One Jacket, 3 Ways

Delicious and healthy recipe for... Brussel sprouts

I know, I know... Brussel sprouts? Yes! I have never been a fan, so when my mom told me she had found a great way to fix them I was... Skeptical. Wow was she right!!! So yummy and full of good-for-you nutrients. I literally find myself craving them!

To prepare:

Half sprouts and place in large mixing bowl. Add 4 tbs olive oil, 3 tbs minced garlic, kosher salt and crushed pepper to taste  let them sit for about 1 hour then spread them in 1 layer on a cookie sheet (with edges) covered with parchment paper. Bake at 420 for 20 mins. Flip after 10 mins. 

Enjoy! I served them with herb crusted salmon and wild rice. Delicious!!

Road Trip!

When you're hitting the road, often comfort is the most important consideration when deciding on attire.  This outfit will make sure you can relax for the long road ahead (and not feel the need to slink into the gas station restroom under the cover of darkness to avoid being seen)!  Who knows, you might even be inclined to make some pit stops along the way... you know, because you pass an outlet mall or something ;-)

Top | DVF (I got mine on sale at Neiman Marcus, not available online)

Bracelet | Etsy

Sunglasses | Alexander McQueen (I got mine at Last Call Studio for $70 - originally $350, not available online)

Ring | Alanna Bess on Gilt

Coated Denim | Current Elliot (I got mine at Neiman Marcus 65%, not available online)

Scarf | Zara ($12.99!!)

Shoes | Alice and Olivia (I got mine at Last Call Studio for extra 60% off, not available online)

The Shift Blouse, Spring 2014 Trend

Glamour Magazine named the shift blouse as one of the most wearable trends for Spring 2014. 

I found mine on sale at Zara ($39.99)! Because it's a print, boxy, and has some beading on it I styled it with minimal jewelry and accessories.  I'd like the sculptural quality of the top to stand out the most.  It could easily be paired with a slim trouser for work as well.

Top | Zara

Booties ($20) | Polyvore

Earrings | Alexis Bittar

Coated Denim (also on sale for $29.99) | Mango

Bag | Zara

Cuff | Charlotte Russe

A Night on the Town

It can be hard to plan an outfit to wear for a night out when you aren't sure where the night will lead. This one can take you from happy hour, to dinner, to the theater, or out dancing. This dress is so fun (and on sale)! I love the ombre sequin effect - it goes from blue to green to gold depending on how the light hits the sequins.  This same pattern is also available in a pencil skirt - HERE - if the dress is too much for you.

Dress | Topshop at Nordstrom

Necklace | T and J Designs

Gold Pave Bracelet | T and J Designs

Spikey Bracelet | T and J Designs

Opaque Tights | Hanes

Faux Fur Coat | Halston Heritage

Black and Gold Bootie | DSW

Trend Alert! Mixing prints + leather details = super fab

This is currently my FAVORITE scarf! It is a floral print with skulls mixed in, plus its color palette of mint, emerald, olive, navy, and teal is to die for (no pun intended).  It is $14.99 at Target.  LOVE.  The skull theme goes perfectly with these fantastic Alexander McQueen wayfarers - let's face it, nothing goes together like skulls and McQueen!!  The rest of this outfit is just oh so comfy!  The Vince jacket is currently on the TIP TOP of my wish list, along with these B by Brian Atwood booties (which are currently an additional 40% of the sale price at lastcall.com). This outfit is perfect for lunch on the patio in weather like we will be having in Houston this week, sunny and mid-high 60's! Enjoy!

Scarf | Target

Shirt | Pinko, Farfetch

Leggings | Theysken's Theory Gray Pohn Leggings

Earrings | Gilt Groupe

Necklace | Forever 21

Sunglasses | Alexander McQueen, HERE but also in store at Last Call Studio on SALE

Coat | Vince

Bootie | B by Brian Atwood, Last Call

Easy Saturday

Running around this weekend?  I love this outfit for its comfort, and for its look forward to spring!  The Vince jacket is a great hybrid with leather sleeves and linen body.  I am wearing it with a Parker silk floral top similar to the one picture below that I found on CLEARANCE at the Last Call Studio across the street from work (for just $30).  How amazing are those Alice and Olivia flats?  They are a silver and pink glitter (also a huge score at the Last Call Studio store for 60% off the sale price).  If you haven't shopped Last Call, you have to give it a try!  They can order anything you found online (but didn't see in the store) so I highly recommend looking online first, and then hitting the store so you get the best mix of selections.  Happy Saturday!

 

Jacket | Vince

Shirt | Paul Smith

Earrings | Alexis Bittar

Jeans | Fade to Blue

Bag | Marc by Marc Jacobs

Scarf | Forever 21

Shoes | Alice and Olivia

How to wear a full skirt... no matter what your style

A friend of mine, the consummate girly girl, is preparing for her bachelorette party -- a night of bar hopping and drag queen shows -- and is at a loss for what to wear.  She has a super cute flowy A-Line skirt picked out, not what comes to mind when I think of Rupaul, but that is her style... So she asked me to help her style it so that it worked for a night out on the town.  It also got me to thinking about the trend for skirts this style (I always said they weren't for me).  So, I set to work not only helping her decide how to wear hers, but also, to find a full skirt for any style!

The Girly Girl:

 

Tulle Skirt | Cordelia Skirt, House of Fraser

Beaded Top | Forever 21

Crystal-backed pumps | Rachel Roy, Neiman Marcus Last Call

Earrings | Devon Leigh, Neiman Marcus Last Call

Watch | Kate Spade, Macys

Headband | Cara Skinny Crystal Headband, Nordstrom

Belt | Skinny Bow Belt Ted Baker London

Clutch | Valentino Rock Stud Clutch, Lyst

The Edgy Fashionista:

 

Shirt | Forever 21

Belt | MNG by Mango, J C Penny's

Earrings | Gilt Groupe

Skirt | Orla Kiely, ASOS

Clutch | Hello Fab

Gold Spikey Bracelet | T & J Designs

Black and Gold Leather wrap bracelet | Gorjana, Gilt Groupe

Booties | Giuseppe Zanotti, Saks

To be continued...

Stay warm without sacrificing your style!

The weather can definitely hamper your stylishness this time of year.  Here are some things to try to keep you chic AND cozy!

For a casual day
Inspiration photo:

Get the look:

Boots | Sole Society

Jacket | Route 21

Skinny Jeans | Neiman Marcus Last Call

Scarf (similar) | Rick Owens

Flannel Shirt only $22 | Mossimo

Grey Button Up | Old Navy

Earmuffs | ASOS

Boot socks | Target

To dress it up a little
Inspiration photo

Get the look

Coat only $68 | Etsy

Boots | DSW

Neckwarmer | Adrienne Landau

Hat | Adrienne Landau

Gloves | Gold Nappa Leather Driving Gloves

Tissue weight turtle neck | J Crew

Coated Denim | Mango

Last Call is my FAVORITE time to shop at Neimans. It's when I stock up on all my designer duds without breaking the bank!  I literally save for it all season long :-)  Sale starts tomorrow!


Here are some of my picks after scouring the website and the store here in Houston:

These are some great pieces I can wear now, and a few for spring/summer.

1) Joie suede leggings - I am hoping these will be as versatile as the leather leggings I have been wearing all season long.  These fit great and I LOVE the grey!  I am having a hard time thinking of things I WOULDN'T wear them with.

2) Extreme Heel Pink Valentino pumps - These look hot pink in person. LOVE.  They are EXTREMELY comfortable for a heel this height.  The gold studded heel is just beautiful, and they are very VERY sexy.

3) LaMarque Leather Cropped Blazer - Lightweight and great for work, this deep plum works well with neutrals.  The draping is also really flattering.  My boss owns one, and I am always coveting it each time she wears it.

4) Theory Emerald Emry Vest - OMG.  It's green fur. Done and DONE!  If you know me, you know that I'll buy anything that is a variation of teal (I mean my COUCH is teal!).  I'll wear it now with long sleeve blousy tops, and into spring with a tee or tank.

5) DVF Alagna Knit Dress - what a great basic piece, every girl needs something like this.  Throw it on with a pair of heels and go.  No muss, no fuss!

6) DVF Harper Charlie Snakeskin bag - This will be my go to errand bag for spring.  Fits your wallet, cell phone, keys, and lipstick.  Everything you need on-the-go, and what a  FANTASTIC color!

7) Vince contrast - stripe Cropped Trouser - another work basic.  Can be worn with heels or flats and are a great off-white for maximum versatility!

Extra % off CLEARANCE sales!

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Shopping this weekend?

Make sure to check the clearance sections as many retailers are clearing out for all of the new Spring clothes coming in!

Ann Taylor Loft | Extra 60% off sale items


J Crew Factory | Extra 40% off sale online and extra 60% off in store


Banana Republic | Extra 40% off sale items


Bloomingdale's | Extra 25% off sale items


Happy Shopping! I'm off to the gym, and then BRUNCH!

How to style your fur

Whether you're into the real thing or prefer to go the faux route, there's no denying the huge fur trend!  Here's how to wear a few key pieces:

The Fur Vest:

 

Adrienne Landau Taupe Rabbit Fur Vest, Neiman Marcus Last Call

Mossimo Gold Glitter Bow Belt, Target

See by Chloe nude bag, Neiman Marcus

Chambray Shirt, J Crew Factory

Double Serge Wool Skirt in Heather Pine, J Crew

Nude Pump, Mango

Stud earrings, House of Harlow at Neiman Marcus

Spikey Bracelet, T and J Designs

Michael Kors Watch, Neiman Marcus Last Call

The Fur Hat:

 

Oversized sweater, Sheinside.com

Charlotte Calf Hair print bag, Rachel Zoe (old)

D'Orsay pumps, gilt.com

Adrienne Landau gray rabbit fur knit hat, Neiman Marcus Last Call

Gray jeans, J Crew Factory

Green Snakeskin belt, ANN TAYLOR

Michael Kors watch, Neiman Marcus

The Fur Pop-over:

Emerald Fur Cable knit popover, Ann Taylor Loft

Bracelet, Leslie Danzis on gilt.com

Michael Kors watch, Neiman Marcus Last Call

Camel Coat, Zara (old)

Polka dot Joie shirt, Neiman Marcus

Skinny Jeans, Neiman Marcus Last Call

The Fur Coat:

Faux fur jacket, Anthropologie

Earrings, Indulgems at Neiman Marcus Last Call

Rebecca Minkoff Pumps

Haute Hippie Cowl Neck shirt, Neiman Marcus

Studded Skinny belt, JC Penny

Pussy Cat Faux Leather Leggings, Cusp.com

 To see links to many of these piece follow me on pintrest, http://www.pinterest.com/sarahood338/

Mango Sale - 50% off

Mango.com is a great site to find everyday basics (think H&M meets Zara).  I love their pants and jackets especially, but I found some other great, and really inexpensive pieces as well.  They sell out fast, but you can get on a wait list for the size you need if it's something you really fall in love with!

1) This striped blouse looks nice on its own, and it is a great layering piece (for my blossoming collection of fur vests) $29.99!
2) The pointed toe pump is WHERE IT'S AT these days.  So for $49.99, DO IT!
3) Great stone ring! I love accessories that are unique and eclectic.  They add so much personality to an outfit - $14.99!
4) This blouse is so fun (and another great layering piece!).  The back is woven mohair- super soft and light weight. Only $29.99!
5) Wax coated jeans are a huge trend right now. The treatment definitely dresses up plain old denim, and it gives them a kind of leather-look (at about 1/20 the price!!).  You can find all kinds from embossed to moto, but this chocolate pair could easily be dressed up or down for weekends, casual Friday at work, or drinks. $29.99
6) How great is this suede jacket? I love it with jeans (especially those in #7). MMM... I love the color! $59.99
7) I have looked at several pairs of green leather leggings, but they are just too much money for some green pants (I mean I'd have to wear them 100 times to get my money's worth!).  These are a great alternative for $29.99!

Fashion forward and work appropriate? Yes please!

Working in professional environment where fashion is the focus can sometimes make it hard to know where to draw the line between work attire and a fashionable outfit.  The pieces below bridge the gap perfectly (not to mention that all of these pieces are AMAZINGLY comfortable!)

 

1) This great DVF Vint splash jacket was purchased on sale for $131 at Neiman Marcus/Cusp.  It's a great fun piece to add to an otherwise basic outfit!

2) My T&J Designs Spikey Bracelet was a great buy for $38.  I wear it almost everyday!

3) This fun Leslie Danzis Bracelet is still available for just $29.

4) Rebecca Taylor is one of my favorite contemporary brands.  This top is so silky and has a great beaded neckline and pleated back. I purchased mine on sale at Neiman Marcus.  This top is still available on sale for $88 here. I bought a size 12, even though I'm usually a 6 so that it would be long enough to cover my upper thighs.  

5) This Michael Kors "Parker" watch is currently my go-to timepiece.  It has a rosegold face and just enough bling!  I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus, but it sold out and is on sale at Rakuten.

6) These T&J Designs Angle Wing earrings have turned out to be one of my favorite gifts from Santa! I have worn them several times already, and despite their size, they are not too heavy!

7) Theory Leather Leggings again!  They are on sale right now if you are in the market.  I could live in these!  It seems like they go with everything right now.  If you are looking for a great pair without the investment, check out this faux pair here.