Happy Friday, ladies! I hope you had a wonderful week. We're back to our normal schedule this week with a Fridays with Oscar. Per usual, I've got a super simple cocktail and appetizer perfect for a Friday night on the porch. Plus, I'm showing you my casual take on a v-neck sweater---an old classic that never really goes out of fashion.
So here's to you ladies: Ollie, Oscar, and I am wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Today's OOTD is a casual take on a v-neck sweater
The outfit is modeled, and I pulled together 2 alternates
Today's cocktail is a limoncello prosecco
Today's appetizer is a fig and goat cheese crostini
Today's featured item is a v-neck slub vest from Talbots. Personally, what I love about v-neck sweaters is their versatility. You can layer them on top of a tank, tee, or button-down. Or you can wear them without, like I've done today.
My outfit could not be more simple: a pair of shorts (old, similar here and here) and sandals. But make sure to check out today's alternatives. This sweater works great with a pair of denim or cropped wide-leg pants.
INGREDIENTS
750 ml prosecco
1 cup limoncello, chilled ice
blueberries
thyme
lemon slices
Add the prosecco and limoncello liquor to a pitcher and stir.
Place a handful of blueberries in a glass, top with ice and fill with the limoncello prosecco.
Garnish with thyme and lemon slices.
1 baguette
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 5 oz soft goat cheese with honey
1/4 C fig butter or fig jam
2 Tbsp honey
10 leaves mint
Preheat oven to 350°. Slice your baguette into 1/2″ diagonal slices. Cutting on a diagonal will give you more space for toppings and looks better. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and either drizzle or brush olive oil on top of each one, just one side.
Bake the baguette slices for 5-8 minutes, until the edges are slightly crisp and the center is still soft. They will get a light brown color.
Whipping your goat cheese will make it creamy and easy to spread, rather than crumbly. Place your cheese into the bowl of a stand mixer or use a hand mixer to whip until creamy. About 1 minute. If you can’t find goat cheese with honey already added, add 2 Tbsp of honey and then mix.
Spread about 1 Tbsp of goat cheese onto each slice.
Spread about 1 Tbsp of fig jam on top of the goat cheese.
Place all your slices next to each other (in a square) and then drizzle honey all over. I like honey, so I used about 2 Tbsp, but you can use as much or as little as you like.
Slice your mint leaves into little long pieces and place evenly on top of your fig jam. Don’t skip this step! The mint really sends this over the edge and gives this a fresh taste.
Yesterday, I introduced you to the Coastal Grandmother trend. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Happy Tuesday, ladies. Did anyone else catch the Oscars? I have to admit, I didn’t watch them live. But they sure made the news—probably not what they were hoping for. I am on the hunt for new-ish movies. So if anyone has recommendations, leave them in the comments below! We’ve got a classic OOTD for you today: an Eileen Fisher collar dress styled 2 ways—sort of. Also, just want to throw this on your radar:
SAACA has a big announcement Thursday.
Don’t worry. We’ll announce it over email and across my social channels. But it is our biggest in a long time. So stay tuned.
We’ve been all about dresses on the blog lately. Sunday, we brought you a Spring Guide to Dresses. Yesterday, I rounded up a great selection of dresses from Kohl’s. Today, I’ve got a Mandarin Collar Dress from Eileen Fisher.
For my first look, I styled this simple linen shift dress with a pair of quilted sneakers, also from Eileen Fisher. Couldn’t be simpler, really. I’ve really been feeling sneakers this Spring, and these are super comfy. Paired with white, matching sunglasses, you’re ready for a full day out. No muss. No fuss.
Mandarin Collar Dress (Eileen Fisher) | Quilted Sneakers (Eileen Fisher, three colors) | Sandals (Tuckernuck) | Straw Handbag (Mark & Graham) | Station Necklace (old, similar here and here, from Tory Burch) | Earrings | Watchband | Bangle | Sunglasses
The second “look” is as simple as swapping out the sneakers for a pair of sandals from Tuckernuck. I love what little changes to an outfit can do, especially with shoes and accessories. Headed to the beach this year? This is the perfect look.
And I have to say, I always have a special place in my heart for Mark & Graham. This simple straw handbag does not disappoint. Classic look and feel. It’ll work well with a lot of the Spring outfits we’ve put together this year.
Mandarin Collar Dress (Eileen Fisher) | Quilted Sneakers (Eileen Fisher, three colors) | Sandals (Tuckernuck) | Straw Handbag (Mark & Graham) | Station Necklace (old, similar here and here, from Tory Burch) | Earrings | Watchband | Bangle | Sunglasses
Mandarin Collar Dress (Eileen Fisher) | Quilted Sneakers (Eileen Fisher, three colors) | Sandals (Tuckernuck) | Straw Handbag (Mark & Graham) | Station Necklace (old, similar here and here, from Tory Burch) | Earrings | Watchband | Bangle | Sunglasses
Both my sunglasses and sandals have made our real vs. deal list this year. In case you missed it, I’ll repost below.
Prada sunglasses are iconic but pricey. No doubt. Want the look but don’t want to break the bank? I’ve rounded up four more budget-friendly dupes/copies of these sunglasses below.
We’re all familiar with the iconic Hermès Sandals. Totally gorgeous. Totally classic. Very similar to what I featured above. And are they not perfect for Spring? Today, I’ve rounded up four more budget-friendly dupes/copies of those sandals below.
If you’re looking for more dresses, make sure to check out our Guide to Spring Dresses 2022.
Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
Happy Friday, gang! Another week has come and gone, and so has my beach getaway to Cancún, Mexico. It was a relaxing trip filled with blue skies, sunshine, and a white sandy beach that stretched for miles. Margaritas on the rocks, guacamole, and chips, plus a good beach read are all that’s necessary to keep this girl happy. I am truly my mother’s daughter in so many ways. Now it’s time to switch gears and get back to work. I’ve got a fun one for you today: how to make a charcuterie board.
While I was gone, my garage door was finally installed! Hooray! It’s beautiful. Next up is a paint job outside. Yes, the house is getting a facelift, and I finally decided to paint the brick! The prep work started while I was in Mexico; barring rain, I will have a brand spanking fresh coat of paint (or two) by the end of next week. Black gutters were installed in February, so along with a new garage door and paint job, my 70s ranch will look fresh and modern. Houses need to keep up with the times just like us!
Today’s outfit is just as simple to throw together as the charcuterie tray! It’s a simple style uniform for spring and summer: denim, tee or blouse, and sandals. When spring rolls into town the rinse of my denim gets lighter.
Yes, it visually adds pounds but I’m totally okay with putting FUN into my wardrobe and nothing says summer than a pair of light rinse denim from Ann Taylor. Y’all know my love of white blouses so it was time to slip into a short sleeve version of this iconic closet staple from J.Crew (old, similar here and here). Add a pair of white sandals from Tory Burch and this outfit is in the bag.
denim | blouse (old, similar here and here) | bracelet | watch band | bangle | sandals
Today’s menu couldn’t be easier or more perfect for a beautiful spring day. Wine and cheese, anyone? A charcuterie board is so easy to put together especially last minute when friends and family drop by. There is nothing better than sitting on my screen porch with a glass of wi e in hand and good company.
Today, I chose a savory board for my theme that includes one hard and one soft cheese. I added nuts, cured meats, pickled vegetables, olives, sweet fig jam, and a crusty baguette. So easy, right?
I have a tried and true method to pull together a platter in no time flat! And what’s easier than uncorking a bottle of red and white wine? I always like to keep one of each on hand. So come join Oscar and me, and Ollie whose always in the background.
denim | blouse (old, similar here and here) | bracelet | watch band | bangle | sandals
Oscar, Ollie, and I wish you a lovely weekend!
It’s travel week all week over here on the blog. So far, we’ve shown you
Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
This post sponsored by Nordstrom
Whether you’re on team one-piece or two, one thing is for certain swimsuit season has arrived. So pick a suit any suit and go enjoy the beach, lake, or pool. This week, I gathered a few swimsuits for my beach getaway in Cancún, Mexico. It’s been a little slice of heaven this week with blue skies and even bluer ocean and a white sandy beach to dip my toes into. What’s in my beach bag? I’m spilling the beans today with a little help from my favorite retailer Nordstrom which makes one-stop shopping a breeze. Here are 3 women’s bathing suits for 2022 that I’m loving.
First things first, sunscreen is a must when I head outdoors, and Goop PLAY is a favorite of mine for long-wearing protection and reef-safe ingredients. But let’s not forget our lips need protection too. Enter fresh Sugar Lip Balm with SPF 15 that keeps my lips hydrated. And while we’re talking about protection from the sun, let’s not forget the importance a hat plays in keeping our face shielded from the harmful UV rays. It’s a non-negotiable in my book, as well as a pair of sunglasses that shields my baby blues from the sun.
La Blanca has been a favorite swim brand of mine for years. This black one-shoulder suit didn’t disappoint! It’s lined with molded cups, flattering ruched shirring, and built-in tummy control. The swimsuit also comes in indigo. Since we’re talking swimwear, let’s not forget to add a slouchy hooded coverup which is a must-have item to swish through any hotel lobby. It’s from La Blanca and comes in black or blue and could easily pull double duty as a light and airy tunic.
swimsuit | coverup | similar sunglasses | sandals | hat (similar here and here) | sunscreen | lip balm | tote (similar here and here)
I’m loving this Grecian-style two-piece from Norma Kamali. It’s definitely made for a day at the pool sipping piña coladas but isn’t that what vacay is for? White leather sandals from Tory Burch are the perfect addition, as well as all of my sun accessories.
top | bottom (sold out similar here) | similar sunglasses | sandals | hat (similar here and here) | sunscreen | lip balm | tote (similar here and here)
If you want to put a little FUN into your swimwear, then look no further than Trina Turk. Her swimsuit prints are always colorful and pack a punch. This one-piece is a year old, but I loved this one or this one.
A few of my favorite things about Nordstrom:
A big thank you to Nordstrom for this sponsored post. And thank you, lovely readers for supporting the brands that allow me to bring you fresh ideas.
It’s travel week all week over here on the blog. So far, we’ve shown you
Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
Happy March, ladies! We made it through February and are headed straight into Spring. First and foremost, I wanted to say, “thank you”. This February was our best February ever over here at SAACA. And that’s solely due to your continued, daily support of what we’re doing here. To kick this month off, I’m styling a black skirt and top set from Scoop (available at Walmart) 2 ways. I’m going to show you how to dress that set up for an evening out at dinner or down for a day of shopping. And the best part is: all you have to do is swap your shoes!
Also—and I’m pretty excited about this—speaking of shoes, we’re featuring another real vs. deal. We’ll look at the iconic Hermès Sandals and I’ll show you some similar, more budget-friendly options. Happy Tuesday!
For our first style today, I’m pairing a black cap sleeve top with a black ruffle smocked skirt. Both are from Scoop available at Walmart. To dress this outfit up, I went with a pair of black strappy sandals from Vince Camuto. With the country opening back up again, I imagine many of you are spending evenings out again. This is the perfect outfit for a Spring night out.
This Kensington cross body bag and London cuff bracelet from Kurt Geiger really push the outfit over the edge and give it a little pizazz.
Black Cap Sleeve Top (3 colors, yellow, fiery red, and black) | Black Ruffle Smocked Skirt (3 colors, yellow, fiery red, and black) | Black Strappy Sandals (Vince Camuto) | London Cuff Bracelet (Kurt Geiger) | Kensington Cross Body Bag (Kurt Geiger) | Brown Flat Sandals (Sam Edelman) | Macrame Handbag (Scoop) | Wood Bangle (My Amazon Storefront) | Cat Eye Sunglasses from Scoop
Black Cap Sleeve Top (3 colors, yellow, fiery red, and black) | Black Ruffle Smocked Skirt (3 colors, yellow, fiery red, and black) | Black Strappy Sandals (Vince Camuto) | London Cuff Bracelet (Kurt Geiger) | Kensington Cross Body Bag (Kurt Geiger) | Brown Flat Sandals (Sam Edelman) | Macrame Handbag (Scoop) | Wood Bangle (My Amazon Storefront) | Cat Eye Sunglasses from Scoop
Alright, now for the power of shoes and accessories. Same black cap sleeve top with a black ruffle smocked skirt. But this time, I want to dress it down—slightly. Perfect for resort wear or a regional travel day, I’ve swapped out my strappy sandals for brown flat ones from Sam Edelman. I also traded my cross body bag for a macrame handbag from Scoop—a real steal. It truly is amazing the power of accessories, and how they can change the nature of an outfit!
Black Cap Sleeve Top (3 colors, yellow, fiery red, and black) | Black Ruffle Smocked Skirt (3 colors, yellow, fiery red, and black) | Black Strappy Sandals (Vince Camuto) | London Cuff Bracelet (Kurt Geiger) | Kensington Cross Body Bag (Kurt Geiger) | Brown Flat Sandals (Sam Edelman) | Macrame Handbag (Scoop) | Wood Bangle (My Amazon Storefront) | Cat Eye Sunglasses from Scoop
Alright, something a little fun today: real vs deal. We’re all familiar with the iconic Hermès Sandals. Totally gorgeous. Totally classic. Very similar to what I featured above. And are they not perfect for Spring? Today, I’ve rounded up four more budget-friendly dupes/copies of those sandals below.
We’re trying something new today: we’re running 2 posts at once. Click to see February’s top 5 reader favorites as chosen by you!
This post sponsored by Halsbrook
Happy Friday, gang! We made it through another week. Can you believe this is the last weekend in February?! Spring truly is just around the corner, even if the snow may be falling in your neck of the woods. Oscar is by my side once again, and we’re dishing up a delicious Caesar Salad and scrumptious cocktail. Come on in and stay awhile!
It’s been a moment since I’ve partnered with Halsbrook, a company dedicated to style, quality, and fit. Their assortment of American and European designers is not available anywhere else online. Max Mara, Veronica Beard, Vince, and Eileen Fisher are all represented at Halsbrook. What I love best about this online retailer is their styling point of view, that’s sophisticated sensibility. Every piece found at Halsbrook is on-trend, not trendy. Amen! But what I think I love most about Halsbrook is the backstory of the founder, Halsey Schroeder. Here’s a soundbite:
Halsey Schroeder has her mother to thank for many things, not the least of which is the inspiration for Halsbrook. Halsey grew up watching her mother carefully build her wardrobe – choosing beautiful pieces that would stand the test of time. Having acquired the same sense of style, Halsey soon discovered how underserved this market was. “Everything was too flashy and trendy.” And just like that, Halsbrook was born.
Women influencing women – especially mothers and daughters. Now, that’s a brand I can stand behind.
For some of us, winter is still here; and for others, it’s basically here. That’s why I’m always on the hunt for that perfect transition weather sweater. That’s why I’m easing into the season with a pair of Veronica Beard off-white stretch cotton pants that fit like a dream and this must-have Eileen Fisher cotton boucle sweater. It’s a comfy sweater that’s just the right weight for Spring temperatures.
They’re both available online at Halsbrook, a company that offers style solutions for your everyday look with the convenience of online shopping. Don’t you love it!
Pants (Veronica Beard) | Sweater (Eileen Fisher) |Sandals (similar)
Today’s recipe is a fun and easy take on an old favorite—the mighty Caeser salad. Give this Tahini dressing a try to put a new spin on an old favorite.
Pants (Veronica Beard) | Sweater (Eileen Fisher) | Sandals (similar)
I tossed my breadcrumbs with olive oil and set them in a stainless steel skillet over high heat tossing them until brown.
Alright—a big shoutout to America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) and their book How to Cocktail. ATK is one of my favorites and their recipes appear regularly on my daughter-in-law’s blog Djalali Cooks. They always have great recipe ideas, kitchen hacks, and product reviews. If you’re not checking in on them regularly, you should be.
Pants (Veronica Beard) | Sweater (Eileen Fisher) | Sandals (similar)
2 ounces dry gin
1/4 ounce lime juice
3/4 ounce simple syrup
6 fresh mint leaves, plus mint sprig for garnish
Add gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and mint to a cocktail shaker, then fill with ice. Shake mixture for 30 seconds. Strain cocktail into cocktail glasses. Garnish with mint.
Happy Friday, ladies! From Oscar, Ollie, and me to all of you—have a wonderful weekend!
Pants (Veronica Beard) | Sweater (Eileen Fisher) | Sandals (similar)
A big thank you to Halsbrook for this sponsored post. Companies like this although me to bring to you items like a must-have Eileen Fisher sweater. So fun. And thank you, lovely readers, for supporting the brands that allow me to bring you these new ideas.
We’re continuing with our Spring previews over here on the blog. Yesterday, we took a look at the 5 shoes trending this Spring. So make sure to check it out!
We just posted a new DAILY LOOK, so make sure to check it out. Daily Looks is a really simple feature: a dedicated photo feed of my daily outfits. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
friday is here again, and so are we for fridays with oscar. this week closes with a smart skirt ensemble; a colorful print perfect for summer. this week we talked all things skirts and this one definitely appeals to my preppy aesthetic. our appetizer today is light and easy. and our cocktail is a blackberry bourbon smash, full of refreshing flavor – which makes it an easy convert to a mocktail.
for all of my regular readers, you know i love to mix patterns and stripes. a fine blue striped sleeveless button up blouse pairs perfectly with my tropical fruit and floral print skirt. i love the colors in this skirt! bright orange and pink mixes so well with contrasting blues and minty green. nothing like bright pops of color to lighten everything up! all of today’s items are from Talbots.
the woven strap slide sandals really bring the contrasting colors to a perfect point, as they mix orange and pink with blue.
my white belt adds another touch of contrasting pattern with its raffia triangle trim.
Vietnamese summer rolls are a refreshing and light summer appetizer or light meal. they are simple to make and you can put what you like in them, to riff on it in your own way.
these have shrimp, purple cabbage, cilantro, arugula, carrots, mung bean sprouts and cucumber. the rice paper wrappers are pretty easy to use provided you don’t overstuff the roll. it definitely gets easier and better as you make a few of them.
there isn’t much of a recipe. you simply prep your veggies and soak one rice sheet at a time in water until it’s soft. then you lay it flat on a surface, smoothing out any wrinkles. layer in your veggies and protein.
then take the side closest to you and fold it over the veggies. then take one end and fold it over, take the other end and fold it over so you have something like an envelope. then, take the side closest to you, wrap your hands around the top of the roll and gently pull it toward you to help with the cylindrical shape. begin to roll it away from you.
usually summer rolls come with peanut dipping sauce but i wanted something different so i chose to do a simple tahini dipping sauce.
mix all ingredients in a bowl. whisk until smooth. if needed, add more water incrementally to get desired consistency
this cocktail is great mocktail, just omit the bourbon and replace it with two ounces of plain water. the mint makes this so refreshing. if you don’t care for bourbon, you could try vodka or a herbaceous gin, like Hendricks.
in a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries, honey and mint until blended.
add ice, lemon juice and bourbon, shake to mix.
strain into ice filled glasses, top with seltzer. garnish with blackberries.
well gang, we’re at the end of another week, and another fridays with oscar. i hope you have enjoyed this closeup look at skirts on the blog. a preppy skirt for summer is the perfect way to close the week. in case you need to catch up on skirt week, you can find a gorgeous sequin pencil skirt styled with a casual linen top. or a white safari-chic button up pencil skirt. and don’t miss my latest fashion flash video – devoted to all the skirts this week! oscar, ollie and i wish all of you a wonderful weekend!
are you ready for summer? with all that’s been going on in the world, it’s easy to forget it’s right around the corner. spring came and went, much of which was spent under quarantine. it’s easy to lose sight of—easy to forget—simple constants and milestones like the passing of seasons. it’s unclear what this summer will look like. although some of the country is slowly beginning to reopen, it’s hard to imagine this summer will be filled with, say travel like years past. and that’s going to take some getting used to, no doubt. but as we’ve said on the blog: we have to look upwards first and forward second. in the spirit of positivity, today we’re going to herald in summer in only the way we can over here on the blog: we’re going to run through our top 4 summer wardrobe essentials that will serve you well June, July and August.
there’s always a lively discussion when it comes to jumpsuits. some women can’t be bothered with them. but i’m a fan. just like a dress, they are one and done. and they’re perfect for those hot summer temps that are on the horizon. jumpsuits look fabulous with a blazer. but they can fly solo just as well, which is why a jumpsuit makes the 5 summer wardrobe essentials list.
similar wrap top jumpsuit | similar stripe jumpsuit | similar wide leg jumpsuit
whether it’s white denim, white chinos, or white straight leg trousers white is more than all right all summer long. white pants are crisp, and clean, and cool.
white denim | white trousers | white chinos
get your tootsies summer ready with a pedicure ‘cuz it’s time to slip into a pair of summer sandals.
similar metallic block heel | similar jack rogers | similar strappy sandal | metallic wavy sandals
summer days and summer nights call for a summer dress. let’s make sure our wardrobe has more than a few on hand. maxis are perfect for the evening. sundresses for beach chic vibes. and let’s not forget a shirtdress for lunch with the girls.
similar black dress | similar shirtdress | similar striped dress | similar white dress
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