Mocktails are a thing these days. Whatever the reason for skipping out on alcohol, composed and thoughtful drinks are a pleasant treat. The vanilla fig mocktail is fab for a variety of reasons. It's simple to make, using only 4 ingredients. It's also big on flavor, with sweet fig and vanilla combining with just a splash of lemon acidity to cut through. If you want to skip out on the alcohol, give this mocktail a whirl for yourself.
Click below for directions and enjoy the Memorial Day long weekend!
The women who wear Adea are a diverse and interesting bunch of ladies and we are always curious to learn more about each of them. Once a month we highlight an Adea customer and share their personal story and style sense with you. We hope you enjoy reading about these amazing women as much as we do!
This month we interviewed Hillary Hansen, wife and mother of 3, who is about to start another, exciting chapter in her life. We are thrilled for her! Read the full interview here:
I don’t often blog about red carpet fashion. While the gowns, suits, beauty looks and hair styles are entertaining both to view and to discuss, I am much more concerned with the “normal” clothing the “average” person wears in their day-to-day life and would much rather write about how to conquer a tricky trend or find the right pair of jeans than who stunned (or, alternately, disappointed) on the red carpet. However, there is one fashion event that always manages to hold my attention – the Cannes Film Festival.
In my opinion, Cannes generates some of the year’s most memorable fashion moments and here’s why:
One of the best things about being a parent is the unintentionally hilarious things that kids say. Sometimes out of the blue funny and sometimes so inappropriate that you ahve to turn your head so they don't see you laughing.
Here are some funny things that have come out of the mouths of my children.
Pretty pastels with a dark wash jeans makes the perfect look for spring weekends at the beach.
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Finding healthy lunch items can be a challenge, if you are tired of salads. Wraps are great but sometimes hidden calories can be shoved in there in the form of heavy dressings or fatty ingredients. This Greek veggie wrap lays it all out on the table. There's no thick sauces, no sneaky fats. Just fresh vegetables and full flavors.
Midi skirts – those skirts that end in the middle of your calf, somewhere between your ankle bone and knee – were all over the Spring 2014 runways and are popping up in almost every major retailer for the spring and summer seasons. However, despite their popularity and accessibility, they should be approached with caution.
Because their hemline hits where it does and because most midi skirts are full in shape, they can have the unfortunate effect of shortening the wearer’s leg. So, unless you have the height and build of a supermodel, you must follow these rules in order to make the trend flattering.
Happy day after Mother's Day to all the mamas out there. I hope your day was filled with roses and a limited amount of poop filled diapers.
I was very lucky to have my mom visiting us from Florida this year. The kids love when Mimi (what they call her) visits. The suitcase will come filled with toys and treats and sometimes even clothes for Mimi to wear during her visit. The week is filled with snuggles and fun, and sometimes a shopping trip or two.
*Vanessa & Mom, circa 1978
I'm lucky to have an extra set of "Mom" hands in the house. The laundry pile will get significantly smaller. The clothes, perfectly folded, will actually find their way into the drawers. I've always wondered how that happened. As I write this she has already cleaned my son's room and cleaned up the kitchen. The dishwasher will be filled and emptied multiple times. If I'm lucky in just under four weeks I will find the bowls she put away in a cabinet I did not know we had. Socks will be rolled and the linen closet will be organized.
How does she do it all? It must come with the 38 years of mothering experince she has compared to my 6.5. Maybe the organization gene skipped me (but not my sister).
The truth is she is just an awesome mom, an awesome grandmother and a great friend.
Happy Mother's Day (or after) Mom!
-Vanessa
Scoop up a pair of silk pants and pair with our short sleeve crew neck. Chic and comfy - our favorite combination!
Once the weather gets warm, there’s a desperate need for as much fresh produce as possible. It’s as if the body misses the juiciness of a strawberry or the crunch of a fresh celery stalk or the ripeness of a tomato. Caprese salad combines everything that is great about spring: tomatoes, fresh and fragrant basil, creamy mozzarella. This rendition, with roasted tomatoes, speaks to spring and summer. It’s the perfect party popper for those backyard barbeques or poolside bashes.
Ingredients
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese
6 to 8 leaves of basil, torn roughly
Salt and pepper to taste
Special tools: Wooden skewers
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil. Place the tomatoes on the foil and toss with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes until the tomatoes just begin to burst. Meanwhile, cut the mozzarella into quarter inch thick slices. Remove the tomatoes from the oven and allow them to cool until they are able to be handled. Gently insert one tomato onto a skewer. Fold over a slice of mozzarella and put that on the skewer, followed by a basil leaf. Finish with one more tomato. Repeat with the remaining tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Place on a serving platter and sprinkle with a bit of additional salt.
Serves 6 to 8
- Kim
There is something about deconstructed, distressed and destroyed denim that makes me excited for summer. The casual, easy, cool of cut-off shorts, frayed hems and seams and ripped-up knees are just the epitome of warm weather style to this tomboy with rock n’ roll style aspirations. And, because of that, I always get a hankering for a DIY denim project this time of year. In the event that you do too, I thought I would share some of my best practices.
Shorts
The best jean cut-off shorts are made from jeans that are one size too big so that they aren’t too tight on the thigh. Don’t have a pair that qualifies? Head to your local thrift or consignment store to scoop up a pair.
Try on the jeans and determine the length that you prefer and mark it with a pencil. Take them off and cut the jeans at a subtle angler that leaves the ineam just barely longer than the outer seam, roughly 2 inches longer than you originally measured. (Better safe than sorry as you can always cut more and sometimes a cuff can be a great look!) Cut more if needed, a little bit at a time. Run through the wash to get the hem to properly fray and enjoy!
Jeans
Take a cheese grater to the knees and upper thigh to create realistic looking wear and tear. Swipe in a horizontal motion as much or as little as you like to create the distressed look that you desire.
And/or chop off the hemline to create an on-trend frayed edge that skims the ankle bone. Perfect for the summer weather and to feature your favorite sandals and flats.
Chambray
Do you have one too many chambray shirts like I do? Take one of your least favorite toppers and lop the sleeves off. Cut right before the seam at the shoulder for a clean edge or cut right after the seam for frayed fringe.
Jackets
Have an extra denim jacket or one that isn’t quite right? Ditch the sleeves to create a denim vest or get out your cheese grater again to shred an elbow, shoulder, hem or the chest.
God-speed on your forays into fashion DIY’s! Your summer wardrobe will thank you!
- Marisa
Happy Monday everyone!
Last week was a test. A big one. I brought my 3.5 year old to work.
I am lucky to be allowed to bring my child to work for half a day – if not a full eight hours. Yes! Things can get accomplished and I can keep my PTO time for a moment someone is actually sick! Here are a few things you can find in your office supply closet that entertain your kids when you need to bring them to work.
There you have it. Five things to use from the office supply closet to keep the kids entertained while you do work or hang in the blanket fort!
- Vanessa
