State Pride

I love personalized jewelry. And the state trend is one I'm totally loving. So sweet and fun! Now I just need DC get in on that and I'll be all set!

Nordstrom, Kris Nations State Pendant Necklace, $48

These come in both silver and gold. I love the way the name is spelled out in the state.

Etsy, Virginia State Pendant, $55

I think the heart cutout makes this one a great moving gift. So simple.,

Etsy, CA state necklace orange, $16

The orange enamel is a little more casual. And this one comes with a nice long chain.

Etsy, Arkansas State Necklace, $30
Simple, perfect, easy to pair with anything.

How sweet and personalized are these pendants? I think they're so easy to throw on with jeans or layer up with other necklaces.

Be fabulous today!

Kitten Heels

You know my favorite type of high heel? A not so high heel. The kitten heel, and while I hate the term (sorry guys I'm a dog girl) kitten heels are my favorite thing to wear when I'm not in ballet flats.

Urban Outfitters, BDG Suede Kitten Heel, $49

How fantastic is this color? Wear with blue, black, jeans, anything.

Nordstrom, Classique Entier Tamara Pump, $79

Oooo these are decadent! The velvet! I just love it!

Target, Merona Euna Pump in Cheetah, $25

A nice rounded toe adds a touch of sweetness to the sassy print.

Bandolino, Shelley, $47

A little peep toe? Don't mind if I do.

Are you a sky high heeled girl or do you downsize from time to time?

Be fabulous today!

Not Straight Edge

Lovebugs! Happy Monday. I hope you're enjoying a day off from school, work, or life in general.

Today, as it is the first day of the week, some of us are planning our outfits for the week. My go to is a pencil skirt because it's standard, chic and works with everything. But today we're looking at some not so run of the mill pencil skirts. Pattern, color, sass.

J Crew, No. 2 pencil skirt, $89

Hello glamour. This skirt fits so well, and the coloring of the leopard is very simple and elegant.

White House Black Market, Colorblock pencil skirt, $88

Doesn't this skirt look like a piece of art? I love the front vertical panel, very elongating.

Asos, Ponte Fishtail Pencil Skirt, $27

One, the price. Two, the color. Three the structure. 

NY and Co, Deep navy and white polka dots skirt, $47

Oh come on, you know I had to put in a dotted skirt. 

What's your go to work staple? If it's the pencil skirt, would you abandon the black for something a little sassier?

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Thank goodness! Here are my have recipes from this week.


Peanut Butter Carmel Corn
c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients
 3 bags natural popcorn, popped (standard size bags, not mini)
1 2/3 cups brown sugar
1 2/3 cup light colored corn syrup
5 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla

Directions:
1- Preheat the oven to 250.
2- Grease 2 9x13 dishes with cooking spray. Pour the popcorn evenly into the dishes and set aside.
3- In a small saucepan heat the sugar, syrup, butter, and salt. Cook about 3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until completely melted.
4- Pour the peanut butter sauce evenly over the two pans of popcorn. Gently stir to coat.
5- Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Once done allow it to cool completely, then break the popcorn into pieces.

Asian Dumplings

c/o Annie Bakes

Ingredients
1/2 pound ground pork-cooked
2 large Napa cabbage leaves-finely diced
2 green onions-diced
2 tablespoons bamboo shoots-finely chopped
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1 tablespoon garlic-finely chopped
2 tablespoons lite soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch


Directions

Mix the pork, cabbage, green onions, bamboo shoots, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil and cornstarch together.

Place a small spoonful of the filling in the center of the wrapper, wet all four sides with a little water, fold two sides over the center and pleat the edges to seal in the filling, adding more water if you need to make sure it is closed tightly.

Boil the dumplings in lightly rolling water for about 3-4 minutes or until they float to the top.

Serve with soy sauce mixed with sliced green onions.

Buffalo Mac and Cheese

c/o Table for Two 

Ingredients

6 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided

Salt, to taste

1/2 pound elbow macaroni

1 1/2 cups shredded chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken)

1 clove garlic, minced

3/4 cup Frank’s hot sauce, divided

2 tbsp. flour

1 tsp. dry mustard powder

1 cup milk (I used 2%)

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded

1/3 cup sour cream

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup crumbled bleu cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a large casserole dish.
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil, season with salt, and add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In the meantime, in a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tbsp. of butter and stir in the chicken and garlic. Cook for a couple minutes then add 1/4 cup of the hot sauce and mix it all together until well combined. Put the chicken mixture in a bowl and set aside. Quickly rinse out your skillet and return to stove.
4. Melt 2 tbsp. butter in the skillet over medium heat and whisk in the flour and mustard powder until smooth. Then whisk in the milk and cream and add the remaining 1/2 cup of hot sauce and stir until thick. Whisk in the cheddar and pepper jack cheese until melted and smooth then whisk in the sour cream until all combined.
5. In the prepared baking dish, spread half of the macaroni in the bottom of the dish then top with the buffalo chicken mixture and then the remaining macaroni. Pour the cheese sauce evenly on top.
6. Put the remaining 2 tbsp. of butter in a small bowl in the microwave to melt. Stir in the panko and bleu cheese then sprinkle over the macaroni.
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly. Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving.