modern plaid

September 30, 2015
 Brown leather jacket with red plaid dress and booties M Loves M @marmar
During the summertime, while I’m enduring 90 degree LA days, I start to think of fall outfits that I want to wear. I fantasize about brisk autumn days with the leaves changing colors. The item I’m always most excited to wear, which always makes me think of fall, is plaid. Plaid is, without a doubt, a quintessential fall/winter piece. I wore this red plaid shift dress while I was in NYC for Fashion Week. The shift style is so easy to wear, and those pockets in the front are definitely a plus. I added a pair of booties and a leather jacket for meetings downtown. Even if you’re dealing with some warmer fall weather {cough Los Angeles}, this outfit will have you seasonally dressed.
Brown leather jacket from white house black market with plaid shift dress M Loves M @marmar
Red plaid dress with booties on M Loves M in New York City @marmar
BB Dakota plaid shift dress with brown Isola booties M Loves M @marmar
Light brown leather jacket over shoulders with plaid dress for fall M Loves M @marmar
Modern plaid outfit for fall M Loves M @marmar
SHOP THIS OUTFIT
dress BB Dakota {also here}, jacket WHBM, boots Isola, clutch HauteLook, sunglasses Karen Walkerlipstick Givenchy Carmine, nail polish Essie Russian Roulette
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It was so nice to be in New York
earlier this week even if it was for just a day. I loved that the weather was
so much cooler. Matthew and I have been seriously melting at our house in LA.
We live close to the beach which means they think we don’t need air
conditioning but let me just tell ya, we do! Majorly! The other night we ended
up sitting outside on our stoop because it was cooler outside than inside, even
with all the doors and windows open. The one little fan we have is working
overdrive! I’m hoping we’ll come back from Portugal and the weather will have
cooled off a little bit. I can’t wait to wear this outfit with tights and
over-the-knee boots! Would that be cute?

 Happy Wednesday everyone!
xox
photos by Valorie Darling

Banana Coconut Muffins

September 29, 2015
Banana Coconut Muffin Recipe M Loves M @marmar
Every time I go to the store I always end up grabbing a cluster of bananas. They’re great in smoothies, or on their own, but I also love using them for baked goods. I got some bananas last week and unfortunately wasn’t able to eat them in time before they turned brown. We have too many frozen bananas in our freezer right now {perfect for smoothie bowls!}, so I decided to make some muffins that we could enjoy on our flight to NYC and Portugal. 
Before trips I always try to eat all the perishable items in our fridge. This muffin recipe definitely helped by allowing me to use up some other items in our pantry too- a half opened bag of chocolate chips and the rest of some shredded coconut {probably left over from those chocolate-dipped iced coffee popsicles}. I feel like we try to make more conscious supermarket choices the week before traveling, but even still we had to deliver some food baskets to our neighbors. Hopefully they didn’t mind!
Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe M Loves M @marmar
making banana coconut chocolate chip muffins M Loves M @marmar
making banana coconut muffins M Loves M @marmar
Banana Coconut Muffin Recipe M Loves M @marmar
Banana Coconut Muffin Recipe, delicious for breakfast with coffee M Loves M @marmar

BANANA COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS
makes 8

INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 very ripe bananas, mashed (3/4 cup)
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
Special equipment: a muffin tin with 8 (1/2-cup) muffin cups; paper liners

DIRECTIONS
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Line muffin cups with liners.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together bananas, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and 1/2 cup coconut in a large bowl until combined well, then fold in flour mixture until flour is just moistened.

Divide batter among lined muffin cups and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup coconut. Bake until muffins are puffed and golden, about 20-25 minutes. Transfer muffins to a rack and cool slightly.
——

These muffins are so great with
coffee. They’re just sweet enough with the chocolate chips but the banana and
coconut make them feel like a somewhat healthier choice. If you want to try
another great recipe with bananas, I would highly recommend this Banana Bread recipe. Or, if you’re feeling ambitious, try this Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting. It is probably my favorite dessert ever!

xox

Ladylike in the City

September 28, 2015
White blouse with plaid skirt M Loves M @marmar
One of the most versatile pieces in my closet has to be my white blouse. It’s an item I’ll frequently travel with for it’s versatility; I love how it can make even a pair of jeans look more polished. I’ve been needing a new white blouse in my arsenal, and loved this one from kate spade new york. The thing that sets it above the others is that it has the feminine detail of the oversized bow. It adds a sweet, ladylike quality. I paired it with another favorite of mine: a midi skirt! This one is perfect for fall with the plaid print in an easy neutral.
And remember that pink purse I wore the other week? See, I told you it would still work for fall! Pink is perfect for all seasons and this crossbody bag was a great choice in NYC. It even held a change of flats when I needed to walk around the city between meetings.
White blouse with black oversized sunglasses M Loves M @marmar
Plaid midi skirt on M Loves M during New York Fashion Week @marmar
Busy New York City streets M Loves M @marmar
Pink kate spade crossbody bag M Loves M @marmar
Plaid midi skirt with nude sandal heels M Loves M @marmar
White blouse with oversized bow and plaid midi skirt M Loves M @marmar
Kate spade white blouse with plaid skirt M Loves M @marmar
more bow & plaid favorites:

Speaking of New York, Matthew and I are in town for the day before flying out on our trip this evening. Did I tell you where we’re going? We’re heading to Portugal!! I can’t tell you how excited I’ve been about this trip! Since my Dad is 100% Portuguese it’s always been my dream to visit the country {my fatherland!}. Matthew and I were looking at flights and then just decided to go for it about a month ago. The fares go down significantly after summer, since kids are back in school, but it’s still a great time to go and the weather is going to be so nice.

I have some posts scheduled for this week but make sure to follow along on Instagram! I’m going to try to post as often as I can when there’s WIFI, but I also just want to relax and enjoy everything. We haven’t done a big trip like this since our honeymoon so it’s been much needed!

xox

photos by Valorie Darling