Cut it out!

Morning lovebugs! How was your weekend?  Welcome to Spring, soon we will be wearing spring dresses and sandals.  But until then let's try a fun new style of shoe: the cut out.

The cut out is sexy and versatile for going out to dinner or out on the town with the girls.  Try some of these styles.

Calvin Klein, Patrish, $74

Hello delicious! There is not one thing wrong with this heel.

Kensie Girl, Natalie, $47

I'm digging the color on these, and the heel is so interesting!

7 for all mankind, Neely, $89

Hello skinny jeans? Meet Neely.

Modcloth, Ocean Allure Heel, $73

Cut out style usually means extreme heel- not so here, and that's why I love them.

So what do you think?  Alluring?  Later this week we'll look at laser-cut shoes which has a much smaller and more intricate pattern.  Cut out heels remind me of a great mod style- perfect for a color blocking outfit.

Be fabulous today! 

Friday Foodday

Don't fret lovelies! It's Friday Foodday time!

Have a wonderful weekend! As always, if you have a recipe you'd like to share- please let me know!

Low Fat Baked Onion Rings
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients
1 medium onion, sliced into 1/4 inch rings
2 1/4 cups low fat buttermilk
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup Italian seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup crushed corn flake crumbs
salt to taste 
olive oil baking spray 


Directions
Place slices of onion in a shallow dish. Pour the buttermilk over the top and let themsoak for about 1 - 2 hours, refrigerated.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.  Combine panko, bread crumbs and corn flakes in a large dish, season with salt.  Dip each soaked onion ring into the crumb mixture; coat well. Place rings onto two cookie sheets. Lightly spray with oil. Bake about 12 minutes or until golden brown.Serve immediately.


Shrimp Cakes
c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients
1/2 pound raw shrimp, finely chopped
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup cooked rice (brown or white)
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tbsp. minced scallions
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 tsp. chili garlic sauce
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Olive oil
Directions
1- In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients from shrimp to egg, stirring well.
2- Refrigerate the mixture at least 30-60 minutes.
3- Shape the mixture into two-three patties. Dip the patties into the bread crumbs and set aside on a plate.
4- In a large skillet coat the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of olive oil, about 3 tbsp.
5- Heat the oil. Once it's hot, place the patties in and allow to cook 4-5 minutes over medium heat or until golden. Flip and repeat. Serve hot with the red pepper sauce.


Buffalo Chicken Pizza
c/o A Taste of Home Cooking

Ingredients
Pizza dough
1lb chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup Frank's hot sauce
1 tablespoon butter
2-3 scallions, chopped on a bias
Blue cheese crumbles or Marie's blue cheese dressing
Mozzarella cheese, shredded 


Directions
Preheat the oven, with the pizza stone inside, to 550 degrees (or as high as your oven will go). This can be done up to an hour before you cook the pizza. Put the Frank's and butter in a small saucepan. Add the chicken and heat over medium until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken to a bowl with a slotted spoon, then boil the Frank's. Pour over the chicken and let cool.

Roll out the dough and place on a sheet of parchment paper large enough to hold the pizza, with a little extra so you have something to hold onto when you move the pizza to the stone. Top with a little mozzarella cheese. Add the blue cheese or Marie's, spread into a thin layer. Scatter a few scallions on top. Using a slotted spoon add the chicken, being careful not to put on too much of the Frank's (it will get soggy/greasy). Add just a few dashes of the Frank's here and there on the pizza, then top with more mozzarella cheese and the remaining scallions.

Remove the stone from the oven. Holding on to either side of the parchment paper, move the pizza on the stone. Put the stone back in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese starts to brown in spots. Remove the pizza from the stone and let cool slightly before cutting.

The It List!

Where is the month of March going? Another Friday is already upon us... take some time to be inspired by the great blogs I have rounded up today!  Happy weekend!

• one hundred inspirations pulls together this Rachel Bilson look for less (less than $100 even!) - this is a perfectly simple look for spring and summer!
• thought and musing takes a gloomy day and brightens it up with a bold blue top - I love how this color adds instant punch to any outfit!
• a spot of whimsy features 'it' girl Amanda Seyfriend... it such a beautiful spotlight on such a uniquely gorgeous gal! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• rosy + tart gives a quick tutorial (it's so easy, it's hardly a recipe) on how to roast tomatoes and it has my mouth watering for farmer's market season! (find rosy + tart on twitter!)
• second street east shows off some great home goods she found at The Foundary - I am loving this unique little side table! Decor blogs always have such a great inside track! (find second street east on twitter!)
• the capital barbie scopes out sweet pleats for spring and summer - and shares her ideas on how to make pleats work for you! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• daily crush is loving the look of several stacked bracelets and I am too, what a fun and creative trend. She features inspiration and tips on how to get the look for yourself! (find daily crush on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish is inspired by Inslee Hayne's girly and chic illustrations. So cute!
• undeniable style bought a very pretty small desk and gains inspiration on how to style it... if you are tight on space but still need a small work area, this is perfect! (find undeniable style on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style is crushing on mini-bags... they are perfect with a sundress or shorts for spring and summer. I am loving them too! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• mama loves papa takes a vintage thrift store find and refashions it into something more current.  I 'sneaked' the before picture above... click through for the after! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• keep collected is rocking the most perfect spring look in my opinion. The hair, the necklace, the jeans... I love the simple appeal.
• shen dove style is spring-ready with a great cropped trench.  I just love trenches in any form lately and this look is amazing! (find shen dove style on twitter!)
• walking around {where the sidewalk begins} has this pretty summer tunic on her wish list... I think it's on mine now as well. I love this for the beach or pool! (find walking around on twitter!)
• rose a la mode sneak peeks some of her fashionable duds from the Texas Style Conference last weekend. I can't wait to hear more! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• turn up the rad takes $4 Anthropologie cloth napkins (four dollars!) and turns them into throw pillows. Ta-da! I love these kinds of DIY's! (find turn up the rad on twitter!)

the it list is organized by jill of good life for less... for information on how you can be involved, click here!

A New Color for Bags

Let's talk purses today.  But I want to be color specific.  Green.  Don't go yet! Stay with me, green purses are an awesome alternative to black or brown staples.  It matches just about everything and it give a little extra pow to your bag.

Nordstrom, Hobo Libby Chain strap crossbody, $68

I love the olive tone of this bag.  Perfect for a weekend shopping trip.

Big Buddha, Mision clutch, $45

This is tropical and ready for Summer.

Target, Merona Croco Satchel, $18

Besides the fact that you cannot beat this price- this green is super professional and easy to match.

Capri Leather, Bow Clutch, $65

The chain link strap gives a little edge to the feminine bow detail.

You see? Green is great to rotate in to your purse collection.  Be on the lookout for all different shades: evergreen, pastels, you name it!

Be fabulous today