Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Black Velvet
c/o Real Simple

Ingredients
3 ounces of a stout beer
3 ounces of dry sparkling wine

Directions

1. Pour stout into a large champagne flute. Slowly top with sparkling wine and stir gently.

Cheesy Buffalo Mushroom Poppers

c/o Closet Cooking

Ingredients

• 1 pound button or cremini mushrooms, stems removed and reserved
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon jalapeno, finely diced
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs or breadcrumbs (gluten-free for gluten-free)
• 1/2 cup flour (rice flour for gluten-free)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• buffalo hot sauce to taste
• ranch or blue cheese dressing to taste

Directions

1. Chop the mushroom stems, mix with the cheeses and jalapeno and stuff the mixture into the mushroom caps rounding the filling off so that it and the mushroom form a complete and smooth ball (about 1 teaspoon per mushroom).
2. Dredge the mushrooms in flour, coat in egg followed by the breadcrumbs.
3. Heat enough oil to cover the mushrooms in a large pan over medium-high heat and cook the them until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side, before setting aside on paper towels to drain.
4. Enjoy with buffalo hot sauce and ranch dressing!

Banana Bread Donuts

c/o Buns in My Oven

Ingredients

• 2 bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, beat together the bananas, sugar, egg, vanilla, and melted butter until well combined.
3. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
4. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
5. Spoon the batter into the donut pan and bake for 13 minutes.
6. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
7. While the donuts are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk.
8. Drizzle glaze over cooled donuts.
9. Serve immediately.

Riding My Pony

There are certain days of the week when I've slept on wet hair, or should have washed it the night before and it's just not looking... as they say... on fleek. So I turn to a ponytail, but why go with a boring hair tie? Dress up your tough hair day with a pony holder that shines.

Anthropologie, Bow Tied Pony Holder, $12

Just wow. Simple, feminine, and a touch decadent.

Etsy, Feather Ponytail Holder, $6

Its the simple things that make this unique. I'd get both gold and silver.

Ulta, Capelli New York Oversized Pom White Pony Holder, $7

Feeling sassy? I'm planning to strut into the office on a Monday with this bad boy on.

Mark and Graham, Tortoise Ponytail Holder, $29

Preppy, classic, and personal.

So don't fret those bad hair days. Have some fun with them with these beautiful hair ties.

Be fabulous today!

Shop this post

Capturing My Attention

Call me crazy but I think cap toe is making a comeback. Of course there is the classic Chanel ballet flat.  But the modern cap toe is sleek and it's modern. If that doesn't sell you, it's a comfortable flat, how can you say no to that?

Last Call Neiman Marcus, Gretchen Pointed Toe Flat, $76

Let's just take a moment to breathe in these flats. Pair it with pearls and call it a day.

Topshop, Swift Toe Cap Slipper, $40

This shoe is Pink Ladies meets T Birds and that's fantastic.

Tommy Hilfiger, Pointed Cap Toe Flat, $54

Such a beautiful fall shoe. I love the mix of deep merlot and gray.

Ann Taylor, Ruthie Quilted Leather Cap Toe Flats, $88

Quilted and a patent toe? Sign me up.

Playing with the cap toe trend is so much fun because you can pair a typically 'buttoned up' shoe with bf jeans or suede pants.

Be fabulous today!

Shop this post

Cowl It Whatever You Want

Let's talk cozy. Let's talk cowl. The cowl neck is a classic style that can be dressed up or down and made to fit any style. From a black tie formal gown to a simple tee, the cowl neck can do no wrong.  In fact, the original cowl neck dress was made by Madeleine Vionnet who designed it for celebs like Katharine Hepburn. Today I thought we would scale it back.

As I said, the cowl neck can go from classy to casual and today we're looking at casual cozy. The cowl neck sweater is comfort to the max.

Modcloth, Cowl to Action Sweater, $79

Cozy. What did I tell ya? Pair it with a plum long sleeve tee for a pop of color.

Last Call Neiman Marcus, Sweet Romeo Cowl Neck Sweater, $59

So sleek. I'd pair this with leather leggings for a fun but comfortable night out.

Amazon, Allison Collection Cable Knit Cowl Sweater, $39

This might be my favorite. I love how the cable knit falls over the shoulders.

Shoptiques, Umgee Poncho Cowl Neck, $59

Part poncho, part sweater, all comfort. Pair it with booties and then slippers when you get home.

Sweater weather is upon us and I'm stocking up on comfy cowl necks that will be the most versatile style in my closet this winter.

Be fabulous today!

Shop this post