Monday, January 17, 2011

Resort Season- So not cool.

Happy Monday lovebugs.  If you're at work today, I'm very sorry and I hope this post will keep you company for a bit.  If you're not, enjoy the extra sleep and take advantage of the whole day!

Today's post stems from one of my pet peeves.  Resort season.  It's when some of my fave stores (I'm looking at you J Crew) whip out bathing suits, sun dresses and flip flops during January and February because that's when people go on vacations and cruises.  Now I don't know about you but I'm currently sitting in Washington, DC with no upcoming vacay in sight on my calendar.  So the thought of bikinis, sun, and hotel are just mean to me! Can I get an amen?

Where am I going with this?  Today I will be featuring a pattern that is usually summer-chic but I'm digging it right now!  So we may not be going on vacation soon but let's enjoy this fun and whimsical pattern: Gingham.





People.  This shirt is $17.  Hello.  Go buy it.  Layer it under a wool gray sweater or try it with skinny jeans untucked!



Asos, Check full skirt, $51
Love this! It's flouncy and the waistband is adorable.  Also loving how the model paired this fem skirt with oxfords.



Asos, Vero Moda short, $48
vertical flat pocket, high waisted, gorgeous color, this is a great piece to have in your wardrobe.


J Crew Factory, Gingham perfect shirt, $54
Look at the darting at the sides of the bust line, this is not your BF's shirt.  It's going be a great fit.

So vacations or not, here is a nice, warm pattern that will remind you Spring isn't too far away.  Try mixing this print into your winter rotation.  Just because you're not getting fabulously tan doesn't mean you can't work it.

Be fabulous today!


Friday, January 14, 2011

Friday Foodday

Hey lovebugs! It's Friday Foodday!  Thanks for a fantastic week and I hope you all have an even better long weekend!




Green Chili Cheddar Biscuits
c/o Rosy Tart

Ingredients
2 cups Bisquick
2/3 cup milk
3 oz cheddar jack cheese, freshly grated
2 tbsp salted butter, melted
2 oz diced roasted green chiles, drained
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 450º. Spray baking sheet.
2. Drop dough by the teaspoon onto sheet.
3. Bake for 10 minutes. Move to cooling grid after 2 minutes out of oven.

Dad's Chili
c/o my dad (obvi)
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. oil                                          
1 lb. lean ground beef                          
1 cup chopped onion                                    
2 cloves of garlic, minced                    
1 cup carrots, finely chopped                       
1 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped 
1 cup celery, finely chopped                         
1 Tbsp. cumin                                              
2 tsp. oregano                                               
2 Tbsp. brown sugar                                    
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. red pepper
1 4 oz can diced tomatoes
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes (with jalapeno’s)
1 12 oz bottle of dark beer (I use Yuengling Porter)
2 1.5 oz cans of black beans
¼  cup of tomato paste
½  tsp of salt
¼  tsp black pepper

Directions
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add ground beef, browning on all sides. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes. Add carrots, bell pepper and celery and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in cumin, oregano, paprika and red pepper and cook for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and beer and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add beans and tomato paste and cook covered for another 15 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, salt and pepper.
Makes eight 1-cup servings.

Bruschetta Dip

Ingredients
4 ounces cream cheese-room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
1 large bunch basil, chopped
1 can artichoke hearts-chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound mozzarella-chopped small
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 loaf french bread
1/4 cup olive oil
garlic powder
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine the cream cheese and sour cream. In a separate bowl, marinate the mozzarella, pepper, salt and balsamic vinegar for about 20 minutes. To the first bowl, add the tomato, basil, artichoke hearts and garlic and stir to combine. Add in the marinated mozzarella and stir. Place the dip in a shallow oven proof bowl and bake for 15 minutes. Pull it out, stir it up and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Place it back in the oven for another 10 minutes. While that is cooking, slice the French loaf, brush it with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic powder and place them on a sheet tray. When the dip is done, switch the oven to "broil" and place the bread under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up. Serve the dip on the warm bread.

Peanut Butter Blondies
Ingredients:
10 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 5 cubes
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup smooth peanut butter
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1.5 cups peanut butter chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Grease a 9×13-inch pan.


In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sugar together until the butter is just melted.  Remove from the burner and allow to cool for 5 minutes, then add the peanut butter.  Stir until incorporated.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes more, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract.  You want the sugar, butter and peanut butter mixture to be cool enough that the eggs won’t begin to cook when they’re added in.  
Whisk together salt, flour and baking powder.  Add dry ingredients all at once to the wet ingredients.  Stir until just incorporated.  Add the peanut butter chips, fold in. Pour the thick batter into the prepared pan and smooth out.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center of the blondies comes out clean.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature.

Are you kidding me? It List!!!

theitlist

Happy Friday and welcome back to another great IT list line-up this week! Take some time today to visit these amazing blogs for tons of inspiration!
  • a spot of whimsy has a great tutorial on stamp embossing, such a simple and classy project! I've done this before and it's so fun... she lays it all out step by step for you! (get more of a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
  • much to my delight has an insiders guide on where to eat in New York City... if you are thinking of going to NYC soon (or any time in the future) make sure to bookmark this great post. I love that she found an old-fashioned candy store - my kind of place!
  • good life for less takes Pantone's Color of the Year and tracks down simple items to incorporate into your wardrobe to be pretty in pink in 2011! (get more of good life for less on twitter!)
  • merci blah blah is wearing sequins with stripes. Have mercy... must I say more, this is definitely a must see!
  • yams design rounds up gorgeous winter white to keep the blahs at bay during this winter season. I just love all of her picks! (get more of yams design on twitter!)
  • a delightful design is working a big girl room for a client... I love that she is considering this fun and bold IKEA light in the design! (get more of a delightful design on twitter!)
  • capital barbie rounds up gorgeous stacked heels as a more comfortable alternative to your stiletto heels. She has some great selections, I especially love the red pair! (get more capital barbie on twitter!)
  • one hundred inspirations pulls together this gorgeous Sienna Miller look on the cheap! What a perfect travel outfit!
  • sweetie pie style has a really cool DIY tutorial on this stenciled art canvas. I love this and she makes it look so easy! I am putting this on my DIY short list. (get more of sweetie pie style on twitter!)
  • undeniable style take's Pantone's Color of the Year and highlights really great colors to pair it with if you aren't an all-pink-all-the-time kind of gal! (get more undeniable style on twitter!)
  • the hillside home has really gorgeous before and afters of her master bath renovation. You are going to just LOVE this!
  • a fashion fixation shows us how to winterize your maxi dresses - this is so fabulous! I always love an idea or two on how to stretch my wardrobe. (get more of a fashion fixation on twitter!)
  • rosy + tart is getting ready for a mid-winter tropical vacation, lucky gal! She's rounded up some great cover-up options if you are heading out as well and are looking a little winter-skinned! (get more rosy + tart on twitter!)
  • good tots features one of the most fun items to buy for the babies' nursery - a mobile! These fun and modern options will leaving any baby (and mother!) coo-ing.
the IT list is published weekly by jill of the good life for less... for more information on how you can be involved... click here!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Embrace Your Inner Kermit

Kermit once said "It's not easy being green".  While I can imagine being green is probably difficult; wearing green is not. Green is such a fabulous color because it has so many varieties.  You can wear a pastel sea foam green, or a deep dark hunter green.  It's a color that looks fantastic on almost every single skin tone and it is a great addition to any wardrobe.

Before my picks- I wanted to tell  you lovebugs that tomorrow, as usual, is Friday Foodday and I would love to see some of your recipes so I can share them with all of you!

Kate's (yes, we're on a  first name basis) motto this month is 'live in color' why not add these jewels to your LBD?

Antropologie, Whirly-Twirly Clutch, $28
How wonderful is this? I love the brass closure giving it such an antique feel but the rosette is very whimsical and modern.

Nordstrom, DKNY Bow silk cardigan, $74
You know that I love bows and combined with this neckline? Stunning.


J Crew, Faille Swan Dress, $70
Hi there beautiful.  This dress is a dream- and check out the surprise in the back! 


Green can fit into any wardrobe.  You will see it in pretty much every trend- military, preppy, color block, suiting, you name it.  It will work on any occasion and it is such a breath of fresh air!

Be fabulous today!