Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! I'll be back on Tuesday after the holiday!

Cookies and Creme Milkshakes
c/o Table for Two Blog

Ingredients

2 cups vanilla ice cream

1 cup milk

4-5 Oreo’s

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a blender, throw all your ingredients in and mix it up!
2. If you like it thicker, use less milk. If you like it thinner, use more milk.
3. Serve immediately, I mean, why wouldn’t you?

Cheesy Chicken Southwest Pasta Bake

c/o Lauren's Latest

Ingredients

1/2 pound whole grain pasta such as rotini
4 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups diced onion
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
3 ears of corn, kernels removed
1/4-1/3 cup all purpose flour {depending on how much liquid the veggies give off}
2 cups chicken stock or milk
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
salt & pepper, to taste
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips

Directions

Start by boiling a large pot of water and cooking the pasta for half the time recommended on the box. Drain and set aside. In the same hot pot, melt butter and saute onions, garlic, peppers, jalapenos and corn until tender, 7 minutes or so. Sprinkle in flour and stir. Cook 2 minutes, then pour in chicken stock or milk. Increase heat to thicken sauce, then sprinkle in cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, cheeses, cream, chicken and cooked pasta. Stir to combine and pour into large casserole dish. Top with crushed tortilla chips and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve.

Recipe Notes: I used chicken stock, but feel free to use milk to make a creamier sauce. Also, I ran out of cheddar cheese so I didn’t top my casserole with more cheese but would have liked to. If you wanted to be really crazy, top the chips with more cheese and salsa to get some nacho action. Holy guacamole that would be good.

Baked Donuts

c/o Annie Bakes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter-melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder and alt. In another bowl, beat egg to blend with milk, 1/4 cup melted butter and vanilla. Add flour mixture and stir just enough to moisten. Spoon into well-greased tin (I used one that I ordered from King Arthur Flour).

Bake until golden, about 8 minutes. Turn out onto a baking rack and frost with your favorite frosting recipe and top with anything you like!

P Squared

Yesterday was S cubed, today is P squared: printed peplum. We ALL know peplum is huge right now, for just about everything, jackets, skirts, dresses and tops. Today I want to look at some printed peplum tops.

Nordstrom, Print Stretch Silk Blouse, $81

A pretty dot print that is perfect for 9-5.

Piperlime, Collective Concepts Printed Peplum Top, $69

A cheeky little print with a great peachy color.

Modcloth, Rosette for Life Top, $39

Leave it to Modcloth to make a beautiful sheer tie blouse in peplum.

Dorothy Perkins, Ivory Spotty Peplum Top, $39

I'm a sucker for dots, and the darting on this shirt is just adorable.

You can do peplum so many ways, neon, color block, solid, you name it. How about a print with your peplum?

Be fabulous today!

S Cubed

Hey lovebugs,
Happy humpday, we're getting there. And it's going to be a long weekend, so just hang in there!

Today we're looking at short-sleeve sheer sweaters, in particular, cardigans. They're a great transition piece for summer into fall when you want to add a super light layer to an outfit.

Renee C, Sheer Box Sleeve Open Front Cardigan, $48

A beautiful color and very easy to belt to define a waist.

Forever 21, Short Sleeve Pointelle Cardigan, $25

A preppy sort of sheer. The dolman sleeve is also a great detail to add to this cardi.

Lord and Taylor, J Jones Open Weave Knit Cardigan, $21

Love this open weave knit! So simple and delicate. And the price is spot on.

Modcloth, Take a Migration Cardigan, $47

A pretty v-neck style, makes this the perfect late September cardigan.

Short sleeve cardigans are so easy to mix into your wardrobe, but the open knit, or gauze style is even easier to wear when it's still warm out.

Be fabulous today!

Don't Cry!

I usually wear a simple stud for earrings but when I'm playing dress up or adding some sparkle to a work outfit, I love adding a teardrop earring. There is something very delicate yet classy about the shape and size.

Nordstrom, Kate Spade Paisley Park, $51

You know I gotta post some Kate when we're looking at beautiful accessories. I love these dressed up or down.

Cusp, Pave Teardrop Earring, $38

These remind me of an Amrita Singh piece but much more bang for your buck!

Forever 21, Crochet Teardrop Earring, $5

How cute are these? I'd pair these with bf jeans and a plain tee for the weekend.

Neiman Marcus, Nakamol Beaded Teardrop Earring, $65

These beauties would be perfect for an evening dinner date. They would capture the light and add just the perfect amount of sparkle to the face.

While stud earrings are usually my go to, I love the easy and fancy feel of the teardrop earring.

Be fabulous today!

Not Your Average LBD

Hey lovebugs,
Happy Monday! I hope you had a lovely weekend. I met up with Rosa and Sara for brunch on Sunday, alway fun to hang out with those ladies.

Today I thought we would look at some LBDs. But not what you're thinking. Today we're talking a little blue dress. The perfect alternative to a standard black cocktail or wear to work dress.

Loft, Gathered Waist Sleeveless Dress, $69

A beautiful deep blue with a great side waist belt that will flatter any shape. I also love this dress because you can pair it with ANY shoe.

Nordstrom, Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique Pleated Dress, $78

A great price for a Suzi Chin dress. This dress is almost sculptural. I love it.

Shabby Apple, I'm Late! I'm Late!, $94

While I'm not sure how this woman ended up in the middle of the enchanted forest with a tea cup, I love this boatneck and lace sleeved dress!

Old Navy, Boatneck Dolman Sweater Dress, $44

That's right Old Navy. This expensive looking sweater dress, is just screaming for some neon accessories. 

The little blue dress is a great option for fall. It's an unexpected change for work or for a night out.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

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

Queso con Chorizo
c/o Annie Bakes

Ingredients
1 (10 oz) package Chorizo
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion-chopped
2 cloves garlic-chopped
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 bottle of Mexican beer (or whatever you have on hand)
1/2 cup jalapeno-diced fine
3/4 cup milk (plus a little more if it is too dry)
1 cup Monterey jack cheese-shredded
2 cups mozzarella cheese-shredded

Directions
In a medium skillet, cook the Chorizo over medium heat until golden about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the pan and add the olive oil. Add in the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour, stirring until it is incorporated, about 1 minute. Pour in the beer and bring to a boil. Pour in the jalapeno, stir and cook a few minutes. Slowly add the milk, whisking to incorporate. Bring to a gentle boil and stir until it thickens. Reduce the heat to low and add in the cheeses. Cook, stirring until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes, then add in the Chorizo. 

Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza
c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients
1 head of garlic, roasted
1/2 cup Philadelphia Italian Herb cooking creme
1 batch of pizza dough
2 cups shredded chicken
1 tomato, seeded and diced
1-2 cups shredded Colby-Jack or mozzarella cheese
Parsley

Directions
1- Preheat the oven to 425. In a small bowl squeeze the garlic from it's paper and mash into a paste. Stir in the cooking creme until evenly distributed.
2- Assemble your crust. Top with the cooking creme garlic mix.
3- Top with chicken, tomato, and cheese. Sprinkle parsley on top.
4- Bake 12 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is melted. Serve hot.

Chicken Piccata
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 2 (16 oz total) chicken cutlet halves, all fat trimmed
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large egg whites
• 2/3 cup seasoned whole wheat dry bread crumbs
• olive oil spray (about 1 tbsp worth)
• 1 tbs light butter
• juice of 1 lemon, lemon halves reserved
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup fat free chicken broth
• 1 tbsp capers
• Sliced lemon, for serving
• Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Directions

Cut chicken into 4 cutlets, then place cutlets between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

In a shallow plate, beat the egg whites and 1 teaspoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs in another plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the egg, then bread crumbs.


Heat a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Spray a generous amount of olive oil spray on one side of the chicken, and lay it in the pan, oil side down. Spraythe top of the chicken generously to coat and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Set aside until you make the sauce.

For the sauce, clean the saute pan. Over medium heat, melt butter, add the lemon juice, wine, chicken broth and the reserved lemon halves, salt, and pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Discard the lemon halves, add the capers and serve one chicken cutlet on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and servewith a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

Capped Off

Happy almost Friday lovebugs,
Today we're looking at a trend that's been featured here before- cap toe. I just love the detail that such a small effort adds to a shoe. Just look at some fabulous cap toe flats today.

Ann Taylor, Perfect Suede Cap Toe City Flats, $68

Modern, chic and no nonsense. Way to go Ann.

Asos, Ladybug Cap Toe Neon Ballet Shoes, $42

Well aren't these just the sweetest things you ever did see? Neon, ballet, cap toe. Yes!

Macy's, Kenneth Cole Simplified Ballet Flat, $69

A perfect little flat for jeans and an open front cardi.

Nordstrom, Steve Madden Kwilted Flat, $60

This color is called dusty silver and I like that because it's not screaming metallic but it still has some shine.

Are you sporting any cap toes this season? I just love their added detail.

Be fabulous today!

Just Jade

I hope you read that as 'Just Jack'. Good. A huge color going into fall is jade. It's a saturated jewel toned color that will look great on just about any skin tone. Let's take a look at some options. And scroll down for the winner of the Bauble Bar giveaway!

Mango, Stain finish t-shirt, $34

A little high-low action on this shirt. A great base to layer on the accessories.

Modcloth, Foodie for Thought Skirt, $37

I beautiful high waister skirt that is perfect with some violet tights.

White and Warren, V Neck Dress with Side Slit, $75

I think the slits on this dress really makes it less casual then it may seem. the cotton blend just needs some drop earrings and heels.

J Crew, Nicky Top, $98

Give this top a couple of weeks and I promise you, you will see it on sale for $69 and then scoop it up because it is the definition of versatile.

What are your favorite colors for the new season? Jade is up there for me!

Be fabulous today!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Bauble Bar giveaway!

Kat V. You won! I will email you your gift card to Bauble Bar!

Slight of Hand

Who doesn't love a great bag? And with the ginormous fall fashion catalogs that are sitting on my coffee table I'm sure we'll have a ton to choose from this season. One trend that I'm really loving is the top handle bag. It's a corporate but can be styled in so many ways.

Hey don't forget to enter to win a $50 gift card to bauble bar! I'll announce a winner tomorrow.

DSW, Poppie Jones Juliet Bag, $59

An adorable cross body bag that offers a pop of color with it's utility.

Modcloth, Houndstooth or Dare, $59

This bag is so urban chic to me. A beautiful cold day brunch bag.

Piperlime, Nora by Melie Bianco, $79

I love the leather laced through the hardware on the strap there. It's that attention to detail that makes this bag a stunner.

Anne Klein, Ostravaganza, $85

Can't afford the real thing? Try this ostrich look that offers a million ways to wear it. My first choice would be to tie a silk scarf to it.

The top handle is so pretty when used with these bags because what's usually expected in a briefcase is transferred to a great purse.

Be fabulous today!

Headband Hold the Headache

Hey there lovebugs! I'm currently sitting on my couch under a blanket with the puppy in my lap after a successful day of getting caught in the rain at the dog park. How was your weekend?

As I've mentioned before, headbands are among my favorite in the accessory world, but here's the thing, I have a huge head. So huge. Often I get a a nasty headache by hour three of wearing my headband. The solution? The elastic headband. And I'm not talking about a gym ready elastic headband. Take a look at these sparklers.

Nordstrom, BP Beaded Headband, $18

Look at this beauty, the detail of the beading gives this a feathery look.

BCBG MaxAzria, Rhinestone Headband, $38

The gunmetal finish on this headband gives the rhinestones a tougher edge.

Anthropologie, Nella headband, $32

This stunner comes in a few colors but this teal is my favorite. Anthropologie always does the best romantic accessories.

Forever 21, Metallic Braided Headband, $1.80

Looking for something for the weekend? A no nonsense throw on and go with your bf jeans? Fork over two bucks and this is yours!

While I do have quite a collection of regular headbands, I adore elastic headbands for my mammoth head.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs!

Raspberry Cupcakes with Lime Frosting
c/o I want to be a domestic goddess

Ingredients
For the Cupcakes

• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/8 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries, coarsely chopped

For the Frosting

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 4 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Directions
For the Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350°. Place cupcake liners in one 12-hole muffin tin.

In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and add in four parts to the sugar mixture, alternating with the milk and the vanilla extract, beating well after each addition. Stir in the raspberries

Divide batter among the liners. Bake until the tops spring back when lightly touched, about 20 to 22 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely on a rack before icing.

For the Frosting

Whip all ingredients together at medium high speed until smooth.

Baked Chicken Fingers

c/o Table for Two Blog

Ingredients

10 boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins, sliced into strips (I bought the individually packaged Purdue chicken tenderloins & each packet comes with 5 in each)

2 cups panko breadcrumbs

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

3 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a shallow dish, combine panko, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to get it all incorporated.
3. In another shallow dish, beat the 3 eggs together.
4. Take the chicken strips and dip them in the egg mixture then cover the chicken strips with the panko mixture. Gently press the panko mixture on the chicken to make sure it’s well coated.
5. Lay the strips next to each other on the baking sheets and repeat until all the chicken strips have been coated.
6. Bake for 20 minutes then turn on the broiler and broil them for another 5 minutes to get the outside even more crispy & a light brown color.
7. Serve immediately with honey mustard or BBQ sauce or ketchup!

Vacation Bisquick Peach Cobbler

c/o Cupcakes for Breakfast

Ingredients & Directions

Toss sliced ripe peaches with sugar and cinnamon. I used about 15 peaches, 1 cup sugar,  1 tablespoon cinnamon. Pour into a large baking dish.

In a large bowl combine Bisquick and milk. It’s roughly a 1:1 ratio, but I felt mine was a little too runny so I added more Bisquick. I used a little over 3 cups Bisquick. Pour this mixture over the peaches.

Bake for 60 minutes. Serve warm-ish and with fresh whipped cream.

Totally Tasseled

Going along with yesterday's Bauble Bar giveaway, I thought we would look at a great jewelry trend that is going on; tassels. We all know tassels are big for loafers for the fall, but take a look at these great options in jewelry.

Bauble Bar, Swing tassel drops, $22

From the giveaway shop! Love the mix of pink and purple!

Ralph Lauren, Multi-bead tassle necklace, $88

This is a great neutral necklace, and the gold tassel will glisten next to any outfit.

Asos, Johnny loves rosie bracelet, $30

Two tiered bracelet with a fantastic colors to mix jeans and a simple tee.

Topshop, Mesh loop tassel necklace, $25

This is what I like to call fancy rocker chic. A great metal piece with some bling makes it perfect for a maxi dress or a plain white button down shirt.

Don't forget to enter to win $50 to Bauble Bar! I will pick a winner next Wednesday. 

Be fabulous today!

Giveaway! Blogiversary!

Lovebugs,
As I mentioned on Monday, today is the 25th month-iversay of The Capital Barbie. Why am I celebrating 25 months you ask? Well, because I forgot my two year. So here we are with a two-year and one-month celebrating TCB and all it's fabulousness.

And what better way to celebrate another year of fashion under $100 than with a giveaway from one of my favorite accessory shops: Bauble Bar. I love this store. I love the styles because you can find an accessory for absolutely any occasion. Dress up or dress down or dress it for everyday, there is something for everyone.

So want $50 to Bauble Bar? All you have to do is leave a comment below! That's it! That's how much I love you all. One entry per person and I will announce the winner one week from today!

Tee Up

There is something very elegant about a t-strap shoe. It has a dancer-esque feel to it and elevates any outfit to another level of class. Here are some of my favorite t-straps in a variety of colors and textures.

Anthropologie, Crysanth t-strap, $79

These party ready heels also come in emerald. I love the pom on the toe, what a burst of energy.

Lord & Taylor, Helkie Jones New York, $99

Well hello! A little snakeskin print mixed with an elegant black suede! Perfect for an LBD or jeans.

Modcloth, No Need to Spree Heel, $34

These heels are perfect to wear with any print. Floral, baroque graphic, you name it they will blend in but provide perfect stylistic support.

Lord and Taylor, Nine West Blonsky, $89

These shoes, oh these shoes, there is something architecturally satisfying about them. I love the zipper in the back.

What is it about the t-strap that is so enticing? I think it's a great alternative it you don't love a heel with an ankle strap.

Be fabulous today!