Monday, December 30, 2013

My December Favorites featuring Chain Dumbin' and a box cake mix

December Favorites




1. BB Dakota Felicity Tank
I love the floral sequins design on this shirt. So shiny!

2. Robert Rose Swap Necklace
I bought this from Little Black Bag and it's even prettier in person. I plan on wearing it with a black dress for New Year's. I love the draped chain look.

3. Chain Dumbin' by Star Slinger ft. Juicy J., Project Pat & Reggie B.
This song is over a year old but I have been listening to it at least 4 times a day since I discovered it last week. It sounds so smooth!

4. Duncan Hine's Holiday Velvets
My hubby's birthday is in December and my son chose this cake mix to make to celebrate. I just made my own frosting to go on top and added blueberry filling in the middle. I hope that they make this cake mix in other colors like pink/purple, blue/green or purple/blue. It makes baking a multi colored cake a no brainer because each color is on its own pouch and you just add one egg and some oil and water to each and bake them in round pans. Easy peasy, even when the kiddos are helping!

5. Laura Zindel Mushroom ornament
I saw this in the Martha Stewart gift guide and it reminds me so much of MR. I visited the potter's website and she even makes bottles and tea cups with mushrooms and ferns and all kinds of creatures on them. <3 her style!

6. Steve Madden zippered sneaker wedges
I have been wanting a pair of sneaker wedges for awhile but I don't really like the ones that have too many ridges on the top. I love that these have a zipper and that the "collar" part is not too high. Plus I like that these have just a stripe of leopard which makes them more wearable.

7. RiRi Hearts MAC "Pleasure Bomb"
This is a very bright fuchsia lipstick. I just love the RiRi Hearts MAC collection and this color is really fun.

8. Diamond Candles
I finally got one of these for Christmas in the Gingerbread Latte scent, it smells so good! I got a cheap purple ring in mine. I've actually been wearing it though. My mom got a beautiful ring in hers. It has some sort of stamping in the band but it's so tiny that none of us can read it. Can't wait to take till she takes it to a jeweler to see what it's made of!

Wishing you all a very happy new year. Bring it on 2014!

<3KM

Friday, December 27, 2013

Snowy Diy Xmas



On Christmas Eve I finally got into the spirit, sang a bunch of Christmas songs, and got crafty.  I made a cake and decorations for my tiny, barren tree. This would be my first white Christmas in almost 20 years, so obviously the theme would be snow. I love snow!


Paper Snowflakes:
Remember those snowflakes that you cut out in grade-school? Well, if not, I'm here to remind you. 
All you need are some pretty sharp scissors and some printer paper.

This layout makes 4 medium and 3 small snowflakes. Fold on the dotted lines and cut the solid lines. I find it easier to fold all the lines and then cut. 










You can fold the squares as many times as you can in the square diagonal pattern, or you can fold out from the center however you want. If you fold the square in half and then into thirds you can get a six pointed snowflake instead of eight points. 

Anyway, just fold up those little suckers into long thin triangles and cut shapes along the folds. Be careful not to cut all the way through! The more rounded you make the top of your triangle the more circular your snowflake will be. 



Rum Cake: 

 I used this recipe, omitting the bar chocolate and one egg, since my eggs were very large. The baking time was less because I used the round pan, too. 

To decorate, get out some red and green paper, or color the paper yourself with markers or pencils. Cut out the holly leaves and and roll bits of red paper into berries.

Dust with powdered sugar to evoke the snowy feeling and pin on your holly berries.

Hope your Xmas was full of cheer and snow!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

All I want for Christmas featuring a Cat Surfing on a Bacon Strip

Recently I found out about RageOn clothing through Twitter and I just love their loud style. This cat tank from them is on top of my wish list this year. I know I will probably look ridiculous wearing it but if I wear it with a cardigan people may just be like, "Cool outfit...wait...what was that?"


All I Want for Christmas



Hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas! 

<3KM

Sunday, December 22, 2013

In Love With... Tracy Reese

Every once in awhile there will be an advertisement in my side bar that I am actually happy about. I haven't paid too much attention to Tracy Reese in the past but recently I saw an advertisement displaying her Plenty collection. I loved the dress in the ad so I clicked and found many dresses that caught my eye on the site.

In Love with... Tracy Reese




Tracy Reese is known for using vintage inspired sillouettes and prints with a modern, fun edge. Michelle Obama has worn Tracy Reese multiple times for special events and Mindy Kaling has worn her skirts in The Mindy Project.

Most Tracy Reese pieces are dry clean only because of the delicate materials that she uses but I think it is worth it for occassion pieces. They are available at stores like Nordstrom and Anthropologie. I really like the Plenty collection which is more affordable and youthful looking.

The black and white sequins dress in the middle of this set is my favorite at the moment. I love glitter and sequins for the holidays and this one manages to be a little bit edgy. The neckline is also conservative but still shows a little skin and the back of the dress features a V shape.

Hope that you are enjoying yourself this holiday season!

Later Lovelies!
<3KM

Friday, December 20, 2013

How to Sprout Yourself

I love sprouts. They are so tasty. They also keep me from going crazy from having nothing to grow in the winter. I think eating them also helps to balance my hormones a little. I seem to get less cramps when I eat them... that was probably tmi... 

Anyway, most sprouts can be sprouted using this method. I used my favorite, alfalfa, but you can use adzuki, mung bean, broccoli, fenugreek (eww), clover, or many others. Some sprouting seeds need more work like onion, but I have limited experience in that at the moment. 

There are other methods of sprouting. Some require weird muli-layered contraptions. There is also the bag method, which I want to try one day. I did this method because it required the least equipment and it was easy, so I never switched to anything else.


First get some sprouting seeds and put them in a mason jar. 
Rinse them well. 
Let them soak for 8 to 12 hours.
Drain.

There are a few methods for draining. In these pictures I used a cut off piece of pantyhose because I was not at home. At home I have this little green plastic lid with holes in it. It sometimes gets stuck on the jar, so if I were going to buy a new one I would probably look for something else. I've also used cheese cloth and the metal lid-band to keep it in place. 


Rinse and drain every 8 to 12 hours. 

In the times between rinsings I like to keep the jar sideways and upside down in a dish so the excess water runs out and so the little planties can get some fresh air. 


In about four days, depending on the type of sprouts you used, they should be done. 

The sprouts don't need any sunlight. You can do this in a cave if you want. The leaves will be a yellow then, but the sprouts will be just as nutritious and tasty. Sprouts are pretty forgiving, so even if you forget to water them for a little bit, they usually come back to life right away when you remember. 

When the sprouts are done growing you should put a lid on the jar and put them in the fridge because they will last longer. Just make sure you don't rinse them right before you put them in the fridge because that could promote bacteria growth.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot because I don't often do this, but if you want to get rid of the little seed hulls take a large bowl of water and swish the sprouts around in it. You should be able to pour away the husks.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Short hair and society

Every once in awhile this is how I feel about my new haircut. I know it is going to grow out but it is so punk right now and it is a huge change since I cut off at least 18 inches. It's totally an "in your face" kind of haircut.

Lots of women say that they like my hair and treat me even nicer than usual because I am so brave to sport this 'do. However the other day I came across one lady at Walmart that just couldn't stop looking at me, giggling at her husband and then looking again. 

My first instinct was to go into another aisle and hide until she was gone but I decided to stand my ground. I just gave her a stare and remained confident behind my dark purple lipstick while I looked for what I needed. 

I hate that kind of attention. I don't really feel the need to blend in to the crowd but this felt like straight up snotty girl bullying. Tell it to my face, or at least wait until I am in the next aisle! What if I was sick or something? For reals. 

After that I came home and ordered a wig. I figured plenty people wear extensions so why not try a wig? It hasn't come in yet. Then I started playing around with hairspray and hair wax. I actually had pretty good results with that. It makes my style look more purposeful. Wearing heels, hoop earrings and a nice outfit really help me feel more confident too, so I can rock this look.


My husband still likes my hair. He does admit that I look like an anarchist but apparently that's okay in his book. We are still both punks at heart. I am so happy that he likes it because I go through a lot of hair phases and he gets nervous every time I cut or dye it, especially when he likes the current style. I just hate having boring hair. I am getting used to my new short haircut and it gets less "OMG" stares everyday as it is getting a tiny bit longer. It is definitely not boring :P. 

My oldest son says it looks too much like boy hair in the back but yeah, 6 year olds are like that. He helped me pick out my wig. I have no idea if I will actually wear it or not because everyone gotten used to my short hair already. Maybe I'll just save it for Halloween. My middle son wants to cut his hair like mine now lmao. He loves it. 

Can't make everybody happy! 

Later Lovelies, 
<3KM

Sunday, December 15, 2013

In Love with... Wallet Purses

I am a wuss when it comes to carrying around heavy handbags. I end up leaving them somewhere instead of carrying them around which is never good. So instead of carrying handbags I have gotten into the habit of leaving my big bag in my car, or somewhere that I know I won't forget it, and I just use a small purse/ wallet instead.


Wallet purses aka crossbody wallets aka wallets on a chain are perfect for shopping. When I have a wallet purse I never put it down because it is light and I just keep it on my shoulder. I can keep my keys, phone, money and lipstick close by and that's all that I really feel that I need. 

This is really important to me because I am a bit of a ditz. I am booksmart but common sense stuff just seems to slip my mind sometimes. I have been known to put things down in random places, on store shelves, picnic tables... I even left my cell phone in the refrigerator once :P. I end up getting side tracked by my kids or a phone call or shiny packaging and then I just walk away. 

I have been so lucky in the past that I have either found my things right where I left them... or I have been able to retrieve them from lost and found... or another person but I haven't had that problem since I switched to wallet bags! Luckily I have come up with systems like this to prevent stuff from happening again lol. 

Reasons I love wallet bags:
  • Much lighter than purses
  • Cuter than a fanny pack
  • Carry all the essentials
  • Find cash without digging
  • Phone is close so you can answer right away
  • Zippered ones are the best
    • You can shake them around and nothing will fall out. 

You'd think I was selling these things or something :P. More than anything I just hope that more designers make these. Clutch wallets with a strap are okay but these are even better. 

Right now I have one by Big Buddha that has a crossbody strap and a clutch strap. That was great because I could hold it close when I needed to worry about someone taking it and use the strap when I wasn't worried about that. It was my favorite until my boys broke it because they were obsessed with the tassle lol. Now I'm thinking about getting the Michael Kors one here because I think it will be more durable and it is zippered. 

What's your keys/ money/ phone system? I know I'd be lost without mine, or I should say my things would be lost :P. 

Later Lovelies! 
<3 KM

Friday, December 13, 2013

Shirts of Self-Deliverance

I know suicide shirts are in bad taste, but I can't help but love them. Perfect for a dreary Friday the 13th! I wish I worked in a sex shop or something so I could wear them all the time. I'd just sit there behind the counter looking surly

This shirt comes from foul mouth shirts



I love the hearts and the rainbow. This one is from Engrish.



Also from Engrish (hey - it's not easy to find funny suicide shirts)



I've always loved toasters. Remember that old flying toaster screen-saver ? Sorta brings a new meaning to that. 
From Zazzle



Now there's one for everyday of the work week for you. Wear them under your uniform - it will make you feel better. 

Monday, December 9, 2013

So I chopped off all my hair

Or almost all of it I should say. Kind of like T-Boz and Tinkerbell all rolled into one crazy package. And I tried to do it all by myself, with a little help from my hubby. It didn't work.


Before hairstylist
super choppy and uneven but way short in the back.
I don't know what you would call this style.
After stylist
All blended out, I feel like I have a "real" haircut now! 

Pros:
  • It is so quick and easy to wash.
  • My hair feels super soft.
  • I get to regrow my hair to be super healthy.
    • No dyes, no Sun In and I will try to use an SPF hair product in the sun.
  • I get to see my natural hair color which matches my brows so well.
  • My hair grows fairly quickly.
  • Just thinking about my hair cut makes me laugh. 
    • It was quite an experience.
  • My husband says I look like I could kick some a** like JLo in Enough.
    • I also feel like I could if I needed to :P.
  • I know that he must love me a lot.
    • He thinks I'm pretty even with a "breakup" haircut lol. 
  • Strangely, I feel more confident even without makeup most of the time. 
    • Like in the right picture.
    • I've been meaning to take a better one but haven't gotten to it so these will have to do for now. 
Neutral:
  • Some stereo-typically thinking people seem to think I'm a lesbian now.
    • I'm okay with that but sometimes prejudice hurts.
Cons:
  • I feel naked and exposed! 
  • The back is way too short. 
    • Totally my fault.
  • I'm a bit scared of what certain people are gonna say.
    • I've been hiding from them as long as possible. 
  • I may look like a thug.
    • Just a lil bit.
  • I have no idea how to gel the back.
    • Wax works okay.
  • I know my hair is going to grow out weird at certain intervals. 
    • I may invest in some head scarfs or a wig :P. 

Have you ever tried to cut your own hair? This is the 3rd time I've cut mine this short and I always start out at home. I'm silly like that. It is rather liberating. Still I highly recommend that you find a hairstylist that you trust to cut it for you. Or if you cannot resist the scissors leave it a little longer than you want so that you can go have the stylist fix it how you like later. It is much harder to cut your hair short especially if you like layers. Even if you've managed to cut your own hair while it is longer it can be a ridiculous task. I am pretty sure this is common sense though lol.

It's been like this for over a week but only now I am brave enough to share :P. My stylist said that it will look how I wanted in about 6-8 weeks. I just have to be patient. I was planning to grow it out anyways so I am okay with that. It just feels nice to have a fresh start. Although I am now realizing how long most women's hairstyles are compared to mine.

Later lovelies!

<3 KM


Friday, December 6, 2013

But the Weeds are Still Green


My ears get cold really easily in the winter. Any wind at all when the temperature is under 55°F will feel like someone is jamming a sharpened icicle into my ear. And hats are always too thin, ride up, or look super goofy. I usually circumvent this with hoods, but sometimes they just make me look like too much like a juvenile delinquent. Got to maintain a low profile, ya know?

The answer is headbands. I made this one out of a turtleneck from an old sweater. I just cut it off and voilà: a thick, warm headband that pretty much stays in place and doesn't make me look shady. 

I'm also wearing Keen boots, X2 jeans, Woolrich fleece, and a Wilson's leather jacket, to which I have added many pins and some pyramid studs.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Liebster Award for 11:42 Style!



Hi lovelies! 11:42 Style got nominated for a liebster award thanks to m.akua from Boomtownavenue. Thanks m.akua, we really appreciate the award!

Liebster awards are given from one blogger to another. It's kind of like saying, "I like your blog and I hope that you keep doing what you're doing." They are a great opportunity for gaining readership and fellowship. To read more about liebster awards check out this thorough post from Lorraine Reguly's Life.

Here are the rules:
  • Shout out to the blog that nomiated you in a blog post and link back to their blog. 
  • Tell your audience 11 random facts about yourself. 
  • Answer 11 questions asked by your nominator. 
  • Nominate 5-11 other blogs for a liebster award. They should have less than 200 followers. It's okay if they've already gotten an award.
  • Come up with 11 new questions for your nominees. 
  • Let your nominees know about their award so that they can participate if they chose to.

We like all of the 11s. 

11 random facts about KM:
  1. I spent my first paycheck from my minimum wage high school job on a pair of 5 inch tall Steve Madden heels, black satin with ruffles. 
  2. When I was four I cut off all my hair because I was pretending to be Rapunzel. 
  3. I've wanted to be a singer ever since I bought "Pieces of You" by Jewel when I was small. 
  4. I also wanted to be a fashion designer.
  5. I'm a dreamer.
  6. I once played Marty from Grease in a community production.
  7. Some of my saddest childhood memories involve accidentally ruining my favorite clothes. 
  8. I love just about anything in houndstooth print.
  9. I've written about 200 songs in my life but only now I am learning to play an instrument while I sing.
  10. My husband and I met in a bookstore parking lot. He was listening to Mars Volta which drew me in. 
  11. My favorite brand of makeup is Urban Decay.

11 random facts about MR:

1. I like to sit down on the floor when a take showers.

2. I collect rusty metal objects I find on the ground.

3. I want to decorate my bathroom with octopuses, but it is almost impossible to find octopus themed bathroom items.

4. When I was in 8th grade I wanted to be a quantum physicist when I grew up.

5. I had only been going with my man for a month when we decided to drop out of college and move to the city together. We took the overnight train and we're still together 8 years later.

6. Whenever I can't think of a word, the word "blueberries" pops into my head.

7. I love reading about conspiracy theories. And people's crazy paranoias.

8. I love the smell of molten metal.

9. I dyed my hair crazy colors for about 10 years.

10. Lightning storms fill me with happy energy.

11. I love any textile that is amazingly soft: silk, minky, bamboo modal, cashmere etc.

Our answers to m.akua's questions:

What item do you use everyday?

KM: Liptstick.

MR: A smartphone with a pop-out keyboard.

What is your favorite online-shop?

KM: It's so hard to choose one! My favorites are H&M, Etsy and Nasty Gal.

MR: I guess Amazon because I don't really order from anywhere else repeatedly.

Who is your favorite designer?

KM: I love Meadham Kirchhoff but I settle for Free People which I also love. I am a sucker for Jeffrey Campbell shoes.

MR: Ernte. I love the color palate and all the excessive seams.

Where are you getting inspiration for your blog?

KM: It's usually inspired by something that I want but don't need. I like blogging because it turns my shopping habit into something productive.

MR: I have a bunch of pictures I saved on my computer over the years of items I thought were cool. Other than that, I just document things I end up doing normally, like getting dressed and cooking.

Why did you start blogging?

KM: I started blogging to encourage me to make my ambitions a reality. Plus I thought it would be fun to collab with M.

MR: Because KM asked me to and I thought it sounded like fun. I also thought it would help me be more open rather than just being the lurker that I tend to be.

What is your favorite quote?

KM: "Growth in wisdom may be exactly measured by decrease in bitterness." Friedrich Nietzsche

MR:  "The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must first destroy a world." --Hesse

If you could live anywhere in the world, were would it be and why?

KM: I live in Hawai'i and it is beautiful here but way country. In my dreams I would like to live here for half of the year and in a city for the other half of the year, maybe Portland, London, New York or Chicago.

MR: I would be happy anywhere with a yard, good places to walk, lots of thunder storms, and an Asian grocery. I don't think that I've been enough places to answer this with confidence, but Cambodia and Morocco seem cool if I ever leave the US. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has more thunder storms than anywhere else... it seems more likely that I wouldn't get killed in Singapore, though.

Who is your favorite blogger and why?

KM: MR is my favorite blogger because she is ridiculously awesome. I also really like Kandee Johnson, Man Repeller and Adora BatBrat because I like their styles and they have interesting posts.

MR: I like when people tell their crazy stories in a blog. I like a window into experiences I would never have. My favorites are urbanparamedic.blogspot.com and eelkat.wordpress.com

How would you describe your style?

KM: Eclectic and full of contradictions. Tailored/grunge, bubblegum/goth, girly/tomboy, natural/barbie...

MR: Kickass comfort with a little dark-fairy thrown in.

What is your favorite beauty tip?

KM: As hard as it may be avoid overtweazing your brows. Full brows look better in pictures and you don't have to fill them in as much. I learned this the hard way.

MR: Coconut oil. It's good for skin, hair, and cooking!

Who do you look up to and why?

KM: Grace Lee Boggs. She is a social astivist that has done so much to create peace and equality within America. I think that her pursuits are some of the most important.

MR: Aeryn Sun because I want to be a space mercenary when I grow up  :P.    

KM's nominees:

Oddly Lovely
Styla Petite
Unicorn K
More Than Turquoise

MR's nominess:



11 questions for our nominees:
  1. What is your favorite pattern?
  2. What is your favorite color?
  3. What are you most proud of?
  4. Are you a night owl or an early bird?
  5. What is your favorite music genre or favorite bands?
  6. What is your biggest passion?
  7. What is your favorite brand of cosmetics? 
  8. What is your favorite clothing item that you own? 
  9. What would you consider your spirit animal and why?
  10. What is your favorite thing to cook?
  11. If you met a genie, what would your three wishes be?

Monday, December 2, 2013

Money Making Music

M.I.A. Bad Girls TRENDLAND




Now that most of us lost some cash during Black Friday, it is time to make some more! Here are some of my favorite songs about money to motivate you to earn back what you spent starting off with the gorgeous M.I.A. Love her headdress!


 

Hope that you are having a great Cyber Monday! 

<3KM