InVestigating

I usually write about fashion trends I thoroughly enjoy. Not the case in this post. I'm reluctant to accept the vest as a likable trend. In my opinion vests are silly. I’ve never been able to take them seriously as a wearable item of clothing. Probably because most of my vest associations are comical...

Ferris Bueller wearing a white t-shirt and knit leopard print vest. With a baseball jacket. God 80’s fashion was TERRIBLE! Only Ferris had the personality to pull it off that atrocious look and remain so darn likable.

Back To The Future. A 1980’s Marty McFly walks into a 1950’s diner. He’s wearing an obnoxiously puffy vest. With a button up shirt. AND a denim jacket (again TERRIBLE!). The cook promptly says to him “Hey kid what’d ya do, jump ship?”

And a great quote from Mean Girls. Such a hilarious movie! In one scene the mean girls discuss their wardrobe rules to obey. If they don't obey the rules they are banned from the cafeteria lunch table. The queen bee Regina is about to be banned and arguing the wardrobe rules aren’t legit. Her drone Karen is pissed.

Karen: Those rules were real that day I wore a vest!

Regina: Because that vest was disgusting!

Finally, I asked my Dad. Because he's the only regular vest-wearer I know, that makes him my go-to guy to uncover the allure of the vest. Here’s how our phone conversation went:

Me: Hey Dad, you still wear vests, right?

Dad: Yeah I have about four. Two that I wear for work and two suede vests, one black and one brown.

Me: So clearly you’re a vest fan. What do you like about them?

Dad: I like a vest because if your shirt sucks you can still look good.

Style words of wisdom from Mike Cicalese everyone.

There are a variety of vests out there, not just in Mike’s closet. Fur and faux fur vests are supposed to be super hot for fall. Celebrity stylist and author Rachel Zoe (whom I love but most people can’t stand!) will be debuting her line of fur vests on QVC very soon. Denim vests are also quite prevalent. They are so 80's to me I just can't accept them! But below are some vests that don't make me violently ill:

Corduroy vest, Old Navy $24.50

Leather vest, Express $88

Nylon Lace, Urban Outfitters $68

So will I be purchasing a vest anytime soon? Don’t hold your breath. But never say never.



Step Aside Mr. Hines.

Ah, brownies. So simple yet so delectable. Did you know that the brownie dates back to the late 1800's? It's said that the first brownie was invented (like many other enjoyable American snacks!) at the Chicago World's Fair. A high society broad named Bertha Palmer attended the fair & coveted a dessert that was small and easy to pack in a picnic lunch. She made her request known to a chef at the famous Palmer House Hotel and voila, the brownie was born.



I've made many a boxed brownie in my day, but never from scratch. After realizing how simple it was I decided to give it a whirl. I had heard that adding espresso powder to the batter heightens the flavor of the chocolate and gives the brownies a wonderful richness. It's true they were delicious, far superior to boxed brownies! I'm now a from-scratch brownie convert.

Brownies

Ingredients:
8- 1 ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate
1 cup butter
5 eggs
3 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tbsp espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat; set aside. In large bowl beat eggs, sugar and vanilla. Add chocolate mixture, then flour and salt. Finally add espresso powder and cinnamon. Pour into pan & bake for 35 minutes.