Friday, January 17, 2014

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs, here are my favorite recipes for the week!

Blackberry Irish Whiskey Sour
Fogged in Lounge
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey (Paddy)
  • 3/4 oz blackberry brandy
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
Directions
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Orange twist.









French Onion Dip
Ingredients
  • 8 oz of cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup of Kraft® Mayo with Olive Oil
  • 1/4 cup of sour cream
  • 1 cup of Kraft® Mozzarella shredded cheese
  • 1 medium Vidalia onion
  • 1 tbs butter
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt, fresh ground pepper to taste.
Directions
  1. Slice the onions thin.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350.
  3. Preheat a coking pan on medium-high heat, add the butter and sliced onions. Saute the onions until nicely browned and caramelized. (Don't walk away too far and stir often so you don't burn the onions.)
  4. In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients except for caramelized onions until smooth.
  5. Fold in the onions and transfer the mixture into an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle with a little extra shredded cheese on top.
  6. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Puppy Chow Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookie:1/2 cup of Butter, room temperature for 30 minutes
1 cup of Peanut Butter, creamy
1/2 cup of Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup of Light Brown Sugar
1 Egg, large
1 tablespoon of Vanilla
1 teaspoon of Salt
1 1/4 cup of Flour

For the Coating:1 1/2 cups of Semisweet Chocolate Chips
2 tablespoons of Vegetable Oil
1/3 cup of Peanut Butter, creamy
1/4 cup of Butter
2 cups of Powdered Sugar

Directions
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with a silpat mat or parchment paper.

Now, in your mixing bowl, cream the butter and peanut butter together until until smooth. Add the sugar and light brown sugar and beat for 2 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla, and salt and mix well. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the flour in until combined.

Next, using a tablespoon measurement, scoop out the cookie dough and roll into your palms to form a ball, fit 12 cookies on a baking sheet. Use the bottom of a glass cup and barely press on the cookie to flatten it to 1/2 inch thick.

Bake for 9-10 minutes until golden at the edge. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

After the cookies have cooled completely, in a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, vegetable oil, peanut butter, and butter. Place in the microwave for one minute and stir, remove and repeat in 30 second intervals until the chocolate has melted. Place the powdered sugar in a shallow dish.

Place one cookie in the chocolate and flip using a spoon and coating each side well; remove from the chocolate to the powdered sugar dish, coat in the sugar and place on wire rack to harden. Repeat until all cookies are finished.

Store in an airtight container. I stored mine in a large gallon ziplock bag laying down with wax paper in between each layer.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Red Riding Hood

I cannot believe we've gotten this far into winter without talking about capes. A huge mistake on my part. Please forgive me. Now then, I give you the cape. The easiest outer layer there ever was and ever will be. I prefer a darker color with this item because you will get a lot of use out of it so it needs to be versatile with your outfits.

A lovely mix of brown and black. It will go with pretty much anything in your closet.

Forever 21, Femme Boucle Cape, $47
You know Forever 21 is serious when an item costs more then $30. So hold everything kids, this is good stuff.

Macy's, Big Buddha Wrap, $72
A lighter option in a beautiful carmel that is zip and go.

Asos, Bonded Check Cape, $49
I love the plaid peeking out of this cape. The toggles are also a great detail.

It's difficult to find a cape for under $100, and now that it is mid-winter the sales on these items are starting to show. Pick the color and style you are looking for and make sure you don't settle. This style isn't going away, you can find just what you're looking for eventually.

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Hole in One

Yesterday we did mesh. Today kind of staying along the same lines with the open knit sweater. This cheeky option is great for a more casual look.

Dorothy Perkins, Blue Stitchy Fluffy Sweater, $31
I'm in love with this sweater and the reasoning is perfectly explained in the name of the item.

What does Miss Mackenzie always say? Navy or nothing? Amen sister.

Lord and Taylor, Vintage Havana High Lo Sweater, $68
Classy and edgy at the same time. I'd layer on a neon necklace to pop.

A cozy drop shoulder sweater that is perfect for skinny jeans, boots, and an oversized scarf.

These chunky open knit sweaters are a comfortable yet chic option for weekends. Effortless but put together.

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Oh Sweetie, I See Right Through You

The weather has been a bit wonky lately. One day you can't feel your face and the next its all 50 degrees like its no big deal. What's a girl to do? Especially when going out, do you do the chunky sweater? Too sweaty. How about a nice blouse? Boring. A nice compromise is the sweetheart mesh top. Stay with me. All of the intrigue of a date night approved outfit with the coverage that is necessary for January.

Charlotte Russe, Mesh Necklace Peplum Top, $21
OK so please remove the necklace, it's ugly. But I had to post it because of the price. And a great peplum can be worn as is or add a skinny belt.

A little lace is just lovely and I like that it continues all the way down the blouse.


When you wear this bombshell of a top, try not to make the face this model is making. It's not a good face. Just smile because you know you look incredible.

Modcloth, The Answer is Sheer Top, $34
And a short sleeve option. I love the pin dot pattern here as well.

What do all of these tops have in common? A sweetheart neckline. This very small detail adds just the right amount of femininity to an otherwise sassy top. 

Be fabulous today!