Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Mini Bag, Major Impact

Let's start this post off right, Happy Veterans Day. Thank you to all who have and are currently serving and keep us safe. You are always remembered. Ok, with that in mind...

It's fall which means it's suede time. You've seen the suede skirts, the suede stilettos, but have you tried a suede bag? Now in the Monday through Friday grind, I have a standard larger sized bag that fits my entire life. But on the weekends, I shrink it down. I love a mini bag for play and I love it even more in suede.

This is my perfect going out bag. A great saddle shape and sleek mixed material.

Ann Taylor, Mini Suede Bucket Bag, $79
This bag looks so luxe. It also comes in black, deep red, or hunter green.

Urban Outfitters, Exote Sueded Chain Mini Crossbody, $44
This long fringe works with distressed jeans or an LBD. It is crazy chic.

Olive is a great and often overlooked neutral. It works with plaid of any color, navy, red, you name it.

Suede is a soft and supple material which works great for bags. It looks expensive but you don't have to spend a lot to get in on this trend.

Be fabulous today!

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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Simply Marl-velous

I love marl for winter. It's cozy, casual, and matches everything. Usually we see marl in a sweater, but today let's mix things up and find some marl sweater skirts (yes, skirts) that bring a whole new look to what we knew as marl.

You've got to love a great high waister option that hits the knee. It's under $40, people.

Bloomingdale's, Michael Kors Marled A Line Skirt, $43
Half off right now. I love the flounce to this skirt, perfect for a good twirl. and tights.

Macy's, Grace Elements Long Tweed Pencil Skirt, $40 $32 with code VETDAY
This skirt fits in all the right places. Snug, simple, and great with booties.

Ann Taylor, Marled Sweater Skirt, $89
Of course Ann Taylor makes the perfect version of this skirt. I love the ribbed hem and simple elastic waist.

A great marl combines color and texture in the perfect sweater, and now we have it in the perfect skirt.

Be fabulous today!

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Monday, November 9, 2015

Sweater (Dress) Weather

It is finally starting to feel like November outside. And while I didn't necessarily hate the 60 and even 70 degree weather, it's sweater weather and I plan to embrace that. Speaking of sweater weather, it is prime sweater dress weather. Today we are looking at some lighter options with great colorblock style.

A rugby inspired look that looks smashing alone or add your own style with jewelry.

Zappos, Hatley Sweater Dress, $92
Generally when you think sweater dress, you think clingy. Not so with this relaxed fit dress.

Macy's, Jessica Howard Heathered Colorblock Sweater Dress, $71 $61 with code VETDAY
A great sale going on for a couple of days with this dress. I'd pair this with a long dainty necklace.

Another more relaxed fit in a lovely shift dress. And it's 40% off.

Before we break out the turtlenecks and chunky knits, I'm loving a colorful sweater dress that you can wear with boots, booties, or tights.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday, November 6, 2015

Friday Foodday

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

The Breakers 75
c/o Five O'Clock Cocktails
Ingredients
Champagne, about 3 to 4 ounces
1 ounce gin
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions
Pour gin and lemon juice into the bottom of a champagne flute. Top with your bubbles. Down the hatch.
Overnight Apple Pie French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 5 large granny smith apples (approx. 8 cups peeled and sliced)
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 14 slices white bread, crusts removed
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
  1. Combine eggs, milk and vanilla. Set aside.
  2. Peel & slice apples approximately ¼" thick.
  3. Melt the butter in a frying pan and add apples,brown sugar, cinnamon and water. Cook on medium heat for about 8 minutes or until apples are slightly softened. In a separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon corn starch and 1 tablespoon water to create a slurry.
  4. Push the apples over to one side of the pan, turn the heat up to medium high and pour some of the corn starch mixture into the boiling liquid until it thickens. Depending on how much liquid was in your apples, you may not need all of the slurry.
  5. Spread apple mixture into a 9x13 pan. Top with ½ of the bread slices and spoon ½ of the egg mixture over the bread. Top with a second layer of bread slices and remaining egg mixture. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning
  1. Remove the pan from the refrigerator while preheating the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Bake covered for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until bread is firm. Remove from the oven and let cool 10 minutes. Invert into a pan.

Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow Frosting
Ingredients
Chocolate Sheet Cake:
  • 2 1/2 cups Flour
  • 2 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 cup Hot Water
  • 1/2 cup Cocoa Powder
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, Cubed
  • 2 cups Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 cup Buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 tsp Vanilla
Marshmallow Frosting:
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Chocolate Sheet Cake :
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13"x9" cake pan. Line it with a parchment bottom to ensure it won't stick. Set aside. In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, and whisk. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together hot water and cocoa and set aside.
In stand mixer, beat together butter, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, one at a time until completely mixed in. Reduce the speed to low, and add in flour mixture, alternating adding in the buttermilk. Scrape bowl as needed. Add in cocoa and vanilla and mix until just completely incorporated.
Pour into prepared cake pan. Place in oven and baked for 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick placed in center comes out clean.
Marshmallow Frosting :
For the frosting, whisk together the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in a heat-proof metal bowl placed over top a small saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly for 3-4 minutes until the sugar has dissolved completely and the egg whites are slightly warm.
Immediately remove the bowl and place it on your stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beating slow at first and gradually increasing the speed to high. Beat for 6-7 minutes until glossy and thick and the peaks are stiff, then beat in vanilla extract for another minute until combined. Frost cake and use blowtorch to toast the marshmallow topping if desired. Or don't, it's delicious either way!