You Don't D'Orsay?

The D'Orsay flat has been all the rage lately, and why not? They're chic, comfortable and affordable. But what's in a name? D’Orsay shoes, in which the side or "vamp" of the shoe is cut very close to the sole, were named after Count Alfred d’Orsay; a 19th Century "dandy", artist and friend of Lord Byron. The shoes were worn by men at the time, and the cut-out sides were introduced to accommodate wider feet. [source] 

I'm going to skip the D'Orsay flat discussion, because, let's be honest, it's been done. Let's look at where we originally saw the style: the D'Orsay pump.

Forever 21, City Chic D'Orsay Pumps, $36

Well hello vamp! That is one gorgeous, affordable shoe.

Urban Outfitters, Cooperative D'Orsay Canvas Heel, $49

How hippy-adorbs are these? Paired with a cord mini and some tights. These also come in black, red, and gray.

Zappos, Kamalikulture Zelda, $69

Black and blue are a hot combo this fall and winter. These beauties will look great with some black skinny jeans.

Macy's, Jessica Simpson Seville Pumps, $55

A little vintage looking, no? A little Gatsby. You get it J. Simp.

The D'Orsay style is more than 200 years old and I for one love a little history with my fashion. Try a D'Orsay pump or flat this season!

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday everyone! And a very special Happy Birthday weekend to my Oma who turns 90! Today's Friday Foodday is all of Oma's favorite things.

The Cosmopolitan (Oma's favorite cocktail)
c/o Esquire

Ingredients

2 ounces vodka

1 ounce Cointreau

1 ounce cranberry juice

1 ounce Rose's lime juice

Directions

Shake ingredients well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

Weiner Schnitzel (Oma's specialty)

c/o The Food Network

Ingredients

4 veal cutlets (about 4 ounces each), pounded very thin, scallopini style
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons water
2 cups plain, dry bread crumbs
Vegetable oil, for frying

Directions

Pat the veal cutlets dry with paper towels. Season them with salt and pepper. Set up a standard breading procedure in 3 shallow bowls or pie plates. 

Put flour in 1, eggs and water in another, and bread crumbs in the last. Beat the eggs and water together. Dredge each of the veal cutlets first in flour, then egg wash and then the bread crumbs. Transfer the coated cutlets to a platter.

Heat a large straight sided skillet, filled half way up with vegetable oil, over medium-high heat. Carefully, transfer the coated cutlets into the hot oil to fry. Since they are so thin, the veal will cook very quickly, about 2 minutes per side. Drain the cutlets on a paper towel lined plate.

Schwarzwälderkirschtorte (Oma's best specialty)
c/o Just a Pinch

Ingredients
Cake
1 2/3 cups of flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp slat
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2/3 cup kirsch

Filling
2 sticks butter
3 1/3 cups powdered sugar
pinch of salt
1 tsp coffee, cooled
14 oz dark sweet pitted cherries in heavy syrup, drained

Frosting
2 large marshmallows melted
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tbs kirsch

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottoms of the two 8 inch round pans with parchment paper. Stift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and one tsp of salt. Set aside. Cream shortening and sugar until tight and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat into flour mixture, alternating with one cup buttermilk until combined. Pour into prepared pans. 

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Cool completely and remove paper from cakes.

Using a thin string wrap the string around one of the cakes at the halfway mark, horizontally. Tie the string once and pull slowly, cutting through the cake forming two layers. Repeat on other cake. Sprinkle cut side of each layer with kirsch.

In a medium bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar, salt, and coffee, beat adding a little buttermilk as needed for consistency. Place first layer of cake on plate, spread with 1/3 of filling. Top with 1/3 of cherries. Repeat with remaining layers.

In a separate bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks. Beat in 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tbs of cocoa and 1 tbs kirsch.

Frost top and sides of cake.

Bobbing for Baubles

We haven't done a nail polish post in a while and this one seems fall fitting. Navy. This Essie Bobbing for Baubles polish is going to be fabulous for fall.

Urban Outfitters, Coincidence and Chance Bow Blouse, $59

A fabulous bow neckline makes this long sleeve top your throw on and go shirt.

Madewell, FairEnds Flannel Baseball Hat, $48

If you would have told me baseball hats would be all the rage this fall, I would have laughed at you. Well, joke's on me. This flannel version is one of my favorites.

Asos, Midi Dress with Short Sleeves, $42

This very Mad Men dress is perfect for accessorizing. It's pretty much a blank canvas to add a belt, necklace, earring, jacket, and more.

J Crew Factory, Pencil Skirt in Polka Dot, $79

Oh J Crew you've done it again. Navy, dots, pencil perfection.

Navy is and always will be a staple, and this Essie polish is a great way to accessorize your nails. 

Be fabulous today!

5th Century Chic

Ah, sweater weather. One of my favorite times of the year. And while it may not be wool and cashmere time just yet, you can get away with a cardi here and there. One cardigan style that I'm really loving is the kimono cardi. It's relaxed and chic and its perfect for right now.

Tulle, Kimono Sweater Cardigan, $40

This stripe will be a staple in your closet. I love the rounded hem and open front.

Dorothy Perkins, Black/stone waterfall cardigan, $55

Talk about a great print. This would pair so well with cords or jeans.

Forever 21, Happy Hour Kimono, $27

I'm not sure where her pants went, but I love her sweater. It has an embossed rose pattern all over that is just the perfect detail.

Asos, Kimono Cardigan in Textured Fabric, $59

This machine washable (key guys) tribal print inspired cardi is great for right now or layering later this winter.

The kimono cardi takes the sleeve style of the traditional and transforms it into the casual. These pieces are different than your buttoned up standard, and different in the best way possible.

Be fabulous today!

If You Wanna Go & Take a Ride Wit Me

$10 if you can name that song from the title. Ok $10 in fabulous bucks. I'm not paying you for a song you should absolutely know.

In other news, today's post is bicycle themed, which I'm sure is exactly what Nelly was thinking of when he wrote that song. I think it's perfect bicycle weather right now and that's why I'm loving this motif.

Bloomingdale's, Kate Spade Tandem Pendant Necklace, $78

An adorable tandem bicycle necklace. Just perfect with a casual button down shirt and shorts.

Modcloth, Nature Ride Tee in Turquoise, $44

This is a great brand called Blue Platypus that makes all of their items in Los Angeles. A really sweet top here that you could even add a navy blazer on top for a casual work day.

Gap, Bicycle Print Scarf, $23

100% cotton and 100% perfect for fall. Throw on with a denim jacket or military vest. 

Macy's, Maison Jules Bicycle Print Tee, $39

So, so cute. I love the split hem at the bottom. Again this could easily dress down a suit for work or tuck into a pencil skirt and add a skinny belt.

The bicycle print is perfect for fall and you can find it just about any style. While it may not be as country grammar-ish as the title of this post suggests, it still get points in my book.

Be fabulous today!

Strap On

As a girl who walks pretty much everywhere, I adore my flats. I work them hard and I have a lot of them. One style that I plan on investing in this season is the ankle strap flat. They have a little something extra that go perfectly with rolled up jeans for fall.

Sole Society, Lizzi, $49

See what I mean? A little something extra. These patent leather beauties also come in tan and black.

American Eagle, AEO Ankle Strap Pointed Toe Flat, $34

Yes, American Eagle, I know! I think these may be my fall shoe purchase. They're my favorite color, shiny and suede. Oh just lovely.

DSW, Steve Madden Inid Flat, $49

A little ankle jewelry never hurt anyone!

Dillard's, Chinese Laundry Encino Ankle Strap, $59

BOOM! Double strap! Didn't see that coming, did you? This faux-snakeskin print also comes in black. 

Ankle strap flats. Simple, yet statement. A great investment shoe for fall.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

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

The Classic Rob Roy
c/o The Kitchn

Ingredients
2 ounces of Blended Scotch Whiskey
1 ounce sweet vermouth
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
1 lemon peel, for garnish

Directions

In a shaker filled with ice, add the Scotch whiskey, the sweet vermouth and the bitters. Stir to chill. Strain into a martini glass (or an equally alluring vessel) and top with a lemon peel.

BBQ Cheddar Jalapeno Chicken Meatballs

c/o Slender Kitchen

Ingredients

• 
  
• 1 lb. 90% lean ground chicken
• 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and diced (adjust according to your spice preference)
• 1/2 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• Splash of Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp. diced onions
• 1 tbsp. minced garlic
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. Mix together the chicken, jalapenos, cheese, cilantro, egg, cumin, salt, pepper, Worcestershire, onions, and garlic.
3. Roll into about 16 meatballs.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until completely cooked through.
5. While still hot, toss with your favorite barbecue sauce.

Asian Noodle Bowl with Fried Eggs

c/o Cassie Craves

Ingredients

2 packages of ramen noodles (any flavor, the seasoning is getting tossed anyway)

1 teaspoon vegetable or peanut oil

3 cloves minced garlic

1 tablespoon freshly-grated ginger

4 cups low-sodium chicken stock

4 eggs, cooked to desired doneness

Green onions

Soy sauce

Sriracha

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and fresh ginger; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock, raise heat to high, and bring to a boil. Add the ramen (discard the seasoning packet) and cook, stirring occasionally, until done (about 3 minutes).

2. Meanwhile, cook the eggs to desired doneness.

3. Add ramen to a bowl (with as much or as little liquid as you like). Top each bowl with an egg, a sprinkling of green onions, and soy sauce and sriracha to taste.

Play Ball!

Hey there lovebugs,
I'm a big football girl but this last year while going through football withdrawals I became a big Nationals fan. Baseball. And no, I won't bore you with a speech about America's game, but I will take the inspiration and tell you about baseball tees. They're a great 3/4 length or long sleeve option for fall and they don't have to be sporty. In fact, they can be striped.

Express, Mixed Striped Baseball Tee, $29

This great scoop neck tee is comfortable and affordable.

Gap, Logo Baseball Tee, $29

This tee is so casual chic. Gap, baseball, red white and blue, it's classic.

Ella Moss, Sam Stripe Baseball Tee, $45

This thicker stripe has almost a rugby feel to it. I like it. Also for some reason, this was originally $98, so score.

Forever 21, Striped Baseball Tee, $9

Instead of the usual bleach white, this cream background has a more worn feel to it.

You don't have to love baseball to be a fan of the shirt. It's a great, casual option for weekends or in a more casual office, throw on a blazer.

Be fabulous today!

Don't Spike It!

So I'm a girly girl. I keep a white ribbon in my purse at all times. I have trouble with the edgier trends like leather and spikes. Today I'm going to try to soften the bad ass-ness of the spike and try something a bit softer: the cone. I love the geometrical style of this look and it's great for any arm party.

Club Monaco, Double Pave Bracelet, $59

See what I mean? Gorgeous, noticeable, easy.

Madewell, Bluestone Cuff, $22

How about a cone gem? A lovely addition to a metallic arm party.

Shopbop, Noir Jewelry Darjeeling Spiked Bracelet, $61

This is something that's a bit different because of the box chain. I like it and it's on sale.

BaubleBar, Turq Frosted Cone Bangle, $18

And one more burst of color here. These translucent baubles are great to layer.

If you're not ready for spike, you might try cones. They're a bit architectural versus rocker.

Not that there is anything wrong with rockers. Go girls.

Be fabulous today!

I've Come Unbuttoned

Blazers are a great foundation of an outfit. They pull an outfit together. You can easily grab one to add on top of a dress, or a pair of jeans, or for the office. They come in so many shapes and styles and I promise there is one that will fit your lifestyle. Today I wanted to look at a more relaxed version of the blazer: the open front or draped blazer.

Ruche, Avison Street Open Blazer, $52

Don't you love this peachy blazer? Imagine it paired with some navy bling. Oh and those notched lapels. That's the stuff dreams are made of.

Express, (Minus The) Leather Trim Knit Blazer, $79

Dress this up, dress this down, add pearls or add spikes. This blazer does it all.

Nordstrom, Trouve Open Front Blazer, $98

For me, this is when you spend the $98. This piece will last you for years. This blazer is masculine in style but feminine in fit. The deep purple is perfect for the ox blood trend and the tuxedo style lapel is just stunning.

Forever 21, Essential Draped Open Front Blazer, $24

The title of this blazer is pretty spot on. It's essential. A simple navy, four season, just essential.

The open front blazer is a more casual version of the buttoned up look. It's cool and easy, but absolutely can be dressed up for any occasion.

Be fabulous today!

Running with Scissors

Hi there lovebugs,
Did this weekend feel way to short? For me, one minute I was celebrating Friday with dinner on the roof and the next it was Sunday night laundry. Oh well, back to the grind. But before the grind let's look at some pretty things, yes? Great. Loafers really took off last year, and they're going to be big this year as well, but before we break out the velvet and tights, how about some cutout loafers? Perfect transition piece right now.

Anthropologie, Lydia loafer, $98

I love these pointy toe loafers. They come in four other colors and they have a great leather sole that will make them comfy and durable.

Modcloth, Terrarium Artist Flat, $32

A simple and sweet flat for those mid 60 degree weekend days when you run off to brunch.

DV by Dolce Vita, Gulliver, $55

A great punch of yellow makes these flats perfect for that little extra kick.

Modcloth, Olive Me Flat, $32

And how about these fabulously geeky loafers? I love them with denim, straight fit dress pants, or anything in between.

There are a ton of different styles of loafers out there but I think the cut out style is great for right now. A little breezy, a lot of impact.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs!!

The Sweet Martini

c/o The Five O'Clock Cocktail Blog

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces dry gin

1 ½ ounces sweet vermouth

¼ ounce grenadine

Lemon twist, to garnish

Directions

Pour your gin, vermouth and grenadine into an ice-filled cocktail shake and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail or martini glass and add your garnish.

Banana Split Bars
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed well
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups quick rolled oats (use gf oats for gluten free)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1-1/2 cups very ripe mashed bananas
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup raw honey (or pure maple syrup)
• 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cherries (or craisins)
• 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
• 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with 2 pieces of foil or parchment paper, criss-crossing over so they fold over the pan; spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Combine the quinoa and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until liquid is barely absorbed. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 5 to 6 minutes, remove lid and fluff with a fork. Transfer to a medium bowl and let it cool completely.

Mix together the oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

Add mashed bananas, egg, honey, oil and vanilla to the cooked bowl of quinoa and stir until just blended. Add the banana mixture to the oats mixture and stir until just blended. Mix in dried cherries, walnuts and chocolate chips.Spread the batter evenly over the prepared pan.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. For best results, refrigerate 20 minutes before cutting.

Using the liner, lift the mixture from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 16 bars and refrigerate or freeze to store.

Buffalo Cheese Bread
c/o Emily Bites

Ingredients

12 oz crusty bakery bread 

8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened

1 ½ oz 50% reduced fat sharp cheddar, shredded

2 tablespoons light blue cheese dressing

2 tablespoons Buffalo wing sauce

2 scallions, sliced

Directions

1. Move your oven rack to the top and preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Slice your loaf of bread into two halves, each with a long, flat surface and set them on the prepared baking sheet.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar, blue cheese, wing sauce and scallions and stir until well combined and smooth. Spread the mixture thickly and evenly over the cut surfaces of both bread halves.

3. Place the baking sheet with bread on the top rack (or second rack if the top doesn’t leave enough room) and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese spread and edges of the bread are golden. Make sure to check frequently while the bread is broiling because it can go from golden to black very quickly! Cut into 12 pieces (if you used a long skinny baguette instead of a shorter, wider bread like ciabatta or pane then you may want to cut it into 24 pieces instead) and serve.

A Little Extra on Top

Hey lovebugs,
For me, details make or break an outfit. The smaller tweaks are what make sure you're remembered. One trend that I'm really loving that embraces this sentiment is the embellished collar. This probably won't be the last time we look at this trend this season. It's a good one for any women because there are so many options.

Nordstrom, Embellished Collar Silk Top, $44

A great minty color in a breezy silk makes this top great to stand alone or to layer with a blazer.

Wallis, Grey Embellished Collar Jumper, $49

I may need this in my closet. This is the perfect standard gray sweater with a little extra umph.

Asos, Darling Pleated Top with Lace Collar, $55

There is so much you can do with this top. Leather pants, a pencil skirt, skinny jeans. The details are lovely.

Topshop, Bead Collar Swing Top, $56

There is something so playful about a swing top. I'd add a emerald cardigan and leopard skinny belt to this top.

There is something so understated but so noticeable about the embellished collar. It shows that extra effort that you put into your outfit.

Be fabulous today!