Friday, September 27, 2013

Treat Your Feet

Pink isn't just for the summertime and an easy way to transition your wardrobe into fall without feeling dreary is by wearing a pop of color somewhere easy, like your feet! I fell in love with all of the pink-toed shoe inspiration below but I decided to scour online to find some more affordable options to sport before my boots come out of hiding.

 Pop of Pink
The
Inspiration

Shoes (all sold out): Anne Taylor/ Kate Spade (similar here)/ Carven

Pop of Pink
The Look
for Less

 ThreadSence Sincerely Me Flats - $40

Yosi Samra Two Tone Flat - $49

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Put a Ring on It

JewelMint has some fantastic rings available right now. Many are replicas of more expensive versions so as you might imagine, they are right up my alley. Below are a few of my current obsessions and they are running a promotion for 20% off the entire site this week using the code YOUSAVE20. The timing couldn't be better so go add some rings to your collection and dress up those fingers with JewelMint's finest.


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Flirty Flare

I fell in love with this sold out Tibi Neoprene Sleeveless Flare Dress the minute I saw it on the oh-so-stylish Blair from Atlantic-Pacific. It can be dressed up when worn separately to a party, dressed down with a simple sweater over top or even worn to work with a blazer and boots in the fall. The budgetista in me had to have it but with a price tag of $681, it not being on Ebay and the fact that I couldn't find it anywhere for less than half price, I decided to look for alternative yet similar options instead. Here's what I found!

{THE INSPIRATION}

one dress, four ways to wear it: style inspiration thanks to Atlantic-Pacific

{THE LOOK FOR LESS}

        Neoprene Dress (sold out but on RTR for $85)                 Jersey Dress                            Sleeveless Dress

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Into the Mystic

All great vacations must come to an end and there is nothing like coming home but as we crossed the Maryland state line earlier today, I missed more than ever that lovely something about not being able to predict the day-to-day weather. I knew we would get "muggy" back in Baltimore but unlike other vacation spots, an overcast morning in Maine never makes me feel like reading on the couch all day means missing out on something spectacular. I love almost not being able to see the water because of the thick fog, which means I know I have some time to relax before the sun peeks out and in the meantime, I get to listen to the fog horns of each passing boat. We had a lot of those overcast days during our vacation so this, in a recap, is a tiny portion of what I wore when I wasn't in my most comfortable sweats and over sized sweaters.

{ICED COFFEE RUN}
Jcrew Orange Sweatshirt $45 (old), Old Navy Jean shorts $7.97, Sperry 2-Eye Boat Shoes $59.99, Madewell Transport Tote (seen here), Old Navy Jacket (old but similar here)


foggy morning view

{MIXING IT UP}
1. {WEDDING} LuLu's Chevron Dress $46, Impo Wedges from DSW (old but similar here)
2. {INTO TOWN} Joe's Cropped Jeans $152, SheInside Blouse $30.95, Madewell Transport Tote (seen above), Old Navy Sandals $7.97, Ray Ban Aviators $144.95, G.E.T. Anorak Rain Coat $37.99, Walgreens Headband

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Boothbay or Bust

The sun is out, it's warmer than 60 degrees (and the temperature is climbing) so I am hitting the tiny beach in Boothbay Harbor...here is what I'm wearing!

{BEACH LOOK BOOK}

6. Madewell Transport Tote - $168 (SPLURGE) 7. Sekonda Watch (sold out but similar here)

Thursday, September 5, 2013

The Way Life Should Be

I am headed on a much needed vacation to Maine for the next week to witness one of my very best friends from college marry his perfect match. Since I will be off the grid until next Monday, I leave you with my budgetista style plan as I head to New England where everyone is effortlessly stylish and casual, the weather is already feeling like fall and stripes are welcomed year round.

{NEW ENGLAND CHIC}

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt Brussels

Summer might be ending but you can still enjoy the food you love eating during this time for weeks to come! I have the most simple and delicious recipe for brussels sprouts to keep your summer cooking alive but most importantly, it's cost efficient. Another plus is that the ingredients are all common so you will likely already have them in your own kitchen or use them again, at the very least. This is a great dish to incorporate into any party you host and it will be the least of your cooking worries all night!

Ingredients
1 bag of Brussels Sprouts (approx 15 depending on your serving size)
Sea Salt (I typically use this kind)
Cracked Pepper (i really like mccormick)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Total Cost = $18.99



 after washing off your brussels sprouts, cut off the tips of the ends so they are fresh tasting. using your olive oil, sprinkle each of the tops (just enough to coat the brussels with the extra oil pooling below them in the bowl) and then mix them with your hands so each is lightly coated

douse the olive oil-coated brussels with your cracked pepper and sea salt but do this just enough so it covers the tops of each. once done, mix them again with your hands so the salt and pepper are evenly distributed among each brussels

take your brussels out of the mixing bowl and line them up on an ungreased baking pan. using the olive oil from the bottom of the bowl and drizzle what's left on top then lightly coat each with a bit of both salt and pepper to help them crisp in the oven

lastly, put your brussels in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes and then let them cool for another 5 minutes after taking them out! when cooked, they should be soft in the middle and crispy on the outside. if you prefer that they were a little less cooked, reduce the time to 15 minutes and check on them after 10 minutes, to be sure. once cooled, sprinkle grated parmesan on top and enjoy!