Archive for April 2012

Cheap Thrills: The Statement Bubble Necklace

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The J.Crew catalog never fails to tempt me with beautiful and often overpriced things. After putting it down, I'm convinced I need that sweater in five colors, and of course a belt, shoes, and a statement necklace to match. I frequently fall victim to such ploys, but when the J.Crew models recently tempted me with their striking bubble statement necklace (pictured above) I resisted the $150 price tag. After all, I needed that money for the eight thousand color combinations of J. Crew's Cece ballet flats I am prepared to purchase! After a bit of searching, I have found an equally pleasing statement necklace in a similar style and colorfor a mere $39. I can now add a pop of contrasting color to my ensembles and still have a little money left over to put towards bills and ahem J.Crew related expenses. JOY! 

J.Crew Bubble Necklace in Citrus Lime $150; Yellow Bubble Bib Necklace $39 @ Ily Couture;  Bubble Statement Necklace $39 @ Ily Couture;  J. Crew Bubble Necklace in Turquoise $150;


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Shopping Report: Madewell Favorites

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

I used the pleasant weather we experienced on Easter weekend as an excuse to do a little bit of shopping. I didn't go crazy, but I did stop into Madewell to pick up the polka-dot flats I've been lusting after, and a beautiful celestial chart scarf.
the polka-dot sidewalk skimmer $98; Starsign Storyteller scarf

the polka-dot sidewalk skimmer $98; Starsign Storyteller scarf

I've been busy breaking in those flats, first wearing them with my Hudson cherry jeans, then with this knit "embossed basket" Anthropologie dress (now on sale), and later I wore the scarf paired with a grey James Perse tee and my fave J.Brand Twill jeans in Navy.

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Casa y Cucina: Shrimp Tacos

Summer is a time for sun, drinks, and seafood! It isn't quite summer yet, but my husband and I decided to whip up some shrimp tacos with a twist. Frequently fish/shrimp tacos are served with some sort of slaw, usually yogurt or mayonnaise based, but the hubby isn't a fan of coleslaw, so we stuck to fresh veggies, spices and olive oil.

Shrimp Tacos served with a side of black beans

Shrimp Taco Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Shrimp
Avocado
Tomatoes
Green Pepper
Frying Pepper
Carrots
Crumbled Blue Cheese (or any other cheese of your choice)
Olive Oil
Basil
Red Pepper
Chili Powder
Red Pepper Flakes
Sea Salt
Choice Hot Sauce
Choice Salsa (we opted for Mango flavored Salsa)

Side:
Black Beans

Steps:
    Left: Carrot/Pepper Slaw Right: Prepping Tomato & Avocado
  • Place shrimp in bowl with a bit of olive oil and a rub of basil, red pepper, chili powder and red pepper flakes. Allow this to sit while you chop veggies and prepare the slaw.  
  • The slaw was made by julienning a green pepper and a frying pepper and then mixing with fresh shredded carrots, olive oil, basil, sea salt & chili powder. (If you have some on hand, red cabbage would be a great edition to this mix as well).  
  • The shrimp were sauteed on the stove top with olive oil. (In later summer months grilling the shrimp would add a second flavor dimension.)  
  • Warm the tortillas, then place slaw, add shrimp, diced tomatoes, and sliced avocado on top.  
  • We topped off our tacos with crumbled blue cheese, mango salsa, and hot sauce, and enjoyed them with a side of black beans and a cold beer.

 

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Ban.do Spring/Summer 2012 Collection

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Ban.do's Spring/Summer Collection of accessories is a girl's dream of glitter, bows, colorful gems, and hearts. Everything is wildly affordable, so go ahead, add a bit of color and whimsy to your life with these lovely new arrivals to the Ban.do shop:

{top} sunburst bobbi set $20; perfect bow bobbi $20; bermuda rose $50; pom pom flower $15; all @ shopbando
{bottom} crystal crush bobbi $20; glitter bobbi set $15; girlie chiffon bow $25; ban.do iphone case $25; ban.do heart tote $20; all @ shopbando

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Drugstore Detours: Coral Nails With Gold Stripes

Monday, April 09, 2012

After a week of polka-dot nails, I made quick change to coral with simple twist: gold stripes on my ring finger. I chose Wet n' Wild Wild Shine nail color in Blazed as my base. I free handed three stripes on the nail of my ring finger with Art Club's striping nail polish in gold.



The brush with the Art Club polish is very thin so I trusted that I could maintain a steady hand. If the polish you choose for the stripes has a standard brush, I recommend using an eyeliner brush or a very thin paint brush instead. For precise stripes I recommend slicing strips of scotch tape and placing on your nail. (make sure your base color is 100% dry before placing tape on your nail to prevent chipping. I typically place the tape on my skin first to pick up a bit of oil to make sure the tape doesn't latch on to the polish like glue.) When you peel off the tape you'll have clean stripes. Top off the look with some clear polish and you're ready to go show off your diy mani!

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The Webster Collection For The Shops At Target

Friday, April 06, 2012

The Shops At Target is Target's latest design collaboration project where they have partnered up with specialty stores to create limited-edition collections for the masses at affordable Target prices. On May 6th, the capsule collection from the Miami based boutique, The Webster, will become available to Target shoppers.The look book has me excited about this partnership, The printed maxi dresses and melon blazer are on the top of my personal wishlists. Check out ten of my favorite looks below:
images via Target.com
{top} 1) Blazer in Melon, $49.99 + Tank in Two-Way Deco Print, $19.99 + Pleated Shorts in Melon, $24.99 + Wedge Sandals in Palm Print, $29.99 + Hoop Earrings in Gold, $14.99; 2) Ruffle-Belted Dress in Palm Print, $42.99 + Cap-Toe Wedges in Melon/Gold, $29.99 + Sand Dollar Chandelier Earrings in Gold, $14.99;  3) Colorblock Cardigan in Dusty Pink, $32.99 + Colorblock Tank in Melon, $19.99 + Bikini Bottoms in Palm Print, $22.99 + Cap-Toe Wedges in Melon/Gold, $29.99 + Sand Dollar Chandelier Earrings in Gold, $14.99;  4) Cross-Back Maxi Dress in Palm Print, $44.99 + Cap-Toe Wedges in Melon/Gold, $29.99 + Sand Dollar Chandelier Earrings in Gold, $14.99 5) Short-Sleeved Drawstring Dress in Melon, $36.99 + Wedge Sandals in Palm Print, $29.99 + Straw Beach Tote in Palm Print, $39.99 + Palm Drop Earrings in Gold, $14.99; available @ Target

{bottom} 6) Strapless Maxi Dress in Wall Paper Floral Print, $44.99 + Wedge Sandals in Palm Print, $29.99 + Hoop Earrings in Gold, $14.99 7) Colorblock Cardigan in White, $32.99 + Tank in Palm Print, $19.99 + Jacquard Skirt in Coral, $29.99 + Ballet Flats in Melon/Palm Print, $24.99 + Sand Dollar Chandelier Earrings in Gold, $14.99 8) Colorblock Cardigan in White, $32.99 + Triangle Bikini Top in Wall Paper Floral Print, $22.99 + Bikini Bottoms in Wall Paper Floral Print, $22.99 + Cap-Toe Wedges in Melon/Gold, $29.99;  9) Bandeau Bikini Top in Palm Print, $22.99 + Bikini Bottoms in Palm Print, $22.99 + Wedge Sandals in Palm Print, $29.99 + Straw Beach Tote in Palm Print, $39.99 + Sand Dollar Chandelier Earrings in Gold, $14.99;  10) Colorblock Tank Dress in Navy/Green, $29.99 + Wedge Sandals in Palm Print, $29.99 + Tote in Wall Paper Floral Print, $29.99 + Striped Hat in Navy, $19.99 + Sand Dollar Chandelier Earrings in Gold, $14.99; available @ Target

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Lauren Moffatt Spring/Summer 2012 Swim

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Day dreaming about sunny days on the beach has resulted in me lusting after these lovely vintage inspired swimwear designs from Lauren Moffat:
{l to r} See You in September Ruffle Bandeau/Ruffle Hipster $198 @ Lauren Moffatt; On The Road, Again One Piece Swimsuit $210 @ Lauren Moffatt; Pink Lemonade Maillot $208 @ Anthropologie; Help Me Rhonda Ruffle Bandeau and Hipster $198 @ Lauren Moffatt;

Those ruffles have me swooning! Summer just can't get here soon enough!

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Ten Things: Pastel Jeans

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

I love colored denim largely because of its surprising versatility. I find it easier to dress up than any of my traditional pairs. There are only a few colors I might shy away from personally. Typically cobalt, green, mint and coral are the shades I tend to gravitate to. I do happen to have one pair of AG cropped jeans in a lavender hue that are uber comfortable and make me feel a bit more cheerful and girly every time I put them on.  For that reason, I've convinced myself I need another pair in a ice cream-y shade for the warmer months.  Here are ten of my favorite pastel denim styles:

{bottom} 7 For All Mankind Jeans - Crop Leg Skinny Jeans in Bright Yellow $198 @ Bloomingdales; AG Neon Stevie Ankle Orange $158 @ Anthropologie; DL1961 Angel Ankle Jeans $158 (Sherbet) @ Shopbop;  Goldsign Frontier Cropped Slim Leg Jeans (Salmon) $194 @ ShopBop; Joe's Jeans Skinny Jeans - Chelsea in Nectar $169 @ Bloomingdales;

 If you need ideas on how to style these, I've collected some inspiration for the style file:

Minty fresh with endless style possibilities:

Images via: {top} Criss; Teatime ThoughtsLate Afternoon BlogThe Pink Peonies; Hello Fashion 123;
{bottom} See Jane Wear; via Seal It With A Kiss; Harpers Bazaar Silvia C.; via a drop of Jacqueline;


Peaches & Pinks look so lovely when paired with neutrals:

Images via: Ring My Bell; Adore Blog;  Cameron Diaz via Style Seen Daily; Olive Clothing; Rachel Bilson via Who What Wear;

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