we made it through another week, ladies. and what a week it was.  but we made it, and we’re heading into the weekend.  i’ve talked a bit about world events over here on the blog.  and while things feel unnerving right now, let’s take a step back and take a collective deep breath.  thank god it’s friday. right?! let’s continue to reach out to friends and family.  and remember, this too shall pass.  it’s safe to say many of us will be spending a lot more time at home in the coming weeks. but i’m a homebody at heart so problemo there. it’s time for spring cleaning anyway and sprucing up my porches – front and back. i can’t wait! then Easter is fast approaching so time to put some thought into menus and tablescapes. on Monday, i shared five ideas to enjoy your time at home.  today is the perfect day to bring a little of the tropics to your table with a keto-friendly coconut shrimp recipe and a tiki cocktail classic: the piña colada. the mocktail version of this 3-ingredient piña colada is basically a coconut pineapple smoothie, which is absolutely delicious in its own right!  

outfit of the day

today i am all about the season with the loveliest spring color: lilac. i am wearing slim wide-leg denim from J.Crew (last season, similar style here). i love these jeans, they are perfect for spring. and this striped sweater from Banana Republic is the perfect match with its lilac stripes.  (Banana is having a 50% off friends and family sale today, so make sure to check it out.) the fun pop of red on the collar is the perfect compliment to the lilac.  i am keeping this OOTD casual but chic with Soludos Ibiza leather sneakers. 

sweater | similar sweater | similar sweater 2 | similar sweater 3 | similar sweater 4 | similar sweater 5 | similar pant | similar pant 2 | similar pant 3 | similar pant 4 | similar pant 5 | shoe

keto coconut shrimp

i found this coconut shrimp recipe while searching for keto-friendly dinner recipes. it was a light-bulb moment for me as i realized you can substitute breadcrumbs with smashed-up pork rinds, or chicharrones (i used 4505 chicharrones). 

this can work for anything you want to bread, like eggplant or chicken parmesan. the flavor of the pork rind crumbs don’t affect whatever you use it with, and the texture perfectly replicates bread crumbs. genius!

since dredging shrimp can take some time, i set up a wire rack on a baking sheet with a layer of parchment to hold the dredged raw shrimp while i finished dredging the batch. 

i then slid the parchment and shrimp off the wire rack and onto the counter to begin frying the shrimp. i set the wire rack and baking sheet on the burner next to my frying pan to hold and drain the fried shrimp as they came out of the frying oil. this method lets the shrimp drip off excess oil while keeping them crispy, as opposed to setting the shrimp on a paper towel-lined plate.

trader joe’s sweet chili sauce | chicharrones | spider | baking rack | napkins | napkins 2 

in addition to the sriracha dipping sauce in this recipe, i put out a sweet chili sauce from Trader Joe’s. this bottled sauce is often used as a dipping sauce for Asian spring rolls, and it went perfectly with the crispy coconut shrimp.

3-ingredient piña colada | virgin piña colada 

tiki-style cocktails are known for their strength and sweetness. the thing i like about this 3-ingredient recipe is that it isn’t very sweet. the only sweetness is coming from the pineapple. i used coconut cream instead of coconut milk, and the result was a rich, silky-smooth blend. make this a mocktail by mixing the coconut milk and frozen pineapple, pour into glasses and garnish with a maraschino cherry, and a fun umbrella. then add the rum to the blender and proceed with piña colada. 

blender | drinkware collection | drink umbrellas

fridays with oscar

well ladies, this is a wrap for this week’s fridays with oscar. the coconut shrimp were a big hit with us, and i hope you try these recipes and let me know what you think! the official start of spring is a week away, and i know all of us will be welcoming her arrival. we have new videos coming soon, so be sure to tune in and join the conversation here on the blog and over on YouTube. oscar, ollie and i wish everyone a relaxing weekend.

sweater | similar sweater | similar sweater 2 | similar sweater 3 | similar sweater 4 | similar sweater 5 | similar pant | similar pant 2 | similar pant 3 | similar pant 4 | similar pant 5 | shoe

the first week of march has come and gone. we are springing forward this weekend and feeling the spring vibes—even if the temps are low and the skies are cloudy. it has been hard to soak up that vitamin d here in Athens this winter:  we’ve had so much rain! but all that Florida sunshine energized me, and i am excited for a spring refresh here at home and a spring wardrobe refresh.

speaking of refreshing, today’s recipe features a dressing made with whole lemons for tons of fresh, bright and tangy flavor. you will want to be sure to read on for the recipe. we have a summery cocktail on the menu; the classic mojito and its mocktail counterpart: the “nojito”. are you ready to kick off Friday? let’s do it!

outfit of the day 

this week i am adding a pop of color to my OOTD and having some fun with stripes! a classic striped button down pairs with slim wide-leg denim jeans from J.Crew. i love to mix stripes with stripes and these jeans are a great alternative to white jeans. my color pop today comes from a hot pink cardigan and pink ballet flats (similars here, here, and i’ve also sourced some similars in red below as the one’s i’m wearing are last season). you may recall ballet flats from my trip to Florida when i paired them with white Bermuda shorts and a pink striped popover top.

wide-leg jean | shirt | similar sweater | similar flat | similar flat 2 | similar flat 3 

salmon with whole lemon dressing

this recipe is by Alison Roman and was featured on the New York Times Cooking website. such a simple and easy way to prepare salmon. the dressing is bright and savory. perfect for dinner, or even lunch; the dish is essentially a bibb lettuce salad with baked salmon. it came together in about half an hour and is delicious warm or cold.

glasses | plates | napkin ring | placemat | similar serving dish | similar serving dish 2 | rectangular baker | fish spatula 

mojito and nojito

this recipe is for the classic mojito and making it a “nojito” – cleverly, a mojito without the rum, is simple. to make this a nojito, i muddled the lime juice and mint without the rum and i topped the shaken mixture with 7Up, but you could top it with lime sparkling water or any other citrus soda or sparkling water you like. 

muddler | citrus juicer | cocktail shaker | santino cocktail glasses

for both mojito and nojito i used a little agave syrup instead of sugar or honey. start small with the agave, it is a bit sweeter and since i prefer my drinks less sweet, i only used about a teaspoon.

fridays with oscar

well ladies, that’s a wrap for this week’s fridays with oscar. let me know if you make any of the recipes featured today, and what you think! we have spring on our minds here at the blog, so stay tuned for fresh recipes, spring style and home decor all month long.  and join us all month for a spring wardrobe refresh. oscar, ollie and i wish all you a lovely weekend. 

wide-leg jean | shirt | similar sweater | similar flat | similar flat 2 | similar flat 3 

we returned from Florida this week. oscar and ollie were happy about that and it’s good to be home, but i sure do miss the sandy beaches and sunny skies of Florida. it’s been fun to share my trip with you this week:  and it’s really got me looking forward to spring. i hope my warm-weather outfits inspired you to think about your spring wardrobe.  today, we’re returning to our normal scheduled programming:  fridays with oscar.  last week, we showed you a healthier way to pasta with zoodles.  we’re sticking with that theme this week and making zucchini lasagna roll-ups.

outfit of the day 

i am keeping things casual friday today with a black crewneck sweater, and my white button-down underneath adds a little polish. girlfriend jeans and sneakers complete my casual look today. if i were going into the office and my workplace allowed jeans, adding a ballet flat or pointy toe shoe would make this ootd office appropriate. i could even throw a blazer on for extra oomph!  

cashmere crew (Everlane) | perfect shirt (Talbots) | girlfriend jeans (Banana Republic) | sneakers (Ann Taylor) | similar belt

a healthier way to pasta: zucchini lasagna roll-ups

the original recipe by Rachel Maser is vegetarian. i wanted to do a meat dish this week, so i added italian sausage to the mushroom marinara sauce. 

i am following a ketogenic diet, which is a low carb, moderate protein, and higher-fat diet that can help you burn fat more effectively. perhaps the biggest benefit of the keto diet for me is that it can reduce chronic inflammation. i have noticed a difference with my arthritis since i started focusing on a keto diet late last year. 

the ketogenic diet is quite popular. there are recipes online and keto cookbooks that make following this specific diet easier than ever before. i still enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine from time to time, and i don’t feel bad about it! for me, it’s about moderation and eating to feel my best while enjoying life with my friends and family (which sometimes includes cocktails or dessert!). as FASTer Way to Fat Loss has taught me, it’s about progress, not perfection! 

blueberry ginger Bellini cocktail and mocktail

a reader reached out last week and asked if we could put together a mocktail.  what a great idea!  for our first foray into mocktails, i want to start simple but also with a cocktail that can be made into a mocktail. this makes things easy for a hostess to not have to create two totally different recipes. 

for the mocktail, i followed the cocktail directions exactly except, instead of sparkling wine, i used ginger beer to amp up the ginger flavor and add some dryness. try adding some sparkling apple juice or any other sparkling non-alcoholic juice that you think would work with ginger and blueberry.

i wasn’t able to find plain blueberry juice, so i used blueberry pomegranate juice, and it worked nicely. i also substituted about a teaspoon of agave for the white sugar this recipe calls for.

fridays with oscar (and ollie!)

well, ladies, that’s a wrap for fridays with oscar! we really hope you enjoy a healthier way to pasta.  let us know what you think about the recipe in the comments below!

March is a couple of days away.  on the 8th, we spring forward one hour to daylight savings time, and the 19th is the spring equinox—the official first day of spring. let’s hope spring temps and sunshine are fast on their way! ollie, oscar and i wish you all a lovely weekend!

cashmere crew (Everlane) | perfect shirt (Talbots) | girlfriend jeans (Banana Republic) | sneakers (Ann Taylor) | similar belt

happy friday! well, we have made it through another week, ladies. time to kick back and enjoy the evening with a cocktail and delicious recipe for dinner. in the spirit of travel week, we are taking a short culinary trip to Italy today with a Tuscan mushroom dish and a Campari cocktail.  i’m gonna show you a healthier way to pasta. 

travel month continues as junior style and i are vacationing in Florida. in case you missed it, check out Tuesday’s post to see what i packed for our trip. tune in to the blog in the coming week to see what i wore where and the adventures we had! 

outfit of the day 

today i went with monochromatic black. but i punched it up with a colorful scarf as a tie belt. black jeans can dress up or down. i kept it casual as usual today with sneakers. but if i wanted to dress it up a bit, a pair of ballet flats would go well, or even pointy toe flats to add even more polish. wearing all black with oscar and ollie is an exercise in lint rolling! i keep a lint roller handy.

cashmere v-neck (Everlane) | button jeans (Everlane) | sneakers (Ann Taylor) | similar scarf (Talbots)

a healthier way to pasta

we are going meatless this week with a creamy garlic butter mushroom recipe that can be eaten alone, or over anything you can imagine – pasta, rice, quinoa, whatever your fancy! i decided to go with zoodles, zucchini noodles. zoodles really satisfy my pasta craving, and they were especially good topped with these creamy dreamy Tuscan mushrooms!

i was able to find pre-spiraled zoodles, saving me the step of cutting them on my own. but if you don’t already have one, a spiralizer is a very handy kitchen gadget, making it easy to create pasta substitutions. 

for the preparation, i sautéed them in a little bit of olive oil, seasoning with salt to taste. i like them to be al dente, so the sauté really only took about 3 minutes.

blood orange Boulevardier 

The Boulevardier was invented by a New Yorker who left for France during prohibition to open Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. the Boulevardier is essentially a Negroni, made with bourbon instead of gin. this recipe adds blood orange juice, perfect for winter, as blood oranges have just come into season! 

fridays with oscar

thank you for tuning into today’s fridays with oscar. we really enjoyed today’s recipe and cocktail, let me know if you make it and what you think about our healthier way to pasta! be sure to visit the blog next week as we continue travel month with our Florida vacation. oscar, ollie and i wish each of you a very happy weekend! 

cashmere v-neck (Everlane) | button jeans (Everlane) | sneakers (Ann Taylor) | similar scarf (Talbots)

happy Valentine’s Day! well, ladies, February 14 also marks the midway point of the month. that’s right, we are that much closer to spring and all the beauty that comes with it. is anyone else ready to don the pastels, prints and lighter fabrics of spring?  in the meantime, we’ve got a healthy valentine’s dinner and cocktail. 

no matter if you cook this tonight as a special Valentine’s dinner or as an easy weeknight meal, this recipe will become your new favorite comfort food!

outfit of the day 

the soft, muted, blushing pink color of my blouse today is a nod to the romance of Valentines Day. keeping it casual for our meal at home, i have my grey denim back in action – a perfect complement to the muted tone of my blouse, grey denim is softer in color and in material. 

popover top (J.Crew) | jeans (Talbots) | similar mule shoe | similar mule shoe 2 | scarf | earring | similar earring | bracelet | similar bracelet | similar bracelet 2 | similar bracelet 3 | similar bracelet 4 

using a scarf as a tie belt is a great way to add a little color and pop. today, i went for a scarf that has some deeper pink tones as well as complimentary navy and gold, to really add some contrast. it brings together the pink of my blouse and the grey of my denim pants. 

i chose a bright gold tone for my jewelry today, not only for the pop and shine it adds, but it also ties in beautifully with the gold tones in my tied-scarf belt. plus, i just love the blushing pink/bright gold combination! 

neutral cap toe slides keep with my overall neutral Valentine’s outfit. 

healthy valentine’s dinner: a healthier way to gnocchi

last week i tried Trader Joe’s cauliflower pizza crust. i really enjoyed their ready-made cauliflower crust and will definitely make it one of my regular purchases from Trader Joe’s. another cauliflower-based ingredient i wanted to try is the cauliflower gnocchi. 

traditional Italian gnocchi is made from potatoes, wheat flour, egg and salt. while potato gnocchi dumplings are healthier than pasta, i wanted to keep my meal low in carbs, and higher in fiber. cauliflower is a less starchy vegetable and is a perfect substitute.

this recipe calls for regular potato gnocchi, to be cooked directly in the pan with the cream mixture. since i substituted the cauliflower gnocchi and i wanted it to maintain its crispiness, i cooked the gnocchi according to its skillet directions on the package and then stirred the gnocchi into my sausage, kale and cream mixture at the end before plating in my serving dish. 

it turned out beautifully! the gnocchi had crispy edges and a soft, pillowy interior. just like the potato version. the flavor is light and just like potato gnocchi, the recipe possibilities are endless.

cocktail: the Aviation

the cocktail this week is the Aviation. it combines our february travel theme and its pale lavender color is perfectly romantic for Valentine’s Day. this gin-based cocktail packs a punch, but it is so lovely and light to sip. 

fridays with oscar

popover top (J.Crew) | jeans (Talbots) | similar mule shoe | similar mule shoe 2 | scarf | earring | similar earring | bracelet | similar bracelet | similar bracelet 2 | similar bracelet 3 | similar bracelet 4 

well gang, i hope you have a great Valentine’s (or Galentine’s!) day with your loved ones. if you haven’t yet tried the cauliflower gnocchi, i definitely recommend them! they are a perfect plant-based version of a favorite italian staple. let me know in the comments below if you’ve tried them before, and your favorite cauliflower gnocchi recipe! have a great weekend, and stay tuned to the blog as we continue travel month! 

hooray for friday! we have made it through the first week of February, gang! the temperatures in Athens have warmed a bit and we are settling in for a long week of rain, but today is sunny and we are keeping the spring vibes going on inside with pink tulips and bright pops of springtime color for our tablescape.  this week on fridays with oscar we are trying a new product i found at Trader Joe’s: cauliflower pizza crust.   i am working on cutting back the wheat in my diet, so i am excited to try this crust. for the pizza topping, we are whipping up shrimp scampi. and as always, we have a great cocktail to try: the Chelsea. oscar is ready for the camera this week as we get cooking! it’s all about healthy eats: cauliflower pizza. so, read on for the recipes….

outfit of the day 

casual comfort is the name of the game on fridays with oscar, and today i mixed it up with a striped sweater and grey denim. i really like dyed denim, all the comfort and style of jeans – with a twist. this sweater would pair just fine with blue jeans, but the softer grey hue of the denim really lets my sweater shine as the star of the outfit. 

similar sweater | similar sweater 2 | similar sweater 3 | similar sweater 4 | similar sweater 5 | similar sweater 6 | straight leg jeans | penny loafers 

i couldn’t let the single red stripe on my sweater stand alone today, so i have my patent red loafer mules back in action. multi-color stripes are so fun to play with because the outfit combinations are endless – i have half a dozen other combinations in mind for this sweater!

healthy eats: cauliflower pizza

this isn’t a 1:1 for fluffy, doughy pizza crust. cauliflower crust does get crispy, and the texture is dough-like in its chewiness. the flavor is not overwhelmingly cauliflower-like, so your pizza toppings will not be overpowered. i baked the dough at 450 degrees, for 10 minutes on each side, as the package directs, then i topped with my shrimp scampi and popped it under the broiler just until the cheese was bubbly and lightly browned. i made my scampi while the pizza crust cooked.

melange dinnerware | assorted plates

the Chelsea cocktail 

fridays with oscar

well ladies, i hope you give this pizza recipe a try, if you do, let me know how you like it! i am happy that one of my go-to grocery stores carries products that make my diet choices that much easier. i look forward to trying more gluten-alternative products at Trader Joe’s. 

similar sweater | similar sweater 2 | similar sweater 3 | similar sweater 4 | similar sweater 5 | similar sweater 6 | straight leg jeans | penny loafers 

remember, we are talking about travel for the month of february and we have a lot of fun to share in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to the blog for tips, tricks, and plenty of outfit inspiration! oscar, ollie and i wish all of you a lovely weekend!

it’s finally Friday gang! it’s hard to believe it’s the last day of January 2020. February is going to be an exciting month as we will be exploring all things travel. tips and tricks, new destinations and revisiting vacations gone by – it’s going to be a lot of fun, you won’t want to miss it! as for today on friday’s with oscar, we are getting ready for the big game this Sunday. we have a great super bowl appetizer idea that’s keto-friendly for your game day spread and an easy beer cocktail to give your regular ol’ beer a little team color and pizazz. 

outfit of the day 

per usual, we are going casual today. classic chinos with a twist: these J.Crew chinos (similar here and here) have metallic gold dots, just a little touch of team spirit for game day! chinos are easy to pair with anything, but today i kept it simple with a black cardigan. 

cashmere cardigan | straight pant | tank | ballet flat | lipstick 

and of course, my favorite go-to when it comes to chic, basic footwear: ballet flats (one of my four B’s!). these are Tory Burch and add just the right amount of sophistication to a casual ootd. 

appetizer for the win: Buffalo chicken celery boats

do you love the flavor of Buffalo hot wings, but want to skip the unhealthy fried food this Super Bowl Sunday? this recipe is just the ticket, it combines all the Buffalo-style hot wing flavors in one crunchy bite. keto-friendly and so easy because the recipe calls for a store-bought rotisserie chicken. i made it according to the recipe, but you could certainly dial up or down the hot sauce or the mayonnaise. you can omit the ranch dressing or the blue cheese crumbles, it’s totally up to you – make it your own! it will be a winner no matter what. 

the Red Vespa cocktail 

this cocktail is a no-brainer for this Super Bowl, regardless of which team everyone is rooting for, the red/orange color of this easy beer cocktail will appeal to both sides. the recipe calls for a citrus bitter liqueur called Contratto, which i was unable to find here in Athens, so i substituted with Campari. you can also substitute with Aperol. this cocktail is basically the beer version of an Aperol spritz (one of my favorite cocktails!). it’s light and refreshing – just perfect for adding a little glam to the Super Bowl festivities. 

fridays with oscar

alright gang! we are closing out the first month of 2020. over the last five weeks we have toured my custom closet, my home office, my living room and my kitchen and laundry room. we are talking travel for the whole month of February so you will want to stay tuned for all the tips and tricks, travel outfit inspiration and more! until next time, oscar, ollie and i wish you all a wonderful weekend. 

cashmere cardigan | straight pant | tank | ballet flat | lipstick 

it’s friday gang! are you ready for fridays with oscar?  we sure are. this week we are making a delicious recipe adapted from Bon Appetit’s February Healthyish issue—chickpea and chorizo tostadas, except i have modified their version to be tacos instead of tostadas. and what goes better with tacos than a classic margarita? i have jazzed up Bon Appetit’s classic margarita with a Tajin spice-rimmed glass.  healthy eats and tasty treats.  it’s the way to go. 

it’s been a fun few weeks on the blog this January, i have really enjoyed sharing my home tours with you and this week was no exception. for me, January is synonymous with new beginnings and fresh starts. for 2020, that has translated to refreshing my closet, putting the last touches on my home design and starting a new cycle of FASTer Way to Fat Loss. 

outfit of the day – casual friday

as usual, i am all about casual Friday, here on fridays with oscar. today’s outfit is brightened up with a pullover hoodie. i have popped it over a printed button down for a little added polish. my J. Crew herringbone-print jeans are making a return appearance today. and to tie in the bright pop of orange, i have on my driving mocs with orange detail. 

cashmere pullover (J.Crew) | houndstooth jeans | similar loafer | similar loafer 2 | similar loafer 3 | similar loafer 4 

one pan dinner: chickpea and chorizo tacos

this recipe is easily customizable to your taste. it’s so simple and really takes no time at all. make the yogurt sauce a day ahead if you like. i used the full can of chickpeas instead of the half cup the recipe calls for.

as it was cooking, i added a drizzle of olive oil to help crisp up the chickpeas. after making the yogurt sauce for this recipe, i will never throw away the cilantro stems again—they really do add a nice flavor and crunch to the sauce. 

americana dish collection | white dish set

classic margarita – minus the triple sec!

i don’t miss the syrupy sweetness of triple sec one bit. but, if you feel like you’re missing the citrus flavor from the triple sec, add a little fresh squeezed orange juice. 

to add a little oomph to this cocktail, i rimmed the glass with kosher salt mixed with Tajin (a mexican spice you can find at any grocery store), it’s tangy and spicy. you can substitute lime chili powder, if you like. 

alright gang! we’ve had a great week on the blog. over the last few weeks we have toured my custom closet, my home office, and my living room. stay tuned to the blog next week as we continue our look at fashion basics. and get ready for february on the blog – we have a lot in store and it’s going to be an exciting month! until next time, oscar, ollie and i wish you all a wonderful weekend.

it’s friday gang!  and you know what that means:  fridays with oscar.  this is probably my favorite blogpost of any given week, and it’s our second one of the year.  for my regulars, you know what to expect:  a delicious entree, cocktail and some lovely pictures of the magnificent Oscar.  but before we get that far, i want to take a quick step back.  one of our primary topics of discussion this week has been color.  we started off the week with a totally neutral-based outfit, but i also showed you how to build a simple but interesting monochromatic outfit in blue. today, i’m gong to marry aspects of the two outfits together and show you how to add color to a neutral outfit. 

outfit of the day: add color to a neutral outfit

i’m no stranger to color.  i love finding new and interesting ways to add a color pop.  it not only creates visual interest, but it tends to have an emotional effect:  a little color can brighten our moods and the moods of those around us in subtle but positive ways. 

this is especially nice as we head into what can be some of the more dreary and difficult months to get through:  January and February.  to counteract, i’ve put together an outfit today that i think is visually interesting and will brighten your day—if ever so slightly.  as my neutral base, i’ve selected a black turtleneck from Everlane.  i’ve further added a pair animal-printed  (similar) loafers from Ann Taylor and a belt.  (yes, animal print is a neutral.) for my color pop, i’ve bone with a pair of red jeans from J.Crew.  if colored jeans aren’t your thing, just invert the outfit:  pair black jeans with a red turtleneck.  same effect without committing to colored denim.  

turtleneck | jeans | similar jeans | similar jeans 2 | similar loafers | belt

entree: garlic butter steak bites 

per usual, i’ve got a super simple, super tasty recipe for you:  garlic butter steak bites.  for my NFL fans out there, this is a perfect dish to make this playoff weekend.  your guests are going to love you, and you’re going to love this recipe—because you won’t be slaving away in the kitchen nor will you have to run out and pickup snacks last minute.    

cocktail: cranberry moscow mule

and for my moscow mule fans out there, i’ve got a great new twist on an old favorite:  a cranberry moscow mule.  all you’re going to need here is your favorite vokda.  (i’ve chosen my new favorite, Tito’s.)  you’re also going to need ginger beer and cranberry juice.  mix, chill, and enjoy.  

fridays with oscar 

alright, gang!  what a fun week on the blog.  we’ve gotten back to fashion basics, and i’ve given you a tour of both my closet and office.  stay tuned for next week, as we’ll continue talking outfit basics, and i’ll give you more glimpses of my day-to-day at home.  oscar and i wish each of you a lovely weekend.

turtleneck | jeans | similar jeans | similar jeans 2 | similar loafers | belt