Repeat Offender

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin (thanks for braving the cold with me!!)

Blazer-J.Crew

Chambray shirt, scarf-H&M

Jeans-Rag&Bone

Boots-Vera Wang Lavender Label

Purse-Proenza Schouler PS11

Sunnies-Karen Walker

Hi everyone! One of my favorite low key outfits I tend to wear, especially on my lazy days, is the double denim look. It's simple and effortless and can be the base for anything else you want to add on (i.e. blazer, jacket, leopard print, solid color scarf, etc) I wore this look initially on the blog by just adding a leopard print belt to separate the two denim pieces HERE but, today, I decided to throw some color to the mix by wearing a red blazer and a warm scarf for added warmth--this is usually my go to look for running errands/shopping/lunch date with friends.

Hope you guys are enjoying the short work week thus far and thank you SO much for visiting. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving filled with delicious food that's shared amongst your loved ones. Xo. 

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend I….

1. Baked marshmallow chocolate chunk cookies via Real Simple again. I first made these cookies last weekend and it was such a hit with my loved ones that I had to make it again. I'll share the recipe later this week because it's too good not to share.

2. Finally made it to Yamazato Sushi in Alexandria, VA. I've been trying to find a good sushi place in the VA area and this place has been bookmarked for awhile now. The sashimi (not pictured) was fresh and melt in your mouth delicious and the variety of rolls available on the menu was pleasing to the eye and taste. Highly recommend.

3. Stopped by the mall to do a quick return and noticed the Anthropologie store next door. Every time I walk into the store, I always walk out empty handed because the clothes are not really my style. However, I saw these super cute monogram gold plated coffee mugs that I couldn't resist buying. I love my West Elm monogram coffee cup I bought last year so I just had to add a gold one to my cupboard;) I ended up purchasing the monogram mugs for myself, mom, and sister. A little Thanksgiving gift for them I suppose:)

4. Gloriously slept in (as did Mandu) and caught up on some of my favorite blogs and websites in the comfort of my bed. I love having lazy mornings once in awhile with no set agenda and I definitely needed that over the weekend.

5. Rented a movie (Now You See Me), made my PB&J S'mores, popped some popcorn, and devoured the marshmallow chocolate chunk cookies I baked over the weekend. A movie night in pretty much closed out the weekend on a relaxing, low key note which is exactly what I needed.


How was your weekend?

Fall Jacket Revisted

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Tweed Jacket-J.Crew (from last year, love this years version HERE)

Silk Blouse-J.Crew

Jeans-Rag & Bone

Purse-Proenza Schouler PS11

Sunnies-Karen Walker

Happy Friday everyone! Before Winter comes at us full force, I like taking advantage of the Fall weather we have during the afternoon to wear my favorite Fall jackets from the closet such as my trench coats, blazers, and tweed jackets. It's always the classic pieces that get the most wear repeatedly season after season and I'm a huge believer with investing in several, nice closet staples that aren't necessarily deemed trendy. They will last you for years to come. Trust. 

Have a great weekend. Xo.

Shades of Red

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Blouse-J.Crew

Blazer-Theory

Leather leggings-Donna Mizani

Shoes-Pour La Victoire

Sunnies-Karen Walker

Purse-PS11

Hi everyone! I don't know about you but I am so happy this week is halfway over. Last week and this past weekend has been really busy/tiring/stressful due to work related stuff which has been occupying the majority of my time. I pretty much put my social life on hold the whole week/end. Sad. Between working and studying over the weekend, taking a training class all day Monday to get my immunization certification (3/4 done with process!), and staying after hours to help my work partner get our pharmacy ready for a special event, I am so ready for my upcoming 4 day weekend. Catching up on sleep is high on my list. Anyway, long story short, life has been a bit busy to have my usual scheduled blog posts ready in time so thank you for being patient with me:)

Stay warm and have a great week. Xo.

NomNom: Moroccan Harira Soup

Now the temperatures are starting to drop even lower to the point it feels like winter, I begin to crave warm, hearty meals. I'm kind of particular when it comes to soups and only take a liking to a few, but this Moroccan soup I'm sharing with you today has become one of my favorite soup recipes I've come across so far.

Now this is one of those type of soups that actually tastes even better the day after, if that's possible. The spice mixture is a wonderful combination of warm and earthy with just a hint of heat and really just works beautifully into this soup. Ultra satisfying and comforting for a cold Autumn/Winter day. Oh yea, did I mention that the soup is also super healthy? Winning on so many levels.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Xo.


Ingredients for Ras El Hanout Spice Mixture

8 teaspoons ground cumin
8 teaspoons ground ginger
6 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
6 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 
6 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 teaspoons ground 
4 teaspoons coriander 
4 teaspoons cayenne 
4 teaspoons all-spice
4 teaspoons saffron 

Ingredients for Harira Soup (Yields: 2 servings): Adapted from Amy Riolo

1 small yellow onion, diced
1/4 cup lentils, sorted, rinsed, and drained 
1 celery heart, finely chopped
1/4 cup tomato puree
2 cups of low sodium vegetable stock, or water 
1 teaspoon Ras el Hanout spice mixture
1/8 cup medium grain rice
1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
1/8 cup parsley, roughly chopped
1/3 cup chickpeas
1/4 cup frozen lima beans, thawed
1 teaspoon tomato paste 


Procedure 
1. Place onions in a large saucepan or stockpot.

2. Add lentils, celery, tomato puree, vegetable stock, and Ras el Hanout spice mixture.

3. Bring to a boil over high heat, stir and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Carefully remove the lid and add rice, cilantro, parsley, chickpeas, lima beans, and tomato paste to the pot.

5. Stir, increase heat to high and bring to a boil.

6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for another 20 minutes, or until vegetables and rice are tender, and soup has thickened. 

NYC and Leopard Hearts

Outfit photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Leopard blouse-Cooper & Ella

Leather (faux) skirt-F21

Boots-Chanel

Purse-Proenza Schouler PS11

Sunnies-Celine

Hi everyone! Sorry for the week long absence of posts, but it's been a bit busy this past week and I just didn't have the time to get my posts scheduled and ready. I went to NYC over the weekend to visit my sister and had a great time just hanging out, trying new food places, and of course, shopping;) I got back really late Monday night and was too tired to have my usual Weekend Snapshots ready so I decided to share it with you today. If you follow me on twitter, I was much more diligent with posting the pics over the weekend;)

Some of the highlights from the weekend was grabbing brunch at ABV to have quite possibly the best breakfast torta ever (my sister insists their pork torta served during dinner is even better) and the strangest yet delicious and most dense flavored donuts from Dough Loco. Pictured are the blueberry rosemary lime (my favorite) and miso maple which was a bit too sweet for me. We also decided to try the raspberry Sriracha donut after we were finished with the first two flavors more out of curiosity and it was….strange. The raspberry flavor is prominent but at the end of the bite, the heat from the sriracha kicks in. Still not sure what to make of this one. Oh and I come to find out later that both ABV and Dough Loco are owned by the same people--go figure.  

Hope you enjoyed your weekend and are having a great week so far. Xo.

Color Burst

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Sweater-J.Crew

Chambray shirt-H&M

Coated skinny jeans-Rag and Bone

Shoes-KORS Michael Kors

Pearl necklace-J.Crew

Sunnies-Karen Walker

Nothing better than bursts of colors to make an outfit pop, right?;)

Have a great week. Xo.

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend I….

1. Received my online order of this Theory leather jacket. I've been on the hunt for a black moto leather jacket and haven't had much luck due to either fit or cut but this Theory one is something that comes close to what I'm looking for. I have two more leather jackets I ordered online which is on its way later this week so we shall see.

2. Needed some downtime to myself and relaxed with some food magazines for some inspiration on upcoming meals. Glossies, coffee, and my favorite tunes in the background is my idea of a total relaxation in the morning.

3. Met up with a good friend for a catch up and work venting session at Victoria Gastro Pub. We've both been stressed out due to work and since we share a love of the restaurant's duck fat fries and libations, it seemed like the obvious choice to dine at. We also talked about planning a trip together in late February to someplace warm…perhaps Belize?! Oh and sorry for the slightly blurry food picture! I was too hungry to care enough to retake the picture. That's just real life.

4. Found the gold hardware Hermes CDC leather wrap bracelet that's been on my wish list forever! I always see the sliver hardware wrap bracelet in stores but the gold one is rare to find and while I was just window shopping, the sales lady informed me that one just came in that day...in the size I was looking for (it comes in two sizes). I mean, talk about good timing.


How was your weekend?

School Girl Chic

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Shirt-J.Crew (Love the dress version here)

Skirt-Express

Purse-Chanel WOC 

Shoes-KORS Michael Kors

Sunnies-Karen Walker

Ring, bracelets-David Yurman

Happy Friday everyone! There's something about peter pan collar shirts that remind me of preppy school girl uniforms which I love; but, pairing it with a (faux) leather skirt updates that conservative look. I love gray and red together, so naturally I gravitated towards my trusty red Chanel WOC to finish off the look;)

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Xo.