Canvas Wedges!

Hey lovebugs!
How was everyone's weekend?  Any BBQs or brave bikini bods? I hope you enjoyed, and this week will be a quick one, I promise!

Today I want to dive into a fabulous pair of summer shoes.  Not just the wedge but the canvas wedge.  Canvas along with linen are the two staple mediums of summer fashion.  So what better way to dress up a sundress or a pair of madras shorts then with a great pair of canvas wedges?

 Urban Outfitters, Cooperative Canvas Wedge Heel, $49

Summer? I'd like you to meet my feet, feet please meet summer.

DSW, Unisa Abie Wedge Pump, $49

I love this khaki color because it is so versatile.  How cute are these with a white eyelet dress OR a saturated green pair of ankle pants.

Tom's, Red canvas wedges, $69

I have yet to get on the Tom's bandwagon, but these beachy wedges could change my mind!

Michael Kors, Meg Wedge, $68
It's rare you find a wedge that is downright sexy.  This is so simple, to the point, and just that.

What do you think? Worth a try this summer?  I think they are a great pair to mix in to your summer wardrobe.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Oh hey! Happy Friday! I hope you all have a fabulous long weekend! TCB will be off on Monday, but fear not, I'll be back on Tuesday!


Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. poppy seeds
1¼ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup yogurt (plain or vanilla)
Directions
1- Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.  Line a muffin pan with paper liners.  Combine the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.  
2- Stir briefly to combine.  In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  
3- Beat in the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition.  Mix in the lemon zest and the vanilla extract.  With the mixer on low speed, mix in the dry ingredients in two additions alternating with the yogurt, beating each addition just until incorporated.
4- Divide the batter between the prepared liners, filling each about two-thirds full. 
5- Bake 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  
6- Let cool in the pan 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


Chicken with White Bean Enchiladas with Creamy Salsa Verde
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients
Chicken and White Bean Filling:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup minced white onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
• 15.5 oz can Navy beans (or Cannellini beans)
• 8 oz cooked shredded chicken breast
• 1/3 can water
• 1 chicken bullion
• 1 tsp cumin

Green Chile Enchilada Sauce:

• 1 tsp butter
• 1/2 cup chopped white onion
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 cup fat free chicken broth
• 7 oz can chopped green chile
• 2 jalapeños, chopped (I used jarred)
• salt
• 1/2 cup light sour cream

• 3/4 cup reduced fat Mexican cheese
• 8 medium low carb tortillas
• chopped fresh cilantro or scallions (or both!)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°.

For the Filling:
In a medium pan, heat olive oil on low. Add onions, garlic and saute until soft, about 2-3 minutes. Add green chiles, beans, water, bullion, and cumin. Mix well and cover.Simmer on low 15 minutes. Remove cover, add chicken and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until it thickens and liquid boils down. Set aside.

Green Chile Enchilada Sauce:
In a large nonstick pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and starts to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add flour and stir well. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth. Whisk until the sauce becomes smooth. Cook over medium heat until the sauce boils and thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Add green chiles, jalepeños, and salt to tatse. Cook another minute then remove from the heat. Stir in the sour cream.

Spread about 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish.Fill each tortilla with 1/3 cup of the chicken/white bean filling. Roll the tortillas and place seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Continue filling remainder of the tortillas.

Pour the enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Top with cheese. Cover with aluminum and bake 20-30 minutes, until the enchiladas are hot and the cheese is melted. Remove from oven and top with fresh cilantro or scallions.

Sugar Donut Muffins

c/o Annie Bakes

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup milk (low fat is fine)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar, for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray (I used a mini-muffin tin).  In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and egg until light in color.  In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.  Pour into egg mixture and stir to combine.  Pour in vegetable oil, milk and vanilla extract.  Divide batter evenly into the muffin cups (I used a small ice cream scoop), filling each about 3/4 full.  Bake for 12-14 minutes (15-18 minutes if using large muffin tins).  When muffins are done, lightly brush the tops with the melted butter and dip into a bowl of sugar.  Cool on a wire rack.

It list!!

Happy Friday ladies! Can you believe it is the final Friday of May - summer is here!  Celebrate this weekend by taking some extra time to peruse these fabulous blogs!

• thought and musing looks amazing in layered neutrals... her scarf/belt/necklace combination is very inspiring - I want to try that!
• lady M breaks down the color grey with all the inspiration you would ever need to completely fall in love with this color. From a gorgeous dress to your favorite celebs rocking the color - she has it all! (find lady M on twitter!)
• 100 inspirations has an Angelina Jolie inspired outfit in a gorgeous nude hue - THE color for spring!  Check it out!
• good clean fun takes a classic summer combo, strawberries and rhubarb, and mixes them up into a fabulous summer cocktail... just in time for the holiday weekend! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• the stylish housewife sports a classic outfit inspired by the one and only Olivia Palermo - check out her spin on the look! (find the stylish housewife on twitter!)
• the capital barbie is loving bright orange for summer - this nail polish caught my eye!  Check out her other bold and bright picks! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• rose a la mode found the perfect outfit for the long drive back from vacation and I love it! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy is crushing on the interior stylings of Ralph Lauren.  You will be too after you check out these ultra classic and ultra comfortable digs! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style features the Tribeca loft of Erin Featherston - it's superbly feminine!  The girly girl in you will love it! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• alisha of alisha & brandon is bringing back a pair of old wide leg jeans to her closet and is also dishing on style versus fashion. (find alisha & brandon on twitter!)
• infashuation had my heart skipping a beat with stripes, leopard print and white jeans. This is the ultimate in summer outfit combos! (find infashuation on twitter!)
• the fancy red boots is letting her readers choose her new handbag for her - how fun!?!? I am loving one bag in particular... which one are you loving? (find the fancy red boots on twitter!)
• a lucky fifth rounds up her favorite drugstore beauty finds. Who doesn't love a peek into others' makeup stash?
• along abbey road brings us her top fashion picks from the Cannes Film Festival.  There are so many gorgeous celebrities and dresses!
• good life for less is passionate for pink this summer - check out her fun picks from shoes, to clothes to accessories! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less - for information on how to be involved, click here!

Gold Watch

Yep, nothing cute or creative from that title, but that's just what I wanted.  Gold watch.  A simple, clean, and weighted sentence and piece of jewelry that is truly timeless. Ok that was a little funny. Watch, timeless, ok fine, I laughed.

I bought myself a Michael Kors watch two months ago and while I was skeptical of the large face at first, now I won't take it off.  It goes with everything!  While you can splurge like I did and go for the $200 version.  Here are some picks for under $100.

American Apparel, Vintage Seiko Watch, $100

Simple, elegant, and vintage.

Urban Outfitters, wraparound watch, $38

This is so interesting.  Usually a wraparound is only seen with a leather band.  Love this!

Timex, easy reader watch, $29
I love this watch- its very old school in a journalist or editor sort of way.

Nordstrom, Anne Klein crystal index resin, $55

A little more casual with the gold ceramic band but perfect for everyday wear.

So are you feeling the gold? I think it is very ladylike and professional.

Be fabulous today!