Cut it out!

Morning lovebugs! How was your weekend?  Welcome to Spring, soon we will be wearing spring dresses and sandals.  But until then let's try a fun new style of shoe: the cut out.

The cut out is sexy and versatile for going out to dinner or out on the town with the girls.  Try some of these styles.

Calvin Klein, Patrish, $74

Hello delicious! There is not one thing wrong with this heel.

Kensie Girl, Natalie, $47

I'm digging the color on these, and the heel is so interesting!

7 for all mankind, Neely, $89

Hello skinny jeans? Meet Neely.

Modcloth, Ocean Allure Heel, $73

Cut out style usually means extreme heel- not so here, and that's why I love them.

So what do you think?  Alluring?  Later this week we'll look at laser-cut shoes which has a much smaller and more intricate pattern.  Cut out heels remind me of a great mod style- perfect for a color blocking outfit.

Be fabulous today! 

Friday Foodday

Don't fret lovelies! It's Friday Foodday time!

Have a wonderful weekend! As always, if you have a recipe you'd like to share- please let me know!

Low Fat Baked Onion Rings
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients
1 medium onion, sliced into 1/4 inch rings
2 1/4 cups low fat buttermilk
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup Italian seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup crushed corn flake crumbs
salt to taste 
olive oil baking spray 


Directions
Place slices of onion in a shallow dish. Pour the buttermilk over the top and let themsoak for about 1 - 2 hours, refrigerated.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.  Combine panko, bread crumbs and corn flakes in a large dish, season with salt.  Dip each soaked onion ring into the crumb mixture; coat well. Place rings onto two cookie sheets. Lightly spray with oil. Bake about 12 minutes or until golden brown.Serve immediately.


Shrimp Cakes
c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients
1/2 pound raw shrimp, finely chopped
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup cooked rice (brown or white)
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tbsp. minced scallions
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 tsp. chili garlic sauce
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Olive oil
Directions
1- In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients from shrimp to egg, stirring well.
2- Refrigerate the mixture at least 30-60 minutes.
3- Shape the mixture into two-three patties. Dip the patties into the bread crumbs and set aside on a plate.
4- In a large skillet coat the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of olive oil, about 3 tbsp.
5- Heat the oil. Once it's hot, place the patties in and allow to cook 4-5 minutes over medium heat or until golden. Flip and repeat. Serve hot with the red pepper sauce.


Buffalo Chicken Pizza
c/o A Taste of Home Cooking

Ingredients
Pizza dough
1lb chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup Frank's hot sauce
1 tablespoon butter
2-3 scallions, chopped on a bias
Blue cheese crumbles or Marie's blue cheese dressing
Mozzarella cheese, shredded 


Directions
Preheat the oven, with the pizza stone inside, to 550 degrees (or as high as your oven will go). This can be done up to an hour before you cook the pizza. Put the Frank's and butter in a small saucepan. Add the chicken and heat over medium until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken to a bowl with a slotted spoon, then boil the Frank's. Pour over the chicken and let cool.

Roll out the dough and place on a sheet of parchment paper large enough to hold the pizza, with a little extra so you have something to hold onto when you move the pizza to the stone. Top with a little mozzarella cheese. Add the blue cheese or Marie's, spread into a thin layer. Scatter a few scallions on top. Using a slotted spoon add the chicken, being careful not to put on too much of the Frank's (it will get soggy/greasy). Add just a few dashes of the Frank's here and there on the pizza, then top with more mozzarella cheese and the remaining scallions.

Remove the stone from the oven. Holding on to either side of the parchment paper, move the pizza on the stone. Put the stone back in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese starts to brown in spots. Remove the pizza from the stone and let cool slightly before cutting.

The Classic Shirt

The classic white button down is one of the most important items in any wardrobe. Period.  Why? Let me count the ways.

1. It will stand the test of any trend, style, or passing fashion obsession
2. It is the definition of clean, crisp, and put together
3. It can be worn $300 suit OR a $30 pair of jeans
4. Do you really need more?

Every woman should have at least one standard button down in white.  The variations on this masterpiece are also something to experiment with.  Today I'm going to show you some of my favorite not-so-traditional button down whites.

Rugby, Skinny Ryder Shirt, $60

I love the detachable sash on this shirt and the french cuffs give it an extra bit of wow.

7 for all mankind, piecing top, $69

Like I said, sometimes you need a clean and crisp shirt for the weekend.  This is it.  

J Jill, pleated front shirt, $50

I LOVE this tuxedo pleat style.  Can you picture it with a bold pencil skirt? Yum.

Nordstrom, Tahari Tundra blouse, $59.50

Besides the fact that this model looks like she's about to sneeze; look at the great rouching and darting down the torso.  This is going to bring attention up from any problem mid-section areas and showcase your beautiful collarbone.

The white button down will serve so many purposes for you.  Work, play, dress up, relax, you name it.  The best part about it is your ability to have fun with it.  Metallic skinny belt it or go for a emerald green drop earring.  So many possibilities.

Also, for my more well-endowed friends out there.  You know who you are.  Fear not! The ultimate button down pucker solution!!!!!  No See 'ems I swear by 'em.

Be fabulous today!