Vertical Stripes

Vertical stripes are an interesting concept.  It's a great pattern, elongating, and clean, but somehow we always go for the horizontal option.  I think wearing a vertical stripe might make you want to walk a little taller, make the stripes a little longer.  Let's see what we can come up with here:

American Apparel, Satin Charmeuse Square Tee, $24

I love the satin material of this blouse.  And the color makes it a bit nautical.

Jessica Simpson, 3/4 faux wrap dress, $50

Great colors here and I love the interest on the waist line!

Forever 21, vertical stripe sweater, $18

How about this for weekend errands? Maybe belted with boyfriend jeans?

Urban Outfitters, Crochet Vertical Stripe Tight, $14

Hello mile long legs!!

So as you can see, wearing vertical stripes is a great unexpected way to create a more interesting look.  Stripes, when worn correctly, are professional and fun!

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Hey there lovebugs!
It's Friday Foodday!  Do you have a fabulous recipe that I can feature? Send it to me!


Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter 
1/2 cup white sugar 
1/3 cup packed brown sugar 
1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy will both work) 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1 egg 
1 cup all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon baking soda 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1/2 cup rolled oats 
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips


Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly greased cookie sheets.(Flatten the cookies because these don’t spread.)
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.


Chili Mac
c/o Food Network

Ingredients
1 pound corkscrew shaped pasta
2 pounds ground sirloin
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 sweet onion, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seed and chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

3 tablespoons (1 1/2 palm fuls) dark chili powder

2 tablespoons (1 palm ful) cumin

2 tablespoons cayenne pepper sauce

Coarse salt

1 cup beer or beef broth

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice

1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

Directions 

In a large pot, boil pasta until al dente.

Meanwhile, in a big, deep pot, brown beef in oil over medium high heat. Add onions, peppers, and garlic. Season meat mixture with chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and salt. Cook together 5 minutes, stir in beer or broth, and reduce liquid by half, 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.

Drain pasta. Add hot pasta to chili pot and stir to coat pasta evenly. Remove from heat and garnish big bowlfuls of chili mac with chopped scallions.

Lemon Bars

c/o Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients

For the crust: 
1/2 pound unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt




For the full-size lemon layer: 
6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup flour
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting


Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet.
For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into the greased baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.
Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.
For the lemon layer, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes (less if you are using the thinner topping), or about five minutes beyond the point where the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.
Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners’ sugar.


Be fabulous today!

Shiny and Sassy

It's Thursday! Thank goodness.  I know it's been a short week because of the holiday but, whew! Bring on the weekend!

Today I want to talk about one of my favorite mediums in fashion: patent leather.  Patent leather has a shiny quality that makes people do a double take.  It gives your outfit spark and flare.  It dresses up jeans and it makes any suit more professional.  It is super versatile and it comes in a variety of colors.  Let's take a look:

Steve Madden, Trouser, $70

Hello elegance with a touch of masculine! Ooo la la.

Target, Mossimo front zip style croco weekender, $40

I love this bag.  I love it disguised as a gym bag that you wear to work, I love it for weekends away, and I love it for a do it all errand day bag.

Kmart, Eden red, $30

These heels are so interesting.  I love the fade on them.  Also liking the slightly rounded pointy toe.

J Crew, Superskinny patent belt, $15

I love this blush color for a belt, and I love the price!

As you can see, patent leather doesn't always look cheap or even trashy.  Pick good pieces that mix well into your wardrobe.  If you're preppy, try a patent belt around you cardigan, if you're more rocker, try a patent oxford flat with rolled up jeans.  The choices are endless.

Be fabulous today!

Wearing Chocolate

Last week in DC it was 70 degrees.  People were acting like it was Black Friday to get a table outside for dinner.  Now, we have 2 inches of snow.  Come on Mama Nature.  Just pick one.  I'm fine with either but let's make some decisions here!

On to some fashion.  Today I want to look at a great neutral that is so often overlooked because it's not as easy to wear as black.  That color is brown!  Brown is a great hue for almost everyone because it compliments your skin tone and it matches every color.  Seriously!

Nordstrom, Maggy London Belted Jacquard Sheath, $55

Look at this sheath! It's got a kimono-like quality with that wide waistband.  And the blue and brown pattern is so rich.

Modcloth, Railroad Romance Heel, $50

This old time classic shoe is perfect with a cord skirt or skinny jeans.  They're just so romantic!

Macy's, Rachel Roy skirt, $99

One word came to mind when I saw this leather pleated skirt: sassy.  This is a perfect addition to your spring wardrobe.

Forever 21, Oval Facet Bracelet, $11

This would be great with jeans.  It's got some weight to it which is nice as well.

Wearing brown, especially rich dark shades are so luxurious.  The color has a velvety quality to it that makes you feel 100 times sassier.  Try it!

Be fabulous today!