Workwear: Printed Blouse

February 25, 2013

 




{Ankle Trousers  and Paisley Blouse ~ New York & Company / Black Kint Vest ~ Old Navy / Snakeskin Pumps ~ Isaac Mizrahi for Target {super old!} / White Faux Leather Moto Jacket ~ Forever 21}

I love punching up my work day basics {like the 50 pairs of black trousers that I own} with a pretty printed blouse.  Deciding what to wear to work can be really boring so I have to try and keep it interesting.  And that for me means trying NOT to wear a blazer. Lol! :)

xoxo, thanks for reading.


Houndstooth + Jewel Tones

February 21, 2013






{Houndstooth Sheath ~ H&M / Purple Knit Blazer ~ Thrifted / Fuchsia Suede Pumps ~ Nine West / Fuchsia Handbag ~ JustFab / Fuchsia Belt ~ Thrifted}
 
I am so very sick of wearing tights!  And even with these tights on, my legs were icicles, Lol!  ...but I am determined to continue to wear dresses and bright colors, even in blustery 30 degree weather. :)
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥
 
 
 

Polka Dots + Stripes

February 20, 2013

 




 
{Striped Sweater ~ Forever 21 / Polka Dot Skirt ~ Gifted by my friend Carletta {♥} :) / Coral Pumps with Gold Heel ~ ASOS / Orange Lip ~ "It Girl", Sephora}
 
...& my polka dot obsession continues!  After giving me a once over when picking me up from the train after work, Cory admitted that this striped + polka-dotted number just works. :) I love it when he approves of my crazy style choices.  Polka Dots always seem to put a youthful spin on my outfit and there is something about them that I just adore and will never stray from.  
 
Are you a fan of polka dots?
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥
 
 

Celebration.

February 18, 2013







I celebrated the love of my life last week; my husband turned forty and the kids and I had so much fun spoiling him.  Such an amazing man. ♥

xoxo, thanks for reading!

Love {List}

February 12, 2013



In honor of love month, I thought it would be fun to share some of what I am loving right now.

... am in love with this blog.  Her outfits are so perfectly pulled together.
... am pleasantly surprised that Cory picked this book to read for his 3rd quarter book report.
... am completely hooked on The Walking Dead TV show.  I am so glad it returned after the mid-season finale.
... am loving this vintage Etsy shop. So many unique gems.
... am loving arts and crafts-y things lately.  This blog is so inspirational.
... am smitten with this adorable idea for Valentine's day. So cute!

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥

A Great Weekend

February 11, 2013






I spent this past weekend with two amazing, real, funny, smart and beautiful women. My friend Carletta, whom I met through blogging and her friend {now my friend} Julie came to Philly to visit with Julie's aunt {who happens to live 10 minutes from me!!} and we were able to go out for drinks / lunch / shopping on Saturday and a leisurely breakfast / visit at my house on Sunday. It seriously felt like we have known each other our entire lives; I am so thankful to have met these two. We laughed and shared and ate and drank and ate and laughed some more. It was such a great weekend... and Isis wants to know, "when are they coming back?!" Lol!

I can't wait until our next visit! :)




{Zip Leggings ~ H&M / Jersey Top with Dip Back ~ ASOS Curve / Denim Military Jacket ~ Kensie / Faux Fur Stole ~ Nordstrom Rack /  Black Leather Dallas Fringe Boots ~ 5/48 via Saks / Pink Just Fab "Magnate" Handbag}

This top is seriously the best ever ever!  I am so happy I got it in a few colors, it's the perfect thing to rock on the weekend when you want to be comfy but fab. It does not wrinkle and has the best movement.  I LOVE it!

Winter Sheath

February 8, 2013

 
 
 
 
{Floral Printed Sheath Dress {Wrapped with a silk belt from a blazer} ~ c/o Simply Be / Black Velvet Blazer ~ Thrifted / Chocolate Boots ~ Forever 21 / Pink Handbag ~ "Magnate "via Just Fab}
 
I think it's time to give this poor pink handbag a break, lol!  I have worn it non-stop since buying it last month.  It is so perfect, fits all of my random junk and goes with everything!  I tried to winterize this dress {last seen here!} as much as possible, though it was a struggle.  I hate to have to winterize anything. ...says the girl who is always inappropriately dressed for cold weather. I am counting down to spring, if you can't tell. :)
 
Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥
 
 


Creamy Tomato Pasta Skillet with Chicken Sausage and Caramelized Onions

February 7, 2013

 
This is one of those weeknight / Sunday night meals that only takes about 30 minutes and is comforting and delicious! The variation possibilities are endless, the chicken sausage could be swapped for meatballs and you could pretty much use any kind of pasta. 
 
This would be a perfect dish to whip up on Valentine's day.  Served with bread and wine, of course! :)
 
 
Ingredients:
 
1 lb of pasta - I used orecchiette {your favorite small pasta}
1 package of chicken sausage
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1 can chicken broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Italian herb mix
Salt and pepper to taste
 
 
{I love going to my fridge, pantry and cabinets and gathering ingredients to create an easy and delicious meal for my family!  I adore being in the kitchen, I wish I could cook every single night of the week but that just doesn't happen. LOL! Cory pitches in majorly; I am so thankful! :)}
 

{I love chicken sausage! Before this, I had only tried the roasted garlic variety but decided to go the Italian route for this dish.  I love that chicken sausage is a healthy alternative than the full-fat pork version.}

{Ok, I end that last statement talking about how healthy chicken sausage is, but then I skip to a pan of BUTTER! LOL! :) In my defense, I think caramelized onions would not get as caramely without butter. So to my small cast iron skillet over medium LOW heat, I added 3 tablespoons of butter.}

{Add the onions, stir and just let them get nice and brown, stirring occasionally.}
 
{While the onions are caramelizing, slice your sausage and put on a large pot of boiling water for the pasta.  Be sure to generously salt your pasta water!}

{To a really large pan {I used my large cast iron skillet} and over medium heat, add your oil and your sausage and stir to evenly cook on all sides.}


{Once the sausage slices are brown and a little crisp, remove and drain on paper towel.}

{Your onions should be getting sweet and caramely. YUM!}

{Once you remove the sausage, add half of your chicken broth can.  Scrape up the small bits from the bottom of the pan.}

{Add you tomato paste, whisking to dissolve it in the broth.}

{Your water should be boiling, time to add the pasta.  I used Orecchiette {or elephant ear}, it's a favorite in my house.  The texture is amazing and the pasta is like little bowls to absorb whatever is being poured over. so good!}

{The tomato paste/broth mixture should be bubbling a bit - add in your Italian herbs and season really well with salt and pepper.}

{Lower the heat a bit and add in your heavy cream.}

{Let this simmer on low heat until it comes back up to a bubble.}

{Add in your Parmesan cheese.}

{Whisk in the rest of your chicken broth.}

{The sweet and golden caramelized onions should be ready to join the party.  These give the dish an insane amount of flavor. Yes!}

{The orecchiette was so perfect for this - see, little pasta bowls. So cute!}

{Drain really well.  I let my pasta sit in the colander over the hot pot to dry completely.}

{Add the caramelized onions to the cheesy and creamy tomato sauce.}

{Then add your browned sausage.}

{Add your pasta to the pot.  {Note: I did not add the entire box to my skillet. I knew we would not eat it all.  I bagged up the leftover pasta to add to my salad for lunch the next day.}

Mix your yumminess all together... and taste. ...add in more cheese if you need to... add in more cream if you need to... salt and pepper if you need to.  Want it a bit spicy? Add in some red pepper flakes. Make sure it's seasoned perfectly.}

{Mine needed more cheese and salt and pepper.  Looking at this now, could you imagine adding bacon to this? My goodness! I may have to do that next.}

{Mix well and let this thicken a bit over the low heat for a minute or two.  I added a sprinkling of dried parsley for some color and prettiness.}

{Dish it up and serve. :) We had a simple salad on the side of romaine, tomato and Italian vinaigrette.  This could not have been a better dinner!}
 
Have you tried chicken sausage?
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥