The Popover

When shopping, I'm always looking for pieces that can be worn in a variety of ways and that can transition easily from season to season. 

Now that I'm working "9-5" I'm especially loving pieces that can transition past the workday.

My new favorite piece: the popover.

Part blouse, part shirt, all versatile.

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Popovers are perfect for a variety of occasions. Slip on a well-pressed version with slacks and heels and you've got an easy but polished ensemble for work. Throw on a slightly wrinkled one as a cover up for the beach. They work great with leggings, jeans, or shorts for a more casual look, and can be layered under sweaters to transition into fall and winter. You really can't go wrong. 

Stash up on a few in a variety of colors and prints and you're on your way to countless outfit combos!

How do you wear the popover? 

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily

A Weekend in KC

This past weekend, my friend (who also happens to be my roommate for the summer!) Natasha and I took a trip to Kansas City to see our friends Kelsie and Lauren. We hopped in the car after we got off work Saturday and made the hour and forty-five minute drive down I-70 West. So close to Columbia, yet it seemed like worlds away. It was a great weekend getaway.

We spent Friday evening at Kelsie's house. She lives about 30 minutes outside the city. We enjoyed a delicious dinner on her deck, which had a beautiful view. We spent lots of time laughing, reminiscing,  and catching up. We also made puppy chow!

Kelsie's gorgeous view!

On Saturday, we woke up and ate breakfast at Kelsie's and headed into the city. Lauren lives in the Southern part of the city, a few blocks from the Plaza shopping area and just a little bit East of the state line. We dropped our bags at Lauren's place and then headed over to the Plaza to do a little shopping. It's a gorgeous area, and it also helped that the weather was perfect! We popped in and out of stores, and stopped to take pictures. We had to make a pit stop at Kaldi's to get some coffee because Kelsie was barely alive. 

The Plaza

Pit stop at Kaldi's

A picture in front of one of the many fountains in KC.

After our coffee break we browsed in a few more stores (including J.Crew, where I decided my next purchase has to be the Downtown Field Jacket in navy)  and then decided we were hungry. We headed to a grocery store near the UMKC campus and picked up a few things for a picnic: baguette, swiss cheese, turkey, pasta salad, and cookies. Lauren took us to the Nelson-Atkins museum of Art and we enjoyed our picnic outside in the sculpture garden and walked around afterwards. 

A shuttlecock sculpture at the Nelson

Pulling a Blair and Serena on the steps of the Nelson

After we left the Nelson, we went to TJ Maxx and did some thrifting at Goodwill. Kelsie scored a jean jacket and an 80s Columbia pullover, and Lauren found the cutest Mudpie dress! 

Kelso rocking her Columbia

After thrifting, it was nearly 6:00. We headed north to downtown to eat at La Bodega, a Spanish tapas restaurant. The atmosphere was great and the food was delicious. I ordered the Spanish short ribs.

Spanish short ribs

Great food, great friends!

We paid the bill and hopped in Lauren's car to head to the Liberty Memorial, a WWI memorial overlooking Downtown KC. Sunset was coming, and it was a marvelous way to see a stunning view of the city. I would be interested in coming back and going to the actual museum.

Taking it in

Mizzou girls in the city

Roomies for the summer! 

(I'm wearing J.Crew critter shorts from forever ago, an Old Navy perfect tee, and a J.Crew Jackie cardigan)

After the Liberty Memorial, we walked down the hill to take a look inside Union Station, and then went to nearby park to look at the city from another angle. Our night ended with a quick dip in a fountain along Ward Parkway (KC is the City of Fountains, after all!) (Thanks, Lo!)

A fun ending to an eventful day!

On Sunday, we woke up and enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast (Thanks, Mrs. Taylor!) and walked to Lauren's parish a few blocks away for Mass. We left the city around 11:15 to drop Kelsie off at her house and head back to CoMo.

I had a great weekend in KC visiting Kelsie and Lauren. I hope to come back soon!

Just a little less than a month until all of our friends are reunited at the Zou!

Have you been to KC?

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Cooking with Kale

Moving into my first apartment at the beginning of this summer was an adjustment. From having to cook my own meals, to cleaning the apartment once a week, it's been interesting. I miss living right down the hall from all my best friends, but it's been nice to have a little more room to spread out compared to the dorms.

It's been a challenge to keep things interesting when it comes to cooking meals. I definitely eat quesadillas about 50% of the time because they are super easy to make. I've made an effort to branch out and try a few new recipes, though, and it's easier now that summer is in full swing and there is lots of fresh produce available.

I've explored the Farmer's Markets that Columbia has to offer, and in the process have discovered my new favorite green: kale. I'd had it once or twice before, but I really went crazy this time and bought two bunches of it because it was on a super sale at Lucky's Market (an awesome place, by the way.)

So, what's a girl to do with two bunches of kale?

Use it in a bunch of new recipes!

1. Kale, Strawberry, and Avocado Salad

I made this delicious salad to bring to a friend's house for dinner and it was a hit! Strawberries and avocados are two of my favorites, and the almonds add a great texture. Instead of making the poppyseed dressing, I used Brianna's Rich Poppyseed Dressing that I had on hand. 

2. Roasted Yam and Kale Salad

Since I had a sweet potato I needed to get rid of, as well as some garlic and onion, I tried out this dish. I didn't have any thyme on hand so I left that out. The roasted potatoes mix oh-so-well with the wilted kale. I added a little bit of feta on top for an extra touch.

3. Kale Hummus

After making the previous two recipes, I still had kale in my fridge. My roommate and I whipped up some of this hummus one Friday night. It's perfect on wheat thins and veggies. (Note: do not attempt to make this in a blender. We don't have a food processor at our apartment, so we went the blender route, and we had quite the time making the hummus!) If you don't have tahini on hand, some almond butter will do. 

4. Kale Chips

These are a classic use for Kale, and oh-so-easy to make. I first tried these about a year ago at the home of a family friend. If you have some olive oil and sea salt on hand, you're all set! They make a great side dish or snack.

5. Yellow Squash and Kale Pizza

I had some squash from the farmer's market, so I decided to make this pizza. I used the Flatout pizza crust and it worked great! I also added a little bit of yellow pepper, pepperoni, and feta cheese to add flavor. 

Do you like kale? What are your favorite ways to eat it?

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily

Fourth: Fashion and Family

I hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend spent with family and friends!

I'm so glad I was able to come home for a few days and spend the holiday with my family. We celebrated at the lake, as we always do, with plenty of swimming, food, and family. We had about 20 family members at my house, from both my mom and dad's side, and it was great to see everyone. It's not often all of us are together in one place! 

The weather was absolutely gorgeous! The lake was still a little cold, but we swam anyway. We took a boat ride as well, played bags, and spent plenty of time on the deck just chatting and catching up. We ended the night watching the fireworks show from our boat.

The Fourth wouldn't be complete with out a red, white, and blue outfit, so naturally I put together an ensemble. Check it out below!

Reunited with my sweet, sweet boys

Outfit Details

Gap Shirt

J.Crew Shorts (similar colors here)

Jack Rogers

Fossil Watch

Love seeing my sisters!

Towels draped over chairs to dry...  a sign of a successful day at the lake!

Russell cousins

Trampoline time!

#lovemyjacks

How was your Fourth weekend?

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily

C. Wonder on Sale

I haven't bought clothes in a really long time (ok, I spent $2.00 on a shirt at the Banana outlet on Saturday, but I'm pretending that doesn't count). I didn't shop a lot during the school year since I (1) didn't have a job half the year, and (2) didn't have a car to get to a mall.

I'm itching to do some shopping, and what better way to start than with the C. Wonder summer sale! 

There's so many adorable pieces, and the prices are incredible. There are decor items, jewelry, clothing and bags. Act fast, though, because sizes are selling out quickly.

The sale is happening both online and in stores, so if you have a C. Wonder store nearby (if you do, I envy you) hurry over!

I'm having a hard time narrowing down what I want, but here are a few of my favorites:

Anchor Belt

I just seem to have a thing for anchors, and I don't even live near the water (Well, does the Missouri River count?) This belt would be the perfect addition to shorts, skirts, and slacks.

Navy Lace Dress

I'm a sucker for anything navy, so naturally this navy dress caught my eye. Perfect for a bridal or baby shower, or a dressier outdoor event. Add wedges and you're golden.

Green Suede Driving Mocs

These shoes are so much fun! Pair with jeans, a shirt dress, or chino shorts and a button down.

Camel Trinket Tray

I'm getting ready to move into my first apartment in the fall, so I've been on the lookout for cute decor items. This tray would function great as a catchall for keys near the back door, or look equally as great displayed in the kitchen.

Monogrammed Coasters

You can't go wrong with anything monogrammed. These coasters would make the perfect hostess gifts for the summer gatherings you attend.

Monogrammed Earrings

Simple yet fun, these neutral earrings will add personality to any outfit.

Monogrammed Bracelet

More monogram fun! This gold bracelet is sure to become a staple in your everyday jewelry wardrobe.

Striped Canvas Bag

I love the summery stripes on this cheery canvas bag. It's a great option for the beach, or everyday use if you don't carry your whole life with you. (#guilty)

Green and Navy Blouse

I got this blouse in pink for my birthday, and it has quickly become one of my new favorites. It's perfect with jeans and loafers for a casual Saturday, with navy slacks for work, or paired with your favorite navy chino shorts. I'm probably going to pull the trigger on this one. You know what they say about buying it in every color.....

What do you have your eye on? Happy shopping!

Stay Stylish, Stay Classy, Be Creative

Emily

Monday Motivation

Hello, readers! Another week has begun, which means it's time for another round of Monday Motivation!

1.  She Wore What to the Prom?

source

A teen in British Columbia wore a dress made of burlap to her high school prom, and raised $10,000 for a charity to help orphans. 

2. New Arrivals at J.Crew Factory

It's always the best getting e-mails from J.Crew Factory, but it's even better when those e-mails announce new arrivals and 30% off those new arrivals. Hurry over now to stock up on some adorable pieces. I can't get over this striped dress with leather pockets!

3. The Best Commercial EVER

Hopefully you've had the pleasure of watching this hilarious commercial about periods that I'm sure every woman can relate to. If you haven't, it's a must watch and it's sure to give you some laughs. And the product, Hello Flo? Brilliant! Can someone sign me up, because I want chocolate delivered to my house during that time of the month.

Have a great Monday and wonderful rest of the week!

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily

Blast Summer Boredom

I have always loved the start of summer. Knowing that you have two months ahead of you free of books, homework, and studying (well, unless you take summer classes) is such a great feeling. It's nice to be able to sleep in and take things easy. However, if you're like me, you may find yourself getting bored after the initial "rush" of summer has worn off. Hopefully you have a summer job to keep you busy, but it's likely you still have a little (or a lot) of free time on your hands. Personally, I struggle with what to do on the weekends and evenings. I work all day, but then come home and make dinner and then struggle to find ways to occupy the rest of my time. Only a few of my friends stayed in Columbia this summer, so sometimes it's hard to find things to do. Whether you're spending your summer in a deserted college town, or simply looking for things to do on your days off from your summer job, look no further. I've compiled a few fun (and relatively cheap) ideas to blast boredom this summer. Pause your Netflix for a bit and try out one of these ideas:

NUMBER ONE \ BIKE RIDE

Chances are you probably have a bike in your garage, even if it is covered with a few months worth of dust. Pump the tires full of air, and then get a friend or two together for a ride. Most towns have trails that are specifically designated for biking, so you don't have to worry about competing with traffic. Biking is great exercise, and if you go with a friend it's also a great way to socialize as well. Last weekend, a friend and I rode our bikes along the MKT trail here in Columbia, and riding alongside each other was a great way to chat and catch up while getting some exercise in. If you're feeling extra ambitious, packing a picnic lunch is always fun!

NUMBER TWO \ LIBRARY

I love to read, but during the school year it's next to impossible. Actually, I should rephrase that. It's next to impossible to read for pleasure. After reading a 40 page chapter in a geology book, the last thing I wanted to do was read some more. Summer is a great time to devour all those novels that everyone has been talking about. If you don't already have a library card at your local library, get one!   Pick out a few good books and park yourself by the pool, on your screened porch (my personal favorite), or in your bed in the comfort of the air conditioning! (Watch for a post with book recommendations soon!)

NUMBER THREE \ RECIPE

How many recipes on your "food" pin board have you actually tried your hand at? For me, it's close to one or two. Look through your pins and find a yummy recipe that you've wanted to try but just haven't had time for. Whip up a batch of blondies for your friends, or impress your family by making dinner (practice now, you'll have to do it on your own soon enough. Trust me, it's a struggle.) 

NUMBER FOUR \ GO THRIFT SHOPPING

So, you put half of your paycheck from your summer job in savings, and the other half is just waiting to be spent. Make your spending money last by thrifting. It's definitely more about the hunt, and you can't exactly go in having something specific in mind, but finding something perfectly unexpected will be rewarding. Find some thrift shops or flea markets in your town, and get a friend or two to accompany you on your treasure hunt. Thrifting is a great way to find pieces for your home or wardrobe, and no one else will have the same thing. You never know what you may find! Some people get rid of some really nice brands. I got this Lilly Pulitzer dress for $25 at a thrift store!

NUMBER FIVE \ LEARN SOMETHING NEW

Since you aren't occupied with mountains of homework, and aren't struggling through that required math class that you absolutely hate, take time to learn something that you've always been interested. Take an art class, pick up a book on knitting, or try your hand at HTML coding at Codeacademy. There's no pressure to get a good grade, so even if you try something out and end up not liking it, it's not the end of the world.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer so far, and I hope you can blast your boredom with some of these ideas. Is there anything you would add to the list?

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily