January 31, 2014

Foodie Friday: Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas

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I've been trying to think of perfect little after work out snacks for my fiance and I. That's when came across Dole's Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas in the ice cream section in our grocery store and thought that would be such a perfect after workout snack. Bananas are great for you! Especially after a hard work out since they are packed with potassium. But for me I hate the texture of bananas but love the taste. Freezing the bananas gets rid of that soft mushy texture since they harden right up, plus they are covered in chocolate. And how can you deny anything that is chocolate covered?! Expect the price of the Dole box is ridiculous especially when you think of many you get. Luckily for me my fiance loves bananas so buying a bundle of bananas isn't a total waste. So I figured I would try making my own with a couple of his bananas. They are super easy to make and can be made before your workout so that they are ready to be eaten afterwards.

Ingredients:
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- Chocolate (I used the melting chips but prefer to use chocolate bar like Hersey's)
- Bananas (use ripe ones)

Step 1. I put my rip bananas in the fridge for a bit to chill them and to keep them from being too soft. I put them in the morning the day I was going to make them and took them out that afternoon, so a couple of hours should do the trick.

Step 2. Peel and cut the bananas.
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Step 3. Prep a cooking sheet and place wax paper on top.

Step 4. Melt your chocolate. It's optional on how you choose to melt chocolate. If you use the chips you can do it in the mircowave or the stove. If you use a bar do it over the stove. I always melt chocolate over the stove, its easier for me to manage.

Step 5. Once you got your chocolate all melted, dip your pieces of bananas into the chocolate. Work quickly, you don't want the bananas to sweat. Also if you are working over the stove you don't want to burn your chocolate.

Step 6. Place chocolate covered bananas pieces on your lined cooking sheet.
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Step 7. Once you have your bananas all covered place in the freezer.

Step 8. Take out when your ready to eat!

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This little treat is perfect for kids to adults. It's something that can be served during the summer for a cool treat or you can even serve as a healthy little option at your Super Bowl Sunday Party.

What do you think of this healthy snacking option?

January 29, 2014

Wedding Wednesday: Enter to Win a $25 Gift Card to Target with #TargetWedding

My fiance and I have been together for almost 6 years (we'll be celebrating our Anniversary in March), and for those 6 years we've been together we lived with each other for 5 of them. Which means unlike some couples we already have everything that we "need" for a home together. You know like dish ware, towels, etc.. Sure fine china would be nice, as of right now we live in an small 1 bedroom apartment in Brooklyn and not looking in expanded quiet yet, so there is no fancy dinner parties in our future yet. So our wedding registry might be a little odd ball (just like us!) compared to your typical registry. When thinking about a wedding registry you want to think about what life together is going to be to you both. For us, we live a pretty active lifestyle. We go to the gym and we are always out and about on the weekends. Plus, we both love to travel. We want to continue our active lifestyle once we are officially a wedded couple and hopefully as a family. Target's Wedding registry has everything for those couples who are just starting out together and for those couples who are looking for something a little different, like us!
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I seriously can't think of a better wedding gift then a digital camera. This is something a couple could use time and time again. From their honeymoon to the day of their child's birth. We aren't talking about an extremely expensive camera but just a simple point and shoot that you can capture those moments with. For a couple like us that loves to travel good luggage is important. We have some pretty beat up ones and it's def. time for an upgrade! I'm such a girl, I love the Mr. and Mrs. stuff...I mean you both will always be Mr. and Mrs..

Enter to win a $25 gift card of your own thanks to Target! 
What you need to do:

1. Visit Target's Registry page. 
2. Tell us what your favorite product is. Leave a url link to the product. Also leave your name and email so we can contact you.

Contest ends Wednesday February 5th at Midnight! 



Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.
**this post is sponsored by Target**

January 27, 2014

Inspirational Monday: 90's Chic

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There is no denying that I'm a total fan of the 90's. I love that this season was all about modifying the 90s trends from high waisted jeans to crop tops to overalls. Saint Laurent brought back the 90s grunge with plaid sweaters, little floral slip dresses, and hard boots. I'm a little punk rocker at heart. No I may not dress it...all the time but I love incorporating harder pieces into my looks. More likely on the weekends you'll catch me in a dressed down look....something that goes like this...

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Sweater: Forever21 | Shirt: Joyce Leslie from my boo Addikted2Fashion | Plaid Shirt: Vintage Ralph Lauren
Jeans: Carmar from LF Stores | Shoes: Shoe Mint | Bag: c/o Rebecca Minkoff | Hat: Forever21 | Sunglasses: Aldo 

photos by Brian Cavanaugh


What do you think of the 90s look making a come back?

January 24, 2014

Role Reversal Part 2: Denim Top, Sweatpants

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Top: Feed for Target | Sweatpants: T By Alexander Wang (similar here) | Shoes: Shoemint  (similar here) |  
Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs | Sunglasses: NYC Street Vendor

pictures by Brian Cavanaugh

Here is the second installment of the role reversal of denim! Nothing says a lazy day quiet like sweatpants. These Alexander Wang pants have been with me for some  time now, they are uber comfortable and I love pairing them up with different tops. I love that denim top gives it a dressed up feeling but doesn't make the look awkward looking. The booties are perfect for this look, dresses them up and gives it a pop with the print. This look was perfect to "run" to the grocery store in and do our weekly shopping. I think when doing a sweatpants and denim top a low heel is preferred to keep it chic looking. This look is perfect for those lazy weekend days when all you have to do is step outside to run errands.

What do you think of the denim top with sweatpants?

January 22, 2014

Role Reversal Part 1: Denim Top, Silk Pants

We've done the denim tops paired with denim bottoms, different colored jeans, leather, and other usual suspects. But what if it was silk bottoms and a denim top instead of the traditional silk top and denim jeans? This two part series is all about mixing up the denim top with different material bottoms that we wouldn't necessarily think about. The results...a mismatch made in heaven. Silk pants always make me feel like I'm wearing PJs,...so I couldn't think of a better time to try this out then on a rainy Saturday in Ikea while children run around while I try to find my zen in my silky pants.

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Jacket: Zara | Shirt: Feed for Target | Pants: French Connection (from Loehmann's) | Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (old) | 
Bag: BCBGeneration | Watch: c/o Rakani Watch

pictures taken by Brian Cavanaugh

I love that this look is a role reversal and that it works. It's casual and comfortable but could also be dressed up for work by switching out the flats for heels.

What do you think of this role reversal? 

O and yes I made my fiance take pictures in Ikea. There was only so many breaks between rain showers so we had to snap pictures when we could. 

January 20, 2014

Inspirational Monday: The Graphic Sweater

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This was the season of text sweaters. I have been eyeing a few myself like the fun play on the designer like the Ain't Laurent Without Yves by What About Laurent or the Homies sweatshirt by Brian Litchenberg. Of course, there have been a ton of others that came out for a lower price point, like Urban Outfitters had theirs for some time. Thanks to my blogger partner in crime she bought me a Ain't Laurent Without Yves sweater of my own from Joyce Leslie as a little present. To say that I was one happy camper would be a total understatement. This sweater is going to be worn to death!

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Jacket: Elie Tahari | Sweater: gift from Addikted2Fashion (similar here| Jeans: Zara | Boots: Shoemint (similar here| Bag: Phillip Lim X Target | Sunglasses: Aldo | Beanie: Forever21

photos taken by Brian Cavanaugh

What do you think of the text sweater trend?

January 15, 2014

How to Wear Plaid like a Street Styler

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Plaid made a major comeback for Fall 2013. Collections like Saint Laurent, Marc for Marc Jacobs, and Milly sent models marching down the fall runway looking pretty badass in plaid. This pattern can be pretty tricky to pull off since it can go matronly very quickly. To avoid looking like your librarian from grade school use techniques that the designers used. Incorporate harder pieces like leather or boots. Even a chunky sweater or coat can help elevate the matron feeling, especially when doing a pencil plaid skirt.

Beanies and chunky sweaters are my go to for adding a bit of a grungy edge to a look. I've had a H&M pencil skirt in my closet for years now, it was one of the first pieces I bought when I joined the working force. I broke this skirt out again after it being buried at the bottom of my draw for sometime now. Every time I wore it it reminded me of my old Catholic School days, so I decided to take some of the school days away by pairing my favorite T by Alexander Wang sweater, Shoemint boots, and my new go to Forever21 Beanie. I love that pairing up these easy go to essentials it took it from librarian to street style. Added a bit of sparkle to the look by wearing a statement maker necklace.

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Sweater: T by Alexander Wang (c/o the Wang Event, similar style here) | Skirt: H&M (old, similar style here)
Boots: Shoemint (similar style here| Bag: Zara (old,)Beanie: Forever21 | Sunglasses: Raybans

pictures taken by Brian Cavanaugh

How do you wear plaids?

January 13, 2014

Inspirational Monday:Boots + Chunky Socks

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pictures from left to right

I've always been fan of boots paired with chunky socks. It's one way to keep your feet warm but it's also such a cozy chic look. Esp. with the weather that we have been having here (damn you polar vortex), you need all the layers you can put on. Fashionably, of course! I love pairing them up with tights and a dress or skirt.

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Sweater: J.Crew | Skirt: Forever21 | Boots: Shoemint | Socks: Urban Outfitters | Sunglasses: Glow Accessories
Bag: BCBGeneration 
Photos by Brian Cavanaugh

PS. Doesn't look like chunky socks and boots are going anywhere anytime soon. Tibi's Pre-Fall Collection is sporting the tube socks looks. Take a peek:

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pictures from Tibi

How do you keep your feet warm?

SHOP THE LOOK:

January 10, 2014

Foodie Friday: Jalapeno Wantons

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My fiance and I have been making Jalapeno Wantons for our Holiday Dinner with our friends for quite some years now. I don't even remember where we got the original recipe from, all I know is that it has been a continuous hit for us for 6 years now. They are so simple to make and don't even call for a lot of ingredients.

What you need:
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-Wanton Wrappers
- Jarred sliced jalapenos
- Cream Cheese
- a bowl of water
- cooking spray (we use Pam Original)
- baking sheet
- Thai Chili Sauce (for dipping)

Step 1. Preheat oven at 350.
**You an opt to deep fry your wantons. When we first started making these we deep fried them but as we and our friends became a little more health conscious we opted to bake them. They come out just as good baked and not greasy!**
Step 2. Take a wanton lay it flat down on a dry surface.
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Step 3. Take a small dab of cream cheese and place it in the middle of your wanton wrapper. You don't want to over do it because you'll need to be able to fold over your wanton.
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Step 4. Take one or 2 (depending how big your jalapeno is) and place the jalapeno on top of the cream cheese.
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Step 5. Lightly dip a finger into the water bowl, then run that finger along one edge of  the wanton. You want to make sure it's moist enough so that when you fold over the edge of your wanton it sticks together.
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Step 6. Carefully take the edges of your wantons and have them meet. Press on them together so that you now have a triangle and that your cream cheese and jalapenos are folding in. Don't worry if it rips a little, unlike deep frying you don't have to worry about the insides falling out when you go to bake them.
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Step 7. Once you have all your wantons created you can get ready to bake them. Before placing them on a baking sheet spray cooking spray onto the sheet. Then place your wantons spread out on sheet.
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Step 8. Once wantons are on the sheet spray them with cooking spray.
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Step 9. Then Bake for about 20 minutes or until the edges look crispy.
Step 10. Let them cool for a bit and plate. Enjoy them with Thai Chili Sauce. This helps cool the heat from the jalapeno.

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These little wantons are perfect little finger foods for any party. If you are already thinking ahead for Super Bowl Party why not try these out!

Are you going to give these a try?

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