sparkles and fur are meant for everyday

I'm a firm believer in not saving things for special occasions. But it took some time to retrain my thinking. I used to think only fine china was used on holidays, and special outfits were only meant for special occasions. Not anymore! Why save something so amazing only to be left sitting in a closet -- unused and lonely. Dishes are meant to be used, candles are meant to be burned, and clothes are meant to be worn. This goes especially for fur and sparkles. They are not longer reserved for special fun nights. Nope. Wear your most fun and favorite pieces during the day time, on a Tuesday, only if you have to run to the post office! And that's your #tbt advice for the day : )

| Details |

Faux leather jacket: Express // T-shirt: Old Navy (similar) // Fur snood: Asos //
Skirt: Forever 21 (similar) // Tights: Target (good option) // Booties: Payless (similar) //
Sparkle wallet/clutch: Nine West (similar) // Gold watch: Fossil // Spike bracelet: Asos (similar)

So what are your thoughts? are you one to save your best outfits and favorites pieces for special occasions? Or do you wear the heck out of your stuff??

xo Steph

The easiest Chicken Tortilla Soup, Ever!

Have I mentioned I've been on a soup kick lately? Well I think with the cold weather, soup is the one comforting thing I crave to really warm me up, both body and soul! For my other cold weather soup creations you can check them out here and here.
So today on the menu and officially my new current favorite soup: Chicken Tortilla Soup. 
Not only is this delicious and soooo flavorful, but its honestly the EASIEST recipe ever. I kid you not, I made this in 5 minutes after work. And I'll tell you, after working 8 hours and coming home, going to the gym, and finally getting a chance to sit down -- cooking (as much as I love to do it) is not on my top priority list. But this soup is literally a 5 minute meal. Winning! And D liked it as well (and he typically doesn't like Mexican flavors/cuisine) so double winning!!

{ Chicken Tortilla Soup }

What You'll Need:

1 Box Organic Free Range Chicken Broth

1 Jar Trader Joe's Chunky Salsa

2 Cans Organic Black Beans

1 Cup Trader Joe's Frozen Roasted Organic Corn

1 Can of Premium White Chicken or 2 Boiled Organic Chicken Breasts (preferred)

Optional Garnishes (I personally like all of the following!)

Avocado

Cilantro

Mexican Blend Cheese 

Corn Tortilla Chips

Directions:

Combine all items in a large pot over medium heat. Stir well. When soup has reached desired temperature, ladle into a bowl and garnish with avocado, cilantro and cheese and broken up tortilla chips. 
See -- I told you how ridiculously easy this recipe is!!
 You can even make this soup more healthy by substituting raw black beans, raw corn and uncooked chicken into a crock pot and let it cook for the day (as opposed to the canned items) but again, the canned stuff was a lifesaver to make on a busy weekday : )

perfect for a rainy, chilly day.

Bon appetite friends!

Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

xo Steph

also linking up with Because Shanna Said So

Mustard & Leopard Love

This is literally the outfit I'm wearing today at work -- minus the jeans and throw in some black pants. I was feeling the mustard and leopard combo today, and I needed some bold colors and patterns to brighten up my seemingly boring Tuesday. Is it Thanksgiving break yet?? I can't wait to see my family, stuff my face with good old comfort foods, watch football, and get our Christmas trees on black Friday. 

Tis the season to be thankful : )

| details |

Mustard yellow top / Frame Denim ripped blue jeans / Gap bow ballet flat / MICHAEL Michael Kors zipper top / Deborah lippmann nail lacquer / Olivine Zest Set of 4 Alex and Ani

Happy Tuesday everyone! 

xo Steph

#movember

Happy Movember everyone! Not sure what Movember is? Well you can read more about it here, but basically it is a month long event to raise awareness for men's health issues -- all while the guys have some fun and get an excuse to grow these mustaches in the process. So to commemorate the occasion, I put together a collection of the best 'staches I could find online. Enjoy

| For the Guys |

Mustache hat // Iphone cover case // 7 For All Mankind The Movember Jean: Carsen Modern Straight Leg In... // 7 For All Mankind® 'Slimmy - Limited Edition Movember Collection' Slim... // Movember 2012 Fighting Prostate Testicular Cancer With Mustaches // Super hodinky s knírkem na Movember 4 barvy

| For the Ladies |

Aéropostale shiny shirt // Madden Girl closed toe shoes // Abbey Dawn flat loafer // Aéropostale neon purse // Forever 21 ring // Forever 21 tech accessory // Soup // Shot Glass Set - Mustaches

D has been supporting Movember for a while now. This lovely picture was from Movember 2011 I believe (although I'm not sure because I think I blocked this month out of my memory!) The mustache was in full force and I HATED it. I kid you not, we actually broke up over the mustache!! Looking back on it now it was all in good fun, but at the time the mustache, while raising awareness for men's health, raised awareness in me how much I hate the whole 70's adult film star look. YUCK. Love you though ; )

This years mustache is feeling more manageable, mostly because I told D it has to be a full beard or nothing at all. I actually don't mind the beard look and think D might look pretty cute rockin' the lumber jack look! Right now it's still in the beginning stages so it's nothing too drastic. Ask me again how I feel about it after Thanksgiving!

having a little penne ala vodka and white white, in my mustache wine glass of course!

So for anyone who would like to raise awareness and support men's health issues including and would like to support D and his ever growing mustache, you can check out his team's link here. Remember, it's all going to cancer research for men!

So ladies tell me, are any of you suffering through Movember like I am? 

Are your men growing 'staches for a good cause??

xo Steph