Friday, August 14, 2015

Friday Foodday

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

Frozen Gin and Tonic
c/o The Kitchn
Ingredients
1 cup gin, such as Hendrick's Gin
1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
3 cups tonic water (preferably an artisan tonic like Q Tonic or Fever Tree, or homemade if you've got it)
2 cups ice
Lime wedge or wheels for garnish


Directions
Combine the gin, lime juice, tonic, and ice in a blender. Blend until evenly combined and the consistency of a milkshake. Scoop into glasses and garnish with lime.



Tuscano Burger
Ingredients
Tuscano Burgers
  • 1/2 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
  • 2 Tbsp Milk
  • 2 Tbsp Worchestershire Sauce
  • 1 Clove Garlic
  • 1 Tsp Pesto
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 pound Ground Beef
  • 4 High Quality Hamburger Buns
Toppings
  • 3 ounces Pancetta, fried
  • 1 Shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1 Tomato, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups Arugula
  • 4 ounces Mozzarella, sliced
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
  • 2-3 Tbsp Pesto
  • Balsamic Vinegar
Directions
To Prepare Hamburgers:
In a bowl, add in panko crumbs. Pour the milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic over the top. Using a fork, mix the ingredients together to form a paste. Next, add in the ground beef and combine with the bread/milk paste and form into four burger patties.
Form into four patties, with about 5 inches in diameter, with slight depressions in the middle of each.
To Cook the Hamburgers:
Preheat the grill over high heat for at least 15 minutes.  Cook the hamburgers on one side for about 3-4 minutes. Do not press or move for this time. Turn burgers, gently, and continue to cook another 3-4 minutes for a medium well done burger (or about 5 minutes for a well-done burger).
During the last 1-2 minutes, add the brie cheese to the hamburgers to allow to melt. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes prior to eating.
To Assemble:
Prepare the fried pancetta, frying like bacon until crispy and draining on a paper towel.
In a small bowl, mix together mayo and pesto sauce for faux-aioli. Top burger buns with pesto aioli, add freshly grilled burger to buns. Top with mozzarella, shallots, arugula, tomatoes, and then drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Top with other half of the burger bun, and serve immediately!

Deep Dish Fudgy Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
Cookie
  • 1 cup {2 sticks} salted butter, softened
  • 2 cups light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • ⅓ cup milk {I use 1%, but any kind will work}
  • 2 & ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt

  • Fudge
  • 1 {14 oz.} can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 {12 oz.} bag milk chocolate chips
  • ⅓ cup salted butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 inch nonstick pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar and eggs and mix well. Add the vanilla and milk and incorporate well.
  3. In a medium, separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Spread ⅔ of the mixture into the pan and set aside.
  4. In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients for the fudge and let melt completely over medium heat. Once melted, pour over the prepared cookie mixture.
  5. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the top of the fudge. It won't cover it completely, but will make for a pretty top.
  6. Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes. If the top is getting browned after 15 minutes, cover with foil. Let cool completely, so the insides don't run everywhere.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

For the Love of Flippy Skirts

Let's have some fun on this Friday eve. I'm talking about stripes and polka dots. A fun way to round out the week and we're doing it with skirts. Flirty, fun, and downright fantastic prints.

Modcloth, Stripe it Lucky Skirt, $44
Oh hello fun. Perfect box pleats, thick monochrome stipe, nothing better.

Shabby Apple, Dorothy Skirt, $72
Have you met Shabby Apple? It's retro, boho, anther, chic, and so many options are under $100. And please check out the tulle on this skirt.

This skirt is a four season one. Pair it with tights in the winter and boots in the fall. Perfect texture for all year round.

Last Call Neiman Marcus, JOA Polka Dot A Line Skirt, $79
Perfectly ladylike. I love this skirt for work or date night.

Sometimes you just want a fun and flippy skirt and let me tell you, these fit the bill. Dots, stripes, a line, circle, you name it, these skirts just work.

Be fabulous today!

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Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Let's Get Waisted

Today's post idea comes from my father. Yes, this blog is a family show. A text from dad this weekend said: "blog idea, belts, the title let's get waisted, ha!" So. Here we go. Some fantastic skinny belts under $50 that will define any maxi dress, shift dress, or cardigan coming into the fall.

Boden, Skinny Belt, $38
I love the contrasting colors with this belt. If you cinch it and then tie the excess you will get that pop of orange.

Dorothy Perkins, White Tassel Skinny Belt, $6
I love this belt with a blousy floral dress. It also comes in tan.

Vince Camuto, Neon Skinny Belt, $24
Who doesn't love a pop of neon? I'd paid this with navy to really wake up an outfit.

Something different from you average belt and it's designer!

A simple belt can really make all the difference with an outfit. It defines a waistline and it adds a little something extra to your look!

Be fabulous today!

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Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Ankle Party

Everybody loves a good arm party. We know that. It is a well established fact. But what about your ankles. That's right, that naked part between the calf and foot, let's dress it up. I'm not talking about a friendship anklet, I'm talking about cuff sandals. A special type of sandals that treat your ankles like the hard working parts they are.

Embrace the ankle, ladies. Look at this playful and casual sandal that works so well with shorts or a maxi.

How about this cuff? It comes in two other neutral colors and they are all 50% off.

Nordstrom, Free People Collins, $88
These remind me of the still unclear Birkenstock revival this summer but they have a bit more personality.

This will be such a staple in your closet this summer and for years to come. Sleek and sharp.

Don't leave that ankle bare! Celebrate it with these ankle cuff sandals that add some personality to your flats!

Be fabulous today!

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