**Inspiration #3**

Today's outfit inspiration is a mix of two different ideas, combined into one.

http://shopruche.com/shop-pastel-palette/pastel-3.html?limit=all

To the naked eye, this looks like a cute blouse/skirt combination, right?  Well, that's what I thought, until the website broke down the entire outfit, and come to find out, the "skirt" is actually a dress.  I thought this was the coolest idea ever, and gives you another way you can wear a dress!

And my other inspiration comes from a website I can't remember right now (will work on finding that later!).  But it talked about how lace tops are all the trend right now.  I must admit, I have a little love affair with lace--I always want to buy anything that has even a little bit of lace on it.  One of my favorite purchases is the dress below (Love the sleeves!!):

Awww-so cute :p

Seeing my BF Lindsey in Vegas!

I think lace is the perfect combination of sexy and sophisticated...when worn properly.  If you're wearing a dress purely of see-through lace, I might ask you what corner you're working on!

So in attempting to combine these two outfits, I took one of my favorite dresses to act as the skirt, and a black lace blouse to put over the top, and this is what I came up with:

Dress: Forever 21; Blouse: New York & Company; Belt: Banana Republic; Necklace: AE;
Cuff: Ann Taylor; Boots: Coach
I never would have thought to put these two pieces together, but I think it works really nicely!  Also, I think a belt is in order, no matter what you decide to mix and match, just so you have a little separation between the two!  I paired this outfit with my Coach boots, turquoise beaded necklace (to add a little pop), and even though it's about 30° out, I, honestly, was too lazy to put on tights--I'm a midwest girl, I can handle a little cold!

And time for some fun shots--I get really bored having to try and self-timer pictures of these outfits, so I just like playing around with different angles, colors, poses, etc!  And, yes, I'm a fan of the jumping pose--it's fun...and it makes me look like I can jump really high :p































































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Oh, and an update on how my attempt at a 'lighter' version of General Tso's chicken went last night...well, I am pleased to say it was quite the success!  I was really nervous because 1.) homemade Chinese food can be tricky; 2.) I am scared to death of cooking chicken (always afraid I'll undercook it); and 3.) I'm always nervous when cooking!  But I did my best to follow the recipe, and here's what I came out with:

 

Yum!!

I got the recipe from Martha Stewart.com (http://www.marthastewart.com/314942/lighter-general-tsos-chicken), and I have to admit, it was nice to finally eat Chinese food and not have that bloat from all the sodium you've just consumed!  I used light sodium soy sauce instead of the regular stuff, and everything else was pretty healthy/fresh.  I think it turned out great, although next time I would add a little more "kick" to it, maybe with a jalapeno or more red pepper flakes!  But for all of you out there looking for an easy Chinese recipe, this is it---if I can make it, anyone can! :)