A Little Me

You guys. It's my birthday! Yep. And while I'm not expecting any monumental changes to happen today, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for reading TCB. The Capital Barbie is about looking good without breaking the bank. I hope it offers you inspiration for outfits, creative gift ideas and just a fun place to get away from the everyday.

So often when I sit down on Sundays to write a couple of posts I think, why am I doing this? It's not how I make a living, but what I realize is it's how I want to live. I want to make you feel fabulous. I want you to feel fabulous when it's freezing and raining outside and I want you to feel fabulous when you're late and running out the door to work. Sometimes work, kids, or life gets in the way of us just taking a moment to look in the mirror and realize how amazing we are. I hope you take that moment every.single.day.

You're fabulous because you care, because you inspire, because you motivate. And when you remember that on the inside, it shows on the outside. Yes, labels are nice, but so are groceries and rent, and other things you should probably keep paying. So use this place for fashion inspiration that will allow you to look amazing and feel amazing about the amount of money you're spending.

Before I get all sappy and thankful to each and every one of you I'm going to end with what I'm going to wear to my birthday dinner on Friday with some of my great friends.

Be fabulous today!

Asos, Spot Mesh dress, $62

Reader Request: Graduation Dress

Hey lovebugs!

I hope you had a great weekend. Today we're taking a look at graduation dresses for a reader who happens to be graduating from my alma mater, George Washington University. Now this reader, she has requested something with color, parent appropriate, and preppy. Let's see what I found.

J Crew, Mika, $99

I love this dress for so many reasons. One the cobalt will look amazing with her blonde hair, two the waist band is the perfect width to define but not distract, and finally this dress is easy to layer a cardi or jewelry of any kind.

Nordstrom, Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique Draped Blouse Dress, $83

The layering of this fabric is so delicate and feminine perfect to transition from a daytime ceremony to a early evening dinner.

Modcloth, Easily Abstracted Dress, $79

This keyhole is beautiful on this dress. And the colors are GW!

Ann Taylor, A-Lined Tiered Dress, $99

Some may think this is a little bridesmaid-y but to me, the lines and the fabric is perfect for a soft statement.

Now remember, GW's graduation will be outside in the Washington, DC heat this May, so these dresses I feel are a good mix of cool and chic and all are easy to put on a cardi or pashmena.

Congratulations Maddie and all 2012 grads!

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday loves! Happy March! Here are my favorite recipes this week.


Southern Style Biscuits with Sweet Maple Sausage Gravy
c/o Lauren's Latest

Ingredients

for the biscuits-
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour {unbleached}
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup half & half
1/2 teaspoon vinegar
1 egg
1 1/2 tablespoons greek yogurt
1/2 cup frozen butter, divided

for the gravy-
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup pureed onion {1 whole small}
12 oz. package breakfast sausages {use your favorite kind!!}
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 cup half & half
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup real maple syrup
salt & pepper, to taste

Directions
For the biscuits–Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients. In a liquid measuring cup stir together all the wet ingredients. Set aside. Grate 6 tablespoons of the frozen butter using a cheese grater. Place the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into a small bowl. Pour grated butter into dry ingredients and stir to coat. Pour in wet ingredients all at once and stir 3 or 4 strokes, just to start incorporating everything together. Pour biscuit dough onto well floured board and start moving dough around so it doesn’t stick and folding the dough in half over itself to create layers of dough. Do this 4 or 5 times, sprinkling more flour where needed. Roll dough out to be 1 inch thick and cut into 2-3 inch biscuits. You should get approximately 8 biscuits. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake 12 minutes. While biscuits are baking, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. After the 12 minutes are up, remove biscuits from oven, brush the tops with melted butter and finish baking another 3-5 minutes, or until the tops are golden.

For the gravy–Saute pureed onion and breakfast sausage in large skillet over medium heat with olive oil until meat has browned completely. As the meat cooks, be sure to break apart into smaller pieces. Sprinkle in flour and cayenne pepper. Stir to moisten flour and cook 1 minute. Pour in milk and half & half. After a minute or two, gravy should start to thicken. Once it has thickened remove from heat, stir in maple syrup and salt & pepper to taste.

To serve, split open warm biscuit and top with hot gravy.

Brownie Bottom Cupcakes

c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients

1 box brownie mix, prepared according to packaging directions
1 box cake mix, prepared according to packaging directions
Frosting

Directions

1- Preheat the oven to 350.
2- Fill each cupcake liner 1/3 of the way with brownie batter, then another 1/3 with cake batter. Repeat until all the batter is used.
3- Bake 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely, then frost.

Buffalo Chicken Rollups

c/o Annie Bakes

Ingredients

2 cups chicken-cut up
3/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/2 cup cheddar cheese-shredded
1/4 cup hot sauce
4 tablespoons butter-melted and cooled + 1 tablespoon melted
1 tube Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Crust

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix the chicken, blue cheese crumbles, cheddar cheese, hot sauce and 4 tablespoons melted butter; set aside. Roll out the pizza dough and cut lengthwise into 3 equal strips. Lay out the buffalo mixture evenly down the middle of the 3 strips. Roll the dough over and pinch to close. Cut each long roll into 8 equal pieces. Place the small rolls on a Silpat lined baking sheet. Brush the remaining melted butter over the tops of the pieces. Bake for 4-5 minutes or until browned and the cheese is melted.

Serve with Ranch dressing mixed with hot sauce, drizzle the hot sauce over the top or eat all on their own.

Paris Anyone?

Happy almost Friday lovebugs,
I've never been to France, but the French inspired trend is just beautiful for spring. And while some of my fellow bloggers like Nikki are much more experienced in this trend, I'm going to try it out.

Nordstrom, Trouve Peter Pan Collar Blouse, $88

It's so light and breezy, and the rosy color is so sweet.

Asos, French Connection Maxi Dress, $89

The reason I like this dress is because it can be dresses up or down with the right shoes and jewelry.

BB Dakota, Sequined Mesh Skirt, $52

Ok, I'm not sure what happened to this model's shirt, but let's focus on the beauty of this little ballerina inspired sequined skirt.

Anthropologie, No 45 scarf, $58

The watercolor print of this silk scarf gives such a Parisian look to any outfit, or tie it to your favorite purse.

So how did I do? Did I honor the beauty that is French culture? I just love the soft and effortless style of this trend.

Be fabulous today!