Monday, January 11, 2016

Anything but Quiet

Happy Monday lovebugs,
Let's kick off this week with a bang. I want to wake up this week with prints. Quirky, interesting, and unexpected prints. We are going beyond stripes and dots, I want to pull from the 70s style and artistic prints. Let's grab some attention with pieces you already wear daily.

Dorothy Perkins, Camel Geo Print Blouse, $44
Something a bit more retro but is completely easy to pair with pants, skirts, and the items in your closet.

When I think quirky prints, I think Modcloth and this dress does not disappoint!

These pants are going to be in rotation all year round. Picture it with a chunky oversized knit for now or a trapeze blouse for summer.

So chic and breezy. I love this for work with a pencil skirt or wide leg slacks.

Prints are always eye catching but take them to the next level with 70s inspired, tribal, or more mod and you have a completely different look. 

Be fabulous today!

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Friday, January 8, 2016

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Aged Brandy Apple Cider Hot Toddy

Ingredients
1/4 cup Aged Fruit from Aged Brandy
3 cups Apple Cider
1/8 tsp Cinnamon

Directions
In a saucepan, heat apple cider, and aged fruit cake until simmering. Add in cinnamon and stir to combine. Pour into mugs, and top with two ounces of aged brandy. Serve immediately.


Chicken Curry with Potatoes, Carrots, and Pear
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 chicken breasts or 4 chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces  
salt and pepper 
1 medium onion, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced or grated
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
3 teaspoons yellow curry powder
2 cups chicken broth, divided 
4-5 small gold potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
3 carrots, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed
Juice of one lime
1 teaspoon fish sauce  
1 can coconut milk
Optional: sriracha or hot sauce, to taste 
Minced cilantro, for serving 

Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the hot skillet. Cook until browned but not cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside. Add the onion, garlic and ginger to the skillet. Season with a little salt and pepper, then cook until the onions are softened. 

Add the other tablespoon of olive oil and the curry powder. Let the curry powder toast for about one minute, then add the potatoes, carrots, and chick peas. Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth, then stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. 

Cover and cook until the potatoes and carrots are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the rest of the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan again. Bring to a boil and simmer for another 5 minutes. 

Add the chicken and any accumulated juices, coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice, and sriracha (if using) to the pan. Simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly (it will continue to thicken as it sits). 

Serve over basmati or jasmine rice topped with chopped fresh cilantro.

Maple Bourbon Bacon and Pecan Butter Tarts
Ingredients
  • pie crust pastry, chilled
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
  • 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions
  1. Roll the pastry out to 1/8 inch thick and cut out 12 4-5 inch circles, pressing them into the holes in a muffin baking pan.
  2. Chill the muffin pan in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, mix the egg, brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, vanilla extract, salt, pecans and bacon and pour the mixture into the tarts.
  4. Bake in a preheated 350F oven and bake until set, about 15-25 minutes.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Fair Weather Isle

Just because the holidays are over doesn't mean you have to put away those holiday-ish prints and patterns. For instance, fair isle is a great holiday pattern that you can wear through the winter months instead of just in November and December. It's a busy print that usually uses some great colors, for that reason you can go lighter on the accessories and just throw on some jeans or a pencil skirt and go!

Lands End, Lofty Fair Isle Sweater, $59
This sweater needs a ski lodge. Since that's not happening I'm pairing it with a plaid button down with similar colors. 

I dare you to tell me that the phrase 'thermal pants' doesn't excite you. 

Old Navy, Fair Isle Sweater, $32
Talk about great colors. This sweater brings the punch with a great mix of the rainbow.

Comfy, cozy, perfect. 

A great fair isle doesn't have to break the bank. Especially with the after Christmas sales on right now, it's your time to scoop up one of these at a great price!

Be fabulous today!

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Wednesday, January 6, 2016

The Cowl of the Wild

Happy hump day lovebugs. You're getting there. Today I thought we would look at some truly cozy and beautiful sweaters. A great cowl neck sweater has its own built in statement piece so all you need to do is create a simple outfit around it.

Simple, relaxed, and cozy. What more could you want in a sweater?

Ann Taylor, Ribbed Cowl Neck Sweater, $49
A true classic. Beautiful navy that you can dress up or down.

The Limited, Textured Cowl Neck Sweater, $69
A great color that's a bit washed out for a more casual feel.

Comfort central. The look of a sweatshirt, the feel of a sweater, the style of Nordstrom.

A cowl neck sweater is a great addition to your sweater weather closet. It's super versatile and easy to mix with jeans, skirts, you name it.

Be fabulous today!

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