A Cup of Tea with Traci Lee

In Between the Bites: Savory Meets Sweet

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 06:08:00 +0000

Happy Friday my friends! I hope everyone has wonderful plans for their weekend! I plan on doing nothing other than relaxing and catching up on sleep if I can help it... And maybe a little Zumba to keep my endorphins up ;) If you haven't already, I would seriously suggest trying out a Zumba class! It is fun, energetic, and I can't imagine a more entertaining way to work out. As Elle Woods once said "Working out gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't kill their husbands!" Speaking of being active and healthy, wouldn't it be great to indulge in a healthy dessert every once in a while? Well, if you live in the Ellensburg, Yakima, or Cle Elum area, check out V Baked Goods! V Baked Goods is a local company started by a very good friend of mine that bakes and sells gluten free, vegan, and soy free cookies. They have various flavors from chocolate chip, to banana bread, to chocolate strawberry! I tried the chocolate chip cookie myself and I could not believe that gluten free could taste so good. Take a look and give them a try, you won't be disappointed!

On another note! The last couple of weeks I have been experimenting with different meal and food combinations. Now I am always down for some grilled cheese sandwiches but never got more creative than the traditional cheddar and garlic on wheat. However, the other day my roommate was on Stumble Upon and happened to 'stumble upon' this amazing blog that features NOTHING but grilled cheese sandwich recipes! The blog is called Grilled Cheese Social and you can find every type of grilled cheese you can possibly think of from vegetarian options, cheese and fruit, proteins, and anything that you can possibly imagine! I got inspired by the blog and decided to experiment with some of them myself. Now I decided to start with a simple recipe in which I have the ingredients pictured AND listed below!

What I Used!

- Daves Killer bread in Powerseed (I love the texture!)

- Mozzarella cheese

- Italian dry salami

- Pure Honey

The sandwich I made was a mozzarella, salami, and honey sandwich! It was one of the most delicious homemade sandwiches I had ever had. It was the perfect combination of salty, savory, and sweet! I started by spreading honey on both pieces of bread, then layered on the mozzarella (as much to your liking!), added a couple slices of salami, then finished it off with more mozzarella. I put buttered the pan before putting the sandwich on at a medium-low heat. The mozzarella takes a while to melt so I chose medium-low to ensure the bread would not burn. I also used a lid on the pan to help the cheese melt faster. I cooked both sides of the sandwich until the bread was golden brown. Bon appétit! And remember to check out Grilled Cheese Social! You will not regret it.

With Love,

Traci Lee

OOTD: Blending The Seasons

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 23:46:00 +0000

TGIF and happy November 1st! I cannot believe that we are officially on track to begin celebrating the holiday season. I am probably going to be whipping out the Christmas CDs here in just a couple of weeks long before Thanksgiving... No shame!! Christmas music never gets too old for me. Oh my, it has been quite the week to even get to this point. Today was the first day in nearly a month that I did not have to wake up to an alarm, and let me just say that it was an absolutely marvelous feeling! Especially since I was up late relishing in all of the Halloween festivities. I was a black kitty cat again *meow*! I received a ton of compliments on my outfit and my makeup in which my inspiration I found on Pinterest (naturally). I hope everyone had an amazing Halloween evening! The best part of mine was sitting in IHOP with my friends in the early hours of the morning and having a kind stranger pay for all of our meals! I am sure he will have nothing but good karma for days. It is gestures like these that remind me that there are some truly wonderful human beings in this world and that I should always try to go out of my way to treat other people.

On another note! Below is an outfit that I wore on earlier this week. I was bored and was going through the tank top drawer of my dresser and stumbled upon my tribal print crop top that I had yet to wear. I was immediately inspired and paired it with my mauve maxi skirt and layered on a cardigan and jacket. What I appreciate so much about this outfit is how transitional it can be. Depending on how I decide to layer the outerwear, I can wear this outfit in fall, spring, or summer. I kept all the colors deep and earthy except for a pop of white to brighten the selection. As usual, I topped my look off with some NARS lipstick and one of my many gold necklaces. I am so excited for the fall season and to continue layering all of my looks! It leaves so much room for creativity as well as the opportunity to mix and match. Stay Posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look!
- H&M Maxi Skirt in Purple
- Tribal Print Crop Top (Similar Style)
- Nordstrom BP white cardigan (Similar Style)
- Urban Outfitters Green Jacket (Similar Style)
- Steve Madden Tblanket Moc Boot (Similar Style)
- Urban Outfitters 'Rhinestone Zodiac Necklace' in Gemini

OOTD: Sunshine on a Cloud Day // Guest Threads

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 06:32:00 +0000

Happy Monday my friends! I hope that everyone had a wonderful Halloweekend! Mine consisted of very little sleep due to costume parties every night, then needing to be up at the crack of dawn for a film project in the mornings. But NO, that did not stop me from having a ball of a time! I have probably consumed far too much caffeine for my own good. But then again, I can never pass up a well made caramel hazelnut latte to liven my day! I absolutely adore having an excuse to dress up so I always take full advantage of Halloween. That being said, I was a black kitty cat one night and a Pokemon trainer the next. Who knows what the 31st will bring! All I know is that I am going to be hanging out and having fun volunteering at a children's Halloween event! How fun!!

Anywho! The weather may be starting to simmer down and the days are becoming a little gloomy, but that won't stop me from wearing a shocking color to brighten the mood. Below I am wearing my new red-orange H&M dress which is very simple but the silhouette is perfect for fall! To break up the color, I accessorized with an abundance of gold jewelry and a thin gold belt that was my mother's when she was my age (so retro!). I love digging through my moms closet and finding those timeless pieces that can be passed down through the generations. I topped the look off with a pair of two tone suede heeled boots and my moss green Michael Kors bag for contrast. Stay posted for more fresh fall looks!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look!
- Dress: H&M Short Jersey Dress
- Boots: Jessica Simpson Slouchy Heeled Boot (old)
- Purse: Michael Kors Moss Bag (Similar Style)
- Watch: Skagen Watch (Similar Style)
- Bracelet: Anthropologie (old)
- Necklace: Anthropologie 'Trios Necklace' (Old)
- Belt: Passed down from my mom!

Guest Threads

Well well well! Here we are again. Meet Haley! Haley is my roommate and one of my best friends here at CWU. I could not have asked for a better person to live with and we compliment each other in every way possible. How would I describe her? She is stunning, vivacious, charismatic, and has such a style that cannot possibly be perfectly defined. She is the perfect eclectic combination of feminine meets grunge, meets earthy. Imagine leather, lace, and fringe. They are all different textures and finishes yet they all either compliment and contrast each other in the most intriguing of ways. She really should have been at her prime in the 70's! Every day her look tells a different story and yet, she makes it look so effortless. Yes, I envy her! Snaps to Haley!

Get Haley's Look!
- Dress: Tulle Dress (Similar Style)
- Shirt: Lucky Brand Tee Shirt (Old)
- Jacket: Nordstrom Trouve Parka (Similar Style)
- Sweater: American Eagle (Similar Style)
- Shoes: Forever 21 (Similar Style)
- Black Opaque Tights

OOTD: Contrast

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 06:54:00 +0000

Well well well, look who we have here! I am so incredibly happy to say that I am back from my unnecessary hiatus! It's funny how I told myself that the second I moved back to school, I would immediately start blogging again because I would be on a strict routine. Little did I know that my strict routine would involve countless hours on campus every day, my weekends filled with getting up at the crack of dawn to work on movie projects, and every ounce of free time I usually spend sleeping. A woman has to get her beauty rest you know! Let's just say that my caffeine consumption has been at an all time high and I am probably the only reason that the local Starbucks is still in business! But hey! I would not change what I am doing with my life with anything else in the world. Pursuing bachelor degrees in Costume Design as well as in Fashion Merchandising, being president of my college Student Fashion Association, and all my other extra curriculars keep me busier than a bee, but I am surrounded by the most amazing and uplifting friends. So much love for them!

Anywho! As we all know, fall has finally arrived! The air has a certain crispness to it, the leaves are changing colors and falling off their delicate branches, and sunset is coming earlier and earlier with each coming day. However, for it being late October here in Ellensburg, the weather has been exceptionally warm. I can last the day with nothing more than a cardigan and not be cold! That being said, I have been using this as an excuse to continue wearing some of my favorite dresses without fear of the chills. Yesterday I pulled my black and white polka-dot Urban Outfitters dress out of the back of my closet. I paired it with a large red elastic belt with a golden clasp to break up the pattern of my dress. As I typically do in fall and winter, I am wearing black opaque tights to keep my legs warm and stay modest. I paired the look off with my black over-sized sweater. Then the neighborhood cat 'Lawrence' came out to play and I just couldn't resist! Being back at school means I have to be a little more practical with my outfits unfortunately so we shall see what this school year brings! I plan to share the rest of my journey with all of you!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look!
- Urban Outfitters dress (Similar Style)
- Forever 21 belt (old)
- Aldo ankle booties (Similar Style)
- Nordstrom BP cardigan (Similar Style)
- Nordstrom BP opaque tights in black
- See previous posts for rings!

OOTD: Falling into Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 07:56:00 +0000

Hello friends! It is very early Sunday morning here in Seattle and I really should be sleeping, but my mind can find many more interesting things to do! I worked my last shift at Anthropologie for the summer today which was very bittersweet. I have grown very close to my Anthro family but I know I will be seeing them all in a few short months for the holiday season! I can't even fathom that Thanksgiving is only two and a half months away, let alone college classes starting back up in two weeks! I guess time really does fly by when you are having this much fun.

Well, Seattle has seen nothing but rain and clouds for the last few days so i've been rocking more fall inspired looks. I wore this outfit yesterday to go grocery shopping and run some errands with my best friend. I based my outfit around my new AG Stevie Ankle jeans that I bought in the most amazing taupe/neutral color. This is one of my favorite colors for clothing and can easily carry on into any season of the year. I paired the jeans with a basic white v-neck tee shirt, a black dolman sleeve cardigan, and my favorite brown leather boots. I felt my outfit was far too simple so i decided to whip out my brand new head turban that I just purchased from Urban Outfitters and add a dark, sultry lip. I always figure, go big or go home, right?

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look!
- Anthropologie 'AG Steve Ankle Jeans' in Sulfur Mocha
- Nordstrom BP dolman sleeve cardigan (Similar Style!)
- Target 'Mossimo Juniors V-Neck T" in White
- Nordstrom BP 'Sutton Tall Boot' in Brown
- Urban Outfitters 'Jersey Turban' in Black
- Anthropologie 'Jeweled Fauna Cuff' in Red
- Urban Outfitters Midi Ring (Similar Style!)
- Urban Outfitters 'Rhine Stone Zodiac Necklace' in Gemini
- NARS 'Terre De Feu' Lipstick

OOTD: Grey Skies

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 02:26:00 +0000

Happy Thursday friends! I cannot express how excited I am for the weekend. I hope everyone has exciting plans, I know my Sunday is going to be filled with watching the Seahawks! Anywho, below is my OOTD for the week. I went to Seattle with my mom to do some errands and shopping (what I do best!). Well just like every September, the days are getting shorter, it's getting a little colder, and the torrential downpours begin. To adjust to this, I had to whip out my cozy black knit sweater and throw it over my Free People, Voile and Lace Trapeze Slip. The voile slip is garment that needs to be in every woman's closet! It is simple, comes in an array of colors, and can be worn as a dress or a tunic top with jeans! The possibilities are endless, which is why I own two of them! Because I wore the sweater, I decided to balance out the heaviness of my outfit and wear the slip as a dress. I pulled the look together with tall boots and knee high socks. I must say, I am excited for fall, and the fashions that coincide with the season! Stay posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look!
- Free People 'Voile and Lace Trapeze Slip' in Mustard
- Nordstrom BP high low sweater (old)
- Urban Outfitters 'Rhine Stone Zodiac Necklace' in Gemini
- Urban Outfitters Midi Ring (Similar Style)
- Pink & Pepper Tall Boot (Similar Style)
- Knee High Knit Sock (old)
- NARS 'Terre De Feu' Lipstick

OOTD: Transitions

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 05:50:00 +0000

Hello friends and happy Thursday! I hope everyone has been having a fabulous week since my last post. I know I have! I have been all over the place really. Between work, shenanigans in Seattle, and overnight trips to Ellensburg, I have been doing it all! As I stated in my most recent post: SPONTANEITY is key!! On another note, one of my favorite things about summer is the sun! (obviously...) But what I love so much about the sun is what it does to my hair. If you were to look at my past posts, you will notice how vivid and red my hair used to be. This was before the sun had the chance to fill my locks with its rays of lusciousness. I now have the most delightful natural highlights to add to my already existing balayage and frankly, I am living for it right now! You can only get this look in the summer and It will sadly go away when I redye my hair back to the red.

Anywho... This is a look i wore a few days ago when having a ladies day with my best friend Laura and my mom. We did what girls do best... Shopping! I wanted to be simple yet comfortable for walking around so I threw on a dress which is a statement in itself, some ankle booties, and a neutral leather purse. I polished the look off with a mauve lip and white rimmed aviators. (I always think they make me look kind of bad ass ha!) I just recently put in a large order to Free People so stay tuned for a Clothing Haul! Oh! And don't forget to enjoy some tea. A Starbucks shaken passion green tea lemonade is my drink of the summer! what's yours??

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look
- Free People Dress (old)
- Target Mossimo 'Kodi Ankle Boot' in Taupe
- Target 'Merona Satchel Handbag' in Cognac (old)
- Anthropologie 'Albeit Lipstick' in Mauvette
- Nordstrom BP Sunglasses (Similar Style)

Guest Threads: Sisterly Love

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 19:24:00 +0000

Hello friends! TGIF! I apologize for my ridiculously long hiatus. Life has kept me incredibly busy and on my toes lately. That is one of my favorite things about life. You can never truly plan on anything and it is always throwing you for a loop. Spontaneity: this is my word of the summer and the philosophy has been treating me quite well. Frankly, I do not know what to do with all the lemonade from the lemons life has given me lately! All I can say is do what is best for you, and do what makes you happy! Be happy, be healthy, and live your life =]

Now that i have gotten that out of my system, I have a new guest threads for you! Meet my big sister, Stephanie! Stephanie is 24 years old and is one of my best friends. Now, we may be sisters, but our styles could not be more different! I would consider Stephanie's style to be preppy glam. She is Kate Spade meets J Crew. She loves to mix prints and patterns and is never afraid to accessorize. If you look at her closet, you will see nothing but vivid hues, and vibrant jewelry. Take a look and enjoy her style!

Get Her Look!
- Anthropologie Skirt (Similar Style)
- Nordstrom BP blouse (old)
- Nordstrom Clark Artisan wedged bootie (Similar Style)
- H&M Bracelet (old)
- Anthropologie Necklace (old)
- M.A.C Lipstick in 'Craving'

OOTD: Wedding Bells

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 02:06:00 +0000

Happy Saturday friends! I am in very high spirits because I just arrived home from an incredible wedding! Luckily, the lightning storms held off long enough for a ceremony full of sunshine and celebration. I am a hopeless romantic and am absolutely obsessed with weddings! It is so uplifting to see two people that love each other so much that they want to share their partnership with their family and friends. Anywho, the wedding theme was Garden Party so everyone was instructed to wear something 'festive and bright', So I felt that that my new cobalt Anthropologie dress was perfect for the occasion. It is simple yet has details that make it stand out among the rest. I curled my hair and put it into a low chignon and kept my accessories to a minimum. I wanted my look to be simple and fresh, and it helped that the corsage I was given contrasted perfectly against the blue of the dress. They day, and the wedding was perfect. Stay Posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look
- Anthropologie 'Aria Dress' in Blue
- Anthropologie Wedges (old)
- Nordstrom 'Arrow Station' Bracelet in Gold
- Silver Bracelet (old)
- Swarovski Bow Ring (Similar Style)
- Bird Pinky Ring from Pike Place Market
- Tiffany's Ring (Similar Style)
- Garnet Ring (old)
- M.A.C Lipstick in 'Craving'

OOTD: Lighten Up

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 06:58:00 +0000

Good evening! Today was my big sister's 24th birthday! Naturally, we had to dress up for the occasion. I recently splurged at Anthropologie and bought some white pants! I am usually against purchasing white pants because they are just going to get dirty the moment you put them on. However, I got them for an incredibly reasonable price so I decided to take a leap of faith. I felt like rocking some pastels so I wore my mint peplum top, detailed wedges, and my new brown leather bag. I biggest hope is that it would not make my awful sunburn more prominent. Word of advice: have sunscreen handy at all times! That is all, stay posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look

- Anthropologie 'Katrine Peplum Top'

- Anthropologie 'Pilcro Stet Slim Cropped Jeans'

- Anthropologie Wedges (old)

- Anthropologie 'Trios Necklace' in black

- Target 'Merona Satchel Handbag' in Cognac

- Lipstick 'Revlon Fuchsia Fusion'

OOTD: On a Whim

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 21:52:00 +0000

Happy Monday! It's been a busy past few days between work, and visiting old high school friends. Finally, I have a chance to post! Today I did some errands with my mom, so I put on a simple frock that was easy to throw on. This romper from Anthropologie is one of the newest additions to my closet. It is flirty, fun, and has low back. I paired it with bright jewel tones to contrast against the black. I kept it simple since I only had a few minutes to get ready, but I got quite a few compliments on my romper! Stay posted for more!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look
- Anthropologie 'Ruffled Lexa Romper' in Black (On sale!!)
- Urban Outfitters Blue Flats (Similar Style)
- Anthropologie 'Trios Necklace' n Black
- M.A.C Satin Lipstick in Rebel

In Between The Bites: Macarons

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 17:20:00 +0000

Happy hump day!! We have almost made it to the weekend! So earlier this week i blabbed about my obsession for macarons. Well I just couldn't resist attempting to make them! I've heard from various sources that they are difficult to prep and make but I figured I would just go for it! YOLO! As mentioned in my previous post, a Macaron consists of a meringue shell, a flavored filling, then a meringue shell. It looks like a cute and colorful sandwich!

This post does not tell you exactly how to make the Macaron, but how the recipe I have listed below worked for me. I have documented my progress and how it easy it was to make.

First of all, I got the recipe that I used for the meringue shells from the Food Network. You can find the specific recipe I used HERE. Ingredients you will need are:

1 1/3 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cups almond flour or almond meal
3 egg whites (At room temperature!)
1/4 cup sugar

Lastly, a filling of your choice. I did a homemade raspberry buttercream in which I found HERE.

The almond flour/ almond meal is very important! This cannot be replaced with any other flour. I used almond meal that I found at Trader Joe's. You can find almond flour at any natural foods store like PCC or Whole Foods, and limited Costcos carry 3lb bags.

As instructed in the recipe, you need to sift the powdered sugar and the almond meal together. This helps blend the mixture and get rid of larger pieces of almond and unclump the powdered sugar.

If you follow the instructions in the recipe with the egg whites and sugar, you will get a lovely meringue. It will look very similar to what I have pictured below. It will be glossy and create high peaks when you lift out your hand blender. Note: It takes a good 5 to 10 minutes of using your hand blender on high to get such results so be patient!

After you have created your meringue, you then add HALF of the almond/powdered sugar mixture into the meringue. You do not stir but more fold the mixture until is spread through evenly. You then add the rest of the almond flour/ sugar and keep folding the mixture another 15 to 20 times until the powder is mixed thoroughly through the meringue.

This is when you add the food coloring! Do not add the food coloring when you are initially creating the meringue! This could mess up the consistency of the egg whites and never let your meringue settle. If possible, use a food coloring paste. You want to keep as much moisture out of the macaron as possible or else it will crack when cooking.

After you have mixed together your meringue and almond/sugar, I poured the mixture into a large ziplock bag and cut a very small hole in the corner of the ziplock. (I do not have pastry bags so this is a makeshift way to pipe the macarons). After you have lined a baking sheet with parchment paper, you ca start piping your macarons! As you can see, I added a purple food coloring paste to make my macarons purple. Some people draw 1-inch circle guides when piping their macarons, but I did it freehand. I had issues keeping the sizes consistent but I didn't mind too much.

NOTE: I wish I had cut the hole in my ziplock bag even smaller so I could better control the piping of the meringue.

NOTE: The recipe calls for the oven to be at 350 degrees. For better results, I would lower the heat to 325 or 300 to see how it would turn out.

After letting meringue settling on the pan for 15 minutes, you start to bake them! As instructed from the recipe, halfway through the baking time, Your switch the rack that your two pans are on to make sure they bake through evenly. Below is what my shells looked like after baking! They are a lovely purple and rose perfectly.

Here is a picture of some finished raspberry macarons! I was very satisfied with the results, though I would make a few minor changes with baking to try to get even better results. If you missed it, there is a link to the raspberry buttercream filling under the ingredients list above.

I hope you enjoy and try to make some yourself! I am now off to go eat my delicious treats! Stay posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

On The Road Again: Scottish Highland Games / Guest Threads

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 04:16:00 +0000

Good evening friends! So yesterday I went to the Scottish Highland Games! What is that you ask? It is essentially when Scotland comes to the Pacific Northwest for two days during the summer. Imagine the county fair without rides, but strictly catered to Scottish heritage, celebration, and sport. For your information, I am 0% Scottish. But want to know who is half Scottish? My good friend Caleb. He is the reason I attended such an event. Caleb, my friend Jorie, and I were in the area to see Julia's show so it was the perfect opportunity to stop on the games along the way! Even if you are not Scottish, this was an incredible, enriching, and charming experience!

The weather was nothing like Scotland yesterday. Instead of the chilled air and foggy skies, it was crystal clear and incredibly warm. Just like any county fair or event, there was a $15 admission fee.

There were tons animals native to the Scottish Highlands. They were too cute! I was too afraid to touch them, because I was worried that the very official looking man sitting behind his desk was going to scold and yell at me. But look at the Scottish Highland Cow on the left! It's so fluffy I'm gunna die!

There was traditional Scottish dance competitions which were very fun to watch. My heart melted when the 3 to 5 year old teams came out. They were absolutely precious! We then watched the remarkable pipe bands. Some of the bands consisted of over 100 musicians and they were spot on! I never thought I would enjoy a bagpipe so much!

I saw this woman's hair and I thought it was... Cool? Then I saw a Scottish Deerhound (Similar to the Irish Wolfhound)... It was MUCH cooler! 'nuff said. They had tons of dog breeds primarily native to Ireland, Scotland, and other European countries.

Then we watched the Caber Toss. A man picks up a large log perpendicular to the ground, then the man throws the large log. The log must flip over and depending on the direction it lands depends on your score and ranking. It was a nail biting experience and very fun to watch!

There was bad swordfighting, and very delicious lemonade!

This is myself and Jorie in our new flower crowns. And this is Caleb with his pipe.

These are random people... I enjoyed their threads.

Even though I am not Scottish, there was so much to do and explore. I think I may even go back next year! Stay posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Guest Threads

Meet Caleb. He is my friend from school and he is being featured in this segment of 'Guest Threads'! The second he walked out in his kilt, I knew he was worthy of the spot. He is half Scottish and gets so excited to celebrate his heritage and spend a day at the games. His look consists around his kilt and is polished off with his sporran (his 'purse'), his Sgian-Dubh (a small single edged blade), and his pipe. He loves to get very involved in the festivities and I only have one word for him... RESPECT!

OOTD: Mauvette / Macarons

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 01:28:00 +0000

Happy Saturday friends! I apologize for my short hiatus! Work and life got in the way of my precious blog time but, ya know, c'est la vie! Yesterday I went to Kent Station to meet up with some friends so we could see the show that Julia is currently in. We went to The Ram restaurant which is always delicious. I got the Mahi Mahi Tacos which are part of their summer menu. They were fabulous! Enough said.

Anywho. This was my outfit from last night. I wore my new maroon maxi skirt. This maxi skirt took me forever to find because of how simple it is. Right now, all the stores are carrying skirts with slits, holes, sheer overlays, crazy colors, and patterns. All I wanted was something simple that I could wear with ease, and I finally found it. I kept my colors very deep and subdued. I wore it with a navy high-low button up tank that I tied, my new layered necklace, flats, and a mauve lip.

I have plenty of pictures I need to upload from my journey to the Scottish Highland Games! Believe me, they were just as exciting as they sound! Stay posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look,

- H&M 'Maxi Skirt' in Purple

- H&M navy tank top (Similar Style)

- Anthropologie 'Trios Necklace' in Black

- Nordstrom 'Arrow Station' Bracelet in Gold

- Payless wedged flats (old)

- Anthropologie 'Albeit Lipstick' in Mauvette

MACARONS

I do not believe I have told anyone with my obsession with Macarons! (only one 'o', not two!). They came into my life not long ago and now I crave them every, single, day. They are a french cookie consisting of a meringue shell, sandwiching a delicious filling. They come in a variety of charming colors and flavors. I can't help but feel classy when I eat them! Yes they are expensive but are totally worth the money due to their difficulty to prep and make. I got these lovely treats at Dilettante Mocha Cafe at Kent Station. The flavors I got were strawberry, late, and orange-lemonade. They were all very delicious and had such a distinct taste! Very light and dainty, almost like air! A must have in your lifetime.

In Between The Bites: Elizabeth and Alexander

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:25:00 +0000

Happy Wednesday friends! Of course, all I think about when it's Wednesday is the Geico 'Hump Day' commercial. It gets me every time! Anywho! Yesterday I went with my friend Morgen to the most lovely little tea house called Elizabeth & Alexander. It is located in Country Village just of Bothell Everett Highway. Country village is a must go to if you live in the Greater Seattle area. It is full of bakeries, charming little shops, vendors, and ducks! I had never been to a tea house before this, and I am happy to say that I was delightfully impressed with my experience! (I apologize for my poor photo quality due to dim lighting within the tea room)

You walk into Elizabeth and Alexander and you see an array of small tables decorated perfectly with the most charming tea cups and pots. We had large comfy sofa chairs to sit in so you felt completely relaxed. It is a very intimate setting which I find perfect for long talks and catching up with old friends. The service was great. Our server would come and check on our tea level every few minutes to make sure we did not need more hot water. I would never go thirsty in this place!

Elizabeth and Alexander offers a wide variety of pastries, small comfort foods, light breakfast, and light lunch items. From scones, to tortes, to salads, every palate is covered. I decided to go with the Windsor Torte which contained ham, red peppers, eggs, spinach, and melted swiss cheese all encased in the most flaky and light puff pastry dough. I was ever so satisfied with my meal because it was rich, yet it was not overly filling or greasy. Each meal is served with a side of fruit. Everything was fresh and delicious.

This tea room offers almost any type of english tea imaginable! I chose the Emerald Blossom which is a version of a Jasmine Green Tea. It was light, fragrant, and sweet. It was served in a large and lovely tea pot for Morgen and I to share. I am excited to go back and try some of their other teas.

Here is Morgen and I enjoying our amazing tea! Overall, the meal and tea may be expensive and a smidgen overpriced, however you are going for an experience and I had a great one. I think that Elizabeth and Alexander is a must visit for any tea lover! You can also explore Country Village before or after your meal. Make a day of it! It is a must.

With Love,

Traci Lee

OOTD: Fringe

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 08:29:00 +0000

Happy Tuesday! Yesterday I went to IKEA with my future roomie to do some apartment shopping! I love to refresh my living space by re-designing or decorating, it is almost therapeutic. I love going to IKEA because they always have interesting and unconventional items, which is perfect for our eclectic/organic style apartment. I found gorgeous lace curtains for the common area which I have been on my wishlist. Anywho! Today I was very Free People inspired. I wore the ever so popular tunic with a bodycon slip underneath for modesty. I layered it with my oversized floral cardigan, a statement necklace (of course!), and a coral lip. To polish it off, I wore my tall fringe boots which gives the look a rugged bohemian effect. I waved my hair with a technique I do using my Bed Head 1" barrel curling iron. Stay Posted for more!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look
- Free People 'Voile and Lace Trapeze Slip' in Storm
- Free People 'Flower Power Cardi' (old)
- Nordstrom Bodycon dress - worn under slip (Similar Style)
- Minnetonka '5 layer fringe' boot
- Revlon Lipstick in 'Coral Berry'
- Brass Pearl Statement Necklace (Old)
- Anthropologie 'Straight Shot' Necklace

OOTD: Linear

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 07:02:00 +0000

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I had an incredibly busy time between work, hanging out with my best friend, and hitting up a pub with her 91 year old grandma (Woohoo)! Anywho, This was my outfit that I wore to work on Sunday. This dress is one of my absolute favorites from Anthropologie. With its asymmetrical tiers and stripes, this dress universally flattering. I have yet to find one woman that it has not looked beautiful on. Because this dress is a statement on its own, I kept my accessories to a bare minimum and paired it with the perfect red-orange lip, slicked back hair, and neutral colored wedged boots. Hopefully I can get a new recipe up later this week! Stay Posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look
- Anthropologie 'Bailey 44 Column Dress' (Similar Style)
- Vince Camuto Wedged Tall Boots (old)
- NARS Lipstick in 'Jungle Red'
- Anthropologie 'Straight Shot' Arrow Necklace
- Nordstrom Dogeared 'Free Bird' Feather Necklace
- Skagen Watch (Similar Style)

On The Road Again: Alki Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 08:01:00 +0000

Good evening friends! It is far too late and I really should be in bed, but I really wanted to get this posted. So yesterday I went to Alki Beach in West Seattle to meet up with my friend Julia to enjoy some cocktails. Alki is littered with tons of fabulous restaurants and cafes serving fresh seafood. We decided to go to the most amazing Mexican fusion restaurant called Cactus. Before ordering anything, we were served warm chips and a spicy pico de gallo style salsa, which was to die for. I started off my meal with a fresh, and ever so delicious, mango mojito. It was not too strong, nor too sweet. It was fresh and I was craving more the second I slurped the last sip! For our entrees, Julia and I ordered two different meals to share (Because we were that indecisive). We chose the Camarones Tacos (Crispy shrimp in a zesty sauce and slaw taco) and the seafood enchiladas (an enchiladas stuffed with all the seafood you could imagine). Both were served with wild rice and black beans. They were nothing less than delicious and were seasoned perfectly. Cactus is definitely not your ordinary Mexican restaurant.

So Alki Beach is a long beach strip on Elliott Bay with walkways, sand, the whole shebang! For being in the PNW, it really gives you the sense that you are along the lower West Coast of the US. I have lived in the Greater Seattle Area all of my life, but sadly had never gone to Alki Beach (So lame I know!). The views, the weather, and the sunset couldn't have been more stunning. Julia and I walked almost the entire length beach and it was bustling even after sunset. There were bonfires, volleyball players, families, and joggers. Alki Beach is a must visit location! I am so excited to go back and spend the entire day there! Stay posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

OOTD: It's a Breeze / Guest Threads

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 19:18:00 +0000

TGIF! I hope everyone has amazing plans for the weekend! I know I will be working all weekend long. Yesterday I had a dinner date with my friend Julia at Alki Beach in West Seattle. The weather could not have been more beautiful and sunny for the occasion! I decided to wear my newest maxi dress from Anthropologie. I paired it with a simple black oversized clutch, and slouchy heeled boots. To add a splash of color, I added a turquoise blue bracelet and a coral lip. Stay posted for more about Alki Beach!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look

- Anthropologie 'Macrame Day Dress' in Black

- Forever 21 'Oversized Faux Leather Clutch' in Black

- Jessica Simpson Slouchy Heeled Boot (old)

- Turquoise and Gold Bracelet (Old)

- M.A.C Lipstick in 'Vegas Volt'

- Nordstrom BP Cat Eye Sunglasses (Similar Style)

Guest Threads

This is my first segment of 'Guest Threads'! This is where I feature someone on my blog and blab about their fantastic outfit. This could be a friend of mine or a stranger on the street.

Below is my amazing friend Julia! She is stunningly exotic, has a unique aesthetic, and doesn't let any singular style define her. She was going for a relaxed glam look, which was softened with her flowy cobalt blue maxi (Perfect for the beach). She paired a coral clutch to add a vivid contrast to the rest of the color blocking in her look. Snaps to Julia!

Get Julia's Look
- Charlotte Russe 'Cap-Sleeve Crop Top' in Black
- Charlotte Russe 'Classic Straw Panama Hat'
- Nordstrom Maxi Sheer Overlay Maxi (Similar Style)
- NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in 'Schiap'
- H&M Coral Clutch (Old)
- Urban Outfitters Sandals (Old)

OOTD: Dream Catcher

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 06:08:00 +0000

Today I was out and about all day running errands with my mother. It was unexpectedly quite eventful! I went to Southcenter Mall to visit my future roommate, Haley (One of the coolest people I know) where I went to Nordstrom.... and spent more money. It is insane how one store can have such different merchandise than another while only being a 30 minute drive from each other! After I concluded going into further debt with my spree, I stopped by one of the BEST places to get mochas: Dilettante! (Seriously, everyone needs to go!) Much to my surprise (and lack of knowledge of her current employment there) one of my bestest friends, Julia, was working! I squealed like a small child on Christmas when she yelled at me. It made my day because I had the opportunity to see some of my favorite people that I love... And expand my wardrobe even further.

In conclusion, I based my outfit today around the cardigan which I just purchased from Urban Outfitters. I kept the colors simple and dark to let the cardigan shine. Stay Posted for the amazing M.A.C. makeup I purchased!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look
- Urban Outfitters 'Staring at Stars' Embroidered Silky Fringe Jacket
- Urban Outfitters High wasted Shorts (Similar Style)
- H&M High Low Button Down Tank (Old)
- Aldo Booties (Old)
- Dream Catcher Necklace (Similar Style)

Clothing Haul: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:21:00 +0000

Well, it's that time of year again! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale goes public July 19th (It's like Christmas in July!). My mother, sister, and I do more than enough shopping at Nordstrom throughout the year so we qualified for the presale experience (Which is totally worth it!!). When you qualify for the presale, you get to shop the merchandise for a week before the sales goes public. You never have to worry about items or sizes being sold out, and you get lead around to look at the sale merchandise personally by an associate.

Here is my debrief on the Anniversary Sale. To be honest, I was underwhelmed by the selection in the sale this year.

-- POV had their typical business casual: Pencil skirts, sweaters, dresses, button downs, slacks, and various types of jackets.

-- BP was unusually grunge/urban. I found a couple gems but I had to do a lot of searching. There were a lot of cropped tops, sweaters, awkward keyholes, shreds and acid washes. The styles were are more trendy or fads than classics.

-- Accessories and Handbags were far overpriced and offered very little in the moderate to lower price point. They only had designer brands and items that were nothing less than in the triple digits.

-- Activewear is always amazing! Every woman needs a pair of Zella 'Live in Leggings" . They will change your life. They are a thick legging style yoga pant that I wear as leggings almost every other day. They have not stretched, warped, or pilled, and I got them over a year ago. Overall, great deals in activewear!

Below are some of the things that I purchased from the sale! NOTE: THE LINKS WILL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON JULY 19TH UNLESS YOU QUALIFY FOR PRESALE.

Rubbish 'Long Curve Hem Tee' in white - $19.90 // Rubbish 'Long Cardigan' in navy - $37.90

Painted Threads 'Jacquard Crop Tee' in white - $17.90

Chloe K 'Beaded Shoulder Sweatshirt' in Heather Grey - 27.90

Steve Madden 'Tennasee' boot in Brown Leather - $79.90

Lilly White 'Faux Leather Skater Skirt' in Oxblood Red - $28.90 // Paper Cranes 'Embroidered Sequin Tank' in Grey - $31.90

Steve Madden 'Tweed Panel Peplum Trench Coat' in Olive - $89.90

There were a few items that I had to order because of limited sizing during the presale

// Hinge 'Addison' Bootie in Chocolate Leather - $79.90

// Zella 'Mia' Strappy Tank in Coral Glow Melange - $33.90

// Nadri 'Arrow Station Bracelet' in Gold - $24.90

Well! I am now officially broke! Happy shopping friends, and hit up those sales on July 19th!

With Love,

Traci Lee

On The Road Again

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 07:33:00 +0000

Good evening friends! I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. As I previously mentioned, I arrived home today from a trip to Vancouver, WA/ Portland, OR for my friends 21st birthday! I am a nut when it comes to exploring and learning so we went to Fort Vancouver. Does anyone know what that is?? Because I sure didn't before venturing to to this little gem! It is a historical site that primarily focused on fur trade and later housed military families for 150 years. We could have gone into the fort, however it cost $3 but we were too cheap to consider paying. If you would like to spend more time than we did learning about Fort Vancouver, then this is the site for you.

We then ventured on and discovered this tree. We figured this tree was of great importance because it was alone... fenced off by a chain link fence... and blocked by pillars and chains. Oddly enough it was not important enough for someone to tend to the abundance of weeds. After further investigation, we discovered that this tree was the first apple tree at Fort Vancouver and is the oldest one in the territory (I mean, that's cool right?). Finally we made it across "the land bridge", a walking bridge that takes you over the freeway to access the Columbia River. The river was stunning and calm and you had a great view of the bridge WA/OR bridge. Aside from seeing way too much skin from some unfortunate over aged people who were tanning, I had a ball of a time.

We went to the greatest place on God's good Earth: Powells! It is a massive, multi-story book store. It carries every book (new or used) that you can image. This is a MUST to have on your bucket list! I can spend hours here pawing through all the books.

To begin the evenings festivities and celebrate Mallery's 21 run, we started off at swanky rooftop bar called DEPARTURE. The view of Pioneer Square was incredible, and from what I heard, the drinks were sublime. Unfortunately, they were outside of the price point (even for 'well drink') so I decided to enjoy the breeze and the atmosphere. I would definitely suggest that you at least stop by and give this place a shot. I honestly did feel like I was in a snazzy movie living the high life for the ten minutes we were there. The architecture surrounding Pioneer Square was stunning. I fell in love with the Courthouse pictured below. The 360 degree view from the middle of the square was nothing less than flawless.

On our way home, I caught this amazing picture of Mt. Rainier. And lastly, my father has this preconceived notion that everyone who drives a Subaru hatchback is a sandal wearing, tree hugging, hippie and is required to have canoes or kayaks strapped to the roof of their cars. Much to my dismay, I came upon this beauty and I couldn't help gather evidence for him. Needless to say, he was satisfied. Stay Posted friends.

With Love

Traci Lee

OOTD: Flora

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 02:17:00 +0000

Happy Sunday everyone! I recently got back from Portland/Vancouver where I had an absolutely delightful time! Myself and a couple of friends went shopping on NW 23rd St. in Portland. This was one of the most charming downtown city streets I have ever shopped on. It was clean, bustling with people, and had a wide array of boutiques, cafes, and anything anyone could really ask for. Below is the outfit that I wore. I have an obsession with dresses and slips that I can simply throw on and still make a statement. This slip is certainly one of them. I paired it with a light blue chambray top, and put on (of course) a statement necklace. I wore my usual pair of black booties because they are most comfortable pair of shoes! Stay posted for my next post about my trip!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look

- Free People 'In and Out Ditsy Floral Slip'

- Urban Outfitters Chambray Buttondown (Similar Style)

- Anthropologie Pearl Necklace (Similar Style)

- Aldo booties (See previous post)

- Revlon 'Love That Pink' Lipstick Color

- Skagen Watch

OOTD: Free Bird

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 05:45:00 +0000

Bonjour from Vancouver, Washington! Sitting just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, Vancouver is as equally beautiful. My best friend and I ventured down here to celebrate her roommate's 21st birthday tomorrow! Today I decided to wear my most comfortable sweater, and because it is simple and basic, I decided to pair it with a printed skirt that has a little more character. I am absolutely obsessed with birds, making this skirt one of my absolute favorites. To add a splash of color to the outfit, I wore a pair of oxblood red oxfords and piled on the accessories. I left my hair natural, only washing and towel drying it. More to come. Stay posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look
- Urban Outfitters Sweater (old)
- Volcom Stephanie Cherry Skirt (ON SALE!!)
- Nordstrom Leather Oxfords
- Anthropologie Bracelet (old)
- Skagen Watch (old)
- Silver Bracelets (old)
- Swarovski Crystal Bow Ring
- 'Please Return to Tiffany' heart ring (Similar Style)
- Garnet Ring (old)
- Dream Catcher Necklace (old)
- (For gold necklace information see previous posts)

OOTD: Simplicity

noreply@blogger.com (Traci Lee) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 02:54:00 +0000

Happy Thursday! Today was a day full of travels because I went up to WWU to celebrate my childhood friends 21st birthday! Weather was perfectly clear and beautiful up in Bellingham and the festivities were nothing less than delightful. When I travel I try to keep my look simple, comfortable, and maintainable so I always opt for my favorite pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt or blouse. Of course I always spice up an outfit with a statement necklace and a bright lip. I threw my hair up in a loose sock bun to give me that "effortlessly messy" look. Tomorrow I venture off to Portland to celebrate the 21st birthday of another friend so I will have plenty of looks to share. Stay posted!

With Love,

Traci Lee

Get My Look
- Anthropologie Tiny Brand Blouse (Similar Style)
- Anthropologie Pilcro Brand Jeans (Similar Style)
- Aldo Black Booties (Similar Style)
- Longchamp Le Pliage Tote
- Anthropologie Scalloped Necklace (old)
- Anthropologie 'Straight Shot' Arrow Necklace
- Nordstrom Dogeared 'Free Bird' Feather Necklace
- Revlon 'Fuchsia Fusion' Lipstick
- Skagen Watch
- Sock Bun found at Claire's