Epitome of Preppy

Hey there lovebugs! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend full of football, snacks, and friends.  It's getting chillier here in the nation's capital and that means it's my favorite time of year: sweater weather.

While I could go on for days about sweaters and how amazing they are, I wanted to focus today's post on a specific pattern for sweaters: argyle.

Argyle is derived from the tartan of Clan Campbell, of Argyll in Scotland.  It first found its way onto the American fashion scene in 1949 when the president of Brooks Brothers came back from a golf tournament in Scotland with the argyle pattern in hand.  Since then it has symbolized the epitome of preppy.  Seen on socks, sweaters, vests and other garments, argyle has taken off here in the US.


So on the topic of argyle sweaters, here are my recommendations:

QVC, long sleeve argyle button cardigan, $35

This can be belted and paired with a black pencil skirt, or worn on the weekend with a pair of black leggings

Old Navy, Argyle Sweater, $34.50

Lambswool, from Old Navy? Cozy central.

Tommy Hilfiger, Argyle long sleeve V neck, $45

I LOVE the multi-color of this print, makes it so versatile!

Talbots, argyle vest, $45

This bow at the base of the v-neck? So enticing...

Banana Republic, Heritage argyle vest, $79

While I don't love the matching of the shirt underneath, this vest is adorable.  And because the print is larger, you look less like a ladies golfer.

Friday Foodday

You know what day it is! Friday Foodday!  Thanks to everyone who sent in recipes.  If you ever want to be a part of FF just comment, tweet, or email me your recipe.  

Have a great weekend!


Spinach Rolls
c/o Sara!
Ingredients:
-Tortillas (bonus homemade tortilla recipe below for the adventurous)
-Lots of spinach
-Cheese, sliced into thin-ish cubes. Cheese can be whichever you like.... Jack, gouda, etc would be my choice.
-Spicy mustard

Wash your spinach and shred it into smaller pieces, take the stems out. Spread some spicy mustard on a tortilla, then put the desired amount of cheese inside. Be sure to only put it on one side so that rolling the tortilla will be easier. Put a healthy dose of spinach on top. Roll up the tortilla. Slice each tortilla into smaller pieces and spear with a toothpick. Very quick to make and makes a great snack for parties!

Bonus tortilla recipe:
These can be made within half an hour and taste great! 
Ingredients:
4 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
4 tsp olive/vegetable oil
1 1/2 -2 cups warm water

Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. With a fork or pastry cutter, mix the oil into the dry ingredients until it is the consistency of couscous. Add warm water a bit a time and mix/knead until you have a soft, dry ball of dough. Cover and let sit for at least 10 minutes. Sitting is very important! Tear off pieces of dough about the size of a McDonalds hamburger patty and roll on a floured surface until very thin. Heat a skillet on medium-high and place the rolled the tortilla on the heated skillet. Large air bubbles should appear in the dough. When bubbles appear, flip and cook until both sides are done. Place on a plate inside a plastic bag to retain moisture while cooking the rest.

Pizza Puffs

c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup whole milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. garlic/onion powder blend 
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup pizza sauce

Directions:Preheat oven to 375^o. Grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder; stir in the milk and egg.

Stir in the cheese and seasonings and let stand for 10 minutes.

Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, about 25 minutes.

Microwave the pizza sauce until warmed through.  Serve the puffs with the pizza sauce for dipping.

Beer Cheese Soup
c/o THE BF
Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Butter
1/3 Cup Flour
1 ½ Cups Carrots, finely diced
1 ½ Cups Onion, finely diced
1 ½ Cups Celery, finely diced
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
Tabasco
Kosher Salt
Fresh Cracked Pepper
2 Cups Beer
3 Cups Chicken Broth
4 Cups Whole Milk
6 Cups Sharp Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese, grated
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Chives (garnish)
Crumbled Bacon (garnish)
Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 4 – 5 minutes to create a light roux, about the color of a dull penny. Next, add carrots, onion, and celery; sauté until tender, about 7 – 9 minutes. Add garlic, a few dashes of Tabasco, and season with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Slowly add the beer and chicken broth, stir and bring mixture to a slow boil. Add milk, and return to a slow simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat to low; fold in the cheese, mustard, and Worcestershire. Stir until all of the cheese is completely melted – soup should be rich and creamy. Serve.

Spaghetti a la Philly
c/o M&SJ&C

• 3/4 lb spaghetti, cooked as directed on the package
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce (I used Hunt’s Traditional. I love Hunt’s products.)
• 4 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese, cubed
• 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Brown meat in a large skillet, then drain and return meat to skillet.

Stir in spaghetti sauce and cream cheese; stir frequently, and cook on low for 3-5 minutes, or until sauce is well blended and heated through.

Add cooked spaghetti to sauce; mix lightly. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Crap, I forgot my umbrella

Don't you hate that?  Then you end up with a massive pile of 7 umbrellas, mostly ugly little black ones, just laying around at home.  But that's just it, they're ugly.  Why would you want to carry that? Thus the reason that you probably forgot it in your closet/bedroom/garage/or desk in the first place.  You need an umbrella that makes you want to remember it, pick it up and show it off.

Bring it on rain, you look adorable.

(Friday Foodday tomorrow!)

Totes, Clear bubble with dots, $17.60

I love bubble umbrellas because they keep your hair in tact no matter what.  This one is so colorful!

Upscale Pup, Preppy Pooch Umbrella, $29

How can you NOT love this??

The Pink Giraffe, Monogrammed Umbrella, $15

I'm a sucker for monogramming, this one comes in tons of color options!

Leighton, Pumpkin Brella, $29

I just love the shape and color of this one.  Very unique.

Transit Store, NYC subway map, $30

I feel like Kate Spade would carry this umbrella with some Hunter boots

Auto open, waves umbrella, $15

Super girly, and I love the leather hook handle.

Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale

It's rare that I dedicate an entire post to one store or outlet.  Only for very special people like Jess LC or a fantastic sale a la Loft. Today is one of those fantastic sale days!  It's the Nordstrom's half yearly sale for women.

My love of Nordstrom's started when I was just a wee TCB.  My dad used to take me to the King of Prussia Mall (one of God's greatest creations) and I would follow him through the men's department while his trusty personal shopper fitted him in the most beautiful suits and loafers I've ever seen.  Later in life I discovered the shoe department.  There are no words to describe the beauty of this part of the store, but I will say the customer service and the Nordstrom's signature 'bring the shopping bag around the counter to the customer' is something I always cherish.

Here are some of my favorites from this years sale!

Sheath dress, $81

Love the ruffle detail on the shoulder and if you zoom in the dress has a nice curved seam right at the waistline, which makes the sheath dress fit like a glove.

Lucky Brand Kimono Wrap, $39

If this isn't the perfect Saturday throw on, I don't know what is!

Jag Jeans Carla bootcut cords, $40

I love these cords because they come in tons of colors AND they're not skinny fit which makes them great for flats and heels, and a little more work appropriate.

Suzi Chin Maggy jersey dress, $88

Can we just stop for a second on this one?  Ok. Jewel tone heaven, twisted sleeveless detail, empire waist band and a pleated skirt that floats away from the body.  Perfection.

Franco Sarto Fox Loafer, $53

Such a feminine loafer, ultimate prep.

Kate Spade Idiom Bangle, $65

You know I can't say no to something Kate Spade on sale.  This is such a cute bangle and on the inside is a hidden idiom "Sweet Nothings"

Tulle Marley Hooded Coat, $34

Comes in a variety of colors and is a perfect coat for Fall.