Swoon-Worthy Eats: Easy Tortellini & Basil Soup and New Orleans Shrimp & Pasta

This time of year with the cold air and snow and ice makes me crave comfort food.  I thought I'd share two of my favorite recipes for you.   These are both in heavy rotation now on Lenten Fridays.  Enjoy! Mangia!

Easy Tortellini & Basil Soup

This is one of my favorite soups. It's so so easy and so yummy.

Ingredients

Minced garlic, four buds or the equivalent from a jar (I use more)
4 cups chicken broth
1 9 oz package cheese tortellini or mini ravioli
Salt and pepper to taste
1 14 oz can of stewed tomatoes (stick a knife in the can and cut them up before using) or diced tomatoes
1/2 bunch of fresh spinach, washed and stemmed (I use several handfuls of baby spinach)
6 fresh basil leaves, rolled and sliced 
Parmesan cheese

Process:

1.  sautee garlic in a splash of olive oil, about 2 minutes

2.  Stir in broth and tortellini, bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer until tortellini are just tender, about 5 minutes

3.  After the tortellini is tender, stir tomatoes, spinach and basil into soup. Simmer 2 minutes

4.  Serve when the spinach is still bright green. Add parmesan in each bowl. Enjoy the warm, yummy and fragrant goodness!

New Orleans Pasta & Shrimp

Gird your loins because this recipe is garlicky.  Very.  It's soooooooo good.  And pretty easy.  

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs shrimp (pre-cooked)

4 TBSP olive oil

3 or 4 garlic cloves - minced

3/4 tsp salt

2 TBSP butter

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp black pepper

4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 TBSP fresh lemon juice

box of long noodles (linguini, spaghetti, whatever you like)

crusty bread

Process:

1. toss shrimp with 2 TBSP oil, the garlic and 1/2 tsp. salt and let marinate for 15 minutes

2.  start pasta water

3.  heat butter, 2 TBSP olive oil, chili powder, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce and 1 1/4 tsp salt over low heat, stirring until butter is melted.  Add shrimp and heat through

4.  remove shrimp from heat and add lemon juice

5.   combine hot pasta and shrimp.

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Got any recipes that are good for Winter? If you know anything about me, you know I love food.  So share!  I also love kittens and sparkles.  

See you swoon,

Tri-Shorts - a bunch of reviews

I had hoped to be able to share a big ol' playroom reveal today.  But, alas, I cannot.  Because I am not done.  Because I have not yet painted the furniture.  Or done anything at all since my last post about the playroom.  Because triathlon training is taking over my life.  And when I have a free moment, honestly, I want to sit on the couch, watch questionable television and eat snacks and drink beer.  I will get around to painting the furniture.  Just not today.   I should add that I am having some computer/internet issues lately and am working on fixing them.  In the event I cannot do so, my next week's posts may be a bit delayed. Cross your fingers that's not the case!  Eek. 

Anyway. Back to today's post. Instead of a house post, I will review a bunch of tri shorts.  They are:  (1) DeSoto Femme Carerra; (2) SOAS; and (3) Coeur Little Black Tri Short.  

I've found the search for the perfect triathlon short to be a search for the holy grail.  Maybe I am too picky, but I don't think so.  I need something that is comfortable for a 112 mile bike ride, that will get me through the swim and that will feel super comfortable on the run.  So a few months ago, I dropped about $300 on 9 different pairs of tri shorts.  And I returned 8 of them.  The one that made the cut was the DeSoto.

1.  DeSoto Femme Carerra Triathlon Short

I loved the feel of these shorts when I put them on.  They seemed padded enough and I liked where they hit on my leg.  I also loved the waistband, which is a stretchy yoga-pant type waist.  They were true to size: I wore a size Small.  However, when I got on the bike, all hope was lost.  After about 5 minutes, the padding was clearly not enough and the shorts were riding up my legs.  It was a very uncomfortable bike ride.  I've since tried them out twice again and have vowed to never do it again.  They just don't work for me.  At all.  Here they are.  

2.  SOAS Tri Short

I've had these shorts since the Fall and I really love them.  They're the Nantucket Navy style and I have the matching tri top.  They are super comfortable, the padding and chamois are just right, they hit my leg in the exact perfect spot, and the waistband is comfortable.  They are true to size: I am a size small and they fit just great.  Plus, they have pockets in the back and are super cute.  The only drawback: they are lined in white.  I don't understand why SOAS did this!  They are otherwise perfect little shorts!  And granted the fabric is dark, but the white lining brings a host of problems for me.  I may still wear these for shorter races, but I'm not sure they will work for a long race.  The top, on the other hand, is a winner.  I will absolutely wear this top at IMLP.  

3.  Coeur Little Black Tri Shorts

Ding ding ding! Jackpot.  I am in love with Coeur's Little Black Tri Shorts.  While I like the look of the SOAS shorts a little better, these black shorts by Coeur are the absolute winner.  They're very similar in terms of fit and feel: the chamois and padding are perfect.  The waistband is nice and comfortable and hits at a very good spot.  There are back pockets for storage.  I wish they cut a little higher on the thigh, but that's OK.  They are black lined in black!  The sizing is a little nuts - I'm a size medium.  I emailed Coeur about this and they acknowledge that the sizing is off and that the shorts right now run small but that they were adjusting their line so the sizes were more accurate.  Here they are on me:

I'm wearing a polka-dot tri top by SOAS in these pictures, but I like my Nantucket Navy one better, even though the polka-dot one matches a little better.   

So there you go - three reviews.  It's so hard to find a comfortable, stylish tri kit.  Overall, I've found SOAS and Coeur offer the best options.  I just wish their range of sizes was a bit more expansive than it is now so that all women, of all shapes and sizes, could wear them. 

Have a terrific weekend!  Mine will be spent in NJ with Sunday at Devilman, my first tri of the season! It's a "Half Lite" distance: .8 mile swim, 41 mile bike, 8.8 mile run.  I'll be sure to let you know how it went. 

See you swoon,

Gold and Cream Ottoman! I mean Gold and Tan Ottoman!

Breaking news.  Put down your coffee.  Be prepared to have your mind blown.  I replaced my ottoman/coffee table in my living room.  I know ... the excitement is just too much to bear.  Although, there was a bit of unexpected drama involving this purchase.  

My living area is pretty tight - there just isn't much room at all for a coffee table.  I like an upholstered table or bench so that I can use it as a footrest while on the couch.  I found this upholstered bench on Craigslist back in December 2012, which I reupholstered with this white fabric with grey coral and have used ever since:

I love this little thing and I recognized that I was totally playing with fire by having a white bench around two children.  Well, the fire came one day in the form of a nosebleed.  Big had a nosebleed and like a moth to the flame, he got it all over the white ottoman.  No biggie - these things happen. I tried to save it, but alas, the ottoman was stained.  Now, add to that, I while I loved it, it has felt a little too small.  So I kept my eyes open for a better solution.  And I found it!  The Target threshold cream and gold tufted bench. It is exactly what I wanted!  Upholstered, small footprint and a little touch of gold.  Cream! The price was good too, at $99. I used my Target Red Card, so it was actually 5% off and free shipping right to my door.  Yay.

The box arrived and the outside said "color: brown linen".  And I was all ... what?  Who ordered brown?  Not this girl.  This girl doesn't do brown.  I prayed it was a mistake.  But when I opened the box, I was expecting this from the Target website:

And instead, I got this:

Womp. Womp. Womp.  And rage.  This is not cream! Not even close!  Not on any cracked out alternate reality where cream equals tan!  I compared the SKU on my receipt with the SKU online in the hopes that somehow something had gone awry, but alas, this was the same ottoman (note: Target has since changed the description to read "buff beige" and not "cream").  Le sigh.  But as I looked closer, I realized that the color matched my couches perfectly.  So I put it in place and let it sit there for a few hours.  I would come back and check on it, and it kept growing on me.  I loved the size, the gold legs and the tufted top.  Plus, I rationalized, the color would be better with the kids.  So ... I kept it.  And I Scotchguarded the heck out of it.  Here it is again:

As for the little bench, fear not! I'm moving it to the TV area in the playroom.  I need to reupholster it but it will make a perfect coffee table/extra seat for that little space.  And that reminds me ... I need to get started on the big playroom transformation.  It's a doozie.  But I am up for the challenge.  You've seen the pictures in the background of some recent posts.  It is time to attack that job and get 'er done. 

See you swoon,

Mama's Got a Brand New Tri Kit

And I'm going to tell you alllllllll about it.  Here it is!

One of the many tricks to triathlon is figuring out what to wear.  This is not an easy proposition!  You need something that you can wear through the swim, the bike and the run that is (1) tight enough to act as a bathing suit (either on its own or under a wetsuit); (2) fast drying to work after the swim on the bike and the run; (3) supportive enough for the run but without any extra bulk; (4) cushioning enough on the seat so you don't die on the bike ... but not so much cushioning that you cannot run for 3, 6, 13 or 26 miles after; and (5) comfortable enough so you can focus on your race and not feel chafing, rubbing or riding up at any phase of the race.  

For women, there are a bunch of options, but the two main choices are (1) a one piece tri suit or (2) a two piece tri kit [note: for whatever reason, in triathlon and cycling lingo, two pieces are called a "kit"]. I have always worn a one-piece in my races, and if you've read any of my triathlon recaps, you have seen it a bunch!  My suit is the Orca Women's Core Race Suit which I purchased from Swimoutlet.com.  I like my tri suit - it functions well, I don't have issues with chafing, it's comfortable for all the legs of the race and cushioned enough for even a half-iron distance ride and is nice and vented to keep me cool.  The own downsides to the suit are that it's a bear to get off if I have to use the bathroom and ... pardon the total girl in me here ... it's not exactly attractive.  That said, I will *always* (mmmm, ok almost always) choose function over form when it comes to sports, and I was of the belief that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  You can see my tri suit in these pictures. 

I read a bunch of fellow triathletes' blogs, and I kept seeing the women rave about the women's specific kits from SOAS Racing.  I have been thinking about switching to a two piece kit for Ironman Lake Placid, because the odds are, I will want to stop during the run part to use a porta-potty.  And I cannot imagine, after hours on the swim and bike, that I will be up for the contortionist-type maneuvers that I have to go through to get my one piece suit down to use the bathroom.  I loved the philosophy at SOAS (copied from its website): 

SOAS started out as one of the pioneering women's specific triathlon clothing lines in 2010.

Three years later we are finding that the need for edgy, sophisticated, high end women's endurance apparel stretches far beyond triathlon.

SOAS has always offered more than boring black shorts and overly exaggerated "girlie" pink tops, and to this day we are sticking to our roots. "Pink it and Shrink it" is just not acceptable in our eyes. Who says you can't have clothing that is attractive, functional, and fits your body properly... well maybe some of our competitors. That's why we have built an amazing team of athletes, designers, and loyal followers to change the perspective of what's acceptable for women's endurance apparel.

The styles are perfect!  Feminine but not too twee ... there is only one pink tri kit in the lot, and it's still really cool.  They are obviously really popular because this entire Summer I could not find my size anywhere!  Finally a few weeks ago they announced new designs for their Triathlon Kits, and I jumped on it.  I went with the Nantucket Navy, but I'm also loving the Navy Rings and the Polka Dot styles.  For me, dark shorts are an absolute must.  I was a little concerned about the white top ... but it is lined in black and there is no see through.  Here's the kit again!

Now, to be fair, I have not worn the kit at a triathlon yet.  But I did wear it on a 45 minute fluid trainer ride (a fluid trainer is a contraption that you set your road bike on that turns it into a stationery bike -- it's like a treadmill for bikes and it takes up very little room.  If I am home with my kids and cannot get out on a run, you'll find me on my trainer.  get used to hearing me complain about it in the next 10 months).  I liked it on the bike.  The padding was just in the right spot.  The tank was long enough to make me feel covered, but the cut was really comfortable.  I liked where the shorts hit on my legs - a bit higher on the quads than my other tri suit, but in a really good (and frankly flattering) spot.  The shorts did not ride up at all.  I was sweating like an animal (as I always do on the trainer) when I was done and can attest that the lining in the tri tank worked great.  Here I am during and after the trainer workout.  I told you I (love to) hate the trainer.  

during ... counting the minutes til I am done

after - sweating like a wild beast

I also wore the tank on a 15 mile training run.  It was great.  It has a bunch of pockets in the back (not unusual for a tri suit or tri kit) so I could keep my iPod and energy gels in them.  I didn't chafe at all and the tank was super comfortable.  It was also very supportive in the bust - not that I need much, mind you.  But I wore the tank on its own without the need for an extra sports bra under it.  To give you an idea of size, I took a Small in both the top and the bottom.  The bottom fit perfectly.  The top was a little harder: I tried an Extra Small too, but it felt a little too "compression-y".  The Small is more comfortable for sure, and while I am a little worried that it will be a hair big after it gets wet in the swim, I know it will dry eventually, and I'd rather have a bit more "give" on the run.  

I'm very excited about my new purchase!  The test, of course, will be how it performs and how it feels at an actual tri.  I'll put it to the test in the Spring when I start racing again.  I'll be sure to report back!  

See you swoon,

Five Things I'm Loving

Hello hello!  I'm here. I'm alive.  I'm just working and training like a crazy person.  I have a bunch of blog posts waiting to go ... but no time to finish them up.  

September is shaping up to be an intense month.  At work, it's very likely that I will have two trials (one is definite; one is probably 75%).  The kids start school.  Soccer, gymnastics, CCD and unofficial cheerleading (Little wants to cheer for Big's soccer games) start. And race-wise, it's my busiest month ... um ... ever.  I have my Quakerman half iron triathlon the Saturday after Labor Day.  Then the Philadelphia Rock & Roll Half Marathon the next Sunday.  A week's break and then a 100-mile bike ride to support the MS City to Shore effort.  It is a little crazy that by month's end, I will have biked 156 miles and run 26.2 miles in races alone - not including those weekday training rides and runs.  I'll be sure to recap here.  And hopefully pepper the blog with other stuff too.

In the meantime, here are five little things I'm absolutely loving.  Snapped with the ol' iPhone 4 ... because that's how I roll these days.  

(1) new pink Sauconys

I was on a long run recently with my friend Amy. I mentioned at the beginning of the run that I was due for new shoes but hoping to get through my half iron and half marathon with my current ones.  With 8 miles in the bank and 2 to go, I realized that no ... I needed new shoes immediately.  When we got back to the parking lot, we looked at the soles and they were shot.  So off to Famous Footwear I went. I know I wear and love Sauconys, so I just took every single size 7 they had in every style of Saucony, made a pile and tried them all on.  Not surprisingly, in the end, I was down to the Cohesion, which is my style of choice.  There were two colors: grey with blue and PINK with ... I don't even know.  Lots of colors.  I decided to listen to my daughter's inner voice who would surely tell me that the grey ones were "too boyish."  So I bought the pink ones.  They are super pink and super fun and maybe it's in my head, but I think I run faster in them.  It could also have something to do with the fact that the soles are actually supporting me.

(2) Inversion IPA

I found this at my local Whole Foods.  I'm always game for trying a new hoppy IPA, and this one is pretty good.  It has a nice flavor, good balance of hops and a delicious after taste.  I'd get this again for sure.

It is certainly no Hop Devil, which is the IPA by which all other IPAs are judged (by me, but it should be by everyone), but then again, nothing can truly compare to the genius and deliciousness that is my beloved Victory Hop Devil IPA.  I even have a Hop Devil bike jersey, which always gets a lot of attention on the trail.  If Victory Breweries wishes to sponsor a middle of the pack triathlete, I'm your girl.  And I can be paid in Hop Devil currency.

(3) My Trek Lexa

I'm starting to like my bike more and more.  I don't think I will ever *love* it like I *love* running.  But the bike is growing on me.  It helps that the weather is getting cooler.  I had a nice ride with my friend Amy last weekend and the weather was just so perfect.  After my 100 mile bike ride at the end of September, my plan is to upgrade to aero bars, a new seat and new seat position. Oh, and new tape on the handlebars.  I think I'm going blue. Or possibly red. I've always loved the baby blue/red combination.  The pros will love it when they lap me on the IMLP bike course.

(4) Hammer Perpetuem

At the last open water swim I had, the organizers (who are triathlon coaches) had free samples of Hammer products.  One was the Hammer Perpetuem, which I've heard good things about.  It's a sort of energy/protein/carb/whatever drink that you use on long bike rides to keep your energy up.  I used to use diluted Gatorade ... and then tried the Perpetuem.  It was life changing.  I felt so much stronger on the bike, and better yet, I felt amazing when I went from the bike to the run.  I'm a convert.  I'll use this on my half iron and again on my 100 miler.  I didn't experience any tummy issues, but to be fair, I rarely experience tummy issues when I run or bike.  Also, I like the strawberry vanilla flavor.  It kind of tastes like a watered down milkshake.  At least that's what I tell myself.  And I realize this is probably not a selling point to most people.

(5)  Cookie Dough Lara Bars

Finally, I'm in love with the cookie dough flavor Lara bars on long bike rides and triathlons.  I never ate more than energy chews on the bike until this year (primarily because I wasn't doing long distance races) and Amy suggested I give Lara bars a try.  I was not a fan at first ... but then they grew on me and they are super easy to eat on the bike.   I like the cookie dough flavor because there is a sort of gooey center that is as close to cookie dough as a bar made of dates and nuts can be.

I have to laugh because my friend (and Amy's husband) Bill said that it reminded him of the cookie dough energy drink bit on Saturday Night Live (aka: cookie dough sport -- LOL!).  So now every time I take a bite of the bar, I imagine myself on that commercial.  Like this.

On that note, have a fabulous Wednesday.  And if you care to share anything you're currently loving (or hating!), even if it is chugging cookie dough (no judgment), please do.  

See you swoon,

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

... bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things. Oh The Sound of Music.  I love that movie.  I grew up watching it and wanted to be either Maria (who wasn't obsessed with her wedding gown and that train!!), Liesel (I seriously coveted her pink dress in which she sang and danced to "Sixteen Going On Seventeen") and Louisa (she just struck me as the sibling who didn't take anyone's crap).  In any event, that is a very long introduction to today's post: a few of my favorite things.  And I am sorry if that song is now stuck in your head.

Olay CC Cream

I've been hearing the buzz about BB creams and how terrific they are, so I ran out and tried one.  I liked it a lot, but I ended up breaking out a bit, so I consulted my friend Toya, who knows her make-up, and she suggested a CC cream might be a better fit for me. I don't really know the difference between BB and CC, but the Olay CC Cream is amazing. It's lightweight, makes my complexion look smooth and even and has spf 15.  It's perfect for Summer!

Honey Stinger Energy Chews: Cherry Cola Flavor

I use a lot of energy chews when I'm on my bike.  Any distance longer than an hour and especially if I'm doing a run immediately after the ride, I need to make sure to eat often so my energy level stays up. I love the Honey Stinger chews - they're my absolute favorite.  And i just discovered their cherry cola chews.  Um, these suckers taste like Cherry Coke.  They are so delicious.  

Kenra Platinum Shaping Creme

My hair is naturally wavy, so when I blow it dry, I need a smoothing cream to prevent frizzy hair.  I absolutely love the Kenra Platinum Shaping Creme (with the number 7 on it).  A little dab goes a long way and it makes my hair smooth and soft but does not weigh it down.  I just order online.  

Etsy Site: Edor

I recently discovered the Edor site on Etsy.  She makes gorgeous, delicate and simple jewelry, which is totally my style.  I've ordered a silver disc and a gold circle necklace from her and have been so pleased with them.  She makes stunning, understated jewelry that's terrific quality.  

Bag Balm

I am kind of obsessed with Bag Balm.  You've probably seen it a million times on the bottom shelf at the drug store: it's in the green tin.  I use it everywhere: lips, elbows, feet, and to relieve sunburn pain and chafing from my runs.  I also swear by it for keeping feet smooth: I just smooth a ton of it on my feet at bedtime and in the morning, my feet are buttery soft. 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish

I have to paint my nails each week or I have a tendency to bite them.  Which is to say, I definitely bite them.  It is a horrible habit I've had since I was a kid. But if my nails are painted, I don't do it.  So I take some time each Sunday and paint my nails.  I recently discovered the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polish (it was on sale at my CVS).  I.  Love.  It.  It actually looks like a salon manicure when it dries!  And it doesn't chip.  I prefer it to any of my other polishes, and most of them are at least twice the price.  I have it in pink, but I'm definitely going to buy more colors. 

Truffle Tremor Cheese

Oh cheese.  Oh truffles.  OMG.  I like to buy a really yummy cheese once a week that I nibble on when I get home from work or when I'm making dinner.  My absolute favorite is the Cypress Grove Truffle Tremor goat cheese.  It's got a bunch of different textures and flavors and the kick of truffle sets it over the edge from amazing to FREAKING UNREAL.  I'm sorry for the all caps, but I have to shout.  It's not cheap, but it is worth every goat-cheese-and-truffle-buying penny.   I don't bother with crackers. I just cut it up and eat from a plate.  And then I lick the plate.  Oh ... even the picture makes me want it.   

Dark & Stormy Cocktail

I'm loving the Dark & Stormy cocktail!  It's made with black seal rum (or any dark rum) and ginger beer.  I had some black seal rum on hand from the Winter ... I added a shot of it to some black coffee on some cold Winter days.  So when I saw this recipe, even though I don't like ginger beer at all, I decided to give it a whirl.  It's sooo good.  Here's the recipe:

* 2 oz dark rum (I use Black Seal)
* 3 oz ginger beer
* lime

Fill highball glass with ice.  Pour rum over ice.  Fill glass with ginger beer.  Squeeze lime. Stir.  Enjoy.

There you have it!  A round-up of a bunch of things I'm loving lately.  What about you?  Got anything you'd like to share? 

See you swoon,

note: none of the above companies or products have comped us for today's post.  

Anthropologie Haul

Why.  Why do I even go into Anthropologie?  And why do I go in when I know there is a big sale?  Because I know what will happen: I will buy things.  And that is what happened last weekend.  I got lured in by this little siren song:

I went in with a purpose: I wanted to get some coasters.  I love the Celestial Coasters and wanted to pick some up.  My store sells them individually for $8 each, so I grabbed two of the pink ones and figure I'll head back (of course) and pick up a few more.  

I could have stopped there.  I could have just taken my new beautiful coasters to the checkout and paid $16 and walked out. But I didn't.  I figured I was there, and maybe I could find a steal in the sale section.  So that's where I went.  I went into the sale section and of course I found two great things: sunglasses and a cute belt.

The sunglasses were $19 and are the style I love: a sort of oversized cat eye Jackie O sunglass.  These are similar, but I don't think they are exactly it. 

I also found an adorable warm-pink beaded belt: the Bowline Belt.  It was on sale for $30, which was more than I wanted to spend, but I loved the way it looks.

I think it will look fabulous with the coral dress my mom made for me for Jamie's wedding.  This one below.  I have a couple of weddings coming up, so I think I can wear the dress again and add a new, sparkly detail to it.   

I didn't see any clothes I liked in the sale section, but of course that did not stop me from scouring every single rack in the store.  I went into the dressing room with an arm full of dresses and thankfully came out with just one: the Intersections Day Dress.  At $68 it was (clearly) not on sale, but I loved the way it fit and thought the neckline and shoulder area were so flattering.  I walked around the store with it for awhile (again: scoping out the racks) and decided to bring it home.  I'm glad I did! Here it is on, but you'll have to wait for a future "What I Wore" post to see how I ended up styling it.

That's my haul.  As soon as I got in the car after shopping, I texted Jamie and said:

Hi.  Next time I say I'm going to Anthropologie, please tackle me and punch me in the face.  Thanks.

Jamie replied:

LOL.  What did you do??

I replied:

I don't even know.

Ha.  From what I recall, Anthropologie has another pretty good summer sale at the end of July.  So unless Jamie makes good on her promise to tackle and punch me (and maybe despite her doing so), I will be there.  I need a couple more coasters, after all.   

See you swoon,

Note: anthropologie has not paid or otherwise comped me for today's post.  They are welcome to do so at any time, though! 

Nantucket Red Skirt: a year's worth of use!

Don't you just love it when you prove yourself right?  I sure do.  Case in point, my Nantucket Red skirt I picked up last Summer.  I had been coveting the look of a Nantucket Red skirt -- that faded, beachy red -- and finally bit the bullet and purchased the real deal from Murray's Toggery shop in Nantucket by ordering online.  The skirt was about $65, so I resolved to try to wear it beyond the Summer.  And I've made good!  I wore it in the Summer, and Fall, and Winter and now Spring!

Here's what I did for my Spring look:

I wore a striped, fitted top from H&M tucked into the skirt.  I loved how nautical it felt.  I was thrilled to realize my new coral wedges (from TJ Maxx) looked like a perfect match to the Nantucket Red!  So I wore them with it.  

And now for a round up of how my little skirt fared in each of the four seasons:

Summer

chambray shirt, brown leather belt and brown leather cork wedges

Fall

cream cowl neck shell, ruffly tan cardigan, bare legs, tall brown riding boots

Winter

Cream cotton Irish sweater, yellow polka dotted scarf, brown tights, brown riding boots

Spring

black and white striped top, coral wedges

And there you go! Four full seasons and one little skirt.  I'd say I've gotten my money's worth and then some.  I'll keep posting outfit ideas for this little guy.  I still have some ideas ...

See you swoon,