Preppy Accessories

No classically preppy look would ever be complete without a few accessories. Whether that be jewelry, the perfect bag or the footwear you choose, you will need some accessories for a completely pulled together look. Below I will go through and highlight some of the most classically preppy pieces you should have in your wardrobe.  

Pearls

First and foremost, of course, you can never call your look preppy without owning a string of pearls or some pearls studs at the very least. The preppy look puts pearls with absolutely everything from jeans to dresses. This small addition can instantly elevate a look from basic to classic. 

My grandma's string of pearls is one of my go to pieces. I wear them with absolutely everything. I wore them in a heat wave to the county fair to visit the horses.

I wear them with nautical stripes.

 I even wear them on casual days with my Vineyard Vines Shep shirts. 

Print Scarf

Another important accessory is a good quality scarf. I don't just mean for warmth in the winter, although not much can beat a good quality cashmere scarf with a wool coat for warmth and style. I am referring here also to silky scarves, whether a square tied around the neck or a Twilly on your bag or wrist as a bracelet or even in your hair.

Leather Handbag

The next must have is a good quality leather handbag. This doesn't have to be a designer piece but should be the best your budget will allow. If you are going to stick with mainly only one bag, it should be in a neutral color as well such as tan, white, or black. You may also want to at least have two options. One being a larger tote like everyday bag to carry all of your essentials and a smaller cross body bag for going to events and activities where you would want to be more hands-free. 

Monogrammed Tote

Another essential is a monogrammed tote of some sort. I am not referring here to anything like the LV Neverfull referenced above but rather an actual canvas tote. This piece will be handy running errands, heading to flea markets and farmers markets, as well as just organizing things in the car. Having a piece as well that is monogrammed is the perfect step above to make this a preppy must-have! One of the perfect places to find something like this is at Marleylilly. Of course, you do not have to have the monogram and can find very stylish totes in cute prints almost anywhere, but a monogram just adds that little something extra. 

Footwear

Another common dilemma is trying to decide on the essential footwear pieces you will need if you are just beginning to build up your classic preppy wardrobe. Footwear again is a place where you should buy the best quality you can afford; these are pieces you will wear often. The cost per wear typically outweighs the initial sticker shock. Below are some of my suggestions. 

Riding Boots are almost quintessential during fall and winter especially. These can be styled with leggings, dresses, and pulled over straight leg jeans for classic looks. 

Another important "boot" style that will be worn in every season, is a good pair of Wellies. These can be high or low, depending on your preference. I wear my Wellies out on rainy days to run errands as well as when working in the garden. A quintessential brand for the preppy look is Hunter, but of course only buy what your budget allows. I wear my Hunter brand boots running errands but have a drug store pair for garden use.

Loafers are another essential footwear piece. In this category, I am not only including traditional penny loafer styles but also the Sperry boat shoe style. Both are my go-to slip on shoes that I wear constantly. 

For summer footwear, nothing beats a pair of Jack Rogers, made famous by Jackie O. or some espadrilles for a dressier look. 

Comment down below: What are your favorite preppy look accessories? What else should I have mentioned?

February- A Month to Love!

 We are hard into the winter months now but the blanket of snow white makes everything look fresher than it did. This is the month of cupid slinging his arrows! But for me this is all about self-love. 

February is the month we begin by all gathering around as well to see if a groundhog predicts more winter or an early spring as well.... Let's face it though, regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil has to say spring will always be at least 6 weeks off yet. Once we all accept that we move into other traditions of the month full of celebrations. Carnivale always us to celebrate life in a most fantastic way just as Valentine's Day reminds us of love!

I plan to celebrate all of these grand themes throughout the month and embrace every bit of it. Once Lenten season begins, it is the best time to refine daily routines and develop new healthier habits. Valentine's as well is the best time to remind us to pamper ourselves in little luxuries and practice self-love. So below are my 3 bucket list items for the month.

My February "Bucket List" Items:

• Refine my routines.
• Treat myself to a spa day!
• Enjoy the snow, even if it is from inside looking out at the beauty of it.

Comment below: How are you embracing self-love this month? 

Homemade Italian Wedding Soup- With Modern Shortcuts

Italian Wedding Soup is a staple of Italian cuisine and a well-known comfort food for those of us with an Italian heritage. At least near me in Northeast Ohio, there isn't a pizza shop or Italian restaurant that doesn't list this on their menu but not all wedding soup is created the same. Below, I am going to share with you my family's traditional wedding soup recipe along with some modern time savers that do not skimp the taste well also not having you slave in the kitchen for days. I will also list the traditional methods should you prefer this though. 

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground beef
• whole boneless skinless chicken breast (variations would be a whole fryer chicken)
• 2 large 48oz cans of chicken broth (I used low sodium due to my mom's dietary restrictions; salt can be added individually to each bowl if preferred.)
• 5lb bag flour
• One dozen eggs
• (A small pasta can be used to replace the flour and eggs but is not as authentic to a southern Italian style soup)
• 2 bundles each of endive and escarole
• Salt and Pepper to taste (optional)

Steps:

I begin by making parts of the soup that can be made ahead but this is optional. The only step that has to be in order is to have the chicken cooked to start the broth before adding the other parts in.

For the meatballs:

The old method of making this part of the soup was to roll 1/2 size small meatballs and either bake them in the oven or fry them on the stovetop. 

My modern shortcut that does not affect the flavor is to simply pinch of small pieces from the pound of ground beef (about the size of the tip of your thumb) and place them on a paper plate. I then put these in the microwave for 1 minute. This cooks them enough to place them in the soup later, where they will cook more, without drying them out. Using the paper plates minimizes the mess later. Simply throw them away!

I made these the night before to save time the next day, but this is not necessary.

For the chicken/ start of the broth:

This is a step that must be done at the beginning of the process to begin to create the broth, regardless of which method you choose to use.

The old method for this is to buy a whole fryer chicken. You then boil the chicken in a large both submerged in water until the chicken begins to fall apart. Once the chicken is cooked you strain the chicken and fat out of the water, keeping the water into another pot to be the broth base. 

The chicken then needs to be trimmed and deboned. Set aside the pieces of chicken to add in later.

A second method would be to use an already cooked rotisserie chicken. If choosing this method, you will not have a broth base and will need to add more canned broth to the soup. This still requires deboning and rimming the chicken.

Not being a fan of dark meat or the act of deboning a chicken, my modern method is to just buy a whole boneless chicken breast instead and cook this down. 

Regardless of your chicken choice, with the exception of using a cooked rotisserie chicken, you will know the chicken is done when the meat begins to fall apart and there is a scum-like layer in the pan as below. 

Again, make sure to strain the liquid into your stock pan to create the base of your broth.

To this broth base, add 2 48oz cans of chicken broth to your base (add a 3rd can if no base made due to using rotisserie chicken). Then fill those cans with water to add equal amounts of water as well. This is now your broth. I used low sodium broth for a healthier variation. 

Once you have your broth, you can now begin shredding the chicken into small bits. This is a quick and easier process when using skinless boneless chicken breast. If you used a whole chicken, you would need to also be certain to get all of the bones and fat out as well. Leaving too much dark meat also will make for a greasier soup in the end.

Now that the broth is made, you will want to trim and wash the endive and escarole to get this cooking as long as possible in the broth. Traditional Italian greens are endive and escarole but many American versions of this soup use spinach. While you can use spinach, it will be more bitter and not as traditional of a flare.  Add the greens into the broth and begin cooking down on medium heat. 

If you did not already make the meatballs, you can do this now. Since I made those prior though, I am going to begin in on the doughballs. 

For the doughballs: 

I do have a modern shortcut for this step, but many will argue that the modern shortcut would be to just use pasta. While I know most restaurants do this and it is acceptable to use a small pasta such as acini di pepe or ditalini, trust me you won't regret making the doughballs for that more Southern Italy hearty taste. 

To make the doughballs we will begin as you would to make homemade pasta.  Take flour and make a well, crack an egg into the well and begin to work the flour into a dough like form. 

Continue this process until you have used all 5 lbs of flour and a dozen eggs, give or take small portions. 

Take note that to minimize mess on the counters, I did all of the dough work inside a cooking sheet. Once you have you balls of dough, you can pinch off pieces and roll them into small 1/2-1-inch balls or follow the more modern shortcut and roll them out flat. Once the dough is rolled out I took a pizza cutter to cut strips both ways, resulting in small pillow like pieces. I then minimally shaped these puffs by pinching into a "ball" form, though this is not necessary. 

Now that we have our doughballs, either from rolling or cutting, we need to cook them. 

To cook by the traditional method, heat a large pan of frying oil on the stove top. Once the oil is bubbly, add ladle fulls of the dough balls in to fry. Fry until slightly golden.

For a modern shortcut, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees. Place doughballs in a single layer and cook each batch for 3 minutes. 

Once all of the parts of the soup are made, add them to the broth with the cooking greens. Add in the meatballs, shredded chicken, and doughballs. At this point also you can add salt and pepper to taste should you so desire. Bring the soup up to a good boil and then lower to medium low heat for hours. Stir occasionally. You will know the soup is ready when the greens are tender and the doughballs puff up to the top from absorbing the broth.

Once ready, scoop out a bowlful and enjoy. I prefer to add sprinkle Romano cheese into mine, but this is optional as well. Serve with some garlic toast or fresh Italian bread. This soup is hearty enough to eat on its own though. The soup can remain in the fridge for up to 4 days. Leftovers can also be frozen but be warned that once thawed the greens will change the color to a green hue which may make you think it is no good. 

Let me know down in the comments if you try this recipe and which variation you use. Also be sure to subscribe to receive notice of new posts. 

January- Jumping Into the New Year!

 

While January is a month of new beginnings and new possibilities... I mean it is the start of a new year after all! January is also a month of endings and dreariness in some ways....

If you live in an area where there are 4 seasons, like I do, then you know what I mean. All of the glitter and glitz from the holidays comes down, there are no flowers blooming outside, no celebratory holiday. It can be dreary and cold, but it also can be a time to take advantage of this and reset without extra noise. 

I am guilty myself of typically not enjoying entering the new year head on... I don't typically set resolutions myself because I feel growth should be ongoing. We should always be learning and improving, not just when the ball drops at midnight changing the date on the calendar. 

This year will be different for me though! Not because I intend to set a list of resolutions as the cliche goes, but because I intend to look at each month as a new beginning and not just the year. 

I will look at each day as a new beginning and each month as a clean slate. I will embrace the seasons even more, enjoying activities involving the weather of the seasons (yes even my least favorite one, winter!), and I will set 3-5 bucket list items no matter how small for each month!

My January "Bucket List" Items:

• See a sunrise at least once a week.
• Enjoy a brisk outdoor walk before heavy snow blankets us.
• Embrace the cozy. Read more, have cocoa....
• Set and manifest intentions for the whole year!

Comment below: How are you approaching the new year this year? 

Buckeyes- An Ohio favorite for Christmas cookies!

No Christmas season would be the same without a wide assortment of holiday cookies and no cookie tray would be complete without an Ohio staple of Buckeyes. This recipe was found years ago in an Amish cookbook to which I would give credit f I remembered which it was, but this xeroxed cutout has been pulled out for years now.

Below is the best recipe I have found to make Buckeyes. The taste rivals a Reese cup even and is always a hit!

Happy baking! Let me know if you try this recipe and what you think. Also comment below, what is your favorite holiday cookie to make?

Holiday Home Decor 2022

 It is that magical time of year again where the house transforms into a holiday wonderland. I love bringing the festivities into the house. I didn't reinvent the wheel this year on decor though and stayed with my traditional pieces adding in leopard and plaid accents as I have for the past several years.

I used a lot of greenery picks, antlers, and plaid throughout to unify things from room to room.

Isn't this picture of Santa working on his truck just the cutest ever? I picked this up at Hobby Lobby last year. 

One new piece I did add this year was this squirrel garland I found at Petitti's Garden Center. I have been feeding and enjoying the squirrels in my yard all summer long and couldn't resist picking this up. 

In the kitchen, I tried to add in some accents of Mackenzie Childs to compliment pieces that are there year-round. 

I kept the dining table simple so it could remain completely functional throughout the season. I layered a plaid runner over a fleur-di-lis tapestry and got a new rug in leopard print for the floor.

The decor itself in the dining room though is more traditional with touches of Italian and Santa.

No Christmas decor could be complete without a nativity scene. I kept things simple here on the buffet so the nativity could be its own focal point. 

I carried this traditional look combing Santa, plaid and leopard into the living room as well. 

The pups just couldn't resist posing for a holiday photo as well on the couch. I used green and plaid throws along with plaid trimmed and leopard throw pillows to carry on the look. 

I carried to same elements up the stairs, hall and into the bathroom as well. I just loved how this garland looked around the photos in the bath. 

I changed the ribbon and broach on my mannequin form tree as well to give a "Gucci" inspired look for some glam.

To view the entire home tour watch my Youtube video here. 

Comment below what kind of holiday themes you use to make your home festive during the holidays.

Equestrian and British Prep Looks

 Late fall always brings to mind more British and Equestrian style looks for me. The leaves are glowing in a vibrant array of colors and boots become a wardrobe staple. When I think of preppy equestrian and British countryside are what come to mind for me. Afterall, the whole preppy style vibe derived from wealth and educational status and what screams that more than a fox hunt or horseback ride through the English countryside? 

As mentioned before, many of these preppy styles do overlap each other but I thought Equestrian and British Countryside were most similar to each other. With equestrian think jodhpurs with riding boots and horse bit accents in many pieces... whereas British Countryside is more tweed (though also in Equestrian pieces) with nods to local wildlife such as pheasant feathers being accented. 

Equestrian Style incorporates staple horse-riding pieces with details in the styling such as horse bit accents and bridle designs. Brands that include this look would be Ralph Lauren and Holland Cooper, along with Fairfax and Favor and the details of the less affordable Hermes staple accessories. Ariat is also a great American brand carrying many great pieces that could work into this style, just be careful to not veer too far into the Western wear side. 

For British Countryside, think of a quail hunt in the fall wearing a warm field jacket with a gilet vest underneath.... Or a classic outfit covered in an iconic London Fog trench or Purdy jackets... This style is full of rich autumn colors and tweed fabrics.  Another popular brand in this category is the iconic English brand of Holland Cooper.  

Staples for both looks include: plaids, tweed, riding boots, argyle, and cable knits. Typically, outfits are in darker fall hues as well such as hunter greens, browns, and deep plums and blues.

Here are some looks that would fit this aesthetic. The outfit below incorporates jodhpurs with some other wardrobe basics such as a warm tone cashmere pullover top and a jean jacket with accessories such as an Hermes twilly scarf and two-toned riding boots.

For the look below, I used more classic staple pieces of the aesthetic. You can never go wrong with a tweed blazer no matter how it is paired.... here are two looks: one casual and one for office.

For the last look, I tried to demonstrate that pieces you already own can be styled up to create an English countryside look. I simply threw a dark neutral blazer over a dress. Adding riding boots for colder months and slip-on flats in warmer months. Of course, an Hermes belt brings in the affluence of the look.

Which of these 2 preppy styles is your favorite? Comment below... what are some of your go to fall looks? Be sure to subscribe for notice of future posts as they are published. Also be sure to visit coco-n-dante.com for many pieces that fit this style including the tweed blazer shown above.