Friday, May 27, 2011

Whatever Floats Your Boat...

As the long weekend approaches & your work day comes to an end, the thought of relaxing this holiday has consumed your thoughts (or.. at least for me it has).  Here in mn, the holiday weekend provides us with another excuse to head north to our cabins & enjoy the lake in the north woods.  Along with many others, this weekend symbolizes the start of summer & the start of boat season!


Annually, we pull out our nautical inspired styles that scream, Summer is Finally Here!!


Personally, the overall nautical look is not for me, but I do love pulling styles from the established trend,  in order to make the look uniquely mine...


The styles I have chosen all represent nautical themes & are intended to individually accentuate & be your nautical piece of your overall outfit...











Here is the look put together for women... 


Here is the look put together for men...


To be completely honest, this is more of my type of boating, & a much a more relaxed style of boating...


Here is a look put together for women, for a more laid-back style...


... And for Men...


 (Please visit Lake Life Apparel if you like the shirt & hat above.  They are a locally owned business here in mn- specializing in Fresh Water Living attire).

Happy Friday...

Today, my best friend is on her way to start a new chapter of her life in California...



Although I am having a really hard time imagining her not here with me, I am so happy for her because I know she will succeed out there!


Over the years, we've schemed so much trouble up that has led us laughing until we cry...




Rarely a dull moment...




Just Best Friends that always had each others back...





This is the most true statement: 


So Rach, I love you with everything in my heart! I am so happy for you & you will do great on the west coast!  Distance will do no harm on our friendship & I will always be there for you!!  The only advice I can give to you today:



Much Love, K

Thursday, May 26, 2011

What I'm Loving Right Now...


With summer vast upon us, I can't help but think of long hot days by the lake, followed by sunset evenings that turn into dark nights by the grill with family & good friends...



Today, I am going to do a little spin on my usual, 'Top 10' post & switch up to:
Miss Cheeky Chic's
Top 10 Favorite Yummy Things, that I am loving right now! Simple summer recipes with a light fresh taste...


1. Mini Burgers
(Since these are as easy as following the photo, I will spare you recipe directions, but point out that a healthier option to ground beef would be ground turkey & tastes virtually the same.  Also, remember, this is supposed to be a light, easy, quick lunch.. skip the buns, place the patty on a waffle fry & use cherry tomatoes to garnish!)




2. Mini Lasagna
The best part about this recipe is that everyone has a family lasagna recipe!  Tailor it to your family's taste, yet place your recipe in individual wonton wrappers in a muffin pan! Simple! Easy summer appetizer...



3. Antipasta Kabobs

Ingredients:
-1 pkg of cheese tortellini
-1 tub of mozzarella balls
-1 jar of pimiento stuffed olives
-1 jar of black olives
-1 tub of cherry tomatoes
-salami
-pepperoni 
-Italian Dressing

Directions:
After cooking the tortellini, drain & place pasta into a zip lock bag.  Add mozzarella balls, olives & Italian dressing. Shake the bag so the ingredients are heavily coated. Let stand in your refrigerator for 4+hours.  After the allocated time, remove & place all ingredients, evenly dispersed, while folding the salami & pepperoni on the kabob stick as well.  Simple & an easy 'to-go' snack...


4. Roasted Parmesan Tomatoes

Ingredients:
-4 Tomatoes
-1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
-1 tsp of freshly chopped oregano
-4 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
-fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees, slice the tomatoes in half, top with parmesan, oregano & pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over & bake until the tomatoes are tender (usually 15 minutes).  For the last 5 minutes, I like to move the tomatoes to the grill for a more distinct taste!


5. Prosciutto Wrapper Grilled Asparagus 

Ever since I went to Italy a couple summers ago, I have loved adding prosciutto to my recipes! The flavor is amazing & the texture melts in your mouth!

Ingredients:
-Asparagas
-Prosciutto
-Minced garlic
-Extra virgin olive oil
-Ground pepper

Directions:
Preheat grill to a medium -high heat. Trim the ends off of the asparagus & cut prosciutto into slices.  Add minced garlic to oil, brush each spear with the mixture.  Wrap the prosciutto slices around the asparagus, season with black pepper & place on the grill for 4 minutes, turning occasionally.


6. Cupcake Ice Cream Cones

Follow these simple steps & you are on your way to a fun new twist on the original cupcake!!


7. Chocolate Chip Cookie Bowls

Clearly, I have a major sweet tooth & the combination of ice cream & chocolate chip cookies melts my heart!  Use your regular chocolate chip cookie recipe (or any other favorite cookie recipe for that matter!) & instead of placing on a cookie sheet, place the dough in a muffin pan & press down lightly to create a well.  The consistency of your dough will allow these to hold their shape while baking.  After they are finished, let them cool & remove from pan & fill with your favorite flavor of ice cream! Yum!!


8. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

This is so simple... & yet, I have never thought of it before! Who doesn't love sticking their finger in the cookie dough mid-baking?! Now you can stick a cookie (nilla wafer) in the cookie dough! Garnish the top with some spare chocolate chips & it is such an easy dessert or snack to set out!!


9. Fruit Filled Ice Cubes

I have been meaning to try this for years now & I think now is the perfect time to finally try it.  So simple, place your favorite fruit bits in the water of an ice tray, let freeze & serve with your favorite summer cocktail or with sparkling water for extra fresh flavoring...


10. Skinny Girl Mojito

The epitome of the summer drink, the mojito, just got an even better twist to it... it now comes Skinny!!  
I love mojitos, they are fresh & light (if made from fresh ingredients NOT from a mixture)!!

Directions:
Twist 6-8 fresh mint leaves in a tall highball glass (twisting the leaves helps release the natural oils) & drop them in the glass.  Hand squeeze lime halves over the mint leaves & then drop the limes in over the leaves. Muddle the mint leaves & limes lightly for 10-15 seconds.  Add a tablespoon of Truvia (Natural sweetener) & fill the glass with shaved ice.  From there, add 2 ounces of a light white or silver rum.  From there, top with soda water & gently stir (do not shake).  Enjoy!!


Enjoy these fabulous recipes during this long start to summer weekend!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Sophisticated Use of a Peony Palette...

Peonies are my favorite flower simply because there are so many features about them that I adore.  Their smell; first & foremost, all the color tones that the beautiful flower comes in, as well as the overall plentiful shape...



Although this room is finished with purple flowers, the peony shades of pink & sorbet on the furniture give a pop of texture to this space...




These blush tones of a fading bouquet of peonies fuse perfectly together...





Simple, demure, sophisticated & chic...



Perfect use of all the shades in the bunch of flowers above...

Monday, May 23, 2011

Rain Rain Go Away...

This Rain... REALLY!?! When is enough, enough Minnesota??  Until then, enjoy these rain-inspired looks...




Stay Dry :)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Happy Friday...


Happy Friday!! Enjoy yourselves this weekend!! Find prosperity in your challenges & keep moving forward to achieve your goals!!



Much Love,  K

Pirate Inspired Style... Arrr?

Like every popular series of movies, somehow the theme of the film gets incorporated into a seasonal trend.  For instance, The Twilight Series.  For awhile there, it was stylish to be pasty white dressed head to toe in dark colors (symbolizing a vamp) & much the same, The Pirates of the Caribbean series, will be trend followed as well...



Although the style is a bit more difficult to pull of, there are pieces from the trend that you can incorporate into a particular look. Since the style reminds me of a mixture of bohemian-grunge, it is a difficult look to pull off, without looking dirty (aka a pirate)...


But try simple traits of the trend, like crochet tops & denim cut offs...


Another big feature of the 'Pirate' trend, has been loading on the jewelry... excessively...


Again, in order to not look like you have been stranded on an island for years, collecting treasure chest findings, go with the boho look & try bright bracelets, stacked, layered & repeated down your wrists...


Finge is also a staple item to the 'Pirate' trend.  Keep it simple with a leather fringe tote..


...Or a leather fringed necklace...


Since the grunge look entails you to look like you had been rocking out for nights on end & have not had a moment to bathe yourself, the messy hairstyle goes effortlessly with the pirate style.  After a long day at the beach, tie your hair back in a whispy-loose braid...


...Or tie your bangs out of your face & throw on some bangles...


Here is the bohemian-grunge look brought all together...
What do you think? A trend of looks you would like to try or leave behind?