Casual Black Jumpsuit

I’ve had this casual jumpsuit for years and have usually tried to dress it up and attempt to make it work-appropriate. However it’s styled, I always feel a bit like a feminine mechanic…but it’s so comfortable and fun that I go with it!  Now that I work in an environment that has no dress code, I chose to pair it with Chuck Taylors and a sweater for a comfortable daytime look.

When we found out that both my brother and his family and Christian and myself were moving to California, my brother kept saying, “I can’t wait to see Kathleen turn into a California girl.”  He thought I would be permanently ditching my heels and living in tank tops and flip flops.  I was full of eye rolls…but no longer dressing up so much for work keeps my looks more casual in California than back home in the South.  But believe me, I still dress up every chance I get!

 

jumpsuit – AB Studio (old), similar here and here / sweater – Free People, similar here / sneakers – Converse / sunnies – Ray Ban / Chanel bracelet – Birds on a Wire Vintage (c/o) / assorted David Yurman / watch – Michael Kors / shark tooth ring – Favery (c/o) / charm bracelet – Tiffany & Co / lipstick – Urban Decay Catfight

Thanks for reading – XO –

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Neutral Faux Leather Shorts

I’ve had these LC Lauren Conrad leather shorts for a few years now and the perfection of the style and fit is probably why I’ve never been able to find a pair of black leather shorts that fit the bill.

The leaves might be changing colors where you live, but over here in California the sun is still shining and everything is still green (well except yesterday when it actually rained and brought in some chilly weather), so I’m still wearing the summer items I didn’t get enough wear out of this year!  You might remember this peplum top from this post in the Bahamas.  It’s so versatile, and I’ve really gotten so much more wear out of it than I had anticipated.  I’m thinking I should purchase it in black for fall…here’s so hoping my size comes back in stock!

 

shorts – LC Lauren Conrad, love these and these / top – Forever21 / heels – Michael Antonio / bag – linmade, custom / rose gold pave chainlink bracelet – Derng (c/o) / gold pave chainlink bracelet – J.Girls Jewels (c/o) / gold mini chain bracelet – INPink (c/o) / peacock feather necklace – boutique / monogram pendant – BaubleBar / sunnies – Ray Ban / leather vintage Chanel button cuff – Birds on a Wire Vintage (c/o)

 

Thank you for reading!  XO –

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A Week on the iPhone

We’re going to skip Friday’s Five today and recap the week in instagrams and iPhone photos.  My camera has been at the camera hospital getting a facelift (a few minor repairs) this week and I’ve been without it…the horror!  No worries, this gal splurged on a new lens and as soon as I get my baby back I’m going to be ready to roll (you can see the lens in one of the photos above!).

A week indeed!  A quick trip to Chicago, a DVR fully loaded with goodies, starting to plan a romantic weekend with my husband to celebrate our one-year anniversary and some weekend pumpkin carving plans with friends – I am feeling happy and rejuvenated this week after such a stressful week last week.   Thank you for your tips and tricks on how you stay de-stressed.  Y’all have no idea how much you really bring into my life.  I’m so grateful for all of my helpful and kind readers!

I’m excited to finally share the winner of the gift card giveaway!! Thank y’all so much for your patience…the winner is… Erin Clish!!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered.  Just like last time…never fear, there’s another fun giveaway around the corner (wink wink).  Y’all have a beautiful weekend – XO

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Prada Marfa Print

I’ve had my eyes out for a Prada Marfa print for my home ever since I saw the sign in Lily Van der Woodsen’s home in Gossip Girl.  Some of you may have seen a peek of this print on instagram, and I’m excited to share more details with you!  I love the simplicity and style…and to the rescue came DbyNbuzz!  This print is exactly what I was looking for and with a simple white Ikea Ribba frame, she’s a beauty.

I knew exactly where this print would go – on the empty wall space beside my hanging rack (on sale!) in the bedroom.

A big thank you to the talented DbyNbuzz Etsy Shop for this fabulous print that instantly made my bedroom a little bit fancier.  I’m in love!

I was a little worried it might be too girly for Christian, but believe it or not, he actually likes this print because it reminds him of this SNL skit that we love.

Marfa reminds him of “Amorfa.”  So every time he looks at this sign he looks at me and says, “Amorfa.”  I then usually say, “latte for Shar Shar.”

I laugh pretty much every time:

For anyone wondering, I have the largest size, the 14.5 x 22.  Thanks for reading! XO –

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Morning Green Juice Recipe

When Christian and I were on our honeymoon, we would have this delicious green juice every morning with our breakfasts.  Packed with vitamins and greens but tasty with punches of pineapple, orange and lime, we were seriously into this drink.  I may have even gotten some to go and mixed it with tequila by the pool.  It’s a vacation, right?

We’ve been adamant about recreating this delicious juice ourselves (minus the tequila), especially after asking one of the sweet waiters what all was in it!  We’re slowly but surely getting there and I have to share the best version yet.

Y’all know I’m into using my Vitamix to juice – especially if you’ve read my DIY BluePrintCleanse post.  I blend everything in my Vitamix and then use a nut milk bag to strain the juice, removing some (but not all) of the pulp.

  • 2 cups packed spinach
  • 1 cucumber
  • 3 carrots
  • 1 orange
  • 1/3 or 1/4 a pineapple (depending on how much sweetness you like)
  • 2 apples
  • large handful of mint
  • juice from half a lime
  • juice from half a lemon

Combine all ingredients in a blender or juicer.  Blend until smooth and strain.  Store in an air tight container and drink within 3 days.

Are you into green juice?  If you’re hesitant about the green juice and smoothie trend, try this drink.  The flavor and sweetness will surprise you!

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Glamping

Some of you may have seen on instagram that we recently went camping (or as I like to say, glamping) in California. Christian finally convinced me to go camping with him and some new California friends a few weekends ago, and I think it was the first time I had slept in a tent since I was in the single-digit years.

Christian likes to consider himself the outdoorsman and is always trying to include me in his adventures.  Now that we are in a different climate, I’m more likely to get onboard with nature and we’ve found some new outdoor hobbies to share that are really fun for both of us.

Camping, however, may not be becoming one of them.  We had a great group of people and it was fun to bring our dogs, go hiking and walk down to the lake.  The drive up to the campsite in the mountains was absolutely gorgeous – we’re not used to seeing such majestic mountains!  But at the end of the day, after a long work week, I would rather wake up in my bed than in a tent with Bailey taking up half the air mattress and breathing on me.  Not to mention the prep work for a camping trip is kind of intense!

I did enjoy conversation around a campfire with friends and Christian’s excitement to share his one of his favorite childhood adventures with me.  I am definitely glad that I went and hope that maybe in the future we can spend all day outside, but then come home to sleep inside.  Or at least sleep in a cabin.

Did you grow up going camping?  Do you have tips and tricks for falling in love with sleeping in the outdoors? Talk to me.

Thanks for reading!!  XO –

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Layered Maxi

Today I am excited to pair up with the adorable Amy of Coffee Beans & Bobby Pins for our third and final maxi collaboration plus a fun giveaway!  Our first maxi collab was a Fancy Maxi, then a Casual Maxi and now layers on layers (P’Trique shoutout).

I have loved teaming up with Amy and having a reason to chat with her on the regular.  A fashionista blogger / resident wife / Ohio to North Carolina transplant…could we have more in common?  She’s just as precious on the inside as she is in her cute as a button outfits on her blog, and I love following her adventures.  I am not only envious of that tiny waist in that adorable camo jacket, but also of the fall leaves on the ground.  I’m missing a Southern fall right now.  California is still beautiful and super green – no complaints, it’s just different!

As for this layered maxi, I also wore this dress with my leopard linmade clutch here.  Something about this pattern makes me want to mix prints and adding a blouse to belt gave the maxi a different feel.  Learning to layer your dresses can really help you get maximum wear from the items in your closet.  Blair Eadie from Atlantic-Pacific is so good at this!

dress – Forever21 (also worn here) / heels – Michael Antonio / lace overlay – Forever21 (old), similar here / bag – Meshka Design (c/o) / leopard calf hair belt – Target / sunnies – Ray Ban / bracelet – J.Girls Jewels (c/o) / watch – Swatch / stacked ring and earrings – boutique

Have you seen enough maxis and convinced yourself you must expand your maxi collection?

Thank you for reading! xo –

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Snakeskin Blouse

Remember my python cravings last week?  Because one snakeskin piece is never enough, I thought I would share the most recent snakeskin purchase I made at a boutique back in Mississippi.  I’ve always loved snakeskin and python patterned pieces.  I’ve shared some of my favorites here (the shoes), here and here.  I think animal printed clothing is not only fun, but also really versatile and can be easily dressed up and down.

I’ve already worn this blouse with a pencil skirt, jeans and dress pants and I loved it each way.  Don’t think you have to leave the python print to just accessories!

Or…you can add a hat!

What do y’all think?  Hat or no hat?  Christian doesn’t love when I wear hats and my response is, “but my Mom always said I looked great in hats…”  Good thing I dress for myself more than I dress for my husband, right?

snakeskin blouse – boutique, similar here and love this and this / denim – Paige / heels – Zara / hat – Forever21 (old), love this one and this one / earrings – Shop Birds on a Wire (c/o) / bracelets – Derng (c/o), J.Girls Jewels (c/o), assorted David Yurman / watch – Michael Kors / ring – La Dama / lipstick – Urban Decay Anarchy

 

Thanks for reading!  XO –

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Brown Butter Vegetable Skillet Pasta

 

I think I’m addicted to this pasta.  And How Sweet It Is.  Remember the caramel apple grilled cheese from last week? Am I stalking Jessica and her food blog?  It’s possible.

I love making vegetarian meals with all of the summer vegetables available and this brown butter vegetable skillet pasta looked amazing.  The good news is that it tastes even better.  I have made this dish at least four times this summer (as long as it’s warm, I call it summer y’all) and it tastes just as good warmed up for lunch as it does for dinner, something that is really important to me when cooking large meals for just Christian and myself.

Without boatloads of cheese this dish would still be amazing…but I mean…why not add boatloads of cheese?

More cheese, please.

Make it.  Eat it.  And tell me how much you love it.

Add a baked or grilled chicken breast if your family won’t eat vegetarian.  So good!  Thanks for reading!  I’m hungry now.  Yums. XO –

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Ikea Bar Cart Hack

I accidentally published this post last Wednesday for a little less than hour because I’m a ditz.  My apologies!!  TODAY, I’d like to share a quick, easy and inexpensive DIY Ikea Bar Cart Hack.

You may have caught a glimpse of this recent addition to our apartment here.  Allow me to explain myself.  I actually have a bar, seen on our apartment tour, and I’ve also styled a tray table into a bar here.  I have a feeling I’m acting as if I’m cocktailing much more than I actually am…but it’s just the decorative bar cart craze that I’ve fallen into!

I was in Ikea several weeks ago and stumbled across this basic kitchen cart for only $25.  We have a very small kitchen in our apartment and I thought this cart would be a great way to store decorative glasses and pitchers.  I also loved this one, but at only $25 I couldn’t pass this baby up.

Before I put it together, I spray painted all of the hardware and nails gold.  I put sprayed about three coats, letting each one dry about 20 minutes before spraying again.

I’m still using my current bar for our wine and liquor, this one is mainly for our glasses, pitchers and some cute decorative things.  Not a necessary addition to our apartment…but like I said, it was a fun $25 project and I was still unemployed at the time with some extra crafting time on my hands!

What do you think?  Thanks so much for sharing your input.  Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for this fab pave chainlink bracelet!  XO –

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Pave Chainlink Bracelet Giveaway

 

I love chainlink bracelets and all the different ways they can be worn.  Layered, gold, silver and even pave for a little sparkle.  This J.Girls Jewels bracelet has been on my wrist ever since I received it and I’m so thrilled that J.Girls Jewels has provided a fab pave link bracelet for a lucky CBL reader!

I’ve worn this bracelet dressed up, dressed down and in between.  If you want one of these sparklers enter to win your own bedazzled bracelet!

I’ve been loving these instagram contests – so let’s try it, y’all.

Giveway will run Monday, September 16 – Sunday, September 22.  Winner will be announced Monday, September 23rd.

MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF CARRIE BRADSHAW LIED TO ENTER

(via Google Friend Connect on right sidebar) 

TO ENTER:

  1. Make sure you’re a follower of CBL via GFC (on right sidebar)
  2. Follow CBL on Instagram
  3. Repost a photo from this post on Instagram (or repost one of the bracelet photos from my instagram) and hashtag #cblpavegiveaway and tag @CarrieBradshawLied

Easy easy easy – do all three and you’ve entered.  I hope y’all enter to win this bracelet…or don’t so I can have TWO!! I’m so greedy but it’s the truth, I’m in love.  Thanks so much for reading and for your participation – XO –

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Friday’s Five

– being able to have happy hour and Tuesday tacos with Christian –

– grabbing a quick lunch on the corner and falling in gryo heaven at Akropolis –

– new bamboo breakfast trays I scored off of eBay that are changing my mornings in a big way –

– a little cajun taste of home from Ritters –

– paddleboarding on a beautiful day…and falling in so many times I lost count –

 

Other Mentions:

  • Discovering Modere and thinking I need these satiery chews to curb my afternoon hunger at my desk.
  • Making Christian watch the camping episode (part 1 / part 2) of Nick & Jessica on Newlyweds (I own all the seasons of course) to prepare him for a better look at reality for our weekend adventure.
  • Stalking bloggers and instagrammers in New York for NYFW and watching some of the shows live online (amazing!).
  • A friend sharing 15 Ways “Sex and the City” Lied to Me About Life – hilarious.
  • She’s just being Miley.  This music video confirming that I think Miley Cyrus has lost her marbles.  She is starting to look like the female prisoners in Orange is the New Black.

I’ve had a flashback this week to Christian’s last year of med school.  I trot off to work and the house husband stays home, runs errands (mostly mine) and cooks dinner.  I gotta say, I don’t hate it. Christian has had this week off of work and has enjoyed relaxing, eating donuts and watching plenty of football.  Since I just started my new gig, I wasn’t able to take the week off to play, but we made sure to have plenty of adventures last week and I have agreed to go camping this weekend with our couple friends and neighbors (reference the Newlyweds clip above). Thanks for all y’alls camping advice here, I’ll be using it.

I hope y’all have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks so much for reading and HAPPY FRIDAY! xo –

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