Friday, September 30, 2011

Fall is here!

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

Top: H&M
Jeans: Express
Boots: Victoria's Secret
Earrings: Kate Spade
Necklace: Self made
Quartz Ring: Free People
Gold band ring: Kohls

This is my favorite time of year! I love when you can wear sweaters with no coats and how cute are my new boots?! I am selling my old crop boots in "shop my shoes" because I wanted a pair that had buckles and now a year later I found a pair!!! I guess good things do come to those who wait. ;)
I paired my over sized sweater with a pair of skinny jeans and a few pieces of gold jewelry. This look was perfect for taking the little man to school, running errands, and later that day having dinner with my family for Ry's grandma's 82nd b-day!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Tasty Thursdays: Eggplant and Chicken Puttanesca Stacks

This week's recipe comes from the Daily Green, referred by the Huffington Post. I was just searching for some fall recipes & I stumbled onto the page. My mouth just watered when I saw the image of the outcome - taken by Leo Gong - good enough to re-post! The following recipes serves 4-6.

Ingredients:

For Eggplant:
2 eggplants (about 1 pound each), cut into 1/2-inch slices
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour, or as needed
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup (2 ounces) panko bread crumbs
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

For Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 to 6 ounces each)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
All-purpose flour (use the flour that remains after breading the eggplant)
1 tablespoon olive oil

For Sauce and Filling:
1/2 cup white wine
2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
3 anchovy fillets packed in oil, chopped, or 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste
1/4 teaspoon dried chile flakes
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives (about 10 olives or 1.5 ounces), chopped
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, or 1 pound plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and roughly chopped
Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
3/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup fresh ricotta cheese, at room temperature

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. To prepare the eggplant, toss with 2 teaspoons salt and let sit in a colander placed over a bowl for about 20 minutes. Pat each piece dry, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and proceed with breading.

Put the flour, eggs, and panko in separate shallow bowls or pie plates. First, dip an eggplant slice in the flour, shaking off the excess. Next, coat the floured slice with egg, letting the extra run off. Finally, dredge the eggplant slice in the panko. Repeat with the remaining eggplant. Heat the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, fry the eggplant slices for about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer the eggplant to the prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Flip the slices over and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes.

Prepare the chicken while the eggplant is in the oven. Pound each breast to 1/4-inch thickness with the smooth side of a meat mallet. (If the tender is still attached to the breast, remove it and pound it separately.) Cut each breast into thirds and season the pieces with salt and pepper. Coat each piece in flour and shake off any excess. Wipe the sauté pan clean of remaining breadcrumbs and heat the olive oil in it over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sauté the chicken pieces for about 1 minute on each side, or until lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the pan and cover to keep warm.

To prepare the sauce, pour the wine into the pan to deglaze, scraping the bits from the bottom. Add the garlic, anchovies, and chile flakes and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in the stock, olives, tomatoes, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of the parsley, and add the chicken back into the pan. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer while the eggplant finishes baking. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.

To prepare the filling, mix the cheese, the remaining 1/4 cup parsley, the lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a small bowl. When the eggplant is done, create stacks. Start with one slice of eggplant, top with a dollop of cheese, and then one piece of chicken. Top each stack with a piece of eggplant. If desired, spoon some remaining sauce and cheese on top of each stack and serve.

Follow me on: Bloglovin' | Twitter | Facebook

Go Get Her

Today's song is "Go Get Her" by This Century.

This weeks "I want what she has!"

Photobucket

This weeks "I want what she has!" goes to Abby Kauffman. I am loving this tank and that bag is amazing too!

Top: $35 Urban Outfitters
Bag: $3 thrifted

Lets start with the top. I love the detail on the shoulder and the sheerness of this top. I wish I got a shot of it, but this baby had an amazing low scoop back too! Swoon!
And great find on the bag! I must hit up the thrift store she said she got it at...it's like 10 minutes from my house! Looking amazing Abby!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

color blocking and leather

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

Top: Forever 21 (2009)
Skirt: Forever 21 (2009)
Belt: Urban Outfitters (2010)
Tights: Modcloth
Boots: Colin Stuart (2009)
Earrings and Cuff: Express (2009)
Ring: Banana Republic (2010)
Faux leather jacket: Forever 21 (2009)

I really love taking a few pieces that don't really stand out and combining them to make a stand out outfit. When creating a color blocking look you can really mix any colors as long as they are solid! Since I was headed out to dinner and another one of the hubbys rock shows I went with a smoky eye and a nude gloss lip and topped the look off with my faux leather jacket.
I have to say, I'm really enjoying fitting back into my pre-baby clothes. I feel like I have an entire new wardrobe.
In an unrelated topic, does it help if I list the years I got the items in? If I don't write a year, then it's from this year. I get lots of questions regarding when I got things so I thought this may help. Helpful? Annoying?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

New coat: 1 of 2

Please excuse the poor pictures. As some of you know from my FB page, my canon rebel is broken (oh the horror) and has been sent out for repair. The wait time is 1-4 weeks. ;( Until then I have no tripod and timer, my main option is holding my camera up and taking pics of myself. There is always waiting for the hubby to help out, but on this day he was not home. I will have my camera back asap so please bare with the poor quality for another few weeks or so (hopefully less!). Thanks!! xo

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

Coat: $178 (on sale now for $142) Victoria's Secret

I love this coat!! It's my everyday coat and I'm so excited it finally came! I got it in a medium (I'm generally a XS or S these days), but I wanted to be able to wear this over all my knits and winter clothes so I went a size bigger. I hope I do not regret this. There is about 2 inches of extra room in the waist and I will have to tie the belt because even at the tightest it's still a bit loose. To be fair I tried it on with a very thin shirt under! ;)
Now I think $178 is a LOT of money, but when shopping at Victoria's Secret you have to be coupon smart! I had a $60 rewards card and waited not only for the 20% off sale (that is currently going on) but also waited for when they have the $75 off of all orders over $250. I got the coat at the same time as a pair of shoes and got 20% off, $75 off, and $60 off with my coupon! TRIPLE SCORE!! What do you guys think? I really like the charcoal color as opposed to black. I am currently saving all my "shop my closet" money to get my second jacket. I have my eye on a very bright one and I hope it does not sell out before I get it! To be continued.....

Inspirational Tuesdays #81

all collected images were found randomly online.

Follow me on: Bloglovin' | Twitter | Facebook

Baby Baby Baby

Today's song is "Baby Baby Baby" by Make the Girl Dance.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Wrigley post and giveway

I was contacted by Wrigley a couple of weeks ago and asked to participate in a fall challenge. There are 2 parts to this. I first received a bag of candy and gum to help inspire me.
Photobucket
This posed the question How do these Wrigley products "inspire" your look for fall? At first I was like, they don't! But then I started to think about it and where I pull my inspiration from when i usually get dressed. I generally get dressed to music or go for a look that I've seen in a magazine or other fashion blog and put my own spin on it.
I realized that after looking at all the colors, patterns, and textures of the items above, that I was very inspired!! Here are the candy's that got the wheels turning:
Photobucket
I loved the neon colors of the skittles blenders and the colors on the box of 5 swerve tropical flavor gum! Then tropical got me thinking about birds, then I started thinking about animals and animal print and that brought me to this skirt! I really enjoy the color and texture combo here!
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

Top: Victoria's Secret (2010)
Skirt: Victoria's Secret (2010)
Belt: Urban Outfitters (2009)
Tights: Modcloth
Shoes: Jessica Simpson (2009)
Silver Ring: Lia Sophia
Cream Ring: American Eagle (2007)
Earrings: Jewelmint

Now here's the super amazing 2nd part, for participating in the challenge I was also given a Rebecca Minkoff bag (the MAC bag valued at $295!!), filled with Wrigley products, for myself to keep or to giveaway. Of course I'm giving it to one of my loyal readers!!!
Photobucket
Photobucket
To enter:
Follow my blog here on google and leave a comment below telling me you do so!
For additional entries:
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Facebook
Tweet about this giveaway
Add me to your blog roll (3 extra entries)
Leave a comment below for each that you do! Thanks and good luck. The winner will be announced Oct. 5th at 7:00am.

I would also like to disclose that the free product and Rebecca Minkoff bag were courtesy of Wrigley, but that it did not influence any opinions expressed in my post!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Lau Ah Tee Bak Kut Teh at Whampoa, Next to Boon Keng MRT

Having been to Whampoa West a couple of times, I have begun to realize that there are a lot of very traditional Teochew eateries and restaurants surrounding this place.

I was brought to this very excellent bak kut teh place by the Master of Chinese Tea himself, Kenry Peh. And I was certainly was not disappointed by the fare presented here.

As with most famous and notable Teochew bak kut teh establishments, they serve not only great pork ribs soup, but also serve fantastic Teochew steamed fish as well.

And nothing beats having a fragrant bowl of pork ribs soup than to accompany it with Kenry's own brew which balances the dish perfectly and helps to cleanse the oil and fat.

Steamed Squid

What was unfamiliar to me for a bak kut teh session, was this modest serving of steamed squid. I was told to dip it in a sweet sauce that is usually served with Teochew cold crab, and boy, was this heavenly.

Simple, with a beautiful texture that was tender without being rubbery, the sweetness of the sauce perfectly matched it.

Spare Ribs Soup

Like all great bak kut teh stalls, the test was in the spare ribs and here, it was most succulent and completely buttery tender within. It simply melted in your mouth with every bite, and the meat was begging to fall off the bone.

The soup was peppery without overly spicy, and yet there was a hint of sweetness and perhaps, this broth had just a tiny bit more salt that it needed to, but it was nevertheless brilliant and I had no problem finishing it.

The you tiao served here was also surprisingly fresh and crispy and deserved a mention, despite the fact that I forgot to take a picture of it. Highly recommended.


Steamed Fish

Though Kenry did mention the name of this fish, it has all but escaped me now. Nevertheless, I must admit, this is a really amazing steamed fish.

No sauce, just steamed and wrapped in a lotus leaf, the fish was beautifully fresh and sweet and the meat was just tender and moist. One of the best steamed fish I have had in a bak kut teh stall!

I am beginning to realize through Kenry that there are many more excellent bak kut teh eateries besides the famous ones that I have blogged before. Lau Ah Tee is one of these.

If you are nearby Boon Keng, do check this out, but do note that it is usually opened in the daytime only.

Lau Ah Tee Bak Kut Teh
Blk 34 Whampoa West #01-67

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Maya Brenner Designs

I was recently sent this New York state pendant (yay for being a New Yorker!) from Maya Brenner. She creates such simple but chic designs of states, initials, zodiacs, etc. You might have seen some of her pieces on celebrities such as Rachel Bilson, Eva Longoria, Lauren Conrad, Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Simpson among many more. Her work has also been featured in numerous publications such as Lucky, InStyle, Glamour, and Women's Wear Daily in addition to popular TV shows like Desperate Housewives, Sex & the City, and The Today Show.

Maya is also a designer for Stella & Dot -- which I'm pretty sure some of you may be familiar with. (I also own a few pieces from Stella & Dot, so I'm a fan of her work!)

Maya was a former social worker in NY, but has started in the jewelry business by creating pieces as a calming method. One day in a boutique in the upper east side, a saleswoman inquired about the handmade necklace she was wearing & even placed an order (what a lucky break!). There, her business was started. She now designs pieces & runs her business in Los Angeles.
I personally love that it's a delicate piece and shows the NY state proudly without being too much in-your-face.

Follow me on: Bloglovin' | Twitter | Facebook

Love On Top

Today's song is "Love On Top" by Beyonce.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Homemade Pierogies

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

Dough:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegan butter (I use olive oil based Earth Balance)
2 eggs replacers (I use Ener G)
1/8 cup vegan sour cream (I use Tofutti)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water

Filling:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 prepared recipe mashed potatoes (url=http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=36519.0)
(without rosemary)
1/2 cup vegan cheese (I use Daiya cheddar)

Directions:

1. In a mixer, combine all-purpose flour, butter, eggs replacers, sour cream, salt, and water. Form dough into disk and wrap in saran wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

2. Just before hour wait is up, in a medium skillet on medium-low heat, add the olive oil. Saute the onions until translucent and soft, about 10 minutes. Take dough out of fridge, dust counter with flour, and roll out dough with a rolling pin to about 1/4" thick.

3. Cut dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece out until it is just a couple millimeters thick. Cut circle with cookie cutter that is about 2" wide. Add cheese and cooked onions to mashed potatoes. Mix well.

4. Place about 1 teaspoon mashed potato mixture in the center of circle. Dip finger in cold water and wipe more than half around the edge of the circle. Fold over and press all the air out sealing the edges. Use a fork to crimp the edges.

5. Freeze overnight on wax paper on a baking sheet so they do not stick. Once frozen, place them in a freezer ziplock bag. To cook, fry in olive oil for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown, grill on grill pan 5 minutes on each side, or bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

I've had bad experience boiling homemade pierogies, so I wouldn't take that route, but you could try to boil them until cooked, 6-7 minutes.

Source of recipe: http://veganmiss.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-grilled-potato-onion-cheeze.html

The First Vegetarian Bucher Shop

While the people of the Netherlands search for meat alternatives, a unique chain of butcher shops, has just opened.

The Vegetarian Butcher is a butcher shop, but no meat is to be found there. The stores offers a variety of “faux meats.” chicken, bacon, gyros, sausage” among other vegetarian products. The founder Niko Koffeman says animal cruelty is one reason, but also a growing concern for sustainability,” Koffeman stated “After all, meat production is highly inefficient.”

Radio Netherlands Worldwide, announced 75% of people in the Netherlands are vegetarian. There for, the Vegetarian Butcher has grown so rapidly. The first store opened in October 2010, and less than one year later.

The official site: http://www.devegetarischeslager.nl/

Business Announcement

I'm so excited to finally tell you about mine and Kaitlyn's business venture. We started a LLC a few months ago and have taken on the first of a few projects! We are currently creating a website called Because I Shop Too Much (or BISTM)! Here's what it's all about:
Photobucket
Photobucket

"Because I Shop Too Much" is an online marketplace that will allow our users to buy, sell, and swap their clothing and accessories. The site is fashion-focused with a social networking element that will allow our users to not only "shop" other users closets (profiles), but also build relationships in the process by creating a closet that will spark conversation between users. BISTM aims to provide users with an economical alternative that allows them to remain connected to current fashion trends without breaking the bank. Users will be able to search for items based on location, category, price, etc. all within this free "members-only" online community. As opposed to some re-sale shops, the site has an open policy regarding brands and labels so as not to limit the items people wish to sell.

I love selling my clothes here on my blog, but the only time someone buys is if they are loyal readers or they stumble upon my blog (and thank you to all of my loyal shoppers for that!! xo). That got us thinking, what about all the other bloggers out there that sell their clothes? Wouldn't it be amazing if there was one place were we could all go to check each others stuff out? And what about non bloggers, shouldn't there be a place for all of us to go to buy, sell, and swap clothes and accessories in an online social network?!?! We thought so too!! ;)

As a start-up company, we knew to expect the unexpected, but each day brings a new challenge, so we're enjoying the adventure and taking our passion for this business (and shopping bags!) along with us for the ride. While we wait for the process of production to take place you can all "like" our FB page and follow BISTM on Twitter. That way you will get updates on what's next and early access to the site when it launches! You can also leave your email below to be added to our mailing list if you'd like!
So, start taking pictures of anything you'd like to sell on your profile as you switch out your closet for the next season! I hope you all love this concept as much as we do!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Kettle Corn


I need to start this recipe post with a

WARNING:
This sweet popcorn is highly addictive!
You may find yourself craving it every evening!

I could not keep my hand out of the bowl
long enough to take the above photo.

Kettle corn is popular at fairs and carnivals
here in the mid-west.

It's simply sugar added to popcorn
during the cooking process.

The trick is to NOT burn the sugar.

Kettle Corn
1/2 cup popcorn
1/4 cup vegetable oil (I use Canola.)
1/4 cup white sugar (use brown sugar for a caramel corn taste.)

Dump the popcorn into a medium
sauce pan.

This is actually our POPCORN pan:


Add the oil and heat over...
here's the important trick here:

MEDIUM heat.

I usually pop corn at medium/high heat...
but after scorching several batches with the sugar...
learn from my mistake..
MEDIUM!


When the oil starts to sizzle
and the kernels look ready to POP...


Sprinkle on the sugar.

Immediately lift the pan from the burner
and swirl the sugar into the hot oil.


Put lid on the pan and set it
back on the burner until you hear it
starting to pop.

Lift pan and swirl again.


Do the lift and swirl several times
until the popping slows down.

Immediately pour into a large bowl.

Let it cool slightly...the sugar is HOT.
Especially important when serving this to children.


Gotta go finish off my big bowl.
Later...