Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The Snarky Stylist: How to Wear Orange

Whenever I go to Germany or live in Boston/New York, the same thing always strikes me - people in the northern latitudes just don't do color!

I mean, yes, there are the various shades of navy, black, and gray - you have your rainy-day gray, your interview navy, your sullen charcoal, your mysterious onyx, etc.

But it all comes from a small one millimeter slice of the color wheel and, let's be real, not even the pretty part.


But since not everyone likes pink and (for some very odd reason) not everyone wants to prance around in full-on Disney Princess mode, here's a fun fashion alternative - orange!

Remember that moment in Legally Blond where orange was supposedly the new pink?

Didn't believe it for a second. It's just not true, orange can't achieve that same level of fabulous. But orange can be cute!

orange


Versace bright colored dress
net-a-porter.com



Yves saint laurent handbag
saksfifthavenue.com


Reeds Jewelers white jewelry
fashion.ebay.com



LancĂ´me voluminous mascara
$30 - debenhams.com


Philosophy
philosophy.com



Tada!

My advice for pulling off orange is to accent with white (or possibly another light, simple color) instead of with more orange, another bright color, or even a darker color (like black. Or gray).

Please don't do a shades of orange outfit - you'll just look like the fruit.

What do you think is the hardest color to wear?

What sorts of colors are most fashionable where you live?

If you could have one Disney Princess's wardrobe, which one would you want?

Monday, May 20, 2013

Happy Millionaire's Day!

Seriously, who comes up with these holidays? I have no idea, but today is Be a Millionaire Day (celebrated every May 20).

In case you feel like celebrating, here are some millionaire-themed desserts to share with your friends! Suggested party activities include pining over the great travel you'd do and beautiful couture you'd wear if you actually were a millionaire. Travis McCoy's Billionaire is appropriate party music today, even though he overshoots the day a bit.

There's nothing wrong with being zealous.

Erika's Missouri Millionaires (GF)


These are actually a yuletide dessert, but you can feel free to be the Christmas-in-July folks to the punch this year, with your own Christmas in May. Why can't Christmas be every day?

That would actually be pretty perfect...

Mr. Food's Millionaire Pie

 Millionaire's Pie

London Bakes' Billionaire's Shortbread


This one is for all the zealots out there, for whom being a millionaire just isn't lofty enough of a goal. Fun fact: it's known as Caramel Slice in Australia, but B(m)illionaire's Shortbread everywhere else.

Whatever you call it, it looks delicious!



Is anyone else sensing a theme here? I guess millionaires tend to love caramel?

A Zesty Bite's Millionaire Brownies


It's a zillion degrees here in NYC today (yhee!!! yaya, NYC! even if it's wicked hot) but I'm seriously contemplating turning on the oven, anyway, just to make a batch of these. Seriously, they look just like the sort of ultra-fudgy brownies that I love. I'm not much of a cake person at all (I don't like the fluffy, airy texture) but stick-to-your-front-teeth brownies get me every time! Especially with vanilla ice cream and nuts.

Both of which I happen to have...

So tempted.

Have you ever heard of Be A Millionaire Day?

How would you celebrate?

What's the oddest holiday you've ever heard of?

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Recipe: Vegan Brownie Pancakes

Thanks for bearing with me during my (pretty quiet on the blog) week or two of final stress.

I'm FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Until next semester, at least. Still, there are three months of glorious, glorious summer ahead of me. Hooray!

And I'm back. Here's the first of those recipes that I promised to keep coming all summer. Let's celebrate the start of summer with dessert-worthy pancakes!

Remember my Vegan Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Surprise Pancakes?



Yup, it's that awesomeness, in case you're new to the blog (or forgot all that deliciousness).

Made with Vega protein powder instead of fiber, it's a super-filling, high-protein pancake with an extra nutrition boost from the veggies in the Vega protein powder!

And they're crazy delicious.

But in case you want a pancake that's really like a pure dessert (but with the amazing nutrition that makes it a great breakfast - and one that will definitely keep you satisfied until lunch, or until the late afternoon if you're serving it brunch-style) here's my newest favorite recipe.


Vegan Knock-You-Naked Brownie Protein Pancakes (V)

 1 packet Vega Chocolate Nutritional Shake 
* 2 Tbsp. Old-Fashioned Oats
* 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
* 1 heaping Tbsp. Almond Butter 
* 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
* 1/4 c. soy milk 
* 1-2 Tbsp. chocolate chips (I used about 2, since I'm a serious chocoholic)
* 1/4 c. chopped walnuts, plus a few for topping
* 1 Tbsp. sugar (or alternative sweetener of choice - honey or maple syrup should be fine, just reduce the liquid a bit)
* 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
* sprinkle salt
oil for cooking
* ice cream of choice! Technically optional, but NO. Definitely necessary.

1) Mix ingredients in a medium-sized bowl (don't overmix, it will mess with the texture - instead, mix the dry ingredients first and then mix the wet ones in after).


2) Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (it's tempting to go hotter, but then your pancakes might not cook evenly).

3) Ladle batter into hot oil.

4) Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until firm and browned.
5) Serve warm, preferably a la mode! If you're actually vegan, I suggest So Delicious Coconut Ice Cream. Since I'm not actually vegan, I just topped it with some good old vanilla Breyer's. Sprinkle with a few extra walnuts.


Yum!



What's your favorite breakfast right now?

Will you actually try this recipe? If you post your version, I'd love to see your twist on it/how it turned out for you!

How often do you try recipes from the blogs?

Stumble Me, Please!