jamie ann

Yesterday I decided to pick up a couple things for my trip to Seattle at the end of the month. I got home, pulled everything out of the bags and realized that my whole wardrobe really is black, white and grey. I’ve joked about it before, but right then I decided it was official.

I mentioned it on twitter and it appears I’m not alone, but I don’t think this is a bad thing at all. I think neutral solids are a great basis for a wardrobe. It’s basically a blank canvas to decorate as I see fit, so that’s what I do.

For awhile I did this with shoes. A few years back, I collected sneakers. I had stacks of Nikes in my closet – Dunks, Air Force Ones and Air Maxes. There were some Vans in there too and a pair of really obnoxious Ice Creams. Lots of bright colors and all super cute. Most of those have made their way to a better place, but I still have a pair of burgundy, pink and grey Dunks that are probably my favorite shoes ever. They are kind of beat to hell, but I still wear them all the time.

After that came Etsy. I think everyone knows Etsy is kind of a problem for me because I’m legit obsessed. So obsessed that I even started a whole blog of adorable things to share with everyone because I just couldn’t keep them to myself. And that’s not even all the good stuff. I keep the REALLY good stuff to myself because I don’t want anyone else to buy it before me. Yeah, I’m a brat. I know.

Anyway, the discovery of Etsy was game changing for me. Not only are they pretty and unique things, but they are pretty, unique things from someone who puts a bit of themselves into the product. I love being able to support indie designers who truly love what they are doing. Plus, I get something amazing that anyone just can’t walk into a store and buy. Best of both worlds, no?

With that, here are some pops of color from my favorite site that I think could add a little something to wardrobe full of basics like mine.

bow, necklace, ring & scarf

I actually have two of those bows in red that I bought from my gorgeous mama friend, Morgan, and I’ve been obsessing over that scarf for a very long time. Maybe when I have some extra cash, it will be a birthday present for myself since it’s this weekend and I deserve something pretty.

Also, I’ve decided to close doors on Oh How Lovely Shops. I barely can update this blog, let alone two. The archives will stay up though and I’ll be keeping all my pretty finds here because there really is just too much stuff out there to not share.

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I’ve been feeling a little off, so a list of favorite happy things are in order. Well, minus one of them.

• The Pioneer Woman’s book – Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. I read it in one afternoon with a swoony smile permanently on my face. I’d like a cowboy, please.
• But instead of a cowboy, I’ll take Tim Riggins. I think my new goal in life is to find a Tim Riggins and keep him forever because THAT IS A PERFECT MAN RIGHT THERE.
• The fact that the bar I went to Friday night played Tearing Up My Heart and MmmBop. I just about died.
• Finding a new job. Job hunting is the most frustrating and exhausting thing ever. It’s like, you don’t want to just settle for any job thrown your way because you know a great job is out there for you. It just can get a little disheartening sometimes.
• Music-wise, I’m on a Yeasayer, Tapes n Tapes, The Weakerthans and The Get Up Kids kick.
• Pinterest. Dude, a site dedicated to pretty things is bad news for me. I legit spend a couple hours on it throughout the day. A girl can get lost!
• Making a list of Chicago places I still haven’t been to and finally going to them. It’s ridiculous when I think of some of the places I’ve never been here.
• Party Down

Now I’m off to straighten my hair and paint my nails before getting back to the grind because even if I feel off my game, I’m going to at least feel pretty.

SO TAKE THAT, LIFE.

When it’s your bestie’s birthday and you know how much she loves bubbles, you do awesome things like bake cupcakes WITH bubbles for her.

I recruited Dani, my baking partner in crime, looked up some recipes and finally decided on this one. We also bought stuff for some chocolate mango rum cupcakes, but we got distracted polishing off the rest of the champagne and another bottle of wine before heading out for a night of dancing and late night tacos. Ooops!

I think we need to work on some frosting piping skills to make cupcakes even cuter. But they came out pretty tasty, so I thought I would share the recipe!

Sparkling Wine Cupcakes (makes 20)

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup sparkling wine
• 6 egg whites

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a cupcake pan with paper forms.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, and then blend into creamed mixture alternately with sparkling wine.

In another large clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into batter to lighten it, then fold in remaining egg whites. Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Sparkling Wine Butter Cream

• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cup butter at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4-6 tablespoons champagne, at room temperature

With an electric mixer, beat together sugar and butter. Mix on low until well blended, and then on medium for another two minutes. Add vanilla and champagne, beating on medium for another minute.

YUM.