Letter: To All Presidential Candidates

January 25, 2016January 29, 2016 | Megan

2016-presidential-candidates-cartoon-mckee

Dear Presidential Candidates,

Really?!?

Seriously?!!?

Are you kidding?!!!?

Are you a part of reality? Are you Americans? Are you The People? If you are part of us, then why are you so deluded, delusional, egotistical, bombastic, self-aggrandizing, so God-awfully fruit cake, just. plain. NUTS? This is the best that your disparate parties have to offer?

Each and every one of you believe that you are not only capable of being the “leader of the free world”, but qualified to act as Commander-in-Chief and the figurehead of foreign relations for the United States? This letter is not directed at ANY of you individually, but rather an open letter to ALL of you collectively.

I’ll be frank, as a member of the voting public I am appalled at your political peacocking. As someone who considers themselves a conscientious and informed part of the electorate, I am stunned, dismayed, aghast at the reality television lens I believe you have brought into Presidential elections. Indeed, you have left me breathless with your performances.

I mean breathless in the context of being gut punched– repeatedly.

Have any of you spent any amount of time looking in a mirror recently? Or any time watching any of your debates or public forums? I’m not talking about staring in the mirror while memorizing prepared speeches, or practicing pretend smiles. I mean have any of you spent time with a board certified therapist recently?

How has our pool of Presidential candidates come to this?

060415coletoon

Listen, I understand that this RACE this push to put yourself in power is CRAZY. So crazy, in fact, that no rational human being with even a lick of sense will participate in that which we call the race to the Presidential Election.

It really does take super-human strength to flip-flop according to your audience, to criticize and corrosively condemn every other candidate constantly, to talk and talk and talk and pander for an entire DAY-after-day and then wake up and do it all again.

Does it injure your integrity or your sense of soul to climb in bed with corporate sponsors and business affiliates who have little to no care for the wishes or future of this country? Does it hurt to support special interest so aggressively that you forgot that there are not just hundreds, not thousands, but MILLIONS of Americans who are forgotten, underserved, or even negatively impacted by your glad handing big business like they are individual constituents? Yes, those are questions.

How does it feel to have let the BIGGEST, BARREL MOUTHED, BILLIONAIRE Bull into the China Shop since that Mavericky Pit Bull who wore lipstick eight years ago, let alone the fact that she is now his personal spokesperson? Does it pain your good sense to hear that racist, sexist, alarmist, narcissistic, even mildly murderous (according to some latest remarks in Iowa) candidate call you out on stage?

I guess after reviewing this letter I don’t have many comments, only questions. Questions that root in my very pride to be American.

One of the most simple, straightforward articles I’ve read so far comes from NPR called Meet The Candidates In 100 Words And 60 Seconds.

In that vein, I’ve complied my own very simple, very straightforward list of all of the candidates that I’ve affectionately titled Meet The Candidates In Under 5 Words. With a total read-time of 17 seconds, it’s worth it.

BERNIE– TOO OLD, TOO SOCIALIST

TRUMP– BOMBASTIC VITRIOLIST, and frankly NUCKING FUTS

HILLARY– BOUGHT IN, and BOUGHT OUT

CRUZ– BEHOLDEN TO CHRISTIAN GUN-TOTING ZELOTS

O’MALLEY– MOB BOSS

CHRISTIE– WAFFLING RED TO BLUE

BUSH– THREE IS MORE THAN TWO, NOT BETTER

PAUL– LIBERTARIANISM KILLS

RUBIO– IMMIGRATION POLICIES AGAINST THE GRAIN

FIORINA– FEMALE IN THE RED FRAY

CARSON– ZERO EXPERIENCE, ZERO FOREIGN POLICY ACUMEN

HUCKABEE– MAKING TEA WITH THE BEST

In the words of one of my dearest friends, Michelle. A woman whose intelligence and political acumen are unsurpassed, a woman whose letter was infinitely more concise and clear than mine, “Dear Candidates, you all suck!”

Sincerely,

Megan

2016-presidential-candidates-cartoon-englehart

Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

January 22, 2016January 21, 2016 | Megan

Knits, Jeans, Shoes 2

Let’s pretend, for imagination’s sake, that I have an inspiration board at home. I don’t. But I love seeing others’ inspiration boards. Plus, isn’t that the general idea of Pinterest. I’ve gathered some knits, jeans, and footwear I’ve been eyeing these week here on my internet mood board.

Speaking of Pinterest, I have also added all of these lovely pieces to my Transitions– Winter to Spring 2016 board! I’ve linked it here on the page, and you can click the widget on my sidebar to be directed to my Pinterest page as well. So if you find it easier to look through your style inspiration there, right on!

I’m feeling all things knitted these days. Yes, it’s the cold temps. Yes, it’s my obsession with wool. (Pure cotton is wonderful, too.) Yes, it’s the way they lie against your skin and against a great pair of jeans.

The reality of these looks is that I’d love to take them all out for a spin!!! Happy Friday!

XX, Megan

Links Left to Right, Top to Bottom

1. Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater

2. Emma Legging Jeans in Black

3. Sway II Pointy Toe Pump

4. Handknit Cozy Turtleneck Sweater

5. Flea Market Flares

6. Jaeger Booties

7. Back-zip Sweater in Cable Stripe

8. Demi Boot Jeans in Essex Wash

9. The Modern Point Loafer

10. Chunky Wool Wide Crew Neck

11. Slim Boy Jeans

12. Italian Ankle Wrap Sandal

A Little Bit Audrey

January 21, 2016January 21, 2016 | Megan

DSC_0180 - Version 2 DSC_0202 - Version 2

Here is a prime example of how style can make you feel… happy. I pulled this look together for an afternoon lunch date, and ended up calling my husband to see if we could photograph the evidence, I liked it that much.

It reminded me so much of Ms. Hepburn– Audrey. With her cigarette pants, simple tops, and a classic pair of flats. All classics. All staples. All perfect.

Yes, I liked it so much I had to do a couple spins just for the fun of it. Here’s to a wonderful day, and a wonderful end to your week!

XX, Megan

DSC_0205 - Version 2

Trench Coat: Banana Republic (past season, current season, similar, similar, love this short version), Sweater: J.Crew, Pants: J.Crew, Flats: Cole Haan, Scarf: Vintage, Clutch: Old Navy, Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper, Earrings: Vintage, Watch: Invicta, Bracelet: J.Crew (similar), Lips: MAC Pure Zen

Herbed Pork Loin Roll-ups

January 20, 2016January 17, 2016 | Megan

My husband requested that I inform all of you, my faithful readership that “THIS is the BEST meal” we have ever eaten. I have to say, I agree!

Thank you The Scramble, thank you Aviva Goldfarb, and thank you to my sister and brother-in-law who introduced us to this indispensable meal planning service!!!

I’ve mentioned it before, and want to say again here that you can tweak this meal to YOUR OWN healthiness level as you prep. For example, the next time I make this recipe I am going to use half of the breading, and simple add more herbs to the tops of my roll-ups.

Maybe you need to go gluten free and choose brown rice or quinoa. Maybe you dislike dijon mustard or mustard in general. You could easily sub another dressing or flavor. Maybe you don’t eat pork and opt for chicken.

The Scramble helps you to honor all of these personal mealtime mantras, commitments, and needs. Plus, no matter what you do, if you follow the grocery list, and get your buns in gear you will come out the other side with a delicious home-cooked dinner for your family.

Hooray!!

So here you have, THE BEST MEAL my husband has ever eaten. I’d love to hear how you like it!

XX, Megan

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs (use wheat/gluten-free if needed), or mix plain bread crumbs with 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning and a little salt and pepper
1 – 1 1/2 lb. pork, turkey or chicken cutlets (thinly sliced meat)
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard (use wheat/gluten-free if needed)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning blend, or use a mixture of oregano, thyme, dried basil and dried parsley
1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp. black pepper, or to taste
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, or use Swiss, Jarlsburg, or your favorite cheese
4 – 8 toothpicks

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a wide microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and the oil and heat it in the microwave until the butter is melted. Put the bread crumbs on a small shallow plate.

Lay the cutlets on a cutting board. Put the mustard in a small bowl, and using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, spread the mustard evenly on the top side of each piece of meat. Sprinkle the herbs, salt and pepper evenly over the mustard, and sprinkle about 1 Tbsp. cheese on top of each cutlet. Roll up each cutlet and secure it with 1 or 2 toothpicks.

Dip each roll into the butter-oil mixture, then into the bread crumbs to coat it. Set the rolls on a baking sheet or dish, drizzle them with any remaining butter and oil, and spray the tops with nonstick cooking spray (use butter flavor, if you have it). Bake them for about 30 minutes until they are cooked through and lightly browned on the outsides. (Meanwhile, prepare the buckwheat and the kale, if you are serving them.) Serve it immediately.

*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 6:30-7:00 p.m. most nights.

Monochrome

January 19, 2016February 8, 2016 | Megan

DSC_0136 - Version 2

The key to dressing like you live in L.A. while actually living in the mountains in the dead of winter is this– jump into your car to go snap a photo, jump out of your car and snap the photo, jump back into your car.

There. Now you know my dirty little secret. The reality is that every outfit can be made climate appropriate. If I were really going to wear this in my day-to-day I’d add a black fur snood, some low black ankle booties, or ever some sleek leather driving gloves. Wha-la! Cold weather approved!

Black and white are coming back strong for Resort 2016 (as if they every left a carefully curated wardrobe, ha!), so get ready to pull out your monochromatic separates and make them into fantastic blanc on black outfit options!

XX, Megan