fash•ion (fash-uh n) | red & leopard

I had a wonderful Christmas and even without the gifts I will say it is probably one of my faves. However, I did spend the entire holiday battling a nasty cold so needless to say my desire to be in anything other than sweats and my robe were slim to none.  I've gone on a slight hiatus from posts and although I do have some fun posts coming up, it'll continue to be limited at least for another week.

outfit details | jeans - zara | blouse - old navy | scarf - gifted | boots - report c/o nordstrom rack | jacket - macy's | headband - h&m

Over the summer I was on a mission to find red denim and I'm so glad I did because I wear these almost more than regular jeans.  I pair them with practically every color and they're so much more versatile than I ever thought they'd be.  I'm a little late in pairing my leopard blouse with these bad boys (or at least late in documenting it), but after being inspired by Lyddie and Andrea I had to give this look a test drive.  Leopard print and red are easily one of my favorite combos.

|What do you pair with your colored denim? Do you have a favorite look?|

food (food) | steak dinner

Matt is one of the biggest carnivores I know and I used to not eat meat as much as I do now, but leave it to the good ol' Midwest to change all that.  We used to save good steak meals for places like Mastros or N9NE, but we've now made steak a regular meal every 2 or so weeks.  It's easy, a good source of protein and makes us feel like we're celebrating something special (when really we're not).

I'm one of those people that likes to marinade my steak to make it tender and give it more flavor.  Since I can't replicate the sizzling plate and luscious butter topping that you get at places like Ruth's Chris, I rely on a good marinade to get the best flavor and make the meat tender before cooking.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 Steaks (the cut of your choosing. I typically get a filet or rib eye)
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 3 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 tbsp of steak seasoning
• 1 tbsp of garlic powder
• 2 tbsp of Worcester sauce
• 1 tbsp of salt

Mix all ingredients in a shallow dish, whisk and place steaks in marinade at room temperature for about 30 minutes (15 minutes each side).  I usually cut small slits in the steak to make sure some of the marinade seeps through.

To cook I usually mark each side for about 5 minutes and then finish them off in the oven, but you can cook the steaks by whatever method you prefer (grilling, broiling, etc.)

Now the perfect steak dinner for me isn't complete without a side of fresh veggies.  That's where a fool-proof roasted vegetable dish comes into play.  Roasting veggies has become one of my favorite things to do cause it's easy and doesn't require a lot of attention.  My favorite? Asparagus and cherry tomatoes.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 bunch of trimmed and cut asparagus
• 1 package of cherry tomatoes, each sliced in half
• 1 tbsp of garlic powder
• 1 tbsp of salt
• 1 tbsp of olive oil

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven at 400 degrees
2. While oven is pre-heating, mix veggies and ingredients into bowl and toss until evenly coated
3. Spread evenly on a pan (make sure to not overlap too many pieces)
4. Place in oven for 15 minutes

And voila! My perfect steak dinner.

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | custom suits

My loving husband has a sick obsession with custom suits.  True story.   The last time he had his suit made I asked if I could come along to document the process because I genuinely am intrigued by the whole thing and he quickly vetoed the idea.  This time, he let me tag along.

Matt's had several suits made from different custom places across the city, but Sebastien Grey has become his favorite.  When he saw that Gilt City was have an awesome deal on custom suits at Sebastien Grey he quickly claimed a voucher and called it his Christmas present. 

When we arrived at Sebastien Grey in the South Loop, we were welcomed by two women both named Lindsay.  This outpost is a small pop-up shop type of store, but it sure is a place of efficiency.  The place is run with only the bear necessities, but still has touches of personality like the faux deer head used to hold sample bow ties. 

After our introductions we sat down and went right to business.  Matt knew that he was looking for an espresso colored suit, so we were flipping through books of swatches finding the perfect color.  There were tons of options from solids to plaids and pinstripes - it was tough to pick just one, but Matt finally picked a great dark brown suit and complemented it with a purple coat lining, as well as thick purple stitching. 

The ladies were great in making suggestions based on what Matt liked and were very attentive to all the details,  as well as items that were important to Matt.  If your man is like mine and likes to dress in suits more often than not, definitely get him to check out Sebastien Grey.  Even though the final product won't be done for another several weeks, I know it'll turn out amazing!

food (food) | holiday treats

It's that time of year to eat and be merry.  I'm not a baker, but I do like the idea of bringing homemade treats to holiday parties.  So my hate for baking usually takes a back seat this time of year and I try to channel my inner Martha Stewart.  This past weekend we went to a friend's holiday party and knowing that cake pops are so popular right now I wanted to create something similar but not identical.  That's how I came up with Rice Krispies treat pops.  It's dummy proof, fun and requires a minimal amount of actual "baking".

Using the traditional Rice Krispies treat recipe, I formed little balls before they cooled and stuck lollipop sticks into each one as they were cooling down.

When they finally cooled down I dipped each one in chocolate and topped them off with crushed candy canes.  An easy treat to make for those who are anti-bakers like me. :)

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | winter shorts

Last winter I was extremely obsessed with wearing tights with my shorts and that hasn't changed.  I am still obsessed with transitioning my summer shorts into a winter staple for days I don't feel like wearing pants.

outfit details | coat - jcrew | sweater - jcrew (thrifted) | shirt - gap | shorts - ella moss c/o nordstrom rack | tights - marshalls | purse - vintage gucci | headband - f21 | shoes - jeffrey campbell | necklace - fairfax flea market |

How these shorts were previously styled

|How do you style your summer shorts in the winter?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | pixie

When it comes to my hairstyles I'm a big ol' chameleon.  Some people stick with the same hair style or length for years and dread the thought of chopping their locks.  While there's someone like me who always says, "It's hair.  It'll always grow back."  I'm one of those people who are very impulsive when it comes to changing my hairstyle and when I have my mind set on a hairstyle change, I need it done immediately. 

After being obsessed with Ginnifer Goodwin's pixie cut and toying around with how it would look on my face, I finally bit the bullet.  My hairdresser Ashley had no idea what she was in for that morning and as always, she did a fantastic job.

 

|Are you someone that needs a pep talk even before trimming off the dead ends from your locks?  Or are you like me, and require a hairstyle change at least 2 or 3 times a year?|

life (lahyf) | man's best friend(s)

I give Matt a lot of credit for putting up with my moody days and for tolerating me when I have my tantrums, but we have two little fur babies who are just as patient as he is (if not more).  I'm very much a dog person and even though I grew up with both dogs, as well as cats, dogs just have a way of making every day better.  It's true what they say, a dog really IS a man's best friend!

left mojo | right bagel

|Do you have a pet?  If so, how have they made a difference in your life?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | l.b.d.

A little black dress is the perfect blank canvas.  It's the simplest thing any woman can own that can be worn in so many ways with a layering here, an accessory there - the options are truly endless.  For awhile I've been wanting to do a week-long series of how versatile a black dress can be (a la the Uniform Project).  Maybe if I get my act together one day I'll accomplish it, but for now enjoy this interpretation of how I dressed up my l.b.d.

outfit details | coat - jcrew | dress - c/o gap | tights - michael stars | boots - aldo | belt - vintage | hat - seattle boutique |

|How do you like to dress up your little black dress?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | vintage braidbands

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting Green Eyed Maven which is a vintage and upscale resale shop run by Aubrey D'Agostino in a cute suburb outside of Chicago called Elmhurst.  Aubrey runs Green Eyed Maven from her home and as soon as you walk in, the front part of her place is set up with racks and racks of vintage, as well as consignment pieces that you would never think you were shopping in the comfort of her home.  Her inventory appeals to ladies of all styles with a wide range of items from a vintage Pendleton coat to a reasonably priced DVF wrap dress, but one thing that really caught my attention are Aubrey's vintage braidbands.

Made from vintage silk scarves like Carolina Herrera, Oscar De La Renta and Bill Blass, these braidbands are unique handmade headwear different than anything I've stumbled upon before.  She started making these braidbands from vintage scarves and ever since, these cute pieces have been in high demand.

Unlike traditional headbands, these braidbands offer a variety of ways to wear them.  The layered excess fabric allows ladies with longer hair to add a little more volume by weaving the ends as part of a hair braid or making it a part of cute messy bun.  But, there's more - the braidbands don't just have to be used as a piece of headwear.  It's versatility allows the braidband to be used as a cute neck-ssessory if fastened with a brooch, a nice little accent if tied onto your favorite purse and much more.  Aubrey's braidband adds such cute depth to any hairdo and I had so much fun figuring out ways to wear it beyond a traditional headband.

If you're looking for something cute to add to your normal do, definitely check out Green Eyed Maven's Vintage Braidbands and if you happen to be in the Elmhurst neighborhood, give Aubrey a shout and stop by her store - you're guaranteed to leave with something absolutely adorable. 

food (food) | turkey meatloaf "cupcakes" with mashed cauliflower "frosting"

I've been hearing about The Meatloaf Bakery for many months now, which is a local bakery with some un-conventional types of cupcakes.  Essentially, it's a "bakery" that specializes in variations of meatloafs and meat based treats.  For awhile I've been wanting to try their meatloaf cupcake, but because of sheer laziness and lack of interest in finding parking around that neighborhood I haven't visited yet.  However, I like a cooking challenge and always think that I can re-create my own version of restaurant specialties...so that's what I did.

Using a modified version of this meatloaf recipe (sans breadcumbs and some meat changes) I baked this in a cupcake tin instead of molding it into a loaf. While the "muffins" were baking, I made mashed garlic cauliflower "frosting". Instead of traditional mashed potatoes, I love replacing that craving with mashed cauliflower. It's tasty, less starchy and therefore it doesn't give you that urge to un-button your jeans after eating a meal.

Here's what you'll need for mashed cauliflower:

• 1 head of cauliflower washed and chopped into small pieces
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 tsp of salted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Place cauliflower and garlic cloves in large pot
2. Cover with water and place on stove at high heat until it starts boiling
3. Boil until cauliflower is tender (roughly 12 to 15 minutes)
4. Drain cauliflower/garlic and place back in pot w/ butter
5. Mash cauliflower, garlic and better with potato masher until most chunks have broken down
6. Season with salt and pepper.  Taste as you go to get the flavor you want
7. Place cauliflower into food processor and pulse until it reaches a creamy texture

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | the anti-hoodie

I'm convinced that the perfect replacement for a hoodie is a good oversized sweater. It's cozy, it's comfy and it's nowhere near as offensive as a sloppy hooded sweatshirt. Don't get me wrong, I do not blame anyone for owning one - after all who can resist it on cold winter days?  But the choice to wear one beyond a trip to the gym or outside of your home is one that can be stopped.  Just say no to the hoodie and say yes to alternate options - like an oversized sweater.

outfit details | tunic - vintage | sweater - eileen fischer | leggings - charlotte russe | socks - target | boots - nine west | headband - squasht by les |

|Are you a recovering hoodie-holic?  What are your thoughts on making a hoodie a part of an everyday look?|

life (lahyf) | supporting the locals

With Christmas around the corner, I've been trying to support a lot of local businesses for most of my stocking stuffers, holiday exchanges and goodies for myself. Growing up with a dad that owned a small business, I understand the importance of supporting local businesses and what it does for the economy. Although I get blind sided (maybe too often) by un-beatable prices at large retail stores, the items that can be found in small boutiques are much more unique and sometimes more meaningful.

I live down the street from Columbia College, which is an amazing art school and well known in the Midwest for their great fashion, as well as design programs.  A few months ago I stumbled upon Shop Columbia, which is the school's art store that sells many of the students' one of a kind masterpieces such as prints, cards, jewelry, clothing, accessories and much more.  Last week when I was on a mission to find a good white elephant gift, I headed to the Shop Columbia and the store didn't disappoint.

Walking through the store, there were so many great pieces I wanted to take home and at decent prices.   I was on a mission to find a fun gift for an upcoming gift exchange, but alas I was distracted and of course ended up grabbing something for myself instead.  I'm a true believer of that rule, "One for you, one for me" and in this case, I just started with myself before buying a gift for someone else. 

I love that I discovered this store.  It's like a group of Etsy sellers all combined in one roof that are much more accessible.  I'll definitely be back when I have more gift giving to do, or when I need to frost myself with some unique jewels.  Even though it's a Chicago based store, you can check out their amazing artists by shopping online at Shop Columbia.

|Are there any local stores in your neighborhood that you recently discovered or like to support?|