Karen Walker for Anthro

Have you all heard of the New Zealand designer Karen Walker? I'd only heard of her designing sunglasses and had no clue she did clothes too. Well it turns out she is designing a more accessible line for Anthropologie that is set to debut this MARCH. I learned about this over at Glamour and Refinery29. I LOVE both these two dresses and am eagerly awaiting the chance to see these in person and get to try these one. I think both would be perfect for many a wedding shower and bridesmaid luncheon that I have coming up this spring and summer.

Target Does It Again...

You all are going to think I'm crazy about this coverup, but I PROMISE the pictures doesn't do it justice, go to your local Target and try to see this in person. It looks so much more expensive (in person) than it really is. And here is a little tip, snap up swimmies and coverups now while they are all still in stock in an array of sizes in the stores. Seriously, go get this steal of a deal ASAP! This would also be a great piece for any ones honeymoon wardrobe! And while it also does come in black, I really prefer the white.

Converse Womens Adria Coverup

WOW...IN LOVE with PREEN

Are you familiar withe the label Preen? If not you should be. Man, they are pulling out some AH-mazing pieces. While I sadly can't add any of their pieces to my wardrobe due to their $$$ price tag, I still love love love to look at what they are designing. This dress was my absolute favorite from their Pre-Fall 2012 collection. I'm loving the color combination and the lace, I swear lately if its colored and lace I'm in love with it.

Hope you enjoy this eye candy on this Wednesday evening!

PREEN Ingrid Dress

Rocky Road Goodness

Hiiii there! Happy Rainy Tuesday night to you...I'm loving this weather!

I made these EASY Rocky Road bars for a work luncheon event that we had today and I got rave reviews from everyone so I had to share here on the blog too. They are from one of MY favorite food blogs ever, Eat, Live, Run...you all should be reading this blog daily, it's so great. And the best part about these is that they are NO bake!

The only change I would recommend is leaving the bars in the fridge for longer than it calls for to firm up even more, I had a few fall apart on me. Oh and use a SHARP knife to cut them into bars, that will help too.

Enjoy!

No-Bake Rocky Road Bars via Eat, Live, Run

No-Bake Rocky Road Bars

makes about 12-14 bars

Ingredients:

4 cups graham cracker crumbs (You can buy boxes of already ready to go crumbs just FYI)

2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)

1 cup powdered sugar

1 12-oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup evaporated milk

Directions:

Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, marshmallows, nuts and powered sugar in a large bowl. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Add the evaporated milk to the chocolate and stir until smooth and incorporated. Pour chocolate over graham cracker marshmallow mixture and toss until well combined.

Press mixture into a well-greased nine inch pan and pat down (easiest to do with wet hands!). Place in fridge until firm (about an hour). Dust with powdered sugar and slice into squares.

Time:

1.5 hours

Easy Monday Night Dinner Idea!

Happy Monday friends! I usually always try to cook on Monday nights, we really like to be home to start off the week and I usually am always cooking up something healthy. (Usually because I always over indulge on the weekends, this weekend I have my friend Katie's AH-mazing iced sugar cookies to blame!!!)

So on tonight's menu are my Baked Turkey Meatballs with a VERY easy Homemade Tomato Sauce. I found the meatball recipe over at The Healthy Housewife (LOVE this blog!) and its a keeper. The sauce recipe came from the back of a pasta box that my Mama gave me. I usually get the meatballs all prepped and rolled the night before and then bake them right before dinner. While the meatballs are baking I make the sauce and then usually also saute some zucchini and squash for a veggie side.

Turkey Meatballs via The Healthy Housewife

Baked Turkey Meatballs from The Healthy Housewife

Ingredients
1 lb ground turkey
1/3 cup diced onion
1/3 cup Italian breadcrumb
2 tablespoon granulated garlic (Using fresh minced garlic is fine)
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk (Doesn't matter what kind, I usually use 1% because its what I drink)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon basil (I use dried)
1/2 teaspoon oregano (I use dried)
1 teaspoon sea salt
pinch of pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients for in a bowl. Mix thoroughly with your fingers to make the mixture as uniform as possible, without overworking the meat. Roll into approximately 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve as is, or with your favorite sauce!

And here is the recipe for my favorite tomato sauce, its SO easy!

Easy Homemade Spicy Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

1 can crushed tomatoes (the larger can is what I usually use)

EVOO

Minced Garlic

Red Pepper Flakes

Heat a large skillet or pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. I usually just use enough to coat the pan, once the oil has a sheen to it and is hot drop in a few cloves of minced garlic (The more the better in my opinion!) and let it saute for a bit, but don't burn. Then add the can of crushed tomatoes and a few shakes of red pepper flakes (Careful with the flakes, a little goes a long way!) and bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce to a simmer for 20 to 25 minutes and then you are DONE.

Serve the meatballs with the sauce and sprinkle a little fresh parm cheese over for a nice touch!

In Need of Recipe Cards

I've been invited to a few recipe showers lately, you know the kind of shower where you bring the bride-to-be your favorite recipe...anyway I would love to have some precious recipe cards to bring my recipes on. It's all about the presentation people! Here is a roundup of a few I've found!

via Squirrel and Fox via ETSY

Whitney English Ikat Chevron Recipe Cards via Getpapered.com

via interprintations from ETSY

via Yellow Owl Workshop

I LOVE BLACK BEANS!

Who is with me?! I just love them! First off they are very nutritious and filling and second they are so cheap. I always try to find the canned versions that are reduced sodium too. The thing I make most with black beans is my my black bean dip/salad, it's always a crowd pleaser and is healthy! This recipe is very adaptable (Corn, diced jalapeno and diced onions could all be good additions) to whatever you have on hand too, but below is the way I usually make it!

My Black Bean Salad/Dip

Ingredients

 - 2 cans of reduced sodium black beans (Rinsed & Drained)
 - 1 bell pepper diced (Any color works)
 - 1 container of cherry tomatoes (Sliced)
 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
 - 1 lime juiced
 - 1 teaspoon cumin
 - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
 - Salt & Pepper to taste

Put everything in a bowl and stir it all up and you are DONE!

I like to make it the night before I need it to let all the flavors come together and this will last for a few days in the fridge.

When I serve this as a dip I use tortilla chips with it, and when I make it for lunch or dinner like I did this week I usually add a little avocado each time I eat it, that really makes it yummy. Enjoy!