Paint the Town

Happy V day lovebugs,
The husband (!) and I celebrate Presidents Day not Valentine's so it's a normal Tuesday here. But I thought we could still paint the town red with some red pants!

Asos, Woven Peg Pants with Obi Tie, $38

What a great work pant that transitions seamlessly to happy hour!

Express, Low Rise Editor Ankle Pant, $69

A classic staple pant that comes in a handful of versatile colors.

Nordstrom Rack, Joe Fresh Corduroy Pant, $19

This price. Why not get a pair of casual and cozy merlot cords?

Forever 21, Faux Suede Culottes, $9

Ok so no go on the top but these crops! I love the wide leg flare.

So who is your valentine this year? Mine is wine and my dog. 

Be fabulous today!

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All In: Date Night

Thanks for giving me the day off yesterday. Today we are back at it with the first Monday Tuesday of the month and our All In post. Let's get ready for date night for under $100.

dress/heels/earrings/clutch

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs,
Here are my favorite love inspired recipes this week!

Il Palio
c/o Saveur

Ingredients

For the Campari Ice Cubes

³⁄₄ oz. Campari

2 oz. water

For the Cocktail

2 oz. bourbon

1 oz. sweet vermouth

Orange bitters

Orange twist, for garnish

Directions

Several hours before serving, mix together Campari and water and freeze in a square ice mold. When frozen, make the cocktail: Place 2 Campari ice cubes in rocks glass. Pour all ingredients over ice cubes and garnish with a wide orange twist. Stir the drink to start the ice melting.

Blush Cream Pasta

c/o Rachel Ray

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 
• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 shallots, minced

• 1 cup vodka

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)

• Coarse salt and pepper

• 1 pound pasta, such as penne rigate

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn

• Crusty bread, for passing

Directions

Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the EVOO, butter, garlic and shallots. Gently sautéthe shallots for 3-5 minutes to develop their sweetness. Add the vodka to the pan – three turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup. Reduce the vodka by half, about 2 or 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and the tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a bubble and reduce the heat to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. 

While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until it's cooked to al dente (with a bite to it). While the pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.

Stir the cream into the sauce. When the sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from the heat. Drain the pasta. Toss the hot pasta with the sauce and the basil leaves. Pass the pasta with crusty bread.

Chocolate Decadence with Raspberry Sauce

c/o Shugary Sweets

Ingredients

FOR THE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE:

• 1/2 cup Karo® Light Corn Syrup
• 16 oz bittersweet chocolate (60% cacao)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cup heavy cream, divided
• 3 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract

FOR THE TOPPING:

• 12 oz fresh raspberries, divided
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup Karo® Light Corn Syrup
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup chocolate syrup

Directions

1. Line a 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan with plastic wrap. Set aside.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine corn syrup, chocolate and butter. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
3. Mix 1/2 cup of the cream with the egg yolks in a small bowl. Add to the melted chocolate mixture and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and cool completely.
4. Once the chocolate mixture has cooled, continue on by beating 1 1/2 cup heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl on high speed. Beat until soft peaks form. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture and stir just until combined. Pour into loaf pan and cover with plastic wrap. Freeze for 4 hours or overnight.
5. To prepare raspberry sauce, combine 6oz of the fresh raspberries with the corn syrup and vanilla extract in a small blender. Process quickly until combined (you still want some chunks of raspberry).
6. For the whipped cream, beat heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Refrigerate or use immediately.
7. To assemble, slice frozen chocolate mousse and arrange on plates. Dollop a large spoonful of whipped cream onto each slice. Drizzle with raspberry sauce, chocolate syrup and add the remaining fresh berries. ENJOY!

Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

We have a lovely holiday coming up this weekend. Valentine's Day. If you haven't figured out your outfit, be sure to check out my night in or out looks from last week's All In post. In the meantime I love an excuse to wear hearts, polka dots, you name it. So in honor of V Day, let's look at some hearts.

 Talbots, Bicycle Heart Sweater, $79

Who sweet is this sweater? I love the layered look and I love the ombre red to pink hearts.

Shoptiques, Elena Wang Black Cream Sweater, $77

So classy. This preppy seater is perfect for work or play.

Nordstrom, Topshop Embroidered Heart Sweater, $75

A loose fitting sweater with a ladylike pop of color. What an adorable top.

Modcloth, Poodles of Fun Sweater, $39

Dog lovers rejoice. Fashion, fun, love.

So don't be blue this Valentine's Day. Wear your heart on your sleeve. 

Be fabulous today!

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All In: Be My Valentine

Happy February lovebugs. It's the first Monday of the month so I thought we'd go All In for Valentine's Day. This outfit is vampy but classic.

Midi dress/Peep toe pumps/Drop earrings/Clutch

So here we are. A gorgeous dress with mature yet daring accessories. All in for under $100.
Be fabulous today.

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Friday Foodday

Happy Valentine's lovebugs, here are some holiday inspired cocktails.

Spiked Jones

℅ Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup whole coffee beans
• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Kahlua
• 1 teaspoon confectioner's sugar
• 1 tablespoon dark chocolate-covered coffee beans, chopped

Directions

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, 1/2 cup cream, and whole coffee beans. Bring to a simmer, turn off heat, cover, and steep beans for 1 hour. Strain liquid and return to saucepan; discard beans. Bring the milk-and-cream mixture back to a simmer, add chocolate, and whisk until incorporated. Remove from heat; whisk in Kahlua. Whip remaining 1/2 cup cream and the confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form. Divide the hot chocolate between two cups and garnish each portion with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of chopped chocolate-covered coffee beans.

The Monkey Gland

℅ Saveur

Ingredients

• 3 oz. gin
• 1½ oz. fresh orange juice
• ¼ oz. grenadine
• 1 dash absinthe
• Orange peel, for garnish

Directions

Combine gin, orange juice, grenadine, and absinthe in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

The Pink Lady

℅ Mix that Drink

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces of gin
• 1/2 ounce applejack
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice, preferably fresh
• 1 egg white
• 1/5 ounce (or a couple of dashes) of grenadine

Directions

Combine all your ingredients in a shaker without ice. Shake it, shake it, shake it to get the egg well mixed. Now add ice and shake some more. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.

All In: Double Time

It's the month of love, and whether you spend it with a hot date or have a hot date with House of Cards, today's All In looks will serve both purposes. Enjoy the first all under $100 outfit for dinner and the second for staying in with Kevin Spacey.

Dress/Heels/Necklace/Clutch/Mints

PJ Set/Slippers/Face mask/Bubble Bath

Girl Power PJ

Happy V-Day lovebugs. Today we're celebrating NOT going out to dinner tonight. Today we're celebrating girl power. Whether you're single or in a relationship, you rock and you should be comfy, at home, with some ice cream. I give you, V-Day lounging.

Forever 21, Heart Print PJ Set, $18

I love that this set is shorts not your usual long PJ pants.

Nordstrom, Honeydew Intimate Love Me Tender, $45

A little bit sassy, but let's be honest, a lot comfy.

Target, Nick and Nora Sock Monkey, $24

Old faithful, you can do no wrong in this number. I wouldn't be ashamed to take out the trash or even leave the apartment for a fire alarm.

Macy's, Jenni by Jennifer Moore PJs Fleece Top and Pants, $24

Fleece you guys, fleece. Just yes.

Are you sporting anything sassy this V-Day?

Be fabulous today!

I Heart Hearts

Hey there lovebugs,
How was your weekend? I saw some great friends and spent some quality time with my main man, Norman.

As February gets underway, I'm hearting hearts. Please be advised I despise the word heart as a verb. However, for the sake of fantastic blogging, let's look at some hearts!

Forever 21, Sequined Hearts Pullover, $23

I love this casual top. It's perfect for a lazy day or a casual outfit.

Asos, Rare Lace Skater Dress with Heart Cut Out Back, $32

How about the perfect V-Day dress for under $40?

NY & Co, Heart-print pencil skirt, $46

How amazing is this graffiti print? It reminds me of my notebook in middle school.

Topshop, Long Sleeve Heart Flippy Dress. $80

The fact the this dress has the word 'flippy' in it makes me just want to put it on and twirl around in it. 

So do you heart these hearts? I think these little numbers are perfect for V-Day or any day for that matter!

Be fabulous today!

Mission: V Day

Hey lovebugs!

It's almost the weekend- we're so close!  And it is a special weekend coming up: Valentine's Day.  Do you have a date planned with your man or maybe a girls night of Sex and the City? In my opinion, both are equally necessary to dress up for!  I'm thinking sassy dresses.  Show off  your legs and put on some heels.  Here are my picks for whatever you have planned.

Modcloth, Romantic incarnation dress, $89

This dress is unforgettable.  The lines, the details, the sweet colors mixed with the sexy neckline- just gorgeous.  

Ann Taylor, Petal Neck Sheath, $60

Look at this little sheath! I'd buy some Spanx to go with but oo la la!

Nordstrom, Jessica Simpson Kendale, $78

SO sweet and flirty!!!!! And not super tall, perfect for working your strut.

Target, Nick & Nora Rub a Dub PJs, $25

If all else fails- put these beauties on and relax.  I love you, you love you, Happy Valentine's Day.

So whether you're out on the town, with your girls, or relaxing alone, give yourself a hug and maybe a box of chocolates this Valentine's Day!

Be fabulous today!