Things I Love: Closet Editing

Last Saturday, I set the whole day aside to do a closet edit. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's essentially an intense version of cleaning out your closet. The whole process is pretty rough and time consuming, but here are my steps and tips for getting it done.

First, grab three garbage bags to put clothes in - one to give away, one to try to sell, and one to throw away. After this, make an initial run through of your closet. Take out anything that you already know is going into one of these three garbage bags and put it in the proper one. Clear a space, like your bed, to take out the rest of your clothes and lay them out. From here, just start trying things on. If it fits well, and you know you are actually going to wear it, hang it back in your closet. If it doesn't fit well, or if you don't think you'll ever actually wear it, put it into one of the garbage bags. Once your done with your closet, it's a good idea to also go through your dresser or anywhere else you keep clothes. 

As you can see, the process of closet editing seems simple enough. However, if you are anything like me, you have tons of clothes to go through, and it can get boring really quickly. 

My tips:

• Be dedicated. Don't start this if you aren't in the mood to do it. You have be dedicated to trying on every piece of your clothing and making a solid judgment as to what to do with each piece.
• Put on some fun music. To keep yourself entertained while trying on all of your clothes, put on fun music and dance around a bit. TV can be too distracting if you start getting too into what's on. Plus, moving around a bit in the clothes you're trying on can be good to determine how well they fit. 
• Don't keep things because you hope you'll fit in them again one day. Once you can fit in those clothes again, do you really think you'll want to? My guess is no. You've got a new body that you want to put in new clothes. 
• Hang your clothes back up in an organized manner. This may seem OCD, but I have two small closets - one for shirts & skirts and one for dresses. Plus, everything is sub-organized by color then by sleeve length. This is super useful when I'm looking for a certain piece since I know exactly where to start. 
• Be decisive. If there's something that still has tags on it because you haven't found the right accessory, occasion, etc., just let it go. It's hard, but 100% worth it when everything in your closet fits and looks great on you. 

I make a garbage bag of clothes that I hope to sell along with a bag to giveaway. Clothes that are still in good condition and recently bought, I try to sell. In the New Orleans area, stores that buy gently used clothes are Plato's Closet in Metairie, Funky Monkey and Buffulo Exchange which are both Uptown. Even if you get like $5 back, it's still more than just giving them away. I take anything that wasn't bought back and my give away bag to Goodwill or Salvation Army. 

I think closet edits are great to do seasonally. Since summer's gone, it's a good time to make some room for some fall styles. 

Let me know how it goes if you go for it!

xo,

Sara

Necessary Accessory: Green!

The color of the week that I'm totally obsessed with is green. I honestly love green all the time, but it's especially perfect right now. It's a great transitional color since the weather can't seem to make up its mind, as usual. A green bag works awesome with shorts for the hot weather and boots for the cold. I picked some bags and matching shoes to go with!

The first purse and shoe aren't exactly the same color green, but I loved them both too much to leave either of them out. The bag from Francesca's is a great size, and the color is a perfect shade of green. It might just be my first purchase with my next paycheck. The shoes have that fabulous patent toe which is perfect with the suede. The patent is easy to clean while the suede dresses them up a bit. I'm extra in love with transitional flats right now, since I just started working in an office between my class times. Shoes and outfits need to be able to look nice for work, but not overly nice once you're walking around campus, and these definitely fit the bill. 

I love this bag and shoe combination for a work day or a nice dinner date. Booties are great for fall, especially in this area. They give the appearance of a cute boot without making your legs sweat. The bag is a great daily work bag since it's big enough to fit papers or a tablet, but not overly large that it gets too heavy. I also love it for a date night since it can fit all of the necessities - make up bag, wallet, keys, umbrella, and a change of shoes. 

This bag and shoe together help make a great outfit for a night out. The purse is Michael Kors, so it's a bit pricey, but if it's in your price range I say go for it! Since it's a smaller crossbody bag, it will definitely see a lot of use. For the pumps, I love the ankle detailing that make them just that little bit more fun than an everyday pump. Both of these would be perfect with that little black dress. 

If you aren't a huge fan of green, don't worry! There are a few other colors on my fall palette that have posts lined up in the coming weeks!

xo,

Sara

NOLA Home Cooking: Gumbo

Now that it's October, it's time for a perfect fall recipe - gumbo. 

This recipe is for seafood gumbo, and it uses shrimp, crabmeat, and oysters. Feel free to use chicken or sausage if seafood isn't your thing. 

Ingredients:

1 c. flour

1 c. oil

2 onions (chopped)

1 c. celery (chopped)

1 bunch green onions (chopped)

1/2 c. parsley (chopped)

2 lbs shrimp

1 lb crabmeat

1 pt oysters

salt, pepper, cayenne pepper to taste

1 gallon water

In a large pot, mix the oil and the flour to make a roux. Add the onions and celery, and saute. Then mix in the green onions. Add the gallon of water and boil slowly for 1 hour. Add parsley and shrimp, cook for 20 minutes over low heat. Add crabmeat, oysters, and seasonings. Serve with rice. 

*If you're using chicken, add that in the same time as the shrimp. Pre-cooked sausage can be added in when the crabmeat and oysters are added. If it's not, add it in the same time as the shrimp. 

Essentials Styling: White Oxford Button Down

I love the white button down so much, I came up with three different outfits using it! More information about the pieces used can be found on Polyvore.


Who doesn't love Sunday Funday?! This outfit is the epitome of fun and girly with the metallic skirt and the glitter pumps. It's perfect for date night or day drinking with the girls.


I love this outfit for work. I chose gray pants because black pants for work can get really dull really quickly. The burgundy accessories complement the gray and give a pop of color without being too over the top for the workplace.


I am absolutely in love with this outfit. I have my own version of it that gets worn, quite possibly, too much. White shirt, jeans, riding boots - easy, comfortable, and adorable. Add a colorful scarf or a fun purse to liven up the outfit!

If I haven't sold y'all on white button downs yet, I don't think I ever will! Let me know how much y'all love them once you wear one this weekend!

xo,
Sara

New Orleans Essentials: White Button Down

If y'all haven't noticed by now, I truly am a fan of classic, simple styles. Nothing embodies this more than a white oxford button down. Perfectly classic and fabulous, white oxfords can be worn anywhere. Date night, work, even a picnic, this style covers all occasions.

This oxford from American Eagle has a great feminine cut and comes in a range of sizes from XXS to XXL. For $30 on sale right now, there's no reason not to have this piece in your closet. 

Another classic oxford comes from Ralph Lauren. I love these since they also come in a variety of colors. The look is a bit more casual than the American Eagle oxford above. These can be found online here, but I highly recommend buying them from a Ralph Lauren Polo outlet store if there is one nearby. Since the closest one to New Orleans is in Gulfport, I recommend making a day trip of it. The outlet mall out there is great, plus there's the beach! The price difference between buying online and at the outlet is about $30-$40 which is a big savings.

I'll be posting a few Polyvore sets styling the American Eagle oxford for various occasions. Come back at noon tomorrow to see them!

xo,
Sara

Things I Love: Online Shopping

Just about every girl I know loves online shopping. If you're anything like me though, you have a hard time committing to buying things online. I immensely hate paying for shipping, so I'll only buy things online if I can get free shipping, or if it's a great deal. The internet is a wonderful place though, and there are tons of deals to be had. These are some of my tips to get the best deal from your online shopping experience.

If I'm not just browsing clothing or shoe websites, and I'm actually looking for a specific product, I use Google Shopping. You can find the best price on an item and take it from there.
Once I find the website that I want to buy from or if I'm on a site already, I check to see if they offer cashback on Ebates.com. Ebates is a fabulous resource if you shop online a lot. They offer you a cashback percentage on certain websites. Go to the website to get more details (and sign up using my referral link, maybe?!)
After, hopefully, finding my website on ebates, I move on to retailmenot.com. This website is my absolute favorite for online shopping. All the coupon codes that are out there for your website are going to be on this site. I'm sure most people know about this site, but I don't know how many really utilize it. I usually won't buy something online without a coupon code I found here.
Once I've gone through all this, I checkout... Then, I anxiously check the mail and tracking information everyday until my purchase gets here!

If you're shopping on Amazon and have a college email address, sign up for Amazon Prime Student! It's well worth it, and once the trial ends, it's only $40 to get full Prime benefits. Amazon doesn't usually do coupon codes, but Amazon Prime gets free 2-day shipping (and as y'all know, I hate paying for shipping.)

There's a lot more websites that I frequent to shop online, like Sephora and Charlotte Russe. These are just some of the basics to cover general purchases.
Obviously, there are a lot more great resources out there for online shopping. What are some of y'all's favorites?

xo,
Sara

Necessary Accessory: Gold Tone Watch

It's officially Autumn on the calendar, and I couldn't be happier! Gold is definitely a fall color, and luckily, gold tones have been back in for quite a while now.

Whether you're still in school or out in the workforce, a gold tone watch is a great accessory to have. They look great with both everyday jeans and business attire. I like thicker watches with basic faces. I tend to stay away from jeweled faces or bands because they are less versatile. Here are my picks in a range of prices:

This watch from New York and Company has the busiest face of the three. That being said, the face of this watch is still simple and has settings for the day of the week. At $23, you can use the money you saved to buy some other matching accessories. 

Of the three watches I've picked, this watch by Anne Klein from Dillard's has my favorite face. I love the simple dashes and the uncluttered look. At $65, this watch is a great jumping off point if you're wanting a watch for a more professional look. 

If you're truly committed to buying a watch, this Marc by Marc Jacobs watch is my pick. My original instinct was to look at the Michael Kors watches, but the busy faces turned me off of those. I love the simplicity of the watch as a whole, and the use of the letters as number ticks. 

My personal watch is a mix of gold and silver tones, but I really wish it was all gold! If I were buying again, I'd choose the Anne Klein watch. Maybe I'll style it with this week's Essential piece on Friday!

xo,
Sara

Necessary Accessory: Phone Wristlet

I like simple solutions for carrying my stuff. The instant I have a bag bigger than a clutch, it's automatically full and super heavy. These wristlets are such a great solution to carry important cards, money, and your phone. If you're carrying a purse, they're super easy to just throw into it and still keep everything together. I just got a fun printed one from the Lilly Pulitzer Sorority Collection, but if you're not into prints or sororities, I've picked out a few in different price ranges.

This Michael Kors wristlet keeps your phone, cards and money inside. The leather is actually a dark green which I love with the gold hardware. This style also comes in three other colors. This is the most expensive of the three at $88. 

This Vera Bradley wristlet is the middle price point at $44. There's an outside pocket for your phone, and the inner zippered compartment for cards and money. I also love that Vera Bradley did a solid black in addition to all the typical patterns. 

This wristlet from Target is the cheapest of the three at $7. The pattern is fun without being too crazy to use every day. There's the outside flap compartment to hold your phone and a snapped compartment to hold the rest. 

They make a lot of different types specifically for iPhones, and they aren't hard to find. Luckily for my Android phone and I, these are made for general smart phone use. Hopefully, I've helped out someone else with my same situation! 

xo,

Sara

Essentials Styling: Navy Blazer

I took to Polyvore to give y'all styling ideas for navy blazers. All of these are basic pieces that when put together make a really cute casual outfit. Enjoy!

Navy Blazer

Mango jumper sweater
mango.com

Old Navy short shorts
oldnavy.gap.com

Flat sandals
topshop.com

Gold jewelry
baublebar.com

Stud earrings
windsorstore.com



What would y'all style the blazer with? Let me know in the comments!

xo,
Sara

New Orleans Essentials: Navy Blazer

I'm in the mood for fall even if the weather isn't. Navy blazers are great year round, but I especially love them as a fall piece. I tend to go for pieces that can be dressed up or down, and these blazers definitely fit the bill. I picked navy because it's a great neutral without being as dressy as black typically is. All the blazers that are out right now seem to be either plain black or brightly colored which doesn't really translate to fall all that well.

This navy blazer from Forever 21 is perfect for a more casual style. The ruched three-quarter length sleeves are perfect for New Orleans fall.

This blazer is from Macy's. I love the one button closure and the pocket flap detail. This one also has a couple more sizing options as opposed to the Forever 21 blazer. 

Navy blazers are super Southern and overall American, just ask Ralph Lauren. The Team USA Olympic blazer is on sale for only $270. If it makes me feel like Missy Franklin, it's totally worth it! 

Also, come back tomorrow to see how I would style a navy blazer! 

xo,

Sara

NOLA Home Cooking: Crawfish Corn Bisque

Now that it's after Labor Day and unofficially fall, I give you my favorite fall recipe, crawfish corn bisque. My mom just made this last week, and I'm pretty sure it took a whole two days for it to disappear. Which, with the amount that this recipe makes and only 3 people in my house, is saying a lot.

This recipe makes a lot, but it's easy to halve if you don't want to make that much. However, making a lot is totally worth it because the leftovers are still just as good.

Ingredients:
3 packages 12. oz frozen crawfish tails
2 sticks of butter
2 onions, chopped
1.5 bunches green onions, chopped
4 cans cream of potato soup
1 can mushroom soup
4 cans cream style corn
2 cans of corn kernels, drained
1-2 tbsp liquid crab boil (depending on how spicy you want it)
5 cups half and half

Directions:
Saute the onions and green onions in butter for about 15 minutes. Add crawfish and crab boil, saute for 5 minutes. Add all the soups and cook for 15 minutes. Next, add all the corn and cook for 15 minutes. Finally, add the half and half and cook for about 10 minutes.

Lots of ingredients, but easy to cook! Let me know if you try it (so I can come over and eat some!)

xo,
Sara

Necessary Accessory: School Supplies

I know school has already started, but here's a few things I think are necessary for the upcoming school year.

An Agenda
If you're anything like I am, you have no idea what's going on in your classes without an agenda. I keep pretty much my whole life in it - school assignments, birthdays, social events, appointments, etc. Because of this, I've grown to prefer smaller, lighter agendas that are easy to carry everywhere.

Lilly Pulitzer has a new soft-cover agenda out this year. The idea behind it is great, but the selection in patterns is limited. 

May Books has my choice of agenda this year. Their selection is fabulous. There are a ton of patterns to choose  from, and you can monogram them! For sorority girls, you can even choose a background with your colors and monogram with your letters. Above is a combination I designed.

A School Bag

For a while now, I've stayed away from the usual backpack as a school bag. I only use mine on days when I have to carry multiple textbooks and my laptop. On most other days, I use a tote bag. 

This is the current bag I'm using from Francesca's. Unfortunately, it's no longer available, but not to worry, I found y'all some great compatibles!

If you aren't afraid of color, this tote from Francesca's would make a great school bag. There are two large zippered compartments on either side, and an extra large snapped compartment in the middle. This is plenty of space for a few notebooks, a tablet, and most other essential purse items. 

For something a little more casual, this tote from American Eagle is a great size for school books. The style keeps away from typical backpacks, and the pattern makes this bag fun. 

And of course, you can't forget the basics - notebooks, pens, highlighters, etc. Though, I'm sure almost everyone has made their trip to Target to get these already. I know I have!

I hope everyone has a great school year! 

xo,

Sara

New Orleans Essentials: Hurricane Supply Kit

As I lay here listening to Isaac serenade me outside my window and watching the power flicker, I was thinking about the hurricane preparedness kits that everyone always mentions. Now, I want to cater this list to New Orleans girls.

Of course, every New Orleans girl that has grown up here has handled her fair share of hurricanes (in more ways than one), but the general supply kit list is still important. The full detailed list can be found here.

Now for the things they forgot to mention:

• Alcohol - "Hurricane party" is usually the first thing out of anyone's mouth when there's a storm on its way. The power's out, and you're bored as hell, stuck in the house with your entire family for at least a  day or two. How else does a New Orleans girl handle this situation? With a glass of wine and maybe, one or two (or ten) tequila shots. 
• Spray deodorant - If the power's out, the air's out. Someone in your family may not be quite as hygienic as you, spray them when they aren't looking. 
• Board games - Yeah, you haven't played monopoly since you were like nine and your brother swore you stole money from the bank (let's be honest, you totally did), but there's only so many things to do without power. Once your laptop battery goes and your cell phone starts dying, desperate times call for desperate measures. 
• Tampons - Stock up before stores close down. Just because mother nature is screwing with entire cities, doesn't mean she's going to forget about you. 
• Rain coat - I already did a post about rain boots, so I'm sure those are already in your possession. My rain coat of choice is this one by The North Face. It's really lightweight and has armpit zippers. It's insanely hot in New Orleans, and those pit zips you're making fun of right now are going to feel really nice later. 
• Headphones - Your whole family is gathered around the generator, and you're up to your limit on bonding time. Hopefully, you remembered your headphones to drown them out, while still enjoying the fan. 
• Magazines - When everyone is doing their own thing, you can do yours too.

Last, but not least, to go with your alcohol, you need a hurricane drinking game. Make it up on your own with whoever your drinking partners are... my suggestion: finish your drink every time you see a spaghetti model on the news.

Stay safe everyone!

xo,

Sara

Back from Hiatus

I just want to say sorry for such a long hiatus and explain where I've been. I made my last post a week before I left to go on vacation. I spent that week doing a mix of unpacking all my things I just brought back from my move, packing for vacation, and getting my school supplies ready since I started the day I got back from vacation. Since Isaac has come to hang out and cancel class, I'll definitely have some time to catch up on some posts. I've missed updating this blog, and I'm excited to be back at it again!

xo,
Sara

Things I Love: Green Primer/Concealer

Since my make up collection is pretty extensive, I decided to share some of my favorite products with y'all. 

The first product I'm featuring is probably my most used. I have a permanent flush on my face that likes to come out even more when I'm getting ready to go out for the night. Green primer is my go-to to help get rid of this as much as possible. While I'm sure this isn't a problem that most people have day to day, I'm sure that a few drinks can bring it out. Putting this primer on before a night out can help prevent this flush from showing up later on. This also helps with covering up that pimple that just decided to show up. For these circumstances, I recommend a concealer instead of a primer since that's a better product for spot coverage. 

For application, I usually apply the green primer, then green concealer if needed. Once this dries, I'll apply a skin tone colored concealer, then my foundation/powder as usual. 

I get pretty much all of my make up products from Sephora. They're a great resource with a great rewards program too. If you're ever hesitant about buying anything, ask for a sample to try out at home! 

My choice for primer is this one by smashbox ($38). This is a new find for me. Unfortunately, its more expensive than the Sephora brand I used to use, but that was discontinued. 

This Clinique concealer is perfect for covering blemishes because it also helps to clear them. Make up is usually the worst thing to put on pimples, but having a concealer with acne medicine made in helps a little.

Let me know if you try it and how you like it! 

xo,

Sara

Necessary Accessory: Fedora

With the start of football season last Sunday, it's a good time to feature fedoras as a necessary accessory. I love hats, and especially fedoras, but I personally look a little silly in them. I'm so envious of anyone who can pull them off, and for those of you who can, I'm loving these for football season. I picked out natural colored ones with a black bow on them. They'll go perfectly with the rest of your black and gold (or any other colors of the team you support). These are perfect for tailgating, and since they're so simple, they'll still look cute even if it's after dark or you go inside.

So enough rambling about how great these hats I can't wear are, here are the ones I found... also, since summer is ending everywhere else, most of these fedora's are on sale.

This one is from Urban Outfitters. I like the natural color of this one best, and the bow isn't too assuming. It's on sale for $20 which is the most expensive of the ones that I found, so that's not too shabby! 

I really like the trim on this one from Forever 21. It's on sale for $6. 

This one is from Charlotte Russe. The overall color is a little brighter than the other two. The bow on the back is adorable and stands out since it isn't the typical placement. It's on sale for a little less than $5. 

Another necessary tailgating accessory, cold beer. Oh, and these so that you let everyone know you're serious about your game, but you're still girly too. :)

xo,

Sara

New Orleans Essentials: Linen Pants

Since White Linen Night is on Saturday, linen pants are definitely an essential for New Orleans girls. While they are easier to find earlier on in the summer, now is the time to buy them because they're on sale!

Linen pants are perfect for all occasions since they can be dressed up or down. They're light so they don't feel as stuffy as jeans or trousers. They can be worn to everywhere from work, to a picnic, to a humid Saturday night out in New Orleans.

My pick for white linen pants are these from Ann Taylor. I love wide legs on linen pants, and the sash is such an adorable added touch to the pants. The majority of the sizes left are in tall, but that's just a quick hem or cute pair of heels away!

Right now online, there's a limited amount of linen pants. If you're determined to buy online, check out Gap, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, and Banana Republic.

Hope everyone has a great White Linen Night on Saturday!

xo,
Sara

Necessary Accessory: Wayfarers

Ahhh, so I didn't get to this post on Tuesday because I'm currently moving/reorganizing my bedroom, but I didn't want y'all to miss out, so you get two posts today! 

Everyone loves sunglasses, especially classic wayfarers. Those black sunglasses reminiscent of Tom Cruise in Risky Business are great for women and men alike. However, I'm a girl, and I like wayfarers, colorful things, and especially colorful wayfarers. So, check these out! :)

Classic Ray-Ban wayfarers with a twist. These matte olive green rubber frames with brown lenses are my current sunglasses.  These are subtle enough to wear everyday with pretty much anything, but add that hint of color with the green frame. At $130, these are bit of a splurge though! 

These sunglasses from Charlotte Russe are a fun tortoise shell pattern with mint colored arms. The tortoise shell pattern is a great neutral while the pop of color on the arms gives them a bit of a twist. As an added bonus, they're $3 right now. 

These are another fun option from Charlotte Russe if you're looking for something more colorful. At $3, they're hard to pass up, even if you only wear them a few times! 

I love the original Ray-Ban's. They're pricey, but you definitely get your money's worth. I'm super careful with my sunglasses, so that's the one item I don't mind spending a lot on. On the other hand, if you like having lots of sunglasses or are prone to losing them, there are tons of Ray-Ban knock-offs out there that are just as cute as the originals, and they definitely aren't hard to find. The frame shape is also awesome for all face types! Seriously though, I have the HARDEST time finding sunglasses that look good on me, but this frame type always does. 

So tell me, do you splurge or save on your sunglasses?!

xo,

Sara

NOLA Home Cooking: Shrimp Stew

So this recipe is a quick version of a shrimp stew. There are other roux based versions, but if you want something that tastes good and is made quickly try this recipe.

Ingredients:
4 cans of beef gravy
1 bunch of green onions
1 pound of shrimp
12 eggs (more or less depending on how much you like eggs)

Directions:
In a 2 quart pot, empty the cans of beef gravy into the pot over medium heat. Add in the green onions and shrimp. Once the gravy is starting to get hot, crack the eggs directly into the pot. Cook for about 20 minutes, until eggs and shrimp are both fully cooked. Serve over rice.

I avoid the eggs, but I normally don't eat eggs. If you like gravy & shrimp, you'll like this stew. Let me know if you try it!

xo,
Sara

Happy Hour

Thank God it's Friday! I hope everyone is doing lots of fun things tonight, because I unfortunately will be stuck at my apartment surrounded by a bunch of moving boxes that need filling.  Now if you don't already have plans for tonight, here's a couple ideas.

The Olympic's Opening Ceremony is tonight. I don't know about y'all, but I don't want to miss an opportunity to see the Spice Girls perform.  It's a really long four and half hour event, but you can make a party out of it! Get some friends together and host a Beer Olympics! 

Pick some of your favorite drinking games - beer pong, flip cup, and quarters are always good choices - and have a tournament. Give the winners of each event a gold medal or a shot of gold tequila! 

If you'd rather go out and watch the ceremony, Bruno's Tavern has a bunch of TV's which I'm sure a few will be tuned in on the ceremony. Plus once you're done watching and probably realize you missed dinner, they have half priced appetizers from midnight until 2am. Bruno's is a great place to sit and have a drink and conversation with your friends after a hectic Friday. Plus they have darts, which even if you suck, are always still fun!

If you've never been to Bruno's, here is the address: 7538 Maple Street New Orleans, LA 70118.

So what are everyone's plans tonight?

xo,

Sara

New Orleans Essentials: Colorful Shorts

Shorts, in general, are an essential piece of clothing for anyone in New Orleans. For the summer, I'm really loving the colorful shorts trend that's going on right now. I love all of the prints and patterns, but as an essential, I like to stick to solids.

When picking a colorful solid short, go for colors that look best with your skin tone. Warm skin tones look best in reds, oranges, corals, and pretty much the whole ROY spectrum. Cool skin tones look best in blues, purples, fuschias, and the BIV spectrum.

Most people can tell if they are warm or cool just by looking in their closet. I've been buying blue and purple pieces for years without inherently knowing I was a cool. If you don't know if you're cool or warm, take this quiz. (Don't judge me for the website - I did some googling & it was the most straight forward quiz to find out.)

Now for some pieces...

These green shorts ($34)  from Francesca's are perfect for any skin tone. Since green is right in the middle of the color spectrum, it works for both warms and cools. Green is also a great year-round color!

These coral shorts are the same style from Francesca's as the green shorts. I love the cuff and simplicity of these shorts, and they're such a fun, summer color.

These royal blue shorts are perfect for cool tones, and they're bright enough to be a summer piece. They're from Old Navy and are on sale for $10 right now!

What skin tone are you? And what are y'all's picks for summer shorts? Let me know in the comments!

xo,

Sara

Necessary Accessory: The Crossbody Bag

For this weekly column, I'll be presenting two options of a stylish accessory. The first will be a relatively expensive "splurge" item, and the second will be a more moderately priced "save" item.

This week I've chosen to present the crossbody bag. They come in about a million different shapes, sizes, and colors, and every single one of them is noteworthy. I found three black bags that I really love from Michael Kors, Forever 21, and Francesca's (all stores that are found both locally and online!). Black is always a great neutral colored bag to have. It goes well with all seasons and takes a while to get dirty if you choose to use it every day.

The "Splurge" I found is this Michael Kors quilted clutch ($218). The gold hardware dress it up a bit so that it's useful for nicer occasions, but can still pass as an everyday bag. 

The first "Save" I found is this Forever 21 Heart Lock shoulder bag ($24.80). It has the same quilted pattern and gold hardware as the Michael Kors bag for quite the fraction of the cost. It can also be dressed up and down in the same fashion.

Another "Save" I found is this Secret Compartments bag from Francesca's ($34). With subtle gold accents and no quilted pattern, this bag may be a little more difficult to dress up than the others. However, the amount of pockets in the bag make up for this. This would be a great everyday bag that will hold all the essentials.

A neutral bag is great for day to day and nicer occasions, but don't be afraid of colored bags! Colors can also work with tons of outfit choices. What color bag do y'all love? I have a black and a white, so I think I'm going green next!

xo,

Sara

NOLA Home Cooking

Every Monday, I'm going to post a typical New Orleans style recipe.

This week, I'm starting with (as I'm sure y'all guessed since it is Monday) red beans and rice. This recipe is incredibly simple, but also time consuming if you don't have a crock pot.

A girl that went to my high school designed this for Storyville Apparel. You can get the shirt here!

Red Beans & Rice
Ingredients:
1 pound kidney beans
1 bunch green onions
3-4 links smoked sausage
1 box brown rice

Directions:
If cooking on a stove top, fill your pot with water and add in green onions. Bring to a boil and add in kidney beans. Stir about every 15-20 minutes for the duration (about 2 hours) to prevent beans from sticking to the pot. When the beans are somewhat thick but still a little watery, cut up your sausage and add it into the pot. Keep stirring until beans have thickened to desired consistency. Cook your rice as directed on the box. Then it's ready to serve!
If cooking in a crock pot, add water, green onions, and beans. Set to high and leave for about 8 hours. Periodically add about half a cup of water if you notice the water is getting too low. Closer to serving time add in the sausage.

This is how my mom makes her red beans, and everyone knows that your mom's red beans are the best of all!

xo,
Sara

Things to love this week...

For the first edition of things to love this week, there are some fun events going on around the city. 

Tales of the Cocktail starts on Wednesday and goes until Sunday. There's more information about this event here.

The New Orleans Museum of Art also has its summer Where Y'Art? program. Friday, the Red Hot Brass Band will be playing from 5:30 to 8:30. 

Also, on Saturday at NOMA, they will be hosting Pilates in the Sculpture Garden. The class starts at 8 AM and is only $5. 

There is live music at the French Market on Sunday from 3-4:30 as part of their Dutch Alley Summer Series.

Hope everyone has a good week & a great weekend to look forward too!

xo,

Sara

 

New Orleans Essentials

Once a week, I'm going to do a post about an essential item that every New Orleans girl should have in her closet. Most of them will be staples that every girl should have, but nonetheless ...

After last night's torrential downpour (and many other night's), I thought it best to pick out rain boots as my first essential.

My go to style is a neutral like these from Target which are available in black or navy. Plus they're on clearance! 

While you can find many patterned rain boots and cowboy style rain boots throughout the city, those can sometimes get a bit too tacky for my taste. Classic solid color rain boots will always be functional, and about as stylish as rain boots can get. 

If you are a bit more bold in your fashion tastes, I highly recommend these classic yellow rain boots. They brighten up a rainy day, & they always remind me of Paddington Bear from when I was little! 

I always buy my rain boots from Target online. They're affordable, and the selection is much wider than in store. DSW has a wide selection too, and Walmart has some pretty decent picks when you sort through them! 

No matter where you buy your rain boots from, buy them quickly! It's not too long before there's another down pour and you're going to need them!

xo,

Sara

a little bit about me

Hey y'all!
Since this is my first post, I figured I should say a little about myself that isn't covered. My name is Sara. I've lived in New Orleans all my life, & I wouldn't have it any other way. I moved to Baton Rouge for a little while to go to LSU (Geaux Tigers!), but now I'm back home going to a university in New Orleans. I just wanted to start a blog for the stereotypical New Orleans girl... we aren't crazy rich or overly fashion foward... we shop at Target and Lakeside mall and Magazine St... we know of some of the best places to drink in the city and which to avoid... and there are enough of us to fill up 7+ Catholic high schools and who knows how many dorm rooms and apartments. While this blog mainly applies to New Orleans girls, I hope it will also apply to others too! I can't wait to get started!
xo,
Sara