#makingmerry

Style Note: balance out classic {always a staple in any of my looks} and trendy by pairing a chambray shirt, for a relaxed feel, with a vivid midi skirt.

similar button up // skirt c/o {similar} // scarf // necklaces here & here // bracelets here & here // rings here & here // bag c/o // heels

Amélia’s outfit: dress // shoes

I love when my bug joins me on the blog! It’s rare these days… 

This past Saturday was a bit special because we were heading to an afternoon music program called Christmas Is and then to drop off toys at a toy drive for foster children. 

This time of year, for me and my family, is all about being thankful for what we have and reflecting on those who have less… some who can barely even get the necessities. And we started teaching our daughter about being grateful at an early age, so every year she has a small list. As she gets older, she becomes more involved in the ‘giving’ spirit.

I was so proud a few weeks ago when out of the blue she asked to shop for a friend because ‘Christmas is about giving, not getting.’ This girl is teaching me so much!

Anyway, we’re making merry in our house with the simple things… decorating, baking together, and giving as much as we can. I love getting festive too with my outfits, so Saturday was the perfect excuse to glam up a bit with a festive skirt. It was actually a bit cold, so I was able to break out my blanket scarf that complimented this outfit perfectly.

I’m all about eclectic style and if you’ve followed long enough, you can see that sometimes I like to do it up a little girly and other days I’m feelin’ more casual chic. This outfit is definitely the balance between the two, and gave me enough Christmas style without traditional red and green explosion.

I’d love to hear more about how you’re #makingmerry!

//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/#/?options=%7B%22widgetId%22%3A%22566cde53be7a449773cfcaeb%22%2C%22version%22%3A1%2C%22pid%22%3A%22uid2529-25378273-21%22%2C%22size%22%3A110%2C%22columns%22%3A4%2C%22rows%22%3A1%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fapi.shopstyle.com%2Fapi%2Fv2%22%7D

Holiday Look Book…

This is only a 13 page preview of an entire 20 page catalog with items styled. If you’re an IT gal or guy, be sure to check your inbox as you’ve been sent the entire look book!

If you’re not a StyleIT Insider, what have you been waiting for? But seriously, sign up with the link on the side bar ——–>

Click here for the complete holiday look book for the GUYS AND GALS 

Happy Labor Day

anthro blouse {no longer available; similar here & here} // paige cutoffs // converse // ring {old; similar}

I hope you all are having a fabulous 3 day weekend and Labor Day holiday!

I spent most of my weekend catching up on cleaning after re-organizing my house and putting A’s bedroom together, and preparing for our camping trip this week. But I did get to sneak in a little time Saturday with my family, and today I’m meeting my cousin’s 1 week old little girl!

Tomorrow we head out and I’m excited to spend some time in the mountains, but first here’s a look at my laid back Labor Day style. 

Linked up with Trend Spin.

Happy Labor Day

anthro blouse {no longer available; similar here & here} // paige cutoffs // converse // ring {old; similar}

I hope you all are having a fabulous 3 day weekend and Labor Day holiday!

I spent most of my weekend catching up on cleaning after re-organizing my house and putting A’s bedroom together, and preparing for our camping trip this week. But I did get to sneak in a little time Saturday with my family, and today I’m meeting my cousin’s 1 week old little girl!

Tomorrow we head out and I’m excited to spend some time in the mountains, but first here’s a look at my laid back Labor Day style. 

http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid1601-13325449-37&faveList=44338171&size=Small&width=5&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0

Linked up with Trend Spin.

4th of July Casual

jun & ivy’s swiss dot blouse // joes jeans cutoffs // similar american flag scarf {kimono tutorial here} // converse // braid tutorial here

This was a very different 4th for me…

As most of you know, my husband is in the fireworks business. He’s a fifth generation fire worker and is part of his family’s business here in so. Cal. Every year since we’ve been together, we spend our 4th in NYC collaborating with Macy’s for their 4th of July presentation. But this year was quite different. The hubs split his time between NYC and Atlantic City {a new show} and, if you’ve been following my instagram you know Amélia is our little dancer, so she and I had dance obligations the week of the 4th. After spending a week in NYC for set up, the hubs headed off to set up the show in AC and the bug and I traveled home. It was such a weird experience being home by myself and not attending a show. It was casual! No dressing up, no real celebration. But I love my country, am proud of my husband, and am a proud fireworks wife even if I’m not out there physically supporting our great people who light up the sky in honor of America… 

I hope you and yours had a wonderful and safe 4th!

Because I get a lot of emails about some of my instafood posts, I’m including this much asked about one below. I think it’s perfect for a summer cook out! And it fits a paleo, gluten-free, dairy free lifestyle, or is just plain delicious even if you don’t have any special dietary needs…

not the most attractive photograph, but so delish!

for the burgers:Greek Turkey Lettuce Wrap Burgers

1 package of ground turkey {roughly 1-1.5 lbs}

Head of lettuce, washed and separated

1 Tomato

1/2 onion {I use a little less}

1 tsp Rosemary

1 tsp Marjoram

1 clove garlic

sea salt and pepper to taste

for the tzatziki sauce:

1/4 small cucumber

1 clove garlic

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp olive oil

1/2 cup ‘So Delicious’ greek-style yogurt {dairy free} or regular greek yogurt

1. Chop the onion very fine and put in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add ground turkey, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, sea salt, and pepper. Mix throughly with your hands to combine.

2. Form into patties. I have done 4 large patties and I’ve also done 6 smaller patties {which I actually prefer}.

3. Set patties aside and heat BBQ.

4. While grill heats, prepare tzatziki sauce by peeling cucumber and slicing into quarters long ways. Dice into fine pieces.

5. Stir together yogurt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and cucumbers. Refrigerate.  I like to serve with sweet potato fries, so I start preparing those and get them in the oven.

6. Place patties on grill {medium-high, indirect heat} sand grill approximately 5 minutes on each side.

7. While burgers grill, wash lettuce and separate leaves from the head, and slice tomatoes.

8. Serve burgers over lettuce and tomato topped with tzatziki sauce!

4th of July Casual

jun & ivy’s swiss dot blouse // joes jeans cutoffs // similar american flag scarf {kimono tutorial here} // converse // braid tutorial here

This was a very different 4th for me…

As most of you know, my husband is in the fireworks business. He’s a fifth generation fire worker and is part of his family’s business here in so. Cal. Every year since we’ve been together, we spend our 4th in NYC collaborating with Macy’s for their 4th of July presentation. But this year was quite different. The hubs split his time between NYC and Atlantic City {a new show} and, if you’ve been following my instagram you know Amélia is our little dancer, so she and I had dance obligations the week of the 4th. After spending a week in NYC for set up, the hubs headed off to set up the show in AC and the bug and I traveled home. It was such a weird experience being home by myself and not attending a show. It was casual! No dressing up, no real celebration. But I love my country, am proud of my husband, and am a proud fireworks wife even if I’m not out there physically supporting our great people who light up the sky in honor of America… 

I hope you and yours had a wonderful and safe 4th!

http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid1601-13325449-37&faveList=44280853&size=Small&width=4&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0

Because I get a lot of emails about some of my instafood posts, I’m including this much asked about one below. I think it’s perfect for a summer cook out! And it fits a paleo, gluten-free, dairy free lifestyle, or is just plain delicious even if you don’t have any special dietary needs…

not the most attractive photograph, but so delish!

for the burgers:Greek Turkey Lettuce Wrap Burgers

1 package of ground turkey {roughly 1-1.5 lbs}

Head of lettuce, washed and separated

1 Tomato

1/2 onion {I use a little less}

1 tsp Rosemary

1 tsp Marjoram

1 clove garlic

sea salt and pepper to taste

for the tzatziki sauce:

1/4 small cucumber

1 clove garlic

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp olive oil

1/2 cup ‘So Delicious’ greek-style yogurt {dairy free} or regular greek yogurt

1. Chop the onion very fine and put in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add ground turkey, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, sea salt, and pepper. Mix throughly with your hands to combine.

2. Form into patties. I have done 4 large patties and I’ve also done 6 smaller patties {which I actually prefer}.

3. Set patties aside and heat BBQ.

4. While grill heats, prepare tzatziki sauce by peeling cucumber and slicing into quarters long ways. Dice into fine pieces.

5. Stir together yogurt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and cucumbers. Refrigerate.  I like to serve with sweet potato fries, so I start preparing those and get them in the oven.

6. Place patties on grill {medium-high, indirect heat} sand grill approximately 5 minutes on each side.

7. While burgers grill, wash lettuce and separate leaves from the head, and slice tomatoes.

8. Serve burgers over lettuce and tomato topped with tzatziki sauce!

4 Looks for the 4th!

Here’s 4 star spangled looks for the 4th…

 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

5 // 6 // 7

8 // 9 // 10 // 11

12 // 13 // 14 // 15

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

4 Looks for the 4th!

Here’s 4 star spangled looks for the 4th…

 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

5 // 6 // 7

8 // 9 // 10 // 11

12 // 13 // 14 // 15

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid1601-13325449-37&faveList=44276305&size=Small&width=8&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0

Perfect in Paisley

shop by jmv paisley blouse // paige denim {Major SALE!} // maison scotch clutch // justfab heels // similar cuff // similar necklace // essie polish in tart deco & mint candy apple

I immediately fell in love with this paisley blouse when I laid eyes on it. It styled so well with a swept back faux hawk braid for a dressy casual Father’s day dinner with the hubs, the bug, his dad and brother. I love the accents of gold that really gave a pop, and of course the shoes! These shoes are amazing and comfortable, and part of my Mother’s day present.
Happy Friday! Hope y’all have an amazing weekend. Just a reminder for you locals, I’m hosting a styling event TOMORROW NIGHT with John of Shop by John Michael Villa. Come hang out, shop, and get some summer styling ideas!

Perfect in Paisley

shop by jmv paisley blouse c/o// paige denim {Major SALE!} // maison scotch clutch // justfab heels // similar cuff // similar necklace // essie polish in tart deco & mint candy apple

I immediately fell in love with this paisley blouse when I laid eyes on it. It styled so well with a swept back faux hawk braid for a dressy casual Father’s day dinner with the hubs, the bug, his dad and brother. I love the accents of gold that really gave a pop, and of course the shoes! These shoes are amazing and comfortable, and part of my Mother’s day present.
Happy Friday! Hope y’all have an amazing weekend. Just a reminder for you locals, I’m hosting a styling event TOMORROW NIGHT with John of Shop by John Michael Villa. Come hang out, shop, and get some summer styling ideas!

http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid1601-13325449-37&faveList=44255151&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0