This Gingham Walked into an Apothecary ...

Sorry, Kim, my will is weak and I've broken the shopping ban this weekend with a trip to Anthro (though I've sold a few older pieces and had a return, so technically I didn't spend any new money). OK, and I may have visited a few other stores while I was at the mall, but I only made one additional purchase from this one ...

This outfit was inspired by a dressing room ensemble that Liz put together - and you all know how I love to treat gingham and stripes like neutrals, so this look came from the Anthro gods. Good thing the green cissus button-up was not at my local store, or I may have imbibed in that as well!

 

Top: Lands' End Canvas gingham poplin (worn here before)
Skirt: Anthropologie Parameter apothecary
Shoes: Xhiliration by Target teanna (worn here before - similar here)
Jewelry: Old Navy ethnic statement (worn here before), enamel bangle (similar here)

And the outfit I wore over the weekend that got me in the dressing room with the apothecary skirt:

 

Shorts: J. Crew chino (worn here before)
Shoes: Indigo by Clarks finch (worn here before)
Bag: Longchamp canvas/leather (gift from big sis - similar here in navy, not sim but cute here)

You gals doing anything interesting for Memorial Day weekend coming up?

Ruffly Striped Noodles

I hope you've all had a fantastic weekend, ladies! To start things out, here are some of my outfits from this weekend:

  

Dress: Anthropologie Eloise stormy seas chemise (check stores, similar less here or here or here)

Sweater: J. Crew featherweight cardigan (worn here before - similar here or pattern here)

Shoes: Toms kenya stripe wedge (size 7.5 available in my blog sale here)

Necklace: gift from friend (similar-ish here)

  

Top: Crewcuts dazzle (similar tank here)

Skirt: J. Crew linen mini (similar here)

Shoes: Indigo by Clarks edamame (worn here before - similar here)

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As for my Easter dinner, I didn't cook the "great American Easter version of Thanksgiving" dinner. Seemed like too much hassle for just two people. Plus I was just clueless and didn't feel like making a whole ham. So we grilled some meats and had them with salad and some dinner rolls.

However, on Saturday night, I did try out a new-to-me recipe I stumbled onto from The Pioneer Woman - her sour cream noodle bake. When I first read the ingredient list, I was a little dubious about the flavor combo, but the yummy food photography swayed me and I am glad I tried it. BF even had seconds! which is typically a sign of recipe success - BF is worse than Mikey!

We used fat free cottage cheese and sour cream to lighten the load, and next time will try this with some ground turkey or chicken. I did toss in some fresh basil, but pretty much kept true to the recipe. And of course I made enough to feed a small army.

So because I am nosy and a total food addict - what did you all have for Easter dinner?

Reading with a Dorrie

Feeling academic today in my gingham button-down, khaki skirt and sensible mary janes. All I need is a good hefty read, a bicycle and a sturdy shade tree to sit under. Too bad real life weather is bringing back tinges of winter that is almost literally raining on my parade.

What happened to spring? My legs are covered, my warm jacket is so close, and my fingers are freezing as I type this!

How are you ladies getting by the winter-to-spring transition? Are you wearing your new spring threads despite the chilly March air or still bundled in your winter wools?

 

 

Top: Lands' End Canvas poplin gingham (worn here before)
Sweater: Anthropologie Guinevere roaming frills (worn here before - similar here / here, beige twin here)
Skirt: J. Crew dorrie
Tights: Target
Shoes: Artisan by Clarks (worn here before - similar here or here)

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Time for another Respect the Outfits reader feature! This time, let's go back to one of our fave retailers - Anthropologie! As much as we love the retailer, our wallets can't always afford to buy its stuff. So let's flex our closet-creative juices and please send me your interpretation of an Anthro-inspired outfit featuring no - or very few - actual Anthro pieces. See the first Anthro-inspired reader post for more information and see how some of the other lovely ladies rocked the look!

Please send me your pic and outfit details (and include a link to the original post if you'd like some link love) by Tuesday, April 5 - post will go live next Wednesday! Outfit does not need to be brand new - recent outfits are good too! Pics and info can be sent to respecttheshoes(at)live.com.

Limoncello

Dresses are the easiest go-to piece when you want something fast and simple - I've worn dresses all week, coincidence? - one item, and bam! outfit done.

I wanted something simple there's that word again and fun today, so this cheapie new dress answered my fashion prayers. It makes me think that the weather outside is not also sunny but balmy, and I can kick up my feet as I lazily lounge on a porch swing and relax by the verandah with a sweating class of limoncello, i.e., my idea of grown-up lemonade, as any reference to a blackberry only revolved around some sort of pie.

Now if someone could just up the temp by about twenty degrees and gift me a great big ole victorian on a bluff overlooking the water with a porch and swing - and call Giada to make me some limoncello while we're at it - then everything would be all right for a Thursday.

 

Dress: Forever 21 Love21 classic striped woven (check stores - or similar-ish cas here or pretty here)
Cardigan: J. Crew celosia (similar here or here)
Belt: J. Crew skinny metallic (similar here)
Necklace: Anthropologie nueva granada (worn here before - similar here or-ish here)
Shoes: Artisan by Clarks herring (worn here before - similar here or here)
Bracelet: Forever 21 faceted cube spiral

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

BTW, I'd added some new items to my blog sale - you can use the My Shop button on the right or click HERE - thanks!

Slightly on Target

I'm so glad to be home! Going to FL isn't far, but it seems so much longer when you have a BF and pup at home that you're missing! Especially since all the time in FL was spent rolling out at the crack of the dawn and finishing long after dark - I had zero problem sleeping like a rock in the hotel.

A little "surprise" that I enjoy receiving after a long week away is a little pile of fresh packages (OK, one package, but still, it's nice). I received my Target GO International dresses and wanted to share my thoughts on them (though I'll keep it short since I know reviews have already made their rounds in the blogosphere).

  

Tracy Feith by Target hibiscus print dress: I think most of you gals know by now that the Tracy Feith dresses fit real small, so you've lucked out on this one, petite gals. I am typically a size 2/2P and got this in a 5 and it "just" fit. If you're on the busty side, you probably need to size up. The length is perfect on my short frame and it is fully lined in a bright orange with a layer of crinoline along the hem for added flounce. I really like this dress - except I kind of feel like I need to be on a Hawaiian vacation to wear it. I'm undecided about this one ... I may trade it in for the all-white version.

See Kathryn rock the dress.

  

Libertine by Target striped tunic: I'm not sure about this. It is short, so I'm going to need some leggings or other bottoms to wear this out in public in. And the puffed sleeves - I am kind of feeling football player-ish. I got this in a S for the additional length and I figured the 100% cotton material will probably shrink in the wash. I think I'm going to end up keeping this so I can wear it for super-cas at-home weekends since I'm automatically in love with something if it has stripes.

See Pamela, M and Carol rock the tunic.

And this is what I wore today - hello, beautiful spring - albeit cloudy - weather! I even broke out my very first Minkoff, which I love love love, but which I also carry around like a newborn baby! I'm not much of a handbag person - this ain't Respect the Purse -  and honestly I'm cheap can't you tell, hehe, so this is a big purse splurge for me. That I will coddle around like a purse baby. My sweet little studded purse baby.

  

Dress: AT Loft dotty blossoms (worn here before - similar here, here or luxe here)

Belt: cheapie gold woven (similar here)

Shoes: Artisan by Clarks herring bow flats (worn here before - similar here or here)

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff navajo studs clutch

Easy Sparkles - and Other People's Giveaways

Weekend roundup - outfits and giveaways, ladies:

 

Top: J. Crew haya sequin pullover (similar here or here)

Shirt: Lands' End Canvas stretch poplin (similar here)

Jeans: J. Crew bootcut

Shoes: Artisan by Clarks herring bow flats (similar here or patent here)

Jacket: Banana Republic sateen scooter (similar here or more cas here)

Top: J. Crew sequin striped boatneck (worn here before - very similar here or sans sequins here)

Jeans: J. Crew bootcut (similar here)

Shoes: Artisan by Clarks Herring bow flats (worn here before - similar here or here)

Necklace: Anthropologie double torsade (worn here before - similar here or here)

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There's still time to submit your outfit outtakes for this week's Respect the Outfits feature! Read more about it HERE. Please send your pics by Tuesday evening to respecttheshoes(at)live.com. Thanks!

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And here are the very cool giveaways this week:
 
✿  loveandpeaceF from Its a New Kate is giving away a $20 gift card to Forever 21. Contest ends today.
 
✿  AudreyBella from Life is Short...Buy the Shoes is giving away a J. Crew silk driving scarf. Contest ends tonight!
 
✿  Pamela from ginger girl is giving away the Happy Talk dress from Shabby Apple. Contest ends tonight!
 
✿  Roxy from Effortless Anthropologie is giving away a necklace from simply livly. Contest ends February 20.

✿  Dina from My Superfluities is giving away a $25 gift card to Boden. Contest ends February 21.
 
✿  Jenny from Not Just A Pretty Face is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 22. UPDATED: Contest now ends February 24!

✿  Tiffany from I am Style-ish is giving away a $100 gift card to Nordstroms for signing up to Ebates through her link. Contest ends February 22.
 
✿  Molly from My Closet Travels is giving away a $50 gift card to Anthropologie. Contest ends February 22.
 
✿  Amy from kelinda.KELINDA is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Tippy from Tres Tippy is also giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Kaleigha from krameymartin is also also giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Nakia from Vogue & Vintage is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop as well. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Kim from Anthroholic is giving away two fully-customized Kodak Gallery Photo Books. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Lauren Nicole Gifts is giving away a customizable child's artwork pendant. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Miss Neira is giving away a GBP 50 gift certificate to ASOS. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Dea from the dea diaries is giving away a $25 gift card to Anthropologie. Contest ends February 27.
 
✿  Meggy from Chasing Davies is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 27.
 
✿  Wild as a Mink is giving away an Orient Watch. Contest ends March 6.

Lisa Not of Arabia

Cardigan: Anthropologie Tiny city garden (worn here before - similar here or bolder here or here)

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Banana Republic classic skinny (worn here before - similar here)

Belt: H&M double buckle (worn here before - similar here or here)

Boots: Born Taro (worn here before - similar here)

Necklace: UO multi stone bib (worn here before - similar-ish here or here)

Hey all, I'm back! Oh you have no idea how nice it feels to be back home - I had a whirlwind four days in Dubai on business plus a lovely 16 hour flight home so I am exhausted! There's nothing like seeing the BF and the pup again - apparently they fought with each other a bit while I was gone. Sigh, what can you do about kids being kids?

I didn't have a lot of time to do much else than work while I was there, but did manage a trip to Mall of the Emirates and the new shopping crown jewel - the Dubai Mall (what do people do when they come to Dubai? Shop and shop!) Here's a random sampling of pics:

The Burj Khalifa by day and night:

The malls in Dubai contain focal points most other malls would never consider - like the Underwater Zoo with a 107ft x 27ft viewing panel, a full size ice rink and the 80ft tall waterfall:

The Middle East's only indoor ski resort - Ski Dubai (it smells like a fridge in there, because - dur - it is!):

And your choice of touristy take-homes and a high-end gold souk:

And beautiful decadent confections:

If you haven't done so yet, there's still time to enter my giveaway! And I'll be catching up with everyone's blogs over the next few days, Insha'Allah!

Quick Bacon Love

Top: Anthropologie Odille Bianka (most sold out online, check stores - similar print here, style here)
Sweater: J. Crew featherweight cardigan (worn here before - similar here)
Pants: AT Loft modern bootleg corduroy (worn here before)
Shoes: Artisan by Clarks (worn here before - similar here or here)

♛   ♛   ♛   ♛

My BF's mom spent much of her younger days raising two kids by herself while holding down a hellacious work schedule as a nurse. She'd often be gone for twelve-fourteen hour stints and come home exhausted after having spent her days on her feet non-stop and taking care of children in distress. Her two kids, an academically gifted girl and natural sportsman boy, often had to take a back seat to other people's children who were undergoing life-changing surgical procedures.

Suffice it to say, BF's mom never found a fondness for cooking. She didn't enjoy food prep, looking up recipes or going shopping for exotic ingredients. She wanted something nutritious, tasty and - most importantly - hassle-free quick that she could throw together for the kids when she got home after a long day.

This was one of the recipes she often made for her family, specifically because it could be made in advance, got better with some sitting time, and could be served cold. She made it for dinner a few months ago when the BF and I went over to visit and what she had forgot to mention to us when she first served the salad was that it is damn good (especially for a "convenience" salad).

BF's mom didn't have a specific reference for the salad but I was able to find it online easy enough. This recipe for bacon-swiss tossed salad is pretty much what we've been served, and I was glad to find it because now we can replicate the same hearty salad at home. Add on a nice crusty hunk of bread and dinner is served.

What doesn't go better with a bowl of bacon?

Give the salad a big old tossing.

Finished product. I had to put my own slight spin on things and added in some mushrooms - sauteed in a bit of the bacon grease, of course!