Friday, April 5, 2013

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! And a big Happy Birthday to The Bf. 

California Club Blue Cheese Chopped Salad
c/o Lauren's Latest
Ingredients

1 large romaine heart, washed and chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
1 ripe avocado, diced
1/4 cup rinsed and drained black beans
for the dressing-
1 clove garlic, minced
juice of 1/2 large lemon, about 1 1/2 tablespoons
1/3 cup mayonnaise
salt & pepper, to taste
Directions
Toss all ingredients for salad together and set aside.
For dressing, whisk all ingredients together and toss with salad. Serve immediately.

Spring Asparagus Risotto
Ingredients
  • 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup shallots, chopped
  • 1 cup arborio rice
  • 2 oz dry white wine
  • 3/4 lb thin asparagus spears, tough ends trimmed, cut 2-inches long
  • 1-2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving
  • salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp grated lemon zest for garnish
Directions
In a large saucepan, heat broth over medium-high heat. When it boils, reduce heat to a simmer and maintain over low heat, taste for salt and adjust as needed.

In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil and add the shallots; sauté3-4 minute. Add the rice; mix well so the rice is coated throughout and saute until the rice is slightly translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the wine and stir until it is absorbed.  

Add a ladleful of the simmering stock; stir and wait until it is absorbed before adding another ladleful stirring gently and almost constantly.  

Continue this process until the rice is creamy, tender to the bite, but slightly firm in the center. Add the asparagus along with the last ladle of broth and continue cooking 5 minutes, total time should be about 25-30 minutes from the time you started. When all the liquid is absorbed, remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, parsley and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Serve immediately and top with fresh cracked pepper, lemon zest, and extra grated cheese if desired. 

Biscoff Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup Biscoff spread
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 10-ounce bag dark chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Beat butter, brown sugar and white sugar together until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each egg. Beat in vanilla extract and Biscoff spread.

3. In another bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly beat flour mixture into egg mixture. Mix well. Fold in dark chocolate chips.

4. Roll out tablespoonfuls of dough and place them on cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges have started to brown. (Note: When baked for 10 minutes these are chewy cookies. Baked for 12 minutes they're more crispy. I definitely like them chewy, so I took them out after exactly 10 minutes.)

5. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Striking Stripes

Alright, we've focused on accessories this week, so let's bring it back to the clothes. I love a great cardigan, especially this time of year when layering is key in between seasons. We've looked at sheer cardis, patterned cardis, today let's look at striped cardigans.

J Crew, Stripe Gauze Sweater, $59
I love the pops of lime in this sweater. You can also choose from red/navy or pink/white.

The Limited, Striped Pocket Cardigan, $24
This is just waiting for some colorful accessories. Maybe a tangerine lip?! 

This is great for weekends or for travel. I love the pops of yellow.

Madewell, Striped Poppy Cardigan, $72
Madewell got it right here, leave this cardi open to show the pop of pink. A great vneck is great to leave a cardigan open as well.

Striped cardigans are a great and easy way to mix pattern into your outfit, and they're never going out of style. You can also layer these cardigans on top of a solid dress.

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Nuts and Bolts

Hey lovebugs,
We're sticking with the accessories today and getting a little manly. Nuts, bolts, and screws. Stay with me. Let's make them look chic.

Dorothy Perkins, Bolts on Mesh Necklace, $15
These bolt-style beads are great because they mix gold and silver, making it easy to match with everything.

A grown up friendship bracelet that comes in a variety of neon colors.

This bracelet is so funky. It reminds me of some awesome badass girl who took shop class in high school.

This is how you do nuts and bolts in a girly way. I love the mixed materials used on this bracelet!

See? We can steal from the boys: bf jeans, bf oxford, and now some awesome jewelry.

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Hands Are Tied

I'm a sucker for bows. Always have been, always will be. I like them on clothes, shoes, bags, you name it. But today we're looking at bows on bracelets.

Kate Spade, Skinny mini bow bracelet, $78
Of course when we talk about bows, we have to start off with the girl herself, Miss Kate Spade.

Nordstrom, Cara Bow Bracelet, $38
This is so much fun and so different. I would layer this with a gold watch and bangle.

Saks Fifth Avenue, Marc Jacobs Tiny Bow Bangle, $58
The nice thing about this bangle is that you don't have to bruise your wrist trying to slide it on. This one has a hook and hinge closure.


Dillard's, Bow Leather Bracelet, $20
Leather and bows. Now we're talking ladies. And it comes in four colors.

So how are you wearing bows lately? Simple and sweet or bigger and bolder? Try out these bracelets with your next arm party.

Be fabulous today!