Magenta and Black

August 31, 2011







 
{Black Skinny Sateen Skinny Pants ~ Torrid / Magenta and Black Blouse ~ Vintage.Thrifted {was a long dress that I cut} / Black Suede Cut-out Booties ~ Steve Madden / Black Leather Handbag ~ Cole Haan / Black and Gold Crystal Watch ~ Kathy Van Zeeland / Gold Multi Strand Necklace ~ Thrifted}

I really wish I had a picture of the used-to-be dress that is now this blouse, which may be my new favorite item in my closet right now.  I didn't have time to take pics, the cutting happened so fast yesterday morning; SNIP SNIP! Truthfully, as a dress, it wouldn't have worked; it was way too long and way too wide at the bottom. I might have been able to pull off wearing it as a duster.  But I will never know and I just adore my new blouse!

And yes, the edges are less-than-perfect and that makes me love it even more. :)

The day I wore this blouse was also deemed the best hair day ever.  I used a new shampoo and conditioner {DOVE} which works great for weave hair. ...and they smell divine!  After washing, conditioning and blow drying, I curled small sections with my Hot Tools iron and immediately rolled them using foam rollers.  I slept in them overnight and woke up to the most beautiful curls/waves {most of the curls had fallen by the time we took these pics though}.


xoxo, thanks for reading!

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls

August 30, 2011

Hurricane Irene last weekend was the perfect excuse we needed to stay in the house and relax  as a family.  We enjoyed each other's company of course but a fun weekend with my loves just wouldn't be right without delicious food. :)

I originally made these absolutely AMAZING buffalo chicken cheese balls as an appetizer for the Thanksgiving dinner I hosted at my house last year.  They were a HUGE hit and I knew I wanted to make them again.

They could NOT be easier to make and if you are a fan of buffalo style anything, you will love these. 


Ingredients
1 store-bought rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 3/4 cups sharp Cheddar
1/4 cup freshly sliced scallions
1 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups panko bread crumbs
Vegetable oil, for frying


{The original recipe calls for a rotisserie chicken but because we were in the middle of a weather emergency {!!!), my market was out of them.  ...so I had to improvise.  I took two skin on/bone in chicken breasts drizzled them with oil, seasoned with salt, pepper, oregano, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika and roasted them on a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for about 15 - 20 minutes.  When they were golden brown and cooked through, I took them out and let cool.  I then pulled the meat off the bone and chopped into small pieces.}

{Before you begin, heat some oil in a fryer. We like to fry with peanut oil.  It's a bit more expensive, but it makes a BIG difference in taste.}  

{You need 3 separate bowls for an assembly line.  First: flour.} 

{Second: Eggs.} 

{Third: Panko bread crumbs.}

 {Next, shred your cheese.  I always use the block of sharp cheddar and shred it myself...not the bagged-already-shredded cheese.  I think it's fresher.}


{You'll need some good'ole bottled hot sauce.} 

{Chop up the green onions.} 

{Next, it's just dumping and mixing.  :) To a large bowl, add the chicken and then the hot sauce.} 

{Add the green onions.} 

{Your cheese goes in too.} 

{Mix everything until well combined.} 

{Grab about a palm-full of your chicken mixture and form into balls.  About the size of a golf ball.  Or a little smaller.  After shaping your ball, start breading.  First, roll it in the flour.} 

{And then in the egg.} 

{Finally in the breadcrumbs.} 

{Repeat until you have your breaded balls. :)}

{Now it's time to start frying.  Makes sure your oil is heated to 350 degrees before dropping your balls in.} 

 {Cook for about 2-3 minutes per batch, until they are beautifully golden brown.}

{Be sure to put them on paper towel to drain the excess oil.} 

{They will be super cheesy and delicious with tons of flavor and plenty of kick!} 

{Serve with your favorite blue cheese dressing and ENJOY!}

We enjoyed ours as dinner with savory sauteed green beans {I'll have to share that recipe soon; so very easy and so very GOOD} and sliced cantaloupe.

These would also be perfect for a cocktail party; they are sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Let me know if you plan to try these! :)

In The Zone

August 29, 2011








{Flared Trouser Jeans ~ Torrid / Kelly Green Satin Top ~ Simply Vera Wang / Hot Pink Drapey Sleeveless Cardi ~ GAP / Pink Painted Bangle ~ Street Vendor / Nude Patent Pumps ~ Guess / Handbag ~ LV Damier Azure Noe / Pearl Chandelier Earrings ~ Vintage}

So, I survived Hurricane Irene! HOORAY! 

Luckily, we didn't sustain any damage and we only lost power for about 20 minutes. The weekend was spent indoors cooking delicious food {new recipe coming this week!}, having a wine party with Cory and relaxing on the couch watching movies and reading my new book; it felt good to laze around in leggings and a t-shirt and not feel guilty about it.

For some reason, whenever I grab this bright green top to put on, I always reach for a bright punchy color to pair with it, just like I also did here.  The same is true for black and white; I almost always want to wear a bright red pop of some sort. These are the kinds of comfort zones I am trying to shy away from in the upcoming change of season. 

Having more fun with my wardrobe is an immediate goal of mine and I can't wait to make it happen. ...thinking outside of the box.  ...the unexpected.  Seriously, if I can't have fun getting dressed, why bother, right? :)


xoxo, thanks for reading!

Flower Power

August 25, 2011





Floral Skirt ~ Thrifted / Fuchsia Silk Top ~ Vintage.Thrifted / Teal Belt ~ from a trench jacket / Black Patent Pointy Toe Pumps ~ Nine West / Lucite Necklace and Bangle ~ Thrifted}

I am making it a point to wear all of my brights and florals in these last few weeks of summer, taking advantage of the fun pieces for warmer weather that I never got to wear; including sandals, white pants and tanks that will need to be put away soon.

I have also decided to start a fresh Fall Trend Mini-Series next month.  What could be more fun? I am so very excited!

Until then, I will enjoy lighter fabrics, bare legs and a few final barbecues.

Off to continue my September issues... have a fantastic night. :)


xoxo, thanks for reading!

Stripes & Hearts

August 23, 2011








{Black Zipper Leggings ~ H&M / Black and White Dress {pinned up at the waist to be worn as a tunic} ~ Target / Black Suede Cutout Wedges ~ Steve Madden / Red Leather Fringe Bag ~ Daisy Boutique {here in Philly} / Leather Heart Necklace ~ Thrifted {I think it's actually a belt}/ Black and Gold Crystal Watch ~ Kathy Van Zeeland / Gold Robot Ring ~ Smak Parlour Boutique {here in Philly} / My favorite Jumbo Gold Hoops ~ Beauty Supply / Nails ~ Milani Jewel FX in gold}

I wore this casual-but-fun outfit this past Saturday to a reader appreciation party given by fellow Philly style blogger - the beautiful Fajr of Stylish Thought! Do check out her blog, it's such a fun and positive space that I visit often.  She also happens to have a beautifully unique style that I happen to ADORE! :)

Here are a few pictures that I snapped and Instagramed via my iPhone:

It was such an amazing event at the absolute cutest boutique, {which was a new discovery for me!} surrounded by beautiful people, enjoying the most adorable cotton candy cocktails and delicious cupcakes all while listening to good music and shopping. Sounds perfect doesn't it? I wish I could attend an event like that one every weekend!

Congrats Fajr! :)


xoxo, thanks for reading!