What I Wore | If You Can't Beat 'Em...

WhatIWore: …join ‘em! I realized this morning that what I’m wearing today is another repeat outfit, except this time, swapping out some of my favorite pieces for their maternity style cousins. 

When: March 19, 2014

What:
Necklace: JessLC
Lips: NARS 'Afghan Red’
Jacket: Old Navy (similar)
Tunic: Old Navy (on sale for $15)
Maternity Leggings: Target
Bag: Coach (similar)
Booties: Rag and Bone

Where: Studio and lunch with Adam

Why: Ok, so yea. I wore a super similar outfit to this a couple weeks ago (and called it 'Uniform, so I suppose the repeat makes a lot of sense!) but have had to hang up my pixie pants (on sale) for a pair of maternity leggings. One thing I’ve learned lately (especially when it comes to your closet) never say never! I don’t really see it as a surrender or anything - in fact - I feel really cute! I’ve worn the tunic/leggings combo a couple times around town and it’s still pulled together and comfortable. Man. Looking at these photos I can’t believe I’m actually, really and truly pregnant! It’s something I’ve wanted for such a long time and it makes me soooo happy to see that lil bump. 

What I Wore | Minimal Mod

WhatIWore: This is normally the time of year when I unpack my vintage or retro style dresses with natural waists and full skirts. Unfortunately those aren’t going to cut it this spring and summer for me, so I’ve turned my eyes to straight shift dresses like this one. If I think of it as a little bit mid 60s mod, I can wrap my head around it better. Truth be told, I immediately belted this dress this morning and only took if off when my husband said “it looks sort of mod 60s without it” (go Adam with your fashion history knowledge!!). So no belt and a straight minimal mod shift shape it is… 

When: March 20, 2014

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Northern Lights’
Necklace: Gift
Dress: Target
Jacket: MICHAEL Michael Kors
Bag: Milly (similar color here)
TIghts: We Love Colors
Shoes: Audrey Brooks via DSW

Where: Studio

What I Wore | Peppermint Patty

WhatIWore: Over the weekend I took on a huge task - switching out all of my winter clothes in favor of springy things in my wardrobe. Lucky… I had a few green things including this mint colored sweater. Don’t pinch me! My last name is Irish! 

When: March 17, 2014

What:

Shades: Karen Walker ‘Northern Lights’
Lips: NARS 'Schiap’
Jacket: MICHAEL Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack (similar)
Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: Target
Tights: Target
Booties: Rag + Bone
Bag: Coach (similar)

Where: Studio, Lunch at the Irish Lion

Why: St. Patrick’s Day has always been one of my favorite days of the year. Our college town empties out for Spring Break and in past years it’s been warm enough for a Guinness on the patio of the Irish Lion, a local favorite pub.  No beer for me this year, but I am looking forward to some Irish stew on this extra chilly day.

Did you know Quirk is an Irish surname? It comes from a Gaelic word for 'heart’ which is rather fitting for mid March because it was five years ago this week (we were so head over heels we don’t remember the exact day) that Adam and I met and fell in love. 

Happy Pi Day

WhatIWore: Happy Pi Day! While math lovers start reciting the digits of π, I’m thinking of breaking out my rolling pin! Inspired by my Aunt Barb, I have a goal of making and documenting 100 pies. There’s no time crunch and I only have nine down (and deleted one photo by accident, but I think it was another blueberry), but, hey! what a tasty challenge.  I use my grandma Schroeder’s recipe, which has been passed down to me by Barb. The crust makes all the difference!  Read on for the recipe! Above photo, Barb’s beautiful pies for my sister’s bridal shower in 2013.

My pies: Blackberry Custard, Banana Cream, Peach Custard, Blueberry Custard,and Hickory Nut, Bourbon Pecan, Pumpkin and another Bourbon Pecan Follow my hashtag #jessicas100pies on Instagram! 

Ingredients for Crust:

• 3 C flour (we used King Authurs’ unbleached)
• 1 stick of butter flavored Crisco
• 1 t salt
• 1 egg
• 1 T apple cider vinegar
• 6 T ice water

Start by measuring your flour and salt into a bowl.  Using a pastry blender, work your Crisco into the flour until it is well blended.  Use the wrapper of your Crisco to grease your pie pan. 

In a separate bowl, combine egg, vinegar and water. Add to flour mixture.

With a spoon, blend ingredients until combined and form into log.  Cut into three equal pieces.

Prep your rolling area.  Barb uses a cotton cloth that’s been stored in the freezer and dusted with flour to roll on, plus a cotton sleeve over the rolling pin.  The combo of cool tools and flour helps the pie crust to keep from sticking to the rolling cloth. 

Form your pie dough into a disk with your hands and begin rolling.  The 1/3 portion of our original recipe will be the correct thickness when rolled large enough to fit a 10" pie pan.

*Pro Tip: Use a pastry scrapper to gently separate the rolled dough from the cotton surface, starting at the top edge. I like to place my pie dish on the counter above the pie for an easy transfer. It also helps me to let the dough rest on the rolling pie as I move it over! 

Once you’ve centered the dough onto the pie dish, trim about to about ½-1" from the edge of the dish.  Fold under and crimp edges.

This recipe works for any kind of pie filling! It’s light and flakey and delicious!I use the Fanny Farmer Cookbook (a post college grad gift that’s come in very handy!) for filling recipes. For custards I bake all of the ingredients together at 425 for about 40 minutes - keeping an eye on the crust (I use a pie shield to protect it from over cooking!) and watching for it to become golden brown. Read your filling recipe for specific recommendations on over temp and cooking time.