Halloween 2016

Fun fact: I despise Halloween. We talk about this each year. I just don't see a point in spending money on something you wear once. So once again, I'm pulling together some easy costumes that can be broken up to wear again.

Shirt/Jeans/Boots/Hat/Flower

Trench/Hat/Pants

Boots/Top/Overalls/Gloves

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs, here are some Halloween inspired recipes for this weekend.

Dark and Stormy Death Punch
c/o Food and Wine

Ingredients

• One 20-ounce can lychees in heavy syrup
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced peeled fresh ginger
• 16 brandied cherries
• 1/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 12 ounces dark rum
• Three 12-ounce bottles ginger beer
• Ice cubes

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, bring the lychee syrup and ginger to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and let steep for 30 minutes. 
2. Meanwhile, stuff 16 lychees with brandied cherries. Set each lychee in the cup of a mini muffin pan or in an ice cube tray. Strain the lychee-ginger syrup and pour it over the lychees. Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. 
3. Meanwhile, in a pitcher, stir the sugar into the lime juice until dissolved. Add the rum and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. 
4. Unmold the lychee ice cubes into a small punch bowl. Pour in the lime-rum mixture. Add the ginger beer, stir gently and serve in ice-filled glasses. 

Ratatouille Stuffed Jack-o-Peppers

c/o Food Network

Ingredients

• About 1/2 cup EVOO
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup homemade breadcrumbs or panko
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
• 7 medium red and orange bell peppers 
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 firm, medium eggplant, peel half the skin, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• Olive oil spray
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
• 1 small fresh red chile, finely chopped or 1/2 teaspoon dried flakes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium zucchini, 1/2-inch dice
• 3 ripe plum or small vine tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups tomato sauce

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Heat about 1/4 cup EVOO in a small skillet with the butter. When the butter foams, add the garlic and stir 1 minute. Add the breadcrumbs and stir to soak in the oil and butter. Toast until light golden, then remove from the heat and cool. Mix the cooled breadcrumbs with the cheese and parsley.

Trim the tops off 6 peppers and reserve, then scoop out the seeds. Using a small, sharp paring knife, cut out a jack-o'-lantern face in each pepper. Set the peppers upright, and if a pepper is very unstable, trim the bottom to make the pepper stable. Season the peppers on the inside with salt and pepper, invert the peppers and place on a baking sheet, tops alongside. Seed and chop the remaining bell pepper and reserve.

Salt the eggplant and drain 15 minutes in a strainer or on a towel.

Spray the peppers with a little cooking spray and roast to char the peppers at the edges and tender-crisp doneness, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to handle.

Heat the remaining EVOO in a large, deep skillet. Add the reserved peppers, thyme, chile, eggplant, onions and zucchini, and some salt and pepper. Cook the vegetables, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes, stir another minute, and remove from the heat.

Combine the breadcrumbs with the vegetables and taste to check seasoning. Pour the tomato sauce into a casserole dish. Stuff the peppers, overstuffing the cavity a bit, and set the tops in place to complete the Jack-o-Peppers. Place the peppers into the dish as you fill them. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal.

To serve, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and roast until the peppers are hot through, 30 to 35 minutes.

Skinny Mummy Cake Balls

c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 16.5 oz package yellow cake mix
• 6 oz plain fat-free Greek yogurt (Chobani)
• 1 cup water
• 2 large egg whites
• baking spray
• 48 oz Baker's white chocolate (20 oz calculated in n.i)*
• mini chocolate chips for the eyes
• 1 wooden skewer

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a the cake pop pan with baking spray.

Combine the cake mix, yogurt, 1 cup water and egg whites in a large mixing bowl and beat until combined. Place the batter into a pastry bag or large ziplock bag with the tip cut off.

Pipe the batter into the prepared cake pop pan and bake about 18 minutes (I rotated the pan after 10 minutes to be sure they baked evenly). Let it rest 5 minutes before opening the pan.

Place the cake balls on a wire rack and repeat with remaining batter. Using a scissor, cut the seam off the balls. 

Refrigerate the cake balls for about 45 minutes, this helps the chocolate stick to the cake.


Melt some of the chocolate in the microwave according to package directions, careful not to over heat the chocolate. If it's too thick add a drop of oil to thin out. Use the wooden skewer and insert into the cake ball, then dip in melted chocolate. Let the excess drip off then place each ball on parchment or wax paper.

Place remaining chocolate into a piping bag and drizzle onto the tops of the balls to make a criss-cross effect to resemble a mummy wrap.  Place the mini chocolate chips over the chocolate for eyes and set aside to dry.

Last Minute Halloween

It's almost Halloween and while it is my least favorite holiday (I know, hate away) I know there are a few of you who still need a costume. So here we go.

Regina George: one, two three, four

Where's Waldo: one, two, three, four

Rosie the Riveter: one, two, three

There you have it. Dress it up, down, and get some candy. 

Be fabulous today!

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Today is Dumb, Here's Some Fashion

As you may or may not know I hate Halloween. It's a feeling that was passed on from my mother with the idea that spending money on an outfit never to be worn again is just not something I can get behind. And yes, I'm aware I'm in the minority. So, instead of showing off costume options, here are some great orange pieces that can be worn after today. Oh and if you really need a costume, here's my dog Norman dressed up.

Stella and Dot, Olivia Bib Necklace, $59

Great details that differentiate this necklace from the standard J Crew bauble.

Nordstrom, Pleoine Dot Pullover, $40

Orange hearts? Yes please.

Gap, Eversoft Cardigan, $39

A simple and timeless relaxed cardigan.

Urban Outfitters, Cooperative Scallop Peplum Dress, $39

I'm obsessed with this dress. Sassy with a tiny peek-a-boo and it comes in a slew of colors.

Happy Halloween to those with more imagination than me. 

Be fabulous today!

Orange You Glad

Fun fact: I hate Halloween. It is a feeling instilled to me by my mother. I just hate spending money on an outfit you wear once. I'm not really a candy person, so overall, it's not my holiday. But today we're going to look at a way to mix in some orange and black in a non-Halloween way.

Canvas, Women's Gatsby Colorblock Skirt, $54

How about this stunning pleated color block skirt? It is so fall!

Loft, Chevron Stripe Longsleeve Cardigan, $59

A beautiful bright orange. I love the solid waist and cuff, adds some definition to this busy sweater.

Modcloth, Foliage Tour Dress, $55

A vertical chevron, how unique. I'd add a skinny belt to this and call it a day. Maybe even the snake necklace from yesterday.

Nine West, Love Fury, $89

Candy corn chic, no? What a great platform.

Happy Halloween to all of you who enjoy candy, dressing up and running around in the cold. I will be drinking some red wine on my couch in  my sweats.

Be fabulous today!