Pajamas in Public

Its Sunday morning. I have no eggs. No bacon. No half and half. I must run up to the store! My son, Luke, wants to go with me and he insists on wearing his pjs. I say okay. Me on the other hand, I run up to my room and change out of them.

How can we get away with wearing our pajamas in public? The PJ top.

You obviously want to pull the look together so you don't literally look like you rolled out of bed. The white pajama top looks so fresh and I love the black piping. I find it to be a classic looking piece which will make it easy to style for the streets.

I balance the outfit by pairing my pj top with skinny jeans - Something that I always wear. I make the outfit pop with 2 statement pieces. The first one is my patch clutch. I am obsessed with anything that has patches on it, and the pom pom is an added bonus. The second statement are my bracelet stacks. I used to work for COACH and one of my first purchases as an employee was not a handbag, it was these 2 silver bangles. I stacked on my Stella&Dot spike bracelet and the linked one for more hardware and texture. I opted for something simple for my footwear. I wanted the bracelets and the clutch to pop. 

I was on the hunt for a blocked heel sandal in a neutral color. When I spotted these from a distance I didn’t know what materiel they were made of. I just loved the color. The closer I got, I realized they were velvet - I was crushing over them! They were a major steal at $35. Yes, $35! Go. And. Get. Them. Now.

If you have any styling questions or would like more tips, drop me a message. Have fun, loves, and always remember its not just about looking good, but feeling good, too.

XO,

Sanem

Fashion To Fork

Sanem's is Peachy for Easter

 

Before you start hiding those eggs, let’s talk about your Easter plans? If you are hosting, I have your entire menu planned below. But, before I get to the recipes I want to talk about the decor on the table. I love my table looking just as pretty as my food. Follow my easy steps to creating a beautiful tablescape.

The first thing I think of is color palette. What colors inspire me and make me think Spring/Easter? Pick 3 colors and stick to them. My next step is to pick a theme. What accessories and flowers am I going to adorn my table with. The final thing I consider is how many table settings there will be. Its important for me to know this because it will allow me to buy the right amount of accessories and flowers for my tablescape.

My first stop for my Easter table accessories is CarefulPeach Boutique. For those of you who don't know about CarefulPeach, you must! This beautiful boutique transports me to Paris. I can find anything from cookware for me to cufflinks for my hubby. Knowing they have such a great selection of things for the home, I started my accessory hunt at the Peach.2

The moment I walked in I was greeted by the cutest moss covered bunnies, I had to have them. Then my eyes landed on adorable bunny placemats - Those had to come home with me, too. I also bought these fabulous champagne flutes by Juliska.

Next stop, Jewel, to pick out my flowers. I want to play off the nature-inspired feel on the placemats. I saw baby kale and it was no doubt that those would be a part of my floral arrangements. I want to add an elegant touch and I am doing that with roses.

After putting my floral arrangements together and setting up my table I am in the kitchen cooking up my Easter breakfast. Roll up those sleeves, my dear. Let's get started.

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Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Serving: 6-8

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 35 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

•   2 pounds fingerlings potatoes

•   3 pinches of salt

•   1/2 teaspoon black pepper

•   2 tablespoons white truffle olive oil (You can find this at Whole Foods. It is not sold with the olive oil and vinegar, its by the cheese department)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375. Half the potatoes lengthwise. Grease your pan with cooking spray. Toss together your potatoes with 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add them to the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for about 30 minutes, until tender inside and crispy outside. Remove to a serving dish and drizzle potatoes with white truffle oil and 1 more pinch of salt.

 

Sautéed Carrots

Serving: 8

Prep time: 8 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

•   1 1/2 pounds of carrots

•   2 pinches of salt

•   1/4 teaspoon black pepper

•   2 tablespoons unsalted butter

•   1 tablespoon fresh dill (Dry dill is fine, but I love the flavor of the fresh dill)

DIRECTIONS

Peel the carrots and cut them diagonally. About 1/4 inch in width. Place them in a sauté pan with 1 pinch salt and pepper over medium heat with lid on. After 8 minutes remove lid and add butter. Stir occasionally so the butter coats all the carrots. Cook for 2 more minutes and remove from heat. Toss together the carrots, dill and 1 pinch of salt. Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy.

Sanem's Open-faced Caesar Salad

Serving: 8-10

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

•   2 heads of romaine lettuce

•   1 bunch of asparagus

•   1 cup whole wheat panko breads crumbs

•   3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

•   1/4 teaspoon black pepper

•   1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

•   Your favorite caesar salad dressing

•   Extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Sauté asparagus over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Salt your asparagus with 2 pinches of salt. While that is on the stove, cut the end off of 2 heads of lettuce. About 2 1/2 to 3 inches. After washing the lettuce be sure to pat it down to dry. Start setting your lettuce on a serving dish. Lay 1 single layer over your entire dish.

In a mixing bowl, add together your bread crumbs, shredded parmesan, pepper and parsley. Add just enough extra virgin olive oil so it coats all of the bread crumbs. Its going to be a few tablespoons. I am not adding salt to this mixture because the cheese is high in sodium. Mix all the ingredients together with a spoon.

Remove your asparagus from the stove. Start setting individual pieces of asparagus into the middle of each piece of lettuce. So 1 piece of asparagus will be nestled into 1 piece of a lettuce leaf. After your single layer of lettuce is filled with 1 piece of asparagus, take your "stuffing" and cover the asparagus length wise. Use about 1 heaping tablespoon. Repeat this step until your single layer is covered. Take your caesar dressing and drizzle it all over your lettuce. Repeat the steps above to create a second layer of your open-faced Caesar salad. Eat with a fork and knife. If you're like me, just grab it and eat it in your hand.

Pancetta and Spinach Quiche

Serving: 8

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

•   1 deep dish Pillsbury pie crust

•   6 eggs

•   3/4 cup milk

•   1 large shallot, chopped

•   2 1/2 cups spinach

•   1/4 teaspoon black pepper

•   Salt

•   6 slices of pancetta, chopped. Have the deli cut each slice 3/16’ inch. Look at a ruler, know the thickness and show them exactly how thick. You'll thank me later.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Follow directions for the pie crust and get that started. It may give you a different oven temp. Stick to the 375. Start sautéing your spinach with a pinch of salt for just a few minutes - Until it starts to wilt. Remove from pan and set aside. Chop your pancetta and cook until lightly browned in a skillet or sauté pan. Before you remove them from the heat add your chopped shallot. Let them soften up and lightly brown with the pancetta for a few minutes. With a slotted spoon or by using a small strainer, transfer them to a paper towel-lined dish.

By this time your pie crust should be ready. Remove pie crust from the oven. In a large mixing bowl, mix together your eggs and milk. Before I add my ingredients into the pie crust I put the pie crust on a baking sheet. If any ingredients flow over during my transfer it will all be caught by the baking sheet. After doing that, add your eggs and milk into the pie crust. Next, add your spinach. I actually take a fork and move it down and around so its disbursed all over the quiche. Lastly, I add in the pancetta and shallot. I use my fork technique here, too. If all my ingredients are in place, its off the oven to bake for about 35/40 minutes. Put your timer on. Check on it at about 30 minutes. Every oven is different, especially if your a cooking with a convection oven. It will cook faster. When you see that the top is starting to brown its time to remove it. Let it set on top of the stove for about 10/15 minutes. Slice and serve.

Don’t forget to mention my blog when shopping at my boutique and at CarefulPeach to receive 10% off your entire purchase through Saturday, April 15th. May your Easter be filled with love, happiness, good food and all with good company. Buon Appetito, my friends!

XO,

Sanem

Feeling Sporty?

All right babes, I am starting off Spring with a must-have piece in your wardrobe. There's a jacket of choice that has a sporty silhouette: Say hello to the varsity jacket. Compared to the overly baggy varsity jacket we wore in high school, the updated version is leaner throughout the body and less bulky in the arms.

Why I love the varsity jacket

Because I can grab it and go. I love a good blazer, but sometimes I feel like its too serious for my 'running errands' or 'meeting a friend for lunch' look. Although it gives me an authleisure look, I don't have to be in my sneakers.

How you can wear it

I styled my varsity jacket with my distressed patchwork jeans, and a silk slip cami and black pumps. Other days I have worn it with my skinny jeans, a white tee and black booties. If you really want to take it to the next level, I think it would be darling with a skirt. Wear the varsity jacket with this gold pleated skirt, a silk slip cami and strappy sandals and you are golden.

The varsity jacket can be found at Sanem's. Jacket runs true to size - I am wearing a small. Call the shop to place your order at 708.524.5450 or visit me at 134 N Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park.

XO, Sanem

From fashion to fork

YOU'RE TOO SWEET

Whether you're hanging out with the girls or your special love, shower them with sweets this Valentine's Day. My simple recipe will save you time in the kitchen and more time to play.

I have partnered up with my babe, Lauren Kelp who is the queen of anything entertaining to bring you one of my easiest dessert recipes. Its just a few ingredients and no more than 20 minutes, you will have such a delightful sweet treat. Click the link to check out my recipe. Buon Appetito!

Fearless Fridays

I've been featured in the popular
Chicago fashion and lifestyle blog
"101 Things I Love" by Johanna Grange!

READ THE BLOG HERE

Invest in the Vest

With Autumn in the air I can't help but think of one thing - LAYERS. When the temps start to fall and the leaves start to change color I get so excited. We can layer with many different garments, but I'm particularly in love with the vest trend.

Think of this piece as an accessory to your outfit just like you would a necklace. It's the last thing you put on. Whether you are running errands or headed to a work meeting this piece has got you covered.

Let's talk about the vest I have on. It's one of my favorites. When shopping for a vest look for a tailored style, something very clean and simple. Opt for a neutral color and try to get one that has a weight to the fabric. This vest is very versatile. Its one of my newest arrivals at my boutique, Sanem's. Here are some ways I styled it.

Casual: Pair the vest with your favorite pair of jeans. Since the vest is on the longer side, go with a more tailored jean - A skinny or a straight leg. Wear a light weight sweater and slip into a pair of booties and you're set.

Athleisure: If you want to wear your workout wear all day, this is your look. Wear it the right way and you get a medal. Think of the occasion and be sure to balance the outfit accordingly.

Example, don't pair a vintage jacket with your yoga pants and remember to keep the look simple.

Wear a pair of black leggings. Make sure your leggings are opaque. Slip into a basic white tee or a long sleeve knit and layer your vest over it. Put on your sneakers. Here are two of my picks:

Toms or Nike. Your outfit is ready for the gym and everything else.

Dressy: Wear your favorite LBD. Make sure you choose one that is fitted or tailored.

Layer your dress with the vest. Wear a long necklace to fill the chest. This one by Stella & Dot is my go-to.

A classic black pump completes the simple, yet chic look.

Get my look from my boutique, Sanem's. Love it, but can't get to the boutique? Call me at 708.524.5450 and I'll send it to you.

Happy Shopping!

XOSanem