Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Laced and Loving It

Yesterday we did rocker.  I hope you loved it.  Today we're going the other direction: lace!  So sweet and delicate but also can be very sexy and professional.  Remember lace very easily can look like a nightgown, find pieces with structure and shape- especially if you wear it to the office.

Also lovebugs, first call for recipes for Friday Foodday!

Donna Morgan, lace dress, $96
Let's say you're meeting his parents out for dinner.  You want to look stylish, sophisticated, beautiful, and classic.  This is your dress.

Asos, mango lace, $42
I love this scalloped hem line.  This is great under a blazer or in summertime with chino shorts.

Note the "mini" in this skirt please! This pattern almost seems architectural doesn't it? Beautiful!

Charlotte Russe, romantic pearls and lace, $6.50
How sweet is this bracelet?  Vintage looking and it doesn't break the bank.

It's all in the details with this top: razor back, zipper, scoop neck, pink underlay.

So what do you think? Feminine yet polished is what I like to keep in mind when looking for lace pieces.  While the item doesn't have to be darted perfectly, I like to shy away from skin tight lace or loose silk/lace combinations.

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Rock it Out

Ever feel like releasing your inner Kelly Clarkson?  You know that sassy rocker girl who is so confident she could wear a paper bag down the street and still look fabulous.  She's a little dangerous, a little rebellious and a lot fabulous.

I know you rock out to your iPod in the shower but it's time to work it down the street.  Try some of these rocker-inspired looks to spice up your day and your confidence!
Mocloth, Quick stud-y heel, $79
So many options for this!!!! jeans, pencil skirt, even a floral dress like Modcloth put it with!

Forever 21, Fab leatherette skirt, $12
If I see this anytime between the hours of 9am and 5pm I will be so so disappointed in you.  This is for girls night only!

Delicate rock chic.

Of course you need the rocker girl version of a cocktail ring!


And finally some ultra rocker nails!!! Thank you Katy Perry!

So are you feeling bold, loud, and ready to rock? I hope so.  This is such a fun way to mix up a wardrobe that might be wound a little too tightly.

Be fabulous today!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Resort Season- So not cool.

Happy Monday lovebugs.  If you're at work today, I'm very sorry and I hope this post will keep you company for a bit.  If you're not, enjoy the extra sleep and take advantage of the whole day!

Today's post stems from one of my pet peeves.  Resort season.  It's when some of my fave stores (I'm looking at you J Crew) whip out bathing suits, sun dresses and flip flops during January and February because that's when people go on vacations and cruises.  Now I don't know about you but I'm currently sitting in Washington, DC with no upcoming vacay in sight on my calendar.  So the thought of bikinis, sun, and hotel are just mean to me! Can I get an amen?

Where am I going with this?  Today I will be featuring a pattern that is usually summer-chic but I'm digging it right now!  So we may not be going on vacation soon but let's enjoy this fun and whimsical pattern: Gingham.





People.  This shirt is $17.  Hello.  Go buy it.  Layer it under a wool gray sweater or try it with skinny jeans untucked!



Asos, Check full skirt, $51
Love this! It's flouncy and the waistband is adorable.  Also loving how the model paired this fem skirt with oxfords.



Asos, Vero Moda short, $48
vertical flat pocket, high waisted, gorgeous color, this is a great piece to have in your wardrobe.


J Crew Factory, Gingham perfect shirt, $54
Look at the darting at the sides of the bust line, this is not your BF's shirt.  It's going be a great fit.

So vacations or not, here is a nice, warm pattern that will remind you Spring isn't too far away.  Try mixing this print into your winter rotation.  Just because you're not getting fabulously tan doesn't mean you can't work it.

Be fabulous today!


Friday, January 14, 2011

Friday Foodday

Hey lovebugs! It's Friday Foodday!  Thanks for a fantastic week and I hope you all have an even better long weekend!




Green Chili Cheddar Biscuits
c/o Rosy Tart

Ingredients
2 cups Bisquick
2/3 cup milk
3 oz cheddar jack cheese, freshly grated
2 tbsp salted butter, melted
2 oz diced roasted green chiles, drained
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 450º. Spray baking sheet.
2. Drop dough by the teaspoon onto sheet.
3. Bake for 10 minutes. Move to cooling grid after 2 minutes out of oven.

Dad's Chili
c/o my dad (obvi)
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. oil                                          
1 lb. lean ground beef                          
1 cup chopped onion                                    
2 cloves of garlic, minced                    
1 cup carrots, finely chopped                       
1 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped 
1 cup celery, finely chopped                         
1 Tbsp. cumin                                              
2 tsp. oregano                                               
2 Tbsp. brown sugar                                    
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. red pepper
1 4 oz can diced tomatoes
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes (with jalapeno’s)
1 12 oz bottle of dark beer (I use Yuengling Porter)
2 1.5 oz cans of black beans
¼  cup of tomato paste
½  tsp of salt
¼  tsp black pepper

Directions
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add ground beef, browning on all sides. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes. Add carrots, bell pepper and celery and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in cumin, oregano, paprika and red pepper and cook for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and beer and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add beans and tomato paste and cook covered for another 15 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, salt and pepper.
Makes eight 1-cup servings.

Bruschetta Dip

Ingredients
4 ounces cream cheese-room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
1 large bunch basil, chopped
1 can artichoke hearts-chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound mozzarella-chopped small
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 loaf french bread
1/4 cup olive oil
garlic powder
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine the cream cheese and sour cream. In a separate bowl, marinate the mozzarella, pepper, salt and balsamic vinegar for about 20 minutes. To the first bowl, add the tomato, basil, artichoke hearts and garlic and stir to combine. Add in the marinated mozzarella and stir. Place the dip in a shallow oven proof bowl and bake for 15 minutes. Pull it out, stir it up and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Place it back in the oven for another 10 minutes. While that is cooking, slice the French loaf, brush it with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic powder and place them on a sheet tray. When the dip is done, switch the oven to "broil" and place the bread under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up. Serve the dip on the warm bread.

Peanut Butter Blondies
Ingredients:
10 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 5 cubes
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup smooth peanut butter
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1.5 cups peanut butter chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Grease a 9×13-inch pan.


In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sugar together until the butter is just melted.  Remove from the burner and allow to cool for 5 minutes, then add the peanut butter.  Stir until incorporated.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes more, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract.  You want the sugar, butter and peanut butter mixture to be cool enough that the eggs won’t begin to cook when they’re added in.  
Whisk together salt, flour and baking powder.  Add dry ingredients all at once to the wet ingredients.  Stir until just incorporated.  Add the peanut butter chips, fold in. Pour the thick batter into the prepared pan and smooth out.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center of the blondies comes out clean.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature.