Frock Me Friday > Edgy Wedgy

Spring is finally here my little bunnies, and everyone knows that summer can't be too far behind when you start to see perky and vibrant sandals popping up in the stores. Do you know what's even better than the Spring parade of open toed glamour? The arrival of this year's wedges!

Sandals by Unlisted
Platforms by Dolce Vita

I love, love, love, wedges. They are like the tougher, more rebel, version of the sandal. They make you look taller, your legs longer, and you can cover more ground when running after your crazy kids or chasing down a crazy mugger good sale. Most importantly they give you the height and look of a heel, without aerating the lawn every time you walk through the grass. Not these babies. If you think about it, they're kind of like the "all terrain" version of open toe heels!

Sandals by Xhilaration
Platforms by Bebe

Oh, and they look fabulous too!

Spring into Summer Wedges by glossyflossy featuring wedge shoes

Get 'em before they are gone!

~Angela
(And as always, click on the pics for shopping info.)

Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate > We're Having A Party!

We're so excited - we're having a party!  There's nothing we like better than parties.  There's party food, party drinks, party decorations, party favors, and party clothes and party shoooooes.  We like all parts of the party.  Ultimately the party starts with the invite, (well, technically it starts with the reason for the party)  and that's what this post is all about - the invite.


You know that we are having a wedding in our family.  Mr. 2Wicked will soon have a wife!    The Future Mrs. 2Wicked (FM2W) is having a bridal shower, actually she is having two showers!  What a lucky girl! You might not know this about the Glossy Flossy's but we have a large family made up of Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles and cousins, so we like to have a family bridal shower (that way we don't overwhelm the bride's friends with our large, loud, and unruly clan.)  The other reason we like to have family bridal and baby showers is so the two families can get to know each other a little bit more (and the other family can see first hand what their loved one is getting into.)  We also like to include close family friends cause we all know some of our friends are like family!


Okay, enough  about that and back to the invite.  We like to design and personalize our party and our invite around the person that we're having it for.  Miss Angela came up with the concept of "Rebel Housewife" - you know how I loooovvee the Housewives of Beverly Hills - and we were off to party land.


Take note everyone with Facebook accounts:  I started by taking three pictures of FM2W off her Facebook page.  I knew she liked these pictures because she put them on her page.  I made it into a large invite so it would fit into a legal size envelope and use a regular stamp to mail because we're cheap frugal like that. 


The invite looked okay but the photos needed a little pizazz because we're not about "okay", we're about "fantastic."  Miss Angela found this great site called BeFunky.com.  She took the photos and gave them some pop art pizazz.  If you haven't seen this site, be sure to check it out.  It is very easy to use and FREE!


Okay, drum roll please.  This is how what the photos looked like:

Just kidding!  Were you scared?  Okay for real this time - this is what the front of the invite looked like:

The back had all the details and we used a little bling with some self stick gems in the middle of all the stars.

Watch for the photos and details from the bridal shower.

~Laurie

Manic Monday >

Happy Monday ladies (and maybe some gents)! Hope you all are having a great one.

The sun a was out this weekend over here in Chaos and Gloss land, and we didn't waste a single ray of it! To the delight of my hubby and kids we spring cleaned like crazy. Actually, it was more of a, "OMG! I'm having 30 women over for a bridal shower in one week, and my house looks like a crime scene and the police have dusted for fingerprints all over my walls, and I have dust bunnies that have been on the run since 2011!",
Freak. Out. Moment.
But to the rest of my family it was advertised as "Spring Cleaning"

Actually, I'm a lucky gal and I have a super helpful hubby and kids who minimally complain when having to go above and beyond their normal chores. Oh, and maybe I bribed them with dinner out...After all, it not only takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to clean a house! Get the pets in on the action, its not like they are doing anything else anyway:

I found this great schedule from Martha Stewart that easily breaks down the dreaded Spring Clean, unless you are one of those freaks who love to clean, if so, I want to be you please.

Check out the link to view or print

There's was also this great pin on Pinterest from LetsLassoTheMoon.com about challenging yourself to throw away, donate, or resell, 100 things. Think of all the extra room and extra minutes that can free up by getting rid of some stuff! 

Source: letslassothemoon.com via Nita on Pinterest

I also spent a disgusting amount of time surfing the highly addictive site called Foodgawker.com. It's basically food porn for your inner Racheal Ray! They have thousands of glorious pictures of delicious recipes - almost like a Pinterest solely for food! Their slogan is "Feed Your Eyes", but after becoming ravenous after looking at all the photos, I've come to the conclusion that it should be, "Feed Your Thighs." They also have sites called Weddinggawker, Craftgawker, and Dwellinggawker; but they looked way to dangerous to my Spring cleaning schedule, so maybe I check them out some other time when I'm free - sometime in 2015.

Have a great Manic Monday!

~Angela

Frock Me Friday > The Sun Has Come Back!

In between the wind, rain, and snow (true story) coming down around here, I caught a (gasp!) glimpse of the sun. Me, with my winter pale skin and sensitive eyes, squinted up at those joyous rays of light like one of those cave creatures who had never seen the sun before. Then I ran inside before the sun disappeared again, to grab my favorite pair of sunglasses. A chorus of angels sang (well, maybe that was just me)as the sun had liberated them from the dark drawer, I had thrown them in months ago...

The sun is back everyone, and while this may not be as dramatic to you as it was to moi; it does mean that it's time to break out those fabulous sunglasses you've been dying to wear!

 Cheap Well priced sunglasses are one of my very favorite accessories. I think I inherited this obsession from my Dad. He's never met a pair of gas station sunglasses he didn't love. Some people collect magnets from places they've been, my Dad collects sunglasses. I'm also the worst at remembering where I've left my sunglasses and I have three boys and two dogs that love to destroy things; so I often buy sunglasses in multiples to avoid the inevitable melt down when I find my favorite pair stuck in the toilet. It's happened before...  

So today I've rounded up a few chic and well priced sunglasses with this season's trends - just in case you can't find yours or they are in a toilet somewhere.

Under $15 from Shopsuey:

Under $25 from Asos:

Under $25 (click for stores):

Sunglasses by Aldo
Sunglasses by Arden B

Welcome back sun! Oh how I've missed ya.

~Angela

Dress This Mess > A Lamp With Some Substance!

Have you ever had one of those Oprah "Aaha" moments where you think: "If only we could..." And then you do, and life changes forever as, you and Oprah, soar up over a rainbow in a hot air balloon called success?

No?

Well something a little bit like that happened with this vase
- but without the fabulous Ms. "O":

My wonderful Auntie enlisted me, and my somewhat creative brain (more like I begged her to let me help...) in redecorating her great room; which includes her living room, dining room, and entryway.

Two of most important things that she wanted in her redesigned space was, more of a contemporary feel and color. Words I love to hear!  She picked out a beautiful palette of peacock blue, apple green, creamy ivory, black, and bronze-y brown. 

The first space we worked on was the entryway. She had found a gorgeous granite topped console table, which we wasted no time accessorizing with some great finds from Pier One and TJ Maxx (aka - my second home). But then came the dilemma. It had no wow factor.  

While the entryway area was looking very chic and sophisticated, it was also looking very beige. Don't get me wrong, I love me a little beige, especially framed with a crisp white. But too much of it and your eyes start to lose interest, kinda like a pretty face with no personality. This console needed some vibrancy, a little something that would have you coming back for a second glance. Unfortunately, the piece that had the pop of color we needed was a ceramic vase, that crowded the whole table when added in with the other pieces.  Boo Hoo.

Then came the "Aaha" moment (bet you were wondering where that was coming in...) I complained that what the table really needed was a lamp, only in the same color as the vase. Then Auntie brilliantly asked, "Couldn't we turn the vase into a lamp?"

**BING!**

Why couldn't we turn the vase into a fabulous lamp, and why does she need my help, when clearly there are a bunch of amazing ideas floating around in that cute head of hers?! And that's what we did. (the DIY'ing of the lamp. Not the getting rid of me part.)

Using a old lamp kit she had laying around in the garage, a carbide drill bit to drill a hole in the back for the cord, and her hubby's skillz, we made this:

into this!

And then Oprah ran through the front door, and gave both of us free cars!! Oookay - she didn't, but we were giving each other Oprah sized high -fives, over our new custom made lamp.

Isn't it just fabulous? Pretty, but with substance. Just what Auntie's entryway needed!

Look around your garage. You never know, you just might find a great potential lamp in all that mess!

~Angela

P.S. No one tell Oprah I used her catch phrase!

Manic Monday > Makes Me Want to Shop and Dance!

Welcome to another Monday at Chaos and Gloss. Hope you all had a great Saint Patrick's Day!

Things I'm loving this week:

Commericals that make me want to dance AND shop. Best of both worlds, right?  I am in love with this one from Target, and not just because my Grandma used to always sing "Allouette" to me as a little girl. Don't you just love Target's bright new home decor line?

Here is some of my favorite picks from this line:

Then there's this fun commerical from one of my favorite stores: White House /  Black Market:

She makes tap dancing look so cool! Here are some fabulous pieces from their new line to put some "Spring" into your step:

I'm also loving Potholes & Pantyhose's tutorial on making your own eye makeup remover! Fun and witty blogger Rebekah, says that it's just as effective as the pricier versions she's tried. She also has a recipe for gentle face wash. Check them out here:



I've also been pinning like crazy, DIY projects that involve wood pallets; which my friend and I are eyeballing to incorporate into her living room redo. Check out these fabulous pins:

Source: dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Here's to an inspired Monday!

~Angela

Frock Me Friday > I Need Some Green

Yep, it's true I need some green and I don't mean the kind you spend. Well...I need some of that too, but right now I'm speaking of the kind of green that's for the "Wear'n of the GREEN!"  (Saint Patrick's Day is tomorrow, if you've forgotten...)  

I've picked out a St. Paddy's day outfit that will make it impossible for Mr. Glossy Flossy to take me anywhere but the finest of restaurants.  That's right, no brew pub for me in this outfit!  

Sometimes a girl has to splurge, and not only have I splurged, but (I know this goes against my "add to my existing wardrobe" philosophy) everything here is new to my "Wardrobe":       
  

Dressy Green Outfit by laurieglossyflossy featuring Diane von Furstenberg shoes

I do love those green shoes.

Okay, now back to my "build on my wardrobe" philosophy.  I have one green sweater in my "Chaos and Gloss Wardrobe" so I am going to build a fabulous green outfit using that.  Oh, and I guess I could go to a pub in this outfit:
I added this cute, striped, strapless dress, to my "Wardrobe"; and the sweater, flats and earrings, are from my "Chaos and Gloss Wardrobe."  The handbag is also new to the wardrobe - because you can never have too many handbags.  I'm also going to use this handbag when I go to the beach, pool, park, etc.  You see, I really need this bag -- it would just be wrong to pass up such a multi-purpose handbag!


Okay, I'm over the green now but I am into everything spring, like flowers, bunnies, puppies, warm weather, and sunshine.  This is the outfit I need to make me feel springlike but still be warm, because it was only 37 degrees when I got up this morning.

Spring Dress with Red Leather Jacket by laurieglossyflossy featuring a RED Valentino multi colored dress

How cute is that dress!  Shoes, purse, and red leather jacket all from my fall/winter wardrobe!

Start shopping or planning what you're wearing for Saint Patrick's Day tomorrow- so you don't get pinched, orrrrr just forget about the green and go "Spring."

~Laurie

Feast Your Eyes > Sweet Treats From Salty Snacks

I admit it - I love chips, crackers, etc. To tell the truth I love sweets too, and mashed potatoes annnnd fried chicken, annnd cheesy bread. . .  Okay, back to my post.  


Do you love chips and crackers like I do?  Did you know that you can make some fantastic sweet treats from Saltines, pretzels, and potato chips?  What could be better than a salty sweet treat that is easy to make and delicious.  Believe me they are all delicious and the bonus is that they freeze or refrigerate well; so you can make a bunch of each and serve them later.  I'm making and freezing these for Easter, which isn't all that far away...

First up - Saltines.  Great for settling tummies but even better for making the best, melt-in-your-mouth toffee!  Tastes wonderful but is very budget friendly.

Chocolate Toffee

40 Saltine crackers, approximately
1 c. butter
1 c. light brown sugar
1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate (I sometimes mix some of each)


Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a large jellyroll pan (cookie sheet with sides) with aluminum foil.


Arrange saltines side by side in jellyroll pan, salted side up.


In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar together and bring to a boil.  Boil for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and pour over the crackers evenly.  Put the jellyroll pan into the oven and bake for about 5 minutes until bubbly.  Remove from oven.


Sprinkle chips over crackers.  When the chips have melted, spread them over crackers.  If you want Almond Toffee, sprinkle chopped almonds (or any nut) over chocolate before it cools. 


Let pan cool a bit and then put pan in freezer for 15 or 20 minutes. When cool, break into pieces and store in airtight container. 

Next up is potato chips.  What's better than a Peanut Cluster?  Making Peanut Clusters does not get any easier than this.  Make the whole thing in the microwave annnnd your done!  This recipe is from Taste of Home.

Peanut Clusters

2 c. peanut butter chips
1 c. milk chocolate chips
1 1/2 c. dry roasted peanuts
1 c. crushed ridged potato chips


Mix peanut butter chips and milk chocolate chips together.  Melt in microwave.  Follow the directions on the chip package for melting in microwave  - chips are incredibly easy to burn in the microwave. That's the voice of "I can burn anything" speaking.  


Stir chips until smooth.  Stir in peanuts and potato chips.  Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper.  Refrigerate until firm.  


Tips:  I sometimes use semi-sweet chips or a mix of both semi-sweet and milk chocolate.  I always double this recipe because one batch is never enough!

Last but not least - Pretzels.  This took a little more time because I have short, stubby fingers and am a little uncoordinated.  This isn't difficult, it just has a few more steps to make because you have to unwrap all those caramels and snack size chocolate and try not to eat them before you use them in the recipe!  Anything that you make with caramels and Hershey's bars is truly delicious!  This recipe is all over the internet using Rolos, which sounds delicious, but I didn't have Rolos - I had caramels and Hershey's snack bars.  (I might not need my elliptical if I didn't have caramels and candy bars in my house.)

Pretzel Snap Turtles

Caramels 
Hershey's snack size chocolate bars
Pretzel Butter Snaps


Preheat oven to 200 degrees.  Unwrap caramels and cut in half.  Unwrap Hershey's snack size chocolate bars and break apart the four sections.


Place pretzel snaps on cookie sheet.  Place 1/2 caramel on top of each pretzel snap.  Bake for 10 minutes.


Remove from oven and place one square of Hershey's on top of caramel and squish down a little.  Place back in oven for 2 minutes.


Remove from oven and place pecan on top.  I didn't use a whole pecan, just a half or so.


Let pan cool a bit and then put pan in freezer for 15 or 20 minutes.


There you have it - salty snacks and sweet treats in one nice easy to make package!


~Laurie

Dear Me > Sweepstakes!

There is nothing I like better than free money and I'd like to share the wealth with you!  

Lately my email inbox has been flooded with sweepstakes offers from magazines and companies like Better Homes and Gardens, House Beautiful, and Hormel. I love getting inspired (i.e.-stealing their ideas) by these magazines, but I would love to win their prizes even more! This year they are throwing around some serious, feather-your-whole-nest, cash prizes and someone like you (our fabulous readers and moi), needs to win these!


Check out these sweepstakes that are currently running now (click on the picture to be taken to the linked page):


Do you need a new Garden Room or Summer Shack, as I like to call it - $4000 in plants and furniture.

Need $25,000 to pay off your bills - Parents magazine wants to help you out.

How about $5000 from Better Homes and Gardens to refresh a room.  I don't know about you but unless I'm redoing my Kitchen I could refresh more than one room with $5000.

How about $5000 to makeover your kitchen from Myrecipes.com.  I don't think you can makeover your kitchen for $5000 but you could certainly do a little facelift.

How about $5000 in free groceries.  With the price of groceries that ought to be about enough to cover the Glossy Flossy's bridal shower for the future bride, and a Easter & Memorial Day Barbecue.  I'm really doing you a favor here because I really want to win this one! I just noticed it's for a year of groceries - that's also okay.

More money to help with your groceries from Parents and Hormel.

How about $15,000 from Velveeta and Rotel?

House Beautiful has a $50,000 Kitchen Remodel - now that's what I call a remodel!

Do you need to get away for a little mini vacation?  Better Homes and Gardens is giving away a 4 day trip to Banf Springs!

Do you scrapbook?  Check out this sweepstakes from Scrapbooks, Etc.

And let's not forget these wonderful sweepstakes from Good Housekeeping:

$25,000 for Home Decor

$50,000 for a custom Kitchen

And last but not least - Enter to win $100,000 Goodbye Debt Sweepstakes from Good Housekeeping.

Get busy and good luck!  If I don't win these sweepstakes I want one of our faithful readers to win!

~Laurie

Manic Monday > Sick Day

It's a rainy Monday here at Chaos and Gloss, and I'm hanging on the couch with a sick kiddo. My youngest is home today since the sound of hacking up a lung might be a little distracting to his other classmates.

I always tell my kids ominous tales of what happens if you have to stay home sick, which usually involves lots of naps, yucky tasting medicine, and Pedialite smoothies. I stress to them that staying home with mom is; B-O-R-I-N-G. This usually works, and my children  have miraculously recovered from many mystery illnesses before heading off to school.

But here is a secret truth that I would never admit to my kids: that there is times that I secretly love having a sick kid stay home from school. No, I have not caught my son's fever and I'm not talking about the kind of sick kid days when I'm having to clean up things with a bucket of Lysol. But there is something about cuddling a warm kiddo on a couch while watching a Wizards of Waverly Place marathon and sipping throat soothing, hot cocoa. I think it must have something to do with that it's a little taste of those days of the first baby; where you had all day to snuggle that sweet little bundle and nap - and surf the Internet.

Just kidding on that last one (sorta), but today it's just me, a kid, and a laptop (and some sleeping dogs); so I'm sharing some things to bookmark for your next sick kid day!

I want need to drink this:

Check out this recipe at Going Home to Roost.

My fridge desperately needs these (I have something unidentifiable in the back of my fridge right this minute...):



They are absorbent and stylish refrigerator liners. Gotta love anything that can brings the words functional and pretty together, right? A cute husband and wife team make these and you can find them here.

I'm checking out this page right now:

Great sick day activities from the cute blog Come Together Kids via my lovely friend Brooke's Pinterest board.

I am also using this great arrange - a - room tool from the Better Homes and Gardens web site.

This has been so handy for the  Barn chic living room redo that I talked about here.

Well I'm off to watch the new Puss n' Boots DVD - in bed. Having a sick kid at home is ruff stuff I tell ya...

~Angela

Frock Me Friday > Update!

Lovely Chaos and Gloss readers: So sorry about the missing Frock Me Friday post!

Laurie and I were frantically working on a fabulous project that we will be sharing with all of you soon. Lots of great stuff coming up!

In the mean time here is an update to our last Frock Me Friday - Walk Like an Egyptian:

Here are those bangle cuffs from Target that I talked about. Aren't they gorgeous - and cheap!

See ya next Friday!

~Angela