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    Author: Site Manager

    Millen Guide to Spring Denim Jeans

    Style by Site Manager
    There is nothing more rewarding than finding the perfect pair of jeans. I love how versatile denim is and how it can be worn in any season. With Spring on its way, I am rounding up a few denim favorites for you today.  

    Whether you’re on the hunt for something flattering, trendy or comfortable, I have you covered.

    Without further ado…I recently picked up these Lotus jeans that come in 9 colors and they truly are the perfect fit. I can appreciate how it has an adaptable design meaning you can wear the denim multiple ways. The bottom of the pant leg can worn wide-leg or tied up to to give it a ballon-styled different look. These denim sit from  below the waist and comfortable. The material is soft which is a big one for me and the best part is it can be worn casually or dressed up.

    I get it that not everyone is big into the flared wide-leg look, so I have included a couple more denim favorite. Straight pant denim and a more body fitting yet flattering pair of jeans. What makes these perfect is the design and color.  Even though I love ripped jeans, I am beginning to lean a lot more towards the clean classic denim styles.

    Whatever denim style you gravitate towards, look for fit, comfort, durable stitching, a flattering look, and quality. 

    xo,
    Louise

    Spring Date Night Ideas and What To Wear

    Style by Site Manager

    We are long overdue for a date night and I am ready to mix it up a bit this month. With work, kids, and the sometimes mundane chores of everyday life, it is easy to forget and take time to reconnect with your significant other. Today, I am rounding up a few ideas for a date night with your loved one. 

    At Home Activities

    If you are not in the mood to get dressed up and step out, then here are a few ideas to do at home. Plan some easy dinner menu items that you two can decide on and make together. If a 3-course meal is too far out there, then you can make something as easy as pizza together! Cooking gets you a little bonding time and what better way than to sit down together and have a nice dinner in the comfort of your home? Other ideas can include playing a board game. This is always so much fun and engaging, and it really only takes two to play a classic. If you just need a little cuddle time, then wearing your comfiest outfit and snuggling together for a movie night with snacks is an absolute must! There are so many movie options on TV these days that it’s easy to find something you both like. You can also try a little wine tasting or maybe tequila tasting for two. Sky gazing has become a new one for us since we live in the country and can see the clear skies and stars at night. It’s amazing the conversations that come up and the peaceful silence as well.

    Outing Activities

    With kids and a crazy schedule recently, we have enjoyed date nights at home but we’re ready to step out this month. Here are some date night ideas I am thinking about that can be great ideas for you.

    • Dinner Date – A dinner at either a new or favorite restaurant. Sharing a few restaurants in the DFW area (some have vegan options) ….Jose, Rise, Whiskey Cake, Fogo de Chao, North Italia, Mesero, Mexican Sugar, Asian Mint, Villa Azure, Cafe Pacific
    • A Recipe for Romance – There’s nothing better than taking a cooking class together if you love to cook. I have lost count of the many classes we’ve taken together and the recipes I’ve picked up along the way. I can now totally make a souffle, Indian cuisine and a few others. There are places like Central Market that offers these classes with a drink. 
    • Tickets to a Show or Event – If you’re looking for an entertaining kind of night, then tickets to a comedy show or an event can be refreshing. There are local comedy shows as well as multiple events that come up and you’ll need to research what is happening in your area.
    • Spa Date: Spoil yourselves to a couples massage followed by a staycation at a hotel…. W Dallas Victory, Hilton Anatole, The Ritz-Carlton, Adolphus Hotel, Monarch at Thompson Dallas.
    • Adventurous Experiences: Skydiving, Escape rooms, Immersive VR games, or even hiking!  
    You can always dress appropriately depending on what you’re planning on doing on your date night. Casual date nights calls for comfort while a more formal outing may require something a little more. I’ve linked this gorgeous maxi dress from Veiled Collection. It comes in 3 colors (mink, olive, and dark brown), and it is feminine and flowy.
    xo,
    Louise

    The Easy Vegan Meal When Pressed For Time

    Recipes by Site Manager

    As a working mom, I am always on the go and meal times can get a little crazy around here. Since we usually make our meals from scratch, cooking can get a bit monotonous. I am usually cooking two different meals since my family are non-vegan and I have to make my meals separately. Choosing to be vegan was more of a personal choice for me and most weeks I do a good job with meal preps, however this doesn’t always happen so on days that I need something quick yet tasty, I reach out for this recipe. This is packed with nutrients and it is absolutely delicious! 

    What You will Need: 

    • Noodles: Organic Noodles, Kelp Noodles, Lemon 
    • Broth/Topping: Extra Firm Tofu, Cilantro, Turmeric, Garlic, Tahini, White Miso, Red ChiliFlakes, Pink Himalayan Salt, Water

    How to Make It:

    • Open your bag of kelp noodles, rinse them and soak them in warm water with some lemon juice and pink salt.
    • Chop up your tofu and sauté in a light oil with salt and pepper. You can add a little turmeric. 
    • In another pot, cook your organic noodles (adding organic noodles is optional). Usually I am fine with just using kelp noodles for this recipe.
    • In your blender, add turmeric, water, garlic, tahini, white miso, and salt. Blend on high for 3-4 minutes.
    • Pour over your noodles and top with tofu, cilantro, and chili flakes!
    • Optional to top with green onions, mushrooms, and snap peas. You can absolutely get creative with this recipe and mix it up. 
    If you do give it a try, be sure to let me know. 
     
    xo,
    Louise
    7AF32333-5072-4019-A164-69198CFB3E1F

    Spring Edition: A Guide to Some Real and Faux Plants

    Interiors by Site Manager

    I am officially embracing Spring this year! I’m finding myself wearing less sweaters, getting caught up in some light Spring cleaning, and giving my houseplants a little extra love while investing in some faux plants to give the home a fresh look. For indoor plants, I recommend going to your local nursery and talking with a professional on which plants are good for the home. I love anthuriums, rubber tree, and a few others, as well as herbs. On faux plants, I lean towards a simple vase to draw more attention to the plant. My faux plants are usually in a terracotta or ceramic type planter to make it more earthy and warm. If you’re in search of floral pieces or branches and you are fortunate to have a garden, then use what you have outdoors for your interior space. Just be sure to check your plants for bugs before bringing them indoors!  We’ve planted a few flowers outdoors but they need time to grow so until then, I have invested in some houseplants along with a couple faux plants. 

    If you want to gravitate towards having houseplants in your home, then here are a few tips to help you.

    • Understand which houseplants are good to have indoors.  Some indoor plants prefer more light while others are fine with less sunlight. You will also be able to tell if your plant is getting too much or too little light since too much light can turn the foliage into a dull green or yellowish color. 
    • Choose the right planter and a good potting soil. Depending on your plant, you may need a small or big planter.  Material is also important along with a good quality potting soil. 
    • Know how to water properly.  It is crucial to know how to properly water your house plant. Excess water for certain plants may cause them to wilt. I recommend asking a professional or doing a little research on the type of plant and how frequent to water so that you have enough knowledge on the right amount and how to water your plant. I steer clear of leaving standing water in the catch-tray. 
    • Fertilize and keep plant healthy from pests. I learned this the hard way after we initially had these tiny flies all over the plants. After changing the soil altogether, adding fertilizer and getting to the bottom of the issue, we stopped seeing the pests. Now I’m regularly inspecting our houseplants for signs of insect pests so we can be more proactive to treat if necessary. 
    • Keep your foliage clean and keep plants in a naturally humid area. Plants love areas that are naturally humid so avoid placing them in areas that are dry or directly under vents. I usually place mine in the kitchen or by a window where there is some indirect sunlight. Also be sure to keep your plants clean by wiping the leaves every so often. I do this often for both of my indoor and faux plants.  

    With all that said, if you’re not much of a green thumbs person, then having a few faux plants can be equally as beautiful in a home and usually requires minimal to no maintenance. Greenery has come a long way and definitely looks and feels a lot more realistic than ever.  Here are a few places I have shopped from and have been happy with the products; Afloral, Etsy, and Amazon. Some of my favorite faux plants have been eucalyptus stems, an olive tree, rose bouquet, pampas grass, dried lavender and daisies.
     
    Happy Spring decor! 

    Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

    Collages by Site Manager

    Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and I have put together a couple looks of my favorite tops for you. If you are needing ideas for Valentine’s Day gifts, I have you covered. I am adding a few gift ideas for Him and for Her. I think Valentine’s Day is a nice reminder to let those special people in our lives know that they are loved! 

    This year’s theme on gift ideas for Her was focused around cozy comfort while for Him, it is a mix of comfort and some essentials. How are you planning on spending love this Valentine’s Day?

    Cozy Pajama Looks under $100

    Collages by Site Manager

    Today, I have put together some of my favorite and current pajama pieces under $100.  Some are pieces I own or just ordered, and some are on my wish list. I love a good pajama set especially during this time of year. I’m wearing a set from PJ Salvage. All items are linked below the collage in the “shop the post” section.

    How to Recreate Our Living Room

    Interiors by Site Manager

    I can’t believe we’ve been in our new home for a little over 7 months already and I have not shared our living room space! We’ve just had a lot going on recently and a few exciting changes as well. If you’re new on here, we moved into our custom home in the middle of last year and I’ve been gradually turning this house into a home. 

    Having an open floor plan when designing this home was important to us since we tend to spend a lot of time in both our living room and kitchen. So I am glad we were able to connect our living, dining and kitchen area, and maximize the space and time we spend together as a family. For our living room decor, I wanted a layout without much clutter and comfortable at the same time so I opted for a large sectional and a few different colors to add texture. I love how we were able to have the flexibility to select the fabric for the furniture. 

    Our in-built shelves have a mix of old books, dried lavender in glass vases, a few African collections from Ghana, and some wood pieces. There’s still a few things I would like to add to our living room, such as two large custom paintings on one side of the wall which I will likely paint myself, since I have an Art and Business background.

    Here are a Few Tips to Styling a Living Room:

    1.  Keep the layout of your living room in mind 
    2. Assess the placement of furniture based on traffic pattern
    3. Play with upholstered pieces and texture
    4. Add accessories and decor that is unique to your style,
    5. Don’t be afraid to add affordable decor pieces to any built-ins
    6. Keep it simple, casual, and airy
    7. For decor items, experiment until you find what works for you.

    Overall, I am happy with the way it turned out and sharing a round up of decor items we have in our living room. 

    @LOUISEMILLEN