Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Don't Max Out My Card

Hey there lovebugs,
At this point in life, the question is who doesn't own a maxi? The maxi dress is the perfect go to for the warmer months. I for one, was late on the trend but now I have a handful in my closet and couldn't be happier about it. Today let's take a look at some maxis under $50. That's right, maxi dress, mini price.

Macy's, Bar III Printed Maxi, $49
A beautiful geometric all over print that is breezy and boho.

A beautiful sunny print with an empire waist and sweetheart neckline. The dress screams summer.

Old Navy, Women's Tulip Hem Maxi, $39
This maxi offers the ultimate canvas to do whatever you want with it. Add some big statement earrings or a long tassel belt, or contrast the pink with an unexpected colored sandal.

JCPenny, Stripe Tank Maxi Dress, $34
Staying on the black and white trend with this option. It has an understated elastic waist to help define the hourglass.

Maxi dresses do not need to blow your budget. Look for machine washable fabrics and colors and patterns that you can add your own flair to.

Be fabulous today!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Future is So Bright

Let's have some fun on this Monday. It's mid-May, it's warm, it's time for sunglasses. Sunglasses in my opinion should be a whole lot of fun. It's an accessory that doesn't have to be classic, you take them on and off a handful of times during the day, so why not make them stand out? Let's take a look at these fabulous patterned shades.

Neiman Marcus, Toms eyewear Gigi polka dot, $98
Navy polka dot. Does it get any better? I love these summer ready shoes. Perfect for jeans, sundress or even a suit.

Urban Outfitters, Amigo printed square sunglasses, $14
The vintage surfer trend is one that I'm still working on getting behind, this however, I'm all over it. Summer meets Saved by the Bell.

I'm struggling with these shades. I cannot decide what I love more, the lavender, the retro shape, or the blurred graphic sides. 

Modcloth, Chevron and On, $11
The ombre on the glasses is so feminine. The shape means business.

How do you style your shades? Are you a tortoise classic kind of girl or something a bit more eye catching, something patterned?

Be fabulous today!

Friday, May 16, 2014

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs,
Here are my favorite recipes this week!

Ancho Paloma
Ingredients
1.5 oz Milagro Reposado
1/2 oz Ancho Reyes
1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
3 oz Grapefruit Soda

Directions
Build the cocktail in a collins glass over ice, and top with grapefruit soda.  Garnish with a grapefruit peel. 







Baked Rigatoni Lasagna
Ingredients
1 lb. rigatoni pasta {or ziti}
for the sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 cloves garlic, minced
1 small zucchini, diced
1/2 lb. ground turkey
28 oz. jarred marinara + 1 cup water to wash out jar
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon sugar
1 bay leaf
salt & pepper, to taste
for the cheese layer:
2 cups low fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic seasoning salt, such as Lawry's
salt & pepper, to taste
1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella, sliced thin
Directions
Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta 1-2 minutes shy of al dente and drain. Set aside.
Place hot pot over medium heat and sauté onions, garlic and zucchini in olive oil for 3 minutes or until they start to get tender. Add in ground turkey and break apart to brown. Once turkey meat is completely cooked, add in remaining sauce ingredients, adjusting seasonings as you like. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer and cook 15 minutes. *Add in splashes of water as needed. You don't want this to get too terribly thick.
While sauce is cooking, stir all ingredients for the cheese layer together in a large bowl. Set aside.
Remove bay leaf from sauce. Stir in pasta and toss to coat. Spoon half pasta and sauce into the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 glass baking dish. Spread entire cheese layer over hot pasta and top with half the sliced mozzarella. Pour over remaining pasta and top with last few slices of mozzarella.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sit 10 minutes before serving.

Apple Pie Snickerdoodle Bars
Ingredients
½ cup butter, room temperature
½ cup shortening
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2-3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
20 ounce can apple pie filling
1/3 cup cinnamon sugar

Directions
1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9” x 13” pan with foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2- In a large mixer bowl, combine the butter, shortening, sugar, and eggs; beat until creamy. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer running on low, add the flour mixture and stir until combined. Do not over beat.
3- Press 2/3 of the dough into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with 4 tablespoons cinnamon sugar and then spread the apple pie filling over the dough. With the remaining dough, take small pieces and flatten them and place on top of the apple pie filling. Continue with additional pieces of dough, piecing together a random top. You will not cover all of the apple pie filling.
4- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the dough is baked and the bars begin to brown around the edges. Cool completely. Use the foil to lift the bars from the pan; place on a cutting board. Remove the foil and cut into bars.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Lace Lately

It's almost Memorial Day which means if you abide by the white pants rules of summer, it's almost time to break out the whites, the lace, the eyelets. Today I thought we would get the shopping started with white lace. Feminine, airy, and the definition of summer.

Piperlime, Sabine Lace Top, $49
I started with my favorite. I love this short sleeve, lacy hem blouse. I just think it is stunning.

I like this top because the peplum hits at a very natural spot. It creates an hourglass on the perfect spot on the torso.

This will be your go to white shell this summer. It's well made, great shape and can be worn alone or layered with just about anything.

Lord and Taylor, Jessica Simpson Lace Top, $44
I see you J Simp. Stepping up your game and I love it.

White lace doesn't need to be butterflies and purity. Pair these tops with a fringy or neon necklace to spice things up! Or keep it simple with a nice charm necklace.

Be fabulous today!