PFM Obsession: Black and White

i am usually anything but black and white; i live in the shading between these colors. ...but, recently, i can't seem to get enough of the black and white trend that's popping up everywhere!  whether it's houndstooth or a tribal pattern, i'm on it.  color blocking with black and white can be a great way to tone down brights.  bringing in a solid, bright color is also a perfect way to accent a black and white patterned item. ...or brighten up black and white with colored accessories like a bright shoe and/or bag (and even nails, like i did above).  the possibilities are endless!! 

i'm looking forward to working this color combo into the rest of my summer days and well into the fall! xo sesheta

(Check It Out Nails Strips - Sally Hansen Salon Effects, Blue Boyfriend Jeans - Forever 21, Black/White Tribal leggings - American Apparel, Sandals - Dolce Vita, Neon Yell-oh - Color Club (on toes))

A Day in the Life: Staycation Week

Relaxing in a vintage printed wrap skirt. I hit the local thrift store to sell off some vintage clothing and accessories...glad I kept this colorful piece! This look will be the next daily outfit!

Spending time with special house guests...our besties from Cali came to visit us for the week with a new member of the family who was all smiles. Sweet baby D we miss you!

Admiring the view from my beach chair...almost daily.

Enjoying the evening in the plaza at Lincoln Center. The fountain brings back lots of magical memories from my childhood, and this night marked a very special new one...we saw my brother perform onstage in a Curtis Mayfield tribute with some other amazing musicians. 

With my bro and my hubs...my two loves. Decked out for my brother's gig. Can you see the pride just radiating off me?

Cuddling with Stewie. 

Eating dinner outside with friends! We enjoyed a yummy kale salad (picked fresh from the yard) and topped it with a tahini dressing...healthy and delicious. 

Stay-cations are quite wonderful. I should take them more often! Hope your week was a good one...cheers to the weekend. xoxo Becca

Fresh Out of the Workshop: Disco Hoops

everyone knows what a disco ball is, right?.  well, our Disco Hoops are just as cool ... no, wait, better than cool; they are fresssh!!  if you've been following us on Instagram, then you've seen these pop up in our pics.  they are the right mix of bling and chunky to meet every girl's desire!  they have become my favorite addition to all my outfits.  the best part is not only do they come in Crystal (as seen above) but we also have versions in Champagne, Cobalt and Turquoise (pics coming soon).  Order your pair(s) from our shop today!

Daily Outfit: Sun, Sky, and Sand

Look to nature for some color-pairing inspiration! I recently had myself a little week-long stay-cation at home. It was mostly spent hitting the beach and soaking up as much sun as possible. That's really all I need to re-energize and refresh...a bit of downtime to read, relax, and eat good food with good friends. These pics were taken prior...dressed in shades of the sun, sky, and sand I must have been subconsciously thinking about my upcoming walks along the shore and my soon-to-be vacation. I'm loving that this vintage classic of a skirt manages to stay timeless in a rich teal blue. With that, all it took was a burst of electric yellow and then all the details just came together.

PS Can't wait to share some snippets of my week off with you! xoxo Becca

(Crochet Flower Wrap worn as belt- MavenFresh, Skirt- Vintage similar, Tank- Old Navy, Sandals- Nine West, Denim Blazer- Anthropologie similar, Hat- Forever 21 similar, Bracelets- Anthro, J.Crew, & Vintage)

Daily Outfit: Afro Punk

i am loving the warm weather.  i love feeling the warmth of the sun and constantly being in a freezing office, has me running outdoors for "heat breaks" so that i can warm up as well as enjoy the summer days.  considering we are in the last few days of July, i am determined to enjoy as much of the summer weather that we have left.  warm weather also means a change in our background scenery.  The grass and plants come alive and make the perfect addition to our summer fashion.  

i've dubbed this outfit Afro Punk because it is just that - a little bit Afrocentric, a little bit Punk.  my Maven ReFreshed tribal dress (it once was a pair of pants with a matching top) is funked up by my studded vest!  (i am getting so much use out of it!  recently, i rocked it over my leather jacket for warmth and it was so fresh, i can't wait to wear it that way for fall!)  i borrowed Afro Punk from the annual summer festival  and movement that bears the same name.  this year's festival takes place on August 25-26th in Brooklyn.  i love the Afro-Punk Fest because it honors those of us who don't fit into the traditional punk scene.   instead we are creating our own scene and the fest gives us a venue to hear music and see artists that are new and fresh.  i am looking forward to this year's events.  the only downside is it will mean that summer is just about over. booo!  though i'm looking forward to it, i'm still glad that festival is a whole month away which leaves a lot of time for sunshine! xo sesheta

(Hoops and Cowrie Link Necklace (worn as a bracelet) - MavenFresh, Dress and Studded Vest - Maven ReFreshed,  Gladiator sandals - Nicole, Belt - Thrifted)

Mani Pedi: Dipped Tips and New Tricks

Nothing wrong with adding a little sparkle to the tips of your nails...Sesheta's doing it and I am too! It will extend the life of your mani and get you compliments galore at the same time. Or check out this Chanel-inspired manicure which is like the inverted version of ours with a hint of metallic silver outlining the nail bed. Love, and can't wait to try it out! xoxo Becca

(Essie Chubby Cheeks with Sally Hansen Gem Crush Nail Color - Big Money)

PFMs on the Town: Brooklyn Brewery

last Friday, i had the pleasure of hanging at Brooklyn Brewery for the first time.  a bunch of my friends, mostly my ol' Wesleyan cronies, as well as family gathered in honor of my hubby's birthday.  we had sooo much fun.   we had a chance to try lots of new Brooklyn beers while in the company of good friends.  

it was hard not to be swept up by the hipster vibe that was all over the area.  located in Williamsburg, (right around the corner from both Beacon's closet and Brooklyn Bowl), the place was teeming with brooklynites (both native and newly relocated) and tourists all enjoying good company, music and, of course, brew.  we have already decided that we have to make it a regular excursion - especially while the weather is warm.  i for one am really looking forward to going back.  ...but the night didn't end here for us; once we closed down the brewery, we headed to Brooklyn Bowl for food and bowling.  beer and bowling - love it!! lol

i hope that you have been using the summer as an excuse to get out and enjoy life. being the mom of three and also having been married forever, it's so easy to get stuck in the regular routine.  i love every opportunity to remember that i am still young and fabulous and looking to have fun - even if my favorite place to hang is on my couch lol.  tonight, the hubby and i are meeting one of our fave couples to dance the night away while the legendary Q-tip spins on the ones and twos at Irving Plaza.  how are you starting off your weekend?  however you spend it, hope you have a blast! xo sesheta

Daily Outfit: Rockin Raspberry Sorbet

I love that H&M has a (small) selection of band tees. But when I don't find what I'm looking for in my size, eBay is a fantastic back up. So I embraced the July heat and went with a Popsicle-inpsired color palette of raspberry sorbet all the while humming aloud Sheena is a Punk Rocker. Feather and chain earrings seemed like the natural choice to build on this girly but edgy look...and somehow it manages to be very office-appropriate too.  xoxo Becca

(Feather Wisp Earrings in Milky Peach- MavenFresh, H&M Ramones Tee- eBay, Addison Story Skirt- Anthropologie {last seen here}, Boyfriend Blazer- Urban Outfitters, Beaded Bracelets- Anthropologie, Sandals- Aldo)

PFM Styling: Taking the Blonde Plunge

there is nothing like dyeing your hair to make you feel brand new.  i have alluded to my desire for color for over a year now and i finally took the plunge!!  i have been rocking my natural color since early last year and i officially missed having two-toned color (lol i was once referred to as the girl with two-toned hair).  i'm soo happy with the results too.  doing your hair yourself can be hit or miss.  luckily, i haven't had bad results.  it may be due to my attitude going in.  either way, you can't be afraid to do it.  i tell myself that i am going to love it no matter what. ...and i actually do! thank goodness!!!! lol, cause it could've been really bad.   i used the tie-dyeing technique so my hair would have that dip-dyed look.  exactly what i was going for!  ...and just in time for my summer tan! yay #ilovemyhair #naturalblackhair xo sesheta

PFMs in the Kitchen: Black Bean Tofu Tacos & Healthy Green Sauce

Growing up, Tofu Taco Nights in my house were something my brothers and I always looked forward to. Now my hubby and I created a version with black beans that might just be our favorite dinner to make. These are super tasty and satisfying. The Healthy Green Sauce is my own gluten-free, vegan alternative to sour cream. Line up your choice of toppings and crunch away! This makes enough filling for 10 shells. xoxo Becca

For the Taco Filling you need: 

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 small jalapeno pepper, finely chopped

12 oz soft organic tofu, drained and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (save the 2 oz for Sauce!)

1 15 oz can organic black beans, drained and rinsed

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

approx 4 tbsp Newman's Own Mild Salsa

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

large handful pitted green olives, sliced in half 

For topping off your taco I recommend:

shredded romaine or mixed greens

grape tomatoes, halved

shredded Daiya cheese

sliced avocado

Cholula Hot Sauce

1 package Ortega Whole Grain Corn Taco Shells 
whatever else you can come up with!!!

Filling How To: 
Heat the oil in a deep saute pan over medium heat with the onions, jalapeno pepper and a pinch of salt, saute until softened, approx 6 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin, saute another 2 minutes. Give it a taste and adjust to your liking! Add the black beans, soft tofu, salt, black pepper, and salsa. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beans are heated, and flavors are blended. Remove cover, taste again and add seasonings as needed- due to the tofu absorption. Now add your green olives into the pan. You want to continue to cook down your filling until you get it to a less-watery consistency. Mexican food is all about the seasoning! Now build your tacos to your liking and top off with the Healthy Green Sauce.

For the Healthy Green Sauce you need:

2 oz soft organic tofu, cubed

slightly less than 1/4 cup Trader Joe's Unsweetened Coconut Milk Beverage

1/2 a large ripe avocado

juice of 1/2 a lime

1/2 tsp water

1 pinch sea salt

Sauce How To: 

 Put all ingredients into a mixing bowl and blend with an immersion hand blender until creamy. Pour on top of taco like you would sour cream. Completely healthy and delicious! 

Daily Outfit: Pearls and Clouds

though usually i live on the edge of sweet and punk, this outfit is pure sweet.  from the colors down to the accessories, i kept this look simple.  the thing i love best about this outfit is that it is a mix of old and new old.   what do i mean by new old? well, my tunic dress was a sweet (pun intended) find at a thrift store so though it's new to me, it is a thrifted item so... technically it's old.  my footless tights have also been around forever too; they were the perfect addition so that i could have subtle coverage and not worry about exposure from my mini-dress.  i finished off the look with my wedges and pearls.  i rarely want to wear pearls but they just seemed right.   i definitely didn't have to miss the edge because the rough surroundings for our photo shoot made a great contrast for my sweet look.  maybe i should have called it pearls and pebbles lol xo sesheta

(Pearl necklace - MavenFresh (by special request), Tunic Dress - Kensie (Thrifted), Footless tights - Hue, Nude Wedges - Franco Sarto, Denim Jacket - Old Navy, Bracelets- unknown)

Daily Outfit: Hothouse Weakness

Being the avid Anthropologie shopper that I am, certain products just seem to stick with me. I'm talking years after they are no longer available. I have a weakness for their colorful bedding...specifically several versions of a cotton quilt named Hothouse that I mulled over endlessly, but never actually made it home with one. They were vibrant and colorful with a patchwork mix of bold flowers and tiled prints...totally swoon-worthy. Now here I am looking over these photos taken last week on a hot day near a brightly colored flowerbed; I'm dressed in a tomato red/peony pink ensemble with diamond-print shorts and flower in hair...makes sense that the Hothouse collection immediately comes to mind. Ooh I can't help but think that I missed the boat on those Anthro quilts. Nah, there's always a next time.

(Thai Rosette Headband- MavenFresh, Shorts- Anthropologie, Bop Basics Tee- Shopbop, Boyfriend Blazer- Urban Outfitters, Cat Eye Risky Sunglasses- Urban Outfitters, Sandals- Sam Edelman, Bauble Bracelet- Metal Monk, Watch- Marc Jacobs) 

PFM Styling: New Sunnies c/o Urban Outfitters

rocking my Dazed and Confused sunglasses!

i have realized that i really love a good pair of sunglasses.  in fact, i love them so much that i actually have more pairs than one person can really wear at one time, lol.  the other thing that i've noticed about my collection is that they range from expensive to cheap.  if they flatter your face, it really doesn't matter if they are $5 or $500.  

while perusing the mall with Becca, i dragged her to Urban Outfitters because i was on a hunt for a pair of cute, cheap sunnies that i could wear for whenever.  though i have a pair that i love and have been wearing, i didn't want to wear them to the beach and get them scratched.  at Urban, we were happily surprised by all the cute trendy frames available at no more than $16!! i had a hard time choosing between three different frames and the pair above were the winner (and they look fab with our new hoops- score!!).  i got the Ray-Ban look without the price tag! yay!  though i had only intended on wearing these to the beach, i switched out my more expensive pair for these and have been rocking them ever since!  love it! :) xo sesheta

p.s. i am also having fun playing with the photo editor Pic Stitch.  stay tuned for more photo collages! :)

PFMs in the Kitchen: Raw Thai Spring Rolls & Dressing

There are some things that always put a smile on my face...like riding beach cruisers at sunset, or listening to my brother sing...but the best is when my meat-eating man declares a vegan dish so delicious that he didn't even miss the meat. Yay! I made this yummy recipe, and took it on the road with us to a family party on the hottest day (so far) this summer. It's the ideal healthy appetizer. No cooking involved- which means you'll stay cool while whipping this all together. These rolls are full of flavor and pretty to look at, with a dressing that knocked everyone's socks off. I couldn't get enough of the fragrant ingredients; it took me right back to our honeymoon spent in Thailand!

xoxo Becca