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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

My Closet Look Book - Style 3

This week I chose one of my favorite dresses (an old Urban Outfitters find) that I always wear the same way with out fail... mustard cardigan, brown tights, and boots!  With a little time I found a couple more ways to wear it! 
Details: 1. Peter pan collar blouse (French Toast) layered under 2. Peter pan collar blouse with black crew neck sweater (F21) layered over 3. Skirt over dress (thrifted) teal cardigan (F21) 4. Pleated skirt (thrifted) layered under, long black cardigan (target) 5. Olive wool cardigan (H&M) belted with a maroon belt (thrifted).

I am dorkily excited at how this little look book is coming together.  It is already helping me see the possibilities that lay within my closet.  If you haven't seen looks one and two, click to see them!

~Charlie

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Kitchen Adventures: Brownies


This is my all-time favorite go to brownie recipe!  I think I have perfected the perfect gooey, not-to-cake-like brownie!  I adapted this recipe from Hershey's Chocolate Lover's Cookbook.  I'm not sure if this cookbook is still in circulation or not... I got it as a gift when I was a child, and it's always been my favorite baking book!

What you need:
1 Cup of unsalted butter
2 Cups of sugar
2 Teaspoons vanilla extract
4 Eggs
3/4 Cup of Cocoa powder (I use Hershey's)
1 Cup all-purpose flour
1/2 Teaspoon baking powder
1/4 Teaspoon salt

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 13x9 pan. ( I mean really grease- Crisco, butter, a little oil)

2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, heat butter until melted.

3. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add in eggs one at a time and mix well after each addtion.

4. Add Cocoa and mix well. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until batter is smooth. (Once batter is smooth, you can add in a nut of your choice if you like- about 1/2 a cup).

5. Pour into greased pan, and shake the batter down so it is even.

6. Bake until the batter starts to pull away from edges, about 30 minutes.

7. Enjoy!!!

If you make them, let me know how you like them!

~Charlie

Monday, February 27, 2012

Over the Weekend

We finally found a better way to arrange the living room...
and hung the wall art I made (using this tutorial)!
The best cookie jar ever came in the mail (I have obtained quiet the collection and will share soon).
We hit the Target clearance section and I found some cute journals and pens...
I fell in love with these two books!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
~Charlie

Friday, February 24, 2012

Listening to... Gotye

Somebody That I Used to Know has been very stuck in my head all day and the video is pretty intriguing, so I thought I would share!

Also, this band did a pretty cool cover...

If you haven't listened to Gotye's Album Making Mirrors, I suggest you do. I was really surprised by all of the different styles that are included.

Happy Friday!
~Charlie

Thursday, February 23, 2012

My Closet Look Book - Style 2

I am still conquering my closet (ya know... closet full of clothes, nothing to wear).  I have developed a plan to execute My Closet Look Book since my last post.  I am going to pick one item of clothing from my closet each week and figure out how many different ways I can style it!  Then, to hold myself accountable and keep up with my goal... I will post that look here for you to see, and maybe even inspire you to dig deep into your own wardrobe and see what you can come up with!

This week, I styled a floral print dress from Heritage1981 (F21) that I haven't worn since the end of summer (couldn't figure out what to do with it). 
 Details: 1. Layered a purple button-down underneath, added a belt (F21), and finished with a grandpa sweater (Target) 2. Black pleated skirt (thrifted) under the dress, black cardigan (Sears, old), and pulled it all together with a black bow belt (H&M) 3. Put a big comfy sweater (Target) over it  4. Layered a long gray cardigan (F21) over it 5. Put the pleated skirt (thrifted) over the dress. 

It amazes me what not being under the pressure of getting ready can do.  With just a few simple pieces of clothing, I have 5 new ways to wear this dress that I haven't been wearing.  This process is also helping me to rid my closet of all the clothes that do nothing for me... Yay!


~Charlie
You can see the first style here!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Recently

I read...
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After finishing A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway, I jumped right into The Paris Wife.  It was really cute to see how she brought Hadley to life and gave her a voice.  I really enjoyed the book!

Then, over the weekend we watched...
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I loved the flash back sequences... Seeing the characters I had just read two books about come to life stole my heart!  Certain characters in this movie made me mad. If you've seen it then you know who, but if you haven't then you will quickly figure it out I'm sure!

I am falling in love with 1920 Paris. There were so many talented people in the same place at the same time.  I just want to read all of the writing that came out of that time period... so much so, that I bought this text book.  Yea, I am that kind of book dork. I can't help it, it's nice to be consumed by things sometimes. 

~Charlie




Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Thrifted

I love everything about this print!  It has owls, fall colors, and an amazing quote. I think I may paint the frame, but for now it is hanging in the crafty room.

I was also lucky enough to come across 3 yards of this lovely fabric.  Now, what to make with it.... 

~Charlie

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Closet Full... Nothing to Wear

I know that I am not the only one out there that opens their closet full of clothes, sighs and says that I have nothing to wear...right?  This happens to me all the time. I mean, I might have a few good week-long runs where I can manage to put things together and be happy with them, but the dreaded time always comes when everything I have is just uninspiring and I can't figure out how to put it together.  This frustrating time is what led me to think that I should come up with my own closet look book of sorts that I can go through when I say I have nothing to wear.  It also means that it's time to get more acquainted with my tripod and camera remote!

Just some information before you laugh at the pictures: (it's ok, I did too so you're really laughing with me) It was my first time using the tripod and remote, and I did learn a lot for next time... like to make sure the tripod is level (or maybe I really do stand that crooked lol)! You may notice that I just wore the same pair of tights and shoes in each shot. They may not be what I would choose to wear with ieach outfit, but I just went for ease and tights and shoes are the easier part of putting an outfit together for me! It was also a recycled, curly, tie-your-hair-up, no make-up day... so, no need to see my face (it is about the clothes, after all)!

I started with a piece of clothing that I have never quite known how to wear or what to put with.  It was a lovely $10.00 find from Urban Outfitters, and due to the price I decided that there was no need to try it on (silly me).  Here is what I came up with!
(clothes info: All sweaters pictured are from Target, the pink one I embellished with the collar.  Skirts 1,3,5 from left to right are thrifted, skirt 2 is from H&M, skirt 4 is me-made).

In the end, this shirt dress with horrible pocket placement makes a great shirt to be layered under skirts!  I think making a look book may really help me. Hopefully, in the next one I share I will be standing straight, and maybe not so stiff (not sure why I was so nervous... I was alone)!

What method do you use to keep from having the "I have nothing to wear break down"?

~Charlie

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Off the Hook

I thought I would stick with this cheesy title... I kind of like it.  This week, I finished up a granny striped cowl for a friend who has an awesome coat that we call the granny couch coat.  I thought it was only fitting that she have a granny cowl to go with it.  It was the first time I didn't use a pattern, and it turned out perfect. I was thinking about sharing how I did it, but I'm not sure I possess the skill to write a crochet pattern out!

I made pillows for the chairs in our living room, but I thought they needed something more so added a little crochet applique.  This was my first time crocheting a motif. They're kind of fun to do, and I think I may try my hand at a doily soon!
~Charlie

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Thrifted

There is something about the fullness of a pleated wool skirt that draws me in.  I am absolutely in love with the pink and gray one... it is one of the most comfortable skirts I've ever worn.  I honestly believe that wearing skirts like these is way more comfy than pants.  You can sit any which way and you're covered because of the fullness and length (just below the knee).  We all know that I have a love for wool skirts... especially Pendleton, though I try not to discriminate :).

I have yet to wear the one on the left.  I thrifted it this weekend and it still has the tags on it from Hudson's.  When I find things with tags on it like this I always wonder why it was never worn, and how it stayed in the back of someone's closet for so long and just now made it to the donation pile.  Do you even wonder about the life that things had before the thrift store?  It may be dorky, but I always do!

~Charlie

Monday, February 13, 2012

My Weekend in (phone) Photos

-This weekend we celebrated my dad's birthday with a peanut butter cup blizzard cake.  
-I also got a chance to wear my super dorky sweater from Kaelah's Closet, I love it! 
-We went to the library and I got a nice stack of books to get me caught up on my goal. 
-I spent some time crocheting, while we watched HappyThankYouMorePlease.  
-We did something we never do and went to the movies. I couldn't help it... I am a sucker for a love story and I cried like a baby through The Vow.  
-And for good measure, a picture of Ernie... I think was a little bored while I was reading!

How was your weekend? Have you seen any good movies lately?
~Charlie

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Wooden Hearts

I loved the way painting the wooden stars for Christmas came out, so when I saw the wooden hearts at the craft store, I had to buy them to decorate for Valentines Day!  I painted them in the traditional colors... red, pink, and white, and then used them all around the house for different little things!

Magnets...
Cute accent on a wreath...
Decorating candle holders (I used glue dots so I can easily remove the hearts and decorate them for another holiday).

Also, don't forget about the Valentine's Day DIY's from last year!



~Charlie

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

For the Love of Books!

I am already behind on my reading goal for 2012, but I'm not worried... Reading always goes in waves for me and I am going to the library tonight to check out a stack of books to rectify the situation! Here is what I have read so far this year.

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Who doesn't love a good story about teenage witches with a little love drama mixed in?  I wish there was more of this book and I didn't want it to end. Though the conclusion was well done, I feel like I could have read about Cassie and her trials with her new gifts forever.
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Hercule Poirot does it again! I love Agatha Christie... she gets me every time.  I swear, no one writes a mystery like she does!  For once I correctly guessed the ending a few chapters before the reveal!  


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I wanted to read this before reading the Paris Wife, since they're both written in Paris during about the same time period. I thought it might be boring, but his life was so interesting that I couldn't put it down... He writes of running into Picaso at the cafe! He did not live an ordinary life and that is what makes this biography such a page turner.

Have you heard of the website goodreads?  I was introduced to it by Amber over at Hoot-N-Annie!  If you are on there, add me as friend... I would love to see what you're reading!  My user name is cdeboever.  If you haven't tried out this site, I highly recommend it. I am totally hooked!

~Charlie


Monday, February 6, 2012

Kitchen Adventures: Amazing Hot Chocolate

  • I always wondered if making hot chocolate from scratch instead of from a packet really made a difference... and it really does! I modified this recipe.

  • What you need:
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/3 cup boiling water
  • 3 1/2 cups milk
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Marshmallows (optional)


1. Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan
2. Add in the boiling water.
3. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while stirring.
4. Let simmer while continuing to stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. 
5. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk, and heat until very hot, but do not boil! 
6. Remove from heat and add vanilla. 
7. Pour into your favorite oversized mugs, top with marshmallows and enjoy! (once it's cooled a bit of course)!


Do you have a hot cocoa recipe? I would love to try it!
~Charlie

Friday, February 3, 2012

Etsy Treasuries

I get dorkingly excited when I see that I have been included in someone's treasury...


I had to share!  Also, just a reminder that today is the last day to get free shipping on your purchases from the shop!
~Charlie

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Thrifted

I found this awesome golden butterfly pattern Pyrex.  I am not sure if that is the proper lid to the piece?  It seems to fit very loosely, but it doesn't matter to me... it is another serving piece to add to my "China" collection :).  In the same trip, I thrifted two vintage pillowcases and more heart fabric!  I have been trying to stay away from vintage linens since my collection is outgrowing it's allotted space, but the color and pattern caught my eye and they were only 50 cents!!! You can't pass that up!  I am not sure what to do with all this heart fabric I have been able to find lately.  When I look at it, I see bows and zipper pouches... any ideas?
Here is a better look at the heart fabric!

~Charlie

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Sweatshirt Restyle - 4 Ways

My mom gave me this stack of sweatshirts.
She thought that even though they were well loved (paint, bleach and cooking stain kind of loved), that I could get some kind of use out them. I accepted it as a challenge to make them into something I wouldn't mind wearing on my lazy, bum around the house days.

Here is what I got... with just a few simple changes!
For the first one (top left), I had been eyeing the heart sweatshirt DIY from Amy at A is for Ampersand! What better time to give it a try?  It was super easy and if you have two old sweatshirts laying around, I highly recommend giving it a try!

On the second one (top right),  I covered up a stain by adding a piece of ivory lace trim.

The third one (bottom left) was an act of desperation... I had no idea what to do with it. It had been attacked with bleach spatter!  I thought about adding ruffles up the center, but it was too bulky looking so I just jumped in and cut the sweatshirt up the center.  While wearing it, I pinned it into a more fitted look, and came out with this v-neck style pullover, and you can't see one bleach stain :)!

The last one (botton right) is the ultimate comfy be-at-home sweatshirt since it is nice and long (covers the butt). I did exactly what it looks like: Cut the waistband off the green one, cut the purple one just under the armpit and sewed it together! (hello 90's... lol).

So here is proof that there is never an unsalvageable sweatshirt. It just takes a little thought and a lot of patience!

~Charlie