An OOTN, baked zucchini, and Elliott

My F21 order arrived yesterday and I like it all.  Last night I wore one of the sheer blouses... I've been really impressed with the blouses there these days, just as I've been taken with Zara jackets recently.  The quality for the price is quite nice and I wouldn't guess they were so inexpensive.

OOTN: F21 Pintuck Front Blouse, F21 denim, Banana Republic boots

I could've pressed a little better; requires a cami

I made some baked zucchini the other night from America's Test Kitchen Cooking for Two (quadrupled).  So easy and a nice presentation.  Basically, I cooked up some garlic, white beans, and chopped fresh tomatoes in a little olive oil, and then filled some zucchini that had been brushed with olive oil and baked upside down for a bit.  I used a grapefruit spoon to scoop them.  Once they were stuffed, I sprinkled cheese and panko that had been browned in some olive oil and baked them again.  Really good. I changed some things from the original recipe as I forgot to buy shallots and couldn't find the exact beans called for.

before the cheese, panko, and second baking

I think Elliott grew in the short time we were away in China.  He is Trouble with a capital T and we love him so much.  He now wears a bell so we have a better idea what he's up to.

I'll sift through more China pictures soon.

xoxo

Ozone and Tosca {Hong Kong}

On our last night in Hong Kong (I'm working my way backward through my pics), we had dinner at Tosca at the Ritz-Carlton with a stop at Ozone (at the 118th floor, the highest bar in the world) first.  Ozone has its own (small but glam design) ear-popping elevator.  Once on the 118th, there is an outer terrace with a bar and incredible views, and an inner part with cozy sofas in separate little conversation areas.  They also serve food (and a Sunday brunch) and we were told children are allowed until 9pm. The atmosphere was really cool... definitely the kind of place I do not frequent. Here are some pics from the evening:

inside Ozone

Our ten year old walking into Tosca

Hong Kong

our incredible corner view at Tosca

an extra to start

asparagus soup

raviolo with duck ragout and marscapone

my dessert

our ten year old's ice cream

our seven year old dozed off toward the end of the meal

our nine year old's chocolate cake

a box of chocolates and cookies as an after dinner treat (the waiter removed the drawers)

what I wore:

Zara dress (purchased in Hong Kong but currently online), LK Bennett Olive suede court, YSL clutch, Links of London earrings

More travel and outfit pics coming up.

xoxo

Forever 21 F&F

I still don't quite have everything organized after our recent trip but I'm through the jet lag and wanted to put together a quick post on the Forever 21 Friends and Family event that is going on today... 20% off your order with code FANDF21, and free shipping over $50.  I've been really happy with their $10.80 slim denim and also took a couple of their sheer blouses and the butterfly peplum top along with me to China this month.  I'll post some pics soon.  For now, I ordered these today, along with the Sheer Flocked Peplum Top in light blue.

Forever 21 Pintuck Front Blouse

Forever 21 Houndstooth Fit & Flare Coat

(I ordered the purple/black)

Forever 21 Relaxed Textured Lace Top

xoxo

Five OOTDs {+ those $10.80 F21 jeans are working out}

Things are busy getting ready for our China trip.  I've been snapping some quick OOTD shots which I'm consolidating here.  I like those Forever 21 $10.80 jeans so much I bought a third pair.  Taking two pairs with me to Hong Kong. I prefer the dark blue ones as the black ones have a (chemically-dye?) smell that hasn't yet come out in the wash.

Here are some recent pics:

Zara blazer, white tee, Target Mossimo colored denim (green), La Scarpa Paris nude patent flats

Loft cardigan (last year), ON tank, Anthropologie necklace (couple years ago), Target Mossimo colored denim (black), Chanel flats

Target blouse (recent purchase), F21 denim, Tory Burch tumbled leather Revas in Royal Tan, Georg Jensen Moonlight Grapes earrings

Anthropologie sweater, ON tank in black, F21 denim, Tory Burch Sophie wedges in brown suede

Zara blazer, F21 blouse (recent purchase), F21 denim, Banana Republic Ashley bow flats in Indigo

I plan to post travel outfit and China pics when we've returned later in October - so it will likely be awhile between posts for a bit.  For on-the-road updates from Hong Kong (and hopefully the mainland) you can follow me on Twitter @seaandtea.

Happy Thursday!

xoxo

OOTD 9.12.12

I loved seeing blue with burgundy at the Neiman Marcus FNO show the other night.  Such a great Fall  combo.  I'd like to get some shoes in navy or a brighter blue suede (or velvet loafers) to coordinate with a burgundy/bordeaux jacket or bag.

It's been crazy sunny here but cooling off so here's what I wore on Wednesday:

Zara Blazer (navy), Banana Republic Lace Shell in Cocoon (SUM 12), Gap Denim (outlet), Stuart Weitzman Big Buck Loafers in a burgundy (a few years ago from Nordstrom... the current SW Tassafrass has a similar look, but with tassels instead of buckles)

By the way, here's what uncropped photos can look like around here - Winston in the background and an action shot of my son sliding across the floor behind me. :-)

xoxo

F21 Shopping {+ beginning to think about the China wardrobe}

I've been doing quite a bit of shopping lately -- trying to find a few things here and there for our trip to Hong Kong and Guizhou, China next month.  My husband used to travel to Hong Kong for work so I've been a few times and have just loved it there.  I've been to the mainland, but not to the area we'll be going this time.  If anyone has any advice on what to wear to a wedding in Southwest China (Guiyang specifically) I would appreciate it!  I know white and black are out, but red is confusing me as I was advised to wear red (by someone from another part of China), then read online that sometimes the bride may wear red and you don't want to compete. I bought Ann Taylor's Downtown Shift dress in Mambo Purple (which looks very fuchsia to me) but now am rethinking sleeveless if I can't find the right cardigan to put over it.  I did just order AT's Metropolitan Shift in Azurite - which is a gorgeous blue IRL - so that may be it...

But on to my F21 finds.  First up, $10.80 slim jeans.  Plain, stretchy, comfortable.  I bought them in the dark blue and black denim.  I think these will be so versatile for travel. They felt like leggings, but I can wear them as pants, with just about anything from dressier jackets to tees.  I haven't worn them yet, so I don't know how much they will stretch out in a day, but for under $11 I'm willing to give them a shot.

Forever 21 Classic Slim Denim in Dark Denim and Denim Black

I wasn't looking for denim - I actually had my eye out for a new blouse or two.  Something a little dressy, with sleeves, but lightweight and that will take up little suitcase room.  Starting to think about Hong Kong dinners or tea.  These two fit the bill, though they are still very wrinkly in these pics.

F21 Sheer Tie Collar Button Up/19996511 in Jade

F21 Smocked Tie Collar Blouse/17306673 in Wine

Both of these blouses are very sheer.  In the pics I am just wearing the white Old Navy tank I had on today but I plan to wear them over my new Target camisoles in "Beige" I also found recently.  I think the YSL Belle de Jour clutch in Merlot patent I have on the way from Net-A-Porter will work with the blouses too. I am really liking burgundy/bordeaux for Fall.

Target Mossimo Supply Co. Core Cami/272341

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Style of Mary

I've found a style blog for Crown Princess Mary of Denmark ("Style of Mary") right here.  Please let me know if anyone has seen others! I see in this post that she also has my favorite pair of L.K. Bennetts.  I knew I liked her style.

Also, I saw the FNO show at Neiman Marcus at The Bravern last night and it was loads of fun.  Afterwards I checked out some YSL Belle du Jour clutches and I have one in Merlot on the way.  I'll post some pics or outfits with that soon.  I also found a great $25 dress at F21 recently, and a half-price pantsuit - which I don't know where I will wear, but it was $15 and cute and I'll figure something out.

another recent outfit with that Zara jacket

J Crew silk tank and Loft pants (few years ago), LK Bennett Maddox, sapphire ring and earrings, OPI Chick Flick Cherry on my nails

Happy Weekend!

xoxo