New Website

Hi Readers,

I am so happy to announce that I have a new website: www.adahliavolk.com. It is a combination of my website and my blog. It has been so great blogging on WordPress, but I wanted to move forward and merge the two sites, so I will no longer be blogging on WordPress. I hope you will follow me to the new site and follow my blog there. The new site has some really great features; Ask a Style Question, Press, and a place to sign up for my newsletter! You can follow me on Bloglovin’ too. Thanks everyone for reading and I look forward to your comments in the future!

xoxo

Chrissy

www.adahliavolk.com

 

Trending: Let’s get Nordic!

Being warm and comfortable in the Winter is a must, but looking sleek while doing this can prove to be a task.  This season warm up to one of the most prominent trends, all things Nordic. Shearling lined, fur lined, cashmere clad clothes are in abundance making for one comfortably chic season. Having these styles so popular this season will help us look more feminine and less snow man. The intricate details of Nordic sweaters and prints adds detail to otherwise basic sweaters, and fur trimmed outerwear or accessories will simultaneously be posh and toasty.

(Micro-trend: I have noticed a lot of refined sweatpants being worn with flats and booties as part of weekend wear, this creates some really weekend chic looks. Rejoice that this sporty luxe look can not to be worn just at home, but out around town too. Plus, these pants are a great alternative to leggings! *I am not exactly saying this is a free pass to wear printed pajama pants out of the house. I am discussing knit pants in flattering silhouettes. So, take a second and at least switch your bottoms. You will be on the heels of this very urban chic trend!

Details (starting with the vest going down in rows)

Vest Vince Camuto $136.50

Fairisle Sweater Topshop $76

Knit Pants J.Crew $59.50

Earmuffs Madewell $39.50

Antler Ring House of Harlow $75

Poncho Quicksilver $82.50

Eskimo Bootie Belle By Sigerson Morrison $450

Shearling Bag: Free People $229

Toggle Coat Quiksilver $134.50

Red Plaid Pants Current Elliot $190

Shearling Lined Boots Matt Bernson $275

Salmon Florentine and Quinoa Pilaf

A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Ellie Krieger, she is a food network star, celebrity chef and nutritionist. I met her on a book tour, while promoting her book So Easy. She was equally as pleasant and kind in person as she is on TV. Since receiving this book at the speaking engagement, I have used it countless times and it probably my most used cookbook. Every dish that I have tried in the book, literally is so easy and quite healthy. The Salmon Florentine recipe with Quinoa Pilaf is one my favorites. The topping on the salmon really adds such an amazing flavor, you can really taste all of the individual ingredients,  and the quinoa is the perfect counterpart. (I added the steamed asparagus just because I was in the mood for it!)

Leather Shorts and Comfy Sweaters

For quite some time I was on the hunt for Leather Shorts. I thought they would be such a great addition to my wardrobe- you can wear them multiple season, they go with quite a few different styles and there is just something indeniably cool about leather anything.  I finally found a pair a few months back, on sale nonetheless, and I love that they are good length and not very tight. I will most likely be wearing these shorts during the Holiday season with an embellished tank and blazer or a tank and embellished blazer- take your pick. But, right now I am enjoying pairing them with a bright button down blouse, crew neck sweater and peep toe booties.

Outfit Details:

Blouse: Forever 21

Sweater: Gap

Shorts: Sparkle and Fade

Booties: Belle by Sigerson Morrison

Necklace: J.Crew

Watch: Michael Kors

Nail Polish: Black Cherry Chutney OPI

What to wear with a: Cardigan

I have discussed before that the most common questions I field are, what do I wear with that? “That” being a pair of pants, a skirt, top, etc… Since the cooler temps and Winter months are upon us I found it appropriate to discuss, What to Wear with a Cardigan.  It’s so easy to throw on a tank, cami or t-shirt underneath. But I think it’s important to showcase pieces beyond that parameter, to keep the look exciting.

I personally like to have my arms covered during this time of year so a sleeveless top doesn’t really cut it for me. Adding texture, color, patterns, embellishments tops are great way to transform a cardigan from looking ordinary to extraordinary. For example, if the cardigan in  combination #1 was paired with a plain t-shirt than the the outfit would look well, plain. Pairing it with a patterned top keeps it fresh and interesting. Finishing the outfit with black skinny pants or a straight leg pant would complete this outfit nicely.

1. Cardigan: Topshop, Blouse: J.Crew

2. Cardigan: J.Crew, Blouse: Romwe

3. Cardigan: Romwe, Blouse: Marc by Marc Jacobs

4. Cardigan: Topshop, Blouse: Vince

5. Cardigan: Topshop, Blouse: Madewell

* Madewell is having a sale this weekend, 25% off Fall Favorites!

Couscous Stuffed Peppers

I grew up eating Stuffed Peppers. They were normally stuffed with ground meat, rice and onions, topped with tomato sauce and then popped in the oven until the sauce started to bubble. While I still love this method for Stuffed Peppers because it reminds me of my childhood, I wanted to find a different rendition on this classic. I came across this recipe and I thought it sounded mouth watering. It took a few minutes to prepare and assemble, but the results were absolutely delicious.  The combination of chick peas, feta and basil sauce was so delectable- this dish will definitely be made again, in the very near future.

Basics that Rock

I have been a long time fan of dressing up a casual tee with a large ornate necklace. The contrast of the fancy necklace against a gray tee really elevates the outfit and compliments it perfectly. I decided that the remaining accessories should be a little edgier: a pointy leaf ring, metal-heeled booties and a sleek black clutch. Finishing off the outfit with the ever so versatile black blazer.

This ensemble was particularly perfect going to a show to see The Sounds. If you are unfamiliar with The Sounds, I highly recommend you check them out. They are a Swedish Indie Rock band that produces dancey songs with lyrics that almost anyone can relate to. The bonus is that the lead singer, Maja, is pretty bad ass! Check out the video below for a sample.

Outfit Details: T-shirt - Forever 21, Blazer - H+M, Necklace - Forever 21, Jeans - Gap, Clutch - Chanel, Ring - Forever 21, Booties - Chanel

Boots, all under a $100!

Continuing with the theme of earlier this week and how to look great on a budget. I researched some great boots and they are all under a $100.  Since all of these boots are more reasonably priced, there is no need to choose just one style for this season. You can choose many!!! A few of these boots are highly versatile though. Boots # 2,6 and 8 could be worn with flared jeans, wide leg pants or paired with a skirt.  Talk about bang for your buck!

1.Ingram Bootie $89

2. Pura Bootie $96

3. Lace Up Boot $79.99

4. Knee Boot  $69

5. Tall Knee Boot $55.99

6. Platform Bootie $69

7. Suede Platform Boot $99.95

8. Platform Lace Up Shoe Boot $71.88

Cheap Thrills

Lately, more so than usual, I have been finding great deals on exceptional pieces. Some items are on sale, while others are well priced to begin with. I have always believed that looking amazing on a daily basis does NOT have to cost a fortune and can be done on any budget. I never discount (no pun intended) sale racks and lower price point retailers. Below are pieces that I found to be pretty remarkable for the price!

Forever 21 - $14.80

H+M - $19.95

Dolce Vita $48 - on sale.

Turquoise Rhinestone Necklace and Gold Rhinestone Ring- Forever 21, both under $7.00. Rhinestone and Tortoise Shell Necklace - J.Crew, on sale $20.00

Halloween Treats

I was going to do a post of something completely non-Halloween related then I realized that probably wouldn’t be the most interesting on this ghoulish Holiday. Instead I gathered up some pictures I found of great Halloween decor, treats and party decorating ideas. Hope everyone has a howling good time. Happy Halloween!!!

*Images from Pinterest, google.com, marthastewart.com, bhg.com, parents.com, thecraftedsparrow.com