Mellow Yellow Layers

These pants are super comfortable... I really think I could wear them everyday. I love that you can dress them up or down and that they're neutral and can be worn with pretty much anything. Oh, and they were only $20 at Forever 21 (I also love these)! Another fun fact about this outfit... I found these shoes for half off at Target :) It's really hard for me to pass up a good price or a good sale... which is also why I love stores like Marshalls and T.J. Maxx (I found this silk patterned blouse at Marshalls for a fraction of the original price)!




pants- Forever 21, top- Cynthia Steffe via Marshalls, cardigan- J. Crew (25% off!), wedges- Target, wristlet- Coach (old) (similar), watch- Fossil, sunglasses- Ray-Ban


So, after a busy weekend (but also a very productive one)... I'm trying to de-stress and de-clutter this week. I cleaned out our third bedroom on Sunday and tried to compile my to do lists into one big list (or three) today! I also cleaned out my tote bag :) I'm trying to get as much done as I can before Ireland to try to avoid any unnecessary stress but it seems like my list is never ending! It's hard not to get overwhelmed. Do you have anything you do to keep your stress level down or to keep yourself on task and organized? Please share if you do!

 Have a lovely day everyone :)

❤Britt

Girly in Pink

I found this top for less than $6 at Target (love Target!) so, naturally, I had to buy it. I also just so happen to love pretty much everything Disney :) I wanted to wear this with as much pink and pearls and other such girly items as I could... as a tribute to Minnie's eternal femininity of course... hence the ruffles on my (pink!) skirt, the bright pink bag, light pink heels, and bows and multiple strands of pearls! And who could forget a pretty and ultra feminine pink lip? In case you couldn't tell, I try not to take myself (or getting dressed) too seriously... sometimes you just have to have fun with what you're putting together :) After all, fashion/what you wear is essentially an extension of yourself... so I like to show some creativity when I can!! Do you have outfit or an idea for one that expresses your personality?




skirt- Target (old), sweater- Target, heels- Target (old), bag- Kate Spade (on sale now!), pearls- vintage (collar), Tiffany & Co. (small), Claire's (large), bracelet- Bedazzled Boutique, watch- Kate Spade (similar, on my wish list), sunglasses- Kate Spade, lips- Bobbi Brown rich lip color in Cosmic Raspberry

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that your week gets off to a good start :)

❤Britt

Diane's Butter Cake

I just made this cake for the first time this week and it is unbelieveably delicious! My Grandmom makes this cake and has always told me how simple and good it is and I had been meaning to get her recipe for some time. Finally, fate intervened :) Just she and I had dinner together last week and we got to talking about cooking and baking (per our usual) and we pulled out her old recipe books (one of my favorite things to do)... it just so happened that she actually had a few copies of this recipe and gave me one!

Now, I want to pass on something that she said to me... while the cake part needs all of the ingredients listed in those specific measurements, the ingredients and said measurements for the icing can be altered to your personal taste (for example: I added a little more milk and butter and I think I used less powdered sugar than she recommended).






recipe from my Grandmom's kitchen

For the cake:

Ingredients:

3 cups flour
1/2 lb butter (softened)
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans (I used a bundt pan because I can't seem to find my cake pans!). Mix sugar and butter together until creamy. Slowly add the flour and baking powder, mixing well. Add one egg at a time, alternating with the milk, and then add the vanilla. Mix well. Bake for 45 minutes. *

*I had to leave mine in for an additional 5-6 minutes because I used a bundt pan... so after about 40 minutes, I turned the oven down to 350 degrees so that I wouldn't burn the cake.

For the icing:

Ingredients:

1 box confectioner's sugar
1 stick butter (softened)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk

Directions:

Combine sugar and butter in large bowl and mix, adding milk as necessary. Add vanilla and mix until smooth.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! If you have any questions, feel free to email me :)

Enjoy!!

❤Britt

In the Details

Sometimes it really is all in the details :) I love this shirt because of the sweet floral print and the unexpected back detail. I also love the combination of the red and blues... it just looks fresh and pretty. Since this top makes a statement all on its own, I wanted to keep the rest of the colors simple so I paired it with my black Minnie pants (which I love, by the way!) and my new black necklace from BaubleBar... which I've already worn two out of the three days I've had it!




pants- J. Crew, top- Urban Outfitters (old), belt- J. Crew, booties- Sam Edelman, bag- Kate Spade (similar), necklace- BaubleBar, bracelet- Bedazzled Boutique

Happy Thursday loves! Do you have any plans for the weekend yet?

❤Britt

Back to Basics

I went back to the basics for this outfit. Sometimes a soft t-shirt, good flats, and comfortable jeans are all you need and you get a classic ensemble that is good for so many different occasions. Add some additional classic basics like a colorful blazer, statement necklace, and some big sunglasses and... viola! You have the perfect day to night outfit, if you ask me... just add some fun heels and add a sparkly clutch! What are some basics in your wardrobe?




jeans- Paige Denim (these are on my wish list!), tee- Old Navy (on sale now!), blazer- H&M, flats- J. Crew, bag- Target (old), belt- J. Crew, necklace- BaubleBar, sunglasses- Kate Spade (love these too!)

I hope you all have a happy Wednesday :) It's been much cooler here this week... I hope you get some sun and some warmer weather wherever you are!!

❤Britt

Coral & Pink Punch

I love this shade of coral mixed with the bright pink accents :) Bright pops of color make me happy... especially on dreary days, which we've been having too many of lately. These pink sunglasses are a really fun accessory and an instant pick-me-up for any mood or outfit (also worn here).




jeans- J. Crew, sweater- J. Crew, shirt- J. Crew, belt- J. Crew, flats- J. Crew (see them in yellow here), bag- Kate Spade, watch- Fossil (similar one here), sunglasses- Quay via Nordstrom (I love these fuschia ones too!)

This is one of my go to outfits when I want to be comfortable but I can't wear sweatpants... :) Flats and a comfy sweater are two of my favorite things to wear! What do you reach for when looking for comfort?

❤Britt

Emerald & Sapphire

While going through the usual 'I have nothing to wear' bout, I came across a dress that it was still a little too cool to wear. So, in a moment of creativity, I grabbed a deep blue, 3/4 sleeve top and a wide belt and turned a dress into a skirt :) I also realized that I desperately need to go dress/skirt shopping! How do you remix items in your wardrobe when you get that 'I have nothing to wear' feeling?




dress- Heritage 1981, top- J. Crew, blazer- H&M, belt- Lilly Pulitzer (I love this belt, too), flats- Sam Edelman, bag- Juicy Couture, necklace- Forever 21, bracelet- Bedazzled Boutique, sunglasses- Kate Spade

I love the jewel tones in this outfit... the shades of emerald and sapphire... aside from being two of my favorite colors (see here), they are also two of my favorite gemstones (rubies are my other favorite... and my birthstone!)!

❤Britt

Shortbread Cookies

My sister and I made this shortbread recipe last night and it is already almost gone! Shortbread is one of my favorite desserts (I especially love it with tea but unfortunately, I was too impatient to try it last night and didn't even wait for the water to boil!) and this recipe is especially simple and delicious. Do you have a favorite dessert? I'd love for you to share :)





recipe from Just a Matter of Thyme by Roxie Kelley and friends

Ingredients:
1/2 cup lightly salted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour

Directions:
Grease pan* lightly (I used a spray oil) and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter until light and mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour and mix until smooth. Press the dough into the prepared pan and prick the entire surface with a fork. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before turning onto a cutting board to cut into wedges (best done while it is still warm). Sprinkle with powdered sugar to serve.

*The recipe notes that this is best when baked in a ceramic pan designed especially for shortbread but a small cake pan may be used instead. I actually used a ceramic pie pan and it worked just fine. Also note that if you use a glass pan, you maky have to adjust the temperature.

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get to enjoy some down time from a crazy week :)

❤Britt

Neon in the Rain

These sneakers are the most comfortable. Shoes. Ever. I also love that they are black (I have a thing for dark or colored sneakers... I actually can't remember if I've even ever owned a white or plain pair) with such bright pops of neon! Joe actually talked me into getting this bag the same day I got these sneakers because they looked so good together! While I understand the importance of incorporating neutrals into your wardrobe... especially for essential items and basics... I always seem to be drawn to bright, saturated colors... who knew, right?!? I saw these bright yellow pumps the other day and it took everything I had not to buy them :( It was a sad day for me! I'm also dying for this black and white striped skirt from Piperlime (and this Clover Canyon dress, and these Sam Edelman sandals...) What is currently on your wish list?





pants- Kut from the Kloth, tee- J. Crew, cardigan- J. Crew, jacket- RD Style via Piperlime, sneakers- Asics via DSW, umbrella- Totes, bag- Nine West, sunglasses- Ray-Ban, lips- Bobbi Brown rich lip color in Cosmic Raspberry (also worn here)

Happy Thursday everyone!

❤Britt

Cream of the Crop

I've been wanting to try a monochromatic look but every time I go to put an outfit together, I end up adding extra colors so I only get a semi-monochromatic look. I think I gave it a good shot here though with the tone on tone cream top and pants and tried to keep it in the family at least with the neutral accessories... I just felt like I needed to add the pink belt to go with my new fuschia lipstick! One of these days I'll get it right... :) In the meantime, I got an awesome haircut from a new salon I tried the other day (my first haircut in almost a year) and I finally found the perfect shade of fuschia lipstick! I know, big news over here at my house, right? But getting a good haircut really is a big deal... coming from someone who has had quite a few bad ones... I'm really excited to have found a stylist I like!






pants- J. Crew, top- Madewell, belt- J. Crew, booties- Sam Edelman, necklace- Forever 21, bracelets- J. Crew & Forever 21, sunglasses- Ray-Ban, lips- Bobbi Brown rich lip color in Cosmic Raspberry

If you were to try a monochromatic look, what color would you choose? I never can decide on just one color... hence my obvious trouble with pulling off this trend!

❤Britt