Monday, February 18, 2013

Black Tie Wrist

Happy Monday lovebugs,
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I thought we could extend the weekend a little bit by looking at some glamorous items. Watches. Now, stay with me, there is a trend and style for every kind of watch, but the dressier options sometimes leave the wallet hurting. Today I'm thinking of a black tie inspired watch. Black, white, with silver or gold accents. Very versatile yet mature.

The silver and gold option is a great way to play with mixed metals. 

This is understated bling. Don't get me wrong there is a time and place for a blinged out watch, but for something more workplace appropriate, this is a great option.

Fossil, Georgia Leather Watch, $95
I really like the snaffle bit detail on either side of the face, it makes this piece just a bit more interesting.

Urban Outfitters, La Mer oversized vintage watch, $85
CHeck out the crown on this watch (aka the time adjuster knobby) I love how it stands out next to this quite oversized face.

Watches are a very personal purchase. For me I wear the same one everyday, so it needs to be dressed up and down depending on the occasion. Finding something black and white or a tuxedo-style watch will make it easy for you to mix it into your wardrobe.

Be fabulous today!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Friday Foodday

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

Chorizo and Andouille Postickers
c/o Table for Two
Ingredients

2 fresh chorizo sausage links, casings removed (I went to Whole Foods & got it from their meat section so you don’t have to buy an entire package)
2 fresh andouille sausage links, casings removed (got them at Whole Foods too)
1 large green bell pepper, diced
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
50 round dumpling wrappers (you can typically find these at any Asian mart or International mart)
Water (to seal the potstickers)
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
Directions
  1. In a large bowl, combine the two kinds of sausages and set aside.
  2. In a skillet, with 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil, sauté green bell pepper, onion, and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes.
  3. Add the veggie mix to the bowl of sausage. With your hands (jewelry off!), mix the meat and veggies together until just incorporated. You don’t want to overwork the meat.
  4. Wash your hands with soap then assemble your workstation to have a tiny bowl of water, a pastry brush, a large cookie sheet, a teaspoon, a fork, your bowl of meat, and of course, your dumpling wrappers.
  5. Place a dumpling wrapper in one hand, scoop 2 tsp. of meat filling into the middle of the dumpling wrappers. Dip your pastry brush in the water and brush the edge of the entire dumpling wrapper. Bring one side of the dumpling wrapper up to meet the other side, press gently in the middle then seal all around. Using a fork, press down the edges, sealing the potsticker. Repeat until all the meat filling has been used up.
  6. In a large skillet, oil the bottom of the skillet with 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil. Place the potstickers all over the skillet, covering as much space as you can. Pour 1 cup of water onto the potstickers, place the lid on the skillet, and turn the heat to medium high.
  7. Let the potstickers cook until all the water has evaporated, about 7 minutes, then let it sear for another 2-3 minutes. Through all this, do NOT touch them! Remove the lid and flip the potstickers. You may wish to remove them at this time or sear the other sides of them.
  8. Serve hot.
Baked BBQ Onion Rings
Ingredients

  • 2 yellow onions, sliced into rings
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • Dash of hot sauce
  • 1.5 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Whisk together the flour, salt, paprika, chili powder, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl.
  3. In another shallow bowl, whisk together the egg whites, buttermilk, and a dash of hot sauce.
  4. Add the panko bread crumbs to a plate or shallow bowl.
  5. Dip the onion ring in the flour mixture, then the egg, then the panko bread crumbs. Repeat until all the onion rings are coated with bread crumbs. Lay in a single layer on two baking sheets covered with parchment paper.
  6. Bake for 12 minutes and then carefully flip and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes.
  7. While the onion rings are baking, mix together the barbecue sauce and yogurt to make your barbecue dipping sauce.
Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 6-ounce bag fresh spinach*
1 14-ounce can quartered artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed, roughly chopped, and divided
4 ounces (1/2 cup) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (4 ounces) Wisconsin Parmesan Cheese, shredded and divided
2 tablespoons shallots, minced
2 tablespoons garlic, minced and divided
1 12-ounce box whole wheat penne pasta
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup (4 ounces) medium Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 cup (4 ounces) Wisconsin Havarti Cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon sriacha sauce

Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. If using fresh spinach, heat olive oil in large sauté pan over medium heat, add spinach and wilt. Remove to plate to cool. Squeeze excess water from spinach. Set aside.
In small bowl, combine half of drained spinach and half of chopped artichoke hearts. Stir in softened cream cheese and ½ cup Parmesan Cheese. Stir in shallots and 1 tablespoon garlic. Pour mixture into oven- safe baking dish and bake for 15 minutes or until the mixture is toasted on top and heated through. Remove from oven; cover to keep warm and set aside.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. In medium pot, melt butter and whisk in flour. Continue whisking vigorously over medium high heat until roux becomes golden brown. Add milk slowly, 1/2 cup at a time, whisking during each addition. Bring mixture to boil. Add mustard, pepper, 1 tablespoon garlic, remaining cheeses and sriacha sauce. Stir in reserved spinach and artichokes, mixing until evenly incorporated.
Pour pasta into cheese mixture; mix to ensure all pasta is coated evenly. Plate and top with a generous spoonful of warm spinach and artichoke mixture. Serve and devour.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Girl Power PJ

Happy V-Day lovebugs. Today we're celebrating NOT going out to dinner tonight. Today we're celebrating girl power. Whether you're single or in a relationship, you rock and you should be comfy, at home, with some ice cream. I give you, V-Day lounging.

Forever 21, Heart Print PJ Set, $18
I love that this set is shorts not your usual long PJ pants.

A little bit sassy, but let's be honest, a lot comfy.

Old faithful, you can do no wrong in this number. I wouldn't be ashamed to take out the trash or even leave the apartment for a fire alarm.

Fleece you guys, fleece. Just yes.

Are you sporting anything sassy this V-Day?

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

This is Graphic

Last week we covered the heart print. I wanted to expand on that today and talk about another great graphic print: the bow. we all know I'm a sucker for a big 'ol bow but what about the actual print of a bow? A little less girly, a little more laid back.

I think of this as a girly nautical look. Knots and stripes.

For a more understated bow, try this great top from Gap. The eversoft collection is just what the name promises.

Feeling brave? Try these amazing cords. 

Dorothy Perkins, Peplum Wrap Top, $29
This top will hide any problem area you can think of. The peplum and the wrap is just the perfect way to hide the tummy and accentuate the smallest part of your waist.

So instead of opting for an actual bow, try out a graphic bow today. 

Be fabulous today!