have you seen this?

Kitchen Aid's amazing new color...

Rasberry Ice

Faux-bulous Flavor

Tonight's soup is attributed to a recipe I saw Giada make on The Talk the other day.  I know she was making quick dinners, I am not sure of all of her ingredients, but this is my inspiration and interpretation.

Ingredients:

• 1 box organic chicken broth
• 1 can kroger brand fired roasted tomatoes
• 1 small container of fresh basil
• 2 cans of white kidney beans (cannellini)
• 1 half smoked sausage
• chopped onions (I use frozen, prechopped)
• chopped bell peppers  (again, frozen, prechopped)
• fresh parsley
• salt, pepper to taste

In a crock pot on low add broth, tomatoes, onions and bell peppers.  Salt and Pepper. Cover. I let this cook overnight. But you can leave it all day.  This morning I added white beans, basil, parsley, and smoked sausage that I had sliced and grilled on the George Foreman.  Salt and Pepper. Cover and let simmer in crock pot all day. Below is the finished product and it is FAUX-bulous, if I do say so myself! I am about to eat a 2nd bowl :) What's in your crock pot tonight?

Faux-Restaurant Take-Out

In an effort to save money, I try to cook at home as much as possible.  Tonight, I cooked spiced tilapia with brown rice and asparagus, topped with lemon butter.  Every night, I make JT supper and take it to him.  My family gets the white to-go boxes from Sam's and I use those as packaging.  Below is a picture of my meal tonight:

It was my first time cooking fish... hope he liked it!

What's on your menu tonight?

faux fur...

I bought a faux fur cropped jacket, 2 Christmases ago, and have yet to wear it.  Sometimes I do that, fill my closet with clothes, most often shoes, that are too daring to wear in my small Southern town.  Anyway, I was excited to see this trend is style in style for Fall 2011.  I am not a big fan of fur on boots, I do however love a good fur vest or jacket.  So maybe I will have the courage to rock mine this year.  After all, isn't that what fashion is all about... confidence?
Mine is similar to this faux fur Juicy Couture number found at Nordstroms for $328. Except, I got mine at Target for the clearance price of $19.99.

Here's to finding your faux-animalistic instinct.

Today's fauxment is brought to you by... the rotisserie chicken

The rotisserie chicken, a great substitute for entertaining or a meal with your family, that will make it seem as if you slaved all day.  I bought a herb flavored rotisserie last week at Kroger for $3.99.  I manged to turn it into three different meals but the possibilities are endless.

1. chicken tacos

• on night one, my husband got the chicken off the bone.  I cannot do that part, it makes me gag!
• we set up a taco toppings bar with tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, red onion, guacamole, and chicken
• I used a can of Bushes Grillin' Beans, fiesta style for a side
• it was quick, easy, and delish!

2. chicken chili

• I knew I would be working late Monday night so I took the left over black beans, some of the chicken, the taco seasoning packet from the taco kit I used earlier (since the meat was seasoned I didn't use it), another can of black beans, and a can of fire roasted tomatoes and dumped them all in the crockpot
• the next day, we enjoyed another yummy dish

3. chicken salad 2-ways

• For lunch on Wednesday, I took our left-over chicken and chopped it in the food processor
• I seperated it into two bowls
• In one bowl, I added chopped celery, halved grapes, a big spoonful of mayonnaise, and some chopped nuts
• In another bowl, I added chopped pickles, a little mustard, mayonnaise, and celery

Chicken salad is great served with crackers, bread, crossiants or by itself.


These are just three ideas for a rotisserie chicken, what's yours?

September issues are here!

If you have been near the magazine stands lately, you have seen the September Fall Fashion Issues have arrived. Every year, old trends return evolving retro into the future. This year, the fashionistas at Elle, Marie Claire, and Vogue have cited the following trends as fall fashion must-haves:

• Mod
• Polka Dots
• Simple Preppy
• Plaid
• Fur
• Black and White
• Color Blocking
• Snake Skn

But if you're like me, you may not have the money to buy a brand new wardrobe each time the seasons change.  Luckily, some of these things have been around the last few seasons, and are easy to update.  For example, plaids, animal prints, and menswear have been in.  You just have to find a way to up-the-ante.
My two favorite trends for fall are the continuation of menswear and mixing patterns.
Two years ago, I bought a pair of black oxfords.  I am excited to keep them in my wadrobe.  You can wear them with skirts, dresses, skinny jeans, dress pants, they are great. Below are pics of two new pairs under $30 and they can be found here.

How will you use items in your closet to recreate trends for Fall 2011?