xo..Brocade Closet
Happy Halloween!
31 October 2014
Ahh yes one of my favorite days of the year is finally here and I'm super excited! If you're like me, you might save everything for the very last minute. But if you do!-I have you covered :) Composing a really cute costume doesn't have to be too difficult and in most cases, all you have to do is open your closet (and your eyes a little wider) to see all the wonderful pieces you already have! Even though it's fun purchasing a pre-made costume, I enjoy making my own and getting creative with my ideas. Of course I usually take a quick Goodwill trip for accessories, but for the most part, I don't usually spend too much on costumes. Below are a few last minute costumes that are super easy to make with your closet essentials-have a wonderful and safe Halloween!
xo..Brocade Closet
xo..Brocade Closet
22 October 2014
Outfit Details
Glasses: Ray Ban (shop here)// Necklace: Forever 21 (shop similar here+here)//Top-old (shop similar here+here)// Skort-Zara (shop similar here + here)//Shoes-Chinese Laundry (shop similar here)//Clutch-Jessica McClintock (shop similar here+here and splurge here)
There really isn't anything like 80 degree weather during the last week of October-SoCal problems. I took a quick trip to Downtown LA last weekend where 80 degrees felt like 100 degrees so the obligation of dressing in cool clothing was so very necessary. I feel like I wore this skort at least twice a month throughout Summer and since the sun hasn't really toned its heat down, I refuse to put it away in my closet. It's kind of like my go to bottom since it's super easy to dress up or down. I kept this outfit pretty casual, minus the tiny heels, for a super chic look. I must admit though, as much as I love this skort, I'm patiently waiting for Fall weather. However, even when the weather cools down, I'll probably still find a way to sneak this skort into an outfit ha!
xo..Brocade Closet
18 October 2014
Outfit Details
Jumper: Zara-old (shop similar here+here)//Bag: Rebecca Minkoff from Saks Off 5th (shop similar sale item here)// Hat: Vince Camuto from Saks Off 5th (shop similar here+here and here)//Cheetah Stilettos: Chinese Laundry-Old (shop similar here)//Tan Booties: MICHAEL Michael Kors (shop similar here+here)
Just when I thought Orange County couldn't get any better on my side of town, it did. Saks Off 5th opened up a location at Metro Pointe and needless to say, my bank account just might get washed out! I'm having major designer fever off of their incredible selection and to top it off, their sales are never ending. I luckily scored a Rebecca Minkoff tote and Vince Camuto hat, both at extra discounted prices-scoreeeee! Check out how I styled my Off 5th finds below and if you don't have a local Saks Off 5th store, they've got a great selection online waiting for you to browse-happy shopping!
xo..Brocade Closet
16 October 2014
One thing that gets my gears going is anything that has a cause to it. I couldn't imagine living a life without purpose, so needless to say, I like getting involved! To celebrate World Food Day, Michael Kors has partnered up with the United Nations World Food Programme for it's second annual limited edition watch line. For every watch sale, Michael Kors will donate $25 to WFP. This $25 contribution feeds 100 children in need and has currently made enough revenue for millions of nutritious meals. In addition to the watch line, participating Michael Kors retailers will give out t-shirts and for EVERY person who wears and shares the tee via social media, he will personally donate 100 meals to children in need. Donations can be made through the Michael Kors website or in store when you pick up your t-shirt or watch ;) For more information on how you can donate or shop the collection, click here. Happy World Food Day everyone, make it a purposeful one!
xo..Brocade Closet
15 October 2014
You'll need:
1. Italian sausages-I choose turkey sausages because my conscious was telling me to try to stay healthy with delicious proteins.
2. Shell noodles-These noodles are low in calories and made out of wheat, hello good carbs!
3. Pesto sauce-I've cooked with a variety of pesto sauces and this one is my favorite. Don't feel too bad, pesto sauce is made with olive oil and guess what!? If you didn't know, olive oil is good fat.
4. Veggies-I choose green beans and edamame because I thought the blend would fit in nice. When I make this again, I'd like to mix spinach and peas in to add more greeeeeens.
5. Spices- I usually use a basic chicken flavored seasoning or garlic salt but this is totally up to you and how you'd like your sausages to taste.
6. Olive Oil- I extracted two tablespoons of olive oil from the pesto sauce just to keep the rich pesto flavor, it was a last minute idea but a brilliant one!
The first step you'll want to take is to boil four cups of water into a pot and then pour the noodles in. Cook this over medium/high heat and let the noodles sit until they're nice and soft. This should only take about ten minutes or so depending on the type of noodles you're using.
While your noodles are cooking, pour your olive oil into a pan and lay your sausages side by side but not too close to each other. Rotate the sausages often until all sides are evenly cooked, this process should only take about ten minutes. Once they're all cooked, set the sausages on a plate and cut them into pieces. I simply cut thin slices but you can cut them however you'd like.
In the same pan the sausages cooked in, pour your vegetables and just quickly stir them around for about two minutes. This process is to simply heat up your veggies and catch left over flavor from the sausages.
By the time you're done with the veggies, your noodles should be nice and cooked. Drain the noodles and place them back into the same pot. I didn't add butter to the pot prior to returning the noodles just because I wanted to keep the sodium at a moderate level.
Next, add in the vegetables, cut up sausage pieces and pour the pesto sauce over all ingredients. Stir the ingredients together and you're done!
To finish up my meal, I sprinkled a little bit of feta cheese for extra taste-so delicious!
I really hope you all enjoy this super quick recipe, let me know how your dish comes out! Happy cooking..xo Brocade Closet
14 October 2014
Hi everyone! I'm super excited this evening to share with you all my newest DIY project that's super easy and fast to get done. For about a week, I shopped every store you could think of for perfect silver colored tall lamps. Discouraged with prices, variety and shapes I was looking at, I came to my Martha Stewart senses and decided to customize my own lamps. This project makes for a fun crafting afternoon and only took about a half an hour to complete. Here's how you can take a lamp from simple to glam!
You'll need:
A set of lamps-I purchased mine on Craigslist
Spray paint-Any color you desire (I got mine for $6 from Michael's craft store)
Gloves-so paint doesn't get all over your hands
Newspaper-or anything else to paint over
Lamp shades-this is optional, if you like the shades your lamps come with already then you won't need new ones.
After you put your gloves on, shake the spray paint can up a bit and spray away. I started from the bottom and made my way up the base of the lamp.
After applying the spray paint to the entire lamp, go ahead and give it another coat to fill in spots you might've left out. I noticed the color got brighter so I was really liking the idea of a second coat. When you're all finished, let the lamps sit in the sun until they dry, I left them out in my patio for a few hours.
After they've sat outside for a while, add lamp shades of your choice and VOILA. These newly transformed lamps never looked better!
