PLEATED SKIRT, GRAPHIC TEE, DENIM JACKET - FALL FASHION

Fall is here and I realized in a hot minute that I hadn't done an outfit post in the blog! Right now, the weather in KC is a mix of warmer days and cooler mornings. The perfect mix almost. So light layering and I am good for the day.

One of my favorite outfit combos in Fall is to pair a skirt, graphic tee, and a denim jacket. brownie points if the skirt is a pleated midi skirt. I have such a weakness for everything pleated, as you had seen in my last outfit post on the blog. It just elevates any outfit, I believe. This yellow pleated skirt is an oldie but a goodie. I had probably bought it three years ago when I was outfit planning for a season of Kansas City Fashion Week. Have worn it also for a few other special occasions, and this skirt has always been a conversation starter. Since this season for KCFW has been a virtual one, I still needed a few outfit posts on my blog. 

Graphic tees are another favorite, as I love pairing them with shorts and a blazer, or denim or skirts. They are that fun element in your outfit. This particular graphic te is a new one, and a special one, as it was a Mother's Day gift from my children and their dad. 

Whenever I write about fashion/style or outfit planning on my blog, I always mention classics. A classic is a wardrobe staple, that you invest in, and which sees you through years/seasons. They are versatile pieces, which can be styled so many ways. A denim jacket is one such classic wardrobe staple, I believe everyone should have in their closet. The one I am wearing here is a slightly cropped version, but I do also have a slightly oversized, boxier one too. 

Outfit planning is all about maintaining the balance of volume. Which in simple words means, if you have something voluminous, pair it with something more fitted to offset it/ to complement it. In this case, the flowy skirt is complemented by the fitted jacket. 

Let's talk accessories, shall we? Since it is still warm, I decided to wear espadrilles. If it was cooler, I would worn leggings and booties with this outfit. Some silver earrings and some deep plum lipstick - MAC Rebel! 

Last but not least, is the location chosen for these photos! I usually used to take outfit photos in front of the red brick wall, in front of our older home, or in front of the taupe colored garage door. I know garage doors are a universal choice for bloggers for taking their outfit photos. Till my friend and fab photographer, Bodhi ( Bodhipix on Instagram) asked me to think beyond the garage door. So here is a try in taking some pictures in my background, with the last of the late summer blooms. I shall keep experimenting a bit more with locations close to home. 

Shop the Fall outfit: 

18

CUCUMBER COOLER COCKTAIL - FROM GARDEN TO TABLE

                                                                                                           

Summer is almost over, but I wanted to cherish a bit of Summer in my glass. Just like every other Midwesterner, I had my bounty from my kitchen garden. Among the vegetables I do every year, salad cucumber and mint always find a pride of place. This year, my husband decided to re-create an iconic cocktail at home - Bobby Flay's Cucumber Cooler Cocktail. 

With the pandemic, dining to on our patio became a celebration. So in addition to trying out new recipes for grilling, we tried our hand at mixology. from iconic favorites like Old fashioned and White Russian, we tried out Cucumber Cooler. Both of us have had cucumber cocktails in the past which we had ordered at restaurants. It made sense to try and recreate a taste and flavor which we were familiar with.  

 

Cucumber cocktails can be made with both vodka and gin, depending on preferences. Also, Bobby uses cucumber vodka, but we used regular vodka. We decided to opt for vodka as that's what we had on hand. We used mojito mint in ours, but a few different varieties of mint can be used, as long its not spearmint or chocolate mint. So if you are looking for a refreshing cocktail, go ahead and give it a try. And maybe preserve a few Summer memories in your heart as the cooler days swing in.

CUCUMBER COOLER COCKTAIL: 

Recipe adapted from Bobby Flay

Ingredients: 

Vodka: 1 cup 

Tonic Water: 1 cup 

Cucumber Juice: 1/2 cup

Fresh Lime Juice: 1/4 cup

Simple Syrup: 1/4 cup (Heat equal amounts of sugar and water, till the sugar dissolves. Cool and use) 

Mint Leaves: A handful 

Ice cubes

Procedure: 

Divide the ingredients in half and add each half to a cocktail shaker. Combine and serve over ice! 

Bon Appetit!

1

PLEATED SWING DRESS - DATE NIGHT/SPECIAL OCCASION EDITION

                                       

Summer is on its way out and I had to share the outfit which screams Summer Date night! Or Special Occasion! Many of you, have been wanting to know, what I wore for my Naturalization ceremony. I had shared glimpses of my husband's outfit on IG and FB so it made sense that I did an outfit post on my outfit as well.

I had been looking for either a red, white, or a blue dress. But somehow all that I picked up for myself were quite a few different blue dresses. The one which made the cut for the final day was this Pleated Swing Dress from Express, or as the Express website calls it - Pleated Trapeze Dress! And guess what, it is on sale now.

I have always been a fan of accordion pleats. While I do have quite a few skirts with accordion pleats, it is my first pleated dress. I am petite and critics would argue, that the length is tricky. I feel its the length that flatters the swing of the fabric. The navy is also the perfect complement to my warm undertone and warm hair color. I paired it with my leopard pumps and Zebra clutch, along with my Chanel sunglasses. My earrings are Sugarfix by Baublebar which were a Mother's Day gift! It was an important day, and I couldn't be happier with the dress I picked out. It was the perfect dress to bid goodbye to Summer with! 

0