Chambray, how I love you

Fun with photo editing 

So having a chambray shirt is all the rage in the blogging community right now. It's a must have!! I've been searching for the perfect chambray for about 4 months now. It couldn't be too light or too heavy, not too dark or too light, not too small or too big. I tried on dozens of mediocre chambray tops and never bought any because I was looking for the one!

Well one day while browsing pinterest I spotted the perfect chambray from Nordstrom. $50 for a shirt is a bit steep and more than I usually pay, but I had been searching for this basic staple for a long time and was willing to pay top price for the one.

I couldn't be happier with my purchase, sometimes pieces can really be investments (although according to Jim, clothing can never be an investment unless it brings in money). 

What investment pieces have you splurged on?

Lexi

Hey bird

These are my liquid leather leggings, seriously that's what they're called. They were on my Christmas list last year and Jim happily got them for me (guess he liked the idea of leather leggings?). I love them because they're still comfy and stretchy like regular leggings, but they're leather! Well, they look like leather anyway. 

Hey bird

I recently read this blog post on Snappy Casual about the perfect white tee. I've been looking for a loose or slouchy tee to pair with leggings this fall so I jumped on this Madewell tee when it was on sale for $25. It's super thin so I need a tank top under it, but it's perfect to wear with something tight because it's loose. It helps create a simple, balanced outfit. 

How do you balance outfits?

Lexi

Super Simple Salmon Dinner

So I haven't posted a recipe since August, when I made Orange Chicken. I've still been doing a lot of cooking, just haven't been cooking anything exciting, like a super simple salmon dinner! 

This recipe is for nights where you don't have the energy to put any thought into cooking, have the time to do a bunch of dishes, or have the patience to make something that takes forever.

This recipe includes the main dish, salmon, and 2 sides, roasted potatoes and asparagus. Also, you throw it all in the oven, no standing over a stove trying to saute something. 

Roasted Potato Ingredients:

1 lb fingerling potatoes

3 cloves garlic

1 tsp cayenne

1 tbs dried Italian herbs 

salt

pepper

3 tbs olive oil

Cut the potatoes into small cubes, mince the garlic

Throw everything into a bowl to mix

Put on a cookie sheet (bonus points for adding aluminum foil for easy clean up) and bake at 375 for about 45 minutes

 The asparagus side dish is just as simple.

Asparagus Ingredients: 

1 bunch asparagus
salt
pepper
1 tbs lemon pepper
2 tbs olive oil

Cut the ends off the asparagus and lay on a cookie sheet. Pour olive oil over the top and add seasonings. Put in a 375 oven for about 15 minutes

Salmon Ingredients:

2 salmon filets 
1 lemon, zested and then squeezed
3 tbs butter
1 clove garlic
salt 
pepper
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Zest the lemon and then slice. Mix the lemon zest with all the other ingredients in a bowl. 

Yum

Place 2 lemon slices on a 6" x 6" piece of aluminum foil. Place the salmon on that, then slather the butter mixture over it. 

Repeat for the second piece of salmon. Bake in a 375 oven for about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon.

Enjoy your delicious meal that took minimal effort but looks fancy.

Give it a try!
Lexi

Great combinations

So I originally bought this dress and wanted to copy an outfit from the most fabulous Kendi Everyday blog. For whatever reason I never ended up wearing it this summer and figured I might as well wear it while I can. This combination is another great one to keep tucked away, dress+cardigan+boots=perfect fall outfit.  

Try it!
Lexi

Taking summer pieces to fall

It's been raining pretty often so far this month, which is nice because we need as much rain as we can get. Also, rain almost always equals boot weather. I love this time of year when it's chilly, but not cold enough to start wearing heavy sweaters and scarves. This is the perfect weather to take a dress from summer to fall. 

I wore this dress all summer and it makes a perfect fall outfit when it's paired with boots and a cardigan.  When the weather starts to cool down even more, I'll pair summer dresses like this with tights and boots for a cute winter look. Good wardrobe pieces are usable through multiple seasons! 

What pieces can you take from summer to fall?

Lexi

Inspiration

So my last post talked about the difference between style and fashion, and I mentioned that I think the difference between the two is that style is what you make of fashion. I also mentioned that I was going to try to start really making each outfit I wear my own. Well, you can make an outfit your own by getting inspiration from someone else. If you haven't already seen this blog, check it out. This girl finds looks that she sees online or in magazines and then recreates them using items that she has. I think a great way to personalize an outfit is to start with an idea of the look you're going for, and then use what you've got. Check out my recreation of her outfit below.

Remember when I wore this top here? It's a cute top, but I wasn't doing much to make it special. All I needed was a little inspiration from J's Everyday Fashion  to add the elements my last outfit was missing.

What do you use for inspiration?

Lexi

Style vs. fashion

So this is my second statement necklace, my first statement necklace is my Jcrew knockoff. I think it's safe to say that I am obsessed with these babies. They can really ground an outfit that seems to be missing something special. 

I think the difference between style and fashion is that your style is how you make the latest fashion trend 'you'. Adding extra elements, like a statement necklace, to an outfit makes that outfit unique and special. Have you ever met someone who has a one-of-a-kind style? I've noticed that these people always do something to make their outfit their own.

We only got 1 pic outside before the mosquitoes ate me feet

Standing in front of my favorite painting in our house, painted by Jim's step mom Debbi. 

Loving mint right now.

As the weather is slowly cooling off and fall trends are starting to emerge, I'm going to make my goal to really make every outfit I wear really mine. I want people to say 'oh that's so Lexi', how about you?

Lexi

More of the same

Just more of the same going on over here, still rocking my fall formula. Also, I am obsessed with these Toms flats, I've worn them to work everyday basically since I got them. I'm already ready for another pair. 

No big deal, just my bling

Pink on purple 

Lexi

Fall formula

I tend to use the same basic formula to make an outfit for each season, here was my summer outfit formula. This is my fall formula: skinnies with flats/boots, a fun top, and an over sized sweater. 

Rocco photo bomb.

New Toms flats that I am in love with.

What is your fall formula?

Lexi

Boot weather for a day

So this past weekend it rained, and the temp dropped down to the 70s!!! 70s!! So naturally, I broke out my boots! I love these things, can't wait to wear them all winter long.

It's also Austin Restaurant Week this week, which is my fave. I'm going to Olivia tonight with some girlfriends, can't wait to take pics of all the wonderful food I'm going to eat!

Lexi