Striped and Saturated

Today, DC is expecting...brace yourself...1-3 inches of snow.  OMG.  While that may seem like nothing- well it is.  But, DC has a tendency to freak out about snow much like a child before going to the dentist.

This cold weather makes me crave deep saturated colors to keep me warm and cozy.  I'm talking purples, merlots, chocolates, and burgundies.  But what I'm also loving with these deep, rich colors is stripes.  Something unexpected with an otherwise anticipated color palate.  Let me explain:

Calvin Klein, Striped ponte skirt, $69

Start with this fabulous pencil skirt and pair it with...

Jones NY, Tie Sweater, $35

Pair the stripes with this classic sweater with a feminine bow detail.

Loft, Striped Boatneck Sweater, $49

Start with this.  Look how the shoulder stripe extends to the top of the arm, giving you a beautiful neckline.

Canvas, slim leg cords, $19

These aubergine cords are delicious with a casual striped sweater! And the price? Hello, can we talk about the price?

BCBG, Sleeveless metallic dress, $84

Hey, it's stripes and sparkle.  Now pair it with these...

Aldo, Depalma Bordo, $58

Great heel, great color, perfect for a pedicure.

Aren't you loving stripes now?  Me too.  I think they are very underrated.  If you don't love thick stripes try it out in a nautical trend first and ease in.  Something like this.

Be fabulous today!

Ann + Sale = Love

Happy Monday lovebugs!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  I spent a little bit of time reading my new Lucky mag and I was very disappointed to see very few things I could afford! Now I know, Lucky features some gorgeous and items and I love to read it every month, but this issue saddened me because I saw only a handful of items under $100!

So, in honor of frugal fashion, I wanted to make sure you all saw the Ann Taylor semi-annual sale going on right now!  And no, I'm by no means sponsored by Ann at all (yes we are on a first name basis, but I think it's just one-sided) but you all do know how I love the store. So today I want to show you some of my fave pieces on sale.

Ann Taylor, Charmeuse halter, $59

helloooo drama! This could be the perfect top for date night, black tie, OR under a blazer for a meeting at work.

Ann Taylor, Modern cowl neck sweater, $49

LOVE this neckline.  If you don't want to do a necklace, pair this with a skinny belt and statement earrings.

Ann Taylor, Kendra oxford covered pump, $79

This is CEO central.

Ann Taylor, Flower stud earrings, $19

So delicate and light, but still bring the bling.

If you think I'm encouraging you to go pantless this winter by not including any bottoms in this post, I'm not. But, to be honest, the sale did not have pants for all shapes and sizes.  Don't get me wrong they had some fab glen-plaid trousers, tropical wool, and more, but only sizes 00 or 18.  I'm not trying to trick you so I skipped over those.  You might have better luck with sizes in the store, but if you're looking to stock up on sweaters- this is the sale for you!!

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday!

Hey there lovebugs! It's been a great week here at TCB. I got the Stylish Blogger Award and we made it onto the "It List"! Thank you so much for your continued support and help with making this blog successful! 

But today is the day we put fashion aside.  You know why.  Because it's Friday Foodday!!!!

Tex Mex Chicken Pot Pie
c/o Dad

Ingredients
8 cups Chicken Stock (see related recipe)
1 cup + 3 Tbsp Bob's Red Mill Organic Medium Grind Cornmeal, divided
2 green onions, chopped finely, divided
4 Tbsp Chipotle Lime Finishing Butter
1 pkg (16 oz) Tex Mex Blend
1/4 cup Food You Feel Good About Fire-Roasted Poblano Peppers
3 1/2 cups cooked chicken from Chicken Stock, shredded
1 pkg (8 oz) Shredded Sharp Cheddar

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


1. Add stock to stockpot; bring to rolling boil on MEDIUM-HIGH. Cook 1 hour on low boil, until stock is reduced by half (4 cups total). Reserve 1 cup.
2. Add 3 cups of hot stock to large saucepan on MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Slowly add 1 cup cornmeal, stirring constantly, bringing to a low boil. Cook and stir about 5 min, until mixture is smooth and thickened.
3. Fold half the chopped green onions into cornmeal. Remove from heat; let stand while preparing remainder of recipe.
4. Place chipotle finishing butter in an oven-ready skillet; heat on MEDIUM. Stir in 3 Tbsp cornmeal until mixture is bubbling. Raise heat to MEDIUM-HIGH. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 min; watch carefully to prevent scorching.
5. Add Tex Mex blend, peppers, and reserved cup of stock to skillet; stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, 4 min, or until sauce thickens.
6. Turn off heat. Fold chicken and remaining green onions into mixture until well-mixed. Smooth surface evenly.
7. Fold shredded cheddar into cornmeal/onion mixture and spread over Tex-Mex mixture, smoothing over surface, as if frosting a cake.
8. Transfer skillet to oven. Bake 30-35 min, until golden brown on top and edges bubble. Rest 10-15 min for easy scooping.
 
 
 

Spinach Dip Chicken
c/o Stephanie Cooks
Ingredients:

2 thin chicken breasts
1/3 cup panko (or bread crumbs)
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 egg
Cooking spray
1/2 cup spinach dip (or any variety you have)

Directions:
1- Heat the oven to 350.
2- In a bowl, beat the egg.
3- On a separate plate combine the panko (or bread crumbs) and garlic powder.
4- Dip the chicken in the egg, then in the breading.
5- Place in a dish that's been sprayed with cooking spray. Lightly cover coated chicken with cooking spray.
6- Bake for 10 minutes.
7- Remove from the oven, top with the spinach dip. Return to the oven- bake until chicken is cooked through and the dip is hot.

Twice Baked Sweet Potato
c/o AnnieBakes

Ingredients
5 medium sweet potatoes

1/2 cup cranberry sauce
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup pecan pieces, lightly toasted
Directions
-Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Scrub potatoes; rinse and pat dry. Pierce all over with a fork. Place potatoes on oven rack and bake for 1 hour or until tender.

-Cut each potato in half lengthwise and using a spoon, scoop the pulp from each potato half, leaving a 1/4 inch shell. Place pulp in a mixing bowl, set aside the shells.
-Using a potato masher, mash pulp until smooth. Stir in cranberry sauce, dried cranberries and butter. Spoon mixture into each potato shell. Place, filled sides up in a baking pan, sprinkle with pecans. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
-To serve, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, uncovered for 30-45 minutes or until heated through.
 
 

Snicker-free Snickerdoodle
c/o Nikki
 
Ingredients:
2-3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted, softened butter
1-1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt into a small bowl.Put butter and 1-1/2 cups sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Mix in eggs. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture.


Stir together cinnamon and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Shape dough into small balls (around 20); roll in cinnamon sugar. Space 3 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake cookies, rotative sheets halfway through, until edges are golden, about 12-15 minutes. Let cook on sheets on wire racks.
 
 
 
 
Be fabulous today!

I'm on the IT List!!!

Welcome back to 2011's first installment of the IT list... and it's a great start to the New Year for sure! There are some great new additions to the list and a few standbys as well! Take some time to visit each of these amazing blogs!

• capital barbie compiles the best of trouser jeans that are super budget friendly! This is a classic style that is swinging back into style and is so flattering, check out her picks! (like what you see?find capital barbie on twitter!)
• one hundred inspirations starts the New Year right with this simple but stylish look from January Jones, all on an affordable budget, of course!
• the hillside home did her homework and found us the most mouth watering cinnamon roll recipe out there... mmmm, a perfect winter treat!
• a spot of whimsy featured these gorgeous 'dream girl' prints. the 'migration' print with cranes really caught my eye! so gorgeous and whisical, of course! (like what you see? find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style has already spotted early spring trends popping up on retailers websites... she is loving the classic camel and denim combo that H&M is peddling, and so am I! (like what you see? find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• rosy + tart came up with a super simple recipe for these gruyere and cracked pepper biscuits. Oh my! Comfort food at it's finest! (like what you see? follow rosy + tart on twitter!)
• good tots! pulls together the ultimate maternity outfit that exudes comfort and style. The perfect combo!
• fashion fixation goes with a bold red/coral top to brighten up any winter day. For the win! I love this outfit! (like what you see? find fashion fixation on twitter!)
• undeniable style is lusting after these ultra feminine sweater and skirt combos. It's impossible not to and what a great outfit idea for winter. (like what you see? follow undeniable style on twitter!)
• a delightful design has great tips on how to dress your home for winter. I couldn't agree more... a home definitely needs more coziness in the winter. (like what you see? find a delightful design on twitter!)
• good life for less translates the spring trend of ultra-flared jeans into simple and stylish everyday outfits! (like what you see? follow good life for less on twitter!)
• much to my delight resolves to eat better breakfasts each morning (I can relate to that!)... and these delicious, healthy and simple mini-frittatas makes the resolution look very tasty!

the IT list is published weekly by jill of the good life for less... for more information on how you can be involved... click here!