Frock Me Friday > What Are You Doing For New Years Eve, Baby?

We're Back! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday break. We are just now crawling out from underneath the mounds of shredded Christmas wrap and empty boxes, only to realize, Rip Van Winkle style, that's it's almost New Year's Eve!! Where did the time go?!

Thank goodness Frock Me Friday is back just in the nick of time to solve the yearly dilemma of what to wear on this festive night. Let's be honest, not all of us are heading out to a party in Vegas or black tie event in NYC (If you are, call me! I can fit into an extra large suitcase - I've tried). So what do the rest of us schmo's wear to an average gal's New Year's Eve night when it's ridiculously too cold for a dress and you don't want to look like you're heading to a junior prom?

Here's some great fashion ideas for every type of New Years Bash:

Game Night Get Together:

Crew necks & Scoop necks by INC International Concepts
Boots by Pedro Garcia

Dinner At Friend's:

Sleeveless Tops by Geren Ford
Flats by Juicy Couture

Night Out On The Town:

Mini Skirts by RED Valentino
Platforms by Steve Madden

Hope you all have a great New Years Eve!

~Angela

P.S. Chaos & Gloss is back on board starting Monday!  Be sure and check back and see what we have planned for the New Year.

Frock Me Friday > Baby It's Cold Outside!

Good morning Frock Me Friday readers! Are you staying toasty and warm while rushing around finishing up your Christmas errands? Or are you like me, and refuse to wear the appropriate winter gear, even when the temp dips below freezing?

Take that snow! I'm still going to wear my cute, non-snow approved boots, no matter how much snow you rudely dump on my driveway! There will be no ugly socks with my flats, and I'm not scared to lose a toe to frostbite either, so there. You don't scare me or my wardrobe, winter! I'm ridiculous, I know.

Well, that was until I went down in a blaze of glory in said snowy driveway, as the school bus was driving by, to my kids utter horror. It wasn't a cute little slip either.  It was a massacre of a fall, with arms and legs everywhere, purse and contents, strewn around like confetti, and my shirt hiked up to just- about -inappropriate. I looked like a crazed woman who decided to make a epileptic snow angel next to the road.

So in an effort to keep all my limbs and not scar my children any more than they already are, I've decided to try to work in some "snow approved" pieces into my wardrobe, while trying to not to look like the Michelin Man wearing moon boots.

Here's some great looks from REI:

Hats by Billabong

Here's some great looks from Eddie Bauer:

Boots by Earth
Hats by Eddie Bauer

Boots by Sorel
Outerwear by Eddie Bauer

I'm loving the turquoise jacket from REI. I'd be easy to find in a snow drift!

Happy Shopping.
~Angela

I Need Minions > Christmas Dough

Who doesn't need some Christmas Dough?  

If you are looking for a gift this year, you can't go wrong with some cold, hard, "Christmas Dough." The extra thigh jiggles from all the calories alone are really a gift in itself, don't ya think?  But this dough is jiggle free!

I have a bunch of nieces and nephews who most of the time I can't remember how old they are so you know I really don't have any idea if they're into Hello Kitty or Transformers or whatever the new hot thing is.  Every year I give them a gift card to McDonald's or Burger King - the one size fits all gift.  This year I got this brilliant idea from all the other bloggers out there, wrapping up cookie dough in a roll, just like those New Year's Poppers.  

What? You don't think they want to bake up a batch of cookies?  Well, maybe they won't be all that excited about baking but my "Dough" is special - we're talking cold, hard, cash!  It might also be funny to watch their faces as I take their gifts out of a cooler and give it to them because you know they will be thinking, "Oh, wonderful, cookie dough.  Thank you so much. :("  


This is also a wonderful way to recycle all the paper towel rolls after you've used all the paper towels.

Cut your empty roll in half. You've heard measure twice, cut once - well I obviously didn't do that - check out that little piece I had to cut off because I don't know how to measure.   

Center roll on paper and attach roll to wrapping paper with double stick tape.

Start rolling until paper towel roll is almost covered, put another piece of double stick down and keep rolling - this will cover the ugly paper towel roll.  Put your money in and continue to roll.  Secure bottom with another piece of tape.  Scrunch ends, tie with ribbon and stick on your "Christmas Dough" label.   

Ho! Ho! Ho!
Or maybe Mo! Mo! Mo!
Ya know, as in...mo - money!

- Laurie

Things Will Go Wrong > Holiday Shopping Dress Code

Here I am hiding in shame between paper plates and the frozen vegetable section of my local everything store. You know, no man's land. It's that dim place in every store along the back wall, where people go to guiltily abandon full carts and where employees go hide to use their cell phones. It 's the same place where you find the moth balls (Who uses those things?!) in case you were wondering.

I started this trip feeling pretty good about myself. It was later in the evening, and I had a glorious free moment to get some holiday shopping in while shopping for other mundane stuff everyone always dreads having to buy; and I was getting it done early! No last minute Christmas shopping out of the dredges that no one else wanted, for me! Yay me!

Except no one told me that there was an Holiday dress code in effect. Did someone forget to forward me the mass email? Had I been distracted by all the holiday ads and missed the newspaper announcement stating that when heading to the stores this season, everyone is dressing up? Whether it be shopping for toilet paper or for a Nerf super shooter, everyone will be dressed in their finest outfits?!



As I was out schlumping around in my fake uggs with a spaghetti stain from that night's dinner, the horror of my under dress-ness hit me. It was not just all those people who put on clean jeans - we're talking about a parade of cute winter hats, stylish boots, festive sweaters, hair that has seen a brush, and even (gasp!) maybe a curling iron, and full make up. We're talking date night make up, or parent teacher conference make up,( and not just the under eye concealer you slap on so people don't think you drink all night after the kids are in bed.)

Oh, and I had forgot the cardinal rule of Holiday shopping no matter where you go: you will run into EVERYONE. By everyone I mean your old boyfriend and his gorgeous wife, your arch nemesis from high school, your neighbors from your old house where you grew up, your children's teachers, and probably even some of the very same family members that you are trying to shop for. Basically no one you'd EVER want to see running around in your "mom" uniform.

And here I am, out looking like a super nanny reject, panicking, because I've already seen a couple of people that can pick me out in a line up. I have no shame in admitting that I'm rounding those end caps like a secret agent and ninja crawling past the aisles that might have a person that could possibly identify me, my special "mom" jeans, and old sweatshirt - complete with dog hair applique. I'm satellite tracking those familiar voices, making sure I'm keeping the minimum, 2 aisle safety barrier, between me and an awkward conversation; which would end with them eyeballing my spaghetti stain.

Why did no one send me the memo!!

Heads up ladies (and men): Tis the season for shopping and looking merry, (AKA High School Reunion Hair & Makeup.) You might even need to break out that dreaded holiday pin your grandma gave you last year. Me? I'm keeping a hair straightener and a wardrobe change in the car, just in case...



~Angela

p.s. Please do all of us a favor and leave those Christmas crop tops at home though...



Frock Me Friday > Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Yup, It's true - girls just wanna have fun and dress up and glamourize, accessorize, glitterize, jewelize and sparklize!  Okay, enough with the "ize's" but it is the season to dress up and sparkle.  There are so many options for that Christmas or New Year's Party.


If you already have a great pair of black or white pants that you love how about pairing them up with a sequined top, fantastic pashmina or a faux fur as shown in the picture below.  Nothing is more budget friendly than taking a dress you already have and pairing it with some over the top jewelry and some fantastic party shoes - who doesn't want a pair of new shoes!  Check out the Pink sweater with the red a white striped skirt below - think out of the box.  Check your closet for things you already have that can be put together for an outfit everyone will be talking about.

Source:  Polyvore, Spiegel, Lulus.com, Pinterest, Louboutin, Jimmy Choo

Lastly, do not forget your eyes - go for the gold! - or silver or feathers or drama.  Have fun and sparkle!

- Laurie

Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate > Holiday Wreaths To Dress Up Your Door

We have not forgotten you, Chaos and Gloss fans (all 10 of you. Hi Grandma)! Laurie Glossy Flossy is off having fun in sunny California this week, while I was supposed to be holding down the fort here at Chaos and Gloss. Well the only thing I've been holding down for the last week is pedialite and saltine crackers. Yes the stomach flu has hit every single person in my family for the last week and a half. "Another One Bites The Dust", is our family's new theme song. Needless to say, no blogging of anything crafty, nifty, or fabulous was coming out of me this last week, unless you wanted a post comparing the merits of seven up vs. ginger ale.

Well never fear! I have disinfected my keyboard and I'm ready to roll(and not with my stomach). How about some great ideas for the Holidays for the first thing people see when they come over? Your front door.

My angel wings are fluttering nicely on mine, but there are hundreds of great ideas out there that aren't the standard evergreen for everyone and every style. Check em out:

Yarn wrapped wreath

Pinterest

Yarn ball and ornament wreath

Pinterest

Berry Monogram

Pinterest

Santa Wreath

craft o maniac

Paper leaf

Martha Stewart

Lighted paper doilly wreath DIY



Martha Stewart

Wall medallion wreath

BHG 

Gift tag message wreath

BHG

 Vintage costume jewelry wreath

BHG

 Pom pom wreath

BHG

Family photo wreath

Rook No.17

Sweater cuff wreath

Betz White

Picture frame Wreath

Pinterest

Trash bag wreath

 Under the table and dreaming

I hope you all find some thing inspiring to dress up your front door, and make sure you send us a pic if you do!

I'm off to put a hazmat disinfecting tent over my house...

~Angela

Frock Me Friday > Glitter and Feathers

My dining room looks like it was the scene of a fairy and angel dance off - glitter and feathers everywhere.  I'm sure Angela Glossy Flossy's house looks more like a fairy and angel rave!!  Today's Frock Me Friday was going to be all about the glitter, it still is, just a little different.  


Has anyone been watching Diane Sawyer on ABC News talking about the state of the economy?  I know that's not a very Christmasy topic but she has made a suggestion - buy each person on your gift list one gift "Made in America".  One way you can do this is to support your local handcrafters.  Etsy is a great source for "Made in America" as are your local Christmas Boutiques. You can buy jewelry, clothes, slippers, scarves and a variety of "Frock Me" items handcrafted by an artisan in America.


In the spirit of "Made in America", Angela Glossy Flossy has crafted these fantastic Angel Wing Wreaths made from recycled sheet music and will be selling them at a local boutique on Saturday.  

If you live in our area and you're out and about come out and visit with her.  There will be lots of other handcrafted items for sale like lace vests, jewelry, and Holiday arrangements.  Come out and support your local "Made in America" handcrafters!

Wherever you live, go out and support your local handcrafters this season.


-Laurie

Feast Your Eyes > Talkin' Turkey

Is everyone else on the last bits of their Thanksgiving turkey, like we are? Is the announcement of leftovers for dinner met with howls and wails of, "NOOOOO!" and gnashing of teeth?

Well if you are like me, then your motto is, "No turkey left behind on my watch!" Woo those persnickety eaters back and waste none of that great leftover turkey, with our recipe of: Cheesy. Gooey. Yumminess. Which some people also call Turkey Tetrazzini  (boooring...).

What's great about this recipe, other than using up what's left of the turkey, is that you probably have the rest of the ingredients already hanging out in the fridge from Thanksgiving.  Check out the recipe:

Glossy's Talkin' Turkey Tetrazzini

1 - 16 oz package of uncooked spaghetti or linguine

4 c. - diced, cooked turkey

5 strips of peppered bacon

1 c. chopped onion

1lb - container of mushrooms (your preference)

3/4 c. -  frozen petite peas

1 t.- minced garlic

1 can cream of chicken and herbs

2 c. - Chicken broth or stock

1 1/2 c. - cream cheese

1/2c. milk or cream

1 t.- salt

3/4 t. - pepper

1/2 t. fresh thyme and parsley

3/4 cup of grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta and drain. Cook bacon, set aside and reserve drippings. Saute onions, mushrooms, and minced garlic in bacon drippings, add 2T. of butter if needed. Add in cream cheese, chicken broth, cream of chicken, milk, frozen peas, turkey, Parmesan, and rest of seasonings. Heat until bubbly and thickened. Combine pasta, turkey mixture, crumbled bacon and spoon into a greased casserole pan.

**optional- top with buttered bread crumbs, Italian cheese blend or crushed Ritz crackers.

Bake for 30 min or until bubbling.

Note- Yours will look extra creamy. Mine had double the noodles and less creaminess as my little assistant chef added in a whole lot of extra spaghetti...

Enjoy those leftovers!

~Angela