FASHION FRIDAY: SIRA & MARA

For those of you who read this blog or who follow me on Instagram, you know that I am a HUGE fan of Sira & Mara.  Sira & Mara is a fantastic online accessories boutique that sells everything from pretty necklaces, to fun bracelets, scarves and leg warmers.  The motto of the company is "Accessories that break the rules, not the bank!"  And, as a mom of two who loves to shop and loves to wear stylish things, that definitely is something I like!  I mean really...who doesn't love to wear on-trend accessories that you can buy ranging in price from about $5.99-$21.99???  But, the real reason why I continue to shop at Sira & Mara is because of the owner and founder Sandy Bodeau!  Now, Sandy and I have never met in person, we've only become friends through Instagram (which may sound crazy), but we've really connected and continue to do so almost every day.  Sandy has a special way about her that she loves to connect with people and she makes her customers feel like friends, not just people placing orders online from her website.  I only know a little bit about Sandy's story, but it is truly amazing.  She moved here less than a decade ago from Spain with only a few hundred dollars in her pocket, but she had a vision and she had a dream and that was to create Sira & Mara.  And since then she has worked so hard to make her business become a success.  She mostly uses social media outlets like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to promote her line instead of marketing.  She is dedicated, she is kind, she is compassionate, she loves her family and her friends, and she has a really big heart and soul!  That's why I really love wearing her stuff!  I wear it with pride!  I get compliments all of the time from people asking me where I got my necklace from.  I'm always so happy to introduce them to Sira & Mara, and they're always excited to know that they can get the beautiful jewelry without burning a hole in their wallet!  I hope to meet Sandy one day in person because she is just AWESOME!!!

Now onto this gorgeous necklace!!!  There's a really fun story behind it!

The other night I got a package in there mail from Sandy with this necklace and a letter inside to me and two other fashion bloggers (Lauren McBride and Theresa Millio).  Sandy wrote that this necklace never actually made it into production for Sira & Mara, but she loves it so much that she wants to share the love by letting us "borrow" it and wear it before finally mailing it back to her.  She calls it the #Sisterhoodofthetravelingnecklace!!!  I mean, how fun is that?  I can keep the necklace and wear it as many times as I want to before mailing it off to Lauren, and Lauren to Theresa.  Here I paired it with a new fun and colorful aztec sweater, boyfriend jeans and booties.  I think I want to wear it with a dress next because it is just so stunning!   Anyway, I just had to tell you all about Sira & Mara, Sandy Bodeau and the fun story behind today's post!  Hope you all have a great weekend, and I'll catch up with you here on Monday!

Necklace: Sira & Mara (not available, but love this and this and this)
Top: Forever 21
Sweater: Katherine's Boutique
Jeans: Forever 21
Booties: DV by Dolce Vita via Marshalls 
Bag: H&M
Sunnies: Marc Jacobs (old, similar here)

TASTY TALULA'S

Asbury Park's motto is "It's Happening," and based on the experience we had at one of this Jersey Shore town's newest restaurants, it is!  Talula's, located on Cookman Avenue in downtown Asbury Park, New Jersey, first opened its doors on Halloween day last year.  It's now three months in, but this past Sunday we finally got to experience it, and we were just blown away!!!

The space at Talula's is like an open loft with high ceilings and brick walls.  The decor is simple with hardwood floors and wood tables and chairs.  To me it is very California clean which I just love!  The service is also incredible, and very family friendly too!  My sister-in-law was visiting, so between her twin 2.5 year old girls, and my 4 year old and 2 year old, I think it's safe to say most restaurants would have wanted to turn us away.  Instead, we were greeted with a basket of toys for the little ones and a highchair (something not every restaurant in this town has on hand).

  (Photo Credit: Behance)

As for the food, it is phenomenal...period!!!  We tried as much as our tummies could handle off of the brunch menu, which included some delicious (and addicting) cocktails like the Gin & Jam (made with gin, lemongrass simple syrup, cranberry jam and lime), and the Brooklyn (not pictured; which has rye, dry vermouth, maraschino liquor and mere nouvelle).

 We also had two of their pizzas- The New Yorker (tomato sauce, fresh + aged mozzarella and provolone), and a Pepperoni which has thinly sliced chorizo on it.  These pies were as good, if not better than some of the best pies I have had in New York!  The dough is sourdough (baked fresh daily at Talula's), and the ingredients are so fresh!  In fact, many of them come from The Homestead at Seven Arrows Farm (the CSA that we belong to which I've talked about before here).

 We also had some of their more breakfast items like the toast with Avocado + Pickled Veggies + Salsa Verde...The Fresh Ricotta + Soft Scrambled Egg Toast...and the toast with Benton's Bacon + Fried Farm Egg + Cheddar.  The two later ones came with a small side salad (from Seven Arrows), and were simply amazing.

 We also got to try the Brown Rice Porridge (which I would like to start my day with each and every morning)...It has coconut milk, cardamom, vanilla bean, cranberry jam and marcona almonds.  And quite possibly the best thing on the menu was their Apple Cider Donuts!!!  They were hot, gooey, and served with fresh whipped cream.  Unfortunately, we scarfed these last things down so quickly, I forgot to snap some pictures, but if you look at my son's face while enjoying the donuts...well, need I say more???

Bottom Line: Talula's is such a welcome addition to Asbury Park.  

Fresh, local, farm to table ingredients, and bread that will just knock your socks off!    

This place is amazing and we can't wait to go back!

TALULA'S

550 Cookman Avenue #108

Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

(732) 455-3003

Open Tuesday-Sunday