Marshalls, Target & Ikea

My daughter-in-law just made a statement that made me realize that I am seriously in love  my family is seriously in love with a few stores. She said her Mom asked her where I got a gift I had bought my adorable granddaughter.  She told her Mom, "Probably Marshalls or Target."  I hadn't realized till then that whenever someone asks me where I bought something (translation:  Where did you get that, cause I love it!), my answer is usually, "Marshalls or Target."  Are there other stores I love? Definitely!  I love Ikea but the nearest one is hours and hours away.  Does that stop me from shopping there - no but I only go about 3 or 4 times a year.  This is a pic of my hallway.  Don't you just looovve the Ikea low profile shoe cabinets.  I also love that there is a small space to add a little holiday décor.
 

Gotta love those Target antlers.  I used them for my fall décor and I still can't get enough of them, so I kept them up for Christmas.  The reindeer and silver star is also from Target in the ornament section.  The cranberry garland is from Marshalls. 

Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate > Flag Day!



Did you all know that June 14th is Flag Day here in the good ole U.S. of A? No? Don't feel bad, I didn't realize the stars and stripes had it's own holiday either, until a couple of years ago. As usual, I'm one of the last to know.

According to Wikipedia,  in 1916 Flag Day was established to celebrate the official adoption of the flag of the United States of America in 1777. Incidentally, our beloved flag also shares a birthday with the United States Army. Happy birthday you guys! I think I need to have dessert today in their honor. I mean, it's the patriotic thing to do, right?

The other patriotic thing you could do today that won't add junk to your trunk is to of course, hang out your flag. Will any old flag decor do, you ask? Would I pass up free furniture on the side of the road on garbage day? Well I could, but it would go against my very soul.

So to get those creative powers fired up, check out some of these great Flag Day inspired ideas: (Of course they are from our addiction: Pinterest, visit our board for resources.)

Source: dreamhomediy.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Source: oodlekadoodleprimitives.blogspot.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Source: sugartotdesigns.blogspot.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Source: blog.thecelebrationshoppe.com via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Source: afterninetofive.net via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Source: afterninetofive.net via GlossyFlossy on Pinterest

Happy Flag Day!

~Angela

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

Frock Me Friday > Team Spirit

"Go ____________!"

Um... does anyone know who's playing in the Superbowl...?

Oh, it's apparently the New England Patriots and the New York Gnats, oops I mean Giants. Can you tell I'm really into football? Yeah, not so much. What I'm really into is Superbowl fashion, snacks, and commercials, in that order.

Luckily this year the team colors are pretty much the same for both teams and their colors that are popping up everywhere for spring: red, blue, and white! Superbowl fashionistas and the rest of us that like to fake it, rejoice!

Here's some great looks whether you are chip and dipping it, pulling for your squares in the football pool, out blissfully shopping with your girlfriends; or watching Madonna vogueing with her freakishly toned arms in the half time show.

Tees by Reebok
Flats by Aerosoles

Casual Jackets by Charlotte Russe
Boots by Lucky Brand

Skinny Denim by MEK
Boots at DSW

Or you could grab a girlfriend and your team spirit by the hair, and "paint" your team colors on each other.  You would be the hit of the the party! Just make sure that you don't leave a part of your "outfit" smeared on some one's couch...



Happy Superbowling!

~Angela

Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate > Chinese New Year

Happy New Year's - that's Chinese New Years to you.  


If you didn't know, today is Chinese New Years and the Year of the Dragon.  I like any reason to celebrate and Chinese New Years offers some unique opportunities.  






Reasons why I like Chinese New Years:




Clean House:  You know what they say about a great way to get your house in order is to have a party.  Well, Chinese New Year takes care of this because traditionally before the new year, homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away ill fortune and to welcome good luck.  I understand this because a messy house seems like ill fortune and when my house is clean anything seems possible.


Buy new clothing:  Any celebration where buying new clothes is involved is okay with me!!!  New clothing symbolizes a new beginning, and having more than enough things to use and wear in the New Year.  Also red clothing is often worn because the color red is believed to scare away evil spirits and bad fortune.  

New Clothes + Red = Good Fortune 

Family Gathering:  Celebrating with family, again for the same reason I have a get together on New Year's Day - I want to begin the year the same way I mean to continue - surrounded with family and friends.


Gifts:  Gifts are usually brought when visiting friends or relatives at their homes.  Yep, that's right, come and visit me and bring me a little gift - 'cause I like gifts.


Fireworks:  I like fireworks (just ask my neighbors.)  Enough said about that!


Have a little dinner party to celebrate.  I'm going to give you my recipe for Chinese Chicken Stew.  I don't know where this recipe came from as I've had it for years.

CHINESE CHICKEN STEW 

2 lbs. boneless skinless               2 cans chicken broth
   chicken                                       2 TBL cornstarch

2 tsp five spice powder               2 red bell peppers,

1 tsp red pepper flakes                  coarsely chopped

2 TBL peanut oil                         4 TBL soy sauce

2 onions, coarsely chopped         2 TBL sesame oil

16 oz. mushrooms, sliced            4 green onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced                Cooked rice

 

Toss chicken with five spice powder.  Season with red pepper flakes.  Heat peanut oil in large skillet.  Add chicken, cook and stir till chicken is brown and almost completely cooked.  Add onion, green pepper and garlic, saute till chicken is completely cooked.  Add chicken broth (reserving 1/4 c. broth for thickening), mushrooms, and soy sauce, simmer for about 40 minutes.  

Mix chicken broth and cornstarch together.  Stir in cornstarch mixture, sesame oil and green onions; cook another 10 minutes or so until stew is a nice thick consistency.

Serve over rice.

Now for the disclaimer:  I kind of think recipes are like a rough outline and you can use some or all of it.

Don't like mushrooms - don't add them.  

Red Peppers -I'm using the mini sweet peppers because that's what I have.  I've used green peppers before also.

Red Pepper Flakes - I've been known to use 2 tsp. red pepper flakes because I like this a little spicy.  

Chicken - I usually use 3 lbs of chicken. 

Peanut oil - If I don't have it, I use olive oil.

There you have it! 

For dessert, I made fun Fortune cookies.  I dipped them in Almond Bark and then dipped in sprinkles.  You can't go wrong with sprinkles and a fortune!

Now I'm off shopping so I can start the Chinese New Year with new clothing.

-Laurie

Dress This Mess > Baby Nursery Wall Decor

Happy Hallooooweeeen Everyone - Yup, today is the day your kids have been waiting for.  That's all they'll be thinking of is candy, candy, candy.  Here at the Glossy Flossy's we have our eye on Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas - that's right I'm a cyclops, but just for today cause it's Halloween.  
While keeping my eye on those three things I'm helping another Mrs. Glossy Flossy with a baby shower she is showering a friend with.  Yes, you heard me, there is another Mrs. Glossy Flossy who is talented and looooves to entertain, and yes it apparently is the year for babies.  
Remember the shower the future Mrs. 2Wicked gave for her sister and I said I would show you the wall decor that we made for the nursery - well here it is.

The inspiration for these silhouettes was the fabric that I spoke of before that I don't have a pic of and again it is 6am so no one is going to take a pic for me (I might get more organized at some point - but today is not the day.)  FM2W actually did all the work on these, I only provided technical support.

We picked out scrapbook paper that went with the nursery decor made by FM2W's momma, then found images of safari animals on the internet and sized them to fit the IKEA frames.  Printed silhouettes of animals out and FM2W traced it onto the scrapbook paper and cut them out.  The ostrich is actually scanned from the fabric used in the nursery.  A large frame with a large silhouette makes quite the impact. They turned out great and the possibilities are endless.  If your nursery theme is planes, trains, and automobiles you could use those silhouettes or how about cowboys, horses and steers.  For girls how about ballerinas and ...., I've got nothing else.  I don't have any girl grandbabies and I can't think of anything except boy stuff.


Note:  Photographing frames with glass is tricky and beyond our capabilities so we had to have FM2W's momma photograph them (she also photographed the shower.)  A big thanks goes out to her.  My suggestion is to photograph without the glass in the frame.
-Laurie