Tag: Shopping

Super Bowl XLVII: Party Stock Up

 

 
 


Are you ready for some football? With the super bowl right around the corner, it’s time to get the party planning percolating! Now that we finally know who’ll be playing to win the Tiffany Trophy aka The Vince Lombardi Trophy bka The Superbowl, we’re going to switch gears from high fashion to hot athletes. Well, maybe on the next post!

On Sunday, February 3rd, the NFL will have a new champion between the San Francisco 49’ers and the Baltimore Ravens. Jokingly referred to as “The Harbowl” seeing as though the two head coaches of each team are actually BROTHERS! Yes, you read that right, Jim Harbaugh, the head coach for the Niners and John Harbaugh, the head coach for the Ravens are real life brothers. The siblings will coach AGAINST each other for this years championship!





Are you planning a Super Bowl party, going to one or will your hubby/boyfriend/partner/person who sometimes sleeps next to you and snores through the night, throwing or invited to a bowl bash?  I’ve got a few things in store for you! Whether you’re going to a touchdown party or becoming the host for one, check out a few things you’re going to need.



For the party planner:
 
Personalized pitcher and glasses
 

 
 
Walmart


Table Ware & Decor

 


Party City




For the party goer:
 

 

Get your official super bowl gear 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Ladies, will never be out done!
 
 
 
 
 





For the party chef:
 

There’s nothing like some good tasting, finger licking, taste bud appeasing foods to nibble on while watching the big game. From appetizers to dessert, I’ve got you covered with some fun-to-try treats. Now, I have to warn you, these aren’t for anyone who may be dieting. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

 


Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls

Aaron  McCargo Jr. for Food Network

Ingredients
1 store-bought rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank’s Red Hot)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 3/4 cups sharp Cheddar
1/4 cup freshly sliced scallions
1 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups panko bread crumbs
Vegetable oil, for frying
Blue Cheese Dip:
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup packed blue cheese, broken up
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
Directions
Have oil heated to 350 degrees F.

Pick the meat from the chicken and discard the skin. Place the chicken in a large bowl and add the hot sauce, pepper, cheese, and scallions, and toss to combine. Roll the chicken into 2-ounce balls, about the size of a golf ball.

Place the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls. Roll each ball in the flour, then the egg and then the bread crumbs. Set aside.

When the oil is hot fry the chicken balls in batches. Cook for about 2 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken to paper towel lined plate to drain the excess oil.

To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the chicken alongside the dipping sauce.




Pigskins in a Blanket

 
Food Network Kitchens
Ingredients
One 13-ounce package kielbasa
All-purpose flour, for rolling
One 17.3-ounce package frozen puff pastry, thawed 
(I would use Pilsbury Crescent Rolls…much easier)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup mustard, such as Dijon, whole grain, spicy brown or yellow, for dipping
 
 
 


Directions
Split the kielbasa in half lengthwise and then cut each half into six 3/4-inch pieces, slicing on an angle. Cook the pieces in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the skin is crisped and some of the fat has been released, about 5 minutes. Transfer the kielbasa to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
 
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
 
On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece of puff pastry out to form an 8- by 11-inch rectangle. Using a 3 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 6 circles from the pastry; cut the circles out as close together as possible and reserve the scraps. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry.
 
Wrap a circle of puff pastry around each of a kielbasa, pinching the seams together to seal all the way around so no kielbasa is exposed and gently pulling on the ends to make a tapered football shape. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, seam-side down, and repeat with the remaining pastry and sausage.
 
Brush the rolled sausages with the beaten egg. Use bits of the pastry scraps to make laces on each “football” by placing 1 strip lengthwise on top of each and laying 3 smaller strip crosswise over it. Press down gently to adhere and brush the laces with a bit more egg.
 
Bake until the pastry is browned and crisped, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve the pigskins with mustard for dipping.
 
 
 
 

 
Food Network Kitchens

Ingredients

  • Canola oil
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 3/4 teaspoon plus 1 pinch kosher salt
  • Twelve 6-inch corn tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded, if desired, and
  • finely chopped
  • 1 plum tomato, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Mexican lager-style beer (such as Corona)
  • 12 ounces muenster or Monterey Jack, grated (about 3 1/2 cups)
  • 4 ounces sharp white Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • Directions
  • Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix the lime zest and 3/4 teaspoon salt together. Working in batches, fry the tortilla wedges until golden and crisp, about 1 minute, and transfer them to a paper towel-lined baking sheet with a slotted spoon. Sprinkle the chips with the lime salt while they are still hot. Set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a 10-inch cast-iron or ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, jalapeno and a pinch of salt and cook until the onions just start to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add the beer and cook until all the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Toss the muenster and Cheddar together and add them to the skillet. Stir once or twice to combine.
  • When ready to serve, preheat the broiler. Place the skillet under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned on top, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot with the chips.
  • Cook’s Note: Although this cheesy dip should be eaten fresh from the oven, you can have everything ready to go before your guests arrive. You can fry, season and cool the chips and store them for 2 to 3 hours in an airtight container. Cook the vegetables and reduce the beer, then remove the skillet from the heat. Grate your cheeses and combine them. When you’re ready to serve, stir the cheese into the vegetables, broil and enjoy.




Slutty Cheesecake Bars

 
Bakers Royale

Makes one 8×8 pan | Preparation: Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line pan with a foil sling.

INGREDIENTS:

8oz. cookie dough (ready-made or homemade)
16 Oreos
12 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Topping

3 oz.Whoppers, chopped
5 Oreos, chopped



INSTRUCTIONS:

Roll out or using your fingers, press cookie dough to an 1/8 inch thickness and bake until crisp. Place whole Oreos on top of baked cookie crust.
To make cheesecake filling: Place cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla in a bowl and beat until blended. Pour mixture over Oreos.
Sprinkle chopped Oreos and Whoppers on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before cutting.
*This can be prepared 3 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator tightly covered. Remove from refrigerator 20-30 minutes prior to serving. (Cut while cold for bars with nice clean edges).

 

 

Deep Fried Candy Bars

 
Huffington Post

Ingredients
4 pop sticks
3 cups vegetable oil
4 candy bars, such as Mars Bars, Snickers, and Milky Ways
Powdered sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
powdered sugar




Directions

Preheat oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pierce each candy bar with a pop stick, place on the prepared baking sheet, and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Whisk all batter ingredients until little to no lumps remain. One at a time, dip chilled candy bars in batter and coat well.
Once oil reaches 390°F, carefully place candy bars in oil one at a time and fry about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel, sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired, and serve hot.

 



 

Chocolate Rice Krispie Treat Footballs

 
Kellogs

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows
OR
4 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup peanut butter
6 cups Kellogg’s® Cocoa Krispies® cereal
Canned frosting or decorating gel
Why use Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies®?



1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter until melted. 

2. Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Cool slightly. Using buttered hands shape mixture into sixteen 3-inch footballs. Decorate with frosting. Best if served the same day.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:

In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add peanut butter, stirring until melted. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

Note

For best results, use fresh marshmallows.

1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme can be substituted for marshmallows.

Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.

Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in single layer on wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.





Let’s get ready to party!

 

 

 

Hope that helps! Have fun, be safe and always… Happy Shopping!
 

 



Designer Spotlight: Karen Kane

UPDATE:

Remember way back when I posted a few styles that were on trend?  Think back to the post about tassels.  Yes, this post right H E R E!  There was a designer that I have yet to try in that post… Karen Kane.  Well, her fall line is rolling out and I’m quite shocked!  That may be good AND bad at the same damn time.
 
Here’s what I like:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Those are cute versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched all year round…minus the fur vest of course.  Those are the items you ladies need to go for.  You want to have something in closet (especially if it was over $100) that can be worn more than one time a year or one weekend.  Think, classic pieces.
 
 
 




 
 
I’d really like for designers that attempt to give clothes for curvy girls to give us the same quality and effort that they give to the smaller sizes!  Just because it looks good on the woman with no curves doesn’t mean that same print, pattern or color will look good on curves. Don’t think that’s asking for too much.
 
 
 
There’s a gorgeous mult-sequin dress that I’d kill to have from Karen Kane but its not for curves.  Not yet anyway.
 
UPDATE:  Multi-sequin dress is NOW AVAILABLE for plus sizes!

 

 
 
 

Colors of the Season: Plus Size Fall Fashion with a little Fall Photography

 
Apparently, it’s fall but I’m not completely sure “fall” got that memo!  Yesterday it was over 77 degrees and humid (believe me, my hair officially hates me now) and today the high is supposed to be 50!  I think the weather Gods are on vacation. Have I told you guys I live in Michigan?  I should be wrapping a scarf around my neck by now.  Once I get out sweaters, I’m ready to put them on…not so fast says mother nature.
 
Speaking of weather…hoping all my southern and east coast sweets in the states are safe with the “Frankenstorm” coming and all.
 
This is what “fall” looks like here…bright, colorful and full of…leaves.
 
 
I took these pictures while driving in Canton, Michigan and it definitely looks as though the fall season is in full bloom
(I was the passenger this day…safety first!)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The colors of the season are amazing!
 
Absolutely inspiring to be exact.
 
Wonder what colors I can find in stores…definitely need some gold, deep reds and maybe emerald.  Fall essentials in 2012!
 
Shopaholics rejoice!
 
 
1. Splendid Mixed Media Top $98 Nordstrom
 
2. Studded Snakeskin Print Blouse $39.50  Ashley Stewart
 
3. Sejour Corduroy Jacket $88 Nordstrom
 
4. Seven7 Baroque Jeans $99.95  Lane Bryant
 
5. Ingenue Paisley Print Dress $89.99  Saint Bustier
 
6. Michael Kors Zip Campshirt $94.50   Nordstrom
 
1. Skinny Jeans $59.95  Lane Bryant
 
2. Ribbed Sweater  $19.50  Ashley Stewart
 
3. Mynt Faux Leather Moto Jacket $188 Nordstrom
 
4. Ralph Lauren Polo $65 Nordstrom
 
5. Kenneth Cole Faux Wrap Top $89.50 Nordstrom
 
Pants $99.50 Nordstrom
 
6. Michael Kors Zip Campshirt $94.5  Nordstrom
 
 
1. Baby Phat Sweater Dress $59 Macy’s
 
2. American Rag Double Breasted Jacket $69  Macy’s
 
3. ING Colorblocked Shirt $39.99 Macy’s
 
4. DKNY Python Jeggings $89 Lane Bryant
 
5. Mynt Faux Leather Moto Jacket $188 Nordstrom
 
6. Pink Rose Striped Sweater Tunic $50.99 Macy’s
 
 
 
Pretty amazing  colors, right?! If I had shopping money this month, I’d have an armful of bags right about now!  If you can get out and shop…have fun for me!
xo Rena

Curvy Costumes: A Plus Size Halloween

October has another thing going for it… Halloween

I haven’t really participated in Halloween since I worked at a daycare center during undergrad!  Dressing up and having fun with little kiddos in their cute costumes…fun times.  The most I’ve done recently was pass out candy with cat ears on.  I kinda want to dress up this year and maybe go out to party…maybe.  It’s fun being a kid again and Halloween is the perfect time for that unless you’re the Scrooge of pumpkins or something.

I know being curvy has been quite the problem for some ladies when looking for a costume but luckily for us…times have changed!  Plenty of brands, stores and sites offer “plus-size” options for Halloween costumes and guess what?  They aren’t frumpy, dumpy costumes either!!

Saving you a tiny bit of trouble (if you’re going out to have fun this Halloween) I’ve compiled a few sites and stores that have some great costume options!

CLICK THE STORE ABOVE EACH PIC TO TRAVEL TO THE SITE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
plus size sailor costume
 
 
 
Domino Dollhouse (same site just not Halloween but can be!)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Party City (in-store & online)
 
 
plus size cop costume
 
 
 
 
plus size beer costume
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
plus size costume
 
 
 
 
 
 
flapper costume
 
 

All the sites above also feature non-sexy costumes (except for maybe FOH) in case you don’t want to have certain areas exposed.  Just be sure to order now so you can have your costume by October 31st!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gotta have fun some time in life…otherwise things get too serious and before you know it…it’s passed you by.  So go ahead and dress up like a sexy dinosaur or a cop without any real clothes on lol it’s ok, it’s Halloween!

Fall Foliage

 
 
Dear LUCY,
 
Would you mind, GETTING IN MY CLOSET?!
 
Please and thank you,
 
xo
 
Rena.

 

Meet one of fall’s chic and sleek bag from Botkier is called Lucy.  It’s available for $395 which is pretty amazing! Imagine this paired with skinny jeans and a nice big sweater on your way to Starbucks to get my favorite of the season…Salted Caramel Mocha!

 
 

Better yet, let me just show you with this magical outfit designer web thingy called Polyvore.  I mentioned it in Tuesday’s Morning Linkage.

Coffee Run

Keurig K-Cup Portion Pack Starbucks Veranda Blend Blonde Coffee – (Google Affiliate Ad)

 
Botkier Lucy bag, skinny jeans, comfy wedge Toms, oversized tee and sweater…fish tail a side pony/braid, slap on a cute pair of dark sunnies and Nars lip gloss…VOILA!  Perfect outfit for running around town and grabbing that perfect cup of coffee and maybe running in Target lol!  This is pretty much my staple and go-to pieces before the weather turns to frigid degrees here in Michigan.  Everything you see in the pic is available for curvy girls so don’t be shy…go buy!!

Friday Fashion Faves: Falling On A Friday

Is it really nearing the end of August or am I just imagining the date on my screen reads 8/24/2012?  I’m not sure about you girls and guys but it really does feel like it was just July 4th!!  Seriously, I distinctly remember craving BBQ and wanting to light sparklers with the night sky in the background.  Furthermore, it’s still hot as the deep south up here!  Getting reeeeally tired of burning my arm on the car door here peeps.

As I type, I’m looking at The Weather Channel… The high for today will be 89*…yes, you read that right…EIGHTY-NINE degrees.  I was hoping that maybe…just maybe, I could get away with wearing rolled up jeans and wedges this weekend.  We’re going to throw that thought all the way out of the window!

So, since I’ll be breaking a sweat walking to the car while fumbling for my keys and shielding my eyes from the glaring sun…I can only dream of wearing some of falls favorite pieces. Let’s take a walk through some of my favorite fall pieces…as of right now (because we all know, I’ll want 100 different things tomorrow!)

Affordable Fall Faves

1. Ankle Boot $99 Zara

2. Sweater-Love Your Style $16 Kmart

3. Off the shoulder/hip length purple sweater $44.50 Torrid/OSP

4. Wedge Bootie-Route 66 $19   Kmart

5. Faux leather jacket $35.99   Kmart

6. Bronze jeans $39.50 Ashley Stewart

Fall Budget Busters (but so TOTALLY worth it!)

1. Shearling Boot- Rachel Zoe $ 525 Neiman Marcus

2. Rabbit Fur Vest- Michael Kors $435 Neiman Marcus

3. Leopard Jeans- Lucky Brand  $129 Nordstrom

4. Zip Leather Jacket- Michael Kors $545 Neiman Marcus

5. Quilted Boot- Manolo Blahnik $1,495 Neiman Marcus

6. Long sleeve maxi dress- Rachel Pally $290 Nordstrom

Get to shopping!  Feel free to wear these now in not-so-pre-fall-temps (maybe your weather will allow it) or just save the thought for later.  Either way…enjoy your sunny/rainy/hot/cold weekend!!

Dorm Days: Quick Shopping Guide For College

Moving trucks, hot bodies, sweat, loud music, books…

OH

Hey there!!

Sorry, I was day dreaming about my first day of college when I moved to campus.  Crazy fun times y’all!  This reminds me of all the stuff I had to buy just for the smallest of cubicles we called a dorm room…which we had to share with other people.  It was still a fun time to be out and about with all the other college freshmen.

This is the time of year I enjoy so much!  Not because it’s cooler but because college starts and every home goods store has stuff on sale!!

I’m currently in a dorm room heaven right now!  You can find just about everything you need for your home or apartment at very low costs.  Just make sure the quality is up to your standards…you don’t want to pay $10 for 12 bath towels.  Something tells me those towels won’t get you dry or even hold their color through one wash!

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to know where the sales are.  Try stores like TargetBed Bath & BeyondKMartWal-MartMacy’s, Lord & Taylor and etc…so on and so forth.  You can find these for yourself or if you’re a parent, be sure to check out things for their bedrooms, playrooms and even the family room!

Handy dandy towel sets!  Target is usually good about decent towel sets so this Room Essentials set would work great for your home.  Even if you don’t want to use them for yourself…think guest bathroom, kitchen, car, storage, rainy day or whatever your heart may desire.

$15

Target

4 piece fast dry towel set

 

 

Why didn’t they make these things when I was a kid?!  Screw it! I’m going to buy this…don’t judge me lol just know when you visit, this will, in fact be sitting on my kitchen counter!

 

Hello Kitty Toaster

$19.99

Target

 




 

We all know how Rena feels about her coffee.  She needs it to survive and it needs to be sweet and strong! I did happen to have one of these teeny tiny coffee makers in my dorm room back in the day.  It did the job.  They make crazy cool colors now!!

$14.99

Target

Mr. Coffee

4 cup coffee maker

 

 

 

Mixing bowls!!!  I bake.  I bake A LOT!  Bowls are used constantly.  So it doesn’t matter what they’ll be used for, they will be used.  I might want the biggest bowl of CTC ever (Cinnamon Toast Crunch)…these look like they’ll be just fine.

$9.99

5 pack mixing bowls

Target

 




 

Hope this was helpful to someone.  Be sure to pass it on to someone who’s going to campus or have kids going to college.

 

Now Trending: Tassels

Tassel

Tassel

Tassel

Tassel me, baby!

They’re in, they’re hot, they’re everywhere and I’m down for the cause!  Tassels are literally popping up on EVERYTHING!

(BEE TEE DUB/BTW….. I did sing/rap that, out loud, in the bed, in front of the laptop with my cat laying next to me.) That is more than likely a sign I’m sleep deprived but that’s neither here nor there!

Moving right along…..

 



 

Let’s see some tassels!!

Smartphone tassel charm….you are currently in my shopping cart!  For $28 by Cara Accessories, there’s nothing more chic and affordable!  It seriously looks like it costs over 100 bucks, easily!

Buy it at Nordstrom 

 

 

Did someone say booty?  I.am.in.absolute.love.with.these.booties.  Ahhh Cole Haan why must you do these things to me?!  I’m not ready to spend $400 on shoes this year so I showed these to my mom…the conversation went like this: Ooooh those are cute!  I like them, they’re only $400!! Oh really mother? So you’re saying I can have them? No, I’m saying they’re cute.

 

Kiltie Bootie

$448

by

Cole Haan

 

 

ALL of the Coach fall line needs to be in my closet!  Everything has a tassel and everything is gorgeous!  When I first saw the soon-to-be fall line via my favorite site in the whole wide world… (PurseBlog) I was not so amazed but NOW…I want it all!  Literally, the entire site could be posted right here but I’ll just post a few faves…check out the rest at Coach.com

 



 

 

 

 

Bobbles!  These Michael Kors Earrings….perfect for day or night wear!  Personally, if I wore these, it would be the only piece of jewelry I’d wear from the neck up….just so they pop!

Tassel Drop $125

The look of perfection!  Fall season…let’s go!  I’d pair these with denim shorts since it’s not quite cool enough for long jeans just yet.

 

 

 

$158

Dolce Vita Bronx Slip On

 

 

Here’s a peasant flowy top $146 by Karen Kane.  I’ve never worn this designer before so I’m not too sure how it would fit.  It’s also fun finding new designers for curvy girls!  Gives us more options and plenty of things to look forward to in the future.

 

 

Oh, hello there Jeffrey Campbell!  How cute are these?! The “Gabi” flat with tassels on the back….I’m sold!

$124 at Nordstrom

 

If seeing all those swinging tassels didn’t make you want something with a tassel…I’m so beyond sorry.  You’re going to have to get use to something hanging on you…it’s provocative.  Well, that’s all folks!!  Not that it was only a little bit!  It was tons of tassels for your tempted eyes!  Say that tongue twister five times fast!  Happy shopping!