New Year's Eve

Happy last day of 2012 lovebugs. This year has been a solid one for me. Some friends have moved away but sometimes big things happen to good people and you have to be happy for them. As for the ones who have stuck around DC? I've been lucky enough to keep them close and I've even made some new ones through blogging. The Bf and Norman and I were lucky enough to be able to stay in our apartment for another year. All in all I can't complain.

Tonight I hope you spend your night in sparkles or in sweatpants and ring in the new year full of hope and joy.

Thanks for being fabulous this year.

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! Today's post will be for New Year's cocktails!

The Rickey (the official cocktail of Washington, DC)
c/o Delish

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 ounce(s) Tanqueray London Dry Gin
• 1/4 ounce(s) lime juice
• 1 ounce(s) soda water

Directions

1. Stir together Tanqueray London Dry Gin and lime juice.
2. Serve over ice in highball glass.
3. Top with soda water.

French 75

c/o Bon Appetit

Ingredients

1 cup gin

1/2 cup No-Cook Simple Syrup (see below)

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Champagne

Lemon twists (for garnish)

Directions

To make our No-Cook Simple Syrup, combine 2 cups each superfine sugar and water in an airtight container. Cover and shake until sugar dissolves. Makes 3 cups.

Stir gin, No-Cook Simple Syrup, and fresh lemon juice with ice in a medium pitcher for 10 seconds. Strain into Champagne flutes or coupe glasses.

Top with chilled Champagne (Prosecco or other sparkling wine works in a pinch). Garnish with lemon twists.

Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail

c/o Makezine

Ingredients

1 cup frozen cranberries, thawed
1/4 cup sugar
1 bottle (750 milliliters) prosecco, chilled 

Directions

Place the cranberries and sugar in a bowl and macerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 6 hours. Stir the berries occasionally, lightly mashing them. Place 1 tablespoon of macerated berries in each of six champagne flutes. Fill the flutes with prosecco and serve.

Resolutions

Since I would never take away Friday Foodday, I wanted to use today to talk a little bit about resolutions. 

res·o·lu·tion
[rez-uh-loo-shuh n]
1. A resolve or determination.

Resolutions are a decision to make a change. An act, a thought, or an admission that you will do something differently moving forward. New Years is often referred to as a time to get a fresh start, but I truly believe that you can't understand what you want to change until you've reflected on where you've been and what you've done.

Given the recent tragedy in Connecticut, as well as the constant stresses we are bombarded with on a day to day basis, what better time to really take a moment, or an hour, or whatever you feel comfortable with to just sit. Sit with your thoughts, your emotions and attempt to channel how you can improve. How can you make yourself a little bit better this year?

I would love to hear what your resolutions are for the new year. Share them or get inspiration by reading someone else's below. 

What is mine you ask? Well, I'm going to be writing down one thing I'm thankful for each day in a journal. Now they don't have to be earth shattering, sometimes it's ok to be thankful for Spanx, or How I Met Your Mother, but I want to write it down, I want to take that moment each day and reflect and record it. 

Thanks for taking a moment to share your resolutions.

Be fabulous today!

Don't Count Out the Little Guy

Welcome back lovebugs!
I hope if you celebrated Christmas it was just wonderful. Now we get to enjoy the loot and prep for the New Year.

Today I thought we'd look at some clutches. Beaded clutches to be exact. I think they're a great accessory for NYE or just to add some detail to and everyday outfit.

Etsy, Black Beaded Lace Overlay on Ivory with Pearls, $65

This is a stunner for a black tie event. Such a beautiful mix of textures.

Banana Republic, Beaded Crossbody, $98

Ok hear me out, I know this tiny bag is $98, but you can wear this with a dress, with jeans, with whatever you can imagine. I absolutely love it.

Club Monaco, Lucy Beaded Clutch, $99

Wow. Look at the detail on this bag. Just a beautiful accessory that would match just about any color.

Urban Outfitters, Ecote Arts of Ruin Clutch, $49

A little more casual, but the price tag reflects that. I love the different sized beads.

Beaded clutches are a fabulous accessory that will never go out of style. Dress them up or down, but they'll always pack a punch.

Be fabulous today!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas! I'll be home in Pennsylvania with my family and I hope you have safe travels and get some good love from the ones closest to you.

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows
c/o Great Eats with Pete

Ingredients

12 oz of your favorite chocolate (I used dark chocolate chips)

2 bags of large marshmallows

Dusting sugar(s)

Directions

Place chocolate in a double boiler (or a heat proof bowl over simmering water, make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Stir the chocolate occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Dip the marshmallow top in the melter chocolate. Allow excess chocolate to drip off the top. Then dip it in the dusting sugar. Place it on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper with the chocolate facing up. Continue until all marshmallows are dipped in chocolate and sugar. Allow to chocolate to harden. (Do not put it in the refrigerator the marshmallows will become hard.)

Peanut Butter Carmel Corn

c/o Stephanie Cooks Blog

Ingredients

3 bags natural popcorn, popped (standard size bags, not mini)
1 2/3 cups brown sugar
1 2/3 cup light colored corn syrup
5 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla

Directions
1- Preheat the oven to 250.
2- Grease 2 9x13 dishes with cooking spray. Pour the popcorn evenly into the dishes and set aside.
3- In a small saucepan heat the sugar, syrup, butter, and salt. Cook about 3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until completely melted.
4- Pour the peanut butter sauce evenly over the two pans of popcorn. Gently stir to coat.
5- Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Once done allow it to cool completely, then break the popcorn into pieces.

Homemade Crullers

c/o Lauren's Latest

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
vegetable oil, for frying

for the glaze--
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract {optional}

Directions

Bring butter and water to boil in a small pot. Once mixture comes to boil, stir in flour and salt until combined. Remove from heat and cool 3 minutes. Crack eggs into a small bowl. Mix eggs into warm mixture one by one until completely batter is completely smooth. Transfer to piping bag with large fluted tip and pipe into circles on parchment paper lined baking sheets. Place into freezer for 30 minutes. Pour vegetable oil into large pot with high sides so there's at least 3 inches of grease. Heat oil to be between 325-350 degrees. While oil is heating, stir all ingredients together for glaze until smooth and runny...but not too runny! Drop frozen crullers one by one into hot oil and fry about 1 minute per side or until lightly golden. Remove to paper towel to drain and then immediately coat in glaze. Place onto cooling rack to let excess glaze drip off. After 40 minutes or so, the glaze should harden onto the crullers. Best served warm, immediately out of the glaze.

Stunning Silver

Hey lovebugs,
Sometimes I don't have a specific trend or style that I want to highlight. Sometimes it's just one piece that screams: heck yes. And I build a post around it. That piece is below, and today's post is silver.

Tinley Road, Animal Brocade Minidress, $79

I mean, come on. Stunner. Cap sleeve, beautiful waistline, just wow.

Bauble Bar, It Girl Collar, $36

Wearing yet another crew neck sweater? Want some bling? This is the perfect way to make an entrance. 

Nordstrom, Trouve Foil Print Sweater, $68

Let's make guesses as to what/who this model is looking at. I'm voting, a frozen deer, Ryan Gosling, or a woman wearing high water pants. But seriously, this sweater is a beautiful and simple top to add to jeans or to tuck into a pencil skirt.

Urban Outfitters, Incase Hammered iPhone, $35

Sometimes I think I bombard you guys with sequins. So take a look at this simple yet sophisticated hammered iPhone case.

Today's post is about all things silver. It's a beautiful color that compliments any skin tone. 

Be fabulous today!

Dresses for Dad

As the holiday dinners are approaching, I don't know about you, but I spend a long time staring into my closet trying to find the perfect dress for dinner with the family. In my family this doesn't mean sequins and sparkles but it also doesn't mean jeans. What's the happy medium?

Anthropologie, Eton Marble Dress, $69

This dress also comes in a beige pattern. I really like the artistic element of the piece.

Ann Taylor, Cowl Neck Sweater Dress, $74

You really can't go wrong with this simple and dependable sweater dress. Add a belt and some drop earrings.

Old Navy, Polka dot shiftdress, $34

More casual dinner? Try this simple but sweet shirtdress with a metallic flat.

Zara, Printed Dress, $59

I think this is a great dress for dinner or work. The pattern is very interesting but busy enough you can add some baubles.

What do you wear for holiday dinners with family? I find packing one easy dress vs four layering pieces is so much easier for traveling.

Be fabulous today!

Get My Good Side

Skirts can get dull. No matter how you cut them, texture them, sometimes they're a bit of a yawn. Today we're looking at a new take on the skirt build, side panels.

Asos, Pencil Skirt with Sequin Panel, $52

You want New Year's Eve? Pair this skirt with a flowy black blouse.Va-voom.

Dorothy Perkins, Black and gold foil panel skirt, $29

I wish the waistband was a bit thicker but for the price, I'll buy a thick patent belt and add that.

Forever 21, Curved Panel Skirt, $15

I will preface this by saying DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU WORK, this skirt could be office appropriate if paired with a more demure top.

Topshop, Grid Panel Tube Skirt, $50

If you buy this, and wear it, you must count the number or whistles and stares you get and email me. Holy cow, get it girl.

Paneled skirts are a very easy way to add curves to a pencil skirt, which by name, indicates a stick. 

Be fabulous today!

My Fair Isle

Happy Monday lovebugs, I hope you are blasting the holiday music in your cubicle this week and spreading the cheer. Today's post is a reader request. She is looking for fair isle that isn't gramma but also within budget. Let's see what we can find.

Canvas, Women's Fair Isle V-neck Sweater, $80

Fair isle can often be dressy and stuffy. The drop sleeve and split hem gives this sweater the perfect amount of casual.

Splendid, Breckinridge Fair Isle Top, $88

I really love the color combination in this sweater, its so warm and inviting!

Forever 21, Off the shoulder fair isle top, $17

How about some fair isle for a party? This is holiday sexy.

Modcloth, Winter Intern Top, $37

A fabulous peplum fair isle! You can wear it alone (with a bottom please) or layer a button down shirt underneath.

Fair isle is a staple for winter and these sweaters are a perfect addition to your closet. Keep your eyes open for fair isle tights and bottoms too!

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

We made it lovebugs, Friday.

Cream Cheese Potato Soup
c/o Cassie Craves

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, cut into chunks

Directions

1. Heat butter in a dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and saute until onion becomes translucent. Add garlic and saute 1 minute. Season with seasoning salt and pepper.

2. Add broth, potatoes, and bay leaf and boil until potatoes are tender.Discard bay leaf and smash a few of the potatoes to release their starch for thickening.

3. Reduce to low heat and add cream cheese. Heat, stirring frequently, until cheese melts.

Arugula Pesto Bowtie Pasta
c/o Table for Two Blog

Ingredients
Pesto

10 oz. baby arugula

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

3 cloves of garlic

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/8 cup olive oil

Pasta

1 pound bowtie pasta

3 tbsp. arugula pesto

2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

Directions

Pesto

1. Throw all ingredients except olive oil in food processor.
2. Turn the food processor on and drizzle olive oil through feed tube. If you need more to get the right consistency, use more.
3. Store in airtight container for up to 1 month.

Pasta

1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil, then cook pasta according to instructions on box.
2. Once pasta is done cooking, drain well but reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
3. In the same pot, pour the pasta back in and add the 3 tbsp. of arugula pesto. The heat of the pasta will spread the pesto all over. Add in a little bit of the pasta water to thin it out. You might not need the full 1/4 cup.
4. Crumble goat cheese on top and stir well to melt and combine.
5. Serve hot.
6. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Egg Nog

c/o Food Network

Ingredients

• 4 egg yolks
• 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1 pint whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 ounces bourbon
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 4 egg whites*
• Directions
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.
  Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
  Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.
  Cook's Note: For cooked eggnog, follow procedure below.
  In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.
  In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.
  In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

Tooth and Nail

Houndstooth is one of those prints that will always be in style. It's a classic look that you can tailor to fit your style. Add a collar for some prep, add some chains for rocker, or add a blazer for corporate.

Gap, Houndstooth Sweater, $54

 Such a fun graphic sweater that you can pair with cords or jeans.

Lord and Taylor, Vince Camuto Tie Neck Houndstooth Dress, $46

Oh hi, $46. Yes add a beautiful cardigan and you're good to go.

JC Penny, Worthington Ponte Skirt, $25

A fantastic big graphic print, this is so much fun for the office.

Lord and Taylor, Houndstooth Tights, $10

Oh and of course I needed to throw in some tights!

Houndstooth is a great option for work or play and you can find it at any price point.

Be fabulous today!

Solid Gold

Happy humpday lovebugs,
Since yesterday we tackled velvet, today we're looking at another type of perfect party apparel: gold. It's just a fabulous way to dress up absolutely any outfit. Now usually the easiest way to wear this is sequins, and while that works, I want to dig a little bit deeper.

Dorothy Perkins, Jacquard Dress, $44

Va, va, voom ladies. Look at this number. Add some tights and some heels and screw the rest.

Nordstrom, Vince Camuto Dotted Jacquard Skirt, $99

I'm going to need this skirt. The perfect pleating with a party-ready print. 

Modcloth, Glitz and Garland Dress, $99

Just. You're welcome. Good lord this is beautiful.

Forever 21, Metallic Coated Sweater, $29

Sleek, sexy, and easy to throw on and go. I'd pair this with some black shorts and tights.

Gold will never go out of style. Ever. Might as well embrace it to it's fullest potential this holiday season.

Be fabulous today!

Go Ahead, Touch Me

You know what's cozy but also sexy this time of year? Velvet. A few weeks ago we looked at velvet purses but today let's look at some clothing.

Anthropologie, Tailored Velvet Blazer, $99

The tuxedo feel to this blazer truly makes it something special.

Lands End Canvas, Velvet Market Dress, $99

This fully lined dress it just perfect for a holiday party. I love the richness of this green!

The Limited, Drew Welt Pocket Velvet Slim Pants, $69

Let's talk about these pants. A wide band waist, a slim cut, an ankle length, flat front pockets. Ah, they're divine.

Nordstrom Rack, Ella Moss Marlowe Velvet Dress, $89

A little bit mod and a little bit flapper, a lot a bit perfect for holiday.

So you see velvet is decadent in all the best ways, and it's perfect for this month of parties and holiday gatherings.

Be fabulous today!

Shimmering Stuffy

Happy Monday lovebugs,
How are you? How was your weekend? I made 60 maple bacon sugar cookies. Yep. Nailed it.

Ok, moving on. I hope you enjoyed the holiday gift guides last week, if you have any tough ones to shop for on you list, feel free to email me and I would be more than happy to help.

Today we're looking at tweed with metallics. Tweed can get stuffy, adding some shimmer to the weave is just what you need.

Piperlime, Pim + Larkin Metallic Tulip Dress, $74

A beautiful cap sleeve shift that is just perfect for work or play. I'd add a collar necklace to this number.

J Crew Factory, Tweed Gold Zip Mini, $49

Oh hello black boots and layered gold necklaced. This is the statement piece on its own.

Forever 21, Sparkling Tweed Shift Dress, $25

Ok from this picture, this dress looks like it could fit a third grader, but I'm hoping it's longer in person, because I love the low pockets and the peter pan collar.

Urban Outfitters, CO Metallic Tweed Oversized Blazer, $89

I'm not sure what happened to her pants, but I'm loving this blazer. The faux leather trim is so chic!

Don't let tweed make you feel all skirt suit-y and stuffy, add some shimmer to your tweed.

Be fabulous today!

Foodie Friend

Instead of Friday Foodday, today's gift guide is for your foodie friend. The girl who enjoys a baking, sautéing, eating, you get the drift.

Anthropolgie, Poppy Ring Rolling Pin, $18

Anthro has a ton of beautiful kitchen and home gifts for sale, I especially love this item because she will think of you every time she uses it.

Williams Sonoma, Monogram Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker, $32

This is a grown up shaker. Williams Sonoma does not mess around and I bet they have some kick ass gift wrapping too.

Etsy, NJ State Cutting Board, $48

My favorite art about this seller's cutting boards is the tiny heart cutout. It's simple but special.

Modcloth, Fresh Skills Utensil Set, $38

What a sweet kitchen set for a girl in her first apartment. I love that the handles are all lime green as stems.

What are you getting for the foodie in your life? Entertaining items, bakeware, food? 

Thanks for helping with this week's gift guides! If you have more questions, you can always email me!

Be fabulous today!