Bad Little Mama: Sequins, Leather, and Other Bling

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I workout to a lot of dance and pop music, so I guess it’s no surprise that lyrics like “bad little mama” get stuck in my head. It’s a line from Macklemore’s Downtown.

Which might also be appropriate for this post as you prep for any New Year’s Eve soirees downtown, uptown, wherever the merriment takes you.

Sometimes it’s fun to get all dressed in sequins and bows for a party. Sometimes it’s fun to go all black like this get-up. Plus, black gives you a fabulous opportunity to play with texture.

So if you’re looking for some sparkle for NYE– you’re covered. Plus, please don’t think that I only bring out the sequin extras for dressy party occasions.

I’d wear this same shirt any given day of the week with jeans and ankle booties and maybe even an anorak to keep things casual.

Have a wonderful next few days!

XX, Megan

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Jacket: Gap (similar), Sweater: Express (past season, similar, save, splurge, cardigan, fun!, skirt, pant, pant), Pants: BLANKNYC faux leather, Shoes: Nine West, Clutch: Target, Sunglasses: Ray-ban, Earrings: Gorjana, Lips: Clinique Black Honey

Shine Bright Like a Diamond

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Just like that Christmas is gone and the New Year is upon us! Yes, time truly does fly.

If you’re looking to SHINE this NYE I’ve linked some stellar disco-ball dress options below.

We’ll be celebrating in Las Vegas, so I’ll most likely get to leave my boots and coat behind. I may even have to sub flats for heels as we walk about and enjoy the mayhem.

What are your NYE plans? I hope 2016 is your best year yet!!!

XX, Megan

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Coat: J.Crew, Blazer: Banana Republic, Dress: B.B. Dakota (similar, similar, similar), Boots: Sorel Joan of Arctic, Pumps: Nine West, Necklace: Vintage, Earrings: Kate Spade, Beanie: Anthropologie, Lips: Clinique Vintage Wine

Uncle Grandpa: Buffalo Check

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Merry Christmas EVE! We are hunkered down at Grandma’s house. Enjoying the snow, light, music, delicious smells of the feast she’s been cooking.

It was 9 degrees when we took these outfit photo. I want that down for the record because while I look like an automaton above, I’m not a robot. I’m simply frozen. Solid.

The day looked so bright and shiny that I truly didn’t bring a coat, or I assure you I would have hugged into that sucker.

Speaking of suckers, I have to say that I am a sucker for buffalo check plaid. As if I haven’t voiced that enough I have some more of this print coming your way a couple more times this winter.

Can’t help myself. I hope you all appreciate the Uncle Grandpa reference. Seriously the stupidest show ever, and I don’t use the phrase stupid casually. My kids somehow came across this gem on Netflix and we’ve already had to put the kibosh on their viewing.

I can still use it as a post title, right? Why not? Merry Christmas Eve!

XX, Megan

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Sweater: J.Crew (similar), Shirt: Madewell (similar, similar), Pants: Madewell, Shoes: Sam Edelman, Bag: Madewell (similar, splurge, save), Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength, Necklace: Gorjana, Lipstick: Troi Ollivierre in George for J.Crew

Spice-Rubbed Chicken Thigh and Sweet Potato Fries

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I’ve had some readers ask how my meals roll out in real time. I almost always prep my meals in the late afternoon. Once my school age boy is home. While homework is being done. I do meal prep.

That means that most of my meals either go into the refrigerator after they’ve been prepped and the meal is completely ready for the oven, or sometimes I make the entire dish and put it in the refrigerator to wait until diner time. Then I simply reheat whatever I’ve prepared and plate the meal.

A lot of times this schedule is dictated by what we have going on in the evening, whether that’s cross-country ski practice, gym, or activities with family or friends. But I’ve found that the more I prep, the more likely we are to do dinner at home.

If I wait too late, get too tired, or the night gets along as time is always wont to do, I am much more inclined to say, “Yes, let’s get takeout and call it good.” If my meal is ready to go from the refrigerator to the oven, like below, I am 99.9% more likely to head home to eat!

One of the major bonuses of The Scramble is that Aviva gives you all of the steps you need to prep and make your meal ahead. This meal was an especially delicious one, and I will definitely be making these spice-rubbed chicken Thighs again! Thanks to The Scramble for really getting our family meal-time figured out!!!

I hope you readers enjoy this meal as much as we did!

XX, Megan

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Ingredients

1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. chili powder
3 lbs. bone-in chicken thighs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. (I used a 9 x 9 glass casserole pan because I halved this recipe.)

In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients except the chicken. Sprinkle and rub the spices all over the chicken. (Start preparing the sweet potato fries now, if you are serving them.) Put the chicken on the baking sheet, skin side up, and bake them for 30 minutes until the skin is dark and crispy. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Homemade Sweet Potato Fries Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes
2 Tbsp. vegetable or peanut oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. chili powder (optional)
1/4 tsp. garlic powder (optional)
1/2 cup ketchup, or use barbecue sauce, for serving (optional)

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Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice the sweet potatoes the long way, making thin, long strips (no need to peel them). In a medium bowl, toss them with the oil, salt, and chili powder and/or garlic powder. Bake them in a single layer on a baking sheet for 25 – 30 minutes, turning once, until they are lightly browned. For a crisper texture, broil them for 2 – 3 minutes before serving them. Serve them with ketchup or barbecue sauce, if desired.

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*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.

Merry and Bright

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If you are Elfing around doing some last minute Christmas business like I am, this outfit is tops. Just sub in some converse, tennis shoes, or other favorite comfy kicks for these high heels and you’re all set. OR if you need to throw together one last party ensemble, have at it!

Maybe there are too many shades of red and orange going on here? NAW! I love, love, love to saturate a look with tonal accents. From the flame red of the blazer to the scarlet red of my beanie, I’m pleased.

In case you didn’t notice, this season gets me all excited. I enjoy Christmas even more now that we have kids, and I have loved watching their bright shiny faces as we’ve taken in Dance Concerts, Christmas Programs, Live Nativity, and Christmas Lights.

I hope that all of you are enjoying this Holiday season with your loved ones. I am so grateful for you lovely readers, who make Refined + Rugged a part of your day, week, life.

It has been a pleasure to get this site up and running during this past year, and I am so humbled and thankful for the love, support, care, and thoughtful feedback I’ve received. I am wishing you ALL a Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas, and a BEA – U – tiful New Year!

XX, Megan

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Blazer: J.Crew (past season very similar, similar), Cashmere Cardigan: J.Crew, Shirt: J.Crew, Pants: J.Crew, Shoes: Steve Madden, Hat: J.Crew, Necklaces: J.Crew and Vintage, Earrings: J.Crew, Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper, Clutch: Old Navy, Lips: Troi Ollivierre in George for J.Crew