Fashionable Friday: Cute Boots

 

 Image courtesy Luckybrand.com

This Holiday Season everyone is pulling out their winter boots to complete the perfect cold weather outfit. This year the trend for boots is going retro. 60s style boots with flat soles or chunky heels and slouchy suede are definitely popular. A cable knit scarf and jeans can complete the casual and chic winter outfit. Next time you are trying to pick out a cozy outfit I would definitely recommend giving these boots a try.

Fashionable Friday: Adventures in Fabric Sourcing in Downtown LA

I am always interested in everything fashion including designing. I wanted to design a few things of my own and learned that the first part of the process is fabric sourcing. I was specifically looking for canvas and vinyl. When I looked at Joann's and Mood I couldn't find any good colors for a good price. The prices for the fabric would've made my designs crazy expensive. So I decided to ask around to some of my contacts in the fashion industry. I learned that the best place to find cheap fabric in Los Angeles is downtown in the Fashion district. I headed downtown and found streets full of cheap wholesale fabric and trim stores. I spent hours exploring the streets in the hot sun. the shops don't look like much from the outside and the people hanging out on the street can be a little sketchy sometimes, but everyone I met in the shops was friendly. I soon found the fabrics I was looking for for half the price of the fabrics in Joann's. There were many varieties and I decided to try fabrics from a couple different stores. Once, I asked for information on where to find cotton and the shop owner directed me down the street to Freddie the "Cotton King". Even though it was a lot of work I was happy with the fabrics I found and it was much cheaper. I definitely recommend the fashion district in downtown LA to anyone looking to experiment with new designs or sell designs. It will bring the cost of your items down by reams! Where do you go to find cheap fabric?

CdM in the Kitchen

Recipe: Grandmas chocolate drizzle cake

Perfect for the Holiday season this cake is easy to make and will please anyone at your Holiday potluck or dinner table!
Ingredients

1. 1 box of white cake mix.
2. 1 box of unsweetened baking chocolate.
3. Milk.
4. Powdered sugar.
5. Butter.

Directions

1. Follow directions on the back of the cake mix and bake.
2. When cake is finished let cool and begin making frosting.
3. Put powdered sugar and butter in a bowl and mix.
4. Slowly add milk while stirring until mixture has a frosting like consistency.
5. Frost cake.
6. Melt 2 squares of baking chocolate according to instructions on packaging.
7. Drizzle chocolate over cake.
8. Let chocolate harden.
9. Serve and enjoy!

                                      

Holiday Party Tips

Did you get roped into planning the department Holiday Party again? Or are you just hosting a small get together with friends? Whatever your situation is here are some tips to not only surviving but, having a great party everyone will enjoy!

1. Consider a cookie exchange. This way everyone can bring something they like and get to take something home. It can take the pressure off you for dessert and, can replace the ever stressful gift exchange. Although it does require guests to plan ahead.                                                                                                                
2. Make Chex Mix. If you're at a loss for party snack ideas look no further than the back of your cereal box. There are many variations to Chex mix recipes including muddie buddies and Party mix but my favorite is the original. It's easy and cheap and an almost guaranteed crowd favorite.                                                                                                                                                                 
3. Provide healthy snacks. Offering a selection of fruits or vegetables for an alternative to the Holiday sweets will make your guests on a diet more comfortable.                                                                                                                           
4. Pick a theme. This can be a specific theme like a Nutcracker Christmas or a general theme like sparkles and snow. Either way it can make it easier to plan activities and you're decorating will look more professional.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
5. Make decorations! Buying decorations can be expensive and let's face it most of them aren't that great anyways. My favorite decorations to make are hanging snowflakes. Simply buy clear beading string and pipe cleaners. Cut the pipe cleaners in half and twist them together to make snowflakes. Tie the string around the middle and hang from your ceiling with a tack. You can also replace the snowflakes with another item that goes with your theme such as stars or Christmas trees.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
6. Give people something to look at. This will spark conversations and make people feel less awkward.  Decorate a lot in each room and if you have them, use singing or moving Christmas decorations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
7. Have plenty of places to sit. No one wants to stand up for the whole party so provide enough seating.          
8. Make a gingerbread house. This can be a great activity to plan for your party. People can choose whether or not they want to participate and it's inexpensive and fun! Also a great activity for kids if you have any attending! You could even have a contest at the end!                                                                     
9. Give out cardboard ornaments with the year or company and the theme. Giving personalized ornaments can be a great way to remember the party. You can decorate them yourself with glitter or paint.
10. Let there be music! And dancing! If you have the room play music and encourage people to dance. Everyone loves a good song!

                                                With these tips you're party is guaranteed to be the best of the season! Happy party planning!