Don't Make Me Blush

The calendar says it's spring. The thermometer may not agree but I'm ready to break out the sandals and pastels. Maybe its a few weeks early for open toe shoes but bring on the spring with pinks and light blue hues. Today we're looking at some perfectly spring blush bags. They feel like May even when you feel like October.

Last Call Neiman Marcus, Metallic Trim Faux Leather Bucket Bag, $100 $45

Hello pinch me pink. This bag is easy to wear to work or tie on a short scarf for play.

Old Navy, Faux Leather Tassel Saddle Bag, $34

Didn't think Old Navy was this chic, did you? 

Ann Taylor, Signature Crossbody Bag, $98

Blush with a pebbly finish, what a simple extra oomph for a ladylike bag.

Modcloth, Worth the Tassel Bag, $59

Doublesided tassel and an adjustable shoulder strap. All under $60!

Spring means pastel and sunshine and while I can't guarantee the latter, I love blush for spring especially in something as easy as a new bag.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

The Prado
c/o Cocktail Chronicles

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces tequila (blanco or reposado – your call)
• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur
• 1/2 egg white 

Directions

Shake like hell without ice — maybe with a strainer coil in the shaker to help mix things up — then fill with ice and go at it again for 10 seconds or so. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Korean Beef Rice Bowls
c/o Skinnytaste

Ingredients

For the beef:

• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce*
• 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• cooking spray
• 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

For the bowls:

• 3 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 small sliced cucumber, skin on
• 2 tablespoons Gochujang, or more if desired*
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds, plus more for topping
• 2 sliced scallions, white and green parts

Directions

Combine the soy sauce, 2 tablespoons water, brown sugar, sesame oil and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.

Heat a large deep nonstick skillet over high heat, spray with oil and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute. Pour the sauce over the beef, cover and simmer on low heat 10 minutes.

To assemble the bowls, place 3/4 cup rice in each bowl, top with scant 2/3 cup beef, cucumbers, Gochujong, sesame seeds and scallions.  

Chocolate Cobbler

c/o Buns in My Oven

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the topping:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

Directions

1. To make the cobbler, pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place the butter in an 8x8 baking dish and put inoven while it preheats until butter has melted.
3. Mix together dry ingredients.
4. Whisk milk and vanilla into dry ingredients until well combined.
5. When butter has melted, carefully spoon the chocolate mixture over the melted butter evenly.
6. To make the topping, mix together the dry ingredients with a whisk. Sprinkle over the top of the chocolate cobbler.
7. Slowly and carefully pour the hot water over the top, being sure to cover the topping with water.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top has firmed up, but the cobbler is still quite jiggly in the middle.
9. Serve warm with either vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Peek A Boo

Let's talk toes. It's chilly in DC but it's almost pedicure time which means it's peep toe time. This spring, mules are going to be all of the rage and peep toe mules are the perfect shoe to add to your closet right now. These trendy shoes don't need to break the bank. Here are my favorites under $100.

Charlotte Russe, Qupid Chunky Peep Toe Mules, $25

Simple, chic, funky with this stacked heel. Oh and the price? Yeah.

Asos, Halo Heeled Mules, $60

Can a shoe have a sweetheart neckline? Because these beauties do and I love them.

Forever 21, Buckled Peep Toe Mules, $19

A little buckle detail for under $20? Don't mind if I do.

Lulu's, Out on the Town Beige Peep Toe Mules, $27

How comfy do these look? They also come in black, perfect with bf jeans or an lbd.

Paint those piggies and get them ready for peep toe mule season!

Be fabulous today!

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Sandcastles in the Sand

Hey there lovebugs,
Happy Tuesday. We are going on vacation today. You know those pieces of seaglass that you find on the beach when you're strolling romantically in the sunset? Totally. It's chemically weathered glass from salt water that gives it a frosted look. It makes for some beautiful jewelry and it's what we're talking about today.

Nordstrom, BaubleBar Seaglass Bib Necklace, $68

I love this feminine pink but the shapes are unpredictable and funky.

Dillard's, Cole Haan Seaglass Stone Drop Earrings, $78

These earring are so different. The shapes ragged in the fanciest way.

Shoptiques, Sand Sea Sun Cobalt Seaglass Necklace, $54

I love this modern necklace with the gradient blues and shapes.

Toms, Long Red Seaglass Necklace, $68 $35

Simple, earthy, pop of color.

A simple texture brings such life to an outfit. Seaglass is a great example of how something unexpected can be beautiful.

Be fabulous today!

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