Layer Player

With winter and spring battling it out over the next few months, deciding what to wear can and will be a challenge. Day to day and even hour by hour, the temperature is up and down. There’s only one solution: layer, layer, layer.

My number one element when layering: a scarf. I love a good scarf and wear them all year (might be a little biased since I used to design them but even before that, they were a normal part of my wardrobe). It always surprises me when people say they don’t know how to wear a scarf…there are tons of ways to wear them and most are really simple (I promise, it usually looks more complicated than it actually is). Check out this "How to Wear” video (there are a ton of other videos out there, but again…biased since this is from the company I designed for, AND Zack filmed and edited it!)

Maxi dresses and skirts are another great layering piece. You can get away with them on a chilly morning but still feel comfortable when it warms up in the afternoon. Top it off with a cardigan or chambray top and whatever else you might want. The great thing about layers is that you will never get too cold or too hot…just add and take away as needed.

XO ­– Courtney

 

dress [madewell] // top [madewell] // boots [similar here] // scarf [shawlsmith london] // 

necklace [stella & dot] // bracelets [assorted - stella & dot, forever XXI] // 
sunglasses [rayban clubmasters]

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[photo credit: zack hardy]

Anytime is Breakfast Time

Who else loves breakfast for dinner? I love breakfast food for any meal, but there's just something about having it at dinnertime. Maybe because it doesn't generally require a lof of effort and after a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours slaving over a meal. So since you will inevitably be craving breakfast for the rest of your day after reading this, make your Monday a little easier by deciding that tonight's dinner is gonna be breakfast. 

Key ingredient: Waffle Iron

If you're on Pinterest then I'm sure you've seen posts about the millions of foods you can cook in your waffle iron, and I'm finally getting around to experimenting. Tonight's menu: Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Waffle Sandwich with Waffle Iron Hashbrowns (recipe below). What better way to turn breakfast into dinner than by creating a sandwich with my favorite breakfast items? And the hashbrowns...just tator tots cooked with a waffle iron! Brilliant. You could even go as far as cooking your eggs and bacon in the waffle iron (seriously...it's a thing!). 

Such a fun way to use my waffle iron! I plan to experiement with some more ideas (which I will share with you), but if you're feeling inspired, check this out for some more waffle iron ideas, or maybe even come up with some of your own! And they don't have to be breakfast related! 

XO – Courtney

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Fringe Binge

The weather is so indecisive. From sunshine and 60's to snow in the same week. I'll take all the warm days we get, but unfortunately, it seems like the cold weather is gonna hang around for a while longer (thanks Punxsutawny Phil). An oversize sweater is a definite go-to when I just want to be cozy and comfy all day...and I love to pair it with my black waxed denim and a lot of fringe. I'm all for wearing color but sometimes you just need to keep it nice & nuetral with black & cream. Comfortable and simple, but still chic and put together.

XO – Courtney

top [forever XXI] // pants [the limited – similar here] // shoes [target – similar here] // bag [the limited – similar here] // ring [h&m]

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[photo credit: zack hardy]

Frappy Hour

Believe it or not but I don't like coffee. I know what you're thinking – shocking...weird...unhuman. But one thing we can all probably agree on is a love for Starbucks...and a hate for it's prices. I don't know about you, but I live for Frappuccino Happy Hour­ – that brief time of year when Starbucks offers frappuccino's for half off. YUM! Well good news...now every hour can be Frappy Hour! I recently discovered a recipe for a homemade version of Starbucks' Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino and it is seriously delish (recipe below!). 

I know we're in the midst of winter and a cold drink might be the last thing you want, but here in NC, the forecast is calling for some warmer days at the end of this week (I'm talking 60s-70s! Crazy NC weather...didn't it snow half a foot a few days ago?!) So let's all pretend that spring is here and have some fun with this recipe...maybe by adding cookie pieces (oreos or thin mints perhaps?!) or mixing it up with different flavors (pumpkin with chocolate is always a win). Or for all you coffee lovers out there, adding coffee would be an option.

How will you enjoy your endless frappy hour?

XO – Courtney

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All Fur Love

If you don't have a fur vest (or faux fur like mine), you should definitely invest in one. It’s basically like wearing a snuggie in public...except it’s socially (& fashionably) acceptable. And you’ll find yourself wearing it all the time when the weather is colder. I mean, I feel like I can’t turn on the news lately without hearing about another winter storm somewhere…and currently that storm is right here in NC! We’ve been hit with a lot more snow than normal (generally one snowflake in our area and the entire city shuts down and people suddenly forget how to operate a vehicle so you can imagine what's happening right now with several inches of snow and an ice storm).

Besides the snow/ice storm we are in the midst of, this week also presents one of the most loved & most hated holidays: Valentine’s Day. Throw on your fur vest for a date with that special someone or a girl’s night out. Even if you decide to stay in, it can be your perfect date to cuddle with while you eat your take-out and surf the TV looking for something to watch besides a sappy love story (good luck). I love to pair mine with plaid or stripes, but you can absolutely dress it up (like a long sleeve black dress with some leather and/or lace detailing). See, it’s a very versatile piece.

XO – Courtney

vest [the limited – but loving this ] // top [the limited ­– similar here] // scarf [shawlsmith london, my design] // pants [the limited] // shoes [urban outfitters – love these] // 
bracelets [assorted – stella & dot, madewell]

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[photo credit: zack hardy]

Grown Up Grilled Cheese

You don’t need a lot of time or ingredients to whip up a delicious grilled cheese. Even if you mix it up a little, it’s almost always a pretty quick fix. I’ve always liked grilled cheese, but never really considered all the possibilities until I went to Raleigh’s Food Truck Rodeo last summer and tried a Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese from American Meltdown. Since then I’ve been a little obsessed with creating new grilled cheeses, so today I’m counting down my top ten grown up grilled cheeses.

10. Bacon Grilled Cheese

9. Mozzarella Grilled Cheese (with Marinara Dipping Sauce)

8. Ham & Cheese Grilled Cheese

7. BLT Grilled Cheese

6. Breakfast Grilled Cheese (Bacon, Eggs, Cheese & any of your other favorite breakfast ingredients)

5. Pizza Grilled Cheese (Mozzarella & Pepperoni with Marinara Dipping Sauce)

4. Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese

3. Apple Butter Grilled Cheese with Cheddar & Mozzarella

2. Chicken Bacon Cheddar Grilled Cheese (Ranch Optional)

andddd drumroll please…

1. Macaroni & Cheese, Pulled Pork, & Bacon Grilled Cheese (recipe below!)

 picture 1: macaroni & cheese, pulled pork, & bacon grilled cheese on sourdough [homemade, recipe below] // picture 2: buffalo chicken grilled cheese [american meltdown]

All delicious and pretty self explanatory. It’s all about combining your favorite flavors and putting them together with cheese and your favorite bread (I highly recommend a fresh loaf of sourdough)

So…what’s your favorite grilled cheese?

XO – Courtney

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Fashion Frenemy: The Sneaker Wedge

If you’re like me, the first time you saw a sneaker wedge you were disgusted. They were truly cringeworthy. But overtime, a secret crush started to develop. Any spoken words were of absolute hate, but your heart had a soft spot for them. Of course, you would never buy them because a) what would you even wear them with, and b) that would make your secret crush not so secret.

Until one day…

I walked into Target (it’s a blackhole, am I right?) and those awful yet wonderful sneaker wedges were on sale for $10. Suddenly my “it’s complicated” status turned into “in a relationship.” I stepped into that size 8 sneaker wedge and felt just like Cinderella (minus the fact that a handsome prince wasn’t putting my sneaker wedge on me)…and perfect fit. True story.

Don’t judge me just yet.

Everyone can pull off the sneaker wedge  – they look great with leggings, skinny jeans, and a personal favorite: the boyfriend jean. I’m also excited to try them out this spring with some casual dresses and cut-off shorts. And you clearly don’t have to break the bank for a pair. There are a ton of great options out there, but feel free to splurge on a pair from Michael Kors or Jeffrey Campbells (loving the burgundy).

So for all the sneaker wedge haters out there, I have one last thought for you: how can you beat a shoe that gives you the comfort of a sneaker PLUS the added benefit of a heel?

XO – Courtney

P.S. – who else is pumped for NYFW & the Winter Olympics?!

jacket [forever XXI – similar here] //  tshirt [madewell – similar here] // hat [old – similar here] // jeans [old – similar here] // shoes [target] // sunglasses [rayban clubmasters]

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[photo credit: zack hardy]

What Does the Cowfish Say?

Grab your chopsticks­ – we’re headed to Cowfish! I’ve been dying to eat here since they opened last spring and FINALLY went for my 24^th birthday a couple weeks ago. Cowfish is a sushi-burger bar (say what?) and a whole new level of deliciousness. Sure, you could settle for a burger or some sushi…but I’m not about the average. (forks on the right, remember?) 

burgushi

 A fusion of sushi & burgers. 

Delicious.  Zack & I tried the Deliverance Roll…pulled pork & onion strings rolled up like sushi, tempura battered, and fried. Is your mouth watering yet? I would also recommended their Bento Box – perfect for people (like me) who just cant decide on one thing.

XO – Courtney

picture 1: deliverance roll // picture 2: bento box [tempura shrimp roll – boursin, bacon, & mushroom burger – thai cucumbers – sweet potato fries – edamame]

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The Basics

Hello blogosphere!

I'm excited to start this virtual journey – it's something I've been wanting to do, and here I am finally making it happen!

So who am I? Courtney Schaffer –– fashion & food obsessed girl living in good old Raleigh, North Carolina.

Ok, quick bio–

I've basically lived in Raleigh my whole life (grew up in Wake Forest…pretty much the same thing). And I've literally wanted to be a fashion designer since I was 10…and ya know what? I'm making it happen. Fast forward...went to North Carolina State University's College of Textiles for fashion design, loved it, graduated in 2012, interned and worked for Shawlsmith London as their Textile Designer (amazing experience), and now I'm doing a little freelance work and trying to make my dreams and goals a reality.

I've got an amazingly supportive family (shout out to my Mom, Dad, and little bro Luke) and a rocking group of friends. Oh yea...and one incredible boyfriend, Zack Hardy. We're high school sweethearts (everyone say "awww").

Well, that's me in a super brief synopsis, but we'll continue to get to know each other.

SOOO what's up with this blog? And don't forks go on the left? I'm glad you asked. I want to inspire you to be different. No more cookie cutter fashion or food (unless you're using cookie cutters to make some really awesome cookies...I approve). Don't be afraid to take risks. Try new recipes. Experiment with your clothes. Be ready for some fantastic foods & fashions. Put your forks on the right!

Are you with me?!

XO – Courtney

sunglasses [rayban clubmasters] - scarf [shawlsmith london] // chai latte cupcake with vanilla bean frosting [homemade] // strabenero sling [buku] // scarf [shawlsmith london]

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