Work outfit…

 It’s pretty rare that I have a shoot during the week, unless it’s a newborn shoot.  The shoot I went on was for Executive head shots, so I figured it would be a chance to dust off the heels!

Btw, it was raining sideways, we we stayed inside 🙂Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Roxy Paul Joe Booties-1 Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Roxy Paul Joe Booties-2 Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Roxy Paul Joe Booties-3 Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Roxy Paul Joe Booties-4 Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Roxy Paul Joe Booties-5I don’t know what I love more.  Maya’s face, or Max’s behind her haha. Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Roxy Paul Joe Booties-6 Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Roxy Paul Joe Booties-7

On me…

Sweater- Zara (on major sale!)
Necklace- Gorjana Griffin
Jeans- DL1961 “Roxy” (SCORED at Funky Janes for $19, sold out, but similar here)
Boots- Paul and Joe (From Shopbop old, but fun different color here here, similar here and less expensive here)
On Maya…
Top- Ralph Lauren (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans-Gap (thrifted and destroyed by me)
Boots- Simply Petals  (thrifted, but similar here )
Keeping it Real…
Need I describe this? 🙂Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Roxy Paul Joe Booties-8
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

If you dress for spring…will it come?

 The answer was no… We did get a few hours of sunshine in between downpours, though!Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-1Totally messed up the focus on this next one (forgot where to stand), but I still love it… Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-2 Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-3It was SO windy!! Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-4 Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-5 Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-6 Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-7 Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-8 Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-9 Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-10

On me…

Sweater- 525 Cashmere (old, but similar here)
Top- Joie (sold out, but similar here and less expensive here)
Jeans- Rich & Skinny “Super Studly” (old, but similar here, here, and less expensive here)
Shoes- Timberland (thrifted, but similar here and less expensive option here)
On Maya…
Jacket- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Top-  (thrifted, vintage dress)
Jeans- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Zulily
Keeping it Real…
“BUUUUUUBBLES!!!!”Blog 525 Cashmere Joie Rich Skinny Boyfriend Loafers-11
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Vintage…never goes out of style.

 Seriously, everything is better with a stick.  So says Maya…blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-1 blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-3I’ve mentioned my love of vintage coats a number of times, and I’ll say it again.  LOVE THEM.  Fraction of the cost, totally timeless, and nobody else will be wearing it!  Pretty sure this shirt is vintage too, but I’m not 100% sure.  Classic Levi’s though. blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-4 blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-5If you follow us on Instagram, you’ll know that I scored these boots off eBay.  Regularly $465, and I got them for $33! blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-6 blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-7 blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-8 blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-9 blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-10 blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-11 On me…

Leather Jacket- Vintage (similar here and less expensive faux leather here)
Top- Levi’s (mens) thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- Goldsign “Mayhem”  (Sold out, but similar here and less expensive here)
Boots- Joie “New Orleans” (sold out, but similar here, here,and less expensive here)
On Maya…
Jacket- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, but similar here and loving this one here)
Shirt- Arizona (thrifted, but similar here)
Top- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Tom’s (thrifted)
Keeping it Real…
The best part about this picture is that she is reaching back to hold my hand.  Awe…
However, it kind of looks like she’s saying “NO MORE PICTURES” haha 🙂blog Vintage Leather Jacket Levis Plaid Top Goldsign Joie New Orleans Boots-12

(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Marionberry Baked Salmon with Truffle Cheese Garlic Bread and Raspberry Almond Salad

Blog Marionberry Salmon Truffle Cheese Bread Raspberry Almond Salad-1So, I talked about the Valentine’s misshap in yesterday’s DIY post.  What I forgot to mentions was that the Huz was out of town until about 7, so we were stranded.  Not a big deal as we didn’t have plans and it was POURING, but I wasn’t able to go to the store and buy the fixings for the romantic dinner I had planned.  However, if there is one thing I’m good at (a super power if you will) it’s raiding the fridge/cupboards and pulling a meal out of my a$$ 🙂

Ingredients

Salmon

    • 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
    • 1 Tablespoon Jam (I used Marionberry)
    • Salt and Pepper
    • 3-4 salmon filets
  • Truffle Cheese Garlic Bread (are you kidding me?  It’s HEAVENLY and relatively healthy because you don’t have to use very much cheese to get a flavor mouthful!)Blog Marionberry Salmon Truffle Cheese Bread Raspberry Almond Salad-3
    • 1 teaspoon of butter
    • 1/2 teaspoon of crushed garlic
    • Loaf of bread
    • Cheese with Truffle (It’s spendy, but a little goes a LONG way!!)  We got this at Metropolitan Market)Blog Marionberry Salmon Truffle Cheese Bread Raspberry Almond Salad-2Salad
  • Lettuce greens
  • Raspberries
  • Almonds
  • Raspberry Walnut Vinagrette (I could have made my own dressing using olive oil, the same jam in the salmon marinade, diced up almonds, and some salt and pepper, but I was too tired :))

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 450
  • Line a baking pan with tin foil (makes the clean up SO easy!) and lay salmon skin side down.
  • Mix the jam and olive oil.  Spread over salmon and then salt and pepper
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes (depends on the size of your filets)
  • While they are baking mix butter and garlic in a ramican, put in microwave for 5 seconds and stir.  Spread lightly over bread that has been cut in half.
  • Grate a little bit of the cheese (I did maybe a Tablespoon on each side).  It has a really strong flavor, so not much is needed!  Let it sit while you make the salad.
  • Dump salad greens, raspberries, and diced almonds in a bowl and drizzle with dressing (phew that was hard ;))
  • Take the salmon out, turn the oven off, and put the bread in there for about a minute.
  • ENJOY!
dit-elle-Lauren

DIY to do with your toddler // What we did for Valentine’s Day

I had all these grand plans for what Maya and I were going to do for the Huz for Valentine’s Day.  Then…I lost my car keys (the ones we had lost the spare to a few months earlier :{).  I spent 4 hours searching our house top to bottom (87 times!), and then finally gave up.  So, our crafting time was a little cut short.  We still had a blast, and truth be told, the 30 min we spent on them was probably her max anyway 😉Blog Valentine DIY-1Blog Valentine DIY-2Blog Valentine DIY-4Blog Valentine DIY-3

It all started when Maya said “It’s a heart!” on our walk a few days ago, pointing to a pile of rocks.  Of course, I’m like “No, those are just rocks.”  “HEART!” as she tugs me to pick one up.  And what do you know…a heart!  And I knew we would give it to the Huz for Valentine’s Day. 🙂Blog Valentine DIY-5She has the eyes of an eagle, that one…Blog Valentine DIY-6What you need… (for the Valentine’s)

  • Tarp or sheet for easy clean up 🙂
  • Card stock paper or I used a cardboard insert that had come in clothes I bought online.  Yes, I save everything just in case.  Yes, I was so excited to finally use some of my hoarded craft supplies!
  • Glue
  • Glitter
  • Foraged goodies.  We used both mini pinecones and obviously the “heart/rock”
  • Empty Box (to contain the glitter bomb and glue)

What you do…

  • Since we were doing this for Valentine’s Day, I cut little hearts out in different shapes.  We gave the hearts as Valentines to Maya’s brothers and a few friends 🙂  You could do circles, or just sqares/rectangles.  If you have a fun corner punch that would be cool too!  Those are SO addicting!!
  • Put the “cards” in a box and let your toddler drizzle glue all over them.
  • Then, while glue is still wet, have them go to town with the glitter!

I took these next images with my phone.  Didn’t want to risk getting my camera glue/glitterized 🙂Blog Valentine DIY-7Blog Valentine DIY-8Blog Valentine DIY-9I had a jewelry box that I had saved (duh), that I just glued two of the hearts onto for the box.

Super fun and easy, and Maya did most of it all by herself, which was cool!dit-elle-Lauren

Frozen Banana Bonbons

Happy Valentine’s Day! These are delightful tiny frozen treats – made these early this morning before school & work! They take ~10 minutes to prepare. Love bonbons? We do too! Did you know –

“..the name bonbon (or bon-bons) refers to any of several types of sweets, especially small candies enrobed in chocolate. The first reports of bonbons come from the 17th century, when they were made at the French royal court. Their name arose from infantile reduplication of the word bon, meaning ‘good’. In modern French and several other European languages, the term simply refers to any type of candy or small confection.” (Wikipedia)

Blog chocolatebanana1  Blog chocolatebanana2e

Ingredients

  • 1 banana, cut into ½ -inch slices
  • 1/2 bag chocolate chips
  • unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Directions

  • Place sliced bananas on a parchment paper lined plate
  • One by one, using a small heart shaped cookie cutter, cut banana slices into hearts
  • Put chocolate in microwave safe dish and heat (~45 seconds) until melted, stir
  • Dip sliced banana hearts into chocolate, then sprinkle with coconut
  • Place on parchment lined plate to set
  • Freeze for 1 hour or more

Thanks Elana’s Pantry – see the original Paleo Frozen Banana Bites.

dit-elle-Esther

Happy Valentine’s Day!

If you follow us on Instagram, then you saw this image last night.  I take most of the pictures of me/me with Maya with a tripod and self timer.  It’s convenient, but there are some limitations.  As I’m getting more confident, I’m trying more things.  I was SO excited that this one turned out!  🙂Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-1 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-2 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-3Let’s pretend that I hung the “Happy” up too.  The place where we took these is right near a very busy street.  Maya was pretty good while I was hanging these two, but then she started getting antsy.  Figured it was good enough haha.  Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-4 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-5 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-6Yes, this top only stayed on for the shoot.  I wanted to do something a little more dressy for the Valentine’s Day shoot.  As if we were going out afterwards (we didn’t/aren’t :)) Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-7 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-8 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-9 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-10 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-11 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-12 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-13Puddle! Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-14Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-15 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-16 Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-17 On me…

Jacket- Doma (ebay, similar here, here, and less expensive here)
Top- BCBG (ebay)
Jeans- Current Elliott (ebay, sold out, but similar here, here)
Boots- Frye “Lisa Short Stitch” (eBay, sold out but similar here and here and less expensive here)
On Maya…
Sweater- Children’s Place  (ebay, but similar here)
Skirt- Children’s Place (ebay, but similar here)
Boots- Smart Fit (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
There was NO way I was letting Maya down/out of my arms while we were near the busy street.  I for sure was going to be done when she was done.  And…she was done. haha.Blog Doma Leather Bomber Jacket BCBG Silk Tunic Current Elliott Destroyed Skinny Frye Booties-18
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

When in doubt monochromatic and metallic…

 We had kind of a busy morning, so I really didn’t have time to think about what I was going to wear.  That usually means all black for me 🙂  In the summer it always means jeans and a white T, but sadly…it’s not summer yet.

Btw, can we just ignore the fact that my necklace is strung up over my nose? :}Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-For all you curly hair mama’s (ie, you wake up with a hot mess that can’t be combed into submission)  In lieu of taking a shower/wetting your hair, a braid/twist into a bun is a super easy/fast way to look somewhat put together.  Yes, what I’m trying to say is that I didn’t take a shower before taking these 😉 Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-1 Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-2 Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-3 Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-4 Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-5 Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-7 Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-8 Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-9 Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-10On me…

Sweater- H&M (sold out, but similar here)
Jeans- Blank NYC (ebay old, but similar here)
Shoes- be & D gold studded boat shoe  eBay for $13  sold out but less expensive here
On Maya…
Poncho- H&M (old)
Top- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here and here)
Jeans- 7FAM (eBay, similar here in blue and here gray)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted, similar here)
Keeping it Real…
It was SO windy, and really all Maya wanted to do was get down and gather sticks.  Can’t say that I blame her…Blog HM Blank NYC Spray On BE D Gold Boat Shoes-6
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Denim on Denim

Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-1 Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-2 I can just see my dad smirking as he reads this.  🙂  I’ve never been a denim on denim fan, until recently.  I still don’t think I could do two denims that were really close, but I like how this looks with the really light and really dark denim.  Yes, or no? Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-3Vintage belt that I recently scored while thrifting… Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-4 Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-5 Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-6 Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-7 Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-8 Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-9 On me…

Shirt- StyleMint (sold out, but similar here)
Belt- Vintage (thrifted)
Jeans- Goldsign “Dietrich” (ebay, sold out, similar here and here)
Shoes- Franco Sarto (old)
On Maya…
Dress- Children’s Place (thrifted)
Jeans- Gap (thrifted, but similar here distressed by me)
Shoes- Minnetonka (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
It was so funny.  My neighbor came out with her little boy while we were shooting.  He had a soccer ball that Maya wanted to play with too.  He’s younger and didn’t realize she wanted to share.  “Soccer Ball?  Please?”Blog Denim on Denim StyleMint Goldsign Dietrich Wide Leg-10
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Date Night

Ok, truth be told, we didn’t have a date night.  I’ve been dying to wear these pants though, so…I pretended 😉 Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-1I’ve been obsessed with the Paige Edgemont jeans for a while now, but could never pay that price.  Even on eBay they go for $75+ (no thank you!).  When I saw these on sale at H&M (for $10!!), I had to try them.  I LOVE them! Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-2 Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-3 Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-4Scored these on my last Value Village trip.  So comfy!  Yes, a heeled boot that’s comfy!Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-5 Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-6 Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-7 Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-8 Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-9 Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-10 Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-11 On me…

Sweater- Vivienne Tam (thrifted, sold out)
Top- Target (Old, similar here)
Jeans- H&M
Boots- Circa Joan & David (thrifted, similar here)
On Maya…
Jacket/Sweatshirt- Gap (thrifted, but loving this here)
Scarf- Thrifted
Top- Old Navy (thrifted)
Jeans- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Zulily
Keeping it Real…
Funny thing about self timers.  She was actually laughing, but looks like she’s in pain…Blog Vivienne Tam HM Circa Joan David Booties-12(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren