Spikes and Studs and Sushi OH MY!

What I wore for a Date Night Done Right...

Cozy details did me right for my Saturday date sushi night! 

Last night we decided to go for a bit of sushi...again!  I could eat sushi everyday no problem!  Since it was our 'date night' I decided to try out the DIY studded plaid shirt and cardi that I  had crafted earlier in the week.  I bought the shirt and the cardi both a size too big as I plan on washing them (obviously) and since they were both VERY inexpensive I KNOW they will shrink.  I paired them with the black zippered leggings from forever 21, my new old school Casio digital, my 'eye've got my eye on you ring, and my trusty ol' platform shooties.  I actually bought them for My manfriends photo exhibition that he had in March 2012.  At the time I thought that they would not get much use..but I'm finding that I can pair them with a lot of different bits and they'll make any boring ol' everyday, run of the mill outfit 'come to life'

So here is what I wore to eat some fabulous sushi on Saturday night date night with my love:

These leggings proved to not only be comfy but WARM as well!  I went without a coat last night or a ...wait for it...without a SCARF!

I know, can you believe it? It was pretty chilly out side but I was all warm and snuggly in the oversized cardi, shirt and leggings.  I know these $12 finds are going to make it into many 'what I wore' photos and will get plenty of wear at work this winter as well.  

The zipper detail on these leggings is what sold me.  Not to mention the great pattern in the material as opposed to some plain cotton ones for the same price!  Love Love LOVING my new Casio watch..!

Do you have any 'go to' clothing items for date night?  

Leave me a comment below I look at, appreciate and reply to every.single.one of them!  Thank you for visiting my blog!

*Angi

Lunch Break Shopping Bits....

Hey you!  I love your England

crafty collars, Jack-A-Lope decor, my little helper, what's up stud? and some bits!

So I've been loving all of the spikes and studs that I've been seeing all over the web..but unfortunately I'm in the Midwest and we don't have a huge selection going on here. I didn't fret about it too much though, because I'm (as the Beastie Boys would say) "Crafty" not crafty like Skilled in underhandedness or deviousness type of way..but you know...CRAFTY, like your Grannie! So I decided to pick up an inexpensive plaid shirt and throw some studs & spikes on it myself.  I felt better about that anyway since it is pretty trendy and I don't like to spend a too much on trendy items.  

Hobby Lobby provided the metal for this project and I utilized my attention to detail and labour skills.  

One of my favorite purchases from my Thursday lunch break shopping spree was the old school Casio digital watch I scored for a mere $20!  I've been wanting one for ages and I was super excited to find the perfect one for me at such a bargain price!

Talking French mistletoe...what??  Oui Oui tis true!

Jack-A-Lope holding my new shirt, bits for the necklace I'm making
oui, oui talking French mistletoe, old school Casio watch, jumper & plaid shirt

Have you bought any fun Holiday bits yet?  What are you favourite new trends?  Do you have any particular items you're looking for when you're out?

*Angi

Just One Week In This Thing Called Life...

Shining Times Will Reign
November 4th-9th

Last Saturday seemed like the perfect night to give a different sushi joint a shot.  Very happy we did! So much great food, so many laughs.

 My work week was insane with the CEO and the whole outside sales team in town...so blogging was close to impossible...I did manage to mirror shot my new jumper & scarf.  The Maybelline nail stickers I put on Sunday night were nothing short of ....JUNK!  They lasted a mere two days and snagged every article of clothing that came in contact with them. BOO!

Hello lovely scarf..thank you for only costing me $5 last year!

Maybelline nail stickers...you can bugger off!

Some good news though...open knit sweaters and shorts with tights made my work week comfy and stylish....Hanging out in my music lounge for some much needed relax time after my work day proved to be very beneficial for my soul...

What will this week hold?  I have a few crafty ideas in mind and few things on my want list...so be sure to check back next week to see what transpires!

                          *Angi

Salmon & Veggies Baked In Cedar Paper

Do you enjoy baked fish & Veggies?


What you will need:


Salmon
Asparagus
Carrots
Zucchini (courgettes)
Honey
Brown Sugar
Butter
Sea Salt & White & Black Pepper
Lemon
Lime
Cedar Paper

Served with a warm French Baguette

This recipe is easy, healthy and DELICIOUS!

I love salmon but always find it bland when I get it at restaurants ..but not this concoction that I've come up with,  it is far from bland!

I use 2 medium sized salmon filet's and cut them in half.  One bunch of asparagus, washed & trimmed (the best way to determine where to trim the stalks is simply bend the asparagus until it snaps) then just take 4-6 stalks at a time and snap them as you wash them under running water.  The carrots I julienned and for I used 3 big carrots for this recipe. One zucchini or courgettes for my British readers!  Again julienned.

Prep all of your veggies and have your salmon cut...Take your cedar paper (which I start to soak in water and lime juice for about  30 minutes before I cut up my veggies) lay the salmon *skin side down* on the cedar paper and drizzle with the honey/butter/brown sugar mixture.  The mixture is about 3-4 tablespoons of brown sugar (I use light brown), 3-4 tablespoons of butter, and about 3-4 tablespoons of honey.   I don't really measure when I'm making my own recipes, I got by 'taste' so use your own judgement and see how 'sweet & buttery' you like it!

Drizzle the honey/butter/brown sugar mixture over the salmon on the cedar plank and sprinkle some sea salt & black and white pepper over the drizzle.  Then place the veggies on top of the salmon.  You can drizzle more honey/butter/brown sugar mixture over the veggies as well or just sea salt & pepper.

Gently roll the cedar paper up and tie with the string provided (or any string..just make sure it was soaked in the water for 30 minutes as well so you don't catch fire to your kitchen!)

Bake at 325 for about 15-20 minutes (ovens will vary) I did 25 minutes at 350 once too and it was fine..but that salmon was a little thicker.

I served this with a warm French baguette and wine.

Let me know how yours turns out!  ENJOY!

Indy Swank

Oh So Swanky...

Indy Swank is an 'urban cool' shoppe in Fountain Square that offers up wares from local artists alongside high fashion vintage clothing.  Unique items for her, him and home!  A fellow blogger and friend of mine, Mandy Crandell, offers up her handmade goodies there as well as on Etsy...so check her out!  Our first Friday adventure ended at Indy Swank so I was able to snag a few treats for myself while a local DJ was spinning tunes at the front of the store.  

Through the looking glass...I love this ring!

bottle opener/mustache - a must have!
hot girl flask - a must have! 

MEOW - neck gear

for him..for her

handmade rings galore! ivory & ebony kitties, Mandy Crandell serves up some love for your neck, need a wine opener and a mustache...well here ya go!  what would a trip to Fountain Square be without a fixie bike out front?

Some of my treasures...

What goodies would you have picked up? 

Work being displayed and for sale at Indy Swank

Do you have a cool urban shoppe that specializes in showcasing local artists in your area?  I'd love to see your local shoppe!



www.IndySwank.com

First Friday-Art.Fashion.Food.

Last night was First Friday - a free, self-guided tour that happens on the first Friday of every month.  The tour includes artist studios and art galleries that are members of IDADA and located in the downtown area.



Drive Time

Tunnels & City Streets

Welcome to the Murphy Art Studio...have a seat

 I decided to try my first attempt at 'I'll shoot you where you stand'  ....something I want to incorporate on my blog daily, weekly, monthly..whenever!  Pretty much a street style photo compilation of what is going on in the streets, galleries, eateries, or just out and about where I find style and happiness.  I was lucky enough to meet my first two subjects in the restroom of the Murphy and they let me shoot away, thanks girls!


I'll Shoot You Where You Stand 

1.  floral garden
2.  a dancing art appreciating pixie at Gallery 924
3.  a crowd gathers beside me
4.  boots & boats

The Murphy and Gallery 924

Then it was on to see what the Artists had brought for the masses to digest.....

Gallery Time

Our next stop was at the Red Lion Grog House the very best in traditional English cuisine in Indiana in a true Pub setting.  The Red Lion also has live entertainment and offers everything from Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash, Scotch Eggs, Bubble and Squeak and my personal favourites... Fish & Chips and BREAD PUDDING! 

Pub Time

Pub people
Steak & Chips

Red Lion Grog House, Salt & Vinegar,  Loverface & Ale
Drinks,  Spicy Fried Shrimp with Chips & Spicy Curry Sauce, Pay Up

Stacey getting creepy fingers waved at her by my love

Bread Pudding...going...going...GONE!

A perfect Friday Night!

Autumn Favourites

I decided to wait until the end of the month so I could see exactly which products I was using daily or almost daily.  This is my first favourites tag I've done since I started blogging and I have to say a few of these items were recommended by some of the bloggers I follow....so THANK YOU for that!

You simultaneously helped to empty my wallet out AND turn me onto to some great items that I can see being a party of my routine every month!  I hope you find something in my 'finds' that you may want to give a try and if you do please leave me a comment with your feedback!

Shampoo-
    
Since I cut my hair boy short I obviously can't pull it back into a pony or curl it on the  2nd day.  Yes, I'm forced to wash it every.single.day now!  Which, I like it being clean but my hair is so fine it does better on 2nd or even 3rd day when it's longer.  So finding  this shampoo: Sexy Heatlhy Hair for fine and colour treated hair is great!  It is sulfate free so it's gentle enough to use everyday and the smell....light, fresh & uplifting!  I would still use this shampoo if my hair were longer, it's so light it wouldn't weigh it down at all!

Conditioner-

When I had my hair cut short I also had it bleached out all over.  So as you know that zaps the moisture right outta that hair shaft!  Sexy Healthy Hair is excellent for giving me the moisture I need without making my hair into a greasy, weighted down mess.  I absolutely LOVE the smell of it!

Leave In Conditioner Mist-

Sexy Hair Healthy Soy Tri Wheat Leave-In Conditioner is AMAZING!  It is rare that I use a whole line from start to finish...but these products really delivered!  I needed something to add moisture but I wanted my hair to be a messy mess, hence the short, easy haircut and these products helped it to do just that.  I used this product everyday for the past month except for 3 days when I ran out and I could totally tell on the really blonde parts..the parts that had been bleached over bleach over bleach! Yes. I know that is frowned upon, but lets be honest if you've been a blonde, you've done it! DON'T JUDGE ME!!  It truly did give my hair a shiny, healthy appearance! SMELL IS AWESOME!


Styling Product- (wet)

Bumble and bumble styling creme!  I can't say enough good things about this product.  I used it when my hair was long and now that my hair is short it works even better.  I work it through my hair when it's damp and it gives body, shine and a soft pliable hold..never sticky..NEVER stiff.  $25 for 8oz but you only need a dollop!


Styling Product- (dry)

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Aveda  Control Paste!  Loose and piece-y, or stand-up and messy! It gives my hair so much texture and a great "low-sheen look"  I put this in the in morning during my styling routine and I can mess with my hair several times during the day and change it up.  And of course, it's Aveda, so it smells divine! I like that it doesn't leave a film on my hair after I wash it.  Great product for short or medium length hair.  $22 for 1.7oz

Powder/Foundation-

Tigi powder foundation in Shi-Shi has been perfect for me this month...not too powdery, but not too creamy.  I like the way it feels on my skin, pretty much as if I've got nothing on my skin at all!  I have two different colours of this powder one for when I'm darker and one for Autumn/Winter when I'm a tad lighter.  I use it as a stand alone or apply it over Organic Wear tinted moisturizer  in Light to Natural, for more of a creamy coverage.  $35


Brightening Powder-

Sonia Kashuk Brightening Powder is my favorite loose powder at the moment.  I especially like it when I'm a little less tan and need just a wee bit of brightness without a bronzy look.  Brushing it over your face you feel the velvety texture and immediately see the your skin tone pop.  I also like the fact that it has orchid extract that helps to soften and moisturize the skin, along with possessing antiseptic properties.  $11

Cheeks-

NARS The Multiple Multi-Purpose Stick,  in Orgasm.  Love.This.Product!  So light and versatile!
Lightweight cream to powder so it blends easily and beautifully!  It definitely gives some shimmer and highlights on my cheeks ...but not too much.  Sheer and perfect!  $39 for a 5oz stick

Lips-

Revlon Kissable Lip Balm Stains of course!  I'd wanted to try these and kept putting it off...but after reading  Sophia's review on www.tattooedtealady.com  I decided to go for it.  They are only $7 each and as she states, they go on sheer but I found that two coats does me just perfect...build up the colour slowly for more intense colour.  I use them alone or with my MAC lip liner in Stripped Down.


Mascara-

I use mascara daily..no matter what! Unless I'm sick, I have mascara on. I do not leave the house without it! Luckily my lashes are long but they are thin (like the hair on my head) and I need PLUMPED!  Maybelline the COLOSSAL VOLUM' Express mascara does just that!  I did find however, if you are wanting to apply two coats..wait until the first one is completely dry...otherwise it gets too wet & slippy all over your eyelids!  booooo!  $8

Tea-


TEAVANA-My Morning Mate Tea - They say: rich and robust caffeine mix of mate, black tea, and red rooibos. A natural energy boost and a healthier alternative to coffee, a morning blend that is filled to the brim with sweet cocoa, chocolate and almond bits, pistachio nuts, macadamia nuts and coriander rounded off with warm hazelnut and cinnamon..I say: DELICIOUS!  I don't go a day without this..normally 2-4 cups a day.  I don't do honey or rock sugar in it because it doesn't need it.  It truly tastes like chocolate and nuts in liquid form.  $55 for 16oz

What are your favourites this Autumn?  Have you tried any of these products and if so, what were your results?  Thank you for visiting my blog and don't forget to subscribe!