50's Throw Back

This skirt is so reminiscent of the 50's when the hemlines were nearly to the floor and ladies managed to pull off girlie, sophisticated and classy in one outfit.  I'd like to call this the update version of the 1950's poodle era.

Top- D&G
Skirt- Top Shop
Clutch- JJ Winters
Heels- Jimmy Choo
Earrings- Vintage
Cuff- Skova

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Baked Shrimp Rangoon

My husbands favorite food of all time is Chinese which he absolutely has to have at least once every couple of a weeks.  We all know chinese food is not the healthiest food made so when I denied him his beloved fried Rangoon AGAIN, I had to make it up to him with this amazing alternative.  He loved it even more than his favorite chinese restaurant.

Ingredients:

12 wonton skins
Spray olive oil
6 ounces large shrimp cut into chunks
1 tbs lemon juice
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 cup cream cheese
1 tbls miracle whip
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
2 tbls chopped red onions


Directions:

1. Preheat the over to 375 degrees.  Spray both side of the wonton wrappers with oil oil and place into a muffin pan.  Bake for 6-7 minutes or until the edges are beginning to turn brown.  Set aside

2. Sautee the shrimp with red onion with light olive oil and set aside to cool.

3. After the shrimp have cooled, place in a medium sized bowl, add lemon juice, paprika, cream cheese, miracle whip and worcestershire sauce.

4.  Spoon 1 tbls of filling into each wonton cup and return to the oven and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes.  Garnish with red onion slivers.

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DIY Stella McCartney inspired chain clutch

While web browsing, I came upon Stella McCartney's line of chain bags and clutches that are classically modern.  I love the simplicity of  the bag with the added chain to give it a bit of personality.  In addition to loving the bags, McCartney's goal of producing cruelty free fashion is admirable but also leaves me a bit confused.  Although the construction is beautiful the price tag of $671.00 for 100% polyester is mind boggling.  Considering I know how much high end amazing polyester costs, this price cannot be justified.  So on to a DIY!

Stella McCartney Falabella clutch

Tools: Leather
           Lining fabric
           5 Feet of curb link chain 7MM
           4 Feet of curb link chain 4MM
           Sewing machine
           Hand sewing punch
           Leather sewing needle
           Waxed thread
           Wire cutters 
     

Repeat the hole making process and chain application with this chain at the top and bottom of the bag

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Uniform

With fall right around the corner I so look forward to going back to my black uniform.  Lately the evenings have been absolutely incredible It's been nice to get a peek.

Top- H&M
Jeans- 7 For All Mankind
Clutch- BCBG
Heels- Manolo Blahnik
Accessories- AV Max

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Shades of Gray

Next to black, grey is one of my top goto colors and with the last few evenings being cooler than normal, what better opportunity to slip on a summer sweater.

Top- Helmut Lang
Jeans- J Brand
Heels- Alexander Wang
Bangle- Mango
Watch- Tag Huer
Clutch- no name

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Pink DIY continued

Last week I  wore this skirt I made out of this amazing jacquard fabric that I loved but wasn't completely sold on the skirt.  I needed to quickly throw together an outfit this weekend at the last minute that required guest to wear something pink.  I immediately thought about this fabric and literally made this top in two and a half hours.  I should probably be tired of wearing peplum tops but I can't, I love them!  They are so simple, flattering and feminine.

Skirt- Thakoon dress worn as a skirt
Top- DIY Vogue pattern V8815
Necklace- YSL
Ring- Rivka Friedman
Clutch- Vintage
Earring- Vintage lion head
Heels- Theyskens Theory   

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Baked green bean fries

One of my absolute weaknesses are potato chips, plain ole Lays potato chips.  When I crave them it's pretty uncontrollable so while searching for an alternative, I came across this green bean recipe from a Giant grocery store magazine that's suppose to take the edge off.  I was hesitant thinking how in the world will a green bean satisfy my chip  obsession? Well I have to admit it worked.  These were absolutely awesome and will become my new weakness.

Ingredients:

12 oz whole green beans, trimmed
1/2 cup flour
1 egg
1/4 cup cold water
1 cup panko bread crumbs
seasoned salt
pepper
garlic powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.  In a small bowl, whisk together egg and water.  Place four on a plate and and panko crumbs on another plate.  Dip each green bean into egg, allowing excess to drip off, then dip into flour, dip onto egg again, then into panko crumbs, coating evenly.  Place beans in a single layer on the baking sheet, sprinkle with seasoned salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Bake for about 25 minutes, until crumbs are golden and crisp.

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Giambattista Valli inspired DIY

I was so inspired by this awesome Giambattista Valli skirt I had to try a DIY version with this beautiful pink jacquard fabric and Newlook pattern 6003.  I didn't deviate much from the pattern with the exception of length and wasn't completely thrilled with the peplum but I figured it's completed, I love the color and material and not much I can do now.  I plan to re-create this skirt with a more exaggerated peplum for fall.

Tank- Madewell
Skirt- DIY
Heels- Chloe
Accessories- YSL/ AV MAX/ Loft

Giambattista Valli inspiration skirt

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All white everything

It's not often I wear all white due to the fact I'm pretty much like a two year old when it comes to wearing light colors.  I generally end up doing a wardrobe change halfway through the day because of some stain that miraculously appeared.   True to form this outfit lastest about 3 hours!

Jeans- Madewell
Top- Jcrew
Heels- Alexandre Birman
Clutch- DIY
Ring/necklace- DIY
Cuff- YSL/AV Max

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Perfectly moist carrot cake

When I started my garden several months ago I had no idea how much use I would truly get out of it.  I  have found myself planning meals based off what's available for picking and cannot beging to explain the improved taste of dishes due to eliminating pesticides and other harmful chemicals.  One of the last veggies to sprout were the carrots which I completely went overboard with planting and as a result, have a refrigerator now filled with carrots.  So let the carrot dishes begin!

This carrot cake with lemon cream cheese frosting is absolutely devine.

Carrot Cake

2 cups of flour
2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup of white sugar
1 cup of brown sugar
3/4 cup of oil oil and butter blended
3/4 cup of buttermilk
3 tsp vanilla
2 cups of shredded carrots
1 8 oz can of crushed pineapple drained
4 oz sweet coconut flakes
1 cup raisins

Grease and flour a bundt cake pan (using a bundt pan intensifies the moistness)
Stir together the first 4 ingredients

Beat eggs and next 5 ingredients with a hand mixer until smooth.  Add flour mix beating until smooth.  Fold in the carrot and next 3 ingredients.

Pour batter into the bundt cake.

Bake at 350 degree for 35 minutes.

After you remove from the oven, allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack until cooled.


Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

3/4 cup butter
1 8oz package cream cheese
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp lemon extract
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp  vanilla
1 tsp fresh squeezed lemon

Beat butter and cream cheese.  Add powdered sugar and next 4 ingredients mixing well.

Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Ensure the cake has cooled adequately prior to frosting.

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Transition suiting

There is nothing easier to transition daytime meeting attire to evening attire than accessories.  If your like me and live in a city where traffic is horrendous and a quick pit stop change at home is completely out of the question, throw a pair of heels, earrings, bangles and clutch in a bag and you can't go wrong.

Suit- Sisley
Shirt- Calvin Klein (stolen from husband)
Bag- Banana Republic
Heels- Manolo Blahnik on sale here

Clutch- DIY
Heels- Lanvin
Jewelry- AV Max/YSL

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Watermelon pineapple yogurt pops

From reading my blog, you know I am a fanatic for anything sweet, yummy and decadent.  So the other day while sitting at my desk I had a complete nostalgic moment when I heard the ice cream truck in my neighborhood.  I instantly had butterflies while thinking about the bomb pop (that's what we called it back in day) truck coming down my block and knowing to stop in front of our house for my daily strawberry shortcake fix, boy do I miss being able to consume 300 calories and 15g of fat without blinking an eye.  I yelled to my husband at the top of my voice to stop the truck (so overly dramatic) he runs outside to stop the truck and I'm scrambling for four quarters.  I run outside to hand over my change like I did many times many years ago for my strawberry shortcake and was greeted with laughter.  Not because I have my robe and a head scarf on but because I was two dollars short.  I was devastated  Where have I been? I was crushed that my beloved strawberry shortcake had tripled in price and calories.  I vowed this will be my last strawberry shortcake ever!  For the next few hours all I could think about was another one but I made my vow, went into the kitchen and whipped up something to take the edge off.

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups watermelon cubed with seeds removed
6 oz greek pineapple yogurt (Chobani works perfectly)
2 tbls honey
1 tsp lemon
1tbls lime juice

Strain the watermelon through a potato ricer yielding 1 1/3 cup of watermelon juice.  Discard the pulp.
Add watermelon juice, yogurt, honey, lemon and lime juice to the blender and blend well.
Pour into pop molds.
Freeze!

When removing, quickly dip the mold into hot water which will release the pops easily.

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Perfect fruit-filled Martini

If your like me and stroll the supermarket filling your basket with so much fruit you end up throwing most of it out at the end of the week, try putting that fruit to good use by serving this awesomely fruity martini at a cocktail party which will certainly delight. The surprise of the crushed mint makes this drink truly refreshing.

Ingredients:
Watermelon chopped- 1 cup
Orange chopped-   1/2 cup
Lemon- 2 slices of lemon squeezed
Simple syrup- 1 oz
Peach Ciroc- 3 oz
Papaya juice- 1/3 cup
Crush mint (fresh mint is better but I was out)
Cubed ice

Blender
Martini mixer

Blend the watermelon and orange with the papaya juice
Pour the well pureed mix into a ice filled martini mixer
Add the squeezed lemon, vodka, simple syrup and mint
Shake well in the martini mixer

Garnish with lemon

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DIY spiked leather bracelet

A few weeks ago I uncovered the most amazing leather shop ever.  I went online to purchase supplies to make this clutch and after purchasing, I discovered Tandy Leather Factory has a location near me.  I immediately called the store, had my order held for pickup and made the 45 minute drive.  Why did I do that! After 2 1/2 hours of shopping in a store roughly 400 sq ft (quite small) but filled with the most amazing finds that will clutter your head with fantastic ideas, I walked out with in addition to three bags filled with everything under the sun A WHOLE 15 SQ FT ROLL OF LEATHER.  I have never worked with leather but could not resist grabbing it out of the clearance bin which leads me to this DIY.

Leather Hide from here

Tools:
Buckles found here
Leather Dye found here
Spikes found here
Rivets found here
Rivet Setter found here 
Mallet found here
X-acto knife
Ruler
Hand sewing punch found here
Rotary punch found here

Measure and cut out two pieces of leather 8.5"x.5"  and 6"x1.5 "

Dye the leather pieces thoroughly on both sides making sure you cover your working spacing, this gets pretty messy.

Allow the leather to dry completely, about 2 hours.
Using a clip, line thinner leather piece on top of larger piece in the center

Draw an erasable line down the center for placement holes.
Using the hand punch and rotary punch make a hole one inch apart and insert the screw in the bottom and the spike on top. 

Make a .25" slit to insert the buckle

Insert the buckle and using the rivet and rivet setter, set the rivet in place using he mallet.

Using the hand punch, punch holes .25" apart on the strap.

I added additional pikes, one between each spike above for an additional 5 spikes for a fuller look which can be seen in the first picture.

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