Outfits of the Month

 What I wore in November.

floral boots

{utility dress - jessica simpson (last worn here) // floral boots - altar'd state // denim bag - rebecca minkoff}

all black with a festive pop

{black button down - h&m // black faux leather pants - gap // plaid bow flats - j.crew // fringe bag - milly}

autumn neutrals

{floral button down - vici // suede skirt - tobi // tan boots - rachel zoe // cream bag - coach}

statement shoe

{contrast trim blouse - zara // leather skirt - bcbg // plaid bow flats - j.crew // bag - coach}

temps in the 50s

{sweater - gifted // sherpa vest - zara // olive green leather pants - current/elliot (last worn here) // combat boots - dolce vita (also worn here)}

classics

{boucle jacket - rachel zoe // white tee - victoria's secret // flare jeans - abercrombie // pointy toe boots - target (also worn here & here) // bag - tory burch}

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Festive cocktails are always a fun way to get into the holiday spirit (pun-intended!)

I tried a fall twist on the ever-popular espresso martini, and it did not disappoint. 

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

{makes two cocktails}

ingredients

3 ounces vodka (Tito's is my go-to)
3 ounces kahlua
2 ounces espresso (or strong coffee)
2 ounces coffee creamer (vanilla or pumpkin spice)
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

directions

In a cocktail shaker, add a lot of ice + the ingredients listed above. 

Shake, shake shake! Pour the cocktail into a glass, cheers and enjoy!

Master Closet Makeover

I'm a very organized person by nature as a Type A - I like things orderly and clean. But somehow my closet got out of control. My amazing husband generously gave me the entire master closet, which was in complete disarray to say the least. I have A LOT of clothes. I blame it on my job - I'm literally a women's apparel buyer so I'm constantly buying new clothes and accessories. Earlier this month, I spent an entire weekend cleaning it all out. 

I wanted to make my closet more functional while not spending a fortune on a full custom buildout. So I envisioned how I wanted it to look, measured and re-measured, and ordered a few pieces on Amazon that would fit the space and aesthetic. For less than $300 total, I completely transformed my closet from a dumping ground into my own personal boutique.

First up - I went through every single article of clothing in my closet and dressers (tops, bottoms, dresses, underwear, bathing suits, accessories, etc) and made 4 piles: keep, donate, sell, toss. This was definitely the most time-consuming part of the process. In order for me to keep an item, it needed to check multiple boxes: I currently wear it, it fits well, not stained/damaged, and I would buy it again today if I saw it in a store. Thankfully I was in a good headspace the weekend I was purging clothes because I wasn't too emotionally attached to anything. 

I was able to purge dozens of hanging pieces - some of which I've been moving from place to place for the past decade, but my style has since outgrown them. I like to hang tops, jackets, and dresses by color so it is easier to get dressed. I had previously hung multiple pairs of jeans on plastic hangers, but found these single clip hangers on Amazon which are slimmer and don't take up as much real estate. Also found some great waterfall hangers for skirts to save additional space. 

For formal dresses, I rounded them all up, put them in a garment bag, and moved them into the hallway storage closet so I'm not distracted by fancy gowns when I just need an outfit to run to Target in. All of my t-shirts were folded down and moved to my dresser so I had more hanging space for other tops. Folding sweaters is also the ideal way to store them since hanging can stretch out the fibers. I made stacks of sweaters by color on the shelf above my dresses, skirts, pants and jeans.

Bags are by far my favorite accessory and I wanted a place to display them. We took down the wire rack on that wall and added two white wood bookshelves. Now the bag wall is the first thing I see when I open the closet door, and it instantly sparks joy! The polka dot trunk stores additional bags, and I stacked straw hats on top.

Lastly, I needed a more efficient way to store my shoes. I had plastic bins and a basket overflowing with sandals, heels, sneakers and boots. It was impossible to find anything, and some shoes were being damaged in the process by getting smushed. After editing the assortment and ditching 20 pairs, I kept the woven basket for sneakers, and placed my sandals, heels, flats and boots on two white metal shoe racks.

Not quite my ultimate Pinterest-worthy dream closet, but I'm so happy with the result! I love all of the pieces I kept, and it's easier to reach for them without all the random stuff I don't want/need anymore. Getting dressed is fun again with my closet being organized and beautiful!

B E F O R E

A F T E R

Leather Jacket 4 Ways

There are some pieces in your wardrobe that are timeless, and can act as a chameleon by wearing it in many ways. One of those items for me is a black leather jacket. I invested in a classic real leather jacket last year and looked for a style that was simple - no extra zippers and epaulettes, etc. It's the perfect lightweight layer for chilly weather and instantly adds an edge to any look I pair it with. Below I styled it 4 ways with the basics of black, white, denim and leopard accents, proving just how versatile a leather jacket can be.

B R U N C H

{white dress - francesca's (last worn here) // sandals - target // leopard bag - michael kors}

A white sundress goes from girly to edgy with the addition of a leather jacket thrown over your shoulders. I added chunky sandals and leopard bucket bag to finish off the look.

C O N C E R T

{striped tee - zara // shorts - levi's // leopard boots - sam edelman // fringe bag - milly}

Casual with a twist: knotted striped tee & denim cut-off shorts paired with a leather jacket, leopard booties and a fringe crossbody bag are perfect for a concert or festival. Comfortable while also being fashionable.

O F F I C E

{silk blouse - joie // flare jeans - abercrombie // boots - target // belt - j.crew // bag - michael kors}

Leather jackets can be chic & professional too. I layered mine on top of a silk blouse, denim flares, pointy-toe boots and leopard belt. A structed bag to carry all your work essentials completes the office-appropriate outfit. 

N I G H T  O U T

{bodysuit - vici // jeans - vici // heels - zara // clutch - clare v.}

I love dressing up a leather jacket for a date night with Greg or happy hour with the girls. I started with a white bodysuit & ripped skinny jeans, then added my leather jacket, heels and a leopard clutch.

Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Back with another iteration of my favorite treat - cookies! This time I took a seasonal approach to the classic chocolate chip cookie by browning the butter and adding pumpkin puree & pumpkin pie spice. They turned out delicious! The browned butter adds a depth of flavor and richness to every bite. I leaned into the fall season with the pumpkin pie spice, which is subtle but perfectly compliments the chocolate.

ingredients

1/2 cup of butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg white
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1-1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup chocolate chips (I used minis)

directions

{1}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small sauce pan, add the butter over medium-high heat until melted. Continue stirring as the butter foams and crackles. When the foaming stops, transfer the butter to a mixing bowl, making sure to scrape all the brown bits on the bottom of the pan to get all of the flavors. Set aside to cool to room temperature (~30 mins). 

{2}

In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. On a plate, spread the pumpkin puree and blot with a clean paper towel to remove excess moisture.

{3}

When the butter has cooled, add brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg white, vanilla and pumpkin puree. Whisk until smooth. 

{4}

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

{5}

Gently fold in the chocolate chips, careful not to overmix the dough.

{6}

Using a cookie scoop, scoop dough into balls and place on a baking sheet at least 1-inch apart.

{7}

Bake for 9-10 minutes until the edges are set and golden brown. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these cookies warm :)

Outfits of the Month

 October's outfits featured lots of denim. We got our first cold front mid-month which gave me a chance to pull out some fall pieces.

boho vibes

{embroidered blouse - free people // flare jeans - abercrombie // sandals - dolce vita // denim bag - rebecca minkoff}

fall in florida

{sweater tank - abercrombie // jeans - vici // studded sandals - zara // color block bag - coach}

happy hour

{open back embroidered top - zara // denim shorts - levi's // block sandals - target // bag - coach // sunglasses - free people}

jeans & a tee

{the rolling stones x FSU tee - bows & arrows boutique // jeans - levi's // sandals - target // bag - dooney & bourke}

tweed jacket + flares

{tweed jacket - t.j. maxx // white tee - nordstrom // black flare jeans - abercrombie // black boots - target // cognac bag - dooney & bourke}

colorful crochet

{crochet sweater - vici // jeans - madewell // suede loafers - lucky brand // red bag - tory burch}

cords & chambray

{chambray shirt - cloth & stone // cream corduroy pants - gap // cognac sandals - steve madden // leather hobo bag - zara}

vest with fringe and leopard accents

{vest - cider // ripped jeans - target // leopard mules - target // fringe suede bag - milly}

Kitchen

The kitchen is often referred to as the "heart of the home," and it could not be more true of our house. Not only is it physically in the middle of the floorplan, but it's where I love to be: cooking dinner for my family, dancing with Jack before bed when he was toddler, baking my grammy's cookies, pouring coffee for my husband, mixing up cocktails for a party with friends.

My top priority when we were house hunting, was that I wanted an open floorplan in terms of the kitchen overlooking the living room. I envisioned prepping a meal and being able to keep an eye on Jack playing. I love that our kitchen and living room are adjacent, and it opens up seamlessly to the porch and pool - which is ideal for entertaining!

We have a builder grade home and while I loved the white kitchen and grey herringbone backsplash, I really disliked the hardware when we moved in. A simple and inexpensive swap to matte black cabinet knobs changed the entire feel of the space.

We have a coffee bar on one end of the kitchen with a colorful rug, woven light fixture and oversized clock that ties in the boho touches we have throughout the house, especially in the dining room and den, which are both visible from this nook. 

The rest of the kitchen is neutral with black, white, grey and wood accents. My favorite kitchen hack for an instant upgrade: swap your dish soap and hand soap bottles for beautiful dispensers. I chose amber glass jars from etsy.  Also, the neutral sponge is much more aesthetically pleasing that the traditional green and yellow - and it's sustainable!

Stools at the peninsula are a must. They are the perfect spot for someone keeping me company while cooking or washing dishes, and since they are between the kitchen & living room, it provides extra seating when we have a large group over to watch a football game.