Evolving Style

As I mentioned in an earlier posts, I'm going on vacation and starting a new job.  Both of which have spurred a shopping spree of sorts.  After taking a peek into my closet, I realized, not only do I not have a lot of business casual items, but what's in there is not really me anymore.  While I will always love brightness and colors in my wardrobe, I'm finding that I like it in a more subtle (dare I say adult?) way.  So, no longer will I be buying loud flower print umpire waist dresses and shirts with cartoon characters on them (for the most part). I've also been getting more into heels, low heels and wedges, but heels none the less.  Basically, I've been trying to find a good balance between the kid at heart 23 year old that I am, and the adult that I want to be.  And of course I'll be blogging my journey for all my awesome readers to see!

So how about you, dear reader?  As you get older, has your style changed?  Was it dramatic? Would you say that you put effort into your "style evolution" or did it come naturally?

Late Night Happy Hour OOTD

Shirt: Target. Skirt: Thrifted . Shoes: Target

This is a quick OOTD post from last night.  So I wore this to late night happy hour with one of my old roommates and the boyfriend.  It was a casual and fun night full of sangria and cheap nachos...my kind of night. 

*my boyfriend was experimenting with the camera, so I apologize for the graininess (I blame him lol)

Shopping is Addictive

In a fit of what I will call “pending birthday, vacation, and new job panic” I did some serious online shopping damage.  Here’s what I got:

ASOS Curve- Ruched Waist Shift Dress
I got this dress in taupe and I’m pretty sure I grabbed the last one.  I think this would be a great dress to wear into the office and I can see it be an easy transition to fall and winter with leggings and boots.

Forever 21-Polka Dot Shirtdress
I think this is another cute office dress.  As you may have noticed, I am not a slacks and blouse kind of girl.  I don’t have anything against slacks and a blouse, but I have yet to find a pair of slacks that fit and look the way I want.  For me, slacks have always been too tight in the thighs and too long in the leg…and I just really love skirts and dresses (plus my thighs thank me).

Forever 21-Surplice Floral Dress
I’m looking forward to wearing this under the Hawaiian sun, and the occasional Seattle sun as well.

Forever 21-Braided Tribal Dress
 I spotted this dress a couple of weeks ago, but I wasn’t completely sold. But then I kept thinking about it, and when you keep thinking about it, that only means one thing....BUY IT

Forever 21- Graduated Stripes Dress
I think this dress has a lot of potential and could be worn casually or in the office, depending on the outerwear and shoes combination.

Forever 21-Denim Bermuda Shorts

I love Bermuda shorts....yep, that's it.

Stay tuned as I definitely plan on posting OOTDs with my new clothes!

Day at the Beach

After my boyfriend was done with work, we headed over to Alki to enjoy that weird orange thing in the sky. I hear some of you call it the sun. (long story short, Seattle is having a terrible summer). We went to a delicious Mexican restaurant called Cactus, right on the main strip. I had prawn fajitas with a hibiscus chi-chi (cranberry vodka, pineapple, coconut, and a hibiscus tea float....very tasty). Afterwards, the waiter gave us free flan which was also delicious. After dinner, we took a quick stroll through Alki, which was packed, as expected. Art festival, bands, extreme hacky-sack. No city celebrates sunshine like Seattle. If the sun is out and it's over 60 degrees, the shirts and shoes start coming off like flat screens at a Walmart black Friday sale.



On to the outfit!

Top: American Eagle: Skirt, hair flower, and Earrings: H&M. Bracelet: Charlotte Russe. Sandals: Target.

The top I'm wearing is pretty versatile. I usually wear a top underneath it but I decided to switch it up bit. Inspired by some of my favorite blogs, I decided to tie it up and wear it cropped. I must say, I think I pulled it off quite nicely :). I've worn the skirt a little lower on my waist as well but I think it looks best worn high. It gives the outfit more of a classic shape, which I really like. I also really like the contrast between the army green shirt and the frilly pink and white skirt. Basically I'm loving this combo and I'm thinking I'm going to wearing it a lot more often.

(Originally posted 7/25/11)

Crab, and Stuffing, and Yams! Oh My!

So as you saw on Sunday, I made crab cakes for the first time ever...and they were delicious! However, I'm not that into frying things (I hate popping grease, it's scary!) so I decided to figure out some other way to cook the renaming crab meat. Like magic, the idea of a crab and sausage stuffing popped into my head. I also decided to bake some yams as a side. Perhaps I was subconsciously craving Thanksgiving in July? Anyhoo, I started off with the yams, as they would take the longest. I sliced three large yams and coated them with a half cup of melted butter (I use Earth Balance) a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar, and maple syrup (I would recommend actual 100% maple syrup). I also used a tablespoon of butter to coat the pan. I put my yam mixture in the pan, covered it with foil, and baked it for forty-five minutes.

Next step was the stuffing. I make my own and use stove top. For my stuffing, I boil a couple of chopped celery stalks and about a cup of chopped onion in two and a half cups of chicken stock in a medium sauce pan. I then crumble some cornbread (I use one box of jiffy) into it and stir until nicely mixed. I then make a box stove top according to the directions. While I'm doing this, I'm also heating up my crab mixture and sausage ( I'm used two chicken andouille sausage links I got from Safeway) in a large wok. After the sausage and crab mixture is thoroughly heated through, I combine the stuffing(s) into the wok with the crab and sausage and serve.

(originally posted 7/21/11)

First Outfit(s) post!!!!

So I've been on a few interviews in the past week (fingers crossed I get one) so I figured I would post my interview outfits. I wore the first one to one I wore to a laid back interview with a non-profit. The second one I wore to a more "professional" interview with a political communications firm

[Blazer: Bluefly. Top:Forever 21. Skirt: Forever 21. Shoes:Target]

[Dress: Calvin Klein (thrift-ed). Cardigan: Target. Shoes:Payless]

I'm in love with that H&M skirt. It's versatile, flowy, and the color is super-bright. The belt is a little on the tight side but I can make another notch. I thought the Calvin Klein had a very Michelle Obama-esque quality about it. While I love my A-lines, I have been experimenting with more fitted skirts and dresses (as you can see above). We'll see if I pick up anymore.

Til next time!

p.s. In celebration of my first OOTD post, here is an awesome song from a fabulous soundtrack from one of my favorite documentaries. Around the Bend from The Asteroids Galaxy featured on The September Issue.

*UPDATE: I got the Non-profit Job!!!!!!

(Originally published 7/21/11)

Lazy Sunday

In celebration of my Sunday off and True Blood, I made a Louisiana influenced dinner of cajun crab cakes, hushpuppies, and sweet honey iced tea.

I went to the liquor store only intending to buy sweet tea vodka but once I caught my eye on that honey liqueur, a bright boozy light went off and I had to have it. There was no science behind this drink. I just eyeballed it until it tasted the way I wanted (hint: delicious).

(originally published 7/17/11)