Tuesday, January 31, 2012

SAG Award Fashion Wrap Up...

Lovvvvving awards season, it's SO much fun! I'm going to keep this short and sweet, here are my favorites from this years SAGs and my top pick of the night is last!

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta, LOVE the color...

via MTV Style

Rose Bryne in Elie Saab, she took a risk and a departure from the "norm" dressing of these events and I am loving it. I know a lot of people won't like this, but I think it's fun and hip.

via MTV Style

Julianna Margulies in Calvin Klein, love the texture and the color looks gorgeous on her skin. I do think she should of thought about a different hairstyle and doing different earrings. I also like that this dress is a slight departure for Calvin Klein, don't you all think too?

via Red Carpert Fashion Awards

Amber Heard in Zac Posen, WOW, SEXY is all I have to say and she can totally pull it off!

via Red Carpert Fashion Awards

And last, but not least we have my absolute favorite from the night, Jessica Chastain...that color on her is AH-mazing and I'm obsessed with her look from head to toe. She hit it out of the park in my book!

via Red Carpert Fashion Awards
Would love to hear your favorites too!!

Monday, January 30, 2012

The Dirty Dozen

I'm sure most of you all already know this information, but I thought I would blog about it as well in case you don't. I've seen posts about this topic on two of  my FAV blogs, The Southern Eclectic and Apples & Onions (You all should check out both blogs STAT!). Basically, the dirty dozen are the dozen fruits and veggies that you should buy organic if your budget allows. I'm not a shopper that buys everything organic because of the cost, but am happy to purchase the dirty dozen orangic since its allover better for your health and food safety.




The Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes (not including sweet potatoes, which are part of The Clean Fifteen)
10. Blueberries
11. Lettuces
12. Kale and collard greens (a tie)


Dirty Dozen Cheat Sheet

Along with the Dirty Dozen they have the Clean 15, for the 15 items where you are totally ok to NOT buy organic. 
The Clean 15
1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mango
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Grapefruit
These lists do change from time to time, the EWG's (Enviromental Working Group) website is a great resource to stay up to date on this information.

Friday, January 27, 2012

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.


Thursday, January 26, 2012

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

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

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

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

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



Monday, January 23, 2012

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



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!