Your Shoes Need A Mint

One color I love for all four seasons is mint. It is a great pastel that goes with jewel tones, black, brown, prints, you name it. Now not all pieces work all yearlong, you're not going to wear a mint cashmere sweater in August. You know what you do need 12 months of the year? Sneakers. You know what color pops? Mint.

Net A Porter, Juvenate Mesh Sneakers, $85

Love. Go from brunch to the gym without changing your shoes.

Modcloth, Ked's Very Important Skate Sneakers, $44

Picture these with ripped jeans now and a midi skirt in a gingham print in July.

Zappos, Saucony Jazz Low Pro, $50

Mint and cobalt. What a fantastic combo.

Amazon, Asics Metrolyte Gem Walking Shoes, $46

What did I tell you about mint and prints? These are very fun.

Sneakers can get pricey quickly but these options don't break the bank. Mint is a versatile color to wear with yoga pants, printed spandex, or jeans!

Be fabulous today!

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Never Say Never to Navy

Back to basics today. Some things in the closet are utility pieces. Go to bottoms or tops that are a great canvas. Today we are looking at some of my favorite navy ankle pants. Simple, classic, and a great base for a killer outfit.

Banana Republic, Sloan Fit Slim Ankle Pant, $89 $49

Classic. A great silhouette and waistline. 

Nordstrom, Michael Kors Hutton Ankle Zip Slim Pintuck Pants, $89

A beautiful front seam pant that is going to lengthen your legs and give you a killer tush.

Loft, Essential Skinny Ankle Pants in Marisa Fit, $69

Unusual for a slim cut pant, working pockets! Good work Loft.

Macy's, Tommy Hilfiger Jacquard Dot Print Ankle Pants, $89 $59

Don't hate me, I went a little rogue with this navy pant. It has simple dots on it and I'm not sorry.

Sometimes you want to shop for statement pieces; other times it's staple piece shopping. If you are looking for a do it all pant that isn't denim, navy is your go to.

Be fabulous today!

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Coming Up Lace

It's mid-winter, are we getting tired of sweaters yet? Maybe a little. Why not mix it up with some feminine lace? I love lace for winter because its unexpected. You may think it's too chilly for lace, but layer it up! I've picked out some great long sleeve options that you can wear alone for date night or layer it with a blazer for work.

H&M, Lace Blouse, $39

So many wonderful things happening here, the first of which is the matching camisole is included. What else? Stand up collar, scalloped hem, and trumpet sleeves.

Amazon, Lark & Ro Women's Lace Top, $20

Pair this with pearls and wool pencil skirt or have some fun with a neon statement necklace and jeans.

Macy's, Style & Co Lace Blouse, $39

I love this oversized lace pattern. Very well designed with a scoop neckline.

Anthropologie, Cinched Lace Top, $88

A new take on a simple lace blouse. An elastic waist cinching at your smallest part.

Traditionally winter might be sweater weather, but why not try some lace? It's not just for spring and summer. Mix it with a moto jacket or black denim to toughen up the feminine look.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs,

Here are my favorite recipes this week!

Chipotle Cherry Bourbon Smash

c/o Bit by a Fox

Ingredients

1.5 oz Bourbon 
5-6 cocktail cherries (Mess Hall Cocktail Co)
1/4 oz lemon juice
2 dashes Tabasco Chipotle Sauce
Seltzer

Directions

Muddle cherries, lemon juice and Tabasco in a rocks glass. Add bourbon and ice. Top with seltzer and give a stir. Garnish with cocktail cherry.

Beef and Pepper Stir Fry

c/o Closet Cooking

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 pound steak (sirloin or flank), sliced thinly
• 1 green pepper, sliced
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (gluten-free or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce* (use gluten-free substitute below for gluten-free)
• 1 teaspoon chill sauce such as sambal oelek (or to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/3 cup beef broth (or water)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup green onion, sliced

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add the beef and stir-fry until just cooked, about 2-4 minutes.
2. Add the peppers and stir-fry until just tender-crisp, about 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the mixture of the soy sauce, sweet soy sauce sauce, brown sugar, chili sauce, garlic, ginger and the mixture of the cornstarch and water to the pan and cook until it thickens a bit, about a minute.
4. Remove from heat, mix in the sesame oil and serve over white rice or noodles, quinoa, etc. garnished with the green onions.

Snickers-Inspired Bar Cookies

c/o The Kitchn

Ingredients

For the cookie layer:1 1/2 cups (6 3/8 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick; 4 ounces) room-temperature unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup (7 1/2 ounces) packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For the caramel-peanut layer:4 tablespoons (1/2 stick; 2 ounces) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (5 1/2 ounces) light corn syrup
1/4 cup (1 7/8 ounces) packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) granulated sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup (5 ounces) roasted salted peanuts

For the topping:1 cup milk chocolate chips
Maldon salt or other flaky sea salt 

Directions

Make the cookie layer: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8- or 9-inch square metal baking pan with parchment paper.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl and set aside.

With a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a hand-held electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar together for 3 to 4 minutes until pale and fluffy.

Reduce the mixer speed to low and stir in the egg and vanilla extract until incorporated.

Stir in the flour mixture until a soft dough forms. Press the dough into the prepared pan in an even layer.

Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until the dough is firm, golden, and just starting to brown at the edges. Cool on a wire layer until the caramel nougat is finished.

While the cookie layer bakes, make the caramel layer: Melt the butter over medium heat in a high-sided saucepan at least 2 quarts in capacity. Add the corn syrup, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cream. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves completely and the liquid comes to a boil.

Clip a candy thermometer to the pan and cook without stirring until the thermometer reads 246 to 248°F (hard-ball stage). Remove from the heat.

Stir the peanuts into the caramel, then carefully pour over the cookie layer. Let sit for 30 minutes to allow the caramel to firm up a bit.

Assemble the bars: Melt the chocolate chips in a small (1-quart) saucepan or skillet over low heat.

Carefully pour the melted chocolate over the bar, spreading evenly and gently with an offset spatula to cover the entire top. Sprinkle with Maldon or other flaky sea salt, if desired.

Let rest at room temperature for 2 hours, until the caramel has set and the chocolate has hardened.