Must Have for Fall - Polka Dot Chambray Shirt

Chambray shirts are a closet staple for most women, but this season it's polka dot chambray that is everywhere.  Given my love for polka-dots, it's a total must-have!  

1 - American Rag Polka Dot Print Light Chambray Top ($49, Macy's)

2 - Two Polka Dot Chambray Work shirt ($25, Old Navy)

3 - Joe's Jeans Sexy Western Button Down in Polka Dot ($99, Revolve)

4 - Perfect Shirt in Chambray Polka Dot ($88, J.Crew)

5 - BDG  Blue Polka Dot Button-Down Denim Shirt ($59, Urban Outfitters)

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My Look: Party Pants

Remember when I was on the hunt for some silky printed (pajama style) pants?  Well,  when I was in New York in June, I finally found a pair at Zara!  Of course, they were everything I'd hoped they'd be :) 

I recently just did my best to re-create Zanna's look, on a budget...

What do you think?  I think they were definitely worth the $60 at Zara, and I expect I'll be wearing them all fall.  If you're willing to give the trend a try, I've seen them popping up everywhere.  Here is a quick roundup of some similar pairs:

1 - Tolani Gaucho Pant ($152, Couture Candy)

2 - Diane von Furstenberg Georgia embroidered blue and white silk pants ($385, Net-a-Porter)

3- Vince blue geometric printed silk pajama pants ($171, CUSP)

Currently Obsessed with Mara Hoffman's Colorful Prints

If my life was a tropical beach vacation, I'm pretty sure my wardrobe could be entirely made out of Mara Hoffman's colorful bathing suits, sundresses and shorts.  (It's amazing that these amazing ethnic/tribal seeming prints come from a woman born and raised in NY!)  If you have an end of summer vacation on the calendar, it's definitely worth picking up just one piece to spice up your suitcase :) 

My current wishlist: 

1- HoffmanTechno Animal printed one-piece swimsuit ($255)

2 - Mara Hoffman Maya printed triangle bikini ($195)

3 - Mara Hoffman Inca printed bikini ($215)

 4 - Mara Hoffman Mexican Blanket High Waisted Shorts ($389)

5 - Mara Hoffman Fitted Bustier Mexican Print Dress ($297)

 6 - Maya printed stretch-modal kaftan ($340)

Baking Style-Edition: Crowd Pleasing Chocolate Chip Blondies Recipe

Chocolate cookies are my go-to when I want to whip up a sweet treat (I think I had my chocolate chip cookie recipe memorized before I was 12?  Is that weird?) but recently I've gotten a bit lazy in the kitchen (i.e. too lazy to spoon out individual cookies) so,  blondies are starting to take over as my simplest baked good. The recipe happens to be about the easiest ever:

Chocolate Chip Blondies Recipe

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1 pinch of salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup chocolate chips

See - just 1 of everything! 

Here are the steps:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F 
2. Beat melted butter & sugar 
3. Add in egg & vanilla and beat just until smooth
4. Mix in flour and salt
5. Add in chocolate chips (and nuts or M&M's or anything else you'd like)
6. Pour into a greased 8x8inch brownie pan 
7. Bake at 350°F for 20-22 minutes  - take them out just as the top starts to brown and the center starts to set

See.. so easy.

Give them a try next time you have a sugar craving!  Let me know how it goes!

My Look: Windblown Stripes

Caught of few photos of my outfit the other day.  I'm not the type of person who can let my favorite dresses sit in the closet waiting for the perfect opportunity to wear them, so I tend to layer them with more casual pieces (like this trucker jacket)  to make them wearable for more "everyday" occasions.  I picked up this Lauren Moffatt dress a few years ago on Gilt, and I think it's the perfect mix of classic with a twist -- I expect it to stay in my closet for years to come.

The details:

Blue and green striped silk dress  - Lauren Moffatt, via Gilt

Denim trucker jacket - Levi's

Strappy sandals - J.Crew

Rafia clutch - Forever 21 (Similar)