Natalie - Natalie Wise Blog

Roman Holiday

Remember when I recommended some movie/snack pairings for rainy days? While, it’s raining again. I should say, still, since we had approximately 48 minutes of sunshine combined over the weekend and today.

So I’ll wear a Roman Holiday of an outfit…silk skirt with scenes of Italy, vintage basket-weave purse, bow belt…and that oughtta bring another 4 minutes of sunshine, don’t you think?
PLEASE?

Have a great day!

Natalie

Selah

This isn’t new, but it’s new to me. And it might be new to some of you, so I had to share. This story and song really spoke to my heart tonight.

Summer Looks: Palm Beach Pretty

This might be my favorite so far! One would be tempted to assume I’d go “Red Hot Summer” but this—this pretty, sophisticated palette, oh it does make my heart flutter so! Stunning yet subtle pinks, grays, and palm branches along with a sophisticated hat and pink shades for keeping your face out of the sun. You’re probably an heiress of some sort, so you’ll need your bling…vintage inspired earrings and a big cocktail ring, along with a stack of bracelets…yes, even in the summer. You don’t plan on actually swimming in that beautiful backyard pool, do you? And of course you wouldn’t even consider a dip in the ocean, but you’d be perfectly content lounging in your cabana, then slipping on lace, polka dots, and ballet flats for an al fresco dinner.

Palm Beach Pretty Summer Look by fashionatalie featuring brimmed hats

Summer Looks: Nothin’ But Neon

Nothing says summer like neon brights. Whether you just pick some neon accessories (hair ties, sunnies, hat, watch, purse, or shoes), or go head-to-toe neon glow, you’re sure to get noticed in this trend! The neon lace peplum top would look so cute over the darker blue swimsuit top, then pair it with the hot pink board shorts and sunnies, and highlighter-yellow laceless tennies and a bright bag. If you swim laps, grab a hot pink swimsuit edged with orange, and layer on the neons when you’ve clocked your time. Be bold: do dayglow bright!

Nothin’ But Neon! by fashionatalie featuring bikini bathing suits

Summer Looks: Country Girl Cute

Chambray, gingham, seersucker, stripes, and straw….there’s just little more adorable than a Country Girl Cute look! Toss on a gingham or seersucker swimsuit, with a picnic skirt or seersucker shorts and an oversized white tee (tuck in a corner or tie it in a knot at the bottom), some gingham sunnies, and a gingham headband or straw hat. A chambray cover-up looks great with this theme, too. Striped Toms are such a cute casual shoe & a wonderful cause (when you buy a pair, they donate a pair).

Now pack up a picnic and get outside!

Country Girl Cute by fashionatalie featuring forever 21 sunglasses

Summer Looks: Red Hot Summer

What sort of summer are you planning to have? Red hot? Country Girl Cute? I’ve got some fun ideas up my sleeve to help make the most of your summer style, head to toe!

I am so in love with this look! It is captures all of that silver-screen style from a bygone era…a hint of mystery, a whole lot of glamour, and a little bit of kitsch. I love the vintage-styled swimsuits, high-waisted sailor shorts, and a movie-star worthy hat or scarf. Don’t forget some flirty & fun shades! Some simple gold sandals add classic elegance.

Red Hot Summer by fashionatalie featuring brimmed hats

Extra Weekend

This is my It’s Monday. But it’s still the ‘weekend’! expression.

With Monday being a holiday we had an extra day to wear our weekend duds! If you know me, you know that practically no weekend ensemble is complete without a splash of neon! Monochromatic with a pop of neon is always right, but since neon is such a trend right now, it’s even more on point.

Add sparkles, stripes, braided belt, lace-edged skirt, and ‘snakeskin’ sandals for even more visual interest.

Did you notice how this outfit is really, really simple in its foundations? It’s a tank, sweater, an ‘easy’ bottom (skirt with shorts underneath to keep things modest), and sandals. How quickly could a tank top, sweater, and shorts look uninspired and boring? Mixing up the details are what really make the outfit stand out.

{hot pink details}

Style Secrets

Sunnies: Target

Sweater: Tag Sale

Tank: Tag Sale

Skirt: American Eagle

Purse: Consignment Shop

Sandals: Thrifted

Nail Polish (not on in pics): Pixi

Have a great week!

Red, White, Blue, Lace, Zebra

I’m such a sucker for dressing for holidays. And sometimes kitschy is fun, too, but I think it’s great to dress for the occasion a bit more subtly. I’m still wearing red (bangles & vintage earrings), white (dress, first day of the season to wear it…mixed with cream), and blue (ice blue eyeliner), but I don’t think the outfit screams, “Walking American flag.” I like to save that for the Fourth of July 😉

The zebra heels are a fun surprise element to this vintage shift dress, and with the rattan heels, are so summery. First Heidi braids of the season, and with bangs, too! Love it so much.

It was so funny because I spent the rest of the day adventuring, and it seemed everywhere I stopped people loved this dress! I say that because when my mom was visiting a month ago, and we were cleaning out my closet, she put this in my “donate” pile. Mom, I think I’m going to keep it, sorry 🙂

Another huge THANK YOU to all families, past & present, who carry the burden of their loved ones’ sacrifices for our country. Thank you. We will miss them, honor them, and never forget.

Have a GREAT week!

Memorial Day Weekend

This goes out to all of those who have given their lives to fight for our country…and to their families. I drove past many cemeteries this weekend and it stills my heart for a moment, and yet uplifts it, to see a small American flag placed near the graves of veterans.

Please don’t neglect to reflect on, honor and remember those who have lost their lives in service to our country.

But of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t also suggest you try this recipe:

Loaded Baked Potato Fries

Mmmmmm, talk about yum-ness! I used sweet potato fries, because it’s what I had handy, and it was still incredibly delicious. I’ve made these twice so far this weekend alone. And yes, there’s a gluten-free hot dog buried under them to catch all of the wonderful leftover seasonings!

Click the link under the picture for the recipe.

Peach Lemonade

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and stay safe, my dears!

I Heart Rhubarb

There are a lot of really good things in life.

Like fair-trade certified “Heavenly Chocolate with a Heart” in gold packaging.

And a scalloped yellow bowl full of organic strawberries & rhubarb from a friend.

The sunlight streaming in to illuminate a round of scones, bursting with happy flavor, ready to be baked.

Again, natural light to illuminate the golden-brown of some irresistible baked goods.

And sometimes, when you take that chocolate, and drizzle it over the scones, it’s like, EVEN better.

This is my pretty new Kate Spade heart ring that I’m loving! It’s been on my list for awhile to “up” my gold jewelry stash. I seem to have fallen into a definite silver-only jewelry rut.

One of my best friends and I have been fiddling with a gluten-free scone recipe, trying to get it to mirror the glory days of our regular, gluten-involving past baking (sigh). These are definitely yummy, but too dense for a traditional scone. Alas, we haven’t nailed it yet, but here is my most recent iteration, which you’re welcome to try.

Gluten-Free Strawberry-Rhubarb Cream Scones with White Chocolate Glaze

by Good Girl Style

3 cups Pamela’s Baking Mix (almond/gluten free flour mix)

1/3 cup sugar

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. xantham gum

8 TBSP.s butter

3/4 cup light cream

1 egg

1 1/4 -1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries and rhubarb

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in the butter. Mix the cream and egg, and toss it with the dry ingredients until it all comes together. Fold the fruit in gently. If the dough is too dry, add a splash more milk. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and turn it over once before patting into a round. Cut or score into triangles, and transfer to baking sheet. These held together better for me when I just scored the circle and cut post-baking. Bake at 350 for 15-20 mins. or until golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean.

Glaze:

I used the Divine White Chocolate with Strawberries pictured above (melted), a splash of cream, a pinch of salt, and a bit confectioner’s sugar. I’m sorry I didn’t measure, but just fiddle until you get the consistency you like, then drizzle away!

Soooooooo how many scones do you think is TOO many for breakfast? Three?

😉