Hamster Box Redo :: Painting

I finally did it.  I've been saying for years that I was going to paint a picture to put above my fireplace.  You remember this post, and that sad sad fireplace.  Well, I FINALLY did something about it.  I have to say painting your own picture is extremely rewarding whether it comes out good or not.  As I was going I couldn't help but smile knowing that no matter what, I was hanging something that I did myself.  Here was my inspiration.  No it didn't come out quite like it but I'm still proud of myself.  So Sunday afternoon after my parents waved good-bye and drove back to Wichita I set up shop at my dining room table and 3 1/2 hours later the magic was done!

Oh that's not intimidating at all....

Getting my paints ready...

Here we go! That dark purple heart? That is my least favorite part. Don't worry... it turns into a dinosaur later.

Filling in the spaces.  There's that dinosaur.  Other things people found I sent this to {mostly my family... thanks family} cow utters, a pig back side with a pokey tail, scotty dog, and the most important and reason why I almost just through it away...

Can you see it? 

Turn it on the side.  Did the boobs and pregnant belly disappear?

Is it gone upside down? Well oh well...

Well there it is folks.  My poor fireplace is getting there!  I still think a mantel and some picture collages are in order.  I will ask my land lord if he hates the idea of me doing some physical labor.

Next up I am REALLY going to recover those dining room chairs.  Fabric has been bought so the procrastination can't last that much longer right?

xoxo,

Molly

Madeline Chadwick :: Obsession Continues...

I finally did it.  Yes it may be close to a year after my first post about her bags here but I finally pulled the trigger.  I have been searching for a new cross body and have come close several times until I woke one morning to an email saying that MADELINE CHADWICK commented on a post of mine.  Yes, THE MADELINE CHADWICK. I sat straight up in bed and of course a day that starts off like that is a great one.  I informed her that I was still in love but when I start mulling over what color of something to buy it literally can last 3 years until I finally do it. So I told her what colors I was thinking about and she informed me that she thought I should get Sand because it would be the most classic for everyday wear or a night out.

I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING!!! It's weird how in tune we are with each other.... So I did it. I purchased this beauty last night and I can't wait for it to be in my hands.

Buy your own here.

I mentally decided that when I love it as much as I know I will, I may go back for a pop of color.  And then of course there's this little beauty that would be an investment but TOTALLY WORTH IT.

xoxo,

Molly

Cooking 101 :: Indian

I have decided I want to learn how to cook better.  The problem, as I told my mom tonight, is that I don't really like following the recipe. She laughed and as she's said many times in the last few years "Well, that may be another genetic problem...".  Which I should have realized.  I've been asking her for years for her spaghetti sauce recipe which came from her mom, which is the best spaghetti sauce on the planet.  Everytime I ask she says "well you'll just have to watch and take notes next Christmas... I have no idea what the recipe is."  Alas, I am left with 5 Tupperware containers full in my freezer but still no idea how to make it.  Maybe next year...

So when I cook I decide what I want to do and that's it.  I make it up and if it's good, GREAT, if it's not... well better luck next time.  So last night I made chicken tikka masala.  Which is supposed to look like this....

via

No mine was not pretty like that but it did taste pretty good. So I am going to start a new series called Cooking 101.  This is not for a foodie {well maybe only to laugh at}, this is for other girls like me who are trying to learn how to cook but for whatever reason still aren't fantastic. It's not going to be pretty folks...

The Ingredients... or some at least. And that ginger was my snack.... so....

Don't be deceived... I am only cooking for myself. Clearly I need to learn how to do that in my prep work. Now I realize the chances of any of you using this recipe are slim. But I'm going to write the blog post like you are anyway... humor me.

I used 1 green and 1 red bell pepper, julienne cut carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, and green cabbage but you can pretty much use whatever you want.  I have a love affair with cooked veggies so I always use more than I should.  Most real chicken tikka masala's I found didn't even have veggies in them... snooze... so make it your own.

I use jasmine rice mostly because I like it more than normal rice but also because while you're cooking it it makes your house smell incredible {yes, like jasmine}.

Be warned this is no minute rice. It takes in total 30 minutes to cook so you might want to start it first no matter what you are adding to it. It's worth it!

I kind of forgot to take pictures in between steps here.  Just sauté all of the veggies until al dente, cook the chicken in a separate pan and then dump the veggies, chicken and tikka masala sauce in the sauté pan.  After you mix it up add some jasmine rice to your plate or bowl and then add the veggies and chicken on top of it.

Success! It was actually pretty good.  I'm not going to tell you what I did tonight to make it even better {add more sauce and a dash of almond milk} I feel like most foodies will judge me for it....

This was the fail of the night.  I was using a spatula as a flyswatter....

Luckily that was supposed to be tonights leftovers so no I didn't go hungry. Thanks for your sympathy.

xoxo,

Molly

Gilt City :: Warehouse Sale!

I have spoken to a few people recently who don't know what Gilt is. I'm sure my jaw hits the floor... it's the best thing in flash sales that's ever happened.

On top of that Gilt City caters closer to home. If you're actually going to be in town tomorrow it's not too late to buy a ticket to the Warehouse Sale.  I'm going tonight to preview/buy all the best things but whatevers left you should go check out tomorrow! You can buy shoes, clothes, handbags, etc etc etc at up to 90% off retail... yes I said it... 90%.  If that didn't blow your mind then I don't know what would... mind. blown.

You don't have to be in Dallas either.  If you have a Gilt City you probably have a Warehouse Sale happening near you too. Don't miss out.

 

Hopefully the sale doesn't disappoint but I doubt it will.

It's not too late so click here and buy your tickets to tomorrows event!

xoxo,

Molly

Valentine's Day... Or Independence Day?

Well the day is upon us. Tomorrow is the day that single people hate and people in relationships love.  I made the mistake of saying "I hate Valentine's Day" this weekend. It's partly true. I do hate it, of course I hate it. I'm single and don't plan on a boy sending me flowers or anything else tomorrow. That's why girls hate Valentine's Day, because they've been let down by it over and over again.  

I hope to one day not be terrified of tomorrow.  Terrified to already be aware that I may cry at something really dumb, or get unnecessarily mad at the girl next to me who will inevitably get at least 3 sets of flowers.  Someday I will love Valentine's Day, just not this year.

Instead this is what I plan to print out and put on my desk as a reminder all day...

So, I give you this post not to depress you but for all of the girls, like me, who will be alone tomorrow night with a bottle of wine. Just remember, your coworker may be getting flowers from her boyfriend, but that does not mean she's happy in life. At least we are single and don't have to set ourselves up for something we know will let us down.  If anything comes out of tomorrow it will be unexpected and exciting.  

I may not break my 5 years of NO flowers streak tomorrow but at least I know what I'm in for.

xoxo,

Molly

Beats to Jam to :: Sauce

I went to the G. Love & the Special Sauce concert Thursday night at the Granada Theater in Dallas.  He's always been one of my favorites. I have a picture with him from a couple summers back when he opened for Jack Johnson but... alas I have no clue where it went. Anyway, the concert, as all of his are, was amazing! If you ever get the chance he puts on a great show that is seriously fun for the whole crowd whether you've heard of him or not.  

So, I went with someone who I know but not extremely well.  While at the concert I realized that I have very strong opinions about things. Some of you who know me well are probably laughing or rolling your eyes but I don't know if it was the music or getting smells of a certain something every once in a while but the whole experience proved to be an enlightening one for me.

via my Instagram

So I know what I like, and I know what I don't like. If I say "I don't care" it's because I honestly don't care, and when I don't care it's going to be really hard to get me to make the decision.  I can't even pinpoint what I have strong opinions about but every once in a while a conversation would come up that I didn't even realize I felt so strongly about.

In an email chain about that baby that gets woken up by his "favorite song" I didn't realize my response was so strong. My friend wrote back "I didn't realize you had so much hostility toward Gangnam style Molly..". I knew I hated that song but you're right... hostility is probably the right word.  Who has hostility toward a song? Someone with very strong opinions about very weird things.

So, yes this is the most random post you may ever read but I leave you with G. Love & the Special Sauce live... tell me you don't want to see him!

If you can't handle the 10 minute video I understand.  I have to admit his performance of this song was 10 times more energetic and fun Thursday night.  Either way you have to admit he's insanely talented {and insanely attractive... am I alone there?}.  Swear and Shake opened for him and are now also on my Spotify so check them out too.

While the rest of Dallas grills outside with country playing, G. Love is my go to for summer outdoor drinking activities. I have several other concerts lined up for this Spring so check back for some more enlightening experiences....

xoxo,

Molly

20 Times a Lady :: Event/Contest

Well I have finally recovered from my weekend in Nashville with 11 of the best friends a girl could ask for.  More on it later but for now I have exciting news! I will be hosting an event on February 12th called 20 Times a Lady at Castle Nail Salon in Mockingbird Station!  Tickets sold out literally 5 minutes after they announced it... I was floored... and so excited! 

Mostly I'm excited because all proceeds go towards the Genesis Women's Shelter which is close to my heart. I have had the pleasure of listening to Jan Edgar Langbein, the Executive Director of the organization, speak at a Junior League meeting. This may sound weird but she stole my heart. She made everyone laugh so hard they were crying at some points and then she just flat out had everyone crying at another. She held the attention of the room in the palm of her hand and made me realize I wanted to help... and be EXACTLY LIKE HER when I finally grow up.

I know I said it was sold out BUT I have a free ticket for YOU.  It's for a mani and a pedi, paired with some bubbly and is 2 days before Valentines Day so perfect timing right?!

  Yes, you may have guessed I am basically boycotting Valentine's Day this year.  I have offered to babysit my sisters dog Potter while they are in Colorado in the mountains for the weekend. Honestly... I can't think of a better fluffy man to spend Valentines Day with.  At least my nails will be pretty for Potter...

All you have to do to win the free ticket to next weeks shindig is either "LIKE" Pretty in Pink Style on Facebook and/or "FOLLOW" me on Twitter. THAT'S it! You get more entries for doing both and extra {2 more entries} for sharing my page or event on Facebook or Twitter. It's that easy! Contest ends this Sunday February 10th at 6pm.  I promise it will be a great time but more importantly it's about 24 girls, mani's, pedi's, and bubbly... so, who needs an excuse? 

xoxo,

Molly