Busy Business

Hello Friends!  What a glorious little vacation.  It went by way too fast.  I....

saw Cirque du Soleil's OVO

played disc golf

caught up on Idol

dog training

saw Pirates 4 at the drive-in

smashed my finger in the car door

church

nap(s)

emptied kitchen cabinets

shopped with Erin

Memorial Day with family

moved in with inlaws (while kitchen is being refinished)

And the good times just keep on rollin'...work-week or not.  I'll try to get a few posts up here and there and catch up on blogs when I can...I love/hate busy-ness.

As for the lucky recipient of the Family 4 Pack to Cirque....

It's two birds!!!  Congratulations!  I know you will absolutely LOVE the show!  You'll hear from me soon.

For the Locals: Cirque du Soleil GIVEAWAY!

Cirque du Soleil’s touring production OVO is hitting Minneapolis this spring (TODAY), and friends of
SPOILS OF WEAR can receive 15% off select performances!  Click here!

Cirque du Soleil is pleased to announce that it will open in Minneapolis with its touring big top production, OVO, starting Friday, May 27th, 2011. OVO will perform for a limited engagement under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at the Mall of America.

OVO is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects’ home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion.

Be sure to check out rates for a Family 4 Pack too - a family of 4 can attend select performances for as little as $115! 

Fun for the whole family!

Ready for even BETTER news?  One Spoils of Wear reader will win a family 4 pack to the performance on Saturday, June 18 at 4pm. OHMYGOSH.

1.  Be able to attend OVO on 6/18/11 at 4pm.
2.  Be a follower of Spoils of Wear on Google Friend Connect ('Follow' button on sidebar) or Twitter.  Tell me in a comment.  Include your email address.

I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, May 31.

Big Top

Cirque du Soleil is in town!  I was granted tickets to their preview show last night.  It was absolutely spectacular.  Colorful, buggy characters took the stage in OVO.  I was wowed by every single act.  With each one I thought, "oh, this is my favorite."  But then the next thing would have me even more impressed and amazed.  It was beautiful, funny, awe-inspiring, and even a little romantic.  I never wanted the show to end.

Psst.  I'll have a little surprise for my fellow Twin Citians later today.  So stop back in a bit, k?

Outfit Details:

Sunglasses:  Husband's, borrowed 

Shirt:  Bitten by SJP, thrifted

Pants:  H&M

Shoes:  Target

Cliche' Shopping

You all know that I'm a bargain-shopaholic.  It's what this blog is (mostly) about. 

I'm also a wannabe entrepreneur and envy those who are.  I believe in karma.  So when I find myself at a family owned boutique, I feel the need to show them my support by layin' down some cash I wouldn't otherwise spend.  These pieces were not expensive by most people's standards, but as one who thrifts almost everything, it was a slight stretch for me.  I hope that if I'm able to own my own boutique someday that a handful of folks will do the same for my business.  It also didn't hurt that all items at Cliche' were 20% off during the Crosswalk event.  Can't pass up a sale.

There is a kind of joy and satisfaction that comes with this sort of purchase.  I felt like a million bucks, but spent less than $100.  Success on several levels.

Cardigan:  Cliche'

Dress:  Cliche'

Shoes:  UrbanOutfitters.com

Detour

Move along, people.  Nothin' to see here today.  It's all goin' down on A Day in the Life Too where I am guest posting for my stylishly hilarious sister-from-another-mister, Brittney.

So scoot on over there.  You will either be highly entertained, fashionably offended or in complete agreement with what I have to say.  In any case, it's loads of fun.

Lookie to the left.  I'm giving you a hint.

Intrigued?  Good.  You should be.

What are you waiting for?  Go.

And have a nice day.

Ruffles

I slept last night.  Like, really slept.  For the past couple of weeks, no matter how early I go to bed, I'd toss and turn all night.  Too hot, too cold, restless legs, brain on overdrive.  A million things on my to-do list and no time or motivation to get them done.  Last night, I was finally able to cross a few things off.  And then I slept so soundly, I woke up not knowing what day it was.  That can't be a coincidence.  I might even forgo coffee today....

Nah.

Shirt:  Vintage, gift from Anna

Skirt:  Thrifted via Valu Thrift
Tights:  Wal-Mart
Shoes:  Target

Smashion Shop

I added a few things to my Smashion shop last night AND made my first sale!  Whoohoo!  Check it out.  Sizes range from 4 - 8P.

Do you know about Smashion?  It's a free site for buying and selling clothes, shoes, and accessories.  I'm still trying to get my bearings within the community, but the style Gallery and Blog seem like potentially great resources as well.  What do YOU think?

Sidewalk Styles

I attended Cliche's crosswalk fashion show event with a few girlfriends Friday evening.  As I was reviewing my pictures, it dawned on me how different each of our styles are.  I've observed flocks of (typically younger) girlfriends who all seem to have the same style (compliments to stores like Hollister and Abercrombie).  Nothing wrong with shared taste,  IF that's what you truly like.  I just really appreciate my friends who dress for themselves, not for the group.  Our individual styles:



Elaina the hippie.



Patty the classy.



Keely the hottie.

Jillie the preppy.

Red Shirt:  Gap, thrifted - Blue Shirt:  Ralph Lauren, thrifted
Trench:  Tulle via TJ Max - Jeans: Forever 21 - Shoes:  Target 
Purse:  DSW - Glasses: c/o glassesusa.com



A smorgasbord of style.



FBFF: Blog Pet Peeves

Check out my high-tech blog with it's very own domain name!  Oh, the joy.

I accidentally published an unedited version of this post on Wednesday.  So those of you following along via RSS or email subscription may have already seen this.  That darn Publish Post button can be such a jerk sometimes.

Did everybody read Beautifully Invisible's post '10 Things about your Blog That Drive Me Crazy'?  If not, you should.  It's a good read.

FBFFer's are going to follow suit today with 5 Blog Pet Peeves.  Check out a list of others who participated today on Modly Chic.

1.  Music.  Definitely #1.  Makes me feel a little violated and betrayed.  First, I may not dig your taste in music and may be put-off by the rest of your blog because of it.  Secondly, friends don't get friends in trouble. And we were friends, right?  Before your blog started screaming at me in the middle of church.  What am I doing reading blogs in church?  That's beside the point.

2.  Comments.  Where are they?  I'd love to give you some friendly feedback, a ravishing review, or a perky pleasantry, but I can't find your comments.  OR your Disqus is taking forever to load. OR word verification is harassing me...again.  I'm just a simple girl with a little something to say.  Convenient commenting is down right detrimental.

3.  Picture quality and quantity. Itty bitty or poor quality pics are a bummer.  If your photo shoot didn't work out, try again another day or create a similar array in Polyvore or forgo pictures all together. Just my opinion. Concerning quantity: a full-body shot of you 6 times in relatively the same pose = redundant.  Again, just my opinion.

4.  "Click to Read".  Meh.  No thanks.  I'd rather scroll.  This feature is ok sometimes, like for giveaways, but other than that, I think it's annoying.

5.  I can't read your post from my RSS feed.  I have to click into it.  I'm not techie enough to know whether this is strategic for stats purposes, or bloggers are unaware, or if I'm just not doing something right with my reader.  In any case, I don't like it.  So you only want me reading your blog if it helps your stats? You're purposefully creating extra work for me -  a potentially adoring reader?.  K, then your blog better be flippin' amazing, or I'm just not going to visit at all.  Sorry, that was harsh.  Truth is, I'm just that lazy.

All sorts of fun to be had this weekend, y'all.  See ya back here on Monday!

Outfit Details:  Shirt:  Wrangler via Outlet in Louisiana
Necklace:  Target
Belt:  J.Crew
Pants:  Target
Shoes:  UrbanOutfitters.com

Bloggers Do It Better

I couldn't get my act together for the last two Bloggers Do It Better challenges, but this one fell right in line with my plans for family pictures.  The photo shoot took place on Sunday.  I'm desperate to tell you all about it, but I don't want to rob the final product of any glory.  I'll just say bow ties and french collars abound.

You'd think after taking outfit photos nearly everyday for two years that I would be perfectly comfortable in front of the camera.  I most certainly am not.  My husband, on the other hand, worked the camera like a veteran GQ model.  Where on earth did that come from!?

Earrings:  Borrowed from E.

Shirt:  Express
Bow Tie:  Vintage, via Cat's Pajamas Sale

Vest:  Vintage, thrifted via Valu Thrift

Skirt:  Target
Shoes:  Macy's

Five x 5

Babes in love.

He....

1 - Looks good in pink. 2 - Buys me nice things.  3 - Kills bugs for me.  4 - Considers my taste in movies when filling our Netflix queue.  5 - Drives even though I'm a terrible nag (in the car). 6 - Cooks a great breakfast.  7 - Enjoys dressing up.  8 - Is a 'dog whisperer' of sorts.  9 - Tells me I'm pretty.  10 - Introduced me to Star Trek and all things nerdy.  11 - Writes songs about Jesus.  12 - Loves his family.  13 - Has expensive taste.  14 - Grows facial hair well.  15 - Is brilliantly creative.  16 - Makes me laugh.  17 - Lets me shower first.  18 - Plans our vacations.  19 - Pays the bills.  20 - Knows every 80's song.  21 - Drinks a lot of Mt. Dew.  22 - Makes a perfect cup of coffee (if you like it sweet).  23 - Drives like a maniac (see #5).  24 - Has way better table manners than me.  25 - Likes me back.

Happy Anniversary, Stevie. xo

Hobo Chic

I love plan-less days.  On a recent sun-shiny Saturday, we took a trip down to St. Bonifacious, MN to play Crown College's disc golf course.  Aside from a little mud, it was a great course.  Every fairway had a women's/amateur tee box for me.  It was challenging enough for Steve, and wide open for Miles to run around without getting into too much trouble.

I never know what to wear when I play disc golf, which has become frequent since getting a dog.  It's not like ball golf (which I still prefer), where I know a classic shorts + polo combination is the typical uniform.  Disc Golf is grungy and relaxed.  I don't really want to invest in proper disc golf sportswear, and I figure 'Hobo Chic' is the best I can do with what I already have in my closet.  So...Hobo Chic it is.  I'm totally into it.



My boys.

Family.

Ventilation.

By the 17th hole basket, we were covered in mud.

 

Thankfully, Miles likes baths.

Paw,  holy Merrill, Blowfish

Hat:  PacSun

Shirt:  Vintage, thrifted via Valu Thrift
Jeans:  Target
Shoes:  Blowfish
Canine Accessory:  Happy Pug

Furry Birthday



July 2010, 8 weeks old



It's my baby pug's first birthday today.  There have been several times when Steve and I didn't think we would see this day with Miles.  There was that turkey bone fiasco at Thanksgiving.  Then we nearly lost him to a then-undiagnosed Immune Mediated Poly-Arthritis disease.  The kid's been through it and we've paid handsomely.  But if given the choice to do it all over again, we would.  Other than a few hiccups along the way, he has brought us immeasurable joy.

We're still weening him off of Prednisone; the treatment has gone very well all things considered. 
He goes to advanced training class every Saturday in hopes of passing the Canine Good Citizen Test soon.
He responds to a load of commands and adds new tricks to his routine often. I'm constantly amazed at his level of comprehension.
He's a perfect angel when there are treats to be had, and defiant and sassy when there are not. 
He tolerates other dogs, but prefers humans (because they feed him). 
He goes to Daddy for play-time and Mommy for rub-downs.
He wags his curly tail for the ones he loves, and unravels it when he's sick or tired. 
When he isn't expressing himself with alien-baby sounds, you can tell what he's thinking in his wrinkles.
His favorite words include 'eat', 'treat', 'walk', 'disc-golf', 'school', and 'speak'.
Steve and I haven't slept past 7:30 since we got him.
He's a sock thief.

This could get really long, so I better stop now.

I'm just incredibly proud and grateful and ridiculously in love.

Happy Birthday to Miles.  Year 2 is going to be fun.

RetroRama

Who knew the history of underwear could be so entertaining?  This was my first year attending RetroRama at the MN History Center.  I am happy to report that the event exceeded expectations and was definitely one of the better fashion gigs that I've been to - one that I will gladly attend next year.  Lots of stuff to do and see with a little history lesson thrown in.

The theme coincided with the Minnesota History Center's "Underwear: A Brief History" exibit featuring native Minnesota company Munsingwear.  Most attendees dressed in vintage and several snappy dressers strutted their stuff on the catwalk after the runway show where designers Christopher Straub, Danielle Everine, Samantha Rei, Heather Luca and Sarah White wowed us with their interpretations of vintage undergarments.

My date and I crafted our funky glasses.  Aren't they fab (wink, wink)?  We also played a round of 'Win, Lose or Drink'...we lost...badly.  We each had a rather strong cocktail (nothing to do with the game).  Actually got seats for the runway show (yeh!).  Browsed the vintage vendors - Blacklist Vintage is now on my list of shops to check out.  Took part in a vintage photo shoot.  Giggled a lot.

Fate

I pulled this dress out of a storage bin in my garage last week.  I'm typically pretty good at eye-balling a garment for size, but vintage often trips me up.  When I brought this home from the thrift store a couple years ago,  it didn't fit.  With the intention of selling it online, I brought it in and decided to try it on again for the heck of it.  Turns out, it fits great now. 

It would also turn out, that I'd be attending RetroRama on Thursday night that called for a special, vintage ensemble.  Was it fate?  I think so.  More about RetroRama later [when I can figure out why my picture quality is so low all of a sudden.  Grrr, Blogger....]. 

Dress:  Vintage, thrifted via Valu Thrift

Pearls:  Philippines, gift from hubby

Purse:  Vintage, thrifted

Shoes:  Vintage, thrifted via Goodwill

For the Locals: ARC's Value Village

Lori & Julie  - myTalk107.1

Donate and Get a 30% Off Coupon!

While spring cleaning, set aside clothing and household items you are no longer using for The Arc. Print a copy of the homepage and give it to a team member along with your donation of one or more paper grocery bags full of gently used clothing and household items by May 29th and receive a 30% off coupon for shopping!

Win a Weekend in Vegas at Bags to Riches Event!
Saturday, May 21st, 10am to noon
Arc’s Value Village RICHFIELD

Donate handbags, luggage and backpacks in good condition. For each one you donate, get an entry into a drawing to win a trip for 2 to Las Vegas! You and a guest will be flown to Las Vegas on Sun Country Airlines and will stay for 2 nights in the Tropicana – all courtesy of Sun Country Airlines! Hang out with myTalk107.1’s Lori and Julie and enjoy shopping at our Richfield store from 10 to noon. The drawing takes place at noon – you must be present to win! Help meet their goal of 1000 bags donated!


Memorial Day Sale – 50% OFF
Monday, May 30th
9am to 7pm!

Get in gear for summer with a trip to Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores Memorial Day Sale! Enjoy 50% off storewide! Whether you need to bulk up your summer wardrobe, stock up on summer reading or plan on doing lots of entertaining this summer, you will find great summer essentials throughout the store. All four stores are open from 9am to 7pm.


Thrift Crawl
June 4th through July 22nd

Back by popular demand, the spring Thrift Crawl begins on June 4th and this time you have several weeks to complete your shopping tour(s) of ARC's stores. Pick up a "passport" beginning on Memorial Day, May 30th . Then beginning June 4th, visit all four stores, getting a stamp at each visit from a cashier. One stamp per store, per day. Turn your completed "passport" in at any of the four stores by end of day July 22nd. On July 29th, each store will draw for a winner. Four winners will receive a $100 gift card each to Arc’s Value Village Limit one win per person. The four winners will be notified by phone and will also be posted on Facebook. No cash value.


If you're a fan of repurposed and second-hand goods, don't miss the 2011 Junk Bonanza!

Arc Value Village is a partner to the Junk Bonanza Sept. 15-17, which hosts more than 130 juried "junk" vendors of vintage finds, beautiful antiques, one-of-a-kind and artisan-repurposed pieces. Last year more than 10,000 visitors found their special treasure at the three-day event at Canterbury Downs in Shakopee, Minn. The Bonanza includes a farm market with local harvest goods, an Arc-related giveaway and Lucky Friday prizes and giveaways from vendors and businesses. There's also a gold and silver market, magazine signings and much, much more! See details and learn more at http://www.junkbonanza.com/!


99 Cent Sundays!

Stop by on Sundays for a 99 cent clothing special. The previous weeks tag color will be marked 99 cents and applies to clothing only. We’re talking bargains now!

Arc's Value Village Goes E-Bay!
Visit Arc's E-Bay store at Arc's Value Village Online A limited selection of items are available weekly for your bidding pleasure.

It's all here!

Winner

Technically, 21 people were eligible to win the One-of-a-Kind Giveaway.  So, I go to random.org, plug in the numbers and it's #11!

Look to see who lucky #11 is aaaaandd it's my husband.  With a smart-alec comment about Elaina and a bikini.  Inaprops, husband (yet funny).  

I couldn't let him win in good conscience.  It just wouldn't be right.  So.  I drew another winner. 

It's #20!  Rebecca!  Congratulations!  I'll be contacting you shortly, my dear.  You'll be the envy of the neighborhood with this darling bag.

The Shirt, Day 5 & FBFF

FBFF: Outside Influences...

1. What magazines do you subscribe to? 
Lucky is the only one I subscribe to.  I'll pick up a random Glamour or Marie Claire when I'm traveling, but Lucky has more real-girl styles that I can relate to, and I like to seek out trends that they advertise at a fraction of the cost.   

2. Do you watch any fashion TV shows? 
I used to really enjoy What Not To Wear and Project Runway, but since ditching cable, haven't really followed any other fashion shows.  It's probably better that way.

3. Beyond blogs, what websites do you frequent for fashion inspiration? 
I have accounts at Weardrobe, Polyvore, and Luckymag.com, but only browse them occasionally.  Blogs really are my #1 source of fashion inspiration.

4. Advertisements play a huge role in forming public opinion about a product or brand… what ads do you like and why?
I typically like the ads that Gap puts out.  They keep with the down-to-earth feel of their store and clothes.  They usually have a lot of energy in their commercials. And they'll feature celebrities, portraying them as regular people who shop and wear Gap.  It comes across as cool, yet attainable.  And happy.  I like happy ads.  Remember this one with SJP & Lenny Kravitz?

5. Do you own any fashion books? 
Does Confessions of a Shopaholic count?  I loved that series.

Find others who answered these questions on Modly Chic.

Quick!  Enter the giveaway before I announce the lucky winner later today!

Outfit Details:
Shirt:  H&M

Necklace:  Target?

Dress:  Target.com
Tights:  Old Navy?
Shoes:  Anne Klien via Herberger's

Bag:  thrifted via ARC's Value Village

Old Navy Coupon

coupon

Anybody else just a wee bit sad to say bu-bye to Oprah?  Perhaps I'm not her biggest fan, but I have TiVo'd the show everyday for the past few years to be sure I didn't miss out on a hot topic or celebrity interview.  And I must admit that her farewell season has been pretty spectacular.

Today is Oprah's Last-Ever Makeover Extravaganza, which includes an Old Navy coupon for 50% off a regular price item.  That's a darn good deal for in-season merchandise.  Thanks, O!

The Shirt, Day 4: Loosey Goosey

Here is my weekend styling for this shirt.  Did I mention that it's falling apart already?  First time out of the wash I noticed the hem was coming undone.  Ah well.  It's still wearable and at $13 the cost per wear is already in the pennies.  I'm not going to fix it.  I'm to see how long it takes for the whole thing to unravel.  Will report back here if/when that happens.

Hat:  PacSun

Tunic/Shirt:  Target
Shirt:  H&M
Leggings:  Macy's
Boots:  Madden Girl
Bag:  thrifted via ARC's Value Village

The Shirt, Day 3: In the Bushes

Pretty sure this is the last old(er) picture in the line-up.  No guarantees though.  I tried shading myself in the bushes to prevent you from being blinded by my hot pink legs.  Didn't really work. They might've been a little much, but I enjoy pushing the boundaries a wee bit.  Makes life interesting.

Minnesota went from cold and rainy to hot and muggy over the last week.  I'll take hot and muggy, but my skin doth protest.  The oil glands are showing me who's boss (they are boss).  I'm all broken out in painful zits and feel the constant urge to shower away my sudden greasiness.  This tends to happen to me on cruise vacations too.  This Eskimo girl just wasn't made for summer, I guess (I'm not really an Eskimo, just sounds better than 'cold person'.).  Anybody else have issues with climate changes?

In other summery new, I was greeted by my first tick of the season on Saturday.  Then found a deer tick on Miles yesterday.  (Sigh).

Shirt:  H&M

Dress:  Target

Tights:  Target
Shoes:  Nine West via DSW
Bag:  Target

The Shirt, Day 2: Tuck & Roll

Check out all that hair.  I don't miss it one bit.

You know those outfits that look fabulous in your head and then you put them on and it doesn't work at ALL?  This started out like that.  So I continued to make changes throughout the day.  Tucked in the shirt.  Add a colorful belt.  Changed the scarf.  Re-tied the scarf about a bazillion times. Tucked the jeans into boots.  Unlaced the boots.  Unrolled the sleeves.  Rolled them back up.  Belted the sweater.  Unbelted the sweater.  So on and so forth.  It was a mess.  

This was the end result.  Fine, but not worth the trouble.

Shirt:  H&M

Scarf:  H&M

Sweater:  Express, thrifted via Value Village

Belt:  Thrifted

Jeans:  Target

Boots:  Target

GIVEAWAY!

Everybody Wearing Floral

Let's all applaud this year's floral trend, shall we?  (clapety-clap-clap-clap)

I love it.  It's all pretty and girly and pretty n' stuff.  I said pretty twice.  Whoops.

Are YOU donning florals today?  Me neither.  I wore this on Sunday.  But Everybody Everywear is.  No pressure or anything.

My awesome headband didn't show up at all in this picture.  Boo.  You'd be so impressed.  Good thing I bought 3 of them.  One is sure to make it into a photo soon.

I have something to tell you.  Ready?  Brace yourselves. 

Another outfit will be posting in a few hours. 

That's it.  That's my news.  What were you expecting?  Two outfit posts in one day from me...that's a big ol' deal, right?  You're excited.  I know you are.  Continuing The Shirt remix as promised....

Jacket:  Gap, thrifted

Shirt:  Target
Skirt:  Vintage via Mighty Swell
Shoes:  Target
Bag:  Ecko Red via TJMaxx

Check it:  Erin styled the Traveling Bag for a Cause!

Giveaway!

The Shirt, Day 1: Winter Flashback

Once upon a time, I bought this shirt.  And I said to myself, "This would be a great shirt to remix."  So I wore it.  Over and over and over again.  It seemed that nearly every time I wore it, something would prevent me from photographing it.  Which is why this picture is from so very long ago.  It's taken me this long to acquire just 5 measly photos, one for every day (M-F) this week.

I might not have thought to wear these pieces together if I hadn't purchased them on the same day.  My husband said he "didn't get it".  Which is fine.  He doesn't have to get it.  Heck, I don't really get it either.  It just worked somehow.

Shirt:  H&M

Necklaces:  Boutique in Kinder, LA

Skirt:  H&M

Tights:  WalMart?

Shoes:  Vintage, thrifted via Goodwill

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Friend Friday: SHOES!!!

1.What is your go-to pair of shoes?   No contest.  My tan Madden Girl mid-calf boots.  They're super comfortable and go with just about anything.

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions?  Style, comfort, and price (what else is there?).  I'll sacrifice a little bit of style for comfort and vice verse, but I always know what I'm willing to spend and don't usually exceed that amount.

3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color?  Brown.  Dark brown.  Medium brown.  Tan.  Beige.  I like brown.  But I actually have quite a variety of colors.

4. When it comes to design shoes what are your favorite brands and why?  I like the Steve Madden family of shoes.  I also like Nine West.  They just have great variety and quality for reasonable prices.

5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe?  I cannot believe I'm choosing a flat, but this is quite possibly the most adorable shoe I have ever seen.  Candy for my feet.
      


Moschino - $295

 
Style & Beauty bloggers can join FBFF.
Read how others answered this week's Friend Friday questions.

Elizabeth styled the Traveling Bag for a Cause!

Enter my giveway!