Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Classic Shirt

The classic white button down is one of the most important items in any wardrobe. Period.  Why? Let me count the ways.


  1. It will stand the test of any trend, style, or passing fashion obsession
  2. It is the definition of clean, crisp, and put together
  3. It can be worn $300 suit OR a $30 pair of jeans
  4. Do you really need more?
Every woman should have at least one standard button down in white.  The variations on this masterpiece are also something to experiment with.  Today I'm going to show you some of my favorite not-so-traditional button down whites.

Rugby, Skinny Ryder Shirt, $60
I love the detachable sash on this shirt and the french cuffs give it an extra bit of wow.

7 for all mankind, piecing top, $69
Like I said, sometimes you need a clean and crisp shirt for the weekend.  This is it.  

I LOVE this tuxedo pleat style.  Can you picture it with a bold pencil skirt? Yum.

Nordstrom, Tahari Tundra blouse, $59.50
Besides the fact that this model looks like she's about to sneeze; look at the great rouching and darting down the torso.  This is going to bring attention up from any problem mid-section areas and showcase your beautiful collarbone.

The white button down will serve so many purposes for you.  Work, play, dress up, relax, you name it.  The best part about it is your ability to have fun with it.  Metallic skinny belt it or go for a emerald green drop earring.  So many possibilities.

Also, for my more well-endowed friends out there.  You know who you are.  Fear not! The ultimate button down pucker solution!!!!!  No See 'ems I swear by 'em.

Be fabulous today!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Clutching

Hey lovebugs! Happy Monday to you.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Since last week we talked about your go-to bag, I wanted to give a little love to a night out bag, which for me it always a clutch.  I don't want anything over my shoulder, giving me a bicep work out while I'm out and about.  Clutches fit everything I need for a night out and they fit under your arm or on a table.

Here are my picks!

Urban Expressions, Sandra, $50
This one comes in lots of colors for you to choose.  I bet I could stuff everything I needed in there plus a camera.

Ralph Lauren, Acadian Clutch, $85
I'm loving the crocodile on this clutch, it's simple yet classic.

This is a handmade clutch with a silver clasp on the top.  I LOVE it for daytime weekend.

Angela Huse, Large clutch, $44
Love is an understatement with this pattern.  And it's an oversized clutch so put all you want in it!

I love sparkle and I LOVE this bag with skinny jeans or an LBD.

So that's what I would like in a clutch.  You don't need a bottomless pit purse for evening, in fact, it kinda makes you look crazy.  Put the essentials in a feminine clutch and you will be set for the night!  The best part about this style is that the fabrics, trends, and options are endless! There is a style for everyone.

Be fabulous today!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday Foodday

Hey lovebugs! It's Friday Foodday and have I got some great recipes for you this week!
Wanna get in on the love? Send me your recipe and I would love to feature it!


Chicken Parm

Ingredients
2 tsp Olive Oil
1/2 cup White Onion

1 medium raw Green-bell Pepper
3 cloves Garlic Clove
2 tsp Oregano, Dried
28 oz Organic Crushed Tomato With Basil
1 tbsp Organic Tomato Paste
1/2 cup Panko Crumbs
1 tbsp Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese  
1/2 tsp Thyme, Dried
1 2/5 g Sea Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
16 oz Chicken Breast
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard Note : I do not like Mustard, so I use egg!
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, part-skim, shredded
2 1/2 oz Organic Whole Wheat Penne
1/4 cup Basil, Fresh



Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and saute 3 to 5 minutes, until vegetables are soft. Add 1 tsp oregano and stir to coat. Cook 30 seconds, until oregano is fragrant. Add tomatoes and tomato paste and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, partially cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, in a shallow dish, combine panko, Parmesan, remaining 1 tsp oregano, thyme, salt and black pepper. Mix with a fork to combine. Brush both sides of each chicken breast with Dijon. Transfer each breast to panko mixture and turn to coat both sides. Arrange chicken on prepared baking sheet. Coat surface of chicken with cooking spray. Bake 20 minutes.

4. Top each chicken breast with 2 to 3 Tbsp tomato sauce and 2 Tbsp mozzarella. Return chicken to oven and bake 10 minutes more, until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Arrange pasta on a serving plate and top with remaining tomato sauce. Serve chicken with pasta on the side, garnishing both with basil.


Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry

Ingredients
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 medium Vidalia onion, sliced thin
1 large bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salt and pepper
2/3 cup sugar-free teriyaki sauce
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions
Heat a large nonstick saute pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add the sesame oil.  Add the onion and asparagus, and sitr-fry until the vegetables are almost tender, about 6 minutes.  Season the shrimp with salt and pepper to taste, and add them to the pan.  Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often.  Add the stir-fry sauce.  When the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce is hot (after about 2 minutes), stir in the basil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired, serve.



Ingredients
3 zucchini (1 lb.)
1/4 cup  KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 pkt. SHAKE 'N BAKE Chicken Coating Mix
1   egg
1/2 cup KRAFT Mayo with Olive Oil Reduced Fat Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp.  lemon zest
1 small garlic clove, minced (about 1/2 tsp.)

Directions
HEAT oven to 450ºF.
TRIM zucchini. Cut crosswise in half, then cut each piece into 1/4-inch matchlike sticks. Add cheese to coating mix in shaker bag; shake gently to combine. Whisk egg in medium bowl. Add zucchini; toss to coat. Use tongs to place 1/4 of the zucchini in shaker bag; close bag and shake to evenly coat. Spread onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Repeat with remaining zucchini.
BAKE 12 to 13 min. or until golden brown, turning after 7 min. Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients.

Hope you all enjoyed!!
Be fabulous today!

                                It's in the Bag

                                Hey lovebugs!


                                A Hasty Life is gathering over 100 bloggers to do one simple thing: let people inside their purse! So I took some pictures (they're not so great, there's a reason I don't photograph things for this blog) but I hope you enjoy what's inside my purse!




                                A Hasty Life



                                This is my purse.  Dooney and Burke brown with gold hardware.  A gift from my mom.

                                The inside!!! 

                                The contents.  Not so scary right? And yes that is my foot in the bottom left hand corner.

                                1. Kate Spade wallet.  

                                2. White ribbon, I always carry one in case I put my hair up.

                                3. Keys!

                                4. Purse holder.  Tacky? Kinda.  Jealous? Every other woman at Happy Hour is!

                                5. Pen, hand sanitizer, lip glosses, and chap stick



                                1. Kindle.  I take it everywhere, I love it!

                                2. Reusable bag.  In DC we have a 5 cent tax on plastic bags so I bring my own.

                                3. Cole Haan sunglasses







                                1. Monogrammed business card holder.  

                                2. Black leather gloves

                                3. Gap City flats.  I walk a mile to work everyday so I toss my heels in my bag and wear these lifesavers to work.







                                I hope you enjoyed! That's my go to bag in all it's glory.  Anything catch your eye?

                                Be fabulous today!