Everything's Big in Texas Including My Jewelry Haul

After our first full day of work in Allen, we went to explore the area and came across this jewelry store. Since I am a huge lover of jewelry, I had stop in the store. Let’s just say I got a little carried away and walked out with about 25 pieces. The next day I ended up going to a similar jewelry store in the next town and bought about 20 pieces. (I know, I'm crazy. I lack self-control when it comes to jewelry. I really do.) This is the pile of jewelry I came home with.

Here are pictures of the silver earrings I bought.

I love them all, but check out the detail on my favorites.

This pair of earrings is two diamond hearts connected to a bigger heart. Love these.

 

More jewelry after the jump 

Everything's Big in Texas

I went to Allen, Texas for work in May. Allen is a very nice, wealthy suburb of Dallas. We stayed in a great location at the Courtyard Dallas Allen (unlike any Courtyard I've been too). Our hotel  was close to a lot of restaurants and stores. It was also across the street from The Villages and down the street from Allen Premium Outlets. Needless to say, I spent a LOT of my time shopping.

First, I had to try In-N-Out Burger which happened to be right across the street from my hotel. I’ve heard about In-N-Out Burger from so many people, so I was super excited to finally be able to try this place for myself. I had to scope the lines first and figure out what time would be a good time to go over to this burger place because it was SO popular that there was always a line down the street.

They even had security in the parking lot to keep the cars in order. My 2^nd day in Allen, I decided to go over to In-N-Out Burger around 10:30 a.m. (Hey, I had to beat the crowds somehow.) Of course, I had to snap a few pictures once I walked into the place. There was only 2 people in front of me, so going early was the right move.

After about a 10 minute wait, I walked out with my burger and fries. I chose to get my burger without the special sauce (similar to 1000-Island dressing).

I have to say I was  not that impressed. The burger had a nice grilled taste to it, but it wasn’t anything spectacular. The fries were very disappointing. I didn’t even finish my fries and I LOVE potatoes. I’m glad that my visit to In-N-Out Burger only took 10 minutes because I would have been very upset, if I had waited an hour just to get a regular burger.

More on my trip to Texas in the next post.

Great Finds on Etsy

You can find the cutest most unique pieces on Etsy. Here is some of my favorite finds.

The Kaleidoscope Cuff from Verbal + Fox is only $50 and I LOVE the colors.

And what would go better with the cuff than the Kaleidoscope Locket which is only $40. 

More jewelry after the jump

Stockholm Style

I love these looks I found on Stockholm Streetstyle. What do you think?

I love the pearl outline on the sleeve and the flowy pants.

Sheer black anyone? 

Can't forget the men. The studded pocket is hot. 

 

All pics above via Stockholm Streetstyle

DC Summer Restaurant Week

I LOVE DC Restaurant Week, especially since it comes twice a year. Restaurant Week allows me to try out restaurants that I wouldn't normally eat at and for a discounted price. A dear friend of mine had been telling me for months, maybe even a year about this restaurant in Dupont Circle called Urbana. This past winter, during Restaurant Week, I finally got a chance to check the place out. I give the place a 9 out 10. My experience there was awesome.

The food was great, the ambiance was relaxing and the waiter had great customer service. Did I also mention that he kept bring free glasses of champagne to our table? YES, free champagne. And you know I never turn down free drinks. I can't remember what I ate, but it was delicious. Dessert was amazing as well. My friend doesn't even eat dessert, but he was tempted to order something and ate every last bit of his as well. 

This summer restaurant week is August 15-21, 2011. If you are participating this summer, definitely add Urbana to your list.

Check out Dining in DC's write-up about the 2011 Restaurant Week in DC and also, their list of the top 10 picks for Restaurant Week.

Olivia

You already know, I don't like her attitude,  but I LOVE her style.

image above via Stockholm Streetstyle

Travel Often, Wear Your Passion

I love this. I need to get this printed and framed.

Two things I firmly believe, "Travel often and wear your passion."

By Chance, By Work, By Choice

This is sooooooooooooo true!

Be You

Spring Rolls

My blog is random. If you've read a few posts, you already know that.

I've been eating really bad the past week: donuts, brownies, fried chicken and more fried chicken. But I'm trying to get back into eating healthier and continue losing weight. So I just wanted to share something YUMMY that I had to eat today. I've been craving spring rolls, but I didn't want the fried, super greasy ones from a takeout. I was strolling the frozen foods aisle in Target and came across these:

Ingredients are white meat chicken, spinach, caramelized onions, garlic and parmesan. Six spring rolls come in a box; three per serving. The spring rolls are only 200 calories and a great snack. Seriously, my mouth was pleasantly surprised at how tasty they were.

They also have Fajita Spring Rolls with black beans, corn, peppers and onions.

and Thai-Style Spring Rolls with carrots, coconut curry and cabbage.

All above images via Lean Cuisine

I haven't tried the other two flavors yet, but I'll be sure to let you know how they taste when I do.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Day 16 of the Ten for 30 Challenge

My ten favorite pieces of clothing

My first thought when starting this post, do accessories count as pieces of clothing? Since this is my blog, I say they count.

1.       My faux leather motorcycle jacket 4I think I bought it for $11. Super great deal and its stylish too.

2.      My brown leather jacket 4I lusted over this jacket when I used to work at Old Navy many years ago. The jacket initially was over $100 and I watched and waited as the price slowly went down. Finally, I used my discount and bought the jacket when it was on sale and bought it for $40. The first time I wore it, it was raining outside. I didn’t realize it was one of those leather jackets that stained if it got wet. So needless to stay, I had all these rain marks on my jacket and at first I was pissed that I had ruined the jacket the first time I wore it. Then, I realized the rain drops added character, making the jacket look a bit more distressed.

3.      My grey over-the-knee boots 4There is just something sexy about over-the-knee boots and I love these boots because I can wear them with anything.

4.      My Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM purse 4It’s my big baby. I carry EVERYTHING in it. I love it. #thatisall

5.      My Burberry Rain boots 4If I could wear these boots with everything, I swear I would. However, the traditional Burberry print cannot be wore with certain things, so I really need to get another pair of rain boots.

6.      My long one-shoulder red dress 4I bought this dress earlier this year while shopping for an outfit for a “date.” I decided not to wear the dress on the date because I felt I would be doing too much wearing it. So it’s hanging in my room, just waiting for me to wear it somewhere. Maybe one of these weddings I have to attend soon…

7.      My black Marilyn Monroe dress 4 I bought this dress recently to wear to my parent’s district convention. The dress is very flowy and has a criss-cross back.  If it had pockets, it would be perfect.

8.      Skinny jeans 4I love all my skinny jeans. 1. They make me look skinnier. Of course.

2. They are great to wear with boots, heels or flats.

9.      Leggings 4Hands down my favorite pieces of clothing. They are comfortable and I could wear them every day if I had to.

10.   My red pullover sweatshirt 4Its comfy and warm. Cute with a pair of boots and leggings and it has one big pocket in the front. I love pockets.

Key to My Heart

Day 14 of the Ten for 30 Challenge

Ten A few ways to win my heart.

I can't give 10 ways to win my heart. That would just make it too easy for someone. So here is some of the rather important things to me.

1. Make me laugh. And continue laughing. Who doesn't enjoy being around someone who  makes them laugh?

2. Spoil me. (I've been spoiled all my life. Why stop now? And NO, I don't just mean with material things.) If you spoil me, I'll make sure you are happy in return.

3. Cook for me. I love a man that can cook.

4. Be my biggest supporter, confidant and best friend.

5. Love my family as much as I do. I'm a big family person, so if you embrace my family...

Daphne

I have been looking for a shockingly, bright purple color to replace the L.A. Colors purple eyeshadow that I have almost used up and then I came across Daphne by NARS. I love this color. I've never used NARS cosmestic before. Have you? If I am spending more than $20 on eyeshadow, I don't want it to come off until I remove it.