Low-Key 4th

Happy 4th of July!!  I hope everyone is relaxing and enjoying a day off, eating a ton of good BBQ and spending time with friends and family!

I love this holiday, and in years past I've enjoyed many great ones at blowout cookout parties or out boating with family, on the beach down the Cape, and aboard the Staten Island ferry watching the fireworks over the Manhattan skyline in New York.  This year is different.  We had big plans to see the Boston Pops and Jennifer Hudson perform at the Hatch Shell in Boston, but it was pouring in the morning and by the time it stopped we were no longer motivated  to go knowing we would never find a good spot.  So, we've spent a low-key 4th at home.  We DID manage to cook out on the grill (because I believe eating anything other than grill fare on the 4th is a travesty), and neither of us are disappointed that we got an extra day to spend some real quality time together just hanging out around the house.

But you guys know me.  What am I going to do if I have some free time on my hands at home?  Scout out the 4th of July deals, of course!  Tory Burch had a sale going on so I ventured over to that website first.  Immediately saw this "Judi" dress and fell in love.  SO great for work and as a transitional item from summer to fall.  The website must be doing really good business today though, because by the time I had made up my mind and got this item in my cart, it was sold out in my size =(.  But all wasn't lost.

Another sneaky shopping tip?  We all hate it when we can't find the item we love in our preferred color / size online.  But don't take no for an answer!  If you're willing to spend a little extra time and effort there is still a way to satisfy your shopping bug.  Call customer service (btw..another reason I love Tory Burch?  Their customer service line is answered by a LIVE person Every.  Single.  Time. No annoying menus or voice automated systems) and give them the style number for the item.  They can do a nationwide search for you to find any stores that are carrying the item in your size (they found the dress in stock in my size at a New York store).  Then call up the store, have them locate the item, and you can purchase it over the phone with a credit card and have it shipped to you, usually for free!

C'Mon, isn't this dress worth it?  Shop it here.  Even if you're not crazy about Tory, be sure to check out your own favorite store this week - they're bound to be running good sales on pre-fall items that are already out!

Triumphant Return

Why hello!  *GASP* yes I know - I'm back!  A reprieve from shopping as well as some traveling in the recent weeks has caused my negligence, but never fear....my eyes and wallet are always open for some shopping =)


So what drove me back after a 2-month break?  Let me show you, grasshoppers!


1)  Remember the Burberry Military Detail Shirt Dress I blogged in my last post?  I found it on sale for only $139.00!  This purchase alone gets me just an itsy bit excited for cooler fall weather again so I can break it out of my closest and wear it with knee high black leather boots.


One of the best shopping tips I can offer is...if you see an item you LOVE on the designer's website - don't settle and stop there!  Just by googling the item you'll likely find the same thing for sale at other locations (department stores, overstock websites, etc.)  You may even be surprised and find that the same item comes in other colors and prints not offered directly by the designer.  This simple trick has saved me money and heartache when I thought an item was sold out in my size.




2)  THIS!  While I've been away, two titans of the fashion world (Banana Republic and Trina Turk) have paired up to create a fabulous new collection inspired by "cocktails by the pool."  These two fashion brands could not be more perfect together, and it's leaving me wondering why it took them so long to get collaborate!  Available for sale at Banana Republic stores and online beginning June 7, here's a little preview of a few of my favorites.  I can't WAIT to get my hands on them!

The colors and fun prints just make me so happy and they're sure to be staples of my summer wardrobe.  

More where these came from but I will save them for another day.  Happy Shopping!

Wardrobe Booster

What if I told you I could hand you ONE single item that when worn with ANY other item in your wardrobe (yes, even gym clothes or old pajamas) could turn your outfit from frumpy to classy?  Would you grab it?  Burberry happens to have just such an item:

(Mega Check Wool Cape, Burberry, $550.00, found here.) 

If the price scares you, check out this item by Free People instead ($44.99, found here:

I happen to own this item in both the grey (shown above) and a beautiful magenta / pomegranate color that I could no longer find on the website.  Yes, it is a total splurge and my husband would probably have a few things to say if he knew how much I spent on them, but they are worth every penny.  I wear them EVERYWHERE - at work over any OOTD when the office gets cold, on the weekends over jeans and a top with boots, and even to get dolled up for the night on the town over a dress and heels.  In the warmer spring weather, the wool blend is even warm enough to replace a heavier jacket.  They are beautiful, timeless, and versatile (BTW - if I have not made my love for Burberry perfectly clear on this blog as of yet, I have been remiss.  If you are ever looking for a classic investment piece to round out your wardrobe that will hold up over time - stop there first!!)

I am also currently coveting:

(Lightweight Denim Shirt Dress, $495.00, found here.)

and

(Military Detail Shirt Dress, $495.00, found here).

At this time of year, my eye is geared towards items I will be sure to get lots of use out of now through the last of the chilly nights, and again in the fall.  All are excellent transition items from Winter to Spring.

Happy Shopping!

St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I hope everyone is enjoying the day and behaving themselves ;).  All I know is that I have been drinking something called "Angry Orchard" all afternoon and have no intention of stopping soon.  It's a nice, bright and pleasant, hard cider and this stuff is very, very good, let me tell you.  Check it out here.  A great option for those like myself who do not have the stomach for Guinness.  

I am getting ready to go out on the town for the night and the dilemma on St. Patrick's Day is always the same: how far do I take this green, "luck of the Irish" theme?  I am now safely out of college.  Gone are the days of wearing t-shirts emblazoned with "I Was Kissed By A Leprechaun" in glitter across the front and painting shamrocks on my cheek.  Oh no, my friends.  Sadly those days have passed me by, but I still found myself searching for a more subtle way to join in the festivities.  Tonight, my solution is this:

(Burberry, "Dark Canvas Green", Cotton and Silk Blend Mesh Knit, $350.00, found here)

Topped off with black skinny jeans and these pumps:

(Michael Kors Glitter Patent Pump, $195.00, found here)

I am feeling comfortable enough for some pub hopping and good to go!  And so, I leave you with a blessing, and may the Luck of the Irish find you wherever your night takes you =).

Lucky stars above you, Sunshine on your way, Many friends to love you, Joy in work and play- Laughter to outweigh each care, In your heart a song- And gladness waiting everywhere All your whole life long.

May the roads rise to meet you. May the wind be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; The rain fall soft upon your fields And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. A GAELIC BLESSING

OOTD: Spring Has Sprung!

The 7-day weather forcast for my area doesn't show ONE day with temperatures below 60 degrees.  Is winter officially over?  You never know in New England, but this is looking pretty promising, my friends!  So what does this mean?  The ritual of slowly transitioning from my fall/winter to spring/summer wardrobe and the daunting task of switching over my closet.  I'm not ready to go at it full force just yet, but slowly and surely I find myself shying away from heavier winter sweaters in favor of lighter tops and flowy skirts.

So here is my outfit for today:

 

Sweater: Tory Burch.  $250.00.  100% cotton in a miracle blend that breaths when its warm yet keeps you toasty when it gets nippy (still a threat in Boston March weather). Found here.  Print mixing is a HUGE trend this season, and if you're like me and skeptical about too much pattern play, this sweater does all the work for you and still lets you in on the trend.  I opted to balance the pattern out with a solid color on the bottom rather than piling on more print as shown above.

Skirt: GREAT find at BR; 100% silk and bought during a promotion for 30% off $98.00.  Both work-appropriate and easy to pack and throw in with some beachy tops for vacation!  Found here.

Today, I am topping this outfit off with a pair of older grey cowboy boots.  But I am currently coveting these:

(Tory Burch, $295.00) that I think would go nicely as well, and add to the pattern play.)

At just about the time when I'm starting to get sick off all my winter garments, Spring has finally sprung!  (watch - I just jinxed us all and a massive snowstorm is on the way for next week now....)  Now to keep an eye on my tulips, daffodils, and crocuses who should begin to show their lovely faces soon all over my garden =)

Here's to spring fever!

Restaurant Review - Burtons Grill

Love is lingering in the air this week after a wonderful Valentine's Day with my husband.  Together for almost 6 years, he still knows how to lay on the romance =).  This Valentine's Day he made reservations at a new place - Burtons Grill in Burlington, MA.  If you ask me, trying a new place on Valentine's Day is definitely a risk but that's part of the adventure and it gave us something to look forward to rather than just eating another typical dinner out at one of our usual places.


So how did Burtons check out?  


When we arrived, my first impression was that the atmosphere was very dark - and not as in a romantic, candle-lit dark.  In fact, there were no candles to be found in the entire place.  It was just very dim for the sake of being dim, except for the brightly lit kitchen, which was open and glowing in the back of the restaurant.  I mentioned in a previous review that I do like places where I can actually see inside the kitchen where they are cooking my food.  But the particular lighting situation in this place constantly guided your eye back there and the kitchen activity wasn't something I wanted as the focal point throughout my entire meal.


When it was time to order, we opted for the calamari appetizer.  Our plate arrived with a pile of calamari and a side of tartar sauce.  No cocktail sauce, not even a lemon garnish.  What happened to presentation, people?  For $12.00, I want my lemon wedge, darn it!  The calamari itself, though, was excellent.  Good texture (not too rubbery) and flavor.


For dinner, we were boring and both ordered the crab cakes.  Mine with grilled asparagus and a baked potato; his with green beans and rice.  The crab cakes were good; not the best I have ever had.  To be fair, I should mention I grew up spending summers on Cape Cod, eating super fresh seafood.  I compare all the seafood I eat now to Cape Cod quality, and not everything is going to measure up.  These, however, came pretty close.  


To summarize, Burtons Grill is a great place for a quality meal.  You will not be disappointed in the food.  If you're looking to be blown away by special touches and details, though, head somewhere else and save this place for a night out with friends - not a Valentine's Day dinner!  All in all it was a pleasant dining experience and we happily brought our leftovers home to eat again the following night. 

RecipeSolutions: Easy Beef Stew

I was going to wait to post this recipe until I had a nice and snowy, frigid winter night on my hands.  The meal I am about to make is total cold weather comfort food.  Well, as I write this, it is 60 degrees outside.  60 DEGREES!!!!  On February 1 - normally the dead of winter.  Who would have thought?  Anyway, I have all the ingredients for this I don't want to waste and time on my hands tonight.  So, I offer you a delicious beef stew recipe that is satisfying and surprisingly easy to whip up!  Enjoy!


Ingredients:


1 1/2 pounds cubed beef FOR STEWING
2 carrots (large)
2 potatoes
1/2 onion
chopped mushrooms
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
nutmeg
salt and pepper
2 chicken bouillon cubes
3 tbsp vegetable oil


1.  Add vegetable oil to skillet and turn on burner to a medium-high heat.


2.  While oil is warming, cut cubed beef into smaller bite sized pieces and set aside.


3.  In a large mixing bowl, mix flour with 1 tsp each of salt and pepper.


4.  Coat beef with flour mixture and gently add to skillet.  Begin browning beef.


5.  While beef is browning, chop 1/2 onion and add to skillet.


6.  While beef continues to brown, peel and chop carrots and potatoes to bite-sized pieces and add to skillet.  Add mushrooms.


7.  Once beef is completely browned, add 1 cup water and chicken bouillon cubes to skillet.  Cover and simmer at low heat for 1/2 hour, stirring occasionally to cook evenly.  I like to stir every 10 min.  Mixture will thicken to a stew consistency.  


8.  Add salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste and serve!


Amazingly flavorful and naturally satisfying, it's a perfect winter meal (and the ONLY thing I will actually use red meat for.)  For every other recipe, I substitute ground turkey, chicken etc.  But, let's face it.  Beef stew just needs beef!