What I Wore Wednesday: Cheap Chic

I’m not going to lie, life is super different as of late. Less stress, and more me time has def resulted in some serious out of body-holy moley-I have time to spend doing what I love moments, annnnddd of course this usually leads to me grabbing my purse and bee-lining for the nearest shopping district.

Last Saturday my good ol’ Southern Princess and I found ourselves doing exactly that. With the sun on our shoulders and the vibrant hum of shoppers all around, we headed for the glorious outside shopping kingdom also known as Broadway Plaza.

While downtown Walnut Creek certainly has it’s uppity-skeeze factor, we were on a mission… make it past the ridiculously expensive stores and launch a full on assault on the Forever 21 to find cheap classy-sexy outfits for her birthday party….

The result of our trip can only be described in one word

SUCCESS!

While I don’t have any pics from those outfits that are approps to post on my bloggy J  I do have a sample of some of the cute work approved pieces I got for super cheap!

Check it out!

Blazer. Forever21, t-shirt. Victoria's Secret (most comfy tees on the face of this planet!) Skirt. The Limited (old) Heels. Cathy Jean (old)

Mid-day Starbucks break! Necklace. Forever21

Ciao

Claire Pasta

Between my 7 friends and I, we have 5 very specific dietary restrictions that force us to be ultra picky when deciding a meal plan for our get togethers

Lindzy- Little miss seliac’s cant have pasta, bread, flour or any sauce with thickener in it…sad

Marie- keep those dairy products away from the lactose intolerant chick

Claire- while she eats fish, this veggie girl steers clear of anything that had feet at some point

Anneka- homegirl carries an EpiPen in her purse, and has instructed us all how to dispatch it, should she come in contact with any soy or nut product

Me- while I used to love it, shellfish makes my face bloat up like a puffer fish….

So to recap:

No fish

No pasta, bread, flour

No super pasteurized  dairy products

No meat

No soy or nuts

No shellfish

Basically all we are left with in the end is tacos, tacos, and more tacos…

While I love me some Mexican food….let’s just say it is not always the best pre-going-out-dance the night away before meal…

Enter…Claire pasta.

This yummy pasta dish can be made with gluten free noodles, and with a basic pesto sauce, sans the pine nuts or walnuts…

Talk about incorporating the season’s best ingredients, this pasta has endless options!

Check out the recipe and some fun pictures below from the last time we made us some Claire Pasta:

Ingredients

(please feel free to substitute any and all veggies, get creative!)

1 box of whole wheat Barilla spaghetti

Olive Oil

3 cloves garlic

½ white onion

Red pepper flakes

5 button mushrooms

1 package cherry tomatoes

3 ears of fresh corn

1 squash or zucchini

Pesto Sauce

1 bunch basil(you can also use spinach or any other green)

1 cup parmesan cheese

3 tbsp olive oil

½ cup pine nuts or walnuts

Salt and pepper to taste

1.    Set a pot of salted water on the stove to boil for the pasta

2.   Gather basil

We are proud mama's our pot of basil that we raised from seeds on our scorching hot Sac baclcony!

Marie picks the fresh basil

3.   Finely chop garlic, and onion…fry garlic and onion in frying pan with 2 tbsp of olive oil, mix in 1 pinch red pepper flakes, cook until onions are soft

4.   Shuck corn, halve cherry tomatoes, slice up squash and mushrooms

Cute as a button!

Claire can get carried away with how much she loves her veggies!...yummmy raw corn

5.    When pasta water is boiling add spaghetti, and through remaining veggies into pan with garlic and onions, cook pasta until al dente and veggies until soft

6. For pesto sauce, combine all ingredients in a food processor…leave out nuts for guests who may have allergies. Pulse until sauce is a thick enough consistency to stay put on a spoon

7.   Combine all ingredients and mix well…serve with a nice bottle of chilled white wine and some yummy olives and cheese!

Buon Apetito! 
PS- Check out this other awesome recipe guide from Food Network to find easy to prepare meals for all of the dietary restrictions in your life!

Ciao

Smile...It's Friday!

Wahhoooo! We made it through the week! Since I am out traveling for business today, I thought I would share with you something that put a gi-normous smile on my face when I came across the post on Pinterest....Happy Weekend!

Ciao

You is kind. You is smart. You is important.- 'The Help'

Last night my roomie and I had a fabulous girls night date, with awesome artisan pizza and a whole smackin’ bottle of sauv blanc at Pizza Rock, followed by a stroll to the theater where we caught opening night of the screen adaptation of ‘The Help’.

Having both read the book, we are of course extremely skeptical of how the screenplay would portray the characters and heartbreaking epic that we had fallen in love with.

No sooner had we cracked open our bag of pretzel m&m’s , then we were sucked back into 1960’s Jackson, Mississippi. From the rockin’ sweet southern harmonies of the opening soundtrack, to the breathtaking scenic backdrop of the antebellum deep south, we knew we were in for a treat.

And let me tell you…we were NOT disappointed. The film delivered every ounce of heartbreaking racial prejudice and class struggle with squirm in your seat worthy character interactions. From the impeccable casting of southern bells and the strong, resilient maids indentured to serve them, this film went above and beyond the basic delivery of a well written script.

While the film is understatedly thought provoking, it also delivers a pleasing aesthetic and comedic undertone. You will not be disappointed by the stunning mid 60’s period pieces, hair and makeup, and what the maids and their families lack in aesthetics, they more than make up for in personable traits and humor.

This film left me dreaming about these women and how they dealt, on an individual level, with their lot in life. It also made me so thankful to be blessed with the freedoms that I experience on a daily basis, and the privileges of pursuing my passions.

I would be re-miss if I didn’t share with you the most memorable line of the movie, and hope that you take this into account in your everyday interactions with life….just remember,

“You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”- Abilene, maid reminding her little “white baby” about how much she loves her.

Bottom line…’The Help’ is a MUST see!

But speaking of passions…how about a little dose of my roomie date night outfit of choice? Enjoy!

Thanks for the awesome shot Claire!

Scarf. some little store off the alley in Rome Dress. Modcloth Sunglasses. Marc Jacobs (via Nordy's) Bracelets. Roman flea market (red enamel), Banana Republic Factory Store (glitzy glam bangle)

I love this dress...it can go from business casual to roomie date night in a heartbeat! I bought it last year, but they still have them in stock at Modcloth!

Boots. Coach

I'm a sucker for showing off the booty shot...sorry!

Yummy bread at Pizza Rock on K St., they drizzle honey all over it and it is theeee most phenomenal mix of salty and sweet! Yumsters!


Ps- check out what other girls are thankful for today, and link up your own blog here!

Ciao

One Last Thing...

As we approach "What I Wore Wednesday"….I couldn’t help but share with you my life motto…yep this is me in a nutshell. 

See y’all tomorrow!

Ciao

A Lovely Lunch Date- Farmer's Market Edition

Yay for warm weather, good friends and farmer's market lunch dates! Yesterday Kate and I took a lovely little stroll over to the park to lust after all of the sweet peaches, ripe tomatoes and juicy berries our shopping bags could carry.

Not one to be outdone by the vibrant in season selections, I of course sported my brand new mustard yellow Hallogen skirt...adding a dash of cheetah for good measure.

Check out our adventures!

Is that you Buddah? Skirt. Halogen (Nordy's anniversary sale), Blouse. Heart Boutique, Shoes. Cuffs Boutique, Belt. Thrifted, Shades. Marc Jacobs

"The higher the hair, the closer to God." - some very smart lady

Stairway to heaven? Nahhh, just an opportune photo prop...oh and check out my ring which I also got at Heart Boutique!

The 'fit.

Adventures in berry picking...the young professional woman's version...

I may be snacking on these berries, right at this moment...so yumsters!

Not your typical farmer's market fare, but you'll notice we split the El Senor Jumbo dog...onions on the left (me), plainsicle on the right (K).

Pinkies up! Obligatory hot dog nom nom shot...

Playing in fresh lavender bundles and seductively eating berries are all part of normal farmer's market protocol...duh!

Go eat local and enjoy what the season has to offer today!

Ciao

What I Wore Wednesday: Olive-y Green

I love me some olive-y green, the perfect summer to fall color, it instantly mans up an outfit that may have been bordering on the super girly trendy scale...PS- we def took these pics out in the ally behind my work, and may or may not have witnessed a hit and run on a parked car... 

Dress- Banana Republic, Belt- Thrifted, Bag- Kate Spade

Workin' it in the ally :) 

Most comfy 2 year old black sandies on earth (can you say thank you Target?!) an my ouchie toe

Booty shot!

Watch- Francesca's, Wrap Bracelet- Banana Republic

Ciao

Ladies Who Inspire

I am beyond inspired by the amazing talent and loveliness found in blogs by girls just like you! 

You DON’T want to miss some of the most unique girls out there, check it!

Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Journey

Kate is an amazing chick on a beautiful journey and we are lucky that she shares all of her trials and tribulations on life lived and lessons learned. PS- I just so happen to be lucky enough to work less than 5 feet from her!

Where My Heart Resides

Stunning photography, creativity and style, with some awesome life stories all rolled into one, Ashlee is the epitome of our generation's 'it' girl. Side note- she also was my inspiration to claim my own little nook in the blogosphere.

The Daybook

Sydney knows where it's at when it comes to creating cute looks and keeping her readers laughing their little booty's off in the process. 

Sterling Style

Not only does Taylor have some of the fiercest style photos of the day, it doesn't hurt that she herself is modelesque in every pic. I dare you not to fall in love with her and her 'sterling style'. 

Refinery 29

I consider SF my weekend home, and therefore this blog is theeeee best source for fashion, news and incredible sales and parties in the SF region. 

Cheetah is the new black

You know me, you know I love me some cheetah....hence my latest obsession with this darling meets dangerous blog! You will not be able to resist the animal print after perusing her space!

9to5 Chic

Fashion at it's finest. Anh has one of the most drool worthy wardrobes out there! From Chanel bags and Miu Miu pumps to stunning accessories and vintage pieces, I would live in her closet if I could...no creepiness intended :)

PS- I made this

Have you ever gone out and seen something you just loved but though, "hey, I could make this..." Well now you can, with a little inspiration from Erica, now you really can!  

Mrs Ashcake

Super sweet and totally inspirational, Ashley's blog about life and love will keep you ohhhinng and ahhing daily!

Ciao

The Keds are Alrigh

The Keds are Alright

I’d like to make an announcement….for all of you who have been living in a cave or working so hard you haven’t had the hours to peruse online shopping sites for hours on end like we used to do in POL 115…I’d like to fill you in on one of the greatest comebacks of all times… the return of Keds!

You heard it right, Keds are back in style and not like the comeback of the infamous summer when jellies were cool again. No ladies and gentleman, there will be no sweaty feet or awkward blisters with these little beauties, Keds are probably the most comfortable shoe out there, and after a whole winter of teetering on 5 inch platforms, my dogs are screaming for some relief!

From Macy’s to ultra chic boutiques, these little babies are everywhere, and let me just say, this season’s styles are not your momma’s 1980s/goes well with mom jeans kind of shoe. From neons to prints these kicks will not only have your feet thanking you, but they literally can go with just about any outfit or style.

Check out the three pairs I found downtown at Heart Boutique (I will be doing a separate post on this quite possibly most amazing boutique in the world!). I bought the oxford inspired suede pair 2 months ago, and cannot wait to debut them on a perfect sunny Sacramento day!

Michelle Mills

Keds are making this season's fashions totally va bene!

Michelle Mills

Ciao

These are a few of my favorite things: Winter Edition

I come bearing a peace offering. I understand that it has been nearly two months since we last engaged in witty (or non-witty, whichever you prefer) banter, so I come to you today with a list of gifts. While I am no Oprah and cannot obviously afford to personally bequeath you with all of this splendid little luxuries, I hope that you will take my recommendations to heart and treat yourself to one or all of ‘my winter favorites’. After all, with a dab of nailpolish and the warming scent of an apple cinnamon candle you will be sure to remember that it’s all va bene.

Winter Favorites



Check out this awesome line at http://www.pureology.com/



5.       Pureology hair care
With my naturally messy lion’s mane, winter’s moisture often has me resembling the love child of Mufasa and Don King. I am obsessed with the Pureology Hydrate System line of shampoo and conditioner, the amazing peppermint scent and super hydrating formula makes me look forward to taming the inner beast. 

4.       Insta Dry nail polish
If you know me, you know that I am a bit OCD about painting my nails. I haven’t met a chipped or nude nail that a quick squat and 30 seconds with this amazing product, Insta Dry Nail Polish by Sally Hansen, hasn’t taken care of. When I say 30 seconds, I mean it, this amazing formula dries before your eyes and will have you polished and out the door in minutes! Cheers to top coats!

3.       Johnson  baby lotion
I am a sucker for nostalgia, and to me there is nothing like the soft sweet scent of Johnson & Johnson baby lotion to throw me right back to the day. You can almost always find the huge classic pink bottle right on my bedstand, it is amazing for that icky dry wintery skin, I slather it on right after a shower and love falling asleep to the wistful scent of babyhood. PS- it also doesn’t help that this product is ridiculously cheap and comes in all sorts of other soothing scents, my second favorite being the super calming lavender.

       2.  Febreez Cinnamon Apple Candle
I enjoy curling up in bed to this cozy quasi-holiday scent almost year round. I light this candle and let it coz-ify my entire apartment, since it is Febreeze the scent is super concentrated and literally permeates every room of my apartment. My advice? Stock up on these babies right after the holidays, they are super cheap and 3 or 4 will last you an entire year!

1.       AquaphorWithout a shadow of a doubt, Aquaphor is the one and only product that I could not live without! I slather this incredibly affordable product all over, from my lips and cuticles to the roughness around my nose after I’ve had a cold. Much to my boyfriend’s disdain, I also love to add this to my evening moisturizing routine, it locks in my night cream and has me waking up to super fresh skin.

   

Happy shopping!

Ciao