Monday, February 14, 2011

Canvas & Leather

Happy Monday & Happy Valentines Day lovebugs,
How was your weekend?  Mine was exciting.  My sister and I went up to Buffalo to surprise my grandpa for his 90th birthday!  Wild!

Do you have plans for tonight? Special date night? Rom-com night in?

Today's topic is leather and canvas bags.  They are such a great mix because they are casual and tough.  Most of these styles are either tote or shoulder bags which also makes them super easy to throw everything into.


Lands End Canvas, Washed Tote, $50
This is a fantastic weekend bag.  Errands, brunch, you name it.

Urban Outfitters, BDG Canvas Tote Bag, $68
Great double handle options here.  Reminds me of a chic school bag!

I love the hardware on this bag.  It's the perfect amount of girly and utility.

Michael Stars, Asymmetry Clutch, $80
Oh hey there unexpected! How great is this little bag?

So remember canvas and leather are great for casual-ready-for-anything outings.  They're versatile and durable!  

Be fabulous today

Friday, February 11, 2011

Friday Foodday

Oh man, I don't know about you but this week was a slow one.  I'm looking forward to the weekend and hopefully making some people smile.

Want your recipe featured for Friday Foodday? Email me!

Grilled Pepper Cheese Sandwich
c/o Annie
Ingredients

For Pepper Cheese Spread: 12 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, 6 ounces roasted piquillo peppers, 4 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup good prepared mayonnaise 
For the sandwich: 2 slices good sandwich bread, 1 tablespoon butter (give or take)
Directions
  • Break the cheese into large chunks and put it in the bowl of your food processor. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse gravel.
  • Add peppers and garlic to food processor. Process until mixture is finely chopped.
  • Add mayonnaise, and process until the mixture is smooth. Put into a container for refrigerator storage.
  • Lightly butter both sides of the bread and preheat a cast iron skillet.
  • Place two slices of bread in the skillet and heat until lightly toasted. Turn over bread.
  • Spread about 1/3 c. cheese mixture onto one of the toasted bread surfaces. Place other slice of bread onto the cheese, toasted side facing cheese.
  • Cook sandwich, turning, until exterior is toasted and cheese is melty.

Cookie Dessert Pizza
Ingredients

1 tube sugar cookie dough
1- 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
fruit of choice
toffee chips
caramel sauce

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Roll cookie dough onto a pizza pan or a cookie sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Let cool.  Mix together cream cheese, brown sugar, canilla and sugar.  Spread over cooled cookie dough.  Then top with your favorite fruit, toffee chips, and drizzle with caramel.


Spiced Chipotle Honey Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 Tbs olive oil
4 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbs honey, plus more for drizzling
1 Tbs apple cider vinegar
1 1/4 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
chopped cilantro, for garnish

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Place the sweet potatoes in a medium bowl.

In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, chipotles, garlic, honey, vinegar, salt, cumin, and cinnamon.  Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 teaspoons of the paste.  Toss with the sweet potatoes.

Scatter the potatoes on the bottom of a roasting pan, and bake 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, rub the chicken breasts with the remaining paste.

Stir the potatoes.  Carefully place the chicken on top of the sweet potatoes, and continue to roast until the chicken is just cooked through (registers 165 on an instant read thermometer), about 15-20 minutes longer

Divide the potatoes and chicken evenly among serving plates and drizzle with remaining honey and garnish with cilantro.


Vegetable Fritters
Ingredients
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sugar
1 large egg(s), beaten
1/2 cup(s) buttermilk
1 medium sweet red pepper(s), cored, seeded and quartered
6 medium mushroom(s), trimmed and coarsely chopped
1 small onion(s), trimmed and quartered
1 Tbsp chives, minced
2 large egg white(s), beaten until stiff
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste 

Directions
In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar.

In a small bowl, stir together egg and buttermilk. Stir into flour mixture.

By hand or in a food processor, mince together pepper, mushrooms, onion and chives; add to flour mixture. Gently fold in egg whites. Season to taste.

Warm a large, nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Drop fritters by heaping tablespoons onto skillet, allowing an inch between fritters. Cook 3 to 5 minutes on one side, flip and cook until cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes more. Yields about 5 fritters per serving.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Mission: V Day

Hey lovebugs!

It's almost the weekend- we're so close!  And it is a special weekend coming up: Valentine's Day.  Do you have a date planned with your man or maybe a girls night of Sex and the City? In my opinion, both are equally necessary to dress up for!  I'm thinking sassy dresses.  Show off  your legs and put on some heels.  Here are my picks for whatever you have planned.

This dress is unforgettable.  The lines, the details, the sweet colors mixed with the sexy neckline- just gorgeous.  

Ann Taylor, Petal Neck Sheath, $60
Look at this little sheath! I'd buy some Spanx to go with but oo la la!

Nordstrom, Jessica Simpson Kendale, $78
SO sweet and flirty!!!!! And not super tall, perfect for working your strut.

If all else fails- put these beauties on and relax.  I love you, you love you, Happy Valentine's Day.

So whether you're out on the town, with your girls, or relaxing alone, give yourself a hug and maybe a box of chocolates this Valentine's Day!

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Flowers? For me?

Florals are just as relevant in the dead of winter as they are in the middle of summer.  They add embellishment and interest to an outfit.  Florals need to be tailored to fit the season however; your cotton light pink floral tank is not going to do well even with a cardi over it right now.  Try changing the palate or maybe the cut of the piece.  Look for more structure in the winter whereas in the spring and summer, loose and casual is the way to go.

Banana Republic, Silk floral slit neck, $52 with code (BRSUPER25)
I really like the mix of charcoal with orange and pink.  Plus its got a great shrunken pocket detail on the top.

Anthropologie, Wispy Blooms Scarf, $54
Where to begin with this beauty? I like this with an LBD, under a trench, as a headband, and tied to my handbag.  Do it all scarf!

Modcloth, Bright up your alley, $70
This dress is darling! Even though the print is bold, you can really have fun with accessories.  Try a wide black belt and some great tights!

Floral is tough for bottoms, especially in the winter.  But this darker palate would look great with black tights and open-toed heels.

Florals are a great way to warm up an outfit.  They are interesting to look at and attract attention.  Remember to look for darker palates when wearing floral in the colder months.  

Be fabulous today!