Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Making a Statement

Happy hump day kids.  Thank goodness right? And in celebration I want to look at some necklaces with some punch.  Give a little oomph to this Wednesday.

Statement necklaces come in all styles: bib, rocker, bohemian. Let's see what we can find.

Amrita Singh, Quetza necklace, $50
Talk about a statement.  How gorgeous is this piece? I'm thinking a deep scoop neck tee shirt or a boatneck LBD!

Oh my word this is a work of art.  There are no words.

J Crew Factory, ombre pearl necklace, $39
I really like the take on this bauble necklace.  It's a little rocker with the chain, a little classy with the pearls.

Can we just picture this with an awesome tan? Ooo la la!

I hope this helped perk up your Wednesday.  Necklaces, especially fashion jewelry are such a fun way to mix up an outfit.

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Ribbon Belts

They're making a come back.  I know, I know, they can seem a little juvenile but trust me, they're SO versatile!  And when the Wall Street Journal talks about fashion, we should listen.

As the uber-preppy J McLaughlin says:  "It's for the fashion-secure person with a sense of humor."


Vineyard Vines, Palm beach plaid d-ring belt, $29
Ah, vineyard vines, the prepsters heaven.  If you want to rock this look- best to go to the pros.  

Etsy (Tracey Belt), reversible vintage belt, $16
I'm loving the new take on what's usually a classic d-ring style.  And reversible is always a win.

I love this pattern! So elegant, and it the color combination is cheerful.

Lilly Pulitzer, Callie Belt, $48
I really like the beachy feel of this belt.  Would be a great addition to a cotton slub dress.

So what do you think?  It is definitely a preppy type of style but I think it can be styled in many different ways.  It's a nice substitute to the plain leather belt for the summer.

Be fabulous today!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Pink & Orange

Happy Monday lovebugs!

How was your weekend?  The bf left for a trial for a couple of weeks so I had a full weekend of Sex and the City, H&M, and bubble baths.  Tough life right?

Today I wanted to start with a little burst of bright.  Colors that is.  How about some pink and orange to start this Monday morning?  This is such a fun combination because it's cheery, distracting and completely wearable for any shape or size.

H and M, dress, $35
I bought this dress yesterday. It's beyond gorgeous.  Look at the details: cap sleeve, deep v in a faux wrap, diagonal pockets, ah! It's so wonderful.

Modcloth, surf competition skirt, $34
The pleating here is impeccable because its so far out to the sides that it does not give the illusion of extra weight.  I"m also a sucker for a bow.


Old Navy, Ethnic cocktail ring, $9.50
I'm loving this with a flowy maxi dress or white eyelet shorts.

Kate Spade, Flutter Floral Scarf, $95
OK, maybe a little out of my budget, but this would make a great spring/summer addition to any outfit- jean jacket, LBD, and those tassels are gorgeous.

I'm loving this color combination right now because its so untraditional and it reminds me of the colorblocking trend.  Try it out!

Be fabulous today!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday everyone! Here are some fabulous recipes for you!

Ancho Chile-Rubbed Tenderloin Sliders
c/o Dad
Ingredients
5 lb whole beef tenderloin
1 cup Ancho Chile Rub
1 Tbsp Cumin
2 cups Chimichurri Sauce
30 Slider Buns

Directions
1.     Ask your butcher to trim the tenderloin of all sinew and fat.
2.     Thoroughly season the tenderloin with the cumin and ancho chile rub (this can be done up to two hours in advance).
3.     Preheat the outdoor grill to medium high.
4.     Place the tenderloin in the center of the grill. (If you do not have access to an outdoor grill, you can sear the tenderloin in a roasting pan on top of your kitchen range.
Add 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil to the pan and set to medium high heat. Then continue to follow the directions below.)
5.     Turn the tenderloin every 5 minutes so that all sides are nicely seared.
6.     Preheat the oven to 325° F.
7.     Transfer the tenderloin to a roasting pan and finish cooking it in the oven to an internal temperature of 115 degrees for medium rare. (Depending on the size of the tenderloin this will take around 20 to 25 minutes. Keep in mind the ends will be cooked more than the middle.)
8.     Remove the tenderloin from the oven, place it on a platter, cover it with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
9.     While the tenderloin is resting, split and toast the buns.
10.  Carve the tenderloin into 1/8” thin slices, placing 2-3 slices on each bun.
11.  Garnish the meat with a drizzle of the chimichurri sauce, place the top bun on the sliders and serve immediately.
Ancho Chile Rub
Ingredients

1 cup light brown sugar
½ cup smoked paprika
2 tbsp ancho chile powder
2 tbsp salt
Directions 
1. In a clean mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
2. Place rub in an airtight container and reserve. This step may be completed a day in advance.

Chimichurri Sauce
Ingredients



½ cup Italian parsley
½ cup oregano
1 tsp salt
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
¼ cup EVOO
¼ cup water 
Directions
1.     Combine the first six ingredients in a high speed blender.
2.     Purée and slowly add the olive oil and water.




Lobster, Mango and Avocado Salad
c/o Dad

Ingredients (serves 12-15)
3 Limes
¼ cup champagne vinegar
¼ cup honey
2 garlic cloves minced
¼ cup crushed red pepper
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 Tsp salt
2 mangos
4 avocados
1 tomato
½ red onion peeled and diced
1 lb lobster meat
¼ cup cilantro


Directions
1.     Juice the limes into a large, clean mixing bowl.
2.     Combine the lime juice with the champagne vinegar, honey, garlic, red pepper, olive oil and salt. Whisk to combine.
3.     Peel and dice the mango into ½-inch pieces and place in the mixing bowl.
4.     Peel the avocado, remove the seed and dice the avocado into ½-inch pieces and place in the mixing bowl.
5.     Cut tomato in half horizontally. Seed the tomato and dice it into ½-inch pieces and place in the mixing bowl.
6.     Dice the onion into ¼-inch pieces and place in the mixing bowl.
7.     Cut larger pieces of lobster to ½-inch pieces, then add all the lobster with cilantro leaves to mixing bowl and toss gently.
8.     Taste, and add more salt if necessary. Serve immediately

Huevos Rancheros
Ingredients
  • 1/2 tsp oil
  • 1/2 onion, minced
  • 1 medium tomato, minced
  • 2 tbsp chopped green chiles
  • oil spray
  • salt and pepper
  • pinch cumin (optional)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 oz shredded cheese 
  • 2 tsp chopped cilantro
  • olive oil spray 
  • 2 corn tortillas 

Directions
Heat
 oil in a small pan.
 Add 
onions and cook one minute, 
add
 tomatoes, chilies, cumin, salt and pepper and cook another few minutes. 
Set aside
 and keep warm.
In another medium non-stick pan, 
lightly spray
 the tortillas with oil on each side and 
heat
 a few minutes on both sides until tortillas gets crispy and pockets or air bubbles start to form inside. 
Set aside. 
In the same pan, 
lightly spray
 more oil and 
add
 eggs, salt and pepper. 
Cover
 and 
cook
 until sunny-side up or to your liking.


To serve, place a tortilla on each plate, top with egg, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese and cilantro.



Be fabulous today!