Michelle Obama Mondays: Shimmer for Your Holiday Event

Michelle dazzled at the Kennedy Center Honors in this shimmery gold, embellished Michael Kors gown and Mortiz Glik earrings.  If you have a holiday party to attend this season make it special and go golden!

Check Out Refinery 29's New Fall Suit Pics

Thank goodness the days of "nude" pantyhose and a rotating three-piece suit set are gone.  Here are just a few of the great suits the Refinery 29 has highlighted as The New Fall Suit they are pricey but great inspiration. 

If your office allows even the smallest amount of wiggle room in their dress policy, there's really no reason to continue to bore everyone in the building with that ho-hum skirt suit from your church picnic or to keep the first suit you bought at the end of college in rotation. It is time to diversify ladies, so check out some of the fashion forward suits on the market and start looking like the boss. If the avant-garde silhouettes are a little much for you then try some more traditionally tailored suits in some more daring fall colors.  A suit is a powerful thing so find the right one for you and take your rightful position at the office.

Grubbing with Grandma & Grandpa at the Kiwi Cafe

The food speaks for itself here at the Cassatt's Kiwi Cafe in Arlington, Virginia, as you can see in the pictures. I had a great little time in this trendy little cafe with my grandparents a few weeks back when we took some time out to grab a snack.  It sure is great to be near family.  I served overseas for 10 years so I appreciate the chance to spend just a few minutes with family when I can.  I don't think you can go wrong here, the prices were right and the food was fantastic. As you can see we got the eggs benedict with ham and one with salmon, as well as the french toast. Let me just say that my mouth is watering just thinking about it. So next time you are in town, you will have to check it out.

There's No Sucker Here

I love a great deal and I know I got one when I picked up this seersucker suit from K& G. I have always wanted to get a seersucker outfit but many of the suits that I have previously tried on, often wrinkled too much for my lifestyle or liking. However when I saw this seersucker suit by Evan Picone, I knew I had found the right one for me. The fabric has a nice weight to it that keeps it from wrinkling. Yeah me! What suit piece, style or fabric would you like to try this spring?

East Meets Up With West

One of my favorite people from the West Coast, Qiana, dropped into town for work recently and we fit in some time in to hang out and talk about life and fashion. You might remember her from another post. She is always providing us with style and perspective.

So we met at The Fairfax on Embassy Row, a fantastic hotel in Dc, it has great character with its quaint architecture and suites to its attentive and courteous bellmen. We then dashed over to Current Sushi. Their upscale modern vibe and lounge was the perfect place to catch up, enjoy good food and drinks.

I don't know if I have told you this before but I love sushi and believe it or not eel.  I had it first at Zen in Barbados not realizing what it was, when I stayed at The Crane resort and have been hooked ever since. As we sat a talked about fashion, friends and fun I couldn’t help but wonder is there was a more fashionable way to eat sushi.  So just in case you are new to the world of sushi here are a few tips.

• Wasabi, also known as Japanese horseradish, is the green paste has a sharp, pungent, and fiery flavor. I love it but be careful not to put too much on the roll or your mascara will end up running
• You can mix a small amount of the wasabi into the soya sauce, dip the sushi (fish side down) into the soya sauce-wasabi mixture and eat the sushi. I prefer it spicier so I add the wasabi to my sushi roll with a piece of ginger on each bite. This just my preference and is an informal way to eat sushi.
• The little apricot slivers are ginger, you can eat them in between bites to clean your palate or add them to each bite like do. Yummo!
• Sauce, if the piece already has a sauce soy sauce is not recommend. Soy sauce can be added to the side of your plate or in the little dipping plate that is provided if you prefer.  Technically you should turn over your piece and dip the piece of fish or whatever you are having, into the soy sauce and not the rice roll. However chopstick are tricky, so do what you can.
• Chopsticks can be used and should be used if grabbing morsels from a shared plate, but once they are on your plate you may eat them with your fingers if that makes you more comfortable. Many nice sushi places provide a warm towel to wipe your fingers on.
• Drinks like Japanese beer, cold or warm sake or green tea are usually available and make a nice compliment to the meal. Current has a great pomegranate martini so we opted for that.

Just some tips to keep in mind the next time you are out and about eating sushi.  Keep living the suite life!

Valentines Day Mr. & Mrs. Coupon Book

Are you looking to express your love and appreciation to you spouse in a unique and affordable way this Valentines Day? If so email Suite Life to receive the free printable heartfelt Mr. and Mrs. coupon book! Inside you will find 20 coupons for meaningful activities that you and your loved one can do together, like indoor picnics, massages and more. All you have to do is become a follower of the Suite Life blog and the Suite Life Facebook Page. Then comment that you have done both. Leave your email address and we will email you the coupon book! I hope you feel loved this month and I also hope that you share these fun filled coupons with someone you love. May they bless your life and your marriage.

What 2 Wear: To a Superbowl Party

Are you a big sports fan or are you still not sure who's playing who? Have you figured out what to wear to the Superbowl Party? If not, no problem, just pick one of the two outfits bellow. The game will be between the Giants and the Patriots and their team colors are similar (red,blue, silver and white).  So pull out your red or blue comfortable pieces and pair them with a modern jean. If you are trying to pick something up last minute, check out H&M. They have some great pieces in the right colors for the game. Spice it up with a scarf or a NFL tote. Suite, I hope to see you at the tailgated party.

Outfit 1: 

• Red blurred stripe scarf $22 (£14)
• Vero Moda Blouse New Mia Red $26 (€20)
• 7 for all mankind Skinny low-rise jeans $74 60% off
• Littlearth New York Giants Canvas Tailgate Tote $24
• Converse Chuck Taylors $45

Outfit 2:

• Kumamoto Scarf  $12 (€8,99)
• Pintucked Satin Blouse $28
• Maroon Skinnies $39
• Littlearth New England Tailgate Tote $24
• Converse Chuck Taylors $45

On the Spot in Khakis and Polka Dots

The Trend of the Day:

 Khakis + Polka Dots

Here I am in khakis and polka dots chilling with my son Jalen coming from our favorite Thai food restaurant Pasari Thai in Kingstown, VA.  The food there is fantastic!! Even my very picky 7 year old will eat there, as a matter of fact if I left it up to him we would be eating there everyday. Since we eat here often there was no need to dress for the occasion however  this is the first time I have ever mixed polka dots with khakis and I have to say I like it! I was so dot crazy that I took the belt from my shirt and re-purposed it as a headband for the day. Look out Martha Stewart!

Its a Wrap: A Creative and Eco Friendly One

Looking to wrap some last minute gifts but falling short on holiday paper? Instead on running to the store get creative and eco friendly by finding things around the house to use as gift wrap. They are free and good for the planet, check out these easy gift wrapping ideas:

Recycled Gift Wrap:

1. Newspaper-(comics for the kids, fashion for the fashionistas, cooking for foodies)

2. Crochet or knit a bag- then they can wear all year

3. Fabric- Use an shirt you no longer wear

4. Tin cans or Aluminum foil- looking for something shiny look no further than your kitchen

5. Paper grocery bags- you can weave them or color them any kind of way

6. Baskets

7. Glass jars- tie a bow around them and they are perfect

8. Scarves or Mittens- if you have a small gift and only one mitten they make a perfect match

9. Children’s Art Work- Send one of your favorite pieces from thorough out the year to show off the kids artwork

10. Gift Bags- tear and mix up patterns from gift bags received throughout the year

If would like to purchase something but want to save a tree go to Etsy for these cute eco friendly bags or you want to see pictures of some the gift wrapping ideas click here.

Gifts that Keep On Giving: Part 2

 

Still looking for the gift for someone who has everything, give them the chance to try something new and give back:

1. FEED Guatemala 3 Large Ikat Tote

Flex your green muscle by slinging one of these FEED bags over your shoulder. Not only are they stylish, but these versatile tote bags are handmade by Nest, a nonprofit organization that empowers female artisans around the globe. Made with traditional Guatemalan Ikat fabrics, they are perfect for everyday use. $39 at Lord & Taylor.

2. Comfy Food Salty Turtles

Sweeten up this holiday season with Comfort Food Salty Turtles! All profits are donated to HELP USA, a charity that fights homelessness. $20, www.helpusa.org  

3. Friends Forever Bracelet

Want to stay friends forever, try Same Sky wrap bracelets, $30 short, $40 long, samesky.com. Made by Rwandan women who survived the 1994 genocide, 100% of the proceeds are reinvested into the company to buy more materials and employ more women artisans.

4.Literacy Travel Posters

Brighten up her home with a futureistic and vintage feel with one (or several) of these vibrant Time Travel Posters.  Proceeds from these posters go to 826LA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching and empowering young people through writing workshops and projects. (826la.org, $19.99 for one, $89.99 for set of 5

5. Global Goods Partners for Alleviating Poverty

Want to look fab and empower the less fortunate, try Global Goods Partners as they support women led development inititatives in Asia, yhe sale of these scarves go to the Stubg Treng Womens Development Center benifiting those suffering with HIV/AIDS. These tradional hand woven scarfs bear a subtle Khmer Flower pattern. (globalgoodspartners.org, $20).

6. JPF Echo Sysytem

Love Brad Pitt, join Kiehl's on its first totally eco-friendly product, a refreshing biodegradable body cleanser, packaged in a post-consumer recycled bottle that bears a handwritten note from Pitt. You can finally give her a Brad Pitt autograph, and help his cause. All net profits from this addictive new product go to JPF Eco Systems, the environmental charity Pitt created with Kiehl's. (kiehls.com, $16.50)

7. Color Outside the Lines

Looking for Art try RxArt coloring book, $20, rxart.net. 100% of the proceeds are reinvested into RxArt's mission of improving healthcare facilities with fine art.

Drapped in Fashion

Rag & Bone’s yellow silk-lined black cape was one of many draped jackets sent down the runway this fall––other out-there variations boasted floor-skimming length and dramatic fur accents. Make capes work for you by picking up this more affordable double breasted AB Studio cape from Kohl’s for $40.

What to wear to a leadership simulcast or a training event?

I am super excited because I have a jam packed week of learning ahead of me. Today I attended an Entreleadership simulcast given by Dave Ramsey, based off his new bestseller and next week I will be at a workshop at Cornell!  I am happy to report that I have returned excited and eager to serve you with fabulous new ideas, but the question this morning was what does one wear to a leadership simulcast or a training event anyway? Here are a few tips to follow when planning to attend a training event:

1. Keep it clean and classy
2. Dress like you are a student, in this case a student of leadership, you never know who will be in the room you may find a protege or a mentor
3. Remember why you are there: to learn and network.. not to be in competition, so don't dress so crazy that you complete with the message
4. Keep accessories simple, the temperature changes so frequently that you will be taking your jacket on and off and you don't want jewelery to get caught on you jacket or name tag.

I kept it simple by adding this color blocked silver and black necklace that I got for $8.80 from forever 21 and to be honest I like how it worked out. I felt pulled together and professional. What do you think?

2 Ways To Spice Up Your Nails For Fall

Trying to mix it up on a smaller scale this fall. Here are 2 new ways to paint your nails and a sneak peak at my nails this week!

Grey Days

Matching the weather, I called it a grey day. By sticking with one color, you can streamline your silhouette.  To step it up a notch I paired a Kohl's necklace and bracelet that I got for my birthday with this transparent blouse and matching cami. Whether you want to look taller or just catching the elevator try a monochromatic look.

Dressing to the Maxi

Keep you maxi dresses out this fall season and pair them with a relaxed blazer and a belt to start dressing to the maxi.