Featured Store: Alex & Ani

Hey lovebugs,
Happy Monday. Did you celebrate Father's Day and call your dad or spend the day with him? I missed being at home, but calling him always helps.

Today we're taking a look at a great jewelry store: Alex and Ani. Their eco-friendly pieces are really beautiful and unique.

Alex and Ani, Ladybug Bangle, $28

As you probably have guess by now, I'm a sucker for a ladybug aka lovebug. 

Alex & Ani, Tiger Endless Hoops, $68

What an easy accessory to add to any Saturday night outfit. Simple and chic.

Alex and Ani, NY Subway Token Necklace, $48

How cool is this? A made in America piece of history.

Alex and Ani, Kingston Wrap, $48

I love the intricate detail of these hollow beads, so expensive looking.

Alex and Ani reminds me of a cross between House of Harlow and Dogeared. I really like the vintage feel with the simple jewelry. 

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! Here are my favorite recipes for the week.

Chicken Pasta Pesto Bake
c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients
1/2 pound pasta, cooked al dente
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, chopped small
2/3 cup pesto
1/2 cup grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese

Directions
1- Combine the pasta, chicken, and pesto. Toss until evenly mixed. Pour into a baking dish. Top with the cheese.
2- Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.




Clam Pizza
c/o Great Eats with Petes

Ingredients

2 dozen little neck clams

1 pizza dough

Flour for dusting

Olive Oil

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Directions

Place clams on a baking sheet. Place clams in the oven and bake for 2-3 minutes or until the clams begin to open. DON’T WALK AWAY! This is only to open the clams a little so you can shuck them not cook them. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Once cool remove the clam from the shell along with the clam juice and set aside in a bowl.

Dust a clean, flat surface with flour. Dust the pizza dough with flour. Roll out dough into the shape you desire.

Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle the dough with garlic. Sprinkle the cheese over the pizza dough. Top with shucked clams and some of their juice. Sprinkle with parsley. Bake in oven on a cookie sheet, pizza pan or pizza stone. Allow approximately 17 minutes for the pizza to cook. Remove from oven.

Slice the pizza and Enjoy!

Breakfast Nachos

c/o Lauren's Latest

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
5 eggs
1 tablespoon cream {optional}
salt & pepper
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups baked tortilla chips
any desired toppings: avocados, tomatoes, salsa, cilantro, sour cream, beans, onions, etc.


Directions

Preheat nonstick skillet over medium low heat. Melt butter in pan. Crack eggs into a small bowl and whisk with salt, pepper and cream {optional}. Pour into hot pan and stir constantly until eggs scramble and are cooked to your liking. Remove from pan. Wipe pan out with paper towel. Spread tortilla chips on the bottom of the pan in an even layer. Top with scrambled eggs and cheese. Place under the broiler until cheese is completely melted. Remove. Top with any desired toppings and serve.

Chambray Anyone?

Happy almost Friday! Thank goodness. I'm ready for a weekend. Today we're looking at some fantastic chambray dresses. Denim is so old school, chambray is somehow chic and great for summer.

Gap, 1969 Chambray tiered dress, $79

The tiers are so feminine on this dress and the bit of a drop waist is very unexpected.

Hive and Honey, Chambray Tulip Hem Dress, $39

Very sexy and breezy for an evening out. I would add a colorful or metallic skinny belt to break things up.

Levi's, Sunday Dress, $59

A great scoop neck dress for summer. I would pair this with some platform sandals.

The Limited, Crossover Chambray Dress, $39

I really love this dress because you can dress it up or down and for the price, you really can't go wrong.

Chambray is beautiful for summer. Just add colorful, blingy, or chunky jewelry to it. 

Be fabulous today!

Jungle Fever

Hey lovebugs! Happy humpday. Today we're taking a peek into the wild, I'm talking about animal print bottoms.

J Crew, Wild animal print linen canvas shorts, $65

J Crew knows how to do a great print on something bigger than an accessory. 

Calvin Klein, Skinny Animal Print Ankle Pants, $59

A subtle print, this is perfect for maybe an evening out with parents.

Loft, Animal Print Drapey Shorts, $49

The drape effect on these shorts dresses them up without the bulkiness of pleats.

Calvin Klein, Sequined Zebra Shorts, $34

OK, I usually try not to post the same designer twice in the same post, but I hope you'll forgive me. Sequined, zebra, shorts. Just yes.

So give your stripes, paisley, polka dots and ikats a rest and step into the wild side.

Be fabulous today!