Friday, January 20, 2017

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs,
Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Rosemary Honey Gin Rickey
c/o Bren Did
Ingredients
Rosemary Honey Simple Syrup Ingredients (for 6 drinks)
  • 2 tbsp raw honey
  • ¼ cup fresh rosemary leaves (loosely packed)
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
Honey Rosemary Gin Rickey Ingredients (for 1 drink)
  • 1-1 1/2 oz Gin (2-3 Tbsp)
  • 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice (2 Tbsp)
  • 1 oz Rosemary Honey Simple Syrup (2 Tbsp)
  • 1/2 cup San Pellegrino Sparkling Water or Club Soda
  • Ice

Directions
Rosemary Honey Simple Syrup Directions
1. Wash the rosemary and remove the leaves from the stems.
2. Place rosemary and honey in a heat proof cup or bowl. Pour boiling water over the rosemary and stir until honey is dissolved. Allow to steep for 20 minutes. 
3. Strain out rosemary and store in refrigerator for up to one week or freeze into ice cubes for several months. 

Honey Rosemary Gin Rickey Directions
1. In a short cocktail glass or small Mason jar combine gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Stir lightly.
2. Top with ½ club soda and ½ cup ice.
3. Garnish with lime and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Smoked Sausage Chilaquiles
Ingredients
  • 5 (6 inch) corn tortillas (I used Mission Extra Thin Yellow Corn tortillas)
  • 8 oz turkey smoked sausage, chopped (I used Hillshire Farm)
  • 3 cups chunky salsa
  • 1 cup reduced sodium fat free chicken broth
  • 4 oz 50% reduced fat sharp cheddar, shredded (I used Cabot)
  • 1 medium avocado, cut into cubes (to keep these from browning you can toss them in a bit of lime juice)
  • 6 lime wedges
  • Optional: chopped cilantro for garnish
Directions
  1. Pre-heat your oven to 350. Cut your tortillas into strips (mine were about 1” by 3” strips). Spread the tortilla strips onto a large baking sheet and lightly mist with cooking spray. Bake for 13-15 minutes until crisp. Set aside.
  2. Mist a large skillet with cooking spray and bring over medium heat and add the chopped sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the sausage pieces are a bit browned. Remove sausage to a side plate.
  3. Keep the skillet over medium heat and add the salsa. Bring to a simmer. Add the broth and stir together. Return to a simmer and simmer uncovered for 2 minutes. Add the browned sausage pieces and stir together. Add the baked tortilla strips and stir until well combined. Return to a simmer and simmer uncovered for about 3 minutes until the tortillas soften and the mixture thickens slightly.
  4. Remove from heat and sprinkle with the shredded cheddar while the mixture is still hot Top with the chopped avocado and cilantro if using. Serve with a lime wedge to squeeze over top.

Nutella Hot Fudge
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1/4 cup Light Corn Syrup
  • 3/4 cup Nutella
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 2 tsp Kahlua or coffee liqueur

Directions
In a medium sauce pan, whisk together the heavy cream and corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a light simmer, and whisk in the nutella. Whisk the nutella into the mixture until it has completely dissolved. Turn the heat off, and stir in the vanilla and Kahlua.
Let the mixture cool completely and store in an airtight microwave safe container in the fridge.
To reheat, remove the lid from the container, and microwave the fudge for 30-45 seconds. Stir the hot fudge to ensure that it is smooth and pourable. If needed, microwave for an additional 15 seconds. 

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Proper Pleats

Some people despise shopping for work, I love it. I think it's like playing dress up. Corporate barbie, casual cool, or fashion forward. I especially love trying something out of the box that shouldn't work but it does; like pattern mixing, culottes, or pleats! Today let's look at some super chic pleated pants that will turn heads for all of the right reasons at the office.

Command the room in these sleek pants. Picture it with a silk blouse.

Nordstrom, Topshop Peg Leg Trouser, $48
I'd mix these casual pants with heels and a neck scarf.

Brooks Brothers, Wool Drawstring Pants, $148 $44
Tell me where else you find a wool trouser for under fifty bucks. Gorgeous.

Banana Republic, Avery Fit Jacquard Pleated Pant, $98 $48
A great cropped pant that is fantastic for warmer weather and even through fall. 

A pleated pant has such an old-school professionalism vibe that you can't help but feel a little Mad Men in them.

Be fabulous today!

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Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Legs for Days

I love patterned tights because they give personality to an otherwise demure accessory. Colors, prints, not always my thing, but a great pattern, and I'm talking beyond fishnet, is so much fun for work.

Nordstrom, Commando Colette Tights, $36
Hello glamour. 

Express, Polka Dot Full Tights, $10
You know I love some dots and I love the price even more.

Ann Taylor, Scalloped Tights, $20
A great scallop hem is so sweet, I love it even more with tights!

A great stripe that will look even better with a wool pencil skirt.

Dress up your legs this winter with a fun pattern that makes your outfit stand out! Try dots, stripes, lace, anything that catches your eye.

Be fabulous today!

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Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Beautiful Boucle

It's still sweater weather and about this time of year I need a refresh on my closet. I love my sweaters, but midway (hopefully) through winter I need to add a couple to reinvigorate my drawers. Right now I love boucle sweaters. They are a fun throwback that are so ridiculously comfortable that you can't not love them.

A cozy throwover sweater for under twenty bucks? Sign me up.

Great relaxed neckline makes this sweater easy to dress down with jeans or leggings.

Could this girl be more casual cool? I think not. And this sweater is half off.

And now for a baby blue. So soft and sweet. I love this with plaid.

Boucle's long loops give it a cozy, almost chenille texture. This makes for maximum comfort. 

Be fabulous today!

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