Outfit: Workday Wednesday

Wednesdays are always challenging for me to pick a outfit. Over the weekend I think of cute ideas for Monday and Tuesday but by Wednesday my brain is a little fried from six year old chatter and all I want to wear is sweatpants. As a way to encourage myself to wear something festive during the middle of the week and inspire others to do the same, I am starting Workday Wednesday. Here is my first outfit! 

This is one of my favorite neutral dresses from J Crew. Navy always looks good with a pop of color. Maddie let me borrow her orange necklace and with my teal sweater it feels very nautical. Sometimes, it is helpful to pretend that mid-January is the the beginning of spring.

What is an outfit that cheers you up mid-week?

Ellie's Outfit:
Dress: J Crew (Similar)
Necklace: J Crew (Similar)
Sweater: Target
Boots: Steve Madden

Ellie

Community: Tea Party

To raise money for the elementary school where Ellie works we hosted a small tea party which parents could buy at an auction. The Hotel deLuxe graciously donated a fancy tea room for the event. The girls could not get over how glamorous the hotel was!  Besides drinking tea and eating goodies, we kept busy making stationary and cards to give to friends and family. We had a lot of fun getting ready for the party and crafting with the girls. Here are a few photos from the event.

 

We can't wait for our next tea party! 

Each month we hope to give back to our community.  If you have suggestions or inspirations let us know!

Ellie & Maddie

Outfit: Summer Dresses Year Round

Lately we have been missing our favorite summer dresses, that are hiding in back of our closets. We decided this week to get the best ones out and make them work for the 35 degree weather in Portland. Big sweaters were an important addition, as well as boots and Ellie's favorite wool socks. Many times these dresses feel out of place in the winter, but with darker colors to contrast they can be very appropriate.

Maddie's Outfit
Dress: Free People
Boots: Nordstroms
Sweater: Free People (Similar)
Tights: Target
Belt: J Crew (Similar)
Earrings: Ms. Vix Jewelry

Ellie's Outfit:
Dress: Anthropologie (Similar)
Sweater: Gap (Similar)
Belt: Anthropologie (Similar)
Boots: Frye (No longer available in white)

Ellie & Maddie

Outfit: Friday Night in PDX

After a long week of work and a quick recovery from a nasty cold, I am certainly ready for a cocktail and some yummy food with friends! Regardless of my excitement for the night ahead I always seem to run into the same problem when picking an outfit. How can I look cute, fashionable, and also comfortable outside? Living in Portland, you quickly find out that a dress is only as cute as it is appropriate for the outing. Although I would love to wear a mini skirt and heels... my legs haven't seen the light of sun since september and honestly, I would prefer not to blind anyone.

My answer is: layer. Skip the skirt and find some festive pants. A long-sleeve blouse with some fun jewelry and a cute jacket is both playful and warm. 

Jeans: Anthropologie (Similar)

Jacket: Levi's

Blouse: Forever 21

Boots: Nordstroms (Similar)

Purse: Vintage Coach

Food: Lamb Stew

While most families fight over the last decadent cupcake or buttery roll, our family has a tendency to fight over vegtables. To make everyone happy and to curb our cravings we make big stews with a high veggie ratio. One of our favorites: Lamb stew!

Ingredients: 

• 1 sweet onion
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 lamb kebabs preferably seasoned with rosemary and garlic. 
• 4 yellow potatoes
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes 
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 4 carrots chopped
• 4 stocks of celery chopped with tops for flavor
• any other additional vegetables, we added broccoli, zucchini,  and squash 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp rosemary 
• 1 10 oz box of couscous 

Directions:

• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat until heated.  Add chopped onions and garlic, cook for about 3 minutes until they starts to brown. Add lamb and saute until it browns. 
• Add carrots and celery cook for about 5 minutes until they have softened. Then add any additional vegetables and potatoes. 
• Stir in crushed tomatoes and 4 cups broth. Bring to a simmer, covered for 30 minutes. 
• Add spices to taste and serve over couscous.

Ellie & Maddie 

Outfit: Weekend Orange

This past weekend we went on a family outing to the Keller Auditorium to see, The Book of Mormon. The play was funny, but part of the excitement of the day was getting dressed up and spending some extra time together as a family. Inadvertently, we both ended up wearing orange! Ellie is headed back to school on Monday and this is the end of Maddie's birthday weekend, so it was nice to have a final celebration before it is back to reality.

Maddie's Outfit:

Dress: Forever 21 (Similar)

Boots:Nordstroms

Necklace: Free People

Coat: Prana

Ellie's Outfit: 

Skirt: Mod Cloth

Top: Banana Republic (Similar)

Boots: Clark's (Similar) 

Coat: Nordstroms (Similar) 

Do you have favorite family outings? We have really enjoyed going to a few musicals this past year. 

Ellie & Maddie

Happy Birthday Maddie!!

This weekend was Maddie's birthday and we had lots of opportunities to dress up! It was great to hang out with the family and friends and celebrate another great year of Maddie's life! On friday night we went to a delicious dinner at Laurelhurst Market and then had a little surprise party. Saturday we went to the Dragon Tree Spa and got massages and facials!

Ellie & Maddie