DIY Neon Stripe Clutch, Yep I attempted this!

OK, call me crazy but yesterday at nap time I decided I was going to tackle a DIY.   I am usually so not a DIY person,  but you see I was inspired.   I saw the adorable Emily of "Cupcakes and Cashmere" on the Today Show this week, and she was talking about painting purses.  And then I remembered this Claire Vivier Stripped Clutch that I love.

It was enough to get my wheels spinning and believe I could recreate this.  I have a ton of old clutches from my grandmother and from an eBay phase where I went a little vintage clutch crazy.  I chose this clutch because I don't carry it often and figured if I did ruin it, oh well.  You could totally go to Goodwill or look on EBay and find a similar clutch for cheap.

My only piece of advice is if you buy Clutch look for a smooth one, mine proved to be a little more difficult to paint because of the gathered leather.  It was hard to get the stripe super straight.

The next part is easy, pick a color and go to town painting.  This was a no brainer for me, I knew I wanted to do Hot Pink.   Use painters tape and tape off how wide you want your stripe.

I am not sure the best type of paint to use on leather.  I used acrylic paint, because I had it on hand and it worked just fine.   I started this project during nap time and finished by dinner,  super easy.  I took me about 4 coats of paint to get an even look.  I let each layer of paint dry completely before I painted another layer.  This way you don't get clumps of paint.  Mine dried quickly, I would say I waited about 30 minutes between each layer.

I am pretty darn pleased with the end result.  Might just have to carry my new beauty this weekend!

Next, I  plan to get crazy and attempt to do three stripes + a monogram.  Wish me luck!

Greek Pitas

I think it is no secret I am obsessed with Greek Food.  I could eat that and Mexican food every single day and never tire of it.  I had my sister over for lunch last week and whipped up these tasty Greek Pitas.  This meal is super easy and would be perfect for a dinner party as well.  You could even add some chicken, beef,  or lamb to make the meal hearty for all your male/carnivore diners.    All you need to do is chop up all the ingredients, place on a pretty platter and then let people assemble their own pitas.

I used Naan Bread as our pita base and it worked amazing.  Just pop it in the oven for about 5 minutes til it gets heated and extra soft then layer on ingredients.   We originally made these with Tzatziki sauce as the base but then also made a batch with hummus as well and both were fabulous.  So you choose your layering sauce!  Eat as a pizza or fold and eat like a Gyro!  Bon Appetit!

GREEK PITAS
-Shredded Lettuce
-Chopped Tomato
-Diced Cucumber
-Diced Red Onion
-Crumbled Feta Cheese
-Chopped Kalamata Olives
-Tzatziki or Hummus
-Naan Bread or Pita

Heat Naan Bread in oven about 5 minutes til soft.  Spread Tzatziki sauce over and then layer with veggies and cheese and enjoy.

Obsessions

Three Sprouts Storage Bins

I am obsessed with these adorable storage bins.  I just got the Elephant one for Sterling's Big Boy Room to store his toys in.  If you are local they sell them at Sugar Snap Pea and for you non-locals Amazon and Diapers.com carry them.  They come in so many cute animals prints and they are super affordable at $31.

Laura Mercier Antique Pink Lipstick

This is my new favorite lipstick.  It is the perfect shade of pink for fall.

I have been wearing it daily.  The perfect subtle hint of color.

JBRAND WAXED LEGGINGS JEANS
Holy crap, I want these jeans.  I love that they look like leather but are not.   Such a great fall edition to any closet.

 Minnetonka 3 Layer Fringe Boots
Really love these cute boots for fall.  How great would they be with skinny jeans and a cool cardigan.  Best part,  they are less than $100!

Can't decide if I love the brown or black more!

BB DAKOTA MARTY HOODED JACKET

We have had two crisp mornings here lately which has me dreaming of jackets.  They are one of my favorite things to buy in the Fall.  I am digging this BB Dakota jacket.  Love the pattern and it would be so versatile- cute with dresses, leggings, and jeans.  Oh and its less than $100.  A steal for a jacket.

FRIDGE ORGANIZERS FROM CRATE AND BARREL

I am on an organizing streak now that Sterling started school back and I actually have time to tackle projects.  How great are these for your fridge??

Stripes + Booties, The Look Recreated

Happy Monday Friends.  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  I know we sure did.  Here is a little sneak peek- We cooked some amazing flatbread pizzas for an evening boat ride with some good friends and Sterling had his first pony ride.  Check out his facial expression, makes me laugh everytime I look at it!Good stuff all around!

After my post on Friday, I got a crazy amount of emails wanting me to find sources and recreate this look I posted. Here is the original. I am pretty smitten with the entire look.

I am almost certain the jeans are Rag and Bone.  I am guessing they are either the:

Distressed Mid-Rise.

Or The Skinny Kensington

I am also pretty sure I will be buying a pair of these.  I stand by the fact that Rag and Bone Jeans are the most flattering jeans around.

I am not sure who the actual top is by but I found several great options for you!  The Gap version is the cheapest but I think the Maison Scotch one is my favorite and the closest to the look.

Maison Scotch Stripped Crewneck.

Soft Joie Gilda Variegated Stripe Top

 

Splendid Two-Pocket Henley

This top is a little different style but I think it would look so cute with the booties and jeans.

Velvet Nadalia Long Sleeve Top

Gap Striped Crewneck Top
This is a great price and comes in three different colors.

And while I was searching for striped tops. I found the perfect stripe dress for Fall.  This will be added to my closet for sure.  I always love Joie pieces. It is also a really good price for a dress you could wear all the time.  Look how great it looks paired with booties as well.
{Joie Ranana Dress}

I am not sure who the exact maker of the Booties is either, but these are a darn close match, if not the actual booties she is wearing in the inspiration picture.

Matt Bernson Suede Booties

A better price and pretty similar.

Sam Edleman Lisle Booties

For fun I decided to raid my closet and try my hand at recreating this look with what I had on hand- minus the top knot.  Not happening.  Surprisingly I had some pretty similar items in my closet.  Don't be shocked if you see me rocking this look around town now that I know I can recreate it!  Btw I feel so stupid posing for pictures, how do models do it?

{Vince Top Similar, 7 For All Mankind "The Skinny" Jeans, Sam Edelman Louie Booties}

Thoughts For Friday

So, I get alot of reader questions in my comment section and I want you to know I try to respond to every question.  But if there is not an email address associated with your google account or whatever you use to leave comments, I can't respond to you.  So please don't think I am ignoring you- when in doubt just email me directly if you never hear back. 

One question I get all the time is what size is your initial necklace?  My necklace is the Jennifer Zeuner Medium Initial in Gold.  I ordered an "s" for Sterling as my push gift and wear it all the time.  I can't say enough great things about this necklace.  It is great alone or layered,  such a versatile piece.  Two years later and I still wear it almost daily.

{Jennifer Zeuner Initial Necklace}

I love everything about this look for fall.  Stripes and Booties are my favorite combo.  I must recreate this look.  Too bad my hair just does not look cute in a top knot. 

I keep seeing interviews and hearing lots of rave reviews about the new movie Bachelorette.  I adore Isla Fischer, so I can't wait to watch it.  I am not the biggest Kristen Dunset fan however, (remember when she and Jake Gyllenhaal where so hot and heavy?) but maybe I will grow to like her more.  Seems like it may be kind of a similar idea to Bridesmaids, but I loved that movie it was hilarious!

I have been on a real organization kick lately and I love this idea of using white beans to store make-up brushes.  Such a cheap and easy idea.  It looks so clean and fresh too.

Want to know a secret?  I am obsessed with the Liz Lange Maternity Tank Tops.  And no I am not pregnant, I am just tall (almost 5'10) and these tanks are super long and fit so well.   They are super comfortable too, I even sleep in mine sometimes.   If you are looking for a great basic tank top please stock up on these.  I own like 8 from when I was pregnant with Sterling.   Black, Grey, and White are the best colors to get for layering. I wore my grey one yesterday with my pink jeans.   They are only $12!!  The stores are always sold out in my size but they carry them online as well.

{LIZ LANGE LONG AND LEAN BASIC TANK}

I just picked a huge thing of Figs for super cheap at our local grocery store and I am thinking I want to make a Fig Pizza with them.   Anyone have a Fig Pizza Recipe they love?  I am torn between using blue cheese or goat cheese, as most of the recipes I come across use one or the other.  I also think it would be amaze with some crispy panchetta crumbled over top and maybe arugula as well.  Dish if you have made Fig pizza before.

I always find Ecards that trip me out and this one was no exception.  Wine is totally my destresser.

 

I came across this on Pinterest and it really resonated with me.  I am so guilty of complaining and getting frustrated about stupid things.  I sometimes forget how darn lucky I am.  So important for us all to remember.

Have a great weekend my pretty friends!

Tomato, Corn, and Fresh Mozzarella Tart

I made this tart for dinner last week and it was so easy and delicious.  And let me first point out that the dark spots on the pie are basil.  Matt informed they looked weird in the photo (one day I will get a nice camera for blog purposes).   I recommend slicing your tomatoes and letting them sit on a paper towel for about 30 minutes before you layer the tart.  This will keep the pie from getting too watery and soggy.  You can use any cheese your heart desires but I used Gruyere and Fresh Mozzarella because I had it on hand.  I do highly recommend the fresh Mozzarella in this, it was great.  With all the fresh tomatoes and corn in season right now, this is a must make dinner!  I served ours with an Arugula Salad and wine:)  This would also be a great meal to bring a friend who had a baby or moved etc because it reheats well and its pretty:)
Bon Appetit!

TOMATO, CORN, AND MOZZARELLA TART (adapted from Proud Italian Cook)

- 1 Store bought refrigerated pie dough

- 1 Onion, sliced

- 2 Ears of Corn Shucked

- 1-2 Tomatoes Sliced

- Fresh Basil

- Dried Oregano

- Fresh Mozzarella and Gruyere

Take your store bought refrigerated pie dough, place it in a pie pan, brushed it with olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper, then prick the dough all around with a fork.

Sautee Onion in Olive Oil until it gets caramelized (about 10 minutes)

Layer the bottom of the pie shell with shredded Gruyere.

On top of the cheese scatter caramelized onions and fresh basil. Place fresh corn from the cob over that and add a quick drizzle of olive oil and more cheese (I used fresh sliced Mozzarella for this layer)

Arrange sliced tomatoes on top adding salt, pepper, dried oregano, fresh basil and another quick drizzle of olive oil. Bake in a 375 oven until crust is a nice deep brown. Let it cool down before you cut into it.

Obsessions

JOEL GOTT SAUVIGNON BLANC

This wine is delish. I took a gamble picking it up and was so happy I did.  Retails for $15.99, onsale for $11.99 at Piggly Wiggly right now.  Go buy some it is excellent.

CHARLIE JADE LONG SLEEVE TIE NECK DRESS

Love this dress!  It is such a gorgeous color for fall and as far as dresses go a good price.  It looks to me like so many DVF dresses I have seen but for half the price.  I could see myself wearing this for so many events this fall.

BR LINDSAY PRINTED SILK BLOUSE

Big thanks to my girl Julia who steered me to this blouse at BR.  I really loved both colors so I set off to the actual store to see them in person. The blue was the only one available in my size and I actually loved.  Can't wait to rock it this fall.  For the price this blouse is a must have!

AVOCADO HUMMUS

I can't wait to try this recipe, as I am obsessed with any and all hummus!

QUOTE

I adore this book.  We read it all the time to Sterling and love the quote.  This book is a great gift for any kids and if you have kids you should buy it!