December 8, 2010

Blueberry Pie





I know that it is past Thanksgiving but I had the urge to bake one day after work. I was baked vanilla cupcakes that look like pies! I took vanilla icing and added cocoa powder to become a light brown color like real crust. Just make sure to use a ziplock bag with a a cut out hole when icing to be precise with your technique. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this post and that it encourages you to be creative the rest of this week and into the oncoming weekend. Enjoy these next few days before Christmas season gets pretty hectic!
Bon Appetite!
emily kate(:

November 25, 2010

Giving Thanks







Here I am at my parents house enjoying the cold weather (unlike in Houston) snuggling with a blanket on the porch and all of a sudden, there is a donkey right next to me. It freaked me out!!! I guess they forgot to mention they got donkeys while I was gone. On the flip side, I told myself that I would absolutely not have a post about what I am thankful for but I just can't help it! I love my family of course. They are always there for me whenever I need them. I am also thankful for my best friend Stephanie. Thanks girl for keeping me accountable in everything I do! Also my life. I am so grateful to God for giving me the best life imaginable. I am thankful for God's grace for saving me from my sins so that I may go to heaven whenever I die. My community is a HUGE thing I am grateful for. Everyone is so supportive of the big decisions I am taking in my life and giving me loads of confidence when I need it. I am also thankful for nature and what God created. Here are some pictures I thought you would enjoy!
Happy Turkey Day!
emily kate(:

November 24, 2010

13 of 30





I know I have been bad and not done a post in a few days but my life is so hectic right now! I wore this to a meeting at the office and lunch with my mom. Guess What?!?! It is HOT in November! This should be a crime! I wore a brown cardigan with this but it was so hot outside that as I took pictures I had to take it off. Let's discuss this dress for a minute. I will always be suprised by Michael Kors. I saw this dress and knew that this would be a fashion staple during this winter. Whether I pair it with tights or not this is a perfect addition to my wardrobe.
Wanting winter to come,
emily kate(:

November 16, 2010

7 of 30






I realized that I have skipped a few days in my remix. The other outfits ended up not being as cute as I hoped they would and I didn't have time to change before work so I opted not to take a picture of them and blog about it today. Yesterday I went to the cutest cafe for breakfast called Barnaby's. The best part about it was that I brought my 1 year old white lab, Colt. They also had great food! I got together with the friends I took dog lessons with at Petsmart for breakfast and ordered the Huevos Rancheros. Best thing ever! I would strongly suggest going there whenever you come to Houston.
Peace, Patience, Puppies,
emily kate(:

November 14, 2010

5 of 30




I spent my friday afternoon at a friend's baseball tournament where the weather was wet and miserable. Good thing I packed for a rainy day. I wore a Target rain jacket, Jessica Simpson boots, and True Religion (Style: Billy) jeans. I replicated the bun from the Daybook's Sydney's video tutorial. She showed how to make this cool up-do but her bun looks better than mine does. So far the remix is going well! I am sorry for not posting one everyday but will try my best from now on to keep you updated!
Lots of Love,
emily kate(:

November 11, 2010

3 of 30




For the sake of my crazy schedule, I decided to show you (almost) every other outfit. I am so busy during Christmas time and I get super stressed out! So here is the 3rd outfit of the remix. I am wearing Big Star jeans, Old Navy sweater, and Hanes undershirt, and Old Navy pom pom ballet flats (not shown). I was so excited to find a cute sweater that's not expensive! This was super comfy as I transitioned from work to lunch with friends and back to work. It is very comforting to know that I can dress warm and look cute at the same time!
Keep Warm!
emily kate(:

November 9, 2010

1 of 30



First day of the 30 for 30 remix and I love it! I am wearing one of the three dresses (from Nordstrom) I picked with We Love Colors tights and Jessica Simpson boots. This outfit is the perfect transition from fall to winter when paired with a coat. While I am taking part in the 30 for 30 remix, I will not be including tights and scarves as part of my 30 because that would be very difficult to make more out of less! I think that this could be the start of a very good next 30 days.
Lovin' Life,
emily kate(:

November 7, 2010

30 for 30





Kendi from Kendi Everyday has started this amazing new challenge called 30 for 30 remix and it starts today! 30 for 30 is where you choose 30 clothes in your closet and remix them for 30 days. I wanted to do this because I am getting bored of my clothes and this will hopefully spark new creativity without burning a hole in my pocket. So here is what you do: choose 30 pieces of clothing from your closet (shoes are included, accessories are not), remix the clothes into 30 outfits for each day, and then do NOT shop for 30 days! This way you can shop in YOUR closet and you will fall in love with your clothes again. I always buy a new dress for upcoming events but I end up wearing it once. I have become more aware of the things in my closet by doing this. This way at the end of the remix challenge I will be ready to shop; but I will know what I am missing from my closet. I came up with 2 Skirts, 3 Dresses, 3 Coats, 5 Pants/ Jeans, 4 Tops, 6 Shoes, 7 Sweaters which adds up to 30! I will be starting this tomorrow so be looking for the blogs I put up.
Always Mix It Up!
emily kate(:

August 23, 2010

Around The World



Many things have inspired our culture these days; but the biggest fashion inspiration is the influence different cultures have incorporated into our wardrobe. When my best friend Stephanie wore this African looking dress out to a "girls only" dinner I knew that I was on my way to Africa to buy one until I found out she bought it in the USA! The small details and the intricate shapes prove that this adorable look belongs in the streets. The baby doll strappy heels are the perfect touch to mellow out this look. Since the colder months will be coming soon, you should also pair this with a cute jacket and tights when its a little to chilly for your likings. This boho outfit is channeled from around the globe with standout shapes and different fabrics. This is a great way for everyone around the world to come together.
Peace&Blessings,
emily kate(:

August 15, 2010

Give Me The Details



I have absolutely no patience at all. So when I see shirts that have a lot detail to them and people have put all sorts of effort into making this piece of clothing it makes me want to buy it! For example, This Agaci shirt has a crocheted and a web like feel to it . I absolutely love this top! This is the perfect look for you back-to-schoolers or even back-to-the-office party! Match this with jeans and heels and your look is ready! This is a perfect transition piece you could easily wear in every season.
Details Only!
emily kate(:

July 30, 2010

Maxed-Out



Flowy maxi dresses are the perfect item to add to your summer wardrobe. They show enough skin to be sweet and not sexy. This modern-day frock has been transformed into one of the most comfortable clothing items other than jeans as of last year. The maxi dress shown above is from Banana Republic. I went into their store last year for the first time ever and was very surprised at how cute their clothes were. The sales associates were helpful and I was offered a fresh drink while shopping! This made my shopping experience pleasurable and I certainly intend to come back. Printed or solid these dresses are sure to make you the center of attention.
Don't Get Maxed-Out!
emily kate(:

July 28, 2010

Wicked



As you have probably heard, Wicked: the Musical is on tour and has stopped in Houston! I had the privilege to go with my friends to watch this fabulous work of theatre. Before this though we went to The Grand Luxe cafe and enjoyed their key lime pie and red velvet cake which was amazing as usual. Then we listened to talented actors for three hours. This was the best night of my life! If Wicked comes to a theatre near you, buy tickets fast! They almost sold out within hours. This musical is great for every age and really defies gravity and makes you feel popular with its show stopping performances.
"It's good to see me, isn't it? No need to answer, that was rhetorical."-Glinda
emily kate(:

July 27, 2010

Hey Cupcake!



Driving on my way to an amazing weekend getaway at a friends house on Lake Travis, I spotted this shiny trailer that had "hey cupcake!" written on it. I consulted about my stomach and decided to stop by. Little did I know that I was about to experience the most delicious cupcake my mouth has ever tasted. They have flavors such as Vanilla Dream, Red Velvet (my favorite), Double Dose, Snowcap, The Standard, Michael Jackson (another favorite), 24 Carrot, and Sweetberry. All of these mouth-watering cupcakes have either buttercream icing or cream cheese icing and which ever one you choose you are sure to die and go to heaven! Since I was going to a girls weekend getaway, I thought it would be great to buy 11 and get one free using their special offer right now! They are only $2.75 and worth every penny! Check out their website at www.heycupcake.com to find locations and read how he started hey cupcake!
You only live once, Go for it!
emily kate(:

July 25, 2010

Tough Love






After a few hours cooped up in my apartment, I realized it is impossible to stay inside and not get a little stir-crazy. I grabbed my best friend and we headed to see a movie; little did I know it started pouring the minute I walked outside. So I opted to wear this leather jacket from Forever Twenty-One. I have been trying to find my "tougher" side since my wardrobe has consisted of mainly florals and pastels this summer. The jacket is perfect when you pair it with with ripped jeans. P.S. Forgive the quality of the photos. I forgot my camera and used my iPhone.
Tough Love!
emily kate(:

July 22, 2010

Double It Up



I always thought that you could only wear one scarf at a time or else it would look bulky. This statement is very false. When you put together two lightweight scarves this creates a very chic boho look that I love! Just make sure you pair colors that compliment each other so they don't clash. In my second blog ever posted I showed these scarves and I said that I bought them at Macy's for 4 dollars so if you are worried you won't find a good deal or that the cute ones are expensive, never give up! There is always a great deal around the corner so keep on looking.
Don't find yourself in a knot!
emily kate(:

July 21, 2010

Sweet Lemon Bars


I have been on the hunt to find and bake really good lemon bars and I have finally done so with the help of Paula Dean's recipe! The ingredients for the crust are: 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of sugar, pinch salt, and 2 sticks of butter. The ingredients for the filling are: 4 eggs, 2 cups of sugar, 6 tablespoons of flour, and 6 tablespoons of lemon juice (I prefer fresh). Now to get started just preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease the pan. Then combine all the ingredients for the crust and press the mix into the pan and cook for 20 minutes. While this is baking, mix the ingredients for the filling and wait until the crust is done.

Pour the filling on top of the baked crust inside the pan. Once you have finished this, put the pan in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes longer.

When it is out of the oven, sprinkle the tiniest bit of powdered sugar over the top of the lemon bars for a sweet touch to it. Now I suggest putting it in the fridge for at least 2 hours for the bars to be not as mushy as when they came out of the oven.


Some people may want to make fun shapes out of the cute desserts to bring out their inner child!
Bon Appetit!
emily kate(:

July 16, 2010

Easy Breezy




My best friend Stephanie is modeling the sundress in the picture above. She is amazing and so thoughtful! You will definitely see her more often on the blog. On another note, I love sundresses! I have at least seven and they complete my spring and summer wardrobes. These are great for running errands, having lunch, or even going on a date. I am cold everywhere I go so I always pair these light dresses with cardigans, and the temperature is perfect!
Have Fun In The Sun!
emily kate(:

July 9, 2010

International Delights: Alfajores





Lately, I've been having an obsession with cooking delightful desserts. I might as well call it a hobby since almost every other day I'm whipping up a batch of a new recipe that I find. Today I made these melt-in-your-mouth 'cookies' that are very typical in the country of Argentina. The process takes time, but the end result and licking a spoonful of dulce de leche makes it all worthwhile.

Ingredients:
- 2 sticks of butter slightly melted
- 3/4 cups of sugar
- 2 1/2 cups of cornstarch
- 1 cup of flour
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons of grated lemon peel
- shreds of coconut
- dulce de leche {can be made or store bought}

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and the sugar. Add in the egg yolks and vanilla and beat over medium speed until incorporated. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch and baking powder and baking soda together. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and continue mixing until it forms a consistent dough.
*If necessary, add milk to get the consistent dough.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness, then cut with a small round cutter (or a juice glass). Repeat the rolling and cutting until you have used all the dough. Place the cookies on a parchment-paper lined cookie sheet, and bake for 15 minutes, just until the edges start to brown.

Let the cookies cool completely, and then place a generous dollop of dulce de leche on one cookie, topping with another cookie to make a sandwich. Press gently together and roll the sides into the coconut shreds.

As they say over there,
Chau!
emilykate(:

July 7, 2010

Take-Out




Take-out is a gift from God. Whenever it is raining outside I certainly do no want to be rushing around town going to dinner or picking it up. So chinese takeout was pretty much all I have eaten the past couple of days. I LOVE fortune cookies. There is no way to describe it! As i unravel the clear package that contains the fortune cookie, I get excited and eat it. Then soon after I realize I ate the paper that has my written fortune on it! No matter how hard you want the fortune to be true or false, it always seems to be correct.
再見 (Bye!)
emily kate(:

Cold, Cutouts, and Colorado




My parents are big on surprise family trips for "bonding time". So this next week I will be in Colorado at a ranch riding horses, mountain climbing, and hiking. I am normally not an outdoors kind of girl but since my new year's resolution was to try new things, I think I will enjoy it. As always, I will be flying over there so I chose to wear this cutout cardigan since you never know if you are going to be hot or cold on the airplane. Cutouts are starting to rise up in the fashion world. Whether they are on cardigans or shoes watch out for this trend alert. I also had to pull out my riding boots for this occasion. I have not been riding in three years so this should be interesting. I am super excited to be away from all the Houston rainstorms.
Colorado or Bust!
emily kate(:

Singing In The Rain



On a rainy day in Houston, All I want to do is throw on a pair of sweats and tennis shoes. I did not think it was possible to look fashionable when it's raining; But I found a way! Dav Rain Boots solved my problem perfectly by designing very cute rain boots. Having these leopard boots make me feel fierce and confident on a normally gloomy day. Target also helped solve my problem of lacking in cute rain jackets! So when I found this jacket I bought two colors!
Bring on the rain!
emily kate(:

July 6, 2010

The Mustard Seed





After a very long and eventful Fourth of July weekend, I took my dad out on his birthday for dinner. We went to Houston's in the galleria area and had an evening full of catching up. Happy Birthday Dad! During Americas' birthday however, I went to La Grange for a fireworks show and came across an adorable boutique called The Mustard Seed. They have a great selection of accessories and small variety of clothes but the atmosphere of the store is incredible. I got this skirt there and was dying to wear it as soon as I bought it! This floral belt completed the look. I bought this at a store in the Galleria Mall called Agaci.
God Bless America!
emily kate(:

June 17, 2010

Heat Wave






My lovely mother and I have annual lunch dates and she always looks gorgeous. So naturally I had to write a blog about her amazing outfit. The red accents are perfect with the light brown top. I would not normally mix these two colors together but after seeing this I am certainly incorporating this mash up of colors into my summer wardrobe. She paired them with white bermuda shorts and evened out this crazy combo. These red hot accents are smokin'.
Don't die of heat stroke with these colors around!
emily kate(:

Cargo Go-Go



Cargo pants are known for being baggy and unflattering; Well not anymore! These shorts give you the perfect relaxed and effortless look. While I was shopping at Walmart, I wandered into the apparel section and was surprised to find adorable cargo capris. When one pairs these with a cute tank or cropped top, one comes to find these shorts are great for a day at the beach. I am ready for this weekend to come so I can carry my cargo.
Don't pack too much cargo!
emily kate(:

June 15, 2010

ShoeDazzle



For a few months now I have been buying shoes from ShoeDazzle.com. This amazing website allows you to choose one pair of shoes each month for only $39.99. They also have stylists to pick out your five personalized options in your showroom . At the beginning of every month, I have a very hard time choosing which pair I am going to buy! They have a great variety of heels, flats, boots, platforms, and more. I absolutely love Kim Kardashians' line of shoes and strongly suggest you sign up for this great website.
Make your shoes dazzle,
emily kate(:

June 13, 2010

Sweet Home Alabama




I went to Orange Beach, Alabama this past week to visit some friends and of course, go to the ocean. The first day I was there on the beach and stepped on a glob of tar. I hadn't realized the oil spill had reached Alabama. Since we could not swim or go on the beach I resorted to shopping. Suprisingly, they have cute shops at The Wharf which is an adorable outdoor mall. This is what I wore shopping that day because the heat was excruciating! Anyway, I scored a few key pieces for my closet and walked away from Orange Beach very happy!
Thanks a lot BP!
emily kate(:

June 1, 2010

Leather and Floral




I have always wanted a flirty summer outfit that could go from day to night. I found this with jacket at Forever 21 and I love the edgy feel it puts off with the soft floral top in the background for neutralizing the look. You could pair this top with black leather and patent leather heels to take it over the top in edge. I paired it with a white leather jacket because I wore this on a picnic so it gave the outfit more of a summery feel.
Forever&Always,
emily kate(:

Let's Get Physical





Even thought the 1980's style is dead and gone, the original sports attire have been seen not only on the runway but also on the streets. This tomboy look is most commonly paired with tennis attire but it has also been found in the football, baseball, dance, and hockey sports too. In this picture above I am wearing a traditional Lacoste headband and shirt and a Forever 21 skirt. You don't have to be talented to win first place on this outfit.
Be A Winner!
emily kate(:

Time For Tea



It may be high-noon but you can wear a simple tee in so many ways. You can go from ultra casual to super chic just by adding a simple cardigan. You can also pair this t-shirt with a pencil skirt and blazer for a more business look as shown in Peacock Pride or with dark skinnies and big accent jewelry for the after office party. No sugar needed with this sweet look!
Remember, Pinkies up!
emily kate(:

May 31, 2010

Sneak-A-Peak





Ever thought of pairing skirts with sneakers? It is not only comfortable but also cute; especially for those long strolls through the mall! Make sure to choose a skirt that is above your knees for a sporty yet feminine touch. Converse are the perfect shoes to match with a cute floral skirt (as above). Don't be shy, bust out those old sneakers and get your flirt on with these adorable skirts.
Your feet will thank you!
Happy Memorial Day,
emily kate(: