Color Within the Lace

Hey there lovebugs,

I hope you are having a great week. One trend that I'm really loving right now is colored lace. So often lace is simple and pure white. Not anymore. 

Madewell, Meadowlace Mini, $88

I love this bright and cheery mini. It is just stunning and you can pair it with any color you'd like.

Asos, French Connection Lace Double Layer Tank, $69

This is an interesting top, and I think it would be lovely with jeans or a pencil skirt.

Last Call Neiman Marcus, Tart Lace Cuffed Shorts, $49

Love. Just love these. So stunning with a great black wedge sandal.

Piperlime, Vendor Boatneck Lace Dress, $69

What makes this dress special is the purple underlay with the red lace. I would add a skinny metallic belt.

Colorful lace is a great way to mix in a pop of something extra. A nice break from all of the little white dresses you'll be seeing this summer.

Be fabulous today!

Splish Splash

While here in DC we haven't had a ton of rain, it is the season for April showers, so let's look at some fabulous rain boot options! (Please note: I'm thinking about you Midwest, please stay safe during this time of flooding!)

Nordstrom, Chooka Classical Dot Rain Boot, $64

Chooka is a great brand when it comes to rain boots, they have a ton of styles and patterns to choose from too. I'd recommend sizing up.

Sperry, Pelican Too Rain Boot, $78

This is a classic look for a rain boot. The quilted rubber makes it appropriate to wear with just about anything.

Target, Union Stripe Rain Boot, $29

Well are these just the cutest thing you've ever seen or what? I love the pop of pink!

Tommy Hilfiger, Wrestley Tall Rain Boots, $69

I don't know what it is about these boots but I really like them. They're quite rugby/equestrian/early morning fog-ish.

What do you sport in the rain? Are you a rain boot or shoe kind of girl? Hopefully the saying rings true, April showers will bring the May flowers!

Be fabulous today!

Vanishing Act

Hey there lovebugs,
I'm back from a fabulous vacation with the Bf. I first and foremost want to thank my wonderful guest posters last week. Rosa, Emily P, Emily H, Lauren.

Now that I'm back, I thought we would take on a big trend for the spring. Lucite. A while ago we looked at lucite shoes and today we'll look at some lucite or clear accessories.

BCBGeneration, Morgan Lucite Minaudière, $64

If you're wondering, minaudière is a fancy way of saying small bag. Yeah, throw that out at a party. "Oh, I love your clutch!" "Actually--it's a minaudière, but yes, isn't it fabulous?"

Last Call Neiman Marcus, RJ Graziano Clear Bangle, $35

I love this chunky bangle because it's actually quite light and airy.

Vince Camuto, Lucite Hoop Earrings, $25

These are stunning, they are the perfect addition to a hot pink summer dress.

C Wonder, Lucite Link Layering Necklace in Shocking Pink, $58

This is a great option for warmer weather, it also comes in yellow or clear. It's easy to layer with lighter necklaces.

Lucite doesn't always have to be clear, as long as it's see through, it's on trend. Try it out this summer!

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Yes, I'm on vacation, but you thought I'd leave you without Friday Foodday? Of course not lovebugs! Thank you to my guest posters this week, I'll see you all on Monday!

Breakfast Quesadilla
c/o Country Cleaver

Ingredients
2 Tortillas
4 Eggs, lightly beaten
¼-½ tsp Tabasco Chipotle Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 ½ Tbsp Milk
4 slices Bacon, cooked and chopped
½ Avocado, diced
2 Tbsp Cilantro
½ cup Pepper Jack Cheese
¼ cup Sour Cream or Mexican Crema
¼ cup Salsa
Lime for juice

Directions
In a non-stick fry pan, fry up bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and when cool enough to handle chop into pieces. Set aside. Crack eggs into small bowl, add in chipotle sauce, milk, and dashes of salt and pepper. Whisk and set aside.
Wipe out pan that was used for frying bacon. Turn on stove to medium heat. Spray pan with non-stick spray. Add in eggs. Scramble until just set. Do not cook them until over done. Divide eggs onto one half of each tortilla. Top eggs and tortilla with avocado, cilantro, bacon, and cheese. Gently fold over the other half of each tortilla.
Wipe out fry pan one more time. Spray again with non-stick spray and heat up again over medium heat. Gently lay each folded over tortilla into the non-stick fry pan. Once the tortilla has started to turn golden brown, use spatulas to flip the tortillas over. Brown on other side. Remove from fry pan and plate. Top with sour cream or Mexican crema and salsa. Devour.

Shells with Sausage and Broccoli Pesto
c/o Laloosh

Ingredients

8oz whole wheat pasta shells

6 oz chicken sausage, casing removed, diced

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup parsley leaves

1/2 cup water

3 cups basil leaves

3 cups broccoli florets (1 ½ cups steamed)

5 garlic cloves

2 medium zucchini, diced

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions

Prepare pasta according to package directions, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

Pulse together the 1 ½ cups steamed broccoli, parsley, basil, garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a food processor until finely chopped. With the machine running, add the oil and 1/2 cup water, process until smooth.

Spray a medium sized non-stick skillet with non-fat cooking spray and set over medium high heat. Add in sausage and remaining 1 ½ cups un-steamed broccoli, and zucchini and cook until sausage is well browned and broccoli and zucchini are crisp/tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the pesto, sausage, and ¼ cup of the reserved cooking water to the pasta and toss to coat (adding more cooking water as needed to loosen the sauce). Season with additional salt and pepper as desired.

Peanut Butter Toffee Dip
c/o Buns in My Oven

Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup toffee chips (Heath or Skor bits)
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, optional
1 tablespoon milk, as needed, for texture

Directions
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese and peanut butter until combined. Stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined. Add the toffee chips and chocolate chips and stir until just combined. If the dip is too thick for your liking, add milk, a little at a time to get it to the consistency you prefer.