What I wore today: 10/19/2012 (Pajama Game)

My tips for making the pajama-top-as-daywear trend look chic, not sloppy:

01. Pick a solid color or a simple pattern like stripes rather that a kooky pattern that's obviously designed for sleepwear.

02. Roll up the sleeves and tie the front or tuck it in. These little touches give the top a new shape and make you look pulled together, and not as if you just rolled out of bed.

03. Add jewelry. Like rolling your sleeves, or tying the front of your top, adding jewelry gives your look an air of thoughtfulness, which helps your outfit read "intentionally trying out a fun trend" rather than "slept through my alarm this morning."

04. Have fun with it. I paired my pajama top with velvet loafers that hint at the idea of smoking slippers. I don't want to look like I rolled out of bed, but I do want to take advantage of the glamourous, loungey feeling that my satin pajama top is bringing to the outfit party. After all, if I just wanted to look like I was wearing a plain top, I could just wear a plain top. But, as I'm wearing PJs, why not wink a bit and let my outfit have a sense of humor.  

Full disclosure: trying out new trends can be scary. I offer these tips in the hope that they can assuage some of your fears if you've been drawn to this trend but haven't had the confidence to take the plunge yet because you worried you might not be able to "pull it off." However, don't think that my giving advice means that I am in any way immune to the same insecurities as you. I wore this outfit to work and I was really nervous about it. Once I got to work, however, I got three compliments: two from people who realized it was a pajama top and one from someone who didn't. Their kind words reassured me.

Sometimes fashion is fun, and sometimes it's scary . . . and sometimes, like the best things in life (roller coasters, falling in love), it's a little of both. 

Satin pajama top - Victoria's secret

Polka-dot jeans - AG, Anthropologie

Velvet loafers - Urban Outfitters

Studded-bottom bag - eBay

Necklace - J.Crew Factory

Bracelets - Anthropologie, Asos, J.Crew

Diamond watch - Citizen

Join me on: facebook // twitter // bloglovin // pinterest // instagram

Fall recipe: Brussels sprout and gorgonzola risotto

If I discover a combination of flavors that I love, and one of those flavors is a cheese, they will inevitably make their way into a risotto together. That's just how I roll. 

Last year, the obsession was pumpkin and goat cheese. Risotto recipe here. Lately, I've been really into pairing Brussels sprouts with gorgonzola. 

First, I should say that if you think that you don't like Brussels sprouts, you are almost certainly the victim of bad Brussels sprout PR. You've had them boiled or steamed. You hated them and I don't blame you. 

Brussels sprouts need to be roasted, sautéed, or caramelized. When cooked with indirect heat, they get bitter and slimy. When browned with direct heat, they sing.

Recipe (serves two)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 pound Brussels sprouts

1 cup arborio rice

3 cups broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)

3 ounces gorgonzola, crumbled

salt and pepper to taste

01. Trim stems off Brussels sprouts and cut each one in half. Sautée in olive oil over medium heat untill browned in places. 

02. In a separate pan on an adjacent burner, bring broth to a simmer.. 

03. Add arborio rice to the Brussels sprouts and oil, stirring to combine so the rice is evenly coated.

04. Keeping the broth at a simmer, add a ladle-full at a time to the rice mixture, stirring constantly. As each ladle-full is absorbed, add another, stirring constantly until the rice is al dente. This may use less than the total amount of broth or it may use the three cups exactly. If you need more, add boiling water from a tea kettle after the broth is used up. This whole process takes about 20-30 minutes of stirring. It's what intimidates most people about making risotto from scratch, but I find that it can be quite relaxing if you remember to be patient. After all, it's not complicated; it just takes time.

05. Take the risotto off the heat. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the gorgonzola, reserving some for garnish if you so desire. 

Join me on: facebook // twitter // bloglovin // pinterest // instagram

What I wore today: 10/16/2012 (Knotted Maxi)

I've been wearing my new ankle boots with short skirts and cuffed jeans a lot. But, the other day, it occurred to me that they might just work with a maxi skirt, knotted to show off my new kicks. 

And, just like that, my favorite summer staple made its way into fall. 

Maxi skirt: Target

Ankle boots: Target

Striped cashmere sweater: J.Crew

Knubbly loop scarf: Anthropologie

Join me on: facebook // twitter // bloglovin // pinterest // instagram

What I wore today: 10/12/2012 (Ombré Chambray)

 

Sometimes, you just need another chambray shirt. Never mind that you already have the gray-blue with the metal-tipped collar that you DIYed, and the soft one with the ruffled collar, and the light blue one with the slit in the back that makes you feel like you're wearing a tux and tails version of the Texas tuxedo . . .  this one is ombré! And it's $22.99. (Thank you, Target!)

Sometimes you need to pair that shirt with a Missoni for Target sweater dress and a pair of Target ankle boots that you like even more than the Dolce Vita ones you almost bought because these have a short enough heal that you can stand in them all day.

Sometimes you feel like you could do commercials for Target.

Ombré chambray shirt - Target

Chevron sweater dress - Missoni for Target

Yellow belt - Anthropologie

Ankle boots - Target

Join me on: facebook // twitter // bloglovin // pinterest // instagram

What I wore today: 10/03/2012 (Swayze)

For me, fall fashion is about rich colors, cozy knits, layering, and pattern mixing. 

This lovely Fair Isle blazer is part sweater part blazer, so Ryan has taken to calling it my Swayze. I think it's a really special piece and I love that the knit alternates between stripes of right-side-out and wrong-side-out Fair Isle. 

There's something so beautiful about the exposed underside of fabric. It tells a story of secrets exposed, vulnerability, and the craftsmanship that goes into a garment. Also it looks cool. 

Fair Isle blazer - Anthropologie

Teal and navy dress - Target (also seen here)

Leather clogs with faux fur trim - thrifted

Studded bottom bag - eBay

Join me on: facebook // twitter // bloglovin // pinterest // instagram