100 Years of Fashion

100 Years of Fashion (Mode.com)

Have you seen Mode's 100 years of fashion in under 3 minutes?  It's an awesome recap of the biggest trends that created each decade's most iconic fashion. It's amazing how some decades drove the trend for the next (like 1955 to 1965), while some move in an entirely different direction completely (like 1975 to 1985).  I love looking to past trends for current inspiration... why reinvent the wheel when there are so many gorgeous looks waiting to be modernized?  My personal faves are 1955 & 1965... I love the nod to Hollywood glamour and the idea of dressing up for every occasion. 

Not to mention it was in the 1960's when the women's liberation movement started, and there was a strong cultural change with more of women entering the paid workplace. Can you even believe in the 1960's a bank could refuse to give an unmarried woman a credit card?  Women also couldn't get an Ivy League education (Harvard didn't admit women until 1977), and we earned $0.59 to the dollar that men made. So while we have made progress (women now earn $0.77 to the dollar) - we have a long ways to go... and I feel a personal duty to maximize the opportunities that women of the past made possible. We need to continue to fight to be seen as equals so we can all celebrate the day when women earn $1.01 to a man's dollar :)

For the Mode.com video click here

Friday Find

Shoe-Pourri (Amazon)

The real and stinky reality is that your shoes are going to get funky. And not a good funky.  In the past I had tried putting baking soda and dyer sheets in said funky shoes, and even had tried some of the deodorizing sprays. Truly nothing worked and there were some beloved heels I avoided wearing for one very smelly reason.  And then I heard about Shoe-Pourri... it's a shoe odor eliminator that really works! It's less than $15 on Amazon, and has a nice cedar smell that truly zaps the funk out of your favorite shoes (and the shoes of any other stinky feet in your life)... So you can leave the funky to your style and music ;)

Glazed Salmon & Asparagus

My husband did all of the work on this one... but his accomplishments are my accomplishments, right?  Typically when we grill it's safe to assume it's either chicken, burgers, or chicken.  Fish gets a little scary - it can quickly go from cooked to overcooked, and eating undercooked fish just doesn't work unless you're eating sushi... but we're adults right?  We can handle grilling salmon! That's exactly what we told ourselves.  Tom found a recipe that included a salmon glaze made with maple syrup (and it was amazing).  We grilled up some asparagus on the side and it was one of the easiest and delicious meals we've had in a while.  And we felt like bonafide adults mastering a chef worthy meal :)

For the salmon and glaze recipe click here

Banana Bread w/Crumble

This recipe makes a cinnamon infused banana bread that is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser (or a self pleaser... you don't have to share if you don't want to!). The star in this show is the crumb topping, which is an impressive and professional finishing touch that will have people asking which bakery you bought your amazing bread from... cue the modest response "well my kitchen of course!" :)

Ingredients

1 egg

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temp)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 overripe bananas, mashed

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Crumb Topping:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup all purpose flour

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

Directions

In a large bowl beat together the sugar, egg and vanilla until combined. Add the butter and beat until smooth and the butter is fully incorporated. Beat in the buttermilk and bananas. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the wet until all the flour is incorporated. Spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray and pour in the batter (pour in enough so there is about an inch or two of space before the top of the pan)

For the crumb topping combine the powdered sugar, flour, cinnamon salt and melted butter. Using your hands, crumble the mixture over the batter in the pan. Bake at 350 degree oven for 45 - 50 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean).

Emerald & Navy

Top & Shoes (Marshalls); Skirt (The Limited)

When it comes to a beautiful color combo that always looks fresh and elegant - look no further than emerald green and navy blue. In fact this was a combination I almost forgot about until Pinterest reminded me how great these two colors look together. Not to mention any time I can shop my own closet to recreate a look I love, I feel extra accomplished!

Friday Find

The only thing better than a crisp, light and sparkly wine for summer sipping, is a crisp, light and sparkly wine that costs less than $5.  Yes you read right - less than $5!!!!  For less than a cup of fancy coffee you can score an entire bottle of delicious vino that comes in the prettiest of bottles. So really this one's a no brainer.  It's called Vinho Verde and my faves are Gazela and Nobilis.  Cheers to the weekend!

Fool Proof

Blouse (Ann Taylor); Jeans (Macy's); Heels (Nine West)

There are few things in life that are fool proof... among them include any episode of Sex in the City, breakfast for dinner, three day weekends, and an outfit that includes black & white with leopard. This is a business casual look guaranteed to be polished, professional and stylish. Which is the best way to be when all you have to do is throw on some jeans, a shirt, and a fabulous pair of heels. So when life hands you an easy button... you push it, sit back, and ask for a refill on your glass of wine :)

Weekend Recap

My parents made the trip from Wisconsin to visit for the weekend... primarily to see their precious grandpuppy of course! We visited a few breweries for some craft brew goodness, enjoyed grilled dinners on the deck, and wondered where all of the time had gone on Sunday morning. I don't know exactly when parents make the transition from people you have to hang out with, to people you want to hang out with... but it sure is nice when it happens.   And the best part is we got to try out my dad's latest creation on the 3D printer (he is a 3D printer enthusiast to say the least) - he made Coronita holders for our Coronita Margaritas (which are awesome!).  Can't ask for much more out of a beautiful summer weekend!