Guest Post: Mrs. In Training

Hi!  I'm Kelly from Mrs In Training.

I'm so excited to guest post for The Capital Barbie today, and want to tell you all about what I pack in my beach bag!  I just got back from a glorious week at the Outer Banks, and so I was able to snap a few shots to give you a peek ;)  Dressing for the beach is always the same for me - bikini, flat sandals (I hate the way flip flops "flip" up sand on my legs), a hat and sunglasses.  I also love this breezy Zara tunic as a cover up.  

In my bag, I always take a small lunch cooler to keep drinks and snacks cool.  Water is a must in 100 degree heat, and this week I was munching on fresh blueberries and Luna bars for some extra energy.  

How do I keep it all cold?  These awesome Cordina daiq-GO-ris!  You freeze them, and when you're ready to drink, just squeeze and unscrew the cap!  My aunt and I called them our adult Capri Suns, and with 6% alcohol they definitely made our afternoons more enjoyable!

Everything else I put in a large zipper bag to keep as much sand off as possible.  I love this clear one from DvF...it makes it so easy to see what is inside!

And it contains necessities like suntan lotion, a wide toothed comb for any snarls after dips in the ocean, and my personal addiction, Carmex chapstick.

I never leave home without my cell phone, but I also love this tiny speaker from iHome - it is really loud, and perfect to entertain a group over the sounds of the surf.  That, the Pandora app, and Amazon music Cloud Player really start a party.  

I saw a pin on Pinterest earlier this year about how baby powder helps get off sand at the beach, so I thought I'd give it a try since I HATE getting sandy.  And wow, does it work!  After I cooled off in the water and dried off with my towel, I rubbed a bit of baby powder on my face, hands, or wherever else I had a bit of sticky sand, and it came right off!!  I will never go to the beach again without it.  And I packed the wipes to take off any bits of baby powder before nomm-ing on some blueberries, but I really didn't need them - the baby powder wasn't messy at all.  My Kindle was another "must" - I love how perfectly it works in bright sun.

And of course, a towel, but I forgot to take a picture, and we all know what those look like ;)

Kelsey, hope you're having a great time at the beach!  Thanks for having me!  

Twitter @mrs_in_training  |  Instagram @mrsintraining  |  www.mrsintraining.com

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

c/o Kitchen Bellicious

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

c/o A Taste of Home Cooking

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

c/o Stephanie Cooks Blog

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.

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.

Topshop, Textured Point Collar, $30

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.

Asos, Pieces Florida Bead Collar, $15

You can never go wrong with some preppy pearls.

Kohl's Apt 9 Silver Tone Snakeskin Collar, $28

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!

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.

Macy's, Tommy Hilfiger Millennium Promise Skirt, $62

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!