Already Sweater

January 12, 2016January 11, 2016 | Megan

Yes, this year is already sweater. I can’t help myself. Comfy, cozy, cuddly, warm, fuzzy, wooly. I want them all!!!!!!

I featured this sweater in a more festive outfit earlier in December. It is warm staples like these that will carry those of us in mountain climes through the winter.

However, if your climate is more temperate– maybe even ranging into balmy– remember that there is a witching hour each morning and evening where an extra layer is a MUST. This sweater is the perfect throw on after dinner for a walk in the city, or cozy up on the couch with the windows open in the evening.

Or if, like me, you are experiencing drops into the teens, tens, and negatives, this you’ll probably be wearing this sweater layered with something even more warm and puffy!

Here’s to clothing as temperature control, and wearing your favorite pieces in every climate! Happy Tuesday, gang!

XX, Megan

Sweater: Joie (here, similar, save, splurge), Bodysuit: American Apparel, Pants: Lucky, Belt: Target, Boots: Joan of Arctic, Socks: J.Crew, Necklace: Vintage, Earrings: Vintage, Cuffs: Vintage and Banana Republic, Ring: Target

Looking Forward, Glancing Back

January 11, 2016January 14, 2016 | Megan

DSC_0162 - Version 2 DSC_0061 - Version 2 DSC_0108 Shopped DSC_0044 - Version 2

2015! What a year! 2016. What an opportunity.

It always takes me time to sink in to a New Year before I am ready to look either forward or back. Before I am ready to sum up what the past year meant to me or taught me, and what I have my sights set on in this new 365 days.

I’ve never felt this practice set me back or behind. Last year my resolution was simply based in one word– LOVE. I felt as though I needed to love more and better.

I am still unpacking and evaluating my progress. This pursuit for understanding and acting in true LOVE will almost certainly take a lifetime, so I’m not going to prognosticate or pontificate on the subject now– give me 30 to 50 more years and we’ll talk!

I can say that I was so lightened, enlightened, uplifted, and LOVED by my little family this year. I felt as though I came to better understand what it meant to love my children and my husband, and I felt that my understanding allowed me to realize that for as much LOVE as we send into the world, we often receive a return on that love that fills us ten fold.

One of the other goals I hit hard in 2015 was Refined + Rugged. I didn’t begin my blog until February (in keeping with surveying my field of life and looking at what I wanted and needed). I am so pleased with this little space of the internet. I can’t believe how far it has come!

I remember the beginning when every step seemed agonizing due to my low level of Information Technology knowledge. I still have a LONG way to go in terms of making this site more interactive, user friendly, and adding in some of those fancy widgets I’ve always dreamed of using (like a little bottom bar of my shopping picks, etc.).

But I am not sitting idle. I am working out kinks here and there every day. I am producing better and better content, working on my photography skills (that might take a class!!!), and hopefully continuing to refine my writing and my voice here on this page I call my own.

Though the page is mine, it would be little more than a grainy closet log, boring travel diary, personal recipe reminder, and staid workout recorder without my husband. My husband takes nearly all of the style photos for Refined + Rugged, and he continually inspires and supports me in this endeavor.

This page also wouldn’t be anything without YOU! Thank you for the support, care, enthusiasm, interest, conversation, positive comments, and encouragement. It means the WORLD! I am so grateful for YOU my friends and readers for your engagement and involvement.

In this past week-and-a-half as the New Year has begun I have written down a couple of personal goals:

Yes to LOVE, Yes to Speaking Kindly

No to SHOPPING until March

Yes to Gratitude, and Yes to Letter Writing

No to Eating Out

Yes to continuing in Family Dinner, and Yes to Moderation in Treats

Yes to Working Out and Biking and Being Active Daily

Yes to tackling an understanding of Budgeting and Personal Finance

Yes to Writing and Creating and Blogging with purpose

There you have it. In as streamlined a way as I can state it for now. The great thing about resolutions and goals is that there is no reason you cannot morph and change them as you see fit, as you journey further in to your new year.

Do you all make goals and resolutions each year? If so, why? If not, why not? If so, how have you seen progress, success, or improvement in yourself in the areas you’ve resolved to improve?

I hope you go roaring into Monday like you mean it! Whether you have personal goals to tackle or not, I hop you feel loved, enlightened, and uplifted! Let’s do this!!!

XX, Megan

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2016January 1, 2016 | Megan

Black and White and Warm All Over

December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 | Megan

Things have gotten pretty sparkly over here on Refined + Rugged these past few posts. I simply can’t quell my penchant for sequins for dress-ups and parties.

That said, maybe you’re staying in for the New Year. Maybe you’re having friends over– not for a full blown house party– but for soup (like the one I posted yesterday), and warm drinks while the kids play board games and wait for the Ball Drop.

This casual denim and stripe combo is perfect for a low-key night-in. I’m still jonsing on these overalls and have linked some similar pairs below. Tonight is indeed THE BIG NIGHT. So whether you are staying-in or partying out, I hope you all have a WONDERFUL evening!!!!

XX, Megan

P.S. I’m taking a short publishing break next week to set our New Year in order and celebrate my Birthday! I’ll be popping up on Instagram, and see you all back here the second week of January!

Coat: Patagonia Ultra Light Down Jacket, Shirt: Old Navy, Scarf: J.Crew, Overalls: Target (love this similar pair, similar, save), Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 83 (love this New Balance option), Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper, Earrings: Madewell, Bag: J.Crew, Lips: MAC Lady Danger

Manhattan Clam (or Clam-less) Chowder

December 30, 2015December 20, 2015 | Megan

One New Year’s Tradition in my family is to make a hot, steamy, creamy, delicious pot of clam chowder for the evening meal. We’ve done this several times together as a family of four.

This year, when I saw this recipe on The Scramble, I knew I wanted to test out this Manhattan Clam Chowder and sub it in for our regular creamy soup. The results did not disappoint!

Between the fresh Thyme and the garnish of Parmesan cheese, I was sold. We will definitely be making this for our NYE dinner moving forward. Do you have family food traditions for New Year’s Eve?

Have a glorious Wednesday, friends! I’d love to hear how your chowder turns out!

XX, Megan

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. butter
2 large yellow or white onions, chopped
1 stalk celery, sliced
3 carrots, diced
10 3/4 oz. condensed tomato soup
8 oz. tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups water
1 large russet (baking) potato, peeled and diced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 – 3 tsp. dried thyme, to taste
1 cup frozen corn kernels
10 oz. canned whole clams, with their juice (optional)
1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp. black pepper, or to taste

Directions

In a large stockpot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté them until they are slightly softened, 5-8 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and sauté them for about 5 minutes.

Add the tomato soup, tomato sauce, and water. Raise the heat and bring it to a boil. Add the potatoes, parsley, and thyme. Reduce the heat and simmer the soup gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Meanwhile, prepare the salad, if you are serving it.)

Turn off the heat and stir in the corn and clams (optional). Season it with salt and pepper to taste. Serve it immediately, or 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.