Friday, January 25, 2013

Friday Foodday

We made it! Happy Friday lovebugs! Here are my favorite recipes for the week.

Brandy Old Fashioned
c/o Jeffery Morgenthaler
Ingredients
1 sugar cube or 1 tsp 2:1 simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 orange wedge
1 cherry, preferably Amarena or Maraska
2 oz brandy or Cognac


Directions
In a chilled old fashioned glass, muddle the sugar, bitters, orange wedge and cherry into a thick paste, careful not to work the orange peel. Add brandy or Cognac, stir, and fill glass with crushed ice and serve.





Skinny Queso Dip
c/o Skinny Taste
Ingredients

  • 1 cup skim milk
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp canola oil
  • 1 cup minced onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 poblano pepper, diced
  • 1-2 jalapeƱos, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes with chiles, diced and drained
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • juice of 1 lime
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ancho chili powder
  • 1 3/4 cups shredded reduced fat sharp Cheddar, Sargento
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of the milk with 3 tbsp of cornstarch to create a slurry; set aside.

Heat a large saucepan on medium heat; when hot add oil. Add the onions, garlic, poblano, and jalapeno and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, to taste.

Add the chicken broth and the rest of the milk. Bring to a boil and cook for about 3 minutes to reduce slightly.

Add the slurry (cornstarch mixture) to the pan and stir; simmer a minute until it bubbles and thickens, then reduce heat to low.

Add the drained tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.Remove from heat and add the cheese; stir until it melts completely. Serve immediately.

Biscoff Donuts
Ingredients
1  cup all purpose flour 
1/2  cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons milk
5 tablespoons creamy Biscoff spread
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon melted butter

Directions
1- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add milk, egg, biscoff spread, vanilla and melted butter. Whisk to combine.
2- Transfer dough to a ziplock bag. Snip off a corner of the bag and pipe dough evenly into a 6-cup doughnut pan.
3-Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until dough is set (it won’t be golden brown, but should be springy.) Remove from the pan and cool completely.
4- Top with your favorite frosting or glaze, then decorate with M&Ms or sprinkles.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

About to Blossom

Happy almost Friday lovebugs,
Today I wanted to look at a great fit for dresses and skirts that flatters many women: the tulip. Picture an upside down tulip before it blossoms, a little wider at the top and it gets tighter towards the stem. Same thing goes for the clothing, a gathered effect at the waist with a slimmer hemline at the bottom.

Oh look at this beauty. I love the poppy color because its not as intense as your standard red.

This picture doesn't do this color justice. This stunning cobalt in silk is perfect for an evening out.

Modcloth, Tulip to Tango, $35
This skit has the most beautiful pleating that will lay perfectly on any shape.

Anthropologie, Embroidered Tulip Dress, $89
Did I save the best for last? Maybe. The detail on these shoulders makes this LBD stand out in a crowd.

The tulip skirt style is a great option for something bit dressier and perhaps more forgiving.

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Tote-ally Colorful

Hey lovebugs,
I think one of the easiest grab and go bags is the tote. It's a throw everything in and then some bag. So if this is our go to, then why shouldn't it be bright? Colorful totes that make us smile.

Ooooo girl, when I said bright, I meant bright. Neon! Loving this bag!

This tote comes in all kinds of colors, but I love the magenta the most. It would be easy to clean with the nylon exterior.

Gap got this one right, the leather is so soft, perfect for a grab and go bag.

American Apparel, L'Epicier Leather Bag, $98
100% leather, 100% American made. Boo ya.

Totes don't always have to be black or brown in order to go with everything. Mix it up with an unexpected pop of color!

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

What's Your Favorite Color?

As you know, I'm not really one for pastels. I prefer more saturated and deep colors. So today I thought we would look at one of my favorites. It's a beautiful shade of pink called fuchsia. It's a gorgeous purple, pink color that I find so easy to wear no matter what the season.

Nordstrom, Vince Camuto Goldie Pump, $88
Hello lover. Look at this beautiful, sleek pump that is perfect for a pencil skirt, a suit, or jeans.

These look so comfortable. Well, not the heels, but you could add anything you wanted to these pants: pumps, flats, Jack Purcell sneakers. 

A bit more muted which is what you want for a coat. I just love the length, I might add a skinny belt to dress it up.

BaubleBar, Pink Mondorian Drops, $22
These art deco inspired earrings are perfect for a larger stud!

What is your favorite color to wear? Fuchsia for me is so versatile and eye catching, I just love it.

Be fabulous today