Beautifully Transformed

Steals and Deals: Anthropologie Skinny Weave Jute Belts

2012-07-24T12:37:00.000-04:00

Well I have another find from Anthropologie. This one is from a while ago also. I've learned one main rule of shopping, which is to sleep on it. I get terrible buyers remorse, over the best purchases I make. I don't understand it, but it happens. I've learned even if I like something and its on 'sale', if I'm not 100% sure its the best deal or that I really want it, I sleep on it. Wait Until the next day or weekend, At that point if you want it you can happily and surly go back and get it. A plus side of this is if it was on sale last time you went, there's a good chance it will be marked down even more. Honestly this is how I save money a lot of times.

I had seen these belts on the website and loved them.

Originally priced at $48. So I waited. Then I saw them for $19.95 on the website, never got around to buying them. I was walking in the store one day and they were in the sale room for $10, with a 50% of all sale items. So i bought the 2 they had left. For a total of $10, $5 each, A complete savings of $90, From waiting.

Happy Shopping!

Steals and Deals: Anthropologie Meave Catmit Dress

2012-07-23T16:39:00.001-04:00

As weird as it is Anthropologie is a type of therapy for me; shopping therapy. Walking in through the large bamboo and glass doors, smelling whatever wonderful fragrance, and hearing the soft music. Oh, and what's not better than being surrounded by gorgeous cloths.

I usually walk strait through those doors to the Sale section. That small room, who knew it would be filled with some many treasures.

This is one of my proudest moments as a shopper. (By the way I am putting up a lot of these steals and deals recently, some of them are recent and a some of them were from a while ago, just thought I would mention that). Ocasionlly at the front of the store they have racks of cloths, organized by price, $20, $30, $40, $50, etc... Just searching through these racks I spotted this Dress:

The Catmint dress by Meave, $148. I know I'm not alone in my obsession with pocketed dresses. Well this one has pockets as well as being really cute. Looking at the tag I released it was a return, no big deal. This next part is a big deal, it was marked down to $20!

I walk up to the checkout counter, they ring it up. The man says that will be $10.60(including tax). I almost fell to the ground. How it got the extra markdown I don't know, and honestly don't care.

So This dress was $148 and somehow I got it for $10.60, by the way if any of y'all have this dress i've found it looks really cute with cowboy boots, or wedges, because it has a longer length then most dresses, it rests at my knees.

Steals and Deals: Jcrew Wearhouse Sale in Ashville, NC

2012-07-18T16:17:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm Letting Y'all in a Secret that could possibly change your life. There is this crazy sale, at a jcrew outlet. The word sale dosent even start to describe the deals you will find. I live about 3 hours from this wearhouse, and every time i get the chance I will go in a heartbeat.

   I stumbled upon this place one day, I was in the area and asked a friend a good place to go shopping, she gave me the address and I went. Walking in I my mouth dropped.

I was handed a trash bag and a sheet of paper. On the paper was a list of items; tee shirts, jeans, blouses, bathing suits, etc... There is a ginormouse room lined with fold out tables, topped cardboard boxes. These normal looking boxes were filled crazy cheap jcrew clothes.

   One thing to know when going into this sale; except to spend around $200-$300. You will spend much more than in any normal shopping trip. But also know that you can buy basically a whole new wordrobe with that $300 dollars.

   The phone number and address of this store is not loacated on the jcrew website. It is trully a hidden gem. But here they are...
Phone Number: 828-687-6475
Address: 1 Clifford Way, Arden, Nc
Next Sale Date: August 11-12, 2012

   Here are the things I purchased the last time i went to their sale.

Claudia Halter Dress in Grey, Originally $385, I got for $30

Scalloped Lace Tee

McAlister Boots, in Dark Brown. Originally $145, I got for $30

These are Madewell Ripped Boyfriend Jeans, I bought them with a $110 price tag attached, and payed $10 For them 


I Bought a couple of these Perfect Fit Tee's, For $8 each

And Now for what I consider the best deal at this wonderful place... THE BATHING SUITS! The swimwear is $3 a piece. try to beat that anywhere else... be warned i bought a LOT of bathing suits.... It was difficult to find pictures of all of them because they haven't been in the online store for a while. I ended up buying 9 bathing suits on this last trip, which came to $27! for 9 suits!!!

Front Twist Bandeau Top

Tulle Under Wire Tank

Bow Under Wire Tank

Twist Front Bikini


Ruched Banded Bandeau Tank. I actually bought it in cobalt but couldn't find a picture of it

Ruched Lido Halter Top

Jersey Lomellina Fold over Wide-band Hipster

Ruched Bandeau Tank

Orange Ruffled Hipster Bikini

This swim wear ranged form $40-$120, so you can see how great of a deal these are.

Over all I would consider this a successful shopping trip. I did buy a few more things than what was shown. It was hard to find pictures of all the items, plus the fact that I went about 5 months ago and cant remember everything.

One of the cons of this sale is the fact that they do not have any dressing rooms. I found a solution to this problem. Even though I am not typically the kind of girl who wears leggings as pants, but on this day I do. Then wear a larger shirt with a cami underneath. Or another good outfit is a skirt with a tighter tank top. With either of these outfits you can easily slip on a pair of jeans or shorts. And with the tighter shirts you'll be able to slip shirts on to try on. One more warning for y'all, since this is a factory outlet sale some of the items, are samples or other things. you may find a small hole, makeup stain, or some awkwardly fitting cloths. But overall it's such a great deal, those few things don't really matter. Happy Shopping!!!

Steals and Deals: Jcrew Lila Patent Platform Wedges in Navy

2012-07-15T23:35:00.000-04:00

I've decided to start a new "line" of blog posts, called steals and deals. I LOVE the thrill of the hunt, And this is not me bragging in any way, I just really don't like spending full price for stuff I know I can get cheaper. I hope that my readers will get ideas and use all of their resources for extra discounts. With that said, Here is today's find !

I found these wedges to day at Jcrew. Originally priced at $168.00. I purchased brand new for $25! I saw them in the clearance section marked at $40, with and extra 30% discount for all sale items, and an additional 15% off with a student ID, resulting in a total savings of $143!

Food: Spicy roasted chickpeas

2012-06-20T12:58:00.000-04:00

Being a vegetarian it's hard to get enough protein. And i'm always looking for a healthy snack. You know when your just craving that salty crunchy goodness, but don't want to regret it latter. These roasted chickpeas are perfect for those moments!
Ingredients:
1 can of rinsed chickpeas
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/8 - 1/4 Tsp salt (to taste)
Fresh cracked black pepper
1/4 Cayenne pepper (more or less depending on how spicy you want)
1/4 Tsp garlic powder
1/4 Tsp onion powder
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper(this allows for much easier cleanup),
3. Drain and rise the chickpeas, lay out onto a dish rag. Make sure they are bone dry
4. Pour onto baking sheet, drizzil on oil, then top will all the other ingredients, Remember you can replace, reduce or add more of any ingredients to suite your taste buds.
5. Using clean hands toss the chickpeas in the oil and spices, till evenly coated
6. Bake for 40-55 minutes, until crunchy and golden brown
7. Let cool, and store in an air tight container for up to a week

Food: Brownie Cookies

2012-06-16T13:16:00.003-04:00

   Brownies are always tasty, I don't think i've ever met anyone that doesn't like them. Now i found a way to transfer that amazing chocolatiness into cookie form! What could be better? This recipe is so easy, it's unreal. AND it takes about a quarter of the time to bake! (this recipe is not mine, I found it on the Hershey's brownie mix box, but i twiked it a bit). These cookies are on the thinner side, i you like thicker ones, use less liquid
   Ingredients:
1 Package of brownie mix
2 Eggs
2 Tbsp Olive oil
3/4 Tsp Vanilla extract
   Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Whisk together in a medium bowl, eggs, Olive oil, Vanilla
3. Mix the brownie mix into the liquid ingredients, stir until combined, it usually looks kind of runny, but don't worry it will thicken up while baking
4. Grease baking sheets well, these cookies tend to stick easier than other cookies i've baked
5. Scoop the dough onto the pan, place 2-3 inches apart
6. Bake for 9-14 minutes
7. This step is VERY IMPORTANT! remove the cookies from the pan while there still hot! Dont stack them until their cool, I usually place them on a sheet of parchment paper

   Makes 30 cookies

Food: Homemade Organic Fruit Roll-Ups

2012-06-12T14:37:00.001-04:00

During spring and summer I always crave fruit. I had some peaches laying around that too ripe. Trying to figure out what to due with them I decided to make fruit roll-ups/ fruit leather. Often when I bake I don't really know what i'm making or planing to do, I just figure it out as i go. I did this when making these. This method has gotten me in trouble from time to time, but thankfully it worked out this time. I failed to take many pictures with this recipe, because I was crunched for time, but I think you will be able to figure out what i'm saying, this recipe is fairly simple.
Ingredients:
1. 5 Cups of fruit- use what ever types of fruit you like in this recipe i used 3 peaches(skinned), and a mango. Use whatever your in the mood for.
2. 3 TBSP sugar- more or less depending on your taste
3. 1-3 TBSP juice,water, or other liquids - amount of liquid needed will depend on how jucie the fruit you use
Directions:
1. Chop the fruit into 1 or 2 inch pieces
2. Add all of the ingredients into a medium or large saucepan, stir using a wooden spoon
3. Let the fruit simmer, the time needed will depend on the type/firmness of the fruits used. take off heat one the fruit is very soft, almost mushy
4. The next step is to smooth the fruit, if you want a smoother roll-up use a food processor to blend fruit, if you want a more thick roll up with pieces of fruit in it use a fork or a potato masher.
5. Using a mesh strainer, drain out excess liquid
6. Spread fruit mixture onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet, spread a 1/4 inch thick.
7. Bake at 400F for 30-40 minutes, check to make sure the fruit is no longer mushy, once that has happened its done!
8. Let the fruit cool, cut into strips, roll, and enjoy!

It is about half way done
at this point.

-The output depends on how large you cut the strips and other factors (I got about 8 out of mine)

It's done!

-Store for up to a week

Food: Homemade Organic Italian Herb Bread

2012-06-12T14:15:00.000-04:00

Well finally I have time to do what I love(baking). May is such a busy month, I don't know if any of ya'll feel it too. I decided to make some really yummy homemade bread. I've found that if you use only whole wheat flour, the bread comes out a bit dry. So I experimented and used half all purpose-whole wheat, and half unbleached white flour. I think it turned out wonderfully!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Cups All Purpose- Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 Cups Unbleached White Flour
1 1/2 Tsp Table Salt Salt
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 Packet Active Dry Yeast
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Cornmeal
1 Egg Yoke
1 1/4 Cups Warm Water
Optional Ingredients:
3 Tbsp Chopped Herbs- Fresh or Dried:Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, etc..(half baked in to bread and half for topping)
Corse Sea Salt(for topping)

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 of the warm water and the yeast
2. Pour yeast combination into a larger bowl, add both types of flour, the salt, sugar, and 2 Tbsp of the herb mixture. Add in the rest of the warm water as well.

3. Mix well (I found that using your hands worked better than any utensil), you may need to add a bit more flour, if the dough is still a bit sticky.

4. Place on a flour dusted surface, and knead until smooth and firm

5. Put the dough in an oiled bowl, roll the dough around a few times, to be coated in oil.
6. Cover with a damp towel, and let rest in a warm place for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, or until it doubles in size

7. Punch down the dough and knead a few times on a floured surface
8. Cut and form the dough into 2 equal sized loafs

9. Place loafs on two separate trays, cover and let rest or 40min
10. Mix the egg yoke and 1 Tbsp water
11. cut 3 or 4 slits a 1/4 inch thick in each loaf, then brush on the egg mixture
12. top with sea salt and the rest of the herbs
13. Bake for 10 minutes on 425 F, then reduce heat to 400 F, and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes.

14. ENJOY!

Food: Homemade Granola

2012-05-13T19:47:00.001-04:00

I don't know about ya'll but I LOVE granola, but for some reason it is so expensive. I tried out a few recipes and combined my favorite parts of both. This final recipe is my favorite granola I've ever had. AND it relatively cheap to make, and stores for up to 3 weeks.
Ingredients;

3 cups Oats

2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

1/3 cup Clover Honey

1/4 Tsp Sea/Kosher Salt

1/3 cup Chopped Almonds

1/3 cup Unsweetend Cocoanut Flakes

1/4 cup Sunflower seeds

Directions;

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl

Separate onto 2 cookie sheets, flatten until 1/4 or 1/2 inch thick.

Bake for 25-30 minutes

Let cool, then store in air tight container (I stored it in a mason jar and it lasted for 3 weeks)

Food: Double Chocolate Cupcakes

2012-05-13T15:28:00.002-04:00

I made these cupcakes for mothers day, which is tomorrow. They turned out amazing!

The cupcakes are made without eggs or butter so they are a bit more healthy than traditional cupcakes. But the Frosting does have butter and milk in it. I got the cupcake recipe from site, and tweaked it a bit.

The cupcakes are from;

http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/2012/05/eggless-moist-chocolate-cake-no-butter.html.

Ingredients for Cupcakes;

2 cups All Purpose Flour

3/4 cup Vegetable Oil

1 1/4 cups Water

1 1/2 cups Sugar

1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa

2 TSP Baking Soda

1 TSP Vanilla Extract

1/4 TSP Salt

Directions;

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Sift Flour, Cocoa, Baking Soda, and Salt
Mix the Water, Oil and Vanilla in a bowl. Stir in Sugar gradually until fully dissolved.
Add in the Flour mixture, stir until well combined, its okay if there are a few lumps they will bake out.
Separate into cupcake tins.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Let cool, then frost.

Step 2

Step 3

Step 5

Steps 6 & 7

Frosting Ingredients;

1 Pound of Milk Chocolate Chips
2 Sticks of Butter(at room temp.)
6 Cups of Powdered Sugar
6 TBSP Milk
2 TSP Vanilla Extract

Frosting Directions

Place chocolate chips in a double bowler, stir continually. Take off heat once the chips are completely melted, make sure not to burn the chocolate. Set aside for latter.
Put the sugar, butter, milk and vanilla in a bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth.
Make sure the chocolate is completely cool. Then stir into the frosting a bit at a time.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Enjoy!

Yard Sale Finds: Beautiful Print of France

2012-05-09T16:07:00.000-04:00

I was yard sale'ing the other day, and I came across the most beautiful print of a painting. It was in a golden frame, and was a few feet wide and tall. I asked to owner how much for it, I was shocked when she said $3!!! Needless to say I bought it. So here it is;

Sorry about the glare...

Review: Erno Laszlo Facial Soap Bars

2012-04-29T21:16:00.004-04:00

Hey guy's, so today I'm going to be doing a review of the Erno Laszlo facial soap bars. Created by a French dermatologist, Dr. Erno Laszlo. They have a soap for virtually every skin type. These soaps have been used by many celebrities including Mariyln Manroe, and Jackie Kennedy.
I have used to Black Sea Mud bar, and the HydrapHel cleansing bar.

   The Black Sea Mud soap is one of the most popular of their soaps. It is made for normal to oily skin types. This soap is an overall great cleanser. The ingredients for this soap are imported from the dead sea.I saw my pores shrink very soon after using it. It leaves skin incredibly soft and smooth looking. I loved this soap but, I do have a more dry skin type. I felt my skin was drying out, so I tried out the HydrapHel bar. Although,this soap did not work for me, I know people who use and love it.
   So, I tried to HydrapHel cleansing bar, it is marketed for extremely dry skin types. This soap worked wonderful for me. It is a non-soap bar. This allows it to hydrate skin better. This soap is great for sensitive skin. After I used the bar my face felt very clean and soft, a combination I have found hard to find in face soap.
   Erno Laszlo recommends a splashing technique; first to fill a bowl with warm water. Then dip your bar into the water, soap up the water a bit. Next rub the bar onto your face. When your done, splash your face 20 times with the water from the bowl. After that, rinse 10 times with clean water, And pat dry.
   This process does take time, but I found my skin glows when I do it.

   I was not sponsored to post this. And did not receive any products relating this post.

Yard Sale Finds: Yellow Lamp

2012-04-28T19:32:00.001-04:00

Hey, So I just went yard sale'ing yesterday. I found a few things but the one I was most excited about was: this old 70s looking yellow lamp.

I plan to give it a bit of a makeover!

First I painted the base and the top of the lamp white. I wanted to cover up the brass metal. I am going to paint it a coral. All done.....

PS. I have another Yard Sale finds coming that I'm very excited about. Hope Ya'll have a wonderful day!

Yummy Easter Treat: Birds Nests

2012-04-07T16:00:00.000-04:00

Hey Yall' Since tomorrow is Easter, I Thought these would be fun! I don't know if any of you remember these from being little, but I do. So when I saw these again I had to try them. So this is what we'll be makin'.

First, you'll need this;

5oz of Chow Mein noodles
11oz of Butterscotch chips
Egg Shaped Candies

You'll also need:
Cupcake pan w/ liners
Large sauce pan
2 large mixing bowls
Spatula

Have the Chow Mein noodles in a large bowl, so that once your butterscotch is ready it will not harden.
Create a double boiler by heating a few inches of water in a large sauce pan. Then place the second large bowl on top. Pour in the chips and continually stir so they don't get burned. It will look like this when its done.(and it will smell amazing!)

Mix, the Butterscotch into the noodles until well combined.
Using a spoon fill the cupcake pan, press down to form it to the pan. This can be a fun job for young kids it will be messy but still fun. Fill the cups half way full. Go ahead and place 3 candies on the top. Do it right after you make each cup so that the mix is a bit gooey, that way it will hold the candies better once it hardens.

Let the treats set for a while. Then pull them out of the cupcake pan and unwrap. Enjoy!