Winter Time

Accentuate You

I feel like I need a redo for Monday...

I find it so interesting that Dior published his Fashion Dictionary book in 1954 and all of the things that changed. Also some that hasn’t. I absolutely love today’s word “Accent”. It’s like the exclamation point to your final look. I love things that are personal and an accent as Dior so perfectly puts, no one can do it better than you. Now, no one is really wearing a flower per say, but accents are still alive and well in the fashion world.

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I’ve loved bees for a really long time. Far longer than the Gucci boom when you started to see them everywhere. This Swarovski bee pin is so fun to add to literally anything! A coat, blazer, or as shown here on a scarf. I feel like a pin in the perfect accent to any outfit. Find one that speaks to you.

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Tuesday’s are weird. Hope yours isn’t. Get a strong coffee kick it’s ass.

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My Kind Of Mid Winter

Hellooooo Friday!

So we aren’t at the middle of winter just yet, even though it is quickly approaching.

I thought since we may or may not be getting pummeled with snow this weekend that I would share “The Mid Winter Margarita”. You don’t always have to save the Margs for warm weather! I talked about cookbooks in my last post and I think it is equally important to have at least one good cocktail book. My favorite is “Shake” (linked below) and I got it when on the Bourbon Trail a few years back. This delicious recipe is from there and in my opinion a great one to get snowed in with.

What you need:

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What you do:

Simply, throw all of this delicious goodness into a shaker over ice.

For the rim: run a lime wedge around the whole rim and then dip in a sea salt and chili powder mix.

Even though this is a cold drink I’m fairly certain it will still keep you warm this weekend! Stay safe friends!

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What Every Good Cook Needs

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There’s snow on the ground, Eartha Kitt is playing, and the smell of onions and garlic cooking waft through the air in my kitchen. Now, this is what I call a perfect morning…

I think in every kitchen there should be cookbooks. I have a ton, I collect them. One time, I left a store with five. I love to sit down on Sundays and pick out recipes for the week. Being that I cook so much, I wanted to share my favorite series with you. 

A couple years ago, my Mom got me the cookbook “Skinny Taste” by Gina Homolka. Needless to say it became a quick favorite. The recipes were easy and low cal. The easy is a big factor now because I’m usually cooking with a baby on my hip. I’m currently writing this with a Theo on my hip, in fact. I’ve shared a lot of recipes from this over the years. A second book was released “Skinny Taste Fast and Slow”. Again, loved it. Recently, and to my emenace happiness a third came out. “Skinny Taste One and Done”. These are the three cookbooks I use most in my kitchen and if you’re in the market for easy, healthy recipes then head to Amazon right now and check them out! 

One thing you may not know about me is that I have a deep love for soup. And nothing is more cozy then a hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day. So today I am sharing Gina’s Creamy Cheddar-Broccoli Soup. Not only is it easy and delicious, it’s only 210 calories per cup.

What you need:

1 tbsp. butter

1 small onion, chopped

1 medium carrot, chopped

1 celery stock, chopped (I skipped this because I hate celery so much)

2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

2 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 cup fat free milk

2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped

4 cups chopped broccoli

1 tbsp. parm cheese

1 3/4 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese

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What you do:

In a Dutch over or large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the flour, salt, and pepper to taste and stir until smooth. Add the chick broth and milk, and potatoes. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until potatoes are soft, 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir in the broccoli and Parmesan. Cook, stirring occasionally until broccoli is tender, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat, add cheddar, and stir well until melted.

Using an immersion blender, blend the soup for a few seconds, leaving some chunks (or transfer about three cups of the coup to a regular blender, and puree and add it back to the soup. This is what I did.) Ladle one generous cup into each of six bowls and serve hot.

This recipe was so easy and so delicious. Perfect for a winter day. Plus, you don’t even have to feel bad about eating it! Do you have a favorite cookbook? Tell me all about it! I’m always looking to add to my collection!

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