NYE...Throw on Some Color

Why not ring in the new year with a pop of color? Jewel tones are always a great choice for holiday attire, and yet year after year I feel like most sway toward black for NYE...even myself! I think cobalt, emerald and fuchsia are awesome alternatives to boring black, not to mention these colors look great on every skin tone....

All above dresses can be found at Nasty Gal

More options for Jewel-toned looks...

More Nasty Gal...

NYE...Leave Your LBD at Home

Happy Friday beauties! I am enjoying my last few days relaxing, spending time with family and friends and doing a whole lotta puppy snuggling. I thought it would only be appropriate to talk party attire today...NYE is right around the corner and I feel like there are so many unique options to look glam while ringing in the New Year without having to resort to your go-to LBD. 

Left to Right: 1 2 3

For a holiday party this past week I decided to wear an all-black jumpsuit, I paired it with a beaded waist belt and simple black patent pointy heels. This was not only comfortable but I felt like it stood out in a sea of cocktail dresses. The Nasty Gal version pictured has a sexy plunging neckline perfect for New Years Eve. 

Sequins and velvet are classic holiday textures, and they look entirely new when showcased in unexpected silhouettes like the above, Nasty Gal romper and Alice and Olivia pant suit...

IF you are loving these styles as much as I am, take a look below for similar options...

What are you planning for your NYE outfit?  Would you rock a pantsuit? 

More Nasty Gal...

Tuesday Tastings: Asian Kale Salad

Kale. That weird leafy plant that I refused to eat for months and months no matter how "popular" it was, no matter how many recipes that had it as a main ingredient, no matter how many salads I pinned on Pinterest. To make short of it...I finally tried it. I liked it. Now....now I am obsessed with it! Obsessed I tell ya! 

Kale is one of those foods I've become obsessed with that I am not ashamed to admit or talk about, unlike my stint of Eggo waffles...(we wont go there...) This super food is packed full of cancer fighting properties and is also a superhero at lowering your cholesterol. Steamed, baked, stir fried, or raw, kale is good no matter how you prepare it. 

Today I am sharing one of my many go-to recipes for an Asian inspired raw kale salad. 

Ingredients:

4-6 large Kale leaves

1 C of matchstick carrots

1 oz Rice Wine Vinegar

1 T of minced garlic

1 t of minced ginger

1 T of lime juice

2 T Sesame oil

1 T Soy Sauce

1 t chili paste

1 pinch of salt 

1 pinch of pepper

*a handful of crushed peanuts for garnish

1. Rinse and remove kale leaves from main stem, chop or tear up the leaves by hand

2. Add your matchstick carrots 

3. Whisk together remaining ingredients in small bowl

4. Add dressing mixture to kale/ carrot mixture and toss together

5. garnish with crushed peanuts

It's that easy! I like to pair this salad with quinoa when I need a little extra protein, this also makes an excellent side to any Asian dish! 

Moody Monday: Gilded Glam

The holiday is officially amongst us...am I ready for it? No. Presents are still being wrapped and sought after in the final hours...When will I learn!? 

On that note, let's get into the spirit of the season with a little holiday glam to get you in the mood....gilded neutrals are my current inspiration; as you will see, rose gold still owns my heart...call it a trend, it will always be my favorite! 

image via: The Glitter Guide

1. Sequin Skirt: Free People 2. Makeup Case: Rebecca Minkoff 3. Watch: Olivia Burton 

4. Eyeliner: Eveko 5. Satchel: Cambridge 6. Bracelet: Gemma Redux

Interiors: Bedroom Makeover

It's crazy how the excitement of buying your first house quickly fizzles when you realize you now have to FURNISH your first house. 

Jake and I are currently one year into our "firs-time home owner" bliss and we are still stumped when it comes to how to fill the space! I have slowly been perusing my go-to, budget-friendly home stores such as Home Goods, and West Elm searching high and low for some type...any type of furnishings and or wall decor to begin to make our home feel like "our" home with a little splash of each of our personalities. 

Since we are yet to have even one completed room I have decided to hone in one room and one room only. First up is our master bedroom. 

Here is some of my inspiration for our bedroom, thanks to Pinterest....

P.S. I will be posting updates as the room comes together :) 

Loving the masculine stripe with the neutral palette 

Dreamy!!! 

Everything about the above room makes me want to move right in! The velvet and chandelier are gorgeous! 

Perfect pop of chartreuse 

Would love a corner vanity

A few pieces I am currently coveting...

1. Pillow: West Elm 2. Bed: Z Gallerie 3. Jewelry Stand: West Elm 4. Pillow: West Elm

5. Candle Holders: Z Gallerie 6. Chase: Z Gallerie

Midi Mahem

Is everyone else loving the midi-skirt as much as I am right now? There is something about that awkward length we have been told in the past works on no one, that I have been drawn to...

Being only 5'3" I have stayed away from anything that even has the teeniest possibility of making me look shorter than I already I am, so when this trend popped up, I'll admit I steered clear. It wasn't until recently I tried on a midi style pencil skirt and needless to say I fell in love, and ladies...lemme tell ya, it actually made me feel...TALL! I encourage anyone who is on the midi-fence to try it out for yourself! 

Not only can you find many versatile silhouettes, you can also find styles for day and night, check out the outfits I created below...as you can see I am ALSO digging crop tops :) 

1. Top: Topshop 2. Faux fur stole: Topshop 3. Skirt: Topshop 4. Heels: Paul Andrew 

5.Clutch: Saint Laurent 6. Earrings: Oscar De La Renta 

1. Top: 3.1 Phillip Lim 2. Lipstick: MAC 3. Skirt: Topshop 4. Booties: B Brian Atwood 

5. Handbag: celiné 6. Collar Necklace: Laura8 7. Glasses: Kamali Kulture

How are you ladies wearing this style? 

Now That's Pinteresting....

Is everyone else's Pinterest addiction still going strong? I have been on the site for a couple of years now, and am still loving it! Props to the creators ;)

I find myself looking on Pinterest daily for meal prep ideas as well as outfit and home decor inspiration, not to mention the awesome DIY's that the site is synonymous for.

If you aren't already, follow me on Pinterest and please include a link to your Pinterest page in the comments section, I would love to see what you ladies are pinning as well!

Tuesday Tastings: Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Sausage Pasta with Brussel Sprouts

As far as what comes out of my kitchen goes…I try to keep everything VERY healthy. I was lucky to be raised in a health conscious household where my mom made healthy, homemade, low calorie meals every night. I strongly believe in a balanced diet and regular exercise to stay fit…skip the fad diets, magic pills and shakes that promise to make you lose the pounds. Staying fit and healthy is a lifestyle, not a fad. 

Come on ladies! I promise putting a healthy balanced meal on the table isn’t difficult. I plan on posting at least one recipe a week and you can count on it being a guilt-free one at that! ;)

I recently purchased some Sun dried Tomato Chicken sausage from Trader Joes (only 100 calories per link!!!), and was inspired to use them in a pasta dish. A mixture of whole wheat penne pasta, sun dried tomatoes, roasted brussel sprouts and lean chicken sausage? You really can’t go wrong, it’s the perfect comfort food you don’t need to feel guilty for eating!

Ingredients:

2 Trader Joes chicken sausage links

2C of roasted brussle sprouts (as many as you would like, I used about 12)

 **to roast brussle sprouts: halve each sprout, toss in 1T of EVOO and sprinkle with salt and

    pepper, spread out evenly on cookie sheet and roast at 400 degrees for about 15min**

2C cooked whole wheat pasta

2T olive oil

1T Balsamic Vinegar

1T minced garlic

1 pinch of sea salt (more or less to taste)

2 pinches of black pepper (more or less to taste)

1t crushed red pepper flakes

1/2C sun dried tomatoes (drained)

A sprinkle of Fresh Parmesan cheese

 1. Whisk together Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and set aside.

2.Chop chicken sausage and sauté until cooked and lightly brown. Add your chopped and drained sundried tomatoes to pan.

3. Add sauce mixture, sauté for 5 minutes and finally add cooked pasta and brussel sprouts to the pan and combine.

Top with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan and….

Voila! Dinner is served!

Enjoy ladies!

xx

What are some of your favorite ways to serve halthy pasta dishes?

These Boots Are Made For....

Over-the-knee boots are definitely something I wouldn’t necessarily consider a “trend”... they are all over the runways and streets in the winter and fall, every year. But I will say I am excited I finally jumped on the bandwagon of this amazing boot style. 

A few months ago I scored a flat black leather pair of Sam Edelman’s on sale at Nordstrom Rack and a couple weeks ago I got a killer deal on some camel colored, faux suede, pointy-toed, high-heeled babies from F21 for $25... yes, I said $25! Best twenty five I have ever spent! ;) There is a black version still available for $44 (see Shopstyle options below).

Both are beyond versatile and can be dressed up or down. My favorite way to wear them both are with leggings/skinny jeans and an over sized sweater….

Below are a few more ways to rock them this winter….

Image via: Atlantic Pacific, Boots: Sigerson Morrison

Image via: Barefoot Blonde, Boots: Stuart Weitzman 

Image via: Elle

Image via: Pinterest

Check out the options below for a wide array of price points! 

More Gianvito Rossi...

How are you wearing over-the-knee boots this season?

xx

Oh, That's Right I Used to Have a Blog...

I recently got this strange resurgence of blogger love and asked myself, “why did I quit the Plum Bucket?” Well…the answer is LIFE. It happens, while submerged in the hustle and bustle of graduating design school, finding my career path and getting my personal life back on track, I lost sight of something that truly inspired me….blogging. 

Looking at these past posts, made me smile and laugh at times. Truthfully, I am in a different place in my life than I was two years ago when I posted my last Plum Bucket post. Here is a little update on my life as I currently know it… After ending a terrible “internship” with the company I was as you might remember “excited about,” I got an amazing opportunity. This opportunity came frankly out of the blue, and smacked me right in the face…It was a temporary position with a large and I mean LARGE sportswear company (I wont name names, but as you know I reside in the Portland, Oregon area, that should be hint enough) ;) After a short stint as a temp I landed a full time position with the company. This is truly a dream job for many and I can earnestly say I thoroughly enjoy it. 

 As for my personal life, my boyfriend and I bought a house, adopted a rescue dog, and I started my own jewelry business…which you will definitely learn more about in time (although if you are curious now...click my Etsy link in the sidebar). So here I am, totally content and yet feeling like there is a creative voide in my life, the truth is, I am missing this beautiful community of bloggers! While fashion has been and STILL is my love, I have many other passions I hope to share with you lovely people.

Shameless "selfies" in the car...oh the humility...lol 

Jake and I at one of our favorite breakfast spots in Portland, Screen Door

If you follow me on Instagram, you know this beauty all too well, this is my 1 year old pitbull rescue named Luna, we call her "Lou" for short :) 

I hope you jump back on into the Plum Bucket with me where I will continue to post trends, recipes, home décor inspirations, beauty hauls, Outfit-of-the-Days and a whole lotta life updates! 

xoxo