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.
Get excited, ladies! The Merry Month of May is within reach. We’re kicking it off with two recipes perfect for Cinco de Mayo. And to make it easy for you I’m partnering with Total Wine today which carries all the fixings for the perfect Margarita, Sangria or maybe you prefer a cold Cerveza. What I loved about Total Wine is that they share recipes for the perfect cocktail!
My best buddy Oscar is on deck today and he was oh so interested in the stuffed jalapeños I whipped up. It’s an easy recipe to make and serve and it’s pretty darn good if I do say so myself. Are you ready for the Cinco de Mayo version of Fridays with Oscar? Me too!
The weather has been glorious this past week so it was time to head out to the screened porch. There’s nothing better than whiling away the day in a comfy chair with a cool breeze and no bugs! That’s the best part of a screened porch. And I love to entertain out here.
Today's featured item is a comfy cosy sweater from J.Crew
I've got a stuffed jalapeños on the menu
I'm partnering with Total Wine for today's cocktail: Tequila Sunrise
The OOTD is shoppable via a text and image widget
My tablescape is also shoppable via a text and image widget
Today’s recipes are geared for Cinco de Mayo. Give me all the margaritas and tacos this time of year! Although I decided to mix things up this year. Let's kick things off with stuffed jalapenos.
8 large jalapeño peppers
8 cooked shrimp, chopped
2 – 4 ears of corn or 1/4 cup frozen
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 heaping tablespoon cilantro, chopped
1–2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
Queso Fresco Cheese
Heat oven to 375 degrees
Slice jalapeño peppers in halve. Place on baking sheet and bake for ten minutes.
Boil 4 ears of corn. When cooled cut the kernels from the corn and place in mixing bowl.
Chop the tomatoes and place in mixing bowl.
Chop the cooked shrimp and place in mixing bowl.
Add 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt.
Add chopped cilantro.
Add minced garlic.
Add salt.
Mix together.
Take jalapeños from oven.
Scoop the shrimp mixture into the jalapeños and place back in over. Bake for ten minutes.
Sprinkle Queso Fresco over the jalapeños and serve.
A Tequila Sunrise is as pretty to look at as it is to drink. And it’s so easy to make. Total Wine has all the fixings: tequila, orange juice, grenadine, and corona. Couldn’t be easier! But my kiddos love to sip on seltzers so I stocked up on Topo Chico Margarita Seltzers to have on hand.
2 ounces orange juice
2 ounces tequila
1 ounce grenadine
Corona Extra
Combine tequila and orange juice in a pint glass, add grenadine and ice, then fill with cold Corona Extra.
Garnish with an orange peel.
Now slowly pour the grenadine straight down the middle, so it sinks to the bottom.
Optionally garnish with a citrus wedge or sliver of orange peel.
Usually, Thursdays are a 2-post day. But this morning I shared my picks for Kohl's Friends and Family sale. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Hey, hey! It’s Friday, ladies, which means it’s time to kick off the weekend with a delicious recipe and cocktail. Of course, my favorite sidekick, Oscar is on deck and I’m sporting a laid-back outfit that’s perfect for a chilly Spring day. (Although simple, today's appetizer may be better than Clinton Kelly's shrimp appetizer, maybe.)
Can you believe our temps have bounced from 39 degrees to 75ish in the course of a week? Mother Nature can be a fickle creature this time of year. Lightweight sweaters and third layers come in handy! Rest assured I have one or the other on hand.
Today's featured item is a pair of boyfriend jeans from Kut from the Kloth
The jeans are modeled
The entire outfit is shoppable via a text or image widget
I've got a recipe for an Italian Greyhound and Avacado cucumber shrimp bites
This Spring I’ve been testing new denim silhouettes. The trend for 2022 is a looser fit and I can’t say I’m disappointed. I’ve always loved the slouchy fit of boyfriend jeans so I was thrilled to stumble upon this pair from Kut from the Kloth available at Nordstrom.
Since the temps were on the brisk side I reached for a striped sweater from Banana Republic. And I always love to slip into a pair of comfy shoes. How cute are these espadrilles from Vince?! They look adorable with a pair jeans.
1 Tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
1/4 cup sugar
2 ounces gin
4 ounces pink grapefruit juice
1 ounce Aperol
1 rosemary sprig, for garnish
Combine the rosemary and sugar and spread on a small plate
Rim edge of a glass with a lime wedge then press the glass onto the plate, turning to coat.
Fill glass with crushed ice. Add the gin, juice, and Aperol. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Stir gently. Enjoy!
Today’s recipes couldn’t be easier. Cucumber, guacamole and shrimp are all that’s needed to whip up a delicious appetizer or snack that’s healthy and perfect for a Spring or Summer day.
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped, plus more for garnish
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 avocado
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp lime juice, plus more to squeeze over finished appetizers
1 English Cucumber, sliced
Yesterday, I showed you a variety of different dresses, and additionally, different ways to style each. Click the title or image below to read the article.
For those of you who caught Sunday’s Talbots’ Spring new arrivals capsule wardrobe, this is the companion piece. I debated whether to run the two together in one mega-post, but decided to split them up. Last weekend, I went through Ann Taylor’s Spring new arrivals, and I’ve put together a capsule wardrobe. The name of the game is the same as it was this weekend. From 15 different items, I’ve put 5 different outfits together. The items include:
Here are the rules I tried to follow when selecting items:
Remember, I’ve only provided 5 potential outfits. The beauty of capsule wardrobes is that they can be mixed and matched in so many different ways. Sky is the limit, really. So let’s see what I came up with.
Crocodile Tote | Metro Short | Straw Clutch | Ponte Split-Neck Top | Pleat Front Top | Gingham Swing Jacket | Block Heel Sandal | Suede Mules | Straw Loafer Slides | Essential Black Shirt | Moto Jacket | Crop Pant | Chambray Paperbag Ankle Pant | Stitch Sweater | High-Rise Skinny Jeans
I absolutely love Ann Taylor’s essential shirts. So choosing one was a no-brainer. I imagine most of you have a black button-down and light wash jeans. But what really makes this outfit is the gingham coat and the suede mules. Perfect for a night out. But swap the gingham jacket for the moto one, and you’ll be living even more on the edge.
Crocodile Tote | Gingham Swing Jacket | Suede Mules | Essential Black Shirt | High-Rise Skinny Jeans
Simply Spring. That’s all I have to say about our second outfit. Loving the soft elegance of the Ponte split-neck top paired with these chambray paper bag ankle pants. Don’t like monochromatic blue? No problem. Swap the shirt for the white pleat front top, and you still maintain the essence of this outfit. The tan crocodile tote goes with all of the outfits I’ve put together—animal prints and textures are neturals!
Crocodile Tote | Ponte Split-Neck Top | Block Heel Sandal | Chambray Paperbag Ankle Pant
Classic white. Cannot beat it. Here, we’ve kept the chambray paper bag ankle pant pants from above but instead paired them with the pleat front top and moto jacket. Don’t worry, the sassiness of the jacket is subdued by the block heel sandal.
Crocodile Tote | Pleat Front Top | Block Heel Sandal | Moto Jacket | Crop Pant | Chambray Paperbag Ankle Pant
The simplest outfit of them all: a black stitch Sweater and high-rise skinny jeans. Can’t touch the classics, really. But how perfect are the straw clutch and Suede Mules together?
Straw Clutch | Suede Mules | Stitch Sweater | High-Rise Skinny Jeans
I’m so loving these straw loafer slides, I had to include them. They too work with just about any of the combinations above and subdue just about any outfit you could put together from this capsule wardrobe.
This is the first outfit with shorts. Ann Taylor’s metro short is conservative enough for most of us and definitely worth considering if you’re in the market.
Straw Clutch | Gingham Swing Jacket | Straw Loafer Slides | Essential Black Shirt | Metro Short
If you’re looking for more classic wardrobe ideas, make sure to check out our essential series:
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 Tuesday, ladies! After a beautiful Spring week, we’ve got rain here in Athens. No more evenings on the patio, at least for now. But as they say, when life gives you rain, bring a raincoat. In fact, this week has been all about Spring coats. On Sunday, we featured the most important Winter-to-Spring transition piece: the Spring jacket. Unsurprisingly, the raincoat made our list. And today we’re featuring what I think is one of 2022’s best women’s raincoats from Talbots.
One of the reasons I love Spring jackets—raincoats, in particular—is that they are the easiest way to introduce color into your wardrobe. This year is all about bright, bold colors: from beautiful coral reds to hot pinks, 2022 features it all.
Today’s feature is a plaid raincoat from Talbots. Its colorful, pink-based plaid pairs perfectly with the cutest pink rainboots from Amazon. What I love about this jacket, though, is that it would work well with a myriad of boots and shoes. I could see dressing the outfit up slightly with a pair of riding boots; or down with a pair of clogs or platform sneakers.
Raincoat (Talbots) | Rainboots (Amazon Store) | Sweater Ann Taylor (limited sizes similar here and here) | Denim (Wit & Wisdom) | Sunglasses (similar)
It’s been the year of the pink sweater for me. Last Fridays with Oscar, I featured a lovely pink v-neck sweater from LOFT. Today, I’m wearing this super comfy mock neck sweater from Ann Taylor (limited sizes, similar here and here). Style it with your favorite denim or pants; this sweater is the perfect transition piece for Spring.
Raincoat (Talbots) | Rainboots (Amazon Store) | Sweater Ann Taylor (limited sizes similar here and here) | Denim (Wit & Wisdom) | Sunglasses (similar)
My jeans are slim-straight from Wit & Wisdom—a new favorite of mine. Straight-leg jeans are in this year, and this pair, in particular, fits great.
Raincoat (Talbots) | Rainboots (Amazon Store) | Sweater Ann Taylor (limited sizes similar here and here) | Denim (Wit & Wisdom) | Sunglasses (similar)
We started our budget-friendly series last week with
We continued it yesterday with
both of which are from Scoop available at Walmart.
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, ladies! We made it through the week, finally. The weather in Athens has been wonderful—we hit 80 degrees yesterday! I spent the afternoon cleaning my patio and hosted happy hour with my son and daughter-in-law Kelly. Had to take advantage of the weather, because it looks like we’re in for a week of rain next week! My son was in such a good mood, he decided to order tickets to The Black Crowes in June. I’ve never really listened to them, but I haven’t seen live music since 2019. I’m looking forward to it. To get you into a good mood, I’ve got a colorful Spring sweater from LOFT that I know you’re going to love.
If you’ve been following the blog this Spring, you’ll know that pink is in for Spring. Today, I’ve layered a pink v-neck sweater (2 other colors) from Loft with a white button-down from Talbots. Super simple; super comfy; and classic. My jeans are old, but I’ve rounded up similar slim straight and high-rise skinny. Platform Sneakers made my top 5 shoes for Spring. (Similars here and here.)
sweater (Loft) | shirt (Talbots) | jeans (J.Crew old, similar here and here) | platform sneakers (similar here and here)
I’ve got a really easy recipe for you today that’s perfect if you’re inviting a small group over for appetizers and cocktails: grilled bread with ricotta & tomatoes.
A recipe from Bon Appétit that’s perfect for a light spring dinner.
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3/4 pound assorted small tomatoes (such as cherry, Sun Gold, or green), halved, quartered if large
8 slices 3/4”-thick country-style bread
1 cup (loosely packed) coarsely chopped mixed tender herbs (such as basil, parsley, small dill sprigs, and/or chives)
10 oz whole-milk ricotta
Finely chop garlic, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, then mash with the side of knife to a fine paste. Transfer to a medium bowl and whisk in vinegar and 2 Tbsp. oil. Add tomatoes; season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Let sit, tossing occasionally, at least 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare grill for medium-high heat. Brush both sides of bread with remaining 4 Tbsp. oil and grill until lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side.
Just before serving, toss herbs with tomato mixture. Spread ricotta on toast and top with tomato mixture; cut toast in half.
DO AHEAD: Tomato mixture (without herbs) can be made 12 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
A vodka-based cocktail is on the menu this week: a Bichon Frise. I love St. Elder liqueur, so it was hard to not pass along this recipe. Here’s to Friday, ladies! As my mother used to say, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere in the world.
sweater (Loft) | shirt (Talbots) | jeans (J.Crew old, similar here and here) | platform sneakers (similar here and here)
1/4 cup sugar (to rim glasses)
Grapefruit wedge
1 1/2 ounces vodka
1 ounce red grapefruit juice, plus strip of grapefruit peel for garnishing
1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur
1/4 ounce lemon juice
Spread sugar on small plate. Moisten rim of glass by running grapefruit wedge around outer edge. Roll moistened rim in sugar to coat.
Add vodka, grapefruit juice, liqueur, and lemon juice to cocktail shaker, then fill with ice. Shake until well chilled about 30 seconds. Double strain cocktail into prepared glass. Garnish with grapefruit peel.
Well, that’s a wrap for us over here at SAACA. From Oscar, Ollie, and myself, enjoy your weekend. And try to spend it with someone you love!
sweater (Loft) | shirt (Talbots) | jeans (J.Crew old, similar here and here) | platform sneakers (similar here and here)
One of our readers’ favorite retailers is Talbots. You probably noticed we snuck in a white button-down from them in addition to the Spring sweater from LOFT. In case you missed it, yesterday, we focused on the Talbots Spring Collection and featured a striped sweater that I just love. 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.
Hey, gang! Today we’re continuing with our Spring Preview series with a focus on Spring colors 2022. Simply stated, Spring colors this year are bright and arguably bolder than recent years. “Very Peri”—the new shade of periwinkle—took Pantone’s 2022 color of the year. But bright yellows, orangey-reds, and blues are on-trend. Stylecaster has colors like
as in-for-Spring. If you poke around other fashion magazines and websites you’ll see similar palettes.
Today’s post is super simple: I’ve rounded up 5 bright colors I’m loving this year and dug into the archives to show you different ways to style each color. Those (general) colors are:
Anyone who follows me regularly knows I love neutrals. But I have and will continue to embrace color any chance I get. No doubt “bright and bold” can sometimes be difficult to incorporate into our wardrobe. But remember, there are a lot of ways to introduce color pops into your classic wardrobe. If you’re not a fan of colorful tops or bottoms, try a handbag or scarf. If you’re on the fence about “yellow”, try pairing yellow shoes with a pair of black or white pants.
Have fun this Spring looking for new and interesting ways to introduce color into your closet. And as silly as it sounds, remember: a little color goes a lot further than we might think in a world that often seems dark.
For each featured color, I’ve rounded up 12 new arrivals I’m loving from 3 retailers:
I’m really enjoying each’s Spring collection. You can shop my picks by clicking on the widgets at the end of each section. You’ll see many of my picks in the upcoming weeks.
Our Spring preview series is in full swing. In case you’ve missed any of our posts, make sure to check 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.
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.
Happy Friday, ladies! We’ve made it through another week, and in all honesty, I cannot believe February is almost halfway over. Where is the time going? I think we’re all ready for Spring to arrive, that’s for sure. And although the weather here in Athens has warmed considerably, we’re just not quite there yet. So in hopes of moving Spring alone more quickly, I’m going full technicolor today—in stark contrast to yesterday’s neutral OOTD. We’re featuring a cozy striped funnel-neck sweater and one of the easiest (and most delicious) recipes yet!
Today’s OOTD is a super simple colorful way to make the transition from winter to spring. This cozy striped funnel-neck sweater is from Ann Taylor but already sold out! (Like so many things these days.) So, I’ve rounded up similars here, here, and here. I went matchy-matchy with these red pants from Frances Valentine. My ballet flats are old, but again, I’ve found similar here, here, and here).
Sweater (sold out, similar here, here, and here, Ann Taylor) | Pants (Frances Valentine) | Ballet Flats (old, similar here, here, and here Tory Burch) |Watchband | Bangle | Earrings
Want a deliciously healthy and simple recipe this weekend? Well, here’s one for you: a Greek chicken & hummus wrap. Whether you cook the chicken fresh or pick a rotisserie one up at your local grocery, you really can’t go wrong with this recipe.
I substituted the chicken breasts with a rotisserie chicken. No muss no fuss.
