Monday, December 19, 2011

Guest Post: Last Minute Gifts!


Hello Capital Barbie readers!  We are Kelli & Lisa from Bud & Leo and we’re thrilled to be swapping posts with Kelsey today!  As a fellow DC girl (Lisa) I have loved Kelsey’s blog since the day I found it!  So, now onto our last minute gift ideas… hopefully you have finished shopping but if you forgot anyone (eek!) we have a few ideas for you and broke them into his/her options!

For Him


Thanks again for having us Kelsey and please come see us sometime at Bud & Leo .  Have a very Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy your time with family and friends!  

Xo Kelli & Lisa

Friday, December 16, 2011

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday everyone! One week until Christmas! I hope you have a great weekend!

Spicy Thai Noodles
c/o Stephanie Cooks
Ingredients
1 box fettucini or linguine
1-2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup oil (vegetable or half vegetable half sesame)
6 tbsp honey
6 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 cup green onions
2 carrots, peeled and shredded
1/2 cup cilantro
3/4 cup crushed peanuts
 
Directions
1- Cook pasta according to package, set aside.
2- Meanwhile, heat the oil with the red pepper flakes for about 5 minutes. Strain pepper flakes, reserving the oil.
3- Whisk the honey and soy sauce into the oil.
4- Toss in the pasta and coat well. 
5- At this point you can decide if you want this served hot or cold. If you want it cold, refrigerate until ready to serve, then toss in the remaining ingredients prior to serving. If hot, add in the carrots, onions, cilanto, and peanuts, stirring well. 


Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup
Ingredients
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 cups milk (I used 2%)
1 can (10 oz) of enchilada sauce
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14.5 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 package (10 oz) frozen corn
1 medium onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
8 chicken tenderloins or 2 whole chicken breasts

Directions
  1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium low heat and stir in the flour until smooth and bubbly.
  2. Remove from heat and add in the chicken broth and 1/2 cup of milk, stirring to make sure there are no lumps.
  3. Return to heat and bring to a gentle boil, stirring until it thickens. Then in a large bowl, whisk in the enchilada sauce and the chicken broth mixture.
  4. Continue to whisk the mixture as you add the rest of the milk.
  5. In a crockpot, combine the beans, tomatoes, frozen corn, onions, and green peppers.
  6. Place the chicken tenderloins or breasts on top of this mixture.
  7. Pour the sauce you just made over the chicken & veggie ingredients in the crockpot.
  8. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  9. Right before serving, take out the chicken and shred it. Then add it back into the pot and mix to combine well.
  10. You can top this with whatever cheese you like and whatever toppings (olives, guacamole, sour cream, etc.)
Sugar Cookie Bars
c/o Annie Bakes
Ingredients
2 sticks butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a large jelly pan.  In a mixer, cream the butter and sugar together. Then add eggs 1 at a time until incorporated, but don't over mix.  Add vanilla.  Then slowly add the flour, salt and baking soda.  Pour into the pan and spread it out using your hands.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until slightly golden.  Let cool.

FROSTING:

4 cups of powdered sugar and add milk to it by the tablespoonful until creamy.  Add food coloring if you so desire.

 

It List!



theitlist
The IT list is signing off for 2011... But we'll be back in 2012!
Enjoy these links in the meantime!
  • good clean fun whips up a batch of apple banana pancakes - these have Christmas Break breakfast written all over them! Yum! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
  • the posh blog whips up what looks to be the easiest and tastiest cocktail ever - perfect for Christmas brunch or New Years Eve.  (find the posh blog on twitter!)
  • the capital barbie has a round up of Christmas gifts that you can give that give back.  I love this idea, check out her picks! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
  • life told by leslie is sporting an adorable leopard print cardigan. I've got to get one of these - see how she styled it! 
  • free to be stacia lee is looking adorable in this casual chic outfit - check out her cute boots! (find free to be stacia lee on twitter!)
  • suze wears clothes has fallen in love... with her scarf. I don't blame her!  Check it out. (find suze wears clothes on twitter!)
  • gs lillian is looking rainy-day-chic, which isn't easy to do!  Check out her adorable outfit and red (!!!) shoes. (find gs lillian on twitter!)
  • a spot of whimsy is our resident ballet-enthusiast (love it!)... she's headed to the Nutcracker performance but left some eye candy for us. Swoon!  (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
  • second street east has a really easy and fun Christmas ornament diy. I love this idea and that you can personalize it to suit your decor and taste! (find second street east on twitter!)
  • the daily be is going "western" in this adorable outfit... check it out and you've got to see her sweet boots! (find the daily be on twitter!)
  • the tiemann girls have a really fun way to give the gift of cash this holiday season.  See how they do it!
  • so much to smile about is your go-to source for holiday beauty.  Check out her tips and tricks! (find so much to smile about on twitter!)
  • sweetie pie style rounds up her favorite Christmas decor inspiration and includes this really fun idea for a tasty appetizer that I totally want to try! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
  • rachael, really is looking absolutely gorgeous in winter white and red for the holidays. Go check out her outfit and steal it for Christmas - I might! (find rachael, really on twitter!)
the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life, for information on how you can be involved, click here!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Cold Ears

Lovebugs, is it getting colder where you are? Is the walk to work or from the car to the office a little more freezing than last week? It's time to bundle up, and to do so I always need a pair of great earmuffs. Hats do not lead to a good hair day.

Kate Spade, Baby its cold earmuffs, $65
Gotta love Kate. Such a simple yet versatile piece!

Ok well this is brilliant. Plug in and turn on the Nsync Christmas music.

I love the pink and black, so simple.

Gotta have my tweed. And Rugby does tweed better than anyone.

So are you a hat person in the winter, or maybe a hood? Earmuffs also make great stocking stuffers!

Be fabulous today!