Top

A Two Drink Minimum

Blog

/ Style

Fall Style Staples

fall style, 2019 casual fall look, fall style staples,
Plaid Blazer//cream sweater//brown sweater//pink buttoned sweater//brown sweater
Jean Jacket// Orange Knotted Sweater//Floral Top//Stripe Shirt//Jean Jacket
Snakeprint Jacket//Blue Tie Neck Blouse//Maroon Jacket//Dotted Blouse//Green Suede Jacket
Black Moto Jacket//Stripe Shirt//Leopard Sweater// Blue Belted Leopard Sweater // Green Shirt

Recently a friend and reader, had reached out asking how to style the Brown Tulle Peruvian Skirt I styled for Prime Women Magazine (you can read the original post here)

I had some thoughts about styling a look and then, guest what? I found so many cute fall sweaters and jackets, I decided to turn it into a blog post.

As you may know, I love fall. I love the idea of layers and not having to bundle up as much as we do in the winter months. Today, I am sharing a few fall style staples that will take you from fall into the winter season.

Fall Style Staples

So many of these sweaters & tops look great with dark denim, your faux leather leggings and of course a fun skirt.

Now, all of these options work with the brown tulle skirt. You can easily go from shopping to dinner and cocktails without having to change.

Plaid Blazers

I have recently written about my love of a plaid blazer . Both Brittany and I love the look because it instantly sophisticates your look. Think about adding the style staple over a graphic t-shirt or a sweater.

Jean Jackets

Of course, a denim jacket is a great fall staple. I like to continue to wear florals into the fall season and I think the two work well together.

Moto Jacket

The brand BlankNYC has plenty of faux leather and suede jackets at great price points. I love the snakeprint one too!

Do you have a style question? Have something in your closet that you need help pulling an outfit together for? Leave a comment below and let me know as I would be happy to help!

Have fun browsing!

brown tulle skirt \ fall style

/ Style

casual camouflage outfits

camouflage outfits for women casual
camouflage outfits for women casual
camouflage outfits for women casual
Camouflage Amazon T-shirt

Camouflage print was something that I first associated with G.I. Joe. Probably because I remember playing Barbie when I was younger and GI Joe was always right alongside Ken. While G.I. Joe wore his rugged jacket and combat boots, Ken was dressed in a white tuxedo jacket. In my romantic playtime fantasies, they would both pursue Barbie for a date. Although, Ken always won because Barbie didn’t have the right outfit to go out with G.I. Joe.  Time changes everything doesn’t it?

Today, camouflage is no longer a print reserved for the boys. Everywhere you look fashionistas of all age groups are wearing camouflage. The pattern appeared on runways during New York fashion week. And, is in our hometown shopping malls.  It instantly adds a youthful vibe to any outfit no matter your age.

Don’t let the patterned print detour you from wearing it with something other than solids. I’ve seen camouflage paired with stripes, florals, plaid, and even sequins!

camouflage jackets

You can wear a camouflage jacket with denim, or corduroy pants. You can also wear stretch athletic or faux leather leggings underneath. Pull it all together with low heeled boots, sweaters, or a striped tee for something unexpected. Remember the rule to mixing patterns is to keep the color lines the similar.  

camouflage pants

Wear your camouflage pants with an oversized sweater, a t-shirt or even a chambray shirt. Top off your look with a leather bomber (like this faux leather jacket) or denim jacket. For shoes, I’d wear fun sneakers, or booties. Remember to keep your look simple. Keep in mind the Camo trend is meant to be casual.

casual camouflage t-shirts

You can wear a camouflage t-shirt with jeans, leggings, or even skirts. I just purchased a camouflage blue grey graphic tee on Amazon. Tee’s are the easiest way to start wearing camouflage if you’re a bit uncertain. You can find tee shirts at reasonable prices to subtly ease camouflage print into your wardrobe.

The new colors of camouflage print have transitioned from traditional tan’s and olive to blue’s and greys and even black and white. Black or red will always pair well with neutral and olive toned camouflage. Overall, keep all other accessories minimal since the pattern itself already makes an assuming fashion statement.    

This patterned print was originally designed with men in mind, yet it’s looking quite fashionable on women. With more women sporting this trendy style, it is proof to me that girls rule.

casual camouflage outfit

/ Easy Meals, Food

Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage

You’ll taste a Forkful of Fall in every bite with this easy five-ingredient pasta Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage recipe from Giada. It’s simple 5 ingredient dish. My daughter Brittany sent this recipe to me. It’s an easy weeknight meal that I’m sure you will love.

Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage
This Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage is a Giada De Laurentis dish. The original recipe was posted on the Today shows official website

This easy pasta is a great meal for this time of year especially if you like butternut squash.  The blended flavors from the Italian sausage and the creamy butternut squash taste absolutely delicious.

Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage. 5 ingredient weeknight meal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta (gluten free pasta is an option too)
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons for finishing
  • 1 lb. Italian Sausage (casing removed) I used mild, but you can also go with the spicy
  • 1lb. butternut squash cut into small pieces (you can find it already cut up in the produce department)
  • 1 ½ cups of water
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
  • 2 cups of roughly chopped baby arugula

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add your pasta (cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente). Drain well reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Next, in a large frying pan heat the 2 tbs. of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the sausage until cooked breaking up into small pieces with a wooden spoon as you cook. Add the diced squash to the pan.

Add the butternut squash to your frying pan with the sausage, then add the salt, and  ½ cup of the pasta water. Continue to cook while submerging the squash in the water to soften (tip- I actually microwaved the butternut squash on high for around 2-3 minutes to soften it up a little and speed up the cooking)

Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the squash is tender and the liquid has reduced by half (about 10 minutes)

Add the cooked pasta and 3/4 a cup of parmesan.

Stir until completely mixed and the pasta is fully coated. Add the chopped arugula and then the 3-remaining tablespoons of olive oil.

If needed add a little more of the reserved pasta water. Cook just until the arugula is wilted. Serve topped with the remaining parmesan cheese.

*I used the pan that I boiled the pasta for the final step of mixing all the ingredients together. I found that this was better since it was larger than my frying pan.

I hope you enjoy this dish, it’s a nice variation from traditional pasta dishes.

Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage

/ Style

How to Style Buffalo Plaid

buffalo plaid jacket women outfit
buffalo plaid jacket women outfit
buffalo plaid jacket women outfit
buffalo plaid jacket women outfit

Recently, I posted a picture of myself on Instagram wearing a buffalo plaid jacket, and that jacket received quite a few comments. My caption mentioned that Buffalo Plaid, reminded me of my father, as he used to have one that I often borrowed. I recently found out that this plaid print has been around for at least one hundred and fifty years! Rumor has it that the original designer of this red and black plaid pattern owned a buffalo herd. And, that is how the name came about. 

A Timeless Trend

There is always a trend that keeps coming back year after year, and Buffalo Plaid is one of those styles. In the 1950’s it was more popular for men’s fashion. Now a days we see buffalo plaid for men, women, & children. It’s also on table linens, throw pillows, and many home accessories around the wintertime holidays.

Buffalo Plaid has proven itself to be a staple that will forever be fashionable. And that is why I wanted to show you how to wear buffalo plaid two different ways.

One Plaid Jacket// Two Different Looks

I’ve had this H&M jacket for several years. I’ve always worn it with jeans or black leggings, only recently did I make a change. Pairing it with jeans and or leggings gives it an outdoorsy rugged look. I’ve selected a few similar jackets below.

When I saw the images of Dior’s 2019 fall fashion showing buffalo plaid, I fell in love with this checked plaid even more. The Dior fashion show had models wearing Buffalo plaid with evening attire. That’s when I decided to wear my jacket with a long skirt. When I put it over a long black skirt and ruffled blouse it looked feminine but with a bit of an edge. I feel it’s important to utilize your clothing in different ways.

buffalo plaid jacket women outfit
buffalo plaid jacket women outfit
buffalo plaid jacket women outfit

I wanted to show examples of how to style one piece of clothing a few ways. This not only stretches your wardrobe but it also keeps your look new and fresh.

This particular jacket has brought me through many seasons of wear. Now, pairing it with a skirt will add to its value.

Buffalo plaid comes in several colors. You can get it in black and white, hunter green and black, and of course the traditional red and black checked. Do not be afraid to pair your plaid with other patterns. As it also goes quite well with this season’s animal prints.

I’m embracing this “Fashion Gone Rogue” look Dior created and keeping this jacket in rotation. This pattern will forever be in my heart as it reminds me of my dad in his younger days. 

/ Style

How to Style Leather Leggings

leather leggings outfit casual fall winter #leather #casual #outfit
leather leggings outfit casual fall winter
leather leggings outfit casual fall winter
sweater on amazon with leather leggings
Leopard Sweater- under $10 on Amazon// Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

Leather is in demand this fall and winter. Taking a quick flashback to the 80’s when leather was the rage, I owned leather pants, dresses, and jackets. Unfortunately, I no longer have any of them in my possession. A less expensive and favored choice to purchase now would be faux leather. At the advice of my daughter, I bought a pair of Spanx faux leather leggings. I knew I could wear these leggings many ways and that I should get a quality pair that would endure several wears.

The nice thing about leggings is that they provide you with a slimmer silhouette. It may take an extra minute or two to get them on, but I liked how they concealed imperfections and made your legs look leaner.

Aside from being stylish, I find leggings very comfortable even after several hours of wear.  Unlike stretch jeans they do not slide down, nor will they sag in the behind like cotton jeans. I chose black faux leather because I felt they were more slimming, but they also have snakeskin, crocodile, and, moto and camo leggings. 

Ways to wear your leather leggings-

Obviously they look best when your behind is covered =)

Casual Style -you can wear them with longer sweaters or a longer t-shirts and this blazer. It’s fine if the blazer is shorter than the tee. Another great look with black leggings is a denim shirt. This is a great combo. I wrote a blog last season on you can read about Denim shirts. They are as versatile as a pair of black pants so why not pair them together? If you’re looking for an affordable find- I found this top on Amazon that would work well with leather leggings

Casual Tops to Wear with Leggings

Dressy Casual, you can wear them with open dusters (love this leopard one from Nordstrom Rack), or belted shirtdresses. Another way to wear them is under short dresses. I’ve done this often with dresses that I didn’t feel comfortable wearing alone. Your too short dress now instantly turns into a tunic top.

Dressy Casual Tops to Wear with Leather Leggings

leather leggings outfit night going out classy for women over 50
spanx leather leggings outfit night going out classy for women over 50
spanx leather leggings outfit night going out classy for women over 50

Evenings for nighttime you can wear a long silk or suede blouse. Since the leggings have a little sheen, I would not go with anything too glitzy or shiny as you want to keep your look balanced.

Shoe styles to wear with leggings

I would choose loafers, flats, or sneakers for a more casual style. Boots, low or to the knee are always a smart stylish look to wear with leggings. If you want something on the dressy side, choose a boot with a heel or an embellished slide. You can check out my recent post on my favorite fall shoe trends here for a few more ideas.

Enjoy wearing the highly favored faux leather leggings this season and add a little cool to your wardrobe.  

/ Food

Where to Eat in Naples// The 15 Best Restaurants in Naples

Where to Eat in Naples// The Top 15 Restaurants in Naples, Florida
Campiello has a beautiful outdoor patio and wonderful Italian food. My favorite dish is the Linguine with Alaskan King Crab… and don’t forget to leave room for dessert!
Sharing my top 15 restaurants to dine at while in Naples, Florida
At Cafe Milano- I recommend ordering a Skizza & their calamari for an appetizer.

My husband and I have been visiting Naples, Florida for over 15 years. We like to dine out and have a few favorite restaurants that I would love to share with you. Naples can be very quaint, yet it’s appeal is also very sophisticated. The beaches are what probably draw most people to visit. Watching the sunset on the beach is a ritual that many look forward to. Beachgoers pack baskets with wine and cheeses, arriving well before the actual sunset to enjoy the tranquil setting. There’s plenty of shopping, and other activities that many can enjoy too.  It’s a wonderful place to visit with many happy memories for my family. Below I put together a list of the 15 best restaurants in Naples. All in my personal opinion of course!

All of the restaurants have their unique way of welcoming you to Naples aside from serving delicious food. Meals shared with family and friends help to create fabulous vacation memories.

Special Occasion Restaurants In Naples, Florida

Before we jump into the list of the best restaurants, I want to highlight two restaurants where I would recommend for special occasions. We save these for intimate dinners or times when we are celebrating something special to us.

  • Bleu Provence– family owned, with outstanding food. There’s dining both inside and outside and the atmosphere makes you feel very special. Save room for the crepe suzette au Grand Marnier for dessert
  • Capital Grill We have always enjoyed sitting in the bar and people watching. And, who doesn’t love a great steak! My husband and I always try to sit in a booth in the bar as it’s a great place to people watch. Afterwards you can walk around Mercato Shops and stop in one of their many bars for a little nightcap
Where to Eat in Naples// The Top 15 Restaurants in Naples, Florida
Outside Bleu Provence- A great restaurant to celebrate a special occasion while you’re in Naples

15 Best Restaurants in Naples

Sharing my favorite restaurants in Naples, Florida to dine at. In no particular order, the best restaurants are:

  1. Bay House-some of the best seafood around! Always have enjoyed the fresh seafood and their homemade cornbread is the best!
  2. Osteria Tulia,  An Italian flair with a rustic looking dining room, My husband likes the pasta with braised lamb. I always order the branzino with artichokes and fennel
  3. Campiello great outdoor patio for dining with good Italian food. My favorite is the linguine with Alaskan king crab and for dessert the butterscotch budino is addictive  
  4. Café Milano I love to bring my family here. It’s very family friendly and the food is always so good. Our favorite are the Skizza’s (pizza’s) and we always order the calamari with shrimp as an appetizer 
  5. Turtle Club The food is delicious and you can sit right on the beach. Make sure to get a reservation as they book up very quickly. Their lobster bisque and seared sea king scallops are my favorite.
  6. Dorona, A very modern Italian Steak house with delicious food. I call this place a hidden gem. Their menus offer custom cut steaks from dry aged to wagyu beef, with seafood, and pasta dishes. They do not disappoint here.
  7. Molto Tratoria, an absolutely wonderful Italian restaurant that specializes in traditional style pizza and fresh homemade pasta. My favorite items to order are their pizza’s and the Tagliatelle Bolognese
  8. The Bevy, A very trendy restaurant with great food and signature cocktails. They have a full dinner menu but I can’t get past the healthy salads and my husband loves the Bevy Burger.
  9. The Dock This is an amazing restaurant to take your family to. The seafood is fresh, the clam chowder, grouper, and bamboo steamed salmon (which I always order) are some of our family favorites. If you’re dining with little ones, be sure to save some bread and head in back to feed the fish. They will love it!
  10. Cote d’azure another wonderful family owned french restaurant. It is a little off the beaten path, but worth finding. I’ve enjoyed the pan seared salmon many times and my husband’s favorite are the lamb chops but of course you need to save room for dessert as we never lave without indulging in the profiterole.
  11. Bha Bha Persian Bistro If you like unique flavors and spices then you will want to try this place.Their pistachio lamb meatballs and the mango garlic shrimp are an appetizer favorite. We like to share plates when we dine here since there are so many entrée’s we like.
  12. KC American Bistro My Ultimate favorite appetizer here is the Jumbo Lump crab souffle and I like the scallops as my entrée choice
  13. USS Nemo Good seafood with an Asian flair, I like to order miso broiled sea bass. However, there are several fabulous seafood choices
  14. Hob Nob Kitchen & Bar Another place my family loves to go, if I’m still hungry after all the delicious appetizers (Hob Knob Chips are a must) I’ll get the snapper in crazy water with fennel. We also love the dessert menu, such as salted caramel tootsie rolls, and doughnuts with maple syrup glaze and chocolate.
  15. Bayside Seafood Bar & Grill Located in Venetian Village has a spectacular view of the bay upstairs. This is one of our favorite places because you can enjoy delicious food with entertainment under the stars. The Golf Shrimp and crab Pasta is my favorite on the menu here. Afterwards be sure to take a stroll and do a little window shopping around radiant lit shopping village along the bay.
best restaurants to eat at in Naples, Florida. where to dine in Naples, FL
at Bayhouse- their seafood selection is amazing, so many wonderful choices. But don’t forget to order their cornbread- it’s delicious!

Two Unexpected Lunch Spots in Naples

I would recommend that you try these two restaurants that are often repeats for my family. They area very casual and the food is fresh and homemade  

  1. Doug’s Seafood The best lobster Roll and Lobster Bisque you will find in Naples area!
  2. Food & Thought Organic Farm Market The vegetarian seafood roll is good here but it’s not available everyday. The organic roasted chicken with sweet potatoes and greens is my daughter in laws favorite. They also serve dairy free chocolate shakes if you are dairy intolerant

I can easily keep going because there are many more fabulous places to dine in the Naples area, although I do need to stop at some point. Vacations are a special time that should be enjoyed and of course a time to relax and have a little fun. I hope that you find your dining experiences as pleasurable as I have. Lastly, please remember to call and make reservations ahead of time, as they all get very busy during season.

Bon appetit!