Trend Report: Color Blocking

I love color. I just get inspired by looking at color. You know the experience when you go into a craft store and you look at the rows and rows of fun printed fabric, or the hundreds balls of yarn of different color and texture, or the bottle of every shade imaginable? I can just look at a box of 120 crayons and feel butterflies inside. That is the feeling I sorta get when I think about this color blocking trend. Instead of paring one bright color with a bunch of neutrals, you get to explore your creativity with any color you can imagine. No limitations.

Now obviously, this trend is not for everyone. But that is the joy of trends. They come and they go and no is obligated to use every trend of the season. But we can all enjoy trends (or find amusing the ugly hideous ones) even if we don't wear it ourselves.

Color Blocking is all about the bright bold hues building on each other. Wear the colors that look good on you. Here are some ideas:

-Wear denim jeans in bright colors and add either another bright color on top or a softer pastel color.

-Wear a bright shirt with white jeans. That is contrast for you.

-Wear a neutral skirt with bright bold tights and a white shirt.

-Wear a bright skirt with neutral tights or leggings and some bright shoes (those bright sneakers that are a result of the color blocking trend).

-Be bold and make every item of your clothing a bright color. :)

These are two examples from what is currently on stock at Forever 21 - which keeps their clothes up to date and fresh from runways. Express and H&M also have a great selection.

Trend Report: The Maxi

So spring is right around the corner and once it gets a bit warmer we can stop wearing our jeans and bust out some skirts without the tights and leggings.

Good News! The Maxi and Midi are still a hot commodity for spring wear. This makes me so excited because:

a. I don't have to shave

b. Super comfortable

c. I don't have to shave

So here are some ideas on how to wear this maxi skirt because alot of us are really uncomfortable on how to. If you think you can only be attractive in short skirts let me blow your mind. There is something really attractive and feminine about wearing a maxi and not having to show all your leg. Just be confident in who you are - A beautiful woman.

For you style fashionistas - you trend setters and blingers - you can pull this off in a hip way

For the classy ladies - you can totally remain that classy poised feminine look with a neutral colored maxi and a nice simple top.

For the natural girls - you will be able to wear the maxi easily since you enjoy comfort in your clothes. Wear with a tshirt and denim shirt thrown over and a slouchy bag and you are set to go.

For the creative ladies - You can have so much fun with a maxi! Pairing with different tops, hats, belts, and shoes will keep you looking unique each time you but this type of skirt on.

Have fun creating!

Bruschetta

Bruschetta is amazingly easy and scandalously delicious. Use it as an appetizer or side dish. Or eat it as a complete meal for yourself. Guests are always impressed because it is so visually appealing.

What you need:

-Tomatos (Cherry tomatos cut in half work nicely as well)

-Onions

-Fresh Basil

-Minced Garlic

-Olive Oil

-Italian Bread

Cut all the vegetables up and toss in a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper.

Slice the bread and fry on both sides until golden brown in a little olive oil.

Heap the mix on top and add some parmesan cheese if you want. Serve and enjoy every last bite.

How to Wear Floral and Stripes

It may seem like an odd combination, because really... you are putting print on print. That can get tricky really fast. However, stripes and floral prints are still adventurous but not completely out of the box. You are still safe, while looking creative and bold.

This was something I wore earlier in the week. The shirt is H&M last season for 9.95 and the skirt is a thrifted forever 21. My jewelry is from WAR (Women at Risk).

Here are some inspiration on how to incorporate mixing stripes and florals into your wardrobe.

Notice this combination is much more subtle because it is playing with the same soft color tones.

I love this outfit because it is flipped. The skirt is stripped while there is a funky floral shirt on top. With clothes you can always create something new.

This seems like a fun outfit to wear on a casual saturday. The jean jacket pulls it all together. :)

I hope you enjoy and are inspired. Create.

Pics came from: element of style and meetsobsession

Style Journal: Things I love

These are a few of my favorite things:

Belts. - Great for pulling the outfit together and showing a nice womanly figure. Here is a link for those who want to wear belts but aren't sure how.

Scarves. - A splash of color that compliments your skin tone allows you to glow from head to toe.

Leggings. - More comfortable and flattering than jeans. Tunics, dresses, and skirts are my excuse to wear leggings almost every day.

I seriously cannot get enough of any of these things.

Here are some photos from this past weekend that show how much i love these items.

Guinness Stew

I spent my a semester of my junior year in Ireland. It was a great big adventure of course with lots of poignant highs and confusing lows. Along the way I created amazing friendships, developed life skills, interacted with lots of culture, and of course gathered some DELICIOUS recipes. This Guinness Stew was from my host family and I am really happy to share it with you all today. Its easy...and you can make it a couple days before if you don't have time.

What you need:

-1/4 c olive oil

-1 1/4 lb. beef stew meat (we use venison) - salted

- Optional: I like to add 1/2 lb. bacon to the stew as well

-6 garlic cloves - minced

-6 c. beef stock

-1 Guinness beer

-1 c. hearty red wine

-2 tbls tomato paste

-1 tbls dried thyme

-1 tbls Worcestershire Sauce

-2 bay leaves

-2 tbls butter

-3 lb. potatoes - peeled and cut into cubes

-1 large onion

-2 cups cut carrots

-Salt and Pepper to taste

-parsley to garnish

Ok here goes:Heat the olive oil in your pot over medium-high heat and cook the beef pieces until brown on all sides. Do not crowd them - cook in batches if necessary. At this point throw in the bacon if you would like it. Then add garlic and saute for a few seconds.

Add the beef stock, Guinness, red wine, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about an hour.

While this is happening, take another pot and melt your butter in it. Add your vegetables (potatoes, onion, and carrots). Saute until golden brown, which is about 20 min. Set aside until the stew has simmered.

Once it has been an hour add the vegetables and simmer for another 40 minutes. Discard bay leaves and serve with the parsley... :)

This produced 6 hearty bowl fulls plus a couple bowls for leftovers. Enjoy!

Legendary Crayola Project

The creative crayola project has been circulating around on Pinterest for awhile and I have been wanting to try it. So I did, and I was really happy with the results. I like to think about how many households will have the crayola project hanging in their wall in a few years; all different and unique but all connecting us together to the time Pinterest was the big obsession. (ha!)

If you are unaware of how to do the Crayola Project, here is the run down.

-Crayola Crayons (don't use Rose Art they are too waxy)

-Canvas (any size)

-Glue Gun

-Hair dryer

Arrange the Crayons in order to color. Hot glue the crayons onto the canvas.

Blowdry the crayons on the canvas propped up so the wax drips down. Do as much or as little as you want. It is your project!

Tip: The wax splatters - lay some paper down before starting.