Hear Crystal Clear

Let's talk crystal. It's a great jewel to pair with prints and patterns and colors because it has a quiet elegance. Let me explain.

BHLDN, Ombre Chandeliers, $60

Simple and elegant, these crystals are quiet yet classic.

Ann Taylor, Round Crystal Chandelier Earrings, $49

Stunning. Perfect with a solid maxi and a night out.

JCrew, Venus Flytrap Earrings, $50

I love the faceted crystals on this earrings. Simple and fresh.

Baublebar, Crystal Arc Ear Jackets, $28

I recently took the ear jacket plunge and I'm having trouble not wearing them daily. These would be no different.

So when you're looking for an earring to compliment a great outfit, go for crystal. It's a bit of bling without being standout busy.

Be fabulous today!

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Home of the Brave Clothing

It's a short week for most of us because it's Fourth of July weekend. Still can't find anything to wear? I've got you covered. I'm not talking about red shorts and a chambray top. No, I'm celebrating America. Hard. This is land of the free and home of the brave clothing.

Old Navy, Patterned Espadrilles, $22

Just when you thought you only go to Old Navy for your flag tees.

Macy's, Rag Flag Print Tank Top, $29

Understated but still a statement.

Forever 21, American Flag Bow Barrette, $3

Put it in your hair, on your purse, or on your dog's collar. 

Shoptiques, PRIM Flag Scarf, $18

This scarf is great with white jeans or a white eyelet dress.

Stars and stripes, there's no shame in wearing them all day everyday, but I hope these pieces add a little something special to your weekend attire this week. 

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs,

Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Beer-Jito

c/o Five O'Clock Cocktails

Ingredients

1 ounce Akvinta Vodka

5 ounces Red Stripe

2 lime wedges

6-8 mint leaves

Pinch of sugar

Lime wedge and/or mint sprig, to garnish

Directions

Muddle lime, mint and sugar in the bottom of a Collins glass. Fill glass with ice. Add vodka, then beer. Garnish.

Green Scallop Tacos

c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

For the green herb salsa:

• 2 garlic cloves, skin left on
• 2 small jalapenos
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large bunch fresh cilantro, leaves only
• 1 large bunch parsley, leaves only
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced small
• 1 medium haas avocado
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 to 2 tbsp water as needed

For the taco:

• 16 fresh scallops (about 1 lb)
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
• 2 tsp oil
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 8 corn tortillas

Directions

Toast the garlic and jalapeños in a dry skillet until golden. Remove from heat, peel garlic and seed the peppers. Combine with olive oil, cilantro and parsley in a small blender with just enough water to blend. Place in a bowl and combine with diced cucumber and avocado.

Pat the scallops dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a medium skillet over high heat, add 1/2 teaspoon oil and cook the scallops 4 at a time for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they become caramelized and the center is  – do not overcook. Set aside and repeat with the others.

To serve, heat the tortillas on a separate skillet about 30 to 60 seconds on each side, top each with 1/4 cup sauce and 2 scallops. Squeeze some fresh lime juice on top and eat right away.

The Perfect Tan

c/o Shugary Sweets

Ingredients

• 4 cup vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream
• 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
• whipped cream and cherry for garnish

Directions

1. In two large glasses, drizzle chocolate syrup around the insides of glass. Set aside.
2. In a blender, process the vanilla ice cream with Baileys, until smooth and creamy. To make thicker, add more ice cream. To make thinner, add more Baileys.
3. Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream and cherry. ENJOY immediately!

Maximum Cuts

I love maxis. I really do. They are no fuss, easily packable, and they are throw on and go. This summer you've seen printed maxis, dressy maxis, how about cutout maxis? A strategically placed cutout takes these maxis to the next level.

Asos, Paisley Cutout Maxi, $99

I'm starting with my favorite. How beautiful is this dress? I love the colors, the material, and the fact that it is machine washable.

Missguided, Crepe Bralet Maxi Dress, $90

Ready for date night, ready for the vineyard, ready for anything. Gorgeous.

Swell, Billabong Hold On Me High Neck Maxi, $59

This is a great vacation dress. The print is playful and bright and I love the high neckline.

Shoptiques, Mustard Seed Red and White Maxi, $45

A beautiful halter option that I think would be perfect for a Fourth of July party. Dress it down for daytime with flat sandals (see Monday's post) and dress it up with a drop earring and heels.

When it's maxi season you need any excuse to add just one more to your closet. I love the cutout maxi because it's not overly sexy and it's perfect for summer.

Be fabulous today!

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Cut the Culotte

Let's push our limits a bit today. Get outside our comfort zone of cropped pants, bf jeans, and skinny ankle pants. Let's see how far we can go for fashion. I'm talking about culottes. Those kind of weird but insanely comfortable knee-length soft pants that work for work or weekend.

Dillard's, Vince Camuto Bow Tie Print Culottes, $53

See? Not so scary. A great pant for summer with a crisp white blouse.

Bloomingdales, Free People Culottes, $66

A bit more casual but still ready for summer in this great coral hue.

Nordstrom, Leith Print Pleated Culottes, $37

Try this trend for under 40 bucks and they're from Nordstrom. Its a win win.

Missguided, High waisted crepe culottes, $50

Feeling confident? I recommend this pastel high waisted option.

Try the culottes trend this summer. You can go print or solid and mix with a lot of tops already in your closet. 

Be fabulous today!

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Sir, Yes Sir

I love a simple shirtdress. It's casual and chic in an effortless sort of way. My only gripe with shirt dresses is that sometimes they can be a bit short so make sure you do the sit-down test when trying them on. If you're doubting, don't wear it to work. Just don't. Today I thought we would look at a specific type of shirtdress: the military style. This trend is a bit more masculine and the olive green hue looks good on anyone.

Express, Green Military Shirt Dress, $79

I love a flap button pocket, it's a little safari but not in a Wild Thornberry kind of way.

Nordstrom, KUT from the Kloth Solange Dress, $52

You know what summer needs more of? Linen. The coolest fabric ever.

Macy's, NY Collection Petite Rolltab Sleeve Dress, $41

A deeper green makes this dress completely feminine and work appropriate.

Loft, Safari Shirtdress, $79

A slouchy option that is perfect for the weekend. I love the side slits as an extra detail.

The military trend is a great one to follow during all four seasons, but I especially love the shirtdress option. It's casual and easy for work or play.

Be fabulous today!

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Summer Lovin' Sandals

Happy Monday lovebugs,
I hope you had a great weekend. It was a hot one here in DC and I was living in sandals all weekend. I thought we would look at some great comfortable options for those hot days. No specific trend of style today, just summer sandals that are under $50.

First row: one/two (under $20!)/three
Second row: one (my favorite) /two/three
Third row: one/two/three

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs,

Here are my favorite recipes this week. 

Sparkling Fruit Sangria

c/o Sally's Baking Addiction

Ingredients

• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup raspberries
• 10 large strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 750ml bottle sweet white wine (I used Riesling)
• 1 750ml bottle your favorite champagne

Directions

Place all fruit and orange juice in a large pitcher or bowl, add wine and allow to sit in the refrigerator for 3 - 24 hours. Right before serving, add champagne.

Taste; if you'd like it to be sweeter, add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, honey, or agave. Serve and enjoy!

Grilled Rainbow Peppers with Herb Cream Cheese

c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 16 mini rainbow peppers, halved, seeds and membranes removed
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• Zest of 1 small lemon

Directions

Preheat grill over medium heat.

Meanwhile, place peppers, olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Toss to evenly coat. Set aside. 

In another small bowl, thoroughly combine cream cheese, garlic, dill, basil, 2 tablespoons chives, fresh ground pepper, pinch of salt and lemon zest.  Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag or small Ziploc bag and put in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Grill peppers over medium heat, until slightly charred, about 2 minutes per side.  Transfer to a small platter.

Snip the tip of the piping/Ziploc bag and carefully fill each pepper half with the cream cheese mixture.  Top with remaining 1 tablespoon chives.

Spread Cookie Bars
c/o Table for Seven

Ingredients

• for cookies:
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• for chocolate topping:
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a large baking sheet/cookie sheet.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.   Add in eggs and vanilla.Then, add flour in gradually.  Mix all until dough forms.
4. Spread dough onto baking sheet.  Spraying your spatula with some non stick cooking spray makes spreading the dough a little easier.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until brown.
6. Remove from oven and sprinkle the top with chocolate chips.
7. Put back in your oven for just a minute to get chocolate chips soft.
8. Then, remove and spread chocolate on top of cookie.  Go slowly.  Your dough is warm and will tear is you aren't careful.
9. Cool completely and then, cut with knife or pizza cutter.

Simple is Chic and Cheap

We talk a lot about details on this blog. Embellishment, prints, you name it, but there is also a time and place for simplicity. I tend to feel the simple looks when the weather is extreme. When it's really hot or really cold I look for a classic utility piece that is going to do the work for me. Today, we're going to look at simple tank dresses that are under $50.

Dillard's, GB Tank Dress, $32

Simple v neck with that you can wear as is or accessorize the crap out of it.

Macy's, Sport Sleeveless Tank Dress, $24

I love this dress. I love the color, the fit, and the fact that I'm going to wear sneakers with it.

Nordstrom, Leith Scoop Back Woven Tank Dress, $48

Simple can be dressy. Check out this pink showstopper.

Amazon, Threads 4 Thought Broome Dress, $44

And if you are craving a small detail, here you have it in a simple stripe with a belt.

Simplicity is beautiful. You what else is beautiful? Affordable clothing. All of these options are throw on and go and they're all under $50.

Be fabulous today!

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Hematite Rope Walk

Here is your geology lesson for the day, ok maybe for the month. Hematite is the mineral form of iron. There you have it. Pretty cool, right? A mineral that adds a touch of bling to jewelry but also translates really well to fashion jewelry.

Amazon, Erickson Beamon Rocks Hematite Trapeze Drop Earrings, $31

Hello glam. I love these with an LBD or black jeans and heels.

Saks off Fifth, Tubular Cluster Collar, $49

I believe this is what they mean when they say 'ice'. Hello statement.

Baublebar, Ice Lead Cuff Hematite Bracelet, $24

A simple cuff that is a bit rocker chic but easy to dress up or down.

River Island, Black Hematite Chunky Stone Necklace, $30

I really like this necklace because it has a raw quality to it. I would dress this with a very casual tee to balance the bling.

So there you have it. Hematite. It's chilly and icy in the best way possible.

Be fabulous today!

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Don't Sweat It

You guys, it's hot. Like really hot. Like can I stay inside and binge on Gilmore Girls all day hot. Sometimes this type of heat needs a relaxed, simple, weekend look that is no fuss. I'm loving a lightweight striped skirt for weekend wear. Throw on a simple tee or tank and you're ready to go.

Kohl's, Sonoma Life + Style Striped Skirt, $14

This is weekend wear. Elastic waist, pockets, cotton, and under 15 bucks.

Talbots, Weekend Terry Match Stripe Skirt, $45

Something a little longer but with a playful side slit. 

Nordstrom, Hinge Alabama Stripe Skirt, $68

Say it with me: linen. Linen is even cooler than cotton. I love the multicolor stripe.

Old Navy, Foldover Waist Chevron Stripe Skirt, $20

And a foldover option with a chevron stripe gives this skirt some movement.

Weekend wear for summertime isn't always glamorous. Leave the layers at home and try a lightweight skirt that is cool and simple.

Be fabulous today!

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Turn the Kaleidoscope

Happy Monday lovebugs,
Let's talk prints. Not your standard stripe, polka dot, or even gingham. Let's think out of the box and look at the kaleidoscope print. It's eye catching, colorful and perfect for summer. I love the repetition of shapes in this print and you can have fun with neon or make it work for work.

Modcloth, Diamond-ay Morning Dress, $69 $41

Pops of color, cutouts, and a simple cinched waist makes this dress ready for sangria on a roof.

Dillard's, Copper Key Envelope Back Tank, $14

You really cannot beat the price here and the back of this tank is about as fun as the print.

Oasis, Multi-Kaleidoscope Shirt Dress, $77

Oh I love this piece. This is not what everyone else has in their closet and it's a stunner. A little 70s, a little bohemian, a lot summer nights.

NY & Company, Eva Mendes Toni Tie Neck Blouse, $24

Again, this price people. Just awesome. I love a tie neck blouse for work and this print is quite unusual. If you love Eva, she's also made a great kaleidoscope pant.  

The kaleidoscope print is certainly a standout look. It's geometric without being too mod and you can find colors that fit what's already in your closet.

Be fabulous today!

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