Monday, April 30, 2012

Metallic Cap Toe

Happy Monday lovebugs,
I hope you had a great weekend. Let's make it a great week. We're starting off today with something a little edgy- a metallic cap toe. Something about this style is glitzy but with a don't mess with me vibe.

Top Shop, Magpie 2, $56
These pretty pastel flats are very chic and the pointy toe is just the right amount of sass.

Bloomingdale's, Vince Camuto Oneda, $98
Such a punchy color for a great summer shoe. I'd pair these with a great navy chino ankle pant.

Mia 2, Jay Flat, $59
These look a little vintage to me, I'm loving the black on silver.

The bronze on this shoe is perfect for brown or block, it's a great mix.

Oh this magenta is divine. Combine with the price and this shoe is just fine by me!

All of these flats are sweet, but I think the metallic touch adds a little edge to them. They are great to pair with ankle pants and shorts in these warmed months.

Be fabulous today!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
c/o Lauren's Latest
Ingredients

for the dough-
3/4 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast {use the fast acting kind!}
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 egg
1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
4 1/2-5 cups all purpose unbleached flour
for the filling-
1/2 cup softened margarine
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cornstarch
for the frosting-
2 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup softened margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon corn syrup
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
Directions
Making the Dough- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, pour in water, yeast and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Stir and proof 5 minutes. Once mixture looks bubbly and frothy, pour in remaining sugar and salt. Stir on low for 15-20 seconds. In a small bowl, measure buttermilk, oil and egg. Whisk ingredients together until egg is incorporated to other two ingredients. Pour contents into the water and yeast mixture. Stir another 20 seconds in the mixer. Pour 2 cups of flour into mixer and stir on low until incorporated. Sprinkle flour in by 1/4 cup increments until dough cleans the sides and bottom of the bowl. Dough should be sticky but not sticky enough to stick to your hands when touched. Once it has reached this stage, turn mixer on and knead for 5 minutes. Remove dough from bowl, grease and replace back into same mixing bowl {since it’s practically clean anyways.} Cover with plastic wrap and a dish towel. Rise 1-2 hours or until dough has doubled in size.
Filling and Cutting Rolls- In a medium size bowl, stir brown sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch together until combined. Set aside. Punch down dough. Flour a large clean table liberally with flour. Lightly flour dough as well. Roll dough out to be a 20×30 rectangle {or as close to that as possible} while moving dough around to ensure it’s not sticking to your work surface. If it’s a little short or uneven, feel free to cut off the edges to even it all out. {FYI-I cut off some dough on one side and filled in a spot that needed more dough on the other side to make a more even rectangle.} Spread softened margarine over dough, being sure to go right to the edges leaving a 1-inch strip untouched on one of the longer sides of dough. Dump brown sugar mixture onto the middle of the dough and spread with your hands, creating an even layer over top of the margarine, still leaving that 1-inch strip of dough untouched. If you have any filling that falls off the sides of the dough, use a bench scraper to replace. Lightly press the sugar mixture into the margarine using a rolling pin. Roll the dough up into a tight log, finishing with the plain dough on the bottom to seal the entire thing together. Cut off the uneven ends to even out the log. Score log every 2 inches and then slice your rolls using those marks. Place into parchment paper lined, margarine greased pans. 12 into a 9×13, 3 remaining into a loaf pan, or 8×8 with the small ends. Cover pans with plastic wrap and dish towels. Let rolls rise another 1-2 hours or until they are touching and have risen almost double. My rolls always spread out more than up, so just be aware that they will most likely spread out more than up. Bake in a preheated 350 degree for 17 minutes, or until tops start to brown. Watch them carefully!!
For the Frosting- While the rolls are baking, whip cream cheese and margarine together. Stir in vanilla, corn syrup and lemon juice. Scrape sides and mix again. Pour in powdered sugar and stir slowly until it starts to incorporate. Then mix on high for 5 minutes or until frosting starts to lighten in color. Scrape sides and mix again briefly. Once rolls have been removed from the oven, frost using half the amount made. Then after they have cooled a few more minutes, frost again with remaining frosting. The first frosting will melt down into the rolls and the second layer should stay put. Serve warm.
BBQ Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup mushrooms, diced
1/2 pound chicken, diced small
1/2 red bell pepper, diced small
1 clove garlic, minced
3-4 tbsp Chinese barbecue sauce (you can buy a store bought one)
Iceberg lettuce
Rice (optional)



Directions

1- In a large skillet or wok heat your oil. Add the mushrooms, chicken, and bell pepper. Stir, cooking over medium heat, for 5 minutes.
2- Add the garlic and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through.
3- Add the sauce and raise the heat until sauce is coating the mix.
4- Serve with lettuce leaves and rice, if desired.



Fried Olives
c/o Annie Bakes
Ingredients
1 ounce Gorgonzola cheese-at room temperature
1/4 cup ricotta cheese-at room temperature
20 large green olives-pimento removed
1/2 cup flour
1 egg-beaten
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs seasoned with salt and pepper
Vegetable or Canola oil for frying



Directions

In a small bowl, combine the cheeses. Spoon into a small zip-loc bag and snip the corner off of one side. Pipe the cheese mixture into each olive.
Put the flour, egg and Panko in 3 separate small bowls. Using 2 small forks, roll the olives in the flour, then the egg, then the Panko. Place on a small plate.
In a medium saucepan, pour in about 1 1/2 inches of oil. Heat over medium-high until it's about 350 degrees. In batches of about 5 at a time, fry the olives for about 25-30 seconds, flipping half way through. Drain on a plate with paper towel.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Multi-Color Stripe Dress

Happy almost Friday lovebugs, what better way to pep up then to look at some multi-color stripe frocks? Eye catching and bright.

Obsessed with this color combination and the stripe belt just caps it off.


These thicker stripes are a great contrast against the thin belt.

Dillards, Striped Dress, $80
A great neckline dress, perfect for an outdoor wedding or even the office.

What I really like about this dress is the pleated skirt, dresses it up a bit.

Are you feeling bold and colorful this summer? Try out any of these multicolor stripe dresses!

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Lavender Love

So often when I think of colors to wear I don't think of lavender. I think purple. But if you think about lavender as a color you think something a little lighter, more delicate. Let's see what pieces in lavender look like.

When I say delicate I also mean bad ass, because that's what these jeans are.

These remind me of candy! So fun and a little retro.

These beautiful patent leather flats are absolutely perfect for some ankle pants.

A great price for a great pair of shorts that can be dressed up or down.

Are you loving lavender? It's a great pastel like color for summer.

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Striped Hobos

Hey lovebugs,
I'm loving hobo bags right now but sometimes I find them looking the same- usually plain colors and similar sizes. How about a great stripe on your hobo bag? Something different and even a little more casual.

This is a great dump everything in summer bag- whether you're going to the beach, the park or the grocery store.

A little more structured and a great mix of colors.

Forever 21, Nautical Hobo Bag, $22
How great is this bag? So chic and easy to throw and go!

I love this bag. It's preppy and has a great mix of color and textures.

Stripes on a bag are a great way to spice up a plain outfit. And you can find one with great colors to match any outfit.

Be fabulous today!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Neon Dress

Neon is huge this season but for most of us we're incorporating it with jewels or a belt here and a tank there. I think if you're going to wear neon, go all out. Dress. All bold, all neon, all at once.

How sweet is this dress? I'd add a turquoise skinny belt and be ready to go!

I would pair this with some mod earrings and a platform pump.


Michael Stars, Smocked Strapless Maxi Dress, $98
This dress is just screaming for a fantastic necklace and bangles. It also comes in orange.



Lulu's, Leaves of Sass, $59
Cocktails on a boat anyone? This dress needs to be worn out and with some serious heels.

Neon is so much fun for summer because it's just a great burst of color for day or night. 

Be fabulous today!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! I hope you have a great weekend. Here are some of my favorite recipes this week.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta
c/o Cassie Craves
Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 13.5-ounce can artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup sour cream
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 10-ounce package chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided



Directions
1. Preheat the broiler.

2. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Drain, return to pot, and keep warm.

3. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and artichokes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the onions are tender and translucent. Add the garlic; cook and stir 1 additional minute. Add sour cream, cream cheese, and parmesan and heat through until completely melted. Stir in spinach.

4. Add the pasta and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese to the sauce mixture. If the mixture seems to dry, add reserved pasta water a bit at a time.

5. Pour pasta into a greased baking dish and top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Broil 3 to 5 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and cheese is melted.



Celery Cilantro Cocktail
c/o Skinny Taste
Ingredients

  • 1 oz Absolut Citron
  • 3 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 2 tbsp simple syrup (or  1 tbsp agave, 1 tbsp water)
  • 5 inch piece celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 tbsp seltzer
  • ice

Directions
In a mixing glass or pitcher, combine celery and cilantro and muddle together with vodka, lime juice and simple syrup. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a glass filled with ice and top with selzter. Garnish with celery greens and cilantro, maybe even a lime wedge!



Nutella and Salted Caramel Pie
c/o Table for Two Blog
Ingredients

For the crust:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks), cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3 tbsp. ice cold water
2 tbsp. chilled heavy cream
For the filling:
14 oz. package of caramel candies, unwrapped
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups Nutella
Directions
  1. In a food processor, add in the flour and salt and pulse to mix. Then through the feed tube, add the cubes of butter one by one, pulsating as you go. Then add the water and heavy cream. Mix until dough forms into a ball.
  2. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for an hour.
  3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  4. When ready, take the dough out and let sit for 5 minutes to warm up and roll it out on a flat, lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, flatten it to a circle, make sure it’s larger than your pie pan. Then transfer to your pie pan and work it in to make sure it covers all the crevices and trim the extra dough on the edges and use them to patch up any tears/holes. Use a fork to puncture holes throughout the bottom of the dough.
  5. Bake crust for 20 minutes, or until crust is getting golden brown. Take out and set aside.
  6. While crust is baking, in a small saucepan, melt the caramel with the heavy cream and salt. Next, in another small saucepan, melt the Nutella (just so it’s runny and easy to pour).
  7. Take the caramel mixture and pour it into the bottom of the pie crust. Pop it in the fridge for about 10 minutes then pour the Nutella on top.
  8. Let sit and cool to room temperature before serving and slicing. You can pop it in the fridge to speed up the process if you can’t wait ;)


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Perforated

Yesterday we looked at quilted. Today we're looking at a similar pattern in that it's not a color or stripe but rather a change to the material: I'm talking perforated. This mod look is great when it's done in a classy way.

Lord and Taylor, Betsey Johnson Bellaa Flat, $99
These great flats have a star shaped perforation on them. So fun.

A great thick bangle to go with any outfit. Also comes in gold.

Limited, Perforated Obi Belt, $34
The pattern mixed with the bow is quite lovely. I would put this over a light cardigan.

Soft Style, Addy, $50
A great price for a little wedge that is perfect for chino shorts of a sundress.

Perforated might not be my favorite style this season but it's certainly something to be on the lookout for int he sale section. The accessories are easy to mix in to any outfit.

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Not Your Gramma's Quilt

Lovebugs,
Happy hump day to you. I hope you are feeling ready to take on the day and looking amazing. Today I want to talk about a great design detail for leather: quilted. I think this pattern adds a classic and expensive look to any accessory.

Good lord these shoes are fantastic. Neutral, sexy, and so classy.

This great bag also comes in black, white and cobalt. This one is a great pop of color.

Nordstrom, Vince Camuto Fawna Flat, $88
Sweet, blush, glitter, a great little flat don't you think?

Modcloth, Boxcar Bag, $59
Loving the vintage feel of this little bag. The shape is so unique!

Quilted is a great pattern for any season. It's chic and doable whether you're a rocker, hipster or prepster.

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Fancy Tee

So often when we think t-shirt we think a ratty, casual piece that isn't worth of much; but right now I'm loving silk tees. Last year it was embellished tees, but this year it's about the fabric. Check out these pieces.

Madewell, Picket Strip Tee, $89
Great rugby-like stripe on this tee. Dress it up with dark was skinny jeans and yellow heels.


Loving this bright yellow color and the zipper detail is just the right amount of rocker.

This is what I like to call blogger blue. A fantastic saturated color for any season.

Modcloth, Petal Pusher Top, $52
Well hello sweetness, aren't you just so delicate and divine?

Silk is so easy to throw on, add a bauble and walk out the door, it's light, colorful and so great for the warmer weather.

Be fabulous today!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Navy Baubles

Hey lovebugs, happy Monday. How was your weekend? I saw a ton of ladies sporting great warm weather clothes this weekend and I couldn't be more excited to start wearing my dresses and short sleeves.

Today I was inspired by a page in Lucky magazine; I spotted this great navy bauble and I thought how often do we search for navy jewels? Not very often right? But why not? Navy is a great color to mix in and especially in an accessory.

These are a great dangle earring, I picture it with a hot pink blouse of an orange shirtdress.

Lilly Pulitzer, Upscale Bangle, $58
Gotta have some Lilly in your summer wardrobe.

Neiman Marcus, Panacea Cabochon Hoop Earrings, $36
Fun fact: I want my wedding colors to be navy and orange. These earrings just called out to me, I love em.

Bauble Bar, Elliptic Bib, $24
This nautical inspired piece would be perfect for a white eyelet summer dress.

Do you mix in navy to your accessories? It's such a great neutral staple that still adds some interest to your outfit.

Be fabulous today!

Friday, April 13, 2012

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are some of my favorite recipes from this week.

Roasted Garlic and Vegetable Pizza
c/o Stephanie Cooks
Ingredients
1 head of garlic
olive oil
1/2 cup marinara sauce
pizza crust
2 cups assorted cooked veggies, diced small
3 ounces grilled chicken, diced small
1/4 cup cheddar cheese*
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese*



Directions
1- Preheat the oven to 350. Cut the top off the head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap in foil. Bake for 1 hour. Once it's done squeeze the roasted garlic out of the bulb and mash with a fork.
2- Mix the marinara sauce with the roasted garlic paste and set aside.
3- Assemble your pizza crust. Top with a thin layer of sauce, veggies, and chicken. Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake 10-12 minutes, until your crust is golden and cheese is melted.



Panera's Stovetop Mac and Cheese
c/o A Taste of Home Cooking
Ingredients
16 oz pipette pasta or other small pasta shapes
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk, heavy cream, or half-and-half
4 oz white American cheese, chopped or torn into pieces
8 oz extra sharp white Vermont cheddar, shredded
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (like Frank’s)



Directions
In a large stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.

While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a 4-quart sauce pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and has started to bubble, whisk in the flour; cook for 1 1/2 minutes whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk until no lumps remain. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook milk mixture, whisking frequently, until it thickens and bubbles, about 8 minutes.

Remove sauce pan from the heat and by the handful, stir in the cheeses allowing all of the cheese to melt into the sauce before adding more. Stir in the mustard, salt, and hot sauce. Return the sauce pan to the heat and stir in the pasta. Be sure to stir up the sauce from the bottom of the sauce pan and thoroughly coat all of the pasta with sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes over medium-low heat until heated through. Serve hot. 



BLT Macaroni Salad
c/o Skinny Taste
Ingredients

  • 8 oz uncooked elbows, low carb or whole grain (brown rice pasta for gf)
  • 4 slices 25% reduced fat center cut bacon
  • 2 large ripe tomatoes, beefsteak or vine ripe, diced small
  • 4 tbsp reduced fat mayonnaise (I used Hellman's)
  • salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 2 cups baby spinach
Directions
In a large skillet cook bacon on medium-low heat until crispy on both sides.


In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions.

Chop tomatoes and combine it along with any accumulated juice with mayonnaise and pepper in a medium bowl. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water to cool. Combinepasta with tomatoes and spinach mixing well. Toss in bacon right before serving.


Thursday, April 12, 2012

Peach Please!


Hey lovebugs,
Today I'm loving a certain fruit as a great pop of color with my accessories. Peach! It's light, it's breezy, and it's perfect for spring!

Forever 21, Beaded Layered Necklace, $8.80
How beautiful is this necklace? The perfect amount of layers and the mix of peach with gold is great.

Topshop, Triangle Circle Studs, $20
A little geometric gem. These mod earrings are a great piece with jeans or an lbd.

Urban Posh, Peach Moonstone Bracelet, $73
A great bangle, so simple and light but the stones add some weight and color.

A little more casual but a great piece for summer.

What is your go to color for this season? Are you rocking any peach?

Be fabulous today!