Stitch Fix

Hi Everyone!

I'm sure most of you know what the title of this post refers to.  For those of you that don't, Stitch Fix is a styling service website where you get monthly (or more often, based on preference) "fixes" of fashion items.  You fill out a profile on their website, and a stylist will style a fix for you based on it.  So you basically get a present every month!  Of course you have to pay for the service, it's $20 per fix, and you get five things sent to you.  Keep the items you want, and mail back the items you don't want.  Check out online, the $20 styling fee applies to the stuff you keep.

It's a really fun service.  I jumped to it when I first found out about the service.  But then I wasn't really liking my monthly fixes.  I felt that the stylist didn't really get me.  So I cancelled for a while, then decided to give it another try.  My November fix was surprisingly good!  When I opened the box, at first glance I wasn't very impressed.  But I still tried on each item.  To my surprise, one of the blouses that I tried on was very flattering!  And the jeans that were sent to me - let me tell you, I already have a handful of black jeans - but this pair, I kept it because it was so incredibly comfortable.

It's truly a fun experience each time I get my box of fixes.  I eagerly await its arrival when the date is close, and when I finally see it at my doorstep, it's like, "Ok, the kids can wait on their dinner.  Mama is trying on clothes first!"

Here's my most recent fix.  I paired the blouse with the black pants, and accessorized the ensemble with a black glittered Rebecca Minkoff clutch and Valentino Rockstud pumps.  On my lips I'm wearing a plum-colored lipstick.  Perfect for the season.  The rather business-like pairing suddenly look hip when I added fun and edgy accessories to it.  I'm still relatively conservative.  My idea of "edgy" is as edgy as a mother-of-three type of edgy gets.  ;)

Blouse: Fun 2 Fun via Stitchfix

Pants: Just Black via Stitchfix

Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff Leo Envelope Clutch via Amazon

Pumps: Valentino Rockstud

Lipstick: Chanel Rouge Allure Envoûtante #116

Happy shopping!

xo,

Lin

Stir Fried Sole with Celery

Hi Everyone!

Oh, is it good to be writing again!  I was MIA in the last few weeks because I was so busy putting up my sons' school book fair. I think I'm going to do a post about that too, and label it under "parties."  It was quite a production - literally!  I mean, we chose a Hollywood theme, because you know me, I love my glamour!  And having a fun theme really gets me excited about decorations and stuff.  Which is what I love to do.  So, if you need inspiration on book fairs, stay tuned!

Well, this post is about my life going back to normal and being able to cook for my family again.  I found this recipe on a Chinese cook book also - I don't take credit for stuff that's not original!  So here it is, translated into English.

Ingredients:

Sole fillet, cut into 2 inch sections
Celery - about 1/2 a stalk, sliced
1 carrot, sliced
ginger, thinly sliced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp wine
1 tsp corn starch

Instructions:

1) Marinate sole fille in soy sauce, wine, corn starch, and ginger for about 15 min
2) Stir fry celery and carrots, add salt, remove
3) Stir fry fillet until about 80% done, put celery and carrots back in
4) Add sugar, cook for another 5 minutes, or until fish is fully cooked

Happy cooking!

xo,
Lin

Deep Fried Sole Fillet

Hi Everyone!

I've done deep friend fish before-but never was able to make it crispy and have the batter stick to the actual fillet.

I've finally just given up and consulted a cookbook.  Turned out, you're supposed to batter the fish in this order 1) flour, 2) egg, 3) bread crumbs.  And guess what?  Voíla!  It turns out beautifully when it's done in this order!

I chose to put my fish on a bed of stir fried chive buds because my husband loves them.  But you can really put it on a bed of any stir friend vegetable.  Or even just with some lettuce leaves.  Or on it's own.  Although the recipe calls for marinating the fish, you can still dip with either ketchup or a mixture of salt and pepper.  My kids love ketchup - which kid doesn't - so that's what we used.

Ingredients

1 package of sole fillet - you can use any, actually.  I just got the one from Trader Joe's, comes with 3 strips
1 cup flour
3 eggs
3 cups bread crumbs - I used panko bread crumbs, you can use regular ones

Seasoning

Cooking wine
salt
pepper - optional

Instructions

1) slice fish fillet into rectangular pieces.  Marinate in seasoning for about 20 minutes
2) Coat fillets in 1) flour, 2) beaten eggs, 3) bread crumbs
3) Heat oil, turn heat to medium, fry fillets to golden

This is an easy way to make a fast meal.  Or if you're trying to show off your cooking skills at a potluck, this is an easy dish to prepare.

Hope you enjoy it as much as my family did!