Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Slip Into Something

I'm talking about slips. But not to wear under skirts or when you need to borrow your mom's for some reason. I'm talking the new trend of slip dresses. Sexy, cool and oh so chic.

This dress wants so desperately to be layered! Blazer, tights, booties, you're done!

Bloomingdale's, Volcom jaw joplin dress, $55
I really love the polka dots that add a sweetness to this slip dress.

Nordstrom Rack, Parker Pleated Georgette dress, $99
I'm loving this number for a really special night.  Maybe an anniversary or New Years Eve.

Ok this dress has a bit more structure but the soft colors and light pattern offers such sweetness to this dress.

What do you think of the slip dress? For me it's something a little different because I prefer something with more structure, but for a special occassion, I think it's really nice.

Be fabulous today!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Turtle Time

Hey lovebugs! Happy Monday to you. I don't know about you but I could've used one more day this weekend; the weather in DC was absolutely gorgeous.

If you watch RHNY you'll understand the reference to the title of this post but if you don't that's ok! Today we're talking tortoise jewelry.  In my mind, tortoise is the epitome of casual cool. 

This is a great piece to go from day to night.  Very versatile and very easy to wear.

These are so light and classic.  For winter I would put them with a v-neck cable sweater.

I really love this cuff for the holidays; a little bling but nothing glaring.

Simple and chic, I imagine layering other long necklaces with this.

Tortoise is great because it comes in such a range of prices and it's so versatile.

Be fabulous today!

And now for a special announcement: If you're in DC, go check out this great cause!
 

Friday, October 14, 2011

Friday Foodday

Oh Friday, welcome back!  Happy weekend lovebugs! Here are my favorite recipes this week!

Pumpkin Pull Apart Monkey Bread with Maple Glaze
c/o Lauren's Latest
Ingredients
for the dough-
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup warm milk
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons melted butter, cooled
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 2/3-3 1/3 cups bread flour

for the coating-
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

for the glaze-
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons half & half {or milk}
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In large stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, stir milk, water, yeast and sugar together. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to proof yeast. If mixture is foamy, then you can continue. {If nothing happens, then odds are your yeast is no good, or you killed it with hot water and milk! Try to get your water and milk to be warm to the touch, like baby bath water.}

Stir in salt, egg, butter, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and half the flour and mix. With mixer on, pour in remaining flour bit by bit until dough pulls away from the sides and is sticky but when touched doesn’t really stick to your hands. {For me, that was 2 tablespoons shy of 3 cups of flour.} Once you reach this stage, turn mixer on for 4-5 minutes to knead. Lightly grease dough and bowl and cover to rise for 1 hour. Stick it somewhere warm and draft-free.

Lightly grease a bundt or angel food cake* pan with non stick cooking spray and set aside. Create a coating station by placing sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl and melting the butter in another bowl. Punch down dough and remove from bowl. Cut dough into small pieces about 1 tablespoon in size. Roll in butter, coat in cinnamon sugar and place into prepared pan. Repeat until no dough remains. If there is extra butter or sugar, pour over the top of the dough pieces in the pan. Cover pan with plastic wrap and let rise another hour in a warm spot in your kitchen.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake monkey bread for 25 minutes or until the top begins to brown slightly. Remove from oven and cool 20 minutes.

While monkey bread is cooling, prepare glaze by mixing powdered sugar, maple syrup, half & half and vanilla together in a small bowl until smooth.

Remove warm pull aparts onto serving dish and drizzle with glaze. Serve warm.
*I used an angel food cake pan that had a removable bottom and some of the butter and sugar mixture leaked out of the bottom and made a mess of my oven! If you are going to use a similar pan, make sure to place on a baking sheet, or wrap the bottom of the pan with foil.

Pesto Chicken Alfredo Casserole
c/o Stephanie Cooks
  Ingredients
1 pound uncooked rotini
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 7 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained and diced small
1 cup pesto sauce
1 jar Alfredo sauce (small/medium sized- not too large)
1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Directions
1- Preheat the oven to 350. Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and return to the pot. Stir in the chicken, red peppers, pesto, and alfredo sauce.
2- Spoon the ingredients into a large oven safe dish. Sprinkle the cheese over the top.
3- Cover and bake for 35 minutes. Serve hot

Mexican Slow Cooked Pork Carnitas
c/o Skinny Taste 
 Ingredients
2.5 lb pork shoulder blade roast, lean, all fat removed
6 cloves garlic, cut into sliver
cumin
dry adobo seasoning
garlic powder
3/4 cup 99% fat free chicken broth
2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (to taste)
2 bay leaves

 Directions
Season pork with salt and pepper. In a medium sauté pan on medium-high heat, brown pork on all sides for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Using a sharp knife, insert blade into pork, cutting small holes and insert garlic slivers. Season pork generously with cumin, adobo and garlic powder all over.

Pour chicken broth in the crockpot, add bay leaves and chipotle peppers. Place pork in crock pot and cover. Cook low for 8 hours. After 8 hours, shred pork using two forks and combine well with the juices that accumalated at the bottom. Remove bay leaves and adjust salt and cumin (you will probably need to add more). Let it cook another 15-30 minutes.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Fall Floral

When you think floral, you think warm weather, easy-breezy and feminine, but you can keep your floral this fall, just by changing up the colors!

Ralph Lauren, Floral Jersey Dress, $85
The darker tones and the empire waist make this dress a great transition piece with the right tights and accessories.

The Limited, floral tights, $14
These are so feminine and perfect for the office.
I love this top. The round neckline, the ruffle detail and the sleeve length. Just beautiful.

The colors here are muted, but the pattern makes it vibrant.

So when wearing florals in the colder weather think the colors of the leaves changing and in the dead of winter, try some jewel toned florals.

Be fabulous today!