PFMs in the Kitchen: Summertime Veggie Soup

Ok so I have a confession to make. I have an unusual love of soup. All year round. Hot or cold (but mostly hot). Why the obsession? I am not really sure but I know it started when I was about 3 and was always asking for "more foup please"... which my family can still manage to bring up in conversation. Soup is just so comforting, and so easy to create variations with. When in doubt, there's always ingredients in the fridge or pantry that can be made into some kind of soup, right? Is it wrong to eat soup every night for like 2 weeks straight? Yeah, my husband said so too.

This brings me to a recipe that I wanted to share. I have been a vegetarian my entire life, born & raised. *More specifically, I am a pescatarian (I abstain from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish). I get a lot of raised eyebrows and people wondering why I wouldn't want to at least "try" meat once. Here's the short answer: It's my life, and I just don't want to.

Tonight I was looking for something nourishing & quick.This soup is super colorful, and you can really get good use out of any vegetables you have growing in your garden. I am loving my backyard tomatoes & herbs! Don't have a garden? Not to worry, frozen veggies can be substituted too, just adjust cooking times accordingly. If you have a local Farmer's Market, I encourage you to stop there before you make this. You might be inspired to add in some different dark leafy greens, fresh corn off the cob, or sweet onions. This soup is vegan-friendly, easy, and delicious! Here's what I did:

Serves 6 to 8

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 & a 1/2 shallots, diced

3-4 cloves of garlic, crushed

1 large sweet potato, diced

2 to 3 cups diced fresh tomatoes (I used a combo of beefsteak & cherry)

6 to 8 cups vegetable stock or water (I used Better Than Boullion Vegetable Base)

1 zucchini, diced

4 cups sliced kale

1 can organic garbanzo beans

1/2 pound frozen organic green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs (chives, oregano, basil)

1 to 2 teaspoons sea salt

fresh ground black pepper

-Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add the shallots & saute for about 5 minutes, or until soft. Add garlic & sweet potatoes; saute a few minutes more. 

-Add tomatoes & stock. Simmer, covered for about 10 to 15 minutes, checking to see that potatoes are tender, but not all the way cooked.

-Then add zucchini, kale, garbanzo beans, frozen green beans, and fresh herbs. Simmer for an additional 5 to 7 minutes. Check to see that zucchini is cooked. Season with sea salt & black pepper to taste.

*Any recipes that we share are going to be vegetarian and/or vegan because that's just the way Sesheta & I roll. Much more on healthy eats to come...enjoy! -Becca

PFM Obsession: Clio Goldbrenner Handbags

Clio bag and pouchette - Clio Goldbrenner

while perusing the handbags in TJ Maxx recently, i ran into my latest bag crush.  i was drawn by the beautiful camel colored leather, perfect size and gold hardware (of course!!!).  though i carried her around the store with me, the price tag kept me from running to the checkout line.  i convinced myself that we could never work- her color was too light and i would stress about keeping her clean.  eventually, i put her back ready to never see her again.  after i left the store, i realized i didn't even get the designer, a name i've never seen before.  the next day after my crush grew into a full fledged obsession, i could not for the life of me find anything on the web that looked or sounded like the designer's name.  i had two choices: let it go and accept that we were never to meet again or call the store and ask for their help identifying the bag.  if you have ever had a true bag crush, you know there really was only one choice... soooo, after about 20 mins on hold and two (or maybe three) customer service associates, i finally had my name - Clio Goldbrenner, a designer out of Belgium.  Her bags are fabulous and, so far, are not really sold in the US.  i'm sure you're wondering...did i ever get that bag? sadly, no, but i have hopes that she and i will meet again someday real soon. - sesheta

Daily Outfit: Violet Army

MavenFresh Lightcatchers in Violet

like minds think alike.  there are soooo many times that Becca and i will be dressed in either the same items or similar colorways.  i guess that's what happens when u hang and shop with someone so often lol.  we were obviously feeling flowy today since we both came to work rocking our silk loose tops.  they both even have frills, lol!  i absolutely luuuuvvv this top and for so many good reasons! 1) it's purple 2) it has ruffles and 3) i got it for a steal (who says you have to be 21 to shop at Forever 21)!!  though Becca chose skinny jeans, i chose to put on structured wide leg pants to enhance the unstructured flowiness of the top.  two great ways to wear a flowy top!  i picked up the army green from the pinstripes on my pants and added the blazer to keep me warm in the frigid office temp.  accessorized with my tan cork wedges, a studded cuff and my lightcatchers, in a matching shade of purple, and i am good to go!!


(violet silk top - Forever 21, vintage wide leg pants - Diesel, army blazer - Hollister, Magnolia wedges - Lucky Brand, studded patent purple cuff - Matt Bernson, violet lightcatchers - MavenFresh, of course :)

Daily Outfit: Happy When It Rains

Getting dressed in the morning is usually the highlight of my day. I love to strut into my closet (yep it's a walk-in) and create an outfit based on how I'm feeling, or a color story, or a specific accessory. And this top is always a crowd pleaser, which makes me feel so good wearing it. I love the color, the ruffles that aren't too frilly, and the shape that is very flowy. Gotta rock it with skinny jeans to offset the volume of the top. Add some platform slingbacks in cognac and I am good to go. Certain color combos just click with me, and cognac with emerald green is one of them. In the fall I plan on wearing this top with a cognac leather jacket (I've yet to find the perfect jacket!) We took these pics right after a heavy rain yesterday, and the sun was trying to peek out just in time. Here's hoping that this weekend's impending storm passes on by just as quickly...stay safe on the east coast everyone! It's always fun to have some down-time to spend at home with loved ones, good wine, and some board games.

(Blouse and AG Stretch Denim Jeans- Anthropologie, Slingback Platforms- BCBG, Cardigan- J.Crew, Bracelet- Milk & Honey, New Jade Cascade Earrings- MavenFresh)

Daily Outfit: Partly Cloudy

i wasn't feeling partly cloudy when i put on this outfit but i have really been into little pops of color in styling.  trust me, i am such a color girl that the idea of only have a small pop of color is so unusual for me.  it's just that the introduction of nudes and neutrals have really grabbed my fashion attention.  my shirt is such a heavenly shade of cloud gray that it works perfectly with my MavenFresh cookies & cream triangle scarf especially when paired with my denim leggings.  my scarf and headband are the main focus of my outfit so i wore silver studs in my ears to not add confusion.  my MF headband was really the inspiration for the outfit name; i just loved this shade of mango orange yellow that it reminded me of the sun peaking out of the clouds...ha ha get it?? lol -sesheta


(shirt - anthropologie, denim leggings - dollhouse, triangle scarf in cookies & cream - MavenFresh, fresh flower convertible fascinator/headband in mango sorbet - MavenFresh, sandals - dolce vita, watch - Toy watch)

PFM Obsession: Neon Peach Polish

there are many times that i am out in the world doing my fave thing - people watching- it gives me inspiration for a new obsession.  My latest is with this polish from China Glaze .  It is the prettiest shade of peach but it comes off as neon peach - especially with a tan! Here it is on my toes and fingers.  I thought taking a nature shot would show them best but they just washed out in the sun :(.  Check the second pic for my inside shot to see the true color pop.  Fabulous!! - sesheta

China Glaze Nail Polish in Peachy Keen   (clipped to polyvore.com)

Daily Outfit: You're So Cool

And I do mean you! Ahhh how I love a good safari jacket (or any jacket in the olive family) and the late August heat has me working with layers. Heat= a quick top knot hairstyle. Being in an office setting during most days and designer by night has me considering the possibility of some serious A/C on my outfit choice. There's no telling if it will be cool or warm...so it's important to be prepared! To balance the flowiness and maxi-length of the jersey dress, I paired it with the longer silhouette of the Expeditionary Jacket...the adjustable tie at waist is perfect for adding shape to this breezy look. I love to give an exotic twist with neon feather earrings and strappy flat sandals. Think about adding contrast & pops of bright to an otherwise neutral color story. Chunky beaded necklace...done & done. Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips are such an awesome alternative to traditional polish. The black/white zebra stripes are the perfect complement to my fresh grass green toes. Do you think this girl is afraid of color? 

As per this blog post's title, True Romance has been and always will be a favorite movie of mine. Everytime that Hans Zimmer song shuffles into rotation on my ipod, I crack a smile & turn it up!

P.S. so we've started a style blog that will include other bits of goodness too...wish us luck!!!!

(Siren Dress- J.Crew, Jacket- Anthropologie, Sandals- Sam Edelman @Bloomies, Light As a Feather Earrings in Amazon- MavenFresh, Necklace- Ebay)