Western ruffles

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Wearing: bold shell earrings / Chanel sunglasses / MAC Lipstick / Topshop blouse (sold out, also love this one, and this one-not similar but SO CUTE!) / bold lapis ring / Chanel Gris Obscur nail polish / Gap jeans (old, similar pair here) / black Proenza Schouler satchel / guitar strap for handbags / burgundy suede loafer pumps (under $150!!)

Have you ever been drawn to an article of clothing because it reminded you of something? This ruffle shirt reminded me of two things; my childhood obsession with western clothing, and a television show named “Little House on the Prairie.”

The ruffles on the blouse reminded me of the costuming from the show, and they also reminded me of the ruffle shirts I wore when I was around seven and eight years old. I used to put outfits together with brown cowboy boots, a cowgirl hat, corduroy skirts, and ruffle shirts! My western themed phase lasted until I was on a boat with family friends one day sailing around the bay and that cute little western cowgirl hat of mine blew right off my head into the bay! Cue massive amounts of tears . . . I get a little sad just thinking about it.

This ruffle blouse definitely takes me back in time to my childhood, and it has turned out to be a great piece to wear right now! I love pairing it with jeans, a-line midi-skirts, and denim skirts. The fabric is on the thick side, so it is definitely better suited for temperatures below seventy degrees. I know I will get more use out of it as we head towards winter here in the Bay Area.

Unfortunately this ruffle shirt sold out quickly. If you are looking for a great shirt this fall season which can easily be worn casually, check out this striped blouse, and this understated ruffle shirt. You can see an outfit post of the second choice here.

Do you have any pieces which bring back memories?

Mansur Gavriel Sun tote review

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Pictured: Mansur Gavriel Sun tote in pink patent leather / iPhone 7 case / Lipstick / similar wallet / cat eyes beauty case / Chanel sunglasses

Leave it to Mansur Gavriel to design a simple, chic, and perfect handbag for the fall season! The new Mansur Gavriel Sun tote, or Sun bag, has been introduced for the fall 2016 season, and will be part of the iconic handbag designing team’s ongoing, classic collection. Love it!

The Sun handbag by Mansur Gavriel is offered in four sizes; mini mini, mini, Sun, and large. The Mansur Gavriel Sun tote I am reviewing, is the regular or “Sun” size in pink patent leather. I have not seen the Sun bag on the street yet; neither here in the San Francisco Bay Area, or in New York during fashion week, so the most popular size is still to be determined.

Although Mansur Gavriel’s Sun bag has not been a sell-out in under a hot minute, as the bucket bag was in its’ hey-day, this sweet little tote bag is proving to be a coveted handbag for the fall season and beyond. The Mansur Gavriel Sun tote is gaining traction on social media, and it is becoming a highly searched bag on the Internet. This handbag will gain IT status as we enter the new year, and the spring 2017 season; just watch it! That being said . .  if you love this feminine, sweet little tote, I highly recommend snapping one up now, before they become hard to find.

Mansur Gavriel’s Sun tote is a feminine contrast to the current crop of handbags which are popular on the streets right now. The Pierce bag is edgy yet chic, Chloe’s line of bags are boho and carefree, while Gucci is going for a street-meets-upper-east-side vibe. The Sun tote by Mansur Gavriel is not trying to fit into any “trend” mold, it is standing alone as a simple, easy to wear tote bag which is lightweight and comfortable. Isn’t that why we love Mansur Gavriel? They take the gimmicks out of handbags and offer simple, functional bags which are beautiful and easy to wear. Love that!

I originally pre-ordered my Sun bag by Mansur Gavriel back in February when Moda Operandi featured a trunk show of the designing duo’s fall 2016 collection. When the bag arrived a month earlier than I expected in early October, I was thrilled! The “Sun” size is a traditional medium handbag, and the bag’s simple construction, and sweet bow, have made it an instant favorite. I love the open top as well as the wide interior pocket which fits my iPhone 7, lipstick, and keys. There is also a detachable shoulder strap which adds to the versatility of the bag. Perfection!

This has become my go-to bag on the weekends when I need a little bit more in my handbag than I get from a shoulder bag. The extra space is perfect for carrying odds and ends my kids hand me, as well as for storing snacks to keep my kids from getting “hangry.” The patent leather is nice this time of year since it resists the occasional drizzle and rain we receive here in the Bay Area. It is also easy to keep clean if my kids touch it with dirty hands. The patent leather simply wipes clean. Love that!

The Mansur Gavriel Sun bag is a beautiful handbag which is easy to wear daily, and fits into a busy girl’s life. Since I love this bag so much, I am now eyeing one of the smaller sizes in cobalt blue. It would be fun to have a smaller bag for days when I don’t need so much room.

You can find the Mansur Gavriel Sun tote in stock for now, online here, here, and here.

Happy handbag shopping! Stay fabulous 😉

Mansur Gavriel Sun tote in stock

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Apple Crisp recipe for the holidays

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One of my favorite desserts during the holiday season is this Apple Crisp recipe! It is so yummy when the soft apples meet the crispy brown sugar. Another thing that makes it the best holiday dessert, is that is it warm and toasty! Love that!

Since the holiday season is coming up, I thought it would be fun to share this delicious Apple Crisp recipe with you. This is an easy Apple Crisp recipe which can be made at home in your kitchen with a few simple ingredients. Of course, there is one key ingredient which makes this Apple Crisp recipe special for the holiday season; the Sparkling Ice! Sparkling Ice is a yummy sparkling water infused with flavors. The Crisp Apple flavor is perfect for this easy Apple Crisp recipe.

If you are planning a huge party, and need to do some prep ahead of time, you can assemble the crumble the night before and just let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. The apples can be cut and cored the night before too.

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Apple Crisp

Yield – 6 servings

Cook Time – 25-35 minutes

Ingredients:

For The Crumble:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

For The Apples:

  • ¾ cup Crisp Apple Sparkling Ice
  • 8 red apples (Gala or Fuji preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ tablespoons cornstarch

For Serving:

Directions:

For the crumble

  1. Combine brown sugar and flour in a mixing bowl, and cut in the butter with your hands.  Mixture should look coarse with some chunks the size of peas.
  2. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to harden up.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the crumble on.
  5. Bake for 12-18 minutes or until light brown.
  6. Place baking tray on a wire rack to cool.

For the apples

  1. Core and cube the apples and place in a large bowl of cold water to avoid browning.
  2. Whisk together the cornstarch with Sparkling Ice in a small mixing bowl, set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan melt 2 tablespoons of the butter.
  4. Add the apples, salt, and cinnamon.  Sautee over a medium flame for 3 minutes.
  5. Pour the Sparkling Ice and cornstarch mixture into the pot, stirring continuously.
  6. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  7. Turn off the heat and stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter.

Assembly:

  1. Break the cooled crumble up with your hands to desired size.
  2. Scoop the warm apples into 6 small ramekins or an 8 inch square serving dish.
  3. Top with crumble.
  4. Serve immediately.

If you are in need of Ramekins, here are a few fabulous ones I found online which are perfect for the holiday season, and beyond! I need to buy several new ones, so I am deciding between this one and this one. Which one is your favorite?

There you have it! I hope you love this Apple Crisp recipe as much as I do during the holiday season. This is a fabulous dessert to serve during holiday parties, dinner parties, and anytime you want to celebrate life! Yummy! Enjoy!

*This recipe was created by Sparkling Ice and reprinted with permission. Enjoy!

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