Ask MM XIV

What's up everyone? Here I am, answering some of your burning questions!

Yeah here's an article that claims Kim and Kris made $18 million on their wedding. DANG!

Shorts w/tights and boots: I have to admit to wearing my black shiny shorts to a bachelorette party last Saturday night. But it was a bachelorette party, a time when that sort of thing seems alright. I also wore it with my Cher shirt because...I can't pass up any opportunity to wear it!

Example of how not to wear shorts + boots + tights:

I think that the shorts being cut-off jeans is just a step too far.

Example of how shorts + boots + (sometimes)tights can work (imo):

And now I'm fresh outta questions again, so bring 'em on!!!

Ask MansionMogul: Sleepy?

Why so sleepy MansionMogul? It's 9:00am already! I am wearing yesterday's/no makeup and am a hot sleepy mess here but I just felt like talking to myself You Guys so I thought what the hey, let's do an Ask MM. Got some more fabulous questions from my friend Paula - she's really making y'all look bad! So thanks again P for the great questions, everybody keep 'em coming!



The Cord Solutions I Mentioned:

The Tailgate Ideas We Talked About:

Plaid makes everything classic and Fall-like.

Great presentation and easy to transport! {via loveandbutter}

KEBABZ! Love the French Toast ones - fab idea for an early morning tailgate. These antipasto skewers are classy or could be paired with a bloody mary tailgate theme...

Easy non-messy jalapeno poppers {from aisletoaloha}

Unrealistically adorable tailgate spread {via everydayoccasions}

Additionally:
List of The Essential Tailgating Recipes
and 9 Tailgating Menus

Ask MansionMogul XI!

You Guys, the painting project I mention here has foreals been on my to-do list for OVER 4 years. Ridiculous.

And here's a link to Bunnies for Birthdays. So cute! Also: Via Tribunali.

Now I'm all outta questions for Ask MansionMogul so shoot me some more Y'All!

Crisp Air is Coming!

I am love love loving this time of year! If I can ignore that impending doom feeling at the back of my mind that is dreading the coming of January/February/March aka THE DARK TIME I can really adore September and all this sun we've had recently. I love that the air is just starting to get crispy while the sun is still shining. AND we've had a few foggy mornings! I love fog. It's so dramatic.

A while back Carrie submitted a question for MansionMogul that got me thinking:

"Fall is JUST around the corner, and I am so excited for boots, scarves, & sweaters to come out of the closet. Do you have any favorite fall time traditions or favorite fall things to share?" - Pumpkin pie lover, aka Carrie

Well, yes, there are a great many things I'm looking forward to! Let's start at the top of the list:

LEAVES. They're beautiful, for the 2 weeks we get to enjoy them before a major rain/wind storm takes them out. And when we do get sunny Fall days who doesn't love kicking along a sidewalk full of them?

PUMPKINS & FALL COLORS. A no-brainer. It's almost time to replace my porch flower pots with mums in all kinds of Fall colors, and put out some pumpkins, which means a trip the the pumpkin patch hopefully!

APPLE CIDER. Ok, and just apples in general.

CROCK POT MEALS. Yay! The return of the slow-cooker dinner! I've had a craving to make a roast at least twice this Summer, but that would be crazy! So I can't wait to officially start making stuff in the wonder that is the crock pot again this Fall.

TIGHTS, BOOTS, AND COATS. You know what tights and boots mean? They mean mini-skirts, which are my FAVORITE ever. I love minis, but you really can't rock 'em in the Summer because they can look a little slut-tay. With tights though...you can totally get away with it! And omg you guys I just love a great coat.

Only a super-skinny model could really pull off these red skinny jeans amiright? But I'm loving the slouchy mid-calf boots and the knee socks!

LOVE COLORED TIGHTS

The ultimate: a pink trenchcoat. I'll be on the hunt until I find one!

Oh, and let's not forget: THE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE. I hate to say it, but when S'bux brings this oldie but goodie back it really signals the start of Fall for me. Come to think of it, when they bring out their "Christmas cups" that's when Christmas starts for me. That's kinda messed up. The 'bux is powerful, I tell ya.

Ask MM: Chores

Great Questions Today!

"I really need help in the cleaning department. I get so overwhelmed with trying to clean the whole house, that I just give up. I need a schedule of some sort to help me. Do you have anything that could help me sort out my housework in some sort of weekly thing?" - Megan

MansionMogul's Tips on Cleaning:
1. Whistle While You Work. AKA: rock out to your ipod.
2. Here's the FlyLady link I was talking about for the unusual deep-clean stuff. She talks about one new easy thing to clean each day.
3. Cleaning supplies in every bathroom/room/floor and invest in cleaning gloves - they were MADE for the yuck jobs!

"Do you think that men "nest" before the pop the big question? Women next before they have a baby...do men nest before they ask a girl to marry them?" - Andrea

Is he ready to Marry? Here is an article about it - seems like the common themes are: Makes sacrifices, Accepts imperfections, Believes in commitment, Is able to provide, and Tired of messing around.

"Do you have a pie crust recipe? If so, will you have a how-to demonstration on askMM?" - Courtney

Court: time for us to record a Sister How-To Pie Crust video! {here's my pie crust recipe} :)

Happy Friday Y'All!

Ask MansionMogul: 10th Edition

Hello again from my computer cam! Here I go answering some more awesome questions from Paula. I thought I would post some accompanying photos to for these topics below. Enjoy my chat with Y'all, and remember: let me know your comments! I am now entirely fresh out of Ask MM questions, so ask away, Friends!

An example of completely perfect-looking possibly unrealistic picnics:

Caprese Salad - oh yeah:

The Evergreen State Fair: Hollah!

An example of the perfectly easy-breezy beautiful wedding stuff that I'm lusting after - shoes, dress, veil, oh my!

Ask MansionMogul - Live?

QUESTION, You Guys:

Would you take the time to participate if I tried out one of these "live talk show" formats on Vokle? You can sign in and ask text questions OR live video chat with me!

I really want your HONEST answers (I mean, how sad would it be if I had like - 2 - people tune in?):

Ask MansionMogul: Advice?

Y'all want advice? From Moi? Well ok then, but take all this at your own risk!

A while back my little sister asked MansionMogul: "I'm getting ready to graduate college. If you could give your 22-year-old new grad self any advice, what would it be?"

I thought today would be an appropriate day to dispense such advice, seeing as how my sister just graduated Saturday! Woo! So proud of her. Sitting there at the ceremony, I just couldn't believe that 4 years had already gone by. TIME FLIES. I never had any doubt that my sis would graduate and do a fantastic job in school. But getting your Bachelor's Degree is still a huge accomplishment. So much foundational learning, and life lessons, and growing up happens in those four years. I think she definitely got the most out of her experience there and left her mark!

Here's the little bugger walking in now! I might've teared up a bit...or a lot. Held it back though! I don't know why, guess I don't want to look like the crazed older sister.

Speeches n' stuff...I wonder why didn't they just ask MansionMogul to speak?! Seriously. They would've saved a lot of money probs.

I made sure to get a pic of Court's shoes. On my grad day I broke in a new pair of FABULOUS shoes and in the photo that the photog took when I got my diploma they were not in it! I put in some good 2 hours in those pumps so I was bitter! Courtney's looked great. A nice nude color to elongate the leg. I always look at people's shoes on grad day. I know that's tacky of me but they're all just wearing robes so it's the only individual thing they're wearing!

And before you know it...TA-DA! All graduated! Court is right there below that guy making a goofy face. He kinda looks like "Dan" from Gossip Girl. Anyway, so glad Courtney looked back at us so I could get this pic. She was really happy and had a great time that day :)

YAYAYAY!!! You've got your entire future before you - so excited!

And on with the advice...follow at your own risk, graduates!

Ask Mansion Mogul: Non-Vid Post Edition

Hey Y'all! I got a great question for MansionMogul the other day:

"What are some must have clothing and accessory pieces for this summer? Besides of course Beyoncé's hot number, which I will be picking up ASAP while working out at a school cafeteria. Thanks! -- Carrie"

Fantastic Question, Carrie! And let's just say for the sake of me giving a complete answer that the following are all items that I can wear. Because really this is a list of my dream Summer Wardrobe:

1. Maxi Dress.

These are so great! The perfect go-everywhere dress for Seattle Summer. Flowy and casual but not too casual to meet up for brunch. You can dress it up with fun bangles and bring along a cardigan for when the temp cools down while you're watching a movie at the Fremont Outdoor Cinema.

2. Great hat.

Hats are fabulous and we should all wear them more. Just rock it! It protects you from the sun and makes you feel like you belong at a cocktail party on a boat on Lake Union. Beach, brunch, Fred Meyer - you can go anywhere in a funky hat all Summer! Not to mention if you go on vacation you will really look the part.

3. Big bag.

This is essential. All Summer you'll be taking those day trips that require all kinds of crap go along with you in your purse - you can still pack the extra pair of flats and sunblock and camera in style!

4. Cute flat go-everywhere sandals

I cannot stress this enough: you need some non-flip-flop sandals. They will elevate anything you wear! Instead of looking like you're schlepping to the grocery store, you'll look like you're wearing an "outfit". Make sure they're comfortable enough for a long day at the zoo or Bumbershoot.

5. Peasant top.

A top like this will take you everywhere and go with everything this Summer. Rock it over your swimsuit or with a cute pair of shorts or with jeans, heels and chunky turquoise jewelry for an evening at the Zig Zag.

6. Nautical Stripes.

Perfect all-occasion stripes. Go with everything. Dress it up or dress it down. Simple but not boring. Not bad for the 4th either ;)

7. You're going to need a dress for weddings.

JC Penney has a boatload of these things. You don't need to spend big bucks on anything like this. I'd invest in good shoes that are cute but you can also dance in and some fun accessories. Wedges are great for outdoor weddings because they're comfy and they don't sink into grass. See also LoveMaegan's "what to wear to a wedding" post.

8. Bangles, sparkle, wacky sunglasses.

This is the fun part. Just because you're wearing shorts doesn't mean you can't accessorize! Might I suggest some supercool aviators so you can look like a celebrity at the Farmer's Market? Keep your eye out for fun accents.

9. Coral nailpolish.

Coral is the ultimate beachy Summer color!

10. Great lightweight jacket.
Last but not least: this is Seattle, you're going to need a lightweight jacket just about anywhere you go. We all know that after the sun sets on Golden Gardens it can get a bit chilly. Instead of the usual hoodie, why not swap it for a fun foreals jacket?

A great basic black, goes with everything.

Are you a little funky? How about a gold bomber jacket?

I like this classy soft pullover. Definitely a hoodie upgrade!

Don't get me wrong: I freakin' love hoodies. I try to break myself of them every once in a while and step it up a notch. I hope this helps! I try to keep a mental list of "staples" I need when I go shopping - then if something like that catches my eye I won't overlook it. Once you have the basics, you can make any outfit work!

Happy Summer. I mean, as soon as Summer starts 'round here.

Ask MansionMogul: The non-functioning fireplace

Hey Y'all! Time for another ASK MM video. Not the best video I've ever made, especially since my head is cut off for most of it, but my dog was cute at the beginning so I didn't want to start over. Sigh. Happy Friday and ask me more questions!

Ask MansionMogul: The Guest Bath

Hi Y'All! Great question today regarding The Guest Bath - could also apply to your main bathroom as well!

There ya have it! In a nutshell: Keep it clean, keep it stocked, group like-items and display prominently and in pretty vessels, add decorative home touches such as artwork, flowers and furniture that are not always thought of for a bathroom! *Oh and I forgot on the video but if you wanted to be a huge overachiever you could have guest ROBES!!!

Keep all your fabulous questions coming!