Monday Munchies: Frozen Yogurt Bites

I haven't mentioned this before, so know this: I looove experimenting with food. And eating it. (I mean, who doesn't?)

Problem is, I'm a really low-maintenance girl. Unless I really get into it, nothing I do should take more than 10 minutes, whether it be my hair, makeup, or food. When it comes to making food, if the preparation takes more than 10 minutes, I'm out. That's why I made these frozen yogurt bites. They're so quick and easy (take it from me), delicious, and best of all, healthy. It doesn't hurt that you can personalize this recipe. Read on to find out how to whip these up.

Tools:

• 2 small or medium sized spoons
• 1 ice cube tray
• Tupperware container for storage

Ingredients: 

• Enough yogurt, your choice of flavor(s), to fill up an entire ice cube tray (Roughly 2 to 2.5 single serve containers- may vary by size of your ice cube tray) I recommend Greek yogurt because it's super healthy (especially the fat-free varieties) and has a rich, creamy texture. If you don't have it on hand or have your own preferences, feel free to use whatever type of yogurt you please. 
• Jar of Nutella (You definitely won't need the whole thing- it's just easier to handle this way)

Directions:

1) Spoon yogurt into ice tray.

Make sure the yogurt doesn't quite reach the top of the mold so it has room to expand when it freezes and for the Nutella later. I used three flavors from three brands: vanilla Yoplait, key lime Oikos, and Raspberry Chobani. Like I said before, though, do what you want!

2) Add the Nutella.

Messy much?

Now, use the other spoon to take a small amount of Nutella and drop it in the center of each mold. You can use as much as you want-- just try to keep the molds from overflowing. Also, if you don't like Nutella as much as me, you can use something similar like peanut butter (actually, as you can see below I used that for the vanilla) or just anything that will freeze well. You can really get creative- if I wanted to switch things up, I'd use white chocolate fudge with the key lime yogurt and jelly with the raspberry flavor!

Peanut butter + vanilla= mm mm mm.

3) Pop it in the freezer!

Now all you have to do is wait for an agonizing 1-2 hours or until frozen solid.

4) Enjoy(:

Trust me, you will. Even my skeptical father gave in after a few of these. The yogurt is so good, and the thick texture of the Nutella is amazing.  

5) Last but not least, storage!

I used a Tupperware container. Anything that seals tight and is freezer safe works.

One more thing: For more great recipes, visit my friend Julia at her blog Sweet Cheetah! Her blog is all about healthy but delicious eating.

So, are you guys gonna try this out? If you do, let me know how it goes! Do you have any other favorites? Comment below and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com.

Poll Post: 4 Ways to Spice Up Good Old Milkmaid Braids

As you can see, milkmaid braids are a favorite among celebrities.

Milkmaid braids, aka Heidi braids. They're perfectly pretty and look great on all hair types. They work for any occasion, whether it be the red carpet or school. Although you might think this hairstyle is reserved for romantic looks, there are tons of ways to tweak it to make it even more versatile. 

Milkmaid braids look very similar to the crown braid because they both feature braids near the hairline. The main difference is in the braid. The crown braid is French-braided from one temple to the other, staying right along the hairline all the while, and bobby-pinned into place. Milkmaid braids are each made using half the hair on your head (divided by a middle part). 

So, how do you even do this hairstyle? There are 5 basic steps. 

• Use product/style hair. You don't have to do this if your hair is manageable. Truthfully, you're gonna need some texture, as with any braided hairstyle  However, if your hair is simply not acceptable (e.g. frizzy, tangly) or you're going for a different look (e.g. sleek and smooth, curly instead of straight), apply product and/or style your hair to achieve the look you want. Make sure you use the correct formula and amount for your hair type.
• Make a middle part. If you want it to look like a side part, do one starting a few inches behind your hairline.
• Braid both sides. You have two options. Generally, Option A is better for short hair, while Option B works for long hair. (Option A is good for long hair too.) If you're somewhere in between and/or unsure which to choose, test both out: A on one half and B on the other. Go with the one whose braid (painlessly) reaches the opposite side of your head.
• a) Take one side and hold it so that it's perpendicular to your head. Then tightly braid it (without breaking strands!) til the end. Do the same for the other. 
• b) Make two normal braids on either side of your head, with the bases under your ears (still making sure they're tight). 
• Pin the braids against your head. Keep going with whichever option you chose above.
• a) Take each braid and lay it flat against its own side, making sure the ends reach the opposite side of your head. Do this firmly to make sure it won't come loose later. Have plenty of bobby pins handy to secure the ends behind your ear. (It helps me to cross pins- it tightens their hold.) The braids shouldn't hurt your scalp but still feel tight. 
• b) Wrap each braid in the opposite direction and pin it down. For example, if you were to do your right braid first, you'd pull it around the left side of your head and pin it behind your right ear. Remember to pin it tight!
• Smooth flyaways. If a few rowdy pieces are taking away from your beautiful braids, use some product or bobby pins to smooth them down. If you're going for a messy look, leave them! As long as they don't look terrible, they'll give your braids a cool, casual vibe. 

An example of Option B.

Now, let's make things interesting.

1) Messy

This is the most common variation of the milkmaid braid. In the picture up top, three of the four celebrities in the picture roughed up their braids. Although it's still romantic, leaving bangs and flyaways out gives your hair a boho feel and dresses down your look for school and other casual occasions. 

2) Ribbons/Embellished

Adding ribbons to braids is a very common way to embellish them. To do so, simply bobby pin the ribbons just at base of your braids and braid as usual. You can also embellish your braids with decorative hair accessories like these hair pearls from Chanel's Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

3) Fishtail

I love fishtails. Just like milkmaid braids, they're great for any occasion, especially for boho-inspired looks. Replacing normal braids with fishtails may be hard at first, but as Dianna proves, it's totally worth it!

4) Tight, Sleek and Edgy

This modern rendition of the traditional milkmaid braids fits right in with this fall's feminine grunge trend. To achieve this look, just use a smoothing product and/or straighten your hair beforehand. Keep your braids tight, and you're good to go!

Are you ready to try milkmaid braids? I am! Comment below and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com. 

Fall Fashion: the Ankle Boot

As school starts up, so does Fall. And what does that mean? Wardrobe clean out! If I didn't already have my dream pair, the first item on my shopping list would be some nice new ankle boots. Now that I think of it, I'm actually dying for a black pair...

Ankle boots are really versatile. They usually vary in heel and shaft height. The first thing to know is the difference between an ankle bootie and an ankle boot. To the left is an ankle bootie and to the right is an ankle boot.

Left: Tory Burch 'Brita' Bootie, $395, nordstrom.com
Right: ZiGi girl 'Chilly' Boot, $89.95, nordstrom.com

Ankle booties are also a fall trend, but in this post we're gonna focus on their casual cousins, the ankle boots. These two styles can be worn almost the same way, but the ankle bootie is more modern, classic, and overall more polished. If you're more into that, click here for Nordstrom's Fall 2013 ankle bootie inventory. (There may be some exceptions.)

First we have to define the ankle boot. Although they can definitely have heels, they're always low and never have stiletto heels and/or wedges. (The wedge is debatable; low ones can be considered ankle boots.) Therefore the heel is almost always cone or block shaped. The former is more casual than the latter.

Material is also key. Ankle boots are most commonly made of leather, usually a matte finish or suede. These pairs are almost always casual. Patent leather pairs are rare (not so much among designer brands, though) and exude an extremely trendy, modern vibe, especially with a pointy toe.

Now, let's take a look at some ankle boots. I'll include my outfit ideas, but instead of putting pictures together I'll incorporate links in so we can focus on the boots.

Franco Sarto Quasar Ankle Boots, $129, zappos.com

This pair is great for dressy casual to dressed-up ensembles. I'd rock these with a maroon neoprene minidress and nude lips (choose your shade carefully!). It would would great with casual styles too as long as the finish isn't too shiny (It's hard to judge what they'd look like under normal lighting-- here, they're under bright white photoshoot lights. This type of lighting can make them look more reflective than usual.).

Kork-Ease 'Velma' Bootie, $185, nordstrom.com

I love this pair because of its silhouette and color. The Chelsea boot is a really versatile style that can be worn with an endless amount of outfits. The natural color adds to this style's versatility. I would wear these with an earthy color palette to emphasize the beauty of the leather. (Here are the skirt and top I picked out.)

Vince Camuto 'Grayson' Bootie, $148.95, nordstrom.com

If you like to dressing up without overdoing it, these are a great option for you. The not-too-high heel makes it elegant while the suede upper and stacked heel keep it casual. Wear these with these clean pin-up shorts and this unique python-embossed crop for a statement look.

Clark's Originals Desert Boot, $109.99, clarksusa.com

This specific style, the desert boot, is another go-to. It gives skinnies and other pants a menswear-inspired feel and can rough up a pretty lace dress. Although I don't own these yet, they are a definite favorite of mine. (Add a true vintage tee to your desert boots and cords to add a rocker edge.)

Jeffrey Cambell 'Everwell' Boot, $154.95, nordstrom.com

Speaking of 'rocker', these boots definitely look it. The cutout and buckle details are totally cool. Along with some leather leggings and a slouchy oversized tee (in ivory), these would make an awesome downtown-cool outfit. 

Paul Green 'Romeo' Bootie, $440, nordstrom.com

When I think of black ankle boots, I usually think of the dressy type I featured first. However, they can also be super casual when made in a different material (suede, in this case) and paired with different details (visible stitching and buckle instead of a plain, clean upper). These give off a vintage cool vibe and would look classic with vintaged jeans and an ombre tee. 

10 Crosby Derek Lam 'Austin' Boot, $395, nordstrom.com

These pointy-toed statement booties display the creativity of the designer world. There are so many trends crammed in here: the pointy toe, cap toe, two-tone, abstract print, calf-hair...Did I miss any? Since these evidently are so grand, I'd center my outfit around them with an off-white pant suit to accent the tone at the back of the boot and a black silk tee to bring the toe out. I think I'd pop on a fedora to keep the outfit from getting too matchy-matchy and dull. (Warning: Do not shop/browse regularly at karmaloop.com. Except for the fedora I just linked, everything there seems to be plastered with "Obey" and the like.)

Now that I've enlightened you on the topic of ankle boots, do you have a new item on your wishlist? Tell me about it! Comment here and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com. 

Poll Post: Emerald

The phrase "Fall style" makes me think of a lot of things: natural fabric, thick knits, denim, leather, and other rich, luxe materials and elements. The same goes for color. Earth tones are beautiful and a stark contrast to summer's brights. My favorites are taupe and dusty red. 

Another of my favorites is emerald. This color is a bluish medium green. There are both light and dark shades of the color. When it's bright, the blue is very visible (it can even look teal), while in darker shades are like those of evergreen needles. In my opinion, emerald's blue tint is its defining factor.

Emerald is so versatile; you can wear a bright shade for a fun look, or go with a hunter hue for a dressier occasion. Plus, the range of shades allows you to inject it into your accessories, whether it be a dark wear-everywhere bag or some statement jewels. And it doesn't hurt that emerald's unofficially the color of the year (as declared by Pantone). Now, let's explore how to dress it up, down, and everywhere in between. 

1) Casual- Bright

From left to right by column:
BCBGMaxazria Kayleen Draped Hem Halter Top, $158, yearshopping.com
Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Leather Shorts, $418, barneys.com
14k Gold 6mm Pyramid Stud Earrings, macys.com
Asos Premium Day Leather Sandals, $109.69, asos.com

This is an example of a very blue emerald. What I really like about this top is the cut-out and hem detail. I paired the top with leather shorts and sandals to make it the focus of the outfit. To keep it from becoming boring, I featured a strappy, chunky-heeled sandal and gold studs to break up the monotony of the two black pieces.

2) Casual- Earth tone

Left to right by column:
Adrienne Crop Sweater, $58, nastygal.com
American Eagle Skinny Jean in Vintage Superlight Destroy, $39.99 (on sale), ae.com
Danielle Nicole Adeline Croc-Embossed Satchel Bag, $98, cusp.com
Paul Green 'Sage' Bootie, $360, nordstrom.com

Give a neutral outfit some color with a deep emerald bag. The croc-embossed faux leather keeps things interesting along with the short hem of the sweater, the jean's rips, and the ankle boot's silhouette. 

3) Office/Formal

Left to right:
Jason Wu Bi-color Fitted Dress, $2905.15, farfetch.com
Steve Madden 'Drmaquen' Pump, $129.95, stevemadden.com

I kept this ensemble simple because that's your safest bet for formal settings. Plus, the expensive material of the dress paired with these statement heels gives just enough punch. You can add more, but in this case I prefer simplicity. 

4) Special Occasions/Night Out

Clockwise from top left:
Silla Mid Heel, $61, missselfridge.com
3.1 Phillip Lim Sequined Silk Dress, $349.98 (on sale/SOLD OUT), theoutnet.com
BP. Open Metalwork Ring, $10, nordstrom.com

This dress is from last season, but I had to feature it. The bold sequins and sheer panels (on the shoulders and back) make the dress exciting, while the color scheme keeps it modern. To bring out the white accent in the dress, I chose a white pump. These also had a silver toe detail which I reinforced with the ring. In addition, the geometric pattern of the ring goes with the colorblocked pattern on the dress. The silver details bring out the dress's gray-silver sequins. 

Bonus: Hey, look! Jennifer Hudson approves!

I think it's safe to say that emerald's one of the hottest colors around. It's pretty in basically every shade and can be worn for any occasion. The outfits I put together above are just a few examples out of the countless number you can make with this color. What do you guys think? Do you like emerald? Gimme your thoughts in the comments and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com to chat. 

Poll Post: Statement Accessories and Three Bangin' Ways to Wear 'Em!

Alas, another late Poll Post. Before we continue, please accept my sincere apologies.

This week, I'd originally planned to highlight one statement accessory. However, your apparent love for them changed those plans. 

1) Necklaces

I like to play it safe when it comes to statement necklaces because I don't have that many and they don't always go with my style. Whatever your favorite look is-- neon, natural stone, or crystal-- your best bet is to wear a necklace with just that in it. Let me explain.

Pretty Highlighter Yellow Necklace, $14, lulus.com

This necklace has three focal points: gold, neon, and diamond (above the neon triangles). I'd pair this with a leather skirt, white tee and black ankle boots, but for an outfit with more detail in the clothes, the necklace has to be toned down to avoid clashing. Say I wanted to wear a vertically striped chiffon button-down instead of a plain white tee. If I wore a simple chunky gold chain, neon triangle, or diamond statement necklace, there would be no clashing to worry about.

If you feel confident rocking all the trends in one piece, go for it! I'm giving advice based on my style and experience.

Another important thing to know about statement necklaces: where to buy them!

• J. Crew These are shiny and pretty and preppy, great for semi-dressy to formal outfits. You could rock these to school, on the streets, to work, and maybe even out at night, with the right outfit. 
• Free People This store's necklace collection is great because they range in style from super boho to casual to even J.-Crew-like. I personally would buy a boho one since they're so for them and, as you probably know by now, I'm really into boho-inspired style.
• Anthropologie This brand is very similar to Free People, but geared toward middle-aged women as well as younger people. What I mean by that is that there aren't too many frayed hems or floor-grazing cardigans. Also, their necklaces are slighty more polished than FP's. You can get necklaces here for nearly every occasion; they all just have a hippie/boho vibe.
• BP at Nordstrom The junior's section at Nordstrom is great for trendy teens. There's a great variety of necklaces and a lot of them can be dressed up or down. 
• Forever 21 This place is the trend capital of the fast-fashion world. Their pieces are just like BP's, but cheaper. And there's a wider selection!

These are just a few stores I could think of off the top of my head. There are tons more to check out.

Now let's see my pick.

Nocturne 'Tonya' Statement Necklace, $285, calypsostbarth.com

I really like this necklace because it's neutral but so intricate. It definitely commands attention; I'd make it the center of my outfit.

Clockwise from top left:
Nocturne 'Tonya' Statement Necklace, $285, calypsostbarth.com
Club Monaco 'Geraldine' Silk Charmeuse Dress, $349, clubmonaco.com
Rebecca Taylor Sleek Bootie, $395, rebeccataylor.com

2) Earrings

Statement earrings come in all different shapes and sizes. There are studs and dangling earrings, stone and enamel. Any material can be in a statement earring; the shape and size are what determine whether it's a statement piece or not. Here are my rules.

Studs Big studs are usually the way to go for a statement unless they're made of a super-shiny or attention-grabbing material (ex: holographic/prism). Studs are my favorite!
Dangling These make the best statement when they aren't too big/long (Limit: 3-4 inches! No shoulder grazers!). Let the punch be in the material and color of the earrings, not the length. 

Dannijo 'Lovisa' Earrings, $395, shopbop.com

This colorful pair would look great with a colorblocked outfit. The sparkling crystals add extra drama.

Clockwise from top left:
Ivanka Trump 'Natalie' Suede Pumps, $130, lordandtaylor.com
J. Crew Silk Cami, $59.50, jcrew.com
Roksanda Ilincic 'Bramall' Two-Tone Wool-Crepe Skirt, $910, netaporter.com
Dannijo 'Lovisa' Earrings, $395, shopbop.com

3) Belt

Statement belts are most commonly worn around the waist, cinching a dress, sweater, top, or layers. They can be narrow or wide, colorful or understated. Most people think statement belts can't be narrow, but if they're bright or otherwise bold, they sure can! 

My main tip: If you want a really eye-catching belt (e.g.: brightly colored patent leather), wear a skinny belt. Wide belts will look overwhelming since there's so much space with so much detail. 

For wide belts, stick with colors other than blinding brights and neons. Other than that, go crazy!

Oscar de la Renta Faille Enamel Buckle Belt, $590, neimanmarcus.com

This belt is very formal, but can also dress up casual-chic pieces like in the outfit below. 

Clockwise from left:
T by Alexander Wang White Classic Long Sleeve T-Shirt, $90, ssense.com
Rare Disco Skirt, $25.31 (on sale), asos.com
Windsor Black Strap Heels, $26.90, windsorstore.com
Oscar de la Renta Faille Enamel Buckle Belt, $590, neimanmarcus.com

Overall, statement accessories, especially the three we just saw, are a lot of fun. You can wear them everywhere and they're super easy to style. What statement accessory is your favorite? Comment and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com.

Poll Post: The High-Waist Trend

As the summer slips away, so do all of its trends and styles-- with one exception (Or at least, the one I'm focusing on now.). It emerged this year and will continue to grace the runways through the Fall 2013 season. Ladies, I give you none other than the high-waist trend.

A vintage shot of Marilyn Monroe in high-waisted shorts.
Can it get any more 60's than this?

High-waists are so great because they look good on every figure, skinny or curvy. They can look super casual or put-together. The fit makes it virtually wardrobe malfunction-proof since it can't slip past your hips as easily as low-cuts do.

This trend is so everywhere, I'll be giving myself a nice pat on the back if I actually manage to cover it all here. There are all kinds of high-waisted bottoms: shorts, pants/jeans, and skirts. Within these, there are many different lengths, materials, and other elements. I'll take my favorite examples (one or two each for shorts, skirts, and pants), incorporate them into outfits, and discuss them below. 

Lily White Faux Leather Skater Skirt, $44, nordstrom.com

This skirt takes a few trends and combines them into one chic piece. Maroon is always great for fall, the faux leather material is totally cute, and the flared out shape, along with the skirt's high waist, makes it universally flattering. I'd pair this with earthy colors and/or other neutrals. Also, since the faux leather makes a statement, I wouldn't wear it with anything too busy. To me, this skirt screams "edgy", although you could definitely style it tons of other ways. Here's an outfit idea:

From left to right:
Forever 21 'Let's Roll' Muscle Tee, $13.80, forever21.com
Lily White Faux Leather Skater Skirt, $44, nordstrom.com
kate spade new york Small Square Stud Earrings, $38, bloomingdales.com
Madewell 'the foothill' Lace-Up Boot, $248, madewell.com

Levi's Get Lucky Cutoffs, $88, nastygal.com

These are the perfect casual shorts. Since they're not too ripped up, you could even try dressing them up slightly. (Slightly.) The high waist not only creates the perfect silhouette, but is really comfortable. You could wear them all through the summer and even in the fall and winter, with the addition of leggings or tights underneath. Since fall is upon us, I'm gonna style these with the new season in mind. (And by the way, check out Nasty Gal's vast collection of high waist shorts here. I've featured a couple shorts by them because 99%, if not all, of their shorts are high-waisted!)

Clockwise from top:
Laurel Hill Harvest Collar, $168, freepeople.com
Levi's Get Lucky Cutoffs, $88, nastygal.com
Madewell 'the barnwood' Boot, $218, madewell.com
BA&SH Low Back Sweater in Chunky Knitted Cotton, $91.13 (on sale), asos.com

Next we have a dressy pair of high-waist shorts. The high waist makes it easy to pull off a dressy look because of the look and the fit. The look of the bottoms-- in this case, shorts-- can easily be altered with different colors, textures, materials, and more. The fit gives you more confidence (no bloating to worry about!) and, like I said before, looks good on everyone and leaves almost no room for wardrobe malfunctions. I really liked these shorts because of the scalloped hemline and easy elastic waistband. It makes them super cute and comfy at once!

Nasty Gal Gilded Lily Lace Shorts, $36 (on sale), nastygal.com

Since these shorts make a statement, let's build an outfit around them.

Clockwise from left:
Equipment 'Floral colorblock signature' blouse, $258, farfetch.com
Kendra Scott Sam Necklace in Yellow, $99.97 (out of stock), kendrascott.com
Nasty Gal Gilded Lily Lace Shorts, $36 (on sale), nastygal.com
Steve Madden 'Lennix' Flat Ankle-Strap Sandal, $29.99 (on sale), stevemadden.com

Here are some shorts that would make a good go-to pair. There aren't any rips and they're just the right length, so they aren't too casual. 

STS Blue High Waist Cuff Denim Shorts, $22.80 (on sale), nordstrom.com

Here's an outfit you could pull off any time, anywhere.

Clockwise from top left:
J. Crew Collarless Popover in Indigo Oxford, $78, jcrew.com
AEO Baguette Bracelet, $14.99 (on sale), ae.com
STS Blue High Waist Cuff Denim Shorts, $22.80 (on sale), nordstrom.com
Chuck Taylor Washed Canvas Sneaker, $65, converse.com

To finish off with the shorts and skirts, let's do a midi skirt. This printed deep green style is great for fall because of the length and its muted colors. 

Maeve 'Fractured Maze' Midi Skirt, $98, anthropologie.com

Here's a styling idea:

Clockwise from top left:
Coach Classic City Bag, $278, coach.com
Maeve 'Fractured Maze' Midi Skirt, $98, anthropologie.com
BC Footwear 'Bright Idea' Suede Wedge, $85, bcfootwear.com
Hollister Bay Shore Sweater, $39.50, hollisterco.com

Now, on to the pants. I'll start with a wardrobe staple: the ink-wash skinny. With a high waist? Even better.

Citizens of Humanity Rocket High Rise Skinny in Icon, $188, bloomingdales.com

Here is one of many ways to style these jeans.

Clockwise from left:
Citizens of Humanity Rocket High Rise Skinny in Icon, $188, bloomingdales.com
Etro Angora-blend sweater, $980, net-a-porter.com
Lalique Arethuse Revelation Ring, $755, lalique.com
Miu Miu Suede Buckle Pump, $525.95, dsw.com

We'll end with a nice suiting pant. This pick is a classic. The high waist and neutral gray give you endless outfit combinations to choose from, and the cut is clean and extremely professional.

Michael Kors Agnes Wide-Leg Pant in Dusk, $447 (on sale), neimanmarcus.com

Here's a foolproof way to wear it. 

Left to right:
Michael Kors Agnes Wide-Leg Pant in Dusk, $447 (on sale), neimanmarcus.com
kate spade new york 'gramercy' Round Bracelet Watch, $225, nordstrom.com
J. Crew Factory Stretch Classic Button-Down Shirt, $44.50 (on sale), jcrewfactory.com
Prada Black Leather Point Toe Pumps, $427.50 (on sale), bluefly.com

As you can see, there's not much to say about high waists. They're comfortable, universally flattering, versatile, and come in all different shapes and styles. I hope these outfits gave you inspiration to get out and rock the trend! Like always, comment below and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com to ask questions or share your thoughts. Before I go, though-- I know, I know, this was so late-- I'm sorry! Here's a surprise to make up for it. Enjoy(: