Tweed and Leather

Hey there lovebugs. I'm so sorry I missed you all yesterday. As you know I had surgery on my foot yesterday morning and I was in a sedated sleep for the rest of the day. Everything went very well and now it's just about getting rest and not walking, like at all. So I would like you to know that I hopped (yes jumped up and down on one foot) from my 5th floor apartment down to the 2nd floor free wifi library just to give you lovely lovely beauties a post. Dedication.

Don't forget to send me some recipes for tomorrow Friday Foodday, I couldn't do it with out you!

Today I'm going to talk about a trend that I really am warming up to: leather and tweed. Weird combo but in the appropriate setting I think it looks super chic.

Avenue, Tweed blazer, $50

OK minus these weird gloves she's wearing I really like the detailing on the hem

ShapeFX, control leather pants, $79

I love these pants. I feel like these legs just walked off of the runway!

ShapeFX, control tweed pants, $29!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not much for highwaisted pants because, well the pooch situation. But these pants come with built-in tummy, rear, and hip liner that slims, slims, and slims.

Leather Coats Etc, ladies fashion coat, $70

I'm loving the side zipper on this coat. If you're willing to spend a little more than TCB budget (<100)>

GUESS, Tweed Boucle Jacket, $79

Two button, pocket detailing, heaven.

LOFT, Shiri OTK Boot, $109 (use code GOFORIT for an extra 30% off)

The elusive OTK boot. I like this one for its rounded tow and thicker heels making it more appropriate for daytime.

Heels heels heels

Today as is my final day with the left foot I was born with. Dramatic? Yes. Lies? Nope.

As I mentioned yesterday, tomorrow I will have a bunion removed from my foot. Now for those of you who are wondering what will happen, I will tell you. Or I'll just tell you anyway because I want sympathy.

They will break the base of my big toe bone and shave off the excess bone. Super gross. I'll be in a really stylish walking boot for 30 days and hopefully will not need crutches. I've read it's a fairly painful recovery so let's give a big round of applause to the BF for his future nursing dedication to me over the next week. Wooooohooooo!

Today's post is dedicated to beautiful heels. Dressy heels, casual heels, work heels, kitten heels, all heels. Wear them proudly, roll your shoulders back and embrace your beauty in heels. Heels that I too will wear with you ASAP.

Nine West, Ambitious, $68

Every woman should own one pair of gorgeous red heels. I like these because they're a deep wine color and the texture is just beautiful

Nine West, Frenuous Grey, $63

never underestimate the power of a good kitten heel. Especially one with this much personality.

Modcloth, Yes I Twill, $63

Very Mad Men. Chic, Professional with a mod flare.

Mossimo, kamiah, $30

This shoe is dying for a mini skirt.

Merona, Reta Platform, $33

Can we all visualize this with a chocolate brown cord skirt and a chunky knit white sweater? Oh yes.

Kate Spade, Twirl Karolina, $350

Hey a girl can dream right?

Parisian Prep

This weekend I was reading my Elle when I came across a great new trend that I love. Parisian prep. Of course I loved all of Elle's suggestions but spending $450 on a cardigan is just a touch out of my budget. So I wanted to give you all some ideas on what I had in mind on a more TCB related price point!

Modcloth, Gift of Gab, $57.99

I really like this cardigan because of the v-neck. And the bow is outlined in sequins!

DKNY, Seasonless pleated skirt, $79

As the title suggests: seasonless. It should also say timeless.

Forever 21, Denim Naval Blazer, $32

Naturalizer, Cognac leather heel, $49.99

Wait what? Naturalizer, like the old lady shoe? Yes. Look at the detailing and the bow and the kitten heel. Yes!

Halogen, Silk ruffle blouse, $39.90

Simple and elegant, also a great waist hem so it doesn't cling.

Also TCBers:

As we have gotten closer over the last few months I thought you should know about something going on in my life this week. Bunionectomy. Yes. Get excited. Because this week, in addition to lovely fashion finds, I will also be doing a new segment called.......(drumroll)......

Bunion Watch 2010

Now, before you read any further, I would like to caution you with one thing: please please please if you want to know more about what a bunion is, do not, for any reason whatsoever, google image bunion. OMG it is so gross to look at people's nasty feet. Please, stick to WebMD and the like.

So, Wednesday, I will be having surgery on my foot to remove a bunion. Why? Well one because it hurts like crazy and two because I haven't been able to fit my foot in a heel for months. So sad. For today's bunion watch post I wanted to show you why this surgery is important.

This is a pretty shoe:

This is a shoe I would love to wear with a black pencil skirt patterned tights and a white cardigan. But I can't because my foot just hates me.

This is what I have been wearing for the last 6 months:

It's fine. But that's just it. It's just fine. Nothing wow about it, just gets the job done.

So, surgery is Wednesday. Get ready.

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday Foodday lovebugs! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and I can't wait to talk to you again next week.

Remember you can always submit your recipes by email, comment or tweet!

Holiday Pumpkin Muffins
c/o Sara
2 cups flour
1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 egg
3/4 cup canned solidly packed pumpkin
1/2 cup melted butter/margarine
1/2 cup buttermilk
Preheat oven to 390 F. This can be made as muffins or bread. Whichever your fancy, grease the appropriate pan. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. In a medium sized bowl, blend remainder of ingredients until well mixed. Stir into dry ingredients until just blended. FIll prepared pan/muffin tins with batter. Bake muffins 15-18 minutes. Cool in pan or on a wire rack.

To make a simple glaze, combine 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 1/2-2 Tbsp milk. Stir thoroughly and drizzle on top of muffins.

Easy Tomato Bake Chicken

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)

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

1/4 cup KRAFT Light Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

PREHEAT oven to 425ºF. Place onions in bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish; top with chicken.

COMBINE tomatoes, dressing and garlic powder; pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese.

BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through (165ºF).

White Pizza with Mushrooms and Broccoli

2 Tbsp. butter, divided
6 ounces mushrooms, sliced
8 ounces broccoli florets
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 cup low fat milk
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, divided
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan, divided
Pizza crust

Directions:

1. Place pizza stone or baking sheet in center of oven, and heat to 425 degrees F.

2. Melt 1 1/2 tsp. margarine in skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook 4 to 7 minutes, or until beginning to brown, stirring frequently. Add broccoli and 1/3 cup water. Cover tightly, and steam broccoli in skillet 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender.

3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp. margarine in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour, and cook 2 minutes, or until pale golden, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, garlic and salt. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until mixture thickens and begins to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup mozzarella and 2 Tbsp. Parmesan until sauce is smooth and cheese is melted.

4. If using homemade dough, shape pizza dough according to package directions. Remove pizza stone from oven, and place dough on hot stone.

5. Spread white sauce over dough to within 1/2-inch of edge, and top with broccoli mixture. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over top. Return to oven, and bake 18 to 20 minutes, or until edges of pizza are golden and center is hot and bubbly. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Pink Ribbon Hope Cookies