Friend Friday: Location Influences Fashion

Okay so this is my first Friend Friday Post and I’m really excited to participate in such a fun group. Before mustering up the courage to join in on the fun, I would visit my favorite blogs sites and read their Friend Friday Assignments and think, “gosh this is such a great community”. Again, I’m glad to be a part of this week’s assignment. Here goes….

1. What part of the world do you blog from?

I blog from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in Texas. Where it is hotter than all get out!! 110 degrees, It’s hard to be fashionable, these days I’m wearing as little as possible. Hence the delay of outfit posts, they would be too wretched for your eyes – trust me.

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live what would you say?

I think it may depend on who you ask and where you are in the city. The fashion scene here in the DFW area covers all bases, from hip and trendy to classic conservative. For me it depends on the day and where I am going.

3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the mold?

For me it depends on the day, how I feel, and where I’m going. For work, I typically fit the status quo, but now trying to incorporate trend without pushing the limits. I work in HR so I have to adhere to company policy as much as I can. For a night out on the town, my style is trendier than my norm.

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world did your clothing choices evolve?

ABSOLUTELY!! I’m originally from New Orleans. If you mix that with being young and fearless then you have an idea of my style evolution (think party central) Even with my job as an event planner for a conservative organization for medical doctors, I was able to incorporate more “flavor” into classic styling. After moving to Dallas and landing jobs in the HR field, I had to put away a lot of the trend and conform. However, as time passed, I’ve come to notice that with younger executives there’s more flexibility with dress codes. Even though my current company is still quite conservative I can get away with adding more trend than I have been able to since I moved to this area.

5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what would you be?

I would really like to answer this one, but it’s hard. What I can say that I aspire to be a mix of Manhattan and Hollywood. Does that even work? LOL

For more information about or to join in on the Friend Friday fun, visit Modly Chic.  

Tasty Tuesday: Summer Stir Fry

There's a heatwave in full effect right now. It is beyond hot here in the DFW. While on the way home this evening (let's say around 6 or so) the temperature read 111 degrees. Yes, that's right 111 degrees and no matter what my air is set on, if I am not sitting right under the vent, I break out into a sweat - FOR REALS!!! I've been dying to say that for some time now (lol).

Anyhoo, today is Tuesday so this calls for another installment of Tasty Tuesday and with this heat who in their right mind would want to cook? Well, you guessed it - moi! Presenting a quick and easy...

Instead of firing up the oven or slaving over a hot full burning stove, I opted to chop up some veggies and drop them in the wok with 1 pound of pre-sliced skirt steak. In all of 20 minutes this delicious healthy dish was ready to serve over steamed white rice.

Thumbs up from Mr. SpkH!!!

Looking for something healthy and quick, go on, give it a try. Sip a cold glass of white wine with this meal and you're good to go.

Summer StirFry Recipe

Ingredients:


• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tablespoons water

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 lb boneless round steak cut into thin 3-inch strips

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil, (used evoo here)

• 4 cups broccoli florets

• 1 onion, cut into wedges

• 1 yellow pepper cut into wedges

• 1 red pepper cut into wedges

• 1 bell pepper cut into wedges

• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1 clove of garlic


• 1/3 cup soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• Cooked/Steamed Rice (brown/white)

Directions:

• In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water and garlic powder until

Smooth/no lumps.

• Add beef and toss.

• In a large skillet or wok over medium high heat, stir-fry beef in 1 tablespoon of oil until beef is cooked to your liking; remove from wok/skillet and keep warm.

• Stir-fry veggies in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes.

• Return beef to pan.

• Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, and remaining cornstarch and water and stir until smooth; add mixture to the wok/skillet.

• Cook and stir for 2 minutes


Enjoy!!!

Playing Dress Up - Virtual Reality

While perusing the latest issue of one of my favorite magazines, InStyle, I came across these cute little numbers. All three looks incorporate the punches of bright color we see spilling over from the summer trend right into fall.

Exhibit A: Falling for Fuchsia!!

via

This puts me in the mindset of the oh so trendy color blocking style. While I loved to gaze at the color blocked outfits worn by my blog crushes, I could never muster up the courage to give it a go. However with these filtering into early fall styles, maybe I can jump on the bandwagon. I’m thinking this look would serve as a cute date night look with Mr.SpkH.

The fuchsia tunic top and canary purse provides just enough punch. While I may not opt for the navy slacks, I would rock the bright colored tunic with a pair of jeans (a dark skinny for an edgy glam style or dark wide leg trousers for a more classic look). Stay tuned for an outfit post inspired by this look!!

Exhibit B: Orange Ya Glad??!!

via

Okay so I’m very partial to this look, why you ask? Well Orange happens to be my favorite color. InStyle nailed this with the burst of color on the bottom and neutrals on top. For me, this outfit is a winner for the office or brunch with the girls. For the office, I would trade the flats in for a nice nude pump and a cute pair of sandals for brunch. Hummm, perhaps another inspired look that is worth the challenge.

Exhibit C: Getting the Blues!?

via

Cobalt blue was everywhere this summer. Ty over at Words and Wardrobes have been spotted rocking this color in a few of her posts this summer (check her out here and here).

I don't know about this one. For one, I don’t think I could pull off these pants for some reason I see pleats and unfortunately my body type is more suited for a flat front trouser. And two, I feel like something is missing. While studded bracelet is cute, I’m thinking that more accessories may be needed. Not sure but it is a little blah. Maybe another challenge is on the horizon, how I completed this look - nice!! Then again, I'm not sure if I’m gutsy enough to try this. Listen folks, I’m an amateur, what can I say?

I'd love to hear from you, so tell me how would you jazz up this little number or share what summer trends you plan on incorporating into your early Fall wardrobe?

Loving: Lupe Fiasco

Typically on Friday's I come home and catch up on television shows while relaxing. This is one of those evenings. While browsing through my recordings, I stopped short on Talking to Strangers, with Ceelo Green. On this particular episode, Lupe Fiasco was the guest artist.....

via

If you are familiar with this guy, I think you may know where I am going with this. I was totally listening to his second album, The Cool, constantly and then it kind of phased out of my rotation. I have never been to a concert or watched him perform prior to tonight and boy was I taken a back. He was so into his groove, a person watching had no choice but to rock out themselves (like me). Needless to say, I'm in the process of downloading as I type. So if you are a lover of hip hop, you may want to take a listen. It's hotness, pure hotness I tell ya!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Tasty Tuesdays: Morton's Lump Crab Cakes

Cooking reminds me of when I was young and I would sit in the kitchen and watch Mama Dear whip up a meal for dinner. She wouldn’t just throw together any ole thing, it would be a nice, healthy, well balanced meal that always included a vegetable. I always thought to myself, when I grow up, I’m going to be standing in my kitchen just like Mama Dear….


So on to today’s post, it’s Tuesday right? Okay so today shall we call it Tasty Tuesday? Yeah I think I like the sound of that..... So what's on the menu, Lump Crab Cakes!!!!

Let me first give you some background. Mr. SPKH and I used to frequent Morton’s Steakhouse here in Dallas (actually before they moved Uptown). It was our go to spot for special occasions. I can’t quite recall the occasion, maybe our birthdays (his one day before mine) but during this particular dinner, Mr. SPKH turned to me and said, “I bet you can make these crab cakes”. I looked up slowly while trying to enjoy the scrumptious bite and thought to myself. "Hummm, maybe I can make these crab cakes". So after swallowing down the best piece of steak ever, I replied, “I shall take on your challenge my dear”.

A few weeks later while sitting and daydreaming of the dinner that was made to perfection, I remembered the challenge. Rushing to my laptop, I began to scour the net trying to find the recipe. After several clicks through the various links that google provided, I hit the jackpot. I found the great Morton’s Lump Crab Cake Recipe!!! I quickly ran out to the grocery store to purchase the goods that would set me on my way to completing the challenge…..

After a following the recipe (with a few modifications here and there), my crab cakes were done. I presented them to Mr. Spkh and guess what, “He loved them….”

Needless to say every now and then I pull out that trusty recipe and have at it.....

Ummm, ummm, good!!! Enjoy!!!

A Simple Confession and Outfit Post (Yikes)…..

Okay-okay-okay I’ll admit it: I need a new look. I’m not sure “new look” is the appropriate catch phrase here maybe fashion overhaul is better. Who knows, but honestly I need a makeover and I need it FAST (a play on the cheesy J.G. Winsworth commercials)!! *snickers*

Exhibit A: Dreadful + Boring + Basic

 

 
 

I know, I know, there's so much wrong with those photos: bathroom camera shots, blurred vision, wrinkleage, let's not even talk about that animal print. Yikes, I don't believe I'm doing this..."smh" - I told yall that it was DREADFUL!!!

 

Here’s the scoop:

Truth be told I’m one of those people who have a lot stored in the closet, but can never find anything to wear. Yep that’s me. I mean I shop all of the time, yet it often feels like I’ve gotten nowhere when it comes to my wardrobe. I have become the woman who stands in her closet with a dazed and confused look on her face for hours trying to put something together. Often times (okay even more than that) I’ll wear something that I have worn who knows how many times and repeat it until it’s worn out….. I know how dreadful is that? Seriously?

Now the ironic thing about all of this is that I have always been “fashion forward”. I’ve been a go to for many friends and even current co-workers ask me for advice. I sometimes think to myself are these folks serious or is this some kind of hint to get myself together.

You see, in my younger days I wasn’t afraid to take risks nor was I afraid to rock the current trend or hairstyle. But, sometime, somewhere I lost the zest for my personal fashion and style. Don’t get me wrong, I have some hits when it comes to outfits, but a lot of times (especially on the weekends) my look is a total MISS and who wants to be a walking SnoozeBall? Not me.

So lately, I’ve found myself trying to pin point the breaking point. I’m not sure if it had anything to do with me getting older or what, but I’m certainly not the lively little fire cracker who would take a risk, or two, or three… *snickers* On another note, I think I have a plan so pinpointing what, why, and how may not be necessary at this point.

They say that the first step to a fashion recovery is admitting that you have a problem… So I confess: I haven’t been too “into” my personal style but I’m going to work on it with the help of this blog and random blog stalking (lol – that sounds a bit too creepy). Okay, okay, I won’t do any creepy blog stalking; I will just continue to get inspired by the wonderful women who share their personal style with the world, while I muster up the courage to put myself out there.

I hope that this process will assist me in being released from of this fashion rut and allow me to learn to become more fearless when it comes to my style and dress.

Thanks for reading & Have fabulous day!!!

xoxo

Work Style: Summer Looks to Love

I believe in one of my past lives of blogging, I mentioned that I have a special place in my heart for The Limited. I worked for the company for a very long time and loved everything about their brand. However after a leaving my discount behind, I began to enjoy the fruits of other brands like The Banana Republic, Loft, Anne Taylor, J. Crew, the Gap…there are many, many, more… must I go on? Seriously, all of these places hold a special place in my heart.

Some of the reasons that I love these brands are their ability to provide timeless classic style with a hit of trend and the sizes are pretty true – sometimes alternations are needed, but for the most part their clothes fit pretty well right off of the rack.

So with summer fast approaching, I thought I’d take a peek at what a few of my lovers have to offer on the work front. Working in a corporate setting, it can get a bit difficult keeping up with trends and keeping work attire appropriate, however these brands give an idea how to keep things cool and professional at the same time. Who are some of your favorite brands/looks for the office? 

source: The Limited



Source: Banana Republic

These are a few looks that I love and feeling like I may recreate with what I have in the closet... I think I feel a confession coming on soon...