Decades of Style

Happy Monday lovebugs,
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I went to a concert and spent some time walking around the city with the puppy and The bf.

Today we're going to look at a great trend that has been around for decades and isn't going anywhere. The chain strap purse. Maybe you can't afford the real thing. Don't worry, I can't either. That doesn't mean you can't get a version of this fabulous style for under $100.

Nordstrom, Expressions NYC Clear Box Clutch, $48

I love this lucite bag. It's so dramatic and it also comes in brown, green, or pink.

Vince Camuto, Vany Crossbody Bag, $98

Yes, I see the price too, but stay with me. Think about what you'd wear this bag with. Black tie affair, bf jeans, date night, girls night, the list goes on. This is your do it all bag. Still not convinced? Here's a version (minus the fabulous tassel) for $29.

Forever 21, Quilted Double Strap Shoulder Bag, $27

How about something a little bigger, maybe ready for work? I'd add a silk scarf to it for color.

Modcloth, Betsey Johnson Lipstick to Your Style Clutch, $88

Leave it to Betsey to spice up a standard bag. Sass-tastic.

So you see you don't need $4,000 to get the chain strap purse trend. There are plenty of options with the same amount of fabulous with a slightly lower price tag.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

It's Friday! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Frozen Peach Daiquiris
c/o The Kitchn

Ingredients
4 to 5 large ripe peaches, washed, peeled and pitted
1 cup light rum
1/4 cup of Curacao (orange liqueur)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
4 cups ice cubes

Directions

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until evenly combined and slushy. Divide between 4 daiquiri glasses.

Spicy Pork and Asparagus Stir Fry

c/o A Taste of Home Cooking

Ingredients

2 tablespoons + 1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 pounds ground pork 
2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
1 pound thin asparagus spears, trimmed, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces 
2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 large cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Sriracha chile garlic sauce
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1 tablespoon honey
4 scallions, sliced

Directions

Whisk 2 tablespoons soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and cornstarch in medium bowl. Add pork and mix lightly to blend.

Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in heavy large wok (or deep skillet) over high heat. Add asparagus, Sriracha, ginger and garlic. Toss until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a bowl and set aside.

Add remaining tablespoon sesame oil to wok. Add pork and stir-fry until browned, using spoon to break up pork into small pieces, about 4 minutes. Return asparagus to the pan, along with the remaining 1/4 cup soy sauce, oyster sauce, and honey. Stir-fry until pork is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Add scallions; toss to incorporate.

Serve over rice or noodles.

Gooey Chocolate Caramel Bars

c/o Buns in My Oven

Ingredients

1 box devil's food chocolate cake mix
1/4 cup melted butter
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 1/4 cup Rolo candies

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 7x11 baking dish with nonstick spray.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the dry cake mix, melted butter, egg, and milk until well combined.
Stir in the Rolo candies.
Use an off-set spatula to spread the batter into the prepared pan. The batter will be very sticky and somewhat difficult to spread.
Bake for 18 minutes exactly. The bars may look a bit underdone, but they will set as they cool.
Cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting.

Meet My Bf

Happy almost Friday lovebugs,
One of the items I reference a lot on this blog is the boyfriend jean. I think it's a great relaxed style that can go with a lot of the tops I post. Well today we're going to look at a few that are all under $40.

Gap, 1969 Sexy Boyfriend Jeans, $39

I'm quite partial to this wash because there is not a ton of fading and the darker color is a bit dressier.

Target, Mossimo Cropped Boyfriend Jeans, $24

You really can't beat this price and the wash it great for summer.

Eddie Bauer, Women's Cropped Boyfriend Jeans, $39

A nice relaxed fit in a white wash. Simple, clean, dress up or down.

Old Navy, Cropped Skinny Boyfriend Jeans, $19

Seriously though, $19. You can't pass these up.

Denim doesn't have to break the bank, especially with a more relaxed fitting bf jean. Pick a wash that is fairly consistent all the way down the leg and try to avoid whiskering near the waist. 

Be fabulous today!

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!