Hummus and Wine Night!

Once a week (ok sometimes more) I love to have hummus and wine night. I make my own hummus and try a new wine almost every week. This week however I decided to revert back to an old favorite!

Bohemian Highway Chardonnay is absolutely delish and of course because I am a cheap wine-o it's under $13.00 a bottle! Try some! It's fantastic!

School Clothes!

I am thoroughly excited about being back in school this fall. What's not to love about the start of school? The school supplies, the new friends, the nervousness and the best part of all....the new clothes!!! Today I felt the need to add a few items to my wardrobe for the purpose of being the most fashionable girl in the Education department!

This dress with the intention of pairing it with the following belt

This adorable romper!

As well as this one!

And these shoes that of course will pair wonderfully with all of the above!

Yay me! I love the beginning of school

It's not what it is...it's what it could be

Much like life, decorating on a budget requires the philosophy of "it's not what it is but what it could be." For the past few weeks I have been hitting estate sales, auctions, flea markets and garage sales trying to furnish my apartment without spending a ton of money. The best part about shopping on a budget is the rush! It's quite satisfying when you find the perfect piece for little to nothing! Over the weekend I started working on all of my "perfect pieces"

My first purchase was actually a very nice gift from my mom and dad. It's an iron bed frame that they found at a garage sale for $50

The finished product! I painted the bed frame ivory and now it looks perfectly dainty!

My second purchase was this table. I got if from a resale shop for $40

Finished product! I painted the base of the table with a light blue and then put white over and then distressed some of the paint!

Saturday my dad and I went to an estate auction and I found this fabulous coffee table for $22.50

Finished product! I painted the coffee table a light pink but didn't do a very heave coat so that some of wood would come through the paint

I also got these mirrors from the estate auction and I got them both for a whopping $15

Finished product! I painted a blue coat underneath and then put a white coat and then distressed it. I distressed one more than the other for a bit more of an eclectic look

Close up of mirrors









I had a blast doing all the painting this weekend and I still have a few more pieces to do. I will post those as soon as I finish them. I think I am on the way to the perfect shabby chic apartment!

HEART estate sales!

I love estate sales and auctions. My dad and I always make a point of going to auctions mostly because it's fun to see how much some people will pay for something solely for the reason of outbidding another person. Estate sales are far more lax but nonetheless still lend themselves to great prices. For example today on our way back from apartment hunting (which was successful might I mention!) I found these fantastic items!

I got this fantatically shabby chic quilt for $3 and the pink pillow for $1

Close up of the quilt

Vintage evening beaded bag $5

Vintage tote bag $5 (Ellie really liked it!)

Tote bag sans Ellie


I hope this inspires you to check out some local estate sales and auctions. They are usually listed in papers or there is a website called auctionzip.com and you type in your zip code and it lists auctions in your area. Once you register with an auction company or get in good with an antique dealer who deals with estates you will get on their list and they will let you know when something is coming up!

Feeling eccletic, fab, and fashionista?

Check out these three websites that I have fallen love with!

www.modcloth.com
My bestie Steph turned me on to this website and now I can't go a day without checking their new arrivals. They get new things everyday everything from clothes, to shoes, to housewares. Some of their stuff is pretty out there, some of it is amazingly adorable, and some of it is just fun to laught at.
Price range: $$
My current pic from ModCloth (really there is dozens, but I have been eyeing this!

ModCloth Romper $52.99











www.threadsence.com
This is a really great website I found that is reasonablely priced. They often run promo codes so that helps as well! They have a lot of Indie clothing, but still things that are not to far out there I love it!

Price range: $
My pic from ThreadSence

ThreadSence Ruffle Dress: Regular price $39.00 with promo code right now $19.50











www.topshop.com
This place although expensive has some great great stuff. Kate Moss actually does a line for them. If you ever read any fashion blogs, a lot of pieces they mention are off this website. Like I said they are somewhat expensive but they have a SALE section that totally makes up for it. You just have to check the SALE section often enough to catch your size
My pic from TopShop

TopShop Cutout Dress: $90

Neato Burrito!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK so I was poking around online today and possible found one of the coolest website E-V-E-R!

http://www.renttherunway.com/

They have a huge selection of designer clothing that you can rent and then return for obscene prices like 50 dollars or so! It's quite possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen. You just give them the day you want the dress and your size and they search their database to let you know what's available. You rent, then return and voila!

My only issue now would be not fall in love with the designer gown and talk myself into buying one of my own!

Recommended Reading

My bestest bestest friend Stephanie has an amazing book collection. I mean it's one to drool over and the best part is she loves to share her favorites! Over the past few months she has introduced me to two authors that I find amazingly hilarious. So I thought I would post them on here to share them with all of you!

Jen Lancaster is hilarious....that is all there is to say....I mean she is like pee in your pants funny. I love Pretty in Plaid and just finished Bitter in Black and both of them left me laughing for hours, just thinking about quotes

Laurie Notaro is frank and quirky and awkward and says what your thinking but are to polite to say....All of her books are outrageously funny!

Yummy

So I am forever keeping my eyes open for delicious vegetarian options. I have tried and failed at many (some the recipes fault, a lot of them mine....) I came across this recipe in a Taste of Home Healthy Cooking and I think it is amazing! (So amazing I literally just finished my plate and here I am!) Best part about it, it is so so so so easy! I mean part of it is even done in the microwave.

Now before you get all judgey and say "Ewww....vegetarian dish yuck!" Just know that I am not a vegetarian because I hate meat, trust me I love me some meat, but unfortunately as of lately everytime I eat meat I get heinously sick...Veggies on the other hand  I am good with....That presents the dilemma of finding things that are still super yum but meatless. I think this totally meets the criteria of being super yum.

Don't be alarmed by the sweet potatos in here, after the baking process, they absorb all the garlic, cumin and chili powder and it makes the sweet potatos soooooo savory!

Hope you all enjoy

Black Bean Veggie Burritos

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into ½ in. cubes

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. water

1 can (15 oz. black beans, rinse and drained)

1 cup frozen corn

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

8 tortillas (8 inch)

2 cups shredded cheese (your choice I went with sharp cheddar)



1. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the sweet potato, onion, and water. Cover and microwave on high for 4-5 minutes or until potato is almost tender. Stir in the beans, corn, lemon juice, garlic and seasonings.

2. Spoon a heaping ½ cup filling off center on each tortilla. Sprinkle with ¼ cup cheese. Fold sides and ends over filling and roll up.

3. Place seam side down in a 13-in x 9 in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350 for 25 minutes or heated through or until heated through. Serve with salsa.

Can I have some ice cream with my Banana?

I heart Banana Republic, I am known to spend any excess money I have on BR clothing....They just came out with their fall line and there are certainly a few things I am eyeing....Anyone want to donate to the "Mickie loves BR" chairty fund?

Oh Ellie....

Last night after showing the blog to some of my friends and family they all pointed out one thing....This blog is about things I love/like and dislike....Well I had not included the true love of my life! Shame on me for not including her. She is a true companion, someone I couldn't function without. Someone who listens when I am sad and happy and always is ready to go out.....She gives me a hug and kiss everytime she sees me and is always excited when I walk through the door.

This person(using this term lightly) is my Ellie. Ellie is my mini schnauzer puppy. I have had her for almost two months now and although I have to admit having a puppy is a lot like having a kid sometimes I love every minute of it! She snuggles with me and is always ready to play! She is mellow and spastic at all the appropriate times and for the most part she doesn't poop in the house, which is always a plus...

I pamper her more than I do myself (which anyone who knows me, knows that says a lot) She currently has more toys and necklaces (collars) than I have shoes. I love finding cute puppy things for her and showering her with gifts!

For those of you who are puppy lovers as well, I want to share some of the fantastic things she has with you! There is a seller on Etsy who makes handmade "couture" collars. Her store is BowWowCouture and she has a large selection of some of the cutest collars I have ever seen. I think I will try to do a weekly Ellie/puppy couture post (I don't want to bombard you all with an extremely long post about my dog, I realize not everyone is as excited about her as I...lol)

Excuse her lazy eye look here, but even still she's adorable!

These pictures were taken on the fourth of July by a great photographer named Valerie, if you would like any info on her she has a facebook I can link you too, Just let me know!

LOVE....

Things I am currently obsessing over (grant it these things change like the wind but nonetheless I think these are all keepers)

I love this wine! You can find it at HEB (yes it is delicious and cheap!) It's a sweet wine, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend with a heavy meal....it's essentially a dessert in itself

EOS lip gloss! Not only is it adorable but it taste delicious too! I have the lemon drop which has SPF 15 in it, great summer must!

I have this J Crew straw floppy hat and I have to say it is everything that a beach hat should be....HUGE! I love it! I would literally wear it everyday if I could

Any and all shabby chic-ness and Rachel Ashwell....I am currently in the process of planning and decorating an apartment and this is my obsession, shabby chic and all its awesomeness

Big Sexy Hair Powder Play.....I have discovered after some trial and error that I do love MOST Big Sexy Hair Products, but this one is not only some sort science defying miracle potion but it's a fantastic for people with fine hair

First (what we hope to be annual) Port A Dance Party Weekend

So this weekend some of my girlfriends and I decided to have a little get away. We decided to go to Port Aransas because well where else could you be practically unclothed in 98 degree weather (hush, you know if you could you would be naked all the time too in this heat) We had a fantastic time and have decided we will attempt to make this an annual trip!

So here we go....

Things I LOVE about Port A

• getting to wear my fab VS black bandeau swimsuit paired with a fantastically cheap black sun hat from Wal Mart
• drinking margs on the beach with random strangers we met from Austin, who happened to help us get unstuck in the sand
• the fabulous gift shops!
• a cutie cute boutique called Ragdolls boutique....it's a little pricey but nonetheless one of the most adorable little shops I have been to....so worth taking a look
• the word "grody".....Stacey used this word sixteen thousand times in a matter of two days using it describe everything she thought was disgusting...this included everything from our hotel, to some of the food we ate, to us after laying out all day and being sandy
• UV...ok so I was introduced to a new cocktail this weekend, and it was decided that this would be our signature Port A cocktail.....mix Pink Lemonade UV, a touch of Sprite and add a cherry and you have a delicious refreshing drink for an afternoon at the beach
• Fin's Burgers & Seafood-Being a vegetarian it can be sometimes difficult to go out to eat with other people and so I usually settle for a garden salad or something to that effect....not here! Fin's Burger and Seafood had the most AMAZING black bean burger! I paired mine with some sweet potato fries and I was in heaven! Big kudos to Fin's for keeping us veggie heads in mind! Ps the other girls loved their meals as well, absolutely a two thumbs up for anyone traveling to Port A in the near future
• Being referred to as SATC girls! We had a fantastic set up at the beach a great table, great chairs, music, a full buffet of veggies, fruit and hummus! It was so fantastic!
• Pink flip top sunglasses-my friend Jessica brought these with her this weekend and they were oh so adorable...very throwback to Dwayne Wayne from A Different World....LOVED them!

Things I didn't so much love about Port A

• Our awful hotel....note to everyone when planning a trip on a whim, your odds are better to sleep in your car than to settle for a sketch hotel.....strange people, strange smells, and funky sheets....seriously just sleep in your car or don't try to plan a trip four days before you go
• The sand....the sand sucks....first off apparently it's very difficult to drive in, we most certainly got stuck driving on the sand...secondly it gets everywhere... the car is gross, my bags are gross, sand finds its way into anything....third i am pretty sure even though I have taken two showers since getting back, there is still sand on me, I don't know where exactly, but I still feel very "grody" as Stacey so nicely puts it
• The ferry....the ferry is stupid and long and inconvenient....and weird looking people work there for instance in the same trip I saw a man with a jerry curled ponytail and a woman with one tooth...literally it was ONE tooth
• San Juan Mexican Restaurant-So I was not going to list the names of the bad places we ate but I feel the need to warn everyone about this place.....A sad attempt on their part to make me a vegetarian dish turned into food poisoning for me....Jess and Stacey were both sick too after eating and the food overall was ick....so this place=no bueno in my books
• Sun burn...although you could say this one is really not Port A's fault and mostly ours for not applying enough sunscreen...but still...I am very RED today and my hair may or may not be crispy from being baked in the sun for six hours....
• The fact that everywhere has OUTSIDE bathrooms, and they are not just outside, they are Port-O-Potties....gggrrrooossss....I understand that everyone there hates the sand too, but really? Put a rug out instead making this sassy girl wait until I find an indoor bathroom (which by the way doesn't happen until your like an hour away)

Now for picture time!

Me doing my very best pouty lips model impression to show off the cutie cute VS swimsuit

 

    
Jess's fantastic pink flip up sunglasses!

 

Stacey probably referring to something as "grody"

J




Jess and I in the beginning phases of Day 2 (also known as who can get more sunburned, you or me day)

 

Stacey and I enjoying our cocktails (you can't see this, but next to us is a tent of all men awkwardly staring at us....very exciting)

Our fantastically delicious cocktails....yes we loved them so much we insisted on taking a really cool picture of them

Umm....so I wasn't kidding about the deliciousness of the black bean burger at Fin's....it was so good....good enough that someone felt the need to take a picture of me eating it....thanks Jess...none the less can you even tell that is a vegetarian dish in front of me...yum yum yummy.....

side note* if look closely you can see my fantastic tan lines left from my cute banana republic pendant....yay for tan lines

So this is me...and just me

Hello Everyone,


I am Mickie and I am a newly founded independent woman!

One year ago had you told I would not be getting married, not be with "the name that shall not be mentioned" and would not be living in California......I WOULD HAVE LAUGHED IN YOUR FACE!!!!

Well, so as it turns out, now the idea of that life is laughable in itself.

So what happens now? For five years I was part of a unit and that was completely how I identified myself. Now I have the opportunity to be Mickie and just Mickie. It's scary, it's exciting and it's my adventure and now yours as well.

This blog will be sort of a meditation process for me as well as what I hope is some entertainment for you as well. I fully intend to talk very highly of myself and my taste in all of the following categories....wine, clothing, music, food, and all things fabulous : )