What a week! It’s been a big week over here on the blog to say the least.  Yesterday, we introduced our newest regular contributor:  my daughter-in-law, Kelly Djalali.  I cannot thank you enough for the warm reception you gave her.  It meant the world.  We’re both extremely excited for what’s to come, and we hope you are too.  In celebration, we thought we’d do something fun today:  a joint Fridays with Oscar.   Super simple:  I’m responsible for the drinks, and Kelly’s making the appetizer.   Plus, we’ve both got super fun outfits for you.  I’m sporting Oprah’s favorite AYR shirt, and Kelly’s featuring a pair of woven loafers I think you’re going to love. 

Oprah’s favorite AYR shirt

My outfit could not be simpler.  I’ve paired this button-down, striped shirt  (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) with a pair of raw hem jeans  (Nordstrom).  The shirt is a bit large—looking for that oversized, comfy, casual look perfect for Fridays. But it you want a more tailored look size down one size. Throw on a pair of sandals (Talbots), and you’re headed straight into the weekend. 

Shirt  (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) | Raw Hem Jeans  (Nordstrom) | Sandals (Talbots)

Intro to Aperol

Kelly and I both share a love of Aperol.  And anyone who follows Fridays with Oscar regularly knows it’s one of my go-tos.  Today, I’m sharing my recipe for an Intro to Aperol.  Cheers to the weekend, ladies! 

Bar Tool Set (Williams Sonoma)

Shirt  (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) | Raw Hem Jeans  (Nordstrom) | Sandals (Talbots)

Coupe Glass (Pottery Barn)

Print
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Intro to Aperol


  • Author: Beth Djalali

Ingredients

Units Scale

3/4 oz Lemon Juice

1 0z Gin

1/4 oz Sugar Syrup

Dash Angostura Bitter

2 oz Aperol


Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Shake well for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker becomes frosted.
  • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.

Fridays with Oscar

Shirt  (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) | Raw Hem Jeans  (Nordstrom) | Sandals (Talbots)

 

Shop Beth’s outfit (click below)

Spring loafers

This is Kelly’s first “official” fashion post on the blog.  Her outfit, too, could not be simpler.  She went with a pair of high-rise vintage slim jeans (Gap) and a relaxed short sleeve cotton popover (J.Crew).  Remember ladies, high-rise denim is in for 2022, and the price point on this pair is right.

To be honest:  I’m really loving her woven loafers the most–such a perfect shoe for Spring.  Kelly’s pair is old, but she rounded up some similars: here, here, here, and here.

High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans | Relaxed Short Sleeve Cotton Popover | Similar Woven Loafer | Sam Edelman Woven Loafers | Woven Flats | Banana Republic Woven Loafer

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Crostini

One of the big advantages of bringing Kelly on to SAACA is that she will get to share wonderful recipes with us.  For those that don’t know, Kelly runs a food blog:  Djalali Cooks. Thankfully, she’s agreed to revive her Kelly’s Kitchen column over here on the blog, so stay tuned for some yummy, easy-to-follow dishes.  Today, she’s cooking up mushroom and goat cheese crostini. 

High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans | Relaxed Short Sleeve Cotton Popover | Similar Woven Loafer | Sam Edelman Woven Loafers | Woven Flats | Banana Republic Woven Loafer

 

Print
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Mushroom and Goat Cheese Crostini


  • Author: Kelly Djalali

Description

8 oz. Mushrooms, lightly chopped
1/4 cup Water
2-3 Shallots, thinly sliced
Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper
1/4 to 1/2 cup Parsley, finely chopped, divided
4 oz. Goat Cheese, at room temperature
1 Baguette, sliced thinly, on the bias
Balsamic Vinegar

Ingredients

  • Preheat broiler with a rack placed in the middle position.
  • In a large pan, over medium-high heat, sauté mushrooms with 1/4 cup water. Stir occasionally and cook until water is completely evaporated.
  • Drizzle olive oil over mushrooms in the pan and add the shallot slices to the pan.
  • Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
  • Continue sautéing, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms begin to develop a little browning and the shallots are softened and lightly translucent.
  • Stir all but about 2 teaspoons of the chopped parsley into the cooked mushrooms and remove from heat.
  • Arrange baguette slices on a large sheet pan. Drizzle olive oil over the bread slices and place on the center rack in the oven. Lightly toast the bread slices under the broiler, then flip the slices to lightly toast the other side.
  • When the bread slices are lightly toasted pull them from the oven.
  • Use a knife to spread goat cheese on each slice of toasted bread.
  • Top each slice of bread with about 1.5 tablespoons of the mushroom mixture, adding more or less to each slice, using up all of the mushroom mixture.
  • Place the cheese and mushroom-topped crostini on a serving plate and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
  • Sprinkle the remaining chopped parsley over the tops as garnish.

Shop Kelly’s outfit (click below)

Just the two of us

March is over, and April is just beginning.   From Kelly, Oscar, and myself, we’re wishing you an absolutely wonderful weekend!  

Beth’s outfit

Shirt  (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) | Raw Hem Jeans  (Nordstrom) | Sandals (Talbots)

Kelly’s outfit

High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans | Relaxed Short Sleeve Cotton Popover | Similar Woven Loafer | Sam Edelman Woven Loafers | Woven Flats | Banana Republic Woven Loafer


Welcome Kelly

In case you missed it, yesterday, we announced Kelly Djalali coming on as a regular contributor.  Here’s what that means. 

Tuesday: Daily looks

On Tuesdays, Kelly will be posting an entry to our Daily Looks feed.  She’ll post an OOTD and you can shop those outfits easily through the shop widget below the photo.  Being of a smaller stature, at 5 feet tall and 105 pounds, Kelly will create fresh looks with a focus on classic style for petites. 

Thursday: Featured post

On Thursdays, Kelly will be contributing a full-length fashion-related post.   Whether she’s modeling outfits or giving you tips on how to build her capsule wardrobes, you can expect the same great content you’ve come to expect from SAACA. 

Saturdays:  Kelly’s Kitchen

Kelly will be reviving her Kelly’s Kitchen column on Saturdays.  Each week, you can expect a delicious, easy-to-follow recipe.  

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

1

it will comes as no surprise that preppy is my go-to style. it always as been, and it always will be.  preppy lends itself naturally to the spring and summer months.  but how do we keep that aesthetic alive and fresh when we’re in the cold, dreary depths of winter?  if you’re looking for some essential items to prep up your wardrobe—or if you’re looking for a little color to offset the gray days—today’s post is for you.  i’m going to give you some outfit essentials that will show you exactly how to keep the torch burning strong—how to dress preppy in the winter. 

how to dress preppy in the winter

yesterday on the blog, i was feeling neutral:  it was all about the whites, grays, and blacks.  (and for those of you that are wondering, Ann Taylor restocked the herringbone shawl collar wrap coat that’s all the rage.  so if you were looking to pick one up and missed out, make sure to head over and grab one.) 

today, it’s all about the color pop.  we’re no strangers to color over here on the blog, and we talked extensively last fall on how to introduce color into your wardrobe. preppy is all about well-placed color additions, and the outfit of the day features a blue monochromatic base.  some people shy away from monochrome, as it can sometimes feel redundant and/or aesthetically uninteresting.  however, monochrome is an easy way to introduce color to your wardrobe, and a simple way to successfully do it is by picking a base—shirt/pant, sweater/shirt—combination that runs the two ends of a particular shade spectrum.

here, i’ve chosen a dark blue gingham shirt and layered it with a light blue sweater from J.Crew. i’ve added visual interest to the outfit by pairing my base with a pair of houndstooth jeans that pick up both colors.  

similar puffer jacket | gingham shirt | sweater | houndstooth jeans | similar hobo bag | loafers | similar scarf | sunglasses 

too cold for loafers?  

i’m fortunate that Athens weather often permits me loafers during the winter. if you too live in an equally forgiving climate, a pair of penny loafers is an obvious but timeless way of prepping up an outfit.  i picked this pair up from J.Crew, but if you’re looking for alternatives, check out these Oxford loafers i featured last week on the blog.  but if it’s Minneapolis-like weather where you are, make sure to check out this Easy Spirit winter shoe guide I put together a few weeks ago.  there are a couple of booties that would go perfectly with today’s outfit! 

similar puffer jacket | gingham shirt | sweater | houndstooth jeans | similar hobo bag | loafers | similar scarf | sunglasses 

a puffer jacket is an essential

a puffer jacket is one of my top 5 essential winter jackets to own.  not only is it quintessentially preppy, but it’s just so darn versatile.  if you’re headed to work, out and about shopping, or meeting a friend, reach for your puffer.  it’ll keep you warm, and you’ll look good while it’s doing it.   this one is older but i’ve found a similar one at Nordstrom—totally reasonably priced—but head to your favorite retailer for yours.  

similar puffer jacket | gingham shirt | sweater | houndstooth jeans | similar hobo bag | loafers | similar scarf | sunglasses 

let’s take a break from the holidays—just today—and return to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow.  i’m taking the day off today to catch up on, well, the day-to-day things that can easily get lost in the mix.  laundry.  groceries.  bills.  and an evening in.    

over the past few weeks, we’ve focused a lot on holiday outfits.  today i’m showcasing something a little more subdued—a little more casual.  i’m tapping into my preppy side—my favorite side—and bringing you an outfit that’s perfect for running errands, meeting a friend for lunch, or an evening at the movies.  

take a break from the holidays

i don’t know about you, but there’s always a point mid-December in which i just want a break. a timeout.  a pause to catch my breath.  the gauntlet of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s can be tiring.  not because they’re not fun.  not because they’re not full of people that i care truly deeply about.  but because being “on” for six straight weeks can be a bit much. 

we talk a lot about self-care and wellness over here on the blog.  and one of the most important things about both is that we have to constantly remind ourselves to invest in them.  it’s an ongoing process—a continuing journey.  if you too need a short break, then join me today in doing so.   i don’t think you’ll regret it.  

sweater blazer | cashmere crew | scarf | scarf 2 | scarf 3 | straight jeans | penny loafers

casual, comfortable and chic

i think i’ve found my favorite outfit of the month.  it’s totally simple.  slightly understated. and perfect for how i’m feeling today:  a cashmere crew from Everlane and a pair of straight jeans J.Crew.  a sweater and pair of jeans.  you really cannot go wrong. and if you need to layer, try this sweater blazer also from J.Crew.

sweater blazer | cashmere crew | scarf | scarf 2 | scarf 3 | straight jeans | penny loafers

preppy

long time readers of the blog know that my go-to aesthetic is preppy.   if it’s not too cold where you are—we’ve got a 68 degree day here in Athens—easily prep up your outfit with these penny loafers from J.Crew.  i’ve been loving loafers this fall and winter, and today is no exception.  (and you know that you’ll be able to pull them out of your closet come spring.) 

sweater blazer | cashmere crew | scarf | scarf 2 | scarf 3 | straight jeans | penny loafers

so tell me ladies:  how are you taking care of yourself this holiday season?  have you taken a day off?  had an evening in?  let me know in the comments below.  

who are you?  probably one of the most basic questions; and probably one of the most debated ones throughout history.  i’m not a philosopher, so i don’t and won’t have any deep answers here.  but today i’m thinking about the idea of self-expression through style.  as a reader recently pointed out, when a life event like a death happens, you’re gonna reflect on who you are in some form or another—like it or not.  and this week since i’ve talked about career and trailblazing women through the lens of fashion, i thought i’d turn it inward:  how do we express ourselves through fashion, especially as we age?   

fashion foot forward

fashion can say everything about us; or it can say nothing at all.  that’s the beauty of it, really.  every morning, we can wake up with the intent to express to the world a myriad of different aspects of who we are simply with what we wear.  it’s powerful.  through simple outfit choices—basic color combinations—we can express confidence, intelligence, and social-awareness.

it will come as no surprise to you that one of my go-to looks is preppy.   it has been my entire life.  over the years, i’ve talked about that aesthetic on the blog here, here, and here.  i’m a generally cheerful and optimistic person.  i’m deliberate and mindful.  this is what preppy conveys to me.  and this is doubly true as i’ve gotten older—more confident in who i am and the fashion choices i make.  

similar coat (Talbots) | denim (Ann Taylor) | shoes (J.Crew) | Similar Tote (Nordstrom)

today i’ve put together a perfectly preppy autumn outfit.  i’ve gone with a mixture of Talbots, Ann Taylor, J.Crew, and Nordstrom. (Make sure to check out J.Crew‘s sale.)  i’ve got on a perfectly plaid coat that Ann Taylor can’t keep in-stock.  so i’ve got a similar coat from Talbots for you. 

as i’ve said numerous times this week:  nothing says fall like plaid.  and plaid is in a big way this year.  i’ve paired the coat with a pair of skinny jeans from Ann Taylor.  we’ve talked a lot about denim this fall, and make sure to check out the different types of sported below. 

can’t keep it in stock

similar coat (Talbots) | denim (Ann Taylor) | shoes (J.Crew) | similar tote (Nordstrom)

the weather has finally turned here in Athens.  it’s getting chilly outside.  yesterday on the blog, it was all about blazers.  today, it’s all about coats.  as i mentioned, Ann Taylor can’t keep this plaid one in-stock.  so i’ve got a similar coat from Talbots for you.  i’ve also compiled a list of fall coats and their variations i’m currently loving.  and make sure to stay-tuned to our YouTube channel.  more on jackets soon!  

penny loafers for your thoughts

similar coat (Talbots) | denim (Ann Taylor) | shoes (J.Crew) | similar tote (Nordstrom)

part of the preppy style is a good pair of penny loafers. so easy.  so stylish.  so comfortable.  if you need to be on your feet all day, get a pair.  your tootsies will thank you.  and they pair so perfectly with a skinny pair of denim.  

if you missed our Monday’s post, i put together a large selection of fall bags. today i’ve got a simple leather tote.  super simple, but super practical.  you can grab a similar tote at Nordstrom.

all right, gang!  hump day is here.  we’re halfway through the week.  today, talk to me about your personal style and aesthetic.  what does it say about you?  what do you want to project with it?  have you maintained and developed your style through the years?  or has it changed?  has it evolved, or are you totally rethinking it?  leave a comment below.  your outpouring of love, support, and interest is always an inspiration to me. 

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