Reader Request: Style My Bootie

Hey there lovebugs, Happy Monday to you. How was your weekend? It snowed here in DC! I loved it, I'm such a cold weather girl.

Today's topic is a reader request from the lovely and talented, Kat.  She is wondering how to style booties and stay under budget. No problem Kat and thank you for the challenge!

I did a post on booties last fall which you can find here, but let's try something new for this season.

Nine West, Bevel, $76

Ok, these are an edgier take on a loafer. I'm thinking skinny jeans and deep v-neck sweater. Please note ladies, the heel height would disqualify these shoes from entering the work place in my book.

Old Navy, Sueded Desert Wedges, $34

I love these shoes. Not only for their price but for their versatility.  You can work these with bf jeans and a flannel button down or with a cord mini skirt and a chunky knit sweater.

Urban Outfitters, Kimichi Blue Chelsea Heel, $69

Now this is how we do booties for work. Think black and white tweed skirt with black tights I really like how they continue the suede down the heel.

Modcloth, Knack for Khaki Boot, $47

I really love these for the weekend. The perfect coffee outside with jeans and a toggle coat outfit. And the price is nice too!

I agree, booties can be hard to match and style, and sometimes they look like they cut you off at your ankles, so look for a style that can easily mix into your wardrobe, whether that's rocker, preppy, or somewhere in between.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday!

Oh thank goodness! It's Friday Foodday! Have a great weekend everyone!

Chicken Puttanesca with Angel Hair Pasta
c/o Cooking Light

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups tomato-basil pasta sauce (such as Muir Glen Organic)
• 1/4 cup pitted and coarsely chopped kalamata olives
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) preshredded Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh basil or basil sprigs (optional)

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Add chicken to pan; sprinkle evenly with salt. Cook chicken 5 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in pasta sauce, olives, capers, and pepper; bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes or until chicken is done, stirring frequently. Arrange 1 cup pasta on each of 4 plates; top with 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese. Garnish with chopped basil or basil sprigs, if desired.

Yummy Mummy Spinach Dip
c/o Kraft Foods

Ingredients

1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen pizza dough, thawed

1   egg, beaten

2 sticks KRAFT POLLY-O STRING-UMS String Cheese

2   black olive slices

1 cup BREAKSTONE'S Reduced Fat or KNUDSEN Light Sour Cream

1/4 cup  KRAFT Light Ranch Dressing

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

1   green onion, sliced

1/2 cup finely chopped red peppers

1/4 cup  KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

  WHEAT THINS Original Crackers

 

Directions

PAT dough into 12x6-inch oval on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Indent dough, about 3 inches from one end of oval, for the mummy's head. Let rise in warm place 20 min. or until doubled in volume.
HEAT oven to 375ºF. Brush dough with egg. Bake 18 to 20 min. or until bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped lightly. Pull apart string cheese to make about 16 strips; arrange on bread for the mummy's wrappings. Bake 1 to 2 min. or just until cheese is melted; cool slightly. Press olive slices into bread for the mummy's eyes; cool completely.
MEANWHILE, mix sour cream and dressing in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in next 5 ingredients. Refrigerate 30 min. or until ready to serve.
USE sharp knife to remove bread from top of mummy's body; scoop out bread from center, leaving thin shell on bottom and side. (Reserve bread top. Discard removed bread or reserve for another use.) Fill bread with spinach dip just before serving; cover with top of bread. Serve with crackers. (Nutrition information is for dip and crackers only.) 

Caramelized Banana and Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast 
c/o Lauren's Latest  

Ingredients

for the filling-
2 large bananas
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
for the french toast-
8 slices bread
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of salt
butter, for frying

Directions
In a large skillet heat butter and brown sugar over medium-low heat. Slice bananas on the diagonal and place into hot pan. Cook 5 minutes per side or until bananas have caramelized. Remove from heat.
Mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon together until combined. Spread an even layer of the cream cheese mixture over each slice of bread. Place bananas in a single layer on one slice and top with another slice of bread to create a sandwich. Repeat until there are 4 sandwiches created.
In a pie plate or other shallow dish, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt together. Preheat large skillet to medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Dip each sandwich in egg mixture right before placing into the hot pan to cook. Cook 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Serve warm with butter and syrup.

 

Front Pocket Totes

Happy almost Friday! Today we're talking totes, but specifically front pocket totes.  You know when you need to grab your keys/subway card/insert important item here and it's lost in the abyss of your tote? Front pocket totes are perfect for those times.

Nine West, Uplifted Tote, $69

I love this bag, such a great color mix for fall.

Rugby, Classic Canvas Tote, $98

Sturdy, classic, Ralph Lauren at his best.

American Eagle, Plaid Flannel Tote, $34

Two straps, great colors, perfect for a full day of errands, work or whatever else life brings you.

Nordstrom, Fossil Key-per weekender, $91

I love this retro inspired bag.  This is how you do a weekender.

Front pocket is such a small detail but in a crunch it is so helpful!

Be fabulous today!

Dot Dress

Happy Wednesday lovebugs! Today we're talking my favorite pattern: polka dots.  I love polka dots for fall and winter because they warm up any outfit.  Today let's look at polka dot dresses.

Forever 21, Polka dot and lace dress, $24
A little lace mixed with some dots always makes a ladylike combination.

Modcloth, Southern Bell Dress, $57

Pair this with black tights for date night and I promise you will be the most beautiful girl in the room.

Zara, Polka Dot Dress, $49
I love the 60s chic this dress has; the dropped waist is so casual and easy.

Nordstrom, Adrianna Pappel Tiered Chiffon Dress, $89
I'm obsessed with this dress. The tiers, the chiffon, the print, just amazing. Reminds me of a Kate Spade dress.

Do you like to wear all over dots? I think it's such an easy print to pull off for day or night.  

Be fabulous today!