Chicken Wing Went Shopping!

Well, I have to admit something, Peeps.  I haven't actually been shopping in a long time.  Well, that is until recently.  I love, love, love to window shop and I do that often.  But, due to being economically cautious, it's actually been awhile since I went shopping for myself, and I think I'd forgotten how important it is to do that sometimes.

I had an amazing girls' day with one of my best girlfriends recently, and we shopped until we dropped!  It was an awesome day!  So, I decided to share my pretties with you all, and sum up my day with this timeless, classic expression:

Are you, Charlie?  Are you?

You may have been wondering, "Were there ruffles involved?"  "Heck to the yes, there were ruffles involved," I exclaim!

Take, for example, this unbelievable purse that my lover, TJ Maxx, had waiting for me!  The best part?  I got this $60 bag for $25!

Personal cell phone picture of my precious!!!

TJ also helped me with a major need I had.  Imagine this:  you have a wedding to shoot where you will be on your feet for nine hours straight.  You go to put on your trusty, not-attractive-but-uber-comfortable, black shoes only to discover that the ankle strap is......wait for it........BROKEN!  THE HORROR!

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So, lucky for me, I actually found a cute pair of BOC black ballet flats that are actually very comfortable!  BIG WIN for the Chicken Wing!  Check 'em out!


HOORAY!

Also from TJ Maxx, I hit the jackpot!  Comanche and I went on a mini-trip for his birthday last year, and while in one of the shops there, we saw this section of glazed pottery-type items and we had no clue what they could be.  All I could tell was that they were gorgeous!  The saleslady explained to us that they were a new phenomenon called firepots!

Basically, they're your own little fireplace when you don't have one. Whether you use them on your patio for crisp evenings or in a cooler area of your home, they are a great option for instant warmth.  I will say, they won't heat your entire house or even an entire room, but they're great for folks like me who tend to stay cold all the time.  They also have a citronella version of the fuel gel so you can use that outdoors to keep the bugs at bay!  Double win!  The only reason Comanche and I didn't purchase one of those bad boys right on the spot was because one of the cheapest ones they had was $135.  Yes, you read that correctly - we didn't buy one.

At TJ Maxx, however, there was a GORGEOUS firepot on sale for THIRTY DOLLARS!!!!  After a quick call to Comanche to confirm that I wasn't just buying things to buy things, he reminded me that 1) I'm always cold, 2) I'd definitely use it, and 3) I'd been using an extremely ghetto "fireplace" which consisted of a medley of jar candles to help heat my living room.  Okay, so fail on the last one.  According to him, it only made sense for me to snatch one up since I was clearly desperate in the winter.  Done and done, and she's a beaut.  (You know, short for beautiful).  See?


Personal cell phone pic of my firepot in action!

Then, there was the highlight of my shopping trip. My friend and I ended up at the mall in Belk, when out of nowhere, I saw her.  Our eyes locked across the room.  She was so gorgeous, I couldn't look away - I was mesmerized.  She had exotic coloring and curves for days.  She even shared my love for damask. And ruffles.  Who is she?



LOVE HER!

I've been stalking this class-for-days, Kristen Stewart style dress for.ev.er.  Seriously, for years!  I've tried on so many dresses like this, and they have never fit me.  My fiercly intelligent friend suggested for me to try it on in Petite sizes, even though I argued that I thought those dresses were only shorter in length for smaller people.  Who was wrong?  {Raises hand with guilty face on display}

What I love about this dress is that I can wear it to a variety of functions and it will be appropriate and class-a-frass at each and every one!  And, I also got this on sale 30% off!  Sorry, Charlie, but I think your phrase has a new owner in town.  Move along, and go fix your life.  Mmmkay, thanks for playing.

Until next time,

I've Got A Fever, And The Only Prescription Is...

 

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Just kidding!  The real answer is "a new project!"  Even though I work in an office Monday - Friday, I moved my home office downstairs into a corner of the living room awhile back in order to create a general information hub for my home.  I wanted easy access to my social networks, to on-the-fly recipes, and for those times when you-can't-think-of-a-movie/TV show/actor or actress/etc.-and-you-have-to-look-it-up-straight-away-or-you'll-go-crazy.  You know, stuff like that.

Anyways, it's in the perfect place in the house, but the space itself leaves much to be desired in the way of becoming and staying organized.  Granted, this is definitely NOT one of my strong points anyways, but I've been making an effort.  I was gazing at the home office area last night and it just sort of hit me that I need to make some changes and I could unlock a world of potential in the style and organization categories.

First off, I was looking at the desk.  I love the desk.  It's streamlined and has a graphic design feel to it and actually offers ample workspace on the desktop.  The only additional feature it has is the pull-out keyboard tray.

Here's the problem with the desk, though.  There is absolutely no storage possibilities, which are pretty necessary in the home office department. 

So now I'm left craving something with more storage capacity.  Enter the mecca of design, and the place that causes thrifty folks like me to dream of having a million extra dollars laying around to go crazy with - Pottery Barn.  I love their Bedford Collection because it seems to be pretty close to what I will actually need, storage wise.

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I like the fact that it's not a huge desk, because regardless of my storage needs, my space for the home office isn't getting any larger.  I also like the drawers, and the amount of workspace (the hutch on top is optional).  I'm going to keep my eyes peeled to see if I can find something similar that costs WAY less than the PB original.

The next obstacle that I'm pondering overcoming is the desk chair.  At present, I have a cumbersome model fairly similar to this:

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Now, I wouldn't actually mind this, as the chair is pretty comfortable, but the problems I have with it are these:  1) The width of the chair, plus the arms, takes up so much room in that small corner.  2)  In order to have the height of the chair adjusted for comfort, you cannot push the chair up under the desk; thus, it sticks out or you have to adjust it every time you sit down.  3) The wheels are a nice touch, but really don't do anything since the office is on a carpeted floor.  They really just succeed in making indentures in said carpet. 

I might have to update this too.  It's something I'm considering.

So, this is the project I'm thinking of taking on.  I am determined to get everything organized and hopefully will be able to stretch my legs a little more in the design process (like adding damask, anyone???).  There is only so much you can do while renting, but I'm still hell bent on creating a home.  I don't have to own it, but I do have to be able to work it!

Are any of you taking on minor or major home projects?  If so, what are they?  Comment below!

Until next time,
Miss Chicken Wing

Decorawesome!

You've heard of decorating. How about decorawesome?

No?

Oh, that's because I just made that word up! Remember the gorgeous table and chairs set that I recently blogged about here?

I wanted you to see them, in all their glass-and-oil-rubbed-bronze beauty.

If you look in the top left corner, you can see my wine racks - the first craigslist purchase I made!

And, with a little damask goodness, naturally! :)

Until next time,
Miss Chicken Wing

I Love Patterns - No Really, I Do!

This post is dedicated to a majorly SICK obsession that I have.

She can be colorful. She can be regular (but still oh-so-classy) black and white. She is curvy, and just too sexy.

What is she? Who/What is this thing that I love (that obviously must be a pattern)?

Get the LOVE photo here.

Yes, folks, damask is her name, and royal elegance and fun are her games! For some reason, I stumbled across this pattern sometime over the past year, and I don't know why I never paid her much attention before - after all, she's been around way longer than I have!

So, I decided to share some lovely damask (pronounced (dam esk - the "a" is short)) inspiration with you, and then, in a later post, I will show you how I've chosen to personally introduce this pattern into the Casa de Chicken Wing.

First and foremost, you can see the outside edges of this blog! There's a gorgeous example of damask and this blog background speaks to my essence - damask, fuschia, and diamonds - yes, yes, and yes!

How about in fashion???

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Okay, you want to see some damask for the home? Absolutely - I can deliver! :)

How about a lamp? Source

A good memo board is hard to find. This one would be worth the wait! Source

Have mercy! This is a sassy chair, and it can be found at Pier 1! Source

I just died a glorious aqua-colored death over this wallpaper/chair combo! Seriously, that is absolutely gorgeous wallpaper, and I was not a fan of the "impossible to remove" stuff until I saw this photo! Source

And finally, the damask inspiration pictures that just stake you through the heart - "How would one incorporate damask into their wedding or party?," you ask. "Like this," I say.

Through a gorgeous, colorful invite! Source

Or an incredible tablescape, complete with damask runner, favor box, and menu. Source

Or one of the most stunning cake designs I've ever seen! Source

So, as you can see, once you find something you like, it's pretty easy to find inspiration in the land of the internets! :) I like to become obsessed with something, search for inspiration, let my mind run wild, and then rein myself back in and focus on whatever project comes out of it!

I can't wait until I find my next obessession! If you have any that you think I'd be interested in, please feel free to let me know! Now, you'll have to excuse me as I wipe the drool from my keyboard.

Until next time,
Miss Chicken Wing