Monday, July 16, 2012

Strapped In

Happy Monday lovebugs,
I don't know about you, but this weekend went way too quickly for me. I saw friends and even some of my favorite bloggers. But overall, I'm just not quite ready to let go so I thought today we would check out some going out heels. I saw this pair in Lucky magazine this weekend and I got inspired.

You know when you look at a shoe and just say, 'damn'. That's the reaction I had with these sleek and simple beauties.

Nine West, Free Spirit, $49
These shoes I would pair with a neon painted toe. The perfect pop of color for a night out.

I feel as though my fabulous friend Mike would have one word for these heels: 'werk!'

Vince Camuto, Bello Pump, $35
The perfect LBD shoe. It's got some chunk, some strap and some sass.

So are we loving the ankle strap sandal? I think its a great option for summer weekend nights.

Be fabulous today!

Friday, July 13, 2012

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday everyone!


Have a fabulous weekend! Here are my favorite recipes for the week.


Summer Pasta with Baby Greens
c/o Skinny Taste
Ingredients

  • 5 oz baby arugula and baby spinach mix
  • 10 oz high fiber or whole wheat pasta
  • 1/4 cup capers, drained
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp freshly shaved Parmigiano Reggiano


Directions
Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. When done, drain andrinse under cold water.

In a large bowl, combine pasta, arugula, spinach, capers, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss well. Top with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.



Zucchini Boats
c/o Table for Two
Ingredients

3 large zucchini, halved lengthwise and flesh cleaned out halfway
3 turkey sausage links (I used spicy Italian turkey sausage)
1/2 yellow onion, diced
4 oz. button mushrooms, sliced
1 cup tomato puree
Salt and pepper, to taste
Shredded cheese, any kind, to sprinkle on top

Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet, set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown the turkey sausage until all cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Then throw in the onions and mushrooms and cook until soft. Pour the tomato puree in and let simmer for 5 minutes. Salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. In the meantime, while filling is simmering, take your zucchini and cut the ends off and cut in half, lengthwise. Take a spoon and scrape out the insides, but keep some flesh in there so the boats don’t collapse. It’s up to you whether or not you want to throw in the scraped out flesh into the filling, I didn’t.
  4. When filling is done, gently spoon the filling into the boats you just made. Place in prepared baking sheet side by side.
  5. Sprinkle a heaping amount of cheese on top and bake for 30 minutes.
  6. Serve immediately.
No Bake Brownie Batter Cheesecakes
c/o Lauren's Latest
Ingredients

for the crusts-
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
for the filling-
1 cup heavy whipping cream, divided
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-8 oz. package Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups box brownie mix {the powder}
2 tablespoons milk
mini chocolate chips for garnish {optional}
Directions

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients for crusts together until moist. Divide evenly between 4 serving dishes and press into the bottoms and up the sides about half an inch. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spoon out of mixing bowl and set aside. Place cream cheese, brownie mix and milk into same mixing bowl the cream was just in and whip until smooth. Gently fold in half the whipped cream. Spoon or pipe over top the crusts. Top with remaining whipped cream and garnish with mini chocolate chips if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Full Frontal

Vests are a trend that I have a hard time getting into. I'm not sure why, but I just usually prefer a cardi. But the open front vest trend is something that I'm getting into recently. I've seen a lot of my fellow bloggers sporting them, so let's take a look at some options. 

Dillard's, Kensie open knit vest, $58
A great open knit is perfect for summer. I'd layer a neon bauble with this.

Urban Outfitters, Sparkle & Fade Sheer Chiffon Vest, $49
A little rocker. I might add a skinny belt to this for some definition.

NY & Co, Open front tie vest, $29
Speaking of adding some silhouette definition, this vest does it for you with a great tie. I love the crisp look of this vest.

A great olive color with a shawl collar. I love this vest. It also comes in cream.

I think the open front vest offers a little more versatility than a buttoned up one. You can leave it open, belt it or accessorize it another way.

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

I'm Going to Expose You

Hey lovebugs!
Happy humpday, we're getting there. Today I wanted to stay with the not-so-prepster trend. Yesterday we looked at leather; today it's exposed zippers. I like the edge that it adds to an outfit but not in an overt 'look at me I'm so hot' kind of way.

A great 3/4 length sleeve in this beautiful creamy red.

Bloomingdale's, Aqua Dress Large Eyelet Zip, $35
You guys. Exposed zipper, white eyelet, $35. Enough said.

Rachel Roy, The Back Up Trouser, $99
Look at this beautiful pink trouser. I love the gold zipper.

Nordstrom, Crepe de Chine Dress, $78
This dress just went on sale and I'm so glad it did. A great mix of colors and so simple.

The exposed zipper trend doesn't have to be super motorcycle chic. Try mixing it with other trends like color blocking or eyelet.

Be fabulous today!