Soft Serve

Let's talk comfort and style. Soft pants. Love em? Hate em? I'm getting on board. Last year I was still on the 'these could be pjs, you guys' but now I'm all in. Styled with a crisp tee and dressed up with some fun jewelry, you've got a great look!

Macy's, Vince Camuto Pull On Pants, $80

A great windowpane print that you can style for work with a great pair of block heel sandals.

Asos, Soft Luxe Pant with Tie Belt, $42

What a stunning jewel toned pant. Add your own skinny metallic belt to dress it up.

Old Navy, Mid Rise Soft Tapered Crops, $32

Yeah, Old Navy. A great leg line that you can dress up or down with the right shoes.

Mango, Soft Fabric Cord Trousers, $69

A little paper bag waistline makes these pants fashion forward. Effortless.

A great soft pant is going to work for you now through the end of summer. Print or solid, these pants can be styled just for you.

Be fabulous today!

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Roughed Up Ruffles

Happy Monday lovebugs!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I'm dealing with Monday with ruffles. I love ruffles for spring because you can style it however you'd like. Ruffles don' have to be girly, dress it with moto boots or bf jeans.

Loft, Striped Ruffle Cold Shoulder Top, $44

One of the reasons I don't love the cold shoulder trend is the strapless bra situation it requires. This top? Not so much! It's perfect.

Mango, Ruffle T-shirt, $39

This top is a steal for under 40 bucks. Wear it for work or play.

Anthropologie, Shadowsong Ruffle Tee, $49

A great long sleeve option for this transitional weather period.

Nordstrom, BP Ruffle Front Tee, $29

Simple, easy, playful.

Ruffles no longer fall into the bows and polka dots category. Ruffles can be girly but they can also be gritty.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Pawley's Rum Punch
c/o Saveur

Ingredients

1 oz. cranberry juice

1 oz. fresh orange juice

1 oz. pineapple juice

1 oz. dark rum

1 oz. gold rum

Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish

Directions

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously and strain into a punch glass. Top with grated nutmeg.

Taco Chili

c/o Buns in My Oven

Ingredients

• 1 package Hurst's 15 Bean Soup
• 10 cups water
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 packets taco seasoning
• 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 10 ounce can enchilada sauce
• 4 ounce can diced green chiles
• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Rinse and sort through the dried beans, removing any debris. Add beans to a large stock pot over high heat and pour in the water.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cover the pot.
3. Let cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes.
4. When beans are tender, brown the beef until cooked through and drain the fat. Add one packet of taco seasoning to the meat and stir to coat.
5. Add the meat to the pot of beans, along with the second packet of taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce, green chiles, onion, garlic, and salt. Add the packet of Ham Flavoring from the bag of beans to the pot. Stir well.
6. Cover and continue cooking on low for 45 minutes.
7. Serve with your favorite taco toppings, such as grated cheddar, avocado, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

Double Chocolate Nutella Toffee Skillet Brownie

c/o Country Cleaver

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Butter, melted and cooled
• 3/4 cup Nutella, or chocolate hazelnut spread
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar or Coconut Sugar
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 2/3 cups Flour
• 2 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
• 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/2 cup Toffee Pieces, like Heath Bits o' Toffee

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl with a whisk or spatula, butter, Nutella, brown and white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the flour, salt and baking soda until a batter forms.


2. Stir in 3/4 of the chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of the toffee pieces.


3. Spoon the batter into a oven proof skillet, cast iron or stainless steel that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Even the batter out and press to within 1/2" of the edges of the skillet - the brownie will spread out, but leave the room between the batter and the sides of the skillet so the edges don't over cook.


4. Top with remaining chocolate chips and toffee bits. Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are set and a toothpick placed in the middle of the brownie comes out clean. (Check - timing depends on the oven)


5. Let the brownie cool on a wire rack in the skillet until just warm - about 45 minutes. It will still be very soft in the middle, but as it cools, the brownie will set entirely.


6. Drizzle with additional softened Nutella if desired, or ice cream!

The Bell Tolls

Almost there lovebugs, Friday eve. Let's continue our week of details and check out some beautiful bell sleeve blouses.

White House Black Market, Pink Off the Shoulder Bell Sleeve Top, $59

While I'm not crazy over the cold shoulder trend, I LOVE the shape of this top!

Loft, Bouquet Bell Sleeve Softened Shirt, $59

Great print mix, and a simple no collar look.

Macy's, Alfani Bell Sleeve Top, $49

This top is a great base. Pair it with jeans, a pencil skirt, pearls, or tassel earrings.

Nordstrom, Soprano Bell Sleeve Top, $45

Great price for a solid spring top that goes with everything. Also comes in a crisp white.

How do you style a bell sleeve top? Dress it up or down?

Be fabulous today!

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