Style Files Vol 3 | Off Shoulder Obsessed

It is no secret round here that I love an off shoulder blouse.  It is such a fun look.

I really liked the ruffle detail on this blouse and the fact that it was black because I could wear it so many different ways. I figure in the Summer it will be cute paired with shorts and white jeans.  Now I like it paired with regular jeans and I just toss a leather jacket on over it when its really cold.  

MLM Blouse | McGuire Jeans | RM Purse | Vince Pumps (on sale) | T Marie Earrings c/o

Julie Vos Bracelet  c/o| Julie Vos Ring c/o

These tassel earrings are my favorites.  I now have them in 3 different colors.

They come in so many different color options, and many are 50% off right now- HERE.

This purse.  I have been carrying it non-stop.   You can also remove the straps and carry it just as a clutch too.

The blouse runs on the large side, so I recommend sizing down.  I am wearing a size XS.

I am wearing the McGuire Jeans again that I featured last week.  They are such a great fit and they hold their structure and don't stretch out too much. They also sit higher on your waist which I like.  no low rise jeans for me post babies:)

MLM is a new label to me and I am quickly falling in love with all their designs.  They make the blouse I am wearing.  It also comes in the dress versions below, that are gorgeous.  Their line is not crazy expensive most items are under $200.

Black Midi Dress | White Midi Dress

Off Shoulder Mini Dress

They also just came out with this stripe style that I love for the Spring.  I think the blue and white is such a fresh combo.

Stripe Dress | Stripe Blouse

This dress is a little more expensive but I adore the floral print.  Would be perfect for any weddings or bridal events. 

Floral Dress

Photos by Rick Dean Photography

I also wanted to mention Nordstrom's clearance sale started today!  I will be back tomorrow with some of the best buys. Below are 3 favorites sitting in my cart waiting for me to make a final decision!

I am especially loving this Joie blouse, the purple colors are so stunning.

This Rebecca Taylor blouse is even prettier in person.  The embroidery detail is gorgeous.

and this Rebecca Minkoff purse is 50% off in 3 colors.  I am tempted to get the pink.

A Day in My Life

I have had several requests to do a day in my life post.  My life is not very exciting but here you go! This is a pretty typical day although sometimes things change. 

6:00 

alarm goes off

I usually press snooze once then get out of bed.

I immediately brush my teeth (I hate morning breath) and then I go make my cup of hot lemon water.  After that I go wake Sterling up.  This can take anywhere from 10-15 minutes to get him up.  Why does kindergarten start so early??

Frances usually hears me getting Sterling up so of course she wants to get up too.  

I feed both kids breakfast and make their lunches for the day while they eat.

7:00 

Matt or I take Sterling to school, we usually rotate days depending on his work schedule.  The other stays home with Frances.  After I drop Sterling off I make a cup of decaf coffee and a batch of green juice for Matt and I, then I sit down to finish up my blog for that day and try to respond to a few emails.  I let Frances watch Paw Patrol during this time so I can work.

8:00

I make myself breakfast and if I have time I quickly read a few blogs while I eat. 

Then I do a few household chores like empty the dishwasher (I swear I empty it everyday), start a load of laundry (that is never ending too) and make the beds.  I hate an unmade bed!!  If I am not going to the gym I shower at this point too.  Otherwise I throw on a bit up make-up and workout clothes- and yes I wear make-up to the gym, I don't really go anywhere without make-up.  

  

I also get Frances dressed and ready for the day. I talked her into pigtails today it I am loving them!

9:30

I take Frances to school.  She does Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  

10:00

I hit up the gym.  I do 30 minutes on the treadmill of running intervals, then 20 minutes on the elliptical.  Or on Tuesdays and Thursdays I do an hour barre class.

For those who asked I am still loving my yoga mat.  

11:00 

It is a bad habit but after the gym I usually hit the Starbucks drive thru (I mean its right beside my gym) for an iced green tea.  Then I head to the grocery store.  I also use this time to run other errands I have like post office, dry cleaners, Target etc.

12:00

Head home unload groceries, take a quick shower, and start assembling a salad for lunch.  This week I made one my favorites, Asian Kale Salad.  I usually don't have time to eat before I pick up Frances so I just prep the food.  

12:45 

Pick up Frances from school.  She always falls asleep in the car so I just carry her in and lay her down in her crib and she keeps napping.  Then I sit down and eat lunch.  I usually power thru a show I have recorded like Housewives or Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce while I eat.  

1:30

I use this time to finish up laundry and straighten up the house that is normally a wreck from that morning.  Then I sit down and work on my blog til time to pick up Sterling

2:30 

Pick up Sterling from school.  After school I try and take the kids to do an activity.  We usually have a playdate, hit up the park, go to the library, or make some sort of art/cooking craft at home. Today we stopped by the drug store and then hit up the park.

4:00

Get home and start working on dinner prep.  I let the kids rest and watch tv during this time.  This is what usually happens while I cook,  they pull out everything they can and make a huge mess.

For dinner this night I made Salmon Cakes, squash, and navy beans.

5:30

Dinner for the kids.  If Matt is working late I usually go ahead and eat with them too.  Otherwise I wait and eat with Matt.  Whether I eat or not I at least always try to sit down with the kids and talk while they eat.

We usually do Sterling's homework at this time too after we eat.

I quickly clean up dishes and wipe down counters.

6:00

Bath time.  I used to love bath time, now I dread it.  Sterling and Frances basically fight the entire time, hitting and splashing water everywhere.

7:00

We start the bedtime routines that includes brushing teeth and reading a few books and saying prayers.   Frances still likes to be rocked so either Matt or I rock her for a bit. Then I am not kidding for the next hour or two someone keeps asking for something.  They need water, or Sterling wants a pen to write in his journal, or they need to ask me something- their elaborate list goes on and on.   They are masters at extending bedtime.

8:30/9

The kids are finally asleep and I sit down.  Matt and I don't watch much tv but we do it is usually Netflix.  We are still powering thru Mad Men and loving it.  

This is also when I put on a face mask.  Still loving my Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud one I got for Christmas.  It is awesome and I really think it has made my skin more even and brighter.

9:30-10

Get ready for bed, wash face, brush teeth, and then I get in bed and read a bit to fall asleep.  I just started 800 Grapes and I am liking it so far.  It is a light and easy read compared to Room which I just finished.

I then sleep stalk my kids and call it a day.

xoxo

The Ultimate Ramen Noodle Bowl

Oh, how I love a noodle bowl.  One of my favorite restaurants here on James Island, which sadly closed recently had the best noodle bowl.  We used to love to go there on Wednesday nights just for their Noodle Bowl special.  If you want a serious noodle bowl you really need to make your own stock.  That restaurant told me that they make their own broth and cook it for 24 hours which I did not do.  I just spiced up the Ramen water and added store bought veggie broth.  You know what it was good and easy for a week night meal.  

There are so many different ways you could make a noodle bowl so experiment and go crazy.  
You don't even have to use ramen you could use another type of noodles.  I however like the texture and size of ramen noodles.  Any veggies would work too- I think this would also be great with sautéed broccoli and or asparagus.

I want to to mention 2 kitchen tools I use all the time: My grater and mandolin.  I use my grater for so many things other than cheese.  A mandolin makes finely shredded things so easy, just watch your fingers:)  I love this Mandolin and it is on sale currently for only $14 I swear it works just as great as the expensive version I had before it.  I like this handheld grater for when I need things grated finer like Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and ginger.  Then I use this big box grater for cheese.  All are essential tools in my kitchen.
Enjoy!

|| T H E   U L T I M A T E  R A M E N  N O O D L E  B O W L ||

- 2-3 packages of ramen noodles ( I used the oriental flavor)
- 3 carrots shredded ( I used our cheese grater to shred them)
- 4 green onions sliced
- 1/2 head purple cabbage sliced thinly (I used the mandolin mentioned above)
- 1 box sliced shiitake mushrooms
- 1 bundle bok choy, chopped (mine had 3 small bunches in it)
- 1 small shallot
- 2 red chili peppers or jalapeños, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 eggs, hard boiled (5-6 minutes for softer center)
- hot sauce siriacha or whatever you prefer
- 1 cups vegetable stock


In a skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil (olive oil, canola, peanut oil any of them work) and add chopped shallot, garlic, and ginger and cook 2-3 minutes.  Add in Bok Choy and half of the diced green onions.  Continue to cook until bok choy is wilted.  Remove skillet and set bok chop mixture aside in a bowl.  In that same skillet add a little more oil and the shiitake mushrooms.  Sprinkle with salt and cook about 5 minutes.  Then drizzle with soy sauce and remove from heat.

Cook Ramen noodles according to the package.  After mine cooked I added in 1 tablespoon soy sauce and several drizzles of hot sauce.  I wanted ours to have more liquid because much of it cooked off so I added about 1 cup of vegetable stock and let it simmer.   That is optional you don't have to add veggie stock.  Add in a few slices of the chopped chili peppers or jalepenos to flavor broth at this point.  Let it simmer about 15-20 mins on low just for the flavors to blend.  

Assemble bowls.  I like to place the noodles on the bottom and then arrange the veggies (carrots, cabbage, sliced boiled egg, shiitake mushrooms, cooked bok choy, green onions, and a few sliced peppers for extra heat ) on top because it looks pretty.  This way everyone can serve their bowls to their liking.  Sterling won't eat ,any of the veggies so this way I could make his bowl plain with just noodles and load ours up.

Obsessions | Under $100

Today I wanted to share a few things I am loving that are under $100!

Glamorous Woven Mini Dress | $68

I love the embroidery detail.  

Astr Lace Up Dress | $68

This dress comes in blush and black and I love them both.  I would wear this with fun gladiator sandals.

Wayf Off Shoulder Blouse | $66

Such a great color and pattern for Spring.

Felicity and Coco Maxi Dress | $99

This looks so similar to an Amanada Uprichard Dress I own but its 1/3 the price.  It comes in 4 different colors and would be perfect for a wedding.

Topshop Gathered Shell Tank | $60

I love nothing more than a white blouse. I like the fun detail on this one.

Topshop Laser Cut Sandals | $100

I really like the style and thicker heels on these sandals. They also come in black and rust.

Make and Model Lounge Pants | $38

These look so incredibly soft.  I prefer a tapered PJ Pant.

Astr Racerback Dress | $88

I always love vertical stripes.  I think they are super flattering. If you zoom in the stripes are such a gorgeous blue.

BC Lace Up Sandals | $58

The perfect lace up sandal.

Heart of Gold Trim Dress | $104

This dress is a smidge over $100 but I had to include it.  The hem detail is gorgeous.  I am drawn to the white version but I also really like the purple.

Jack by BB Dakota Parka | $95

Such a cute rain coat. I have really been into olive green lately.  It makes a great neutral.

Kenneth Jay Lane Tassel Earrings | $40

I love a good pair of tassel earrings.  Also in black

Oversize Stripe Tee | $36

I love a good stripe tee and I always prefer tees that are looser.  This looks like a great fit.

Deux Lux Scalloped Tote | $63

This reminds me so much of a Kate Spade bag that was out last year.  A great color for everyday.

English Factory Blouse $55

Such a cute feminine  blouse.  I really like the flirty style.

BB Dakota Caryn Dress | $80

So simple yet so stunning.

Rebecca Minkoff Fringe Crossbody | $95

This is on sale for 50% off.  I love fringe detail and blush color.

I also wanted to mention Kate Spade just started their Surprise Sale.  Shop early for best buys.  You can access the sale HERE The sale ends in 2 days and many items are up to 75% off.

A few favorites.