One Dress Under $50 | 3 Ways To Wear It + Gigi New York Friends and Family Event

Today I wanted to share one dress styled 3 different ways. 

 I found this dress in the Nordstrom Juniors department while I was in Charlotte over the weekend. 

Best part is it is only $48.  It is a basic shift dress that you can easily dress up or down.

 The juniors department is a great place to shop for inexpensive items to add to your closet.  While many things are hit or miss in the juniors department and the fit can be questionable you can occasionally luck up on some really good finds (and save money).  I like to mix things from the Juniors department with more expensive items.

I will say I am almost 5'10 and this dress is short on me, but I didn't find it too short to wear.  It is also cute as tunic with leggings if you are concerned about the length.  If you are not as tall as me the length will be different on you.

SHIFT DRESS (Comes in 6 different colors)

ONE

 I honestly like this dress alone, paired with a cool necklace.   I love the wine color for Fall but it comes in 6 different colors if you don't like this color.  I almost bought the Navy color, such a great classic color that looks good on everyone.

  Sizing wise in the juniors department I usually recommend going up a size.  I am wearing a size Medium.

My friend English designed this necklace and I just adore it.  Her jewelry is just so beautiful, she hand makes each necklace and it shows. The necklace she designed me with the kids names is one of my favorites

Dress | English Norman Necklace | Newbury Booties

TWO

This vest is one of my favorite purchases this Fall!  I toss it on over everything.  It works perfectly with dresses and blouses.

Dress | Joie Vest | Newbury Booties

THREE

I think you could easily toss any cute leather jacket or blazer over this dress for a super cute Fall look. These are the Steve Madden Ballet Flats I mentioned yesterday, I love them!

Dress | Vince Jacket (black version on sale) (similar less expensive version) | Steve Madden Flats

 

 I also wanted to mention the Gigi New York Friends and Family sale started yesterday.  You can take 25% off your order. Use code WEAREFAMILY

This is a great time to start Christmas shopping early while everything is on sale!

I own that same bright blue cross body in the picture.  It is great for travel because it is not too big to pack in your suitcase.

This All in One Clutch is a favorite of mine.  It is great because you can carry it as a clutch or toss inside your tote.

I also love the Bucket Tote.

The Collette Hobo is a new style they just launched this Fall and I am so in love with it!

The Teddie Tote is a great everyday purse.

The 3 Looks:

10 Neutral Shoes For Fall

There are so many great shoes out for Fall.  For some reason I tend to gravitate more towards neutral shoes.  I love nude and tan colors because I feel like they just go with everything.  Most of these come in black as well if you don't love the nude.

ONE | Steve Madden Eleanor Ballet Flats

I mentioned these before, on here.  I own them in the plain leather (not suede) version and love them.  Sizing wise they run TTS.  They look equally cute with dresses and jeans.

TWO | Dolce Vita Open Toe Boots

Dolce Vita always has such great shoe options for under $200.  I saw these in person and trust me they look even better in real life.  The perfect nude shade and heel height.

THREE | Sam Edelman Scalloped Ballet Flats

These remind me so much of the Chloe version but a quarter of the price.  

FOUR | Steve Madden D'Orsay Pumps

I love a D'orsay style pump.  I think it is so classic and goes with everything.  I love the textured look of these and they are under $100.

FIVE | Splendid Lakota Booties

These are the perfect bootie.   They also come in 4 other colors.

 SIX | Kristen Cavallari Over the Knee Boots

I have been really impressed with Kristen's shoe line.  I especially love the simplicity of these over the knee boots.  I have been lusting after a pair of them.

 SEVEN | Joie Fringe Booties

I can't get these out of my head.  I keep hoping they will go on sale.  Love the fringe and slight dip in the front.

EIGHT | Steve Madden Point Toe Pumps

I am kind of obsessed with these.  The strap detail is so gorgeous.

 NINE |  Dolce Vita Haku Booties

Love the back cut out detail of these booties.

TEN|  Yosi Samara Flats

I own these flats in a few colors and love them.  They are so comfortable.  Love the Blush color.  These are under $100 too.

You can shop them all below.

The Best Eggplant Parmesan

I love eggplant Parmesan but I have never attempted to make it before.  It is one of my favorite Italian dishes.

This recipe blew me away.  Both Matt and I loved it.  Matt said it was the first recipe since going meat free that he felt really satisfied from.  I will say it is a bit time consuming to bread the eggplant and fry it.  That took about 30 minutes but the layering part is super easy and the effort is well worth it.  We both went back for seconds and it made enough to last for two dinners. 

Fresh mozzarella makes such a big difference so don't skip that part!  I opted to use Panko breadcrumbs because I prefer them.  I think they are lighter and not as dense as regular breadcrumbs but feel free to use either. 

I paired ours with a small green side salad and it was a perfect filling vegetarian meal.

Enjoy!

|| E G G P L A N T   P A R M E S A N ||

adapted via Table for Two

Ingredients 

- 1 large eggplant

- 2 tablespoons salt

- 1 jar marinara sauce (I always use Raos it's our favorite)

- 2 cups Italian Panko Breadcrumbs

- 3 eggs 

- 1/2 cup milk

- 8 tablespoons peanut oil for frying

- 1 ball fresh mozzarella, sliced

- 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese

- 1 cup shredded mozzarella

- fresh basil

Slice eggplant and place in colander and sprinkle with salt.  This will help all the extra water come out of the eggplant before you cook it.  I placed my colander in a bowl in the sink and let the eggplant sit for an hour to drain off water.  Afterwards pat dry and brush off extra salt.

In a shallow bowl mix the milk and eggs.  In another shallow bowl add the panko breadcrumbs.  You can use regular breadcrumbs but I prefer the panko because they are lighter.

Dip the sliced eggplant into the milk/egg mixture first, then the breadcrumbs.  Lay all out on baking sheet or parchment paper. 

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet.  I cooked about 3 eggplant slices at a time.  Cook until they start to slightly brown, just a few minutes on each side.  Place on paper towels to drain afterwards.

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a baking dish cover the bottom with about 1/4 cup marinara sauce.  Layer on eggplant, shredded mozzarella and Parmesan and then marinara..  Saving enough cheese and marinara for 2 more layers.

On the last layer end with eggplant and the sliced fresh mozzarella.  Top with fresh basil.

Bake about 30-35 minutes. 

Scenes From Our Weekend

I hope everyone is staying safe and dry.  I know Charleston and Columbia got hit hard by Joaquin.  Lots of flooding and power outages.  Praying for all those who experienced damage from the storm and I hope it clears up soon.

Thursday night I got out of the house just as all the rain started.  I attended the Artfully Inspired Dinner hosted by Bellacore and So Good.  The dinner featured 4 artists work : Teil Duncan, Dorothy Shain, Way Way Allen and Kate Long Stevenson.  Katie is one of my dearest friends so I was so happy to support her and see her gorgeous art.  I ended up sitting with Dorothy too who was such a doll and just so sweet.

The table setting was perfection and Dorothy actually designed the table cloth. 

I would love to create something similar at home when we host Thanksgiving.

Each of the 4 courses were made to resemble the artist's work. It was a really cool concept.

Katie's gorgeous art.

You can see some of Dorothy's work behind us.

I am wearing:

Mara Hoffman Dress | Vince Pumps (on sale)

Friday we spent most of the day indoors because the weather was so bad.  

We did venture out for breakfast and Frances insisted on dressing herself.  She clearly loves leopard like her Mama.

The kids got stir crazy later on and Sterling wanted to dress up.  Gotta love that Frances is not scared at all.

Saturday the kids and I packed up and headed to Charlotte. 

I found the funniest note from Sterling.  He clearly needs money:)

We had a birthday party Saturday night for a family friend and her son who turned one!

This blouse is my new obsession.  It is so soft and I love the length because you can wear it with jeans or leggings.

Wearing |  Free People Blouse (runs on the large side order down, I am in XS)

7 for Mankind Jeans | Harrow Booties

We couldn't resist a cheesy pumpkin belly shot since my sister is pregnant.

All the kids.  Of course Frances insisted on showing off her belly. Sterling is holding James the birthday boy.

Sunday my mom and I took the kids to Disney on Ice.  They were in heaven and loved every minute especially the long Frozen part.

I wish Frances Moon's outfit came in my size.

Several people asked about her mocs and they are from the ETSY site Stella and Mi.

I really like them because they have a hard sole on the bottom.

Wore this off Shoulder top out to dinner Sunday night.  It is such a steal at only $38!! It comes in 3 other colors but I always love this olive green color.

I am wearing size medium.

Be Kind.

Weekend Style x 2

Rain Rain go away!  Charleston county schools were cancelled today because of all the rain and flooding here so the kids and I have had a lazy day at home.  Hoping it clears up at some point tomorrow.

I wanted to share two weekend looks with you!

ONE

This sweatshirt is hands down the softest thing ever.  It almost feels like you are wearing pj's but looks cute.  I wear mine with jeans and leggings. I am wearing a size XS.

I am wearing Spanx leggings here and they are hands down my favorite leggings.  They suck you in like no other.

Soft Joie Sweatshirt (also available in black) |  Spanx Leggings | Steve Madden Boots 

TWO

This blouse is currently 40% off .  Actually everything at Loft is 40% off til tomorrow night at midnight.

Use code FALLYALL.  I am wearing a size small and the great thing is it is machine washable.  I have washed mine twice and comes out looking like new. I am wearing a size small

Loft Blouse | Jeans | Newbury Booties | AI Purse

I am loving some of the Loft new arrivals and they are 40% off right now too.

Folklore Sweater

 Stripe Tie Neck Blouse

Colorblock Shirtdress

Have a great weekend!