See Right Through Me!

Sometimes what material a garment is made out of makes it stands out the most.  Not the pattern or fit but what it is made out of.  Not to be cheesy but isn't that what makes each and everyone of us the most interesting in the room, what we're made of?

There are plenty of options to choose from when making piece of clothing- one great way to make a piece interesting is to make it sheer! Now stay with me, I'm not thinking Playboy sheer, I mean romantic, delicate, intriguing sheer.  Let me explain.

Forever 21, Sheer silk chiffon, $25

I love the neckline of this blouse, and the color makes it that much richer.  

Nordstrom, bellatrix silk chiffon, $78

Tunic structure give this feminine print a little edge.

Nordstrom, Illusion bodice pleated stretch satin, $60

Can we talk about the pleating and wrapping that focuses the eye to the smallest part of the waist?! Genius!

Anthropologie, Slant Stripes Top, $40

Sheer doesn't have to be super dressy, this top is great to wear around town on errands or for brunch with friends.

Sheer can be a great way to add interest to an outfit.  That being said, PLEASE wear the appropriate undergarments.  The point of sheer is not to show the world your goods- wear a cami underneath and work the outfit for what is it not whats underneath!

Be fabulous today!

Teal Me In

Happy Monday all! How was your weekend? Any good sales or steals?  I'd love to hear!  I scored at the J Crew online 40% off sale.  Got some great basics with a flair (sequins of course).

In the past we've talked about specific colors like wine and green- today I want to focus on a really rich and fun color: teal.  This color reminds me of tropical scenery, sandy beaches, everything I need in dull of winter.

Dillard's, Blanca dress, $58

This dress is beyond sexy.  The silk, the one shoulder, the belt, It's gorgeous!

Fossil, Mini Bollywood Necklace, $42

The different shapes on this necklace are so interesting.  The detail and structure is perfect for an LBD.

Forever 21, tier pleated skirt, $25

Perfect party skirt.  The tiers of chiffon are so delicate!

Modcloth, Kid sister heel in teal, $63

Put these with tights and a mini skirt for a guaranteed good night!  Don't believe me? Look how Modcloth models styled these beauties.

Teal is such a rich and fun color to play with in these dreary months.  It can mix with a multitude of neutrals and you can even throw in some neons with the teal.  Try it out!

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

It's Friday y'all!!! I'm so excited.  Mostly because I zero plans and sometimes that's just what you need for a fabulous weekend.


Enjoy the recipes- and remember if you want to be featured, shoot me an email with your delicious creation!


Pralines
c/o Jet Setting Divas

Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 cups of pecans
2 tbsp of butter


Directions
Mix sugar and milk in a heavy 2-quart saucepan
Bring to boil over medium heat (stirring occasionally)until mixture forms a thick syrup.
Add pecans and butter and continue to cook & stir
let cool for 10 minutes.
Use a tablespoon to quickly drop rounded balls onto sheet wax paper
Allow to cool

Should make about 20 pralines! Courtesy of my mother's cookbook!


Braised Short Ribs
c/o Annie

Ingredients

• 5 pounds beef short ribs, bone on 
• Kosher salt 
• Freshly ground black pepper (I like a coarse grind) 
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 
• 1 large onion chopped 
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped 
• 1 celery rib, chopped 
• 2 garlic cloves, skin left on 
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate (comes in a jar; slightly thicker than ketchup) or paste (comes in a block)
• 2 fresh (or dry) bay leaves 
• 1/2 cup Madeira 
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 to 3 cups chicken broth
• 
  
• Directions
• Heat the oven to 225 degrees. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat a large heavy Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the oil, then the short ribs (add them in batches, if necessary) and brown on all sides. Transfer the ribs to a plate as they finish browning. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat.
  2. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic to the pot, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the vegetables are soft and all the browned bits in the base of the pot have been loosened. Put the short ribs (and any juices that have collected on the plate) back in the pot.
  3. Add the light brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, tamarind paste, and bay leaves. Pour in the Madeira and red wine. Add enough chicken broth to just cover the ribs. Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover the pot and transfer to the oven.
  4. Braise the shortribs until they are very tender when pierced with a fork, about 4 hours (longer if the short ribs are big). Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shortribs to a plate. Let the cooking liquid settle; spoon off as much fat as possible (ideally, you'd do this over the course of two days and would, at this point, put the liquid in the fridge overnight and peel off the layer of fat in the morning). Set the pot on the stove over medium high heat. Bring the cooking liquid to a boil and reduce to a syrupy consistency.
  5. Lay a short rib or two in each of 4 wide shallow bowls. Spoon over a little sauce. Serve proudly.
  Meatballs and Noodles in a Cream Sauce
  c/o M&SJ+C
  
  Ingredients
  1 pound ground beef (85% or so)
  1 package garlic and herb Boursin cheese
  Salt and pepper
  Vegetable oil
  1 onion, chopped fine
  2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  3 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  8 ounces egg noodles
  1/4 cup white wine
  1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
  Directions
  Combine beef, 5 tablespoons Boursin cheese, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl and knead gently until combined. Form mixture into 1 inch meatballs. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook meatballs until well browned all over, about 5 minutes. Transfer meatballs to plate and pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pan.
  
  Cook onion in reserved fat until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in flour and cook until golden, about 1 minute. Add broth, noodles, and wine and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to med-low, and cook, stirring often, until pasta begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add meatballs and simmer, covered, until meatballs are cooked through and noodles are al dente, about 4 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in remaining Boursin cheese and chives. Season with salt and pepper.
  Cake Batter Cookies
  c/o Stephanie Cooks
  
  Ingredients
  1 (18.25 oz.) box cake mix
  1 tsp. baking powder
  2 eggs
  1/2 cup vegetable oil
  1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  Directions
  1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2-In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix and baking powder. Add eggs and oil, then mix until well blended. (It was a bit crumbly for me so I used my hands to really mix it well- it's not as smooth as typical dough.)
   3-Stir in chocolate chips, or your choice of additions. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheets.
  4- Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.  Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  
  
  Be fabulous today!

The It List!

Happy Friday and welcome back to another endlessly inspiring IT list... there is truly something for everyone here, so get clicking!

• rose a la mode is on vacation at the beach... and of course looking ever so stylish while there!  I love this outfit... what I wouldn't give to be walking on the beach! (get more of rose a la mode on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy is having a little celebration over on her blog and is giving away a one-year subscription to either martha stewart living or real simple... head on over to enter.  These are definitely two of my most favorite glossies! (get more of a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• much to my delight reorganized her pantry using ball jars. Swoon!  Vintage inspired organization at it's best!
• merci blah blah looks fabulous (as always, but especially) in this breton strip top... hello gorgeous long skirt!
• capital barbie is embracing scalloping in fashion... it's so fun and feminine, it's hard not to be drawn to it. I love these red scalloped pumps! (get more of capital barbie on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style always brings the best inspiration on a monday morning... this jade-like chain necklace had me at hello.  (get more of sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• good life for less launched a fabulous e-book... "50 things every woman must own..." They are selling like hot-cakes, get your copy now! (get more of good life for less on twitter!)
• a delightful design just started a fun new series called "ask abby" - check out this week's question or submit a question about interior design yourself! (get more of a delightful design on twitter!)
• rosy + tart is giving away a $25 giftcard to modcloth.  Hello spring shopping!  Enter the giveaway and check out her spring picks right away! (get more of rosy + tart on twitter!)
• undeniable style is paying homage to style icon jane birkin.  It's no wonder this lovely lady has one of the most coveted handbags named after her! (get more of undeniable style on twitter!)
• good tots starts a weekly series featuring etsy sellers that carry fun goods for kids... this week's featured seller sells the most adorable Valentine's heart confetti. Must have!
• the hillside home is pulling together inspiration for her great room. I am loving the sophisticated yet cozy blue color she has chosen for her wall.  Check out the whole inspiration on her blog!
• a fashion fixation pulls together a very simple but very stylish outfit for a road-trip. I love the use of a belt here! (get more of a fashion fixation on twitter!)
• yams designs delivers big time inspiration this week... all in black and white (remember last week it was technicolor?).  You have just got to see what she has pulled together! (get more of yams designs on twitter!)
• one hundred inspirations is definitely thinking spring this week... they recreate this fun whitney port look for less than $85!  What a deal!

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!