Miss Allie Jane

Bye For Now

2014-01-28T21:48:00.002-05:00

Call it a quarter life crisis, but I've been reassessing my priorities lately and have decided to take a break from blogging. I started this blog two and a half years ago as a way to share the things that I love and that inspire me. Ironically, I've found that by spending so much time sharing what I love I have less time to actually do the things I love. In the weeks and months to come, I look forward to spending more time with friends and family, trying new recipes, practicing photography, and dusting off my sewing machine.

Thanks to all of you who followed along!

Engaged

2013-11-20T06:53:00.000-05:00

Words could not describe my surprise and elation this past Saturday when A got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Even now, four days later, I can't stop smiling and staring at my left hand. My mind is already spinning with ideas for our big day, but before I dive into planning our wedding and our future together, I'm taking time to enjoy this milestone in our relationship and the utter bliss that I feel.

DIY Inspiration | Jeweled Cap

2013-11-14T07:35:00.000-05:00

This J. Crew cap proves that rhinestones and fabric glue can go a long way towards turning a classic baseball hat into a style statement. Much like the bedazzled sweatshirts that seem to be everywhere this season, this hat is the perfect combination of casual and glam.

[photos via J. Crew]

Taco Tuesday at Taqueria Feliz

2013-10-23T07:22:00.004-04:00

Last night Jordan and I ventured down to Main Street Manayunk to celebrate Taco Tuesday at the newly opened Taqueria Feliz. The guacamole was to die for...

...and the blood orange Feliz Margarita was the best margarita I've ever had. No lie.

The pork carnitas tacos were a deliciously unexpected take on one of my favorites, pulled pork.

I definitely have a new favorite Mexican restaurant, and I'm looking forward to taste-testing the other margaritas on their menu!

Easy Like A Sunday Morning

2013-10-20T11:25:00.003-04:00

I'm spending this lazy Sunday morning in bed drinking apple cider and catching up on my favorite blogs. I hope you have a great day!

Fitness Inspiration | Crop Tops

2013-10-16T07:29:00.000-04:00

My exercise schedule is irregular at best, as I often find myself lacking the motivation to make time to workout. The beautiful crop tops on the Spring 2014 runways may just be the inspiration that I need to do some crunches!

Giambattista Valli | David Koma

Michael Kors | Cushnie et Ochs

Jil Sander | Mother of Pearl

Ports 1961 | Alice + Olivia

Christian Siriano | DKNY

{photos via Style.com}

Red Arrows

2013-10-08T07:21:00.000-04:00

Gap top | American Eagle jeans | Zara flats

The Runway Review | PFW Spring/Summer 2014

2013-10-03T20:24:00.000-04:00

The Runway Review

Paris Fashion Week

Spring/Summer 2014

Balenciaga

Balmain

Chloé

Christian Dior

Chanel

Elie Saab

Giambattista Valli

Hermès

Isabel Marant

John Galliano

Lanvin

Louis Vuitton

Miu Miu

Nina Ricci

Roland Mouret

Saint Laurent

Stella McCartney

Valentino

{photos via Style.com}

Homemade Mediterranean Dip

2013-10-01T07:11:00.000-04:00

This dip speaks for itself. Words simply cannot describe how delicious it is. So I won't even try.

Get the recipe here.

The Runway Review | MFW Spring/Summer 2014

2013-09-25T07:17:00.000-04:00

The Runway Review

Milan Fashion Week

Spring/Summer 2014

Alberta Ferretti

Bottega Veneta

Dolce & Gabbana

Etro

Fendi

Gucci

Giorgio Armani

Jil Sander

Marni

Max Mara

Mother of Pearl

Ports 1961

Roberto Cavalli

Salvatore Ferragamo

Tod's

{photos via Style.com}

StrEAT Food Festival

2013-09-24T07:30:00.000-04:00

I remember racing down the street as a kid chasing the ice cream truck and the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel". I'm not sure whose idea it was to move beyond ice cream and begin to sell everything from cupcakes to Korean barbecue off of the side of trucks, but they're a genius! This past Saturday I wandered down to Main Street Manayunk to check out the StrEAT Food Festival and taste the fare from some of Philly's most popular food trucks. They certainly didn't disappoint!

{photo via Manayunk.com}

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

2013-09-20T07:03:00.000-04:00

I'm on a pumpkin kick (aren't you?!) and was instantly smitten when I stumbled across this recipe on Pinterest. These donut holes are out of this world!

The Runway Review | LFW Spring/Summer 2014

2013-09-18T20:15:00.004-04:00

The Runway Review

London Fashion Week

Spring/Summer 2014

Antonio Berardi

Burberry Prorsum

David Koma

L'Wren Scott

Mulberry

Moschino Cheap & Chic

Osman

Preen

Temperley London

[photos via Style.com]

New Favorite App: Studio

2013-09-16T07:23:00.000-04:00

In high school I took a photoshop class. We made magazine covers and posters and playing cards. I loved it!

In college I majored in management. I'm bossy, so really it was a perfect fit. After graduation I pursued opportunities in advertising and am now a project manager at an ad agency. I keep things organized and tell people what to do. I love it! And I'm really good at keeping things organized and telling people what to do. But spending so much time with talented designers sometimes makes me wish I'd studied graphic design.

Enter my new favorite app: Studio. Studio lets me create beautiful layered design files. It's really fun. And, according to this article, Studio will do for design what Instagram did for photography.

You can download Studio for free here.

Also check out the A Beautiful Mess app, which lets you enhance your photos by adding filters, borders, doodles, and more.

The Runway Review | NYFW Spring/Summer 2014

2013-09-14T08:40:00.000-04:00

The Runway Review

New York Fashion Week

Spring/Summer 2014

Alice + Olivia

BCBG

Badgley Mischka

Cushnie et Ochs

Carolina Herrera

Christian Siriano

DKNY

Diane von Furstenberg

Erin Fetherston

Elie Tahari

Holmes & Yang

J. Crew

J. Mendel

Josie Natori

Jenny Packham

Jill Stuart

Jason Wu

Kaufmanfranco

Kate Spade

Lela Rose

Marchesa

Mara Hoffman

Milly

Michael Kors

Monique Lhuillier

Naeem Khan

Nanette Lepore

Narcisco Rodriguez

Oscar de la Renta

Prabal Gurung

Ralph Lauren

Rachel Roy

Rebecca Taylor

Tory Burch

Tommy Hilfiger

Tadashi Shoji

Vivienne Tam

Zimmerman

[photos via Style.com]

Sneak Peek | My New Bedroom

2013-09-05T07:23:00.002-04:00

It's been nearly three weeks since I moved, and I'm surprised how quickly the decorating has come together and the house is starting to feel like home. I put a lot of thought into how to decorate my bedroom, and I'm very happy with the result. The white bedding is my favorite part; every morning it feels like I'm waking up on a cloud.

Jordan's cat, Fred, is very curious and often wanders into my room in the mornings to say hello. Isn't he cute?! I'll forever be a dog person, but Fred is quickly growing on me.

S'more Summer, Please

2013-08-30T07:38:00.000-04:00

{S'more via Dustjacket}

Labor Day Weekend is practically upon us, and, although I'm looking forward to the long weekend, the holiday always serves as a sad reminder that summer is over. Celebrate the last weekend of summer with a s'more, and dare to try a variation on the classic summer treat.

{S'mores Cookie Bars via Lovin' From The Oven}

{Raspberry S'mores via Real Simple}

{S'mores Cupcakes via Bakers Royale}

{S'mores Fudge Bars via Handle the Heat}

{S'mores Tarts via Cupcakes & Cashmere}

Fall Wishlist

2013-08-28T07:45:00.000-04:00

{Asos animal print frock}

{Gap cords}

{Zara flats}

{Banana Republic leather fit and flare mini}

{Butter London nail laquer in La Moss}

{Gap skimmer jeans}

{Zara city bag}

{J. Crew leather sleeve top}

{J. Crew peacoat}

{Gap sweater}

{Zara ankle bootie}

{J. Crew necklace}

{J. Crew scalloped mini}

DIY Throw Pillows

2013-08-21T07:49:00.000-04:00

Well, I did it. I made the big move and am spending the evenings unpacking and settling into the new place. I've just begun to decorate, and in the meantime these DIY throw pillows offer a cheery pop of color to my otherwise neutral bedroom.

Check out the tutorial here.

Interior Inspiration

2013-08-14T19:51:00.000-04:00

So the big move to Manayunk is in just three days (eek!), and although I have given little thought to packing I have given lots of thought to how to decorate. Here are some of the photos that have inspired me. I can't wait to get started!

[photos via Pinterest]

DIY Inspiration | Animal Print Accents

2013-08-07T08:22:00.001-04:00

{photos via Style.com}

As sad as I always am when summer comes to a close, the end of summer and start of fall marks my time of year for dressing. Warm days and cool nights call for strategic layers, and there's something wonderful about pairing a sundress with ankle boots and a knit cardigan.

As the change-of-season nears, I'm looking to the pre-fall collections for inspiration. Enter Burberry Prorsum. Christopher Bailey's collections are among my favorites every season, and his pre-fall 2013 collection was no exception. I was especially drawn to the gorgeous animal prints, proving that neutrals can be bold. The print and coloring reminded me of this clutch that I made last year. You can bet I'll be carrying the clutch quite a bit this fall.

Moving On Up

2013-08-01T19:08:00.000-04:00

I have some pretty big news: in two weeks I'll be moving into my first big girl, post-grad digs! I moved back in with Mom & Dad after graduation last year, and, after a year of working and saving, I'm gearing up to move to Philly with my college roommate.

Jordan and I met during sophomore year and became friends after a long ride back to campus together. We immediately grew close and eventually decided to room together junior year. I was very happy living with Jordan. She likes a clean house, and I like a clean house. She's kind of a homebody, and I'm kind of a homebody. She likes to watch "Friends", and I like to watch "Friends". She likes Jack Daniels, and I like Jack Daniels. It was perfect.

Jordan isn't just a great roommate; she's a great friend. She held my hair back after too many birthday cocktails. She jumped on my bed in excitement when A first asked me to dinner. She let me cry on her shoulder when I got my first job rejection email. She stayed up late with me talking about the future. It's amazing how much has already changed since we graduated from college last year, and I'm so glad that I'll have Jo by my side as I navigate this next year.

Homemade Peach Cardamom Crumble

2013-07-30T07:38:00.000-04:00

I love fruit in my dessert. When I go out to eat, if there's a lemon raspberry tart on the menu, I'm all over it.

I've tried many variations of peach crisp, but this recipe just jumped to the top of my list. I used yellow peaches instead of white peaches as the recipe calls for, but it was delicious all the same. The crumbly topping includes oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and one special ingredient: cardamom. The warm, wintery taste of cardamom mixed with the sweet, summery peaches is unexpected and delicious. I like to think of the flavor combination as Christmas in July!

DIY Inspiration | Givenchy-Inspired Floral-Lined Trench

2013-07-26T13:50:00.001-04:00

J. Crew trench | The Busy Bee Quilting floral fabric [via Etsy]

Givenchy Resort 2014 Collection trench [via Style.com]

Outfit Inspiration | Cream Lace

2013-07-23T19:58:00.000-04:00

Burberry Resort 2014

[photo via Style.com]

The lace skirts from the Burberry Resort 2014 collection are stunning, but such a bare ensemble would serve no practical purpose in my wardrobe. I came across this lace tee at Loft and wore it while traveling around Quebec with A for a more modest take on the look.