Thursday, May 31, 2012

Neutral Flowers

{Tucker for Target dress (old), Calvin Klein heels, Francesca's Collections necklace, Forever 21 belt & hat, Steve Madden sunnies, Jenna Kator "Huntington" handbag}


As I've mentioned previously, dresses are my comfort zone, something I wear on a daily basis. I feel the happiest when I wear a dress; especially on those days when you need to fake it to get through the day.  I found this Tucker for Target dress a few years ago when they brought back their GO designer dress line for a few weeks. It had everything I gravitate toward; perfect A-line shape and a floral print. I paired it with a hat and sunnies to keep my fair skin from becoming too crispy in this sun (we are not friends).  All together this is one of my go-to outfits when I need to get out the door quickly but still look put together. 


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Place In This World


{Madewell top and ring, Old Navy skirt, Anthropologie necklace, Jenna Kator "Traverse City"handbag, Aldo wedges}

I've always been a big fan of Jenna Kator, a handbag designer from my hometown in Michigan. Her handbags are unique, big and are all named after a city in Michigan. A received the Traverse City as a  birthday gift from my co-workers Katie & Gail; it was a surprise gift and I couldn't be more thrilled! (Thanks Katie & Gail!)

I'm glad that the beautiful weather from this long weekend has been stayed around. It's been hot and humid so for a day of casual of shopping, a linen skirt and sleeveless top keep me cool yet stylish.



Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Weekend via Instagram



I hope everyone had a wonderful memorial weekend! I took a much need extra day off today to catch up on everyday life after this eventful weekend. Check out a few of my photos from the Randolph Flea Market that I attended this weekend via Instagram. 

Check out some more photos and follow me @caravanofstyle


From top left to right:
1) Polka dot top to keep me nice and cool during the warm weather
2) Authentic food stand at the Randolph Street Flea Market
3) Brunch with friends at Yolk on Michigan Ave
4) Tons of necklaces laid out at the flea market, so many beautiful options!
5) Candied apple sent to me from my parents for my birthday! (delicious)
6) Dessert crepes for breakfast? Why not!
7) Mid- afternoon croissant & coffee snack before a day of shopping @ Julius Meinl
8) Olive Tapenade tapas @Cafe Ba-Ba-Reba
7) Lovely french inspired totes available at the flea market




Thursday, May 24, 2012

Shepherd's Pie

My senior year of college, I had decided I was tired of eating just pasta and chicken tenders and wanted to experience with actual cooking. I started watching the food network and happened upon a recipe for Shepherds Pie that look delicious. As I started writing down the ingredients and realized that I didn't have 90% of the actual ingredients, I thought of things I did have in my pantry that would work as great substitutes. In the end this recipe turned out being so delicious, I've kept it in my weekly dinner rotation. 

Ingredients for filling:
  • 1 lb of ground turkey
  • 1 cups of thawed frozen vegetables (carrots, peas, and corn)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 can of tomato soup
  • 1 can of mushroom soup
  • 1/4 cup of chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon worchestire sauce
  • salt/pepper
Ingredients for smashed potatoes:
  • 4 large Youkon potatos 
  • 1/4 cup of light sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon of chives
  • salt/pepper

healthy shepherd's pie
Step 1: 
Peel the potatoes and boil them until they are soft yet not mushy. Drain the potatoes and hand smash them with the sour cream and chives. You want them to smashed but not creamy as they need to have some hold to them. They act like the crust of the pie.

healthy shepherd's pie
Step 2:
In a large skillet, brown you ground turkey until cooked all the way through. Drain any access fat. Add your veggies to the skillet and mix together. Stir in the worchestire sauce, basil, tomato paste, chicken stock, tomato and mushroom soup. Incorporate everything together very well, turn up heat to medium and heat through. 

healthy shepherd's pie
Step 3:
In a meatloaf pan add the filling on the bottom later. On top of the meat dollop the smashed potatoes and evenly spread them out on top of the meat mixture so that you can't see any filling. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 375*. Turn on the broiler and uncover the pan to give a bit of crispy color. Serve Warm!


Bon Appetite!!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Classics in Neon

{Madewell blouse & jeans, Forever 21 necklace, Sole Sisters bracelet, Steve Madden pumps}

The past few years I've been trying to find a balance of mixing my personality, comfort, and fashion into my outfits. Some have turned out cute and others have been complete disasters that still make me cringe. I've made so many important life changes recently which have terrified me however it's been exciting.

I've become more comfortable with myself and as a result I've noticed that that comfortable feeling has translated into my outfits. I've been looking for a button down blouse that makes me feel happy but flatters my figure for quite some time. I finally found that perfect blouse recently at Madewell during the style event hosted my Tieka of Selective Potential. This bright neon pink makes me  radiate happiness! Paired with my most comfortable jeans, a few accessories and some heels I couldn't feel more comfortable, cool, and fashionable. I'm finally becoming the person I've always wanted to be and it's the best feeling in the world. 



Sunday, May 20, 2012

A Flower in the Sun

{Forever 21 dress, gifted jewelry, Steve Madden sunglasses, J.Crew headband, Aldo sandals (old)}

This weekend we experienced some beautiful summer weather and I took full advantage of that. Everyone has a go to outfit in the summer and for me it's the sundress. I own a multitude of sundresses in various colors and styles. They have become my go-to summer uniform that are easily dressed up or down by some accessories. For a weekend spent with friends at brunch with a full day of shopping, a sundress, sandals and sunnies are the way to go!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Madewell Style Event


Last night I attended the Madewell Style Event hosted by Tieka of Selective Potential! It was my first time meeting her; we have some mutual friends in common so it was fun to actually meet the person your friends mention so often. I couldn't have had a better time and she is honestly such a lovely girl. 

Madewell has become one of my favorite stores ever since it opened up a location in my hometown. The cute and casual vibe of their clothes is the aesthetic I'm always trying to achieve. Comfortable and cute, there summer collection has so many classic pieces with a twist.

Check out the Madewell Facebook fan page to see if a store near you is hosting any events and make sure to check it out!


{Tieka & I @ Madewell. I'm wearing a head to toe Madewell outfit!}
{My new purchases- neon & polka dots}
{Vintage clocks a top of the tables of Madewell give the store a funky hip vibe}

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

City Inspiration: Wrigleyville

{Summer Art Installation at Free People}
{Logo of Julius Meinl}

I've lived in the suburbs most of my life and while I have always enjoyed the feeling of community, the comfort of know my neighbors and the familiarity of the town around me, it has coming monotonous.  Now everything around me is unfamiliar and unexplored. It's been fun walking through Wrigleyville and finding inspiration for some of the art projects I've been working on (posts to come soon) and outfits that are city walking functional. Here are a few images around my area that have been the source of my inspiration, which includes the beautiful summery art installation at the local Free People store. I'm somewhat obsessed with the bright colors fun that it radiates. 

P.S. Check out my instagram photos and make sure to follow me @CaravanofStyle

{Southport Street and outdoor patios}
{Wrigleyville - Home of the Cubs}

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Sunday Brunch

{H&M blazer, Express top, Urban Outfitters skirt (seen here), Guess? pumps, Forever 21 jewelry}

I hope everyone had a beautiful and wonderful Mother's Day with the mothers in their life. Unfortunately this year I was unable to spend the day with my mama, however I still made sure to make the day special by sending her some well deserved flowers. One of my favorite new things I've learned about living in the city is that everyone around here loves brunch. After calling my mom on Sunday, I decided to spend the day at Julius Meinl, a local Austrian coffee shop where I spent some time going through my to-do list. It was a wonderful and relaxing day spent in lovely neighborhood. 
 


Thursday, May 10, 2012

Prim & Proper

{Madewell dress; Shoemint "Kathryn" pump, vintage bag & necklaces}

The best part about moving to Chicago is that I have quite a few friends in the city that have made me feel  so welcome. Since I now work from home everyday, I'm itching to get out of my apartment at the end of the work day and having friends who are willing to go out with me has made my transition so much more fun. 

Shirt dresses have always been that item that I felt only looked good on models; that is until I found this dress that cinched me in in just the right place. With it's long sleeves that can easily transition from fall to spring as well as it's unusual color that pops against my skin tone; it will be a dress I keep for years to come. I paired it with some vintage jewelry that I received from my Babcia and a vintage bag that was gifted to me by my best friend Katie's mom, to pull together a very studious look. 
 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Instagram Me

cinco de mayo weekend
{Skinny Margaritas; bracelet & watch combo, pattern on my lampshade, Charles Shaw wine, my derby hat}

Follow me on Instagram! at Caravanofstyle

I'm feeling under the weather today and this sore throat is just killing me. The weather has been horribly rainy and slightly cold which hasn't helped my symptoms. To help me feel better I've made a collage of my favorite photos I took from this weekend via Instagram! I like to call this past weekend my Cinco de Derby weekend, where I celebrated with skinny margaritas and non-traditional Derby hat.

Check out more photos at Instagram @caravanofstyle

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...