Bright Blazers

Hey lovebugs!
Happy Monday.  If the Mondays have you down, do I have something to make you smile.  It's a traditional piece now with a colorful spin. I'm talking about bright blazers!

Urban Outfitters, Pins and Needles Scalloped Blazer, $79

I love this pastel pink! It would look great with a white dress or a black pencil skirt.  

Eddie Bauer, lightweight chino blazer, $69

The color is a little military, the details are so feminine.  The low stance with the buttons makes it more casual and on the back is a thin bow tie.

The Outnet, Armand basi baber, $77

There's only a few left in size 4 but it is just gorgeous isn't it? I love the bracelet sleeves.

Newport News, Satin wing collar jacket, $49

Hello drama! What a fabulous, luscious color to go with!

Try to spruce up your blazers with some color.  If you want to keep what you have now, add a neon skinny belt around the outside to give it some extra pop!

Be fabulous today! 

Friday Foodday

It's Friday! Wooohooo!! I'm so happy.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.


I am at my work conference until Wednesday, so think of me when you wake up at noon tomorrow.  Know that jealous is an understatement.


Snickerdoodle Blondies
c/o Stephanie Cooks Blog

Ingredients
2 2/3 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon


Directions
1- Preheat over to 350. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
2- In a medium bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together.
3- Cream the butter and brown sugar together in a stand mixer until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the vanilla, beat in.
4- Gradually add the flour mixture, beating it together on low. Transfer the dough to the pan and push into an even layer.
5- In a small bowl combine the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the dough.
6- Bake 20-25 minutes. Let blondies cool completely in the pan before cutting.


Chicken and Mushrooms in a Garlic White Wine Sauce
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 8 chicken tenderloins, 16 oz total
• 2 tsp butter
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour* (use rice flour if gluten free)
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 12 oz sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/3 cup fat free chicken broth
• salt and fresh pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat oven to 200°. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge in flour.

Heat a large skillet on medium heat; when hot add 1 tsp butter and 1 tsp olive oil. Addchicken to the skillet and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side, or until chicken is no longer pink. Set aside in a warm oven.

Add additional oil and butter to the skillet, then garlic and cook a few seconds; addmushrooms, salt and pepper stirring occasionally until golden, about 5 minutes.

Add wine, chicken broth, parsley; stir the pan with a wooden spoon breaking up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook a few more minutes or until the liquid reduces by half. Top the chicken with the mushroom sauce and serve.

Chocolatey Chocolate Chip Cookies

c/o Wit and Whimsy/Cupcakes and Cashmere

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the butter mixture until well blended. Mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or just until set. Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Be fabulous today!

It list!!

It's hard to believe that April is already here... That means that for many of you spring has arrived or is very, very close!  Take some time to be inspired by these amazing blogs today to celebrate!

• good clean fun whips up the yummy looking sweet potato and black bean empanadas.  These look like they would make a delicious spring meal with a fresh salad! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• mama loves papa looks spring chic with this gorgeous pink coat!  It's perfect to help you look and feel like spring is here even if it's a little chilly still! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• turn up the rad is crushing on melamine plates and platters and I am too - these once 'old school' style serving pieces are definitely trending right now! (find turn up the rad on twitter!)
• rose a la mode rounds up her favorite spring and summer shoes from Target - the prices and styles are definitely right on here ladies! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• walking around {where the sidewalk begins} is blog-crushing.  And I can see why, pop on over to see who her inspiration is! (find walking around on twitter!)
• shen dove style is looking absolutely gorgeous in sequins and some snazzy shoes - I just adore this outfit! (find shen dove style on twitter!)
• strong sense of style is loving the tribal trend right now, ohhhh - so am I!  I love that she chose simple items that you can add to your current wardrobe! 
• thought and musing looks fabulous in this road-trip outfit!  I love that her simple floral top dressed the whole thing up (and what about that hat?!?! LOVE!).
• sweetie pie style is inspired by shopbop's recent 'road trip' lookbook.  See how she recreates the looks for less!  Score! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• keep collected seriously rocks daytime sequins and stripes.  I want/need a sequined skirt after seeing this outfit!
• a spot of whimsy has some fun with Pantone's colors - always a good time!  Pop on over to see oodles of color inspiration! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• capital barbie has an assortment of drawstring bags featured that I love. These are a little retro and I like that they are coming back! (find capital barbie on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish takes one simple black dress and dresses it up in four fun outfits - there is something for everyone here. I just love these outfits!
• good life for less brings you three stylish workout ensembles to freshen up your workout routine.  Be sure to check these out!  (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is put together by jill of good life for less - click here for information on how you can be involved!

Tie me up!

Handbags, much like men, come in all shapes and sizes. Large, small, annoying, charming, sassy, athletic, should I go on?  One trend that is really popular right now for handbags (not men) is drawstring.

The drawstring detail is more casual then professional but it can easily go from day to night.

Deux Lux, Studded Drawstring bag, $93

This bag is in such a sweet color but edgey with the studs.  I love it!

Fossil, Camille Satchel, $98

The mix of fabrics here is gorgeous and the embroidery is super unique.

Target, Mossimo Supply Co. Gray Drawstring, $25

Talk about your four season, dress up or down bag! It's the definition of versatile.

Macy's, Marc Fisher Drawstring handbag, $73

I love the hardware on this bag, it's very motorcycle ready!

As you can see the drawstring bag comes in a handful of styles: bucket, tote, shoulder, etc.  I think it's a great alternative to a zipper or magnetic closure on your bag.

Be fabulous today!