Monday, July 25, 2016

It's Getting Hot in Here

Happy Monday lovebugs,
I'm fresh off of vacation and working the slightest hint of a tan so obviously I'm feeling a little saucy. It's also the dog days of summer which means its hot, so today I thought we would put both of these things to good use and look at some faux wrap came dresses. Skimpy, but with the right print, cut, and accessories it's a heck of an outfit.

See what I mean with the cut and print? This dress has movement.

Shoptiques, ASTR Lucia Dress, $99
A beautiful dress for an outdoor summer wedding if you are looking to impress.

Simple and perfect for triple digit heat index weather.

Shoptiques, Floral Wrap Maxi, $65
Such a summer dress. Lovely floral print with a crisp white canvas.

When we are this deep into summer, break out the coolest dresses in your closet. These cami dresses will keep you cool and feeling sassy.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday, July 22, 2016

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday from the lake! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Raspberry Daiquiri
Ingredients
  • 4½ Teaspoons Raspberry Simple Syrup (Recipe Below)
  • 4½ Teaspoons Lime Juice, Freshly Squeezed
  • ¼ Cup Rum
  • Ice
  • Raspberry Simple Syrup Recipe: (I used ¼ Cup of Each)
  • 1 Part Sugar
  • 1 Part Water
  • 1 Part Raspberries

Directions
  1. For the Raspberry Simple Syrup 
  2. In a small saucepan, add sugar, water, and raspberries. Cook over medium low heat until sugar is completely dissolved.
  3. Strain, and store in the refrigerator.
  4. For the Raspberry Daiquiri 
  5. Pour raspberry simple syrup, lime juice, rum, and ice into a cocktail shaker (or mason jar). Shake until combined.


Chicken Parmesan Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
3 cups (12 ounces) rotini pasta, uncooked
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
salt and pepper
7 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups (10 ounces) Wisconsin mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup (2 ounces) Wisconsin parmesan cheese, shredded
1/4 cup basil, for garnish

Directions 
Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring large pot of salted water to boil and cook rotini according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and lightly rinse with cool water to stop cooking process. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat large saucepan over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan. Heat until bubbling heavily; add half the chicken slices in single layer and sauté until deep golden brown on one side. Flip; cook other side until golden brown, about 2 minutes each side. Repeat until slices have been cooked. Set aside. 
Melt 4 tablespoons butter in large pot over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour; whisk to form a paste. When bubbly and golden brown, slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until mixture simmers. Remove from heat. Add 2 heaping cups shredded mozzarella; stir until melted. Mix in pasta. If mixture is too thick, add some of reserved pasta water. Stir in chicken.
Pour half the mac and cheese into buttered single serving dishes or 9x13-inch baking dish. Distribute half the marinara sauce evenly over the top. Layer with remaining macaroni and cheese and marinara sauce. 
In small bowl, melt remaining butter. Stir in bread crumbs and parmesan. Sprinkle crumbs over macaroni. Bake 10-15 minutes for single servings or 15-20 minutes for larger portions, until crumbs are golden brown and the macaroni is heated through. Garnish with basil.

Cake Batter Blondies
Ingredients

FOR THE BLONDIES:

  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup yellow cake mix
  • 1/4 cup sprinkles

FOR THE FROSTING:

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 Tbsp milk
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp yellow cake mix
  • 2 Tbsp sprinkles

Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine brown sugar with melted butter. Add in egg, vanilla and salt. Mix until blended. Add in flour and cake mix, stirring JUST until combined. Fold in sprinkles.
  3. Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 22-25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.
  4. While blondies are cooling, prepare the frosting. Beat butter with milk, powdered sugar, and yellow cake mix. Once smooth, spread over cooled blondies. Add sprinkles. (I used a combination of fun sprinkles and rainbow chips). ENJOY!

Thursday, July 21, 2016

All Tied Up

I've never been a big gladiator sandal person, mostly because I don't think I could pull them off. I like the idea of the lace up or cutout on the calf but the leather just isn't me. That's why I love the lace up espadrille wedges for summer. I can do the ankle lace in a variety of ways and the wedge makes them a bit dressier than your average sandal.

You cannot beat this price. You don't even need a pedicure to wear them.

Bloomingdale's, Soludos Tall Lace Up Espadrilles, $95
A lovely neutral shoe for all of the sundresses in your closet.

These ballet-like sandals are such a statement in navy.

Lovely lace, also comes in pewter.

Espadrilles are the quintessential summer shoe, and the lace up detail is just the cherry on top.

Be fabulous today!

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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Rounding Up

It's shorts season but sometimes they can feel a bit dull. How do you dress up shorts without spending an arm and a leg? Scallops. This simple detail will elevate your look and make you feel feminine and dressy.

Club Monaco, Amber Chambray Short, $69
The definition of easy. Your go to short that looks effortless and put together.

Lilly Pulitzer, Buttercup Scallop Hem Short, $68
How can you not have fun in these shorts? They scream party.

Crisp and classic. Pair this with a cotton ribbed tank or a  gingham button down.

Let me tell you something. These are no $34 shorts. These merlot beauties are going to carry you through the end of September.

While I tend to stock up on Old Navy chino shorts, sometimes it's helpful to mix in something different. It makes you feel...well, different. And different is good.

Be fabulous today!

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