wordless wednesday

march 2012 photo challenge

well it looks like another month is upon us soon and with it, a new challenge to keep this busy mama even busier!
fatmumslim started these monthly photo challenges where she assigns a theme for each day of a month and you share your photo using that word for inspiration.  i like the guidance but also the ability to interpret the themes however i wish.  here's a look at what the march challenge looks like...

i love photo challenges but sometimes my day is just crazy enough that i can't make time for inspired shots and editing with my DSLR camera.  so in order to enjoy this challenge without feeling too overwhelmed, i have decided to do this challenge solely using my camera phone and instagram.  i'll still post photos here but if you have instagram, you can follow me to see pics right after i take them.  you can also check out other people participating in the challenge (including you?!) using the hashtag #Marchphotoaday on either instagram or twitter.

tuesday's treasury - march madness

and no, i'm not talking about basketball...

the foot book

dr seuss is a staple in our library and miss saraya has quickly learned to love his books.  here's a bit of her reading the foot book...

30 for 30: outfit 30!

wrap: Victoria's Secret

pants and tights: Target

shoes: Old Navy

earrings: Claire's

bag: Coach

well folks, this is the end.  it's bittersweet for me.  this challenge has been lots of fun.  it's stretched my imagination and inspired more creativity.  it's saved me money too.  on the other hand, i missed wearing a lot of my other clothes and i'm looking forward to wearing them again!  did anyone else participate in the challenge?  at the very least, i hope you too were inspired to look at items in your closets a little differently.  thanks for joining me on this adventure.  i'm going to take a little break and maybe start a new challenge (photography? food?) next month.

if you'd like to see an easy recap, check out my pinterest board.  did you have any favorite(s)?  i appreciate the feedback!

fashion friday - animal instinct

animal instinct by alohaneener featuring long shirts

30 for 30: outfit 29

dress and shoes: Target

necklace: Uncommon Goods

can you believe this challenge is almost over?!  can you stand to wait all weekend to see my last outfit?  i'll give you a hint.  it includes the piece you all voted on.  in the meantime, enjoy finally seeing this dress stand on its own.  it's been pretty versatile as far as layering goes but i think it looks best all on its own.

30 for 30: outfit 28

shirt and earrings: H&M

dress: Old Navy

belt: don't remember

shoes and earrings: Target

last time i did this challenge, i felt like i was really reaching for outfits towards the end.  this time i feel like i planned a little better and picked out my 30 pieces a bit more thoughtfully.  i'm not sure why i never took more advantage of maxi dress layering before but i sure am glad i do now!

what's cookin' wednesday - oat cookies

it's been forever since i've done a recipe post!  i promise i have been cooking for my family.  sometimes it's just too much to photograph the process much less the finished meal when there's a demanding toddler waiting to eat.  but these cookies were so awesome that i had to make time to share.  another great pinterest find!


these pics are from valentine's day time frame (could you guess?) but i've actually made them twice more since then.  they've been pretty popular...


ingredients:
1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup of almond meal
1 cup dried fruit (i used craisins)

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

preheat oven to 350F. line baking sheet with parchment paper. 

in a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond meal, mixed nuts and coconut flakes. stir in cinnamon. add dried fruit and stir until well and evenly mixed. make sure the dried fruit do not stick together in big batches.
in another bowl, combine canola oil, mashed banana and vanilla extract. pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until well combined. 

take a large cookie cutter and press spoonfuls of the batter into it. remove cookie cutter. bake for about 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown.


*there are lots of substitutions for allergies or preferences like applesauce instead of bananas.  or you can add chopped nuts.  have fun!

30 for 30: outfit 27

sweater: Old Navy

shirt and shoes: Target

jeans: GAP

belt: thrifted

bag: Billabong

locket: H&M

i used to think it was bad luck to wear a locket with no pictures inside but my laziness/procrastination won out and i eventually dismissed my superstition because i really wanted to wear it, picture or no.  i do what i want!

tuesday's treasury - set adrift on memory bliss

30 for 30: outfit 26

shirt: Old Navy

pants: Victoria's Secret

boots: JC Penney

scarf: can't remember

i like scarves.  and i might have too many.  at least i think it's bordering on too many when the hanger breaks as you pull one off.  i saw a DIY tutorial for scarf storage on pinterest that i should really use...

the new children's museum

this past weekend we took advantage of museum month and checked out the children's museum in downtown san diego.  it was the grand opening of a new exhibit called "the junkyard!" so it was a great time to go.  from the website: Cars are the one of most recycled materials in the nation, and many artists have found creative ways to repurpose auto parts. In that tradition, the outdoor Art Studio has been transformed into a junkyard filled with discarded tires, parts, and even a worn out car — ready for you to paint. Grab a brush or roller and help us add some color!
we didn't paint the car but we did a lot of chalk drawing, bubble blowing, block-building, dancing, and more!

30 for 30: outfit 25

shirt: Walmart

jeans: GAP

shoes and sunglasses: Target

bag: Coach

scarf: Old Navy

belt: H&M

earrings: DragunfliDesignz

i love these earrings.  they're bright yellow yarn balls that make me think of knitting sunshine...

i'm lucky i have fun co-workers that like to humor me and take my outfit pics on our lunch breaks.  sometimes they threaten to jump in the picture but i'm not afraid to call their bluffs.

30 for 30: outfit 24

tank: Forever 21

shorts: Old Navy

shoes and belt: Target

bag: Coach

necklace: Detour 

i'm glad i decided to include shorts in this challenge.  even though our "winter" has included a few cold days, there have been some very sunny days as well.  i got this necklace at a little boutique in downtown encinitas but i found a DIY tutorial that i'd really like to try!

 

DIY bird nest necklace

30 for 30: outfit 23

shirt and bag: Old Navy

skirt: Anthropologie

boots: JC Penney

belt: H&M

earrings: Target

sometimes when your hair is really long and you hastily put it in a bun, the bun ends up looking more like a bowtie on top of your head.  true story.

30 for 30: outfit 22

shirt and pants: Target

shoes: Delias

scarf: gift (from Vietnam)

belt: Forever 21

bag: Old Navy

this scarf was a gift from a good friend whose wedding i was in.  she picked it up on her honeymoon in vietnam.  i love the colors and it's very soft.  and i picked up the belt in seattle from the largest forever 21 store i've ever seen.

30 for 30: outfit 21

shirt and shoes: Target

jeans: GAP

jewelry: pearl suqs (Doha, Qatar)

i love milkmaid braids.  it's such a fun way to put your hair up in something besides a standard ponytail or bun and it hardly takes more time than either of those to do!  check out liz here for a quick and easy tutorial...

30 for 30: outfit 20

shirt and earrings: H&M

jeans: Old Navy

boots: Blowfish

necklace: gift

justin was making me laugh with his austin powers' style photographer comments.  as you can see, neither of these poses reflect any kind of sexy animal he suggested.  you can also see my adorable pearl heart necklace that justin and saraya gave me christmas before last.

fashion friday - all work and no play makes jill a dull girl

it's business on top and a party on the bottom!

all work and no play makes jill a dull girl by alohaneener 

30 for 30: outfit 19

shirt and jeans: Old Navy

shoes and scarf: Target

coat: Charlotte Russe

this coat is so soft and comfy!  and i love the mustard color.  for some reason the scarf looks kind of purple in the photo but it's really grey like the grey stripes of the shirt.

30 for 30: outfit 18

shirt: Old Navy

pants: Victoria's Secret

boots: JC Penney

belt: thrifted

necklace: repurposed earring from dragunflidesignz (etsy shop)

this outfit makes me feel a little bit country.  and i like it...

30 for 30: outfit 17

dress and sunglasses: Target

wrap: Victoria's Secret

tights and ring: Charlotte Russe

shoes: Old Navy

earrings: H&M

bag: Coach

*nails: shellac by CND

 another gorgeous "winter" day in socal... and i love my co-workers for humoring me with a lot of these photos.  be glad that they are not all taken in my backyard again!

tuesday's treasury - mint and mustard

30 for 30: outfit 16

dress and cardigan: Anthropologie

boots: Blowfish

belt: from another dress (Forever 21)

necklace: Homako (etsy shop)

do you like my boat?  just kidding, it's not mine.  sometimes we like to spend a sunny day downtown and at the harbor pretending we own one of these boats.  i also like to pretend i'm going to sneak into the ministry of magic from this phone booth. (my fellow HP nerds will totally get this).

30 for 30: outfit 15

shirt: Target

sweater: Old Navy

pants: Target

belt and earrings: Target

shoes: Delias

this challenge is halfway done!  i'm having a great time and enjoying most of the combinations i've put together but the other clothes in my closet are begging to be worn.  i took the second picture sitting in my cube so you could get a closer look at my earrings and my "sophisticated bun" as one co-worker called it.