That 70s Show

February 29, 2016March 1, 2016 | Megan

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I have an admission. I packed up the bulk of my winter sweaters this past Saturday, and pulled out some of my lighter knits. I always keep wool cardigans and some warm neutral options out for Spring and Summer evenings. Here in the mountains it can still drop into the 50s and even 40s during the evening well into Summertime, so I never put away all of my warmer layers.

I also didn’t pack up some of my other winter extras. You can still throw on your boots, and vests, and hats, and even scarves to more easily transition your wardrobe into Spring. Especially if you want to wear pieces lighter pieces like dresses and skirts. Layer up like a champ, and you can pull of practically anything!

If it had been even a little bit colder, I’d have throw my trusty wool coat over this ensemble for added warmth. I have loved both this denim vest, this more safari inspired vest, and a good utility vest in past seasons, and I’m sure I’ll be pulling both out this Spring. I also fell in love with the long vest from Vince, and I love how Molly styled it here.

I also love a good rain jacket or anorak if you live in a more rainy climate, but temps are rising come spring. It’s definitely time to ditch the heavy coats and loot at something like this.

What are some of your favorite layers? Do you have any pieces you don’t put away regardless of the season? I’d love to know! Have a superb Monday, friends!!

XX, Megan

Dress: J.Crew (past season, similar, similar, similar), Vest: Target, Boots: Dolce Vita, Bag: Madewell (just came back in stock!, similar, similar, save, splurge), Sunglasses: Ray-ban, Necklace: Anthropologie (past, similar), Earrings: Vintage, Lips: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lip in Dolce

Little Bird: Fun with Kiwi Crate

February 26, 2016February 27, 2016 | Megan

Little M and I did this project a day ago, and after a long hiatus from more kid-centric posts it was fun to get back in the saddle and have some fun with this little fellow!!

We did this project with Kiwi Crate, but let’s talk about how you can recreate this entire project at home with just one trip to the dollar store 🙂

For the bird’s eggs and nest you will need:

Cardboard Eggs
Paint
Glue
String
A plastic or reusable bowl you’re not afraid to cover with gluey string!
Two other smaller bowls you can fill with glue and paint

For the bird mask and wings you will need:

Mask with with elastic
Feathers
Orange construction paper
Hot glue gun (we used some little glue tabs included with this Kiwi Crate)
Two large piece of felt with holes for threading elastic in and out. (Shaped as wings if you want to get fancy!)
Long piece of elastic (at least as long as your child’s “wingspan”– tip of finger to tip of finger across the back)

Make sure you have a mat or a paper bag to cover your workspace 🙂

Start by painting your eggs. Fill a small bowl with paint. Set them aside to dry. Then take about 3 feet of string (or more). Fill the other small bowl with glue. Put your string into the glue. Mix well.

Pull the string out of the glue, and then place it on the downside of the plastic bowl (so you will turn your bowl upside dos and pull the string over it. Careful, your hands will be sticky!!) Set your nest, still on the round of the bowl aside to dry.

Take your mask and turn it over. Affix the feathers above the eyes in any design you like. Cut out a bill or a beak from the orange/yellow construction paper. Glue this to the back side of the make. Let the mask dry.

Last, lay your wings out as they will lay across your child’s back. Take one end of the elastic and tie a loop with a knot at the bottom in one end big enough for your child’s thumb.

Theead the rest of the elastic through both wings. Finish by tying a loop with a knit in the bottom at the other end.

Little bird’s costume is ready to fly! Have a beautiful Friday evening and a stellar Sayurday!!!

XX, Megan

Note: The nest, and eggs are ready to go once everything is dried (the nest takes AT LEAST overnight to dry fully.) You can subscribe to Kiwi Crate here.

I Get a Kick Out of You

February 25, 2016February 25, 2016 | Megan

Seven kicks to set you dreaming of Spring! I hope you have a fantastic Thursday. Thank you so much for stopping by!! (Links below.)

XX, Megan

Seven Spring Kicks

Striped Block Heels, Black Perfect Sandal, Patent Sneakers, Penny Lane Gladiators, POPing Yellow Pumps, Preppy Trainers, Nude Perfection Heels

Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs

February 24, 2016February 23, 2016 | Megan

Sometimes it is fun to make meals with some flourish– sauces, special spices, rare ingredients, or even special cooking instructions. Sometimes it’s nice to pull out a one dish wonder, throw a salad on the side, and call it a night. (Disclaimer, the roasted potatoes do add an extra step to this dish, but are totally worth it in my opinion.)

I give you The Scramble Roasted Chicken! Savory, wholesome, delicious, and you won’t believe how EASY it really is!!! You’ll see that I used chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken, I’ve made this dish both ways and both ways are great. I also added baby carrots on top of my onions for another dose of vegetables.

Do you have any favorite One Dish Wonder meals? I’d love to know! May your Wednesday be as scrumptious as roasted chicken! 😉

XX, Megan

Ingredients

1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced
1 whole chicken, about 4 lbs., or use 8 – 10 chicken pieces
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. dried rosemary, or use fresh
1 tsp. dried thyme, or use 2 tsp. fresh
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Put the onions in a large roasting pan. Remove the giblets from inside the chicken, and put the chicken on top of the onions. Pour the oil on the chicken and using your hands, rub it evenly over the bird. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl, and pour and rub them evenly over the chicken.

Bake the chicken for a total of 1 hour – 75 minutes (check after 30 – 40 minutes if using chicken pieces), until it is cooked through. (Meanwhile, prepare the potatoes, if you are serving them.) The chicken is done when the juices at the base of the thigh run clear or an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh measures 165 degrees.

Baste the chicken with the pan juices. If time allows, let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven before cutting it. Serve it immediately, topped with the onions and pan juices, or carve and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.

*The Scramble is a meal planning service to which you can subscribe here. For a fantastic price you will receive 8 weekly meals which means 8 recipes (main course plus a side dish), complete grocery list, the ability to tweak the number of people you are making for, and full nutrition facts.

PLUS tips as to how best to PREP your meal beforehand, add a punch of FLAVOR, and how to SLOW COOK almost every recipe if you’re especially slammed that night. This wonderful service really does live up to it’s name. You can come home at 6 p.m. and be sitting down to a DELICIOUS, HEALTHY, HOME COOKED meal by 6:30 p.m. most nights.

Gingham and Things

February 23, 2016February 22, 2016 | Megan

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From one extreme to the other! From all neutral attire to bright and ginghamed. So it goes. Today’s OOOTD has been featured on Refined + Rugged before in THIS post. I’ve linked several similar options below.

I have only praises to sing for these flats, which come in a variety of fun colors. First, that they are budget friendly, though I linked a few splurge worthy options below as well. Second, that the lace up details puts some pizazz into any ensemble.

Last, they have helped me assuage my long held need to somehow be a ballerina. Take a spin and take a bow. (And take a seat, because I’m NO ballerina:) But I do love a fabulously wearable toe-shoe dupe! Have a wonderful Tuesday, folks!

XX, Megan

Coat: J.Crew (past season, similar, similar, similar, splurge, save), Shirt: J.Crew, Pants: J.Crew, Shoes: Gap (splurge, splurge, similar), Sunglasses: Ray-ban, Clutch: J.Crew Factory, Necklace: J.Crew (similar) , Lips: NARS Heat Wave