New Nest

Hello Everyone! Dropping you a line to let you know I've moved!

I've finished consolidating my blogs, and we now live at

http://rorschachcoffee.typepad.com/

Hope to see you there!

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Blog Consolidation

Hello, everyone! I just wanted to inform you that I will be moving and consolidating both of my blogs soon. I've decided that with my limited amount of time, and my varied interests, that it would be better for me to change platforms. I am exploring my options at this point in time, and I will probably be going with a TypePad blog, as I enjoy their format and themes.

I love fashion, food, writing, and my family - so it's going to be nice to have them all in one place. I will feel slightly less schizophrenic that way. :)

I will post when I have completed the transition, and inform you of the new URL! I hope that you will follow me there, and I will make a new Bloglovin' account for the blog when I move. Thanks for your support and patience with my infrequent blogging. I will be much better about posting in the future!

Paulette

No more feeling like two people!

(Photo by Sophia Arvizu)

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An Elegant Black Friday

The few times that I have gotten to go inside a truly beautiful store, I savor the experience. Being from the Midwest, in a smallish city mostly populated with big-box general merchandisers, the experience of being in a real department store is one that I savor. It feels like something out of a movie. I tend to go around with my mouth agape at all the pretty things!

My in-laws live in Kansas City, and we decided to forgo the early Black Friday crowds and instead go downtown to the beautiful Country Club Plaza and Crown Center. My MIL recently retired from management in Hallmark, and she has been dying to take me to Halls. The fabulous things she wears almost always come from there, and she and my sister-in-law love to hit their sale racks. Apparently the sales at Halls are famous. I was about to see why!

While the price-tags on most of the merchandise were WAY out of my price range, I enjoyed seeing how the other half lives. Women were picking up $2500 sweaters and draping them over their arms like I do at a thrift store. Since I have caviar taste on a ramen noodle budget,  I hit the clearance racks! With 66% off most of the fall merchandise, we were able to make out pretty well for not much money. We scored great deals from brands like Rag & Bone, Vince Camuto, and Free People. In fact, Halls boasts an impressive array of designers. 

I coveted this Rachel Zoe vest, but decided at the last minute it wasn't in my budget.

But the best part was the atmosphere. Beautiful decorations, lights everywhere, and the LIVE Christmas music being played while we shopped was amazing. The store wasn't crowded, and the salespeople were very friendly and helpful with outfit pairings and service. While I've been to New York and Vegas, I usually avoid the high end stores, and just window shop. I know I will be disappointed by the price tags, plus I have visions of the scene from "Pretty Woman" where Julia Roberts is snubbed by the salesgirls. I usually covet the Versace and Dior from the safety of my living room sofa, and try to duplicate what I see with bargains from TJ Maxx, Target, and local vintage stores. 

I felt very comfortable at Halls, and I would very much recommend a visit when you go to KC. If you want that big-city department store experience, Halls delivers with Midwestern friendliness and charm.

I can't wait to go back! It was a wonderful afternoon of shopping and female bonding with my family.

All photos courtesy of  blog.halls.com  

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Mustard and Plum

    

Mustard and Plum are two of my favorite colors. I really like how they contrast one another.

This look would be good for work, or for a lunchtime date. These shoes are so much fun - I love the fringe trim on the back - they remind me of horses' tails! On a side note - Bakers has the best tights for fuller figures - they are very stretchy and opaque, and last forever!

 Cardigan, T-shirt, and Belt: Target

Skirt: Calvin Klein (Purchased 1 year ago at TJ Maxx)

Tights: Bakers

Shoes and Bag: Shoedazzle

Earrings: Target

Photos taken by Ryan Hughes with a Canon EOS Rebel 

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Bombshell of the Month: Mindy Kaling

Photo by: Michael Buckner

I first became familiar with Miss Kaling when she played the bubbly, wise-cracking Kelly Kapoor on The Office.  Now, this raven-haired beauty has her own show, and she makes us laugh with her regular-girl antics on a weekly basis. While she plays hilarious and real to perfection, Mindy also shows that she has a glamorous side when she dresses for events. I have never seen her at a red-carpet affair where she looked less than beautiful. She looks like a modern-day Goddess in this ecru, hourglass hugging gown. So pretty!

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Grown-Up Gothic

Grown-Up Gothic by zaftigfashion featuring miu miu



One of the things I love about the new fashion rules is how we no longer follow old-fashioned edicts about color and season. Nowadays, we wear black with brown all the time - and it looks fabulous. Neutral goes with neutral, goes with neutral. I especially love gray and cognac together. Wear white in the winter - it looks gorgeous. Wear silver and gold together. It's ok! Have fun with fashion. I want this skirt. If I find a not-so-expensive version, I will snatch it up in a heartbeat.

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Bombshell of the Month: Khloe Kardashian

Khloe is my favorite Kardashian, and here is why:

She's unafraid to be her funny, goofy self - which shows way more confidence than her sisters, in my opinion. 

She really loves her husband. 

She hasn't let Hollywood pressure get to her. She owns her curves, and dresses them well.

Sure, she's part of a family that thrives on notoriety - but she seems like she has a level head, all things considered.

I hope she has lots of babies. Because I think she'll actually be a great mom.

Here's to you Khloe - you may be in the shadow of your siblings sometimes, but thanks for being as real as you can be. 

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