The Little White Dress Files

April 29, 2016April 29, 2016 | Megan

Friday, I’m in love with you! I’m also slightly enamored with the LWD– Little White Dress. I’ve featured white dresses on several occasions here on Refined + Rugged. The white eyelet dress above is still one of my favorites, view the post here.

I haven’t traced the style roots back far enough to know when these beauties came on the fashion scene as more than casual wedding frocks, but I find this style to be perfect for Summer, easy for anyone to pull off, and at this point a true closet staple. The dress pictured below is shown here.

There are many, many white dress options on the market this season, and the dresses linked here are pictured below. Click on the link to view and shop.

Little White Dress 2016

There are several other LWDs I’ve fallen in love with here, here, here, here, and here. The other great thing about a Little White Dress is that you can use it as a truly clean slate. Start with your dress and layer up! I love to wear mine with a denim vest, or for a preppy twist with a cardigan tied around my waist.

You can pull just about any and every jacket over one of these styles and be ready to transition from a warm summer night to that over-cooled restaurant air. I hope you have a fantastic Friday, and that you’ll weigh in on this Little White Dress phenomenon in the comments below if you’d like!

XX, Megan

Juliette dress available here.

Cherry Bomb

April 28, 2016April 28, 2016 | Megan

A little sun shone through the clouds today so we stepped outside to snap these photos. I honestly love an all denim outfit. Denim wears well, plays well, and washes well. What more can you ask for as a busy mama?

If you are a working professional, not a Stay At Home Mom, your wardrobe would greatly benefit from a fabulous pair of flared jeans. Perfect for casual Friday, perfect for a day to date-night transition. I realize that most office attire does not include denim, but like I said, maybe a Friday wear!

Which brings me to this perfect little red bag– truly the cherry on top of this all-denim ensemble! Large enough to carry an iPad and any refreshing aids you need and love (re: you could fit a small makeup bag in this little cross-body easily). Yet it is small enough to fit anywhere unassuming and practically out of sight.

How is your week shaping up? We’re keeping things low-key this weekend, doing some organizing around the house, I know you are jealous!!! 🙂 Soccer this Saturday and maybe a trip to the swimming pool for the kiddos. The weather doesn’t look like it will be cooperating enough to get out on my road bike, so I may visit the gym for some strength training. Have a fabulous Thursday!

XX, Megan

Shirt: Madewell, Jeans: J.Crew (similar), Heels: Steve Madden, Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini Avery, Scarff: Anthropologie (love this one, and this one), Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper, Cuff: Madewell, Earrings: Madewell, Lips: MAC Ruby Woo

Quick Chicken Tikka Masala

April 27, 2016April 27, 2016 | Megan

I really enjoy Indian food. While I’m sure this recipe stands as a little less than authentic, it was perfect for a week-night meal. Even the kiddos were participants, and though I think it tested the limits of their palate, they moped up their portions with flat bread.

I do want to note that I basically used 3/4 of each spice measuring. Meaning that if the recipe called for 1 tsp. I used a little bit less. This worked well for us, and next time I will also be sure to use a little bit less ginger. I sort of went wild and I think I used more than the recipe called for. Another addition I will make next time is that of heavy cream. I’d add no more than 2-3 tbsps. but I think it would play out well in this combination.

Last but not least, I wouldn’t serve this meal without the yogurt. It was absolutely the perfect add-in. My boys could add in as much or as little as they liked, and it makes the dish even creamier.

I hope your Wednesday is a good one!

XX, Megan

Ingredients

1 (2 1/2″) piece ginger, peeled

4 garlic cloves, peeled

1/2 medium yellow onion

1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3 breasts), cut into 1: cubes

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided, plus more to taste

2 1/2 teaspoons garam masala, divided

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or use olive oil)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/8-1/4 cayenne pepper

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed

1/2 cup plain full-fat or low-fat yogurt (not Greek)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Naan (Indian flatbread; for serving)

Using a hand immersion blender or another food processor, pulse ginger and garlic until finely chopped. Add onion and pulse again until finely chopped.

Toss chicken with 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, 1 tsp garam masala in a medium bowl.

Heat oil over high heat in a large skillet (at least 12″ in diameter). Add chicken and cook, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a clean medium bowl.

Heat same skillet over medium-high and add butter, chopped onion mixture, and 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste, turmeric, cayenne, and remaining 1 tsp. garam masala and cook, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 2 minutes. Return chicken to pan, add peas, and cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 1 minute more.

Remove from heat and stir in yogurt and lemon juice.

This recipe was taken from Epicurious.com.

Rain Rain, You Can Stay

April 26, 2016April 27, 2016 | Megan

I really like rain. I like the way it smells– clean and fresh. I like the way it sounds– the pat-a-tap-pat of every drop. I like the way it looks– the sheen and shine of rivulets and puddles. Rain refreshes me, just like it brings new life to old winter ground.

But dressing for rain, that is a little harder, and here in the arid mountain regions of the West we actually don’t experience large amounts of rainfall. We accumulate our water in the winter months through snow pack. But look, rain!

This is so different from the rain and sog we were accustomed to when we lived in Virginia. In the East, everyone carries an umbrella, and everyone has a trench.

Here in the West we dodge in and out of rain showers, heads uncovered, sometimes sporting a Goretex coat, but I’ve probably seen more jackalope than umbrella. Some of us wear trenches. What about you? Love rain, like rain, detest rain?

Happy Tuesday!!!

XX, Megan

Umbrella: Totes, Trench: Banana Republic, Dress: J.Crew (this season, similar, similar, similar, similar, similar), Shoes: Gap (similar, similar, similar), Clutch: J.Crew, Necklace: Gorjana, Lips: Buxom White Russian

New Nautical Now

April 21, 2016April 20, 2016 | Megan

Stripes, more stripes. What’s not to love?!? In my mind this idea of a new nautical is really just a nod to forever classics– the striped shirt, a pair of indispensable flats, and some skinny pants. Or maybe I should really just be honest and call this post my Ode to J.Crew. But that is also nothing new to you, my friends and readers.

Plus, have I told you about Spring, Spring, Spring?! Those gorgeous mountains in the distance having been putting on some beautiful displays, all white and airy above the green, green valley. Yeah! I really do find myself turning my face toward the warm sun just like a flower.

I hope your Thursday is full of beautiful views, sunshine on your face, and maybe a stripe or two! 😉

XX, Megan