I'm Off...

I'll be back in a week with updates from the city of lights Paris, France!

OOTD's

I always love seeing other people's OOTD, so I thought i would share some of mine! 

As part of my "shopping ban" I have been trying to pull those neglected items from the back of my closet to wear.  I work in a business casual office so I tend to dress on the side of conservative. Because of this I tend to shop frequently at Ann Taylor/LOFT and Banana Republic (as you will notice from my OOTD's), and am trying to branch out. The main reason is they will typically have great sales, the clothes are quality, classic pieces and they fit my business casual work environment.

Please excuse my crappy Driod pictures, poor lighting, and sometimes messy room; (I usually take these as I run out the door in the morning) if I do more, I will try to get better shots!

Top: Banana Republic / Cardigan: J. Crew Factory / Pants: Ann Taylor Loft / Necklace: Francesca's

Top: Banana Republic / Skirt: Ann Taylor Lost / Necklace: Dillards / Boots: Macy's / Watch: Ann Klein

Shell: Banana Republic / Cardigan: Banana Republic / Pants: Ann Taylor / Necklace: Gift

Top: H&M Basics / Skirt: Ann Taylor / Shoes: Nine West

What do you wear for business casual? Would you like to see more OOTD's?

Jewels - M. Haskell

Lately, I have been trying to add more fun jewelry pieces to mix up my wardrobe. In the past I have acquired pieces occasionally when I would spot a good find but have never been on the hunt for statement pieces. In fact, up until this year I hated wearing anything but stud earrings, but I am branching out and loving it! 

That's where M. Haskell comes in! I have run across this brand in major department stores (I have found it at Dillard's and Macy's) and am presently surprised at the design and prices. While I do not love all their pieces, they have some great trendier items and I found them all on sale! 

The items picked up at Macy's at perfect for Spring! 

Floral Necklace 

Bead Drop Earrings

And I snagged these at Dillard's on clearance from winter, but they are perfect "sparkles" to any outfit!

Have you spotted any Haskell jewelry? What is your favorite costume jewelry? 

Paris is Always a Good Idea

You know that saying "Paris is always a good idea"? Well, one of my best friends and I decided to take that up, we will be heading to Paris, France in one week! We have an opportunity too good to pass up, so we will be jet setting to the city of lights for a week.

We know that we want hit all the major sites but would love any and all suggestions of things to do. Specifically restaurants, shops, and off the beaten path "must sees." While we want to see all the touristy things, we will also be staying at an apartment and want to get a little of the Parisan lifestyle too.

So far on our list is ...

Eiffel Tower

Arc de Triomphe

Wine and Baguettes

Louvre (and other museums!)

Versialles

Crepes and Macaroons

What would you do if you were headed to Paris? What are your favorite things about the city of lights?

Spice Up Febraury

February ... the month associated with all things love. But if you are like me, you are seriously sick of winter months and want to fast-forward to spring-time. Sometimes, its easy during the winter to fall into the same winter-time rut with your love, it is so easy to plan fun dates and adventures with your significant other when it's warm out. In winter, I'd much rather cover myself in sweats and lay on the couch watching The Bachelor (which my boyfriend completely does NOT get).

So I thought of some fun "cold weather dates" to help spice up the month of love!

Sporting Event

Sporting events are a fun treat, and (in my opinion) are better in person. My boyfriend and I happen to be in-state rivals (Go Hokies!) so we make an effort to watch each others sporting events and are lucky enough to be able to go to a basketball game against each other.

Cook a meal together

This may turn into one of you drinking wine while the other one cooks, but its nice bond while making a yummy meal to share. 

Beer/Bourbon Tasting

Wine tastings are perfect for summer but something a little hardier is great for the winter months. Plus boys typically like beer and bourbon infinitely better than wine, so its a little treat for them and lesson for you.

Improv or Comedy Show

Get out of the house and get to laughing! My boyfriend and I went to see Jay Pharoh from SNL and enjoyed laughing throughout the program (this may not be a first date type thing, things can get political and inappropriate quickly).

And you can't forget about your girls in February! My favorite "girlfriend date" for the winter is to get dressed up and have tea! My friends and I went this December at the Jefferson (a famous Richmond hotel) and had a ball!

What fun dates do you and your significant other do in the winter months?

Stuffed Peppers

Lately, I have been trying to cook more meals. Too many of times, I come home from work and lazily make either peanut butter crackers or a chicken breast for dinner ... that's it. I really want to focus on cooking more balanced meals, specifically with vegetables. I am all about buying what is on sale and making one dish with all the ingredients in it (See my chicken with beans and spinach). So that is where stuffed peppers come in.

Ingredients:

Ground Sweet Italian Sausage

Peppers (I used red and yellow)

Onion

Rice

Shredded Cheese

Start by making one cup of rice. While the rice is cooking, start browning the meat, you can use basically any ground meat I choose the sausage because it was already seasoned.

 Wash the peppers, cut off the tops and clean the insides.

Chop up the remaining portion of the tops of the peppers, and the onion. I also bought a yellow pepper to chop to add a little extra flavor,

Once the meat is 75% done, add the pepper/onion mix and saute until finished.

Boil the whole peppers in water for about 3 minutes to soften the skin (this is an optional step).

Finally, put the rice, meat, and peppers into the oven at 375 for 30 minutes. About 5 minutes before they are done add cheese on top.

I made three stuffed peppers with this recipe and had a good amount of rice/sausage left over (which is great to eat as is). Enjoy!

Superbowl Sunday

If you are at all familiar with me, you know I am a HUGE Ravens fan. Ever since Pro Football has returned to Baltimore in 1996 (yes, we still hate those pesky Colts for moving us away), I have bleed purple. My Dad has had season tickets since their move back and I have been lucky enough to attend games every year.  And I am SUPER jealous my parents are down in New Orleans enjoying the game, don't have too much fun now!

Santa wanted a Ravens WIN this Christmas too!

Two years ago we even traveled to Charlotte to see our Ravens soar to victory!


Thanksgiving 2011- Harbowl Round 1
San Francisco vs. Baltimore, brother vs. brother, Baltimore came out on top

So to celebrate the Super Bowl, Baltimore Style, here are a few Maryland-specific items to help celebrate.

Natty Boh (Natual Bohemiem, Baltimore's own beer) - "Boh knows ... Baltimore Football"

Old Bay Wings (or just Old Bay on anything) - Its own food group in Maryland.

Crab Cakes ("and Football that's what Maryland does") - Now Marylanders have NO filler, 100% crab for ya, absolutely delicous.

Pit Beef Sandwiches - You have never experienced true Baltimore spirit without a Pit Beef Sandwich from the Baltimore Fire House.

Ray Lewis Jersey - It's Ray's last game! Can't believe his amazing career has come to end, Baltimore doesn't know football without Ray.

Seven Nation Army (Baltimore's Anthem) - Whenever we have a great play, the whole stadium sings our Anthem - Seven Nation Army!

I hope everyone has a fun Superbowl, I will be watching with baited breathe the whole game!

Friday Favorites

TGIF! Full weeks after 4 day weeks always play with my head, plus that tease of summer-time weather did not help! Anyways, I am still excited for tonight, happy hour with my intern class and the class before me, followed by a girls night out to celebrate my friend quitting her part time job! 

I got this "Friday Favorites" idea from one of my favorite foodie bloggers, Iowa Girl Eats. She always has some of the best "favorites" so I wanted to share my own this week ala IGE! So without further ado, my favorites this Friday! 

Favorite Team: Baltimore Ravens, you better believe I will be wearing my Ray Lewis jersey this Sunday rooting for my boys in purple! Still get chills from this video, so blessed to be able to see this in person!

Favorite Craft: Chalkboard Painted Wine Bottles, great decoration and another fun use to all those wine bottles you have laying around ;)

Favorite Quote: "Just see what happens" sometimes I need a little reminder to stop over-complicating my life and just live it. 

Favorite Splurge: Michael Kors Chronograph Leather Strap Watch, this is just too pretty (and pratical?) not to have.

Favorite Outfit: Casual but cute, I am thinking this would be perfect for that awkward is it winter or spring time-frame.  I love how effortlessly chic this looks, and I need that necklace! 

Favorite Trick: Neckline Cheat Sheet, I always have to try on multiple necklaces before deciding which one looks best with my top, this is such a great hint.

Favorite Recipe: Monterrey Chicken, Bacon, Cheese, BBQ, and honey plus a 5-star rating, this is a must try to spice up some bland chicken! 

Do you have any Friday Favorites, what are you loving this weekend? Hope everyone has a great weekend!