Fun Finds: iPod hoodie

In case your iPod needs a cozy little jacket.  Yep, even gadget accessories get hipster love.

iPod Hoodie , Fred Flare. $20

Photo Love {Inspiration}: Floral Beauty

Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out-values all the utilities of the world. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

1, 2, 3

My favorite part of spring is seeing flowers in bloom.  The flowers symbolize a rebirth and renewal for the year as well as a transition to longer, brighter days.  Flowers are also endlessly fascinating in their colors and shapes; they are truly a beautiful thing to behold.
Similar to when I said that it's great to just be glam at home, beauty shouldn't just be found in flowers in a vase.  It's lovely to admire the beauty of many different things around us: in nature, people, and of course ourselves.  Place a beautiful flower in your hair, wear it in a dress, or admire it as you pass it while going through your day.  Let that beauty brighten your day.

Have a lovely week!

Worthy reads roundup - Vegan Jap Chae recipe, DIY Jewelry board, and Prabal Gurung for J. Crew

Hope you had a great week lovelies!

Here is what happened at Chic 'n Cheap Living this week:
- Photo Love - Act your age but also remain young
- Cate Parr winner and a vegan jap chae recipe (it's delicious!)
- High Street Highlight - J. Crew and a perfect silk shirt!
- LOTC: Prabal Gurung for J. Crew - Seriously fierce and sleek style
- DIY Heart tea tags are fun and easy!

Here are a few worthy reads from blogger buddies and beyond:
- I've been fascinated and impressed by the evolution of the Olsen twins and their style.  Did you know that it partially resulted from them NOT wanting to get their picture taken?

- Diana posted about making homemade vanilla extract - why didn't I think of this before?

- Anna posted this DIY jewelry board that was created with burlap and knobs on pinterest (I'm cncliving on Pinterest)

- The familiar US Food pyramid for dietary guidelines will be replaced by a food plate this week to make it easier for consumers to understand what they should be eating (yes ma'am I eat lots of vegetables!)

FFF - DIY Heart tea tags and new homes

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

DIY
All it takes is a small decorative touch to make something special.  These heart-shaped tea bags via Ms. Martha Stewart make tea time something fun (and would be a cute gift if you personalized the tags!)

Otherwise, this weekend, I am...
...hoping to get to a friend's new home.  She bought a pasta maker so we're trying to encourage her to experiment ;)

{Source}

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

{Fashion} Highlight/LOTC: Prabal Gurung for J. Crew (bow lovers welcome)

Fashionistas, have you ever lusted after Prabal Gurung's pieces, but been unable to afford his prices?  Things just got slightly easier for you to luxe it on the cheap (LOTC) with this CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund's capsule collection for J. Crew.
See the whole 6-piece, limited edition, limited release collection here.  Pricing ranges from $198 for the Fit to be tied pants below to $225 for the exploding bow blouse and $395 for the exploding bow dress.  I'm seriously contemplating the exploding bow blouse in all its cotton candy pink perfection.
I shouldn't wait too long, because these pieces are being produced in limited quantities (so pre-order or get to a J. Crew soon!)

What do you think of this collection?

 {Source}

{High Street Highlight} J. Crew Silk Henley top (and sale alert)

Summer staple alert!  This easy, breezy, office-worthy top is the epitome of relaxed chic.  It is an extra 30% off through today with code loveit.

Silk henley top, J. Crew, $28-42 after discount

Save!

Go to Ebates first for cashback on your entire purchase!

Cate Parr/Silver Ridge studio Watercolor print winner and vegan jap chae (Korean stir-fried sweet potato noodles) for dinner {recipe}

The winner of the Cate Parr watercolor print is...
...Monik!  Thanks for being a Bloglovin' follower!

Congratulations!  Please send me an e-mail at cncliving{@}gmail.com with your choice of 8"x10" print and mailing address within 3 days.


Now onto another favorite recipe in our household - vegetarian jap chae!  I absolutely love this dish.  It's a savory combination of lots of fresh vegetables brightened with sesame oil and soy sauce.  Like many other East Asian vegetarian dishes, it is completely vegan and gluten-free if you use a gluten-free soy sauce.  It's slightly labor-intensive because of all the individual vegetables, but I like to prep ahead and cook it quickly on a weeknight.  It's a delicious and simple dish and I hope it becomes a favorite in your house too!  I adapted this recipe from blogger buddy Ruth to incorporate more vegetables (love veggies!)

Vegetarian/vegan jap chae (Korean stir-fried sweet potato noodles)

Serves 2-3 as a main dish, Serves 4-6 as a side dish

- 1 bundle of potato starch cellophane noodles called dangmyeon (most packages contain 2-3 bundles and can be purchased at any Korean grocery store or most Asian markets)

- 1 bunch of fresh spinach

- 1 medium yellow onion, julienned

- 1 carrot, peeled and cut into match sticks

- 1 red bell pepper, julienned

- 8-10 fresh mushrooms (shitake, portabello), sliced

- 2 stalks green onions, sliced in 1.5” slices (green parts only)

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 2 tablespoons Olive oil or Canola oil, divided

- 3 tablespoons soy sauce, divided  

- 3 tablespoons sesame oil, divided

- pepper

- 1.5 tablespoons sugar

- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)

1. Boil one bundle of noodles for 5 minutes until softened and al dente in texture.  Drain the noodles and add to a large mixing bowl.  Cut them a few times with kitchen shears.
2. Add 1.5 tablespoons (each) of soy sauce and sesame seed oil.  Toss noodles until sauce is evenly distributed and set aside.  

3. Using the same pot as the noodles, add enough water to boil spinach for 1 minute.  Remove spinach from water and allow to cool just enough to squeeze as much water out as possible.  Cut spinach in thirds, and massage it while seasoning with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.  Add spinach to the large noodle filled bowl.
4. Heat a large frying pan on high. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and cook sliced onions for 2 minutes until they become slightly golden.  Add onions to the large bowl of noodles.  

5. Stir fry the remaining vegetables with these reduced cooking times: 30 seconds for the carrots, 2 minutes for the red pepper, 1 minute for the mushrooms, and 10 seconds for the green onions. 

6. Add 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1.5 tablespoons of sugar, and ½ teaspoon of ground pepper to the large noodle bowl and toss everything until well mixed.
7. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the hot wok and add minced garlic.  Allow garlic to cook for a few seconds and add the entire bowl of mix noodles and vegetables to the wok/pan. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top, if using.  Serve warm or cold.  Enjoy!

Photo Love {Inspiration}: Remaining Young

An inordinate passion for pleasure is the secret to remaining young

Oscar Wilde

1, 2, 3

I'm comfortable with my age.  I love being married, having a home to decorate, taking on increased responsibility at work, and thinking about how I will make a life for my future family. But with age, comes more accountability.  Housing prices, credit card payments, and home maintenance have also filled my thoughts.  Is it possible that you don't have as much fun as you become older?

Sometimes, it is good to step back and think about the world through a child's eyes.  

Enjoy the small things.  

Become fascinated with the flowers you pass by every day.  

Remember to giggle.  A lot.

Have an appreciation and pleasure for the things that surround you and remain young at heart.

Have a lovely week!

Worthy reads roundup - elanvin inspiration, Links à la Mode-May 19th, and 14 Foods to buy organic

Hope you had a great week lovelies!

Here is what happened at Chic 'n Cheap Living this week:
- Photo Love {Inspiration}: Be vulnerable
- Fashion Inspiration via eLanvin (oh pink python purse!)
- Fun Finds/Decor Thoughts: Modern and glowing garden gnomes
- High Street Highlight - J. Crew refined silk-cashmere scarf in the coolest pop of seafoam
- Instagram love (I'm chicncheapliving if you're on this addictive iPhone app!) and Tibi sample sale next week
- Links à la Mode-May 19th

Here are some worthy reads from blogger buddies and beyond:
- Victoria Beckham's baby girl is due next week.  Here's a peek at some of the enviable things that she can steal out of mommy's closet some day

- In the age of pesticides and unsustainable farming, here are 14 foods to buy organic

- Cat posted a collection of fruit inspired items - these lemon earrings are too adorable!

- Jes was on the hunt for a colorful mobile with friendly animals and when she couldn't find one, she made one herself (so cute and here is the DIY)

Links à la Mode: May 19th

I am thrilled and honored to be part of IFB's Links à  la Mode for May 19th. This week, there is an emphasis on bloggers selecting great pictures. I am definitely a lover of beautiful or at least interesting images (the photo love series is devoted to that!)  There are also great posts about love for vintage things and high fashion vs. real fashion.  Enjoy!

Your Blogs Perfect Accessory: Brilliant Pictures

Edited by Denimology


As I was selecting my posts for this weeks Links A La Mode, I realized how important it is to have attractive and original images in your posts. I noticed that I would open a post and close it promptly if the images looked rather..... what's the word... meh.

Here is how to have your blog posts chosen by me [Denimology] for LALM:

• Images Are The Main Course -- A great image will draw in your reader. The image might be beautiful, odd, heartwarming, instructive or just curiosity-provoking,  so long as it keeps the reader wanting to read your post.
• Don't Forget To Use an Image -- It’s better to use a generic image than no image at all but ultimately your image should represent what the subject of your post is about.
• High Quality Images Are Best -- We've all heard the saying "Pictures speak  a thousand words", but in the blogging world they speak even more.  Adding HQ pictures to a blog post will visually stimulate your readers and help them identify with you, the writer.
• Resize Your Images -- While images can make your blog looked polished and professional, having images that hang over into the margins or that are cut off is sloppy blogging

Links à la Mode: May 19th

• And She Loved: How to DIY more-- list of resources for DIY projects and ideas
• Beautifully Invisible: 5 Things Jack Sparrow Taught Me About Fashion & Makeup
• bestofbklyn:  Summer getaway essentials
• Beyond Fabric: Incorporating ethnic pieces into your attire
• Chic 'n Cheap Living: Wardrobe staple: Trouser jeans
• Denimology: Denimology's 5th Anniversary 'Free Jeans Every Day In May' Denim Giveaway Want free jeans? We have Lots to give away!
• fashionablynumb: Angel Garcia The Label Whore. People who get carried away with labels and logos.
• For Those About to Shop: 10 great designer quotations
• ggfashionista: A tutorial in how to achieve a chic headband look with a scarf
• IFB: New IFB Feature -- Twitter/Livestream Chat
• Kirstin Marie: A shopaholic's tips
• Mary Jane Girl: Kristen Leotsakou Interior design: do's, don'ts and must have items
• My Favorite Fashion: Victoria Vintage Vision: how & why vintage fashion has become so popular
• Rose tinted uncertainty: Rhona Nolan - Should we pick one look or reserve our right to be polystylish???
• Sample Sale Sites: Jeans Make A Difference - Denim Unites For Peace
• Speak2Ashley: Style lessons from French women, the French way
• StyleSizzle: How to build a better wardrobe
• Styling You: Why the colour navy is so Posh
• Stylish Thought: Are you a Savage Blogger?
• TheStylishButterfly: Confessions of a new blogger: High fashion vs. real fashion
• ThisIsAYes: Summer Ready? - from less Makeup to more Sailing, Mint Green Dresses, more Maxi Skirts and Round Sunglasses
• truequeen: 11 Ways to Revamp Your Dresser

SPONSOR:
Sexy Tops at Shopbop: Vena Cava, Blue Life, Monrow, Vince, Wildfox, LnA, Equipment blouses, LAMB, Zac Posen, Rachel Roy & Jill Stuart

FFF - Instagram love, Tibi sample sale May 24-27, and catching up with life

Happy Fun, Free, Friday lovelies!

T, G, I to the F darlings!

Instagram love
Who is on Instagram?  I'm chicncheapliving - let's be friends there!  I have to admit to falling in love with this app very quickly (ever since discovering it here).  It's basically a free, social photo sharing application and I love the flexibility of using it anywhere just by having my iPhone with me!

I want to see your pictures, including all your food, outfits, and fun sightings.
Here are a few pictures from my Hong Kong trip including its famous harbor and mango, coconut dumplings (yummmmm!)

Online sales
Watch out for the Tibi sample sale online and in-store (in NYC) next week!  Oh to get a nice ikat dress on sale!

Otherwise, this weekend, I am...
...just running a few errands.  My iPhone is kinda quirky and I finally have to add myself to my husband's bank account here.  Nothing exciting, but so necessary.  That and I need to catch up on your blogs!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

{High Street Highlight} J. Crew refined silk-cashmere wrap

A wrap is an essential wardrobe piece.  It lends a pop of color or texture to an outfit while also providing much needed warmth or coverage (making it an essential travel piece for me).  This J. Crew wrap is a perfect shade for cool spring nights.  Wrap it up darlings!

Refined silk-cashmere wrap, J. Crew, $59.50

Save!

Go to Ebates first for cashback on your entire purchase!

Fun Finds/Decor Thoughts: Modern (and luminescent!) garden gnomes

Say good-bye to garden gnomes of yesteryear and say hello to these "Baddy" resin sculptures.  They are not only a modern take on the uber-cheesy garden dwarves, they are made of a luminescent resin that absorbs light and glows for several hours in the dark!

Baddy by Joe Velluto (JVLT), Plustcollection

Who said your outdoor accessories have to be boring right?

Luxe Lust: Fashion Inspiration via eLanvin

*Last day to enter the Cate Parr/Silver Ridge Studios watercolor print giveaway!*

Aren't blogger buddies the biggest enablers? Anna wrote about the launch of eLanvin a little while ago and I had to pick the dreamiest pieces.  Lanvin is no fast fashion house, but the flats are known to be super-comfortable and pretty and I'm increasingly loving the chic, yet whimsical happy bag (the chain and the charms are so feminine and fresh).    


Here are a few luxurious picks that are splurge-worthy:

Happy Pink Python Shoulder Bag, £2,110

Glass Pearl and Strass Choker, £320

Can you believe that the fuchsia bathing suit isn't a dress?  It totally does double duty!

Bathing Beach dress, £885 (ouch!)

Flower leather ballerina flats, £385

Photo Love {Inspiration}: Be vulnerable

People who know me know I'm strong, but I'm vulnerable.

Catherine Deneuve

Sam Shaw from "Sam Shaw:  A Personal Point of View"

Whether you're the ever sultry Ms. Marilyn Monroe, quirky Elizabeth Taylor, the ever entertaining Duke Ellington, the timeless Ingrid Bergman or you, you may sometimes feel like you have to uphold some type of outward image.  Are you always expected to be strong, constantly witty, always energetic, or glamorous?

Maybe you are all of those things most of the time.  But it is ok to let your guard down and to be open, be vulnerable, and to let a different side show.  Let someone in (isn't that what a good friend/family member/partner is for), be vulnerable, and you could be pleasantly surprised.

Have a lovely week!

Wardrobe staple - Top Trouser jeans (some under $60!)

Denim has experienced a pretty meteoric rise in the last ten years.  We no longer blink at $100+ jeans and different levels of premium denim (though I will proudly say that I've gotten all my premium jeans for <$100).

But what styles should truly be wardrobe staples?  While skinny fit jeans have lasted a few seasons and wide leg/flared leg jeans are this year's must-have, I'm aiming in the middle with a pair of trouser jeans.  These also have a flared leg and comfortable cut (for those days when you don't wait your pants to be too tight), but still somewhat fitted. Most importantly, they are totally versatile and can be dressed up or down.

Here are my top picks:

7 for all Mankind Miller Trouser jeans, Piperlime, $106.99

Joes Jeans High Rise Wide Leg Visionaire Flare, Couture Candy, $168

New Wide Leg Trouser jeans (dark wash), Gap, $69.50

Flare leg Stella Regular Fit Trouser Jeans, Express, $69.90 (Buy one, get one 50% off!)

Save!
- Go through Big Crumbs or Mr. Rebates first for a cashback rebate of 3-5% at all of the stores above.
- Designer outlets such as Loehmann's or Filene's Basement in the US could stock these styles or wait for them to pop up in an online sample sale.