Styled by Jess

26 Questions

Last week Melissa tagged me in this fun alphabet questionnaire. It kind of reminded me of middle school when you’d get a chain letter in the mail that you had to then send to 5 other friends or you’d be cursed with bad luck for the rest of your life. I don’t think not doing this questionnaire would lead to a lifetime of bad luck…or would it? Maybe I should do it. I’ll do it! So here we go, read away, get to know me better and see below to see if I tagged you. =)

The Alphabet Meme:

A: Attached or Single – Married, four years tomorrow in fact! (See above photo)

B: Best friend – Same guy I’m married to.

C: Cake or pie – Cake.

D: Day of choice – Saturday. We always seem to be doing something fun on Saturdays!

E: Essential item – I have to say my iPhone – mostly for taking cute pics of my daughter.

F: Favorite color – Tough one, it changes all the time. Current: coral.

G: Gummy bears or worms – Not into any shape of gummy. Blech.

H: Hometown: Medfield.

I: Favorite indulgence- Potato chips.

J: January or July – January for skiing! I like cold more than hot.

K: Kids – My Z.

L: Life isn’t complete without… – See above answer.

M: Marriage date – June 20, 2009.

N: Number of handbags – I mean, do I have to count them ALL? >25

O: Oranges or apples – Apples.

P: Phobias – Mice. Rats. Mice. Hate.

Q: Quotes – “Fashion fades, only style stays the same.” ~Coco Chanel

R: Reason to smile – Spaghetti bolognese. And my family!

S: Season of choice – Fall – favorite season for fashion and weather!

T: Tag 5 people – I actually decided not to tag anyone – you’re welcome! =)

U: Unknown fact about me – I am a clothes collector (hoarder?) and still have a few shirts from high school.

V: Vegetable – Broccoli.

W: Worst habit – Tardiness. But I am always working on it and *think I’m getting better.

X: X-ray or ultrasound – Um, ultrasound I guess?

Y: Your favorite food – Pasta Bolognese!

Z: Zodiac sign – Scorpio

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Photo by Main Event Weddings

Summer Shorts

I have a serious love/hate relationship with shorts. When it’s the heat of summer, they are pretty necessary but, I hate the way my legs look in them. My answer to this issue is actually very surprising…go shorter! Maybe it’s because I’m somewhat short (5’4″) but shorts that hit right above or at my knee are less than flattering. They just cut your leg in half making me even shorter – no thanks! So it turns out the most flattering shorts hit mid-thigh, which actually makes your legs look longer. I might add you should also size up in your shorts especially if they’re in a skinny cut – slightly baggy shorts hanging off your hips are much more flattering that hip-hugging tight shorts.

Here’s a little list of shorts I’ve been eying lately that fit my shorter/looser shorts rule…

1. I love these polka-dot chambray shorts from J. Crew Factory; 2. These sequin elastic waist shorts from LOFT are amazing and 40% off right now; 3. These Zara shorts with embroidered hems are no less than fabulous! They are currently sold out of every size but XS. Hopefully they re-stock soon!; 4. These AG Adriano Goldschmied pixie cutoffs from Shopbop are adorable and the perfect length. And I feel the same way about white shorts as I do white jeans; and 5. I love the print of these Lucky Brand Leela Ikat print shorts from Nordstrom.

What are your feelings about shorts?!

Strawberry Picking

For Father’s Day this year, we decided to go strawberry picking! We were down in Newport, RI and swung by Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, RI to pick our strawberries and have a little lunch. We had a blast so I had share our day with you!

We walked to the strawberry patch…

…and walked some more…

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Then Z took control of the picking right away, until we had a quality control issue.

So Daddy took her to eat some strawberries instead – they made it into an all-you-can-eat strawberry buffet…

…and I was left to do all the picking!

We got a great haul of strawberries…

…but we wondered if they would notice we ate as many as we picked?!

Stay tuned for some strawberry recipes next week!

Couple Things…

We went to Wagamama for noodles and they have the cutest kids menu. Z got the mini yaki soba and tried to use her chopsticks and didn’t end up getting anything in her mouth with them…but sure had fun trying.

Z and I had a little mommy/daughter brunch over the weekend while my husband golfed.

I got dolled up for the grocery store and wore my pistachio pants and peplum top…

..and a black J. Crew bangle with my daily jewelry.

We pulled up to the park for our Baby Bootcamp class and this scary creature landed on my mirror! I waited until he flew away to get out of the car.

I met friends for margaritas (and chips and salsa and quesadillas) last night – perfect end to the week!

Have a great weekend! And Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there! Don’t forget my gift guide if you still need to find a gift and my bowtie card if you need to make your dad a card.

J.Crew Collection Cafe Capri Pants in Beaded Medallion

I’m sorry, but have you seen these pants from J. Crew?

They’re pretty amazing, and I am devoting this entire blog post to them. They are $800 so I will definitely never own them, but I sure do think they are the most fabulous pants I have ever seen.

Close-up, you can see that their name is true. There is beading all over these J.Crew Collection Cafe Capri Pants in Beaded Medallion! You know I am a fan of beading and sequins, but I have never owned beaded pants. I think they would be amazing to wear to an event like a cocktail party where you don’t have to sit down. Wouldn’t beading on your bottom be slightly uncomfortable when you’re seated?

These pants are a silk-cotton faille and I would style them with a simple white tank, tucked in worn with a beautiful, bright yellow cashmere cardigan – if I’m wearing $800 pants, you bet I’m wearing cashmere! Then a bold pair of silver metallic strappy heals and a yellow-based patterned clutch. A girl can daydream, right?

I did find this great sweater with similar concept. It’s the J. Crew Jeweled Medallion Sweater, on double sale right now (it was cheaper in the store, btw – I ultimately paid $30 after all the discounts):

Jazzed-Up Blondies from a Box

Remember when I shared my idea for jazzed-up brownies in a box? Well, we’ve had a box of Trader Joe’s Blondie mix in our pantry closet for a few months now and it was calling my name over the weekend when it was rainy and sorta cold. Why does bad weather always make me want to bake? Anywho – I couldn’t just make the box of blondies as is, I had to add my own flair, I know you’re not surprised. I thought toffee would go great with a blondie so I mixed in cut up pieces of Heath Bars. Then, I drizzled a little melted chocolate on top once they cooled… The blondie with the little crunch of toffee and chocolate – SO GOOD!

Prepare your batter according to box directions.

Cut up your Heath Bar (or any kind of toffee).

Melt a small bowl of chocolate chips in your microwave. Cook 15 seconds, then stir. Repeat once or twice until the chips are melted and smooth.

Once your blondies are out of the oven and cooled, drizzle the melted chocolate over the un-cut blondies.

Let the chocolate set. Cut. Enjoy! These guys are SO good.

Father’s Day Bowtie Card

We were grocery shopping recently and stocking up on pasta. I was looking over all the shapes and in my head I thought “farfalle is so cute, little bowties!” My mind then immediately thought “bowties – man – father’s day – I should make a bowtie father’s day card!” Done, project idea created. And now you have a glimpse into my brain and how I come with some of my blog post ideas. Anyway – here is a really cute and simple Father’s Day card idea just in time to make for your dad this Sunday along with his gift!

You will need: farfalle (or bowtie) pasta, glue gun, paint brush, 3 different colors of paint (I am using white, blue, and black) a sharpie to match your paint, and card stock. I am using a photo card and silver paper.

First, paint your farfalle. You will need 3 pieces of pasta, paint each one a different color. Let dry completely.

While your pasta is drying, work on your card. Since I used a photo card, I wanted to write Happy Father’s Day all around the perimeter. I also wrote the famous quote “bowties are cool” to be underneath the pasta once it’s glued on.

Once the pasta is dry, glue in place with the glue gun. If you’re using a photo card like I did, slide your paper into the card first, then glue on your farfalle.

Personalize the inside for your Dad and done – cute bowtie Father’s Day card!

Backyard in Bloom

Four o’clock is referred to as the witching hour at our house. By four in the afternoon our little Z has had it with the day, she: gets hungry, gets thirsty, gets bored, gets antsy, and could really use a nice distraction. So, at four o’clock most days you’ll see us around town running errands, at the park, riding her *bike, or – if we’re especially desperate – just walking around our yard, doing laps around the house, picking up sticks, investigating the grass and other such exciting things. One recent four o’clock hour Z and I were making our way around the yard and I happened to take notice of all sorts of pretty blooms in our yard! I got out my camera and snapped some pics to share with you!

Red roses! I didn’t even know we had this plant. I vaguely remember buying a rose plant when we first bought our house almost five years ago, but I thought it died. Apparently not. There were buds everywhere, I can’t wait to have home-grown red roses in our house soon.

We also have white rhododendron in our side yard!

Peonies are just my favorite flower. Here is one plant with the magical ants all over it getting the plant ready to bloom.

Here is another just about ready to pop.

And here is one that has just started to open!

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Here’s my little Z with her favorite backyard bloom…

What to Wear – Working from Home

Now that my Z is here, I work part-time and excitingly – from home! It sounds like a dream to work from home – roll out of bed, work, work, work, run to the kitchen for coffee, throw in some laundry, work, make yourself lunch in your own kitchen, work, etc…

Well – sometimes the motivation to do that list is hard. I quickly learned that for me, I needed a separate work space (and comfortable, pretty chair, too), defined work hours, and most importantly – shower and dress like I am working with other people in person. You just need that start to your day, that sense of being put-together to have the motivation to be productive. And let me tell you, now that there is NO water cooler chat in my day I am super efficient with my work time.

I’d love to share with you today what I wear when I am working from home – it certainly isn’t the most professional business attire, but it’s put together, fashionable, and makes me not look like I spend the entire day in my own home.

1. A comfy, stylish top that won’t wrinkle is key while you’re working all day, mostly sitting at a computer. I love this Centerstitch Tee in yellow from Anthropologie; 2. Dyed Linen Scarf with Contrasting Stripe from Zara in case your home office space is cold; 3. Working from home doesn’t mean you don’t need accessories – this J. Crew Crystal and Neon Chevron Bracelet would be great for this outfit; 4. Bottomless cup of delicious homemade coffee in a Marimekko Unikko Turquoise Mug from Crate & Barrel; 5. My work from home uniform usually includes a pair of skinny leg pants in a pattern or color. I love these black and white printed legging skimmer jeans from GAP; 6. Fun stamps from Urban Outfitters to keep yourself amused; and 7. I love these Slingback Boardwalk Sandals from Madewell, easy to throw on at the end of the day when I’m dashing out of the house to pick up Z at the end of my work day.

I was excited to be included in this group of bloggers all writing on the same subject today! Be sure to click through their posts too and get really inspired to still dress snazzy while you’re working from home.

-Christine from Rules for the Modern Girl: A Modern Girl Workday
*You can catch Christine on her blog, Facebook and Twitter

-Melissa from My Lief Life: Get Dressed Be Happy
*You can catch Melissa on her blog, Facebook and Twitter

-Amanda from Prim and Propah: Work from Home Style Keeping It Real
*You can catch Amanda on her blog, Facebook and Twitter

Couple Things…

No – it’s not Friday yet but I’m already recapping our week for you today because I have a fun outfit post for you tomorrow – stay tuned!

bolognese-tote

She looks like the cutest little state trooper in this pic, ha!

I did a little closet shopping this week and found this J. Crew sequin stripe tee from years ago – a little dressy but I wore it on Monday running errands, why not?

I finally tried Clover for lunch. The food was good, I had the chickpea fritter platter but I wish I had a little bread or something! My friend told me to get the sandwich next time. Here is my rosemary lemonade/tea because I forgot to take a picture of my food.

Over the weekend when it was a billion degrees around here we went to a town day near us – best part was the sprinkler tent, obviously! =)

If you live around the Boston area – have you ever participated in the Not Your Average Joe’s game night deal? We have a few times: you get a large pizza and 2 apps for $20. And our favorite app of theirs? These tuna wontons – SO good! They do the deal when a hometown team has a playoff game.

My Mother’s Day gift arrived in the mail this week! My husband ordered this bag for me from an artisan in Brooklyn and it kept getting lost in the mail. He used the recipe on the bag to make my favorite meal for Mother’s Day dinner, remember?

Have a great weekend – and remember to check back tomorrow for a special outfit post and link-up to other fab style blogs!