Crazy for Chevron

Loving my new chevron dress from Sosie! I added a belt and paired it with tights and my Squared boots. I've worn these boots more than I ever thought possible. Most definitely my fave pair of lace-up boots from this season.

2012: A Fresh Start

I've always thought that New Year's resolutions were made to be broken. You know...plan to eat better, exercise and spend less money. Sure, January is a breeze but by the time February rolls around I am ready to ditch my resolutions for a greasy cheeseburger while laying on the couch in my latest and greatest stilettos. This year might be a little different. Instead of going balls to the walls I am going to ease into my new healthy lifestyle. This is the first time that I have made this dish. It is fresh and healthy but with a little indulgence thrown in there (bacon!). I plan to make this more in the spring when all of our farmer markets are open for business.

What you need:

1-2 pounds fresh green beans

1 white onion

6 plum tomatoes

6 slices bacon

2 cups chicken stock

 

What you do:

 

Clean and snip off the ends of your green beans. In a large sauce pan cook your bacon for just a few minutes then remove and set aside. Chop your onions and cook them in the bacon grease until they are transparent. Add chicken stock and green beans. Put a lid on your pot and simmer for 15 minutes. Add back in your bacon and quartered tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes longer then salt and pepper to taste. Yummy!

Resort 2012

This morning I would like to thank the ladies at Who What Wear for posting these inspiring images of Resort 2012. Loving the bold color, simple lines and chic feel of these looks. Who has time for the winter blues when you could be planning your spring wardrobe?

Rombachs Farm

{My little "B"}

{Pretty pumpkins- love the orange!}

{Indian corn that reminds me of my Granny}

{OK, so "B" climbed on them just a little}

{Tiger striped pumpkins}

We have been extremely lucky here in Saint Louis. We are still having some amazing weather and days are still getting into the 70s. This gives us the perfect opportunity to spend our weekends out at one of our favorite places, Rombachs Farm. This place is quite magical to my family and we have made it a family tradition to come each year on the first weekend in October. Of course with this much sunshine, we had to come back for a second visit and some pumpkin playtime. Not that we needed another pumpkin at our house...but we took home 11 more. So much fun!

Banana Bread

Ever since I had my little boy we have had an abundance of fruit in the house. The only problem is that it goes bad before we ever get to use it. Bananas are no exception. The great thing is that if they go bad, you can freeze them and still make an amazingly yummy treat with them. This is why I started making banana bread. I find myself making this at least a couple times a month. It is perfect for breakfast on lazy Sunday mornings and makes your house smell amazing! Let me know if you try this recipe or if you have one that I should try.

What you need:

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

1 cup mushed bananas (2 medium)

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups flour

1 cup chocolate chips (just for fun)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

What you do:

Beat cream cheese, butter and sugar. Mix in bananas and eggs. Add all dry ingredients and mix a little. Bake at 350 for 1 hour 10 minutes.

Lemon Sunshine Cookies

I am beginning to think that there are 101 things that you can do with a boxed cake mix (it's true). This includes making Lemon Sunshine Cookies. With only a few simple ingredients, this has become my go-to recipe for whenever I need to take in a sweet treat to the office. You can use any flavor of cake mix to make these. Go with your favorite (I love lemon) or try something new like a spice cake mix with pumpkin pie spice for a unique October flavored cookie. I could think of a million great combinations that I'd like to try!

What you need:

1 egg

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 10 oz tub of Cool Whip

1 18 oz boxed cake mix

2 cups powdered sugar (for rolling)

What you do:

Mix the first 4 ingredients with an electric mixer until blended. Make small balls (2" in diameter is good) and roll them in powdered sugar. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes at 360. Enjoy!

Valley Girl

Happy Friday! I came across this today and my heart just melted! It is a clip from my fave movie Valley Girl, and my fave song of all times Melt With You by Modern English. I can't even count how many times I watched this on VHS (yes, that's right VHS) in high school. This brings back so many memories! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. If you haven't seen the movie I highly suggest you plan a night with the girls and watch it. Don't forget the wine and snacks!

DIY Sugar Scrub

A few weeks ago I went on a mission to find an easy DIY sugar scrub. Well, I think I found a good one! I made this one for K8 at the office and she loved it. I gathered all of my ingredients and headed outside. I wanted to enjoy the glorious weather while I still could (plus this can get a bit messy). I also packed the scrub in a cute little mason jar. I am such a big fan of these jars and give them as gifts when possible. Just mix 1 part sugar (or salt) to 1/2 part olive oil. Add a few drops of smelly oil and soap dye and your done. You will have to stir up the mixture before each use as the oil will rise to the top of the jar. It is perfect for hands and feet. Warning: If you use this scrub on your tootsies, please make sure that you rise the tub really well. It is super slippery! I keep some at my kitchen sink. Love it!

My Second Home

Lady Gaga building board- amazing!

Empire State Building

Breathtaking!

Central Park

Being in the city during NYFW can be a bit overwhelming. Your schedule can fill up quite quickly with shows, parties and dinners with industry friends. While living in the Midwest, I am lucky enough to call NYC my second home this year. This was my third trip to this energy filled concrete jungle and I didn't miss a beat. Sure I got my fill of fashion shots to bring home and share but I also made a point to capture just how beautiful this city really is behind all of the hustle and bustle of daily life. These are just a few of my fave pics.

What I Wore: IFB Conference

Dress and Leggings: H&M, Platforms and Necklace: Bakers, Belt: Vintage

IFB Conference 2011

Watch live streaming video from ifbconference at livestream.com

Gregorys Coffee

So I officially made it to NYC! My stomach is filled with butterflies for the IFB Conference. Still not sure what I am going to wear but I packed just about everything in my closet so there are options. This whole rainy weather thing is throwing my wardrobe planning way off. I'm spending the morning working at a coffee shop across the street from The Algonquin (one of my fave hotels). Cheddar and dill scone- yummy!

Pop Burger NYC

Found this little gem right across the street from FAO Schwartz. After hours of shopping I was so glad to see food of any kind. Lucky for me this place had yummy mini burgers (2 packed in a cute little box) and amazing fries. I swear they were the best that I had ever eaten- perfectly crunchy! Wish they would bring Pop Burger to the STL...

Where to Rome?

I am so excited to be planning our next vacation! This spring we have decided to make our first trip to Europe (be still my macaroon-loving heart). Given that we know very little about traveling the world outside of the United States, we started asking around for advice on when/where to go. To get the most out of our trip I decided to take a visit to a quaint little book store in Kirkwood to see if I could find a few informative books or travel guides. Of course I couldn't make it past the alluring wall of magazines without stopping for a few looks. I mean come on, it's the September fashion issues I'm talking about. We've narrowed the trip down to Paris and Rome or a tour of Italy (Positano, Pompeii, Capri, Amalfi coast...) so I bought a book for both. I can't wait to crack the covers and get the planning started!

Seeing Red

Top: Target, Pants: H&M, Sandals and Accessories: Bakers

Today Kate (an amazing co-worker) and I got to play with 70's inspired props from a past photo shoot. We discovered a plethora of glitter covered styrofoam spheres and disco balls. We couldn't resist snapping a pic!

Pick-Up Sticks

Tank: H&M, Flannel and leggings: Forever 21, Platforms: Bakers

A little pic shot in the parking garage while shoe shopping at lunch today. I was so excited to buy for fall! I ended up getting everything that I was looking for: 2 black booties (wedges and heels), leopard print oxfords and amazingly aggressive black wedges. Just love buying in bulk! Gives me such a rush.

Hail the Harem

Tee and Pants: H&M, Belt: Urban Outfitters, Heels: Bakers

True Blue

Spring Fling

Spring Fling from Crave the Cup. Lemon cake injected with raspberry filling and topped with a strawberry cream cheese frosting. Don't you wish you had smell-o-vision?

Off the Wagon

OK, so if you know me at all you know that I have an intense love of sweets. That's all I think about- candy, candy, CANDY! I use to finish a family sized bag of Skittles in one day all by myself (except the purples- yucky). I had been officially off the candy since my little boy had been born. 2 years of sugar sobriety under my belt. I had been doing so well until the dang Easter candy rolled out. How can you resist all of the yummy flavors and fun colors that come with these holiday themed treats? I can't help but take pictures of all of my candy when I get it home. I just love it! Does anyone else do that?