Rainy Monday Smiles

Happy Monday everyone! Here in DC it is chilly and rainy for the next two days and all I want to do is put PJs on and crawl back under the covers. My weekend was super busy but productive, how about yours?

Congratulations to my lovely DC Alphas for a fabulous recruitment this weekend; I was so lucky to be a part of it!

For me this weekend was full of dog sitting, packing up the apartment, helping with recruitment, and finally moving the apartment up to the storage unit. I'm feeling sleepy and a bit worn this morning so I'm going to skip the fashion today and try to give you some inspiration on this gloomy day. Thank Etsy for all of these wonderful artists!

Ode to Cupcake


You're Fab


Clock Necklace

Love

You are love

Love letter

Lemons

Friday Foodday

Guys! Great news! It's Friday Foodday! Wooohooo!!!

I hope you all have wonderful weekends planned. Mine will be full of recruitment for my old sorority at GW, one last Nats game and making the BF sweat it out with me while we move some of my stuff to the storage unit. Enjoy the sunshine and try out some of these great recipes!

If you want to recommend a recipe, please do! Email me, comment below or tweet me with the recipe!

Mac 'N Cheese Pie

What You Need

1 pkg. (14 oz.) KRAFT Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

2 cups small broccoli florets

4 Eggs

1 pkg. (6 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Smoked Ham, chopped

1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar & Monterrey Jack Cheeses

HEAT oven to 350°F.

COOK Macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 2 min.; drain.

BEAT eggs in small bowl; stir in Cheese Sauce. Add to Macaroni mixture with ham; mix well. Spoon into 9-inch pie plate sprayed with cooking spray; top with shredded cheese.

BAKE 30 min. or until macaroni mixture is set in center and top is golden brown.

cheesecake-marbled brownies

c/o Annie

Brownie batter
1 stick (1/2 cup or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup all-purpose flour

Cheesecake batter
8 ounces cream cheese, well softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Plus
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Make brownie batter: Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Heat butter and chocolate in a 3-quart heavy saucepan — though I did mine double-boiler style, placing the mixing bowl I was using over simmering water, thereby creating one less dirty dish and melting the chocolate more gently — over moderately low heat, whisking occasionally, just until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, eggs, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until well combined. Whisk in flour until just combined and spread in baking pan.

Make cheesecake batter: Whisk together cheesecake batter ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Dollop over brownie batter, then swirl in with a knife or spatula.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over cheesecake/brownie batter swirl. Although it might be more logical to just mix them into the cheesecake batter (and feel free to do this, it will have no ill-effect) I thought it might interrupt the swirl-ability of it.

Bake brownies: Bake until edges are slightly puffed and center is just set, about 35 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
1/4 lb diced ham
1 Cups cooked shredded chicken breast
1.5 Tablespoons butter
1/8 Cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
1 2/3 cups of chicken broth
2 Cups cooked rice of choice
1/4 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 Cup shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat oil into a large 5 qt rimmed skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in garlic, ham and chicken. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Melt butter then stir in flour, salt and pepper until combined.

Slowly stir in chicken broth until well combined. Stir in cooked rice then transfer to a baking dish.

Top with cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Cover the dish with foil the last 10 minutes for oozing cheese.

Anniversary Night Out

This post is inspired by my dear co-worker turned great friend, Autumn. This weekend she and her husband will be celebrating their one year wedding anniversary and she asked me what to wear to dinner.

It got me thinking, what's romantic, semi-casual, sexy, and comfortable for a dinner night out? Especially now when you need to start weaning yourself off of summer dresses.

Here's some of my ideas for a romantic night out. Congratulations Autumn!

Rachel Roy, Matrix Drapped Dress, $89

Modcloth, Days of Wine and Ruffles Dress, $52.99

Mossimo, one shoulder special occasion dress, $13.98

Maggy London, Embellished stretch satin sheath dress, $81.90

JCPenny, Embellished belt v-neck black dress, $39.99

Suit Up!

Yesterday I told you what I wore to an event on the Hill. But what I didn't do is give you some options for suits that aren't stuffy! Now, this goes above my less than $100 rule for this blog but suits are a little more expensive, and if they fit correctly they're a piece you can break up and where for a very long time. Hope you enjoy!

JC Penny, Nine & Co 5 button skirt suit, $79.99
I'd pair with red heels to break it up, and use the blazer with jeans for casual Fridays






(I love this tie!)








Anne Klein, Taupe Plaid Suit, $142.99








(I LOVE the seaming on the waist of this jacket and the one button)











The Limited, Novelty Suit, together $142.74



Tahari, Bow Collar Jacket with Belt and Skirt, $139.99
And My favorite! Feminine, belted, skirt, and sale!!!