Friday, December 23, 2016

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday and Christmas lovebugs! Here are some festive recipes for you.

Cranberry Ginger Mule
c/o Delish
Ingredients
¼ c. water
3 packets Splenda® Naturals Stevia Sweetener
1 c. vodka
1/3 c. lime juice
1 c. unsweetened cranberry juice (not cocktail)
1 c. ginger beer

Directions
In a small saucepan, bring water and SPLENDA® Naturals Stevia Sweetener to a simmer. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until sweetener is reduced. Set aside.
In a large pitcher, mix together vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice, and sweetener reduction. Top with ginger beer.
Divide among 4 glasses. Garnish each glass with a cranberry skewer. Serve immediately.

Christmas Pancake Casserole
Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish and serving
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
6 tablespoons sugar
Kosher salt
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
7 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Maple syrup, for serving
Blueberries, for serving

Directions
  1. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish; set aside. Put 3 tablespoons of the butter in a microwave-safe small bowl or liquid measure; microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute to melt the butter.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 3 tablespoons of the sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, 2 of the eggs and the melted butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir until just combined.
  3. Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Melt a little of the remaining butter in the pan. For each pancake, spoon 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet and cook until the bottom is golden brown and small bubbles appear on the top, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 2 minutes. If the pancakes brown too quickly, reduce the heat to medium-low. Transfer the pancakes to a plate as finished. Repeat until all the batter is used, adding more butter to the pan as necessary. (You should have at least 12 pancakes.)
  4. Whisk together the half-and-half, vanilla, the remaining 5 eggs and 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
  5. Shingle the pancakes in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the pancakes. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours up to overnight to allow the pancakes to soak in the custard.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the plastic wrap, and bake the casserole until it feels firm yet springy to the touch in the center and the custard is set, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm with maple syrup, blueberries and pats of butter.

Peppermint Cheesecake Cups
Ingredients
  • 12 Famous Chocolate Wafers
  • 8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 5.3 oz container of fat free vanilla Greek yogurt (I used Dannon Light & Fit)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 – 1/3 teaspoon peppermint extract (or to taste)
  • 3 drops red food coloring (optional)
  • 12 tablespoons nonfat whipped topping (like Reddi Wip)
  • 3 mini candy canes, crushed
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375. Place cupcake liners into 12 cups of a standard sized muffin/cupcake tin and place a chocolate wafer in each liner (don’t worry if they don’t fit perfectly, just try to make them lay flat).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, yogurt, 1/3 cup of sugar, egg, extract and food coloring and mix together using an electric mixer until smooth and well combined. Spoon the mixture evenly on top of the wafers into the prepared liners and spread flat with a spatula or the back or a spoon.
  3. Bake for 15-16 minutes and remove from oven to cool. Once the cheesecake cups have cooled to room temperature, transfer the cheesecake cups to the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour. Before serving, top each cheesecake cup with a tablespoon of whipped topping and a sprinkling of crushed candy cane pieces.


Thursday, December 22, 2016

What a Stud...Set

Stud earrings are great accessory that comes in every style, metal, and color you can imagine. But why buy one pair of earrings when you can buy two, or three? The stud earring set is the best of both worlds! I love these stud sets because they give me great bang for my buck, and, sparkles.

Anthropologie, Cocktail Party Earring Set, $58
Why stop a set at two when you can have SEVEN?! How beautiful is this set?

I've rediscovered druzy recently. It's raw quality has such an eye-catching look.

Rounded, square, and rectangle, something for every occasion. 

Have some fun with these party ready studs. Choose from four other color varieties! 

Sure statement earrings have their place in this world, but these colorful and blingy stud sets make me feel like I'm getting something extra.

Be fabulous today!

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Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Luxurious and Lovely

One of my favorite fabrics for winter is velvet. It's luxurious and cozy in all of the right ways. This luxe texture can be worn in so many ways. Today I'm rounding up some of my favorites.

Perfection. Come on. Twirl the night away.

Last Call Neiman Marcus, Burnout Velvet Floral Bodycon Dress, $71
A winter upgrade to your LBD.

Ann Taylor, Velvet Ankle Pants, $98
Oh Ann. So classic and chic. 

A little more casual but still cool. Dress it up with a small silk scarf around your neck.

Velvet is a great material for these chilly days and nights. Mix it with patterns and colors for a real pop. It's going to work with windowpane, stripes, you name it.

Be fabulous today!

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Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Travel in Style

Are you traveling this week for the holidays? What are you wearing for the (hopefully) bearable trip? I've put together a comfortable and casual look that is great for planes, trains, and automobiles.



Leggings/Sweater/Booties/Tote

Be fabulous today!

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