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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

HGTV COW

Brandon Johnson, host of 'Get Out, Way Out!'.
So, he may not be a hammer-slammin', nail-poundin', table saw-totin' carpenter type like our last several COWs. But he is armed with some powerful tools all the same. Namely a pair of heart-stoppin' baby blues and the deceptively nonchalant five o'clock shadow!
I could tell you his life story as told here on HGTV's profile web page...but you are probably so distracted by how amazing Brandon looks in Big Bird yellow that you would barely skim over it which would be a terrible waste of cyber space.
So...I'm just going to sit back and let you ogle.

Are you done yet?


And how about now?


This might take a while...


HAPPY THANKSGIVING! And thanks to Brandon Johnson for his incredible ogle-ability and letting me...or at least not stopping me... make him my HGTV Crewman of the Week!

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

(Branch)ing Out

Weddings. They are epidemic. As soon as one of your friends gets married there are sure to be four or five following right behind her with their own sparkly fingers clutching the latest Modern Bride magazine. And suddenly you find yourself spending every other weekend trying on bridesmaid gowns and traveling to far off places. It's true...weddings come in waves! And I've found that although each wedding is unique - the decor is not so much. Generally, it seems that weddings resemble hot house explosions with flowers blooming out of every imaginable crevice! Some of them are more extravagant than others...but it's just not me. And if...ahem, I mean WHEN...I get married, I just don't think flowers are going to be the 'it' factor for my little soiree.


Ever since I saw this page on Martha Stewart about forest weddings, I was intrigued by the use of branches for the decor. When I found Nettleton Hollow, I couldn't help but love the innovative use of natural elements like branches, moss, dried artichokes, and split oranges. It was almost Grimm-like in a whimsy-fairytale-ish sort of way. Love love love it!! Make sure you check out the website there as well (it's on their blog).

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

HGTV COW

Ali Azhar, contractor and design coordinator on Design on a Dime. You know, there is something about a guy that works on a 'dime' that really impresses the cheapness in me...and I consider it worthy of extra hotness points as well! This guy doesn't just talk the talk either...he is currently restoring his own home in Chicago's Lincoln Park area with an approach that will serve him well...to make a $1 worth out of every 15 cents.
Be still my heart!
What is his design style? Well, he says:

"I like things that are funky, very cool, very modern, very wow factor. Fashion-wise, I’m edgy. I’m an ethnic mix so that makes my look edgy from the start. I take a little of this and that and mix it together...Character is huge. I like to think that I’m the furthest thing from traditional. Right now I’m wearing Taverniti jeans, a pair of boots from God knows where, a heavy necklace from Morocco, a shirt I picked up at Marshall’s and my big hair. I’m a big hair guy. It doesn’t have to be expensive to look hot. I’m a different kind of guy with a different kind of style. It’s a little out of the norm, but it’s what I’m most proud of. It works for me. It’s my thing."

And all I read was "I shop at Marshall's. I'm hot and don't spend a lot of money to look it. And 'I'm a big hair guy'" - Helloo! I shop at Marshall's...I don't spend a lot of money to look hot...and I'm a big hair girl!!! What!?! Can a guy get any more perfect?!?! I submit that he canNOT!

If you'd like to read more of his interview on design style, check it out here. Ali Azhar, you're definitely my HGTV Crewman of The Week!

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Monday, November 17, 2008

Latest Greatest Favorite!

I was perusing pictures of some of the fabulous Spring '09 lines from all your favorite fashion houses when I came across this from Dsquared:

And promptly fell into lust.

Or whatever it is you fall into when you see an outfit that you love but can't have because the price tag has enough zeros to look like a spilt box of Cheerios!! However, being the cheap...I mean, thrifty...girl that I am, I promptly began doing my research for something comparable. (Drumroll, please!)

And now we have LORI'S FINDS OF THE WEEK!!!

The easiest part of this outfit was actually the pants. Right off I found these beauties at Express for right under 60 bucks. They were tailored enough to fit the silhouette of the original while having a little bit of that satin-flow-y quality that makes these pants uber-chic!
Check them out!


Now, to go with those pants, we gotta have a shirt! Unfortunately, the Lords of fashion didn't smile as broadly at me on this one and I had quite a time trying to find exactly what I was looking for.

And, actually, never found it.

But what I did find were some pretty darn good alternatives that work for this outfit. Off the bat, if you have a nice white button-down shirt - it will totally rock with this outfit! And there is nothing cheaper than free...so if you already own one, you're set! Looking for something a little different? Check these out:


From Left to Right: Lauren by Ralph Lauren "Tiarnet" Shawl-Collar Top: $59.50 ; Charlotte Russe Pointelle Sweater: $22.99 ; Banana Republic Monogram bow-tie pleated blouse: $125.00

The last major piece on this outfit was the contrast-trim jean jacket. Don't you love the gold? I gotta say...I love all things gold...gold fabric...gold trimming...gold jewelry...just chunks of gold. And this jacket hit the spot - double-breasted, 3/4 length sleeves, and great lines...(sigh). Love it. Anyway...here are a few of the next best thing I could find out there. And the runners up are:



From Left to Right: Converse® One Star® Denim Blazer - Raw Rinse from Target: $24.49 ; Ann Taylor Loft Petite Wool Double Breasted Gold Button Jacket: $149.00 ; Caslon® Double Breasted Jacket from Nordstrom: $68.00

After that, it was just a matter of accessorizing with some shades and MORE GOLD...yesssss!! Then throw on some strappy sandals and grab your clutch to look tres lovely! Check it out:




Think you could do better? A better deal? Something that looks more like the original? I would love to see it!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008

DIY T-Shirt Project

I bought my very first sewing machine this past year at my favorite place to spend time and money...Target. I've used it a few times for some little projects but after seeing this site, I became one inspired (or obsessed) with becoming a t-shirt refurbisher....a DIYer...an 'indie designer', if you will. So, I dusted off my little Singer....threaded the needle...and started figuring out what all the little knobs and wheelie things did. And here's what happened...

First, I got my oldest, ugliest, most unwearable t-shirt out of the furthest corner of my over-stuffed closet. This, in and of itself, was quite a feat of strength...and endurance. Just look at it! Would you go out of your way to pull that beastie out of it's hidey-hole?! I think not. But I did retrieve it and here it is for all to look upon with terror...

Yes...it is an extra large grey monstrosity, but don't judge me. You know you have one lurking in the shadows too...

Next, I plotted my course. I knew I wanted little puffy sleeves and something a little bit more fitted around the torso...the potato sack look is apparently out this season. So, I figured an empire waist would work for me (and yes...that is to be read 'ohm-peer' as if you were Tim Gunn on Project Runway - which is a show I TOTALLY recommend watching!).

That was pretty much the sum total of my planning process. Not exactly what I would recommend to others but...it is what it is, people! I got out my shears and started snipping to my hearts delight! I cut the shirt about 3/4 of the way up from the bottom and cut off both sleeves as well (on the inside of the seam so it came off with the sleeves).


I went back into my closet and pulled a shirt that fit me well and used it as a pattern for the shape of the shoulders and sleeves. Once I had all that cut the way I wanted - after making sure I left enough fabric for the seams - I started working on my puffed sleeves. I found that the easiest way to get a pretty even puffed sleeve is by needle and thread. Using a running stitch through about half of the shoulder end of the sleeve, I pulled it to create the bunching that would make my puff.


Then I used a ridiculous number of straight pins to anchor my sleeve to the shoulder of the shirt (because if you don't then the stretchy material might go all cattywampus on you and things will get really interesting!) I did this for both sleeves and sewed them in place...then sewed the sleeves and the top of the shirt to create the top half of my new shirt! (yay!)


note: if you want your shirt to fit on the female parts...make sure you sew in a few darts for the little ladies!

Okay...from this point on, I sort of forgot to take pictures. oops! But...to sum up what you can't see, I took that bottom portion of the shirt that I cut off at the very beginning and sewed together the back portion from seam to seam. This left a big hole in the front of the shirt where the top half wasn't connected to the bottom half. I couldn't sew it straight on because the bottom half was now much larger than the top. I could have done several thing to straighten this out...I could've done more bunching with a running stitch until the sizes matched up...or I could've pleated the extra fabric...or I could've just left that big hole and called it my very own Britney Spears Belly Shirt...woohoo!!!

But I didn't.

Instead, I made four pleats - two on each side - folded away from each other, and sewed that sucker down. I did find...after trying it on the first time...that I let the back portion be a little too large and it hung awkwardly. But with a zig-zag stitch, a large piece of elastic, and some straight pins, that was fixed in a jiffy. When all was said and done...it wasn't the most beautiful creation ever. But, I'm a first-timer in t-shirt surgery...there's always the next patient!!

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Monday, November 10, 2008

HGTV COW

Carter Oosterhouse from Carter Can. And yes...he can...look totally GQ while making cabinetry from used shelves, or anything your little home-makeover heart may desire!
Carter actually started out on HGTV in Trading Spaces but nothing could stop his good looks...umm...I mean talented workmanship...and he is now a bonafide host of a show named after...well, him!
He is the face of Nautica's fragrance Voyage, was named one of the sexiest men on TV by People magazine, Cosmogirl, & the TV Guide Channel, AND has established a charitable foundation called Build It Up - a program in which he works with community members to build playground areas for children. (insert collective sigh of approval here!) Bonus: he has a fantastically fun last name! Go ahead and say Oosterhouse five times fast....you know you want to...
So, Carter Oosterhouse, you are my HGTV COW of the week!

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Civilian Perks

If you, like many Americans today, have stepped up to the ballot and taken one for the team then you may get to reap the benefits of the Voter Freebies that are floating around today.

"What!?!" You say, "I get something for voting?!"

Yes...yes, you do. Not only do you get to be a part of the election process in the great name of democracy...you also may get a free sandwich...or doughnut...or even icecream!!!

Do you want to know more?! I did...here's the rundown on how to capitalize on election day:


- Krispy Kreme has it's very own special election day doughnut that you can get for FREE, so go pick it up on your way to work. but don't forget to wash it down with some coffee at Starbucks because they are handing out a FREE cup of coffee to all you voters out there.

-Go to work and brag about the delicious breakfast you had all because you are a patriotic American

- Lunch is here. Let's go celebrate at Chick-fil-a who will be offering a FREE signature chicken sandwich in exchange for your voter sticker OR Shane's Rib Shack who will hand you an entire meal for free (3 chicken strips, fries, and small beverage) as long as you're sporting the Oh-so-fashionable "I'm a Voter" sticker.

- After work, go to the Atlanta Zoo for a little family time at HALF the price of normal admission. Then head on over to Ben & Jerry's for a deserving desert, a FREE scoop of icecream from 5-8p.m.


- Pat yourself on the back for having a wonderful day.

Ok...if you want to know more about freebies like these then you should check out this site.

Happy Election Day!
Monday, November 3, 2008

HGTV COW

I couldn't help but make an acronym for the HGTV Crewman of the Week...it's just too much to type it all out! And the acronym makes me giggle. So, this week's COW is...
Mark McGraw - carpenter on Spice Up My Kitchen. Recognize the last name? Well, you should. This COW is half-brother to the Grammy Award winning country music star Tim McGraw...and like his brother, is something of a looker!
After graduating college, Mark spent ten years as a firefighter and paramedic in Oregon before his woodworking hobby got serious and landed him a spot in Spice Up My Kitchen on HGTV. Now, he lives in L.A. and is studying as an actor. I gotta say, Mark is a big part of the 'spice' in this show! (haha!...I love cheesy lines and just couldn't help myself!) Here's to you, Mark McGraw, my HGTV Crewman of the Week!

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