FASHION FRIDAY: BLACK FRIDAY PATTERN MIXING

Happy Black Friday!  I'm not brave enough with two kids to want to head out to the stores to shop today.  Instead, I'm doing a little online shopping and hosting Thanksgiving at my house, and this is what I'm wearing.  I decided to do a little pattern mixing!  I think when pattern mixing is done right it can look so cool!  To be completely honest, I have definitely had a few "oops that didn't work" moments with mixing, but I think this one worked out okay.  By the way, I'm wearing quite a lot of Stella & Dot jewels!  Stella & Dot is having a great Black Friday sale which runs through Sunday...tons of beautiful stuff already on sale is an additional 25% off!  Shop my link here and remember to also come check out my stuff at the Asbury Park Winter Fresh Pop Up Show tomorrow!

Turtleneck: H&M (similar here)

Jacket: South Moon Under (similar here and here)

Pants: Old Navy

Shoes: Coach (similar here)

Bag: DVF

Necklaces: Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3

Bracelet: Stella & Dot (on sale here!)

ACCESSORIZING FOR TEMPLE GOURMET

After growing up in New York City, I am always hard-pressed to find good bagels, good pizza and good Chinese food.  Sorry if any of you guys disagree, but I just think the Big Apple does these things right.  Well, I have to say that I found a Chinese restaurant- in NEW JERSEY- that serves some of the BEST Chinese food on the other side of the George Washington Bridge...Temple Gourmet Chinese Restaurant in Red Bank, New Jersey!

This BYOB, located on Broad Street, serves killer dumplings, ribs, and mu-shu pork.  We've also tried their chicken imperial (like a General Tso's), sesame chicken and beef and broccoli which were all tasty as well.  The ambiance is a little more upscale, but thankfully the prices are not.  Service is also great.  We've been there twice already, and I'm sure we'll back back again soon!

Here is what I wore to Temple Gourmet Chinese Restaurant...I am a big fan of accessories!  I love everything from jewelry to scarves, belts, and hats...you name it- because I think they can add that extra bit of pop to an otherwise dull outfit.  Here are some of my latest accessory purchases (all under $20 each) that I feel my wardrobe was just lacking- a black floppy hat, a faux fur scarf, and a leopard-print belt.  I was just wearing jeans a black top to lunch, but with these extra accessories, I think the outfit looks a little more finished!

Hat: Target

Scarf: Windsor

Belt: J Crew Factory

Jacket: LOFT

Top: H&M

Jeans: GAP

Booties: Vince Camuto

Bag: Louis Vuitton

JIMMY'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT ASBURY PARK, NJ

Chicken Parmigiana, Spaghetti and Meatballs and Penne Bolognese are classic Italian dishes.  But, try to find them on menus other than in pizza shops these days and you'll either be hard pressed or if you do, then you might be disappointed (chicken is thick, not breaded, light on the cheese- you follow, right?).  That is why during the many times we've gone out to eat in Asbury Park we've said we must try Jimmy's Italian Restaurant.  It's has an "old-school" menu with all the classics you'd expect, it always has a crowd, and it's been around for more than thirty years!  Well, this past Sunday we finally went, and I can tell you...we'll be back!

We kept it simple (since we were dining with our little boys), and just ordered house salad and chicken parmigiana.  The salad was nice ( mixed greens, topped with black olives, red onions, roasted red peppers, and mushrooms- we ordered ours topped with salami and cheese as well) and we had it with the house dressing (a thick anchovy-Ceasar)...delicious!  Next was our chicken parmigiana- nice and thinly pounded out- lots of cheese, and marinara that has me salivating just writing about it.  We both ordered penne marinara on the side and the pasta was nice and al dente.  We also had a good bottle of wine, and the bread was hot and fresh right out of the oven.  As for the look of the restaurant- you may drive right past it, or reconsider when you see the non-glamorous exterior.  Once inside, the ambiance is nothing fancy either, but you have your choice of booth or table in one of three rooms (the first is where you enter with a bar, the second is what I consider the nicest of the three, and the third makes me feel like you're in a banquet hall)- nevertheless, I go to restaurants more for the food than the ambiance.

Other things you can expect to find on the menu are fried calamari, scallops, clams casino, pizzas, pastas, steak and fish.  The prices are reasonable (more than a pizza shop, but less than a fine dining restaurant), and the service was good- attentive, but not overbearing.  Bottom line, Jimmy's Italian Restaurant has been in Asbury Park, New Jersey for as long as it has for good reason- it's good Italian food...PERIOD.  Here's what I wore to Jimmy's...

Top: J Crew Factory (similar here and here)

Sweater: H&M (similar here and here)

Jeans: GAP

Belt: J Crew Factory

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelets: Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3

Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs (similar here)

Shoes: Jessica Simpson (similar here and here)

Bag: Prada

LAST FRIDAY NIGHT

Last Friday night my husband and I did something we haven't done in a REALLY long time...we went out to dinner with friends!  I know some of you may be thinking, "wow, why don't you do that more often?"  Well, the simple answer is...we have two little ones.  Anyway, we went to Brighton Beach, Brooklyn for a fun traditional Russian dinner and show at Tatiana Restaurant.  The food was not great, but the show was a lot of fun!  The other great part was it gave me a reason to dress up...and it was even more of an excuse for me to head to the mall to find something new and fun to wear!  I ran into H&M, and with only ten minutes to shop...I picked out this entire outfit...everything from the top, to the skirt and tights.

Top: H&M

Skirt: H&M (similar here)

Tights: H&M

Clutch: Stella & Dot

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelets: Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3

Shoes: Coach (similar here)

FASHION FRIDAY: RUSTIC WEAR

This is what I wore to head to the beach last weekend with my husband and our boys.  I know, not really "rustic," but for a New York/New Jersey girl who spends a lot of time in the city, hiking around the beach on a cool fall day is "rustic" for me...lol!  But, the other reason for the name of this post is because of my bracelet from Rustic Cuff.  I saw this cuff online recently and really wanted one personalized with the names of my sons.  I have a thing for monogrammed or personalized jewelry, and I have to say I love how it came out...I wear it all of the time!

Jacket: Tulle
Sweater: Banana Republic (similar here)
T-Shirt: American Apparel
Jeans: LOFT
Boots: Sperrys
Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs
Scarf: Stella & Dot
Bracelet: Rustic Cuff

STELLA & DOT AND ASBURY FRESH

I just love scarves!  I love them because they are stylish, they are great for travel, and because they can add that little extra something to any outfit.  When I saw this scarf from Stella & Dot, I knew I wanted it.  It has some black and white animal print and some color...great combination if you ask me!  You will definitely see me wearing this scarf many times...it's one of my favorite new accessories from the Holiday 2013 Line.  By the way, now is a good time to tell you that I recently became a Stella & Dot Independent Stylist which means I represent the line.  I love their jewelry (everything from earrings, to necklaces and bracelets), as well as scarves, bags, wallets and plenty more!  Please let me know if I can help you style anything from their line.  You will see me wearing a lot of Stella & Dot pieces and I'd love to see you in them too!

Top: J. Crew Factory

Jacket: TJ Maxx

Jeans: LOFT

Boots: Vince Camuto

Scarf: Stella & Dot

Bag: Urban Outfitters (similar here)

I also wanted to mention that I'll be representing the Stella & Dot line at a table at the Asbury Park Winter Fresh "Pop-Up" Market next Saturday.  So after you've filled yourself with turkey on Thursday, and hassled with the crowds in the mall on Black Friday, head on down to the beach in Asbury Park, New Jersey to check out Stella & Dot and other great local vendors and cross some holiday shopping off your to-do list!

WHEN: Saturday, November 30, 2013

TIME: 12-6pm

WHERE: 639 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: GOING GEOMETRIC

In the spring and summertime I love skirts, but in the fall and wintertime I rarely wear them.  (It's much easier to throw on jeans with two kids versus a skirt and tights), but when I saw this geometric printed skirt I knew I had to break out from my norm because the pattern is so different and so fun!

Top: J Crew Factory

Sweater: GAP (similar here)

Belt: Arden B (similar here)

Skirt: J Crew Factory

Tights: HUE

Shoes: Nine West (similar here and here)

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelet: Sira & Mara

Bag: Louis Vuitton

WHAT'S OLD IS ALWAYS NEW

I've written about Old San Juan, Puerto Rico many times before on this blog.  Not only do I love it because my family is from there and I grew up vacationing there, but also because of its proximity to New York, its beautiful Caribbean waters, and its rich culture and delicious food!  So you can imagine my excitement when I saw an article in my December/January issue of Coastal Living magazine raving about Old San Juan, Puerto Rico as the perfect waterfront weekend spot!  They even compare the beautiful, tiny island to having the charm of Cordoba, Spain, yet much closer and with blue water surrounding you.  Here are their suggestions of what to do and where to stay when you visit...some I've been to (Hotel El Convento, Isla Verde Beach and Old San Juan), and some will be on my list of places to visit next time I'm there!
STAY: Hotel El Convento
SIP: Coffee with steamed milk at Cafe Cuatro Sombras
SHOP: Ole Boutique in Old San Juan
PLAY: Isla Verde Beach
DINE: Aquaviva- a restaurant serving modern Latino-Caribbean fusion cuisine