Embracing Contrast

Lovebugs, have you entered the Cove Necklace giveaway yet? Go now, quick, but then come back, and read this post. It will change your life. Well, maybe not, but it's a good one.

Ok, we ready? Today we're looking at contrast collars. There are tons of collars on trend this season, peter pan collars, collar necklaces, but today, how about a spin on color. Contrast collars.

Piperlime, Collective Concepts Dot Print Ladylike Dress, $89

A simple dot with a pop of orange both on the collar and the sleeves. Perfect for booties and some simple drop earrings.

Vince Camuto, Collar Blouse, $79

Besides that fact that this model makes me want to sponsor her monthly so she will eat something, I love this deep blue. It pops against the black.

Dorothy Perkins, Cream Sequin Collar Blouse, $45

This blouse reminds me of something out of Chain Strap Purse's closet, in the best way possible.

Asos, Sugarhill Boutique Penguin Sweater, $72

A perfect playful print (yeah, what up alliteration) with 3/4 sleeves.

Contrast collars are easy the buy or layer up yourself! Add a plaid button down to your crew neck sweater.

Be fabulous today!

You Don't Know Jade

It is full blown fall around here and with that comes a new set of nail polish colors. Obviously. We haven't done a nail color inspired post in forever; today we're featuring Essie: Going Incognito. I love it because it's a fabulous creamy jade.

Image credit

Max and Cleo, April Dress, $98

I'm not usually a huge fan of cutout sleeves, but this is a very ladylike ensemble, I really like the natural waist hem line.

Ann Taylor, Exotic Embossed Skinny Belt, $34

This is almost a neutral for me. You could pair it with denim, black, brown, or yellow.

C Wonder, Blossom Enamel Bangle Set, $38

Scalloped edge bangles. Ah! I love them. These come in eight other colors.

Ann Taylor, Midnight Tweed Pencil Skirt, $98

I don't often post two items from the same store in one post, but how how I say no to this tweed? It's perfect with black tights and booties.

What colors are you loving for fall both in your closet and on your nails?

Be fabulous today!

Giveaway!

Hey lovebugs,
Today we have a giveaway that I have been so excited to announce. It is from one of my favorite DC lifestyle bloggers, Chelsea from Life is a Sunset. 

Let me tell you a little bit about Chelsea, she is one amazing chick. If you want to read about the life of a optimistic and honest young woman, read this blog. Chelsea recently went through a very difficult time in her life, she lost her mom. I can't tell you how amazingly genuine she was chronicling her feelings and experiences on her blog. Chelsea is always looking for the silver lining or as she says, "Sunsets give us hope for tomorrow; for living a new day."

Now for the fun part. In addition to a blog, Facebook, and Twitter Chelsea is also making her own jewelry in her very own Etsy shop. Yeah, you thought you were busy, spend a day in her shoes! I've partnered with Chelsea to giveaway one of her handmade Cove necklaces. 

To enter the giveaway

Go visit the After Sunset shop and leave a comment below on which item you love the most. (And Chelsea loves custom orders, so get creative if you are looking for something unique!) That's it! I will announce the winner next Monday morning. 

And another awesome note for you fabulous readers, Chelsea is giving FREE SHIPPING on any US purchase for the entire month of October! Just use the coupon code CAPITALBARBIE. I'm thinking Christmas gifts for every lady in my family.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes this week!

Bacon & Onion Pizza with Pesto Cream Sauce
c/o Country Cleaver

Ingredients
8 oz of your favorite dough recipe (or store bought… Shh! I won’t tell!)
½ head of roasted garlic
Olive oil
¼ cup ricotta
¼ cup sour cream
½ cup basil pesto
Flour for rolling the dough (~1 Tbls)
¼ lb bacon, in a large dice
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 oz whiskey (or 1 heaping tsp sugar)
½ cup mozzarella

Directions
1. Make the dough, if not already prepared.
2. If you don’t have roasted garlic laying around, cut the top off of a head of garlic. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake in a dish at 450 degrees for about 30 minutes or until fragrant. Cool, and remove from the head by squeezing the base of the bulb.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta and sour cream. Fold in the pesto. Season with freshly ground pepper. Put in refrigerator to meld until assembly.
4. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy (but not burned). Remove from pan in a slotted spoon, and drain on a paper towel.
5. In the reserved bacon fat, start to cook the onions over medium heat. Salt, and slowly cook until just starting to brown (about 20 minutes). Finish the onions by adding the whiskey or sugar. Cook until alcohol is dissolve, or onions are fully caramelized and sugar is cooked down.
6. Assembly! Roll out the dough – I made mine into a square half-sheet pan lined with parchment, but adjust based on your pizza skill.
7. Spread pesto-cream mixture over the dough, be sure to leave room for crust.
8. Sprinkle with cheese.
9. Dot with ½ head of roasted garlic.
10. Sprinkle bacon and onion over the top.
11. Bake at 400 degrees for about 8-12 minutes – but adjust the temperature and cooking time to suit your baking method (my pie took a little longer because of the dark base of the baking sheet). Check often if you’re unsure (with the light, don’t open the door!) or a pizza novice.
12. Enjoy with a glass of wine and a side salad. If you’re feeling REALLY fancy, you can always just 
put your balsamic-dressed greens right on top of the hot pizza… but do whatever moves you.

Mushroom Stroganoff
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups fat-free, less-sodium vegetable broth (or beef if you're a carnivore)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 5 oz sliced Cremini mushrooms
• 8 oz sliced baby Bella mushrooms
• 3.5 oz Shiitake mushrooms
• 1/4 tsp thyme
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp white wine or sherry
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 8 oz uncooked noodles 
• 1 tbsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish

Directions

Cook noodles in a pot of salted water according to package directions, I like to under-cook them a bit so I can mix it with the sauce and let it finish cooking.

Meanwhile, while the water starts to boil for the noodles, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Melt butter over medium heat and add onions to the pan. Cook 2 - 3 minutes over medium-low heat.

Add flour; stir with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds. Gradually add broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste, stirring constantly. Add mushrooms, thyme, salt and pepper; stir and cook 4-5 minutes or until thickened and bubbly, stirring constantly. 

Add wine; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 30 seconds. Stir in sour cream; add noodles, mix well and garnish with parsley if desired.

Fried Green Tomatoes

c/o Table for Two Blog

Ingredients

3 large green tomatoes, sliced into 1″ thick slices

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 cup Italian breadcrumbs

1/2 cup cornmeal

2 tsp. kosher salt

2 tsp. pepper

1 cup buttermilk

2 eggs, beaten

4 cups vegetable oil

Directions

1. In a shallow dish, mix together both kinds of breadcrumbs, cornmeal, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
2. In another shallow dish, mix together buttermilk and eggs.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Dip a green tomato slice in the egg wash mixture then cover with breadcrumb mixture, lightly pressing it onto the tomato. Shake off excess and gently place on prepared baking sheet. Continue until all slices have been coated.
5. In a deep pot, bring vegetable oil to 350 degrees using a thermometer.
6. Fry two to three tomatoes at a time, you don’t want to crowd the pot too much. Fry each side 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown, then flip over and fry the other side.
7. Place on a plate lined with paper towels to let excess oil drip off. Repeat until all tomatoes have been fried.
8. Serve hot with your favorite sauce. We created a mayo and ketchup based sauce.