Week In Pictures 18.0

1  I was in Boston for most of last week for a conference.  What a great opportunity to re-explore some of the great places in the city.  I saw Copley Square everyday, what a beautiful sight!

2  Getting a Boston parking ticket isn't fun, and it isn't cheap.  Boy do I know.  This time I didn't have to worry about that because I walked everywhere.

3  Conference wear.  Glad it was casual - wore a Dana Buchman for Kohls dress.  I tried it on the first time and I wasn't that thrilled with it, then I regretted not getting it when I got home.  I went to Kohls again weeks later and I found it - definitely meant to be.

4  My husband was looking for Brazilian rum (Cachaca) and I wandered over to the boxed wine...look at the purse shaped box!

5  While at the store, they were giving out samples of Bud Light Lime-A-Rita.  I'm not fond of malt beverages, but this was tasty.  I'd rather have the real deal margarita, but this one folks isn't bad.

6  The husband made some caipirinhas.  It was delish.

7  Had the urge to purge some old clothes and brought a few bags to Goodwill.  It felt good, then I kind of regretted throwing away old jeans because I could have cut them into shorts.  Oh well.

8  While at the Goodwill I saw this antique/vintage book "Page, Esquire, and Knight" which reminded me of Courtney because she's a historian.  

9  A week isn't complete without a Target run.  While browsing the accessories department I saw this necklace.  Although it's not DIY-able (I think) I had the urge to purchase it, but I resisted.  I'll wait for a sale.

How was your week?

Cumin

The husband and I pride ourselves in being loyal customers to our favorite restaurants.  However this past week we ventured off to the next town over and went to a fairly new Indian restaurant named Cumin.  The building used to be an IHOP restaurant, you know with the famous blue roof.  Outside may be deceiving, but inside it is totally transformed into a cozy and warm interior instead of the typical chain restaurant decor that it used to be.  As for the food, we were pretty impressed with the selection but we managed to order our "usuals".  

I love chicken tikka masala "hot".  I like the extra kick.  Not so much that I'm sweating bullets but enough where I need to take sips of water in between.  Our orders came with white fluffy basmati rice. 

My husband ordered the chicken tikka (he usually orders the chicken chili).  He ordered it "hot" - surprising because he usually likes it "extra hot" yea the sweating bullets kind of hot.  I guess he wanted to see and gauge the spiciness for his first experience.  He might have to order it "extra extra hot" next time.  Of course Indian food to me is not complete with it's extra carb on the side - garlic naan bread.  This unleavened bread is soft and fluffy and perfect to soak up all of the sauce.   Overall it was a pleasant experience.  Now, I don't know if this place tops my all time favorite Indian restaurant in New Haven but it definitely is comparable!

Do you Yelp?

Made It: Brass Fastener Clutch

Materials I used:

vinyl

grid/template I made on the computer

tape/duck tape

box cutter/exacto knife

old magazine

hammer (optional)

fabric (lining)

zipper

1 I used a rectangular piece of vinyl folded in half.  There will be a front and a back.  Honestly I found this piece in the remnants section at my local JoAnn Fabrics.  I'm sure you can use whatever type of sturdy material you'd like to use.

2  Made sure that my grid/table was centrally located on the top side of my folded vinyl.  This is the front part of my clutch.

3  To make sure that my grid/table didn't move around I put some duck tape to keep it in place.  

4  I put my old magazine inside my folded vinyl to make sure that I only punctured through the front part.  Then, I started poking through where the lines intersected.  Side note:  Make sure that you have enough brass fasteners for your grid or else you'll have a problem later.

5  After puncturing the vinyl with the box cutter, it was easier to put the brass fastener.

6  I checked the "wrong" side of the material to make sure that the brass fastener went 

7  After putting through all of the fasteners, I lined them up horizontally

8  I also made sure that the back of the fasteners were flat with a small hammer.  Remember to use an old magazine on the underside of the material.  

9  Time to flip it back to the front part of the bag and take the grid and tape off!! 

10  Once the paper and tape are off then I sewed it into a clutch with lining and zipper.

Finished product completed.

Perfect for the essentials for a night out on the town!

Conference Technology

As you're reading this, I am at a conference for work at one of my favorite cities in the world - Boston.    I am not the greatest packer.  However, I do know that I need the following things so that I have the total experience for work and for down-time.

My Longchamp bag holds everything.  It's perfect for work.  Almost time to get another color for fall.

My kindle helps me catch up on my current reading.

Phone.  Of course.  Enough said.

My camera - I'm sure there will be lots of photos to take in good 'ol Beantown.

Laptop - for work related and for down time after the conference.  Oh I don't know, maybe some blogging?

When you go away, do you need to have certain things with you?

Conference Technology by delachic featuring tech accessories

Cole Haan Kindle Frame Cover / Canon EOS Digital Rebel T3 12.2-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Kit Rebel...

Fancy Brass

Studs are in.  No doubt about it.  It's on shoes, clothes, bags, accessories. Then the lightbulb over my head went on.  I wanted to make my very own studded clutch with brass fasteners.  It was quite a process since my crafty OCD kicked in especially when adding the school supply bling (which I'm surprised if people still use them) onto the vinyl.  The sewing was the easy part - surprisingly.  I'm thrilled with my end result and has that edgy and simple look that I like.  Can't wait to use this little number.  Maybe when I go out for dinner with the husband or maybe when I go out with the girls at a rooftop bar??  The outfit possibilities are endless and my clutch collection is suddenly getting bigger.

Tutorial coming up soon.  What do you think so far?

Week In Pictures 17.0

1  My new favorite skirt from Old Navy.  I love it more since it was on sale and I was able to get it with a discount since I pointed out a rip (easily fixed) on the waistline.  #newclothesmondays are great!

2  Went out with my family to my favorite Thai restaurant.  This time I ordered sizzling steak.  Change is sometimes good.

3  Some sour green mangoes.  Pucker up.

4  On a scorching hot day, I treated myself to some ice cream. 

5  Starry printed dress.

6  My Alex + Ani bracelet.  FYI: I don't run nor have I done a marathon.  20% of sales goes to a leading cancer center.

7  This canvas tote bag with blue anchors was calling my name at TJMaxx.

8  I already have an owl mug....but two is better than one, right?  No, I didn't get it.

9  Happy's weekly pose.  Yes, I love my itty bitty bit.  I'm a crazy dog lady, what of it?!

How was your week?

Let's Go Brunching

Time to meet up with some friends.  One of my favorite times to meet is during the weekend for brunch.  Something with the time of the day, or being able to have some mimosas makes it a wonderful time to chat it up and make some new memories to talk about for the next time.  I thought I would make a little outfit with my mustard clutch that I made a few months ago.  Let me know what you think.  Do you like to brunch? 

Let's Go Brunching by delachic featuring snake jewelry

J.Crew three quarter sleeve dress / Luxury Rebel platform wedge / Maison Martin Margiela snake jewelry / Lauren Ralph Lauren ralph lauren jewelry

Me? In a Style Profile?

Back in April I met up with the lovely,  super nice and talented Smita of Hogger & Co.  We were able to coordinate to have dinner at a restaurant in Boston.  I wrote about it in this post and yea it involved a parking ticket at the end of the night.  However, it was such an awesome time that the parking ticket didn't matter.  After our meet up Smita approached me to be featured in her Style Profile section of her blog.  The bubble above my head said "Me?! Style?! Profile?!  Umm........aww alright".  So if you'd like to get to know me a little better, head off to Smita's Style Profile post and check out what she's put together about moi!!  She has also posted other wonderful people who've been featured in her Style Profile who have donated to her great cause: Nashua Soup Kitchen.  Isn't that inspiring?

Thanks a million Smita!

Week In Pictures 16.0

You may be wondering.  What's different about this post?

Well, seems like I didn't take enough pictures of last week.  I've been a little distracted with other stuff.

Sometimes life gets a little chaotic, but it makes us remember that it's what keeps us going even though it's not something that we wanted or planned for.  Sometimes it's not us.  It could be other things going on in the distance that could affect our day to day.  We still get through it, right?! Right!  So enough boo-hoo-ing and let's get on with this week with a big smile, folks!

1  Mani/pedi colors of the week.  Like I've said before I've been impressed with NYC nail polish.  Now, I'm pretty impressed with Ulta nail polish as well - especially that it was on sale! Score!

2 My one time Fro Yo of the week.  Definitely worth the wait.

3  Everyone has the bathroom shot.  This time it was at the outlets.

4  Long week and a very hot day called for a Dos Equis.  I deserved this.

5  My husband was craving for Popeyes.  I do love their biscuits and cajun fries.

6  Summertime calls for fresh fruit. Nom nom.

How was your week?

Look What I Got!!

In my previous post, I showed you all what I made for my Craftaholics Anonymous Handmade Gift Exchange "giftee".  Now I get to show what I received in the mail from my "gifter".  Through Elfster, my gifter asked me questions to get to know me and my craft persona.  I also shared my blog site, etsy, and Pinterest.  This is what she came up with the information that I gave her!!! Isn't it great?!  She has some serious sewing skills that I wished that I had.  I can't wait to go and use my bag with matching key fob and coin purse. I love the color combination that she used!!  So me!

Bag with wooden handle, key fob, and coin purse made by my craft exchange gifter.

Polka dotty purse...too cute.  How did she know I like polka dots?!

Mustard fabric with blossom branches inside the bag.  I love mustard...the color and the condiment!

Key fob and coin purse.  Too cute to use....but I might have to ASAP!

A huge thanks to Linda of Craftaholics Anonymous for organizing a great gift exchange.  I hope that everyone who participated had as much fun as I did!  If you'd like to see what others made or received from their gifter please check out the Handmade Gift Exchange Linky Party!

Here Birdy Birdy

If you've been keeping up with my posts, you may already know that I love joining craft exchanges.  Especially the Craftaholics Anonymous Craft Exchange Summer 2012 hosted by Linda of Craftaholics Anonymous, who's relentless efforts always make the experience truly worthwhile for all of the participants.  This time, she's joined forces with Elfster to make the craft exchange event go smoother.  Imagine trying to match up hundreds of crafters out there with email address and mailing addresses?? Hello?! That is a job in itself.  Elfster helped her out a little bit with this event, and I think it went pretty well...well enough that I'm excited to join the next one!

My craft exchange giftee loves birds, bird houses, and accessories.  I wanted to incorporate some sewing and crocheting in my gift.  I made a hand sewn bird from the Spool Sewing website and added my own addition of the legs with floral wire.  I like how it turned out since it's able to stand on its own.  It was a pretty easy project so I made another type of bird, this time with my own owl pattern.  I added a loop on top so that it can be hung as a decoration or even an ornament.  I also made her a "delachic" signature necklace with a crochet covered wooden bead on a silver plated chain.  My giftee was very excited to receive her package and so was her little daughter!!! Mission completed!  

Big shout out to the lovely Linda of Craftaholics Anonymous who single handedly organized another successful craft exchange.  I'm down for the next one coming up in November.  If you'd like to participate or see what others have crafted for their partners, please check it out and you can even get an email reminder when it's coming up!!

Week In Pictures 15.0

1  Anniversary roses from my husband.  Too bad they didn't last because it's been SO hot in the house.

Getting flowers always makes me feel extra special.

2 These pups got a haircut.  Happy with her usual pose.

3 Tried NYC nail polish which I don't usually buy....surprisingly pretty good quality - a two-coater!

4 Did some crafting with brads and vinyl.

5 Onions at my uncle's house...I'll be coming by again in a week or two.

6  While everyone else had picnics and barbecues for the holiday, I had some "crazy roll" sushi.

7 Finally went to the beach for some relaxation.  Success! Hope it won't be the last.

8  Because it's been seasonably warm, frozen yogurt has been my friend...but not my scale's friend.

9 Took a trip to NYC.  I've been meaning to go to Buffalo Exchange for the longest but I get caught up with visiting family.  One day folks....one day.

How was your week?

Day Date With Bloggers

Me. Lydia, Amber, Megan, Courtney, and Bethany [photo courtesy of Lydia A]

It was a beautiful day.  Perfect for a day date with a few lovely ladies.  I met up with Lydia, Megan, and Courtney and we went off to meet up with Amber and Bethany in West Hartford.
This was also our last blogger meet up before Courtney left Connecticut so we wanted to make sure that she had a proper blogger send off before her journey back to Canada.  The weather was typical of a June day in New England, but surprisingly not too humid compared to the past few days of heatwave that we had the previous week.  As long as it wasn't raining, it was all good!

Beautiful day for a drive.

We all had some crepes at a cute little French cafe called Le Petit France Bakery.  How fitting for a blogger meet up, right?!  Oui oui!  I had a savory crepe called the St. Michele that had goat cheese, artichokes, and sun dried tomatoes with a bottle of Perrier sparking water.  It was the first time I've ever had a savory crepe and it was magnifique!  We chatted about bloggy stuff you know, the usual.

After our fabulous lunch we went to Blue Back Square.  However before that, I made sure to add more quarters to my parking meter....because I just wanted to make sure I didn't get another ticket for expired time on the meter, folks!!  We then ventured off to Charming Charlie's which was a mecca of accessories - a surefire hit for these fashionable ladies.

After several times of walking around in the color coordinated store, we then walked over to a consignment store called Second Time Around.  I don't think I've ever been to such a store that had Prada and Christian Loubiton heels encased in glass.  It was pretty cool, but way over my budget.  Like a few hundred bucks over my budget.  Then, in true blogger meet up fashion, we then took some pictures.... These awesome pictures were taken by Lydia.

The lovely Bethany of More Fruit Please  [photo courtesy of Lydia A]

Amber of The Girly Bird [photo courtesy of Lydia A]

Courtney of Sartorial Sidelines [photo courtesy of Courtney]

Megan of The Closet Fashionista [photo courtesy of Lydia A]

Lydia of Chic on the Cheap [photo courtesy of Lydia A]

And that's me...shying away from the camera. [photo courtesy of Lydia A]

And of course a photo shoot is not complete without me doing something silly. [photo courtesy of Lydia A]

After the little photo shoot, Bethany and Amber left and the rest of us decided to go back to Blue Back Square for some Pinkberry and Starbucks.  We then went to Nordstrom Rack and TJMaxx.  I think we all bought cute little additions to our wardrobes.  I bought a new Anne Klein watch for $30.00 with the coaxing of Megan and Lydia.  Thanks ladies!  I love my new watch.

After a long day of lunching, walking, and shopping we ended our meet up at Eli's on Whitney which is a cute little pub in Hamden, CT.  We were pretty ravenous for dinner and I definitely wanted a glass of Pinot Grigio.

Cheers to another successful meet up!

We're getting much better at blogger meet ups lately.
Another successful blogger meet up under our belts!
P.S.  Courtney I wish you the best!! We will miss you!

If you'd like to see what the other ladies wrote about our bloggy day, please check out their blogs:
Chic on the Cheap
Closet Fashionista
The Girly Bird
More Fruit Please
Sartorial Sidelines

Week In Pictures 14.0

I apologize for the lack of posts last week.  It's been a little crazy in "dela chic" world.  Hopefully my posts will be back to it's regular schedule.  Even though I wasn't much in the blogosphere, I still managed to take a few photos to let  you know that I really wasn't hiding under a rock.

1  Sunset by the water...so picturesque

2  Work event at an undisclosed location

3 Nailpolish? Clearance? Don't mind if I do!

4 Bought the husband some slippers. 

5 I'm bringing back camouflage folks!!

6 Always always always coffee...everyday.

7 Brunch with my family: vegetable lasagna topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.

8 Finally stopped by the new frozen yogurt place with my sister and cousin.  

9 Dinner with family: steak, it's what's for dinner.

How was your week?

The Day I Said I Do

Three years ago to this day, I married a wonderful man who loves me unconditionally, who encourages me to accomplish my dreams, who takes care of me, who has become my other half, and most of al...lets me be "me".  I can't imagine being with anyone else.  It's been three years of marriage and eleven years of being together, and we look forward to many years of togetherness.  Aww.