Bruschetta

Bruschetta is amazingly easy and scandalously delicious. Use it as an appetizer or side dish. Or eat it as a complete meal for yourself. Guests are always impressed because it is so visually appealing.

What you need:

-Tomatos (Cherry tomatos cut in half work nicely as well)

-Onions

-Fresh Basil

-Minced Garlic

-Olive Oil

-Italian Bread

Cut all the vegetables up and toss in a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper.

Slice the bread and fry on both sides until golden brown in a little olive oil.

Heap the mix on top and add some parmesan cheese if you want. Serve and enjoy every last bite.

How to Wear Floral and Stripes

It may seem like an odd combination, because really... you are putting print on print. That can get tricky really fast. However, stripes and floral prints are still adventurous but not completely out of the box. You are still safe, while looking creative and bold.

This was something I wore earlier in the week. The shirt is H&M last season for 9.95 and the skirt is a thrifted forever 21. My jewelry is from WAR (Women at Risk).

Here are some inspiration on how to incorporate mixing stripes and florals into your wardrobe.

Notice this combination is much more subtle because it is playing with the same soft color tones.

I love this outfit because it is flipped. The skirt is stripped while there is a funky floral shirt on top. With clothes you can always create something new.

This seems like a fun outfit to wear on a casual saturday. The jean jacket pulls it all together. :)

I hope you enjoy and are inspired. Create.

Pics came from: element of style and meetsobsession

Style Journal: Things I love

These are a few of my favorite things:

Belts. - Great for pulling the outfit together and showing a nice womanly figure. Here is a link for those who want to wear belts but aren't sure how.

Scarves. - A splash of color that compliments your skin tone allows you to glow from head to toe.

Leggings. - More comfortable and flattering than jeans. Tunics, dresses, and skirts are my excuse to wear leggings almost every day.

I seriously cannot get enough of any of these things.

Here are some photos from this past weekend that show how much i love these items.

Guinness Stew

I spent my a semester of my junior year in Ireland. It was a great big adventure of course with lots of poignant highs and confusing lows. Along the way I created amazing friendships, developed life skills, interacted with lots of culture, and of course gathered some DELICIOUS recipes. This Guinness Stew was from my host family and I am really happy to share it with you all today. Its easy...and you can make it a couple days before if you don't have time.

What you need:

-1/4 c olive oil

-1 1/4 lb. beef stew meat (we use venison) - salted

- Optional: I like to add 1/2 lb. bacon to the stew as well

-6 garlic cloves - minced

-6 c. beef stock

-1 Guinness beer

-1 c. hearty red wine

-2 tbls tomato paste

-1 tbls dried thyme

-1 tbls Worcestershire Sauce

-2 bay leaves

-2 tbls butter

-3 lb. potatoes - peeled and cut into cubes

-1 large onion

-2 cups cut carrots

-Salt and Pepper to taste

-parsley to garnish

Ok here goes:Heat the olive oil in your pot over medium-high heat and cook the beef pieces until brown on all sides. Do not crowd them - cook in batches if necessary. At this point throw in the bacon if you would like it. Then add garlic and saute for a few seconds.

Add the beef stock, Guinness, red wine, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about an hour.

While this is happening, take another pot and melt your butter in it. Add your vegetables (potatoes, onion, and carrots). Saute until golden brown, which is about 20 min. Set aside until the stew has simmered.

Once it has been an hour add the vegetables and simmer for another 40 minutes. Discard bay leaves and serve with the parsley... :)

This produced 6 hearty bowl fulls plus a couple bowls for leftovers. Enjoy!

Legendary Crayola Project

The creative crayola project has been circulating around on Pinterest for awhile and I have been wanting to try it. So I did, and I was really happy with the results. I like to think about how many households will have the crayola project hanging in their wall in a few years; all different and unique but all connecting us together to the time Pinterest was the big obsession. (ha!)

If you are unaware of how to do the Crayola Project, here is the run down.

-Crayola Crayons (don't use Rose Art they are too waxy)

-Canvas (any size)

-Glue Gun

-Hair dryer

Arrange the Crayons in order to color. Hot glue the crayons onto the canvas.

Blowdry the crayons on the canvas propped up so the wax drips down. Do as much or as little as you want. It is your project!

Tip: The wax splatters - lay some paper down before starting.

DIY Thrifted Project

I wanted to share with you a fun project that you can do with a thrifted picture. I found this from Elsie at A Beautiful Mess (I love her).

Supplies:

-Thrifted Medium Sized Picture with a fun colorful background.

-Spray Paint

-Vinyl Lettering (I used 2")

Pick out you favorite saying or quote. Shorter the better. I used "Without Passion Life is Nothing" because I believe in the necessity of 'feeling' life to fully knowing life. Anyway. Place the Vinyl lettering on, either perfectly or imperfectly. Both are beautiful.

Spray Paint over the entire picture. Let dry for a few hours. I had put masking tape over the frame so not to spray paint over it.

Take the vinyl lettering off and see the end result! How fun.

60's Icons

If 60's inspires you just as much as me, here are three women who were fashion icons of that decade and still leave their permanent mark on style around the world.

Jackie O. "The only routine with me is no routine at all"

Oversized Sunglasses, Turtlenecks (untucked), Pillbox Hats, Scarves

Twiggy

Miniskirts, Mod Dress, Mascarra dotted eyes

Brigitte Bardot

Bed Head, Pencil Skirts, Tall boots, skinny belts

And I cannot write a post about the 60's without mentioning one of my favorite tv shows, Mad Men, which takes place in the 60's. The outfits are gorgeous.

My Favorite Decade

The 60’s look is still going strong as a trend into this Spring. I love this decade very much because its still feminine, a little sexy, and a little masculine at the same time. Here are some ideas in how to incorporate the 60's into what you are wearing today (because you probably don't want to look like you walked out of a costume shop).

-Mod look. A-line dresses, which flatter any size or shape. A more masculine look.

-Graphic and geometric abstract prints

Color Blocking: Contrast!

Brightly Colored Prints – remember don’t overwhelm your body shape. Smaller sized prints for petite sized women, medium sized print for an average shape, and the taller and larger women are lucky to wear big sized prints!

-The Graphic Eyeliner. – are you brave enough?

-Beehive Hairstyles – you don’t have to go that far. Look at how this low key hairstyle is still 60's.

-lace and peter pan collars

-cat eye sunglasses

-accentuate the waist by the cut of the skirt or dress by a high waist and belt

Hope you enjoy some of my ideas. Pictures come from Pinterest, College Fashion, and Fashionising

The Joy of Thrifting

My passion for thrift shopping was born. I could try a new look with one week’s allowance – just a few dollars. – Amanda Brooks

Thrifting is an art. It is also a challenge. Thrifting takes time and patience. Yet it can be the most rewarding experience when it comes to your wardrobe.

It will not place you in ‘high’ fashion. But it will help develop your personal style a bit more.

You have to have a sharp eye and a creative mind and a

love for the thrill of the bargain.

Some pointers:

-Be patient. Look at each item of clothing. Roll up your sleeves and dig into those racks.

-Have an open mind. As you look at each item of clothing imagine what you could do with it.

-Be sparse. Only pick out what you absolutely love instead of just buying for a deal. (The deal is more rewarding when it is an item you love anyway).

-Be Adventurous. Go beyond Goodwill and stake out your local thrift stores and second hand stores. They will normally be more inexpensive than the thrift store chains.

-Be Knowledgeable. Know your name brands and decades.

-Be aware. Don’t ignore items such as jewelry, scarves, house decor, luggage, belts or purses. These have been my most beloved finds. I have a drawer filled with silk scarves and belts and a box full of clip on earrings and broaches I paid only a couple dollars each for.

If you enjoy vintage you will greatly benefit from thrift stores and consignment shops. If your style is influenced by past decades then thrifting is an excellent way to experiment with and enjoy your creative side.

Where to find Vintage:

-Flea Markets

-Thrift Stores

-Curated Vintage Stores

-Consignment Stores

-Antique Stores

-Estate Sales

-Vintage Fair

How to Make Guacamole

This is the best Guacamole I have ever had and all you need is a few fresh ingredients. You will never go back. I picked this recipe up in Mexico (of all places).

- 3 or 4 Avocados

-1 Onion

-2 Tomatos

-Handful of Cilantro

-Lemon or Lime

-Salt

-Peppers or Hot Sauce (for kick)

Split Avocados halfway, take out seed, and cut flesh in a criss cross pattern. Scoop out with spoon.

Add minced onions and tomatos and finely chopped cilantro leaves.

Add citrus juice to keep it fresh looking, salt to taste, and mince either peppers or throw in hot sauce for the desired kick.

Serve with chips and all mexican foods. My favorite way is on quesadillas.

Perfect Hot Chocolate

Happy New Years! The best part about winter is the warm cozy drinks. This is the best hot chocolate I have ever had and it is incredibly easy and delicious. I was given the instructions by a very hospitable brazilian lady I met in Dublin. All you need is

-1 can of Coconut Milk

-1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

-1 1/2 cup of Milk

-1/2 cup of Cocoa Powder

Heat on Stove until hot. Enjoy!