What I Wore | The Nineties are Alive

WhatIWore: I often wade through thrift stores looking for pieces that have some feeling of nowness, but this dress is quite the opposite! I bought it retail because it looks like something I’d find at the thrift shop! 

I have a few flowy navy and white polka dot dresses and I’ve had my eyes pealed for a black and white number for a long time. When I saw this dress at ModCloth (and had a store credit to burn!) I scooped it up immediately. It’s a four season kind of dress, but when it arrived, we had a fresh dusting of snow and I was more in the mood to layer up. We’ve had a dose of springlike weather these past few days, so here I am! bare legs and booties with a chiffon dress.

I’m also sort of channeling a gal who works at my local coffee shop. She oozes cool with the blink of an eye and effortlessly so. I can’t say the same for myself. My look has an air of effort, and I’m ok with that. Mama only gets a chance to get out of the house alone a handful of times each week, so damn right I’m going to try! 

When: February 22, 2016

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Dupers’
Dress: ModCloth
Jacket: MICHAEL Michael Kors (I like this option)
Booties: Rockport, gift

Where: Coffee shopping

What I Wore | Mommy + Me, Tomboy Edition

WhatIWore: I am one of those moms that loves to coordinate clothing with her kid. Sometimes I will take it as far to totally match (like these Indiana flag tees or cream sweaters). Most of the time it’s intentional, but on a lot of days it’s just what’s clean on the top of the pile for both of us. Also, it’s darling! 

What makes me sad about kids clothes is how fast they grow out of them! Luckily we’re moving into spring as Felix jumps up to the next size (2T in pants, thanks to the cloth diapers) and between 18-24 months/2T in tops) so the timing is right for new duds. When he was born he was given so many outfits as gifts so I really enjoy the chance to shop for him now. And I’ve said this before but before having a boy I didn’t anticipate how much fun it would be to pick out his outfits each day! There are so many cute things out there for both lil girls and lil boys.

Since he’s only going to fit into a given size for a short period of time, I like to make sure it all matches back to his other pieces (hello baby capsule wardrobe!) I also like choosing graphic tees with things that he’s shown an interest in, like outer space (always pointing to the moon!) and wolves (in his favorite bedtime story books). Here’s how I normally break things down for his clothes each time he moves into a new size (click on any image to shop). 

On Top:

• 5-10 new tee shirts 
• 1-2 Sweaters or Hoodies
• 1 Jacket or Coat
  

On Bottom:

• 1 Pair of Jeans
• 1 Pair of Olive, Khaki or Gray Pants
• 1-2 Pairs of Knit Sweatpants
  
• 1-2 Pairs of Shorts (for spring/summer… he also goes around in just a tee and diaper when it’s really hot out)

On his own, he picked out these, which fit him way better than our sunglasses that he loves to borrow and try on. Yesterday he was dancing around the house to Michael Jackson in just his shades, his sneakers and a diaper. :) Luckily both of his grandmas like to shop for him too so they normally give him pajamas and special things… because that’s what grandmas do! So far I’ve only done one pair of shoes per size. The pair he has on in these pics were under $15, which is a pretty good deal!  In today’s outfit he’s all decked out in pieces we chose from Old Navy, our generous post sponsors! (Thanks guys!)

Now.. let’s talk a little about my outfit!

When: February 20, 2016

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’ in crazy tort
Jacket: Denim + Supply, gift from 2011
Overalls: Old Navy, via giftcard
Booties: LL Bean Signature

On Felix:
Baseball Tee, Jeans and High Top Sneakers: Old Navy via giftcard

Where: All Over Town! It was over 70 degrees!!

I only ended up wearing my jacket on my way to brunch because in the sun it wasn’t necessary. This is my first time wearing overalls since… 7th grade? I’ve been wanting to try them for a long time (seeing Jo Jo in a pair on her instagram was the push I needed to put some on), so these were on sale and worth the experiment! 

I’ll be honest - I felt really self conscious in them as I started the day!  Unlike the fitted waist of a full skirt, this piece isn’t meant to be feminine. But that made me feel so free! I really rocked these more and more each time I left the house. I felt really confident. And cool. I’m really glad I picked them up. I have a 52 thoughts post that’s semi related to this that I hope to complete this week, but when clothing makes you realize something about yourself on a deeper level (yes! it’s possible!), it’s a really amazing feeling. Now…I’ll leave you with more photos of me and my darling boy!

Jessica Bakes | Mint Chocolate Cupcakes

I have been on a roll with baking cupcakes lately! A few weeks ago I did four dozen using spirits from my husband’s distillery for a party they held (see photos with details here and here) and then I did red velvet cupcakes for the Super Bowl. 

Today I’m sharing a recipe I’ve been tweaking for the past couple of weeks - Mint Chocolate Cupcakes! I think the key is in the kind of mint you use and how much… read on for details!

Chocolate Mint Cakes 

Yields 16

• 3 T butter, softened
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 C, 2T sugar
  
• 1 C flour
  
• ½ C unsweetened cocoa
  
• 1 ½ t baking powder
  
• 1/8 t baking soda
  
• ¾ C milk
  
• ½ t vanilla extract
  
• 1 drop peppermint extract
  
• 1 drop spearmint oil
  

Preheat your over to 350 and line your cupcake tin with parchment liners.

Cream together soft butter and sugar in a mixer until combined.  Add one egg at a time and mix thoroughly.

In another bowl, sift together remaining dry ingredients.

Add vanilla, spearmint and peppermint to milk.

Alternate adding dry and wet ingredients to batter, making sure to fully combine. 

Give it a good whip on high. Fill liners about half way to ¾ full using an ice cream scoop (this was a tool that really upped my game!)

Bake 17 minutes and check with a toothpick to ensure center is baked through (a clean toothpick means they are ready to come out!)

While they are cooling, prep your icing!

Mint Cream Cheese Icing with Oreos

This is my favorite icing base and I use it for every kind of flavor I do! Be VERY careful adding the mint extract and oil… the smallest amount goes a very long way and gives a wonderful nuance to the flavor. Too much and it tastes like toothpaste!

Yields enough to frost 16-20 cupcakes

• 6 oz cream cheese, softed
  
• 6 oz butter, softened
  
• 2 C powdered sugar
  
• 2 drops green food coloring
  
• 1 drop blue food coloring
  
• 1 drop spearmint oil*
  
• 1 drop peppermint extract*
  
• 2 Oreo Cookies, smashed
  

Cream together softened cream cheese and butter until fully combined and fluffy. 

Slowly add powdered sugar in ½ C increments.

Add food coloring and mix until pigment is combined.

*Now for the mint. Using a spoon, drip one drop of each flavor and let it roll off the spoon. Stir the icing with that spoon and remix to incorporate flavor. Taste your icing and repeat if necessary. 

When flavor is to your liking, fold in crumbled Oreo cookies, leaving enough crumbs to garnish your frosted cupcakes.

Once cupcakes have completely cooled, use a large star tip (Wilton 1M shown here) to ice and top with crumbled cookies. 

Spring Break Swim

WhatiWore: You guys! I am going on Spring Break for the first time in my life this year! In grade and high school we never did a family trips during the school year and in college I was broke as a joke and my parents were not about to finance a booze cruise for me. But that’s alright… this year I am really looking forward to our extended family trip to Florida.

I like to pick a theme when I go on vacation. For our anniversary trip to Belize I picked out a few swimsuits that had an Aztec kind of vibe. Neon bohemian? For Florida I have plans (and fabric!) to make some 50s style dresses and I bought some retro style sunglasses. So I’m thinking I might grab a new vintage inspired swimsuit too. I tried on some of my retro styles from years past before our last trip and they still didn’t fit in the bosom, but if they do, I probably won’t get anything new. BUT! If I do, I really like these options! I don’t like for my lower stomach to be exposed (except for when I was pregnant! weird!) so I’ve sought out one pieces or high rise bottoms. Help me choose! 

Above: Blue and Purple One Piece, Pink and Black One Piece, Green and Black Two Piece  Below: Polka Dot Two Piece, Orange Blue and Purple Two Piece, Yellow and Pink Two Piece.