Thursday, January 31, 2013

A Wedge of Lemon Please

Happy almost Friday!!! We're so close, and today we're finishing up the 2013 Pantone Spring week with another bright color. Lemon Zest. I just love this sunny hue because it isn't a pastel yellow, it's got a buttery quality to it.

Pim and Larkin, The Brigid Skirt, $27
You guys, ready-to-wear for work under $30. This is the perfect pencil for spring or paired with patterned tights right now.

Nothing mid blowing about this sweater, but in my opinion, a solid cable knit crewneck is critical in any wardrobe. It can pull together any outfit or you can carry it along instead of a jacket.

BaubleBar, Lemon Citrus Twist Cuff, $28
Simple. Fun. And great for an arm party.

How about this for work or play? Layer an oxford under it or maybe a collar necklace. I just love the color.

Lemon zest is such a punchy color. I think it's perfect for any time of year, even maybe on your nails!

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Tangy Citrus

Alright lovebugs, let's spice up this humpday. Today's color is nectarine. Bright, fruity, sassy, this is a great color to break up the winter blues.


Talk about a night out bag. This is just the perfect pop of color to that LBD.


Ponte is a great fabric for a dress because it's got a bit of weight to it which helps when you don't want to show every little curve. Now why Target forgot to iron this dress? That I do not know.

Gap, Modern Boot Cut, $35
I would rock these pants. And if you buy them, you better work. Because if you're rocking orange pants and not strutting, you're going to look like a sad carrot. True fact.

Neiman Marcus, Lauren Hansen Cashmere Sweater, $75
This cashmere, oversized sweater will be SO cozy. I wouldn't even bother with too many accessories, just let it be.

Nectarine is a fabulous color. It's peppy and smart looking. Try it in lush textures like wool and cashmere now and later in silk and cotton.

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Meet at Dusk

I hope you're enjoying this week's color theme. Today's color from Pantone Spring 2013  is dusk blue.


This adorable striped longsleeve tee is perfect for a long necklace. I love the navy stripes near the wrist.

Quite feminine. This would be beautiful paired with a white oxford.

Ya Los Angeles, Lace Peplum Top, $39
This is just perfect for...everything. pencil skirt, white jeans, sequin belt, you name it, it's a perfect canvas.

Anthropologie, Frothed Dots Dress, $49
So simple and soft, this lovely dress is so spring.

If you know me, I'm a saturated color kind of girl. But this dusk blue is a lovely neutral for the warmer weather.

Be fabulous today!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Perfect Poppy

Hey there lovebugs,
Happy Monday to you. This week I thought we would do something a bit different. A week of colors. Sometimes we do trends, textures, fits, but this week we'll focus on one color in particular each day. And what colors you ask? Well let's pick some great ones from Pantone Spring 2013.



Today's color? Poppy red.  Oh, and it's all under $50. I know, you're welcome.

Colored denim isn't going anywhere, so why not jump on board with these fabulous skinnies?

American Eagle, Open Knit Shimmer Sweater, $39
How cozy yet sexy is this sweater. It's just perfect for layering, try a cami or even an oxford.

You can't get much more poppy-er than this colorful and whimsical phone case.

Modcloth, Poppy On By Skirt, $39
I truly love the feminine qualities of an accordion skirt and this pretty red one is just perfect for the office or a picnic.

Poppy red is such a beautiful and girly color for spring. It's quite versatile because it's not fire engine red or merlot, it's got an airy quality to it.

Be fabulous today!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Friday Foodday

We made it! Happy Friday lovebugs! Here are my favorite recipes for the week.

Brandy Old Fashioned
c/o Jeffery Morgenthaler
Ingredients
1 sugar cube or 1 tsp 2:1 simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 orange wedge
1 cherry, preferably Amarena or Maraska
2 oz brandy or Cognac


Directions
In a chilled old fashioned glass, muddle the sugar, bitters, orange wedge and cherry into a thick paste, careful not to work the orange peel. Add brandy or Cognac, stir, and fill glass with crushed ice and serve.





Skinny Queso Dip
c/o Skinny Taste
Ingredients

  • 1 cup skim milk
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp canola oil
  • 1 cup minced onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 poblano pepper, diced
  • 1-2 jalapeƱos, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes with chiles, diced and drained
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • juice of 1 lime
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ancho chili powder
  • 1 3/4 cups shredded reduced fat sharp Cheddar, Sargento
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of the milk with 3 tbsp of cornstarch to create a slurry; set aside.

Heat a large saucepan on medium heat; when hot add oil. Add the onions, garlic, poblano, and jalapeno and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, to taste.

Add the chicken broth and the rest of the milk. Bring to a boil and cook for about 3 minutes to reduce slightly.

Add the slurry (cornstarch mixture) to the pan and stir; simmer a minute until it bubbles and thickens, then reduce heat to low.

Add the drained tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.Remove from heat and add the cheese; stir until it melts completely. Serve immediately.

Biscoff Donuts
Ingredients
1  cup all purpose flour 
1/2  cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons milk
5 tablespoons creamy Biscoff spread
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon melted butter

Directions
1- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add milk, egg, biscoff spread, vanilla and melted butter. Whisk to combine.
2- Transfer dough to a ziplock bag. Snip off a corner of the bag and pipe dough evenly into a 6-cup doughnut pan.
3-Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until dough is set (it won’t be golden brown, but should be springy.) Remove from the pan and cool completely.
4- Top with your favorite frosting or glaze, then decorate with M&Ms or sprinkles.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

About to Blossom

Happy almost Friday lovebugs,
Today I wanted to look at a great fit for dresses and skirts that flatters many women: the tulip. Picture an upside down tulip before it blossoms, a little wider at the top and it gets tighter towards the stem. Same thing goes for the clothing, a gathered effect at the waist with a slimmer hemline at the bottom.

Oh look at this beauty. I love the poppy color because its not as intense as your standard red.

This picture doesn't do this color justice. This stunning cobalt in silk is perfect for an evening out.

Modcloth, Tulip to Tango, $35
This skit has the most beautiful pleating that will lay perfectly on any shape.

Anthropologie, Embroidered Tulip Dress, $89
Did I save the best for last? Maybe. The detail on these shoulders makes this LBD stand out in a crowd.

The tulip skirt style is a great option for something bit dressier and perhaps more forgiving.

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Tote-ally Colorful

Hey lovebugs,
I think one of the easiest grab and go bags is the tote. It's a throw everything in and then some bag. So if this is our go to, then why shouldn't it be bright? Colorful totes that make us smile.

Ooooo girl, when I said bright, I meant bright. Neon! Loving this bag!

This tote comes in all kinds of colors, but I love the magenta the most. It would be easy to clean with the nylon exterior.

Gap got this one right, the leather is so soft, perfect for a grab and go bag.

American Apparel, L'Epicier Leather Bag, $98
100% leather, 100% American made. Boo ya.

Totes don't always have to be black or brown in order to go with everything. Mix it up with an unexpected pop of color!

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

What's Your Favorite Color?

As you know, I'm not really one for pastels. I prefer more saturated and deep colors. So today I thought we would look at one of my favorites. It's a beautiful shade of pink called fuchsia. It's a gorgeous purple, pink color that I find so easy to wear no matter what the season.

Nordstrom, Vince Camuto Goldie Pump, $88
Hello lover. Look at this beautiful, sleek pump that is perfect for a pencil skirt, a suit, or jeans.

These look so comfortable. Well, not the heels, but you could add anything you wanted to these pants: pumps, flats, Jack Purcell sneakers. 

A bit more muted which is what you want for a coat. I just love the length, I might add a skinny belt to dress it up.

BaubleBar, Pink Mondorian Drops, $22
These art deco inspired earrings are perfect for a larger stud!

What is your favorite color to wear? Fuchsia for me is so versatile and eye catching, I just love it.

Be fabulous today

Monday, January 21, 2013

The District of Columbia

Happy Monday lovebugs! It's a very special day in DC today. It's Inauguration Day! So I thought we'd look at some fabulous DC pieces today.

Simple. funky, and perfect for layering.

I absolutely love this phone case, the black and white is so perfect for this vintage print.

Lincoln, DJ Lincoln Tshirt, $25
This shirt is from my favorite bar in the city, Lincoln. The wait staff all wear these awesome tees.

I really love the lucite pendant here. It's so quiet yet meaningful.

I love DC, it's a pretty special city to live in, especially this weekend.

Be fabulous today!

Friday, January 18, 2013

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs! Here are my favorite recipes from the week.

Take Out Fake Out Mongolian Beef
c/o Table for Two Blog
Ingredients

Vegetable oil
1 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
2 tbsp. garlic, minced
1 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 cup water
1 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
2 pounds flank steak, sliced
1/2 cup cornstarch
Green onions, sliced
Directions
  1. In a small saucepot, over medium heat, add 2 tsp. of vegetable oil and sautƩ ginger and garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce, water, and brown sugar and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil and let boil for 3 minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, toss sliced flank steak with cornstarch, shaking off the excess. Place in fridge for 10 minutes to allow coating to stick better on the beef.
  3. After 10 minutes, in a heavy bottom saucepan, over medium high heat, add 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and add the beef to the pan, in batches, to sear the outside on all sides, but barely cooked in the middle. Remove and let drain on paper towels as you finish up the rest of the beef. Pour out any excess oil in the saucepan.
  4. Place the saucepan back on the burner, but on medium heat, and pour in the sauce from earlier. It should come to a boil immediately. Add in the steak and coat with the sauce. Continue cooking beef and sauce at a boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. The sauce will thicken gradually. Add in the scallions.
  5. Serve hot over white or brown rice.
  6. Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.


Restaurant Style Salsa
c/o The Pioneer Woman
Ingredients

  • 28 Ounce Whole Tomatoes With Juice
  • 10 Ounce Rotel (Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Onion
  • 1 clove Garlic, Minced
  • 1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin
  • 1/4 teaspoon Sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • 1/2 cup Cilantro (more To Taste!)
  • 1/2 whole Lime Juice
Directions
Combine whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you'd like---I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.
Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour.
Creamy Baked Ziti
Ingredients
1/2 pound ziti
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 26 oz jar sauce (or equivalent of homemade)
4 ounces sliced provolone cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces shredded mozzarella
Directions
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook according to package directions; drain and return to pot. 
2. In a large skillet add butter and onion over medium heat. Cook until softened. Add garlic; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer until slightly thickened. Taste for seasoning and season with salt and pepper (and any additional seasonings you like).
3. Stir together cream cheese and sour cream in a small bowl.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x8 inch baking dish. Add about 1/2 cup of the sauce to the bottom of the dish and spread evenly. Layer as follows: half of the ziti, the provolone cheese, the sour cream/cream cheese mixture, half of the sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes in preheated oven. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Racy Lacy

Happy almost Friday lovebugs! Are we so excited for this weekend? I am. Bring it on Inauguration. I plan to hunker down in my apartment, turn on my former employer, CNN, and enjoy history. But until then, let's look at some lace. Lace is usually connected with ladylike items and delicate things. But when you add the word red to lace all of the sudden it gets hot. Steamy. How can you wear this during the day? Why I'm so glad you asked!

Madewell, Scallop Lace Top, $84
This is perfect for work or play, I love how the scallop detail is not only on the hem but also the sleeves.

Victoria's Secret, Lace Trim Pencil Skirt, $69
This peek-a-boo lace is ok for the office with the right shoes. No come hither heels with this skirt, keep it classy.

Forever 21, Lace Panel 3/4 Length Sleeve Top, $13
This beautiful top is $13. Thirteen dollars. Just yes.

Dorothy Perkins, Red Lace Dress, $55
I think I would lose the ribbon and add a patent skinny belt to make this more mature.

Red lace doesn't have to be Valentine's Day sexy. Wear it during the day with items like these!

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Deep Sea Baggage

An unusual bag can come in a new shape, a new style, but what about a new color? Navy. Nothing groundbreaking, but how often do you see a deep blue, saturated, navy bag.

Topshop, Winged Pushlock Tote, $90
Winged totes are huge right now, and in this deep blue hue it's so sleek.

American Apparel, Medium Leather Carry All, $46
The perfect going out bag. Throw it all in there, put it under your arm and get going.

Last Call Neiman Marcus, Fold Over Woven Tote, $48
A beautiful double strap bag that is perfect for when the weather gets warmer.

Simple, discreet, and very easy to match.

Navy is such an underused color for accessories. It's a beautiful color to mix into any wardrobe.

Be fabulous today!