You're Better than That

This morning I attended an event on Capitol Hill. I don't spend much time on that side of town (note capitAl barbie, not THE hill) but when I do I'm always so saddened by the clothing choices I see.

My office is business casual, so pants, skirts, blouses are fine. I only need a suit for large meetings or very formal conferences; so when presented with the opportunity to spruce up my usual 9-5, I jumped on the chance to 'hill-ify' my outfit. Sadly, I don't think many others did. The wildest outfit I saw was a boring black suit with (brace yourself) a pink oxford underneath. So boring. Unless tonight is your laundry night, you can do so much better. Here's what I wore:

Banana Republic, Orange Summer Tweed Blazer, (bought in 2009)


Ann Taylor, Cowl Neck Shirt, $29


Ann Taylor, Melange Ponte High Waist Skirt, $78


Enzo Angiolini, black patent mary jane with bow, (bought in 2008)

See? Professional, business-like, and not plain. And please ladies, for all of $8 you can take your heels to the cobbler or dry cleaner and get them heeled! Metal clicking around on hardwood floors is so amateur.

Too Soon.

Happy Monday everyone!

It was a whirlwind weekend for me. I went up to Connecticut for some fabulous BF's family birthday activities. Weather and party was so much fun, but I'm happy to be back in DC. Too much suburbia weirds me out after a while. I'm a concrete and sirens kind of girl.

If you missed it, you can read my guest post over at Makeunder My Life for my September Dos and Donts list. Thanks Jess for letting me be a part of MML!

Today's post is about what it is too soon for. Believe me, I'm just as excited as everyone else for fall. I'm over the twice a day showers from heat induced sweat walks to and from work. I hate humidity as much as the next person, especially when it comes to limiting my clothing options to bare minimums. BUT, here are some of the piece of fall apparel that I frown upon seeing this soon in September. It's not that cold people.

REI, Mountain Hardware Monkey Fleece Jacket, $99

Zappos, Rocket Dog Fuzzy Clog, $42*
* these are NEVER ok.

Newport News, Stretch Velvet Pants, $44

Halogen, Novel Wool pencil skirt, $51

Trust me, you will have MORE than enough time to break out the sweaters, houndstooth, herringbone, corduroys, and whatever else winter wear you love. High 60s does not equal fleece, try a trench or cotton safari coat. Be strong, cold is coming sooner than you know it.

Friday Foodday

It's that time again! Friday Foodday! Today is a special edition because we have gone global! That's right, I got a submission from my good friend in Macedonia who is doing peace corps. Woohoo!


Homemade Gnocchi
c/o Sara in Macedonia!
Ingredients:
-2 pounds of potatoes. It is helpful if they are all around the same size since they will be boiling together, it helps them cook to the same level.
-1/4 cup beaten egg
-1 cup white flour

Step 1: Wash your taters and put them into a large bowl of cold water with a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil and then turn down the heat to medium. Allow the potatoes to cook until they are tender throughout, usually 40 minutes for medium sized potatoes

Step 2: Remove your tenderized potatoes from the water and set down to cool. Cut them in half so that they cool quicker. You want to work with the potatoes while they are still warm, but obviously do not burn your fingers. Once they are cool enough to touch, peel the potatoes.

Step 3: Using a cheese grater, grate the potatoes into a large bowl. The goal is to have an even consistency so that your dough won't have lumps. Once you've grated all of your potatoes, mix in some of your flour and begin to knead it into a dough. Use the egg mixture a little at a time: it is there to hold the dough together, so you very well may not use all of it. Add flour as needed (even if it is over 1 cup) and keep kneading until you have a soft, non-sticky ball. It usually takes around 5-10 minutes of kneading. Protip: if your bowl is big enough, knead the dough inside the bowl rather than on your counter top in order to expedite clean-up.

Step 4: Put another large pot of water on and let it heat up to a boil as you do Step 5.

Step 5: Cut your ball of dough into 8 even pieces. Roll each piece out into a snake about as thick as your thumb. Cut each dough snake into bite sized pieces-- the size is totally up to your preference.

Step 6: When the water comes to a boil, throw your bite-sized pieces into the boiling water, about 20 at a time. They will hang out at the bottom for a bit before coming to the surface. Let them boil at the surface for 20-30 seconds before taking them out with a slotted spoon and setting them to cool. Repeat with all your pieces until they're all cooked!



Mini Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:
5 packets of cinnamon instant oatmeal (or any flavor)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/4 cup canola oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350*F
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl
Coat a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray
Pour batter into muffin cups
Bake for 15-20 minutes
Allow to cool and enjoy!



Down East Maine Pumpkin Bread
c/o Autumn!
(note from the chef- dogs love this too!)

Ingredients

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup water
• 3 cups white sugar
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

1/4 cup Milk

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained

1/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing

2 Tbsp. Butter, melted

1 cup crushed RITZ Crackers (about 20 crackers)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Add Macaroni to large saucepan boiling water; cook 6 min. or until tender. Drain. Stir in milk and Cheese Sauce Mix.

Pour into greased 8-inch square baking dish. Mix tomatoes and dressing. Top macaroni mixture with tomato mixture. Drizzle butter over cracker crumbs; toss with fork. Sprinkle over tomatoes.

Bake 15 min. or until heated through and crumbs are golden.

Weekend Trip

Hey kids! Happy Thursday, although it is my Friday. Sorry, I don't mean to rub it in. But what I WILL rub in is that fact that I will be enjoying Arby's beef 'n cheddar for dinner tonight. YUM. Why? Well because the BF and I are traveling to his hometown in Connecticut via BWI this evening. Which begs the question: what to wear when spending a weekend with the BFs rents and not look like you're trying too hard.

Ok maybe that wasn't your first question, but it was mine. So here's a sampling of what I'm packing; keep in mind this is a jeans weekend so I'm only packing tops/sweaters (highs in the 70s!)

Also- send me your Friday Foodday submissions today! You know I won't leave you foodless for the weekend- I'll post tomorrow.

J Crew, Merino Whisper Ruffle Sweater, $49.50
I'd pair this with my sterling silver Tiffany's necklace and this belt:

J Crew, Glimmer Sash, $19.50

Gap, Cozy Rib Hoodie, $34.99
This sweatshirt for after dinner or early morning appearences.

Gap, Shawl Cardigan, $39.99
I love this, its kinda dressy but super comfy. And you can layer with a shirt like this:

Old Navy, Striped boat neck tee, $14.50

Nordstrom, Kische open front cardi, $25.90
I'm kind of obsessed with traveling with these sweaters. There are SO easy and bright; plus you can knot it, belt it, or leave it open. Perfect for a quick weekend trip.