Monday, October 8, 2012

Camel Toe

Hi there lovebugs,
Happy Monday to you. If you are sleeping in because of Columbus Day, I hate you. Not really, it's mostly jealousy mixed with the fact that I'd love to be under my covers right now. 

First things first, the giveaway winner. Congrats to Alli who won the Cove Necklace! I'll be email you shortly. And don't forget, free shipping ALL month at After Sunset with the code CAPITALBARBIE.

Alright, now the real question, why are we talking about camel toes. Well, they should be talked about, and if you spot one, you should tell that person, it's kind of like the bottom half version of spinach stuck in your teeth. Ok, but really, I'm talking today about camel flats. I love camel because it's such a creamy and easy neutral for any season and any outfit.

Alloy, Frida Loafer, $24
Such a great neutral for some bf jeans and a trapeze sweater.

The ballet slipper makes the studs a little less edgy.

Modcloth, Taupe Model Flat, $35
We all know I'm a sucker for a bow, and this camel flat with just a touch of bejeweled is perfect.

Nordstrom, Nine West Jeleena Flat, $78
Quite a chic flat, the metallic heel makes it for me.

See, camel toes are always a bad thing. But most of the time they are. On shoes though, full speed ahead.

Be fabulous today!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! Don't forget to enter the cove necklace giveaway! I will announce a winner on Monday! 

Zucchini Pizza Casserole
c/o Lauren's Latest
Ingredients

4 cups grated zucchini
1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper, to taste
2 eggs
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups grated cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
3/4 cup pizza sauce
any desired pizza toppings: pepperoni, sausage crumbles, olives, peppers, onions, etc.
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 9×13 glass dish with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
Grate zucchini and measure out 4 cups. Sprinkle salt over zucchini and let sit for 10 minutes. Ring out zucchini to remove any excess water and mix together with pepper, eggs, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and spread evenly into prepared baking dish. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and top with pizza sauce, remaining cheeses and any desired pizza toppings. Bake 15 more minutes and remove. Cool 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Crack Dip
c/o Country Cleaver
Ingredients
1 8oz. Container Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups Marshmallow Fluff
2/3 cup Pumpkin Puree
1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice


Directions
In a stand mixer, or large bowl with a hand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add in marshmallow fluff and beat to combine. Beat in pumpkin puree and lastly add in pumpkin pie spice mix. Mix until evenly distributed.
Eat immediately with graham crackers and sugar cookies. Or refrigerate in a sealed container for an hour to chill.
Devour without abandon.


Dutch Apple Pie Cupcakes
c/o I Want to Be a Domestic Goddess
Ingredients
For the Cake
  • 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Frosting
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon each of cardamon, ginger, and nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
For the Apple Pie Filling
  • 3 granny smith apples
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tbs soft brown sugar
For the Brown Sugar Streusel
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
Directions
For the Cake
Preheat oven to 325°. Place cupcake liners in two 12-hole muffin tins.
In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the brown sugarsugar 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 buttermilk and the lemon juice, beating well after each addition. Stir in lemon zest.
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 on low until the mixture is crumbly. Then whip on high until frosting is fluffy. Spread a thin layer of frosting on top of each cupcake.
For the Apple Pie Filling
Peel, core and chop the apples, and place them in a saucepan. Add in the water and brown sugar over a medium heat for about 10 mins. Remove from heat and let sit until cool. Put 2-3 tablespoons of apple pie filling on top of the frosted cupcakes.
For the Brown Sugar Streusel
Mix flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in butter. Spread mixture on the bottom of a greased 8x8 baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and let cool. Once cool, crumble and sprinkle over the top of the apple pie filling on the cupcakes.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Those Damn Pants

Happy almost Friday,
It's been a busy week, but luckily, we're almost done. Today's post comes from one of my most fashionable friends, LPU. She is my go to for all things put together and fabulous. She, like so many of us, does not have a bajillion dollars to spend on her wardrobe, so I'm always picking her brain to see what she is wanting to buy and find it for cheaper. Today, she wants "those damn pants you can wear under boots"so I'm bringing them to you for under $50.


Target, Corduroy Pant, $22
Some people feel that bright colored pants shouldn't be worn in the winter. I am not one of those people. These are perfect with flat boots and a cardigan.

I like these because the dots are a darker blue not stark white.

Old Navy, Super skinny jeans, $19
Black skinny jeans for $19. You are so freaking welcome.

Forever 21, Safari Print Denim Skinnies, $20
Feeling bold? Like really bold? How about these sassy pants. 

So there you go, some super affordable, skinny pants for boots or just on their own.

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

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.

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.

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!