Packing for Paris

No, I am not headed there anytime soon. Le sigh. 

But, I did have someone who wanted some styling help for a trip this Spring and I had so much fun looking, I decided to share with everyone. 

When in Paris I think about dressing very classic, but with an edge. Think Kate Moss with pearls on. 

All of these pieces can be worn together and interchanged so you get the most out of your suitcase space. Black, white, gray, nude, gold. You cannot go wrong and all of these pieces would look perfect against that oh so beautiful back drop that is Paris.   

1. Philip Lim $825

2. Goes with everything washed silk shirt. Equipment $214 or Piperlime $34 (more colors)

3. An updated gray to your usual skinnies. Frame $219

4. Your go with anything everywhere flat. VC Signature $195

5. Stacked or on its own. Perfect. Barney's $100

6. A pleated midi screams perfect Paris day. Topshop $105

7. Obsessed with these pants. Great for travel or dressed up with heels. J. Crew $98

8. The perfect jacket to go with everything. Trouve $298

9. A nod to Breton stripes. Treasure & Bond $78

10. Gorgeous d'orsay pumps. Steve Madden $100

11. A great day or night dress. Stripes on the side. Madewell $98

12. A clutch with just a little pop. Claire V. $190

13. A tassel goes with all of it. Bauble Bar $13

14. The perfect book for your flight. $25

Happy Weekend! 

xo

Erin 

Slip On Sneakers

Slip on sneakers came back on the scene last Spring and it seems they are here to stay. I have a pair of classic Bensimons that I love, but I think a black pair might be great for when the snow starts to melt. They look great with a skinny jean as much as a boyfriend. And your cool girl status goes way up when you pair then with a skirt or dress. A great alternative to the ballet flat. Here are my faves. 

1. Classic white Vans $45 

2. Love the suede on these Steve Madden $79

3. These Vince are so cool $195

4. Preppy and fun from Coach $125 (other colors)

5. The perforated canvas updates the classic Vans $59

6. The quilting is so fun Steve Madden $59 (other colors)

7. A basket weave is fresh by Rachel Zoe $195

8. These leopard might just be it by Splendid $64

xo

Erin 

Chicken Parmesan

I feel like most of my cooking lately has been all about the classics. And making them really good. Or really easy. Either way, there is not a whole lot of creativity happening here, just my versions of foods we all love made simply and deliciously. Chicken Parm is classic American Italian and because everyone loves it, I made it for a dinner party last weekend. I also made it in advance, which is HUGE in my world right now. Little people are not the best sous chefs, so putting this together during nap time was essential. And it was great. Make this before you serve or even the day before, explanation below. Also, I use a ton of help from the store on this to save time. If you are not into saving time then feel free to whip up your own tomato sauce or bread crumbs. I envy you. This recipe is very "as you go" so you cannot mess it up, I promise you. Try it and you will rock it. 

(How bad are my photos lately? Lighting is everything and obviously my kitchen is not great)

Chicken Parmesan 

Imperfect Polish 2015

serves 6-8 (make more or less and just adjust ingredient amounts)

2 cups panko bread crumbs

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup of flour

salt, pepper, dried oregano, dried rosemary

8 thin cut boneless skinless chicken breasts (if your store does not carry this, you can buy 3 lbs of chicken and do this) 

Olive oil 

Butter 

2 jars of your favorite marinara sauce (I like San Marzano)

1 1/2 cups shredded provolone cheese 

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

Place the bread crumbs, eggs, and flour in their own shallow bowl or plate. Season each with salt, pepper, a couple of pinches of oregano and rosemary. 

Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, shaking off the excess. Then coat in the egg, then place in the bread crumbs to coat well. Place on a cooling rack or parchment lined tray. Repeat with all of the chicken. 

Place a large skillet on the stove with enough olive oil to coat the bottom well and a couple of pats of butter over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, cook the chicken in batches until golden brown on each side and cooked through. About 3-4 minutes a side. Place the cooked chicken on a cooling rack. If working with a lot of chicken, you can also do this in multiple pans. Change out the oil/butter of each pan after 2-3 rounds of chicken in it. 

(Make Ahead Note: you can make the chicken in advance, let cool, and place in the fridge until ready to assemble and bake the entire dish. Can be done up to two days before) 

In a large roasting pan (you might need two), spread a thick layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer the chicken along the top and sprinkle with the mozzarella and provolone cheese. Dot a bit more sauce around the edges of the chicken and on the top, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan. 

(Make Ahead Note: You can assemble this a couple hours before your event and bake off when ready. This can also be frozen at this point and then thawed a baked when you want it. If bringing this to a friend, stop at this point as well and have them bake off when ready to eat)

Place the pan in a 400 degree oven and bake until bubbling and golden brown, about 20 minutes. 

Enjoy! 

xo

Erin 

SAG Awards 2015: Best & Worst

Everyone shows up to this event. Everyone. I spotted Andrea Zuckerman in the crowd. She did not look half bad, either. A lot of ladies looked fantastic, some needed some help. 

These ladies are the top of the top of the Best for me. Some real surprises too! 

Julianna's dress is wrinkled, one of my all time pet peeves, BUT the color is stunning on her. Love the cut of the dress, the hair, all of it. Felicity Jones is perfection in this sweet pink. Classic and styled simply, which so works for her. Julie Bowen! Welcome to the best dressed list! She finally got it right with this perfectly femme number with simple styling. Anna from Downton looks like a full blown movie star. Love her. 

Now for everyone else… 

Currently Liking

The beginning of this year has gotten me seriously out of sorts. Between travel, sick kiddies, work, there is not a lot of rhythm to my day. But there are a few things right now that I am either enjoying or hope to soon. Some lovely randomness for you...

1. Instagram is probably one of the only social media outlets I check regularly these days and I love @natgeo. Photos and stories around the world each day that inspire and educate you, what could be better? 

2. My beloved little bracelet with my kids initials on it broke. So I am on the hunt for a new one. Thinking this one with both of their initials would be a nice replacement. Bauble Bar $119

3. I am also loving a hat right now. This floppy one from J. Crew looks perfect. $54

4. Reading actual books was a resolution of sorts and I am deep into Unbroken right now. Anytime you need some perspective start reading a book about a POW from World War II. It makes your day, no matter how difficult, feel like a breeze. Love the way she entangles the story of the protagonist and those  in his life. Plus the education on the Pacific theatre of this war is insanely eye opening. Love a good history lesson on this grand old dame of a country of ours.

5. With the influx of new things after Christmas, my mind keeps wandering on how to simplify my life. My house, my mind, my day. This 30 day challenge might be something great for the coming weeks. You into it?  

6. Santa brought a Nespresso machine, which is great, except I do not drinks coffee. But! The milk frother has changed my life. I am perfecting my Chai Latte every day. (ps: the coffee is delicious)

7. That picture is terrible, but Jimmy Kimmel was on the Bachelor this week and it was pretty great. I love how into he is. The above is Jimmy eating wings while watching the Bach and his date make out in a hot tub. Does anyone else still watch? (ps: Melissa, I miss your round ups!) 

Anything cool and exciting that is making your day/week? Would love to hear. 

xo

Erin 

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Sometimes the weather and the sniffling noses calls for something classic. This recipe is not laced with some fancy ingredient and there is no new technique. It is just how it always had been made and how it should stay. This is a from scratch soup so it takes some time, but not a lot of prep. Mostly it bubbles away. I found it on one of my favorite food sites and if it is not in your bookmarks add it. We had this last night for dinner and the leftovers for lunch. It is the perfect weekend project and it will make your house smell so yummy. She also gives instructions on how to make the broth in a slow cooker as well, such a bonus. 

My Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup 

Smitten Kitchen 2015

10-12 servings

You can make this in 4 to 4 1/2 hours all at once or split it into two days by making the broth and then finishing off the soup on another day. This soup has a lot of noodles (I used more than the recipe and it was almost all noodles. No complaints. But if you like less noodle, just add less. 

Broth

2 medium yellow onion, unpeeled, halved or 1 large onion and 1 leek 

2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed a little 

1 large carrot

1 large parsnip (optional)

1 celery rib

4 quarts of water

4 lbs chicken bones (leftover from a roast chicken) or  4 lbs chicken wings (that is what I did)

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons chopped fresh

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 bay leaf

To Finish

3 bone in skin on chicken breast halves (you could also use already cooked chicken and skip the step where you cook the chicken, but I have to say her way makes for super juicy chicken)

2 large carrots, peeled, diced

1 large leek, trimmed and sliced into 1/2 inch segments (if leeks freak you out, just omit)

2 celery ribs, diced

9 oz egg noodles of your choice. (I used medium for kid friendly fingers)

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley (optional)

Make the broth: 

[on the stove] Combine all the ingredient for the broth in a large (6 to 8 quart) stock pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a gently simmer, skim any unpleasant looking foam from the top, and cover with a lid. Simmer 2 1/2 hours. 

[in a slow cooker] combine all ingredients in a large (6 qt or larger) slow cooker. Cook on Low for 10 hours or High for 5. Strain into a large pot and let rest in the fridge until needed, or, if you are finishing the soup right away, bring to a simmer on the stove. 

Cook the chicken: 

[stovetop method, skip if using already cooked chicken] Add the whole chicken breasts to simmering broth. Simmer for  20 minutes, until they are cooked through, remove and set aside, then strain broth. 

[slow cooker method] Add whole chicken breasts to simmering broth on the stove, cook 20 minutes, until cooked through, then set aside. 

Both methods, taste broth and adjust for seasoning. And skim the top of the broth to remove some of the fat that is floating at the top. Leave some though, it is delicious! 

Finish the soup: 

Add diced vegetables to the simmering broth on the stove and cook for 5 minutes, until firm tender. Add soup noodles and cook according to package instructions. Meanwhile, once chicken breasts are cool enough to handle, remove skin and bones and shred or chop into small chunks. Return chicken to soup and simmer for 2 minutes, until heated through. Finish with parsley if using and serve to some very lucky people. 

Enjoy! 

xo

Erin 

Jumpsuits

My love of jumpsuits really has no bounds. And I must not be alone because this last weekend there were some very cute options on some of the ladies I was hanging with.

 I love the ease of a one piece when planning a look and that it always looks chic. It is a great day or night option and they look great with booties, pumps, tennies, anything. They also look perfect with your favorite blazer layered on top, making it very cold weather friendly.  The options have gotten even better this winter, so I rounded up the best of the best under $200...

1. Reverse $87 (So sexy with an open back)

2. Topshop $115 (perfect for work & play)

3. Topshop $115 (would be killer at a wedding)

4. Madewell $168 (so chic for errand running)

5. Rory Becca $207 (technically over $200, but on crazy sale)

6. FindersKeepers $195 (obsessed with this one)

7. d.ra $125 (classic and flattering)

8. 5th & Mercer $157 (love the gold detail)

9. Shades of Grey $138 (looks comfy for the weekend)

xo

Erin 

Making iPhones Bright

This is just a little idea that goes a long way. I wish I could take credit, but I found it on Pinterest a couple years ago and have kept the tradition alive. If you have all those Holiday cards still lying around or hanging up. Take a quick second to add those pictures to your contacts. The pictures are the person's favorite and making them their profile picture brings a lot of love to that address book of yours. It's so fun to get a call on my phone and a cute pic of that person/their chubby baby/their new puppy pops up on the screen. 

To do it on an iPhone, just go to your contacts, find the person, then click edit. In the left hand corner, click add photo. Take the photo right there or choose from your library if you already snapped it. 

Just a little cheer for your Tuesday. 

Xo 

Erin

Best & Worst: Golden Globes 2015

Although I got in late last night from a ridiculously fun trip to Sonoma with girlfriends and want to curl up on the couch with the kids all day, I could not miss rounding up the lovelies from last nights Globes. There was a lot of goodness, which is great, but also I love seeing some train wrecks. That is terrible, but it makes it fun! Let's get started, shall we...

My overall best may come as a surprise, but I thought Sienna Miller really killed it. 

this dress is gorgeous on her, she looks young and fresh, and still looks cool while also looking like a total movie star. I worship her. 

Here are my other Best of the night...

Reese's look is certainly not ground breaking, but it is perfectly executed. Emma Stone kills a jumpsuit on the red carpet. Gywenth looks so great in pink and she was the only one that sported it. Naomi nailed it (except that belt). Seth Myers wife wears pleats perfectly. Kate Hudson straight up movie starred it up, she looks killer. Julianne Moore's metallic is so gorgeous as is her simple styling. Julia looks perfect. This other metallic dress on Dakota is amazing. Julianne Moore's dress is not that exciting, but the entire look just fits together flawlessly. 

These two ladies were looking good last night.

Love that blue on Amy. Tina tried something original, which I love. Her hair, not so much. 

And can we all just bow down to these ladies? I am pretty sure they are either already or pushing 70. 

They are not my favorite dresses, but holy hell do they look amazing. 

There was a lot of other goodness out there last night too...

Heidi is looking a little prom-ish as usual, but you cannot deny she looks great. I cannot decide if I love the leather belt on Kate Mara or not. But I think I do. I sort of loathe Katherine Heigl, but she looks insane in this navy number. Diane's dress is pretty, but wish she would have turned it up more. Maggie looks surprisingly elegant. Love this dress on her. 

Emily's goddess dress is ok, her hair and make up is amazing though. Love me a throw back lame dress like this on Jessica. Chisty could have been on the best, but that strange crotch seam is throwing me off big time. Taylor looks a little severe with her hair and all the red, but still pretty. Leslie Mann can do no wrong in my book. Love that clutch, but not really with the yellow dress. 

Is Kate Beckinsale still an actress? What is she in? And why is she always at the Globes? Regardless she looks fantastic, minus the hair. Katie Holmes looks pretty, kind of boring though. Anna Kendrick is so hilarious and fun, this dress is very pretty, but she could have done better. Catherine's make up is not good, but this dress suits her I think. She might want to lay off the sugary too, she is looking a little frozen. 

Allison williams. I love you. But not in love with this, but you looks gorge. J Lo does the cape well, but the seams of this dress are strange to me. You cannot deny that she looks incredible though. This halter dress on Jennifer is eh. The hater is cheesy, the proportions are strange and she could do SO much better. Love this on Selma. Not a fan of the flower in her hair though. 

There were some risk takers last night that I loved. You may not agree, but I love me some high fashion on the red carpet to keep it interesting. These girls brought it and I love the results. 

There is a lot of volume in this group, which in the size 000 world of the red carpet is probably the riskiest move of them all. Kristen Wiig and Amanda Peets' dresses are so pretty and femme. Only the artsy girl from Girls can get away with this. I kind of love her in this entire look. Then that other girl from Girls, Zosia, looks great in this beige and pink. She usually goes a little far and this is so pretty on her. Claire went with some volume and pattern, besides that sheer in the middle (so over that look), I love this. And an expectant Keira is so pretty in this frock. Hate that butterfly hanging off her hand, but other than that I love this so much. 

And now your favorite part, the worst. Which is an interesting mix this year. Mostly it was that it was disappointing, as opposed to a total train wreck… 

Melissa McCarthy lost some weight and looks great. Why or why would someone put her in a half matador costume/Mother of the Bride dress? Her hair and make up look nice though. Amy Adams. What a snooze. This dress should be on some movie star's boring wife, not a freaking nominee! I want to love this teal number on Felicity, but I cannot get behind a mock turtleneck. Especially when it is attached to a giant dress. Too much fabric. Rosamund Pike just had a baby and looks amazing. This dress is strange and ill fitting, especially in the bust. Lena actually looks so great for her, again why is this tailored like this? Like it is supposed to be unflattering. Kerry's dress is horrible. Sorry, I said it. the metallic, the colors, the seam down the middle, the length, the shoes. Cindy freaking Crawford can do better than a dress borrowed from a RHONY housewife (original cast). Amal! God I love this lady. But the white gloves and white clutch killed this entire look. And after her insane wardrobe when she got married that bar has been set very high. 

What do you think? Who were your best and worst? I love to hear your thoughts! 

xo

Erin 

A Great Escape & Fresh Start

Happy New Year! I hope it was filled with roaring fires, good wine, and even better snacks. If I had been home, that is what I think makes the perfect NYE. 

Instead of that, we enjoyed a glorious week away in Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Sunshine all day, the perfect beach for swimming and surfing in the waves, and plenty of quiet time to recharge and relax. It was such a blessing and I am still coming down from it. 

For those looking for travel info, I would absolutely recommend Playa Grande (direct flight into Liberia). It is close to Tamarindo, but separated by any tourist area. Peaceful and what felt like was a true Costa Rican experience. If you want any more info or tips, email me Erin@imperfectpolish.com. 

So now it is a new year. New start. And I always feel like resolutions are a waste, but there is no harm in making some observations or hopes for the months to come. 

Some are things I have been working on this year that seem benign (better posture, use my phone less, stop eating processed junk). 

Other hopes are to grow my life professionally (build my real estate business, amp up the blog, expand my styling services). 

And maybe the most important is to just enjoy and live life. 

The trip away really helped me to see how the minutia of each day can pile up and make me feel like life is more complicated than it really needs to be. And that my day is really a lot better when I have a few minutes to relax, read a book, and have a beverage (diet coke before 5, wine after). 

I am going to be settling back into a writing schedule, so until then it will be a bit spotty here. But I am thinking about all of you. How you are starting your year, what content you might want to see here in the coming months, and hoping you all are doing a little something for yourself each day to feel good. 

Love you all! 

xo

Erin