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

 

NYC FASHION WEEK

It's one of my favorite weeks of the year (besides election season) - fashion week. There are a few designers that are always the big tickets - Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Chanel, Valentino, Oscar De La Renta (I could go on forever) - butlers be honest, most of us will never own any of that. For me, those designers are more of an inspiration, and a girl can always hope for H&M knock offs :). This weekend one of my favorite designers showed her spring collection, and I can't wait for it to hit the stores! Check out Rebecca Taylor's line here:

http://www.rebeccataylor.com/static-pages/rebecca/page/livestreamspring2014/

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Xoxo

M

Summer Style

I finally jumped on the chambray trend (again). I had a fantastic denim blouse from high school, but assu,Ed the trend was short lived, and donated it. Tragic mistake. Today I got a new on in the mail from Old Navy - and I'm OBSESSED. Most Stores and brands have been charging nearly $60 and I scored this one for a mere $20. The material is less denim like, which I think makes it way more versatile. It matches so many pairs of my printed shorts, I might be wearing several days a week. Here are a few ways you can incorporate chambray into your wardrobe!

Blank Denim flowered shorts, Hautelook, $25

 Michael Kors sandals, $40; Gap neon tie dye shorts $17 on sale

Various j. Crew denim skirts - coral colored and destroyed White

Jcrew factory shorts $34

Belted with Jcrew Belt paired with knit chevron maxi skirt from Victorias Secret

Paired with coral wool hacking blazer, white 7 For All Mankind jeans

Hope this inspires you to play with chambray in your wardrobe!

Embracing the Cuban

Tonight I cooked up a family favorite for me, Picadillo. Now, I hate olives with a passion, so I don't know that I can call this "authentic" but I can say this recipe is the one that my Cuban great grandmother used!

1lb ground beef

2 garlic cloves

1 onion, chopped

1/2 c raisins  

1 large can of tomatoes

1tbsp cumin

1/2 tsp pepper

1tsp salt

1/4 sliced olives (green, some suggest pimento stuffed)

1 tbsp vinegar

Rice

Some recipes call for green pepper and actual tomato sauce & paste. I don't use either but I imagine it would be good! I've also seen oregano & bay leaves used as well.

Sauté the garlic and onions in olive oil. Cook meat and drain. Add onions & galic and mix up. Add the rest of the ingredients and let it simmer for 20 min. A good indication it's ready is that the raisins are plump and look like little black beans! Serve over steamed rice.

I hope you enjoy my taste of Cuba!

Summer style

I recently relocated to sunny South Florida, and so far I'm loving it! Summer and Spring clothes are by far my favorite looks, and I'm thrilled that now I'll be wearing my sun dresses all year long! The best part of this time of year are all the clearance sales. While most stores are starting to clear out for fall styles, I'm grabbing up some great finds, that I'll continue to wear! 

So I'm a bit of a celebrity stalker, and one of my obsessions is that High School classic, Laguna Beach. So it's no wonder that I follow Kristin Cavallari on Twitter, Instagram, and now, Chinese Laundry! Her new shoe line is pretty stinkin' cute and here are my faves.

This shoe retails at about $129 (and unfortunately has not gone on sale) and can be purchase at zappos, amazon or www.chineselaundry.com. Kristin is often seen sporting this shoe and I believe she wore a version of it on her wedding day! The black and nude is my favorite (it goes perfectly with much of my wardrobe) but here in South Florida bright colors reign! I may have to splurge for both pairs!

Next up, we have the Songo wedge:

Currently on sale for $104 on www.chineselaundry.com, this shoe is a summer staple. It's thick ankle strap is right on trend and the manageable heel makes it great for a long day at work, and an evening out!

Last, but not least, I have the Letitia booty. I cannot resist a cute bootie, and the mesh on this one keeps the suede shoe from bring too "heavy" - and in Florida it's the perfect "winter" shoe.

This shoe is a $149, but a staple like this will definitely be worth it's purchase price!

That's all for now,