It's so hard to find the right leather jacket. In my experience they're either too long or too short, have too much hardware or too little, and fit too uncomfortably tight or too unflatteringly loose. This one gets the balance just right: I was able to snag the smallest size so it sits right on my hip, zips up snugly, and has just enough detailing to keep it interesting. I love wearing it with boots and any matching handbag I can pull from my collection. Can you ever wear too much leather at once? I don't seem to think so, especially if the textures vary like they do here.

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Pants: Low Skinny 531 Jeans, Levi's [similar styles available here]

Shirt: Short-sleeve V-neck Tee in "Heather," Victoria's Secret [$24.50, available here]

Shoes: "Tune Down" Lace-Up Ankle Boots in Black, Kenneth Cole [$99, available here]

Jacket: Double-Zip Lamb Scuba Jacket in Black, Pelle Studio [was $360, available here]

Bag: Amber Spiral Notebook Clutch in Black, Alexander Wang [$625, available here]

Jewelry: Decenario bracelet; silver bangle; studded ring [old]

To me, winter meals have to be two things: hearty and warming. With complex flavors built from simple ingredients like onions, rosemary, and tomatoes, this dish has both of those qualities and then some. Its name translates from the Italian to mean "in the hunter style," yet its taste and finished look are anything but rustic. Recipes for it vary greatly, especially throughout Italy, but I chose the traditional Southern Italian method and used red wine instead of white– I think it pairs better with the tomatoes. Like Coq au Vin, the dish's French cousin (check out my recipe for it here), making chicken in the "alla cacciatore style" during the year's colder months is the perfect excuse to use your stove and oven for a long time while letting your house get perfectly cozy.

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Ingredients:

8 ounces crimini or button mushrooms, quartered

2 large onions, thinly sliced (about 3 cups)

5 tablespoons olive oil, divided

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 chicken (about 5 pounds), cut into 8 pieces, excess fat and skin trimmed

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped rosemary

1/2 cup dry red wine

1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice

1/3 cup thinly sliced basil, or 1 tablespoon dried

2 tablespoons drained capers, divided

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine mushrooms and onion in large bowl. Add 3 tablespoons oil and vinegar; toss to blend. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. Spread vegetable mixture in single layer on large rimmed baking sheet. Roast until onion slices are golden brown and all vegetables are tender, stirring frequently, about 50 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

3. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and one tablespoon rosemary.

4. Heat remaining  oil in heavy ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until golden brown, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to bowl.

5. Add wine to skillet and boil until wine is reduced by half, scraping up browned bits, about a minute. Stir in canned tomatoes with juice and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors.

6. Return chicken to sauce in skillet. Place skillet in oven and roast uncovered until chicken is cooked, about 40 minutes.

7. Remove skillet from oven. Stir in roasted vegetables, remaining 1/2 tablespoon rosemary, basil, and capers. Simmer over medium heat until vegetables are heated through. Season with salt and pepper and serve over rice.

[Photos from The Fashion Spot]

Something about this outfit really caught my eye. It's simple and elegant and yet has enough detailing to make it personalized and unique. I love the ankle straps on the pointed pumps, the oversized cocktail ring, and the arm full of rose-gold bangles that subtly echo Katharine's pink lipstick. The dress itself is gorgeously structured and a perfectly modest length. Yet what I like most about the whole look is that while it's subtly old-fashioned, it's also decidedly fresh and modern. Plus the pale and romantic colors have me thinking about Valentine's day–it's exactly one week from today–and what I'll wear for the night's date with my boyfriend.

What do you think? Do you think Katharine McPhee got it right with this ensemble? And am I the only crazy one that's working through Valentine's Day outfit ideas so far in advance?

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SHOP THE LOOK:

[Photo from Saks Fifth Avenue - Silk/Cotton Dress in Ivory, Valentino - $2590, available here]

[Photo from Bergdorf Goodman - similar style, Pigalle Patent Pump in Nude, Christian Louboutin - $625, available here]

My interest in any major sporting event increases exponentially when one of the competing teams is from New York. That's why I was so excited for Super Bowl Sunday's Giants versus Patriots showdown. I spent the evening at a party hosted by my boyfriend's parents– it featured a spread that included more appetizers, desserts, and beer (pictured are two of my imported favorites, Birra Peroni and Stella Artois) than a person could possibly consume in the roughly four hours it took for the Giants to win 21-17.  The end of the game had us all on the edge of our seats and me with my fingers permanently crossed (just one of many superstitions that worked). When the title was finally clinched, I learned that our collective screams, clapping, and jumping were boisterous enough to tip glasses, shake nearby knickknacks, and disturb any possibly uninvolved neighbors. The night couldn't have ended any more perfectly.

What do you think? Were you rooting for the New York Giants or the New England Patriots (or neither)? And most importantly, if you were watching–what were you eating?

A few months ago, I decided I was tired of guessing how old the leftovers in my fridge were. You might be familiar with the scenario: "Did we have pasta on Monday or Wednesday?", "Exactly how long has this chicken been here?", "Does rice keep for more three days?", etc. Finally I came up with a practical but decorative solution involving a blackboard, a wooden frame, some twine, and chalk. Now I can jot down what meal we had and when, erasing as I go. No more guessing about what was eaten on which day, plus my kitchen has a new and stylish accessory.

I don't really watch football–I can't learn enough of the rules to get actively involved–but since I love having any excuse to cook for a group of people, Super Bowl Sunday is my kind of night. That being said, there's nothing I hate more than feeling sick after mixing lots of heavy, overly-indulgent appetizer-type foods. I have a decent amount of quick and applicable recipes that leave my guests and I feeling satisfied but not greasy or weighed down. Remember my hot spinach and artichoke dip? Well this hummus is definitely another like it: light, creamy, and slightly tangy from the addition of sun-dried tomatoes, it skimps only on fat and not on flavor.

What do you think? What will you be making on Super Bowl Sunday–or will you be too busy watching the game to care about food?

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Ingredients:

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes

1 clove garlic

1.5 cups cooked (or canned) chickpeas

2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1.5 teaspoons lemon juice (more to taste)

1 tablespoon tahini

sea salt, to taste

Preparation:

1. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes if using tomatoes in oil. If using dry sun-dried tomatoes, place in boiling water until softened.

2. Add garlic to food processor. Run until finely chopped.

3. Next, add sun-dried tomatoes and run until coarsely chopped.

4. Combine all remaining ingredients in food processor. Run until smooth. if more liquid is needed, add oil and/or lemon juice. Season to taste.

[Photos from The Best Fashion Blog]

I'm not ashamed to admit that I love seeing an ultra glamed-up Kim– after all, I appreciate eyeliner, sky-high heels, and pricey accessories just as much as any of the Kardashian sisters do. That's why I was surprised to find myself loving this somewhat understated outfit Kim Kardashian wore to a nail salon in California. Sure the pricey Birkin is still there and yes the scarf is Chanel, but the plain jeans, tee, and trench combined with pushed back hair and–gasp–completely flat-soled boots seem surprisingly refreshing. I'm always looking for new ways to wear silk scarves and I must say Kim has quite unexpectedly given me a style tip with this look.

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SHOP THE LOOK:

[Photo from Blue Fly - Black Quilted Nappa Leather 'Clute' boots, Stuart Weitzman - were $575, available here] 

[Photo from Potero - 35 cm Birkin Handbag, Black Togo Leather with Palladium Hardware, Hermès - $12,999, available here]

And here it is…my contribution to Sienna Ray & Co.'s [wander]lust projec!. For those of you not familiar with this endeavor, the designers behind the gorgeous line of handbags have selected bloggers from across the country to spend a week or so with their soon-to-be released SS12 "Makayla." Part clutch and part cross-body, I had so much fun using and styling this versatile studded purse.

I love maxi skirts for so many reasons. Besides their fun silhouette, they can be transformed with accessories–flats or heels, tanks or sweaters, etc.–and in doing so be made to suit almost any occasion in any month. A normal New York winter would never allow for bare legs and sling-backs, but when the weather got unseasonably warm this past week I took my chances, putting together this look and getting an early start to a date night with my boyfriend. I built the outfit's color palette around the buttery yellow of the "Makalaya," layering nudes and neutrals for a look that suited the pale lighting of a somewhat spring-like January day.

I've left out one last but super exciting part of the [wander]lust project: in March of this year, Sienna Ray will gather the participants' posts and let all of you–our fabulously stylish readers–vote for your favorite look. The winner will get the chance to design their very own Sienna Ray handbag with the brand's founder and creative director, Natalie Kathleen. I'd die for the opportunity to work on my own bag–every girl's dream right?–so if you love my look, please let me (and Sienna Ray) know in the comments below! As always, thanks for your support! x

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Skirt: Chiffon Maxi Skirt in Taupe, h.i.p. [was $42, available here]

Sweater: Heavy-knit sweater in Cream, American Eagle Outfitters [similar style available here]

Shoes: Aria Platform Sling-backs in 'Nude Patent,' Pour La Victoire [were $250, available here]

Bag: 'Makayla' Bag in Mimosa, Sienna Ray & Co [not yet available]

Jewelry: Beaded expandable wire bangle, Alex and Ani; Channel-Set Diamond Band [gift]; Thin Gold Band with Bezel Set Diamond, Jennifer Meyer [$175, available here]; Luxe Titanium Druzy Ring, c/o Manu [$295, available here]

Nails: "French Lingerie," Rimmel

[Photo from Sydney Evan - $8,140, available here]

"Champagne" and "diamond"– the pairing immediately has me thinking swanky and sophisticated, adjectives that would also do well to describe a good cocktail ring. Case in point: this oversized bauble from Sydney Evan. Its designer is famous for her glittery evil-eye creations–all of which I adore–but the line has so many other lust-worthy pieces to offer. This black-rhodium finished ball pavéd in sparkly amber-colored stones is definitely one of them, and I can just picture how fabulous it would look accessorizing a dress and heels. I love that this ring with its round feature is from the cleverly named "sticks & stones" collection: it's one pricey pebble.

p.s. if you've been following me on Twitter & Facebook, you've seen that I've been talking about my collaboration with Sienna Ray & Co. Handbags and their [w