Weekend Wardrobe: Spring Arts Tour Weekend Travel Wardrobe

From Northeast Georgia Arts Tour

Last weekend my husband and I participated in an "Art Crawl" sponsored by our little home town.  We visited several local artist's studios and got to see some of each artist's latest works.  It was a lovely spring day and we enjoyed the tours immensely, so much so that we are thinking we should do this sort of thing more often.  Fortunately, art tours are very popular around here.  There is a major self-guided tour coming up in June in the north Georgia mountains that would be a lot of fun as a weekend jaunt.  It should just be starting to get pretty warm here by early June, so a trip to the mountains would be ideal, and what could be a better reason than a chance to visit artists, galleries, and museums around the region!

As for what to wear on an art tour road trip, here is an example of a wardrobe that I would take, starting with the outfit to wear when starting out:

Clockwise from top left: Women's Sunday Afternoons Sun Tripper Cap in Timber; Ray-Ban Aviator RB3025 Unisex Gold Frame Green Lens Sunglasses; Popular Brands 18k Yellow Gold Plated Leaf Cuff Bracelet; Coldwater Creek Mixed-Rib Open Cardigan in Loden; Lily Bloom Landon Triple Section Satchel in Forest Owl; Women's Sanuk Pair O Dice Sneakers in Olive Washed Canvas; Coldwater Creek Hidden Stretch-Waist Chinos in Light Vine; Land's End Women's Mixed Stripe Cotton Tank Top in Sundried Sage Stripe.

And here are the items that would be packed in the delightful forest-themed duffel bag:

Clockwise from top left: Coldwater Creek Cool Meadows Dress and Shrug in Light Vine; Fossil Emma Smartphone RFID Wristlet in Light Sage; Gold Cicada Necklace by Gliget on Etsy; Coldwater Creek Bistro Tunic in Light Vine; Coldwater Creek Summer-Weight Ponte Slim-Leg Leggings in Alabaster; Patagonia Women's Mainstay T-Shirt in Desert Sage; Lily Bloom 20" Wheeled Duffel in Forest Owl; Coldwater Creek "Wayfarer" Linen Flats by Walk With Me in Light Vine.

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I think I will put together one more spring travel wardrobe for next week, and then move on to an example of a warm weather basic wardrobe in a limited color palette.  In our neck of the woods, temperatures are mild and it finally feels like springtime.  I hope everyone is now enjoying some beautiful spring weather and participating in typical spring activities!
             

Foodie Fridays: Cucumber Lemon Couscous Salad

I was looking for a warm weather side dish that would go well with chicken or fish when the recipe for Cucumber Lemon Couscous Salad from Bunny's Warm Oven caught my eye.  This dish was just what I was looking for - simple, quick, tasty, and the perfect accompaniment to grilled or baked chicken or fish.  I only made a few simple changes - I used much more cucumber than originally called for, and substituted sliced scallions for the parsley and garlic-infused oil for the garlic powder.  I served it with some precooked chicken kebabs, but it would also go well with my recipes for Easy Baked Lemon Chicken or Lemon Butter Baked Fish with Capers.  This salad is especially good accompanying any main dish served with a sauce, as the couscous is the perfect base for absorbing any extra sauce.

I hope everyone is well on their way to enjoying warm spring days and the appropriate meals for such weather by now!

Cucumber Lemon Couscous Salad

1 lemon, juiced
1 tsp. garlic-infused oil (or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder)
1 tsp. salt (optional)
2 C. cooked couscous
1 C. cubed feta cheese
1 English cucumber, diced
2 T. sliced scallions (or 2 T. minced parsley)

Whisk together the lemon juice, garlic oil (or powder), and salt.  Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss to combine.  Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.  Serves 6.

This 'n That Thursdays: 2018 Garden Picks of the Year, Part 1

From Style Estate

Today we begin the series of weekly posts covering all of the 2018 gardening picks of the year I have found, starting with the National Garden Bureau's selections.  Each year the NGB selects a favorite in four different categories - perennial, annual, bulb, and edible.  Below are the 2018 choices:

Coreopsis verticillata (from NC State Extension)

The NGB 2018 Perennial of the Year is Coreopsis, commonly called "tickseed" (Coreopsis spp.).  This shrubby perennial is native to the Americas, with flowers ranging in color from pale yellow to deep burgundy.  Some of the species are annuals, but the most common garden perennials are Coreopsis verticillata, C. auriculata, and C. grandiflora.  Coreopsis is considered drought-tolerant, preferring well-drained soils and full sun.

For its 2018 Annual of the Year, the NGB chose Calibrachoa, or "million bells" (Calibrachoa spp.).  This semi-hardy annual is native to South America.  Although only fairly recently introduced as a garden plant, it has quickly become a favorite, particularly for containers and hanging baskets, thanks to its prodigious production of numerous brightly colored flowers which resemble miniature petunias.  Calibrachoa prefers well-drained soil (water only when almost dry) plus full to partial sun, and can tolerate light frost.

The NGB 2018 pick for Bulb of the Year is the tulip (Tulipa spp.).  A garden favorite for centuries, these spring-flowering bulbs come in a dizzying array of hues, with a history that is just as colorful.  There are over 150 species of tulips with more than 3,000 varieties.  Plant tulip bulbs in the fall - they look best when planted in groups of 12 or more.  While tulips will rebloom, their first bloom is their best, and they are often treated as annuals rather than perennials.

For its 2018 Vegetable of the Year, the NGB selected the beet (Beta vulgaris).  This Mediterranean native has been cultivated for centuries, and is now grown around the world.  Though probably most familiar as a processed canned or pickled vegetable, beets have become more popular as a fresh vegetable, whether eaten raw in salads or prepared and cooked at home (roasting is one of the most popular cooking methods).  Beets are high in fiber, vitamins A and C, and iron.  Young beet leaves can also be eaten, either raw or cooked.  The color pigment in red beets is often used as a dye, especially in foods as it is safe for consumption.

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Next week I will present Part 2 of the 2018 gardening picks of the year.  Meanwhile, weather permitting, you might as well get busy planting your beets and tickseed, and hanging your baskets full of million bells (save the tulip planting for the fall, however).  Happy gardening, everyone!
               

Wish List Wednesdays: Talbot's Lobster Print Skirt and Scarf

Summer fashion catalogs have begun to arrive, and one of the things I love about the season's apparel is the abundance of playful patterns.  I am especially delighted by the lobster print items now available from Talbot's (my husband studies decapod crustaceans, so we have a fondness for anything decorated with lobsters, crabs, or shrimps).  My favorite is the Lobster Print Stretch Cotton Canvas Skirt ($69.50).  Even though I do not wear skirts often, I think this one would be great for a special summer event or trip, and the colors are perfect for the Fourth of July.  There is even a matching Lobster-Print Scarf ($49.50).  I may just have to add these items to my summer wardrobe purchases list!

                

Weekend Wardrobe Cinco de Mayo Weekend Travel Wardrobe

From Facebook

Cinco de Mayo is on a Saturday this year, making it possible to plan a quick weekend getaway to the celebration destination of your choice!  For me, that destination will always be New Mexico, perhaps for the 11th annual Cinco de Mayo Folk Art Fest in Albuquerque.  For this weekend wardrobe, I chose to feature a warm copper color that I absolutely love (I have already purchased several items in this color from Coldwater Creek).  Here is the outfit that I would wear on the way to a fun-filled fiesta in my favorite state:

Clockwise from top left: Costa Del Mar Loreto 580G Polarized Sunglasses in Rose Gold; Journee Collection Women's Rhinestone Quartz Round Face Fashion Watch in Cognac; Novica Rustic Sika Necklace from Ghana; Coldwater Creek Cascade of Stripes Cardigan in Copper; Patricia Nash Paris Floral-Embossed Satchel in Florence; Patricia Nash Tooled Florence Pienza 22" Carry-On Trolley in Tan; Merrell Around Town Antara Lace Shoe in Brown Sugar; Coldwater Creek Hidden Stretch-Waist Chinos in Washed Sand; Coldwater Creek Vintage-Washed Henley in Copper.

And here are the additional items I would pack for the trip:

Clockwise from top left: San Diego Hat Company Packable Paper Sun Brim Hat in Brown; maykobags Brown Leather Wristlet on Etsy; Coldwater Creek Open-Front Sweater Shrug in Ivory; Coldwater Creek Open Road Multi-Print Dress in Vanilla Multi; Pikolinos "Vallarta II" Leather Sandals in Cypress; Coldwater Creek Elbow-Sleeve Ribbed Sweater in Vanilla; Coldwater Creek Hidden Stretch-Waist Chino Crops in Copper; Coldwater Creek Love-the-Length Tank in Ivory; Center top: LDancingDragonflies Copper Chain Maille Necklace on Etsy; Center bottom: Rock 'n Metal Jewelry Antiqued Copper Etched Design Narrow Cuff Bracelet.

In reality I will not be able to travel anywhere for Cinco de Mayo (my husband will be out of town on a business trip and someone has to stay home to care for the animals), but that doesn't mean I can't wear some of my new apparel and have my own little celebration here at home!

Maybe I should consider getting some festive apparel for my two pups?
Probably not - unlike the cooperative cuties above, I doubt that my
persnickety pair would ever forgive me for a photo shoot like this!

             

Foodie Fridays: Strawberry Almond Flour Cake

A recent catalog for King Arthur Flour included a recipe for a Strawberry Almond Flour Cake that I decided I had to try.  I was looking for a lower-carb version of strawberry shortcake, and this cake is a great alternative.  I used coconut sugar instead of white, except for the 1 T. sugar sprinkled on the bottom of the pan, where I did use white sugar (if you like you could use a sugar substitute like Swerve to reduce the carbs even more).  Otherwise I pretty much followed the original recipe.

Any soft fruit could be substituted for the strawberries.  I think I will try peaches next when they are in season.  The King Arthur Flour website has quite a few recipes, including many that use almond flour (although not all of them can be considered low carb).  I look forward to trying their recipe for Almond Flour Pizza Crust next!

Strawberry Almond Flour Cake

2 C. sliced strawberries
1/2 C. plus 2 T. sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 C. almond flour
1 T. coconut flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Place the strawberries in a shallow bowl and toss with 1 T. sugar.  Set aside.

Lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan.  Sprinkle the bottom evenly with 1 T. sugar and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1/4 C. sugar, and vanilla.  In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form.  Slowly beat in the remaining 1/4 C. sugar.  Set aside.

Combine the almond and coconut flours, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.  Add to the egg yolk mixture and stir together to form a thick dough.  Fold in the whipped egg whites 1/2 C. at a time, incorporating each addition thoroughly before adding more.  The end result should be a smooth and fluffy batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool the cake in the pan for five minutes.  Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake.  Place the cake on a serving platter.  Cool completely.  Serve topped with the sliced strawberries.  Serves 8.

Note: If you do not have coconut flour, replace the 1 T. of coconut flour with 1/4 C. of almond flour (yes, you read that correctly!).
             

This 'n That Thursdays: 2018 Picks of the Year

From Bridestory Business Blog

It's time to review all of the 2018 picks of the year that I can find, and as I usually do I am beginning with the non-gardening choices.  I mentioned briefly in an earlier post that the Pantone 2018 Color of the Year is a deep blue-based purple called Ultra Violet (yes, it is two words).  While this shade is not a personal favorite, for me it is slightly better than the picks from the last three years.  Who can forget the muddy purplish-red from 2015, or the pallid pink/bland blue duo of 2016, and then the acidulous yellow-green in 2017?  Okay, I admit I am rather opinionated when it comes to colors, but I have not truly enjoyed a Pantone Color of the Year since 2012's Tangerine Tango, so I am hoping that the selection for 2019 will really impress me.

From Firmenich

Interestingly, the Firmenich 2018 Flavor of the Year is Fig, a deep purple fruit, which makes me wonder if there is some sort of collusion between Pantone and Firmenich when selecting their annual winners!  Last year Firmenich opted for the unfortunate flavor of Cucumber, which could be considered similar in color to Pantone's 2017 choice of Greenery.  Coincidence?  Like I said, you have to wonder.  However, I happen to love figs, so I am quite happy with this year's pick.  My husband despises figs (mostly because of the seeds) and I know that he is not alone in his aversion, so this flavor may be a love it or hate it sort of choice for 2018.

From Big Island Now

Color also comes to mind with the selection by the American Bird Association of the rather spectacularly hued Iiwi (Drepanis coccinea), or Scarlet Honeycreeper, as the 2018 Bird of the Year.  Although this endemic Hawaiian species is still common on the islands, their population is in decline due to a combination of habitat loss and introduced diseases.  Adults of both sexes are a stunning vermilion red with black wings and tails.  They have long, decurved, salmon-pink bills used primarily for drinking nectar.  This gorgeous little bird is currently listed as threatened, and hopefully efforts to protect the species will be successful.

Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Maine -
puffins are my favorite birds!
(from New Hampshire Public Radio)

Speaking of birds, in honor of the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 2018 has been declared the Year of the Bird.  The National Audubon Society, National Geographic Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and BirdLife International along with more than 100 other organizations around the world are participating in this campaign to raise awareness of the importance of taking action, no matter how small, to help protect migratory birds from adverse effects of environmental changes.  A few tips that anyone could implement can be found here.

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In the coming weeks I will cover all of the gardening 2018 picks of the year I have found.  As always, there are a number of these selections by various organizations, so I will have to describe them in a series of posts.  Fortunately, I think the weather in my neck of the woods has finally decided to leave winter behind, so I can now start to think about actually doing some planting!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Coldwater Creek Desert Scene Bistro Tunic

I have been keeping an eye out for a few new additions to my summer wardrobe (assuming summer actually does arrive this year, despite the wintry cold temperatures we had a couple of days ago, here in Georgia no less!).  When I saw the Desert Scene Bistro Tunic ($89.95-$99.95) from Coldwater Creek, I knew I had found one item I had to own.  I added several horse print items to my spring wardrobe this year, and this short-sleeved rayon challis top has a desert horses design in a color called Washed Sand, which is the same color as the one pair of pants I bought for spring (also from Coldwater Creek, so color matching should not be an issue).  I am now well started on my way to collecting the five new pieces I would like to add to my summer wardrobe!
             

Weekend Wardrobe: Fun Festival Weekend Travel Wardrobe

From Facebook

I became fixated on crabs this week, as evidenced by my latest Wish List Wednesdays post, which led to my inspiration for today's travel destination - a quick weekend getaway to the coast for a fun crab festival!  The Soft Shell Crab Festival is almost upon us, with several more celebrations coming up in Florida, Texas, and South Carolina during the month of May, so there are more than enough opportunities to pick a preferred time and location for a crab-inspired trip.

From Old Village Association of Port Royal

For the travel wardrobe, I wanted to highlight two colors from the Eileen Fisher collection that caught my eye, a fiery red called Serrano and a dark taupe brown called Rye.  I chose a number of crab-themed accessories for this destination, but the basic color scheme of red, brown, and cream would work well for any occasion.  Here is the outfit to wear in transit:

Clockwise from top left: Sea Life Series Oblong Scarf in Beige/Red; Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Waffle-Knit Hooded Cardigan in Rye; Crab Print Canvas Tote Bag in Beige; The Mochi and The Bear Crabs Duffle Bag; Eileen Fisher Washable Stretch Crepe Slim Pants in Serrano; Frye Quincy Tie Boat Shoe in Bronze; Eileen Fisher Crewneck Tee in Natural.

And here are the items to pack:

Clockwise from top left: friendlygesture Antique Brass Crab Pendant Necklace; Anipals Leather Crab Wristlet in Red; So'each Women's Crab Print Sweatshirt; Old Glory Crab All Over Adult Tank Top; Eileen Fisher Tencel and Linen Bermuda Shorts in Rye; Eileen Fisher Soft V-Neck Tee in Rye; Nostalgia Crab Cuff in Bronze/Yellow Gold; Eileen Fisher Tumbled Nubuck Edge Thong Sandal in Serrano (out of stock); Eileen Fisher Jersey Shift in Rye; Eileen Fisher Kimono Stretch Crepe Long Jacket in Serrano; Center: Spreadshirt Ornate Filigree Crab Women's Fine Jersey T-Shirt in Red.

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From Kettle Korn Poppery

For those who love the coast, I think a crab festival is a great excuse for a trip, don't you?

From The Best Crab 2018

             

Foodie Fridays: Baked Stuffed Chicken Breasts Caprese

If you only plan to try one new recipe this year, please make it this one!  I found the original recipe for Cheesy Tomato Basil Stuffed Chicken on the Half Baked Harvest website (always a good source for easy and delicious recipes!).  I made a few minor changes to the ingredients as well as the technique, but the essentials are still the same, and the end result is one of the best chicken dishes I have ever made.  Normally I avoid any recipe that calls for slicing chicken breasts horizontally, as I loathe handling raw chicken, but after tasting this amazing chicken I may end up using this method every time I make chicken (I am already planning to modify last week's Easy Baked Lemon Chicken recipe)!

Let me go into the details of the modifications I made to the recipe so that you can choose which ones to use when you make this dish.  First, I swirled a little olive oil in the bottom of the skillet before adding the chicken just because I cannot bring myself to add dry chicken to a dry pan.  Next, I used Tyson Trimmed and Ready Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, which have all visible fat removed and are uniform in size so that all of the chicken breasts cook in the same amount of time.  And since I used store-bought pesto, I spooned some into a small bowl before spreading it on the chicken to prevent contamination of the container.  Any pesto left in the bowl can then be spread over the tops of the chicken breasts before baking.

I used California Sun Dry Julienne Cut Sun-Dried Tomatoes with Herbs for ease of preparation and added flavor (available here).  The original recipe uses fresh mozzarella, but I think I actually prefer the packaged shredded type for this dish, as you can sprinkle additional cheese over the top to finish off the dish for added cheesy goodness.  I did not have fresh garlic in the house but I did have a bottle of good quality garlic-infused oil, so I used that instead, which I think made it easier to add garlic flavor to the tomatoes.  Finally, I omitted the red pepper flakes because I do not like them, but feel free to add them back in if you prefer.

It may seem like I made a lot of changes, but all of these modifications are actually very minor.  One final suggestion is to serve this dish with mashed sweet potatoes, spooning the pan sauce generously over each serving.  If you do so, you are in for a truly ambrosial experience!

Baked Stuffed Chicken Breasts Caprese

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/3 C. pesto (homemade or refrigerated store-bought)
3-4 T. julienne cut oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, plus 3-4 T. oil
1 C. shredded mozzarella (packaged pre-shredded type is fine)
1 T. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 lb. heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved if large
2 T. balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. garlic-infused olive oil
1/4 C. fresh basil, julienned

Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally, not quite all the way through, and open the two flaps completely.  Spread both sides of each chicken breast with pesto.  Place 1 T. sun-dried tomatoes on one half of each piece, and top with 1-2 T. shredded mozzarella.

Swirl the 1 T. olive oil in the bottom of a 12-inch ovenproof skillet.  Fold the chicken breasts up again so that the filling is on the inside.  Place the chicken in the skillet.  Spread any remaining pesto over the top of each piece.  Spoon about 1 T. of the sun-dried tomato oil over each of the tops.  Lightly salt and pepper each chicken breast.

Bake the chicken at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Remove the skillet from the oven.  Scatter the tomatoes around the chicken.  Splash the balsamic vinegar and then the garlic oil evenly over the tomatoes, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.  Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.  Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the tomatoes, turn off the oven, and let the skillet sit in the oven for another 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Remove from the oven, scatter the basil evenly over the top, and serve immediately.  Serves 3-4.

             

This 'n That Thursdays: Two Fascinating Facts I Learned at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Towering orchid display at the 2018 Orchid Daze exhibit
(from The Orchid Column)

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see the Orchid Daze display before it ended.  As happens more often than not, I forgot to bring my camera, but that did not stop us from enjoying the Garden.  We went on a Thursday hoping that it would be less crowded than on a weekend, and except for a few school class trips there were indeed fewer people, although it was still an impressive crowd for a weekday.  One of the perks of a less crowded day is that the docents have more time to answer questions, which is how we got to learn two fascinating tidbits of information that were new to us.

Golden Poison Frog (Phyllobates terribilis)
(from Atlanta Botanical Garden)

The first fact involves tropical frogs.  You may not know that the Atlanta Botanical Garden has a facility for keeping and raising rare and endangered tropical frog species from Central and South America.  Several frog exhibits are located near the entrance to the Fuqua Conservatory where the orchids are housed.  One of the species on display is the Golden Poison Frog (Phyllobates terribilis), whose deadly skin secretions were used to poison the tips of blowgun darts.  The garden volunteer at this exhibit told us that the frog poison comes from the insects that the frogs eat, and that these insects in turn get their toxins from the plants that they ingest.  The most interesting fact she mentioned, though, is that if the frogs are raised on nontoxic insects, then the frogs themselves are nontoxic as well!  And by the way, all of the Golden Poison Frogs in the Garden's display, which were raised at the Garden on nontoxic insects, are not poisonous.

Flowering Coconut Pie Orchid (Maxillaria tenuifolia)
(from Orchids Forum)

We then moved on to the orchid center, where we learned our second new fact of the day.  We first explored the Orchid Daze exhibit, and then went into the Orchid Display House in the Fuqua Orchid Center to see what orchids were flowering there.   We like to see the vanilla orchid vines in flower, and I am always on the hunt for any fragrant orchids.  We asked a volunteer which of the orchids in flower were fragrant, and she mentioned several, but one in particular that we had never heard of before captivated us.  It turns out that there is a species of orchid with a distinctive coconut scent, and it happened to be flowering when we were there.  Known as the Coconut Pie Orchid (Maxillaria tenuifolia), it also has long spiky leaves, prominent pseudobulbs, and small but pretty speckled red flowers.  The aroma of this orchid is heavenly, and so strong it smells more like coconuts than the real thing!

We were told that these orchids are not too difficult to keep, and that it was possible to purchase them online.  When we got home I had to do a search, and actually found a great source on Amazon!  Unlike most sources, this supplier sells good-sized plants already mature enough to flower, although they do not ship them in flower.  (Unfortunately, my source is currently out of stock, but there are other suppliers on Amazon, and this one may be worth trying as the seller gets good reviews).  I immediately ordered one just before Easter and it arrived the following Tuesday, well wrapped, healthy, and undamaged.  It now sits in our most plant-friendly window, and if we are lucky we may get it to flower one of these days.  I hope so, as I look forward to having that luscious coconut scent wafting through our house!

The next Garden event I am awaiting with anticipation is the Imaginary Worlds display which opens on May 5th (aren't those camels fantastic?).  There have been two previous mosaiculture exhibits at the Garden, and they are so unique and impressive that the Garden has actually kept a few of the previous displays as permanent features.  I had never even heard of mosaiculture before I saw these exhibits.  You may want to check out any botanical gardens located near where you live (or visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden if you are in the area), because you never know what fascinating facts you may learn!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: A Collection of Cute Crab Purses

For your consideration, here is a collection of cute crab purses I found while searching online for red handbags!  Straw bags seem to be popular this spring, but would you dare to be unique by carrying the coral-colored Betsey Johnson Crab Calloway Cross-Body Bag (currently on sale for $73.57 plus free shipping) shown above?

The polyurethane Crab Clasp Closure Shoulder Bag ($15.99 plus free shipping) is a very inexpensive option for anyone who does not necessarily need a long-term commitment to the crustacean.  It is available in white, black, green, or pink in addition to the red option shown.

For those who love leather and prefer a more discretely sized decapod, there is always the adorable coin purse-type Anipals Red Crab Wristlet ($19.99 plus $4.99 shipping).  This sweet little purse is also available in blue or green.

Shore Thing Small Crab Lottie

Shore Thing Crab Hilli

If you are a true arthropod aficionado with a crush on crabs and are ready for a life-long commitment (i.e., these bags are expensive!), then check out the Kate Spade genuine leather crab-shaped handbags.  You have two options - the larger snap closure Shore Thing Small Crab Lottie ($348) or the slightly smaller zip closure Shore Thing Crab Hilli ($198), both in bright Picnic Red.  (And if you are more of a lobster lover, Kate Spade has got you covered with her Shore Thing Lobster Crossbody here.)

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Seriously, how could anyone possibly be crabby when there are so many captivating crab-inspired pocketbooks available, creating crustacean cheer in the fashion world?
             

Weekend Wardrobe: Remembrance of Outfits Past - Favorite Apparel from Younger Days

Fashionable for Easter, more years ago than I care to admit!

Lately I have been fondly remembering favorite apparel I wore when I was younger, and came to realize that I have always had a love for bold and bright colors.  I've put together outfits that approximate those I favored back in the day (I am surprised that I can even find clothing that resembles items I wore in the past - does this mean I have also always been attracted to timeless styles?).  Take a look at my blast from the past below, in as close to chronological order as I can remember:

Tory Burch Short Sleeve Cashmere Sweater (sold);
H&M Paper-Bag Pants in Emerald Green.

I was still in grade school when I wore one of my most comfortable outfits.  I think the soft short-sleeved sweater in a mustard yellow color and the loose-fitting bright green ankle pants were hand-me-downs from my tiny mother, passed on to me before I began to tower over her.  The original pants had white piping along the seams and a lovely pearlized button at the waist - I had a fascination with beautiful buttons when I was young.  I wore this outfit one day when I was home from school with a cold or the flu, and it made me feel so cozy and warm.

Vintage orange floral jeans from VintageShopGertrude on Etsy.

I also remember my first pair of jeans, which were orange with a yellow flower print (I can't believe I actually found an image of a similar pair of jeans!).  Unfortunately, I ruined my jeans by undoing the leg hems, which happened to be the style at the time (anything to make the leg length long enough to drag on the ground - ugh!).  The ruination of these poor jeans is the reason I cannot get behind the current trend of raw-edge and/or distressed jeans today.

Vintage Faux Fur Leopard Print Bucket Hat (sold);
Vintage Faux Fur Leopard Print Handbag (sold);
ZARA Women's Green Textured Coat.

Getting a new coat was always a big deal when I was young.  The one I remember most was a rather scratchy bright green one, mostly because I also got a new hat and purse at the same time.  These accessories were faux fur leopard print, and I was delighted with them.  I happily endured the scratchy coat because I got to accessorize with my oh-so-stylish hat and purse!

L.L. Bean Women's Signature Merino Turtleneck Sweater in Dark Navy;
1980s Missoni Orange and Blue Plaid Pleated Wrap Skirt (sold).

I was slightly older, probably in junior high school, when I wore this combination of patterned wool skirt and navy blue turtleneck sweater.  The original skirt was actually a houndstooth pattern in navy, red, and rust orange.  I am not even a skirt-wearing person, but I loved that skirt, and would so like to own one just like it to this day.

Ralph Lauren Cotton/Silk Voile Shirt in Sunset Orange;
Chico's Shine Striped Charlotte Pullover in Andean Orange;
Coldwater Creek Pull-On Pincord Skirt in Brown.

My sister worked at a clothing store when we were in high school, and she got me an outfit of dark brown corduroy skirt, bright orange cotton gauze blouse, and orange-striped wrap cardigan for Christmas the year I started college.  She was the one who always loved bright colors when we were young - one of her favorite dresses was covered in metallic green and purple swirls!  I always thought my tastes were more subdued, but looking back through the years at my favorite outfits has made me realize that, in my own way, I loved bright colors just as much as she did.

Land's End Women's Mesh Polo Shirt in Bright Lemon;
Ex Viyella Ladies Smart Straight Leg Jeans in Chocolate (unavailable).

For some reason I simply cannot seem to own a yellow top without ruining it.  Every time I find one that I like I manage to permanently stain it almost immediately.  Nevertheless, I persist, and I think it is because one of my favorite casual outfits as a college undergraduate was this pairing of a cheerful yellow polo shirt with dark brown jeans.  I do have brown jeans now, and I will continue the hunt for a yellow top that I cannot destroy!

DressLink Turn Down Collar Button Front Belted Dress
(color modified greatly from the original yellow to the shade
of orange I remember from my dress).

Just before I graduated from college, my mother took me on a clothes shopping trip.  I had absolutely no interest in clothes when I was younger, which worried my mother, so she decided that my graduation present would be this shopping trip just to ensure that I had nice things to wear when I went to graduate school!  She bought me an orange shirt dress with a flared skirt that I remember to this day.  Since I so seldom wore dresses, when I walked out of the dressing room to let her see me in it my own mother did not even recognize me!  In fact, she thought at first that I was a salesperson.  I guess that dress made me realize for the first time that I really was an adult.  Even though I stopped wearing it, I owned that dress until just a few years ago, and to this day I still regret getting rid of it.

👒👗👡👜👖👚👒👗👡👜👖👚👒👗👡👜👖👚👒👗👡👜👖👚

Well, I think I've spent enough time strolling down memory lane, but it has been fun to reminisce about some of the clothing that I loved when I was young.  Next week I will return to the present day with another travel ensemble.  I wonder where we will wander next?