Peaked My Pinterest: Oatmeal Singles

I have been on a strong oatmeal kick lately because I love having something warm on cold mornings and there are so many variations which keeps it interesting: baked, instant, with fruit, with honey, shake form, and so on. 

Quaker's oatmeal cups are my typical go-to, but I recently whipped up "oatmeal singles" from scratch thanks to a recipe found on Pinterest. They're the perfect grab & go breakfast and only 132 calories for one :)

 Banana Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Singles

You need:

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 egg whites

1 egg

1 1/4 cup skim milk

3/4 cup mashed bananas

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

These definitely passed the taste test of everyone in my fam! 
Do you have any great oatmeal recipes?

#Kaitlyn

Rocked it & Swapped it

Kaitlyn has this amazing striped blazer from Loft and I knew as soon as I saw her in it back in November I wanted to borrow it. You know the term, "if it's not broken, don't fix it?"

 Well, that was the case here, I styled it almost exactly as she did!

 Can't go wrong with a blazer and denim! I think the only difference is I went with silver jewelry and a turtleneck knit as Kaitlyn went with gold jewelry and a tee.

Head over the the Stilettos and Diaper Bags to see the rest of my outfit details!

#Lisa

Peaked My Pinterest: Shop the look!

My Pinterest style board has been overloaded lately because I am always pinning an outfit or style I love and want to re-create. Here are a few of my recent favorites and a few ways you can copy cat along with me:

I've been loving the idea of sequin shorts and tights , so I purchased some from the Limited which I intended on wearing for NYE, but ended up going with a sequin dress (fun but safe) But Lucy Hale has inspired me to test out the shorts with a bright blazer. Perhaps for Valentine's day? :)

This may be one of my favorite outfit posts of all time. In fact, I ordered the same sweater and booties within moments of seeing this photo...I love the combination of tomboy and girly, rustic and dressy. The bag and hat pulls it together beautifully, don't you think?

I'm kind of excited that sneakers have come back with a vengeance, especially when paired with unexpected components like a blazer and soft T.  I'm not on board yet with the high tops but I LOVE these old school Nike's with a little bit of leopard flair, especially since it matches the subtle hint in her glasses.

Planning to test out any of these looks?

#Kaitlyn

Because It Finally Snowed in Chicago!

Over the weekend, we got our first official snow in Chicago! 
By official, I mean it actually stuck to the ground this time. It might be weird to be happy about snow, but I love it. After the first inch was down, I had a few errands to run.

Here is what I wore for our first snow day:

Blazer: Piperlime, Top: Loft, Denim: Old Navy, Ring: C/O Willow House Jewelry, Necklace: Ax + Apple (similar), Stackable Rings: Shop Jules, Bag: JC Penny, Boots: C/O Just Fab

If you follow me on my other blog, Stilettos and Diaper Bags, you know I am trying something called a 30/60 challenge.
The blazer and turtleneck are two of my pieces currently in high rotation.

What do you think? Love wearing white in the winter like I do?

#Lisa

What Does Your Handbag Say About You?

Every woman knows that a good handbag isn’t just a style essential, it’s a life essential. A great bag can keep you on top of your busy, hectic lifestyle by allowing you to carry around a little piece of home with you every day. You can tell a lot from what a girl carries in her handbag, which might include anything from gym gear to wet wipes, make-up and a spare change of shoes. And it’s not just what’s inside your bag that counts, handbags can also reflect who you are as a person, your outlook on life and your priorities. 

What does your bag say about you?

Satchel

Carrying a satchel suggests that you value understated vintage chic, but you’re not afraid to mix things up by bringing a modern twist to a classic design. Your look is preppy, smart and well put together – you like looking good but you avoid trying too hard.

Tote

You’re a sophisticated, professional and polished woman. Choosing a tote as your handbag of choice suggests that you value simplicity. Handbags are far from your main priority in life but you don’t believe you need to sacrifice style for function and you always look for timeless design.

Cross-body

You have a lot of things on your mind and fussy fashion is at the bottom of your list. Practicality is crucial to you as you’re active and athletic. You like to throw yourself into life, enjoying the moment and seeking new experiences.

Boho

A boho bag illustrates a relaxed, free-spirited and bohemian outlook. You like to go with the flow and your personal style is quirky and individual. You like mixing patterns and textures to give an outfit a special edge and your handbag is a treasure trove of a variety of items you’ve collected along the way. So, your style of bag can say a lot about you. Don’t make the decision lightly, though, and ultimately you have to go for with what feels right rather than just trying to make a statement...

Check out Very for all of these looks!

#Sisters Marie

Kaitlyn's Top 6 Beauty Products

All women understand the art of perfecting an organized morning routine, especially if you hit the snooze button 3 or 4 days a day like myself. I have become pretty skilled at doing everything in almost an hour including showering, hair and make up, eating, dressing, and of course, teeth brushing, but I don't get there on my own...

These are a few of my favorite products that make my mornings run a bit smoother:

1. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray - Perfect for beach waves and smells great

2. Goldwell's Sleek Perfection Thermal Spray - I use this every time before I straighten my hair to keep the heat from doing any damage

3. Moroccan Oil's treatment (light) - This is my absolute FAVORITE product, hair or in general. Nothing has ever made my hair so soft and it smells like heaven...I wish they sold a perfume because I would drench myself in it ;)

1. Lancome Renergie moisturizer - I have dry skin so this moisturizer is perfect for the winter months and it has a strong SPF in it...two birds :)

2. Benefit's Hoola Bronzer - Another necessity for an irish girl in the winter time!

3. Sephora Full Action Mascara - I like testing out new mascara's to find the "one" that gives you amazing false lashes and this one comes pretty close and comes in multiple colors.

What beauty products are in your daily rotation?

#Kaitlyn

Rocked it & Swapped It

I love a good shirt dress and Lisa's chambray version from Urban Outfitters fits all the right criteria: Can be worn casual or dressy, belted or loose, boots or flats, winter or spring. Lisa paired it with grey boots and bare legs, whereas I went the tights route (a necesssity when you're 5 inches taller!) 

Here are a few of our other favorite chambray dress looks:

(all photos from Pinterest)

What do you think? Belted or Un-belted? Knee-high boots or booties?

#SistersMarie

Because Lisa had a Family Day

On the weekends, I have the honor of spending time with my family. Yep, the hubby is off (AKA lots of help with the kids) and I look forward to fun activities like going to play areas,  shopping, family hair cuts, or whatever else the day brings.

Here is what I wore for a brisk winter family day:

Cardigan: GiGi Bottega, Tank and Jeans: Target, Boots and Clutch: C/O Just Fab, Watch: Fossil, Necklace: C/O Sarah Aghili, Bracelet: Baublebar, Basketweave Bracelet: C/O T + J Designs, Sunnies: Prada

This is a great example of mommy-on-the-go wear, though I obviously jazzed it up a bit with this amazing studded clutch and some gold jewelry.

#Lisa

P.S. We will be tweeting from @bcishop2much during tonight's premiere of Kimora's House of Fab at 9/8c on the Style network! Join in our conversation, we can't wait to see one of our favorite brands in action ;)

Because Kaitlyn Loves the Polka

Polka-dots are #2 on my list of prints (after stripes of course) because they instantly amp up the level of "fun" in an outfit, so this day, I let my new purple jeans be the blank canvas for a dotted sandwich of the sweater and loafers. 

Jeans: Denizen (Target), Tank: LOFT, Sweater: Old Navy(similar), Loafers: GAP, Watch: Michael Kors, Bag: C/O Just Fab, "K" Necklace: a gift(similar)

I bought these shoes right after Christmas with a gift card - I kid you not, I stood in Gap for no less than 20 minutes trying to decide between these and a pair of polka dot oxfords and now I'm kicking myself for not leaving with both ;)

Do you prefer dots, stripes or a combo of the two? 

#Kaitlyn

Peaked my Pinterest: Nail Glitter

When I saw this photo on Pinterest, I knew I needed to try it ASAP!



Source

It seems so easy, right?! Put top coat or clear nail polish on and then dip it in Gosh nail glitter. I did not have any nail glitter, but I did have loose eye shadow glitter and didn't see why it wouldn't work just the same.

Here is my attempt at the nail glitter look:

After I dipped each nail, I pat the loose shadow down and let it dry fully. I noticed some powder was still loose on the top so I rinsed my nails under cold water, patted them dry with a paper towel, and then added top coat so nothing would get on my clothes.

Here is the finished product:

I think I'd like to try this again using the GOSH nail glitter. This method worked, but it ended up being a lot of work and a bigger DIY project then I had intended. 

It does look pretty cool though and I do find myself gazing at my hands all day, so maybe it wasn't a total wash. No guts no glory, right?!

Have you ever tried this method?

#Lisa


Happy Birthday BaubleBar!

Happy Friday! We're excited to announce that one of our favorite jewelry sites, BaubleBar, has some exciting projects in the works and we wanted to be one of the first to give you the scoop...

  
                       They just turned two years old and have decided to celebrate in two big ways!

1 - The Anniversary Collection!  BaubleBar is celebrating the company's 2-year anniversary by releasing a collection of past favorite pieces with a sparkly new twist! Each piece has been re-imagined in pave to capture the spirit of celebration. The collection goes on sale January 16th.   (Seriously, we want everything - it's amazingly sparkly and awesome!)

2 - The 2nd Anniversary Fortune Teller Game!  Since BaubleBar believes no Birthday party is complete without presents, they're launching an online game in tandem with the anniversary collection, and giving participants the chance to win discounts, jewelry, and gift cards. Spoiler: everyone wins! One grand prize winner will snag a $1,000 gift card! The game will run January 16 - 25 on BaubleBar's site and Facebook page. Want to be the first to play? You can sign up for updates here!

Follow BaubleBar on Twitter: @baublebar / @graceatwood

We will definitely be snagging some of these new pieces!

#SistersMarie

Rocked it & Swapped it

As you know, us ladies have a strong obsession with leopard print and animal print in general, so this dress was a must-have in my eyes and Lisa transitioned it beautifully to the cooler temps with a gorgeous teal peacoat, red bow belt and 50's inspired waves. 

I think it might be time to wear again with black tights 

and my new purple Just Fab pumps (UPS guy, I'm waiting on you!)

Shop the looks:

#Kaitlyn

Because it was Sunday Funday

I am definitely a planner by nature, but a lover of spontaneity at heart. This particular Sunday, my fiance and I had some plans that moved to another day, but since we had already gotten ready, we decided to go for a late lunch and wine break. We laughed through the whole meal (Carmelized peach salad - amazing!) and it made me so glad that our original plans got cancelled :) 

Here is what I wore for Sunday Funday:

Sweater: Nordstrom, Jeans: LOFT, Hat: GAP (similar), Bag: Just Fab, Flats: Just Fab, Necklace: Sarah Aghilli, Watch: Michael Kors

Wine....for a "good Koz" 

What is your Sunday Funday style?

#Kaitlyn

Because Lisa Made it to Dirty Hair (Day 4!)

 It was day 4 (yes, you read that right...day 4) of no hair washing which is usually my limit. However, the next day I needed fresh locks so I decided to bare it, toss on a hat and call it a day.

Here is the outfit I styled around a basic gray beanie:

Knit: JC Penny, Jeans: Gap, Boots: C/O Just Fab, Ring: C/O House of Gemmes, Hat: Target, Sunnies: Prada, Earrings: C/O Silver Speck

Who says dirty hair needs to look bad? I had SO many things to do this day so I needed an easy, cozy, yet put-together look. 

               Ever skip a  hair wash in order to get the perfect look next day? No, just me? :)

#Lisa

Emerald Fashion from Gilt.com

Emerald is no stranger to the red carpet making some pretty spectacular statements on Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Katy Perry and of course Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. Emerald has truly taken center stage on the fashion front.

Chassie Post, Gilt.com’s Lifestyle Editor explains, “Emerald is the crown jewel of all jewel tones and also continues to be a huge trend in accessories - from handbags and high heels to statement necklaces and earrings to hats, gloves and more.”

• Kenneth Jay Lane Emerald Cabochon Bangle Bracelet on Gilt $129 (Original $263)
• Presh Sea Snake Embossed Leather Wrap Bracelet on Gilt $35 (Original $88)
• Portolano Cashmere Folded Cuff Hat on Gilt $29 (Original $60)
• Grand Bazaar Emerald & CZ Sunburst Tassel Pendant Necklace on Gilt $229 (Original $430
• Paige Novick Enamel and Crystal Cuff on Gilt $55 (Original $175)
• Leslie Danzis Semi Precious Double Teardrop Earrings on Gilt $34 (Original $68)
• The Addison Story Jersey Wrap Front Dress on Gilt $85 (Original $234)
• Pour La Victoire Collins Loafer on Gilt $99 (Original $195)
• Badgley Mischka Silk Chiffon Sweetheart Strapless Gown on Gilt $419 (Original $889)
• Botkier Brando Satchel on Gilt $299 (Original $595)
• Gemma Crus Long Sleeve Lace Dress on Gilt $139 (Original $278)
• The Letter Gathered Wrap Front Silk Blouse on Gilt $75 (Original $120)

EMERALD ENTERTAINING - FORYOURPARTY.COM

While Emerald makes a great fashion statement, this haute hue also translates into other areas of your life. Sari Mintz, Founder and President of ForYourParty.com is one of the country’s leading entertaining experts, creating custom accessories and favors for A-list celebrities and weddings (most recently Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds).

Mintz explains, “Whether hosting a birthday party or Bar Mitzvah, or even celebrating the 70^th Golden Globes, why not add a dash of glamour to the event with emerald party accessories? Emerald pairs well with almost everything – black, white, beige, gray, even pink.”

ForYourParty.com Custom Cocktail Napkins, $28.00 for 50, http://www.foryourparty.com/

ForYourParty.com Rectangle Stir Sticks, $56.00 for 100, http://www.foryourparty.com/

ForYourParty.com Double Point Straw Flags, $32.50 for 50, http://www.foryourparty.com/

EMERALD HOME DESIGN – ROOM & BOARD

An easy way to add a pop of emerald is through home furniture and accessories. Room & Board explains, “The human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum. The color also represents growth, prosperity, healing, and even unity.”

Room & Board 81” Murphy Sofa in emerald, $1,399.00, http://www.roomandboard.com/

Room & Board Tube Top Small Table Lamp, $120.00, http://www.roomandboard.com/

Room & Board Moda 55w Eight Drawer Dresser, $1499.00, http://www.roomandboard.com/

#SistersMarie

Friday's Featured Closet

This weeks featured closet belongs to Michelle M. Most of her items are sizes XS and S, but she does have a few mediums and larges too. Here are a few of our Favorite items currently for sale:

 Lots of great items for year round wear (more knits and sweater dresses in her closet too). We spy a few items we wouldn't mind owning ourselves. 

Check out Michelle's closet here and don't forget to update your own closets!

I'm sure now that the holidays have passed, you have lots of new items to upload... I know we do!

#SistersMarie

Because I Have a Sweet Tooth

As much as I try to lead a healthy lifestyle, I can't always ignore the fact that my heart has a huge hole that can only be filled with something sweet (besides my fiance of course!) I am always pinning, printing and saving new recipes to try which I'd like to do more of in 2013 and I recently stumbled upon Sallys Baking Addiction, a balance of healthy and indulgent food: the PERFECT combination. Here are a few of her recipes that I am DYING to dive into:

Cookies 'n Cream Peanut Butter Bark (Are you kidding?)

White Chocolate Mango Banana Bread

Skinny strawberry chocolate chip muffins

Vanilla cupcakes for 2 (the perfect amount!)

What are you some of your favorite recipe sites? (Besides Pinterest!)

P.S. Congrats to the winner of our Castellammare Designs jewelry giveaway...LuLu! We will contact you with details. Thank you to everyone who entered!

#Kaitlyn