Justin was kind enough to serve as the model for this amazing leather messenger bag made by Korchmar. He claimed he’d be a pro at posing for the camera. I think he did a pretty great job.

Anyway, on to the bag! The Garfield bomber bag is made with oil tanned antique leather. Is it not a gorgeous color? It features metal buckle closures, which open up to a large single gusset and two large front gusset pockets.

It is the perfect size to carry a laptop, work files, and the like. The front gusset pockets will allow you to keep your cell phone, power chargers, and other essentials organized without losing them to the bottom of your bag.

It not only has a handle on top to carry, but also features an adjustable (and removable) long strap that can be worn over the shoulder or cross body.

It’s such a handsome bag, and the antique leather should really wear beautifully over time. However, if a leather bag isn’t up your alley, the Garfield is also available in waxed canvas with leather trim.

Korchmar is a 4th generation family business (since 1917). Korchmar owns and operates their own manufacturing facilities in the United States & The Dominican Republic. They select only the finest Texas Steer hides and most durable fabrics and craft them into exceptional styles of luggage and briefcases. They never outsource production either. Make sure to take a look through their entire range of products when you get a chance!

And today I happen to have another one of these beautiful bags to give away. It would make a great gift for Father’s Day…a birthday…or just to keep to treat yourself! Why not? This giveaway is only open to those with USA mailing addresses. Enter below with the Rafflecopter widget (it might take a few seconds to load). If you’re confused on how to use Rafflecopter, here’s a quick video tutorial! Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I don’t know about you but when I spy new products at the grocery store, excitement builds. I love trying new things, especially when they come from a brand I already love.

I am already an avid user of Flatout products: Justin makes his weekday sandwiches on the Fold-Its, and we already love baking mini pizzas on the Flatout wraps. Well, Flatout has come out with another awesome new product, and I’m officially hooked. Behold: Flatout Thin Crust Flatbreads! I am such a fan of creating pizzas at home, and whenever I dine at a restaurant, thin crust flatbreads on a menu always entice me. Now, you can really create some thin, crunchy flatbreads at home – yay!

I love that the thin crust flatbreads are great for the grill. If you don’t have a grill, that is fine – you can use the oven! However, if you are looking for extra flavor and additional crispy goodness, the grill is perfection for this product. Just make sure to keep your eye on them as they cook – the grill will brown/crisp the flatbreads up very quickly! I love that these flatbreads only take a few minutes to create. You can find them at most Walmart stores, but you can also check out where they are in your area by searching HERE.

The thin crust flatbreads come in a variety of flavors as well. You can go with classic Rustic White, Rosemary and Olive Oil, Heritage Wheat, or Spicy Italian. I have to say – the spicy flatbread has my heart. The flatbreads are sprinkled generously with crushed red pepper…right up this hot head’s alley!!!

As for toppings, there are so many combinations. I whipped up this yummy concoction, and I know it will grace our dinner table again. You can’t go wrong with spinach, tomatoes, goat cheese…mmmm. So – get out to your grocery store and get your hands on some of these Flatout Thin Crust Flatbreads…they’re definitely a welcome addition to my kitchen!

Also, make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post to enter to win a 2 night trip to the Taste of Chicago!

Spinach and Goat Cheese Flatbread Pizza

Makes 2 pizzas

Ingredients

2 Flatout Thin Crust Flatbreads

6 oz fresh spinach leaves

1 medium tomato (or about 14 cherry tomatoes), diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup red onion (about 1/2 of an onion), sliced thin

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup sundried tomatoes

2 oz (approx) mozzarella cheese

2 oz (approx) crumbled goat cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat your grill (or preheat your oven to 350 degrees F). Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat with the olive oil. Add red onion and garlic. Saute until tender.

2. When the red onions and garlic are tender, add the diced tomatoes and spinach to the skillet and allow to wilt. When spinach leaves have wilted (4-5 minutes), remove from heat and set aside.

3. Place thin crust flatbreads on the grill or in the oven for 3-4 minutes, then remove. Next, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on the bottom of each flatbread. Then add spinach mixture across the top of each flatbread. Sprinkle sundried tomatoes and goat cheese crumbles on top, then place back on the grill/in the oven for an additional 3-4 minutes until browned/warmed.

4. Remove from grill/oven and slice with a sharp knife/pizza cutter. Enjoy!

***This is a sponsored post by Flatout bread. However, all opinions expressed are completely my own!***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To start:

You may remember Claire Flair jewelry from a previous feature. Visit her shop to pick up some statement and cocktail accessories like mine!

Next up:

In Sweet Stella’s Etsy shop, you’ll find an assortment of goodies, from jewelry to hand painted journals. I also had the pleasure to meet Shannon at the BlogHer conference this year: what a treat!

Last, but not least:

You met Jamie from High Heeled Traveler again earlier this week when she guest posted! Make sure to check out her blog for posts on style, wine, art, and traveling!

So – would you like to join my sidebar as a sponsor? Click here for more details and to get started (and feel free to email me if you have any questions about the process).

I offer 1 and 3 month advertising options for my sidebar, and in three different size options. I cross-promote my sponsors via Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest as well. If you have a product or service you’d like reviewed or would like to schedule a giveaway, that can be included in a large or feature ad package!

Just a note: I write honest and fully disclosed review posts about worthy products. However, I do reserve the right to not review an item sent to me if I feel it is not a fit for my personal style/my audience. Don’t worry – we will work together to determine the best fit! Or, if you would just like to promote your site with a sidebar ad placement, there is an option for that as well (and you will be featured in a group introduction post)!

I must approve each ad before it goes live on my sidebar: if for some reason I don’t feel your product/site/etc. is not a fit for my audience I will let you know, and you will be refunded 100%. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at shelikesruffles@gmail.com

So – are you interested? Let’s get started:

I was so happy to be included in IFB’s Links a la Mode this week. If you aren’t familiar with IFB, it stands for Independent Fashion Bloggers, and it is a great community to get tips and connect with other fashion/style loving people! They’ve curated a list of 20 great blog posts from around the web (including one of mine), so definitely take a minute and check them out. Happy reading!

Summer starts here!

Edited by: Emily of Sugar & Spice

My first week editing Links a la Mode and so many amazing posts to choose only 20 from! Today marks the first day of summer for the northern hemisphere and judging by my choice below, I am willing summer to start in earnest in the UK! In the meantime, there’s tips on keeping stylish in the rain. One of the things I love about the fashion blogging community is the creativeness that it breeds and this week is no exception with a few brilliant and on-trend DIYs for your to try at home. If DIY-ing isn’t your thing but you still like to save your pennies there are posts for splurging or saving too.

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: JUNE 21ST

• Capital Fashion: The fashionista’s bucket list

• Citizen Rosebud: 5 Quick Questions for Ari Seth Cohen

• Fashion Pastiche: how to wear hot pink this summer

• Fashion, Trends and More: how to dress stylishly on a dime

• Fashionopolis: dressing stylishly in the rain

• Kaaty McDonald: DIY your own skull and spike statement necklace

• Law Moda: Ikat: a history of this summer’s print

• Lazy cat style: collages for this summer’s trends

• Life.style.flash: working forgotten pieces into your outfits

• Lifestyles of the Thrifty and Shameless: on why the only way to make a statement this season is via a statement necklace

• Lovelee: Summer’s nail palette

• Mia Moore: Asymmetric skirt DIY

• My Vintage Curves: summer of love

• Oranges and Apples: on whether or not we’re out-growing blogging

• Pink Chai Style: Top tips for picking your prefect red lipstick

• She like ruffles, he like ruffles: splurge or save on this season’s most wanted maxi dress

• The Chic Street: some accessory inspiration for brightening your day

• The Closet Coach: When to save and when to splurge on your wardrobe

• The Simply Luxurious Life: Style Commandments to live by

• WWelcome to my Closet: on saying goodbye to an old favourite

SPONSOR:

New Bags Shopbop: Ferragamo, Gucci, YSL, Totes, Addition, Chloe, M. Williamson, Valenentino Bags, Rachel Comey, Tucker, Hindmarch & Margiela Bags

If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE

I am happy to say that I was able to compile a pool-ready outfit for less than $50 (it rang in at $45 before tax, to be exact) – you have to love a good deal! First up: the romper.

This black romper with tiny white spots by Arizona rings in at $18. It is so comfortable, and is perfect to throw on over your bikini. I’d even be tempted to wear this around town to run errands, and I have actually lounged around the house in it a few times as well.

These sandals were a must-have as soon as I laid eyes on them. The brand is MixIt, and they were only $12! I love the white for that extra pop of fresh and bright during the summer months. Plus, they are flexible and comfortable – win!

This pair of Nicole by Nicole Miller Montauk sunglasses grabbed my attention when I saw them on the rack (here’s a similar pair). The leopard print, tortoise-like pattern is interesting, and the oversized frames are perfect to shade your eyes at the pool. Plus: they’ll only set you back $15.

So – what do you think of the finds? Have you checked out the deals at JCPenney recently? What have you picked up?

***JCPenney provided me with a $50 gift card to shop for my JCP Finds items***

Today, I’m happy to announce the winner of the Delightful Designs custom stationery giveaway! Thank you to everyone who entered; I wish I could give a stationery set to all of you. However, the lucky lady is….

Hannah! Congratulations!

You should be receiving an email with details shortly; please email me at shelikesruffles@gmail.com if for some reason you don’t get it!

I am so excited to share today’s post with you!

I know that we now live in the age of electronics…sending physical cards in the mail are not always the norm. However, in my experience, it is such a wonderful feeling to open my mailbox in the afternoon and realize that someone has sent me a card! And it doesn’t have to be just in the mail: receiving a handwritten note from a coworker or friend can really make my day! Having adorable sets of stationery in my arsenal is essential; I want to be able to spread the love as well!

Today, I am happy to share Delightful Designs with you!

Nikki is the lovely lady behind Delightful Designs, and she has a range of products in her shop, from stationery sets to recipe cards. She makes everything custom: you are able to select from a wide range of color combinations and patterns to suit your style perfectly!

Just look at some of the fun that I had…from Greek key style, to chevron, to polka dots…I love them all!

Nikki is ready and willing to help you out with your paper product needs…and today I’m glad to say that I’m giving away a set of personalized stationery for one of my lovely readers!

Here’s how to enter (make sure to be clear with each entry method in your comment(s)!):

1. Visit Delightful Designs on Etsy and leave a comment telling me which stationery set is your favorite!

2. Become a fan of Delightful Designs on Facebook

3. Follow me @SheLikesRuffles on Twitter, and tweet the following: I just entered to win a custom stationery set with @SheLikesRuffles and @nikkihodum! http://bit.ly/zBiPkH

It’s as easy as that! The giveaway will be open through Wednesday, March 7 at midnight EST. I will select a winner at random and notify: if I receive no response in 48 hours, I reserve the right to select a new winner.

If you can’t wait to make a purchase, you can use the code rufflesandtruffles at checkout for 15% off your order! And, if you want to keep up with what’s new with Nikki, make sure to check out her blog!

***Disclosure: Delightful Designs graciously provided me with stationery sets to review and one to give away. The opinions and experience expressed in this post are 100% my own***

Thank you to everyone who entered; I wish I could give a skirt out to all of you. However, the lucky lady is….

Jenn!

Congratulations to Jenn – you should be receiving an email with details shortly; please email me at shelikesruffles@gmail.com if for some reason you don’t get it!

Are you curious who the lucky lady was?

Congratulations Layla! I hope you will love the dress as much as I do!