[OSC] Dress Fancies

I realized its been a week or two since I did an OSC post.  I think that the dresses I have included in this post are ones that I could actually buy.  I have a very low budget that I allow myself for clothes and I think these dresses from Old Navy fit the bill

I am really digging dresses for spring/summer.  They are my preferred way to show off my legs.  I actually DON"T like to show off my legs but I don't like shorts so this is my chance.  I have found that I have a certain dress style that I like to go for.  I like my dresses to hit above my knee.  Have an elastic waistband near my natural waist.  And preferable to have a ruffle on the neck line.  I like them to have thin straps.  The first dress shown basically is my go to dress.  

Women's Ruffled-Yoke Dresses 

  Regular Price $26.94

 I love this solid colour!!  and there is extra interest in the ruffles. 

Women's Smocked-Floral Keyhole Dresses 

Regular Price $26.94

I like the idea of having a pattern.  I like these colors and it fits my criteria: above the knee and thin straps.

Women's Smocked-Gauze Mexicali Maxi Dresses  

Regular Price $29.94

I am not big on Maxi's as they tend to be TOO long on my short body (I am only 5ft)  I do like this bold patter but not sure how much I would like the strapless...I am afraid that I would have to constantly pull it up.

Women's Ruffle Jersey Dresses 

  Regular Price $24.94

Classic style for me.  I like this colour and I don't have a dress in this colour so this might be something that I can pick up!! Though I am unsure of the shoe choice on this model.

Women's Twist-Strap Bubble Dresses  

Regular Price $19.94

I like how the straps on this dress are twisted.  It gives it a new look and point of interest.  I also like how it bubbles or is blousy around the waist...this really lets you eat your lunch!

Women's Smocked-Midi Ruffle Dresses  

Regular Price $24.94  now $15.00

 I love this colour!! And its on SALE!!  the addition of the ruffles at the hemline is great too.

 

Women's Layered Jersey Dresses  

Regular Price $24.94 now $19.99

I like the long drape/ruffle on this dress.  It has such a soft and relaxed look to it! And you can't beat SALE prices!

Women's Crochet Maxi Dresses  

Regular Price $49.94

 I thought this was fun because of the crochet texture giving it something new.  I also LOVE grey so this is a double bonus.

 

Women's Ruffled Chiffon Maxi Dresses  

Regular Price $39.94 now $37.99

Its on SALE and I love the ruffle at the neck line and the addition of the pattern at the hem.  The navy colour is great too.

Women's Linen-Blend Shirtdresses  

Regular Price $34.94 now $24.99

You can never go wrong with a shirtdress.  I love that this is bright and yellow.  Perfect for a picnic. And its on SALE! 

 

Women's Open-Stitch Cardigans  

Regular Price $19.94

 And it wouldn't be an OSC without a cardi!!!  I like that this one is light and airy and somewhat see through.  It comes in a variety of colours and I think would be great to pair with one of the dresses above on a chilly night.

So there you have it readers.  These are my dress fancies from Old Navy.   What do you think?  Any of them catch your eye?  What dress style do you like to wear in the Summer?  Let me know in the comments section.

Linked To: Friday Fancies

♥ Ashley

Remember to become a follower so that I can hit 25 and host a Giveaway I KNOW you will love!!

Check That Off My List - Meeting Ree Drummond the PW!!!

  (via)

On Sunday night my friend Susie posted on her blog that she was going to meet the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, at her book signing in Seattle (technically Lake Forest Park) on Tuesday.  I was taken aback as I didn't know that the PW was coming to Seattle.  So I googled it and found the announcement page on her blog...Yep I remember it now just it was posted back in like January or something. A girl has got to learn how to write these important dates down on her calendar (note to self).  I commented on Susie's blog and on FB to let her know that I wanted IN!!  She gave me the run down on how the process worked.

I had to wait until the next day to call the bookstore (they were closed) and was able to buy my book over the phone to guarantee the earliest ticket I could get at that point.  Turns out I was in Group "G" which was the 7th group to go and there were 50 people (plus one if they wanted) in each group.  I thought I was destined to go to this even alone and maybe meet up with Susie for a little bit.  I told my MIL about it...she couldn't go because of work.  Luckily I had scored a half day sub job for the morning so I was off early to be able to go.  As I was on the phone with my MIL letting her know my plans (on Tuesday around 1pm) she asked her co-worker if she knew about the PW.  Mary said yes and made plans to meet up with me so we could go together.

I had heard a lot about Mary.  She is my age, super friendly, and totes cute!!  We had met once, at her Stella and Dot trunk show debut last week.  We met up at 3:30 in a parking lot to car-pool together.  What a dream!!! We didn't have to sit in traffic on the way there.  I had someone to sit with and converse with.  We got to know each other better.  It was great.  We got to the bookstore around 4:30, Ree wasn't scheduled to speak until 6:00pm so we sat and waited. Chatted it up with a few of the people sitting near us.  They came all the way from Port Townsend, over the ferry.  And I thought I drove a long ways!!

Finally 6:00pm came around and Ree gave a 45 minute speech/presentation.  She is a wonderful speaker and a total gas!!  She is SO witty!! I ♥ Her!!

After her presentation we waited...and waited....and waited....and waited some more for our Group to be called.  While we were waiting Mary and I chatted.  Found a table.  Got dinner and ate.  And then talked it up with the two ladies that were sitting next to us.  We exchanged life stories, our ambitions, hopes and dreams, business ideas, and contact info.  Heidi has her own company Bizzle Bites...search for it on FB.  She makes the CUTEST cake pops.  She even brought some for the PW!!

 

After HOURS of waiting our group was finally called at 10:15pm.  We waited in line for another 20 minutes and then FINALLY got to meet the PW and get our Cookbooks signed!!  (I still need to buy a cord for my camera so I can upload my pictures) the pics of me are from Mary's cell phone.

Remember once I hit 25 followers I will have a FAB giveaway you WON"T want to miss!!

♥ Ashley

Cute Bracelets

My dear blogger friend (who has given me so much inspiration in my own blogging) Leah has started her own Etsy shop!  She creates and sells these adorable and colourful bracelets.  Head on over to her Blog or Etsy Shop and check it out!!

                         

♥ Ashley

[recipe] Parsley Salad

I made thee best salad the other day and I just HAVE to share it with you.  I like to call it Parsley Salad and it is DELISH if I don't say so myself.

Parsley Salad

Ingredients:

1 bunch flat leaf parsley
1 large tomato (organic)
2 fresh bococcini (mozzarella balls - comes in a 4 pack)
1 avocado
6 white button mushrooms
2 tsp olive oil
1 T butter
salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Slice up the mushrooms.  Melt butter in a skillet add mushrooms and saute.  Season with salt and pepper. Once cooked to the desired firmness take skillet off the heat and set aside to cool.

2. Give the parsley a rough chop.  Slice up the tomatoes into bite sized chunks.  Halve the avocado, remove the pit and cut into chunks.  Cut the drain the cheese and then tear into chunks.  Add these ingredients into a salad bowl.

3. Add the mushrooms to the salad and toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

4. Serve and enjoy!

*I am sure that bacon would be delicious in this salad along with some balsamic vinegar.

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdsays

♥ Ashley

Meet Paladin {the miniature horse}

I had a wonderful sunny Monday afternoon.  When I got home from work I mustered up the energy and made the decision that it is time for Paladin to get a hair cut.  I really dislike doing this one horse chore.  And a CHORE it is!!  I don't like it because it takes forever, Pal is really short so it puts strain on my back and his hair gets EVERYWHERE (and I mean every-where)!!!  But it has been so hot this past weekend and he keeps rubbing up against our fences pulling the field fence down so I knew I needed to do something.

 Paladin BEFORE

The hairy monster...looks like a buffalo!

 He was SO HOT!!

Two piles of hair...I wish I had something to compare the size but lets just say they are about as big a the goats!!

 

Paladin: AFTER!

 I always forget how beautiful he looks after he gets clipped.  He actually looks like a horse again!!

This is just the FIRST round of clipping to get the hair off.  I still need to go back and get rid of all the lines and even him up a bit...but after TWO hours...I was DONE!  Another reason why it is annoying to clip him is because he has a lot of dander/filmy/oily skin so the little bits of skin/hair get stuck in the clippers and you have to clean them out after three or four swipes with the clipper.  I think I spent more time cleaning the clippers than actually cutting of his hair!!  But he sure does look good!!

If you are wondering about Paladin, he is a Miniature Horse.  Yes that is his breed and it is an ACTUAL horse breed name!  My family got Paladin when I was in 6th grade.  My mom, sister and I picked him up in May and called him a "mother's day present" so that my Dad would let us keep him.  He was only 4 years old.  I showed him in 4-H where he won MANY honors.  And I also did Pony Parties with him.  He drives a little cart and is SUPER gentle!!  My mom used to bring him into the house to the dinning room during dinner parties that she hosted and he even had Thanksgiving with us that first year!  He joined our farm this January 2012 due to the decline in my mom's health.  We love our little "Pally-Pie" as she used to call him!

Linked To: Show Us Friday

♥ Ashley

Easter Decor

 I just realized that I never shared my Easter Decor on here for this year.  SO here are my pictures!!

                                                                                          one of my TWO every season trees

     Banner from Target of all places

the second of my TWO every season trees

Little owl, birdie and nest with eggs. (owl Pier1, nest/eggs Pottery Barn)

my lamb planter/bowl and little bunny with basket (lamb - antique, bunny from Wights)

Easter Mantle Blocks.

Hope you enjoyed my Easter Decor!!

♥ Ashley

Earth Day 2012 - Love Our Earth!

Happy Earth Day 2012

Earth Day happens on Sunday, April 22, each year. This is a day when we acknowledge the wonderful Earth that we live on and also ways we can keep our planet safe and green. (via)

I first learned about Earth Day from my American Girl Dolls after they introduced the American Girl of Today.  They had a special "outfit" just for Earth Day and that is when I realized how wonderful and great it is.

My husband and I are celebrating Earth Day today.  We are working on prepping our Vegetable Garden (maybe planting a few things) and working out in the yard.

What are your plans for Earth Day?  How are you going to celebrate?

♥ Ashley

Found in the Garden

This past weekend we were cleaning up our veg patch to get it ready so we can start planting for THIS season.  I had to pull out all the old Parsnips that we didn't eat over the winter and I pulled out this boulder.  Keep in mind the ones you get at the store are generally the size of my peeler!!

How crazy big is this thing?  PS these are my FAVE cutting boards.  They look like wood and can go in the dishwasher!!

Since Parsnips aren't that good once they start growing into their second season (they start to taste REALLY woody) I peeled them, boiled them then gave them to the Chickens.  They LOVED them.

♥ Ashley

The Baby Girl [Picture Thursday]

 

Even though you destroyed my Better Homes and Gardens magazine this afternoon I still love you to pieces!!

  

Our little Sakari (panda bear)

 

♥ Ashley

OSC - Anthropologie

I have always enjoyed the housewares at Anthropologie (I always BEELINE for the SALE section) I know that their clothes are well made and I liked the look of them. But it is SO overwhelming looking at their clothes in the store...I never know where to start and I feel like each item I pick up is totally overpriced (by my "Marshall's" standards - since most of my clothes are from there) at more than $79. After reading through some blogs lately I have been inspired to take a second look and I am finding that online shopping is much easier! Now I have an "Online Shopping Cart" that I can take into the stores and then into the fitting room. With my short curvy frame some of the clothes that I have tried on in years past just don't fit right but if ONE of these clothing items works I think I will be a Happy Girl.

These would be some great additions to my wardrobe if I was going to get a non-teaching job. Learn about why I am on the Job Hunt Here

Laced Lineage Top

$68.00

Not too sure how I will like the fit around my hips but I love the yellow detailing.

Pointelle Lace Tee

$58.00

The colour is perfect and I like the sheerness of the top. Perfect for pairing with a bikini this summer!

Slouchy Bands Sweater

$88.00

My usual grey strips...but this has a bonus -- POCKIES!!! do you see them?

Tousled Pintuck Tank

$58.00

I really like the texture of this tank. Would look great with the cardi above!

Urubamba Tank

$78.00

I am really drawn to this Urubamba Tank because it is a FAR cry from the usual
white/grey/neutral colours I am drawn to.

Paned Hellebore Sweater

$98.00

Ochre Vines Skirt

$88.00

Love this skirt...not sure what to wear on top but I love the colours and the grey band at the hemline!

Vallota Peasant Blouse

$79.95 was $148.00

This reminds me of my mom...just in my loose fitting and flowing style.

Openwork Cables Cardigan

$49.95 was $188.00

Greening Cardigan

$49.95 was $188.00

POCKIES!!! enough said.

Tender Falls Shower Curtain

$39.95 was $118.00

If I was going to redo our guest bathroom - which I am seriously contemplating after seeing this curtain - it is a sure winner!

Crested Crane Bust

$198.00

So interesting... I have NO place for this in my house but can you picture this in yours?

Floral Burst Knob, Forget-Me-Not

$8.00

Cute little knobs to change out on a piece of furniture!


So there you have it my darling readers. The second installment of "Online Shopping Cart". What are your thoughts? Anything you are swooning over at Anthro?

♥ Ashley