OOTD: As Casual as it Gets

DIY Boleyn Necklace (See the post here)
Pure Energy Junior's Plus-Size 3/4-Sleeve Pullover, Target, (SOLD OUT)
Skinny Jeans, F21+, $14.80
Womens Mossimo Supply Co. Lunea Oxford, Target, $14.99

This is just going to be a super short OOTD. Since moving I haven't had a photographer handy like I did when I was living with my parents so that's why there aren't as many OOTD posts as before. This is an old photo I had in the archives - back when I was blonde. (In case you haven't heard...I cut almost all my hair off since then.) Just an easy casual look, I assume, for going out to eat.

I hope you all are enjoying your holiday weekend! Until next time, ta!

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My Favorite Holiday Cookie: Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cookes

This cookie has been my most desired Holiday fare for as long as I can remember. My sister and I have begged my mom to make these cookies many times before in the past. Of course, we could have made them ourselves - they're a snap to prepare - but don't you find food cooked by your loved ones always tastes better?

I decided to make these bad boys a little earlier than usual this year. My dad has been recovering from his surgery, so when I was over at my parents' house I decided to get all Martha Stewart up in there and whip up a batch. The original recipe is one my mom cut off of the side of a Hershey's Kiss bag. It's ancient! But I found it nestled in the "cookies" file of my mom's equally ancient recipe box.

I made some slight modifications: First, we didn't have any actual Hershey Kisses, so I got extra Stewart-y and melted some chocolate chips, poured that into a ziplock bag, snipped the corner off, and made a makeshift frosting piper (or whatever they call those things! :P). Second, I have developed some kind of food allergy over the last year or so, and have a strong suspicion it is a corn allergy. Thus, I have been avoiding a lot of foods due to all the cornstarch and corn syrup in just about everything. So my mom kindly bought me some all natural peanut butter at Costco that worked perfectly. Actually, we didn't even realized until later that it was chunky peanut butter! But in the grand scheme of things...it made absolutely no difference at all! They were still delicious!!!

I've transcribed the recipe to share with all of you here. I know it's an easy recipe to find anywhere, but I'm going to do it here too! So enjoy everyone!

Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies with Hershey's Kisses

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup creamy (or crunchy!) peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar
1 bag (9 oz.) Hershey's Milk Chocolate Kisses, unwrapped

Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In large mixer bowl, beat shortening and peanut butter until well blended. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to beaten mixture. Shape dough into 1" balls (I used a rounded tablespoon so all my cookies came out uniform in size). Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes (I would err on the lower side of that amount) or until lightly browned. Immediately (Seriously. Right away) place unwrapped chocolate piece on top of cookie, pressing down so cookie cracks around edges (but not too hard!). Remove from baking sheet. Cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

I know the recipe SAYS to cool completely, but I can tell you right now that there is nothing - NOTHING!!! - more tasty than a peanut butter cookie with still-melty chocolate! And with that, I think I will leave you. Enjoy your holidays!

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LOOK-ALIKES: Dotted Pullover from Coldwater Creek

Ahoj! (That's "hello" in Czech...just trying to keep it spicy.) Today is a cool Look-Alikes post because I get to take an item from a store people typically associate with a straight-sized, more...ahem, "mature" demographic, and feature a similarly-looking item that not only is cute and modern, but PLUS SIZE! Woo-hoo! Let's get started, shall we?

This week's Look-Alikes post is curtesy of Coldwater Creek. And before you cringe and click the "back" button (you know who you are), I would just like to throw in that I have found some really modern and chic items there. I believe it is a gem that is rarely tapped by the (plus-size) fashion-conscious. But you can get some really great embellished and knit pieces there for a really excellent deal if you shop during the right sale. Okay, moving on. This was another "accidental" find that made me do a double take. Below you'll find the Coldwater Creek version:

Dotted Pullover, Coldwater Creek, $69.95 (for the plus-size version)

I wouldn't say this is "old lady" at all! I think it is adorable and ridiculously feminine! The price is a little out of my comfort zone for as casual a item as an embellished sweatshirt. I just love the little dots though! It reminds me of Swiss Dot fabric which I've always loved.

A little while later when doing my routine browse of Target's clothes section, I stumbled across the below image:

Merona® Women's Plus-Size Long-Sleeve Pullover Top, Target, $24.99

Once again, it is a rather startling resemblance. Though I suppose the Merona top from Target could be seen by some as more "youthful" because of the raglan sleeves and visible seaming at the hem, wrists, and neck. If you go to the Target website, Target features a picture of this top on a plus-size model that looks relaxed in a kind of effortless way and yet like it still has the potential to be VERY comfortable.

Whichever one you choose I think they are both wonderful additions to any woman's closet for similar, and different, reasons. I personally like the Coldwater Creek version a little better...but it's hard to say no to such a price reduction for Target's version that is so strikingly similar.

That's all for now folks! Here's hoping for a wonderful rest of the week! :D

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My Fall/Winter Wardrobe VIP's

1. Warehouse Iris Print Scarf - ASOS (SOLD OUT - similar here)
2. JCP Ankle-Length Pants - Plus, JC Penney
3. Fab Skinny Jeans (Short) in "Denim" - Forever21+
4. ASOS CURVE 80 Denier Black Tights, ASOS
5. Leopard Jersey Skater Dress, Dorothy Perkins (SOLD OUT - similar here and here and a sexier version here)
6. Merona Plus-Size Long-Sleeve Pullover Sweater, Target
7. H&M+ Lace Top, H&M
8. 212 Collection Solid Jacket - Women's Plus, Kohl's (Edgier version I LOVE here)
9. Clean Riding Boot, Lane Bryant
10. Mossimo Supply Co. Voneta Studded Tuxedo Flat, Target
11. Sleek Asymmetrical Faux Leather Skirt, Forever21+
12. Patent Tote Bag By Isabel & Ruben Toledo, Lane Bryant
13. ASOS Maternity Skater Dress With Slash Neck, ASOS (SOLD OUT - similar here and here)
14. Avanti Asymmetrical Zip-Front Jacket, JC Penney
15. Simple Silver Medium Hoop Earrings, Lane Bryant (SOLD OUT - similar here)
16. Cheap Monday Watch Bracelet, ASOS

Hello all! I thought I'd do a quick(ish) post about the MVP's of my Fall/Winter wardrobe. (YAY!)

Representin' for the Gods (AKA: I'm completely obsessed with Tom Hiddleston)

Marvel Thor: The Dark World Loki Girls T-Shirt, Hot Topic (currently on sale!)

I went to see Thor: The Dark World tonight (opening night!). And...IT. WAS. AMAZING. In my opinion much better than the first. And my favorite Norse god (two guesses who...) got a much bigger part in the movie than I expected. But you didn't see me complaining! :D

I didn't even have this top when my sister and I got to the theater three hours early (I jest not). We took a tour threw Hot Topic and I literally gasped when I saw this shirt (is that weird, haha?). It only goes up to XL and while I would have preferred an XXL the fabric actually stretches really well. So we hopped into the ladies bathroom and I changed ASAP. I figured it was only appropriate. :P

Anyway, I won't give away anything about the move. I'll just say that if you are a super Avengers nerd like myself, YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

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LOOK-ALIKES: Lane Bryant Brocade Jacquard Blazer

Wow, this is the first Look-Alikes post I've done in a really long time! And to be honest, I actually really miss doing these posts in particular the most. They're easy and I love being able to find clothes/shoes/what have you's that look exactly the same....but for much less! :D This week's post is brought to you from Lane Bryant. I actually love Lane Bryant. In a mere 4 months (or so) I have noticed a COMPLETE AND TOTAL overhaul of their brand. I'm talkin' a 180 switch in their targeted demographic. In my opinion, Lane Bryant is obviously positioning themselves to be in direct competition with Torrid, which is really the only major name in younger curvy women's' fashion. I'm serious: take a walk-through next time you have the opportunity - you'll be pleasantly surprised, I promise. 

Enough of that! On to the meat and potatoes of this post: the look-alike of course! I'm seeing a lot of luxurious textiles for these coming holidays so I thought I'd showcase a plus-size option: the Brocade Jacquard Blazer. See the high-end below:

Stretch Jacquard Jacket, Lane Bryant, $99.95

It is a GORGEOUS blazer. The flat satin lapel is perfection. The price, unfortunately, isn't as perfect. That is a lot to spend on a decidedly formal jacket (i.e - how often will you really wear this after the holidays?). However, before I skip to the less expensive alternative, I'll mention that it looks like Lane Bryant is having a pretty big sale during the month of November. $25 off of $75, $50 off $150, and $75 off $225. So, saying you buy just the jacket, the actual cost of this blazer would be $74.95...which is still kind of spendy. But I say if it floats your boat! :P

Below is the look-alike curtesy of Torrid:

Brocade Blazer, Torrid, $64.50

Look familiar, much??? (I love question marks...?) The brocade jacquard fabric is extremely similar, as are the flat pockets (I don't know if they're functional. the only differences are that the Torrid version doesn't have the flat satin lapel and it has a TWO button closure instead of one hook and eye fastener. As far as price goes, the Torrid version is still on the more expensive side. 

For me, if I could combine the satin lapel of the Lane Bryant blazer with the double-button closure (I feel that's more flattering - and comfortable! - if you're bustier) it would be like the holy grail of Holiday jackets. Unfortunately, I'm not in the market for another black jacket/blazer, but I figured I'd give you fabulous readers the option. :D (You're welcome.) Have a lovely Sunday, and thanks for dropping by!

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