With a Twist

blouse: Forever 21
skirt, belt: Target
shoes: Ann Taylor
bag: Nine West

I've been really bored with my hair lately. I had the ombre, then I decided to chop it and make it one color. Being home all day with an infant who's pulling on your hair every chance he gets, it's hard to wear anything but a high pony. 

So every time I'm going out to the store, church or anywhere else for that matter, I'm looking for a fun way to style my hair. I've attempted this hair style and it wasn't half bad. I really want to try this but I have very thick hair which ends up looking awful. 

Watching a bunch of YouTube videos I have forgotten about this easy up-do. When I looked at this girl inspiring hair and outfits, it clicked - French twist. Takes about 5 minutes to do and great for warm weather or simply picking up the hair. Add a strand of pearls and you look polished in a matter of minutes.

Loving the classy and 'grown-up' look of this outfit. 

How is your hair doing lately? Many bad hair days or glamorous up-dos? 

Thanks for stopping by.

Crab Cakes {Recipe}

I love crab cakes. Who doesn't? Every time I'm at a restaurant, I'm looking for these delicious bites. If done correctly, you can experience pure, unadulterated crab cake heaven. They are that good.

So I've never made these things before because I figured all fancy restaurant food must take a lot of work and expense to prepare, plus high in calories. Well, not so much.

I mean, first I substituted the imitation crab and then baked these in the oven instead of deep frying them. My recipe comes from combining couple different sources - this video and recipe. Make yourself a double batch and enjoy them with purple cabbage slaw. Delicious!

I made a double batch so if you only need one serving, half the recipe.

Cakes:

-  1 egg

- 1/4 cup mayonnaise

- 3 green onions

- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 

- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 

- 1/2 tsp thyme 

- 1 tbsp chopped parsley 

- 1/4 tsp garlic powder 

- 1 tsp lemon juice

- dash of cayenne pepper

- pepper

- 16 oz lump imitation crab meat (if you can splurge, buy the real stuff)

- 1/4 cup of panko crumbs

 Combine mayo and egg and whip until it's evenly incorporated into smooth consistency. Add the rest of the ingredients through crab meat and whisk together. Next separate the crab meat into small lumps and add to the mayo mixture, add panko and gently toss to combine. Don't over mix. Put the mixture into the fridge and cool for 30 minutes. 
Take it out and shape the crab cakes into 2 inch patties. Place them on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake under the broiler or in 500F oven for 10 minutes. No need to flip.
Serve warm with purple cabbage slaw. 

Slaw:

- 1/2 cabbage head 

- 1 carrot, julienned 

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1/2 lime zest

- 1 tsp mayo

- 1 tsp sour cream

- large pinch of chopped cilantro

Finally chop cabbage, add salt and sugar. Working with one hand and holding the bowl with another, squeeze the cabbage until it becomes soft. Let it rest for couple minutes.

Add rest of the ingredients and toss to combine. 

Thrifty Chic

top & skirt: Thrifted
shoes: H&M

Thrift store shopping is probably my favorite kind, because you never know what you will find. Sure there is lots of junk out there and you have to look really close but in the end, it's worth it. Other times it's not.

When thrift store shopping, I have bought items I thought I needed and things there were too big/small in hopes of altering them myself. That never happened. 

One thing I do when I'm looking through the isles of unneeded clothing is stand out patterns, one-of-a-kind pieces and timeless classics. And of course the fit.

When I spotted this skirt, I loved the striped pattern but wasn't sure if I wasn't going to fit into it. The white top was a no-brainer. 

If you aren't sure about thrift store shopping give it a go on an off night, or with a friend who knows her way around. Then dig in and pay close attention to all the details, tags and patterns. Take your time and you will be surprised what you can find!

Happy Hump Day! 

Linking up with What I Wore Wednesday and Random Wednesday

Unplug

dress: Lord & Taylor
shoes: Aldo
clutch: H&M

I'm about to simplify my life.

Lately it has been (very) busy.Yes, I know you hear that all the time but it's true.

 Saturday morning hubby was home and we were all sleeping in (trying to at least). When Mr. Baby woke up we took him with us to bed and he was rolling and cooing all over. But both hubby and I kept reaching for the phone and checking whatever it is we are constantly checking. Then it hit me - this is ridiculous! We can't even play with our child without checking the phone all the time. 

This has got to stop!

We live in information overload age. If you not sure of something, all you have to do is Google it and bam, here is your answer. Constantly having multiple apps, email and blogs available on the phone is making this life a lot more stressful and complicated.

Comparing your life with someone else' Instagram account is driving us crazy because we are never satisfied with ours, constantly on the run and always distracted from 'real' life. 

I decided to change that.

From now on I will only be checking Facebook, email, Instagram and my blog once a day! To keep my sanity in tact, make sure I spend enough time with my family and focus on the important things in life (like having everyday devotionals), I  am going to set a time once a day where I check all the media outlets and pay all the online bills (if necessary). That way I don' have to feel  guilty about time spent online knowing that everything else taken care, that I'm not being idle wasting my time. 

I'm sure it's going to be hard at first because it's a habit and I do need to turn off all the notifications and stop constantly checking for comments on the blog. 

Enough said.

Let's make life simple again.

Have a great day!

Glimmerglass Queens (and a Prince)

Last weekend my sister, mom and NkI headed out for a gals (and kids) day out. We took a boat ride and strolled through the streets of one of the prettiest towns in Upstate New York. It was a gorgeous day for being outside and exploring, having some delicious bakery and watching the kids' reaction to water. Here is our day in recap.

Jonathan slept through half the boat ride, then attracted every grandma on the boat with his adorable smile.
Must be nice.

My mom, niece, sister, Jonathan and I (love his look)

We barely made it to our first ever boat ride. It was pretty awesome.

All hands on deck. Or in the mouth.

My niece rocking the rich and snobby look.

Must pose for outfit picture.

Must pose for outfit picture #2

Cool old fashioned theater turned into a store. Fo' shame.

There is something behind the closed gate.

Apparently this guy is famous. 

The architecture in the old town is always very romantic.

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with Style Elixir, Her And Nicole