Peek-a-boo with animal print

Blouse: Sfera (New arrival at J.Crew)

Linen Blazer: Charlotte Russe

Denim shorts: Old
Belt: NY&Co. (Run to your nearest one, they are on sale for $ 10; other options if you want to indulge right away!)

Ballerinas: Zara

Box sling bag: Zara (Also seen here)

I love shorts. If I could wear them every day I (happily) would. That explains why I dress shorts up so often. I try to make them work in as many situations as possible!

Shorts with a blazer is my go to attire on hot summer days when I don't want to dress up, but, still look well put together. Cotton and linen blazers are summer friendly, and, easy to pull off with denims and most cotton pants. The 3/4th ruched sleeves of this tangerine blazer, which is a blessing in the heat, brings a casual vibe to the outfit.

The animal print accents were an afterthought which added some spunk to the otherwise predictable denim, red and white look. I had to pull this classy gold bag out to match the tone set by the animal print.

Of course there was food! While running errands close to one of our favorite restaurants, we gave in to a pre-lunch dessert (with lunch all set at home, we had to pass their juicy short ribs). Ordered the usual - coconut cake with brown butter ice cream. It is a sinful medley of coconut cake, rich coconut pudding, and, ice cream served on a wodden plank. We stopped just short of licking the plank away...only Beckett's Table can make me relish coconut that way!

Tapas in lace

 

Blouse: Old (Pretty options here and here)

Pearl necklace: Wedding gift

Flower hair clip used as a brooch: Mexico Street vendor (Look here for other ways to wear it)

Lace shorts: Forever 21 

Shoes: ALDO (Steve Madden has an enitre collection dedicated to neutrals!)

My justification for buying these shorts was their versatility. So here begins my love affair with these lace shorts. Since, I am a fan of neutrals, I had to kick start them in a feminine outfit laced with pearls and flowers.

I wore these pretty lace shorts to Tapas Papa Frita, a Spanish Tapas Bar in the surburbs of Phoenix. This bar supports local flamenco dancers, and, makes it easy for you to support them by offering an extensive tapas and Spanish wine menu. While they do serve entrees, it is their small plates - the Tapas, that people keep coming back for. Close your eyes, point at anything on the menu - you will be more than happy with your choice!

  The flamenco performance

We started with shrimp bathed in garlic & pepper olive oil and shamelessly mopped the plate with the warm bread. It would have been a shame if we did not do justice to every ounce of that garlicy gooeyness. The Patas Aiolo Verde, potato wedges spiked with cilantro and garlic puree and topped with bits of ham was gone before the waiter left.

                                                                                                                                                                                           © foodspotting.com

Lamb Ossobucco

However, it was the Lamb Ossobucco that makes me want to go back there. Everyday. Every night. In this Italian inspired dish, tender lamb shanks are slow cooked until the marrow melts into the meat. The succulent medley of marrow, fat and meat, the warm red wine, the splendid flamenco performances on the dimly lit stage, and, Spanish music in the background transforms you into a trance that only a combination of good food and art can.

A Spanish meal would be incomplete wihout, at least, a spoonful of Paella. None of us was satisfied with a spoonful, and, every grain was scratched off the pan! As much as we wanted to be good and skip the dessert, the Churros were longingly staring at us, from the menu, and of course we are a kind lot!

The Churros and Tapas deserve an entire post (which I am working on) which will be the beginning of posts dedicated to our food chronicles. Soon there will be more calories on Wardrobe Menu :)

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     © yelp.com

Paella

Peaches and cream

Satin button-down: Forever21
Necklace: Nordstrom
Belt: Local boutique

Skirt: Forever 21

Gold clutch: Old one from India

Shoes: Hand-me-downs from a friend (See the other outfit I wore these shoes with)

Earrings: ALDO (They have some useful sets of earrings. See here and here)

Peach is a wardrobe essential for me because, it blends effortlessly with my Indian skin tone, and, most peachy shades work well with gold accesories...and, yes, I am partial towards gold!

Dressing up shorts

  

 Shorts: Forever21

Lace Bandaeu: Old  (Other options here, here and here)

Butterfly necklace: Spain (This is a pretty option)

Peep Toes: Calvin Klein 

Bag: Zara (Sold out, and, couldn't find anything similar for you guys! Will be on the lookout.)

It was a 100 degree Friday evening (that explains the shorts), and, the perfect time to get my favorite cocktail at Geisha a Go Go, a neighborhood Japanese pub which stirs up delicious (only!) sake infused cocktails. Alternatively (?), go for the fruit infused sake that is served in neon green test tubes. My obsession with everything Japanese, and, the lack of a Sanrio store in the vicinity makes me a regular here. 

© GeishAGoGo.com

...and, part of the proceeds from the (pink) cocktails go to a breast cancer foundation. Philanthropy infused indulgence never got better, did it?