Shameless Selfies

So I know this isn't particularly "fall" but it's still 87 here, and I'm still playing with Summer trends while mixing in few fall! Here are a few looks I've recently put together....

I featured this jeweled Jcrew top in my Fall Must Haves week 2 Post. I broke down and got it, and put it with a taffeta full 50s style skirt (thrift shop find).

I paired the outfit with a pair of Sam Edelman calf hair jeweled flat - I do not believe in too many rhinestones :)

Next up I have a series of Crop top looks - and yes, I'm pushing 30, but they are just so cute!

Crop top - Asos

Peplum skirt - Milly NY

Excuse the blurriness...these are Kristin Cavallari by Chinese Laundry Lotteria sandals (yes, I broke down and got them) you an find them at Dillard's on sale for $41. ( www.dillards.com) 

Crop top - Asos

Maxi Skirt - Victorias Secret

 ***UPDATE*** I recently saw this same top styled the same way by Alessandra Ambrosio (one of my faves..) love this look!

And finally, a sweater featured on  Fall Must Haves Week One:

James Jeans

That's all this week, I'll be back next week with week three must haves!

Fall Must Haves: Week Three

Sorry I'm a little late this week! I wrote my post, and then accidentally deleted it. This week I wanted to show you some of my favorite shoe trends hitting stores these days. I found all of these shoes on 6pm.com, and at a pretty deep discount :) right now, you can't go wrong with animal prints, mesh insets, and straps (and I say, the strappier the better!). Now, as I've said in the past, I do live in a tropical climate - so a few of these may not seem too "fall" per se, but hopefully those of you living up North can still appreciate a few of these picks!

The Mary Jane

Case by Pour la Victoire

Need I say anything?

Carmendy by Pour la Victoire

Annabelle by Pour la Victoire

I know the color is a lot, but the video online made fall for these crazy pumps. And, after all. You always need one wild pair of shoes!

Cecilia by Pour la Victoire

Leea by Ivanka Trump

Lace Up Pumps

Darla by Pour la Victoire

I'm pretty obsessed with the color blocking, and lace up features on these shoes!

Shanna by Pour la Victoire 

Thick Straps

Veronica by Pour la Victoire

Up around the Ankle - 

Selena by Pour la Victoire -  love the harness is so chic, and the gold tips really set this pair off!

Basha by Ivanka Trump

Ayla by Ivanka Trump 

The studs on this pair remind me of some fabulous Valentino pumps this fall....

Cries Crossing Straps

Brynna by Ivanka Trump

If these styles are too much for you here are some great classic pumps (sometimes, those are the best pair in your closet). 

The Classic Pump

Erina by Pour la Victoire

Chantal by Pour la Victoire

Irina by Pour la Victoire

Dinah by Ivanka Trump

That's all for right now, see ya next week!

XO,

M

Fall Must Haves: Week Two

This week, my must have is anything be-dazzled! True, I'm a girly girl at heart and you could put a rhinestone or a ruffle on just about anything and I'd be obsessed. I've been eyeing a few pieces this year and I finally committed to two sweaters today that are trendy, but still classic. 

This sweater from J. Crew features the oh-so-now oxblood color with navy with multicolored stones that really make it pop. You can wear it alone (which I probably will in Florida!) or can be layered with a white or chambray button down. I love finding pieces that will work both here and when we travel north in the winter!

Second up, we have a similar style "baseball" color blocked sweater:

The best part about this sweater is its removable collar. The jeweled collar is attached by buttons, so it provides great versatility and makes for easy cleaning. Im still on the hunt for the perfect distressed jeans, but when i find them i will put them with this! it would also look great with some great fitted oxblood or Navy pants, or a pencil skirt. There are tons of options for this top, which is why i love it!

Here are some other options that follow this trend....

Victoria's Secret, Supermodel Essential 

Not jewels, but sequins...Victorias Secret

I love this to from JCrew...the color I want sold out, and I'm debating if a I want a hand wash $50 tee!

Perfect for South Florida! Victoria's Secret Rhinestone collar top

That's all for this week!

Fall Must Haves: Week One

So even though its still basically summer in South Florida, I'm still loving all of the new fall looks hitting stores this season. I've just about come to terms with the fact that while I probably won't be able to wear most of it, I can take advantage of all of those cute things that I didn't buy last year, because of the brutal Baltimore winter (yes, I get it, I'm a wimp and yes, I know, Baltimore is not THAT cold). However, these looks are the ones I'm most excited about, and the ones that I think can be the most transitional.

1. The Moto Look: I never thought this would be something I'd get into (I'm pretty traditional in my looks) but I am becoming absolutely obsessed with this. Now, when it come to trends like this, love to get the most high end looking piece for the least amount of money. Rarely do I 'invest' in expensive trendy items (but occasionally, I will.)

So, first off we have a tweed moto jacket - I've seen alot of these, but this one is my favorite because I think I could really pull it off in Palm Beach. Now, if you live in say, Boston, then you may want to move on to option 2.

This jacket, by Rhyme Los Angeles is only $98 and can be found at piperlime.com. The best part about this jacket, is that it has some of that "moto" edge but when the trend dies, you can still pull this off as a classic chic jacket with a pencil skirt, or a pair of jeans.


This next look still has that classic tweed material, but adds some edge with leather details. The darker colors make it look very NYC chic.

This jacket is actually on sale right now for $118 at VictoriasSecret.com - and today there's free shipping and $20 off $150!

Of course the best 'moto' look is the leather moto jacket, but that's not in my budget, not in my climate, and not something I'd wear forever. Remember, in order to be on trend you don't have to buy super expensive pieces, but find ways to make the trend work in your closet.

Now, on to the next trend...

2. Distressed Jeans - I have lived in my denim cut off shorts for years now, and I think its sufficiently safe to say that I love this look. It is time for me to invest in some ripped up jeans.Now, the question is, do I go 'skinny' or do I go 'boyfriend'. I'll admit, my problem area is my thigh region and so while the boyfriend cut will hide that, I feel super fat when I try them on. So, I will most likely go for a straight or a skinny. Here a few pairs I'm considering...

 (I'm a bit of a jeans snob and usually wear either J Brand, Genetic, 7's or Citizens. But, lately with all the jean trends I've branched out to Rich and Skinny and Blank NYC as they are much more cost effective.)

 So this pair, to me, is PERFECT. Not too distressed, not too skinny, not too light...not in my size. Yes, thats right this $36 pair of perfection is only available if you are a Victoria's Secret model size 24. These are made by Blank NYC which has become one of my fave go to brands when I want a pair of trendy something. (I have a pair of hot pink velveteen pants by them as well - get my point?). Regardless, I thought the look was worth showing...Perhaps someone will return them to piperlime in a size 27!

This pair is probably my second favorite, and it is also by Blank NYC. They are a little more expensive coming in at $76. I'm still not sure if I'm sold on them - they are supposedly 'boyfriend cut' but according to reviews they run small so if you get your normal size, they are like skinnies. I like this fit on the model. What do you think?

Thats all I've got for today, but I'm sure I'll come across a ton of fun fashion finds to share!

xx
M

What's Cookin'?

So this week I actually put some planning into my meals, and I must admit I'm pretty impressed with myself! These 3 meals are super easy, but don't skimp on taste.

1. Spicy Asian Wings - remember, it's best to use all fresh ingredients!

1/2 cup of soy sauce

1/4 c lime juice

2 tbsp minced fresh ginger root

2tbsp minced garlic

2 tbsp jalapeño or habanero 

1 tbsp sugar

2tbsp chopped fresh basil

2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Mix the ingredients together to make sauce. set aside. Coat chicken wings (or any chicken) with kosher salt and white pepper. Grill chicken until cooked. While hot, toss the wings in the sauce mixture.

(Sorry, I accidentally deleted the picture off my phone, use your imagination :) )

2. Deconstructed Fish Tacos

Panko

Flour

Egg

Tilapia or other white fish

Avocado

Tomato

Cabbage (shredded)

Chopped jalapeño 

1/2c Sour cream

Abt 2 tbsp Mayo 

Dash of Cumin

Limes (2)

Salt & pepper

Dredge fish in flour, egg, and then panko. Fry the fish - or opt to bake it to,save on fat. Layer a few pieces of fish on the plate. Cover with some shredded cabbage. Add chopped jalapeño, tomato, and slices of avocado. Squeeze lime juice on top.  

Cream Sauce - the "dressing" for this salad is a simple mixture of sour cream, mayo, some milk to thin (optional). Add cumin, jalapeño seeds for spice, salt, pepper, and lime juice. I guess on amounts, and make it based on taste.

I put the sauce on the side and just add a little as needed.

3. Sausage Mushroom Pasta

Shiitake mushrooms (I bought 1 package)

1package Buitolli mushroom ravioli

1 package Spicy chicken sausage

1/2white onion

Approx.3 tsp of garlic (up to you!)

1/2c reduced fat sour cream

1tbsp light butter

Chopped fresh basil

Dash of fennel

Dash of sage

Kosher salt

Pepper

Parmesan cheese

Sauté onion & garlic in olive oil until onions are translucent. Add chopped sausage. While its cooking, boil water for the ravioli. Add mushrooms to sausage and onion.  Add sour cream to the mixture to make it creamy. Add ravioli. Use pasta water to make more sauce ( if you want more) I added a little more sour cream at the end to make it a little creamier - but it's up to you! Top with parm cheese.

My #1 cooking tip is to experiment with favors and taste as you go. You may like thicker, creamier sauces or you may like less garlic - make it your own! Anyone can cook, but the important thing is not to get hung up on perfect amounts. Baking is a science - cooking is not! Have fun!

Xx

m