Mad for Plaid + Black Friday goodies

Although I usually end up in a food coma, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year.  Foods that are usually foreign to my daily routine are a decadent and welcomed treat, leaves are still turning (in NC) and the shopping season has officially kicked off-Christmas lights and all.  I can run with the best of the Black Friday purists-waking up at 6am, grabbing a cortado and heading to Saks or Nordstrom, but online shopping is also a very appealing and ever growing fabulous option for the crowd phobic shopper to bypass the sale induced frenzies that await outside and inside most stores the day after Thanksgiving.  Below are some of my picks for partaking from the comfort of bed, Friday and throughout the weekend.

 

Sweater dress: BCBG-old (similar here–ON SALE & here–up to 25% off with GOBIG14), Boots: Stuart Weitzman (also here & similar here–25% off with THANKFUL25), Hat: Lou & Grey (similar here), Scarf-Zara (similar here–30% with HOLIDAY & here).

 

Other Black Friday sales I’m perusing:

Love these booties-25% off sitewide with THANKFUL25

Perfect Equipment floral-25% off sitewide with THANKS

Loving this cape from Theory-40% off sitewide

Absolute favorite pair of J Brands–30% off sitewide BLKFRI2014

Cozy sweater dress–Sale sitewide

Plaid//Leo

Having a good pair of flats is essential in New York and for someone who never set foot in a pair prior to my move here, they must be super stylish as well.  I’ll admit, it took some getting use to.  Losing my coveted extra 3-4 inches as a petite person was hard. However;  I began to see reason after a day in Soho left my feet and shoes less than desirable.

Denim: Frame (also here) Turtleneck: J. Crew – 25% off with GETFESTIVE, Shoes: Zara (similar here), Sunnies: Celine.  

 

Clementine Cake

I find on days when my stress levels are over the top, hitting the kitchen for some baking is totally relaxing.  I’m not one of those people who can throw ingredients together resulting in culinary genius, but I can follow a recipe.  Two of my favorite cooking indulgences to watch are Nigella and the Barefoot Contessa.  Both make cooking relaxing and interesting.

I decided to give Nigella’s Clementine Cake a go after one particularly hectic day.  The intoxicating smell of the clementines boiling their way into little orange balls of sweetness was lovely wafting throughout the house.  When I had the completed product, I was very impressed with myself but more so the absolute yumminess of the cake.  Here’s what I did:

 

Boil 5-6 clementines (can also add oranges but they are not as sweet) for about 45 minutes.  I found somewhere between 45 minutes and an hour broke the clementines down perfectly.  Leave the skins on when boiling.

Once the clementines are cooled, cut them up into small pieces, skin an all-removing the seeds and pith. I used my bullet to puree them down but a food processor would work well too.  Puree until there are no large chunks left of clementine skin, just small orange flecks.  I then added this puree to the rest of the ingredients and hand mixed in a large bowl.  Pour into a spring loaded round pan and bake for 1 hour. (Take the cake out at 40 minutes and cover with aluminum foil for the remaining 20 so the top does not burn). 

*Note-Ground almonds are just almond meal/flour. Whole foods usually has a great selection.  Because of the almond flour, this is a great cake for gluten free and dairy intolerance friends.

Winter Pop

Well, it’s official-Winter is here.  I love the first few weeks before the threat of mounds of snow and grey days.  There’s a crispness in the air, accompanied by the last of the fiery leaves falling. For those less than sunny days ahead, I always find a little pop of color brightens my mood and my outfit.  My go to (really year round) is a fabulous scarf from Theodora & Callum.  I love playing with different ways to wear and nothing can come close to the vibrant colors and unique patterns each piece has.

 

Denim: J Brand (also here-30% off with HOLIDAY30), Sweater: Vince (similar here & here-both on sale!), Booties: Sigerson Morrison (also here-on sale!), Scarf: Theodora & Callum (similar here & here)-30% off all Fall scarves on Theodora & Callum!, Hat: Annabelle NYC (similar here-25% off with SHOPNOW), Sunnies: Ray-Ban-20% off with HOLIDAY!, Ring: Gemma Redux.

Knitted

<Sweater from J.Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW code)>

After our first taste of Winter this week, oversized knits accompanied by Moncler and Canada Goose jackets were suddenly everywhere.  I’m not a huge fan of cold weather, but I do love a good cozy, chunky knit.  I have acquired quite a few given where we live now but each year, still seem to find room to add to the collection.  Here are some of my favorites (currently own and currently lusting after)

 (Left to right) Topshop textured knit// J.Crew grey knit (25% off with SHOPNOW)//Fisherman knit, Rag & Bone chunky//Charcoal Theory sweater//Textured grey funnel knit. 

One of my other favorites here (20% off with HOLIDAY code)

Love Bloomingdales selection of cozy knits (Friends & Family 20% with HOLIDAY code)