Clever Girls Collective

I'm in the middle of moving, but I had to do a quick update.


I'm now part of the Clever Girls Collective blogging network. I wasn't sure if I wanted to join a blogging network, but a blogger that I really admire is part of the network. After reading about Clever Girls, I decided to join.  I've only been a member for a couple of weeks, but I can see that they are a great network to be with. Clever Girls Collective offers some really good opportunities and connections, so I am excited about this new partnership. If you want more information about Clever Girls Collective, please visit their site here.

4AM

I am in love with this new Melanie Fiona song and I don't know why. I listen to it on repeat at least 3 times a day. I really like the video too because its so realistic. Watch below.

Obsession of the Week - Evora

During lunch time I ran to Tyson’s Corner to grab a box from Louis Vuitton. When I purchased my Neverfull GM, they never gave me a box and I wanted a box to store it in now. While I was there, I saw the :ouis Vuitton Evora bag and tried it on. I never asked the guy the price of the bag, but I decided while I was in the store, that would be my next bag. That is until I returned to my office and found out the price. Umm…two words: HOOP DREAMS.

Trevi GM $2,180

Crystal Joy

I’m not one to brag about the luxurious things that I buy, but I have to show you my new baby. Thanks to Twitter, I saw a tweet from a friend of mine, talking about going to the Queenstown Outlets. I found out the outlets were only an hour from my house and they had a GUCCI store. As soon as I saw Gucci listed as a store, I knew I had to take a trip out to Queenstown. I told myself on the drive down that I was only going to “look” at the store and not buy anything. I have been eyeing the Gucci Joy Boston bag, but wasn’t sure what size I wanted.

So I drive to Queenstown and start at the Michael Kors store. I fell in love with a rose gold Michael Kors watch. I didn’t want to commit to the watch before I went to the Gucci store first, so I told the saleswoman I would be back.  I went to another store and then returned to Michael Kors to leave my name with the girl about a wallet I wanted. Then I drove over to the Gucci store.  They have lots of great bags at reasonable prices. Well reasonable for Gucci. I tried on these shoes.

    My feet love Gucci. These shoes were comfortable. 

I was almost safely out the Gucci store with no purchase until I looked behind the front counter and saw the Crystal Joy Boston bag. Once the saleswoman told me the price of the bag, it was a no-brainer. They told me the bags probably wouldn’t last until the weekend and they were probably right. So I walked out the proud owner of a Crystal Joy. So much for window shopping.

If you are ever near a Gucci outlet, check them out. The prices are great. I’m already planning my next visit.

Blogroll

I wanted to share some great blog posts that I’ve came across this week.

·        Fashion Without Guilt does a great post on when Makeup expires.

·        I don’t get jealous of many things, but looking at Dulce’s closet makes me SUPER jealous. Check it out here. I plan to have a closet like this someday soon.

·        Find the best drying methods for natural hair on Curly Nikki.

·        Looking at the pictures Katie from Dashing Dish took on her trip to Traverse City reminds me of the time I spent there earlier this year. I blogged about it here. Her amazing pictures make mine look like child’s play. I never new Michigan was so beautiful and I can’t wait to get back there.

·        If you watch Basketball Wives and have admired the earrings that every woman on the show seems to own, check out the Cheapalicious post on DIY Basketball Wives-inspired earrings.

What Makes Someone a Fashion Blogger?

I follow 60+ blogs through Bloglovin and Google Reader. A question I often find myself asking is “What makes someone a ‘Fashion Blogger?’” Does posting daily pictures of your outfits classify you as fashion blogger? Or reposting pictures of items seen in a magazine make someone a fashion blogger? Do you have to keep your ear to the “streets” and always be aware of the latest and upcoming trends?

I’ve always wanted to join the Independent Fashion Bloggers, but I don’t know if I would classify myself as a Fashion Blogger. I’m just a woman who likes to share my love of jewelry, shoes and clothes with you all.  Does that make me a fashion blogger? What’s the definition of a Fashion Blogger?

Emotions

Having a rough week and this song keeps playing in my head. Who remembers this song?

Obsession of the Week

LOVING THIS BAG! Its the Fendi Peekaboo. Now I just need to find $2,000+ to buy it.

 

I love all the different colors the bag comes in.

The bag can be purchased from Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. I think I need to pay Nordstrom a visit. I just want to hold the bag.

Stylish Pain

Cynthia Rowley has teamed up with Johnson & Johnson for limited edition Dress-Up Band-Aids. I totally plan on buying these from her site. Who knew being in pain and having scars could be so stylish?

Image via Teen Vogue

Obsession of the Week

I'm browsing through all the blogs I follow on Bloglovin and come across this Obsession of the Week (three weeks ago) from Charm & Chain. This necklace just might be my obsession of the week as well. This necklace just might be my obsession of the week as well. Now I just have to come up with $740.00 to pay for this necklace. L

Image via Charm & Chain

Football First

  Tonight is Fashion Night Out and I was invited to some of the events in Georgetown, but I decided to pass up on Fashion for football. Can you believe it? I am actually a little shocked myself. But its something about beer and men with tight bodies in tight pants that gets me every time. LOL

Besides it’s the first game of the season and the Saints are playing. I’m trying to be supportive of the team, even though my boo Reggie Bush is no longer playing for them. So while many other women will be out in the rain celebrating fashion, I will be in some bar drink beer and yelling “GEAUX SAINTS!” #WHODATNATION

Chicken Piccata

I love chicken. I love pasta. I'm starting to really like capers. Mmm, they are so good. What better thing to do than mix them all together and make Chicken Piccata? I used a little bit too much lemon juice, but the dish still came out good. 

I like to eat my pasta in bowl, so I can keep all the sauce together. I love sauce, the more the merrier. Lots of capers were used, but I tried to hide some of them for the picture. LOL I really need to work on my presentation. Maybe for my next meal, I'll make it look cute.

Here is the recipe from Epicurious below.

Ingredients

4 thin, skinless boneless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins (thats what I used)

3 tablespoons butter, room temperature

1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour

Additional all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Poultry Seasoning

Adobo Seasoning

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup drained capers

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Sprinkle chicken with poultry seasoning, adobo and pepper. Mix 1 tablespoon butter and 1 1/2 tablespoons flour in small bowl until smooth. Place additional flour in shallow baking dish. Dip chicken into flour to coat; shake off excess.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in each of 2 heavy large skillets. Add 2 chicken breasts to each skillet and cook until golden and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to platter; tent with foil to keep warm.

Bring wine, lemon juice and broth to boil in 1 skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in butter-flour mixture and boil until sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in capers, parsley and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken and serve.

Enjoy!

Why We Choose the People We Love PT 2...

I was going through all the blogs I follow through Bloglovin and came across this great post called Why We Choose the People We Love PT 2... on Areyaa. Did you know that by the time you are eight, you are 80% psychologically programmed. Shows how important the early years are. If you are interested in reading Part 1 of  "Why We Choose the People We Love," you can find it here.

Knock You Naked Brownies

So I was still looking at all the recipes on The Pioneer Woman’s blog and found this recipe for Knock You Naked Brownies. They had me a “naked”. LOL and then when you add in chocolate and caramel, I am SOLD.

Check out the recipe here.  

Image via The Pioneer Woman

Places I Want to Go

Just wanted to share some amazing pics I found on Pinterest.

The #1 place I want to visit: Venice.

Amalfi Coast. I will be there next year.

Cabo looks amazing.

Chicken Scallopine

I’ve been stuck on The Pioneer Woman’s blog for the past 2 hours browsing through recipes. She has some GREAT recipes that has me wanting to jump in the kitchen right now, but today is my rest/cleaning day, so no cooking for me. L

One thing that I love just as much as chicken, chocolate and lamb is PASTA. If I could, I would eat pasta every day. Of course, I would probably be a 350 pound woman then, so sadly its not possible.

Anyway, I found a recipe for Chicken Scallopine that I HAVE TO try. I’ll be sure to post pictures when I do. Doesn’t it look yummy?

Image via The Pioneer Woman

Fruit of the Lips

I saw this tweet on my timeline and had to share it here. My mouth always gets me into trouble, but I think my heart saves me.

Death by Spoonfuls of Delight

I LOVE chocolate and adore trifles. I came across this recipe while browsing on Pinterest today and wanted to share. The recipe comes from the Gimme some Oven! blog. They have a lot of great recipes. 

I think I’d die after one spoonful of this Twix Trifle.

Image via Gimme Some Oven

Rules of a Lady: 104

Good advice. I always say this to myself. No sense in worrying about something that you have no control over. Find a solution and keep it moving.

I'm Grounded

The past few weeks at work have been truly stressful and INSANE. I was in Chicago for 6 days and as soon as I returned home, I had to go right back to work and start working on a proposal. After one proposal was due, I started another one. Talk about #NoDaysOff

But now all of that madness is over and so is my travel for work. For the first time in months, I have no travel plans. I am a little sad. I really love traveling, especially when I get paid for it, but now I have more time to spend at home and with friends. More time for blogging as well. I am so behind and I have so much to share. Stay tuned...

Something About Selma...and Tory Too

I had to stop working to do this post. Well actually, I haven't really started. I am still going through emails and come across one from Tory Burch. I LOVE TORY BURCH. I've been wanting some sandals since forever, but whenever I get ready to buy them, they never have the ones I want. Maybe its just not meant to be, Idk.

Anyways, this morning Tory did it to me again. I fell in love with these riding boots. Have I mentioned how much I love riding? Pause! Animals people, animals.

These are the Selma Riding Boots and I must touch them and slide my legs into them. These boots are sold exclusively on toryburch.com and Tory Burch boutiques, so I need to find a boutique soon. 

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Looks like fun. We used to have a trampoline when I was younger and I loved jumping on it. I might need to invest in one now. Might be a good stress reliever.

Everything's Big in Texas Including My Jewelry Haul

After our first full day of work in Allen, we went to explore the area and came across this jewelry store. Since I am a huge lover of jewelry, I had stop in the store. Let’s just say I got a little carried away and walked out with about 25 pieces. The next day I ended up going to a similar jewelry store in the next town and bought about 20 pieces. (I know, I'm crazy. I lack self-control when it comes to jewelry. I really do.) This is the pile of jewelry I came home with.

Here are pictures of the silver earrings I bought.

I love them all, but check out the detail on my favorites.

This pair of earrings is two diamond hearts connected to a bigger heart. Love these.

 

More jewelry after the jump 

Everything's Big in Texas

I went to Allen, Texas for work in May. Allen is a very nice, wealthy suburb of Dallas. We stayed in a great location at the Courtyard Dallas Allen (unlike any Courtyard I've been too). Our hotel  was close to a lot of restaurants and stores. It was also across the street from The Villages and down the street from Allen Premium Outlets. Needless to say, I spent a LOT of my time shopping.

First, I had to try In-N-Out Burger which happened to be right across the street from my hotel. I’ve heard about In-N-Out Burger from so many people, so I was super excited to finally be able to try this place for myself. I had to scope the lines first and figure out what time would be a good time to go over to this burger place because it was SO popular that there was always a line down the street.

They even had security in the parking lot to keep the cars in order. My 2^nd day in Allen, I decided to go over to In-N-Out Burger around 10:30 a.m. (Hey, I had to beat the crowds somehow.) Of course, I had to snap a few pictures once I walked into the place. There was only 2 people in front of me, so going early was the right move.

After about a 10 minute wait, I walked out with my burger and fries. I chose to get my burger without the special sauce (similar to 1000-Island dressing).

I have to say I was  not that impressed. The burger had a nice grilled taste to it, but it wasn’t anything spectacular. The fries were very disappointing. I didn’t even finish my fries and I LOVE potatoes. I’m glad that my visit to In-N-Out Burger only took 10 minutes because I would have been very upset, if I had waited an hour just to get a regular burger.

More on my trip to Texas in the next post.

Great Finds on Etsy

You can find the cutest most unique pieces on Etsy. Here is some of my favorite finds.

The Kaleidoscope Cuff from Verbal + Fox is only $50 and I LOVE the colors.

And what would go better with the cuff than the Kaleidoscope Locket which is only $40. 

More jewelry after the jump

Stockholm Style

I love these looks I found on Stockholm Streetstyle. What do you think?

I love the pearl outline on the sleeve and the flowy pants.

Sheer black anyone? 

Can't forget the men. The studded pocket is hot. 

 

All pics above via Stockholm Streetstyle

DC Summer Restaurant Week

I LOVE DC Restaurant Week, especially since it comes twice a year. Restaurant Week allows me to try out restaurants that I wouldn't normally eat at and for a discounted price. A dear friend of mine had been telling me for months, maybe even a year about this restaurant in Dupont Circle called Urbana. This past winter, during Restaurant Week, I finally got a chance to check the place out. I give the place a 9 out 10. My experience there was awesome.

The food was great, the ambiance was relaxing and the waiter had great customer service. Did I also mention that he kept bring free glasses of champagne to our table? YES, free champagne. And you know I never turn down free drinks. I can't remember what I ate, but it was delicious. Dessert was amazing as well. My friend doesn't even eat dessert, but he was tempted to order something and ate every last bit of his as well. 

This summer restaurant week is August 15-21, 2011. If you are participating this summer, definitely add Urbana to your list.

Check out Dining in DC's write-up about the 2011 Restaurant Week in DC and also, their list of the top 10 picks for Restaurant Week.

Olivia

You already know, I don't like her attitude,  but I LOVE her style.

image above via Stockholm Streetstyle

Travel Often, Wear Your Passion

I love this. I need to get this printed and framed.

Two things I firmly believe, "Travel often and wear your passion."

By Chance, By Work, By Choice

This is sooooooooooooo true!

Be You

Spring Rolls

My blog is random. If you've read a few posts, you already know that.

I've been eating really bad the past week: donuts, brownies, fried chicken and more fried chicken. But I'm trying to get back into eating healthier and continue losing weight. So I just wanted to share something YUMMY that I had to eat today. I've been craving spring rolls, but I didn't want the fried, super greasy ones from a takeout. I was strolling the frozen foods aisle in Target and came across these:

Ingredients are white meat chicken, spinach, caramelized onions, garlic and parmesan. Six spring rolls come in a box; three per serving. The spring rolls are only 200 calories and a great snack. Seriously, my mouth was pleasantly surprised at how tasty they were.

They also have Fajita Spring Rolls with black beans, corn, peppers and onions.

and Thai-Style Spring Rolls with carrots, coconut curry and cabbage.

All above images via Lean Cuisine

I haven't tried the other two flavors yet, but I'll be sure to let you know how they taste when I do.