Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Just Jade

I hope you read that as 'Just Jack'. Good. A huge color going into fall is jade. It's a saturated jewel toned color that will look great on just about any skin tone. Let's take a look at some options. And scroll down for the winner of the Bauble Bar giveaway!

Mango, Stain finish t-shirt, $34
A little high-low action on this shirt. A great base to layer on the accessories.

I beautiful high waister skirt that is perfect with some violet tights.

White and Warren, V Neck Dress with Side Slit, $75
I think the slits on this dress really makes it less casual then it may seem. the cotton blend just needs some drop earrings and heels.

J Crew, Nicky Top, $98
Give this top a couple of weeks and I promise you, you will see it on sale for $69 and then scoop it up because it is the definition of versatile.

What are your favorite colors for the new season? Jade is up there for me!

Be fabulous today!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Bauble Bar giveaway!


Kat V. You won! I will email you your gift card to Bauble Bar!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Slight of Hand

Who doesn't love a great bag? And with the ginormous fall fashion catalogs that are sitting on my coffee table I'm sure we'll have a ton to choose from this season. One trend that I'm really loving is the top handle bag. It's a corporate but can be styled in so many ways.

Hey don't forget to enter to win a $50 gift card to bauble bar! I'll announce a winner tomorrow.

An adorable cross body bag that offers a pop of color with it's utility.

Modcloth, Houndstooth or Dare, $59
This bag is so urban chic to me. A beautiful cold day brunch bag.

Piperlime, Nora by Melie Bianco, $79
I love the leather laced through the hardware on the strap there. It's that attention to detail that makes this bag a stunner.

Anne Klein, Ostravaganza, $85
Can't afford the real thing? Try this ostrich look that offers a million ways to wear it. My first choice would be to tie a silk scarf to it.

The top handle is so pretty when used with these bags because what's usually expected in a briefcase is transferred to a great purse.

Be fabulous today!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Headband Hold the Headache

Hey there lovebugs! I'm currently sitting on my couch under a blanket with the puppy in my lap after a successful day of getting caught in the rain at the dog park. How was your weekend?

As I've mentioned before, headbands are among my favorite in the accessory world, but here's the thing, I have a huge head. So huge. Often I get a a nasty headache by hour three of wearing my headband. The solution? The elastic headband. And I'm not talking about a gym ready elastic headband. Take a look at these sparklers.

Nordstrom, BP Beaded Headband, $18
Look at this beauty, the detail of the beading gives this a feathery look.

BCBG MaxAzria, Rhinestone Headband, $38
The gunmetal finish on this headband gives the rhinestones a tougher edge.

Anthropologie, Nella headband, $32
This stunner comes in a few colors but this teal is my favorite. Anthropologie always does the best romantic accessories.

Forever 21, Metallic Braided Headband, $1.80
Looking for something for the weekend? A no nonsense throw on and go with your bf jeans? Fork over two bucks and this is yours!

While I do have quite a collection of regular headbands, I adore elastic headbands for my mammoth head.

Be fabulous today!

Friday, August 17, 2012

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs!

Raspberry Cupcakes with Lime Frosting
c/o I want to be a domestic goddess
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 1/8 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/8 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup fresh raspberries, coarsely chopped
For the Frosting
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 4 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
Directions

For the Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350°. Place cupcake liners in one 12-hole muffin tin.
In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and add in four parts to the sugar mixture, alternating with the milk and the vanilla extract, beating well after each addition. Stir in the raspberries
Divide batter among the liners. Bake until the tops spring back when lightly touched, about 20 to 22 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely on a rack before icing.
For the Frosting
Whip all ingredients together at medium high speed until smooth.

Baked Chicken Fingers
Ingredients
10 boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins, sliced into strips (I bought the individually packaged Purdue chicken tenderloins & each packet comes with 5 in each)
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
3 eggs
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. In a shallow dish, combine panko, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to get it all incorporated.
  3. In another shallow dish, beat the 3 eggs together.
  4. Take the chicken strips and dip them in the egg mixture then cover the chicken strips with the panko mixture. Gently press the panko mixture on the chicken to make sure it’s well coated.
  5. Lay the strips next to each other on the baking sheets and repeat until all the chicken strips have been coated.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes then turn on the broiler and broil them for another 5 minutes to get the outside even more crispy & a light brown color.
  7. Serve immediately with honey mustard or BBQ sauce or ketchup!
Vacation Bisquick Peach Cobbler
Ingredients & Directions

Toss sliced ripe peaches with sugar and cinnamon. I used about 15 peaches, 1 cup sugar,  1 tablespoon cinnamon. Pour into a large baking dish.
In a large bowl combine Bisquick and milk. It’s roughly a 1:1 ratio, but I felt mine was a little too runny so I added more Bisquick. I used a little over 3 cups Bisquick. Pour this mixture over the peaches.
Bake for 60 minutes. Serve warm-ish and with fresh whipped cream.