Casual in Vegas

 

This was an easy travel outfit, perfect for some window shopping.  Normally I hit up the outlets whenever I go to Vegas, but with the 110+ degree weather, an outdoor outlet mall was just simply out of the question.  Instead, we strolled around in the air-conditioned comfort of both the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace and Fashion Show Mall (I love how they have Topshop!).  I made no big purchases this trip, but picked up a couple fun, inexpensive items that were on sale.  

On a side note, I was super excited when I saw a Joe's Stone Crab restaurant in the Forum Shops.  It was one of my favorite restaurants when Dr. S and I visited Miami a couple years ago.  We stopped in for lunch, and had some deliciously juicy crab claws dipped in their irresistible sweet mustard sauce.  I highly recommend it!

Cashmere tank: Neiman Marcus (similar here).  Floral skirt: Joie 'Sisily skirt'.  Gold heeled sandals: Sam Edelman 'Trina'.  Handbag: Torula Bags.  Bracelets: Vita Fede and Anthropologie.  Sunglasses: STUNglasses.

Work Outfit Series: Under My White Coat #3

So far in this series, we've talked about wearing bright colors and bold prints under your white coat to jazz up your hospital wear.  Today, we're focusing on jewelry...specifically the statement necklace.  I can't tell you how many compliments I got when I wore this necklace to work.  The little bit of bling really shines under the big shapeless white coat.

I usually keep my jewelry pretty simple.  Even with the statement necklace, you'll always find a thinner, more simple chain or necklace around my neck.  I use this to hold my rings when I'm scrubbed in the OR.  I rarely wear bracelets, as they get in the way during physical exams, and are one more thing to lose when I'm changing in the OR locker room.  And lastly, I always wear earrings since a common phrase is "look straight ahead at my ear" when examining my patients at the slit lamp.  Therefore, I am always looking for embellished necklaces and fun earrings to add to my collection.

 White flutter sleeve blouse: H&M.  White tank: J. Crew 'Perfect-fit Tank'. 
Gold pencil skirt: Custom from Shanghai (props to Mr. J for making me a bunch of these on a business trip to China). 
Crystal and neon necklace: J. Crew Factory (similar here). Tan leather wedges: Tory Burch (similar here).

Blueberry Crumb Bars

The last time I saw my mom, she gave me a huuuuge container of blueberries from Costco.  Since it's only the two of us at home, it's hard to eat so many berries before they get spoiled.  These blueberry crumb bars were perfect dessert to bring to a girls' night potluck dinner with some coworkers.  They are full of fresh blueberry flavor with a sweetness that's not cloying.  The added lemon brings a bright flavor and counterpoint to the blueberries.  I just love blueberry and lemon together!  The crumbly buttery crust works as a topping too, making these super easy to throw together.  Plus, they are perfect at room temperature, but are also delicious served cold.  I had just a few leftover, enough to make for a quick breakfast with my coffee the next morning.

Blueberry Crumb Bars
From smittenkitchen.com (one of our favorite food blogs!) and adapted from AllRecipes.com.  Yield: Cut into 18 rectangles
 
Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cold unsalted butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest and juice of one lemon
4 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.

In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, and baking powder. Mix in salt and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.

In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. (This took an extra 10 to 15 minutes in my oven.) Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Simple Black Lace

We spent last weekend in Vegas, where the high for the day topped off at a toasty 117 degrees.  I felt like a chocolate chip cookie being baked in a hot oven!  And while beads of sweat formed on my forehead as soon as I stepped outside, the casinos and hotels were kept cool with A/C's on full blast.  Since I tend to feel cold when others are warm, I dragged along a blazer or cardigan everywhere I went.

It was a quick family trip...made even quicker as our flight out was at first delayed, then outright canceled.  We spent Friday night waiting in the airport for hours, eventually renting a car to drive ourselves from LA to Vegas.  While we were supposed to land around 7:30 pm, we ended up settling into our hotel room around 2 am.  Never again will I choose an airline other than Southwest to get to Vegas!  All travel hiccups aside, we still had a great time.  I wore this super easy dress to dinner at Michael Mina and one of the many Cirque du Soleil shows, Zarkana.  Plus, I couldn't help adding a little glitz with my shoes.

 Black lace dress: Alex+Alex from the Gilt Warehouse Sale for $39! (similar here). White blazer: Zara.  Gold pumps: Dries Van Noten (similar here).  Handbag: Torula Bags (bought here).  Bracelets: Vita Fede and Anthropologie.  Gold chain necklace: Forever21 (similar here).  Super moisturizing lip stain: Mirenesse in Glossy Kiss.

Tribal Print Maxi

 

Bonjour!  When this post airs, I will be in lovely Paris.  After two years of no vacation, Mr. J and I are off on a much needed two week trip, exploring Paris, Provence, Cote d'Azur, and Rome.  I cannot wait to eat, sleep, and just enjoy some quality time with Mr. J one on one.  After I return from Europe, I'm continuing the rest and relaxation with a week at home to visit my parents.  The next few weeks will be scheduled posts for me but get ready for many pictures of my trip when I get back!

Sarah and I snapped these photos on July 4th.  We spent the day with her family eating lots and lots of delicious food.  It was sweltering hot during the day but cooled down for the fireworks in the evening.  Knowing I would be out all day, I wore my trusty maxi dress.  The spaghetti strap top and flowy skirt kept me cool during the day but the extra length and adding a chambray shirt on top kept me warm at night. 

 

 

Tribal print maxi dress: Deletta 'Shapeshifter Maxi' from Anthropologie (old). Sandals: Zara (old). 

Tan leather satchel: Mulberry 'Alexa'. Bracelets: J. Crew, random boutique in Venice, and DIY. Earrings: Banana Republic. Necklaces: London Manori 'Bar Necklace' and Dogeared. Sunglasses: Fendi.

Mexican Grilled Corn

Happy Independence Day!  We hope you are all out enjoying the day with friends and fireworks.  While our choice of grilling meat always changes, there is one item we always have on the menu...Mexican-style grilled corn!  It's true that sometimes the simplest dishes are the most delicious.

Mexican-Style Grilled Corn

Ingredients
4 ears of un-husked corn on the cob
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper
3/4 cup grated Cotija cheese
1 lime, cut into wedges
 Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions
Soak the corn in water for about 10 minutes (this keeps the husks from burning while on the grill).  Meanwhile, mix the Cayenne pepper with the mayonnaise.  Place the soaked corn on the grill and turn occasionally until cooked through and lightly charred, about 20 minutes.  

Peel back the husks to expose the kernels and lightly coat with mayonnaise mixture.  Sprinkle generously with grated Cotija.  Top with additional red pepper flakes as desired and freshly squeezed lime juice.

Tie your hair back and enjoy! 

Work Outfit Series: Under My White Coat #2

Earlier this week, Carolyn shared a tip for bringing some spunk to an otherwise blah white coat.  My tip for this week...wear a fun print!  Some people might think, huh?  Snails at the hospital?  But I say...why not have a few snails peeking out from under your white coat?  Snails are friendly!  Sometimes I wish I had a more relaxed dress code for work.  It would be great not to have two different wardrobes: a "work" one and a "fun" one.  I'm happy when I come across items that can easily cross over into both wardrobes.  I've worn this snail shirt casually with jeans as much as I've worn it paired with dress pants and skirts.  Prints in bright colors are a great way to jazz up a white coat, especially when you're only seeing a small portion of them! 

'In Clouds' snail shirt: Charlotte Taylor from Anthropologie.  'Sailing Lace' skirt: Tabitha from Anthropologie.  'Marli Too' nude wedges: Kate Spade.  Necklace: Forever 21.