Sew Me a Dream

I'm feeling colorful. Bright, cheery, and ready to leave the neutrals behind. A colorful accessory can really change your outfit and add some punch to a casual or dressy ensemble. Let's look at some beautiful and colorful embroidered bags that are ready for vacation.

Nordstrom, Berry Metallic Embroidered Clutch with Tassel, $58

A touch of metallic and a touch of neon make this the perfect day to nighttime transition clutch.

Shoptiques, Mar Y Sol Embroidered Clutch, $75

100% raffia, this clutch is ready for summer. So simple and feminine. Also comes in yellow or pink.

Mango, Ethnic Bead Bag, $89

Stunner. This little wristlet is gorgeous. I love the pop of pink with the zipper tassel.

Forever 21, Raga Embroidered Tote, $49

Can we just stare for a moment? A carryall option that is ready for the weekend.

Embroidery will always be one of my favorite ways to add detail to any piece. It's intricate and classic no matter what color or pattern.

Be fabulous today!

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Bow Down to the Bow

Happy Monday lovebugs,
I hope you had a lovely weekend. It snowed for a minute here in DC and it was just not ok. I'm ready for sunshine, shorts, and flowers. I'm ready for spring. Until we get there I am embracing pastels and things that remind me of spring. Today, I'm thinking bows. They are feminine, light, and a fun addition to any top.

Loft, Floral Charm Bow Neck Blouse, $59 $36! Extra 40% off right now!

Starting off strong with this beautiful print and a style that will work with jeans or a pencil skirt.

Chicnova, Christmas Chest Bow Tie Tank, $18

While I hate the name of this blouse, I love the blouse. I'd rough it up and pair it with a distressed denim or a leather jacket.

Nordstrom, Topshop Floral Print Bow Blouse, $70

A beautiful piece for right now. Floral but long-sleeved and the colors aren't Easter egg-ish.

Asos, The Laden Showroom X Even Vintage Bow Sleeve Fitted Top, $81

I love the shape of this blouse. It is quite unique and the color is perfect for any style.

When you think bows do you think pretty, pretty, princess and rainbows? Right. Bows have been updated to fit a mature wardrobe and you can add your own spin on things with accessories.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs, 

Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Campari Mojito
c/o The Kitchn

Ingredients

1/4 ounce (about 4 large sprigs) fresh mint, plus additional for garnish

1 ounce lime juice

1 ounce white rum

1 1/2 ounce Campari

Crushed ice

2 lime wedges
2 to 4 ounces good tonic water

Directions

Place the mint sprigs in a large glass or cocktail shaker, and add the lime juice and rum. Muddle with a muddler or a wooden spoon for several minutes, crushing the mint and releasing its aroma. Add the Campari and a few cubes of ice, and shake or stir until well chilled. 

Fill a 12-ounce highball glass with crushed ice and squeeze a lime wedge over top. Pour in enough tonic water to fill the glass a quarter full, then pour in the strained Campari mixture. Garnish with a little more tonic water, the second lime wedge, and mint. Best with a straw! 

Southwestern Grilled Chicken Jalapeño Popper Salad

c/o Closet Cooking

Ingredients

• 4 small chicken breasts
• salt and pepper to taste
• 6 cups romaine or other lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup tomato, diced
• 1 large avocado, diced
• 1 cup corn (~2 ears), preferably grilled or charred
• 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup green or red onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
• 1/4 cup crumbled tortilla chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup jalapeno popper dressing
• fresh or pickled sliced jalapenos to taste
• 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and grill over medium-high heat until cooked, about 4-6 minutes per side, set aside, let cool and slice.
2. Assemble salad and enjoy!

Bourbon Bacon Cookies

c/o Buns in My Oven

Ingredients

12 

slices bacon

12 

balls of frozen chocolate chip cookie dough, about 1 1/2 tablespoons each

2 

tablespoon pure maple syrup

2 

teaspoons bourbon

1/4 

cup powdered sugar

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• While the oven is heating, fry the bacon 1-2 minutes per side, just until the edges are starting to brown, but the bacon is not yet crisp.
• Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Place cookie dough balls on the baking sheet about 3 inches apart.
• Wrap 1 slice of bacon around each ball of dough, leaving space on the edges for the cookie to expand as it bakes.
• Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown and set.
• Let cool for 10 minutes.
• While cooling, whisk together the maple syrup, bourbon, and powdered sugar in a small bowl.
• Drizzle the glaze over the cookies.

Casual Kicks

Sticking with shoes from yesterday, let's continue the trend and look at something warm and casual. The relaxed shoe/sneaker that is your go to for weekends from now until September.

Sperry, Original Lisbon Umbrella, $88

The iconic print from Gary Malin just screams summer with the perfect summer shoe: Sperry.

LandEnd, Casual Fabric Slip On Shoes, $39

I've been tracking these floral slip ons for some time. Now they're on sale, and it's time to purchase.

Nordstrom, Converse Chuck Taylor Dainty, $49

I really love this seashell color because I'd pair these with printed shorts or dress down a sundress.

Nordstrom, Keds Kate Spade Multi Splatter Paint, $75

Spring anyone? How adorable are these splatter paint sneakers? 

Casual, comfy, and ready for spring. I am loving the sneakers this season.

Be fabulous today!

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It's a Shoe, It's a Boot, It's...

Fashion is weird. They always seem to come up with terms and phrases that at first we scoff at, but then we find ourselves using "arm party" and "ear cuff" like it's no big deal. Today I'm going to say something that you need to try to use because it's going to be a thing. Shootie. That's right. Shoo-Tee it's a shoe bootie. It's a shootie, let me educate you.

Kohl's, LC Lauren Conrad Women's Peep Toe, $69

A great stacked heel makes these shooties easy to walk in and ready for a spring pedicure.

Anthropolgie, Farylrobin Tate Shooties, $79

I'm oddly obsessed with these. They're going to be perfect with jeans and shoes from Anthro under $100? Unheard of.

Amazon, Report Signature Blade Boot, $77

These shooties are a party. Chunky heel, fun laser cut pattern, it's a great spring option.

Dorothy Perkins, Black Peep Toe Black Shoe Boot, $59

Simple and bordering on rocker-chic. I am digging this black option.

I allow you to use the term 'shoe boot' if shootie gives you the giggles, but mark my word, it's going to be a thing.

Be fabulous today!

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Pinteresting

We all know I love some polka dots, but not everyone does. Those people are crazy, but they deserve love too. So let's look at some pin dots. Tiny, mini, however you'd like to say it, these dots are understated and as sweet as can be.

Saks off Fifth, Polka Dot Cashmere Cardigan, $45

Let me tell you something about this cardi, it's 83% off. That's right this cashmere beauty was originally $280, go buy now.

Modcloth, Flash Fete Top in Dots, $39

This is the mullet top. It's business in the front and party in the back.

Loft, Pindot Collared Shell, $49

A simple and chic layering piece that matches the feminine dots with a tuxedo stripe.

Ann Taylor, Pindot Flounce Skirt, $69

Yes, you can wear dots on the bottom. This pindot pattern is quiet and the flounce style is perfectly swingy.

Pindot, tiny dot, mini dot, you call it whatever, but no matter what you call it, it's girly without being loud. 

Be fabulous today!

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Shirt the Rules

Happy Monday lovebugs,
Now that the weather is attempting to cooperate, I thought we would take our first spring plunge into dresses. Specifically, the shirt dress. This style is casual but still work appropriate, it's a nice transition item from spring to summer.

Macy's, Lucky Brand Long Sleeve Point Collar Shirt Dress, $62

How great is this long sleeve option? It's not screaming pastel spring and it's bootie ready.

Asos, Love Belted Midi Shirt Dress in Stripe, $68

Like I said, perfectly work appropriate and even a bit DvF-esque.

River Island, White Digital Floral Print Shirt Dress, $96

Watercolor anyone? This is a great Easter or spring special occasion dress. The masculine button down makes the floral not as feminine.

Boden, Casual Shirt Dress, $82

Now here is something you're probably used to seeing when you think shirt dress. I love this option in a dark chambray especially the way they've styled this with the contrasting shirt underneath.

The shirt dress is a great option when you're not quite ready to break out the sun dress but certainly ready to put away the chunky sweaters.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Molly Bloom
c/o Fogged in Lounge

Ingredients

• 2 oz Irish whiskey
• 1/2 oz Cocchi Americano Rosa or sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes orange bitters

Directions

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Lemon twist.

Sweet Chili Hoisin Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

c/o Lauren's Latest

Ingredients

8-10 chicken drumsticks
1/2 up sweet chili sauce
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons soy sauce
zest and juice of 1 mandarin orange
salt & pepper, to taste
sesame seeds, for garnish
finely chopped parsley, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil and top with cooling rack. Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

In small saucepan off the heat, stir sweet chili sauce together with hoisin, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, mandarin orange juice and zest, salt and pepper. Dip each piece of chicken into sauce and place onto prepared sheet. Place saucepan over medium heat to caramelize and simmer. Bake chicken 40-50 minutes, basting generously 2-3 more times until completely cooked {165 degrees}. 

Top cooked drumsticks with sesame seeds and parsley and serve.

Citrus Basil Mojito Pops

c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
• 8 tsp raw sugar, or your favorite sweetener (raw honey for Paleo)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 3/4 cup water
• 8 fresh mint leaves
• 8 fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp rum (optional)

Directions

Squeeze the orange juice, I used about 2 to get 1 1/4 cups. Combine the remaining ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour about 1/3 cup into each popsicle molds and freeze until solid.

Bar None

It's Thursday. Let's go to the bar. Ok, so it may be a little early for a cocktail but I'll give you something to hold you over. A simple jewelry trend that is low energy and high impact: the bar! Let me pour you a sample.

Shopbop, Kristen Elspeth Bar Stud Earring, $66

Simple post earrings in a stunning rose gold.

Amazon, Nashelle Identity Necklace, $63

#crushingit.

Sole Society, Double Bar Crystal Ring, $24

An architectural dream that is just effortless.

Lucky Brand, Silver Bar Cuff, $31

Again, simple, elegant but a great addition to a sleek outfit.

So, I'll meet you at the bar? 

Be fabulous today!

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Pop of Peplum

One style that I am thrilled is staying for a while is peplum. I love it because it doesn't fall into one genre like preppy or boho, it can be whatever you want it to be with your own style added to it. Today we're looking at some peplum jackets that are great transition pieces for this spring.

Missguided, Barrett Peplum Zip Front Jacket, $30

So chic. I love the girly pink paired with the destressed denim. Great pairing. 

Nordstrom, Tophop Tailored Peplum Jacket, $90

A navy stripe never hurt anyone, especially in a peplum. It's modern and it also comes in three other colors.

Asos, Peplum Blazer with Zipper, $81

Try this blazer for work and I promise you will get some compliments. It's unexpected and yet professional.

Forever 21, Collarless Marled Peplum Jacket, $27

 A few weeks ago we looked a marled tops and this one is just as lovely. 

These peplum jackets can be worn with a button down, a pencil skirt, or just throw it on for an extra layer on a beautiful 55 degree day.

Be fabulous today!

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Drop it Like it's Shoulder

Let's stick with the comfortable style trend we started yesterday and look at some soft tees. More specifically, let's look at a trend that is casual and relaxed: the drop shoulder. Such a simple detail that changes the entire look of the top.

Shopbop, BB Dakota Hannelore Shirt, $80

This shirt may look slubby at first glance, but try it on. It's swingy and turn around for a breezy surprise. A discreet back slit.

JCrew Factory, Colorblock Drop Shoulder Tee, $24

Peachy, huh? I like the combination of navy with this not in-your-face orange.

ChicNova, Split Joint Curved Hem T-Shirt, $13

Something simple that is effortless as is or dress it up with a great statement necklace. 

Joe Fresh, Oversized Stripe Tee in Black, $29

A slouchy tee with a nice update. As you can see, this drop shoulder option pairs perfectly with a pencil skirt and heels.

The drop shoulder trend is a nice departure form the form fitting scuba trends or crop tops. It reminds me of the cool girl at the party that walks in and looks like she 'just threw this on' and looks incredible.

Be fabulous today!

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