A [CINCY] CHIC WEEK + MIDI SKIRT

What did you do this weekend? Oh. Well. I started mine at a Cincy Chic fashion show Friday night, where myself & fellow Cincinnati Style Bloggers Katie at Out + Outfit, Carrington at Fashion with Carrington, Tamia with The Style Sample, Natalie at CincinNatalie & Olivia at Baubles to Bubbles were on the search for "The Chic-est Shoes of All." There were a lot of local boutiques and businesses donating their time & samples, a fun photo booth & TONS (tons!) of great shoes. After much debate, we chose a teal pair from Zara as our winner. 

Then on Saturday I spent an hour or so with Courtney PeGan & her team at Curate Boutique. Tucked away at a Hyde Park side street [map], Curate is such a gem. The clothes are staple pieces, yet also trendy. & the staff makes you feel like you're shopping with friends. Why was I there, you ask?Becauseeee... I was looking for something to wear for this! The first Magical Simplicity article at Cincy Chic! So fun, right?!

Anyway, I went to a super quick photo shoot on Sunday. These aren't the photos we took (though I do LOVE the awesome head shots by Belle & Blanc Photography for Cincy Chic!!). But I wanted to show you guys this amazing midi skirt so I recruited an extra photographer for a few full length shots (thanks, mom!). 

By the way, let's talk about midi skirts (As the girls at Curate described it: in between the mini & the maxi is the perfect midi!) (Also known as tea-length?) (I think, yes... but only based on many tea-length dresses from my days at St. Ursula..). I love this trend so much. It is such a high waist, which perfectly accentuates a lady's natural curves, hitting at our slimmest feature. Who doesn't love feeling itty-bitty at their natural waist? No better way to start a week than an amazing article & an amazing skirt, don't you think? I love you all!

Skirt: Joa Midi Skirt in Black & Plaid via Curate Boutique
Jacket: FindersKeepers Moonlight Moto via Curate Boutique
Shirt: Brunch?  Graphic Tee via Banana Republic [similar]
Shoes: Tassel Tie Bootie via Coach [thrifted]
Earrings: Mint Lilly Brass Crescent Earrings via Curate Boutique 
Photography: Jackie Butler

ROAD CLOSED

So hard core, right? They've been rebuilding The Ida Street Viaduct since I went on my first tour of The Studio in May. I've never been across the bridge. I'm not even sure where it goes. I expect Narnia. 

You all know my friend CincinNatalie. Well a few weeks ago we became the owners of two NikonD3200s. I can't speak for her, but I know she'd agree it's been really fun running around Cincinnati playing dress up taking pictures for our blogs. Even though that summer sun is still a-blazin', the other day we decided to introduce fall back to the wardrobe. I love Natalie's colorful skirt + casual graphic tee + jean jacket. I went the more preppy look with my staple wool hat from JCrew. 

Obviously we had to stuff our faces with ice cream after these photos.  90 degrees is a little premature for jean jackets & wool hats. But I'd say that actually makes it a win-win.

Wearing [Annie]:
Skirt: L.U.X. via Thrifted 
Shirt: Ruffled Polka Dot via JCrew (similar) 
Hat: Wool Ball Cap via JCrew 
Shoes: Gladiators via DSW.

[Natalie]:
Skirt: via Target 
Shirt: Graphic Tee via Old Navy 
Jacket: Jean Jacket via Walmart (similar) 
Shoes: Hinge via Nordstrom Rack  
Photography: Natalie Folchi + Aline Tabet + Annie Butler.

[GREATER] CINCINNATI'S CARABELLO COFFEE

Carabello Coffee
Tues-Fri 7a-8p; Sat 8a-8p

I heard a lot about Carabello Coffee before actually visiting for the first time. I heard the establishment started roasting beans in Florence, KY (ironically at another one of my favorite coffee joints, Velocity Bike + Bean). (Who still serves Carabello's coffee.) I heard that growth moved Carabello to historic Newport, Kentucky on the corner of Monmouth + Ninth [map]. I heard they showcase a selection of pastries from local bakers at checkout - including my favorite, Brown Bear Bakery! + I also heard, from several sources, that I would absolutely love it.

Well, I finally visited the popular independent coffee bar this past weekend (+ I also learned that in exactly one week [9-17-14] Carabello is celebrating their first Newport birthday!) + guys, the rumors are true. I do love Carabello. What, precisely? Well, for one, they use mason jars + piping in almost all their decorations. The wood is light + the space is cheery. + oh holy heavens is the coffee delicious. They roast the beans right here in town mere days before it's in your mug. 

But above the wonderful taste + decor + tremendously welcome demeanor is the Carabello story. Justin + Emily Carabello started Carabello Coffee three years ago with two prerogatives: 1) Bring Greater Cincinnati really delicious coffee 2) Use the money raised through that really delicious coffee to build sustainable lives for the people in the Third World Nations where it came from. Or, in a less wordy explanation: Coffee + compassion in tandem. 

You can read all about the philanthropic works here. (+ all about the amazing meaning behind the tandem bike HERE.) (Spoiler: When Justin asked Emily to start looking at engagement rings, she declared: I don't want a ring, I want a tandem bike."  To which Justin replied:  (laughing) You need a ring... but I'll try to get you the bike too.")

Oh Carabello, how I love you so! I love your direct, simple, yet multi-layered mission. Thank you to all my friends who planted the Carabello bean in my mind. +, Carabello, happy birthday! I am so glad to be your neighbor (The Studio is just a wee 2 miles away!). You guys are changing lives, one hot cup of joe at a time. & that  is something pretty spectacular.

P.S. Follow along with Carabello's adventures via Twitter + Facebook + Instagram.

SALTED OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

The salted oatmeal chocolate chip cookie is my only claim to fame and I've been hoarding this recipe for years. But because I love my readers, it's time to share the secret to my all-time, go-to, forever-favored, well-known (because I use it for every occasion) salted oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.

It's actually a very classic recipe. I add a little more salt than most people (I've always been a fan of the salty-sweet combo!); I hand mix everything out of habit (when I started making these in college I didn't own a hand mixer); I also use dark chocolate chips rather than semi-sweet (swoon! I'm convinced dark chocolate will somehow play a role in winning my heart). But mostly it's about the love you bake with.

One reason I love this recipe is because I almost always have each of these ingredients in my pantry. All very generic ingredients. Granted, I may always have them because I am always making these cookies.... anywho...

You will need:

• 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla
• 2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt + extra to sprinkle 
• 2 cup (Ghirardelli) dark chocolate chips 

First, heat oven to 350. Stir brown sugar (1 1/2 cup) + butter (1 cup) until blended.

Stir in vanilla (1 tsp) + egg (1) until batter is light + fluffy. 

Stir in oats (2 cups) + flour (1 1/2 cup) + baking soda (1 tsp) + salt (1 tsp).

Fold in chocolate chips (2 cups).

Bake 9 - 11 minutes. 

Sprinkle with salt as soon as they come out of the oven, then let sit several minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to cooling rack. Enjoy! These are kind of my secret weapon for social events. So use the power wisely :) Let me know what you think!

JUMP(ING) INTO A NEW SERIES

I have exciting news! Over the weekend my sister agreed to help me with a couple of food posts for Magical Simplicity. We're calling it Cooking with Katie. This is Katie :)

I'm not a natural cook (in fact, my only claim to fame is the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie -- top secret recipe coming to Magical Simplicity ToMoRrOW!) (EDIT: here it is!). But, I am a great learner. + my sister, well she's the best chef I know. So I'm here today to tell you that I can't wait for the jump into a new feature for you guys. Together we can learn how to cook!

Now I'm going to take one second to gush about my sister(s). If you have sisters, you know. Sisterhood is a bond unlike any other. Fight all day (sisters are notorious for stealing clothes) but when it gets down to it.. who is always at your side?

I have three sisters (+ one awesome brother). You may remember when I last declared my love for them HERE. We are all absolutely, positively opposite of one another. (For example, Katie can cook. My speciality is eating.) But I also don't know of any four people who are a better compliment to my personality. (Same example applies.)

So, if you have a sister (or a brother), first tell me how awesome she is in the comments below. + then shoot her a text. Tell her you love her. &  maybe convince her to pose for some jumping photos. It's way harder than it looks :)

Can't wait to introduce you to Magical Simplicity's food series this week! Come back + see us!

Wearing: [Annie]
Shirt: Stripe Sleeve T via JCrew 
Pants:  City Crepe - Soft Pant via New York + Co. 
Shoes: Gladiators via DSW. 

[Katie]
Skirt: Bobeau Maxi via Nordstrom 
Shirt: Basic Tee via JCrew 
Photography: Jackie Butler.