Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Hard Rock Life

Let's go au naturale. Sometimes chic is getting back to basics with some earthy materials. I'm talking about natural stone jewelry. Big statement with some weight.

BaubleBar, Howlite Goodall Drops, $32
A stunner with varying shapes with a great length.

Sole Society, Natural Jasper Bangle, $54
I love this stone. It reminds me of the aerial view looking out of a plane window. Beautiful movement in this blue stone.

Anthropologie, Norrland Necklace, $88
This is absolutely an outfit maker. Look at everything that's going on here. So many dimensions and layers, just beautiful.

Free People, Five and Two Gemma Ring, $88
How raw and edgy is this ring? It's quite delicate in the band but the stone does all of the talking.

I really like the natural stone as a nice break from the big bling options. Each piece is unique and it comes in every shape and size.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday, January 16, 2015

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs,
My mom and sister will be visiting this weekend and I cannot wait to see them! In the meantime, some great recipes.

Blackberry Irish Whiskey Sour
c/o 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.









Butternut Squash and Bean Tamale Bake
Ingredients
1 Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup Onions, chopped
1 Red or Green Bell Pepper, diced
1/2 pound Chorizo sausage
1 can Black Beans, rinsed and rained
1 can Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz) Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup Salsa
2 tsp Cumin
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 package Cornbread Mix

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a large saute pan,  cook chorizo sausage, breaking into small pieces and cook through. Drain on paper towel lined plate and set aside. In the same pan, sprayed with non stick spray, cook bell pepper and onion, butternut squash until softened and squash is fork tender. Add the chorizo back into the saute pan, and add in the black beans and kidney beans. Stir in the tomato sauce and salsa, along with cumin and garlic. Stir to combine.
Pour all ingredients into the baking dish. Create small wells into the mixture. Prepare cornbread mix according to package direction, and pour into wells in the bean and squash mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through.
Remove from oven and serve with cilantro on top.
Combine squash/onion mixture, chorizo, and all beans into the saute pan along

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter
1/3 heaping cup peanut butter 
1 large egg
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + 2 tablespoons, for sprinkling
Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray; set aside.

In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. This should take about 1 minute on high power. You may need more or less time depending on your microwave. Let cool for 2 minutes. 

Add the peanut butter, egg, brown sugar, vanilla to the butter and whisk until smooth. Add the flour and stir until just combined. Don't over mix. Stir in 1 cup of the chocolate chips.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips. 

Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until done. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Mine took 30 minutes. 

Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. 

Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Pack In Pattern

We're coming up on a couple of long weekends so I thought what better time to replace your weekender bag than right now? I love the idea of a weekender bag because it's has a spontaneous feel to it. It's not your standard wheely bag. It's got character and it can be a lot of fun. Today, we're looking at patterned weekender bags.

Sole Society, Daphnee, $64
A strong stripe that is perfectly accented by some gold hardware.

This bag looks way more expensive than it is, and I can't say no to go a bag with good pockets and compartments.

A great Aztec print makes this bag super laid back and casual.

Urban Outfitters, Ecote Woven Texture Weekender Bag, $79
Looking for texture? Look no further than this beautiful weave.

So have some fun with your weekender bag and look for a sassy pattern that grabs some attention.

Be fabulous today!

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