Saturday, June 11, 2016

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler


Ingredients:
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 qts whole strawberries, capped and washed
4 oz cream cheese, cut in small pieces

Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Melt butter and pour into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the egg, milk, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour mixture over the butter in the baking dish. Do not stir.
  • Add the strawberries in a single layer.
  • Evenly space the cream cheese pieces around the strawberries.
  • Place dish in preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes or until top is golden brown and edges are bubbling.
  • (Crust will rise up and around the fruit, but fruit will still peek out of top.)


From Best Cooking Recipes

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

My Trunk Club Review - Trunk #1


  1. Caslon Relaxed Slub Knit U-Neck Tee - Blue Kept $ 25.00
  2. Caslon Relaxed Linen Culottes Kept $ 54.00
  3. KUT from the Kloth "Amelia" Denim Jacket (Sweet) Kept $ 79.00
  4. Madewell Slub Pocket V-Neck Top Kept $ 14.63
  5. Trouve Relaxed Fit Shirttail Tee - Black Kept $ 38.00
  6. Vince Camuto Side Ruched Pleat V-Neck Top Kept $ 49.00

  1. Caslon Linen Tie-Front Crop Pants - Olive Returned $ 54.00
  2. Caslon Linen Tie-Front Crop Pants Returned $ 54.00
  3. Caslon Sleeveless Utility Jumpsuit Returned $ 88.00
  4. Caslon Relaxed Slub Knit U-Neck Tee - Purple Kept $ 25.00
  5. Eliza J Belted A-Line Dress Returned $ 92.46
  6. Gabby Skye Mixed Print Scuba Fit & Flare Dress Returned $ 98.00
  7. Sam Edelman Nayla' Sandal Returned $ 119.95
  8. Splendid 'Marina' Stripe Pleat Culottes Returned $ 128.00
  9. Vince Camuto Linen Wide Leg Drawstring Pants White Returned $ 99.00

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #14

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #14
Tuesday, April 26, 2016


So, here it is time for another fix. I am flexible in most fixes, so I usually ask for a variety of things. My Pinterest Board is all over the place. The things I pin are more to give my stylist an idea of what I like. If I don't hope for specific items that I have seen online then I will never be disappointed. In general I am pretty easy to please and have no true sense of style of my own.

In my note this time I asked for spring and summer clothing. I asked for "colorful maxi skirts or maxi dresses" and I mentioned that the Loveappella Carlita from my last fix and the Papermoon Waters Maxi I got last spring were my favorites. I also mentioned that a cardigan or sandals to go with multiple maxis would be welcome and that I am still hoping for some yellow in my life. The end of my note mentioned that I have applied for a couple of jobs and might have a job interview soon, so something for that would also be great.

Overall, my stylist delivered everything I asked for. I kept everything, but only because s
ending any one item back would make the rest of the fix cost more than all five items with the discount. So, it made more sense to keep everything and get the discount.

So, on with the show....





DANIEL RAINN
Sicily Pintuck Detail Silk Blouse
$78.00 / $58.50

After three months of asking for something yellow my stylist finally found this. It is a beautiful color. It is a soft silk and fits perfectly.


KEEP IT! 

GILLI
Kamile Knit Dress
$54.00 / $40.50 

This is soft and comfortable. It can be dressed up or down depending on accessories.


KEEP IT!

GILLI

Tom Maxi Dress
$78.00 / $58.50

It is soft and oh-so-comfortable. I wore it the day after I got it with a denim jacket that had just come in my first trunk from Trunk Club

     
KEEP IT! 


DIBA

Alita Embellished Thong Sandal
$60.00 / $45.00

This was the first pair of SF shoes that I pinned and I love them! The beading is colored wood, but the strap on my usual 8.5 is very short and didn't reach around my "cankle." On a hunch I asked for a 9.5 in exchange and it is a perfect fit. :-)


KEEP IT! 

COLLECTIVE CONCEPTS

Hajar Off The Shoulder Top
$54.00 / $40.50 

This is a beautiful top and looks great .... on the hanger. I am 40 C/D with broad shoulders. I am so disappointed to report that it is a very weird fit on my shoulders and chest.


KEEP IT for the discount


So, overall this fix was really a 4/5 because of a fit issue, but the discount made it 5/5.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #13

Fix #13
Tuesday, March 29, 2016

DEAR JOHN Finnegan Roll Cuff Chino Short Kept $ 58.00 /  $ 43.50

LOVEAPPELLA Carlita Jersey Maxi Dress Kept $ 78.00 / $58.50

PAPERMOON Iglesia Pleated Blouse Kept $ 48.00 / $ 36.00

PAPERMOON Bart Scoop Neck Blouse Kept $ 48.00 /  $ 36.00

SOLUDOS Kina Lace-Up Espadrille Flats Kept $ 79.00 / $ 59.25

Thursday, March 3, 2016

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #12

Fix #12
Thursday, March 3, 2016

Crescent #18805-292 Rita Embroidered Tunic Kept
$ 58.00 / $ 43.50

FUN2FUN #18822-744 Katniss Crochet Yoke Top Kept
$ 38.00 / $ 54.00

PIXLEY #18295-450 Arkwright Crochet Detail Top Kept
$ 68.00 / $ 51.00

FUN2FUN #18167-286 Broderick Cut-Out Detail Top Sold
$ 48.00 / $ 58.00

SKIES ARE BLUE #17954-948 Abela Open Cardigan Sold
$ 48.00 / $ 36.00

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #11

Fix #11
Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Colette Beloit Faux Suede Detail Knit Top
$54.00/$40.50

MOON & SKY Fairview Embroidery V-Neck Knit Top
$54.00/$40.50

41Hawthorn #17283-677 Rowson Colorblock Striped Sweater
$58.00/$43.50

KUT FROM THE KLOTH Kate Distressed Boyfriend Jean (White)
$88.00/$66.00 

MOON & SKY #16063-154 Halifax Cross Front Tie Knit Top
$ 58.00 $ 43.50

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #10

Fix #10
Wednesday, December 9, 2015





  • Crescent Kelie Trim Detail Tunic
    $ 54.00
  • Dear John Marson Wide Leg Jean
    $ 78.00
  • Octavia Beacon Chunky Yarn Infinity Scarf
    $ 34.00
  • Skies Are Blue Lopez Boat Neck Pullover Sweater
    $ 64.00
  • Le Lis Sibley Long Sleeve Cross Front Knit Top
    $ 54.00

Monday, October 26, 2015

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #9

Fix #9October 26, 2015


Prices listed are the SF full price. I kept everything in this fix, so my actual price paid was the discounted price.

Urban Expressions Andover Bowler Bag
$ 68.00

I love this bag .... on the surface. It is my favorite color. It is very roomy. It looks and feels like leather.
When I finally switched to using it I learned to hate it quickly. The handles aren't long enough to wear on my shoulder. It does have a shoulder strap, but that is a thinner strap and the length of it puts the bag in an awkward spot on my hip. I carried it less than three months and the interior is still in very good shape, but the "vegan" leather was already worn off of the corners.
Papermon Harlee Dolman Knit Top
$ 48.00

This top was cute and comfortable, but was too short on my torso. I kept it because of the SF discount and promptly sold it on Facebook.


41Hawthorn Queensland Dolman Jersey Top
$ 48.00
There isn't much to say about it, but it is soft and comfortable. I love it and wear it often. It is a great "staple" piece.




Kut From the Kloth Siena Cropped Pant
$ 58.00




Mystree #12855-366 Fanda Mixed Material Sweater
$ 78.00
The front was an oatmeal colored sweater and the back was blue/white/orange flannel plaid. It is everything I have ever loved in a sweater. It was generously sized and soooooo comfortable, but the plaid on the back looked orange to me. Orange is the only color checked on my style profile to avoid. It might have been red, but I couldn't get past that it looked orange to me. I included a close-up of the plaid. You be the judge.
I kept it because of the SF discount and promptly sold it on Facebook.


  



Monday, September 28, 2015

My Sittch Fix Review - Fix #8



Stitch Fix, how I love to hate you.

I love that boxes of clothes come to my door because I truly hate to shop.

I love that someone else picks things for me because I don't feel comfortable doing it for myself.

I love that each selection includes a style card with suggestions for how to wear it.

I hate that they haven't expanded their size range yet. I am on the upper end of their range and a lot of their pants and dresses don't fit me.

I hate that I don't have enough money to get fixes more often.


Fix #8 Monday, September 28, 2015

I had the same stylist for my first six fixes. They were just "okay" and I felt like my notes, my style profile, and my Pinterest board were being ignored. I didn't get anything I asked for or even a mention of them in the note from my stylist. Everything seemed to be random. Then I found a Stitch Fix facebook group and knew that I needed to ask for a new stylist ASAP. My only problems with Fix #7 had to do with fit.

For this fix I told my stylist that I have a wedding to attend in October and I was looking for "something in red" to wear to it. I was open to anything as long as it involved red and was dressy enough for a non-formal wedding. Any shade of red would do and I would consider a dress or mix-and-match with a skirt or pants. My stylist delivered all that I asked for perfectly!

Inside the box:



SKIES ARE BLUE CASPIAN SCALLOP TRIM CARDIGAN
 

This is a sweater-like cardigan. Aside from the fact that I love all shades of red, this is a wonderful cardigan. My complaint with many items is that the sleeves are too short, but the sleeves on this are more than long enough.

Love it!! The color is perfect and the sleeves are a generous length. I expect to get a lot of use out of it through fall and winter.

KEPT $68


PIXLEY TENILLE MINI SKIRT


Mini-skirts are waaaaaaaay outside of my comfort zone. I can't remember when I last wore one. I was excited to see this in my box because I liked the print and the colors were neutral. Sadly, I couldn't get it to zip up.

SENT BACK $58.00

TAYLOR THEODORE V-NECK DRESS

I had seen this dress on facebook and on Pinterest and I was very excited to find it in my box, but it didn't fit me in several places. I am so disappointed that it doesn't fit because the colors and style are perfect. The dress is beautiful, very well made, and was perfect for my red fix. I might have kept it anyway if it was close to fitting, but I couldn't get it to zip up at all. For $138 it was just way too far off.

I love the way this dress looks and the colors are exactly what I was hoping for, but it didn't fit across my chest. I was disappointed when I couldn't get it to zip up.

SENT BACK $138.00


MARGARET M EMER PRINTED STRAIGHT LEG PANT


There isn't much to say about the Margaret M Emer pants. They are just plain comfortably wonderful. They come in several styles. colors, and prints.

They fit nicely and are so comfortable to wear. And again, the color is perfect!! My only complaint about the Emer pants is the price.

KEPT $98.00
UPDATE: I hadn't worn these two months later so I sold them in my Facebook group for $98. I lost a little money because of the PayPal Fee and shipping, but again it was a learning experience.



LOVEAPPELLA DAI DRESS





This dress is perfect! The color is my favorite and the material is soft and comfortable. It is everything I hoped for to wear to the wedding. I only have to find accessories and shoes to go with it.

KEPT $68.00




If you haven't tried Stitch Fix here is my link. I don't get paid to post the link, but if you use my link I will get a small referral credit.


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #7

Trying to catch up all of my old fixes, so this is a work in progress. If you need pics of anything before I get them posted please don't hesitate to message me or comment on the post.



Fix # 7 Wednesday, August 19, 2015

My first six fixes were not spectacular. There were a few items that I loved, but I wasn't overly impressed. I wanted to love them and I wanted to trust my stylist, but it just wasn't working for me.

I scheduled Fix #7 shortly after joining a Stitch Fix group on facebook. It was in that group that I found out that I could ask for a new stylist in my note and that is precisely what I did for this fix.



LAILA JAYDE Amicia Open Drape Cardigan $54.00

LAILA JAYDE Clinton French Terry Layered Knit Tank $ 48.00

THML Kinzie Embroidery Detail Top $ 54.00

MAVI Sonja Boyfriend Jean $ 88.00

MARGARET M Emer Houndstooth Straight Leg Pant $ 98.00

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #6

Trying to catch up all of my old fixes, so this is a work in progress. If you need pics of anything before I get them posted please don't hesitate to message me or comment on the post.


Fix #6 05-26-2015
Tuesday, May 26, 2015



  • Honey Punch Layla Striped Elbow Patch Detail Cardigan
    $ 48.00
    Best Cardigan ever!!

  • Dear John Marson Wide Leg Denim Trouser
    $ 78.00

  • Papermoon Bromley Embellished Detail Knit Top
    $ 48.00

  • Le Sample Kahlo Embroidered Racerback Tank
    $ 38.00

  • Papermoon Waters Printed Maxi Dress
    $ 68.00
    Soft, wonderful dress, but the one I got is boring black and white




Tuesday, April 14, 2015

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #5

Trying to catch up all of my old fixes, so this is a work in progress. If you need pics of anything before I get them posted please don't hesitate to message me or comment on the post.


Fix #5
Tuesday, April 14, 2015

  • Pixley Lyra Printed Dress
    $ 58.00
    I loved this dress, but it was way too big. I didn't know at the time that I could ask for a size exchange, so I sent it back. :-(
  • Pixley Miandra Embroidered Top
    $ 54.00
  • Fun2Fun Alejandra Split Neck Blouse
    $ 48.00
  • Dahlya Shelina Embroidered Top
    $ 48.00
  • Bay to Baubles Cherie Layered Fringe Necklace
    $ 34.00

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #4

Trying to catch up all of my old fixes, so this is a work in progress. If you need pics of anything before I get them posted please don't hesitate to message me or comment on the post.


Fix #3 Wednesday, March 4, 2015

  • Margaret M Emer High Waisted Cropped Trouser $ 98.00

  • Pixley Ohara Faux Wrap Tie-Waist Dress $ 68.00 

  • THML Sanuk Lattice Detail Blouse $ 54.00 

  • TCEC Roxanna Chevron Open Knit Cardigan $ 58.00 

  • Pixley Edmond Chevron Print Henley Shirt $ 54.00


Tuesday, January 13, 2015

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #3

Trying to catch up all of my old fixes, so this is a work in progress. If you need pics of anything before I get them posted please don't hesitate to message me or comment on the post.

Fix #3
Tuesday, January 13, 2015

  • Fun2Fun Trinidad Chevron Print Henley Blouse     $48.00
Pattern and Color


  • Market & Spruce Colibri Graphic Print Tab Sleeve Blouse
    $ 48.00

  • Echo Design Barbara Lurz Detail Pointed Stitch Infinity Scarf
    $ 42.00

  • Kut From the Kloth Emmett Boyfriend Jean
    $ 78.00 

  • Skies Are Blue Benson Embroidered Trim Top
    $ 48.00


Thursday, October 23, 2014

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #2

Trying to catch up all of my old fixes, so this is a work in progress. If you need pics of anything before I get them posted please don't hesitate to message me or comment on the post.
Fix #2
October 23, 2014


Jager Half Circle with Rhinestone Necklace
$28.00



Skies Are Blue Baron Sheer Sleeve V-Neck Blouse
$58.00

Rikka Meredith Chunky Knit Infinity Scarf
$34.00

Fate Gorman Split Hem Sweater
$58.00

41Hawthorn Jocelyn Geo Knit Drape Front Cardigan
$88.00




Friday, August 29, 2014

My Stitch Fix Review - Fix #1

I am a bit behind in the blogging game about my Fixes because I never intended to do it, but blogging seems to be the best way to review Stitch Fix boxes. I will catch up as time allows and review all previous fixes. If you need pics of anything before I get them posted please don't hesitate to message me or comment on the post.

In 2007, after 14 years working in manufacturing, I quit my job and went back to school. Two years later I graduated with an Associates Degree in Accounting. The two jobs are like night and day. The manufacturing job was dirty, smelly, and my wardrobe consisted of things I didn't mind getting dirty. Accounting jobs are in banks, CPA firms, and other offices. The wardrobe is most often business formal or business casual.

Upon graduation I had no experience in my chosen new field. I was eager to work in accounting because it was such a perfect fit for me. In accounting I felt like my whole life made sense. I applied for job after job, but never got a call. I one interview in five years and felt good about it, but never heard back from the company. After five years I finally got the opportunity that I needed at my alma mater where I used my "inside" influence, but after 14 years in manufacturing and seven years without a job at all I didn't have clothes to wear to an office job. I made do for about two months before I found bloggers talking about Stitch Fix.

Bay to Baubles Santana Layered Beaded Necklace
$48




This was a nice necklace with a two position toggle clasp, but I don't wear a lot of jewelry, so it was way too heavy for me. I kept it because it was my first fix and I really wanted to "branch out" with my style. Over a year later I still couldn't figure out when to wear it and hadn't worn it outside of the house. I sold it for $30 on a Stitch Fix sale page on Facebook. Yes, I took a loss on it, but it was a learning experience that I don't regret.

____________________________________________________________


Loveappella Yonnie V-Neck Shirred Waist Maxi Dress
$74

I was intrigued by the idea of a maxi dress because I had never worn one, so I was excited to get this in my first fix. The shirring at the waist is nice and flattering, but this is a boring dress and it is VERY long. It is too long for my 5'6" frame. The material is nice, soft, and comfortable.

____________________________________________________________



41Hawthorn Carson Silk Front-Twist Sleeveless Blouse
$88


____________________________________________________________



41Hawthorn Natasha Front Pocket Sleveless Blouse
$54


____________________________________________________________



Margaret M Emer Polka Dot Print High-Waisted Cropped Pant
$98


____________________________________________________________

Monday, March 5, 2012

Getting Started

So, here I am trying to blog again. I tried it once before because of an English class, but got bored quickly once the class was over and it wasn't required.

I really don't know what my blog is about, but I suppose it will have a little bit of everything because that is life: crafts, household DIY, recipes, pictures, some mindless ramblings, and who knows what else.

The "Pixelated Life" title is obviously a reference to digital images, so I don't know how long that name will stay around as this venture evolves.

Monday, March 29, 2010

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter Discussion

Questions
  • Compare Maggie Underhill to to Ophelia, the character she is playing in in the school presentation of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet." 
  • How does the subplot involving Tavy and Taw relate to the primary theme(s) of the novel? 
  • In what ways does the novel explore the liminial state between life and death? 

Response

On her own website, author Sharyn McCrumb explains that this novel was originally a series of images in her mind that seemed to be unrelated, but all were part of a story. She discussed the images with a friend, who is a professor of folklore. This friend made her see that the images all related to the liminal state between life and death. The theme of liminality between life and death is illustrated through several prominent examples in the text.

In a broad sense, the Appalachian region portrayed is on the edge of civilization. Dark Hollow, TN, is located in Wake County. The residents make their own clothes and live off of the land that they own. At the same time, the nearby city of Johnson City has fast food restaurants and nearby Erwin has factory jobs. Laura Bruce’s hometown of Roanoke, VA, is only four hours east of Dark Hollow, but she did not know of the “other world…in the hills that surrounded Roanoke” (18) until later in life. The remoteness of Dark Hollow forces the women to mostly marry in their late teens and live “within hailing distance of parents or in-laws. Economic hardship makes jobs in the nearby cities unattainable for these unskilled women, leaving them "one man away from welfare." (23) The geographic separation of Dark Hollow from nearby cities leaves its residents in their simple lives and not moving forward with technological advances. As the story progresses, the pollution of the Little Dove River and the plight of the chestnut trees are used as symbols to illustrate that the area is not so far from civilization that it cannot be affected by the advances of the outside world.

In varying degrees, it is fairly common for people of Scotch/Irish descent to have “the sight,” speak to the dead, and know things they should not know. In spite of not having a phone, Nora Bonesteel always about deaths in the community before anyone made the two mile trek up the mountain road to her home to tell her. Ghosts of the people who died visit her shortly after their passing. She also knows many other things about the people of the community near her. She knows who is pregnant, when to protect plants from frost, and where missing items will be found. (13) This gift puts Nora between the world of the living and the dead and the world of the conscious and subconscious mind.

Nora Bonesteel has a pet groundhog that she says “tries on death until the spring comes.” (34) True hibernation is a state in which an animal goes into a period of inactivity and its body slows down to conserve energy during the winter months during which there is little food to sustain that animal’s life. Groundhogs are one of the few animals that enter true winter hibernation. Nora explains to Laura that her pet groundhog still hibernates, because “it’s nature’s way.”

Maggie Underhill is the daughter in the family that is killed in the first pages of the book. Her parents and younger brother are murdered by her older brother, who then kills himself. Maggie is soon visited by the spirit of her older brother in a series of phone calls through which he guides her through events that occur after the tragedy of his actions.

Click here for more information on author Sharyn McCrumb and her other literary works.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Long Week

It has been a long week.

Tuesday night, my two year old Toshiba did not want to go into "sleep" mode or power off. I thought little of it...until Wednesday morning when it would not load windows. The power light and the fan came on, but after that, nothing. So, I suffered through three days of just my iPhone internet access and took it to the repair shop on Friday.

My subsequent facebook status message was a quote from The Wizard of Oz:
"As coroner, I must aver I thoroughly examined her. She's not only merely dead, she's really most sincerely dead." - The Coroner of Munchkinland

My coroner is Cyber Solutions Inc. (CSI) and their diagnosis is that the motherboard on the Toshiba is gone and replacing a motherboard is not worth the cost. I was advised to purchase a new computer and have the files from the old hard drive transferred to either a disc or the hard drive on the new computer.

Soooooo...I drove to Best Buy and discussed their selection with three different salespeople. I left there with two new computers. (My husband broke his five or six years ago.) After going to Wal Mart for groceries, I took my new computer back to CSI to have the data transferred to it. Because of the backlog of work, it will be about a week before I get my new computer. I drove home from there and set up my husband's computer and promptly began using it. While I have spent considerable time on it, he has used it more than I have.

So, now I am set for the week and awaiting a call from CSI.