Tightly Woven

Hey there lovebugs,
Happy Monday. I hope you had a great weekend. Today we're looking at a clutch that is very intricate. It's the woven clutch, this great detail is such an easy way to dress up your go to weekend bag.

Piperlime, Roberta Frey Rafia Clutch, $98

I'm loving the oversized foldover on this clutch and the faint metallic weave is perfect for day or night.

Asos, Weave Metal Bar Clutch, $22

This bag has a great Aztec pattern to it. Very different.

Nordstrom, Top Choice Woven Clutch, $26

This pattern reminds me of when I used to fold my Starburst wrappers together. Super fun and I love the price tag.

Lord & Taylor, Jessica McClintock Overlap Square, $45

I'm obsessed with this bag. It's so chic and visually appealing. Square body but rounded hardware.

A good clutch is just that, clutch. But think about mixing in a great woven material to give the eye some interest.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

We made it! Happy Friday. Have a great weekend. Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
c/o Lauren's Latest

Ingredients

for the dough-3/4 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast {use the fast acting kind!}
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 egg
1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
4 1/2-5 cups all purpose unbleached flour

for the filling-1/2 cup softened margarine
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cornstarch

for the frosting-2 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup softened margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon corn syrup
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

Directions

Making the Dough- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, pour in water, yeast and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Stir and proof 5 minutes. Once mixture looks bubbly and frothy, pour in remaining sugar and salt. Stir on low for 15-20 seconds. In a small bowl, measure buttermilk, oil and egg. Whisk ingredients together until egg is incorporated to other two ingredients. Pour contents into the water and yeast mixture. Stir another 20 seconds in the mixer. Pour 2 cups of flour into mixer and stir on low until incorporated. Sprinkle flour in by 1/4 cup increments until dough cleans the sides and bottom of the bowl. Dough should be sticky but not sticky enough to stick to your hands when touched. Once it has reached this stage, turn mixer on and knead for 5 minutes. Remove dough from bowl, grease and replace back into same mixing bowl {since it’s practically clean anyways.} Cover with plastic wrap and a dish towel. Rise 1-2 hours or until dough has doubled in size.

Filling and Cutting Rolls- In a medium size bowl, stir brown sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch together until combined. Set aside. Punch down dough. Flour a large clean table liberally with flour. Lightly flour dough as well. Roll dough out to be a 20×30 rectangle {or as close to that as possible} while moving dough around to ensure it’s not sticking to your work surface. If it’s a little short or uneven, feel free to cut off the edges to even it all out. {FYI-I cut off some dough on one side and filled in a spot that needed more dough on the other side to make a more even rectangle.} Spread softened margarine over dough, being sure to go right to the edges leaving a 1-inch strip untouched on one of the longer sides of dough. Dump brown sugar mixture onto the middle of the dough and spread with your hands, creating an even layer over top of the margarine, still leaving that 1-inch strip of dough untouched. If you have any filling that falls off the sides of the dough, use a bench scraper to replace. Lightly press the sugar mixture into the margarine using a rolling pin. Roll the dough up into a tight log, finishing with the plain dough on the bottom to seal the entire thing together. Cut off the uneven ends to even out the log. Score log every 2 inches and then slice your rolls using those marks. Place into parchment paper lined, margarine greased pans. 12 into a 9×13, 3 remaining into a loaf pan, or 8×8 with the small ends. Cover pans with plastic wrap and dish towels. Let rolls rise another 1-2 hours or until they are touching and have risen almost double. My rolls always spread out more than up, so just be aware that they will most likely spread out more than up. Bake in a preheated 350 degree for 17 minutes, or until tops start to brown. Watch them carefully!!

For the Frosting- While the rolls are baking, whip cream cheese and margarine together. Stir in vanilla, corn syrup and lemon juice. Scrape sides and mix again. Pour in powdered sugar and stir slowly until it starts to incorporate. Then mix on high for 5 minutes or until frosting starts to lighten in color. Scrape sides and mix again briefly. Once rolls have been removed from the oven, frost using half the amount made. Then after they have cooled a few more minutes, frost again with remaining frosting. The first frosting will melt down into the rolls and the second layer should stay put. Serve warm.

Quick Mexican Chicken

c/o Gonna Want Seconds

Ingredients

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts-cut into medium to large chunks
1 medium onion-diced1 red pepper-diced                                                                             
1 russet potato-medium diced
2-15 ounce cans tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon white sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2-1 chipotle in adobo sauce
1/2- 1 cup fresh cilantro-roughly chopped 

Directions
1. In a large sauce pan add all ingredients.  Bring to a simmer and continue to cook over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through and potato is soft.  Serve over cooked white rice


Garlic Roasted Cauliflower with Toasted Asiago Breadcrumbs
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 1 (1 1/2 lb) head of cauliflower, cut into florets (about 6 heaping cups)
• 5 - 6 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste

For the topping:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 large clove garlic, crushed
• 1/3 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp shredded Asiago cheese
• 1 tsp fresh thyme

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°F.  Place the cauliflower and garlic on a large baking sheet andtoss with the oil, salt, and pepper.  Bake until tender and browned, about 22 - 25 minutes, tossing every 6-8 minutes.  

Meanwhile, heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat.  Add the oil, then the onion and sauté about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the garlic and sauté until the onions become golden brown. Reduce heat to low, add breadcrumbs; sauté until the breadcrumbs are light golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, careful not to burn.  Turn off heat and stir in the thyme. When cool, add asiago cheese.When the cauliflower is ready, remove from oven and top with the toasted bread crumbs.

Metal Meets Loafer

Happy almost Friday lovebugs,
Today we're looking at some loafers, but these aren't your mom's loafers. We're looking at metallic loafers. Sassy, cool and eye catching.

Piperlime, Bass Wendybird 2, $99

If you want one heck of a sturdy shoe, get Bass. The cost per wear will make the price worth it.

Fossil, Calabash Loafer, $98

How about these with some ankle pants? I love the menswear look these loafers have.

Neiman Marcus, Cole Haan Air Tali Loafer, $56

You see that word 'air' in these Cole Haan loafers? That means Nike designed this shoe. That means you can walk a mile in these shoes. You're welcome.

Sperry Top Sider, Brooks, $80

Even Sperry, the boat shoe experts, make a great loafer. I love the snake print on this gold metallic.

Loafers are huge for fall. You've got smoking loafers, penny loafers, you name it. Try out a metallic loafer to add some spice to your outfit.

Be fabulous today!

Mission Accomplished: Anorak

Cooler weather means an extra layer, an outer layer. It's not time for the winter coat but you definitely want something extra. A great option is the anorak. It comes in a variety of styles and colors and it's a great throw on and go casual coat.

Old Navy, Women's Hooded Anorak, $49

This is a great option under $50, and it comes in four other colors.

Neiman Marcus, Michael Kors Oversized Fit Anorak, $52

I'm not entirely certain what's going on underneath this coat, some sort of camo jumpsuit I believe? That aside. Michael Kors makes a great longer length anorak, great for work. 

Kohl's, Croft and Barrow Roll Tab Anorak, $56

This inner drawstring is great to create a waist and the plum color is perfect for fall.

Nordstrom, Megan Hooded Anorak, $88

The olive tone gives this coat a great army look. A great one for the weekend.

What kind of coat do you layer on for this cooler weather? Quilted, trench or maybe an anorak?

Be fabulous today!