Date Night

Happy President's Day lovebugs!  I hope you have the day off from work, are sleeping in, and planning to relax all day long.  You deserve it.

On Saturday night The bf took me out to dinner to a swanky downtown restaurant called PS 7s.  It was delicious.  And that is an understatement.  We had a fabulous time.  I was thinking about what a gal should wear to this type of event.  It's not a first date, it's not a holiday, and it's not an anniversary; but it's not a dive bar or chinese food on the couch either.

I think the best idea is to go dressy but in an interesting way.  Try to not go standard super-dressy and call it a night; experiment with colors, patterns and maybe even mix them.  Surprise him with a new style for your date.

Anthropologie, Seaside fields dress, $70

I love the playfulness of the paisley mixed with the ruffle neckline.  The colors make it more adult and romantic.

Stella and Dot, gold leaf earrings, $39

Instead of a larger bib necklace, try a statement earring and pull your hair back!

Modcloth, pretty pleats skirt, $69

Want to make him watch you walk away to powder your nose? Try this eye catching, leg lengthening skirt!

Urban Outfitters, Cooperative Platform Square Heel, $68

Maybe you're heading to a swanky casual bar.  Try these beauties with wide leg trouser denim.

Now whether you're going out on the town, attending a boring work party, or staying home on the couch.  These items are sure to make you think:

[credit]

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Friday Foodday is upon us.  Thank goodness.  Happy long weekend to everyone!


If you have a recipe you'd like featured, shoot me an email!


Hasslebeck Potatoes
c/o Annie Bakes

Ingredients
4 russet potatoes-washed, skin on
4 garlic cloves-sliced thin
4 tablespoons butter
coarse sea salt
3 tablespoons olive oil


Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Slice into the potatoes but not completely through them, maybe 8 slices per potato.  Slide garlic slices between potato slices.  You might need to shove them in since the potato will be pretty tight.  Just be careful not to tear the bottom.

Place potatoes on a baking sheet.  Generously rub the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and top each with a pat of butter.  Drizzle with more oil.  Bake for 1 hour or until tender on the inside and crisp on the outside.  Remove the pan every 15 minutes to baste potatoes in the oil and butter in the pan.

When done, remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes.

**Top with any type of cheese, pesto, sour cream, etc.


Bacon Pirogie Bake
c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients
1 (16 oz) package frozen potato and onion pierogies
2 slices center-cut bacon, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup thin sliced green onions
1 small plum tomato, seeded, and diced
Pepper
Cooking spray


Directions
1- Preheat the oven to 400.
2- Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the frozen pierogies in the dish.
3- In a medium saucepan, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan.
4- Add garlic to the drippings, cook for 30 seconds. Add the cream cheese, stirring until it melts. Add the broth, stir continuously until it's all incorporated.
5- Pour the sauce mixture over the pierogies. Top with the cheddar cheese.
6- Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, top with the tomatoes and bacon, and return it to the oven. Bake for 5 additional minutes.
7- Remove from the oven sprinkle with green onions and black pepper. Serve hot.


Chocolate Chip Meringues
c/o Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients
2 egg whites, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup regular or superfine sugar
6 ounces chocolate chips
1/4 chopped pecans or walnuts


Directions

Preheat oven to 300°F.


Beat egg whites until foamy. Add salt, cream of tartar and vanilla, and beat mixture again until it holds soft peaks. Add the sugar, gradually, beating the batter until it is stiff. 


Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips. Spoon batter onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake for 25 minutes. Undersides of cookies should be golden or lightly tanned.


Be fabulous today!

The dots are back.

You guys. Great. News.  Polka dots are coming back.  Now, personally I don't think they ever left- BUT if Marc Jacobs says they're coming back, well, then they are coming back.  Here is a link to his Fall 2011 Show via Glamour.

And here are some of my picks for my favorite pattern of all time.  Ever.

modcloth, belle et la fete dress, $65

Ok for right now I'd wear this with a yellow cardigan and a skinny belt...this summer, I'd wear it with orange flat sandals.

Old Navy, Lightweight polka dot scarf, $12.50

I really like this for those fluke weather days where the sun is shining but its pretty breezy.

Endless, All Black women's dot flat, $56

How wonderful are these flats? I love them with cropped black pants or even boyfriend jeans.

Jones New York, polka dot ruffle button down, $74

This might be one of my fave blouses of all time.  Ruffle detail, defined waist line, great neckline, capped sleeves, and polka dot.

See by Chloe, mini skirt, $59

This color combo is amazing! It's so fresh!

I could do a separate blog on only polka dots.  Seriously.  How can you not love them? They're so much fun and can be mixed in so many ways.  And now they're back.  If Marc Jacobs says they're back, they are back.

Be fabulous today!

Defining Graphic

Usually when you hear the term graphic in fashion you think of a pattern.  I want to break it down back to the word's base: graph.  I'm loving the graph print right now because it's interesting to look at and always professional.

Madewell, grid paper boyshirt, $79

I like this super masculine cut.  Girl it up with pearls and a skinny belt.

Forever 21, bowtie blouse, $16.90

Speaking of girling it up.  How adorable would this be under a black suit? 

Figleaves, falke vittoira, $15

These tights are fun and different for the office.

Canvas, plaid wool skirt, $20

I LOVE this skirt, it's not mini and it's so professional.  I'm also LOVING the price!!!

Maybe the reason I love this type of print is because I love Excel.  I love when everything has it's own assigned box.  It's neat and organized.  That's what these picks remind me of- organized fabulousness.

Be fabulous today!