Pearl Peter Pan collar necklace

I got this super-cute pearl-and-crystal collar necklace at Christmas and I've been really keen to wear it on the blog ever since. I discovered it goes well with a classic silk dress which I thrifted over a year ago and have also been wanting to show on the blog. It's the closest my wardrobe has come to spring in months! I added a dark brown ribbon to the necklace to tie it in with the blazer, and secured the ribbon in place with a pavé crystal stud earring. 

If any of you own collar necklaces, here are some fun ways other fashion bloggers have worn them, courtesy of a Teen Vogue compilation. I can't wait to try some of these out. 

xx

 

Dress - Thrifted (Gap)

Jacket - Trf (also here and here)

Necklace - Winners (DIY ribbon and stud earring)

Shoes - Liz Claiborne via Winners

Earrings - Steelex

Watch - Kenneth Cole

Pashmina - Gift

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Hello! It's good to be back after a couple of weeks of not blogging. Between my vacation, a bout of stomach flu, a busy stretch at the office and general weariness with winter, I haven't been making time for a second glance. This pastel skirt and blouse combination ended up being just the pick-me-up I needed from my Mom, who surprised me with them after a trip to the outlets in the US. She's the kind of person who rarely buys anything for herself but regularly get her kids little gifts even though we're all 'growed up'. So sweet! 

Anyways, I wanted the outfit to reflect the transition into spring so I wore a dark blazer in an equally playful print. Translational was a fitting theme for this post because it also hints at my new ombré hair colour! (I have some better pictures in upcoming posts).

Have you guys been having weather blahs? How do you deal?

Are any of you going ombré this spring?

xx

Blazer - Thrifted (George) (most recently here)

Blouse - Banana Republic via outlets

Top - Banana Republic via outlets

Shoes - Thrifted (Aldo)

Earrings - Laura

Ring - Winners

Island of misfit clothes #4: The dark grey wool suit skirt

#4: THE GREY WOOL SUIT SKIRT

I had this skirt made in Vietnam in 2010 as part of a 3-piece suit (skirt/pants/jacket). Originally, it was more straight cut than shown.

Pros: It's lined wool and a classic work piece. I have a matching blazer. It was made to measure.

Cons: It can look dowdy. Over time it has lost some of its pressed polish. It has no belt loops.

Solution: I had the skirt altered from a straight cut to more of a pencil shape. To make it look more sexy/less matronly I wore it with a light-coloured lacy camisole, high heels and statement earrings and glasses. I wore it with the suit jacket to emphasize the tailoring that went into making this suit.

Suit -  Chichi
Camisole - Banana Republic (also here)
Shoes - Guess via Winners
Bag - Dooney and Burke
Earrings - Witchery

Animal prints and red shoes

Maybe it's the lack of inspiration that comes with the late-winter blahs, but lately I've been gravitating towards simpler silhouettes and classic colour combinations. Even my blog titles have been pretty mundane. Luckily this week is anything but for me. I'm in Whistler BC for a week of skiing with extended family :D Getting out on truly big mountains has been on my bucket list forever so I've been counting down the days to this vacation!!

All of this week's posts have been scheduled in advance as I will be spending time in nothing but sweatpants, wool sweaters and cozy socks. Hopefully by the time I return I can start pulling out some pastel colours from my closet. Looking forward to catching up on all your blog posts when I get back!

xx

Shirt - Van Heusen

Skirt - Thrifted (Joseph Ribkoff) (most recently here)

Cardigan - Tommy Hilfiger

Belt - ?

Shoes - Shoe Republic via sample sale

Necklace - Thrifted (Jones New York)

Earrings - Gift

Seafood lasagna

This past Valentine's Day I was on a training course which ended earlier than my usual workday. B was scheduled to work well into the night so I decided to pick up some fresh pasta on my way home. I figured even if we couldn't eat together, at least we'd have a nice meal to mark the occasion. As I meandered through the fresh food section picking up ingredients, pasta turned into lasagna and lasagna turned into seafood lasagna. The night ended on a high note, with B getting off work at 7:30, just as I was pulling the bubbling dish out of the oven. And the spoiling went both ways - I got a spa certificate for a massage :) This recipe, which is an adaptation of my mom's, serves 4-6. 

xx

To prepare vegetables:

Trim 1/2 bunch of asparagus and cut into 1" pieces, reserving the trimmings. Peel and slice 6-8 white mushrooms, reserving the trimmings. Peel and slice 4 shallots, reserving the trimmings. Place vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl with a couple of spoonfuls of water, cover and microwave for 2 minutes to soften the vegetables slightly. Wrap the trimmings in a cheesecloth and set aside.

To prepare sauce:

In a saucepan over medium heat, prepare a roux with 3T butter and 3T flour. Add 1 cup vegetable broth and 3/4 cup dry white wine and whisk vigorously to remove lumps. Add the vegetable trimmings in the cheesecloth (for easier removal) and 1T thyme. Increase heat to bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Continue whisking regularly until the sauce is thicker than the desired consistency. Remove the trimmings. Thin the sauce by adding 1/4 cup low-fat milk, then season to taste.

To prepare seafood:
Cut one raw haddock fillet (or other mild white fish) into bite-sized pieces. Add haddock pieces, 200 g extra-small shrimp and 200g imitation crab to the sauce. (The seafood can be added raw as it will cook quickly once the lasagna is in the oven.)

To prepare cheese:

In a small mixing bowl, whisk one egg. Stir in 1 tub light ricotta cheese. 
Option: Stir in fresh or frozen spinach.

To assemble:

Place a layer of fresh lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 9" x 9" pan, then top with a layer of seafood in sauce, a layer of vegetables and a layer of the ricotta mixture. Repeat. Finish with one more layer of lasagna noodles. Sprinkle grated aged white cheddar cheese on top. 

To bake:
Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, then broil for a minute or two until cheese starts to brown.