H&M Green Cap Sleeve Dress

I stopped by the mall this weekend to cash in on the after-Christmas sales.  Of course, even when I try, I can't find anything on sale.  But at $34.95, this dress was a no-brainer.  I think it's good to wear for work, and ladies with a belly, don't worry, this is cut to hide it and flatter the rest of yas.  I might add a thin patent leather belt to accent the waist.

Kelsi Dagger Linzy stiletto heels

I know you can probably think of a million reasons why you shouldn't get these, but what it comes down to is these stilettos are hot.  When you put them on you will look and feel hot.  So forget the voice in your head that says you won't have anywhere to wear them.  It's no fun wearing frumpy, practical shoes.  Put these babies on and see what happens.

But, if you want to be both practical and sexy, get them in black. 

Tiger Army: Cupid's Victim

Try to look past Nick 13's mom jeans in this video (it was 2001, ok?  We all had them...unless you wore JNCO's, which then you have no leg to stand on. At all.).  The song is great, and I have to put it on repeat each time it shows up on my playlist.


Tiger Army - Cupid's Victim by hellcatrecords

Trent Reznor and Karen O: Immigrant Song

I just love Trent Reznor (from Nine Inch Nails) and Karen O's (from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) remake of Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song featured in the movie trailer for the upcoming Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.  I can't get it out of my mind.

Fiat

I used to see these cute little cars all over Europe.  They look like the one in the 80's Mentos commercial, where four brawny dudes pick up the car because some asshole  blocked this girl  in.



Well, as you all know by now, Fiat has come to the US of A, as advertised by J.Lo.  That right there seriously makes me NOT want to buy it.  But still, everytime I see the cute little car drive down the street, I want to trade in my perfectly acceptable Honda and get one.  In blue.

Sephora Nail Bling

These nail polish stickers from Sephora are so cool!  You just put them on your nail and trim or file off the excess.  I've tried a variety of different patterns: zebra print, leopard, and white basket weave (the latter looks very elegant, like little diamonds).  Here, I'm modeling Red Chip.  I felt it was perfect for the holidays!  They last a long time, and don't chip or peel.  At $7, they are actually cheaper than the flimsy Sally Hansen nail polish stickers, which I found to be harder to put on.  Plus, Nail Bling comes in a variety of sizes so that you can put them on your toesies. 

Pinup Girl Clothing: Peggy Sue Sundress

Pinup Girl Clothing is a great website to find sexy vintage-inspired clothing and accessories.  I actually got to meet the owner, Laura, and world-famous pinup models, Masuimi Max and Micheline Pitt, at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender last year, and they were as nice as can be!  But I digress...

This week, they came out with some new stuff, and I'm loving the Peggy Sue Sundress in Mustard.  I love the cheerful color, and the halter top and tie waist allows you to get the perfect fit, while the A-line skirt flatters everyone.  It's casual for everyday errands, but it's also nice enough to wear to a garden party or meet-the-folks occasions.  It's going on my Christmas list!

Sesen Spa: Manicure, Pedicure, and Thai Massage

People hear the word "spa" and automatically assume that it's all fancy-schmancy and expensive.  Well, that's what I think, anyways.  I was in-between nail places after a move, and I just wasn't having any luck with those strip mall salons (I once saw a mouse scurry across the floor during a pedicure).  A friend recommended Sesen in Old Town Vienna to me a few years ago, so I checked out their website, ready to write them off because of high "spa" prices.

To my surprise, the manicures and pedicures were about the same price as the nail salons in the malls, but what got me was their practices.  They use sterilized tools for each client --they actually open up a sealed package right in front of you, like at the dentist office.  Even their nail buffer sponges are new!  They are fanatics about keeping everything clean.  Now I can't even look at another grody strip mall nail place.

Click to read more about my experience:

Starbucks Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop

Chocolate cake mixed with butter cream and candy cane pieces, dipped in white chocolate, rolled in crushed peppermint...on a stick.  Get one.  Right now.  Why are you still reading?

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

I used to wear this years ago, but then got distracted by MAC's Viva Glam V lipstick.  I just rediscovered it, and now you can't get me to use anything else. Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey looks super dark in the tube, hence the name BLACK honey, but goes on sheer and gives you the perfect natural flush.  It's very moisturizing, so you can use it in place of lip balm, and it leaves a pretty little shine.  It's $14.50, but it lasts!  I'm not about to model it for you here, so just Google images and you'll find lots of before/after lips.

Ashley Pink Christmas Tree

I am in love with this tree.  I would keep it up year round.  But my wallet can't spare $459.99.  I wish I had a sugar daddy.  I want, I want, I want!!!

Bloc Party

Older songs, but you'll get what I give you and like it!

One of my favorite videos, ever:




One of my current favorite songs:




I wish I could have been in this video:




Ending, appropriately, with a beautiful, but sad song that reminds me of someone (no video, just the song):

Phantogram

Phantogram is playing a sold out show tomorrow at Black Cat. Get some scalped tickets (ticket face value: $15) or check them out next time!

The Shakedowns and Alphabet Bombers

What are you doing Friday night?  You should be going to see the Shakedowns with the Alphabet Bombers, Nervous Impulse and The Do Likes at Black Cat.  Doors at 9 PM, $10. 

Atomic Cheesecake Studios Pin Up Photography

There are some things that one should do at least once in a lifetime, and getting a pin up picture of yourself is one of them.  One day, when you're 80, you'll look back at your photograph and remember that you were smoking hot.

Photographer Stacey Barich, of Atomic Cheesecake Studios outside of Baltimore, MD, is phenomenally talented and will make you look--and feel--like a million bucks.  She does your make up and hair in the '40s and '50s style, provides you with era-appropriate flattering attire (you can also bring your own), and will direct you into poses that show off your best assets.  You don't have to have a perfect body, you don't have to be a size 6 or even size 16...she has the magic touch to make your pictures look flawless.  Don't believe me?  Check out her stunning portfolio for a sampling of her work.

Click "read more" for my experience:

Retro Lovely Pin Up Magazine

For all you pin up lovers, check out Retro Lovely Magazine.  Yours truly will be in the 7th edition, with Playboy Playmate of the year, Claire Sinclair on the cover!  For a $5 discount, enter coupon code: Atomic.

Victoria's Secret Purple Lace Merry Widow

This reminded me of a piece of lingerie that Agent Provocateur would carry.  It's Victoria's Secret's lace merry widow in royal purple.  It has hook and eyelet closure in the back, which is a bit tricky to get into without help.  There is a lace-backed thong that is available for purchase separately.

Express Long Wool Fit and Flare Coat

I bought another coat.  Don't judge.  I couldn't pass it up, it was on sale, plus I had a coupon, it was worth it.  I plan on wearing it with the opaque red tights I also got at Express, or the double fishnets. 

Express Lace High Heels

I'm not sure why I can't put multiple photographs on the same blog post, so whatever, I'll just show you this weekend's shopping spoils in several parts.

I walked away with several things from Express, like these lace stiletto pumps.  They have a classic shape, and expose just a little bit of toe cleavage.  They are sexy, without looking stripper-esque, but it takes a woman with confidence to pull off the 5" heel.  I'm 5'8" and love wearing amazonian heels to stand out in -- and see over -- a crowd.  I think they run a little small, so I recommend buying a half size larger and just put a Dr. Scholl's heel pad on the back to prevent slipping out when wearing stockings.

I also bought the same shoe in matte satin.

Dum Dum Girls - Bedroom Eyes

I'm such a huge fan of the 50's/60's girl group sound.  Here are the Dum Dum Girls, with Bedroom Eyes:

Peppered Tofurky and Red Pepper Vegetarian Panini

I love sandwiches and paninis, and Press 195 in NYC is one of my favorite places to get one.  When I can't go there, I make my own!  Here's a quick and easy recipe for one of my favorite panini combos:

Ingredients: 

6 slices of Tofurky Peppered deli slices
1/2 avocado, cut into 4 equal slices
Trader Joes Red Pepper Spread
Cheddar Cheese (I used Veggie Slices, because it's only 40 calories per slice)
Trader Joes Tuscan Pane bread

I like Trader Joes sliced Tuscan Pane bread because it won't get soggy and really toasts up well for a great crunch.  I have a panini press, but I'm sure a grill pan or toaster oven would work well, too.

Directions:

Pre-heat the panini press to 350.  Put cheese, deli slices, and red pepper spread on the bread.  Spray the top and bottom of the panini press with non-stick spray and put the sandwich on.  Heat for 5 minutes, until grill marks start to form and the cheese is all melty.  Once it's ready, open it up and put the avocado slices in. 

Harajuku Mini for Target

I was flipping through the November issue of In Style magazine and came across an ad for Gwen Stefani's new clothing line -- Harajuku Mini -- designed for kids and made affordable through Target!  The clothes are so cool: plaid punk rock pants, leopard print dresses, faux leather jackets!  The clothes hit Target stores on November 13.  I'm sure the Missoni for Target frenzy will pale in comparison to the crazed mothers (and aunties, like me) who'll be waiting in line to buy these cute little outfits!

Picture courtesy of Target.

Vegan Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Mushroom and Sage

So a while back I tried out the Reboot diet, which is featured in the movie Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.  The diet wasn't for me, mainly because of the amount of time it took to shop for ingredients and prepare each meal, juice and snacks for each day.  I regularly make the recipes from this diet though, since it's just plain tasty with the side benefit of actually being good for you.

My favorite Reboot recipe so far is Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Mushroom and Sage.  It's a cinch to make, and it's astonishingly flavorful and delicious.  I modified the recipe by adding crunchy panko bread crumbs to the top.  If you try it out, please leave a comment and let me know how you like it!

Click the read more button below for the recipe:

Trader Joes

I have a list of things I love at Trader Joes, but each time I go in there I discover something new.  Today, I found Halloween Joe Joe's, Milk Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, and Gone Bananas chocolate covered banana slices.

The Halloween Joe Joe's are simply Trader Joes take on Oreos, only the chocolate cookie has a jack-o-lantern design with the eye/nose/mouth cut-out to reveal the orange colored vanilla cream inside.  Their Peppermint Candycane Joe Joe's have been a longstanding favorite, and hits the shelves around Christmastime.

The Milk Chocolate Covered Potato Chips are a little sweet, a little salty, and highly addictive.  You will find these babies where all the cookies are. 

Gone Bananas was nothing new to me, as I have been eating the frozen, chocolate-dipped banana on a popsicle stick for a couple years now.  The only downside to eating those was that sometimes the chocolate shell would flake off the banana and always fall somewhere unreachable and melt, and then I'd end up sitting on it later and getting a chocolate stain.  NOT ANYMORE!!!  Now the bananas are sliced and coated so you can easily pop the whole thing in your mouth.  These are in a box in the frozen dessert section.

SKT Ceramics

Every time I visit my bestie in NYC, we go to one of my favorite places in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn -- the Brooklyn Flea.  The last time I was there, I came upon a ceramics vendor who sold all sorts of dishes and mugs with adorable animals in soft, pastel colors.  I didn't buy anything at the time, as the price seemed a little too high for me.  But I've been thinking about the cute little goat latte bowl ever since.  Someone once told me, if you're unsure about an item, walk away; if you're still thinking about it days later, it's something you should have.  Isn't that good advice? 

Anywho, you can check out the goodies from SKT Ceramics at the Brooklyn Flea or on Etsy.  They even do custom pieces, which makes a great holiday or baby gift.

Home Sweet Gnome Dish Towel

I love gnomes and this dish towel I found on Etsy is perfect!  It's $10 from seller MoxieMadness.

Spooky X-Ray Skeleton Bones Apron

I want this.  What else is there to say?

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

I love to bake, and cupcakes are the perfect size for portion control (I can't be trusted to slice my own size piece of cake).  After tasting the sinfully delicious vegan cupcakes from Sticky Fingers Bakery in DC, I was inspired to make my own!  So I bought a copy of Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero, the same authors of Veganomicon and The Post Punk Kitchen blog.

There were so many recipes I wanted to make: S'Mores cupcakes, Banana Split cupcakes, Tiramisu cupcakes...but for my first try I made a peanut butter cupcake with chocolate ganache frosting.  Then I made Oreo cupcakes.  This time, I made a chocolate cupcake with chocolate chips and peanut butter frosting.  They were a big hit with my hubby's bandmates who gobbled them right up, so I thought I'd share the recipe with you.

Click "read more" to view the recipe:

Bebe coats

It's getting colder and it's time to start wearing coats and jackets!  Why shouldn't your outerwear be just as fabulous as the outfit you have on underneath?  Most people in the mid-atlantic wear coats everyday for 6-7 months, and if you're like me, you even wear it when you're inside!  A pretty coat is definitely a piece to invest in, and if you break it down to the cost per wear, it ends up being about a dollar a day for one fall/winter season.

Bebe has some very cute coats right now.  I bought this little ruffled and lace wool coat last winter, but I guess it was so popular that they brought it back this year and made one in white, too. 

Last week, I saw this and fell in love instantly. 

I actually bought it in white, as it reminded me of something a sultry russian woman would wear.  It has a faux fur collar and cuffs, and is fitted at the mid-section to show off your figure.  The buckles on each side of the waist add a little something to make it different!  I got it for 20% off because I used a discount coupon (sign up for Club Bebe, it's free) and used $10 Bebe bucks I had earned (from so many purchases) to get it even cheaper. 

Agent Provocateur Fall/Winter Lingerie Collection

Hello.  My name is Trixie and I'm an Agent Provocateur addict. The Fall/Winter collection was just announced this week, and it's steamy!  There are a few pieces that I covet:  The Edith (pictured below) with it's peek-a-boo briefs and cut away bra; The Raphaella corset, and bra and panty set which juxtaposes hard and soft, pairing lace and grommets.  Alas, I'll have to wait another year before these go on sale! 

Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey Burlesque

All things named Trixie must be wonderful, right?  Well it's true of Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey.  I saw their burlesque show live at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 14 last April, and it was the most entertaining of the showcase.  Check them out this Saturday, Oct. 8 at Joe's Pub in NYC, and next Saturday, Oct. 15 in DC at Red Palace. 

Hello Kitty Graffiti Brush Set

I'm in love with this limited addition Hello Kitty Graffiti 5-piece brush set and holder by Sephora!  I love how it's both cute and edgy, and the colorful brushes and packaging will cheer me up every morning.

Victoria Beckham

I love Victoria Beckham's style!  She's always wearing tailored, feminine clothing that shows off her figure.  She embraces pencil skirts and sky-high heels, keeping it simple and classy.  Unfortunately, her clothing line (pictured above) is beyond my reach at $2,000-$3,000 per dress.  While Googling images of Victoria, I came across a website that makes a reproduction of one of her iconic dresses.  US Trendy Indie Fashion Marketplace will custom make one for you at an affordable $125. 

Wilton 3D Skull Cake Pan

I'm so excited to have finally gotten this today!  I have plans for a red velvet "bleeding" skull cake for a Halloween party I'll be going to in a few weeks.  I hope I have more excuses to use it! 

Philosophy Sugar Chick Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath

To say that I'm not a morning person is to put it mildly.  A person will want to stay out of my way until I've had some CAFFEINE, M0+%#>F&@*#R! and a shower.  I've discovered that Philosophy's 3-in-1 bath line, with scents like Cinnamon Bun and Strawberry Milkshake, instantly transforms my mood.

I've got a few bottles, but my favorite of all time is the lemony-sweet, breath of heaven called Sugar Chick.  I think it's supposed to smell like a Peep, but I don't know about that.  It's kind of out-of season right now --I got it around Easter-- but you can still find it at some Sephora's and online.  $16 may seem like a lot to spend on such a little bottle, but how do you put a price on happiness?  By the way, these make great hostess gifts.

Betsey Johnson Vampire Necklace

This is my first post EVER, so I'm just going to jump in with one of my recent purchases.  As time goes on, you'll realize I have a bit of addiction to Betsey Johnson. 

It's the Red Lips with Fangs pendant, $35.  I'll be wearing it a lot in the next month, a nod to the greatest holiday that ever was -- Halloween.  One of the coolest things about it is that "Bite Me" is 'in-graved' (yes, I meant to spell it that way.  Get it?) on the back.  There are matching earrings, but I think wearing both at the same time is overkill.