Defining Tabitha

food (food) | egg in a window

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

I discovered egg in a window (aka egg in a basket, aka peek a boo egg, aka egg in a frame, aka egg in a nest) at a later age. In fact what introduced me to the simple dish is the movie V for Vendetta, during that scene where Evey wakes up at her friend's home and for breakfast he made....eggs in a window. I remember watching that scene and immediately thinking how I could create it on my own at home. That was 6 years ago and to this day, this is one of my favorite breakfast dishes.

What you'll need:

1 slice of bread
1 tsp of butter
1 egg

Directions:

Cut a hole in the center of your bread (just about 2.5 inches all around - you can use a cooking cutter in the center too)
Heat a pan on medium-low heat. (This temperature is important. Keep it on a lower heat to avoid burning your bread.)
Add butter into pan and let each side of the bread absorb some of the butter while it's melting.
Once each side has been evenly coated with butter, crack the egg and gently place in the center of your bread.
Let it cook on one side until you notice the egg setting. Gently flip your bread/egg and cook the other side until your bread has reached a nice toast texture and your egg is fully cooked.

|Are you a fan of egg in a window? Do you have a breakfast dish that requires minimal ingredients, but is one of your favorites?|

life (lahyf) | one couple, two dogs...and a little baby

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

I've been holding off on writing this post for a few weeks now...8 to be exact. If you follow me on Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook, you may have noticed a lot of nursery pinning, complaints about virgin drinks and my weird cravings for spuds. All these hints were my subtle way of trying to break the news of being knocked up. Yup, we are in fact expecting. It hardly feels real and not a day goes by when I don't want to take another pregnancy test just to make sure the little one is still in there, but the morning sickness, and other un-godly symptoms I won't scare you with, have reassured me that it's in fact still in there.

Our friends and family have known for a few weeks now, but my hesitation with breaking the news wasn't because of the whole wait until after the 1st trimester recommendation. In all honesty, it's because I didn't know how to say it. We're so extremely excited, but sharing this news isn't like telling someone you're engaged. You have a ring to show for that - something pretty that you want to show off. When you're pregnant, especially in the early stages, you have nothing to show for. In fact, if anything you have to make more excuses on why you're acting weird. "I'm not drinking cause I'm detoxing.", "I'm eating more carbs cause I'm on a new diet.", "I'm not getting fat, I think I'm just losing muscle." These are all white lies you tell people to keep your good news a secret. Doesn't it seem a bit odd that joyful news is so deceiving in the very beginning?

Like I said, both Matt and I are SO excited, but with every bit of excitement comes fear. I've always called myself "The Baby Dummy" and there's a reason for that, but luckily I have a fantastic support system that helps me overcome my fear: My husband who watches my daily intake of tater tots like a hawk and ensures I take my pre-natal vitamins everyday; our families who are just as excited about our news as we are; my loving best friends who are always calling, texting and emailing to ask if we're doing ok; friends who are mothers that are generously offering up great advice; and other pregnant co-workers and blogger friends who I can share war stories with.

Having these wonderful people in our lives really does help calm my nerves. It's making this experience so enjoyable and less scary...because let's be honest, the fact that I'll soon have to squeeze (and I really mean squeeze) my way into pants with elastic waist bands, is the most frightening part of it all.

life (lahyf) | daily planner

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

I had been in search for the perfect planner since late November. At first I strongly considered the coveted Erin Condren Life Planners, but even though it had everything I wanted, the design really wasn't..."me". And trust me I did consider shelling out $50 for this organized calendar notebook, but instead I searched for something similar that better fit my lifestyle. A few weeks after searching, scoping Target, Staples and other journal sites, I saw Refinery 29 post this awesome article highlighting 12 stylish day planners. Not only were each of the planners unique, but they were all within reasonable price. After checking out each one with a fine tooth comb and scoping out the layout of each page, I finally landed on the MMMG Draw Your Tomorrow planner from The Hach.

Just like me, this planner breaks a few rules. It is neat and very organized, but the entire planner isn't pre-dated with the 2012 calendar. I have the flexibility of writing in my own dates and making it more like a journal notebook than a structured planner. It's been a while since I have kept a physical daily planner around, but I find that writing things down keeps me accountable. There's something so satisfying about writings lists or goals on a piece of paper and crossing them off when you've accomplished them.

Not only do I use my planner to help me remember important dates, doctor's appointments, weekly to-dos and what I need from the store, but I'm using it to track my daily meals and workout. I forgot how much I loved writing things down on paper. Although I love technology and how convenient it's making life, sometimes reverting back to the original way of how things were done is a lot more satisfying.

|Do you keep a daily planner? Are you someone who prefers to track your life on paper or with technology?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | monochromatic

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

On days that are extra gloomy I find myself wearing the brightest things in my closet. Something about dressing opposite from the weather helps me deal with it better I guess. Something I rarely do though? Stack the same color on top of each other. This yellow coat was such a great thrift find (a whopping $4), but sometimes I have a hard time pairing it with things. I'm not one that exercises monochromatic looks, but I didn't think this was too bad.

|Have you attempted monochromatic looks? If not do you think you'll be trying this look?|

food (food) | bibimbap

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Bibimbap, prounounced BEE•beem•bop, is a korean rice dish that I like to refer to as healthy fried rice. Typically served in a large stone pot, this is more than a dish, this is a hearty meal. Traditionally it has beef, rice, a fried egg and a mixture of lightly cooked vegetables like bean sprouts, spinach, zucchini, carrots, etc. I find it hard to get a good Bibimbap in Chicago, so when I crave it, I re-create it at home. Although it has quite a few elements that need to be cooked separate, it's easy and well worth it.

Here's what you'll need:

Bool Kogi pre-marinated meat from Trader Joe's
2 thinly sliced zucchinis
1 bag of bean sprouts
1 bag of spinach
1 egg
Sesame seed oil
Sesame seeds
Asian garlic chile hot sauce (or Srirancha)
1/2 cup of cooked white jasmin rice
Salt

I typically cheat the meat by buying the pre-marinated bool kogi meat from Trader Joe's, but if you opt for a version of this dish sans meat, it's just as delicious. As the meat is grilling, I get all my vegetables ready and cook everything in this order.

Bean Sprouts:

Place bean sprouts in a medium sized pot.
Add water in pot until sprouts are fully submerged.
Heat at medium to high heat on stove top and bring to a boil.
Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
Once cooked, drain.
In a large bowl combine bean sprouts, 1 tbsp of sesame seed oil and 1 tbsp of salt. Toss lightly until evenly coated.

Zucchini:

Heat 1 tbsp of sesame seed oil in large pan at medium heat.
Add zucchini strips and let cook for about 2 minutes (before they become translucent).
Add 2 tbsp of hot garlic chili sauce and tbsp of salt. Sautee for another 3 minutes.
Transfer to dish and garnish with sesame seeds.

Spinach:

Heat 1 tbsp of sesame seed oil in large pan at medium heat.
Add spinach and cook until all leaves wilt (about 2 minutes).
Transfer to dish and garnish with sesame seeds.

Once the vegetables are cooked, start building the bibimbap in a large bowl. Place rice at the bottom of the dish and place a heaping tablespoon full of each set of vegetables and sliced meat on top of the rice. Top with a fried egg (I like mine slightly basted with runny yolk) and a bit more of the spicy garlic chili sauce (optional).

Voila - the dish should look like this.

Not too far off from one that you'd find at a restaurant like this.

via

If you're like me and like extra spicy foods, I suggest serving your dish with Kim Chee which is pickled spicy cabbage. I can eat these straight out of the jar and it really completes the bibimbap dish.

Enjoy!

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | old navy polka dots

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

I first spotted this Old Navy sweater in the latest issue of Lucky Magazine and since then I've been catching it all over the websphere. Friends like Johanna and Kimberly have featured it on their blog and I'm lucky I was able to snatch one up because it seems to be in high demand. I went to a few Old Navy stores to see if I could the sweater in Navy, but sadly they were all sold out.

Although pink wasn't my first choice, I'm glad this was my only option. It's a color I don't have much of in my closet and complements a ton of of other brights. So although it does remind me of Bubblicious bubble gum, I'm in love with it and it's getting me excited about updating my wardrobe for the spring.

food (food) | caprese pasta salad

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

On Saturday my girlfriends and I got together at a friend's house for a belated holiday celebration. Since my friend kindly offered her place for us to gather and cook dinner, we all agreed to bring something to add to the feast. She was planning on making a baked Italian chicken and my initial thought was to bring a traditional caprese salad, but since someone else was bringing a green salad I turned it into a pasta salad loaded with mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and lots of garlic!

What you'll need:

4 cloves minced garlic
3 lbs chopped and seeded roma tomatoes
1.5 cups chopped basil
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 package bow tie pasta (cooked and cooled at room temperature)
2 tbsp white granulated sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
1.5 cups chopped mozarella

Directions:

In a small bowl combine garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
In a large bowl combine tomatoes, basil, mozarella with the garlic/olive oil/balsamic vinegar mixture.
Add sugar and light salt/pepper. If it's still a little bland start adding a little more salt until it reaches the desired flavor.
Once the right flavor is reached, add pasta and toss until evenly coated.

This dish is perfect as side to any of your favorite proteins and feeds 8 - 10 people.

|Small tip for cooking the pasta - I cook the pasta while the garlic is infusing the olive oil/balsamic mixture. After straining the pasta I take about 2 tbsp of this mixture and toss it lightly with the pasta to add extra flavor while it cools.|

life (lahyf) | vacations

2012-01-11T08:00:00.001-06:00

Last week I was in LA visiting my folks and technically it was a "vacation", but it wasn't somewhere new I was visiting. It was a place I lived in, but regardless I had days off from work and the only way I wanted to spend 3 full days in LA? Eating my way through all the restaurants I love and miss that I can't get in Chicago. It was the perfect vacation!

Immediately after my parents picked me up from the airport at 8am, we headed to The Grove where where ate my weight in egg whites, turkey sausage and shared a stack of pancakes from Dupar's. I'm not a pancake person, so believe me when I say that these pancakes will convert any savory breakfast fan. They're fluffy, light, not too sweet and are perfect enough to eat without syrup.

After having a huge breakfast, I basically starved myself the rest of the day to indulge in my favorite pizza place for dinner, Pizzeria Mozza. You really can't go wrong with any pie you order because what makes each pizza so delicious, aside from the one of a kind toppings, is the amazing pizza dough made from the genius mind behind La Brea Bakery, Nancy Silverton. I indulged in a cheese-less pizza and a delicious green salad, but left room for dessert because on the way home I made my parents stop at Yogurtland to curb my craving of tart pistachio yogurt topped with mochi and fruit. I love Yogurtland so much (way more than Pinkberry or Red Mango) and wish I had money to open a franchise in Chicago, but sadly I don't. :(

The next day, my parents and I took a stroll through Manhattan Beach, CA with my uncle's dog Bailey and had breakfast at one of my old haunts, Uncle Bill's Pancake House. I used to work in El Segundo, not too far from MB, and on days when we could sneak away for a long lunch we'd make our way to Uncle Bill's for all day breakfast items like french toast topped with cheddar cheese and bacon or breakfast potato stroganoff. Sitting outside along the strand, eating a fat kid's breakfast with 80 degree weather, was pure bliss. Later that day we picked up my favorite asian chicken salad from Rascals Teriyaki Grill and made me wonder why Chicago doesn't have more teriyaki joints. On the West Coast, they're as common as Chipotle's, but in the Midwest they're nowhere to be found. Maybe I should get some Asians together and we petition to open one?

My last day rounded out by making a mandatory pit stops to Coffee Bean for a Vanilla Ice Blendid and See's Candy for lollis, but we saved the best places for last. Since we were going to be in Burbank watching a taping of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, I made my parents go to Porto's Bakery for lunch. I can't stress enough that if you're ever in the LA area, make a trip out to this cuban bakery and try one of the guava pastries and potato balls - they're truly life changing. The place is always packed no matter what time you go, but the lines go quick and it's worth it...trust me! For dinner, we kept it low key and although I really wanted to fit in more of my favorite eats, I landed on filling my craving for Zankou Chicken. This Mediterranean take out may not look like a big deal, but for $8 you get the best roasted chicken served with hummus, pickled vegetables and a garlic sauce that I dream of at night.

Needless to say, I ate a lot on my 3 day vacation and although there are times I do miss living in LA, truthfully, I miss the food more. Even though there were many non-food related things I wanted to see or could have done, all the food stops were enough for me. For me, vacations are an opportunity to soak up local culture and enjoy food you won't get at home...and I did just that.

|Does food play a huge role in your vacations? Do you like to research the best places to eat before getting to your destination or do you let food be secondary to seeing tourist attractions?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | stripes

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

I have a confession to make. I'm a sucker for stripes. So yes, my name is Tabitha and I'm a stripeaholic. I slowly have been trying to ween off of buying any striped items, but it's a tough habit to break. There are so many cute striped items out there and fighting the urge to resist is really tough. They're just such great layering pieces and adds a great dimension to any outfit.

|Are you obsessed with stripes the same way I am? Do you need to have an intervention like I do to prevent from adding more of striped items to your closet?|

food (food) | sloppy joes

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

I never went to summer camp. The closest I got to overnight camp was with my 7th grade class and that wasn't more than 2 nights away from home. So needless to say I never got the opportunity to get sick of camp meals like spaghetti night or sloppy joes night. The first time I ate sloppy joes was when I slept over at one of my friend's house in 6th grade and I'm pretty sure my friend thought I was crazy for never having it. But growing up in a Filipino household, having food like Chicken Adobo and Lumpia was more common than burgers and fries. So from time to time, I crave a part of my late youth and want something like sloppy joes to remind me the non-traditional childhood foods I rarely had. Instead of cheating by using stuff from the can or a powder mix, I created my own version which my husband gave 2 thumbs up!

What you'll need:

1/2 chopped yellow onion
1 chopped green bell pepper
1 15oz can of tomato sauce
1 can of tomato paste
1.5 lbs of ground sirloin (you can substitute with ground turkey or chicken)
1 tbsp of garlic powder
2 tbsp of worcester sauce
2.5 tbsp of brown sugar
1 tbsp of salt
1 tbsp of black pepper
2 tbsp of olive oil

Directions:

In a large pan, heat olive oil and saute bell pepper and onion for 2 - 3 minutes before onions become too translucent
Add ground sirloin and break down meat until brown
Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder, worcester sauce, brown sugar, salt, black pepper and mix until all items have combined evenly
Bring to a boil and lower to medium - low heat
Simmer for 10 minutes
Serve on your favorite roll or bun (I serve mine on an Udi's gluten free roll and it's delish) with your favorite fixings. I toasted my roll and added a slice of american and gouda cheese. You really can't go wrong.

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | lounging

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

I'm not very good at being lazy. I'm one of those people that needs to be on the computer, while watching TV and checking my iPhone every other minute to see if anything good is coming up on my Twitter feed. Well, at least that was me a few months ago.

A few months ago the idea of laying around at home for hours watching HGTV would make me cringe, but sure enough I've turned into my worst nightmare...someone that does just that on their free time. Be lazy! However, just cause I'm lounging around the house doesn't mean I do it in sweats all day. I need to at least shower and wear something semi-decent to make me feel a tad productive. So even though my warm Target slippers seem to be my footwear of choice on days I'm un-motivated, I still like to put a tad of thought in my home outfits.

|How do you lounge at home? Are you in sweats all day or do you need to feel somewhat composed to feel like the day isn't completely wasted?|

life (lahyf) | home

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

I'm a messy person. Just ask my husband who's constantly picking up after all my clutter and messes. That's why when it comes to home decor we keep it pretty minimal. Less amount of furniture and places for me to store things = less mess.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the idea of adding character to each room in our place and I even love pinning new ideas onto my Pinterest board. But, I'll be honest, the likelihood of me doing more than what's required is pretty slim to none. I've always thought it was funny that my home is actually a pretty bad representation of who I am just based on it's simplicity. I like to consider myself a creative individual with layers of personality, but my home says none of that...take a look for yourself.

Although I always toy around with the idea of painting walls, adding splashes of color and hanging fun wall art, I like how my home looks like a bachelor pad. It leaves minimal room for error in making decorating mistakes and really all I need are pictures of my loved ones hanging around to make it feel like home...which it does.

|Are you the type that likes a well decorated home? What does your home say about you?|

life (lahyf) | thank you

2012-01-01T08:06:00.002-06:00

It goes without saying that 2011 was a truly amazing year and a huge reason is because of this blog. Instead of looking back at all the great and unforgettable moments I experienced, I wanted to take the time to say THANK YOU to each of you that read daily, weekly and monthly. Without you I wouldn't be able to say that 2011 was one of the best year's I've had...so far.

via

|Thanks to each and every one of you. You are appreciated, valued and loved! Cheers to making 2012 an even better year...and it WILL be. :)|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | red & leopard

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

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.

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

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

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:

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

And voila! My perfect steak dinner.

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | custom suits

2011-12-23T12:26:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-21T08:00:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

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.

How these shorts were previously styled

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

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | pixie

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

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)

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

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.

2011-12-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

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.

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

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

2011-12-13T06:28:00.000-06:00

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"

2011-12-08T08:00:00.000-06:00

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:

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

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

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

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.

|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

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

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?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | kelly from path to positive

2011-12-05T12:00:00.000-06:00

Every week, I introduce you to a blogger who has been kind enough to share their story about a feature they love now that once brought insecurities and how they learned to love it. Together, these women will help re-define beauty in their own words and will hopefully help others feel more comfortable in their own skin because each of you are beautiful - you should feel that way everyday!

Meet today's beauty Kelly from Path to Positive.

What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate?

My lil elf ear.

I think I finally started liking it when my mom began telling me that my ear got stretched a bit when I was being born.

Apparently, while she was pushing some angels grabbed a hold of my ear as a way to keep me in heaven with them. They were going to miss me too much. So she says.

What made you learn to love it?

I've come to love it through that story. Obviously, fictitious. But I just loved the idea of it. The magic behind it all.

Now I understand it's quite fun to have these little quirks.

They are what make us different and separate from the rest of the world.

There is no one else in the entire world that is like you. Pretty cool, huh?

Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin?

Honestly, it took me a while to figure out what I was going to say.

There are so many image issues that women fight off on a daily basis. Sadly, it is all stirred by the mass media we unconsciously consume. I could've easily had said cellulite. But honestly, I may never come to terms with it. I may never love cellulite. I've been hardwired to loathe it.

All I can say is that if you say you LOVE yourself. Then you should treat yourself accordingly. Talk about yourself in a positive light. Hug yourself. Thank yourself and in turn you will love that self of yours.

food (food) | spaghetti squash

2011-12-02T08:17:00.000-06:00

I don't remember who introduced me to spaghetti squash a few years ago, but whoever it was changed my life for the better. As much as I love pasta, pasta doesn't love me and brown rice pasta is good, but I limit myself to one meal a day with some kind of starchy carb. Spaghetti squash is the perfect replacement for noodles. Although it won't taste the same, it's just as good to pair with your favorite marinara, pesto, etc. In this case, I re-created my favorite go to "everything but the kitchen sink" pasta with chicken Italian sausage, sun dried tomatoes, broccoli and lots of other great veggies.

Directions on how to cook spaghetti squash:

Pre-heat oven at 375 degrees
Puncture holes into spaghetti squash with fork and microwave for 3 minutes (this will help soften it before you cut it in half)
Cut spaghetti squash in half and scoop out seeds
Lightly brush olive oil into each half and lay open face down on a baking pan
Bake for 35 - 45 minutes (timing can vary depending on the size of the spaghetti squash)
When cooked scrape squash with fork and toss with your favorite pasta toppings

mov•ie (moo-vee) | the muppets movie

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

Raise your hand if you DIDN'T see The Muppets Movie this weekend. It seems like many rushed to the theaters to watch the movie and it's no surprise. The Muppets are so iconic that those of us that grew up with these characters really didn't want to miss the chance to re-live the kooky, quirky humor that the original show and movies brought when we were younger...well most of us that is.

Matt and I saw the movie on Thanksgiving Day. I expressed my excitement leading up to opening day about how much I wanted to see the movie, so like a good husband, he went along with it and agreed to see the movie. I (and this is my error) assumed that he too grew up loving The Muppets. I mean c'mon - even Muppet Babies will count, but that's where assuming made a you know what, out of you know who. In the middle of the movie as Jason Segal and Amy Adams began with their first song and dance, I started grinning ear to ear, but also cringed inside because I saw Matt slumped down in his seat and knew immediate that he did NOT grow up with The Muppets. I could sense his urgency to leave the theater and wondering when it was going to end every time he checked his watch. BUT, I didn't let that stop my enjoyment of dancing along because how many times has he made me sit through movies that caused me discomfort (ie: Apocalypto)?

Typically when we exit the theater I ask Matt, "What did you think?" In this case I knew better, he wasn't un-happy or upset, he knew what he was getting into. So instead I asked, "You didn't grow up watching The Muppets did you?" When he responded, "No, not really." It was no surprise, but I appreciate that he sucked it up, sat through it, tolerated my child like giddiness and did it all in the name of love. After all isn't that what true love is? When someone sits through a movie they think is miserable, all because it brings pleasure to the person they love. In a nutshell, if you didn't gather it already, I loved it and Matt didn't.

|Does your significant other sit through movies that you know they won't love just because you want to? Do you do the same for that person?|

life (layhf) | christmas tree

2011-11-30T08:00:00.001-06:00

We do small amounts of Christmas decorating at best. Right after Turkey Day we typically hang our stockings and random decorations. That's usually the extent of decorating for the holidays because I'm a minimalist when it comes to home decor. I hate entertaining and the cleaning required in order to do so which is why I hardly keep my place looking like a page out of Architecture's Digest. My idea of making a place "homey" is to decorate it with bare necessities (ie: pictures of family and friends, black & white photography, a lot of un-used wall space and no furniture that would allow me to store "clutter").

Needless to say, I don't really like to do much that requires a routine up-keep, which is why we never really bought a tree before. Although the idea of having it is so great, what's worse is the thought of cleaning up the mess after the holidays. However, this is the year that it all changes. We got...(drum roll please) a REAL Christmas tree. Talk about messy!

I finally put my big girl shoes on and sucked up the fact that I have a big (HUGE) mess to deal with after the holidays, but for now I'm going to enjoy this moment. Something about having a fully decorated and well scented tree makes me want to Irish Coffee all season long.

|If you celebrate Christmas, what are your thoughts on decorating? Do you think it's too much effort for such a small amount of time?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | southwestern prints

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

Ever since I laid eyes on this Pendleton Jacket at Eddie Bauer and tried it on, I've been obsessing over southwestern and Navajo printed outerwear. So you can only imagine my joy when I dug this poncho out of a bin at Urban Outfitters. It's simply perfect and the only thing I wish is that the weather would stay a consistent mid to high 50s so I could wear this all Winter long.

|What is your take on southwestern prints? Are you coveting it as much as I am?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | laura from the blog of worldly delights

2011-11-28T12:00:00.000-06:00

Meet today's beauty Laura from The Blog of Worldly Delights.

1. What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate?

It took me a long time, and sometimes I still struggle, but I've come to really appreciate my curves. I've never been a skinny girl, even though all my life I've always pined for a waifish figure. I was always jealous of my sisters who are sizes 0-2 because clothing seems to just drape off of them just as I imagine them when I see them on the rack. Growing up in Asia having my build/shape was hard. I was constantly teased because I was already 5 ft. tall when I was 8 and had already obviously hit puberty. That plus not being stick-thin fueled a lot of insults that stayed with me even though I'm pretty thick-skinned. I was also raised in a very conservative household/culture, and showing off one's figure is really frowned upon. So I wore a lot of baggy clothes to hide my shape. Now, I am more comfortable wearing clothing that shows it off and flatters it.

2. What made you learn to love it?

My husband actually made me learn how to love my curves. This is gonna sound cheesy/ borderline-NSFW, but he calls me his Venus Naturalis. As opposed to the Venus Caelestis, who is more ethereal, the Venus Naturalis figure is earthy, sensual, and very curvy. Think of a figure perfect for child-bearing (though I'm not thinking about kids right now!)-- full, rounded, and soft. My husband has really helped me realize that my shape is perfect just the way it is. I can try to mold it as much as I want to, but if I don't love myself now, when else will I ever do?

3. Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin?

I really believe that whatever insecurities women have with their bodies are purely mental. That said, it should be easy to change one's view on their bodies because all one has to do is change your mindset on it! I've been using this strategy shared by Bella (from One Sister's Rant), and it's really helped a lot! Every single day-- and especially at times when you don't feel so hot-- look at the mirror. Don't just glance. Don't just take a peek. Really LOOK at a mirror and tell yourself, "You are a beautiful woman." Do it as many times as you need until you feel the message has really sunk in. Once you know you're beautiful, you'll start acting more confident!

life (lahyf) | chicago blogger crawl

2011-11-25T19:53:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the very first Chicago Blogger Crawl (#chibloggercrawl) hosted by Nikia of Chitown Fashionista. Much like a bar crawl, we went from one Marshalls and TJ Maxx stores to another scoping out the variety of goods that each was carrying.

The day started off at 9am, where we all re-grouped before our first store to catch up and get the layout of the day. Nikia is so super organized that she put together this fabulous agenda full of attendee names, our blog sites, details for a fun scavenger hunt activity at each store and info on how we can share our adventures with our Twitter followers through a giveaway that was taking place while we went from store to store.

With all that fun information, a great playlist (c/o of Melvin) and eager shoppers - we were all prepared for our day to find some great items. As you can tell from this group shot - we obviously were a fun bunch to be around the entire day.

From store to store we wandered with intentions of finding the best deals and that we did. Everything from Elise's Rebecca Minkoff bag and Hallie's Cynthia Rowley purse to Mariposa's throw pillows for her daughter's room- everyone walked away happy with their purchases, but more importantly their great deals and money saved.

By the end of the day, we not only picked out some of the best things from all three store locations, but knew so much more about each other. We spent our time in the van talking about life, blogging, shopping and food, that by the end of our trip I almost didn't want it to end. Thanks to our wonderful hostess and her hubby (also driver of the day) Melvin, I spent a good portion of my Saturday bonding with some other fabulous bloggers who I can proudly say are real life friends.

*A HUGE thank you goes out to Nikia and Melvin for planning the day. In addition, thanks to all the folks at each TJ Maxx and Marshalls for letting us take over the stores, and last, but not least, Kellogg's Special K for providing us with gift bags full of food to fuel us throughout our trip.

food (food) | turkey sausage, potato & kale soup

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

I love kale and turkey sausage, so combining those two ingredients together, you can guarantee it's a dish I always go back for seconds. Inspired by Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana, I came up with my own modified (and healthier) version that doesn't require heavy cream.

Here's what you'll need:

1 package of turkey kielbasa sliced (Chicken andouille sausge is also a good substitute)
1 bag or bundle of chopped kale (I sometimes like having bigger chunks of kale so I'll break the leaves by hand vs. knife)
1 chopped yellow onion
2 boxes of chicken broth
1 peeled and thinly sliced potato
1 tbsp worschester sauce
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
Add onion and saute for about 2 minutes before they start to become translucent.
Add potato to onion and 1/2 tbsp of salt and pepper. Saute for another 5 minutes.
Add sliced turkey sausage and kale to mixture in the pot.* Stir until all ingredients have been evenly mixed together.
Add both boxes of chicken broth and worschester sauce. Mix and lower heat to medium-low.
Let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes and serve.

*If you enjoy a little bit of spice add 1 tbsp of red pepper chili flakes to this step.

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | butter london

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-06:00

Ever since I decided to paint my own nails I've found a sense of peace doing it. It requires concentration, a steady hand and deep breaths, but I'm getting the hang of it. In fact I'm finding it to be very therapeutic and actually get really excited about painting my nails, especially when I get to test out some new colors.

For awhile I've been admiring and gawking at the various colors available at Butter London. Since I used to never paint my own nails I would only rely on the colors available at the nail salon and they never carried the brand. Now that I've promised myself to paint my own nails more often, I'm so excited to finally try the polishes that I've heard so many great things about.

I have to say that I'm truly a sucker for packaging, so I was ecstatic that the bottles are just as cute as the Butter London site. I was even more excited when I pulled off the top cap and found that each brush handle has a different little icon that represents their brand.

Painting your own nails is truly an art and requires a lot of practice, but I appreciate that Butter London has a wide brush to help ease the difficulty in the process. I can't wait to try the other colors and I'll definitely be checking out their site often to keep me up to date on the hottest colors of the season.

And just in case you're like me, still trying to perfect painting your own nails, here's something that might help you "stay within the lines". Just remember to allow at least 2 minutes between each coat to help your nails dry quicker.

via pinterest

|How did you perfect the art of painting nails? Any specific brands you love?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | transitional pieces

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

When you're able to transition an article of clothing from one season to another, doesn't it feel like you're really get beyond your money's worth? Ultimately, all pieces would follow your suit as the season change, but realistically it doesn't happen as often as we'd like it to. I personally think that Spring or Summer dresses are the best transitional pieces because it's so easy to layer in the winter. The simplest way of changing a Summer dress into Fall? Just add tights, a sweater or blazer, weather appropriate accessories and voila! Your dress is now part of a Fall ensemble.

|What articles of clothing do you think transition best from season to season?|

life (lahyf) | cram for kids

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

It seems like these days more and more of my friends are having babies. If you're in the same life stage as I am, you know that feeling where some aren't just on their first baby anymore...they're onto their second (gulp!). Needless to say it seems like I've been shopping for babies just as much as I've been shopping for adults. Since I sometimes don't fully understand the need for a mobile or what a Bumbo really is, I choose to come in like the cool aunt that would feed you candy before dinner and buy a gift that may not be a necessity, but is pretty dang cool.

This weekend I visited my friend Richard's amazing kids store in Lakeview called Cram For Kids. He helped me find the perfect gift for a friend of mine back home who recently had her baby shower. His store is so inviting and welcoming, that it isn't intimidating to the baby dummies (present company included) that need to learn a thing or two about kids stuff. With a collection of adorable organic toys and clothes cute enough an adult would want to wear them, I spent my time in the store with a difficult task of picking just a few perfect somethings for my friend. Luckily with Richard's suggestions I was able to find some great organic items that I think my friend will love.

I don't spend a ton of time in baby stores, but I do know boutique shops like Cram For Kids, is a great way to get hand-picked, quality items that are great for a child's development. Like I said, I have a lot to learn about kids - heck I just learned what swaddling was earlier this year thanks to my friend Abby, but I do know shopping and this place has got the goods...well baby goods at least. If you're ever in the neighborhood or need to cover off on some baby shopping, definitely stop by his store. If anything peek your head in and play with the cute animal faced mittens like I did, it made me feel like a kid again, but also made me realize that shopping for kids can be just as much fun as shopping for myself.

|Are you going through a phase where your shopping for kids as much I am? What are some of your go to stores?|

life (lahy) | unexpected expense

2011-11-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Well I'm so glad that last week I decided to save a few pennies here and there outlined in this post because over the weekend the unexpected happened...Stevie the TV decided to stop working. (Can anyone name what show that's from?)

Yup our TV in the living room just decided to stop working. So on Saturday, our routine date night (which I was really looking forward to) was derailed thanks to good ol' Stevie. Instead of trying a new restaurant and seeing Like Crazy, we ended up sitting at at our neighborhood joint Flo and Santos sipping on Birra Moretti and noshing on waffle fries prepping for a night at Best Buy.

There was once a time that electronics were so appealing to Matt that we would frequent Best Buy like it was a church holding mass every Sunday. Because I didn't have the same interest in computer chips, surround sounds and other gadgets that Matt loves, I learned to pass the time in the video game display section of the store. As you can guess, while Matt was debating between plasma, LCD, LED, 1080p, 600hz, etc - I spent the time at the Xbox Kinect demo dancing like a fool and also testing out 3D TVs.

Two hours and one few rounds of Dance Central later, Stevie was replaced with Phoebe the TV. Sadly, with Phoebe's unexpected arrival both Matt and I agreed that Christmas presents to each other weren't a priority this year. This isn't the Cambridge Satchel I was wishing for, but it's something that needed to be replaced.

|How do you deal with unexpected expenses? Do you find that sometimes you have to sacrifice something in order to make up for it?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | sorel boots

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

Living in Chicago any local will tell you that it's mandatory to have some good Winter boots - and no Uggs don't qualify for many reason. I'm talking about boots that not only keep your mootsie tootsies warm, but can also stand the harsh weather conditions and are stylish. Those are the only things that need to be checked off your list when shopping for a pair and thankfully Sorel boots pass that test with flying colors.

Last week I was lucky enough to join my friends Andrea, Lisa, Emily, Merl and Grace to check out Sorel's new collection at the Step Into Style event hosted by Daily Candy. Timed perfectly with the first snowfall of the season, Winter boots were on my mind that day and who better to look for new boots with than my fashionable blogger buddies?

With Voga Italia wine and Sprinkles cupcakes in hand, we gallivanted around the store to scope out the latest collection. Over the last few years I was obsessed with Sorel's Caribou boots, but this season I'm totally crushing on the Tofino's. These boots are stylish enough to throw on when commuting to work in a massive snow storm, but are also perfect to wear on a cool, crisp and laid back Winter day.

By the end of the night we not only overstayed our time at the on-site photo booth, but we each found a pair that we loved just in time for us to be prepared for the "worst" Winter we're expected to have. Overall it was a great night to hang with my lady friends who not only let me act like a fool, but tolerate it. Have I mentioned how much I love these ladies?

|Do you have a criteria when choosing a pair of Winter boots?|

*Thanks to Trisha at Daily Candy for hosting us ladies and Voga Italia for the wine, as well as a pair of Sorel boots. Lastly thanks to Andrea for taking all these wonderful pic!

fit•ness (fit-nis) | foursquare

2011-11-15T06:46:00.000-06:00

If you follow me on Foursquare you'll see that my check-ins are pretty random. Ok totally random. Between running errands at Target and restaurants I honestly check-in when I remember. However, the one place I'm pretty consistent about checking-in to is the gym. Whether I check in to the gyms I have memberships with or a workout room at the hotel I'm staying at when I travel, I'm sure to use Foursquare as a way to document how many days I'm working out each week.

Yesterday, Foursquare reminded me that it's been 15 consecutive weeks that I've checked-in to my local gym and that I've been there 50 times within these 15 weeks. I remember a while back I used to question the whole purpose of "checking-in". In my case - it's a way to keep me accountable and motivate me to keep going.

With today's check-in make that 51 times I've been at the gym within the 15 weeks.

|What keeps you accountable or tracks your fitness regime? Do you use a program or have a journal that documents it all?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | the brooklyn bakery

2011-11-14T08:39:00.000-06:00

Finding the perfect stocking stuffer, is just as important as finding the perfect gift. Yes, I do still get gifts from Santa and no, I'm not too old to be receiving them. Let's be honest regardless of who puts those goodies in there, I'll take 'em. For any of you "Santas" out there who are in need of finding the perfect something for someone who loves to finish off any outfit with accessories, like myself, I would go with bracelets. It's no secret that I favor bracelets over any other type of jewelry and if your someone is like me, then you're going to want to check out the cuffs available at The Brooklyn Bakery.

The cuffs are such a great quality and have cute detailed snap buttons with The Brooklyn Bakery logo on them. Paired with a casual outfit or a more dressed up look, their bracelets and cuffs are the perfect statement piece to accessorize any look.

There are tons of bracelet and cuff options...and sometimes I get a little overwhelmed by the options, but in this case I just want them all. If you're looking for a good stocking stuffer for someone like me who is adventurous with their style, but also needs to be toned down from time to time, here are a few of my favorites:

|What would be your perfect stocking stuffer? Would it be a bracelet or do other accessories appeal to you?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | leopard

2011-11-09T21:46:00.000-06:00

It seems like every 2 - 3 years the leopard/animal print trend re-surfaces in the world of fashion. Some presences are bigger than others and sometimes it's both leopard, as well as tiger prints, but this year is the year of the leopard. And its presence is HUGE - so huge that I myself, a newly converted leopard print lover, is coveting almost every leopard piece out there.

I was always convinced that animal prints weren't "my style". It required someone a little edgier than myself to brave the animal kingdom, but quickly that all changed. A few weeks ago I stumbled on this amazing sweater while thrifting and I must say that to date this is one of my favorite finds, but the best part? Shortly after I found this sweet sweater, I was flipping through the new Urban Outfitters catalog and saw that an eerily similar sweater was on one of the models. I remember thinking, "Kudos Tabitha...Kudos. This is a big win for your wardrobe."

my thrifted sweater: $4 | urban outfitter's minkpink wilderness sweater: $88

|Have you embraced the leopard print trend and are you loving it as much as I am?|

food (food) | chinese chicken quinoa salad

2011-11-09T08:22:00.000-06:00

Quinoa is the perfect replacement for those gluten-free folks that miss eating cous cous. They both look very similar, can be found most likely sitting next to each other in the grocery store and are equally tasty.

I made this Chinese Chicken Quinoa Salad last week when I knew I had a busy week ahead and wanted to make something that I could eat over the course of 2 - 3 days. I brought a large Tupperware of it to work for my co-workers to try and they asked me to send them the recipe so here it is.

What you'll need:

2 lbs shredded or cubed chicken that has been cooled down (I poached mine, but if you want the easy way just buy pre-made rotisserie chicken and use 2 breasts)
2 cups dry (washed and cleaned) quinoa
4 cups of chicken stock (that's one whole box)
Half thinly sliced red onion
Rice wine vinegar
Sesame oil (If you want it a little spicy get the chili sesame oil)
1 chopped red bell pepper
2 cups diced brocolli
2 cups chopped snow peas
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
Ginger spice
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Place quinoa and chicken stock in pot on med/high heat. Once it starts boiling, cover, reduce heat and letting it cook for about 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. If it is still liquidy cook for a few more minutes. (You can cook this ahead of time if you want it to cool down faster). You want it at least at room temperature when you fold into the salad.
In a large bowl add 1/4 cup of rice wine vinegar and sliced onions. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes (this cuts out the bitterness of the onion)
In a separate bowl toss 2 tbsp of sesame oil, 1 tbsp of ginger spice, 1 tbsp of rice wine vinegar, 1/2 tbsp of salt and pepper to taste with chopped/shredded chicken.
Once the onions are done, add all remaining vegetables into the bowl and coat evenly with the onions/vinegar mixture.
Add chicken to the vegetables.

When the quinoa is ready and cooled, add into chicken/vegetable mix and coat evenly. Taste it and if it needs a little bit of flavor add more rice wine vinegar a little at a time. You don't want to put too much vinegar because it might get too soupy.
When you get it to taste the right way, fold peanuts in.

life (lahyf) | manicures & coffee

2011-11-08T08:26:00.000-06:00

I'm going to confess something that made my stomach churn when I actually realized it. On a monthly basis, I spend close to $150 on mani/pedis to make sure my fingers and toes are always presentable. But wait it gets worse. On a weekly basis I was spending close to $75 on my daily coffee fix because up until a few weeks ago I refused to buy a coffee maker. Annually, that's roughly $5400...talk about expensive habits!

I feel sick just writing this post about it, BUT I'm changing all that. I've always said that one of the benefits to blogging is that it keeps you accountable. If you want to challenge yourself as a blogger, write it in a post. It encourages you to push through because it's been published on the interwebs. So here's the agreement that I've made with myself. I will reduce (not entirely give it up) the amount of mani/pedis I get done professionally and limit myself to only 3 coffee shop visits every week.

It's ridiculous to say that I'll never go get my routine mani/pedi ever, but it's possible to only go once a month and keep up the maintenance by doing it on my own at home. Although I don't think I paint my own nails very well, the only way I'll get better is if I keep on doing it. That reduces my expense to only $55/month.

nail details | opi's wocka wocka & excuse moi from the muppet collection |

Now there's the coffee habit. Sometimes I have a hard time evaluating whether it's the routine that I'm addicted to or the actual coffee itself. Whatever it is, I've slowly been learning to change it because with the amount of money I was spending on my daily Starbucks fix, I could have purchased a new pair of boots...each week! Since I like my coffee on the strong side, I bought a french press which is perfect for me since Matt doesn't drink coffee. It's easy to clean and tastes so much better than brew from a coffee maker. Last week I calculated my savings and my expense went down to a whopping $11. Drastic change isn't it?

I can't promise that I can keep this up permanently, but what I can promise to myself is that I will try. Now, if only I could be better about not eating out as much.....

|Have you ever evaluated the cost for some of your routine habits? If so, did it motivate you to re-adjust your routine because of the cost?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | emily from the daily fashionista

2011-11-07T12:00:00.000-06:00

Meet today's beauty Emily from The Daily Fashionista.

1) What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate?

I had to learn to appreciate my hair color, actually. I grew up not being allowed to highlight or dye my hair, so once I moved out of my parent's house I went crazy with hair dye. I was tired of being a strawberry blond and really wanted to try something completely different. I did thick highlights first then I started doing color. I even went a little crazy after my wedding but before the honeymoon and chopped off my hair and dyed it black. I've been a brunette, auburn, and super light blond. Sorry to say I don't have too many pictures of that time in my life, since I was so self conscious around a camera. But if you look back in my blog archives you can see me as a brunette.

2) What made you learn to love it?

I started to identify my hair color with my heritage. My maiden name is Kenyon and literally means "fair haired" or blond. My dad, my sister and some of my cousins all share this color. Plus I didn't know anyone with my last name so it kind of made it feel more special to me. Oh and my family is originally from northern England which is where our name is derived.

3) Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin?

Your born with what you have. I think that going the total cosmetic route and changing up your look temporarily is fun for a little while, but sometimes its the original features that we have that set us apart and make us more interesting! I may dye my hair again, but for now I really like having my real hair color and I also love the fact that I don't have to worry about maintenance!

food (food) | crock pot turkey chili

2011-11-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Nothing's better than turkey chili on a cold fall/winter day and I will jump on any opportunity to use my crock pot. If you don't have one, I highly recommend making the investment. It's the best way to have dinner prepped and ready to go once you get home from a long day at work.

What you'll need:

2 lbs ground turkey (you can use beef or chicken as well)
3 bacon strips
1 seeded and chopped jalepeno
1 chopped green pepper
1 chopped yellow onion
3 chopped carrots
4 chopped garlic cloves
3 dried bay leaves
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp of Mesa Rosa Chipotle seasoning from Whole Foods (you can also use bbq sauce instead)
1 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried ginger
1 tsp worcester
1/2 cup red wine
1 can tomato sauce
2 cans of kidney beans (undrained)
1tbsp of EVOO
Salt and pepper

Directions

In a large heated pan, add EVOO, ground turkey and bacon. Season with a little bit of salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is no longer pink.
While the meat is browning, add all remaining ingredients into the crock pot.
Once the meat is brown, add into crock pot and mix well with all ingredients.
Cover and cook on low heat for 5 to 6 hours.

Garnish with your favorite chili toppings. I personally topped this batch with left over corn salsa and chopped white onions - it's delicious and I highly recommend it.

life (lahyf) | the field museum

2011-11-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

I learned about The Field Museum from The Travel Chanel when they profiled Sue, the T-Rex that the museum has displayed in the main area, and since I love everything dinosaur related I made sure we paid her a visit during our very first trip to the city. Ever since, The Field Museum has been one of my favorite places in the city.

Every month the museum offers select discount days where they offer Illinois residences free general admission and this week I decided to take a day off of work to enjoy the perk. Since moving to Chicago, we've probably visited the museum at least once every year and each time we go, my appreciation for the museum grows stronger. Although there are permanent fixtures like Sue, there are great traveling exhibits that temporarily call The Field Museum home and we were able to get a glimpse at some of the new things like....

The Grainger Hall of Gems

Ground Zero 360

Mammals of Asia

Matt knows how much the museum means to me, so he was kind enough to come with me amidst his day of back to back meetings, to re-ignite my inner geeky kid that loves to absorb all this history. He's such a great guy isn't he? Although going to the museum seems more like an item on a tourist's checklist of things "to do", it might just be one of my favorite things to do in the city. Living in Chicago has taught me to never take things, like The Field Museum, for granted and everyday I have a great appreciation for what this city has to offer.

|Do you have a museum that you like to visit often in your city?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | eddie bauer blogger day

2011-11-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

I remember my Freshman year of high school (in 1994 to be exact - gulp!) when there were a few key staples I needed in order to fit in: A GAP denim jacket, Doc Marten footwear, flannel shirts, a metallic silver Eddie Bauer down jacket and an Eddie Bauer backpack. (Did I mention that I lived on the Eastside of Seattle so "grunge" was in full effect?) Well of course like any 13-year old I forced my parents to get majority of these things - especially the Eddie Bauer backpack. It seemed like every 4 out of 5 girls had them. If you had an Eddie Bauer backpack or even more, the puffy down jacket - you were making a statement. There was a sense of pride owning Eddie Bauer gear, not only cause it was cool to have something from the store, but also because it was a retailer that was founded in Seattle and really embodied what the Pacific Northwest is all about.

As you can see, Eddie Bauer is a little nostalgic for me. It brings me back to a time where the only worry I had was what I was going to wear to school (oh wait I do that now, but to work instead) and making sure I got a ride to school the next day. So when Eddie Bauer hosted their Blogger Day event last week to showcase some items from their Holiday collection, I was glad to have an opportunity to re-acquaint myself with a brand that brings back so many memories. With my good friend Rachel in tow - I was ready to take a trip down memory lane.

The memories of living in the PacNW came rushing through as soon as I saw the various plaid patterns, thick wool sweaters and mandatory snow gear. Eddie Bauer's Holiday collection is filled with everything all outdoor enthusiasts, or those who aspire to look like one should have, including this Four-Pocket Leather Military Down, French Terry Jaspe Pants and of course my personal favorite - the coveted Pendleton Jacket. You don't have to be lounging in a log cabin in the middle of the woods or defrosting from a day on the slopes because the cozy Holiday wear will immediately make you feel like you're already there without even leaving the comfort of your home. In my case, it whisked me back home to Seattle.

|me, nikia & raijean|

Rachel and I wandered throughout the store sifting through the rack of Winter goodies, catching up (and meeting) with some of my favorite bloggers and checking out how others styled the current collection on model Jade who was on-sight to showcase outfits we put together. Raijean styled the look below and I'll definitely be returning to the store soon to replicate it.

In the end, gallivanting through the store made me feel like I was 13 again, but more importantly it made me realize that I'm ill prepared for this upcoming Winter season. You can guarantee that I put that Pendleton Jacket on my wish list this Christmas and I can't wait to visit again to stock up on must haves as temperatures drop. For more pictures from Eddie Bauer Blogger Day check out my Facebook page.

|Are there stores that make you feel nostalgic and bring back a flood of great memories?|

*Thank you to Lainee and the team at Eddie Bauer for not only hosting this event, but helping me remember so many things I love (and miss) about the Pacific Northwest.

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | fall maxi dress

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

A black maxi dress is my alternative to sweats. Since wearing sweats is such a fashion faux pas, this is my "go to" for days that I'm either A) feeling 20 pounds heavier than my real weight, B) can't bear the thought of wearing anything that constricts my waistline, C) want to dress down or D) all of the above.

As it gets colder, I've been exploring ways to use this maxi dress as a base for new fall outfits and also learning a few things along the way. DO: Wear maxis with closed toe shoes (for some reason I was very against this until now). DON'T: Wear baggy over baggy over baggy...you'll get lost. DO: Cover up, but find ways to layer the maxi with items that still shape the contour of your body. DON'T: Let your summer mentality only see this piece as a warm climate garment. Most important DO: Have fun testing out new ways to use your summer items. After all isn't personal style based on trial and error?

|how this dress has been worn before|

|What are some of your favorite Summer pieces that seem to be transitioning into one of your favorite Fall pieces?|

life (lahyf) | halloween

2011-11-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

My Halloween costume this year was solely based around one of my features...my hair. Since chopping my hair a few months ago, I wanted to make sure that I picked a character that didn't require me to wear a wig or do anything out of the ordinary with it, so I went with Betty Boop.

I am the type of person that hates shelling out $75 on a pre-made costume and coming up with this one was quite simple. With a $5 dress from Goodwill and a DIY'd garter - I spent a whopping $11 on my whole costume. Everything else was grabbed from my closet.

I can't take all the credit for my costume though. Luckily I my routine hair trim was scheduled on Saturday, which was also the same night of the big Halloween party. So my amazing hairstylist Ashley at Salon Buzz was kind enough to pin my hair up instead of doing the standard blow dry. If it weren't for the way she styled my hair, I don't think my costume would have been complete.

Although I loved my costume, I have to say that Matt's was far superior than mine. He and our friend Adam dressed up as the guys from Weekend at Bernie's and they got tons of compliments (maybe even high fives) throughout the night.

|Did you celebrate Halloween by dressing up this year? What did you dress up as?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | brittany from brilliance of b

2011-10-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

Each week I've been introducing you to a new blogger who has been kind enough to share their Beauty story. Today's blogger not only has a great lesson that we all should learn that will help us appreciate our own beauty, but she's someone I have a short history with.

Meet today's Beauty - Brittany from Brilliance of B.

My first rendezvous with Brittany is actually one for the books. We met in Mexico this past summer at our resort where we sipped on cocktails (emphasis on plural) and got to know each other. Even though we talked a bit of fashion and style, surprisingly neither one of us mentioned that we were bloggers. Fast forward to September when Brittany stumbled upon my blog and the rest is history. It's crazy how small this world is, isn't it?

1) What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate?

My lips! I LOVE lipstick and I always felt like my lips were too big to wear red or bright pink. I've learned how to make those bold colors work by applying a liner close to my skin color. Now, I can't stop wearing bold lipsticks!

2) What made you learn to love it?

What made me learn to love it is by daring myself to wear bold lip colors out in public. I would gradually purchase colors that I would NEVER purchase just to see how I could make it work for my lips.

3) Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin?

B.ecause

E.veryday

A.n

U.ndeniable

T.ruth

I.s

F.ulfilling

U.r

L.ives

No matter how true the things we don't like about ourselves come to surface daily, we must embrace these things and love them because it is who we are. Be true to yourself and love every part of it! :)

Definitely check out Brittany's blog - she not only has great style, but has the 411 on Boston's fashion scene.

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | faux fur

2011-10-27T08:00:00.007-05:00

I lucked out last year when I scored this faux fur vest for a whopping $16 on super clearance at Nordies Rack. It's become a staple in my closet simply because it can elevate an outfit from being mediocre to amazing. No matter how scrubby my outfit may be, I can just throw this bad boy on and I immediately turn heads (yeah that's right). ;) I'm a huge advocate of all women owning some kind of faux fur. Trust me - you'll feel glamorous.

|What are your thoughts on faux fur (or even real fur)? Is it something you're coveting this season?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | pretty powerful

2011-10-26T08:00:00.009-05:00

I started my Beauty series because we often spend too much time concentrating on the things we hate about ourselves that we never see all the things we should love. It's difficult to not dwell on our imperfections, I do it almost everyday, but we should all remember that we control our own confidence and can learn to love what we hate most. I'm a strong supporter of any campaign that helps empower women, so I was thrilled to hear that Bobbi Brown's Pretty Powerful Tour of America was coming to Chicago. The campaign follows Bobbi's belief that every woman is beautiful without (yup without) makeup, but with the right makeup women can feel powerful. Her belief is that makeup shouldn't transform you into someone you're not - it should help showcase who you are.

Saturday morning I went sans makeup (something I never do) to Nordstrom at Northbridge Mall and was greeted by Shawn and Holly who are part of the Bobbi Brown team. I sat down after snapping some pics and Shawn went right into teaching me about Bobbi's philosophy, as well as Pretty Powerful (which has been around for over a year). I absorbed anything and everything he had to say, feeling so inspired by her passion for empowering women to embrace their true beauty. As he was giving me the scoop on Pretty Powerful, he was teaching me how to feel confident with every step of my makeup routine. Shawn did an amazing job listening to what I told him was important to me (cheek color and eye liner) and I left not only feeling empowered, but motivated to help other women feel the same way.

We each have a story to share about what helped us become more confident about our looks. Now with Bobbi Brown's Pretty Powerful initiative you can share your story for a chance to be the next face of the Pretty Powerful campaign. Even if you don't feel like sharing your story, definitely read (and vote) on the stories that have been submitted by other women. It's amazing how much more confidence you build just by reading stories from people who are just like you.

Thank you to the wonderful team at Bobbi Brown (Shawn, Holly, Jasmine and Kelly) for giving me an opportunity to experience Bobbi's philosophy - I'll definitely do what I can to spread the good word!

|To quote the Pretty Powerful mantra: Be Pretty. Be Confident. Be Who You Are.|

life (lahyf) | pumpkin patch

2011-10-25T08:00:00.018-05:00

Halloween, shmalloween. Yes, I do eventually end up dressing up and going out, but the only thing that gets me really excited about this time of year is going to the pumpkin patch. Something about spending a day out of the city and strolling through a farm helps re-energize me. It also happens to be one of the limited activities on my short list that Matt is willing to do and is genuinely excited about.

This year we took a trip down south to Settler's Pond to check out the farm animals and pick up a handful of pumpkins. Although pumpkins should be the main reason why we go every year, in all honesty it's just an excuse for Matt to seek out farms that have the best animals in the petting zoo....We went to Settler's Pond because they had a monkey and kangaroo. Although we had a great time, we were both bummed that we couldn't pet the monkey and the kangaroo just wasn't what I expected it to be. It was smaller and his rat like tail kept freaking me out. Despite my disappointment with the kangaroo, it was still a fun time at the pumpkin patch.

|What are your favorite Fall activities? Are pumpkin patches on your list?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | katy from modly chic

2011-10-24T12:00:00.002-05:00

1) What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate? Without a doubt - my height. I am a little over 5'9" and have a 35" inseam.

2) What made you learn to love it? I grew up in a tall family and loved that fact. It was something I took for granted and thought was normal, until I graduated college and suddenly found myself in the working world and inches taller than some of my male colleagues. As a reporter you want people to find you approachable and I worried about my height being a detriment to that. I love heels but ended up wearing flats all the time. It wasn't until a blog reader started leaving comments on my posts telling me I looked frumpy and should switch out of the flats. I made it a habit to wear heels all summer no matter the height of the people I was with and I ended up loving my height all over again.

3) Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin? Do something that challenges that misconception. For me it was about allowing myself to rediscover something I used to love. For others it could be about discovering a first love.

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | moccasins

2011-10-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

I love Minnetonka's. It all started with a pair of brown Kilty Suede moccassins I bought a few years ago. Since then, my love for Minnetonka's evolved. They're comfy, cozy, functional and more importantly they're a great alternative to wearing tennis shoes when you're commuting to work. They truly are a timeless piece in my closet and are a great investment.

So when I took a business trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico earlier this year, I was giddy when I stumbled upon these gray Thunderbird II Minnetonka moccasins at an amazing store that had fantastic Native American jewelry, art and clothing. There was no way I was leaving the city without getting myself a little souvenir, and these mocs were the perfect memorabilia.

|What are your thoughts on moccassins? Do you think they're a fad that should just go away or do you see them as fashionably functional footwear?|

Also, congratulations to Sharon from Elisharon on winning the Blouse Amour giveaway! I'll be emailing you with details on how you can get your blouse.

life (lahyf) | football aka soccer

2011-10-19T08:00:00.025-05:00

I like sports, but I don't love it. The only ones that grab my attention the same way the September issue of Vogue does are NBA games (might be another year before I see another one) and UFC or boxing matches. It's a little out of character, but that is a true story. Deep down inside, hidden underneath the dresses and make-up, I truly believe that I'm 75% boy based on my personality. To put it in context, I still laugh at stupid fart jokes, burp outloud if I've downed beer too quickly, love going to the auto show to check out the latest cars, never know what to say when others cry around me and can only tolerate a certain amount of girl drama before I start to tune out.

Since I wasn't raised in a household that followed a ton of sports, I never developed an interest at a young age. However, the older I get and more I understand sports (like learning the rules), the more I actually find an appreciation for them. Insert my first experience with a live MLS game.

I absolutely LOVED every minute of the game, BUT of course the fashionista in me was never going to wear any type of sports gear. I don't own any sports gear and to be honest I didn't really know what the Chicago Fire colors were so I resorted to a super relaxed outfit that showed neutral colors.

Neutral is a great way to go, but if you're going to any game and don't want to wear branded attire - embracing team colors is the way to go. Check out the outfit I should have worn that the girls from Gameday Stylist put together. They are the perfect team to make sure you're well equipped to go to any game in style.

food (food) | greek pasta salad

2011-10-18T09:00:00.003-05:00

I find that my best creations are made when I have random items in my fridge that need to be used. I had mini heirloom tomatoes and if I didn't use them they were going to get tossed. So I quickly put my thinking cap on and put together this easy pasta salad with items that I already had at home. This version of the salad is gluten-free, but you can easily swap out the brown rice pasta for your favorite short noodle.

What you'll need:

(2) lemons
1/2 red onion (sliced)
2 cups of cooked and cooled pasta
1 package of turkey pepperoni
1 package of grape or cherry tomatoes
1 cucumber (cubed)
2 green peppers (sliced)
1 cup of sliced kalamata olives + 2 tbsp of the olive juice
1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
1 tsp of dried oregano
2 tbsp of EVOO
1 cup of crumbled feta cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large glass bowl add juice from lemons, red wine vinegar and red onion. Leave out at room temperature for 15 minutes. This will cut the bitterness of the onion.
Add all remaining ingredients (minus salt and pepper) into bowl.
Mix with onions and vinegar until everything is evenly coated.
The pepperoni and feta are both fairly salty, but use salt and pepper to taste.
Serve or store in fridge.

This recipe makes about 8 (1 cup) servings and is a great salad to bring for lunch the next day. I personally think the way I made it lacks some protein, but this salad would be served great with some cubed grilled chicken or as a side to grilled salmon.

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | kileen from cute and little

2011-10-17T12:00:00.002-05:00

1) What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate?

My legs. I've always blamed my short legs for my lack of height {I'm a shortie at 5'0"}. I've always envied women with long legs that go on for miles only to look at my short stumpy legs with frustration. I used to shy away from wearing shorts and jeans that would make me feel like I had sausage legs and it's only through trial and error that I've found styles that flatter the lower half of my body without making it look bottom-heavy.

2) What made you learn to love it?

Realizing that I should be grateful that I have strong legs that have let me travel the world and taken on such adventures as climbing the Great Wall of China, backpacking through Japan, and even winning a few trail races back in my competitive running days. My legs may be muscular instead of skinny, but they've definitely served me well throughout the years.

3) Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin?

Finding style that works for you and your body type is always a work in progress. Don't always succumb to trends but also don't immediately write off certain styles as un-doable. I always keep an open mind and am willing to try out different things from time to time. You never know when something might just strike your fancy and push the limits of your fashion boundaries!

I never thought I'd be wearing skinny jeans, but here I am!

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | pigtails

2011-10-14T17:54:00.002-05:00

With short hair, my go to hair style when I am lazy is what it is - short hair. However, my hair is growing like crazy and finally I can somewhat get my hair up into these little teeny pigtails.

|Do you have a "go to" hair do on lazy days?|

give•a•way (give-wa) | blouse amour

2011-10-12T06:23:00.000-05:00

One of the things I'm stocking up on this season are blouses. Billowy blouses, flowy blouses, structured blouses, patterned and solid blouses - they're the perfect item to have in your closet. They can be paired with jeans for a great weekend outfit, or tucked into a colorful skirt pencil skirt for a polished work outfit. Needless to say - I love me some blouses.

This is why I'm so ecstatic to be teaming up with the popular NYC vintage pop-up shop Blouse Amour's web store, Shop Amour, to offer one lucky winner a blouse of their choice (in the value of $50 or less). Just check out some of the stuff I'm loving from their shop:

Silk Leopard Top

Pilgrim Blouse

Classic Bow Blouse

Classic Candy Red Top

Refined Blush Blouse

These are just my personal favorites, but check out Shop Amour's site to scope out their amazing blouse selection, then enter for a chance to win by filling out the form below.

Here are the rules:

Fill out form below. Note that your email address will be shared with Blouse Amour.
Additional entries if you "Like" Blouse Amour or Defining Tabitha on Facebook
Winner must be a US Resident
Contest ends on Wednesday October 19, 2011

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

fit•ness (fit-nis) | chicago marathon

2011-10-11T06:50:00.000-05:00

I live right by Mile 26 of the Chicago Marathon route and although I have a love/hate relationship with it, the only thing I seem to love about it is the joy of watching the runners approach the finish line and run the last stretch of the race.

I discovered last year that living at this part of the route you get to experience something that many might take for granted - watching the first runners as they lead the pack. It is so motivating, inspirational and truly emotional. So much, that I wanted to experience that feeling again this year.

This year, as I watched the first runners round the corner of Mile 26, I couldn't help but think of how much they were inspiring me. I thought, "I could learn a few things from this moment". So from here on out I will remember this:

Just like anything in life - Work at it if you want to get better. These are people who started out as amazing runners, these are people who have worked (and worked hard) to get where they are today. If you want to be good - keep trying until you reach a point that you're happy with.
Never say you can't - because you can. I watched many of the wheelchair athletes as they approached the finish line and for every day I complain about something I can't do - I need to remember how much harder it is for someone else. Life is never easy, but it's not so hard enough that you should ever give up.
Do everything with a smile. As I watched the first male and female runners approach the finish line I couldn't help but notice that despite the fact these people have ran the distance from my place to O'Hare airport - they remembered to smile. Hard work is that much more enjoyable if you do it with a smile.
Be someone's cheerleader (even if you don't know them). Encourage others, pat them on the back, scream in celebration...just show someone that you believe in them. It's amazing how much you start to believe in yourself when you believe in others.
Make it to the finish line. Even if it takes you longer than expected, push yourself to finish what you've started. It'll be fulfilling and worth celebrating in the end.

Even though I don't personally know the first runners that crossed the finish line, I was there to cheer them on and in return, they gave me an invaluable lesson. Here's a few pics of the first athletes as they approached the finish line.

|Congrats to all the athletes that participated in the Chicago Marathon and THANK YOU for inspiring me in so many ways.|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | liz from 26 & counting

2011-10-10T12:00:00.001-05:00

Meet this week's beauty - Liz from 26 and Counting.

1) What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate?
My hips.

Truth be told, it’s been a bit of love/hate relationship. Growing up as the hippy {and I do not mean that in a bohemian kinda way} tomboy I didn’t know how to dress for a body that grew up quicker than me. Almost all of clothes I wore in middle school and high school were a size too big – I tactic I used cover up the fact that I had hips. Anything that fit felt a bit revealing and unnerving - so I stuck to jeans and t-shirts and went about my business. I took me a while to realize that dressing this way wasn’t doing me any favors. I didn’t look smaller or less feminine. I looked frumpy and sloppy. Slowly, I started to embrace my shape and began dressing in a way that better suited my figure. Finding clothes that fit are definitely difficult task, but it’s such a great feeling when I find something that does.

2) What made you learn to love it?
Wearing clothes that actually fit. Why it took me so long to realize, I have no idea – but wearing clothes that fit {and fit well} really helped me feel more comfortable in my skin. It also meant finding and making friends with a tailor. While a lot of things fit right from the store, not everything does. And rather than keep something a bit baggy, I take it my trusty tailor and let her work her magic.

And I am still learning to love it. Blogging, of all things, has really helped too. Taking photos of my outfit is really eye opening to what is flattering on my body. Before blogging I wore mostly slacks to work – and now I am pencil skirt fiend. Who knew that a hip hugging skirt would be become my favorite work wear staple?

3) Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin?
Take it day by day and pay attention to fit. If you invest in clothes that truly fit you feel and look 100% better!

life (lahyf) | plymouth bar

2011-10-06T09:00:00.004-05:00

On Saturday Matt and I helped our friend celebrate his 30th birthday at Plymouth Bar. I had never been there, but heard it was a great after work bar with an amazing roof top bar...and that it did have. Despite the cold temperatures, the roof was open (and open all year round) with heaters on full blast that made me forget that it wasn't summer anymore.

I was slightly anti-social for a portion of the party because I couldn't help but wish I brought my camera with me to capture my surroundings. Luckily, I had my trusty camera phone to rely on complete with instagram to help enhance just how cool the view was. Unlike other rooftops in the city where you get a great view of the lake or skyline, Plymouth's is perfect for architecture enthusiasts. Most of the buildings that surround Plymouth have some fun history behind it and the detail on each is truly unique. Even if I had my camera, a picture wouldn't do it justice - you really have to experience it yourself to truly appreciate the ambiance.

A tip if you're ever in the neighborhood and decide to check it out - go on a weekend. You'll get a much more intimate experience and don't have to battle the 9 to 5ers who go there to un-wind after a long day of work.

food (food) | roasted butternut squash & brocollini

2011-10-05T09:00:00.003-05:00

Butternut squash is one of my favorite things to eat in the Fall. There's something about harvest fruits and vegetables that always get me excited about the leaves changing. After trying a similar dish at Whole Foods, I decided to re-create it on my own. If I had a choice of spending $10 on a small container of it or buying all the ingredients to make it on my own, I choose make my own.

What you'll need:

1 Butternut squash (cut into small cubes)
1 package of brocollini (cut into small pieces)
1 sprig of rosemary
1 sprig of thyme
1 red onion sliced into wedges
4 pieces of bacon or pancetta (optional)
Salt & pepper
Extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Pre-heat oven at 375 degrees. While oven is warming, toss red onion, bacon (if you're using it), salt and pepper to taste and 1 tsp of olive oil in a bowl.
Place on a roasting pan or sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
In the same bowl, add remaining ingredients and add roasted onion/bacon combo. Toss lightly until everything is mixed together and place on sheet. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, tossing the mixture halfway.

Serve as a side to your favorite dish. You'll have tons of leftovers and trust me when I say that this dish tastes just as good served cold, as it does fresh out of the oven.

life (lahyf) | ping tom memorial park

2011-10-04T09:00:00.012-05:00

I love my neighborhood. A mile south and I'm in Chinatown. A mile west and I'm in Pilsen (which has some of the best vintage stores and Mexican restaurants in the city). A mile east and I'm right on Lake Michigan. It's no wonder why I'm such a freak about not wanting to ever live in the suburbs. Everything is literally within arms reach and I've only discovered half of what I have around me.

Last week, I noticed that there was a lot of buzz about the new work done to the Ping Tom Memorial Park. It's walking distance from where we live and I had no idea that it even existed. After seeing some pictures on Sloopin, it peaked my curiosity and I decided to venture out in search of this park.

Nestled right on the edge of Chinatown is this amazing park with breath taking scenery. The entry way is hidden from the main street and is tucked right in the middle of a residential area. From the entrance, it's a little un-assuming, but once you walk past the railroad tracks you can't help but be in awe of this huge pagoda that welcomes you. Walking through the park you get a great feel of Chinatown's influence, but it never out shadows the one thing this park offers that many don't in the city - an un-obstructed view of the skyline. I walked around the park soaking in the great weather and tried to really appreciate the moment. This park is quickly becoming one of my favorite things about my neighborhood and I can't wait to go back again when I need to decompress.

|Have you discovered something new in your neighborhood recently that makes you enjoy it that much more?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | kinsey from in kinsey's closet

2011-10-03T12:00:00.005-05:00

Meet this week's beauty - Kinsey from In Kinsey's Closet.

Growing up, I was really insecure about my chest. I developed early and always felt pretty self-conscious when all of my girlfriends were in undershirts and training bras and I skipped right to the real deal. I always liked attention, but never for something outward like my breasts. As I got older and started becoming more active, they just simply got in the way. Sports bras never gave enough support, dressed rarely fit right, and whatever fit my waist never fit my chest. It has been a pain finding clothing that hit all the right spots with these things. I get a lot of unwanted attention because of my curves, and that can make me really uncomfortable and self conscious!

Even though there are some big (pun intented) drawbacks to large boobs (nothing fits, rude gawkers, back pain, never being able to go braless), I have found that in doing In Kinsey's Closet I have learned to love the way I look. I used to be so concerned with what others thought of the way I dressed and looked, but now I realize that we all are who we are and that can be a beautiful thing. I can rock a plunging neckline, fill out a beautiful top, and have something to hold up those cute strapless dresses that always fall down on other girls! I love retro looks from the 50s and I feel that having a little more up top always helps!

There were times when I wasn't 100% comfortable in my skin, and frankly I have my self-conscious moments almost daily. Once I realized that my biggest enemy was myself (listen Kinsey, no one else noticed that pimple until you pointed it out!) I started giving myself some major self love. Even if I had to fake it sometimes, I became a lot more confident once I decided I wanted to be. It's all about giving ourselves a pat on the back. Yes, you DO look hot in those jeans! If we feel good on the inside, we look good on the outside. It's cliche, but cliches are repeated so often because they're true!

fit•ness (fit-nis) | inspiration

2011-09-29T20:52:00.001-05:00

What inspires you to push yourself harder, faster, longer and stronger? I used to keep a picture of myself when I was 60 lbs heavier (see image below) in my wallet to really drive my motivation. These days, it's a size 4 dress that I wear and display in my closet that remind me to keep up with my workout regime, but sometimes it's as simple as new workout gear to really get me inspired.

I've been in the market for some new kicks for a few months now and in all honesty I just haven't found the pair. I'm just as selective in my workout gear, as I am with everyday wear to pick out something that's unique and shows a bit of personality. For awhile, I was debating on creating a pair of custom NIKE ID shoes, but I didn't want to wait that long to get them...that was over 2 months ago.

If I had ordered them, I wouldn't be writing this post, but I'm so glad I didn't because NIKE is unveiling their limited edition Chicago LunarGlide+3 shoe designed by local artist Tara D. To celebrate its launch, NIKE is inviting YOU to partake in all the festivities this Saturday in Chicago! What better way re-boost your workout routine than to checkout NIKE's latest Fall running/marathon gear complete with a DJ, drinks, food and raffle to keep you motivated. To join in the festivities check out the invite below.

Timing for this event couldn't be better. In exchange for inviting you all to this awesome event, NIKE will send me a pair of these amazeball kicks - the inspiration I need to get my butt in gear for my Mexication Part Dos happening February 2012. I've got 3 months and 20 pounds to lose before I head over to Cabo for my best friend's wedding and my birthday. I can't think of a better way to be motivated than new kicks and the thought of a new figure to celebrate in 3 months. If you're in Chicago, come check out NIKE + Akin's event this Saturday and snag a pair of Tara D's limited edition LunarGlide+3 - I guarantee with these bad boys someone will definitely have shoe envy.

|What inspires you to stick to a workout routine or start one?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | liz week at jcpenney

2011-09-29T06:10:00.000-05:00

Right after college Matt worked at JCPenney as an undercover security guard while he was trying to find his career path (for guys it's a little more delayed than girls). While he was working there I had full access to his discount. Sadly, that was years ago (8 to be exact) and at the time they didn't have great partnerships with labels like Liz Clairborne, which exist today.

A year ago, Liz Claiborne partnered with JCPenney and to celebrate the anniversary, JCPenney is declairing this week as "Liz Week". As part of the festivities JCPenney asigned 7 bloggers, from cities across the U.S., a different day of the entire week to showcase outfits that can be put together with Liz Claiborne's Fall collection.

Since Fall is the perfect season to embrace layers, I was excited to build an outfit that gave me an opportunity to buy a few key pieces that can be worn individually or all together. The key to any good Fall outfit is the ability to strip and add layers just in case temperatures vary throughout the day. I can't think of anything worse than when I'm freezing outside in sub-zero temperatures, but when I go inside it's a sauna in my office.

To address the un-predictable hot flashes and chills that I experience in the winter, I put together an outfit that could easily be adjusted using three key Liz Claiborne pieces - the Wide Collar Cardigan, Belted Shirt Dress and a sleeveless tie shirt (unavailable online). I used the sleeveless shirt as the foundation of my outfit and layered the dress over it. Instead of using the belt that came with the dress, I used the tie that came with the shirt to make the pattern stand out more. I topped my outfit off with the cardigan to keep me warm. With this outfit I can gallivant outside while it's cold and sit comfortably indoors without sweating up a storm.

outfit details | dress, shirt & sweater - c/o jcpenney | boots - nine west | necklace - vintage|

I'm so glad JCPenney asked me to be part of the "Liz Week" celebration and share with you some of the wonderful pieces from their Fall collection. If you're interested in joining the festivities, JCPenney is hosting a contest, offering discounts and much more. Click here to find out more about how you can participate in "Liz Week"!

Thank you to JCPenney for providing me with a gift card to explore the latest Liz Claiborne collection and for recruiting me to be a part of the celebration!

food (food) | pot roast soup

2011-09-28T14:58:00.000-05:00

Last week Matt was sick and I decided to make him some soup. I wanted something a little heartier than the typical chicken noodle you would normally serve to someone recovering from a cold, so I decided to McGyver up a pot roast soup from scratch.

What you'll need:

1 - 2 lbs of pre-cooked pot roast (I bought a pre-cooked one from Trader Joe's)
1 leek stalk sliced
Mirepoix (chopped celery, onion and carrots - Trader Joe's sells this pre-made)
4 large carrots sliced thick
2 garlic cloves chopped
2 sprigs of thyme
2 boxes of beef broth (approx. 8 cups)
1 cup of baby potatoes
1/2 cup of red wine
1 tablespoon of worchester sauce
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

Directions:

In a large pot heat olive oil (about 2 turns of the pot) on medium and add mirepoix, garlic and chopped carrots, then cook until vegetables look tender.
Add potatoes, leeks and thyme (off of the stems). Mix well with other vegetables and season with salt/pepper.
Break or cube the pot roast into thicker pieces. Add to pot with beef broth, wine and worchester sauce.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Let soup simmer for 20 minutes and serve.

This recipe makes about 8 - 10 servings (approx. 1 cup per serving) and freezes great. Pot roast soup is perfect for days when you're sick or days when you're just looking for a nice comforting meal. I'm so excited because this recipe will definitely be a winter staple!

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | bow-ties & red lipstick

2011-09-27T08:00:00.002-05:00

Ever since I did this shoot with Rachel a few months ago, her Tokyo bow tie has been one of my favorite accessories. I love its versatility from using it as a hair bow, headband, accent on my bag or in this case using it as any man would wear it. Bow ties are a menswear must and to make it a little more lady like - there's nothing better to pair with it than a bright red lipstick.

|What are your thoughts on bow ties? Is it on your list of must haves for this fall?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | lisa from archives vintage

2011-09-26T12:01:00.001-05:00

This is my new post series called "Beauty". Every week, I'll introduce you to a blogger who has been kind enough to share their story about a feature they love now that once brought insecurities and how they learned to love it. Together, these women will help re-define beauty in their own words and will hopefully help others feel more comfortable in their own skin because each of you are beautiful - you should feel that way everyday!

Meet this week's beauty - Lisa from Archives Vintage.

1) What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate?

Well, I can’t say this is a “favorite” feature, but it’s one I’ve had a struggle to appreciate: mah boobs. Get ready for a little over-sharing....

I went through puberty fairly early (as in 10/11 years old!), and one of the first signs was my (quickly) growing chest. By the time I was 13, my bra size was the same as my mothers. I didn’t think much of it - not like I had much of a choice in the matter. Then, one day in 8th grade, the boy who sat in front of me in class turned around and accused me in front of the entire classroom, “Lisa, stop stuffing your bra! Don’t you think everyone notices they’re bigger everyday?!” As a shy kid, I was totally, utterly mortified.

As I got older, I realized not all boys thought my boobs were worth joking bout. In fact, some men like them so much, they feel it’s all they need to look at when trying to hold a conversation with me. One co-worker from an old job would without fail, always talk to my chest and not my face.

Wearing bathing suits, button-up shirts, anything form-fitting is difficult. I often have to buy larger sizes so a garment will fit my boobs, and then have it tailored down everywhere else. I spend a lot of time trying to conceal them!

2) What made you learn to love it?

Wearing the right bra!

Remember when I said I wore the same size bra as my mother at 13? Well, as my breasts grew..I never bought bigger bras (why?!). When I was in my early 20’s, I got measured at Victoria's Secret. They told me I was a D cup. For all of my adult life, I had been wearing a B! D cup bras provided some relief from falling straps, overflowing cups, etc. But something STILL wasn’t quite right. (note: Victoria’s Secret only sells up to a D cup). A few years later, I got measured at a different retail store which informed me I am actually (for real this time), an F CUP! Now that I am wearing the proper bra size, they are much better supported. I have less back pain, and my garments fit better.

Oh, and I’ve never had a boyfriend complain about them, so that’s a plus ;)

3) Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin?

In regards to breasts, I would definitely recommend getting professionally fitted. It makes all the difference!

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | mid-week denim

2011-09-23T12:00:00.002-05:00

Monday - Thursday I have a business casual dress code at work which basically restricts us from wearing jeans. Friday is the casual dress day when everyone can wear jeans and because I struggle with finding the perfect pair that looks the way I want them to look, I rarely exercise that option.

Just because I have an aversion to jeans on me, doesn't mean I don't love denim. I love it. Since I struggle finding the right pair of jeans that fit me right, I have to find other forms of denim to wear.

Insert this denim dress I scored at Goodwill for $5. Yes, it does sort of resemble something Dolly Parton would have worn in the 80s (or present day), but it has become a great staple in my closet. I would never dare wear the dress on its own because it is a little much, but throwing on a vest, sweater or doubling it up with another button down over it changes its dynamic. However, I'll be honest, if I didn't find $5 in the dress pocket while I was trying it on, I may have not bought it. A denim dress can be seen as a huge fashion no-no or in my case it could be an alternative option to celebrating the joy of denim since I can't with jeans. However, the best part though about this dress, is that I can sort of bend the no jeans rule mid-week because technically this is a dress and not pants. :)

|What are your thoughts on denim beyond the traditional pair of pants? Yay or nay?|

mov•ie (moo-vee) | drive

2011-09-21T12:00:00.003-05:00

I've slacked on sharing the great movies we've seen and over the last 4 weeks I've seen A LOT. In fact there was one week where I was at the movie theaters 4 times in 5 days and 2 of those days I saw Roger Ebert...back to back. I don't remember the last time I was that starstruck, and I've spotted some great celebs, but he is so legendary.

This weekend I made sure that we saw Drive. Aside from already declaring my obsession with Ryan Gosling in this post, we heard great reviews and couldn't end the weekend without seeing it.

I don't even know where to begin with this movie because words can't even describe what I felt during and after seeing it. In all honesty, I have to say that for me it was like a more modern Scarface. Not the premise of the movie per se, but more so the music, cinematography and gritty nature of the storyline - artistically the movie embraces a similar look to Scarface.

There isn't much to the dialogue that would require you to pay close attention and even if no one spoke, each character had so much emotion that paired with the music, that alone could explain the movie perfectly. In fact, Gosling plays a character that doesn't say much and I think that's what is so intriguing about him. He has a welcoming smile which makes it so easy for Irene (played by Carey Mulligan) to be friends with him, but because he's not a man of many words - it's hard to see what he's hiding and the types of things he's capable of.

The cast was well rounded with Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks and Christina Hendricks support Gosling's un-describable performance. And if you love Breaking Bad, you'll definitely appreciate Cranston's character in this movie. In my opinion, this movie is so emotionally stimulating and you can't help but feel something - whether it's sadness, anger, empowerment - it'll definitely get you thinking. Lastly, as if the movie itself wasn't already great, the soundtrack is pretty much the best thing I've downloaded in awhile. It's a little dark and it's an acquired taste, so if that's how you roll I highly recommend downloading it.

|Did you see Drive this weekend? What did you think?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | backwards

2011-09-20T12:00:00.007-05:00

Rules are meant to be broken. That saying applies to many things in life, but even more so, fashion and styling. Just because we buy one item, and it's meant to be worn a certain way, doesn't mean that's the only way. For example this Gap shirt. I'm actually wearing it backwards.

This isn't an homage to the once popular duo Kriss Kross who sang that one hit wonder, Jump, and wore their clothes backwards as a trend. However, I have to think that maybe they were on to something. This shirt, although cute if worn the right way, just looked a lot cuter backwards and offered a totally different look which will be great for remixing.

|Have you discovered different ways to wear an item beyond the way it's suppose to be worn?|

beau•ty (byoo-tee) | shannon from laughing is loving

2011-09-19T12:00:00.002-05:00

Meet this week's beauty - Shannon from Laughing Is Loving.

Hi there readers of Defining Tabitha! I’m Shannon and I’m so glad, honored really, that Tabitha asked me to contribute to her blog. When Tabitha initially asked me to write about beauty and what feature I loved about myself, I was truly stumped as to what I would write about.

Being a human being, insecurity is part of the package; and I’m sure we can all relate. Having a great group of family and friends to surround me in love and support definitely helps me get through the tough days. But the biggest victories are the days where I can pull myself up by my bootstraps, take a look in the mirror, and smile in thankfulness for what I have.

After many years of mulling over what I didn’t have, I learned to be thankful and appreciative for what I did have – and it even applied when it came to my looks!

Personally, I have always struggled with my weight. It’s certainly a burden that many people, especially women, have carried for a long time. For me, it’s been something I’ve dealt with my whole life. I don’t think I’ve ever been small as long as I can remember – and being 5’5” by the time I was in 5^th grade certainly didn’t help.

In recent years, I had let my weight get out of control. I ballooned to 260 lbs and on my nearly 5’6” frame, that’s far too much weight to bear. Thanks to some dedication and sweat equity, I managed to drop some serious weight and move toward something that’s healthier for me.

So, now, my favorite feature is my body!

Sure, it’s still no size 6, but I have learned to love my curves and really learn how to appreciate them. What helped me learn to love my body was finally learning how to dress it, especially once I’d lost the weight. I had to learn to camouflage what I didn’t want to be seen (like my arms) and work with what assets I really liked (like my legs). That meant:

· Heels or flats with a pointed toe to accentuate the leg line

· Lots and LOTS of vertical stripes

· Wearing cardigans

· Belts, belts, belts! (Especially of the high-waisted variety)

Now that I’ve learned to love and appreciate my body, I do have some advice for the ladies out there who may be feeling the same insecurities that I once felt.

· If you want to change your weight, take steps to do so! The way that I got started was by joining a gym with some friends from work and that accountability really pushed me to work harder on being healthy.

· Don’t sweat the size. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will never be a size 6 or weigh 110 lbs – it just doesn’t work for my body type. Don’t force yourself to be a certain size or weight – just aim to be a healthier you!

· Make a list of what you (and your friends) love about you. This may sound really ridiculous, but writing out those affirmations really can turn your frown upside-down.

· And most of all, always remember how lucky you are to be you and to look the way that you do. Despite the imperfections that you see, someone out there probably wishes they looked like you! Rejoice in the good things you have in your life and that positive vibe will soon spread.

Xoxo,

Shannon

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | clothing swap

2011-09-16T08:47:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I started cleaning my closet and slowly rotating my items that were packed away for the Summer. I do this every time the seasons change and as I was doing it I realized that a couple of other friends were doing the same thing. Knowing that we were all getting rid of stuff, instead of taking everything straight to be donated, this Sunday we decided to get together for a clothing swap. We had never done a swap before, but after doing a mini impromptu one I think we've found a new seasonal tradition.

Once we had our favorite lattes in hand, we started sorting through all our stuff creating piles based on the types of clothing. Between the 3 of us we had tons of tops, dresses, pants, skirts, jackets and sweaters. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was just organized enough for us to know what we were looking through.

Two hours later, we each cleaned up pretty well and still had 2 garbage bags worth of clothes to donate. I love everything I nabbed, but the best of it all - a Tory Burch cream skirt that my friend Rachel threw in the pile. Can't wait to pair it with a chambray shirt and some boots for the Fall. We spent the rest of the morning noshing on some great eats my friend Kelli made and talking about life. In the end I scored 2 tops, 2 skirts, 1 blazer, 2 lightweight jackets and 6 dresses. Seems like a lot, but it's a lot less than what I came in with.

A clothing swap is fulfilling in so many ways. Not only are you getting rid of items in your closet that you either don't need or wear, but you're getting something in return. In addition, it's a such a fun way to spend QT time with your girlfriends - all without a huge cost attached to it. Here are a few things that we learned cleaning out our closets and also swapping clothes:

If you haven't worn something for a year - it's time to let it go.
Swapping clothes with a friend is a great way to still have access to it if you want to ever wear the item again.
Pick up something that you may never have bought for yourself, but that you're willing to take for free.

|Have you and your friends done a clothing swap before? What was the best thing you got out of it?|

food (food) | cauliflower pizza crust

2011-09-15T08:15:00.002-05:00

When I first created my Pinterest account one of the first things I pinned was a cauliflower pizza crust recipe. Since I try to eat gluten free (I'll be honest sometimes I give into real beer and pizza), I was dying to try this recipe. I really don't mind gluten free crust, but I try to minimize the amount of complex carbs that I eat during the week. I used to make paleo pizza crust, but since I've recently developed a reaction to nuts so that no longer is an option.

Once I had the crust made, I accessorized it with some of my favorite pizza toppings. If you're looking for a lighter alternative to pizza crust, I definitely recommend trying this recipe. Just don't expect it to taste like your favorite deep dish crust, cause it won't. But what I can guarantee is that it's a great substitute and a lot tastier than some of the rice flower based gluten free pizzas I've had before.

life (lahyf) | windy city wine festival

2011-09-14T06:33:00.001-05:00

My choice of adult beverages vary depending on what day of the week it is, what I'm eating and who I'm with, but one thing I can guarantee is that wine is usually in the top 3. In the last 4 years of living in Chicago, I've only been to one wine festival (one that shall remain nameless) and I will say that over years it's definitely gone downhill. So when I heard that the Windy City Wine Festival was happening, I was ecstatic to check it out. From what I had heard the price of entry was reasonable, the selection of wines were great, the pours were friendly and it was overall much better than the "other" wine fest.

Matt and I headed there late Saturday just in time to beat the crowd. The event started at 3pm on Saturday and by the time we got there (which was around 5), each tent had a decent line which was at least 30 people deep. With an entry fee of $27 in advance (or $35 at the door), each person received a souvenir tasting glass, 10 wine tasting tickets, 1 beer tasting ticket and access to free demonstrations, plus much more.

As much as we tried to have a game plan, that backfired. We reverted to tents with the least amount of people in line. We went from one to another testing out French, Spanish and California reds. All were quite delicious, but my personal favorite was the Cass Siraz and Matt's was the Balbas Riberia del Duero.

We wandered around Buckingham Fountain checking out the rest of the festival that had great food from restaurants like Markethouse & Sullivan's Steakhouse, as well as other vendors like Jewelmint. All in all we had a great time and it was a nice change from all the other festivals where Miller Lite or Bud Light Lime are your only options. It's such a cozy and intimate festival with a great crowd of people who truly appreciate their wines. Will we be back next year? Absolutely!

We enjoyed the rest of or walk home strolling through Grant Park and really appreciating the rest of this great weather before Winter hits. As we were walking it then occurred to me that we should pick up a bottle of wine (as if 10 tastings weren't enough). Luckily, some of the wines we tried are available at Whole Foods, making our favorites from the festival accessible.

|Are you a wine enthusiast? Do you prefer red or white? More importantly any recommendations for wines I should try?|

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | the gap & instyle event

2011-09-13T08:00:00.031-05:00

Early last week I hosted a giveaway for one reader to win a $150 Gap gift card to buy a brand new outfit based our Gap's Premium Pants Collection. Well last Thursday, I met my lucky reader Carie and we attended Gap & In Style magazine's private event to put together a new outfit for her to take home.

Meeting Carie was such a pleasure and right off the bat I was so excited that she was my winner. Knowing that her look would be based on a pair of dress pants, we started by finding a shirt, sweater or top that we could build the look around. Since Gap has a ton of options in their Premium Pants Collection, we wanted to find that piece she loved first then figure out which pants looked best with it.

We sifted through racks looking for that top to call our name. Carie mentioned that she had some flexibility with her attire at work, so it was our goal to find a top that she could dress up and down. Between various colors of cardigans and tees, we ended up selecting a really cute floral chiffon button up top and a printed top for her to try.

Once we had those tops to try, it was time to get a pair of pants in various cut, styles and colors. Carie tried on everything from plaid slim cropped pants to camel wide legged trousers to gray perfect trousers, but the ones she ended up taking home fit her like a glove and looked fabulous on her. So we had the top and the pants selected, the only thing that remained were the finishing touches....

And this is the final look we came up with.

Together Carie and I selected:

True straight pants in navy
Navy and camel printed raw-edge shirt
Crewneck sweater in orange
Croc plaque belt in camel
Suede bow city flats in michelles rust (not pictured)

Carie went home with a great outfit and I went home with some food for thought:

Everyone deserves a day of indulgence (and if I could have I would have given this opportunity to all my readers)
I don't thank you guys enough for stopping by my blog, leaving me wonderful comments and sending me inspiring emails
It's opportunities to give back to you guys that make blogging so worth while

A HUGE thank you to the Gap for giving both Carie and I this great opportunity. Not to go all all Dirty Dancing, but I had the time of my life!

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | katie from fashion's maven

2011-09-12T12:00:00.013-05:00

Inspired by Marie Claire's monthly feature, "What I love about me", this is my new post series called "Beauty". Every week, I'll introduce you to a blogger who has been kind enough to share their story about a feature they love now that once brought insecurities and how they learned to love it. Together, these women will help re-define beauty in their own words and will hopefully help others feel more comfortable in their own skin because each of you are beautiful - you should feel that way everyday!

Meet this week's beauty - Katie from Fashion's Maven.

1) What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate?

My height. All through elementary and middle school I wasn't just the tallest girl in class, I was the tallest person. It made me self conscious and I worried I was always going to be taller than everyone else. In my mind, it made me stand out and I wanted to blend in.

2) What made you learn to love it?

Once I got to high school, things started to even out more and I wasn't the tallest person anymore. I was still one of the tallest, but 5'8 doesn't stick out as much in high school as it does in middle school. And what's so bad about being tall? Why was I letting it make me self conscious? I started to realize the only person it was a big deal to was me.

3) Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin?

There aren't many obstacles in life that you can't work around in some way. Throughout school, sometimes I would have to buy clothes a size or 2 too big so they'd be long enough to meet the dress code but my Mom would just take them to get altered so they'd fit right. Once I stopped viewing being tall as a problem, it became easier to be comfortable with it.

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | welcome to chicago topshop & topman

2011-09-08T06:58:00.000-05:00

Since the announcement was made late last year that Topshop/Topman would be make it's appearance in Chicago, so many of my friends and fashion enthusiasts have been anxiously awaiting its arrival. Well dear friends, it's here and yesterday I had the pleasure of shopping the racks and getting a sneak peek early at the brand new Topshop/Topman store in Chicago before its grand opening today.

The store reminds me so much of its outpost in SOHO and its size is fairly comparable. The Chicago location has 3 levels with the ground level welcoming shoppers with women's wear, accessories and make-up. On this level you'll find tons of great pieces from maxi skirts, leather pants and sequin tops - all the items you would want for a glamorous night out.

Then the basement has more daily women's wear including petite, maternity and tall sizes, as well as a HUGE shoe section complete with functional flats to stacked loafer heels.

Finally rounding out the top floor is Topman and personally that's where I had the most fun sifting through the racks. From oxford button downs in every color to soft tees and tweed sports coats, you would think that in the 3 story building there weren't enough stuff I would want to keep me distracted, but not the case. I was just that excited about having great menswear options.

In a nutshell, this store covers such a great variation of style that there's something for everyone. I literally spent 2 hours wandering around selecting things to take home and did a once over to make sure I didn't miss racks from my first go around the store. What I appreciated most though were the items made specifically for the Chicago store. It makes those pieces that much more appealing (at least to me) knowing there's only a limited amount. With items ranging from $20 - $200, it's hard to not leave the store with something great for yourself and your significant other (if you're feeling generous).

If you're in the Chicago area, definitely check out this great addition to Michigan Avenue. It's a great compliment to the new stores that have been popping up in the vicinity. Don't live in the area? Never fear, those of you that don't have a store nearby can still virtually shop with Topshop and Topman's online stores.

Click here to see more pics of the new store.

life (lahyf) | chinatown

2011-09-07T08:50:00.000-05:00

Growing up, I remember thinking that it was the norm for kids to go have dim sum every Sunday after church instead of brunch. I also thought that every child learned to eat spicy tuna rolls at an early age and that kids who didn't know how to eat with chopsticks were so weird. I don't remember what age I finally learned to know better, but eventually it hit me. Although I grew up in Canada and the US, I was exposed to so much of the Filipino and Asian culture. It took me awhile (more like my early 20s) to really appreciate all of it, but I do now, and every so often I get a craving of the "Asian" culture I grew up with.

Luckily this past weekend Leilani, helped me take a trip down memory lane by exploring Chinatown which was filled with so much of the food I ate growing up and an environment that triggered so many great memories. We strolled down the streets peeking through windows, translating the unique signs and appreciating the intricate details of each building. Everything from the bbq duck to the jade jewelry displayed in the windows reminded me so much of my childhood. Although I'm not Chinese and Chicago's Chinatown isn't the one that I grew up going to, it's not too far from the one in Vancouver or Seattle that I used to frequent as a kid. Aside from it being a little bit smaller, there are so many similarities from the red brick buildings....

Chinese tiled roofs...

Asian versions of American vegetables that are sold on the street...

To the Chinese dragons that are displayed throughout the area.

We spent the rest of the morning eating dim sum, sipping on bubble tea and finding this amazing candy store filled with all of our favorite Japanese candies (Pocky anyone?). Overall it was a great morning and I'm so glad that I had Leilani as an awesome tour guide. She even took me to this abandoned travel agency that had this amazing un-touched vintage look with white and red tiling, as well as this fun door where Leilani took my pictures. (Thanks lady!)

|What things are nostalgic to you? What triggers your childhood memories?|

Side note: Congratulations to Carrie who is the winner of the Gap giveaway!

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | hair

2011-09-06T08:00:00.005-05:00

If it's not obvious - I got a haircut. :) Having long hair was actually pretty unusual for me and although I loved all the fun things you could do with it, I was over it like a bad habit.

|So what do you think?|

beau•ty (byoo-ty) | lisa from respect the shoes

2011-09-05T12:00:00.003-05:00

Inspired by Marie Claire's monthly feature, "What I love about me", this is my new post series called "Beauty". Every week, I'll introduce you to a blogger who has been kind enough to share their story about a feature they love now that once brought insecurities and how they learned to love it. Together, these women will help re-define beauty in their own words and will hopefully help others feel more comfortable in their own skin because each of you are beautiful - you should feel that way everyday!

Meet this week's beauty - Lisa from Respect the Shoes.

What is your favorite feature that you didn't always love, but have learned to appreciate?

My freckles! And I am sorry to say that dependent on the day, I still have a love/hate relationship with them! But they are part of what makes me Me and I don't think I could be the same Lisa without them.

What made you learn to love it?

Honestly? Part of it was knowing that short of doing something drastic, my freckles weren't going anywhere - I have very pale skin so any exposure to the sun and "pop, pop, pop" come more freckles - so I learned to live with them. And another part of it was accepting that was just the way I was born. Though they are a lot less prominent than mine, my mom has freckles too, so I like to think that these "little sprinkles" are a gift passed down from a woman I love dearly.

Any advice for other beautiful women out there who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin?

As much hoping and wishing we do, there are some things that can't be changed, so we need to learn to love and accept ourselves for the way we are. Believe me, life's just easier and more enjoyable that way. It has taken me a long long time to come to terms with many of the features I didn't like - including my freckles - but as I get older, I am not only growing more comfortable with them, but learning to love them. There are not a lot of Asian gals out there with freckles, so they make me unique. They are a sign that I am a healthy active human being who loves to be outdoors and enjoy the sun in my face. Plus I always thought freckles made me look young, so they will hopefully work to my benefit as I get older!

give•a•way (give-wa) | the gap

2011-09-03T09:40:00.000-05:00

This Thursday, September 8th, The Gap is throwing a great private event at the Michigan Avenue store in Chicago to celebrate the premium pants collection line. The event will not only have a great DJ and food to nibble on, but guests have an opportunity to receive one-on-one fashion tips from professional stylist, Jenn Falk.

But that's not all. I saved the best part for last. YOU get a chance to be a part of the event - complete with a $150 Gap gift card. At the event, I will work with the lucky winner to find the best fit from the premium pants line and create great fashion-forward look for the Fall - all courtesy of The Gap.

Does a new outfit, private event and quality time with yours truly sound like something you can clear your calendar for? Great! Entering is easy:

Submit a comment below with your name and email address
Extra bonus entries if you "Like" my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter and/or tweet about the giveaway (1 bonus entry for each)

A winner will be contacted on Tuesday, September 6th. Giveaway available to local residents only (Sorry!).

GOOD LUCK!

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | transitioning from summer to fall

2011-09-02T07:00:00.011-05:00

Earlier this week I was so ecstatic when Nordstrom Rack invited me to come shop their "Clear the Racks" clearance event that's currently going on in each store. I thought to myself, "This is the PERFECT way to shop the clearance racks for pieces that can transition into the Fall."

I went to the store on State Street and was greeted by the Customer Service Manager, Kelly, who was kind enough to show me all the great stuff that's been marked down for the big event. I went in with one purpose - shop ONLY the clearance racks to buy pieces that can be worn now AND in the Fall. Of course I was distracted by all the new inventory of J Brand jeans, Michael Kors coats, Thread for Thought tees and All Saints Spitalfields dresses, but I resisted my urge, then used my rules to continue on with my task. So what are my rules when shopping for transitional pieces:

Basics = foundation for any outfit. Tanks, tees, cardigans - these are things that you'll use in any season. Cold weather is dependent on layers so stock up on the discounted items that you can layer on top of each other.
Solid colored dresses are universal. A solid color dress is easy to pair with tights and boots in the winter. But what if it's sleeveless? Throw on a cardi or throw a button down underneath and that solves the issue.
Fall has use for summer denim. Do you ever find that sometimes there's too much pant to tuck into your boots? Cropped jeans are perfect for tucking into knee high boots. No one will ever know that you're missing an inch or more of denim on each pant leg.
Shorts are basically skirts (sort of). Last Fall I loved having shorts as an alternative for skirts. So long as they're the right color, material or print - you can throw on your tights and pair with tops, as you would with your favorite skirt.
Keep your toes covered. Flats are useful all year long. If you find that ballet flats are on super clearance because the color is off season. Use them to spruce up any outfit that needs a splash of color.

With these rules in mind, here's what I was able to score.

Ella Moss polk-a-dot shorts - $33.00 (originally priced at $132)
2 Splendid tank tops - $7.90/each (originally priced at $41.00)
Victoria Beckham moss green jeans - $54.00 (originally priced at $216.00)
Report boots - $9.99 (originally priced at $119.96)
Caslon cardigan - $7.80 (originally priced at $52.00)

TOTAL SAVINGS: $481

I'm so excited that I scored amazing items at a great price, but even better is that I can wear them now while it's still 90+ temps and again when it goes down into the 30s. Thanks again to the wonderful team at Nordstrom Rack for being so accommodating and providing me with a gift card to take advantage of the fantastic sale. Definitely check it out if you have a chance and find great summer pieces you can also enjoy in the Fall. Can't make it in store? No worries - they have the clearance going on at Nordstrom Rack online.

|Do you transition some of your summer items into the Fall? Any rules you like to keep in mind when you bring summer pieces into the new season?|

food (food) | roasted chicken

2011-09-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Last week when I read this post on Healthy & Homemade it made me crave roasted chicken. So I decided to make it. I modified a few of the vegetables that were used in the original recipe and changed up some things like some of the herbs, as well as substituting olive oil instead of butter. Either way it turned out delicious and I definitely recommend trying the recipe.

Just because I was in a Suzy Homemaker mood I also decided to round out dinner with hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries. So good - the only thing missing was a glass of bubbly to accompany it.

ALSO - Congratulations to Liz for winning the blogger meet-up gift bag!!!

fash•ion (fash-uh n) | red

2011-08-31T07:00:00.006-05:00

Isn't this wall so fun? I love that I live so close to a private arts college because my neighborhood is surrounded by so much street art.

Ironically, and un-planned, I happened to follow in this wall's theme by dressing in all red. Lately I've been on a mission to find red denim pants for the fall and I think because I've been having a hard time finding a pair that fits me just right, I made up for it by wearing the color from head to toe.

My mission for red denim will continue, but for now I'll milk my shorts until summer's over.

|Are you into colored denim for the fall (or now)? What color are you in search for?|