Friday, July 20, 2012

Friday Foodday

Lovebugs,
Next week I'm headed on vacation with my family to New Hampshire for a whole week! But not to worry, I'm leaving you in the very capable hands of some of my favorite bloggers. Enjoy their posts! 


Now, my favorite recipes!



Avocado Roasted Chicken Grill cheese with spicy tomato sauce

Ingredients
8 slices each of swiss cheese and pepperjack cheese
2 large ripe avocados, sliced
1 cup of spicy tomato sauce
8 slices of good hearty bread
1/2 pound of chicken tenders
1 tsp salt and pepper each
1/2 tsp cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
dash of olive oil
dash of paprika

Directions
Mix seasonings together along with the olive oil and toss with the chicken tenders. Roast in oven for 15-20 minutes (depending on size of tenders) at 375. Set aside to cool. Once cool cut into nice size chunks.
Generously butter one side of a slice of bread. Place bread butter-side-down onto skillet bottom and add slice of pepperjack and slice of swiss cheese, next add the chicken and avocado slices. Butter a second slice of bread on one side and place butter-side-up on top of sandwich. Grill until lightly browned and flip over; continue grilling until cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining slices of bread. Top with the spicy tomato sauce and call it a night!

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables
Ingredients
4 ounces uncooked ziti
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow squash, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
4 large mushrooms, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 cup (2 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Cooking spray
1/2 chopped grated Pecorino cheese 

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Preheat oven to 400°.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan. Add squash, zucchini, onion and mushrooms; sauté 5 minutes. Add tomato and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in pasta, 1/2 cup mozzarella, herbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper.

Combine ricotta, remaining salt, and egg. Stir into pasta mixture. Spoon into an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and pecorino.

Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until bubbly and browned.

Oreo Fudge Bars
Ingredients
1 16 oz package Oreos
1 stick butter, melted
1/4 tsp salt
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a mix of milk and semi-sweet- we like it both ways)

Directions
1- Preheat the oven to 325.
2- Line a 9x13 dish with foil, sprayed with cooking spray.
3- Set 6-8 cookies aside, chop into pieces (this will be the topping of the bars).
4- Place remaining cookies in a food process and process into a fine crumb. (If you don't have a food processor roll them in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin until in a fine crumb).
5- Combine the butter, Oreos, and salt. Press down into the bottom of the pan.
6- Melt the chocolate, combine with the condensed milk, stirring well.
7- Pour the topping over the Oreo layer. Top with the chopped Oreos.
8- Bake for 20 minutes.
9- Allow to cool for one hour, then place in the fridge to cool completely before slicing. Keep cool until serving.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Collar Me Fancy

Happy almost Friday guys! We're so close!

Today I wanted to look at a great trend that isn't out of reach for us 9-5ers. The collar necklace. Now, there are a few definitions for this piece. Some define it as a tighter necklace, but I'm talking about a literal collar. Add it to a tee, a crew neck, anything for a little bit extra.

A little edgy but the metal work around the edges adds a feminine flair to this piece,

Hive and Honey, Hinged Collar Necklace, $30
Simple, chic, add it to an LBD and instant drama.

You can never go wrong with some preppy pearls.

This is quite the statement, if it wasn't for the slight scallop edge it would be biker-chic.

Forever 21, Sequined Collar Necklace, $10
For ten bucks, this shiny number is worth a shot!

Have you tried the collar necklace trend? It's a girly twist on any shirt or dress!

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

A Teeny Bit 'o Print

Hey lovebugs,
Mini skirts are so much fun for summertime (please note NOT for work). What I'm really loving is a little bit of pattern. And I'm not just talking a stripe here or a polka dot there, I'm talking graphic prints.

Forever 21, Retro Print Skirt, $12
While I despise these shoes, I love this mini. The print is so fluid and the buttons add some definition.

Modcloth, Garden Plot Twist Skirt, $42
The colors in the skirt just leap out at you. I would pair this with a white tie blouse.

Besides the great chevron going on here...100% of proceeds from this collection are committed to the development of sustainable communities.

Nordstrom Rack, Mimi Chica Hem Skirt, $28
A little high low action on this adorable skirt. I might add a skinny neon belt to this one.

A printed mini is a great way to add some interest to your outfit. And don't pair it with a white top! Try to find a color in the skirt or a contrasting neon to pair.

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Unlikely Pair

Brights and neons have been a huge trend this year and I love them. They are such a great pop of color but what I really love is when people mix them. I'm talking about adding an orange blazer to a pink dress or wearing a neon blue shirt with a highlighter green necklace. It's that type of unexpected color mixing that is really exciting. Today we're looking at pink and yellow.

Bauble Bar, Lemon Triad Necklace, $28
Pair this burst of yellow with the dress below...

Dorothy Perkins, Pink pleat waist dress, $79
Suddenly this blush pink dress gets some edge with a bright yellow statement necklace.

Nordstrom, Gibson Linen Blazer, $88
Take this linen blazer, perfect for warmer weather, add a white silk blouse and throw on these cropped pants...

Like the perfect tube of lip gloss, these cropped pants are perfect for summer.

Forever 21, Bold Eyelet Shorts, $16
Pair these pink shorts with...

J Crew, Painter Boatneck Tee, $38
This comfy slub cotton tee is perfect for summer evenings.

While pink and yellow might not alway be the first go to color pairing when you look in your closet, it's certainly a fun and easy one to try this summer!

Be fabulous today!