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.