keeping things super simple | fridays with oscar

happy friday, gang! i hope everyone is headed into the weekend with their heads held high—we made it through another week of physical distancing and staying home. earlier this week i talked about dressing up when you’re feeling down to perk up your mood and give you a healthy distraction.  well, we are continuing that idea here today on fridays with oscar. my outfit today is a departure from my typical casual friday OOTD, as of late.  we’re going a little more formal.  but if that feels like a lot of work right now, not to worry:  we’re keeping things super simple with our recipe and cocktail today.  ’cause who says you need a party to whip up a cheeseboard?! so join us and see how to make a cheeseboard, as we are grazing on meats and cheeses and sipping a low abv cocktail: an elderflower spritz, today on fridays with oscar.

outfit of the day

i am picnic ready today with this adorable gingham skirt from Talbot’s. it’s great that warmer weather is coinciding with my knee surgery because it is so much more comfortable to wear a skirt or shorts! 

a sleeveless white sweater is perfect for these spring days when it’s not too hot to wear a knit top. a sweater shell is a timeless classic. it’s so versatile, i recommend everyone have at least one in their closet. it can be worn over a button up as a vest, or alone when the weather is right. 

the large check gingham skirt makes a bold statement – it’s fun and playful, just perfect for spring and brightening my mood.  my blue suede slides are a fun contrast to the red in my skirt. they are topped with colorful gem-like baubles and sparkles. their whimsy makes me smile every time i wear them. pax is here today, hoping for a tasty bite!

gingham skirt | cable mock neck | similar sandals 

how to make a cheeseboard

putting together a charcuterie platter and cheeseboard  is a great way to clear out the cheese drawer in your fridge! it’s simple to put one together and it can be an easy dinner. if you want something more substantial than crackers, you can put out small slices of bread and condiments to make finger sandwiches. 

whether it’s just you at home, or you have family in your home with you, putting out a cheeseboard is a fun change-up to the normal dinner or lunch routine.  the cheeses on our board today include manchego, a blue brie, and a semi-soft cheddar. when selecting cheeses, it’s nice to have a variety between harder cheeses and softer cheeses. our meats include a spicy salami and prosciutto. it’s also nice to include a variety of crackers. we have a lavash cracker, Triscuits and Raincoast Crisps which have dried fruits and nuts baked right in.

round out your cheeseboard with fresh fruits like grapes, veggies like carrots. nuts and cherry tomatoes also make great snacks for your board. don’t forget to include some condiments if you like, maybe mustard or a fruit preserve. salty green olives stuffed with feta made it on to our board today, but pickles are a great option too.

elderflower spritz

to go with our “no recipe” cheeseboard, we have a low alcohol cocktail that is perfect for sipping in the afternoon on a warm day, an elderflower spritz. you can make this as low alcohol as you like by changing up the ratios: add more soda water than wine and a dash of elderflower liqueur. we have some elderflower soda, but you can use plain soda water and a little extra elderflower liqueur to taste. but however you build your spritz, the idea is simple: a little wine, a little soda, a splash of liqueur and that’s it – a refreshing, flavorful cocktail that’s fun to sip in the sunshine. 

2 oz sauvignon blanc

2 oz club soda (or other soda water)

1.5 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur 

Pour wine then liqueur into and ice filled glass and top with soda water, stir to combine. 

fridays with oscar

in the coming weeks on the blog i will have more mini-home tours of my home for you, as we’ve made a number of changes lately. we will have more health and wellness, and updates on my knee surgery recovery.  you can also look forward to more videos on youtube and plenty of how-to’s and classic style tips and tricks. i hope that we continue to be a place where you come to have a distraction from your worries and stresses. we are here for you, at style at a certain age.  oscar, ollie and i wish all of you a happy and safe weekend. 

gingham skirt | cable mock neck | similar sandals 

if you’re looking for more spring fashion, make sure to take a look at some of my top picks.  

Kelly Djalali

is our 40s+ fashion & food contributor. She posts a Daily Look on Tuesdays, writes about Fashion on Thursdays, joins Beth for Fridays with Oscar and shares a new recipe Sunday evenings.

She’s 47, 5’0, and a petite 0/XS.

Kelly also has a food blog called Djalali Cooks, which you can find by clicking the world icon below.

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