The Pleated Minidress: V-day Edition

It's time for another one of my v-day outfit posts.  If you missed my first ensemble with Trollbeads, click here. Anywho, for today's blast, I centered my look around a fab dress from Lifestyle Clothiers.  Isn't the color perfect for the occasion?  There's just something about deep burgundy.  It'll always be a do in my book.

On top of it all, the design's comfortable yet super flattering.  The piece highlights the small of my waist which creates a sexy hourglass figure + elongates my legs.  Yay for visual illusions! Sidebar: I actually wrote an article on 'em a while back on how to look 10lbs lighter with fashion so make sure you guys clicky.

Anywho, I paired my dress with a faux-leather moto jacket to add edge and carried a lace clutch to up my texture game.  To top things off, I accessorized with pearl pieces from Trollbeads' Falling in Love collection.

Other fabulous v-day dress options:

Dress:  c/o Lifestyle Clothiers || Necklace + Rings:  Trollbeads || Jacket:  Ann Taylor (similar) || Shoes:  Deb (similar)

 Shot by the awesome Sung Shin.

SS Eats: Choolaah

Sharing yet another fabulous food adventure with you guys today on SS.  If you follow me on IG + watch my instastories, you've probably already seen my coverage on Choolaah...BUT just in case you missed it and don't know what they're all about, they're a fabulous fine-casual Indian restaurant that just opened in Fairfax, VA's Mosaic District.  

I can't even begin to tell you guys how much I loved this restaurant!  I'm so beyond impressed with their entire operation.  Their food is a-MA-zing, and their decor is unique, fun, and impeccably clean. Justin aka DCFoodPorn - did I mention that my friends are all really ridiculously good-looking - and I got to watch the chefs in action, and it was super cool.  They made fresh naan and tandoori chicken right before our eyes!

See?  The naan making process begins...

They stick the naan to the sides of the tandoori oven to cook 'em...

...and whip them out after a few minutes after they're cooked to perfection.

A shot of their amazingly delish chicken cooking.

A slew of incredibly nomtastic bowls for your viewing pleasure!  Choolaah has these awesome build-a-bowl BBQ meals that appeal to pretty much everyone.  Whether you're a vegetarian or whatevs, you'll be more than satisfied with whatever grub you get here.  I got a chicken tikka masala bowl with brown rice + wheat naan.  The chicken and rice come separately with the curry on the side so you control how much or little you have.  

The other curry options are as follow:  chickpea masala, black lentil, yellow lentil or veggie masala. In addition to chicken, they offer 5 other proteins:  lamb, salmon, paneer cheese, veggie croquette, and tofu + veggie.

Paneer cheese + veggies? Um, I think yes.

A shot of their samosa chaat.  So. Freaking. Tasty!  They're topped with chickpea masala and drizzled with yogurt, sweet & tangy sauces with savory crispy noodles.

Mmm, why is lamb so good?

Now, in addition to these yummy bowls, they also sell different salads, lettuce wraps, naan wraps, and biryanis.  I've tried both the chicken + veggie biryani, and they are ridiculous in the best way possible.  I'm talking about a serious flavor explosion in your mouth!  Trust me, you'll be blown away.  Andddd while you're at it, get a mango lassi and choolaah chai.  Both of them are straight up amazeballs.  OH, and I almost forgot about dessert.  I didn't have a chance to try the kulfi, but their chocolate truffles are to DIE for!  Rich, creamy morsels of goodness that'll have you salivating for days on end.  

One last thing before I leave y'all.  Remember to take full advantage of their kickass sauce station. Like all their food here, their sauces pack serious flavor.  I tried their mint yogurt sauce, their choolaah fire sauce, and their choolaah lava sauce and loved each and every one of them!

A huge thanks to Choolaah for having me and the wonderful DCFoodporn.

January Workout Playlist: The KPOP Edition

Alright everyone, I'm beyond pumped to share my January workout playlist with you guys.  Today's post is all about korean pop!  I've been into it for quite some time, but more so when I was younger.  I still think old school kpop is superior - think Fly to the Sky, Shinhwa, SES, and Drunken Tiger.  I may be biased though because I've never been into the whole cutesy girl group thing...even though I secretly indulge from time to time, ha.
My current fave kpop group by far is 2NE1.  Their music is SO freaking cool, and I really like the whole image + vibe they got going on - if you watch their videos, you'll see exactly what I mean. Their group consists of 4 members, but CL (aka Chaelin) dominates IMO.  She actually has a bit of a career in the US, too.  She works with Skrillex and Diplo fairly often, and I believe she's managed by Scooter Braun (aka Justin Bieber's manager).  Hopefully she'll make it here because 2NE1 broke up earlier this year - she did resign with YG as a solo artist though so that should be cool.
ANYWHO, I hope you guys enjoy today's playlist!  Let me know what theme I should tackle next in the comment section below.  Also, I'm always looking for new tunes to sweat to, so if you have recommendations, definitely let me know!

Lost in a Sea of Green

So beyond excited to tell you guys all about my new boots today on SS!  I don't know if you all remember, but a while back, I partnered up with Two Perfect Souls for a fab giveaway.  One super lucky winner won custom shoes of their choice (!!!) I ordered a pair for myself, and I honestly couldn't be more impressed.  I was kind of skeptical when I sent Evelyn, the lovely owner, my measurements, but I'm a believer.  Custom shoes are now a luxury I'm more than willing to pay for! Not only are these boots super stylish, they're ridiculously comfortable.   Made of suede + leather, they're perfect for cold weather!  Do yourself a favor and invest in a pair ASAP.

Now, let's talk about my new Gentle Fawn dress.  I got this baby in the mail recently, and it's the ultimate transitional piece.  For those of you interested, it's currently on sale for $60 (!!!) - also available in coral. 

Get your layer game on in the winter to style a fashionable look that withstands the cold!  I'm not wearing tights or leggings here because I'm a crazy person (apparently), but you definitely should if it's cold out.  It'll create the illusion of longer legs anyway so it's a definite win-win. 

A close up shot of the back for you guys!

Other fabulous mini-dresses that I'm currently lusting for (all under $50):

A photo of the vintage Bally bag I told you guys about in my designer bag roundup!

Dress: c/o Gentle Fawn ($60) || Duster:  Sosie (similar) || Shoes:  c/o Two Perfect Souls || Bag:  vintage Bally || Necklace: c/o JWholesale

Shot by the wonderful Sung Shin.

My Naples Travel Diary: Part Deux

Alright guys, it's time for part 2 of my Naples, FL travel diary!  I know this is kind of belated, but I wanted to post other content first soooo that's why I'm sharing this late. Anywho, if you missed part 1, no worries - simply click here.  Now, without further ado, let's tackle days 3 & 4.

Day 3

I spent the entire morning + afternoon at the Waterside Shops with my mom.  This place is like the Rodeo Drive of Naples, FL.  It's an outdoor mall with designer stores that'll tickle every fashionista's fancy.  I spent the majority of my time at Saks Fifth sifting through their sales racks.  The Saks in PGH closed a few years back so I was indulging hardcore.  They had ALL of my favorite brands, and I ended up purchasing two fabulous pieces from Alexis:  a stunning B&W dress and a fancy lace top.  I can't wait to feature them both on here!

After our shopathon, we went to the fitness center to got our sweat on before heading to dinner at HobNob. Man, I can't even begin to tell you guys how awesome their food was.  Naples equals foodie heaven for sure!  We started with the most amazing seafood app.  OH, and I almost forgot to talk about the bread.  The waiter brought out a basket of house made cornbread, and I'm convinced it was blessed by Dumbledore's wand or something.  Oh my GOD, it was seriously magical.  I'd go back just to eat that!  And the honey butter that came with it? Um, yes x 100000.  What an amazing flavor combo!

Ok, I'm done.  I've gushed about the bread enough so it's time to move on to the appetizer.  We decided to split the octopus + white beans dish because our fabulous waiter recommended it.  We also got a cup of the crab & roasted corn chowder.  Both starters were absolutely phenomenal.  I was worried that the octopus would be tough, but it was the most tender octopus I've ever had.  The soup's flavor profile was also spot on.  It was just the right amount of rich and creamy.

For my entree, I went with the two way duck - it came with corn bread stuffing, watercress, and peaches.  The leg melted in my mouth, but the breast was a bit tough for my taste.  I really enjoyed all the different flavors though! It was definitely an enjoyable meal from start to finish.  My dad ordered the sea bass pictured above.  It was drizzled with coconut pesto, garnished with butternut squash, and came with a side of jasmine rice.  I didn't get to sample his dish, but he said it was quite tasty!  I think he preferred the USS Nemo preparation of it overall though. My mom got the crispy grouper, and it came with fries and coleslaw.  I didn't get to try hers either, but she said it was cooked to perfection.   

My parents and I were totally stuffed, but we wanted to try their dessert menu so we ordered a slice of carrot cake. It came with walnut brittle and house made vanilla ice cream.  I don't know what it was, but the ice cream tasted really unique, in a good way, of course!  I kind of wanted to order another bowl of it, but I refrained since I inhaled WAY too much food already.  Anwyho, I really can't recommend this place enough!  If you're in the area, make sure you check HobNob out.  Your tastebuds will seriously thank you.

Day 4

Since it was my last day in Naples, I decided to spend the day frolicking on the beach!  I ate breakfast & lunch at Baleen and then hit up Bistro 821 for dinner with my parents.  The evening started off well - we ordered two delicious appetizers:  Mussels (sautéed with root veggies and spinach in a lemon sake sauce) and a Chile Relleño (stuffed with garlic shrimp, spiced beef, and mozzarella cheese in a roasted tomato-chipotle sauce).  I absolutely loved the mussel's broth, and the chile was super flavorful.  The bread here was delish, too.  It was warm because it came straight out of the oven, and the accompanying oil dip was nomtastic.  

Entrees, however, were just ok.  I ordered duck, and it came with a roasted breast and a braised leg in a honey mustard glaze.  Sides were included as well:  mashed taters & grilled asparagus.  The duck here was actually way more tender than the meat I had at HobNob, but the flavor there was superior (for my taste at least).  

My dad got the snapper, and he thought it was way too sweet.  His fish was encrusted with coconut, lemongrass and ginger and came with jasmine rice and stir-fry veggies topped with a sweet and spicy thai chili sauce + crushed peanuts (pictured below).  I think he would've enjoyed it much more if the sauce came on the side!  My mom decided to try their sea bass because it was their no. 1 best seller.  It came glazed in a miso-sake marinade and was topped off with a lemon beurre blanc sauce.  Like my dish, it came with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. She actually really enjoyed the dish so I recommend trying it out if you decide to come here!

We finished our meal with a cup of creme brulee.  This was probably the weakest part of the meal because it tasted kind of burnt!  I do have to give this joint props for its service though - our waiter was a total boss!  He was very attentive and helpful.  

So that's it, guys!  That pretty much wraps up my Naples trip - lots of shopping, food adventures, and beach time. Have you traveled anywhere recently? If yes, let me know where in the comment section below.  I'm always looking to check out cool new places so I'd appreciate the recommendation.

All About Vintage Celine

Beyond pumped to partner up with Katelyn Mariko Photography for my latest!  We connected on IG and decided to collaborate by shooting a couple of outfits together at Tysons Galleria.  One of the BEST things about blogging is meeting new people.  I've had the opportunity to hang out + work with some truly amazing creatives!  We did three looks together so make sure to keep an eye out.

For today's work-friendly OOTD, I re-featured a bunch of old favorites:  my chunky cardi from Off Saks Fifth, my retro high-waisted BCBG dress pants, and my vintage Celine bag.  Sidebar:  I blogged about my designer bag collection a while back.  If you'd like to take a peek into my closet, clicky!

I'm a huge fan of neutrals, but I wanted to incorporate a pop of color so I paired my bottoms with a mustard tee.  I picked this baby up at Madewell during after-Christmas sales for $10 or so.  They were giving customers an extra 30% of sale merchandise & on top of that, they let me use my student discount (!!!!) 

Other fabulous chunky cardis:

Tee:  Madewell || Pants:  BCBG (old) || Cardi:  Saks Off Fifth (old) || Shoes:  c/o AMICLUBWEAR || Bag:  vintage Celine

Shot by the fabulous Katelyn Mariko.

4 Mantras Girl Bosses Live and Breathe

For those of y'all who know me well, you know firsthand that my work means the world to me. I'm passionate about all the different hats I wear, and I'm proud to say that I give everything in my life 200% all day, every day. However, that wasn't always the case.  It was definitely difficult getting here mentally and emotionally, but I wouldn't trade it for anything because it's shaped me into the woman I am today.  So, I'm extra excited for my latest because I'll be tackling topics I'm SUPER passionate about.  We'll be addressing 4 quotes that every BAMF girl boss lives by today on SS.

1.  "Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."

When I was growing up, I had a lot of big opportunities come my way, but I would often self-sabotage.  I'd try, but I wouldn't try my hardest so if I had failed, it'd be because I didn't give it my all. It was a way for me to protect myself and my pride - I mean, looking back at it now, I honestly can't think of anything stupider, but it made sense to me back then.

We're human so it's natural to fear failure.  No one wants to eff up or be rejected, but you won't move forward unless you put yourself out there.  Take advantage of whatever opportunity comes your way, but don't sit back and wait for them to come knocking at your door because you'll be asking for failure. I hear so many people bitch and moan about others and their successes.  "That guy totally didn't deserve that position" or "how did SHE book that concert" or "how is that blogger working with that company, she's not even that pretty."  Girl bosses don't think that way.

If you don't like where your career's at, do something about it.  Get out of your comfort zone.  Go meet people and make genuine connections.  Ask for help!  Pitch collaborative ideas to brands, artists, or whoever/whatever's applicable.  The worst you'll ever hear is "no," and trust me, it won't kill you.  You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.

2.  "We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough."

Grit is everything.  We all know the story about the tortoise and the hare, and although I didn't know it back then, that shit was deep.  Slow and steady really does win the race.  When I was in college, I used to work in spurts.  I'd feel super motivated one day and pull an all-nighter working on a project, only to wake up late the next, feeling too groggy to function.  It's better to do small amounts daily rather than binge-work, especially if you're working towards a long term goal.  For example, if you want to run a mile in 8 minutes or less, you'll need to schedule jogs several times a week for an extended period of time to build your endurance. Consistency. Is. Key.

Now, on top of that, expect to hit a wall at some point.  Actually, scratch that! Expect to slam into SEVERAL walls that seem unbreakable - the key word being "seem."  If you give up when the going gets tough, you're never going to succeed.  Regardless of how talented or how smart you are, you're going to plateau or straight up fail at some point.  I've hit rock bottom MANY times in my life, and I'm not afraid to admit it.  I've played concerts where I've forgotten lines of music, or worse, competed and totally bombed after months and months of excruciating preparation.

There's nothing more disappointing than investing your blood, sweat, and tears into something only to have it explode in your face, BUT it's all a learning experience and you need to embrace it as such. When things get hard, girl bosses push themselves harder.  They fall seven times and get up eight because behind that wall is a revelation that'll help them get THAT much better.  Always think long term, and stick with whatever it is you're doing because things will get easier at some point.

3.  "A lion doesn't concern himself (or herself in this matter) with the opinions of sheep."

When I first started Sensible Stylista, people talked so much shit!  Fashion blogging wasn't as common back then, and I had just started my doctorate at school so I felt pretty self-conscious about it all.  Friends would come up and tell me that so and so was saying this and that about my style or my writing, and it sucked.  It hurt my feelings to hear bitchy things, BUT it helped me develop a much thicker skin so at the end of the day, I'm grateful for it all.

If you're putting yourself out there, people are going to talk.  Be prepared for it and stay strong.  Keep your eye on the prize and focus on your goals because at the end of the day, negative words mean absolutely nothing.  Like Eleanor Roosevelt eloquently said, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent."  Fast forward 5 years, with 500k+ followers and 100k+ monthly views, I'm so beyond glad that I ignored all the haters and powered through.  Don't let anyone discourage you from pursuing your dreams!  You're a girl boss, therefore you shouldn't give a damn what anyone thinks. 

4.  "Comparison is the thief of joy."

Social media's great on so many different levels, but it can be discouraging and even depressing at times. Everyone's putting their best foot forward without acknowledging their hardships out in the open so the grass almost always seems greener on the other side.  Girl bosses don't deal with that bullshit though! They stay focused and only concern themselves with their own progress.  They also respect other people and their successes and realize that their accomplishments (however impressive they might be) don't detract from their own.  

Alright everyone, that's it for today!  Do any of these mantras resonate with you?  If yes, which one /s and why? I hope you enjoyed this post.  It took me a while to write up so hopefully it was helpful.  If you enjoyed it, please take a second to share it with friends!  

Find of the Day: The Ruffle Maxi ($40.50)

Alright guys, it's time for another fab find of the day!  Today's featured item isn't as affordable as usual, BUT it's seriously one of the cutest and most flattering skirts I've ever worn or seen for that matter.  ASOS, you did it again!  The high-rise waist makes you look hella fit and creates the illusion of longer legs (!!!) On top of that, the semi-sheer mesh detailing is beyond cute - oh, and don't worry, the piece is lined up top so you're keeping it PG. But seriously though, aren't the tiered ruffles totally adorable? I love how they cascade down!  

I paired the skirt with a black crop and belted it with yet another ASOS find. For those of you interested, the belt's still available for $28.  You can adjust the length and wear it on your hips or waist.  Yay for versatility!  To finish things off, I threw on sky high heels and carried my fave Chanel.

Other cute maxi skirts for your lusting pleasure:

 Skirt:  ASOS (40.50) || Belt:  ASOS ($28) || Shoes:  Aldo || Bag:  Chanel || Top:  BCBG (similar)

Photos shot by the amazing Sung Shin!

January Beauty Favorites

1.  RG Collagen Shampoo + Mask:  I've been using this shampoo + hair treatment for the past 2 months now, and it's helped my mane tenfold.  It smells like heaven and smoothes like a boss. The formula contains argan oil and silk amino acids that treat and protect your strands, leaving you with ridonkulously soft hair.  If you're looking for new hair products, give this line a try!

2.  Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Creme ($25):  Hands down, the most amazing hand creme I've ever used!  It pretty much cured my cracked skin overnight, which is all sorts of awesomesauce.  Plus, it smelled magical so there's that!  Also, you can feel good about splurging on this product because $4 of it goes to support cruelty-free research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (!!!)

3.  Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation ($12.99):  I can't even begin to tell you guys how awesome this product is!  It works JUST as well as Amore Pacific's version yet costs a fraction of the price.  It gives my skin good coverage, and it's convenient for touch-ups on the go.  I use warm nude, and it matches my skin perfectly.  I'm definitely sold! I'll be repurchasing this over and over again.

The following products were sent to me to review as a judge for the AOL lifestyle winter beauty awards.  Click to see a list of all the judges!

4.  Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-Gel Eye Patches ($48): If you guys have dry skin like me, you've probably experienced a strange tightness around your eye area.  It's not super uncomfortable or anything, but it's hella annoying.  These patches have really helped though, and they conveniently stay fixed on my face so I can go about doing stuffs!  Hashtag hustler problems. TIP:  Put them in your fridge for a cooling effect that feels great + helps with puffiness.

5.  Super Goop CC Cream ($32):  I absolutely loved this CC Cream.  I got it in light/medium, and it complemented my skin tone beautifully.  I'm all about this product because it gives me a natural but flattering finish - think my skin but better, ha.  If you need extra coverage, correct spots with dabs of concealer on top!  

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SS Eats: Fig & Olive, Part II

Pumped to tell you guys all about my latest nom adventure with Justin Schuble aka DCFoodporn.  We went to Fig & Olive last week to get our grub on.  I had heard really good things about their prix fixe lunch menu so I was beyond excited to devour it all.  

To start, we ordered two cocktails: The Fig & Olive and the Cucumber Cosmo.  The former was made with organic cucumber vodka, blood orange olive oil, simple syrup, egg white, celery, lime juice, and blood orange puree.  The latter was a mix of elderflower liqueur, cucumber puree, lime juice, and cucumber vodka. 

We were starving so we placed our order quickly.  Our waiter was super helpful and attentive!  Fig & Olive definitely gets a 10 for service, and as always, the ambiance was on point.  If you're big on beautiful decor, you'll absolutely love this restaurant.  Their interior is sublime!  I still can't get over how gorgeous their bar is.

Now, back to food!  Their prix fixe lunch set costs $29 for three courses, but you can start with a crostini tasting for an extra $8.  There are 9 different flavor combinations available, but I went with the Proscuitto, Shrimp, and Gorgonzola.

For starters, they offered four different appetizers as choices.  Justin went with the Salmon Crudo, and I ordered the Burrata & Heirloom Beet Salad.  The salmon was marinated in a pink peppercorn pomegranate dressing and was garnished with pomegranate and grapefruit segment.  

My dish had slivered red apple, radicchio di Treviso, and hazelnut and was topped with a dill apple cider dressing. I'm a sucker for cheese in general so this was pretty much a slam dunk in my book!  I haven't had burrata in forever either so I was excited to indulge.  

Now, moving onto our main entrees.  Justin went with the Riviera Salmon, and I got the Walnut & Gorgonzola Linguine with shrimp.  I don't eat fish so I didn't have a chance to try his dish, but he told me it was tasty.  It was accompanied by braised endive, baby kale, cauliflower puree olive & piquillo condiment.  

My noodles were tossed with white dried fig, shaved red pear, and scallion.  The sauce was very unique - I've never tasted anything quite like it before!  If you're a fan of interesting pasta dishes, give this a go!  Note:  the shrimp (or protein of your choice) costs extra.

For dessert aka my favorite part of any meal, we got both offerings and shared.  The Chestnut Mousse & Amarena Cherry (pictured below) came with a walnut meringue and cherry sorbet.  The other dessert was called Chocolate Pot de Creme, and it came with a crunchy praline financiers + vanilla cream.  I definitely preferred the second, but that's probably because I love chocolate everything so I may not be the most objective judge.  

Have any of you guys tried their food yet? They have several locations throughout the US so head on over it you live close by.  Also, who here's a fan of prix fixe menus?

A huge thanks to Fig & Olive for having us.