Crazy Prints

Everything in my closest is basic. Sigh.I have such a hard time figuring out what colors go with what. I pair everything with black, white or ivory. I get nervous pairing pattern on pattern. Or, get this, I get the scared to even do black and brown, when I know it's the new trend!

Sometimes I walk into a store and think, "I never in a million years would have thought to pair those colors together!", but then I'm a big fat chicken and can't bring myself to do it.

Like this.

I own a blouse pretty similar to this Alice & Olivia one. It's in the same color palette. I never would have thought to pair it with crazy pants! I'm in love with this! Would I do it? Absolutely not. Do I wish I could? Totally.

I think this is the prettiest dress I've seen in a long time, but am terrified of the pattern!

How do you break out of a fashion rut? And, if you like pattern, what suggestions do you have so I don't look like a crazy person when I try them?

A Few of My Favorite Things....

Since I gave up shopping for Lent I'm dying to buy the following items. However, if they are still around after 40 days and 40 nights, then perhaps I may treat myself for being so successful! That defeats the purpose, right?!

I've never loved anything as much as this Coach Leather Legacy Mini Tanner.

Swoon.

The lemon. It's divine. I'm in love.

This Ark & Co blazer needs to find it's way into my home. STAT. Can I change my Lenten sacrifice? Giving up shopping sucks. :(

This  ASOS Midi Spring Skirt screams warm weather! I want. But I don't want to wait. Le sigh.

Should anyone just happen to order them for me, it's not cheating right? If that's the case, I'm so sending this list to the hubs. :).

What did you give up for Lent? And, have you ever given up shopping? Does it get better as time goes on?

#vdaymugswap Happy Heart Day!

I love blogging for two reasons. One, it's a great way to get my thoughts out in the open and two, I get to meet some awesome friends! I participated in Caroline and Alissa's #Vdaymugswap and was paired up with Nay. She's simply lovely!

As I said before, Nay is simply lovely. She packed my goodies so pretty, while I just threw them in a box. Eek. Also, I'm a bad blogger because I forgot to take a picture of what I sent her, but again, she's fab and she shows you here! Phew!

So, without further ado Nay got me....

A gorgeous mug that I'm absolutely in love with, some socks which I'm wearing today, a notepad and pens which I have already used and some lollipops which are kitten approved!
Thanks Nay! I love everything! And I'm so glad we got to meet!

Happy Valentine's Day all!

#Pinterest Fail

This was my first time having an epic Pinterest fail. Usually I can hit Pinterest up for any recipe and I look like Rachael Ray! Not this time. Le sigh.

This was the illustrious recipe I was trying to re-create.

Source: healthyfoodguide.com.au via MegS on

They look totally different, please note.

It was supposed to be soup. Supposed to be is the key word here, folks. Mine looks like porridge. (Truth, I've never had, nor seen porridge, this was the only reference I could think of).

The recipe consists of:

Instructions

Step 1 Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic until softened. Add potato and cook for 3–4 minutes. Add cauliflower and stock and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, until tender.

Step 2 Meanwhile, fry or grill bacon until crisp.

Step 3 Purée soup in blender (or use a stick blender). When thick and creamy, gently reheat. Add blue cheese and stir through until cheese has melted. Season with pepper, to taste. Garnish with blue cheese, if desired.

Step 4 Spread toast with onion jam and top with bacon. Cut into triangles and serve with soup.

Original ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 cup full-fat milk
1/2 cup cream
120g blue cheese

What we did

• Removed the butter, milk and cream
• Reduced the cheese and salt
• Increased the cauliflower and stock, and added potato

Traditional version (per serve)

Total energy 1940kJ
Total fat 40g (25g saturated fat)

HFG version (per serve)

Total energy 940kJ (225cal)
Total fat 7.9g (3.6g saturated fat)

Not too shabby, right? And easy enough to make.

For some reason, I got it all wrong. Mine was bland and very cauliflowery. Is that a word? It is now.

I made the hubby some bacon sandwiches to go with, and made caramlized onions, because I haven't a clue what the heck onion jam is. He ended up crumbling the crispy bacon in the soup, because he said it tasted better. Bless his heart.

I wish I could say nom. But I can't. Sad.

Have you ever had a Pinterest fail? Or have you ever had cauliflower blue cheese soup that you loved? If so, I need that recipe, please!