Florals For Spring...Groundbreaking.

You gotta love consistency. In this world of uncertainty, one of life's great pleasures is knowing that spring will always come...especially after a particularly brutal winter. And thank god it's here! So what's spring without a little spring shopping? Unfortunately for me "a little" is being emphasized this season. I'm trying my damnedest to be a super money saver...but I am definitely buying a few new items, especially those of the floral persuasion. Of course there are oodles of pretty floral goodies available, but below are some of my favorites!

Papillon Waterfloral Pastiche Blouse $178, J Crew

Spring Ephemeral Wedge $98, Modcloth

Floral bouquet pencil skirt $80, Talbots

Liberty of London Tiered Tray $15, Target

Top That!

I must admit, I have a strange fascination with top hats. Does that make me some sort of weirdo? Don't answer that. Anyway, I love top hats because they're so dramatic, and characters (real or faux) who wear them always stand out from the pack. Where would Slash be without his top hat? Or Mr. Peanut? Or Abe Lincoln? They'd be a bunch of sad looking sacks.


Top hats are definitely enjoying their moment in the spotlight. They should totally write Johnny Depp a thank you card. T.H.'s even made it into the Hermes and Dior Fall 2010 collections. They're going places baby!


Although I'm a proud owner of a gorgeous top hat, I could never bring myself to wear it in public...except on Halloween of course. Luckily, some lovely little top hat products are popping up that anyone can enjoy...without looking as mad as a hatter.






Ransom Tee $8, Sears
















Mad Hatter Ring $33, Disney Couture Jewelry

Top Hat Lamp $100, Jake Phipps

Top Hat Champagne Bucket $20, Embden

Home on the Range

Get excited all you barnyard babes! This spring Prairie Chic is all the rage. This easy, breezy trend was ever present at the Spring 2010 runway shows, especially in Chanel and Ralph Lauren's collections. Don't get it confused with Western, no cowboy boots (or ass-less chaps for you dirrrty girls). Think feminine florals and worn in denim & leather. And clogs! Which at first I thought were fugly (must an association with Crocs...ew) but am now intensely enjoying.




Leather Peep Toe Clogs $200, Dsquared2










Chambray shirt $27, Old Navy














Ditsy print dress $23, Forever 21
















Leather bag $160, Lucky Brand

Like, Omigod.

I totally heart the 1980's. How could I not love the decadent decade of my youth? The movies, the music, the pop culture, the cartoons...all fabulous! The one thing I definitely don't heart about the 80's was the overall atrocious fashion. With that being said, I'm a bit horrified at the constant resurgence of 80's trends over the last few years. I was hoping that leggings and acid wash were just flukes. Then I saw Sonia Rykiel's recent H & M collection...my fear grew. Finally, last week's Fall 2010 collections showed clear warning signs of a full-fledged 80's fashion takeover. Dear God...let's hope I'm wrong.



House of Holland - Side Ponytails? Patterned Tights? Seriously?


















Lacoste - More side ponytails... and off the shoulder sweaters. Is this a joke?



















Marc Jacobs - Oh no, a power suit?? Marc, you're killing me!



















Jason Wu - Five words: gag me with a spoon.

He Said You Were Giving Him A Toothache.

Don't you just ADORE Valentine's Day (insert sarcasm here)? It's so easy to get wrapped up in all the sugar-coated sentiment being shoved down our throats. I'm not saying I don't enjoy chocolates. I like flowers too...but really, who actually wants a platinum dipped rose? Or a crappy mass-produced piece of heart shaped jewelry? And waiting two hours for a table at Outback? Stop it. Really.

The Valentine's Day grand romantic gesture has become so cliche. Are you fresh out of ideas this year? How about doing reenactments of famous couples throughout history? It can be inexpensive...and super fun!

Bonnie & Clyde - For The Adventurous Lovers

What you'll need:

Retro duds

Super Soakers

"Hold up" your local gas station. It might be a good idea to leave the car running for a quick getaway.

Samson & Delilah - For The Love/Hate Lovers

What you'll need:

Old bed sheets to make a toga (for ladies) and loin cloth (for guys)

Hair clippers

In the middle of the night when your significant other is sound asleep, grab the clippers and shave their head. So thoughtful and romantic.

Sid & Nancy - For The Music Lovers

What you'll need:

Reservations at the Chelsea Hotel

Not to shower for about a week

Fake Blood...or ketchup.

Nothing says I love you quite like a Sid & Nancy reenactment.

Adam & Eve - For The Great Outdoors Lovers

What you'll need:

An apple

A snake

Fig Leaves to cover your bits & pieces

Go to your local park during daylight. Ladies, continuously tempt your significant other with the apple. Guys, keep resisting the apple and when the mood strikes take a bite. You then should run around screaming as though being exiled.

Mole Mole Mole!

Super Bowl Sunday is not an event I really give a fig about. I basically watch for the fancy schamncy commercials, and of course the delicious grub! Any event where dip is the main attraction gets my stamp of approval. Over the years the dip de jour comes & goes, but my all-time favorite is without a doubt guacamole. We have the ancient Aztecs to thank for guacamole; they were the first to whip it up over 500 years ago.

Serious guac makers tend to think of their personal recipe like their child, far superior to others. I suppose I'm guilty of that mind set myself...so because I'm such a proud mama, here's my recipe :)

2 large ripe avocados*
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 tsps garlic powder
2 tablespoons Goya cilantro cooking base
One lime, juiced
Salt & pepper to taste


If you're scared of cutting avocados (like I once was) go here.


Directions

1. Place avocado in a bowl. Mash with fork and add lime juice.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients, serve immediately or cover and chill up to 3 hours.


*If avocados are not ripe enough, put them in a brown paper bag with a tomato or banana for a few hours. This should soften them up.


Serves 3-5.

Devil In Disguise

It's Girl Scout cookie time! Yay! Does anyone else think the cookie release timing is quite sinister? Think about it, just as everyone is successfully on the healthy New Years bandwagon...BAM! Those little merit badge-collecting devils emerge to tempt us with their delectable delights. And they’re everywhere! You can’t run an errand, go grocery shopping or pump your gas without seeing their sweet, smiling faces urging you to buy. Those damned hypnotizing boxes...before you know it you’re climbing shamefully into the car with four boxes. At least that’s what I do. Although I basically love all the various kinds of Girl Scout cookies, my favorites are Tagalongs & Samoas...whoops, I mean Peanut Butter Patties and Carmel Delights. Side note - what’s with the name changing? I guess I can understand changing Samoas as to not offend anyone...but why Tagalongs, did they not want to promote mediocre weenies in the Scouts? Anyway, if you’re jonesing for a dessert with a Girl Scout Cookie essence, try this!

Samoa Cupcakes

For the Cupcakes:
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar 3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.

Gradually add the flour mixture and finally milk. Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before frosting.

For Frosting:

1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons very hot water
1 cup shredded coconut

Beat together the butter and sugar with an electric beater. Once well combined, add the combined cocoa powder and water and finally coconut. Beat until smooth and creamy.

After frosting cupcakes, drizzle with warm caramel sauce.

Makes 12 cupcakes.