Outfit of the Day: Colorful Courage

Let me let you in on a secret.

For a firecracker I can get sorta kinda shy.

I'm not introverted with my friends but rarely will I be the one to walk up to a stranger and start a conversation. I just lack the courage to do something that brave. When I see other bloggers have various backdrops or locations for the photos I wonder how do they get the courage to take pictures of themselves/or get their picture taken in public?!

I did a little experimenting today, girded my loins, and dragged my younger brother to *gasp* a public place for him to take photos of me for this post. While I giggled and blushed as people biking past us stared we managed to get a good shot or two and I was not harmed. I deem today a success!

Outfit of the Day: Colorful Courage
Southside Works

Shirt: TJ Maxx, Skirt: Jupe (also pictured here), Shoes: Luxury Rebel, Bag: Vintage, Belt: UO, Bracelet: Thrifted, Shades: Amazon, Rings: Gifted/F21, Necklace: Marco Bicego,
Earrings: Boutique La Passeralle, Polish: Essie Fruit Sangria

1..2..3.. snobby bitch face

I came across this photo after I took today's photos and was surprised how without even knowing it I was inspired by this look

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Something Special

One day I'll show you photos from my wedding taken by the amazing Tiffany and Jonathan Cooper and maybe even some from when Gary proposed. 

But today I want to share with you my wedding ring. You'll see it in every post. I never take it off. It represents so much more than just a band sprinkled with diamonds. My wedding ring represents the love, mutual respect and trust I share with my husband, and the commitment to always be working on our happily ever after. 

Scott Kay, Crown Settings M1180RD10 

Tips on How to Be in a Happily Ever After Relationship from Couple's Who Have Been for MANY Years

Many videos of couple's and links to websites with marriage tips have been floating the interent. Its so inspiring to see old couple's love as strong as it was 72 years ago. 

A Sample of Lydia Netzer's 15 Ways to
 Stay (Happily)  Married for 15 Years

6. Do your own thing.

Dan races bicycles. I write books. I don’t race bicycles or have any desire to race bicycles. He doesn’t write books, nor does he even read the books that I write. Seriously. And I don’t care. My opinion is that he’s the fastest, coolest most awesome bike racer ever. His opinion is that I’m the bestest, coolest writer ever.


15. Trust the person you married.

For two people who are trying to help each other, it can almost be harder to let the other person help you than it is to be the one who’s helping. It can be harder to let the other person deflect the fight than to be the one deflecting. It can be harder to believe that your husband is fully committed to a lifetime of marriage than to commit yourself. Harder to change yourself than to let the other person change. Harder to be loved than to love. 


(For the full article click here)


What relationship or marriage tips do you have that makes your relationship everlasting?

Travel Diaries: A New Aunt II

More Whitney Love

I admit the one thing my post yesterday was missing was a picture of Rikki and EB. 

How gorgeous are they! I swear we are sisters - she just looks like my dads side and I look exactly like my mother. 

Prospect Park outing. How awesome is Rikki's smize!
Dress: AE, Bracelet: Hermes, Earrings: I have to ask her

Outfit of the Moment:

Hipster trying to make do with the nasty weather

 when I only packed light stuff for pretty weather. I know, I am quite the idealist. 

Side note about the hat - I snatched this from Rikki's husband, Ari. When I asked if I could keep it, Ari asked me if I minded wearing something second hand. "Ha," I replied "I am the Princess of Second Hand". Cause second hand stuff is cheaper and has stories. This hat's story is that it was purchased from a costume shop near Broadway which means it was used on Broadway show. How cool!!

Shirt: UO, Blazer: XOXO, Skirt:F21, Boots: Thrifted (italian leather for 18.50!)
Hat: Thrifted/Gifted, Necklace: F21, Ring: Rikki, Earring: Saks Fifth Ave

Polish Nails Club Otherworldly

A New Aunt

Quick Vid to enjoy while reading

If you don't think Darren Criss was dreamy you are crazy and
 your opinion will likely change after this video. 

New York

New York is a place I always end up. It's inevitable I am going to be there. I have SO much family that lives in NYC (three married with children siblings). The occasion for this trip if you can recall from this post  is because my sister Rikki had her first child. I am not going to say I am her favorite sister and that she is mine cause the rest of my family is reading this but lets just leave at we are verrrry close :-)

While Rikki was paying her parking ticket - its New York it happens to EVERYONE - me and my mother went exploring and ended up near Coney Island. WHoops. LOL I really wish the rides were open!

Shirt: Banana Republic, Skirt: ZARA, Shoes:. Luxury Rebel, Bag: ShoeDazzle, Shades: Grove City Sunglasses Store?, Necklace:F21, Earrings: Aldo, Bracelet: Custom Navajo Gucci Cut

Damn sun in my eyes

How fun is this bag

Mini Photo Shoot with EB (Elijah Benjamin) 

How precious is this babeh

Babies are fascinating. Especially EB
. I could watch his little baby movements all day

EB, this is a kiss. Get used to it. You are going to be getting a lot of them from your Auntie Mouss

HOW CUTE!!!!!

Made it to IFB's weekly round up! I checked out a bunch of them and there are some really great reads and tips!

 I especially love the Easy Petite Looks's link cause standing a little under 5' myself, its nice to be able to relate to someone of similar height to me instead attempting to work outfits that work on  beautiful amazonian bloggers but not so much on my childlike tiny frame!

Spring Style Inspiration

Edited by: Wendy of Show Me Chic

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: APRIL 19TH

• The Stranger: Becoming a Fashion Blogger Sellout
• Oranges & Apples: In the Golden Hour
• Style Delights: What to Wear to Coachella Festival
• Mademoiselle Meese: Dewy Makeup Tutorial
• Street Fashion Paris: Love for Gold
• 40 Plus Style: Creating a Wardrobe Capsule
• Fashionopolis: What Kind of a Fashion Blogger Are You?
• Dapifer Shop: All About Anna (Wintour)
• The Classic Woman: The Style of Lauren Bacall
• Coffee & Cardigans: Polka-dot Manicure
• Romeo Style: Everything But a Dress to a Wedding
• The Fashion Firecracker: Pinspiration- Pink and Red
• Pleasure Over Business: Alternatives to Designer Shoes
• I’ll Take That in Purple: Denim & Neon: A Perfect Pair
• Elle Yeah: How to Incorporate Pastels Into Your Wardrobe
• Fashionable in Montreal: About a Girl
• Easy Petite Looks: Getting Over Fashion Phobias: Brights
• Sprinkles in Springs: Shredded Khaki Shorts DIY
• Vita di Moda: Coachella Festival Best Dressed
• The Fashionistyle: {Style Muse} Princess Elisabeth von Thurn and Taxis

SPONSOR:
New Sale at Shopbop: Some Odd Rubies, Anya Hindmarch Bags, See by Chloe Handbags, Jerome Dreyfuss Bags, Cut25 Dresses, Sunglasses, Foley + Corinna, Women's Hats, Charlotte Ronson, Vera Wang Shoes, Result Wear, Loeffler Randall Sandals & Platform Sandals

                                                                                                                                                                  

Grape Fruit - My Flava of the Month

Ruby red.

Juicy.

Bitter and simultaneously sweet.

Grape Fruit is so delicious. When I peel the skin off I feel like I am holding a red juicy treasure. I hope its healthy because I have been getting my fair share of this fuit.

We are truly "blessed" to have this fruit.

Fashion Inspired by Grape Fruit

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Lunch

My HUGE News! Flight Attendent Outfit

Sooo I have been holding back from you guys . . . forgive me? Of course you do! You are back here aren't you! I found out a couples months ago we (my lover and I) had the opportunity to go to an amazing far away country in the Far East. I didn't want to say anything to you until I knew FOR SURE otherwise the trip would be jinxed (not superstitious just speaking from past experiences.) As soon as I found out the trip is a go and we booked the tickets I knew it was time to spill the beans



            . . .  . . . . .  . We are going to Japan at the end of May!!!!! So how does a girl like me get to do something this cool? Well luckily I have an over achieving husband whose research is so incredible (just google Gary Kohanbash and you'll see) that he gets invited to Japan to speak about his research on brain tumor vacines. He will be attending the conference for a couple days and the rest of the time is ours to explore the beautiful country together!

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 I am making a commitment to you hear and now to update you through out the trip. Our trip isn't until the end of May so we have plenty of time to plan - this coming from the procrastinator lol. My question for you dear reader is have you ever been and what do you suggest we do?

Outfit of the Moment:

 Flight Attendent Jumping in Excitment for Japan

I found this dress on a website specializing in vintage. I've always wanted a dress that was in your face orange and there were so many reasons I HAD to get it - it has has fun gold buttons, works for my body shape, is vintage, and lover dear does love me in orange!

Dress: Boutique Volf, Shoes: Aldo, Scarf: Gifted/Aldo,
Earrings: David Yurman, Mikimoto, Necklace: Mikimoto, Ring: F21

You would be jumping for joy too!

Details:

Duo Tone Mani
Revlon Really Rosy
Revlon Mad About Mango

Fun shoes!

Baby/NYC/Spinach Cheese Bites

Last Wednesday my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. She will be naming him at the bris milah ceremony this coming Wednesday.

Soooo I will be hopping on a megabus with my handy dandy kindle and visiting a little place some people like to call New York City for the weekend to go meet this widdle cutie patootie.

I swear I will not make this fashionable tasty travel blog into a my-baby-is-cuter-than-yours blog. But since I am sure you are curious here is a picture to appease you :-).

C'mon how cute is this tiny whiny little teensy tinsy little guy

Are you hungry?

        Lazy?

            In love with cheese?

                Like to pretend to be healthy?

                    Could use some fiber in your life?


Well if you answered yes to any of these questions (you'd have to be not breathing to answer no) do I have the perfect recipe for you *exaggerated wink*

Spinach Cheese Bites

All mixed up and ready to be rolled

Plucked fresh from the ground and frozen in little cubes waiting for your use

Can be purchased at Trader Joe's and most grocery stores

Can you resist?

Spinach Cheese Bites:

1 cube of Garlic
2 cubes of Basil
1 pkg of frozen spinach
1/2 c. ricotta cheese (could use skim or low fat)
1 c. mozzarella cheese
3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 pkg of puff pastry sheets (NOT shells - my husband once brought these home for me and it did NOT work for my intended purposes lol)


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease a pan with Pam
3.  Defrost spinach in microwave or if you are a microwave hater in the oven for a couple minutes
4. Squish the liquid from spinach
5. Mix spinach and remaining ingredients in a large bowl
6. Cut puff pastry sheet into three, then cut each strip into thirds and cut the thirds into triangles
7. Roll spinach & cheese mixture into small balls, place in triangle and wrap the dough around it
8. Whip egg and brush balls
9. Pop those babies into the oven and wait 25 min and check on them after that regularly
10. Remove and let cool and do your best not to inhale them all at once

Enjoy!


Oooo I almost forgot! Prelude to my next post . . . . . .

  

Tweet Me Up!

Guess who joined the twittering army?

 years later.  . . .  lol. I never really understood twitter but I am willing to give it a go!

 Follow me and say hi @FashFirecracker! Talk to you soon ;-)

BTW in case you are wonder the background of my page is a swatch of my most recent outfit

Pinspiration #2 Pink and Red

My pinspiration of the week is pink and red! You might think whats the big deal about pink and red? For me it was a leap because I have been sooo hesitant to try these hues with my coloring. I girded my loins and did my best to find the right shades. Let me know what you think!

Inspiring Pins from my board on

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My version:

Shirt: Target, Skirt: FTS, Shoes: 5/48, Earrings:Aldo,
Beauty: Eyeliner: Maybelline, Lip: Covergirl Hot Passion, Nails: Revlon Minted

Gives a whole new definition to Mint Chip ;-)

Any suggestions for new nail colors/ideas to replace my Mint Chip?