She Just Likes to Embellish

Happy Monday lovebugs,
I hope you had a great weekend. Today I thought we would start things off with some shine, because what does Monday need other than coffee and sparkle? Right. Let's look at some beautifully embellished sweaters.

Forever 21, Faux Stone Embellished Sweater, $24

A beautiful shade of mint with a great cream collar addition.

Piperlime Willow & Clay, Embellished Jewel Sweatshirt, $79

I love this option for work. A pencil skirt paired with the comfort of fleece and you still look fancy.

J Crew Factory, Embellished Sweater, $58

Who doesn't love a nice merino blend? And in a rich navy? Sold.

Wallis, Green Embellished Shoulder Jumper, $49

And for something a little different, this shoulder embellished sweater. I love this emerald shade.

Built in sparkle to your top. No need for a necklace, this option takes care of it. You can go all over bling or pops of sparkle with the collar or shoulder. If you're looking for an easy, matches pretty much anything in your closet top, this is your go to. Throw it over a dress, pair it with jeans, or add some shine to a corduroy mini skirt.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

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

Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
c/o Food and Wine

Ingredients

1. 2 oranges, thinly sliced crosswise
2. 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
3. 3/4 cup late-harvest white wine, such as late-harvest Riesling, chilled
4. Ice cubes, for serving
5. Two 750-milliliter bottles sparkling wine, chilled
6. 3 tablespoons sugar
7. 1 cup diced fresh pineapple (1/2 inch)
8. 1 cup pomegranate juice

Directions

1. In a punch bowl, dissolve the sugar in the pomegranate juice, stirring vigorously. Add the sparkling wine and late-harvest white wine, then add the orange slices, diced pineapple and pomegranate seeds. Serve the sparkling pomegranate punch over ice cubes.

Border Grill Sugar Cookies

c/o Saveur

Ingredients

• 16 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened, plus more for brushing
• ½ cup sugar, plus more for topping
• 1½ tsp. vanilla extract
• ¾ tsp. kosher salt
• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup finely chopped pecans
• ½ cup crushed plain potato chips
• 4 oz. semisweet chocolate, melted, for garnish

Directions

Heat oven to 350°. Using a hand mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and salt until smooth. Fold in flour, pecans, and potato chips until just combined. Roll dough into 1" balls and transfer to a parchment paper–lined baking sheet about 2" apart. Working in batches, brush the bottom of a heavy glass with butter and dip in sugar. Press glass onto each dough ball and flatten into a 3” circle. Bake until cookies are golden brown at edges, 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely. Dip tines of a fork into chocolate and drizzle over cookies; return to rack until set.

Applesauce Donut Muffins

c/o Buns in My Oven

Ingredients

1 cup softened butter, divided
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup cinnamon applesauce
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together 1/2 cup of butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and applesauce until well combined.
Gradually stir in the flour, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Fill the muffin wells 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Let cool for 10 minutes before carefully removing the muffins from the tin.
Melt the remaining 1/2 cup of butter. Place in a small bowl.
Stir together the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and teaspoon of cinnamon and place in a second small bowl.
Dunk each muffin in the butter and then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.

Ochre Jealous?

You know what color I'm loving lately? Ochre. Haven't heard of it? Where have you been? Everyone knows ochre. And by everyone, I mean, maybe 12 people. I had never heard of it. But I'm an ochre convert.

Ochre is a natural earth pigment that ranges from yellow to a orange-brown. It screams fall. It is not quite mustard and not quite sunshine. It floats in the middle in a super cool, understated ochre way.

Nordstrom, Minkpink Chalet Girl Sweater Dress, $99

How stinking gorgeous is this heavy cable dress? Truly effortless.

H&M, Cable Knit Sweater, $29

A slight hi-low hem gives this standard cable a little something extra.

Anthropologie, Pilcro Stet Cords, $88

Leave your khakis at home, ladies. These straight leg cords will be your new go to bottom.

Asos, Midi Skirt in Scuba with Dipped Hem, $66

Alright, you caught me, I saved my favorite for last. But can you blame me? Look at the movement on this number?

So when life gives you lemons, leave 'em! Go get yourself some deep, earthy, ochre. It's the new fall color and it goes with everything. Seriously. Picture it with navy, black, emerald, plum, yeah.

Be fabulous today!

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Tied with a Ribbon

On Monday we looked at bow belts and I thought we would keep the bow trend going with some ribbons. More specifically, ribbon necklaces. I really like this look especially with heavier, statement necklaces because it offers a more feminine take.

Topshop, Faceted Bead Ribbon Collar, $45

I mean, hello? Pink, black and gold. So sweet and yet so bold.

Loft, Cast Stone Necklace, $39

Soft tones make this necklace perfect with a cream sweater and simple long sleeve tees.

BaubleBar, Jasmine Ribbon Necklace, $58

This necklace screams blogger to me. Its bold, a little vixen-y, all balanced with a black ribbon.

J Crew, Metal Shield Necklace, $52 (use code SHOPNOW for an extra 25% off!)

How about something a bit simpler? Minimalist at its best, pair with a turtleneck cashmere sweater.

Ribbon necklaces aren't all frills and rainbows. They have some weight to them, and that's why I like them. It's a great juxtaposition. 

Be fabulous today!

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