Neon Dress

Neon is huge this season but for most of us we're incorporating it with jewels or a belt here and a tank there. I think if you're going to wear neon, go all out. Dress. All bold, all neon, all at once.

Topshop, Neon scuba skater dress, $92

How sweet is this dress? I'd add a turquoise skinny belt and be ready to go!

Asos, T-shirt dress with zip back, $63

I would pair this with some mod earrings and a platform pump.

Michael Stars, Smocked Strapless Maxi Dress, $98

This dress is just screaming for a fantastic necklace and bangles. It also comes in orange.

Lulu's, Leaves of Sass, $59

Cocktails on a boat anyone? This dress needs to be worn out and with some serious heels.

Neon is so much fun for summer because it's just a great burst of color for day or night. 

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! I hope you have a great weekend. Here are some of my favorite recipes this week.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta
c/o Cassie Craves

Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 13.5-ounce can artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup sour cream
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 10-ounce package chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided


Directions
1. Preheat the broiler.

2. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Drain, return to pot, and keep warm.

3. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and artichokes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the onions are tender and translucent. Add the garlic; cook and stir 1 additional minute. Add sour cream, cream cheese, and parmesan and heat through until completely melted. Stir in spinach.

4. Add the pasta and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese to the sauce mixture. If the mixture seems to dry, add reserved pasta water a bit at a time.

5. Pour pasta into a greased baking dish and top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Broil 3 to 5 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and cheese is melted.


Celery Cilantro Cocktail
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 1 oz Absolut Citron
• 3 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
• 2 tbsp simple syrup (or  1 tbsp agave, 1 tbsp water)
• 5 inch piece celery
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp seltzer
• ice

Directions

In a mixing glass or pitcher, combine celery and cilantro and muddle together with vodka, lime juice and simple syrup. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a glass filled with ice and top with selzter. Garnish with celery greens and cilantro, maybe even a lime wedge!

Nutella and Salted Caramel Pie
c/o Table for Two Blog

Ingredients

For the crust:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks), cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

3 tbsp. ice cold water

2 tbsp. chilled heavy cream

For the filling:

14 oz. package of caramel candies, unwrapped

1/3 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups Nutella

Directions

1. In a food processor, add in the flour and salt and pulse to mix. Then through the feed tube, add the cubes of butter one by one, pulsating as you go. Then add the water and heavy cream. Mix until dough forms into a ball.
2. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for an hour.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
4. When ready, take the dough out and let sit for 5 minutes to warm up and roll it out on a flat, lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, flatten it to a circle, make sure it’s larger than your pie pan. Then transfer to your pie pan and work it in to make sure it covers all the crevices and trim the extra dough on the edges and use them to patch up any tears/holes. Use a fork to puncture holes throughout the bottom of the dough.
5. Bake crust for 20 minutes, or until crust is getting golden brown. Take out and set aside.
6. While crust is baking, in a small saucepan, melt the caramel with the heavy cream and salt. Next, in another small saucepan, melt the Nutella (just so it’s runny and easy to pour).
7. Take the caramel mixture and pour it into the bottom of the pie crust. Pop it in the fridge for about 10 minutes then pour the Nutella on top.
8. Let sit and cool to room temperature before serving and slicing. You can pop it in the fridge to speed up the process if you can’t wait ;)

Perforated

Yesterday we looked at quilted. Today we're looking at a similar pattern in that it's not a color or stripe but rather a change to the material: I'm talking perforated. This mod look is great when it's done in a classy way.

Lord and Taylor, Betsey Johnson Bellaa Flat, $99

These great flats have a star shaped perforation on them. So fun.

Endless, Jules Smith perforated bangle, $85

A great thick bangle to go with any outfit. Also comes in gold.

Limited, Perforated Obi Belt, $34

The pattern mixed with the bow is quite lovely. I would put this over a light cardigan.

Soft Style, Addy, $50

A great price for a little wedge that is perfect for chino shorts of a sundress.

Perforated might not be my favorite style this season but it's certainly something to be on the lookout for int he sale section. The accessories are easy to mix in to any outfit.

Be fabulous today!

Not Your Gramma's Quilt

Lovebugs,
Happy hump day to you. I hope you are feeling ready to take on the day and looking amazing. Today I want to talk about a great design detail for leather: quilted. I think this pattern adds a classic and expensive look to any accessory.

Nordstrom, Corso Como Del Quilted Pump, $89

Good lord these shoes are fantastic. Neutral, sexy, and so classy.

Lord and Taylor, Paradox Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag, $90

This great bag also comes in black, white and cobalt. This one is a great pop of color.

Nordstrom, Vince Camuto Fawna Flat, $88

Sweet, blush, glitter, a great little flat don't you think?

Modcloth, Boxcar Bag, $59

Loving the vintage feel of this little bag. The shape is so unique!

Quilted is a great pattern for any season. It's chic and doable whether you're a rocker, hipster or prepster.

Be fabulous today!