Street Fashion: Fifty Shades of Grey

Hey Sweetpeas, 

It's cold outside. The fall and winter seasons are in full effect. Here in Oregon we are blessed to see all four seasons most years however this year fall and winter have kind-of melted together, or should I say have froze together. It's freakin' cold, did I say that already?! On the bright side, this weather lends me to add layers and take note of styles from those who step out despite the temperature..... Rockin' their sexy shades of grey to their turned-all-the-way-up, loyal, can't go wrong, sexy black.  

T'is the season to be shady!

Louboutin ..... Damn!

Sweetpeas!! '

"Shoes!" The word gives me a joy of no other. Now, everyone knows I'm a chucks kinda girl, always have been always will be but for those sexy date nights, I don't care what anyone says a pair of heels are really the business and a girls true best friend... Diamonds are nice but I'll take a pair of red bottoms bffs (best friend forever) for sure.... Ooooweee! 

Louboutin

Alexander Wang Does Denim... and pushes the envelope!

Alexander Wang Does Denim... taken saggin' to a different level.

oh my!

Lovin' my apps

It seems getting a new phone can really change your life! I mean change it, spoil it, give you a new lease....anyhoo I say that because as I've taken a great interest into fitness over the years, I have found several great apps that assist me in my fit journey.

IIFYM is a macronutrients calculator.

StrongLifts is an app that will guide you through strength training with the use of only 5 moves (3 moves per session) done 3 times a week. 

Yoga Studio is like having a yoga instructor in your back pocket. Gotta love yoga because strength training can do a number on your muscles and need a good stretch. Yoga Studio offers many classes from beginner to advance to back pain focused practices. 

Then there is the Interval Timer that I found very helpful when hitting those HIIT workouts especially when using earbuds or headphones.

WaterMinder is an app that reminds you of your water intake. Offers a chart on your progress. Love this too cause I'm really shameful with my water consumption...

LA Fitness, pretty self explanatory, I use it to check classes and I can check in at the gym using the app as well.

MyFitnessPal is probably one of the most popular food and exercise log apps. I have to say, I've downloaded many food and exercise log apps (including weight watchers that sits right next to it) and in my opinion it is the best. It's easy to use and rarely is there a food missing from there massive food list to fill your entry which is my bigger complaint of other apps.

BodySpace is the app from BodyBuilders.com and it is basically a fitness "Facebook". 

So there you have it..some of my favorites. What about you do you have any apps I should have my eye on? Let me know in the comments id love to hear from you. 

FYI: those abs in the background of my picture are not mine, those belong to @getfitwithnic on Instagram..beautiful huh? *sigh* 

I'm not the best cook but....

But I am not bad either. I found this amazing Mac & cheese recipe that never fails! And it is a staple in our menu!! Believe me, my 12 year old daughter makes it like a pro now... 

Perfect Mac & Cheese every time recipe: 

1. 1 pint of heavy whipping

2. 2-3, 8 oz bags of shredded cheese (I use 3 bags - 2 in the mac and 1 used in top for baking)

3.1/2 stick of butter

4. 16 oz elbow macaroni 

5. Garlic salt

1. Boil noodles (with a little oil - keeps noodles from sticking together)

2. Turn heat down to medium on stove

3. Drain noodles

4. mix in butter till melted

5. Poor in heavy whipping 

cream

6. Stir in garlic salt to taste 

7. Stir in cheese a little at a time but stir till creamy.

8. Poor the Mac and cheese in a bake pan

9. Top with MORE cheese goodness

10. Bake for 10-20 mins till brown/black (preferences) on top and when cheese boils up in pan... Mmmmmm good!

Enjoy!!!

It's been a while but I'm back at it....

It's been a while since I've done any blogging. I've been focusing on my health and-let-me-tell-you, 2014 has been a year of transformation. I've had an internal fight to enjoy this journey but in loving each step. I've picked up a good ole habit of working out 5/6 times per week and making fitness a part of my life. I still struggle with food but I'm getting it under control too. Tomorrow I plan to implement a strict diet before thanksgiving and again before Christmas. I'm hoping to end 2014 with a bang a bring in 2015 a few more pounds lighter. I hope and plan to blog more so I'll see you around!

Happy Holidays!

My Bernette

In my last post I was in the process of purchasing a new sewing machine. I am here to report that "Bernette" by Bernina is now a new member of our family. She is a beauty too. Although I loved my Brother and he gave me 25 years bur I am looking forward to creating beautiful memories with Bernette. Have we worked together yet? Why, yes. We {Bernette & I} made a beautiful tent for the neighbor kids. I love this tent and didn't want to see it go. The girl shown below is my daughter and she didn't want to let it go either...But it went to a great home of little people to enjoy. I think I will make another one :)

Have a Happy New Year! 

Change In Direction

Those who know me, have heard me gripe and mope around about my loneliness woes. My husband suggested I get a puppy although it sounds like a great idea I'm not sure I am ready for that type of responsibility. Sure, puppies are cute but the poop and pee are not! I should be super busy as a wife and a mother of four children, ages 19, 17, 14, 11 and a proud step-mother and auntie/mom to two handsome young men 13 and 17. Yes, we all live in the same house with the exception of my 19 year old who has spread her wings off to college. With this said, all but one are boys so the dynamics are a bit different when my girls are around and now it's just me and Lauryn and when Lauryn is gone I am left with 4 boys and 1 man in our humble abode. I just don't know what to do with myself anymore. SO I think it is time for me to do something. I LOVE sewing but found that I don't make the time to do and decided  the the creation of wearables and since I'm so picky about the clothes that I buy I though that I need to use the skills I have to create for myself... I have attended design classes at the Art Institute and other sewing classes here and there and I know I can pick up where I left off!

In order to start this new journey on the right foot and get a new sewing machine. I have one but it's 25 years old and like Beyonce, i wanna upgrade ya, upgrade ya! Anyhow, I put a new sewing machine on lay-a-way earlier this at Modern Domestics. MD is such a fabulous place, I love the energy and I am excited to get my machine next week, a Christmas gift to myself! 

In all honesty, I was drooling over the Berninas.  Bernina machines start from $1500 and upward $15,000 (a freakin' mortgage payment or a down payment on a home) but I settled for their more economical version. The Bernette and it seemed more reasonable starting at $199 up to $900. The Bernettas will do, it will do for now! 

I'm so excited to get it because I've been looking up sewing blogs that have inspired me to go on this exciting journey such as 
Mimi G Style, the blog that was the tipping point for me. The blog that had me too giddy about sewing again. Watching some of her blogs and reading her blog sparked the Sewaholic in me. Sewaholic is another blog that inspired me. She has a lot of good information, patterns, sew-alongs and other great fun!

Cupcake and Cashmere is another fabulous blog. Blogger, Emily Schuman has successfully built a blog around her lifestyle and the things she enjoys. LOVE her DIYs and Emily has great ideas and who doesn't love cupcakes and cashmere... I do!

Anyhoo.... I will share my first project with you very soon.  Christmas is the best time for giving homemade goodies!

Au revior!

FOUR EYES

Hey, hey, hey,

I know, I know... I haven't posted lately but I'm back, at least for today :)....

Anyhooooooo, I got that itch... the need for a new look. Maybe it's the Fall, maybe it's boredom, I don't know but it's that time... I think my first change should be my eye wear. I gotta search for a new pair, a fly pair of eye wear. I don't wear contacts lenses often so my glasses have to be a signature piece and has been ever since getting my first pair of glasses in high school. So y'all, when I say "signature" as a 4-eye'd cutie, I mean it is imperative (yes, it's just that serious) I make a statement with my eye wear. Whatever eye wear I chose, I want them to compliment my face without hiding my features.  

I have done a little bit of online shopping and searching for the look I'm going for and have numbered photos starting with ONE being my absolute favorite find through seven being my least favorite find [but I still love number seven too]. This is a yearly event for me and I usually go [it] alone but this time I'd love to know what y'all tha'nk! Yes, let me know which one or two or three catch your eye and why....

I'm excited...NEW EYES!

 

FOUR EYE'D CUTIE!

Blogroll......yes..finally!

OK... OK, So I am a little late on my Sunday blogroll, shame on me! I have been insanely busy and well.... I just haven't had a chance to get on my computer much. But I better get with it..right? Right! 

So, friends, I did get on the web a little here and there from my phone (don't you love the easy access)and I actually made a few new friends on Twitter, which I am starting to really get into.... so my new found blogs are from my new found twitter relationships:

1. la femme eclectique - i haven't had a chance to read through it all but from what i see.. i'm excited to sit down with this one :)

2. miss whitesmith

3. fashion snag - she is so cute!

4. saved the cat - too fun; I think this one is going to be a daily read! ;)

5. asshly official - cute one too! 

Enjoy!

Pool Party Bound

Pool Party Bound by traciestacie featuring leather shoes

Pink tank
mostrami.pl

Cosabella neck tie
cosabella.com

Cosabella see through swimsuit
cosabella.com

Stuart Weitzman leather shoes
stuartweitzman.com

Stuart Weitzman pouch purse
simplysoles.com

Jennifer Zeuner ring
shopbop.com

Jennifer Zeuner cut out ring
shopbop.com

LK Designs gold peace sign earrings
$115 - pret-a-beaute.com

Astley Clarke woven friendship bracelet
$130 - astleyclarke.com

Marni glasses
theoutnet.com

Weekend Lunch with the Girls

Weekend Lunch with the girls by traciestacie featuring a gold tone bracelet

Zadig Voltaire gray top
$93 - zadig-et-voltaire.com

Denim jacket
amazon.com

Band of Outsiders black pants
thecorner.com

NIKE cushioned shoes
$140 - harrods.com

MM6 Maison Martin Margiela shopping handbag
otteny.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs gold tone bracelet
net-a-porter.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs heart earrings
$62 - harveynichols.com

Witchery cateye glasses
$63 - witchery.com.au

Moschino Cheap Chic apple iphone case
$51 - nelly.com

Paper hat
modcloth.com

Blogroll please.....

I am fairly new to the world of blogging, only two months young and I've come across many blogs I've love and check out on a daily basis though bloglovin and from twitter. Each blog I come across is an inspiration and what better way to acknowledge them is to list them as a big thank you and to share with you, my reader. 

So fabulousleees, I think on Sundays, I will shout out to the world at least five of the flyest fashion blogs I know. Let's start with ten! 

1. fashion your seatbelt 

2. cupcakes & cashmere - one of my favorites

3. samantha chic 

4. glipho ie. blog me crazy 

5. bridgette style guide 

6. fashion bomb daily - real fly. 

7. song of style

8. who what wear

9. a piece of toast

10. addicted to success - LOVE LOVE this blog

Enjoy!

Just Chill wit' Me!

Just Chill by traciestacie featuring horn glasses

Short sleeve shirt
etsy.com

Motorcycle jacket
feeluxury.com

Rag & Bone blue jeans
matchesfashion.com

Converse leather shoes
mytheresa.com

Bangle bracelet set
fashionphile.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs stud earrings
my-wardrobe.com

Horn glasses
shopjeen.com

Love this product

Howdy,

Hope all is well. 

I wanted to share my experience with a new hair care product I am using and excited about. I visited Sally's Beauty Supply a couple of weeks ago to stock up on some hair care products and I came across As I Am Coconut Co-Wash. I heard of co-washing and I actually tried co-washing before with my regular conditioner, it was an "ok" experience but my hair just didn't feel as clean as I prefer. I was not impressed so I immediately shampooed and conditioned my hair as normal. Anyhoooo, that was the first and the last time I co-washed my hair but I thought I'd give it a try with a product that was formulated as a co-Wash. 

Even though I was cynical,  I finally used the As I Am Coconut Co-Wash a few days ago and I've walked into the light, I'm a believer. Let me tell you, this co-wash feels sooooo good on my hair. My hair felt so nice, so good! I can't say enough. It is amazing. I didn't have a filmy or grimy feeling and my hair was very soft and really felt clean. Additionally, I didn't miss the suds of a shampoo and the aroma is spectacular!! Can't wait to use it again!

***Oh and by the way, if you aren't familiar with co-washing, co-washing is basically washing your hair with a conditioner. From what I understand co-washing relieves the hair from being strip of it's normal ph balance which is done by using shampoos with sulfate (the suds). I thought well a sulfate free shampoo should solve that problem however the conditioner is very moisturizing compared to just using a sulfate shampoo and you are getting an all-in-one process with co-washing.

As I Am Coconut Co-Wash

Very creamy, smells so good! (if you like the smell of coconut)

Loving that!

Fall Leaves

Hello all,

I hope this post finds you well, it's been a while since I've post last. I've been very busy with family but very happy to get back to posting on a regular basis.

I find that when fall comes near I begin to make new plans and goals for the rest of my life...hmmmmm... it's kinda like my pre-New Years resolution period and I look forward to working through some of those thoughts and ideas. I will share more about my goals a little more in future posts.

I'm enjoying my summer and I hope you are doing the same but I can't get over that it is already mid-August y'all and summer will transition in to fall shortly. Lord knows I love summer for the hot sun, light clothing and multiple good-hair-days but I also love the somber and dewy weather of the fall. 

Living in the Pacific NW during the fall we are bless with an abundance of trees that light up our blocks with beautiful inspiring colors of orange, brown, green, yellow, and deep rich reds. It's a great beautiful sight!

OK y'all you know what the best part of fall has to be... shopping!!! Shopping for new fall fashions and booted styles is my absolute favorite fall event... believe me I have my eyes on a few staple items such as a camel tote or travel bag namely by Frank Clegg :) to name one or two. I get excited and curious to see what my young'ns pick to swag out their back-2-school wardrobes. I, myself, am a simple creature and prefer an easy going style that will go from day to evening with just a change in an accessory or two. The below are a few looks I got from Pinterest that I admire and examples of what "laid back" looks I plan to sport on a daily!

Yes! This is THAT bag.... Lawd, I'm drooling!! 

I could use another leather jacket! 

Kourtney is fly in her casualness! 

I'm diggin' these booties! Got'ta have a pair (in my-high-pitch singing voice)...

As fall rolls on and the rain and cold comes in, I'll be wearing something like this out ....warmth!

Fall love!

DIY Pedi

As a wife and mother of 6 fabulous kids sometimes I can't make it to the preferred salon but as a former manicurist I have no excuse for walking around with jacked up hands and toes! ;).And if you are like me saving a few bucks can go along way. 

Here is what you'll need:

Before - nasty toes

Soak your toes :)

Clip your toenails! I prefer short nails but you may want to just do a little file down if you already have the perfect length then skip this step. But ladies nothing is more distasteful than over grown toenails! Keep them maintained! :)

Add cuticle remover to each toe and re-soak your feet.

If you have a pair of cuticle nippers and are talented and have a steady hand you might want to clean up around the sides of toenail giving your pedi and clean look. (These can be dangerous so be careful not to stab yourself :)

Now take a cuticle pusher to remove the overgrown cuticle (do not use the nippers here..danger..danger :)

Buff your toenails to even out the nail.

Now, file and shape each toe.

Ladies, if you don't have a Ped Egg go down to Walgreens and grab yourself a one. These are wonderful on the heals and only 9.99!! 

Note: Ladies please, please handle your heals... Your sandals will go on strike if you don't!

Next, scrub your toes and feet well. Now is the perfect time to recruite your significant other or even one of your kids to massage your aching feet... Did it work....? Yea it didn't work for me either! :) One of the benefits of going to the salon... I guess!

See... pretty manicured toes but we aren't done yet..... 

Next, polish. I decided go with a dark (regular) red polish (of course you can use any color your sweet heart desires) and use a gel (shellac) top coat. For me, this has made my polish shine and last longer. However you can use a regular top coat as well.

NOTE: Removal of gel can be a pain. Just take acetone polish remover and hold a well soaked cotton ball on each toe for a minute. You can also use foil to wrap the cotton ball around each toe. If you don't have time for that I'd use regular top coat. :)

I use regular base-coat, regular polish then as I said Ill use either a regular top coat or do as I and use a shellac top coat. Only light them puppies up after each application of the top coat -- I usually do two coats.

Now, soak another cotton ball with alcohol (not polish remover) and wipe down each toe! This will remove the sticky layer of the top coat and seal the top coat as well. 

Last, If you choose, but I highly recommend, slather your feet with your favorite lotion or oil (I use Neutrogene Sesame Oil).

And you are done!  

After: Pretty polished toes

Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions please email me at tracie@goodnessilovethat.com or leave a comment here, I'd love to hear from you!

Enjoy!