Boyfriend Blues

☆ Boyfriend Jeans - Zara ☆ Crop Top - American Apparel ☆ Belt - Neiman Marcus ☆ Cardigan - Steven Alan ☆ Rings - Madewell ☆ Bracelet - Bloomingdale's ☆ Shoes - Minnie T's ☆

There is a type of pant that should be in every woman's closet around the world, and that is the boyfriend jean. Boyfriend jeans are baggy and have a messy, casual look which makes them comfortable and easy to wear out on a Sunday afternoon or to school, in my situation. Crop tops are also extremely hot right now! Patterned crop tops are a huge hit, but today I chose a simple, navy blue top and I completed the look with some dainty jewelry and an oversized cardigan! Below I've posted some links to my favorite boyfriend jeans! How do you style your boyfriend jeans? xx

Stella's Picks for Boyfriend Jeans

//Rag and Bone//Urban Outfitters//Ralph Lauren//ASOS//Zara//

Tomboy Trippin'

☆ T-Shirt - Sport Chalet ☆ Pants - Aritzia ☆ Sneakers - Supra ☆ Backpack - Gifted ☆

Sometimes in clothing stores, I don't have any luck in the girls department. So, instead of heading out of the store, I walk over to the boys department. I know I can always count on the boys section to have basic items and every once in a while a cool pair of sneakers or a hat. This shirt and my shoes are both from the guys department and I managed to make my outfit a bit girlier by adding my quilted backpack and grunge inspired pants. xx

My Favorite Summer Drink

Whenever it is hot and the weather is nice in sunny SoCal, this easy and delicious drink is my go to treat! It is simple as can be and tastes extremely refreshing and delicious. Here is my favorite recipe for fresh lemonade with mint:     

(recipe adapted from "Amore E Gioia Il Sole")

Fresh Lemonade with Mint!

Ingredients

3 lemons, juiced

2 limes, juiced

10 cups water

3/4 cup sugar or to taste

3 sprigs of garden mint

Handful of ice cubes

Put ice cubes and mint from your garden (if you have it) in a large pitcher. Add water, lemon and lime juice, and sugar. Stir well to combine and pour into glasses. Garnish with a few leaves of mint and serve cold! xx

Maroon in June

☆ Sweater - Brandy Melville ☆ Pants - The Runaway Outlet ☆ Shoes - Converse ☆ Bracelet - Bloomingdales ☆

Happy Monday to you all! It's hard to believe that it's summer, because the weather sure isn't proving it! It's been June gloom in L.A. and I am so ready for the sun to shine through! This outfit is designed for gloomy weather but if you throw a basic white tank under your sweater, it can be easily transformed into a hot weather outfit. My black on black converse might be the best purchase I have ever made. They can be worn with honestly anything and they have an edgy skater quality which makes me adore them even more! xx

Yipes Stripes x2

☆ Denim Jacket - Urban Outfitters ☆ Navy Top - American Apparel ☆ Striped Pants - Joe Fresh ☆ Wedges - KorkEase ☆

This summer, I simply cannot get enough of stripes! Stripes are the chic and simple pattern that can be easily transformed from an ice cream date with friends to a night on the town with your family. Either way, stripes are sophisticated yet have a playful vibe to them. My striped pants are the perfect item to wear to the beach with a bikini top or to a birthday bash with a navy crew neck! They are easily paired with a denim jacket or just a simple cream tee. xx stella

Dear Denim

☆ Denim Vest - Flea Market ☆ Gray Tee - Peek ☆ Miniskirt - H&M ☆ Black Converse - Converse ☆

As summer swiftly approaches, I must check my closet and make sure that I have all of the essentials for the warm weather! One of my favorite pieces for this summer is a denim vest. It puts a playful touch on denim and is easy to wear with skirts, leggings, shorts, or jeans. My denim vest was purchased at a flea market and I like it because it is unique. At the top near the collar, there is a bit of bright embroidery that makes it one of a kind! I paired my denim vest with a mini skirt, a simple gray tee and black-on-black converse. I wore this look to my mom's birthday dinner and to my brother's baseball game, which just shows you how versatile it is! xx

Chocolate Decadence Cupcakes

It just so happens, that my mom's birthday falls right around Mother's Day! My brother, dad, and I love to bake something scrumptious just for her on her special day, and it has been a tradition since my brother and I were just able to see over the counter, to make chocolate cupcakes. Although the recipe has changed year after year, we finally found the perfect recipe and we cannot get enough of these cupcakes. They are rich and wonderfully perfect! Easy enough to make,they taste like heaven. Here is the recipe:

For the cupcakes: 

3/4 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder 

3/4 cup cake flour 

2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 

3/4 teaspoon baking powder 

3/4 teaspoon baking soda 

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 

1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar 

5 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature 

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk 

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk 

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners, if you have more than one 12-cup muffin tin. Otherwise line a standard 12-cup muffin with liners and then line small ramekins (if you have them) for the remaining batter.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the cocoa powder and 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water to form a paste; set aside.

3. In another bowl, sift together the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the brown sugar with the butter on medium speed until they are well combined with no pieces of butter visible. Add the cocoa paste, making sure to use a spatula to get all the cocoa paste into the mixer bowl. Once this is well combined, add the egg and egg yolk. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. In three additions each, add the buttermilk and vanilla extract, alternating with the flour mixture.

5. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them 3/4 full. Bake, rotating the tins halfway through, until the cupcakes spring back to the touch and a tester inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out mostly clean, 20-25 minutes. Invert the cupcakes onto a wire rack, turn them top side up, and let them cool completely.

For the ganache:

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons light corn syrup (optional; I didn't use this)

1. To make the ganache, put the chocolate in a small mixing bowl. Combine the cream and the corn syrup, if using, in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour over the chocolate right away, and stir slowly until all of the chocolate melts and the ganache is silky and shiny.

2. Carefully dip the top of each cupcake in the ganache, tapping gently to remove the excess. Return the cupcakes to the wire rack to let the glaze set up, at least 30 minutes.

3. The cupcakes can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

recipe credits: the wednesday chef