Large necklaces

The trend for large, chunky necklaces doesn't appear to be going anywhere this spring.  I recently spied these necklaces at World Market (for $25, I believe) and thought that they would be a great way to incorporate the big jewelry look at a reasonable price point. You can give your necklaces a new look for spring by layering them over a patterned top or by buttoning up a shirt all the way and tucking the necklace under the collar.

The only question is: red...

...or blue?

I debated, imagined outfits for either option, and ended up buying neither. Maybe I'll go back to the store this week and see if they're still available. Which color do you prefer?

Baked salmon

A nutritious dinner that is ready in 30 minutes: baked salmon, roasted veggie cold salad from Whole Foods, and a Seeds of Change brown rice-quinoa blend (I buy it at Target or Costco).

This recipe for salmon is so simple and so good!

Baked Salmon

Ingredients:
2 fillets salmon
1/2 lemon
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
 
Directions:
Coat the bottom of a glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place salmon in pan and drizzle liberally with olive oil (I like flavored olive oil like the mushroom-sage one from All Spice). Squeeze half a lemon over the fillets and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes (start checking the fish at 20 minutes if your oven runs a bit hot, since you don't want to overbake it!).

Strawberry-spinach-avocado salad

I'm sure there are a hundred different permutations of the strawberry-spinach salad, but I'll add this one to the list.  We've been trying to eat more healthily throughout the month of February (all the regular advisements: eat more fruits and veggies! drink more water! get enough protein!).

I recently made this salad as a (substantial) side dish for some salmon we had for dinner. Typically, I put some sort of cheese (feta or blue) in a strawberry-spinach salad, but since we've temporarily cut out dairy, I substituted avocados to try to keep the creamy texture that cheese usually brings to the salad. Don't skip the spiced nuts; they are the best thing about this recipe (in fact, they're a great snack all by themselves). Enjoy!

Strawberry-Spinach-Avocado Salad

Directions
For each individual salad, toss together:
A couple handfuls of baby spinach
2-3 strawberries (sliced)
1/3 - 1/2 avocado (cubed)
2 Tbsp. vanilla-spiced nuts (see recipe below)
Balsamic dressing (homemade or store bought*), to taste

* We really like this Bolthouse Farms balsamic vinaigrette

(found in the refrigerated produce case at Target).

Vanilla Spiced Nuts
Recipe from Cooking Light

Ingredients
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg white
3 c. nuts (use any combination you like of the following: almonds, pecans, or macadamias; I really like pecan halves)
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Directions
Whisk together egg white and vanilla in a large bowl until foamy. Add nuts and spices and stir mixture until nuts are well coated. Spread out on parchment paper on a baking sheet or jellyroll pan and bake 15 minutes at 325 degrees. Pull out of oven and break apart any large clumps of nuts. Turn off oven and return pan to oven for 15 minutes. Remove and let cool completely; nuts will get crisp as they cool. Store in an airtight container.

 

Black and gray

I bought this fun faux-chinchilla coat on end-of-season clearance last year; it's such a piece (of craziness, some would say) that I usually keep the rest of the outfit pretty simple.  Easy substitutes here: exchange the t-shirt for a slouchy gray sweater (slouchiness is key! it must be somewhat oversized to balance out the leggings), or sub out the heels for Converse sneakers for a more casual look. Add a floppy fedora or a black baseball cap, and you're finished!

Coat: Ann Taylor // Pants: Kirna Zabete for Target* // T-shirt: Target // Heels: Ann Taylor // Clutch: Kenneth Cole // Watch: Michael Kors

* The side panels look almost purplish in this picture, but the pants are a true black in person.

Happy Valentine's Day

I decided to wear my heart on my sleeve sweater today at work and was happy to see a few other staff and students dressed up for the holiday too. Then, this afternoon I volunteered at my son's school party; the little kids were so cute all dressed in pink, red, and purple, and I was glad that they still decorate elaborate boxes and exchange cards (and candy!).

Hope you have a great day!

Sweater: Old Navy // Top: J. Crew // Pants: Express (thrifted) // Bracelets: J.Crew, BCBG

Thrifting finds

I stopped by my local consignment store last week and picked up a couple little items.

How could I not buy this vintage trinket box dotted with my initial (especially when it cost less than $5)? I think it will be perfect for storing jewelry or makeup.

I also picked up a large vintage scarf that reminds me of a combination of Brunschwig & Fils "Les Touches" fabric in red, Louis Vuitton's leopard print scarf, and Kenzo's tiger apparel and accessories. Once the scarf is all twisted and looped up, the bits of leopard peeking out should be a fun look!

Total cost: about $10.

And since we're discussing budget shopping, did anyone pick up some good finds at the Prabal Gurung for Target event? I got a pair of black sandals that will be much used this spring/summer, but the shoes I really wanted are only available online (here and here). My initial impression: the shoes ran a bit small (maybe 1/2 a size), and the clothes weren't really designed for petites. I did love the colors and patterns, though.

Matchy-matchy

When I was growing up, there were strict rules for matching outfits. For instance, navy + black = do not match. Brown + black = do not match. Shoes + purse = should definitely match.

The rules have loosened since then, or at least I hope they have, because today I wore black + navy + brown + unmatched shoes and purse. Fashion disaster!  :)

These three items have been in constant rotation this week. The coat is warm but not bulky, the snakeskin ballet flats match almost everything, and the purse is the perfect medium size for everyday use.

Coat: J. Crew // Sweater: J.Crew // Top: J. Crew // Jeans: Talbots // Flats: J. Crew // Purse: Ann Taylor // Necklace: Talbots (worn doubled up)