3 pairs of cheap and cute dangly earrings from Target.
Good for someone who tends to lose or misplace things (me.)

Basic black flats get jazzed up with some cut outs and bling (from UO on clearance)

Skulls offset the sweet pastels on this scarf (from Kmart and super cheap)

A beautiful bow ring to sit on my finger and make me a living present.
The quality is really good for Target- the rhinestones look great up close and in person ($15)

LOVE my new arrow necklace! I have been wearing this everyday since I got it- OBSESSED!
(Buy here for $12. And another cute arrow necklace in gold.)

Look at this adorable bag my S-I-L made for me! (She is well aware of my love for owls.)
How awesome is this? I especially love the button eyes...so cute!

And last but not least...
a yummy choc cupcake with peanut butter frosting.
Very low budget at $2.75.
I am an addict.
I'll admit it.

Look what I got...

Yay! It finally came in to the library!

It's all mine (for the next 3 weeks anyway!)

So excited to start this one.

I finished 1984 on audio which was even better than I remembered. Very good/must read.

Up next on audio was The Old Man and the Sea, which was also a repeat and very good read.
If you haven't read it yet, think about it. It's a pretty quick one, only 100 pages, but the writing is superb. I love Hemingway and this little novella packs a big lyrical punch.

At work I am listening to Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs on CD.

I read her knitting club books and thought they were good.
This one so far isn't as gripping but still good if you're in the mood for something light.

In honor of this book post,

My little niece got her first library card!
Isn't this picture just precious?
It makes me beam with pride.
She was so excited and checked out those 2 books on her card for the first time.

I remember getting my first lib card- it was such a happy day! I couldn't believe there wasn't a minimum age- they said all you have to do was be able to sign your name. that 's a big deal when you're 5! I still have and use my original card, looking at the autograph I'm surprised they OK'd it!

My sweet little B, I'm such a proud aunt!

Happy reading, everyone...

A good book makes life worth living!

Below: My fave quotes from The Old Man & the Sea...

“I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I am glad we do not have to try to kill the stars. Imagine if each day a man must try to kill the moon, he thought. The moon runs away. But imagine if a man each day should have to try to kill the sun?
We were born lucky, he thought.
Then he was sorry for the great fish that had nothing to eat and his determination to kill him never relaxed in his sorrow for him. . . . There is no one worthy of eating him from the manner of his behavior and his great dignity. I do not understand these things, he thought. But it is good that we do not have to try to kill the sun or the moon or the stars."

"Why did they make birds so delicate and fine as those sea swallows when the ocean can be so cruel? She is kind and very beautiful. But she can be so cruel and it comes so suddenly and such birds that fly, dipping and hunting, with their small sad voices are made too delicately for the sea."

Bafta Awards 2012 Red Carpet

For those of you who don't know what the BAFTA's are, you are missing out.

I become aware of them a few years ago and I have loved seeing the fashion ever since.

These British Oscars have been telecast here in the U.S. a few times before, but it seems to be hit and miss with WHAT network will air them or IF they will.

Some years you can find them, some years you can't.

If you see them playing, tune in- they are a great addition to award season.

First off- the original diva, M.P. herself in a custom Louis Vuitton designed by Marc Jacobs.
Classy.
I'm impressed.
And jealous.

Kristen Wiig- Much better this time- a vast improvement over the last time we saw her when a piece of leather was strangling her neck.

Feminine and pretty.

Continuing the black and white- I love Michelle William's red lips.

Penelope Cruz- I love her bangs.

Jessica Chastain looking lovely as always.

Neat, Tilda Swinton- different, but not too out there.

(Pics from People.com)

Grammy Red Carpet 2012

Kelly O- your hair is still killing me, but overall I like this.

Love this ombre color blocking- very interesting.

For her, this is amazing! She actually looks normal.

A broken mirror never looked so good.

One of the few short dresses we saw...

...from knee length to mini.

Love the texture...maybe if Heidi's dress had been in black, it would have gone over better.

Love the sleeves / shoulder details.

Pretty back on this one.

Looking good!

I'm proud of her for taking a risk, this is a totally different look for her and I like it.

Last and least...

Sorry, but... FASHION DON'T! Cover up, girl this ain't the boudoir!

That is just ridick.

Ch CH ch cH Changes

Hi, everyone.

I'm sorry I have been such a bad blogger the last 2 weeks.

My life is facing some very unexpected and severe upheaval right now.

It's tough, but I'm getting through.

I have a sense of optimism and peace I have not had in a long time.

It's surprising, but also wonderful.

So, please excuse the two week inadvertent break from posting.

You know the saying: life happens.

For those of you reading this- thanks for sticking around.

(No, that tat isn't real...just playing around with temporary ones. The saying seemed fitting to my sitch right now.)