Monday, July 22, 2013

Splish Splash

Happy Monday lovebugs,
I hope you are doing fabulously. This week we're going to go on a virtual vacation. It's July, it's vacation time, so why not do a week of vacation-wear! Today we're starting things off with bathing suits. No style in particular, just so affordable and adorable suits! (For more options, check out this post from last month!)

This pattern is perfect for ANY shape of size. And you can pair any color sandal with it.

Macy's, Becca Swimsuit, $88 (for both!)
I'm a huge fan of underwire with a bathing suit, just helps keep things in place and makes you look super, ahem, lifted. 

This plunging neckline is beautiful but the higher waist seam is just a bit retro. All over gorgeous.

Target, Mossimo Two Piece in Grenadine, $40 (for both!)
A little ruffle, a lot of fun. 

There are approximately 694 styles of bathing suits out there. These are just a few that I'd love to add to my closet and wear for years to come. That's the thing about bathing suits, I don't have a ton occasions to wear them so when I spend the money, I need them to last.

Be fabulous today!


Friday, July 19, 2013

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs!
Here are my favorite recipes for this week AND at the bottom of this post is the winner of the Nordstrom gift card. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Summertime Smash
c/o Five O'Clock Blog
Ingredients

1 ounce Frangelico
1 ounce bourbon 
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
A splash of two lemon-spiked seltzer 
About 8 large mint leaves
Crushed ice
Mint sprig and lemon wheel, to garnish
Directions
Place mint leaves in bottom of a rocks glass. (It’s up to you whether you want to use a highball, a Collins glass, etc.) Pour sweetener on top of leaves and muddle together well. Fill glass with crushed ice. Pour in bourbon, then Frangelico. Top with seltzer. Give the drink a gentle stir, then add your garnish. Enjoy!

Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Wings
Ingredients
2 pounds chicken wings 
1/4 cup chicken broth
Sriracha hot sauce
3 tbsp. brown sugar
Lawry's seasoning salt

Directions
1- Pour the broth into the bottom of the crockpot. 
2- Top with the chicken wings. Squeeze sriracha over the wings, tossing to coat. The more you use the more heat you're adding, but make sure the wings are coated. Sprinkle the brown sugar and seasoning salt over the wings, tossing to coat.
3- Set on low for 8 hours.

Cheesy Rigatoni with Crispy Prosciutto and Caramelized Shallots
Ingredients
16 ounces rigatoni pasta
12 ounces prosciutto
2 shallots
8 tablespoons butter, divided
3 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
8 ounces Gruyere, grated
12 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan and melt.
Slice the ends off the shallots and then slice the shallots in half. Thinly slice the shallots, lengthwise. Separate and add to the pan with the melted butter. Cook shallots, stirring often, until browned, but not crispy, about 20 minutes. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta for one minute less than the package directions state.While the water is heating, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay the prosciutto out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until deep brown and beginning to curl up. Remove from the oven and place prosciutto on a paper towel lined plate. Set aside. Reduce heat of the oven to 350 degrees.

To make the cheese sauce, add the milk and cream to a small pan and heat over low heat to warm. Do not bring to a boil. In a large sauce pan, melt the remaining butter. Add the flour and whisk to combine over medium heat, cooking for about 2 minutes. Slowly add the milk to the flour mixture, stirring constantly. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture has thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheeses, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Crumble the prosciutto into the cheese sauce, stir in the shallots, and add it to a large bowl with the cooked pasta. Stir to coat. Add pasta to a 9x13 baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
For best results, reheat leftovers in the oven.

The $75 Nordstrom gift card winner is....
Dina!!! I'll be emailing you shortly dear! Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

I Do Declare

It's almost Friday, which means it's your LAST day to enter to win a $75 gift card to Nordstrom! Do it!

In other news, it's wrap dress day here. While there is no official holiday for wrap dresses, today we will make history, as of today, July 18, I declare it is wrap dress day. Let's celebrate with some printed wrap dresses.

Ann Taylor, Color Splash Wrap Dress, $59
This dress was originally $128 (woah, guys) but now score it for half that!

Anne Klein, Printed Wrap Dress, $79
I love this pattern. It's so summery and the colors are very Vineyard Vines.

This dress is different because it doesn't have a wrap around belt. Something unexpected.


Loving this deep blue print, a great rich color.

I hope you celebrate wrap dress day today and enter the blogiversary giveaway. 

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Leather Weather

Happy humpday lovebugs,

When it's not 4395803 degrees outside I think a great trend for summer is leather. And a company that has really nailed it when it comes to classy leather tops is Tinley Road.

Tinley Road, Vegan Leather Peplum, $49
I love the lines on this peplum. The seam down the middle is just perfect with the notched neckline detail.

Tinley Road, Vegan Leather Muscle Tee, $49
This is stunning. Simple, and easy to accessorize. It also comes in bronze and blue.

Tinley Road, Colored Vegan Leather Tee, $49
How about a sleek white leather tee? Just simple and clean.  Also comes in red, brown, or teal.

Tinley Road, Vegan Leather Racerback Tee, $49
This top is sporty and chic. Tuck it into a high-waisted pencil skirt or simply wear it with a light linen short.

Leather tops or vegan leather in this case, is a very sexy statement piece. And Tinley Road is nailing it, all under $50.

Be fabulous today!