I started my last year of law school yesterday (yay!), but that means that I have to go back to a more professional looking wardrobe.  I was enjoying my few weeks of throwing on anything I wanted and not having to worry about a dress code.  It is not that this dress code very strict, but it does reign me in a bit.  It will probably take me a couple weeks to settle into the black and greys and other neutrals that the other kids wear... if I settle in at all.  

I threw on my Madewell Pants that I got on sale a few months back, a old Banana Republic shirt and my little owl ring.  I love his little turquoise glasses.  I wore my nude Stuart Weitzman peep toes because they are so comfortable and classic but they aren't pictured.  Sorry. It is much harder to take pictures of yourself than you'd think.  Then I grabbed my books and headed out the door.  Hopefully I will figure out how to take pictures better in the future.  Any suggestions?

I saw this video the other day that was animated by StoryCorps and it is amazing the love these two people share.  It is a heartbreaking-ly beautiful story about love in the simple things.  I think so often it is this type of love that is overlooked because they rarely make movies about everyday love.  I love how they admired each other, made each other a priority and showed it everyday.   Can you believe he wrote her a letter every morning for 27 years?  Do you think you could find romance in someone asking you if you would drink some water or have some ice cream? 

"My love for you up to this point was as much as it could be, and it will be as much as it could be for eternity."  I don't think you can ever hear I love you too much. 

So, if you haven't figured it out by now, I have an obsession with shoes.  There are few things, in the fashion arena, that give me the same thrill as a new pair.  I lust after them and melt for them.  I know, I know, it's ridiculous, but that's the way it is.  So, when about a year ago I heard that Brian Atwood would be releasing a more affordable B Brian Atwood line, I felt my heart go a flutter.   I love that designers are now having lines that are attainable and a bit more budget conscious.  It reminds me of the trailer food movement that is so trendy here in Austin where the chefs at major restaurants have started to have trailers that allow their food to be tasted by people who may not have the chance to try it otherwise.   So, ever since the pre-sale started on Saks a bit ago I have been ogling them.  These are a few of my favorites

You can see the full line here.  What are your favorites?

Another week has come to an end... and I am on vacation.  So I will not be updating the first part of next week, but expect lots of pictures when I get back.  Some things that have made this past week great are time with friends, the anticipation of vacation, getting my law books in order and starting reading for fall (I know, I know... nerd alert).   I am so thankful for everything I have been given in my life and feel so blessed this week. 

Do you ever leave a store having seen something you want so bad and know you will obsess over it 'til you have it in your hand again, but know in your heart you can't afford it?  Happens to me all the time, and from the moment I picked up this clutch at By George today I knew it would be one of those items.  I am a sucker for a clutch anyway but the black and white houndstooth pattern definitely did a number on me.

When I was in DC my bosses took me out to Corduroy because they had heard I was a bit of a foodie and it is supposed to be the place where all the chefs around town go to eat.  It was spectacular.  I definitely had a "fatty day" while I was there with the Lobster Carpaccio with drawn butter and then the Niman Ranch Pork Belly, which we followed with Baked Chocolate Sabayon.  I had never heard of anyone making it before, but I loved how dark and rich it was, a perfect accompaniment to the Cabernet Savignon my boss  had ordered for the table.  Anyway, when I got home I looked around and actually found the recipe from Tom Power himself and I actually tried making it last night. 
Here is how it went:

First I got out my ingredients and broke the chocolate into the little pieces.  Then I put the chocolate into the microwave for 20 seconds at a time and would take it out and stir to melt it without letting it get too hot.

Next all you have to do is fold in all the ingredients.

Before they are cooked

After they come out of the oven

First bite.  I was surprised at just how easy these are to make considering how fancy they seem.  I believe I will be making these next time I have people over for dinner.  I can't wait for another excuse to make them. 

This weekend I did a little walking around looking at some of the shops around Austin, not expecting to buy anything... but sometimes things don't go as planned.  I didn't buy much, but I did find a great deal on these pants at Anthropologie and the light weight material makes them great for Texas when you are looking for an alternative to shorts.   I threw on one of my favorite dressy casual D&G shirts I got on ebay for a steal a year or so ago.  I also put on nude flats, but those aren't pictured, just thought I should clarify I did put on shoes. I loved the 70's feel so much that I had to throw on my aviators and head out the door with Lua for some morning coffee. 

I have had these fabrics for over a year, and have made very little from them, but I love them both so much.  I even decided when digging through my box of fabrics that I like them together.  So I decided I wanted to make a backless dress to help keep me cool in this Texas Heat.

So I am obsessed with bows, and I have been wanting to try this technique of twisting the fabric to make a mock bow tie. I am sorry I didn't do more pictures to show you the pattern I made, but I can probably answer any questions if you have any.

I added to pleats to the front of the dress just to make sure it accentuated my waist, as that is important to me since I have hips and there is no sense making myself look bigger than I am by not having a cinch at the waist.

I used the silk polka dots for the liner and added straps and a sewed up the back to create a nice draping effect.   I like it a lot and also see myself wearing it a lot in the future. *sorry about the photo quality on the last one, it's hard to take pictures of yourself sometimes.

I am sorry for my lack of updates this week, I promise to do better next week.  I have had some apartment issues that have been taking up my time.  They are getting resolved today. 

I have been watching Mad Men, one of my favorites, on Netflix the last few nights and that may be why I am so sensitive to advertising today.  I noticed Starbucks new campaign by Brian Ferry that is so honest and simple about those great moments shared over coffee.  It definitely brought up that old nostalgic feeling for those late night Starbucks conversations I have had with my sisters and my close friends. 

Like I said before, I really like chocolate chip cookies... so when I saw this recipe for a skillet cookie that is easy and made in one dish, I knew I had to make it.  It reminded me of the Pizookie from BJ's Brewhouse, which is delicious (and I have just learned they now have many flavors).  It is as easy to make, eat, and clean up, which to me is a recipe for success.  I used this recipe from sophistimom.com, and the only thing I would change is perhaps I would use just a little less flour. 

I had to use a copper skillet and then transfer the batter into my mini-skillet and my mini-cocette dishes because I seem to have misplaced my normal skillet.  Anybody seen it, btw?  Now that I know it is gone, I have a craving for cornbread.