Earn Your Stripes

I grew up thinking that wearing horizontal stripes was a serious fashion faux pas. How wrong was I? My closet is now full of stripes -- and my newest addition is this cute coral stripe shirt from H&M. I've also been searching for a great pair of boyfriend jeans. I ended up finding them at Old Navy on sale for $19! (They're back up to $32.50 but you can save an extra 15% today only with coupon code ONSPRING)

 

Striped Tee: H&M; Jeans: Old Navy; Jacket: J.Crew; Loafers: Kate Spade

Clutch: Madison Elizabeth Co.; Watch: Michael Kors 

How cute is my colorblock clutch? I first saw Madison Elizabeth on Belle de Couture and had to have one. I can't wait to get my hands on the navy chevron one next! 

And since I didn't get a good shot of my adorable Kate Spade loafers, you can check them out HERE.

Happy Hump Day!

xoxo,

L

The 100 Workout

There are days when the last thing I feel like doing is going to the gym after a long day at the office. Going before work is completely out of the question since I can barely stand getting up as it is. I swear if there were more hours in the day I wouldn't have this problem! (Riiiight.)

Last night, as I was pinning away on my favorite time suck Pinterest, I stumbled upon this bad boy. The 100 Workout. And just like that, my prayers had been answered. Okay, so maybe I wasn't praying for an easy, effective, at-home workout, but now that I've found one, I'm a happy girl.

This little gem is perfect for those days when the gym seems like a daunting task. It's an all-encompassing workout that you can do anytime, anywhere. Not to mention summertime is just around the corner and I don't know about you guys, but I need to whip my (rather large) bum into shape!

 Give it a shot and let me know what you think! Do you have any other easy, at-home workouts that you like to use?

xoxo,
L

Saturday

How is it Monday already? The days whizzed by and I woke up feeling like I had just gone to bed. My sister and I had a blast and I can't wait until she is here in August for college and won't have to leave after a few short days. Saturday we spent the day shopping and then went to dinner in Faneuil Hall. The cobblestone was a little hard to navigate on crutches but it was fun nonetheless.

 

Blazer: Aqua via Bloomingdale's; Jeans: J Brand Martini Flare; Tee: Obey; Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Watch: Michael Kors; Polish: Essie Lilacism

Moral of this outfit story is that crutches are so not chic. It was hard finding an outfit that hid my air cast but was comfortable enough to hobble around in. Luckily today my ankle is feeling much better and I no longer need them. Hooray! 

On another note, what did you think of the Oscars? My favorites were Michelle Williams, Milla Jovovich and Emma Stone. I also thought Tina Fey and Kristen Wiig looked fabulous too! Who were your favorites?

Happy Monday loves!

xoxo,

L

Weekend Dreaming

My baby sister will be in town with a friend this weekend and I can't help but daydream about shopping and brunch on Newbury Steet. My daydreaming normally consists of planning outfits for whatever event happens on be on the horizon. I can't wait to wear an outfit very similar to this (Kate Spade plaid cape, Gap skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff Nikki hobo). Unfortunately I will have to skip the heels (or maybe just the right one!) as I had a mishap at the gym last night and am now on crutches. Thank you, Mom, for the klutz gene.

Happy almost Friday my loves!
xoxo,
L

Chambray Blazer

Normally when I think of chambray, I think of pairing it with crisp white denim skinnies or a cute floral pair of shorts. In other words, it's a spring thing for me. But since we're still about three months away from spring here in Boston, I was determined to make my favorite chambray blazer work for winter.

I love it paired with the polka dot  "Charlton" shirt from StyleMint. Gives it sort of a whimsical feel. I added the neon bag because I am in love with everything neon right now. And because it was unexpected.

 

Blazer: Anthropologie; Polka Dot Charlton Shirt: c/o StyleMint; Skinny jeans: Gap; Flats: Steve Madden 

Purse: Old Navy; Watch: Michael Kors; Polish: Essie Lilacism

  

How do you style chambray for the colder months? 

xoxo,

L  

Presidents' Day Coupon Codes

It's been a while since I've had a post dedicated solely to coupon codes. So here goes! 


I'm heading out to do some Presidents' Day shopping myself. Hoping to score some good deals on spring fashion for my vacation in April. 


Gap -- Extra 25% off sale items using coupon code GAPFUN.


Old Navy -- 15% off any item OR 20% off orders over $100 using coupon code ONSAVEBIG.


Banana Republic -- 25% off already-reduced items using coupon code BRPRES25.

American Eagle -- Take 25% off plus free shipping with coupon code 95867071.

Macy's -- Extra 15% off Presidents' Day sale with coupon code PRES.

Shoes.com -- Take 25% off sale items using coupon code 25SALE.

Express -- Buy one, get one 50% off AND $15 off $60 purchase, $30 off $120 purchase, $45 off $180 purchase and $60 off $240 purchase using coupon code 1090.

Bloomingdale's -- Save 20-40% on most items. Free shipping over $150.

Forever 21 -- Up to 75% off Presidents' Day sale. Free shipping on orders over $50.

Lindsay Lou -- Take 25% off Wildfox items using coupon code COWGIRL.

Karmaloop -- $10 off every order with coupon code 10OFF.

Victoria's Secret -- $15 off $75 purchase, $30 off $150 purchase and $75 off $250 using coupon code SPRING12. Also get a free PINK tote with coupon code LIVEPINK.

J.Crew -- 20% off your order of $150 or more (plus free shipping!) with coupon code FABFEB.

LOFT -- 30% off full-priced items plus free shipping with coupon code PRESIDENT.

Ann Taylor -- 40-50% off select items using coupon code ANNSPRING. Also, take an extra 50% off already-reduced items plus free shipping for orders over $150.


Lulu's -- $15 off plus free shipping! Use coupon code PREZDAY at checkout.

Happy shopping loves!

xoxo,

L

Tie-Dyed and Gone to Heaven

Just a quick post on this glorious Friday. Actually, the only glorious thing about it so far is the fact that it's Friday. It's rainy and cold here in Boston. But it's still early right? Eye on the prize! (5pm and a glass of wine)

Tie-dye jeans: c/o Paige Denim; Tiered tank: ModCloth (old); Faux leather jacket: LIT Boston

Heels: Charles David; Watch: Michael Kors; Rings: Vintage, Tiffany & Co.

The winner of my Emily Bracelet giveaway is Patti! Congrats! Thank you to everyone who entered, stay tuned for more giveaways.

Happy Weekend my loves!

xoxo,

L

Win The Emily Bracelet from Christina M. Boutique! NOW CLOSED

Do you love cute, girly accessories that can instantly perk up an otherwise boring outfit? Me too. That's why I'm obsessesd with this Emily Bracelet from Christina M. Boutique.

Here's your last chance to WIN one of your very own! I'm giving this pink version away to one of my lucky winners!

• "Like" Christina M. Boutique on Facebook
• Follow Christina M. Boutique on Twitter
• Follow L's Fashion Dish on Twitter
• Leave a comment below stating you have done so AND how you'd style the Emily Bracelet

A winner will be chosen TOMORROW, February 17 via Random.org.

Good luck!
xoxo,
L

Fall 2012 Trends -- What I Can't Wait To Wear

With fashion week just about behind us, I'm more excited than I've ever been for fall weather so I can don some of the amazing pieces that graced the runways recently. Okay, so I don't exactly have the cashflow for most of these high end designers. But I definitely plan to use the runways as inspiration to create a wardrobe that embraces these trends AND stays within my budget. Thank you, Zara!

Some of my favorite trends so far:

• Wine colored pieces -- jackets, sweaters, everything! I loooove this color. Anything modeled after my favorite beverage is OK in my book.
• Contrasting Collars
• LOTS of floral -- some designers even showed head-to-toe floral (i.e. Jason Wu, J.Crew and Alexander Wang)
• Rustic Glam -- See Michael Kors pics below. OBSESSED.
• 1920s -- drop-waists and frige, anyone?
• Polka Dots
• Colorblocking
• Leather

Below are a few looks that I'm dying to try -- with a few of my own touches here and there, of course. What are your favorites?

Kate Spade -- Loving the collar and the feather skirt. So cute!

Kate Spade -- Polka dots make me happy

Lela Rose for Payless -- I haven't stepped foot in Payless for years, but you better believe I'll be buying these babies as soon as they hit the shelves.

Michael Kors -- Aforementioned "rustic glam" -- love me some buffalo check

Michael Kors -- Marled Wool (swoon)
My version will probably consist of a pair of pants though.

Rebecca Minkoff -- A wearable leather dress... Need!

Rebecca Minkoff -- more marled wool

Rebecca Minkoff -- bright orange cutout dress

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY to win the beautiful pink Emily Bracelet from Christina M. Boutique. Check it out HERE!

What I Made: Valentine's Day 2012

So instead of the typical romantic dinner date for Valentine's Day, the bf and I decided to cook a nice meal at home. I love to cook and he's quite the sous chef, so it works. Also, I way overindulged on macaroni & cheese and brownies on Sunday. As in like undo the top button of my jeans overindulge. Not pretty. And I knew the only way I'd eat healthier on V-day was if I cooked a good meal myself. 

I frequently visit the website EatingWell.com if I need inspiration for healthy and delicious meals. This recipe for Marmalade Chicken did not disappoint!

image from EatingWell.com

What You'll Need:
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon orange marmalade (I used two)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
8 ounces chicken tenders
1/4 teasoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon EVOO
1 large shallott, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest (I left this out because my marmalade already had it)

Prep:
Whisk broth, vinegar, marmalade, mustard and cornstarch in a medium bowl.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown. About two minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.

Add remaining oil and shallot to pan and cook, stirring often, until they begin to brown. Whisk the broth mixture and add it to pan. Bring to a simmer, scraping up and browned bits. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer; cook until the sauce reduces and thickens, anywhere from 2-5 minutes. Add chicken and return to a simmer. Cook, turning once, until chicken is heated through.

*This recipe only has about 213 calories per serving. I served it with lemon & garlic asparagus and roasted potatoes instead of broccoli and brown rice. Totally up to you!

For the MOST important meal of the evening, I created my own version of Eton Mess... which is basically strawberries or raspberries, pieces of meringue and cream. My version only has about 250 calories per serving.

image from FoodNetwork.com

What You'll Need:

4-6 meringues, broken into small pieces

2 cups fresh strawberries, cut into bite-size pieces

2 cups fat-free cool whip

Layer strawberries and cool whip and sprinkle meringues. Simple & sooo yum!

How did you spend your Valentine's Day? I hope you had a fabulous time no matter what you did.

Also, I would love for you to join my GIVEAWAY for the chance to win the adorable Emily Bracelet from Christina M. Boutique. ENTER HERE!

xoxo,

L

Essie Spring 2012 Collection

While I'm not the best at giving myself home manicures, that doesn't stop me from trying. Or from buying up just about every color Essie comes out with. 

And then the Spring 2012 Collection came out. And shockingly enough, I wanted every single one of them. This collection offers the best of two big trends right now: neons and pastels. Both of which I happen to love.

A Crewed Interest -- a luminous peach

Navigate Her -- a light minty sage

To Buy or Not to Buy -- a shimmery lavendar

Ole Caliente -- a bright orangey-red w/ pink undertone

Orange, It's Obvious -- hot orange

Tour de France -- a shimmery fuscia

My favorite is "To Buy or Not to Buy". Ironic, because it also happens to be the story of my life. And quite possibly the title of my autobiography, if I ever write one. What's your fave?

Also, don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY! With this pink Emily Bracelet, it can be Valentine's Day all year long! ENTER HERE, it's easy.

Hope your day of love is filled with plenty of, well, LOVE! (and chocolate)

xoxo,

L

Christina M Boutique Giveaway! NOW CLOSED

I'm a total girly girl. But there are plenty of days when I don't want to wear my heels and the idea of dressing up sounds like a daunting task. I love casual clothes and like to "dress" them up a bit by adding cute, girly accessories. That's exactly what I did with this outfit that I wore to lunch yesterday with friends.

It was absolutely frigid outside so I layered tall socks under my riding boots for extra warmth. I added this adorable Christina M. Boutique Emily Bracelet to my outfit and voila! Casual and cute but still polished. Not to mention I loooove the pop of pink. And the ribbon. And, well, everything about this bracelet!

Denim Shirt: Victoria's Secret; Jeans: Gap; Socks:  Express (old); Boots: Ralph Lauren

Bracelet: Christina M. Boutique Etsy Shop; Watch: Michael Kors; Bangles: Alex & Ani; Nailpolish: UO Smush

And because Christina is so generous, she sent me a bracelet to give away to one of my amazing readers! You should also check out her other listings on her Etsy shop. Beautiful necklaces, headbands and earrings galore.

The Emily Bracelet can be yours by doing the following:

• "Like" Christina M. Boutique on Facebook
• Follow Christina M. Boutique on Twitter
• Follow L's Fashion Dish on Twitter
• Leave a comment below stating you have done so AND how you'd style the Emily Bracelet

A winner will be chosen on Friday, February 17 via Random.org

Good luck!
xoxo,
L

Peter Pan Collars

Thank you, Maude Adams, for popularizing the adorable Peter Pan collar that we are seeing everywhere today.

Ms. Adams helped design her costume for her Broadway role as Peter in 1905. This style has come and gone throughout the years and now it seems it's here to stay. Well, stay as in for the next season or two.

I love the prim and proper vibe the Peter Pan collar gives off. Very schoolgirl. I wore this outfit to the office but have also worn it with a pair of leather shorts and some tights to rough it up a bit.

Blouse: Lucca Couture via Piperlime (on sale!); Pants: J.Crew Cafe Capri; Mary Janes: Steve Madden

Headband: F21; Watch: Michael Kors; Bangles: Alex & Ani

I'm also loving the detachable collars that are out right now. Stay tuned for a very exciting partnership featuring a couple gorgeous collar necklaces.

xoxo,

L

Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Filling

I love to bake. But I also have the world's shortest attention span and tend to choose recipes where I can take shortcuts. So I'm not exactly baking everything from scratch... but if the end result tastes great, who needs to know?

Take these lemon cupcakes for example. You could certainly bake them from scratch and whip up some homemade frosting. Or you could stop by the supermarket, grab your favorite lemon flavored cake mix and a container of ready-made frosting, and have equally-delicious cupcakes in approximately 30 minutes.

The problem is, I always feel guilty when I take the completely easy way out. So I like to add my own homemade touch to my shortcut recipes. So for these lemon cupcakes, I added some delicious raspberry filling.

What You'll Need:
1 package (16oz) frozed raspberries packed in sugar -- thawed completely
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tbsp corn starch
1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Cook raspberries, sugar, corn starch and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat until mixture thickens. Once cool, spoon into a piping bag fitted with a tip (I like to use #230 Round Tip).

Stick tip into top middle of cupcake and fill until raspberries are barely visible on top of cupcake. Finish filling rest of cupcakes and frost. Some of the raspberry filling will blend in with the frosting (which I happen to love!) but if you don't want raspberries in your frosting, use less filling.

You can also add fancy little fondant decorations like I did. And by fancy, I mean I bought the pre-colored stuff and used a cookie cutter.

Enjoy!
xoxo,
L

Floral & Faux Leather

Just a quick post featuring my outfit from this past Friday night. The bf and I went to an early dinner and drinks and were home by 8. We spent the rest of the night catching up on our DVR. My idea of a perfect Friday!

Blazer: F21; Shirt: StyleMint "Georgia"; Leather leggings: H&M; Flats: Steve Madden

Watch: Michael Kors; Bangles: Alex & Ani

I can't believe how much use I've gotten out of my $20 faux leather leggings from H&M. I'd probably consider them one of my best fall/winter finds! Oh and please excuse my hair. I didn't realize how messy it was until I edited the pictures. Anyone else sick of the dry, winter weather & static?!

Until tomorrow!

xoxo,

L

Super Bowl Sunday at a Glance

So it might be a bit early to utter the words Super Bowl, Patriots, football, etc. here in Boston, but I couldn't help but share the yumminess I made for the party yesterday.

The whole sweet and salty thing is like heaven to me. A winning combination. (Unlike Wes Welker and the football yesterday. Sorry. Too soon?) Potato chips and gameday go hand-in-hand and I happen to love anything covered in chocolate, so why not pair the two? They were a huge hit. I also made some white and semi-sweet chocolate-dipped pretzel rods, per the request of the bf.

Melt chocolate of choice over a double boiler and dip away!

How did you spend Super Bowl Sunday? I can't wait to hear about all the delish foods you guys enjoyed during the game. Recipes are welcome too!

On another note, did anyone get any goodies from the Jason Wu for Target launch? I picked up a couple dresses and a cute blouse. Can't wait to feature them in future outfit posts!

Happy Monday!

xoxo,

L

Socks

I've long been dying to wear socks with my heels, booties, loafers, etc... buuut I've never been sure if it looks really good on me or absolutely ridiculous. I'm kind of on the fence. My office environment is pretty conservative so a look like this wouldn't fly but maybe I could swap the blouse out for something a bit more casual and wear it for a night out with friends? Or try it with simple pumps and cute patterned socks? Hmm. I think I see a future "How To" blog post coming out of this...

Blouse: Madewell; Skirt: Anthropologie; Booties: DV Dolce Vita; Socks: AE

Necklace: Stella & Dot Spring Collection

What do you think about this look? How would you wear socks with your shoes?

On another note, we made it through another week! Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. Isn't there some big football game on Sunday? Ha. The only thing I care about when it comes to Superbowl Sunday is the yummy food! Bring on the stretchy pants!

xoxo,

L

Sushi Date

Sure, boyfriends are wonderful. But sometimes, the perfect "date" is chatting over sushi and a glass of wine with your girlfriends. That's what I spent last Saturday night doing. I hadn't seen this particular girlfriend in a while so we sat in our little corner of the restaurant catching up for several hours.

Spicy Tuna at Legal Seafood Harborside, Boston (so yum!)

Jeans & a blouse. It's definitely my uniform for dinner dates with friends. I love the almost sailor-esq look of this blouse. The camera didn't pick up the exaggerated collar very well which is unfortunate but it's still cute nonetheless. Do you have a go-to "uniform" for occasions like this?

Blouse: ASOS; Jeans: J Brand; Leather Jacket: LIT Boutique Boston (old); Belt: F21

Heels: Charles David; Clutch: Velvet Fly Boston (now closed)

See you tomorrow!

xoxo,

L