My Uniform

In case you haven't noticed from my previous posts, I LOVE dresses.  So much, in fact, that I wear them nearly every day.  They are ALOT less constricting than pants and I believe they are much more flattering on my hourglass, curvy figure.  Of course, the type of dress I wear changes with the seasons.  In the winter, it's cozy sweater dresses made of wool.  In the summer, it's flowy sundresses in light, airy cotton and silk.  Recently, I've also become a HUGE fan of maxi dresses.  Their longer length keeps you covered (so you can go a few days longer without shaving your legs!) and you can find one for any occasion.  Making the rounds of clothing stores lately proves that summer 2012 is definitely the time to pick one up, too.  They seem to be available everywhere right now in bunches of fresh colors and styles.


I just picked this one up from Banana Republic.  Available here.

I love the orange and the v-neck neckline is flattering on everyone.  I'll be wearing it as is for a casual weekend outfit or potentially even to work paired with this sheet metallic sweater, also from BR, available here.

If you look closely, lots of people will revert to the article of clothing that looks best on them and buy and wear it over and over in every color and style they can find.  What is your uniform??

Tory Burch Fall 2012....It's Coming!

If I could put into words how excited I am about the Fall 2012 Tory Burch collection, it still wouldn't cover it.  So I'm not even going to try.  Just...promise me you'll check it out (below).  Thank you.

TORY BURCH FALL 2012 COLLECTION

RecipeSolutions: Oriental Salad

Summer staples in my diet include many, many different types of salad.  Potato salad and a couple different takes on Orzo salad come to mind.  Today though, I'm going to share with you all one of my best kept secret recipes - the Oriental Salad recipe I made for dinner tonight!  It is such a crowd pleaser and looks SO pretty when it's all put together!


Combine the following in a large salad bowl:


1 bunch scallions, chopped or snipped
1 green bell pepper, chopped finely
1 bag each of shredded green and red cabbage (or just buy one head of each and shred by hand, eyeball)


Set aside and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.


Combine the following in a skillet and toast over a medium heat until lightly browned:


1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/8 cup sesame seeds
noodles only from Ramen Noodle packet (Oriental flavor, set seasoning packet aside)


Set aside and KEEP SEPARATE until just before serving.


For dressing:


1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 white vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
seasoning packet from ramen noodles
1/2 cup sugar


Combine ingredients, set aside and KEEP SEPARATE until just before serving (if you don't do this, the dry ingredients will get soggy!)


When ready to serve, add dry ingredients and dressing to vegetables in salad bowl.  Enjoy!!

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