Fall Outfitting, and Handbags to Match!!

Michael Kors cashmere sweater sz.S - $275

Versace houndstooth pants sz.6 - $225

Hermes Kelly bag 28cm - $7995

Louis Vuitton sweater sz.S - $225

Tibi skirt sz.2 - $115

Apepazza flats sz.8 - $90

Bottega Veneta limited edition tote - $1595

Ralph Lauren blazer sz.6 - $295

Gary Graham skirt sz.12 - $245

Lanvin platform wedge sz.9 -  $495

Marni tweed box bag - $265

Elie Tahari jacket sz.XS - $495

McQ dress sz.6 - $515

Dolce Vita bootie sz.10 - $95

Rag & Bone pilot bag - $395

Michael Kors jacket sz.4 - $455

Burberry Brit blouse sz.S - $160

Paige jeans sz.27 - $75

Ralph Lauren riding boot sz.8 - $396

Mulberry Bayswater bag - $475

Mint dress sz.6 - $120

Tabitha Simmons heels sz.8 - $375

Stuart Weitzman suede bag - $295

ALC sweater sz.M - $175

Peter Soronen skirt sz.6 - 355

Cole Haan boot sz.9 - $125

Bottega Veneta bag - $1495

Kate Spade dress sz.0 - $155

Moschino Mary Janes sz. 8 1/2 - $155

Marni fold over bag - $495

Valentino dress sz.6 - $275

Chanel Mary Janes sz.10 - $695

Marc by Marc Jacobs velvet bag - $145

Samantha Treacy coat - $165

All Day Heels sz.8 1/2 - $145

Burberry tote - $825

photos by Katy Shane

Leggings: Two Must have Pairs for Fall.

Leggings you either love em or hate em and I absolutely love them. First and foremost they are comfortable which is always nice. Plus I think they make for a really cute fall outfit. A few of my favorite leggings outfits (now if only my legs looked like Blake's):

I recently found two pairs of leggings that I am smitten with and I know you will be too!    I have found you don't want leggings that are too loose and have no structure that is just plain unflattering. Both of these leggings fit like a glove.  So far they are the best leggings, I have tried but I am always open to suggestions!  Since I am 9 months pregnant I won't scar your eyes with pictures of me in the leggings but just trust me they are amazing.  Both are a little on the pricey side for leggings but I swear they are worth every penny!

|| SPANX READY TO WOW STRUCTURED LEGGINGS ||

These are great everyday leggings,  they suck you and are so flattering.  I love the waist band at the top it really sucks you in and flattens out your tummy.  They run true to size, I ordered a size small.
They are a cotton blend and super comfortable.

|| DAVID LERNER CLASSIC COATED LEGGINGS ||

I have wanted a pair of coated leggings forever and these came highly recommended.  They are super comfortable, I am actually able to still wear them pregnant.  They come in black, espresso, and merlot.  I went with classic black, and they also run true to size I have a size small.  They don't have quite as much structure as the Spanx but I still found them very flattering.  Great for a dressier pair of leggings.

Choosing tops to go with leggings can sometimes be a struggle, I rounded up a few of my choices.  The key is to find tops that hit at your hips or a touch longer.    I love sweaters or loose blouses with leggings. 

Vince Dip Dye Oversized Sweater | Equipement Stripped Sweater (on sale) |  David Lerner Leggings | JCrew Leather Pocket Sweater |  Vince Double V Tee |  Vince Cashmere Cardigan |  Joie Marlo Blouse |  Joie Crush Sweater

I am living in leggings this last month of my pregnancy so I have to sing their praises!

xoxo

When a Pothole Can Be Beautiful

As I live in the wilds of the beautiful Northumberland National Park I have to put up with roads that are less than ideal. This last year left us with an unbelievable amount of potholes that have only recently been filled. Wish I'd seen this idea beforehand.
I don't usually post this many photos in one post but I just couldn't decide which ones to show you. Found at Buzzfeed

Spicy Black Bean, Green Chili, and Manchego Enchiladas

 I am trying to jump on board with Meatless Mondays. Now don't get me wrong I could eat vegetarian everyday,  it is the hubs who likes meat with his meal.  He claims he is hungry an hour later with no meat and not satisfied.  But I am trying to keep him healthy much to his dismay, so we are trying out meatless Mondays.  This week I decided to make Spicy Black Bean Enchiladas.  I thought they were awesome and Matt even remarked for health food they were very good.  They were super easy to whip together- most time consuming task was dipping the shells in the sauce and rolling them up.   You could easily add more veggies or meat to this mix but I thought they were good just with the black beans.  Such an easy week night meal full of flavor!

|| S P I CY  B L A C K  B E A N,  G R E E N  C H I L I  & M A N C H E N G O  

 E N C H I L A D A S ||

Recipe adapted via

Ingredients

• 12 small corn or flour tortillas (I used flour)
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 4-ounce can diced green chilies
• 1 28-ounce can red enchilada sauce, such as Las Palmas
• 1/2 cup grated manchego cheese + more for topping (or sub another Mexican cheese, such as Cojita or Pepper Jack) (I used a mix of Manchego and Mexican Quesadilla Cheese)
• 1/4 cup light sour cream or greek yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 
• salt and pepper to taste
• Topping Options: Diced green onion, cilantro, avocado, salsa, sour cream

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and position a baking rack in the middle of the oven.
2. Combine black beans, green chilies, sour cream, cumin, chili powder and 1/2 cup manchego cheese in a mixing bowl. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.
3. Warm 3/4 of the enchilada sauce in a large shallow pan over low-medium heat.
4. Pour enough enchilada sauce to also lightly coat the bottom of a 9×13 dish. Swirl to coat and set aside.
5. Using your hands or tongs, carefully dip the tortillas in the warmed sauce until both sides are well coated. Transfer the tortilla to the baking dish, scoop in 2 Tbsp of the black bean filling and roll up. Place seam side down and continue until the pan is filled – should be about 8 enchiladas.
6. Top enchiladas with remaining sauce and use spoon to make sure all parts of the tortillas are evenly coated. Top with a bit more cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until slightly golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
7. Serve with toppings such as avocado, guacamole, sour cream, green onion, cilantro or lettuce.
8. Will keep in the fridge for a couple days. Reheat in oven

SDC123: Fabulous Folds

Welcome back to our Wednesday challenge here at Stampotique.  We are thrilled that you are joining us again this week at Stampotique Designer's Challenge and we have a fun challenge for you.

Today we want to see you try your hand at some fabulous folds.  Use more than one fold on your card, get all fancy on us and use multiple folds.

Need some ideas?  Here's a board I pulled off pinterest with lots of fold ideas.  Do a google search and you'll see some magnificent ideas pop up.

**Please read new rule instituted with this challenge-we will no longer be accepting digi stamp creations as part of our challenges.  Stampotique is a red rubber stamp company and we prefer to see creations with stamps versus those with digital creations.  These entries will be deleted and will not be eligible for the prize.  Thank you for understanding.**

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Please read ALL RULES on the linkz page before linking your creation.

If you didn't follow the rules posted, you may have been deleted.  

Feel free to relink your creation with the correct information for a chance to win.

*No digi stamp creations please*

Libby Hickson

Jane Wetzel

Valerie Wilson

Sam Read

Nellie van Leeuwen

Gez Butterworth

France Papillon

Maria Sabina Raita

Susan Davies

Roc Nicholas

There are some fabulous showcases of how you can use fabric or lace on your creations from our last challenge and France's favorites are:

(please e-mail khowardga@gmail.com if you would like the badge to display)

71 Susan really pushed the challenge to the limits in a beautiful way!
69 Shilpa made a gorgeous spread, soft yet striking and with amazinglayering.
67 Amanda's creation is simply over the top fun. A tutu? Seriously? Lolll

Thanks for playing along and can't wait to see how you fold those cards this week!