Making A List...

Big news! I finalized my Christmas list today! Making my Christmas list is one of my absolute favorite things to do in life. Maybe because I like presents. Or because I'm a control-freak. Probably both.

The list was pretty simple this year. A summary:

• dark brown boots
• slippers
• (fake) black uggs
• new winter coat with toggles
• tribal print cardigan
• knee high socks 
• hiking socks
• big gold watch
• black and/or red scarf
• a couple STL books
• money for Rome/Morocco

I hope Santa brings me what I asked for ;)

sweater from Old Navy. jeans from Target. boots by Steve Madden. 

Long Weekend

How is it possible for a four-day weekend to fly by? The past few days have been filled with friends, family, football, and more than enough nap time. I feel recharged and ready for the holidays.... including a few DIY projects I've got my eye on before my annual holiday party in December.

olive jeans from Target. tee and vest from Old Navy. boots by Chinese Laundry. 

Bird's Eye View

I'm thankful for the stretch in these white jeans... because I ate more than enough on Thursday.

plaid top by Miley for Walmart. white jeans from Target. boots by Chinese Laundry. 

Baileys' Range

Okay, this is beyond overdue. I've been to Range now three times. I guess you could say I'm obsessed. The burgers are awesome. The decor is cool. They have a gazillion local beers. I'm pretty sure the rooster sauce for the fries has crack in it.

And I haven't even tried the ice cream yet.







Five favorite things:
1. The smells. Freshly baked buns. Roasted nuts. Ice cream. Having the kitchen right there really adds to the experience.
2. The Morocco burger. It's one of the 'face off' items, so there's a chance it will be switched out soon. If it's on the menu when you go, try it. You'll like it. (For the record: I've also had a Basic and Dave's Smoked Burger. Both were good, but nothing close to the Morocco.)
3. Rooster sauce for my fries. Seriously. Addicting.
4. Mason jars. Everywhere.
5. What's on tap. Six Row, Urban Chestnut, Schlafly, O'Fallon and six other local breweries are featured, along with one 'out of town guest.'

(For the record though, the service sucks. I've had this same issue at Bailey's other restaurants - Rooster and Bridge. Too bad the food, drinks and atmosphere are so awesome, I continue to go back.)

Pep Talk

Raise your hand if you feel neglected.

[This blog's imaginary hand is raised]

I've barely posted and when I do, it's a short rant here and there. I've missed posting about my mom's birthday party, a surprise visit from my sister, a little camping excursion, my new boat, a party at work, Billy Elliot at the Fox and Lord knows what else.

Well loyal reader(s), this is my promise to try harder. Sure, I'm super busy, but I'm the good kind of busy. Great job, cool stuff on weekends, a bunch of parties/get togethers coming up, and of course, the splurge of a lifetime - a trip to Rome and Morocco.  Not to mention, I now have red pants so I'm officially in the 'cool style bloggers' club'.

There is a club, isn't there?

jeans and scarf from Target. white tee from Express. blazer by Worthington from JC Penney. assorted silver jewelry. 

Guess Why I Smile A Lot?

Uh, because of this video.

Is It Nap Time Yet?

Coming off a super fun weekend and having a hard time getting back in the swing of things. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I spent time with family, played with friends, stayed up too late and drank too much. And now I need a nap. 

Tonight, I plan on eating dinner, snuggling on the couch and catching up on the Sunday TV I was too distracted to watch last night. Cheers. See you tomorrow. 

Moves Like Bernie

I have been waiting for this to become a dance craze! My prayers are answered.

Double Dipping

I wore this Sunday.... and Thursday. Is that bad? There is just nothing easier than jeans and a striped tee, boots and a bun. And I'm a sucker for easy.

jeans and tee from Target. boots by Chinese Laundry.

Happy Veterens Day

Wasn't my Grandpa Joe dreamy? Love the way he signs the note to my grandma. <3

To the Fox

Heading to the Fox tonight with my mom to see Billy Elliot....

That's all I have to say today.

Goodnight!

dress, cardigan and tights from Target. boots by Chinese Laundry. gold ring, cuff and earrings. 

Feeling French

Bonjour!

Désolé. Something about this new 'do makes me feel French all the time. It's the Bardot-style bangs + half-up do, I suppose. Add in skinnies, flats, an embellished boxy top and red lips and I'm a full-fledged-French-speaking gal today, oui?

And sorry for the abundance of outfit posts (and not much else) lately. I've got a couple of pretty big posts on my 'to do' list - a letter of distaste to Taste of St. Louis, some thoughts on this year's Oktoberfest in Soulard and a review of Dave Bailey's Range in downtown St. Louis - but I just haven't had time. For now, you'll just have to enjoy looking at pictures of me. Over. And over. And over.

Until next time, au revoir.

black skinny jeans, top and flats from Target. assorted silver charm bracelets.

This Weekend

• got bangs
• immediately regretted said bangs
• had a date with my DVR
• made a grocery list and clipped some coupons
• deleted all the contacts in my phone (again)
• dressed all fancy and went to a cocktail party
• slept til noon, but it was really only 11am (thanks Daylight Savings time!)
• walked to the park to watch a rugby match (and drink some Heineken)
• maybe regretted the bangs a little less
• had fried chicken for dinner while I watched Boardwalk Empire and Dexter. Sunday nights rule. 

And in case you're curious about the bangs.... Not a great photo, but it's what I wore out my first night with the new 'do.

jeans and scarf from Target. jacket from Ann Taylor. boots by Chinese Laundry. black tank from New York & Company. 

A Forgotten Outfit

I was uploading pics from the weekend and found this stashed away on my camera from a couple weeks ago.

Man, I miss having cool photo locations. You think that's a reason to move back in with my parents?

jeans, flats and striped tee from Target. jacket from Ann Taylor. 

Bang Inspiration

 

I have these pictures pinned and printed out. I'm ready for bangs.

I think.

Thrifted... From My Closet

I was at my parents' house last week looking for Halloween costumes and found this sweater... in a trash bag.... in the back of my old closet. Who does it belong to? Nobody knows.

But I took it home and washed it and claimed it as my own.

mysterious sweater. jeans from Target. boots by Chinese Laundry. gold cuff and ring. nail polish is Sew Psyched by Essie. 

Picture Day

We had surprise picture day at work today. Thank goodness I look halfway decent and actually straightened my hair this morning. I wonder if they can photoshop my chipped nail polish though?

Other things I did today:

• resolved a whole bunch of flagged emails left in my inbox
• activated my credit card
• scheduled a haircut
• still felt no remorse for the Old Navy shopping spree I went on yesterday
• listened to Christmas music way earlier than normal thanks to my new She & Him holiday CD that came in the mail yesterday
• bought tickets to see Billy Elliot at the Fox with my mom for her birthday
• had my first froyo experience at Flying Cow in Midtown
• crossed a bunch of things off my to do list... and added a bunch of new things for tomorrow

dress from Target. cardigan from Old Navy. boots by Chinese Laundry. 

For A Living

Never thought I'd like a silly car commercial so much (especially one that doesn't involve any Kanye playing...) but I'm just in love with this idea. 'For those who live life for a living.'

Printed

I love all the tribal-print stuff that is coming out this fall. In fact, I've got quite a few pieces pinned to 'the list' that I hope Santa brings me. But I've got a question for you...

Do you think it's offensive to call things tribal print? Or Navajo-inspired? 

I remember reading a blog post once about how offensive it is equating the prints with a culture... when sometimes they aren't accurate. But what else are you supposed to call them? Is it offensive if we say things are Asian-inspired? Or African? Or what about the whole movement to dress like a French girl?

top from Forever 21. blazer by Worthington for JC Penny. jeans and flats from Target. gold cuff, ring and earrings. polish is Geranium by Essie.

Oh, and excuse the pile of dirty dishes. That just means I cooked.

Apple-Stuffed French Toast with Honey Syrup

Last night was another semi-successful dinner at Casa de Danielle. I made apple-stuffed french toast with a honey syrup (and bacon, of course)... It was super easy, I only slightly screwed it up and it actually tasted good.

I used this recipe as inspiration for the french toast....

• Line a rectangle or square dish with bread, top each piece with apple pie filling (or whatever filling/fresh fruit you want to use), bits of cream cheese and cinnamon and then put another piece of bread on top. 
• Mix 6 eggs, 1 cup of milk, some vanilla and cinnamon in a bowl and pour over the bread. 
• Put in the oven (preheated to 375 degrees) for 35 minutes or until set. 

(Just a side note: The casserole dish I was using was a little big for the four french toasts I was making, so I lined it in foil, put the french toast on top and then folded up the edges to keep the batter on the bread. Genius, right? But I didn't grease the foil at all, so the bread stuck to it, making it a total mess and ugly. Hence, no photos. Good effort.)

And then for the honey, I found this simple recipe using water, sugar and honey over medium heat; and I added in a little extra apple pie filling and a pinch of salt. It was kind of runny, but still a nice compliment to the french toast. 

Bon Appetit!