July Purchases

Goodwill
We vacationed in Michigan, so a trip to the Benton Harbor Goodwill was in order!

1. Nolli plaid shirt, $3.99
2. St John’s Bay pink shirt, $3.99


I'm kind of in love with that plaid shirt. I wore it three times in July!

St Vincent de Paul
I’ve lost my receipt, so these prices are estimates. Clothing was 25% off that day, and the items I chose were an additional 50% off. (Or maybe it was the other way around.) Either way, I didn’t spend much!

3. Disney Mickey and Minnie tee, $2
4. I Z Byer jacket, $2


Macy’s
It kills me to pay full price for clothing, especially at Macy's, but I waited until the second time I walked past this dress (weeks apart) before I caved.

5. Bar III sleeveless, v-necked, color-blocked, a-line dress in truffle combo, $59.00


Target

6. Paper fedora in shades of blue, $6.48
7. Black bangle wrapped with colored string, $2.80


July total: $80.26

Total spending for the year: $776.72.

Falling Leaves

This is a departure from my usual summer brights. I’m wearing a more autumnal palette today, even though fall seems forever away.


Jacket, thrifted. Dress, Bar III. Shoes, J Crew. Earrings, Julie’s Inspiration. Bracelets, Fort.

I’ve been spotting plenty of brown, crunchy leaves on the ground lately, but they’ve fallen due to drought, not impending winter. Still, they cheer me up as I slog through another hot and steamy day.

Never Wear Shorts and Heels

I recently read some fashion advice dictating that one never wear heels with shorts. To that I say, “Ptthhbbtt.”


Shirt, Old Navy. Shorts, Arizona Jeans (thrifted). Sandals, Seychelles (thrifted). Belt, swap. Hat, Target. Earrings, Monica D.

Never underestimate the flattering power of a pair of heels. Even with shorts. Especially with shorts.


And never underestimate the power of a cute kitten to distract from any possible fashion faux pas.

Entertaining

I’ve been entertaining at home the past few Sundays. Well, if you can call being forced to perform as my sous chef “entertainment.” My friend Colette has been showing up every Sunday to good-naturedly assist in the preparation of a recipe from Veggie Burgers Every Which Way. After she performs her slave labor, I allow her to eat a burger, drink wine, and watch True Blood.


Crochet tank, Imaginary Voyage. Dress, Jams World (thrifted). Scarf (as belt), TJ Maxx. Moccasins, Minnetoka. Earrings, Monica D. Cuff and necklace, gift.

So far, we’ve made five recipes from the book:

Armenian Lentil Burgers
Seeded Edamame Burgers with Brown Rice and Apples (fail!)
Tuscan White Bean Burgers (my favorite so far…especially when topped with olive tapenade)
Baked Falafel Burgers
Cashew-Leek Burgers with Bulgur and Lentils (Beefy’s fave so far)

Next week, we’ll be making Fava Bean Burgers. Don’t you all want to come over, too? I can put you to work.

Sporty Sunday: Curried Beet and Sweet Potato Soup

This spicy, beautiful soup is loaded with fiber and antioxidants.

Curried Beet and Sweet Potato Soup
Adapted from the Indonesian Squash and Spinach Soup found in Sundays at Moosewood Restaurant

Ingredients
3 medium beets
2 T vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced
2 large garlic cloves, pressed
2 t fresh ginger root, peeled and finely chopped (I use the Pampered Chef Food Chopper)
2 T Indian curry paste (I use Patak's)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
6 C vegetable stock
14 oz can coconut milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse beets and remove greens. Place in covered casserole dish and roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour (until easily pierced with a fork). Remove from oven, peel, and dice.

While beets are roasting, dice/press/chop/dice onion, garlic, ginger, and sweet potatoes.

Heat vegetable oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Saute onion, garlic, and ginger until onions are translucent. Add curry paste and stir to coat.

Add potatoes and vegetable stock. Bring to boil and gently simmer 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Add beets and remove from heat.

Using an immersion blender*, puree until smooth.

Return to heat. Stir in coconut milk. Heat through and serve.

*I highly recommend using an immersion blender for any pureed soups. The mixture is too thin for a food processor and use of a blender is likely to result in burns on your person and soup on your ceiling.

Sporty Sunday is a recurring feature in which I share my fitness routine and offer and solicit advice. While this content might seem a little out of place in an outfit diary, a healthy, strong body is the foundation of my wardrobe. I hope to inspire my readers to be fit as well as stylish!

Mexican Dress

I wore my Mexican dress to dine at my favorite* Mexican restaurant. As much as I love a theme, I didn’t do it on purpose and felt a little awkward as I ate my chips and salsa.


Shirt, Old Navy. Dress, gift. Shoes, Lela Rose for Payless. Bag and sunglasses, Walgreen’s. Rings, vintage, gift, and PuzzrollRings. Hat, Target.

Once, I wore my Thai skirt to my favorite Thai restaurant (now closed). It received enthusiastic approval from the staff. Still, it wasn’t something I planned.

I have not yet worn my little Japanese jacket to eat Japanese, but never fear. I’m sure I’ll do something dorky like that without even trying.


*I actually have two favorites. Taqueria Mercado 3 on 8th and Walnut (Cincinnati) has the best tortilla chips I’ve ever eaten. But La Mexicana on Monmouth (Newport) has the green salsa and kick-ass vegetarian options (although I suspect many of them are actually made with lard). It’s hard to choose between the two, since I’m usually full after the chips!

Old Roses

This skirt is one of the few wardrobe items I still own that predate the blog. In fact, I bought it even before I moved to Cincinnati, during a trip to Florida in 2004. The zipper is barely hanging in there, but the skirt is otherwise in fine shape.


Blouse, FY2 (thrifted). Skirt, Talbot’s. Shoes, Gianni Bini. Bag, Nicole Lee. Necklace, Style & Co. Bracelets, Charming Charlie (via swap) and Tala’s Distant Treasures. Sunglasses, Girl Props.



Photos by Beefy Muchacho Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35 mm 1:1.8G lens

I Can Do It

I’ve got a tough few weeks coming up. I’m reaching the peak of my Pikes Peak training schedule and I have some other big events to share soon. In the meantime, I just have to keep on keeping on.


Shirt, Christopher & Banks (thrifted). Dress, Giorgio Fiorlani (thifted). Shoes, Aerosoles. Earrings, Night Owl Crafts.

Don’t worry…it’s all good news!

Oh My

I’m wearing zebra and leopard and bird, oh my. It’s never just one pattern these days. Or one animal.


Dress, Jones New York. Scarf (as belt), some department store. Shoes, BCBGeneration. Bag, Nicole Lee. Headband, Forever 21. Earrings, Target. Cuff and rings, vintage and gift. Sunglasses, Girl Props.

We working on a menagerie at home, too. Currently, we have four cats and a fish. In about nine months, though, we hope to add a dog to the mix. I realize that sounds a little like I plan on gestating the dog myself, but it's just a coincidence of timing. I did once dream that I gave birth to a kitten. And all I could think was, "How am I going to explain this?" Oh my, indeed.


Photos by Beefy Muchacho Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35 mm 1:1.8G lens

Pinkobi

I bought this fuchsia obi shortly after beginning my blog. Now, you might think a hot pink obi with a cherry blossom print wouldn’t be versatile, but I’ve managed to work it into (lucky) thirteen different outfits.


Dress, London Times. Jacket, Odds ‘n Evens (thrifted). Obi belt, Sugadaminka. Shoes, Colin Stuart. Bag, Nicole Lee. Bracelet, Serket Jewelry.

(Oh, and do you see the little kitty face in the bottom corner of the lead photo? Too adorbs.)



The previous twelve wearings: