Outfit of the Day: Fashion Fierce

Remember this harem pant? Yeah, I'm obsessed so here I go featuring it in another outfit of the day. Feel free to take a look at it's first appearance here. It's graffiti print and high-waisted personality screams "fierce" next to these yummy orange heels by Calvin Klein. Hold on because I don't want to go all out Sasha Fierce on my outfit. In order to balance out the attitude of my outfit's bottom half, I tucked in a black peter pan collar top and threw on a streamlined blazer both by Lauren Conrad.

 Here's the outfit of the day echoed!

Here's the whole ensemble: business on top and party on the bottom!

 This is what I call the gangster pose with one pant leg unintentionally rolled up. Something fierce!

Here's a closer look at my jewelry that proves opposites attract. The bracelets on my right arm reinforce the fierce theme. The bling on my left arm reels in the chic vibe.

My necklace by yours truly marries the two with its dainty stones and pearls to contrast the edgy bullet shells.

 This purse is one of my favorites. French Connection is channeling Chanel with its leather woven body and its black and gold chain strap.

It's my dream to have a vintage Chanel bag like the one pictured above. For now I'll keep dreaming...

Calvin Klein does it again! These orange heels of his are mesmerizingly beautiful that I purchased from Belk. Mr. Klein's most recent designs have captured my fashion attention like never before.

 Here's a little reminder that I designed yesterday: "Create a life that feels good on the inside, not one that just looks good on the outside." We must remember that everything including flows from the inner person into the outer world. Though our culture teaches the opposite, I encourage you to cultivate positive thoughts and beliefs from within. When you love yourself and show yourself kindness, then you can share that with the world and the world will recognize it!

A last look of my outfit of the day is shown here. Are you inspired yet to try out the harem pant? I hope so! Happy Wednesday! xx

2013 Trend: The Angled Skirt

This season designers have taken the same old skirt and transformed it with sassy new angles, updating this classic clothing item with a little modern attitude. The first skirt having been made of straw has come a long way from its thousands B.C. origin. Today's 2013 fashion season is featuring the skirt in asymmetrical, mini, folded, wrap and split proportions. I have an angled skirt built of black leather that I purchased from Hallelu at the start of the summer, and I absolutely LOVE it! Hallelu even has a few more styles to offer the fashion saavy in search of the perfect angled skirt. Other retailers like Zara (someone please tell me why we don't have a Zara here? Ugh) are also stocked with this trendy wardrobe essential. Take a look at some of the adorable angled skirts featured below. Do you plan on making the cut? xx

 Here I am wearing my black leather angled skirt from Hallelu with my mint buttoned down top from Forever 21 and my Half United necklace. To read more about this outfit of the day, click here!

Gray Angled Skirt with Zipper Detailing Story by Tang

Black and White Angled Skirt with Zipper Detailing

Lilac Angled Skirt by Green with Envy

Tangerine and White Asymmetrical Skirt by White Suede

Jacquard Sarong Skirt by Zara

Jacquard Mini Skirt by Zara

Black Split Skirt with Faux Leather Lining by Zara

Happy Monday, everyone, and thanks for stopping by! xx

Outfit of the Day: Trouser Power Trend

My outfit of the day is featuring the trouser power trend of 2013. Whether palazzo, crossover, harem or cropped, the trouser is taking on fresh shapes and new prints. Get in with this 2013 trend because it's carrying over into Fall with steep heels and boots. Scroll below for more trouser power trend inspiration! xx

 Here I'm wearing a black and white graffiti-printed harem trouser from Forever 21. This harem trouser is only $15.80 and on trend - are you kidding me? This is an obvious buy.

By pairing it with this tangerine top by Cynthia Crowley, the trouser takes center stage.

These amazing nude wedges with their rubber soles are extremely comfortable without compromising style. Thank you, French Connection, for your ingenuity, and thank you, Bevello, for carrying them!

This black and gold tassel necklace is a purchase I am so glad that I made last Fall from Aqua Fedora. It's stunning and goes with just about anything.

Here's another pose just for kicks. 

The cuff at the ankle of this Pixie Market printed pant featured on Elle is making me go loco! I'm wanting this trouser and trying to find an excuse to buy them. Anybody want to split the price with me? We could share them kind of like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants but without all the cheesy stories of heartbreak. Time share or trouser share? Just thought I'd throw that out there. ;)

As seen on Harper's Bazaar, Anna Dello Russo (left) is rocking her stark black trouser with large and in charge clogs. Natalia Vodianova (right) takes her trouser to towering heights in heels of a feminine frame. You can make trousers as masculine or feminine as you want so get creative, fashionista!

3.1 Phillip Lim, Rag & Bone and Rebecca Taylor are all featuring the trouser on the catwalk in a skinny military style. Keep it chic with stacked heels and slimming tops for Fall. 

Also seen on Harper's Bazaar, model Lily Kwong (left) with her clean white and blogger Elin Klingright (right) with her deep navy are owning this trouser trend. There are so many fun colors and prints to choose from! Feeling inspired?

Okay, I'm feeling a little too inspired. This Rebecca Taylor Bobcat Pant is another fabulous trouser now or into the Fall with some sassy ankle boots. Add this to your back-to-school wishlist. Are you trouser trend ready? xx

Outfit of the Day: Polka Dot Denim Top with Geometric High-low Skirt

Before we begin, I have a confession to make. This geometric high-low skirt was once a maxi skirt, but I absent-mindedly threw it the dryer one day. When I pulled that sucker out, it was two inches shorter! My first thought was "all good things come to an end." But, then a pair of scissors caught my eye and I thought, "Not for this skirt!" Because I'm so attached to it, rather than throw it out, I converted it into a high-low skirt (Thank God for the length-forgiving high-low trend).

With a simple makeover, here is my geometric skirt with its new proportions paired with my comfy and cute polka dot denim top. I simply tied the top at the waist, threw on a pair of gray platforms and layered on the bling for my outfit of the day! I thought my outfit was complete until I saw my Parisian hat with its charming bow staring back at me. Lately I've been terribly missing Paris, the fashion capital of the world and the magical city where I did a summer abroad in college. This hat was the finishing touch that made me feel closer to a city I dearly love. Voila! My outfit of the day is all tied up and put together with a pretty Parisian bow. Happy Monday, everyone! xx

I added a touch of whimsy with this beautiful bow-adorned woven hat from Island Passage.

The has-been maxi is from Anthropologie, one of my favorite eclectic stores. The gray platform shoes are a Dolce Vita look-alike from Forever 21.

The blinging, silver necklace was a bridesmaid's gift from my sister-in-law. She's got great taste! And there's that knuckle ring that I love so much. It's from Wilmington's own Edge of Urge.

Feeling inspired? Now it's your turn to dress to express (yourself)!

Gluten Free, Dairy Free (Soy Free) Zucchini Quiche

If you're reading this post, you are probably thinking that I threw this gluten free and dairy free (and with my modifications, soy free) quiche together for breakfast. Guess again! I actually cooked this for dinner last night, and it was delicious! Who doesn't love having breakfast for dinner? Scroll below for the full recipe which I found in a cookbook entitled Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free by Love Food. Happy Friday! xx

 All of the ingredients are here except for the Bob's Red Mill Almond Flour and for some reason, we have a special guest - the garlic bulb. He's definitely not in this recipe so please ignore him.

 The green pie crust after having been refrigerated versus it after having been baked in the oven.

 The lovely gluten free and dairy free (and soy free) zucchini quiche with its golden brown crust after having been baked for 45 minutes in the oven.

 The fabulous finished product!

Bon Appetit (oh how I  miss Paris)! xx


Ingredients - serves 4

Dough

1 3/4 cup gluten-free flour blend (I simply used Bob's Red Mill Almond Flour to make this Paleo and added 1/3 cup of flour)

1/2 cup dairy-free soy spread (I used soy-free earth balance to make this soy-free)

1/4 cup snipped chives

pinch of salt

1/4-1/2 cup cold water (I used 1/2 cup)

Filling

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small red onion, cut into wedges

2 zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch chunks (I left mine in circles to create an eye pleasing presentation)

8 cherry tomatoes, halved (I used heirloom tomatoes)

1 extra-large egg, beaten (I recommend using two. Though my guests enjoyed the quiche, I would've preferred more egg)

3/4 cup unsweetened dairy free soy milk (I used Almond Breeze to again make it soy free)

salt and pepper

Directions

For the dough, the recipe says to place the flour, spread, chives and salt in a food processor and process to fine crumbs, but I recommend processing everything but the chives. Wait and mix that in with a spatula, or you'll end up with a green crust like I did - ha! Then mix in just enough water to bind the mixture to form a firm dough.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to line a 9-inch loose-bottom tart pan (I used a pyrex pie dish). Prick the bottom with a fork and chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes (I let mine sit for just under 20 minutes). 

Preheat the oven to 400ºF and preheat a baking sheet. The recipe also says that to prevent the pastry shell from becoming soggy, line it with parchment paper and pie weights or dried beans and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes (Okay, that's too much work for a quiche so I skipped the whole parchment paper part and simply placed my pyrex pie dish on the preheated baking sheet, and it turned out deliciously fine). Next, remove the paper and weights (if you decide to do that part, overachiever) and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375ºF.

For the filling, heat the oil in a saucepan and cook the onion and zucchini, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes, or until softened and lightly brown. Invert into the pastry dish with the tomatoes.

Beat the egg (or eggs; again I recommend at least 2 eggs) with the milk and season well. Pour into the pastry shell. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes (or 45 minutes like I did because I do love a nicely browned crust), or until golden brown and set. Cool for 10 minutes before turning out. Serve the quiche warm or cold. I served mine warm with a butter lettuce salad on the side topped with chopped fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, drizzled with Annie's Naturals Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette. That quiche didn't stand a chance. The four of us devoured it, and with my love for breakfast food, I plan on making it again soon! Happy Eating! xx

Outfit of the Day: Black Leather Angled Skirt with Mint Top

Whoever said leather can't be worn in the summer has been proven wrong this season. Thanks to designers like Marni, Loewe and Proenza Schouler, 2013 is stacked high with warm-weather leather in upbeat tones and fun silhouettes! From bermuda shorts to dresses to tops, the list of leather options goes on. I stumbled upon this amazing leather skirt with its angled hemline at the charming beach boutique Hallelu. I balanced the feel of my outfit by counteracting the edgy look of my black leather skirt with the smart and chic look of this buttoned-down mint top from Forever 21. I hope you are inspired to try the leather trend! Happy Thursday! xx

 Just look at how precious the gold tips of this collar are! Just look at it. The gold pops perfectly underneath this gorgeous, hunger-fighting necklace by Half United with its mint and gold layered bullet.

You can never wear too much gold - gold arm candy galore!

These black strappy leather heels from Island Passage reinforce my outfit's warm weather leather look.

 Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chanel and Marni are all offering lush tones of leather in summer silhouettes. The options are endless.

 J. Mendel takes leather to all new proportions with this navy angled skirt.

Fendi proves that leather doesn't have to be dark and stiff by constructing an eye-popping outfit with this season's teal leather romper.

Tibi lightens the seriousness of leather with its swooping hemline top layered over this soft yellow skirt.

Of course Fendi masters the stubborn nature of leather by engineering both a shell and a skirt with flirtatious and flexible shape. Fendi will always be my favorite designer for continuing to offer unparalleled designs with progressive textiles and innovative personality.

Alexander Wang emphasizes his black leather vest by weaving it in with an outfit of white. Again black and white is a major trend that's sticking around as I've mentioned here. Are you into the warm-weather trend?