Strapped In

Happy Monday lovebugs,
The last week in February, can you believe it? It just flew by. Soon we'll be talking about sundresses and flip flops.


But today we're looking at a great trend for flats- the ankle strap. Check out these picks.

Asos, Chinese Laundry Areyouin Flat Shoes, $45

I love these rocker flats! Such sass and easy to match.

Gabrille Rocha, Neve 2, $48

This saturated purple is so perfect for this flat. I would pair this with a black skirt and tights for work and bf jeans for the weekend.

Hive and Honey, Yvonna, $69

I really like the black and brown contrast. The thicker ankle strap gives the shoe more definition.

Adi Designs, Misbehave, $33

I really like the pointy toe on this shoe, give a little bit more edge to the sweet flat.

I really like the ankle strap flat because its a little more detail to you're average flat. It's not ballet, loafer, or skimmer, it has its own vibe.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes from the week!


Cajun Chicken Pasta
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked linguine (I used Dreamfields)

1 pound chicken breast strips

1-2 tsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced

1/2 red onion, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 medium tomatoes, diced

1 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup skim milk

1 tbsp flour

3 tbsp light cream cheese

fresh cracked pepper

2 scallions, chopped

salt to taste

Smart Balance cooking spray

Directions
Prep all your vegetables. In a small blender make a slurry by combining milk, flour and cream cheese. Set aside. Season chicken generously with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and salt.
Prepare pasta in salted water according to package directions.
Heat a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; spray with cooking spray and add half of the chicken. Sauté 5 to 6 minutes or until done, set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. Set aside.
Add olive oil to the skillet and reduce to medium; add bell peppers, onions, and garlic to skillet, sauté 3-4 minutes. 
Add mushrooms and tomatoes and sauté 3-4 more minutes or until vegetables are tender. Season with 1/4 tsp salt, garlic powder and fresh cracked pepper to taste.
Reduce heat to medium-low; add chicken broth and pour in slurry stirring about 2 minutes.
Return chicken to skillet; adjust salt and Cajun seasoning to taste, cook another minute or two until hot, then add linguine; toss well to coat. Top with chopped scallions and enjoy!


Black beans and rice
c/o Table for Two Blog

Ingredients
1 large onion, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 green pepper, diced

2 garlic cloves

1 bay leaf

1 tbsp. ground cumin

2 (15 oz) cans of black beans, drained and rinsed well

1 (14 oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained

2 jalapenos, seeded and diced

Directions

1. In a large pot, saute onions, peppers, and garlic until the onions and peppers start to get soft. Then add in the bay leaf and cumin.
2. Add in tomatoes, jalapenos, beans, and vinegar. Let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add water to cover your mixture.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the bean mixture starts to thicken.
5. Prior to serving, discard bay leaf and add salt & pepper to taste.
6. Serve over a bed of rice.

Stuffed Pork Chops with Mushrooms and Mozzarella

c/o Great Eats with Petes

Ingredients

8 oz white mushrooms, sliced
1 shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 bone in center cut pork chops
4 slices of smoked mozzarella
Salt
Pepper
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup white wine

Olive Oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large oven proof pan that will fit 4 pork chops heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add in mushrooms. When they begin to brown add in shallots. When the mushrooms are almost fully cooked and the shallots are translucent add in garlic. Cook for 1 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.

Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. Cut a slit into each of the pork chops, creating a pocket. Place a piece of mozzarella in each of the pork chops. Then stuff each pocket with the mushrooms. Close the pockets using toothpicks. Salt and pepper both sides of the pork chops.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in the pan you used for the mushrooms. Add in the pork chops. Brown on both sides (about 3 minutes on each side). Add in white wine, chicken stock and any remaining mushroom filling. Place pan in oven. Bake for 15 minutes. Until pork chops internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.

Remember to remove the toothpicks. Drizzle pan juices over the pork. Serve and Enjoy!

It List

Happy Friday!

Take some time to enjoy these amazing links!

• good clean fun has the key to getting your favorite Girl Scout cookies all year long - a recipe to the oft sought after Samosas!  They look amazing! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• here and now finds the perfect mint colored jeans.  She will clue you in on how she found them and  compare other options out there for you.  These are so cute! (find here and now on twitter!)
• gs lillian scored these darling cat-eye sunglasses for a steal!  Check out where! (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style is obsessed with color blocked sandals for spring.  I am loving these styles too and can't wait to add a pair to my wardrobe. Check out her picks! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• rachael really is looking just adorbs in double stripes! I love this look for spring.... (find rachael really on twitter!)
• along abbey road pairs a pink blazer with a leopard print top!  I'm absolutely in love with this combo! (find along abbey road on twitter!)
• the capital barbie rounds up the best kitten heels.  I love this shoe silhouette, it's perfect for a busy lady! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• one hundred inspirations recreates a classic and bold Olivia Palermo look for less!
• the tiemann girls have another round up of Austin eats - for all you gals heading to the Texas Style Council.  Check out their picks and make note! (found the tiemann girls on twitter!)
• live a lot sports some super cute patterned tights!  A great way to add some fun to your outfit as the winter comes to a close. (find live a lot on twitter!)
• suze wears clothes has three great outfits featuring your favorite boots - but I love that these outfits have a hint of spring in them.  The best of both seasons! (find suze wears clothes on twitter!)

Fancy Sweats

Happy almost Friday lovebugs!

I'm feeling comfy today, but who wants to tell themselves they feel chic in sweats? Right. But what about a dressed up sweatshirt? Check out these fun and fancy sweats.

Bloomingdales, Velvet and Graham Sweatshirt, $28

The scoop neck is chic, the color is dark and the fit is a little retro.

Lands End Canvas, Slub funnel neck sweatshirt, $15

I'm all about the layering that the model is sporting. A little preppy with a sweatshirt!

Love Sam, Heather Grey Jersey Sweatshirt, $62

This is on major sale right now, I love the detail, a little rock and roll.

J crew, Spindrift sweatshirt, $65

The thicker stripe give this sweatshirt a rugby feel, and the color is so saturated. I love it.

Would you sport a sweatshirt out? And I'm not talking taking the trash out.

Be fabulous today!