Totally Thrifted

by Tabitha Posted on 02/06/2012

It was so much fun sharing my SLC finds with you, that I decided to challenge myself this weekend and throw together an entirely* thrifted outfit for lunch at LACMA. Now, I’ve had my thrifting habit since the 5th grade (thanks sis!) so I’ll be the first to acknowledge it wasn’t totally impossible. Or at least not any more challenging than any other morning standing in front of my closet and wondering what to wear…

I felt very professional tucking my computer away in my attaché. And just a littly witchy…

And it was just a matter of time before I joined the ranks of engaged couples, style bloggers, and just about everyone else in LA taking pictures with the fabulous Urban Light exhibit.

In this last photo, you’re looking at one of only four items* from this outfit not thrifted: my awesome sheer striped socks. Aren’t they nuts? If you’re curious, the other three are my bra, underwear and sunglasses. And I promise I wouldn’t have worn the sunnies, except I have such an addiction to shades, that I totally forgot I had them on. Until just now. Thrifted style fail.

If you’re not totally disappointed, here’s the details:

The Outfit:t/shirt from Goodwill, skirt, bag, & blue bracelet from Decades, yellow booties from Iguana, fringe necklace & gold ring from Salvation Army, socks from American Apparel and sunglasses from Illesteva.
The Photographer: Cynthia (aka my monger)
The Location: Urban Light, LACMA. Following an amazing lunch at Ray’s. Note to self: take style photos before stuffing your face. I seriously thought I might pop the buttons on my skirt…

I usually mix it up a bit more, but really enjoyed throwing all this thrifted magic on at once.
What about you? What’s your thrift store to new purchase ratio?

And…do you find buying thrifted shoes gross?
I know lot’s of people who do!

Posted in Style | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

#FF

by Tabitha Posted on 02/03/2012

A few fun links for your weekend, courtesy of my stash of amazing business cards from Alt:

1. Alix Bannon writes Cute and Delicious and the delicious just happens to be vegan. I love her beautiful photos and film nerdy ways, so I was super happy to finally meet her at Alt.

2. Joy is an old bee friend and crafter extraordinaire! She makes fabulous things, including her fantastic business cards. Go check out her blog How Joyful to see all the lovely little treats inside those glassine envelopes.

3. Michelle Edgemont is a wedding all-star (styling/crafts/florals) based in Brooklyn, NY. You should hire her because she’s awesome. Or just check out her website b/c her design/branding is wicked good.

4. Now obviously I love anyone who puts brussels sprouts on the back of their business card.
Kristin Guy writes the most fun + stylish food blog ever, aka The Cuisinerd. Yum.

5. Fat cats are another thing I’d like to see more of on business cards! I met Gabriel in a random hallway on my way to bed, but was quickly convinced I should stay out later and drink (even) more.
Besides being persuasive, he also writes an awesome blog called The Artful Desperado. It’s a new favorite.

6. Laure Joliet take the most beautiful pictures, but I also really enjoy her sincere words and musings on her blog At Home At Home.

Finally, don’t forget to sign up for handwritten if you’re in the market for a penpal, AND would you pretty please head over to Refinery 29 and vote for me already?

Thanks guys! Have a great weekend and I’ll see you monday!

Posted in Inspiration | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin

by Tabitha Posted on 02/03/2012

Yes, it’s true. I’m besotted with brussels. Smitten with sprouts. Caught up with cabbage.
Especially if you throw a few potatoes, some crumbly goat cheese, and a splash of heavy cream in the mix. It’s funny, I hate milk, but LOVE me some heavy cream. Go figure.

So if last week’s recipe didn’t make you a believer, I dare you to try this one and not come away with a full (mini) cabbage conversion!

Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin
serves 4-6 (or 2 big pigs)

Ingredients:
12-15 sprouts
3-4 small/medium potatoes (bonus points for purple!)
1/2 cup crumbly goat cheese (I used some from Montchevre)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 shaved parmesan
3 teaspoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic
salt
pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly oil a 10 x 7 baking dish.
2. Chop the bottoms off sprouts and discard. Chop sprouts into thin slices and toss with olive oil. Don’t worry, leaves will fall.
3. Chop potatoes into thin slices and toss with remaining olive oil.
4. Layer: First a single layer of potatoes, then sprouts, then crumbly goat cheese, then salt + pepper. Repeat until baking dish is full or you run out of the goods.
5. Sprinkle with parmesan and pour heavy cream over the top.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

and then…
come to Cabbage.

What are you cooking this weekend?

Posted in Food | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

5 Minute No-Sew Scarf Magic

by Tabitha Posted on 02/03/2012

Told you it was easy.
No pins. No messy folds. No iron.
Just measure, cut, and stitch.*

Et Voila! An awesome orange scarf.

It seems my obsession with scarves (especially jiffy scarves!) is the perfect compliment to my habit of picking up pretty patterned fabric all over the place.

See you later. Come hungry.

ps. Thanks Becca!
*The stitch is totally optional!

Posted in DIY | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Please Vote!

by Tabitha Posted on 02/02/2012

So Refinery 29 is holding their 2nd Annual search for The Next Big Style Blogger and I tossed myself (and my cape) into the contest! Would you pretty please go vote for me?

All you have to do is CLICK HERE and then find my picture (the one above) and click on the little heart. Sweet and Simple.

*Now, there’s tons of fabulous style to scroll through, but if you’re in a hurry, you can just hit control/command + f and type my name (Tabitha) to take you right to my pic!

I’d appreciate it oh so much, and will totally reward you with a delicious recipe + 5 minute scarf DIY tomorrow to show my gratitude!

Happy Thursday guys! :)

Posted in My Life, Style | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Thrifting Salt Lake

by Tabitha Posted on 02/02/2012

Remember way back when (last week) I mentioned the thrifting in Salt Lake City?
You guys, it was insane. I finally forced myself to put down my new leopard purse long enough to take a picture of it. And a few other pretties too…

Purrfection. Right? And can I introduce you to my my other new love? That’d be my fabulous faux-fake (fingers crossed she’s the real deal) Fendi attaché case. In all honesty, and at this price point, I don’t think she is, but with those stripes I could care less.

Oh! And I’ve included prices because I like talking numbers. Also, I don’t think the lowest price point when thrifting necessarily means you got the best deal. Sometimes I’ll spend a bit more if it’s something I’m really gonna use. Like this workhorse, erhm, leopard bag.

But that’s not to say I don’t love me a good bargain! This ceramic/wood ashtray (with original tags) was only six bucks! This thing would have cost a fortune in LA! And it’s neon. So on trend SLC.

I’m also totally getting a bang for my buck with these baubles. I’ve worn them almost everyday since Salt Lake! And again with the neon.

And of course I couldn’t resist a few new (to me) pieces for the closet! You’ll have to keep an eye out for these in a future style post- the yolk on that middle shirt is crazy awesome. Or just crazy.

Big thanks + hugs to Liz Stanley for letting me crash her thrifting party AND introducing me to what can only be described as the best sugar crack pastry I’ve ever tasted. It’s also called Kouing-aman, and I’m obsessed. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit I’ve been tweeting with the bakery for tips to make my own…

And like all good Alt Adventures, there were some pretty fantastic folks along for the ride. Literally. I shared a car with Liz, the lovely ladies of Modern Kiddo and Jenny of Frecklewonder, who is a thrifting goddess.

Do you have any all-time favorite finds?
I think all of mine might be handbags…

ps. I downloaded those little starburst thingies from Pugly Pixel. She’s rad.

Posted in At Home, Fashion, My Life | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

My Superhero Cape!

by Tabitha Posted on 02/01/2012

This cape is super fun to wear, super warm, and super attractive to Canadians. Sadly my dears, it’s not a vintage Hudson Bay blanket (which would be awesome), it’s just a regular old new Pendleton.

And because you can never have too many stripes (not ever) I wore this allyoucaneat Alice + Olivia number underneath it. Seriously, this thing sucks you in like an old fashioned girdle- only half as uncomfortable and twice as cute!

Can we talk accessories for a minute? A friend of mine got that nonsense Chanel quote about always removing one item before you leave the house stuck in my head years ago, and I try, oh how I try you guys, but I just can’t do it. I love my accessories. I’m wearing vintage enamel bracelets, a gifted slice of ganache cake necklace (with glitter!) and two belts with a dress that isn’t. going. anywhere.
Coco, I’m hopeless!

The Outfit: Pendleton Cape, Alice + Olivia Dress, Hue Tights, Gold DIY Shoes Madewell Leopard Belt, J. Crew Red Belt, Vintage + J. Crew Bracelets enamel bracelets, “Tabitha” Necklace, Tiny Hands Necklace , Swan Purse
The Photographer: Cynthia. Cheesemonger Extraordinaire.
The Location: Maximiliano’s, Highland Park. Have you eaten there yet?

AND…
Just for fun, here’s another cute blogger rocking the same cape, and here’s the reason Canadians think it’s a Hudson Bay.

I was totally that weird kid rocking a cape in high school by the way.
What about you?

Posted in Style | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

A Call for Pen Pals!

by Tabitha Posted on 01/31/2012

I remember having a few different pen pals as a child and teen. A single red and blue striped corner sticking out of a pile of mail meant word from my friend Nami in Japan. I filled letters to her full of teen angst and other important details of my life, which mainly consisted of late night trips to Carrow’s to kill time and torture waitresses with split orders and incessant coffee refills while we waited to grow up.

I found it comforting that half way around the world Nami was doing the exact same thing in sweet shops and noodle joints. I eagerly anticipated her letters, even though, or perhaps because, her access to bullet trains and international travel had me entirely convinced that teen life was better in Japan. And her letters gave me a taste.

A few years earlier, the spring after my 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. had been filled with many shorter trips to the mailbox, anticipating a far less exotic, but much more exciting postmark: New Jersey. And one day it arrived.

Thus commenced a very short lived romantic exchange with a handsome boy I’d met at the Washington Monument. It could have been the stuff of great romance, but we were 13 and quickly bored one another with our tales of homework and groundings and after school sports.
But oh those trips to the mailbox…

Sadly my love affairs on the printed page end there, in the 8th grade. And by college, it was all email. This is mostly a big bummer because someday when I’m dead, my children will have to sift through all 15,278 emails in my inbox in the hopes of finding just one takeyourbreatheaway love letter email.

OR, and this is where you all come in, they could find neat stacks of interesting letters from fascinating and diverse folks from around the world.

Yes please. I choose that.

So in the interest of fostering the fantastic community who joins me here daily (that’s you!) and furthering real life relationships and interaction among online creatives, not to mention doing my unborn children a big sentimental favor, I’m pleased to announce handwritten: a penpal project for 2012.

It’s a simple idea and I’m not reinventing the wheel. Or doing it by myself.

I’m just hoping to connect some RAD ladies (and gents) in real life. To bring back the excitement of heading to the mailbox. And the intoxicating smell of ink on paper.

Oh! And let’s be honest- to justify my love for fancy stationery and old stamps.

You can check out ALL the details right here, and if you’re interested in participating please leave a comment below by February 5th, with your name, city, and if you’d prefer one or two pen pals.

So pick out your stationery, pick up your pens, and let’s get this penpal party started!

*Photos + gorgeous postcards from Lucy Snowe Photography. WANT.

Posted in Inspiration, Paper | Tagged , | 18 Comments

My Top 10 from Alt Summit

by Tabitha Posted on 01/30/2012

My recap is a little late to the party, but I’m still excited to share my favorite sounds bites
(and a few pics) from my first year at Alt Summit.

I have to admit I spent most of my time there feeling equally inspired and overwhelmed. It was awesome to be completely surrounded by so many smart, stylish, and incredibly driven women. (and a few good men) And totally terrifying too.

A week (and a head cold) later, this is what stuck:

Photos: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/8/9/10/11
Sound Bites: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

It’s good stuff right? Perfect for a blog, a business, or just a big dream.

In fact, if you wanna join me in working on a few of these fine points, I’d love to have you join me in my/our first creative pen pals project.

Real people. Real paper. Real awesome.

Promise. Come back later and join the party won’t you?

Posted in Inspiration, My Life | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Roasted Sprouts!

by Tabitha Posted on 01/27/2012

Brussels Sprouts may get a bad rap for their whiffy ways, but I’m telling you right now that these adorable tiny cabbages are both magical and delicious. My friend’s husband (a notoriously picky eater & sprout hater alike) even called these the best brussels sprouts in the world.
And yes, in my mind, he said it in the Dos Equis voice.

Now let’s address the magical part: they grow on a stalk. Boom. Done. Fairytale.
I mean, did you know brussels grow on a stalk?

The first time I saw one at Trader Joe’s, I stopped dead in my tracks, causing a near fatal hipster cart collision behind me. No matter. I ignored all the nerd specs glaring at my back, and set faux coon tails a swishing, as I just stood there gaping and giddy. I’m embarrassed to admit I might have even shrieked and lunged. Hey, I’m a city girl. Apples with their leaves, tomatoes on the vine, and carrots with their tops on are all pretty exotic fair. And now, brussels on their stalk!

More than pretty or exotic though, I think seeing food in it’s natural state really taps into a childlike sense of wonder and awe at the way the natural world works. It’s dirty and imperfect and delicious and makes us wait for the perfect summer fig regardless if we’ve upgraded to an iPhone 4s.

The anticipation only makes it sweeter.
And no, I haven’t upgraded yet. :)

Roasted Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts
serves 4

Ingredients:
30 sprouts
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon tamari
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
salt
pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Chop off the white bottom part of each sprout and chop larger sprouts in half.
3. Rinse sprouts well and pluck some leaves to make “crunchy bits” while you’re at it.
4. Toss olive oil, honey, mustard, tamari and garlic in a bowl with the freshly washed sprouts.
5. Dump sprouts and loose leaves out onto a cookie sheet, and season liberally with salt and pepper.
6. Bake sprouts for around 30-40 minutes, frequently shaking pan so they burn roast evenly. Finished sprouts will be be charred/carmelized on the outside and soft, but not mushy, on the inside. They should be served immediately. Oh! And they’ll taste like candy. You’re welcome.

I must admit I frequently make myself a tray of these sprouts only to gobble them up while leaning over the stove like some mythic half-starved giant. Yeah. I tower over that stove. In my more civilized moments however, I like to serve these sprouts as a side to my vegan mac n’ cheese. You could even substitute agave (use less though) for the honey, and make a real vegan show of it.

Any other sprout lovers out there? Do you have recipes that rarely make it to the table too?

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