Happy Easter weekend, everyone! Before we get into chocolate bunny everything overload, I thought I'd share a much healthier option to throw into the mix! 

I was looking for something to do with all of my overripe bananas... If you ask the hubs and the little girl, this banana bread recipe will work every time. But I also had a TON of strawberries to use, and wanted something a little lighter and healthier for my family... something I'd feel good about serving up for a quick breakfast or snack on-the-go. I searched the awesomely awesome world of Pinterest and stumbled upon this recipe. I tweaked it a bit and came up with this. MAKE THESE MUFFINS. They are delicious. 

Ingredients: 

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup strawberries, diced

1/2 cup honey (I used mango flavored)

1/2 cup applesauce

4 Tbs butter

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Bake at 350 for approximately 18 minutes. Test with a toothpick.

The original recipe calls for cinnamon, but I didn't want the spice to compete with the natural fruit flavors, so I omitted it. I also happened to have some local, mango flavored honey in my cupboard and that added just a touch more sweetness and fruity depth. If you can get your hands on some fruit flavored honey, it will make all the difference. You could use agave syrup in place of the honey, and even omit the butter and replace with more applesauce. So many different options with this recipe. Whirl it all up in your KitchenAid or mix it by hand, adding in flour last. Making sure not to over mix the flour. 

Hope you like them! They are going on regular rotation in this house! xx

Winner Announced and BRB

Thank you to everyone who entered this contest! If you entered to win this dress in size medium, head over to ThirtySomethingFashion on Facebook to see if you won!

Have a great weekend! Be back soon with travel outfit shots and more Styled by Stella too! xx

Packing, planning, jetting and such.

Sorry for disappearing there for a couple days, guys. I had a screen test for a potential on-camera fashion host gig and jetted off to San Fran for a couple of days. (And by jetted I mean drove.) I am a notorious over-packer because I never know what I'll feel like wearing on the day.

But I knew that I wanted to pop in some spring colors and trends, so I snagged a couple of scores the day before. {The pants were $9.99 at H&M}

Here's a little sneak peek at some of my choices and planning. 

Check back in for snapshots of the city and my different looks for the trip!

Tuxedo jacket for day? Why not?!

Happy Monday, friends! I've been so busy and running around so much lately that it's been incredibly tempting to just stay in my "cozy pants", flip-flops and tee (admittedly worn to bed the night before) and rush out the door. In fact, I tried it one day and my future fashionista of a daughter wouldn't let me. She asked me why I was leaving the house in my pajamas. (Called out by a 3 year old. Oops. Nice try, mommy.)

It's true, it's not always easy to make an effort, but it's always worth it. Do it for yourself, ladies.

So let's talk tuxedo jackets. Remember when I threw it over this dress here? (By the way, the contest is still open to win the dress. Hurry!) It's a no brainer with a frock and heels, but what about over a t-shirt and jeans for day? Why not?!

It's much more pulled together, right? I believe that fashion and personal style is there to lift our spirits and make us feel good. And that can mean whatever that means to you...

Following trends, staying classic, taking risks and trying new things... as long as you make some effort. 

And then there's the purse... Total thrift score. Paloma Picasso (that's Pablo's daughter, btw) late 70's? MINT condition, white and gold perfection. I'm so in love I think I squealed when I found it.

Feels more like purchasing a sentimental piece of art than anything else.

And that's the other thing that fashion should be... an expression of your art. Translated through what you wear.

Wishing you a week full of people and things that make you feel good. xx

Tuxedo blazer - H&M

Tee - Calypso St. Barth

Chain Flats - Gap
Nail polish - Essie "Jazz"

East West Mamas: A collaboration of Style + Dress GIVEAWAY

Oh, goodie! It' time for another collaboration with one of my favorite blogger buddies girl crushes, Miss Carly from Thirty Something Fashion! This time around, I've picked a super easy, super affordable dress from a cool site called Flat84. The best part about this website is that you can score some killer deals on some seriously cute stuff!

 

This New Zealy Black and White one piece was so fun to style. (See other similar styles here!) I adore how Carly rocked this with leggings and her bright yellow blazer and accessories. It's perfect for that east-coast chill with a bit of sunshine. For me, I love nothing more than a red lip, high heel, easy dress, and a jacket to pull it all together. We loved how versatile this dress was from East-to-West, so we decided to give you guys the chance to win one! (Entry rules below!) 

Dress - c/o Flat84, Tuxedo Blazer - H&M, Necklace - Thrift

To be eligible for drawing: {Sorry, contest is closed.}

Just chillin'

Typical casual day gear for me ~ Jeans, chucks, tee and a vintage blazer. Unabashedly stole my husband's hat and shades too and not feeling guilty about it one bit. He may never get them back.

I was visiting my sis at her new pad she shares with four roomies, an awesome house in the hills near Pasadena. Everything is so full of art and promise and excitement... late nights with wine and girl talk and creative thoughts with creative people. It's so inspiring. Sometimes it's nice to get away and remember that I too am an artist. 

(This one here by little sis.)

I've been thinking a lot about my different roles and responsibilities, goals and gigs... ah, the many hats I must wear (something discussed in depth here) and I have to say, it feels damn good to get back to me. 

 Oh, ya, YOU. That girl.

Hello again.

I like you.

You're fun.

So many exciting things happening lately. Can't wait to share them all with you guys. Hope you're having a great week. Pop by tomorrow for a sexy dress giveaway!

Blazer - Vintage

Hat - Alternative

Shoes - Converse

Tee - Sober is Sexy - Available here!

(Remember when I wore it as a giant pregnant lady for that music video here ?)

Spring Trends Styling Video - Graphic Stripes!

Tanya Dempsey (from NovemberGrey.com) Spring Trends - Stripes

Black and White Striped Blazer

I've been obsessing over the black and white vertical striped trend. So much easier to wear than the horizontal, sailor stripe we've been seeing everywhere for way too long now.

It feels fresh and funky, with just enough edge to keep it interesting and different. I'm already on the hunt for a pair of trousers in the print, and don't think I'll tire of this blazer any time soon. 

Scored this baby at H&M for under $25 bucks, (you know how I love a bargain) and it's surprisingly really versatile too. I'm wearing it here with one of my favorite vintage uniforms; a pencil skirt and a button up blouse. 

But already dreaming and scheming up other ways to rock it!

Check back in tomorrow for an exclusive, premier video on November Grey about the black and white vertical stripe trend!

Blazer - H&M
(available in stores)

Skirt + Blouse - Thrift

Necklace - JewelMint

Feeling lucky

Blouse + Cashmere Sweater - Calypso St. Barth

Earrings - MoMo March

Bracelet - Express

Styled by Stella 2

It's time for the second Styled by Stella! In case you missed the last one, I'm letting my three year old daughter pick my outfit for me once a week, and I promise to wear anything she chooses for the entire day. Anything. (Brave mommy!)

I got her to preschool 20 minutes late this particular morning (bad mommy!) but we had a blast picking out our clothes for the day. She actually let me dress her too. For ONCE. I suppose the artistic effort it would have taken for this little munchkin to do two outfits would have been way too much, so she saved all of her pink creativity for me.

I actually was really surprised at how much I liked the bright pink skirt with this vintage top. I hadn't worn the shirt in forever (recognize it from a popular hair post here?) and I would have never thought to put it with pink, but somehow the pairing felt fresh. I definitely would have chosen different shoes, though. Oh, my little darling... She just loves her pink. I think I'm going to hide these pumps from her next time around because I'm starting to see a pattern. And mommy does have other shoes. (Confession: I switched to flats after this photo, but stayed in the rest of the outfit for the day. I actually got compliments too!)

Stella was very serious about the the pink skirt being "the bottoms" I definitely needed for the day. It was her starting point. She was so cute in the jewelry picking part too. An entire drawer full of baubles, a stack of silver bangles and she delicately chose a pair of pink earrings (of course) and two, just two thin bracelets, instructing them to be worn on each wrist.