Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Let's Get Waisted

Today's post idea comes from my father. Yes, this blog is a family show. A text from dad this weekend said: "blog idea, belts, the title let's get waisted, ha!" So. Here we go. Some fantastic skinny belts under $50 that will define any maxi dress, shift dress, or cardigan coming into the fall.

Boden, Skinny Belt, $38
I love the contrasting colors with this belt. If you cinch it and then tie the excess you will get that pop of orange.

Dorothy Perkins, White Tassel Skinny Belt, $6
I love this belt with a blousy floral dress. It also comes in tan.

Vince Camuto, Neon Skinny Belt, $24
Who doesn't love a pop of neon? I'd paid this with navy to really wake up an outfit.

Something different from you average belt and it's designer!

A simple belt can really make all the difference with an outfit. It defines a waistline and it adds a little something extra to your look!

Be fabulous today!

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Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Ankle Party

Everybody loves a good arm party. We know that. It is a well established fact. But what about your ankles. That's right, that naked part between the calf and foot, let's dress it up. I'm not talking about a friendship anklet, I'm talking about cuff sandals. A special type of sandals that treat your ankles like the hard working parts they are.

Embrace the ankle, ladies. Look at this playful and casual sandal that works so well with shorts or a maxi.

How about this cuff? It comes in two other neutral colors and they are all 50% off.

Nordstrom, Free People Collins, $88
These remind me of the still unclear Birkenstock revival this summer but they have a bit more personality.

This will be such a staple in your closet this summer and for years to come. Sleek and sharp.

Don't leave that ankle bare! Celebrate it with these ankle cuff sandals that add some personality to your flats!

Be fabulous today!

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Monday, August 10, 2015

Brush Your Shoulders Off

Hey there lovebugs,
This weekend went way too quickly, didn't it? Here we are, Monday. Again. It's still summer and it's still warm so I thought we would look at a dress trend that has been quite hot this summer but it keeps you quite cool. The off the shoulder trend is boho chic but for me it can come off a bit swim cover up. What makes this style work for me a bold print. It elevates this trend for day or night.

So very Mad Men and I love the pink against the blue.

Dress this up with heels and dress it down for daytime with gladiator sandals or espadrilles.

A beautiful tangerine color is going to go perfectly with a long delicate necklace for daytime or statement earrings and an updo for night.

Garden party, rooftop sangria, casual wedding? Take your pink with this dress.

While some ladies can pull of the the off the shoulder look, I feel frumpy in it, except for these beauties. These options pull together a well cut dress, color, and pattern all in one.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday, August 7, 2015

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Smirnoff No. 21 and Champagne Sparkler
c/o Delish
Ingredients
1 1/2 c. Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
2 bottle Moët & Chandon Champagne
1 1/4 c. pomegranate juice
1 c. simple syrup
Lemon slices

Directions

Combine the first three ingredients in a punch bowl with ice. 

Add simple syrup to taste.


Mix in lemon slices.




Korean Grilled Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
  • 1 pound (2) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
  • 1/4 cup low sodium or gluten-free soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, plus more for topping
  • 2 thinly sliced scallions, white and green parts

Directions
Place the chicken breasts, 1 at a time, in a Ziploc bag. Pound the chicken breast to an even thickness, about ½ inch thick, being careful not to puncture the bag.

In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, apple sauce, onion, sesame oil, ginger, brown sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes, if using and sesame seeds.  Reserve ¼ cup of the marinade and transfer the remainder to the Ziploc bag with the chicken. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour.

Over medium-high heat, grill the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes or until it no longer sticks to the grill.  Turn the chicken, spoon the reserved ¼ cup of marinade over each breast and grill an addition 2 to 3 minutes.

Fruity Pebble Crunch Ice Cream Cake
Ingredients
  • 4 cups Fruity Pebbles
  • 1½ cups white chocolate chips
  • 1½ tablespoons shortening
  • ½ gallon vanilla ice cream

Directions
  1. To make the Fruity Pebble Crunch Ice Cream Cake, start by placing half a gallon of vanilla ice cream in the fridge to soften.
  2. Put Fruity Pebbles into a large bowl. Melt white chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave. Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and stir until evenly coated.
  3. Pour the coated cereal onto a piece of parchment paper. Allow the white chocolate coating to harden and then break the cereal into bite sized pieces.
  4. In a large bowl, quickly mix half a gallon of softened vanilla ice cream with 2 cups of the crunchy cereal pieces. Spread into a 9-inch springform pan before the ice cream melts.
  5. Top with the remaining crunchy cereal and press it into the ice cream.
  6. Cover the springform pan and place the ice cream cake in the freezer for 4-6 hours or overnight to harden. When ready to serve, remove from the freezer and slide a knife around the edges of the springform pan and then remove the sides.
  7. Dip a knife in very hot water, quickly dry it off and use the hot knife to cut the ice cream cake cake. Re-dip and dry the knife for each cut you make.