Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday Foodday!

We made it! Friday! Have a great weekend lovebugs and enjoy these recipes.  I'll announce the winner of the $25 Modcloth gift card on Monday!

Baked Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries
c/o Skinny Taste
Ingredients
1 sweet potato, (about 5" long) peeled and cut into 1/4" fries
2 tsp olive oil
sea salt
ground chipotle chile
garlic powder

Directions
Preheat oven to 425°.
In a medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, garlic powder and chipotle chile powder.  Spread potatoes on a baking sheet. Avoid crowding so potatoes get crisp. Bake 15 minutes. Turn and bake an additional 10-15 minutes. Ovens may vary so keep an eye on them and be sure to cut all the potatoes the same size to ensure even cooking.

Buffalo Chicken Skewers
c/o Kitchen Bellicious
  Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs. of chicken tenders
1 stick of butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
5 TBSP tomato paste
5 TBSP brown sugar
1 TBSP worchestire sauce
2 TBSP apple cider vingear
1 TBSP spicy brown mustard
dash of hot sauce
2 TBSP of beer
1 TBSP of lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions
Place the chicken in a sea salt bath for 30 minutes or more. Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper. Skewer the chicken and set aside. Melt the butter and sugar over medium heat in a saucepan. Once the sugar has dissolved add in the remaining ingredients (beer last). Place the tenders in the a shallow pan or ziploc bag and pour 1/4 cup of the sauce over the chicken. Marinate for at least 2 hours.
Grill on an outdoor or indoor grill  over high heat for approximately 4 minutes on each side. In the last 2-3 minutes baste the chicken again and then serve warm as an appetizer or main dish.

Creamy Chicken Taquitos
  Ingredients
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup salsa verde
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 tsp. chile powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
Pinch of cayenne powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tbsp. chopped scallions
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, cheddar, etc.)
8-12 (6 inch) tortillas, flour or corn
Salt and pepper
Cooking spray

Directions
1- Preheat the oven to 425 and grease a cookie sheet.
2- In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients, from the cream cheese to the shredded cheese. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper.
3- Fill each tortilla with 2-3 tbsp of filling, rolling tightly. Place seam side down. Continue until all tortillas are filled. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt.
4- Bake 15- 20 minutes, until golden and crisp. Serve with salsa, sour cream, etc. 

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Colorblocking Jewelry

Colorblocking was a huge trend this spring and summer and I think it will continue through the fall but what about using the trend on your accessories?  Check out these pieces!

Sassy and unique, and you can wrap it around your wrist or wear it as a necklace with colored denim.
Anthropologie, Moche necklace, $78
Hello pastel perfection.  Just wow.
Marc Jacobs, Colorblock bolt bracelet, $49
I really like how raw these look.  Feminine yet hard.

Nordstroms, Colorblock Heart Studs, $27
I've posted these before and I'll post them again. So fun, so tiny, so sweet!

Thoughts? I love this trend for jewelry because it adds such a pop for an accessory.

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Boquet of Rosettes

Hey lovebugs!

I was so struck by a dress I posted yesterday from Modcloth: Ready Rosette Go dress that I wanted to do a whole post on this type of detail: rosettes.

How wonderful are these? Quirky and unqiue.  The t-strap makes it for me.

The Limited, rosette strapless dress, $69
Yes wedding season is almost over, but for this price, I would scoop this up for next year!

Forever 21, Tulle Corsage Sweater, $16
I love the color on this sweater and the little white pearls are so sweet.

Max and Chloe, silver rosette drops, $45
These are great for work, jeans, or an LBD.  They are more than worth the price.

Details like rosettes really make a piece stand out.  It's different than a print pattern because this gives an item more depth.

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Reader Request: Birthday Dress

Today's post is for my friend Lauren who is looking for a fabulous dress for her upcoming birthday.  She didn't give me ANY hints of style or look so here we go!

I saw this dress in Glamour and I just fell in love with it.  So effortless but the color is 'pow!'

Macys, Charlie Jade Dress, $99
Hello blue. Lauren has great short blonde hair. This would be perfect!

I love this mix of cotton and silk.  I would dress this up with metallic strappy sandals and some big 'ol earrings.

LBD? Yes please.  Perfect mix of sexy and sweet.

Which one do you think Lauren should wear?  My favorite is the blue silk.  I think it will look great on the dance floor and the color will pop in pictures.


Be fabulous today!