Valentine's Day Treat :: Yogurt Covered Strawberries

In the spirit of being prepared and planning ahead, I have already begun looking over holidays and special days in the year. First up is Valentine's Day. This is the time of year when we all see our single friends post about their anti-Valentine's parties a la "Valentine's Day" and those in relationships begin to upload sappy photos to Instagram and gush about their love life. I am proud to say that I have found a happy medium. I am in my third year of a wonderful loving relationship but I spare everyone on social media from having to read about it all of the time.

Last Valentine's Day, Golan and I thought we would go out and have an absurd amount of food at one of our favorite pizza places nearby (Hellooooo, garlic knots!). Turns out that this particular establishment had decided to create an entirely new menu for Valentine's Day. Not only did they not disclose this vital piece of information when we made the reservation, but they didn't even have pizza available! Not that that mattered much because, after being seated, we waited almost half an hour and were never greeted or even given a glass of water. Needless to say, we decided to leave and try to find another place to eat. We were dressed for the occasion after all and determined to have a romantic evening. Fast forward another hour and we had driven across town and had called all of our favorites with no luck. We ended up eating at Red Robin. We had to eat somewhere or things would have gotten ugly. The food was less than spectacular and our evening ended in the mall food court downing Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

After last year's fiasco, Golan and I have decided to stay in this Valentine's Day. What's better than a Netflix marathon, comfy pajamas and yummy treats? Yeah, I couldn't think of anything either. We have been taking the whole "New Year New You" thing pretty seriously and that means sticking to our clean eating. I would love nothing more than to sit down with a spoon in a big tub of icing but that doesn't exactly look good in my food log. So I decided to try something new! Say hello to one of my new favorite desserts: Yogurt Covered Strawberries. 

This was very much a trial and error process. I tried to make some of the strawberries look like hearts (only some of them were successful) and I thought I would stack one on top of the other (those ended up looking very phallic which might be great for a bachelorette party but not for a cozy night in with my boyfriend). Eventually I just settled for cutting the tops off and popping them on a stick. I loved the way these simple ones turned out and had fun experimenting with different ideas. Get creative and see what you can come up with! I would love to see what your creative minds can think of so please share what you make on Instagram and Twitter. Now, on to the actual recipe.

Voila! Now you can enjoy these super simple treats any time. I recommend taking them out of the freezer to thaw a little before eating them. Golan didn't wait to eat one and he chomped down on a little brick of ice. Let me know if you have any healthy recipes for Valentine's Day. Also, be sure to post your photos of this recipe on Instagram and Twitter and tag me! I would love to see what you all do. 

Please be sure to subscribe via Bloglovin' and follow the Fashionably M. French Facebook page for regular updates. Thanks for reading! xo

All of the little bits and bobs used in this post were found at Target. I went a little mad in their dollar section located at the front. I found the white paper straws with pink hearts, the bronze metal pail, the "Happy Valentine's Day" stamp, the lace heart stamp all for under five dollars! This is not sponsored - I couldn't find links online to any of these items anyways. I just thought I would throw that in here just in case any of you wanted to take a look! <3 

My Life Styled :: #CosmopolitanChic

Vegas- you either love it or you hate it. But what many people fail to realize is that the wild partying and stories akin to The Hangover only make up one side of the city. I am most definitely not a party girl. I get nervous in crowds, lightheaded after one sip of a well made drink and, quite frankly, can't stand it when strange men try to talk to me. I had always just accepted the fact that Vegas would never be a place for me.

That was until I spoke with someone who was just like me and LOVED their trip to Vegas. I realized that Vegas has so much more to offer than a quick weekend you wish you could forget. Think spas, shopping, amazing restaurants and unique shows. This was a relief because I must confess that I have planned my "Vegas Trip" wardrobe in my head way too many times to not actually go and enjoy it myself. It's all about versatile pieces that you can transition from one activity to the next.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas seems like a great place to stay. I would be able to enjoy everything on my check list without leaving the hotel! I could keep things casual and relaxing with one of their many restaurants or their in-house spa. I could also choose from three pool facilities, awesome modern art exhibits, and shopping. The unique New York-style towers are located right off of the strip- perfect in case I decide to venture out.

So in honor of all of those daydreams and imagined trips, I have styled a few looks that would be perfect for a quick weekend at The Cosmopolitan.

Day 1 :: Boulevard Pool + Secret Pizza

#ComsopolitanChic :: Boulevard Pool by mefrench featuring a black fedora hat

To kick off my weekend, I would begin by relaxing poolside with a great book. Of the three pools available at The Cosmopolitan, The Boulevard Pool sounded just right. With an atmosphere inspired by an upscale yacht club, cabanas and a full menu at the Overlook Grill, I could settle in for hours on end. I would want to keep things sleek and chic in a bold colored bikini, aviators and a hat. After I have had my fill of glamour and luxury, I would throw on this ruched maxi dress and set off in search of Secret Pizza, a standing-room only pizza shop hidden within The Cosmopolitan!

Day 1:: P3 Studio

#CosmopolitanChic :: P3 Studio by mefrench featuring vintage wedge shoes

While I might not be interested in the traditional Vegas nightlife, I was thrilled to find such a unique experience for an evening out. The glass walls and intimate setting allow you to really connect with the artist at work inside the studio. You even have the option of stepping inside and interacting with the artist! There is a rotation of artists-in residence so you can do your research and plan around the artist you want to see. P3 studio is also partnered with a non-profit, Art Production Fund. I couldn't think of a cooler way to spend my night!

Day 2 :: Sahra Spa & Hammam + Va Bene Caffe + The Shops at The Cosmopolitan

#CosmopolitanChic :: Sahra Spa, Va Bene Caffe, The Shops by mefrench featuring seychelles shoes

My second day would begin with (surprise, surprise) more relaxing at the Sahra Spa and Hammam. The spa boasts 50,000 square feet of pure relaxation and over 28 treatment rooms that draw from the serenity of the desert. I would then throw on a simple yet chic ensemble like the one shown above. The clean silhouette and fairly neutral color palette make for a fresh look that is suitable for all of my activities of the day. My next stop would be Va Bene Caffe. This little gem offers fresh pastries, paninis, salad and gelato. Let's be honest, who doesn't want to do a little re-toxing after a spa session? I would then burn off those calories with some retail therapy in The Shop at the Cosmopolitan. 

Day 2 :: Drinks and a Show

#CosmopolitanChic :: Drinks & A show by mefrench featuring a pink dress

If you can't let loose on your last night in Vegas, then when can you? My first stop of the evening would be the Vesper Bar (named after Bond's infamous drink). This outfit channels that powerful Bond girl with the sexy back, red lip and sleek heels. After I've had my fill with about half a drink, Golan and I would make our way to The Chelsea to catch a killer show. Fingers crossed for Bruno Mars still being around!

With the holidays approaching and the semester coming to an end, all I can think about is a good vacation. How would you plan your trip to Vegas? Let me know in the comments! Also, be sure to check out The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for some stellar deals and a unique experience. Stay updated by following the Fashionably M. French Facebook page as well as my Twitter and Instagram! Feel free to get in touch- I'd love to hear from you! x

I was asked by the people at Vegas.com if I would show how I would style my ideal weekend in Vegas at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. That being said, all opinions and suggestions are my own. Thanks!

Back To School 2014 :: Agendas

One of my guilty pleasures in life is back-to-school shopping. It might be one of those things I do in life regardless of whether I am actually in school. I mean who doesn't need a fresh batch of pens and new organizational tools every now and then (Cue old soul jokes)? I have always loved personalized agendas for both school and work. It makes a planner look much more chic and professional. Below are a few of my favorites from Minted.com. I love that each of these agendas were designed by independent designers who submitted their creations in a design challenge! Take a look at all of the color and personalizing options by clicking the links below. The best part about these? They are perfectly priced for college students! {$16-26}

Top {L-R} 1. Blossoming Rainforest 2. Spring Floral Frame 3. Cape Cod

Bottom {L-R} 1. Hello Love 2. Fresh Flowers 3. The Pointillist

I usually use a weekly format so that each day has plenty of room. Between school, work and extra curricular activities I need every line I can get. What are your favorite school essentials? Let me know in the comments down below! 

Be sure to follow the Fashionably M. French Facebook page to stay updated. You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram. 

Thanks for reading! x

This is not a sponsored post. Some links may be affiliate links.

Style Inspiration :: Anthropologie August '14 Catalog

Each month I get a gem of a catalog in my mailbox courtesy of Anthropologie. With the seasons traditionally being in limbo during this time (even though the temperatures still feel very much like the thick of summer), most people are at a loss as far as how to dress. The fresh picks in the August 2014 Anthropologie catalog are the perfect solution. With light layers and a bold color palette that hints at fall, Anthropologie nails the transition for both casual looks and work appropriate ensembles. Below are some of my favorite items from the catalog. I will be keeping my eye on these while I do back-to-school shopping. If you are interested in any of these pieces simply click the image to be taken to Anthropologie.com (no affiliate links used). Look through the entire August 2014 catalog here and share your favorite looks in the comments!

While not all of these items are necessarily reasonably priced for a college student, there are some great investment pieces to be found. Each item that I have bought from Anthropologie in the past has lasted years and was definitely worth the price. Stay tuned for more back-to-school posts to come. Be sure to follow the Fashionably M. French Facebook page for updates. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram as well- give me a follow and get in touch. I'd love to hear from you! x

Note :: this is not a sponsored post