Monday, January 24, 2011

Feeling Red White and Blue

 It seems I'm a little on the patriotic side this morning, which was completely unplanned, of course. 
The weather had been quite fickle lately going from 50 degree weather one day and 75 degree weather the next, I wish I could plan better with the weather man for better posts ;).
 Slip Worn as Dress c/o Due Maternity, Scarf and Accessories Vintage, Jacket Target Go International, Boots Nine West, Sunglasses Old Navy

Recipe Simple Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Ganache

In honor of my Dad's birthday yesterday  I made him a little treat to celebrate all 56 years!
My dad is the King of sweet tooth's out there making it hard to top each dessert I make him, so this time around I opted for a Simple Vanilla Cake with a delicious Chocolate Ganache I stumbled across on In Her Kitchen (The Looks for Less's other fabulous blog). Adding strawberries to the ganache filling for a little added flavor. Mmm.
Recipe(s):
Simple Vanilla Cake
2 C Sugar
4 Eggs
2-1/2 C All Purpose Flour
1 C Milk
3/4 C Vegetable Oil
1 Tsp Vanilla
*Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees, Line two 9-in round cake pans or one 9x13-in rectangular baking pan with parchment paper. Grease the paper and the sides of the pan well. 
*In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the sugar and eggs together until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Add flour, milk, oil, baking powder, and vanilla and beat for another minute, just until the batter is smooth and creamy. DO NOT over beat. 
*Pour batter in greased/lined pans
*Bake in pre-heated over for 30-40 mins or until tops are golden and toothpick poked into the center comes out clean (remember if you use a 9x13, it may take slightly longer to bake). 
*Loosen the sides of the cake from the pan with thin, then turn out onto rack and remove paper. 
*Let cool completely before covering with frosting.

Chocolate Ganache With Fresh Strawberries
1 1/2 C Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/3 C Heavy Whipping Cream
1/2 C Sliced Fresh Strawberries

White Chocolate Drizzle
1/4 C White Chocolate Chips
1 tsp vegetable or canola oil

*While cakes are cooling, make two double boilers by having two pots 1/4 full of water barely simmering with a glass bowl on top of each pot. Do Not allow bowls to touch the water or your chocolate will burn!

*To one of the glass bowls, add the semisweet chocolate and heavy cream to make the ganache. Continually stir the chocolate and cream until only a few lumps remain and remove from heat. Continue to stir and the residual heat will keep melting the rest of the chocolate and it will keep getting smoother.

*In the other double boiler add the white chocolate and oil and continue to stir until only about halfway melted. 

*White chocolate is much more fickle and will burn easier, so only melt it halfway before removing it from the heat. Keep stirring until smooth. 

*Put cake on serving dish and add ganache, follow with fresh strawberry slices. Add second layer and add ganache to top layer. 

*Swirl the white chocolate on top of the ganache before cool, then with a toothpick swirl the white chocolate until it looks how you want. 

*Add fanned strawberry as garnish and ENJOY!


Thursday, January 20, 2011

Polka Plaid

 Dress Betsey Johnson, Boots Bakers, Clutch Revlon (makeup bag), Vintage Accessories

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

How I Wore It : Isabella Oliver's Ruched Midi Dress

Isabella Oliver is known for their luxurious maternity clothing seen on stars like Angelina Jolie, Marcia Cross, Gwen Stefani and Ali Larter ( in this dress, seen here in a "Look For Less"). I believe that during every pregnancy a women should splurge one item that can be worn before, during and after pregnancy, I mean we all want to feel good and look good while expecting. And of course a little black dress is the ideal candidate because you can't take those designer maternity jeans too far after baby is born. 

Hence why I chose the Ruched Midi Dress when I was asked to pick an item from Isabella Oliver, it's the perfect little black dress that can be easily dressed up for a night on the town or a cocktail party and easily made casual with a knit sweater or jacket and boots. I fell in love with it when I put it on, immediately feeling feminine and dare I say sexy. And though it carries a price tag of $166, it has the potential to be worn many times making the cost per wear under $10, especially if worn after pregnancy while you flaunt your new mom curves. 
 Dress c/o Isabella Oliver, Sweater Nordstrom Rack, Shoes Steve Madden, Necklace Vintage, Bangle and Clutch H&M.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Wrap It Up, Cobalt

 FashionJunkee.com sent me with fabulous dress, and I couldn't wait to put it on. Turns out it's perfect for us pregnant ladies, and before and after! Check Out my full review here.
 Dress c/o Fashion Junkee, Necklace My Creation, Shoes Baker's, Jacket Silence and Noise

Monday, January 17, 2011

Chiffon and Bows

 Happy Monday! Did any of you check out the Globes last night? Who was your favorite and least, my least was probably Natalie Portman's less than flattering dress and my favorite was between Anne Hathaway's golden ensemble and Claire Danes' pink gown. On another note, we have a giveaway coming up so stay tuned later this week for details! 
Jacket BCBG, Tunic To The Max, Jeggings Eco Yoga, Boots Nine West, Bag Old Navy, Belt Vintage

Friday, January 14, 2011

Fall Colors

When it comes to my hair 90% (ok more like 95%) of the time I let it go it's unruly wavy way (seen here), either because I'm kind of lazy or because my husband loves it and considers it my 'trademark'. Never the less, I love when I have time to actually blow dry my hair and amaze myself that I feel a little more put together on these rare occasions. Ah the little things. 
 Dress (?), Cardigan Old Navy, Boots Nine West, Accessories Vintage, Bag Old Navy
Happy Friday!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Miss Magenta

We all need a little color for our lips every now and then, whether it's this seasons must have 'bright pink' or a classic red, you're bound to make a statement. Go ahead try it, you can always take it off ;).
 Sweater BCBG, Scarf TJMaxx, Shoes Bakers, Skirt Miss Sixty (originally a dress), Bag Old Navy

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Bubbly Boucle

 Sweater Victoria's Secret, Jacket Gianni Bini, Leggings Marshalls, Boots Bakers, Bag Old Navy

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

You Tu-Tu

It's not everyday that you see a pregnant women in a tu-tu...
Forever21 Skirt, Old Navy Sweater and Bag, Target Jacket, Calvin Klein Shoes

Monday, January 10, 2011

Dotty Spotty

 I'd have to say that black and white prints are on of my favorites, they're classic and seem to go with everything, even another print like a subtle plaid. Add some tights and a pile of necklaces and voila!
 INC Dress, My Creation Vest, Forever21 and Express Necklaces, Bakers Shoes

Friday, January 7, 2011

With A Little Lace

Have A Fantastic Weekend! 
Jacket Gianni Bini, Skirt Target ($4), Boots Bakers, Scarf Vintage, Shirt Express

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

3 Free Polishes From Zoya.com

Get three free polishes from Zoya.com with coupon code: FB2011. 
Ends Friday! (just pay for shipping.)

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Box Me In

Since the weather has gone from feeling a little more like winter to a little more like fall or spring I had to bring my self to skip the tights today, and wouldn't you know that the wind loved makes my dress go in odd directions. Lucky me. I paired this pre-pregnancy print dress with a belted cardigan, nude pumps and a clutch for a stroll downtown.
 Dress Nanette Lepore (2007), Sweater Old Navy, Accessories Vintage, Shoes Target

Monday, January 3, 2011