Zig-a-zig-ah

Sometimes you just feel quirky. You don't feel like wearing your solids, your stripes, even your dots. Sometimes you just want to throw on some zig zag.

Topshop, Rosa Zig Zag Print Pleated Maxi, $96

Oh do I love this dress. The print is smaller which gives the skirt a lot of movement, and the pleats are perfectly ladylike and camouflaging.

Modcloth, Make it Zig Dress, $61

A very geometric looking print is softened by the sweetheart neckline and gathered pleats at the waist.

JCPenny, Mandarin Collar Popover Top, $19

This shirt is great with jeans or tucked into a pencil skirt for work.

Loft, Stipe Print Pleated Summer Stroll Skirt, $39

A great wear to work skirt that hits just above the knee. Oh and the kicker? It's machine washable. You're welcome.

So mix it up when it comes to patterns. Zig zag, chevron, dots, stripes, just have fun with it. If you walk with purpose I guarantee you will only get compliments.

Be fabulous today!

Reader Request: Snakeskin Flats

Today's post is from a lovely reader who is looking for snakeskin flats. She loves her flats and she walks all over the city, so they'll need to stand up in the quality department. Let's see here.

Lord and Taylor, Lori Ballet Flats, $79

I really like this shoe because the ballet flat softens the sometimes harsh snake pattern.

Bloomingdale's, Steven by Steve Madden Ella, $89

I love this shoe because of the classy cap toe. It is a four season shoe.

The Limited, Pointed Toe Flat, $19

A sassy lipstick red snakeskin is something unexpected!

Shopbop, Vera Wang Lara Ballet Flats, $89

A great leather sole goes a long way if you take care of it. It also is very easy to replace after you've worn through it. No need to buy another pair of shoes, just invest in a good cobbler.

Snakeskin is a pattern that isn't going out of style any time soon. It can truly morph into any style depending on the outfit; sweet, bad ass, sexy, or cute.

Be fabulous today!

All in: Beach Ready

Hey there lovebugs,
Happy Monday to you. It's the first Monday of the month which means it's all in day. It's when I put together an entire outfit for under $100. Since it's August, I thought I would try to squeeze in a teeny bit of beach before the summer is over. Here's beach ready for under $100.

Top/Bottom/Fedora/Sandals/Tote/Sunglasses/Sunscreen

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

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

Watermelon Agua Fresca

c/o Emily Bites

Ingredients

5 cups cubed seedless ripe watermelon

1 tablespoon sugar

1 cup water

the juice from one lime

optional: additional lime slices to garnish

Directions

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with lime slices if desired.

Summer Weekend Pasta

c/o A Taste of Home Cooking

Ingredients

Salt
1 pound orecchiette or small shells
6 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces
3 medium zucchini, ends trimmed
2-3 ears corn, kernels cut from the cobs, juices and all
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons roughly chopped or torn basil
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Save 1 cup of the cooking liquid, then drain the pasta and set aside. 

Grate the zucchini on a box grater. Gather the gratings in a bowl and salt the squash, about 1 1/2 teaspons coarse kosher salt. Toss to mix. Let sit for at least 10 minutes, and up to 30 minutes. Place zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and ring dry. You want to remove as much of a liquid as you can. 

Meanwhile, spread the bacon in a large saute pan over medium heat and cook until the bacon is crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. If there are more than 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan, remove the extra fat so you are left with only 2 tablespoons. Add the zucchini, corn and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the red pepper flakes.

Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss. Adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper. Add the bacon and basil. Toss again. If the pasta seems dry, add some of the reserved pasta cooking water. Spoon into shallow bowls and top with grated cheese.

Whole Grain Strawberry Banana Bread

c/o Simple Bites

Ingredients

• 1 cup spelt flour
• 1 cup unbleached white flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped dates (optional)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana, about 3 large bananas
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup whole milk plain yogurt (greek yogurt works well)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a standard bread pan and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Stir in the chopped dates.
3. In a medium bowl, combine wet ingredients and mix well.
4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the banana mixture. Stir until just combined. Gently fold in sliced strawberries.
5. Bake for 55 mins or until golden brown and cooked through. Cool on wire rack before serving.